THE Reason Why Not Infant Sprinkling BUT BELIEVERS BAPTISM Ought to be approved Is because the Lord Jesus Christ his Fore-runner and Apostles preach't it and practic'd it As hereby will further appear By Scripture Authority In about Fourty TEXTS With Notes on every TEXT To which is added How Infant Sprinkling came in Fashion The Evil Tendencies of Infant Sprinkling Answers to Objections Differences betw Believ Baptism and Inf. Sprink With several other things By a Believer Baptiz'd He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 The Eunuch said to Philip I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God And they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and Philip baptized him Act. 8.36 37 38. London Printed 1694. My Friend IF you are sincerely inquisitive about the Worship of God and desire the Reasons Why Believers Baptism ought to be approved and Infant Sprinkling rejected then be pleased to consider this small Treatise which as my Vnderstanding I commend to you and that in sincerity and love to our Lord Jesus Christ his Gospel and your Information Wherein you may observe that the method taken to discover right Baptism by is the clearest from deceit that could be because every Text about Baptism is taken in order as Recorded in Holy Scripture that thereby it may fairly and clearly appear to you as well as to me That 't is indeed Believers baptism that is the Gospel Ordinance requiâ—ed by Jesus Christ and that it is not Infant Sprinkling Besides if you as I have been are rightly in love with your own Salvation and consequently the Lord Jesus Christ then you will find an aptness in your Soul to be obedient to the Ordinances of Christ as parts of the Will of God According to the Apostles saying We are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus to good Works Eph. 2.10 and all from a principle of Love to God Christ his Gospel and goodness and the delight of them begotten in the Soul of the Regenerate This Soul considering redeeming Love desires it may glorify God according to John 15 8. Herein is my Father glorifyed that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples John 14.21 He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me And again If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my Love even as I have kept my Fathers Commandments and abide in his Love John 15.10 And therefore it is that many in our Age that have an effectual work of Grace upon their Souls have had also some Workings about Obedience to this great Gospel Ordinance of Believers Baptism Tho' some of them by Master save thy self Mat. 16.22 have been baffled off and their Light put out and those Motions stifled whereby they have turned their back upon it But the Lord preserves this Light in some and hath so in me and therefore I submitâ— to the prescribed Rule God hath given tho' thereby I converse among a poor dispised People according to the Apostle's observation of the Corinthian Saints 1 Cor. 1.26 To follow a Religion because it is in Fashion is not my Rule I have four sorts of People to deal with and they require four sorts of considerations to convince them and therefore I give variety 1. The Ignorant World that do not like believers baptism because it is commonly spoken evil of 2. The superstitious World that don't like it because it condemns part of their splendid way of worship 3. The Professor that dissents from that ignorance and superstition and zealously pursues a Reform'd yet a political way 4. The Converted that admires the Love that work'd about the Salvation of the Sinner and yet is somewhat blind about baptism c. But those among whom I expect the Doctrine of believers baptism should be effectual are all those that the Crucified Risen Jesus 's Lo I am with you shall give it success to The Sinner that 's fallen in Love with the Lord Jesus taketh him at his Word and in that hear of first Love dare do any thing for God Luke 7.47 This Soul is just touched with a Coal of holy Fire from the Altar and is all in a flame and takes the Glory of the World for Stubble And as by Revelation from the Father Mat. 11 27. Mat. 1.17 It Believes that the mighty Jesus is the Son of God so it Believes that this Sovereign Will ought to be obeyed And accordingly with the Fortitude that contemned Nebuchadnezzars Golden Image in the Face of a Fiery Furnaco Dan. 3. Resolves to be Baptized or Dipped Saying I must by baptism ingage in my Lords Service to fight the good fight of Faith and lay hold on Eternal life thro good report and evil report for what am I that I should pretend to a better way of obedience then my Saviour hath appointed Your Christian Friend C. D. London 1693. Yet for those of my Christian Brethren that â—re resolved upon their way of Infant Sprinkling 〈◊〉 in peace leave them to the Lord to their â—houghts and way and keep the Scripture Reason â—f Believers Baptism for as many as shall â—ave the grace to receive it And so as I began â—n Love to our Lord Jesus Christ I desire to end â—n love with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ CHAP. I. Matth. 3.1 2 5 6. 1. In those Days came John the Baptist preaching in the Wilderness of Judea 2. And saying Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Region round about Jordan 6. And were baptised of him in Jordan confessing their Sins I Note That as soon as this first Evangelist Matthew had by direction of the Spirit of God given a Relation of the Birth and preservation of our Lord Jesus Christ he presently tells us of John the Baptist preaching and baptizing thereby signifying That Faith in Christ hath the preference and that Obedience and Profession of Faith by baptism comes next in order Again The Persons to be baptized were such as confest their Sins but not Infants carried thither and senseless of Sin Agâ—in They were baptized or dipped in a River which they went to of their own Will but not sprinkled with a little Water out of a bâ—son or such like brought to them or they carried to it whether they would or no. Again Repentance was first preached and then upon Signs of Repentance the people were afterwards baptized So that the Subjects of and manner of baptism neither were Infants nor Sprinkling CHAP. II. Matth. 3.7 8. 7. But when he John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduces come to his baptism he said unto them O Generation of Vipers who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance I Note That those Persons that gave not Signs of Repentance were rejected from baptism or thus No Persons were admitted to baptism but upon
Zanchius Spanhemius Taylor and Hammond For which consult Legh's Critica Sacra Taylor 's Ductor Dubicantium and Hammonds Annotat. upon the New Testament Again To baptize before Reâ—entance is just contrary to John's Practice for he baptized no Infants and rejected persons that gave no signs of Repentance Mat. 3.7 8. CHAP. XIX John 1. 28.31 28. Jordan where John was baptizing 31. That he Jesus should be made manifest to Israel Therefore am I come baptizing with Water I Note That this fourth Evangelist John also beareth Record to the first Institution of believers baptism which John the Baptist administred in the River Jordan Again John's baptism was by Divine Authority he called people by his Ministery to Faith in Christ and expected good Works as the fruit of that Faith And here began to be laid the Foundation of the New Testament Church gathered out of the World by the Gospel call of Faith Repentance and baptism these People he divides he gathers the good and throws the bad away admits the Repenting the coming Sinner and Rejects the rest not an Infant baptized nor a grown person Sprinkled in this Heavenly baptism The Old Testament Church was National consisting of the Natural seed of Abraham Servants bought with Money and Proselyter who were circumcised to distinguish them from others by express command from God but the New Testament Church is congregational consisting of a separate People gathered by the call of the Gos el out of the World and are reputed the Spiritual Seed of Abrâ—ham by believing as he did Gâ—l 3.6 7. Even as Abraham believed God and it â—as aâ—coâ—â—ted to him for Righteousness Know ye thereâ—â—re that they which are of Faith the same are the children of Abraham CHAP. XX. John 3.22 23. 22. After these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judea and there he tarried with them and baptizâ—d 23. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim because there was much Water there I note That our Lord and Saviour ownâ— Johns Baptism by practising the same and as Iohn his Fore-runner had prepared the way by preaching Repentance and Baptism but not an Infant concerned therein So Christ admitted none to his baptism but such as made an â—ctual profession of faith Again Tho the reâ—son why Jesus and his Disciples and Iohn also baptized in Enon was because there was much Water there a fit place for baptizing yet some men nowadays by their practice reckon themselves wiser than Iohn or the Disciples and Iesus also and they choose a place where is a little Water a spoonful serves their turn and this is just contrary to the Text of being aâ— Enon because there was much water there The truth is Infant Sprinkling is contrary tâ— Baptism in all the parts of it Surely 't is clear that this Text proves there is something in much Water 't is material to Baptismal Obedience and that a little is no◠〈…〉 handful is not so proper as a River foâ—â—â—ptisâ— If by plausible pretences one Error be admitted into the Church then all Errors may follow CHAP. XXI John 4.1 2. 1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and Baptized morâ— Disciples than John 2. Tho Jesus himself baptised not but his Disciples I note That the baptised were Disciples Christ's Schollars before that he baptised them And tho he baptised more Disciples than John yet he baptised no Infants for the Text faith they were Disciples persons that had learn'd some of Christs Doctrines Again Baptised more Disciples proves that Infant Sprinkling is only a Humane Invention a Counterfeit devised to politically make all that are born in a Nation Church-members or visible Christians before they have Faith or Repentance of which sort the Antichristian Church is full Which secures their Priestly Grandeur c. Yet those whom Christ and his Disciples baptised were not Infants but Disciples besides Sprinkle they did none Moreover If Infant Sprinkling had been an appointment or Ordinance of Jesus Christ there would have been some Command or Example in Scripture to warrant the same But where the Scripture hath no Tongue to speak we should have no Ear to hear that we be not guilty of Will-worship And should any conclude that some of these baptised Disciples were Parents yet we find no mention of the Baptism of their little Children for the Lord Jesus knew that they had no right to Baptism tho their Parents were believers CHAP. XXII Acts 2.28 39 41. 28 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the rem ssion of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 39 For the Promise is unto you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even aâ— many as the Lord our God shall call 41 Then thâ—y that gladly received the Word were Baptised and the same day were added to them about Three Thousand Souls I Note That upon the Jews being by Peters Preaching convicted of sin and crying out What shall we do ver 27. Peter answers and commands Baptism even as he Commands Repentance Repent be baptised the Reason given why they should now repent and be baptised is because now they are according to promise called by the Gospel to believe Repent and be baptised but not called to be Sprinkled first and repent afterwards Again When People repent before they are baptised they are then in the way or order that the Wisdom of God hath assigned but Baptizing or Sprinkling before believing and repenting contradicts the order appointed by God Again This Duty Repent and be baptis d is not only injoyned them but after Generations Joel 2.32 the Remnant whom the Lord shall call Every ones Children that shall be called be called by the Gospel in all the World so full and free are the tenders of the Gospel for the promise is to many even as many as are called Rev. 7.9 I saw a great number which no Man could number of all Nations c. Again Of all these that the Promise was made to and to their Children None were baptized but those that gladly received the Word But it doth not appear that any Infants did or could be capable of receiving the Word and therefore they could not be the fit subjects for baptism Again Tho three thousand believers were added yet there was not one believing Parent that had an Infant either baptised or so much as sprinkled for they that were Baptised were only those that gladly received the Word For in the Text is not a word of little ones Baptism is only for those that gladly receive the Word Again The Primitive way of admitting Church Members was upon a profession of Faith a Believing Whereupon having that sign of a Change a Regeneration the Ministers then obedientially baptise them as directed by Christ in their Commission they being by baptism visibly added But they were not
with all his house for the Text notes that such and none other were baptized And therefore these could not be Infants A house of people converted together good News They all believed and were all baptized yea otherwise the Jaylors believing could not save his house nor one person Mark 16.16 Neither will one man's believing serve another to be baptized by Acts 8.37 CHAP. XXIX Acts 18.8 8. And Crispus the chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed on the Lord with all his house And many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized I Note That here again is the believing of a whole house and their baptizing upon it and so also as many of the Corinthians that believe were baptized and no more And why is there such care taken all along by the Holy Ghost to tell us of believing when we are told of baptizing but to shew That there was no baptizing without the parties first believing Believing and baptizing baptizing upon believing is the fix'd order of the Gospel and is about Fourty times mentioned but through out the Testament not a word of Infant Sprinkling And therefore it appears that the Holy Ghost hath given us ample proof of what is indeed the Ordinance of baptism having so often told us Repetition upon Repetition And then how dare any man reckon himself wiser than the Holy Ghost by making alterations and saying A little water is as good as a great deal and Sprinkling is as good as Dipping and that Infants that do not believe may be baptized as well as believing Men and Women Faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 And therefore Infants must be without Faith or do not believe CHAP. XXX Acts 19.3 4 5. Paul discoursing the Brethren at Ephesus 3. And he said unto them unto what then were you baptized and they said unto John's baptism 4. Thou said Paul John verily baptized with the baptism of Repentance saying unto the People that they should believe on him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus 5. When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus I Note That John's baptism and Christ's were the same only that John's was upon profession of Faith in Christ to come and Christ's baptism is upon profession of Faith in him already come Again To baptise a person by Dipping upon Profession of Faith that was Sprinkled in Infancy is no Rebaptizaâ—ion Do you say Infaâ—â—â— Sprinkling is lawfull because the Scripture doth not forbid it Thâ—â—â— I say it is unlawful because the Scripture doth not appoint it for what is 〈◊〉 commanded is forbiden And Samuâ—l said hath the Lord as great delight in burnt Offerings and Sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord behold to obey is bâ—â—to then Sacrifices c. 1 Sam. 15.22 23. And these Believers are they that according to Gods order and his peoples answer to the Gospel call ouâ—ht to be baptised to manifest that they do indeed seperate form the World and show forth Christs death and Resurrection CHAP. XXXI Acts 22.16 Paul relates how he was converted and that then Ananias said to him 16 And now why tarriest thou arise and be baptized and wash away thy Sins calling on the name of the Lord I Note That baptism is not to be delay'd when a person is converted but to be administered as the Holy Ghost knew best how to appoint the manner that it should be a proper sign and to a true believer a real token of the certainty of his being washed and cleansed in the blood of Christ O the unsearchable boundlesness and depth of the Riches of Christ represented by much water All things under the Law were cleansed by blood without shedding of blond was no remmission and this is the River of water of Life that Saints are washed in of which the Ordinance of believers Water baptism is a lively Emblem A River of Water of Life the boundless Ocean of the Merits of Christ's blood Rev. 1.5 Him that loved â—s and washed us from our sins in his own blood And so Jer. 23.6 according to Zech. 13.1 In that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the hoâ—se of David and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleaness Again To wash away filth Sprinkling is not so proper as dipping but here sins are to be washt away by baptism saith an Apostle CHAP. XXXII Rom. 6.3 4 5. 3. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ wer bâ—ptized into his Death 4. Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his Death we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection I Note That Faith in the Death of Christ is needful to baptism baptism or in English Dipping was a sign of the death and burial of Christ and so the rising up out of the water a sign of the rising of Christ out of his Grave which clearly shews that not sprinkling but dipping is proper to signify Death burial and Resurrection and not only that of Christ's but of our death to sin resurrection to newness of life in an holy walking before God and Men as saith Paul after his conversion and baptism the life that I now live is by Faith in the son of God and let the time past suffice for your vain conversation and that we should by Faith see that as our bodies are buried in the water so our sins are buried with Christ in the Grave and as our bodies are raised out of water so by Faith see Christ risen for our Justification and that we that are baptized are no more strangers and foreigners but visibly fellow Cittizens with the Saints Again By us that were baptized the Apostle meaneth believers not Infants for ever since his conversion he numbereth himself with believers Saints by calling CHAP. XXXIII 1 Cor. 1.13 14 15 16 17. 13. Were ye Baptized in the Name of Paul 14. I thank God that I baptised none of you but Crisput and Gains 15 Least any should say that I baptized in my own name 16. And I baptized also the houshould of Stephanus besides I know not that I baptized any other 17. For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel c. I Note That Paul doth not mean Christ did not at all require him tâ— baptize or that it was not in his Commission but he means he was not chiefly sent to do it these Scriptures are so to be understood John 6.27 1 Tim 2 14. Ephes 6.12 for if he had no command from Christ at all to baptize then he did evil in baptising Crispus and Gaius c. Act. 16.32.33 But it is evident that Paul declared the whole counsel of God was cammanded by Christ to baptise because he did baptise those in
That one may be baptized by anothers faith 4. That National Churches are more agreeable to the Gospel than Congregationâ—l 5. That a carnal Seed hath a spiritual Right 6. That aâ— Antichristian hath Authority to administer Christian Baptism 30. Of believers baptism God will not say Who hath required these things at your hands But of Infant Sprinklirg he may say so 31. Believers Baptism will stand as long as God's Word stands because supported thereby Matth. 5.18 But Infant Sprinkling must fall for want of it 32. Believers baptized do believe repent examine themselves make judgment of things love one another take up Christ's Cross Watch and Pray c. and therefore are fit Members of a Gospel Church â—ut Infants sprinkled do not do so and are not fit 33. Believers baptism hath God's word for it But Infant Sprinkl hath only human consequence 34. That bâ—lievers were baptised by the Apostles all Christians may affirm But that Infants were sprinkled by them none can 35. In Believers Baptism when the Minister dippeth and saith I baptize thee c. he speaketh Truth But in Infants sprinkling when the Minister sprinkleth and saith I baptize thee c. he speaketh an untruth at least 36. Believers baptized are taught of God and made his Disciples Mat. 28.18 Acts 15.10 But Infants sprinkled are neither 37. To Believers baptism submitted the L. Jesus But to Infants Sprinkling never any like him 38. Believers baptism introduceth no Error nor false Doctrine into the world But Infant sprinkliâ—g introduceth many Errors 1. That it taketh away Original sin 2. That it worketh grace and regeneration 3. That it effects salvation by the work done 4. That it is an Apostolical Tradition 5. That Infants have Faith 6. That Infants are Dâ—sciplâ—s of Christ 7. That only believers children are in Covenant 8. It polluteth the Church with Mingling the World and Church together 9. Many deceitful and crafty Inventions of Antichrist as Gossips Bishoping Crossings c. 10. It hath made contention in the Church 11. It hath caused the bloodshed of Saints Christian People's Self-Contradiction by Infant Sprinkling T Is strange that a people my Brethern in oâ—her Doctrines that have proved and contended for the Scriptures to be the only Rule of Faith and worship and in other cases wi l say where is it written should be fond of Infant Sprinkling for which they cannot find in Scripture any word Command nor Example for to give it the Reputation of a Church Ordinance I profess I must give away my Understanding if I consent to a Scriptureless Ordinance under the Name of a Scripture Ordinance Never lâ—t me nor other Christians pretend to bear a Testimony to the Truth by suffering Persecution if Scripture must not be my Rule of Understanding and Faith take away this and take all I have or all themselves have said in order to Christianity or relating to Regeneration and Salvation Can any Man speak against Popery or Superstition that will form a Principall Ordinance in the Church without Scripture Authority for it 't is self Contradiction so to do 'T is but pulling down one Babel and Building another Let him that would find the truth of Baptism search the Scriptures and there he may find that 't is believers Dipping A sight of a Believer at Baptizing When you see a believer at baptising you may know that Now he devides the time of his Life that whereas from his birth to this time of his Baptism he lived without giving this Gospelly appointed Sign of Believing in the Lord Jesus But now he will live so no longer He till now lived as the Ignorant Infant sâ—rinkled World that gives no signs of special believing by special obedience to this call of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel But now the Believer is baptized that of choice in obedience and according to his Lord Jesus's requirement he declares to every body that he is a believer a believer in the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus to save and that he will no longer live as the Unregenerate do without the further Sign of his Faith by his Gospel Obedience But will as you see by baptism divide the Time of his l fe that he may now say let the time pâ—st suâ—â—â—e for a vain Coâ—verâ—â—tion a careless fearful anâ— disobedient Conversation And may also from this time say the life that I â—â—w live is by Faith in the Son of God My baptism upon beliâ—ving is a doing that the Gospel requires for a beginning of a Visibility of this â—ife of Faith undergoing the Reproach of the world for the sake of my Lord the â—ying Jesus of Nazareth our exalted Saviour Of Reproaches and Sufferings HIstorâ— affords Relations of many people in all Ages since the first plantat on of the Gospel that have suffer'd Contempt Reproach Scandal Lyes disgrace cruâ—ll â—â—ocâ—ings misery Imprisonment Death and puâ—â—ick Maâ—tyrdom â—ot only for the saâ—e of profâ—ssing the Doctâ—iâ—es of the Gospel in general but in paâ—ticular for the Doctrinâ— of believ rs Baptism And that which seems more strange is that those Men who have been the most bitter Enemies to the purity of the Gospel have in all Ages been persons not slighting or dispising Religion but those that have made great pretentions to Religion all of the same Spirit as were the Scribes and Pharisees that under a show of Sanctity lamented the sufferings and Death of the Prophets and paid a kind of Devotion to the place where they were laid and built their Sepulchers and yet as their Fathers did so did they still go on with Persecution And ever since the severe minded People upon account of Religion have been the Priestly People Nay what is worse a Reformed People have been as Ridgid as the former Behold a Wonder a Bush burning and not consumed Exod. 3.3 and Moses said I will turn aside and set this great sight c. God's lively Emblem of the Aflicted Persecuted Church of Christ The Dignity of the Lord Jesus that Baptised Believers obey The Mighty Jesus is the God man saith God the Father The Man that is â—y Fellow Zach. 13. 7. His Name shall be called the wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace Isaiah 9.6 Who is the Iâ—age of the Invisible God the first born of every Creature Col. 1.15 16 17 18 19 20. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him He is before all things and by him all things consist And he is the head of the Body the Church who is the beginning the first born from she dead that in all things he might have the preheminence For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Beware lest
arose to the water And thus tho God hath an Ocean of Grace and that this grace is free as a River Ps 78.20 Iude 3. Isa 33 21. yet saith Goâ— of his people They shall come weeping and mourning Isa 48.18 And so tho his Ordinance of water be free yet his people shall come to that and not a little of that brought to Sprinkle as if they were afâ—aid of too much and as if too much water Psal 36.8 would signify too much grace or us if could they but have grace or sanctity enough to carry them to Heaven they would not have a drop more Now Believer if it come to pass by thiâ— or any other means that thou art wrought to a solid desire publickly to profess thy self Religious Mar. 10.32 A believer on the Son of God for Salvation by an obediential submitting to this Gospelly settled Ordinance of believers baptism and yet thou findest in thy self frailty and inability to live a perfect holy Life as becometh such a professor and therefore thinkest with thy self to delay baptism till thou art stronger fortified against Corruption and better qualified for baptism If so then rest on thy Lord Jesus Eph. 5.26 and conclude to live thro the gâ—ace of God as well as thou caâ—st if not so well as thou wouldest so resolve to be baptized If thou believâ—st with all thy heart thou may'st be baptised Believing or Faith is an heart qualifying grace and doth and will bring forth the good fruits of an holy conversation tho much of corrupt Nature still remaineth Then what hinders thy obedience to thy Saviours appointed believers baptism Observe That the Jaylor Acts. 16. falling out of love with his sins speak like a man of sense and reason What shall I do to be saved And then the Apostle directs him higher than sense or reason even to act as a man of Faith too If thou wilt do then believe do that without staying for thy own Acts of Rigteousness believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Do that first and then thou art right to do more Faith is the Root of other Sanctified Obedience and also gives right to baptism If thou believest is the point that the Gospel stands upon art thou poor art thou vile nay art thou the vilest of sinners if thou believest art changed there 's no Objection against thee There 's no Qualification like believing in the Cruâ—ified Iesus of Nazareth that hath undertaken to Sanctifie Sinners Godly Parents and all the Forms of Worship are not to be compared to believing with all the heart Thus If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest be baptized Acts 8 37. Art thou a Gentile Person Then behold the Noble Ethopian Minister of State Acts 8. riding in his Chariot with his Courtly Attendence commanding all to stand still while he gâ—es down into the Water with Philip to be obedient to his Saviours dispised Rule of dipping whereby he sets himself against a Kingdom Ethiopia and then he went on his way rejoycing at the greatness of his Priviledge according to Phil. 1.29 Acts 5.41 Again But it may be thou hast been a Persecutor That indeed is a dreadful thing thou hast hereby made War upon God and his Son Jesus that should be thy Saviour and all the Saints and if thou mightest had thy Will thou wouldest have done strange things But yet see the kindness of the Lord Jesus to Saul And when Sauls Convictions made him cry out Lord what wilt thou have me to do He was then taught and sent to Ananias who said to him Why tarriest thou arise and be baptized Acts 22.16 And now to turn the stream of his Labours the Lord Jesus will have Saul become Paul the Preacher of the everlasting Gospel and a sufferer for it too Hear what the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah saith of the fullness and freeness of the grace of the Gospel to the poor and vile sinner Isa 55.1 2. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters the grace of the Gospel he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine Milk without Money without price Wherefore do you spend your Money your desires for that which is not Bread and your labour for that which satisfies not The Son of God confirmeth this John 7.37 38. In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood and cryed saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Water the Spirit and Grace of the Gospel And again This exalted Saviour winds up his New Testament discovery of his Grace by his Proclamation in Revelations 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is a thirst Come and whosoever will let him take the Water of life freely What wouldst have more O Sinner that seest thy pollutions and art under the sense of their deserts tho thou canst not by thy best Obedience answer the demands of a holy severe Law yet thou canst by believing with all thy heart answer the call of a holy reconciling Gospel that freely offers Christ for thy acceptance and injoyns Believers Baptism as a tryal of thy saith And so if thou believest in the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus with all thy heart thou mayst be baptised FINIS An Appendix If any be offended at this Treatise Then of them I Query Query 1. HOW comes it to pass that Liberty of Conscience is not a Christian's Priviledge now As much as it was when the Men of your perswasion hotly contended for it Query 2. Are you an Infallible Judge of a Christian's Reason Why he believes and obeys Gods Will in Scripture Tho never any Papist or Protestant could find a Iudge so safe for Salvation as the Scripture Query 3. Is it not safest for a Christian in the Conduct of his Life to Follow the Exemplary Practice of Christ and his Apostles Query 4. Wherein do Persons by sprinkling Infants follow the Practice of Christ his Apost Query 5. The Apostles by Dipping Believers only did faithfully discharge the Baptismal part of their Commission Then I Query by what or whose commission are Infants now Sprinkled for I never heard of another commission by Divine Authority Query 6. Infants being Sprinkled without Christ's commission for it How doth it appear that Infants Sprinkling will be accepted by Christ instead of believers baptism Query 7. Do not the Judgments on a Nation often come for want of Reformation from Popery and the Image of it in the Churches Query 8. Am not I in obeying and defending Forty New Testament Texts more excusable than some others that with Non-sequitors Crown the many more Learned that have pretended to defend Infant Sprinkling Query 9. Is it not safest for the finding of a New Testament Truth Baptism to compare all the New Testament
VII Mat. 21.25 26 27. 25. The Baptism of John whence was it from Heaven or of Men And they reasoned among themselves saying if we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did ye not then believe him 26. But if we shall say of Men We fear the People for all hold John a Prophet 27. And they answered Jesus and said we cannot tell I Note That some Men tho in the days of Christ disowned the Doctrine of baptism upon Repentance and John the first Preacher and Administrator of it Because there was as they thought a peculiar saving Priviledge unalterably annexed to the Children of Abraham tho when grown up were impenitent Joh. 8.33 but it was but a pharasaical thought Many that are not in love with Christ discover it by not being in love with his Ordinance for his sake And some again are willing their own Invention may serve for his Ordinance And it appears John 2.23 that this baptism of John was in much Water and therefore he abode and preached in a place near much Water but if a little Water would have done then he might have Travel'd and Preached and Sprinkled in the Hill Countrey all over the Land but to baptize or Dip he must be where is much Water and therefore abode at Enon a place by the River Iordan because there was much Water there Behold our Jesus indisputation sheweth that Diping after repentance is from heaven but Sprinkling before signs of Repentance is of Man's invention CHAP. VIII Matth. 28.19.20 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptiking them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the World Amen I Note That here is the Commission of Believers Baptism given by our Lord Iesus Christ King of Saints and Law-giver to his Church And that the Ministers of his Gospel are to preach first upon the success of their Ministâ—y baptize only those who believe the Gospel Therefore unless Infants hear the Word preached and become thereby convinc't of sin and the excellency of a Saviour they are not within the reach of the commission for baptism but that Infants do not do and therefore they that sprinkle or baptize before preaching set up their own folly against the wisdom of God by doing the last first just contrary to the Commission Moreover to baptize either Infants or Men or Women before they believe is to make all seem Church and no World or rather continue all World and make no visible Church but our Saviour will have a Church out of the World And therefore he saith to his Church Ioh. 15.19 I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hates you and accordingly believers are appointed to be baptized to distinguish them from the World See more pag. 15. Again This promise of Christ's presence with his people is upon condition of observing the method of baptizing after preaching for preserving his visible Church from mixing with Unbelievers CHAP. IX Mark 1.4 5. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins 5. And there went out to him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the River of Iordan confessing their sins I Note that this Evangelist also relates that baptism was administred not at a river but in a rivâ—â— by dipping of persons that went out not carried out and upon confession of sins which Infants cannot do Again Tho the Pharisees that thought they knew the Law did not receive Baptism yet God found a people that did upon confession of sins and therefore let not us that are sincere for Christ and his Gospel be afraid of the reproach of some Ecclesiastical Persons but value the love of God for the text saith Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulitrous and sinful Generation c. Mark 8.38 Matth. 10.32 Again I wonder how the Infant Sprinkling Ministers dare say In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost I baptize thee c. When they do but Rantize or Sprinkle and not Baptize or Dip. If they will sprinkle in some bodies name and not in their own it is then to my understanding more proper and safe for them to say In the Name of the Fathers Popes and religious Men I spriâ—kle thee according to the declared Will of the Milevetan Council in this case It is our Will that c. and of the 5th Council of Carthage An. 416. We will that c. but this is not God's Will and then they 'l put no fallacy upon God's Ordinance of baptism nor speak untruth in the name of the Trinity And let me here speak directly to some Christians that are for Infant Sprinkling what tho you believe personal Election is there therefore a necessity that you must sprinkle your Infants believing that that election runs only in your Line by natural Generation Tho it may be you can say as a great many can That truly I do not know whether there be another christian of my Generation or no for they all by their Lives discover Ignorance and Unbelief of the Lord Iesus or at most make but a Laodiccan profession and then my brethren what incouragement have you to reckon that Election will run to your Generation after you and that your Infants should be sprinkled Moreover personal election is a secret residing only in God then how can you personally apply Election before their personal believing Furthermore election gives no right to baptism until the elect person be taught or called according to the commission of preaching baptizing God's order of working about the salvation of a sinner is God elects and his Ministers calls and the spirit going with the Word regenerates and upon that comes a bending to obedience and profession Or thus God elects and Man preaches and then God regenerates and Man baptiseth God works first First Is the decree of salvation 2dly The publishing of it 3dly The change made in the soul 4thly The sign thereof and a profession which by the will of God ought to be done by dipping see p. 27. as a lively Emblem of cleansing in the merits of Christ the River of Water of Life As God in order of time hath placed Election before Sanctification so he hath placed teaching before baptizing CHAP. X. Mark 1.9 10 11. 9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 10. And straight way coming up out of the Water he saw the Heavens opened and the Spirit like a Dove descending upon him 11. And there came a Voice from Heaven saying thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased I Note That the Evangelist Mark as well as
Saul or Paul by many illustrious circumstances all clos'd up as it were with a seal Baptism as if his Conversion would not have been complete without Baptism so sacred and of great import is Baptism to follow conversion Baptism is the great demonstrative Expression of a Change in the Soul Again Paul arose that is as much as to say went some whither to be baptized where was much water for else a little if that would have done might have been brought to him as it is now a days to children but to be dipt he must arise Joh. 14.13 Mic. 2.10 and go to some place where is much water Jer. 13.4 2 Sam. 17.22 And this we find in Scripture was the constant practice of the Apostles in obedience to their commission Mat. 28.19 20. and accordingly this Apostle practiced it himself and praiseth the Corinthian Saints for their punctual observation of Ordinances 1 Cor. 11.1.2 Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them to you Baptism was delivered in the Pattern by Dipping Mat. 3.16 17. not by Sprinkling and therefore Sprinkling will not serve but it must be Dipping they went down into the Water Acts 8.38 CHAP. XXVI Acts 10.46 47 48. 46. Then answered Peter 47. Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus c. I Note That signs of Conversion are all along made the Qualifications or Reasons why persons should be baptized But Infants giving no signs of Conversion are therefore not qualified Again Water Baptism is so great a Duty that the Apostle commanded it upon finding the persons qualified but Infant Sprinkling being no where commanded or directed is a clear proof that the Children of the Believing Parents of those times were not qualified for baptism by their Parents believing Again That which the Apostles did bapbaptize with was that which Christ commanded to baptize with viz. Water Again Persons receiving the spirit of God is not sufficient to excuse them from the call of the Gospel to be baptized with water but is rather a sure qualification for water Baptism for no man can mend the Apostles Commission Mat. 28.19 20. Gal. 1.8 Again Sprinkling is not here commanded by Peter but Dipping he commanded them to be baptized that is dipped in the name of the Lord Jesus Surely if Sprinkling had been enough the Apostle would not have injoyned dipping Acts 8.38 Baptizing in much water is made an Emblem of abundance of grace and glory Rev. 1.5 6. tho some people chose a few Drops CHAP. XXVII Acts 16.14 15. 14. And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of Purple of the City of Thyatyra which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul 15. And when she was baptized and her household she constrain'd us to abide at her house I note That Lydia was a Merchant-woman a stranger in this country where she lived and in appearance a single Woman or unmarried because there is no mention of either husband or children as is usual where such are concerned nay she is named as principal not by a Husbands name but by her own name Lydia not as having an Husband nor in an Husbands business but her own a Soller which further clears that she had no husband nor children here where she lived Note her Speech Not in our House but in my House she properly calls it her House whereby it clearly appears the had no husband And why 〈◊〉 my should imagine she had children in her â—â—use is very strange and but a poor shift to bring in Infâ—â—t Sprinkling by but that she had a servant or two is probable because iâ— beâ—â—â—â— to her business of Trade and 〈…〉 â—ut for any to affirm that â—â—e had hâ—drâ—◠〈◊〉 the Text is altogether â—â—letâ— and leaing so much to the contrary much 〈…〉 〈◊〉 and except it be affirâ—â—â— shâ— had 〈◊〉 â—lso that they were not of maturiâ—â— â—â—d did not â—â—â—â—ve this Text will do Infant Spâ—â—kling no â—â—rvice For a supposition will not be sufficient ground to build a Church Ordinance upon at least when many Scriptures appear against it If thou believest thou may'st be baptizid was Philips terms to tho Eunuch and upon these terms Lydia's Servants might have right to baptism Again if Lydia had a husband in her Housal at her baptising t is strange that notice should be taken of the Wives baptizing and not of the Husbands nay if she had had a Huâ—band therein surely he would have been named and if no husband then why children Again If Lydia had a husband 't is strange that she should in description be described to be a Woman and not a Wise and that she belonged to such a city and not to such a person and that the Trade should pass in her name and not in her Husbands and that she was the Housekeeper not a Lodger Again Had Lydia had a Husband with her whereby a greater probability of children might arise it is very likely it would have been said That Lydia and her husband as well as Lydia and her Household or Lydia the Wife of such a Man and himself were baptized and their Houshold Judg. 4.4 or had she been a Widow to have been called so as the Woman of Sarepta to whom Elias was sent was called a Widdow Luke 6.26 And again Luke 7.12 The only Son of his Mother and she was a Widdow Moreover In all the forty Texts about baptism there is not one Child mentioned then why any should imagine that Lydia had any is strange for here is no more sign of Lydia having Children then there is of Pauls CHAP. XXVIII Acts 16.30 31 32 33 34 Paul and Sylas being cast into Prison an Earthquake comes the chains and Doors open and amazingly convicts the Jaylor who came trembling to them 30. And brought them out and said Sirs What must I do to be saved 31. And they said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house 32. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord and to all that were in his house 33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and his straight way 34. And when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them and rejoyced believing in God with all his house I Note That the Gospel was preached to all that were in his house and he and his received it and rejoyced believing in God with all his house And these that rejoyced believing are they that were baptized But if it be supposed that he had Children then 't is as supposable he had none and if supposed that they were baptized it can be only such mature children that the Text saith Rejoyced believing
Christs Name 1 Cor. 1.13 15. And again the only reason Paul gives for his not baptising is least any should say that I baptized in my own name and so set up for a party to my self and divide Christ's Church among principle Ministers and this he saith only to clear himself of Schism Again Pauls buisiness was chiefly to convert and other Ministers to baptize much like the Text John 4.2 Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples and so there is no doubt but the believing Corinthians were baptized tho' not all by Paul and so John 3.22 CHAP. XXXIV 1 Cor. 10.2 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea I Note That as when believers are baptised they publickly own Christ for their head leader so the chilâ—ren or people of Israel passing with the cloud before and behind them and through the Red Sea they publickly declared Moses to be their leader so it was to them the distinguishing Sign or Ordinance and that by God's Appointment they were all that obeyed the Lord by Moses to pass through the Sea Again There is also resemblance between dipping and being in the cloud and in the sea for in both the whole body is covereâ— the cloud was before Israel and behind and it rested upon them and they were in the cloud covered all over And the Sea also was a resemblance of dipping for as they went uâ—on the bottom of the Sea the waters were abundantly higher than their heads and therefore it may be said they were in the depth of the Sea or in a sense Dipt For they were in the middle and at the bottom tho' the waters were miraculously made to stand from their Bodies that they might not be drowned and Therefore and Apostle may say as this Apostle saith And were all bâ—ptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the Sea CHAP. XXXV 1 Cor. 12.13 13. For by one spirit we are all baptised into one body whether we be Jâ—w or Gentile whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one spirit I Note That the Spirit that accompanys the Preaching of the Gospel is one in all places and to all Persons that effectually believe and because of thus believing we believers were baptized into one Church The Bride the Lambs Wife part whereof were the visible Saints at Corinth to whom we were added by visible demonstration baptism whether we were servants or free all one all alike whether our Parents believing or unbelieving so the Person baptized were a believer and have been all partakers of the one Spirit in the one Body the Church through the Spirit and baâ—tism Love to the Brethren is from the oneness of that one Spirit of God and the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one Soul Acts 4.32 Again Infants are not concerned in this All baptized for Infants were not the Coâ—inthian Saints that this Epistle was writ to 1 Cor. 1.2 nor were Infants bond servants neither had Infants the comforts of the Spirit attending Faith in our Lord Jesus for that Spirit convinceth the world of sin and a soul of the want of a Saviour and also shews it the Christ that dyed not for his own sins but others An Infant cannot believe this Paul again numbereth himself among the believers and not among Infants CHAP. XXXVI 1 Cor. 1â— 29 20. Else what shâ—ll th y â—o whi h are baptized for the Dead If the Dead rise not at all why are they then bapâ—â—zeâ— for the deaâ— I Note That in â—his Chapter the Apostle is about to clear up the Resurrection of the dead and to do it takeâ— the baptising of the Saints upon theiâ— believing to be one good Argument for it and â—â—coâ—dingly argues thus The Saints baptiâ—m oâ— dipping â—o signify the Death of Christ rising again out of the Water to signify the resurrection of Christ would signify nothing if there was not indeed the Resurrection of the â—ody of Christ nor is to be indeed a Resurrection of the Saints of whom Christ's Body was the firâ—â— Fruits What signifies saith he to believers your being baptized into oâ— upon the Profession of the Faith of the Death and Resurrection of Christ if Christ did not die and rise again and if he arose again then in time shall be a Resurrection of them that are his the Bodies of the Saints being the purchase of the Blood of Christ as well as their Souls Again No Infants can be concerned in this Baptism because they could not be baptised for the dead they could not believe nor confess that Christ died rosâ— again That one dead risen Jesus should satisfy the demands of infinite Justice for thousands and millions of notorious Sinners chief of Sinners pall present to come of which his Resurrection being a discharge from the Prison of Death is a clear proof that he paid all the demands of injurest Justice CHAP. XXXVII Gal. 3.27 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ The Apostle in this Chapter is shewing that persons in a state of nature are under the Bondage soveraignty of the Law of Works the holy yet imperfect to justify a sinner Had there been a Law that could have given Life Christ needed not to have died But Saints by faith obedience are apparently Christ's Free-men I note that As many as have upon profession of the faith of the Gospel been Baptized have given a sign of being changed from expectations of Justification by the Works of the Law to an expectation of Justification by the Blood of Christ so from a state of nature to a state of grace that you Galathians have so declared your being baptized upon prof ssion of that Doctrine is a sufficient testimony thus he goes on expect not Justification by the Law begâ—n not in the spirit end in the flesh now Baptism hath publickly distinguished you from the world fight the good fight of Faith in the Son of God Again Infants never did put on Christ for they never did from a sense of a change in nature or faith in the Gospel desire Baptism but on the contrary are after their Sprinkling in a state of nature as every days experience proves by their signs of unregeneracy the continual pressing that preachers make to turn Again As a Noble man's Servant is put in his Lords Livery to be kn wn thereby so Believers Baptism is a piece of the Livery of the Lord Jesus CHAP. XXXVIII Eph. 5.4 4. One Lord one Faith one Baptism I note that As here is but one Baptism so it ought to be Continued as it was begun by Dipping of Believers for there is but one Baptism appointed as an Ordinance in the Church as for Sprinkling of Infants it is without any Example or order from Christ or his Apostles therefore that cannot be Baptism so that there being but one baptism that baptism
Signs of Repentance which John saw was wanting in some persons and those he rejected as not intended in his Commission And therefore Infants are not intended Again The Infants of believing Gentiles cannot be concerned in baptism because not so much as the Infants of the Jews or Israelites were for John required Signs of Repentance before admittance to baptism because only the true believers are the New Testament Israelites and not Infants They are not all Israel that are of Israel Rom. 9.6 Rom. 2.28 29. Again If some will make the Infants of believing Parents Church-members by baptism or by Sprinkling because they reckon them in the Covenant why will they not continue them Church-members when they are grown up as If their growing up to Maturity were a growing out of the Covenant And indeed these in the Text being a generation of Vipers shew that believers Children are not in the Covenant so much more than others as to be baptised for John hear sets that Covenant aside from giving right to baptism CHAP. III. Mat. 3.9 And think not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our Father For I say unto you that God is able of these Stones to raise up Children unto Abraham I note That Parents being believers do not entitle their Children to baptism For God hath neither so confined himself by promise or the ordinary dispensation of his Grace as Experience teacheth Tho' he had promised many things to Abraham and his Seed by natural Generation yet none could by that Generation claim a peculiar priviledge in Gospel things For instance this of baptism is now denyed them they being without Repentance an effect of another Generation A being born again born of God And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to promise Gal. 3.29 And you hath he quickned who were dead in Trespasses and Sins Eph. 2.1 And therefore let none reckon themselves better than others because they were born of believing or professing Parents For we are all by Nature the Children of Wrath as well as others Eph. 2.3 Again If our right to this Ordinance as some would have it be founded in our believing Parents Rom. 4.4 how is it that an awakened Soul that hath been sprinkled in its Infancy sees it self in an utter lost condition by nature having no right to the Covenant of promise or the signs of it by any natural inherent Qualification or birth-priviledge And when by Faith it comes to have a view of the Lord Jesus then it sees that all religious visible priviledges are injoyed in the way of believing in him CHAP. IV. Mat. 3.11 I indeed Baptize you with Water unto Repentance But he that cometh after me is mightion than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire I Note That Repentance is such an essential qualification for Baptism that God in gathering his Gospel Church Commissionates his prophet John to preach it to prepare fit Members for that Visible Church and that also upon signs of Repentance to admit them by Baptism And that without those Signs Baptism should not be administered whereby it appears that God hath made Repentance as the root or Tree and Baptism as the Branch and so Gospel Baptism cannot actually have a being without signs of Repentance God hath ordained that Gospel Baptism should be the Fruit on the Signs of Repentance If you rake away the cause the effect ceases and accordingly John Baptized none but them in whom he found the cause Again John foreseeing the coming of the Lord Jesus and considering the manner of Baptising to be over-whelming in Water takes occasion from thence to foretell of the abundance of the Holy Ghost that the Saints should be endewed with so it was fulfill'd Acts 2.2 3 4. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost c. CHAP. V. Mat. 3.13 14 15. 13. Then cometh Iesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him 14. But John forbad him saying I have need to be Baptised of thee and comest thou to me 15 And Iesus answering said unto him suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all Righteousness then he suffered him I Note That baptism is of divine Institution for the son of God himself submited to it as to Righteousness that he might fulfill all the will of God notwithstanding that the Prophet Iohn the Adminstrator thought that the dignity and innocency of the Person of Christ was above that Administration yet Jesus saw his duty as man standing in the room of the sinner to give for him a perfect Obedience to divine Justice and therefore submitted to Baptism or Dipping leaving an Example for our imitation Mat. 28.19 Acts 2.38 Acts 10.48 Again It was first Jesusâ—s choice to be baptized and not Iohn the Administrators to baptize him and so in the choice Jesus was Active and Iohn Passive but Infants are altogether passive and not at all active for sprinkling but rather by crying shew their dislike Again Jesus to fulfill his Fathers righteous Will of baptizing came where was much water tho it was many miles to it but if a few drops would have done then that might have been had where he was and Iohn might have come to him CHAP. VI. Matth. 3.16 17. 16. And Jesus when he was baptized went up straitway out of the Water and lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him 17. And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased I Note That the Lord Jesus in his baptism had not water brought to him neither did he withdraw to a Rivolet nor stand by the River-side nor did a little water suffice nor did he it in private but he went down so far and deep into the River that the Text is express When he was baptized he went up straight way out of the water Mark he went up out of the water is the curious penning of the matter by the Holy Ghost to shew the considerable depth our Lord went into the water to be dipt that it may appear much water is necessary for the right Administration of baptism This was his solemn Entrance into his publick Ministry Again God the Father the Creator of all things the high and lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity gives his Testimony to this his own ordinance of baptism or dipping by the Holy Ghost's glorious and miraculous appearing from Heaven in a visible descent and the Father approving his Son's submiting to his righteous Will Never was any Church-Ordinance usher'd in with more Glory than the Ordinance of believers baptism CHAP.
Matthew is imployed by the Holy Spirit of God to let us know That our Lord Jesus Christ at Man's Estate submitted to dipping notwithstanding the Dignity of his Person being God manifest in the Flesh Immanuel God with us behold this mighty person bears a Testimony too and puts a glory upon baptizing or dipping of visible Saints by being himself baptized in the River Jordan at Thirty years of Age Luke 3.23 If God hath appointed Dipping why should Man pretend to sprinkle as if Man was wiser than his Maker or had a Soveraignty over God's Worship I think none but Papists claims that Prerogative tho others practice it But sensible Christian do thou choose believers Dipping and reject Infant Sprinkling For the Lord Jesus chose to be so baptized and He hath dignity and soveraignty to command thy Obedience and this sort of Obedience even believers baptism in much water CHAP. XI Mark 11.30 30. The Baptism of Iohn was it from Heaven or of Men Answer me I Note That also the Evangelist Mark mindeth that our Saviour himself put the Question for us that profess believers baptism Was it from Heaven or of Men This Question being close to the point pusled the great Men of that Day that opposed Dipping so that they seemed to stand as it were speechless therefore our Saviour closes upon them again saying Answer me Answer the Question And then they set their carnal Reason to work to find out some sophistical Answer and preserve their Reputation among the People and the Learnedst Answer that they could find was a subtil one We cannot tell See their Policy in the Text And they reasoned with themselves not with the Scriptures if we shall say from Heaven he will say Why then did ye not believe him If we shall say of Men they feared the People would be in a rage for pretending to Divinity and yet deny Dipping a Heavenly Institution for all men counted that John was a Prophet indeed and they answer'd and said unto Jesus We cannot tell c. Mark 11.31 32 33. And thus our Lord Jesus shews That Dipping after signs of Repentance is an undeniable Doctrine God will accept nothing in his Worship but what he hath appointed and that 's sufficient to constrain me to submit to the great Gospel Ordinance of believers baptism tho many cannot tell CHAP. XII Mark 16.15 16. 15. And he said unto them go ye unto all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned I Note That this Promise he that believeth is baptised shall be saved seems to carry a great force in being baptised as well as in Believing But unquestionably it carries that believing is essential to saving and it is to go before baptizing and not baptizing before believing for that is just contrary to the Text Man's Will for God's Heb. 11.6 John 4.23 Believing and baptizing you see are joyned in the Text and therefore what God hath joyned together let no man put asunder And were it indeed that Infants were dipp'd which is the right Mode of baptizing it would not further their salvation they not belitving God having reserv'd the way of their salvation as a secret peculiar to himself even by the unsearchable Riches of Christ Then how can Infants have any thing to do with Baptism for Baptism here in the Commission is not annexed to a natural birth but to Preaching believing Again To secure dipping from supposed danger all the World in the Text signifieth cold Countries as well as hot and the Promise Lo I am with you preserves yea I never heard of any believer that had hurt in Baptizing Again Here 's a Commission for believers baptism but where is any Commission for Infant Sprinkling And they that act in the Kings Name without's Commission are invaders of the Kings prerogative Royal and instead of obeying they set themselves in the Throne CHAP. XIII Luke 3.2 3. 2. The word of God came unto John c. 3. And he came into all the Country about Jordan preaching the baptism of Repentance for the remission of Sins I Note That the Evangelist Luke also bears a Testimony to believers baptism upon signs of repentance and not to Infants nor sprinkling for they can give no signs nor can a little water serve for in the text it was done in a River Consider God's â—anger with Israel for among other things changing his Altar of Earth Stone or chittim wood into an Altar of Brick Isa 65.2 3. but Infant sprinklers say Why is not Sprinkling as good as Dipping seeing it will as well represent the thing signifyed by Baptism But that 's their mistake and God can tell best Why not and 't is best for us to obey and Dip when God saith Dip. So Naaman the Assyrian thought that God's choice and order was too precise and that therefore another place was better as now of Infant sprinkling some think t is better than believers baptism Said Naaman Are not Abana and Pharpar Rivers of Damascus better than all the Waters of Iâ—rael May I noâ— wash in them and be clean So he â—â—rned and went away in a rage but his servants advised him to obey 2 Kings 5.12 No repenting no baptiziâ—g If the Question be put Tho is to be baptized Why the answer is He that repenteth For the Gospel is to be preached only to such as are capable of believing and repenting and consequently of being baptised there upon Again Iohn preached in all the Country near the River because of much water CHAP. XIV Luke 3.7 8. 7. Then said he to the Multitude that came forth to be baptized of him O generations of Vipers who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore Fruits worthy of Repentance and begin not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our Father for I John say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up Children unto Abraham I Note That being the natural Children of believing Parents tho grown persons doth not intitle them to this holy Ordinance for God is able by his Spirit in the Call of the Gospel to raise up Children unto Abraham and as he was counted the Father of the Faithful so his Children of the promise must be believers for of the Race of the Gentiles as we in England are we cannot be the seed of Abraham but as we are believers and faithful and so Abraham becomes our Father and then comes in our claim to the promise to Abraham and to his Children And accordingly hear Iohn the Baptist rejects natural generation and calls for regeneration Fruit c. for 't is not Abraham to our Father but believing that gives right to baptism Moreover every days experience teacheth us that tho multitudes of Infants are sprinkled yet but few very few of them when at maturity shew signs of Faith and Repentance And on
the other hand experience every day teacheth us that very many of them that have Repentance or an effectual work of grace upon their souls are those that cannot plead the priviledge of having believing Parents then pray what peculiar right to baptism hath the children of believing Parents more than others Besides if the now believer that was sprinkled in his Infancy have swaying reasons to believe that neither of his Parents were believers and such there are then by what rule did his Parents sprinkle or as he calls it baptize him And by Vertue of what promise doth the believer reckon his Infant Baptism effectual or valid to him seeing his Parents were Unbelievers For the promise was made as he reckoneth only to the Children of believing Parents Pray then doth not the unbelief of his Parents make his baptism void for want of a ground to found his baptism on Yes Abraham was not Father of our English Nation And therefore think not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our Father As we came to Christ not by the Will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of the will of God so cometh more be their Parents believers or unbelievers Or thus Our children cannot be the children of Abraham till they believe as he did Again formerly as well as now a generation of Vipers too often comes of believing Parents then how are they in the covenant more than others As 't is not election but sanctification that actually qualifies men for heaven so 't is not Election but Believing that actually qualifies for baptism The Elect are chosen to be sanctified as well as to be saved and accordingly are called by the Gospel to believe and then be baptised and that as a sign of their Faith and all this is before they are actually saved CHAP. XV. Luke 3.12 13. 12. Then came also Publicans to John to be baptised and said to him Master what shall we do 13. And he said unto them exact no more than that which is appointed you I note That the Publicans according to the saying of Jesus are apter to receive the Gospel than some Professors are The Publicans and Harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you Mat. 21.31 And the Publicans Justified God being baptised with the Baptism of Iohn Luke 7.29 A submitting to the Call of the Gospel and diligence to learn the Duties of it are signs of Faith and Repentance and qualifies persons for Baptism What shall we do What shall I do Acts. 16.30 is always the question of the Repenting Believing Sinner that is fallen in Love with Jesus under the sense of the need of saving from his sins And conceiving that Jesus hath something for him to do he is willing to shew that Love by doing somthing commanded by Jesus even to be baptised If any thing â—s to be done by the Creature then Infants are excluded Again Thus we read of many sorts of Persons Pharisees Sadduces all the People yea Jesus himself but yet not a Word of Infants the point in hand Again John doth not mind whether they were the seed of believing Parents or no but requires Repentance as a sign of faith to qualify for baptism CHAP. XVI Luke 3.21 22 23. 21. Now when all the People were baptised it came to pass that Iesus also being baptised and praying the Heaven was opened 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a Dove upon him and a voice came from Heaven which said Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased 23. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of Age c. I note That three Evangelists witnesseth that baptism was administred on people by dipping them in a River and not on Infants by pouring or sprinkling a little water on them Again Tho Jesus was Circumcised in his Infancy yet to be baptised he must be at maturity Tarry till he be just entering upon his Religious publick work tho he be about thirty years of Age first The Father hath given his testimony to dipping at maturity by instituting it and beholding his Sons obedience by a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased The Son hath given his Testimony to it by owning it his Fathers will and practising it and giving his Apostles Commission for it The Holy Ghost hath given his Testimony to it by descending in a bodily shape at its Administration Let Infant Sprinklers show such Testimonies Then what glory in the parts of Worship is there that exceeds this glory of the Testimony of these three Infinite Persons in the one eternal Being CHAP. XVII Luke 7.29 30. 29. And all the people that heard him and the Publicans justified God being baptized with the Baptism of Joâ—n 30. But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him I note The great difference between two sorts of People the common people and the superstitious The common people the poor imbrace the Doctrine of the Gospel tho the worldly wise and superstitious reject it The Publicans justified God that is the Collectors of the Taxes which the Jews paid the Romans who were infamous for their Exactions were convinced of their Sins by Johns Ministry and acknowledged the Righteousness Goodness and Mercy of God Being baptized with the Baptism of John they believed his Baptism was from Heaven and submitted unto it as a divine Institution confessing their Sins But the Pharisees and Lawyers the Rabbies of the Age rejected the Counsel of God against themselves continued impenitent not bringing forth Fruits meet for Repentance and refused submission to the wisdom of God in his gracious dispensation being not baptized of John Again It is the indispensable Duty of Believers to be baptized because 't is not only injoyned but there 's not any Text that leaveth them to the liberty of leaving it undone CHAP. XVIII Luke 20.4 The Baptism of John was it from heaven or of men I note That also the Evangelist Luke minds that our Lord Jesus defended John's Baptism as a Doctrin by divine Authority And that Baptizing is Dipping is also manifest by the literal proper and natural signification of the Greek word Baptizo which all our Lexicons and Learned Men yea Criticks in the Tongues with one consent do say That Baptize is Dip yea such a Dipping as is used in Bucks where Cloaths are wash'd to wash the whole body to dip over head and ears The English and French keep the Greek word Baptism untranslated which I reckon either a fault in the Translators or a way left whereby the peoples ignorance about Baptism was continued But the Dutch translate plainly in their own Language Doopen to Dip. And that the word Baptizo doth signify to dip or plunge under water Consider these Scriptures for the present Mat. 3.16 John 3.22 23 Acts 8.38 Rom. 6.4 And these Authors following Stephanus Scapula Budaeus Casaubon
must be Dipping of Believers The nature and end of the Ordinance proves That Baptizing is Dipping and not Sprinkling First To be a sign of the Covenant on Gods part viz. Of washing away of sin cleansing the whole man like the cleansing in the Law Lev. 15.5 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 Secondly To Figure out the Covenant on man's part that he thereby visibly declares to enter into viz. to die to sin and live to Christ in newness of Life by that figurative Death Burial and Resurrection by being put under the water Raised up again Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.11 12 13. Thirdâ—y To separate the Church from the World Fourthly To convince the Baptised that they are engaged by their own act of Baptism as their laying their hands to the â—low to hold out to the end Therefore Infant Sprinkling must be an invention of worldly wise men whose wisdom is foolishness with God and so it is a profanation of the holy Ordinance of Baptism and only Will Worship like Vzza's touching the Ark of God 2 Sam. 6.6 when another way of service was prescribed Numb 4.6 CHAP. XXXIX Col. 2.12 12. Buried with him Christ in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him c. I note that Baptism is a Burying in the Water and a rising again out of the Water whereby the baptized shew that Christ was buried and arose again Or thus That as the baptized tho buried in the Water riseth again so Christ tho buried in the Earth did not lye long but arose again But sprinkling cannot be this sign of being Buried and risen A man above-ground cannot be said to be buried because he hath a little Dust thrown in his face neither can Sprinkling be a sign of burying with Christ Several Scripture Metaphors explain Baptizing to be Dipping When Persons are over-whelmed in great suferings they are said to be baptized therein Mat 20.22 23. Luke 12.5 When they have great measures of the spirit they are said to be baptized with the spirit Acts 1.5 When the Children of Israel were covered with a Cloud and the Sea on both sides they were then said to be Baptized in the Sea and in the Cloud 1 Cor. 10.2 with Exod. 14.12 When Ashur had the promised blessing of great plenty he is said to have his feet dipt in Oyl As the ignorant World lays up a human Faith or inherent Holiness they also lay up a Human Baptism or Infant Sprinkling And as Saints have many things of self continually apt to put in with Christs perfection so somethings do mingle with their duties and one is Infant Sprinkling CHAP. XL. Heb. 6.1 2. 1. Not laying again the foundation of Repentance from dead Works of faith towards God 2. Of the Doctrine of Baptism and laying on of Hands and of the Resâ—rrection of the Dead and of eternal Judgment I note that Baptism was a Doctrine left in charge to the Church and that it follows in order in the Third place after Repentance Faith and that it is here reckoned a Foundation Principal Then any with Wonderment may say who dares move this Foundation that the Father Son and Spirit have thus laid for Believers they only being capable to enter into a Visible Covenant with Jesus Christ for Baptism is an Ordinance for the Solemnization of the Soul 's Visible Marriage Union with Christ Mark 16.16 Acts 8.36 Gal. 3.27 Other Foundations can no man lay then what is already laid The man of sin the Mistery of iniquity the great Whore of Babylon hath robbed the Church of Christ of the names of her Ordinances and put them upon her Whorish Inventions that she may deceive the Nations therewith Again Sprinkling will not serve instead of Dipping because it is a sin to alter what God our most wise Soveraign hath appointed in his Worship Isa 24.5 Obedience is better than Sacrifice do as you are bid CHAP. XLI 1 Pet 3.20 21. 20 Noah whiâ—e the Ark was preparing wherein fâ—w that is right Souls were sav'd by water 21. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jeâ—us Christ. I note that A Believer by being baptized is obedient to God's Will as Noah was obedient in building the Ark and going into it to his saving Again Baptism saith Peter doth now save us by the Resurrection of Christ which is as to say our believers baptism being our answer of a good coâ—science towards God is a sign of our Sanctâ—fication and so Dipping being an effect of our Sanctification doth now save us by the power of the eternal Spirit that wrought that sanctification which Sanctification is the qualification for heaven and so we are kept sanctified by the mighty power of God to Salvation began and continued by Christ's satisfaction of which his Resurrection was a sign Again Noah by Water dyed to the old world and lived to the new as the baptized believer dies to sin wherein he once delighted and lives to Righteousness or thus dead to the sufficiency of the Law upon which he once depended alive to the sufficiency of Christ Again There is also a â—ind of likeness between Noah's Flood the water of Baptism bâ—cause both is much Water Again The Apostle saying saved by water seems as it were a pointing at the Text He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved The Conclusion respecting the Persons that are to be Baptized Now I have noted oâ—â—â—out â—orty Texts concerning Baptism wâ—erein are variety of persons mentioned as Jerusâ—â—â—n anâ— all Judea and all the Râ—gion rounâ— about Jorâ—â—n that confest their sins Jâ—sus himself Jesus made and baptized more Discip es than John Three Thousand Souls that gladly received the Word And they of Samaria believing Philip were baptized both Men and Women the Eunuch Paul They that received the Holy Ghost Lydia the Jaylor and they that believed of their Houshold Crispus Corinthians hearing believed Epesians that were baptized by John Romans Gains Stephanus believing Corinthians Galathians Epesians Collosians Hebrews and those that have the answer of a good conscience Whereby â—elivers Baptism is clearly proved And I find not one word command nor example throughout the New Testament for Infant Sprinkling or Baptizing before signs of Repentance tho here are so many sorts of persons mentioned described and named yet no Infant Whereby Believers Baptism must of necessity be indeeâ— the Ordinance required by the Lord Jesus If the Authority of forty New Testament Texts is not convincing and swaying with those that would live Godly or be reputed Christians I know not what Argument will Where Scripture will not prevail people will remain in unbelief Tho one rise from the dead The Conclusion respecting the Mode or manner of Baptism John the Baptist according to his Commission baptized in the Riâ—â—r Jordan Mat. 3 4. Jesas came from Gallilâ—e to the River Jordan to
any spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the Traditions of Men after the Rudiments of the World and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.8 9. Rom. 9.5 Feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20.28 Phil. 2.6 Who being the brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the Right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1.3 Why should not the mighty Jesus â—e Obey'd The Conclusion SIn-sick Soul hast thou fallen in love with the Lord Jesus and would'st have God give thee an Emblem Ezek. 47.5 of his pardoning Grace to make thee well Why here it is here is upon thy Believing much Water Joh. 3.23 assigned thee in his Ordinance of Baptism A River of Water enough to cover thee all over to dive in to swim in Then wouldst thou now if thou hadst thy choice of an Emblem of the pardoning Grace of God thou wants choose a few drops of Water or enough to cover thee all over Isa 33 2â— I dare say thy Wants being great thou wouldst choose enough to cover thee all over Then thank God he hath done it to thy hand and that above a thousand years ago and before thou thoughtest of either thy self or thy sin or thy God Yea thy Lord Jesus hath given his Apostles Commission to Dip thee in much Water Mat. 28.19 20. to let thee know that he hath according to thy Wants and desire Grace enough and to spare not just enough and no more but abundance â—ore than thou needest here is a River a â—â—ep River Ezek. 47.5 therefore fear not wanting he 'll not sparingly Sprinkle thee as if his grace would spend too fast to hold out or was too costly to bestow upon thee No but he 'll by Dipping liberally wash thee clean in the flowing streams of the River of Water of Life O the heighth of the Water and the depth Ezek 3â— 14 Chap 34.18 Eph. 3.18 of the Water of Life Grace for thy preservation and Salvation Christ is full free and unsearchable then how should a few drops of Water signifie his Grace so well as abundance What 's a few Sparks to set forth the Glory of the Meridian Sun or a few drops of Water to shew the abundance of the Ocean Seâ— with the unaccountable â—lowing motions and swellings thereof with its ability to sustain the mighty Creatures therein Nothing no drops so proper as a River to illustrâ—te Gracâ— The streams of Grace the flowinâ—s of â—race Psal 147.8 the abounding of Grace the freeness and fullâ—ess of Grace the Flooâ— of Grace the irresistible force and runnings of Grace Thâ— boying floating Long-suffâ—ring nature of Grace A grace-built Soul can never sink through or be drowned in grace O astonishing grace the Ocean of Grace is as Infinite as any other divine Attribute and constrains the greatest Sinners a prodigious sort and size of sinners have lived Joh. 4.14 yea lived forever by grace then what 's a few drops of Water to set forth the Infiniteness of the Divine Attribute of grace O grace like the Ocean runs round all the Nations of the World grace like the Ocean â—eepeth the World savâ—â—â— grace like the Ocean flows Night and Day bâ—â—hou sleeping or waking grace like a River 〈◊〉 always in motion Grace like a River runs many miles to water the Countries and sustain the Lives of thirsty Creatures Ps â—2 2 Psal 63.1 Grace like a River runs in the lowley Valleys the humble souls Grace like a River carrieth away the daily filth of sin Saints sin and keepeth them sweet and clean And as most people desire to build their Houses and Towns by the River that they may be supplyed and sustained by the waters thereof so the soul that is converted desires to live by grace to build it's house by grace Psal â— 3 the Rive of Grace Psal 46.4 the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God See therefore pretious soul here 's Reason enough That grace by the Wisdom of God should be compared to much Water Ezek. 47.5 to 12. and that a River should be more proper for Believers Baptism than a few drops John 3.23 because thy soul wants and that God and thy self knowest abundance of grace yea the continual flowing grace Psal 116.3 4. Grace abounding over flowing saving grace hath like the Ocean's flowing twice in twenty four hours puzled the worldly Wisemen to find out the reason of it It is to the Iews a stumbling block and to the greeks foolishness but yet God in saving by grace acts like himself in a way of wisdom to preserve his soveraignty and glorify all his Attributes so he doth by assigning Believers Dipping in water to be an Emblem of his much grace to a believer Acts 22.16 Ioel 3.18 Mich. 7.16 Rom. 4.16 Job 49.2 Jer. 17.13 Zech. 14.8 John 4.14 But why must people come to the water and not the water be brought to them in Gods Ordinance of Baptism Why it may be it is because much water is needful for dipping and it may be also to shew that grace is not at mans will Job 22.17 and that grace washing cleansing saving grace is to keep its place for grace hath a dignity 't is said to reign Rom. 5.21 as a King a King will keep his soveraignty Grace is also called a River of water of Life Rev. 22.1.2.17 And you know a River will keep it's place Ezek. 47.9 And so tho God hath a River of grace Psal 65.9 yet it runs its own course here and their and one man for another is not permitted to take it out of it's Channel Psal 104.10 but the man that is made willing to have it must come where it is as he is bidden Joh. 9.7 Isa 55.1 come to the Waters Zâ—â— 13.1 There shall be a fountain opened for sin and for uneleanness He that wants it is to come to it and not to send some body for it as if it were not worth his going to nor can any man take it out of it's place or carry it to him to sell but he himself must come and buy it where it runs in it's native Streams from the Throne of God and of the Lamb that is Christ and he saith to the sinner Come unto me And so in like manner the Elementary Water in Gods Ordinance is to be come to Tho Naaman the Assyrian was not willing to go to the Waters the Type of the Lord Jesus for cleansing Ps 65 9. as he was bidden yet if he had not the Water had never answered the end John 5.7 Gods people are or should be a willing people John preached in all the Country about the Water and Jesus went from Galilee many miles to the water and the Eunuch went out of his Chariot to the water and Paul
Texts together that mention that Truth there being many whereby one Text may expound another Query 10. Why should Infant Sprinklers by their Practice occasion pro and con about Baptism When one Text of forty about baptism will clearly prove that Gospel baptism is not Infant Sprinkling but believers Dipping Query 11. If Infants may be admitted Church Members because 't is believed some of them are in the covenant to be in future time effectually called by the Gospel to Salvation Then may not any ungodly persons be also admitted Church Members because some of them also are alike in the same Covenant to be in future time effectually called and saved Query 12. How can or doth Infants Sprinkling answer Christ's design of Believers Baptism for dividing between the Church and the World When experience and Scripture shews that the Infant Sprinkled Nations are grosly more World than Church even Strangers and Enemies to Regeneration tho all sprinkled Church-Members Query 13. Why should a Christian be blamed for obeying and defending forty New Testament Text of Scripture for Believers Baptism When all the Men that ever opposed it never shewed one Text that maketh any appearance for Infant Sprinkling Query 14. Who is most justinable he that shews his Obedience by many clear Texts of Scripture or he that sheweth his Practice by only sallacious Consequence and Presumptions Query 15. Will not a Christian do well to stand to the Doctrine of forty New Testament Texts tho' he be shot thro' and thro' with Ridiculous Speeches c. Query 16. Why should I be too much afraid of my weakness seeing my Case is true and Truth is strongest and like much Water hath always tendency to clear it self Query 17. Whether is it best to obey God as Revealed in his Word or obey Man as they Invent and Insult Query 18. If Parents Imagine that they may make their Infants Church Members by their Sprinkling them because it is no where expresly forbidden Then may they not do it by crouding any thing into the Worship of God that is not forbidden or by giving their Children some other odd thing That will be no abuse to Baptism Query 19. Tho' some groundlessly may be offended at this Treatise and catch at a word is it not the Offendeds Duty to act like a Christian by considering the Substance of what is said rather than Sophister like catch at a word to sophisticate the truth seeing every days experience shews that The greatest Clarks and Counsels have tript in a Word or Critricks have made them seem so to do Query 20. Why should a Christian take Infant Sprinkling for God's Ordinance when never any Man proved that God ordain'd it The Contents Christ and his Apost preach believers baptism p. 1. A new Creature hath aptness to Obedience p. 3. The four sorts of People that don't like it p. 4. Some Lovers of Christ dares be baptized p. 5. Christian Sprinklers left to their way = p. 5. Baptism is after Faith and Repentance p. 7.8 10 19 20 24 37 41 47. c. Baptizing is Dipping not Sprinkling p. 7.12 13 17 20 24 27 35 37. c. Baptizing in much water p. 28 36 37. Infants are not Church Members p. 8 47. Infants not baptised p. 29 31 33 47 48. Neither Believers Infants nor others sprinkled p. 9.18 21 22 29 30 31 32. c. An awakened soul sees no right by nature p 9 Repentance and baptism prepares for profession p. 10. Jesus was dipt and is our Example p. 11 17. Jesus chose and went miles to much water p. 11. Jesus had not Water brought to him p. 12. God approved obedience in much Water p. 12 24. Tho some reject yet others rece bapt p. 13 15 18.25 The Commission is to teach and baptise p. 14. Infant sprinkâ— makes all world no Church p. 14. Christ's presence promised to preaching bap p. 14. How dare some Ministers say In the Name p. 15. Election directeth not to Infant Sprink p. 16 22. God sanctifieth Man baptiseth p. 16. God accepts only what he hath appointed p. 18. Believing and baptism are joyned together p. 19. Sprinkling furthers not Infants Salvation p. 19. Never any believer hurt in baptising p 19. Believers baptm hath a Commsn but Insn none p. 19 Naaman advised to obey Gods Will p. 20 An Vnbelievers Child's baptism is null p. 22 Not Election but Believing give right to bapt p. 22 Duty excludes Infants from Baptism p. 23 The Learned own that baptize is dip p. 26 Baptised at Enou because of much water p. 28 None but Disciples were baptised p 29 Infant Sprinkling a Counterfeit to c. p. 29. Baptism is Commanded p. 30 37 They that gladly received â—he word baptised p. 31 As one so another is saved by grace p. 32 Not Covenant but Regen gives right to bap p. 32 Men and Women but â—o Infants baptisâ—d p. 33 Dr. H. Mr. B. sâ—id mâ—ch to little purpose p. 33 'T is foolery to dâ—ny that â—aptism was Dipping p. 35 'T is affronting to change Gods Ordinance p. 35 â—1 Baptism follows the sign of a change p. 36 Baptised with the Spirit fits for Water p. 37 Lydia had neither husband nor children p 38 39 The Jaylor had no Infants p. 40 Believers baptism is no Rebaptism p. 42 Baptism is â—a sign of washing from sin p. 43 Much water is an Emblem of Grace p. 43 Baptism a sign of death burial Resurrect p. 44 48 Paul did baptise several p. 45 Baptised in the Cloud and Sea p. 46 Baptised into one body p. 47 Baptised for the dead excludes Infants p. 48 Not Infants but believers put on Christ p. 49 There 's but one baptism that 's dipping believers p. 50 Believers baptism figureth 4 things p. 50 Sprinkling is a profanation of baptism p. 50 Dipping shews Christs Death and Refurrect p. 51 Several Metephors explain baptism = p. 51 Baptism is a foundation Doctrine p. 52 The Church robb'd of her Names c. p 52 Noahs Flood a Figure of baptism p. 53 Baptism is a sign of sanctification p. 53 The Persons and Mode of Baptising p. 54.55 How Infant sprinkling came in fashion p. 56 Nine Evil Tendencies of Infant Sprinkling p. 57 Objections Answered = p. 58 59 60.61 Difference between sprinkling baptising p. 62 c. Infant sprinklers makes self-contradiction p. 67 A sight of a believer at baptising p. 68 Of Reproaches and Sufferings p. 69 The dignity of the Lord Jesus p. 70 Likeness between grace and much wat. p. 71 to 74 Humaene Frailty hindereth not baptism p. 75 Believing is qualification for baptism p. 75 Gentility hindereth not baptism p. 76 A Persecutor called and baptised p. 76 A Proclamation for all to come p. 77 Believers admitted in a way of Faith p. 77 Twenty Quereis for Baptism = p. 78 79 80 Errata p. 5. l. 1. s the sinner r. this sinner p. 16. l. 33. f. sc p. 27. r. se p. 26. p. 27. l. 31. r. counted p. 33. l. 34 r. of hardness p. 36. l. 1. r. Acts 9.17.18 p. 36 l. 4. f. if it had r. it had p. 51 l. 29 f. up r. upon l. 30 f. they r. so they f. up r. upon p. 62 l. 29 f. which r. after which Advertsement At London are many larger Treatises of Believers Baptism which I shall willingly help the inquisitive to or to these