Baptize and furnished with Gifts and working Miracles Therefore no ordinary Person as B. Keach degradeth him in saying He was no other than a Deacon or an Overseer of the Poor when Philip Baptized This Error he had need to correct in his next Again as concerning Ananias he was no private Person as B. Keach saith for we read he was by the Lord immediately called and inabled to work Miracles Acts 22. 12 13. to wit on Paul before he Baptized him And as touching the Sects in Corinth it giveth light in this matter for some followed Paul some Cephas some Apollo taking occasion as it seemeth by the Persons that Baptized them unto whom they leaned more than unto others Now if it were so that some of these were private Men though as it hath been proved they were not yet the Action of a private Man in a work done by express command from God any more than Gideon Judges 16. 25 26. in offering Sacrifice which belonged only to the Tribe of Levi might be followed by any other of his Brethren of the Tribe of Manasseh Again that any Man of Cyprus or Cyren Administred Baptism or the Lords Supper cannot be nor yet is by the Anabaptists proved by any one Scripture and as for Apollo he was no private Man whom Paul joyned with himself nor Cephas who either was Peter or some eminent Officer a Planter and Minister whom the Corinthians accounted as one of their chief Teachers therefore more than common Disciples as B. Keach faineth out of his own Heart which deceiveth him and others that take his bare word for proof or rule to practise of what he hath written about Baptism either in the manner or in the Administrator of it And what is to this end published lately in a Narrative Page 18. of the Anabaptists but that they allow the high Breach of Gods order Namely That other than Pastors or Teachers may Administer the Lords Supper If so then what need is there of Men to be chosen into Office or what need any care be taken for Ministers Maintenance who are chosen to wait upon their Ministry and have charge given them by the Holy Ghost as Overseers of the Flock Acts 20. But we see how little care these Men take that all things among them be done decently and in order but have published as aforesaid rather that order is not to be regarded whereas they may remember when for breach of order for presuming to do that work which God had enjoyned to be done by Office as aforesaid how Corah and his Company were swallowed up in the Earth Numb 16. And for breach of order how King Uzziah was 2 Chron. 26. 16. struck with Leprosie to the day of his death presuming to do the Priest's work Likewise God destroyed Uzza a Levite as aforesaid who out of a good Intent touched the Ark 1 Chron. 13. 10. to keep it from falling which work only belonged to the Priest's Office Numb 4. to touch the Ark. These things being written for our Admonition upon whom the end of the World is come 1 Cor. 10. 11. How then dare the Anabaptists resolve in the Affirmative in their Narrative page 18. without any word drop'd from Christ or grounded Reason from Scripture that an Elder of one Church may Administer the Ordinance of the Lords Supper to another of the same Faith being called so to do by the said Church though no Pastor but as a Minister that is neither Pastor nor Teacher by Office Necessity being only considered in the case and produced no Scripture to prove it when as Necessity did not warrant Uzza in touching the Ark as aforesaid Narrative page 18. Now although B. Keach hath set his Hand to the aforesaid Narrative as Lawful without Command or Example or true grounded Reason from Scripture for it yet in his Answer to an Argument brought for Infants Baptism nothing he will allow but a literal Command in such Term of words he thinks fit The Argument for Infants Baptism is this There is nothing in all the New Testament against Infants Baptism saith Mr. Smythies If indeed our Saviour had declared that Infants should not be Baptized or if we had read of the Apostles refusal of them And there is no hint from any express word from Christ saith Mr. Sidenham or his Apostles nor any Phrase which doth forbid such an Act. B. Keach saith We will answer with Tertullian for there is a certain Rule saith he If it be said it is lawful because the Scripture doth not forbid it it may be equally retorted it is therefore not lawful because the Scripture doth not command it To which he farther addeth to back Tertullian saying That which is done in the Worship and Service of God without an express word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles or any Phrase which doth signifie it is his Will and Mind it should be done is unlawful and no better than Will worship Gold Resin'd Page 146 147. Now will not the Reader mark how this Man is Yea and Nay for what word is drop'd from Christ that other besides Pastor or Teacher shall Administer the Ordinance of Water-Baptism and the Lords-Supper since extraordinary Offices are ceased as Apostles Evangelists and the like as he with others affirmeth that a Teaching Disciple may Baptize and no word drop'd from Christ for it Yet he granteth Water-Baptism to be a part of Gospel-Worship and that whatsoever is done in Worship without an express Command from Christ or his Apostles he granteth is no better than Will-worship therefore seeing there is no word drop'd from Christ that any other besides Pastor or Teacher may Administer the Lords-Supper nor yet no other may Administer Water-Baptism It is therefore Will-worship by his own grant for any being but a Teaching Disciple to Baptize As likewise when any among them and not a Pastor or Teacher Administers the Lords-Supper is likewise Will-worship and so a high Breach of Gods Order So that Church which alloweth these things hath as the Lord complained transgressed the Laws and broken the Everlasting Covenant which Church or City is therefore called the City of Consusion Isa 24. 10. the very Name of Babylon out of which Assemblies all Gods Elect are called out from among them Rev. 18. 4. Although they Boast and say Lo here is Christ and Lo there is Christ Christ saith Go not after them Matt. 24. 23. for where Order is not regarded nor kept in either State Spiritual or Civil there is Consusion and every evil work Therefore let us take a view in Holy Scripture in Christs last Will namely of the orderly Performance of all Gods Holy Ordinances in Worship according to the Rules prescribed in the Testament of the Lord Jesus as it is written Let all things be done Decently and in Order 1 Cor. 14. 40. Now because Order is joyned to Faith therefore saith the Apostle For though I be absent in the Flesh yet am I with you in the Spirit
its explaining its own meaning wherein one and the same Sense in the manner of the Administration of Water-Baptism and Spiritual Baptism must when rightly understood agree in one as afore proved Again as to the quantity of Water in pouring it on the Person in Baptism God hath not limited but left free keeping to the manner by pouring and no otherwise is Gods way in the Spiritual Baptism limited for some have a greater measure of the Spirit than others poured on them For although the whole Church is Baptized by one Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 13. yet There are differences of Adminstrations 1 Cor. 12. 5. some more and some less as it pleaseth the Administrator thereof the Lord Jesus Agreeable hereunto are we to understand the word Baptism by Suffering Col. 1. 24. Heb. 13. 15. 34. Isaiah 51. 14. Rev. 1. 9. one suffereth Reproaches and loss of Goods others the two former and Imprisonment others all the three former and Banishment others all the former and loss of Life also Now he that suffereth but Reproaches for the Name of Christ or loss of Goods or Imprisonment or Banishment who dare say he partaketh not of the Baptism of Suffering because he suffereth not loss of Life also Now than the Error to be reproved is limiting and confining the word Baptism to one strict Sense to Dip and in truth contrary to the Sense in the manner of the Administration in the three Baptisms determined by Gods word when as 't is clear the word Baptism signifieth a pouring of the Spirit and so in Water-Baptism a pouring of Water on the Person and not a dipping the whole Body in Water which as aforesaid is particularly by the Anabaptists affirmed and asserted if not so done to be no Baptism at all Their Reason is they say The word in the Original signifieth so as though the Scripture were not rightly translated Now as we in the things of God are forbidden to lean to our own understanding There is a way saith Solomon Prov. 16. 25. that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof is death Therefore the way of Baptism by dipping seemeth right unto Man by leaning to his own understanding As for Example the reason why the Anabaptists say or think that John Baptized by Dipping Persons or that Philip Dipped the Eunuch is because it is written Matt. 3. 13 16. John Baptized in Jordan and Christ came out of the Water and went down into the Water Acts 8. 38 39. Nay let the Scripture deside the matter we read that Israel pass'd through the Sea when as they walked on dry Land Exod. 14. 29. where the Sea had flowed The Priests that bare the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Joshua 3. 17. are said to stand firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground where the Waters had been as 't is written when ye are come to the brink of the Water of Jordan ye shall stand still in Jordan so then to stand at the brink of the Water they are said to stand in Jordan where the Water had sometimes risen firm on dry ground Joshua 3. 17. And thus John Baptized in Jordan standing at the brink of the River where the Water had sometimes flowed for sometimes Jordan overflowed all his Banks Joshua 3. 15. and that John did cast Water on the Person like as we see before the manner was in both the Water and Spiritual Baptism administred by the Lord himself which manner we are exhorted not to be Ignorant of 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. After the manner of Rain Psalm 77. 17 18 20. So we are to understand Philip and the Eunuch went into the Water as the Priests did in Jordan at the brink of the Water where the Water had sometimes risen but not one word that any by John or Philip were Dipped but by Imagination only because 't is said they both went into the Water as Israel did into the Sea and Jordan which was but where the Water had been it being affirmed they stood in Jordan Joshua 3. 15 17. when they stood on dry Ground and so in the Sea when they stood on dry Ground Exod. 14. 29. So it is said that Christ sate in the Sea and taught Mark 4. 1. when he sate in the Ship and that Christ went up into a Mountain Matt. 5. 1. when he stood but on the out-side on the rising of it So Men are said to go down into the Sea in Ships yet they are not to be accounted Dipped in their Bodies in Water Again another great Argument the Anabaptists bring to prove Baptism to be meer dipping the whole Body under Water is because it is written Col. 2. 12. Buried with Christ in Baptism To follow their natural Fancy in this thing if every Person must be Baptized according to the word Buried as a Man Buried that is Dead and put in the Grave then as none can deny in the Act of Baptism but the Person to be Baptized as the Anabaptists say Buried by Dipping the whole Body under Water as a Man buried and covered with Earth must be Passive and therefore the Person must have no hand in the act of his being Baptized for Christ when buried was wholly Passive he put neither Foot nor Leg nor Knee nor any other part into the Grave Then by this Scripture if it intend Water-Baptism as by Romans 6. it doth not but if it did then to act according to what they plead for in the manner of Water-Baptism Buried in Baptism the Administrator must take the Party to be Baptized up in his Arms and lay his whole Body first bore up above the Water and lay him into the Water As a Man in the Grave is covered with Earth that is by casting Earth upon him then and not before he is buried so to bury a Man is to cast Earth upon him so in Water-Baptism to cast Water upon is to bury as a Man is laid in the Grave and so cover him with Water and there retain him the time the words in the Commission of Christ are express'd I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost So then if this be the main Scripture they will stand by to justifie Baptizing by Burying as they call Dipping why do they not so practice but Hypocritically plead for that they practice not for by their Practice there is not a Soul of them Buried in Baptism nor yet the whole Person ever Baptized as they call it Dipped for they Baptize but a part for the whole for so far as the Person to be Baptized putteth himself into the Water either the Feet or Legs or Thighs or to the Middle so far the Parties Baptized as they call it Dipped themselves and then the Administrator putteth but the upper part of the Man or Woman that was out of the Water into the Water So by their Practice they grant a part is taken for the
such an Earth-quake Rev. 11. 13. that the Tenth part of that Romish City or Church fell from her Traditions or Idol-worship to imbrace Christ in his Government in his Church or Kingdom for their King Priest or Prophet they being Translated out of that Kingdom of Darkness as in the beginning of this work when Adam and Eve with his Seed in him were Translated out of Satans Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of the Dear Son of God then as but one Family became Christs Kingdom here many Families or little Kingdoms of this World were become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11. 15. that so he might Reign among them by his Laws as in Adam's Family appeared by the Offerings Gen. 4. 3 4. his Children brought and offered up to God in his Service Next in Noah's Family and so in Abraham's Family as was the everlasting Covenant-Promise Jer. 31. 1. Gal. 6. 16. I will be the God of all the Families of Israel for as the Fathers with the Children were together by the Fall Satans Subjects Children of Wrath even so the Children with the Parents when their Fathers and Mothers who had Actually sinned believed then their Children who were Sinners by original Corruption derived from them Psal 51. 5. were restored with them to be the Subjects of Christs Kingdom as it is written Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 2. 39. They are the Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or buds with them And thus Christ beareth away the Sin of the World in all Ages first Christ in the Promise to Adam and Abraham and when come in Person bore away their Sins on his Body once offered for many Heb. 9. 28 namely the Believing Fathers and Mothers and their Children in Infamy with them as the Apostle proves by Rom. 5. 19. For as by one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of one shall many be made Righteous Thus it is clearly proved that the Infants or Children together with their Believing Parents are redeemed Now if the Children were not Redeemed with their Believing Parents then Christ did not bare away the Sin of the World Contrary to John's Doctrine John 1. 29. If Infants were not a part of the World Sin entered into Then Children are not by Nature Children of Wrath contrary to Paul's Doctrine Eph. 2. 3. If Children are not of Christ's Kingdom then they are of Satans If Children are not to be brought up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord then the Promise in the Gospel belongeth not to Children in Infancy contrary to Deut. 29. 29. Acts 2. 39. How many like Absurdities may be brought upon the Doctrine of Anabaptistry if they well consider how they are led by a natural Fancy in denying Infants to be Redeemed by the Blood of Christ in the washing away of the Sin of the World which they by natural Corruption are guilty of but the Sin of the Infants Christ hath bore away with the Sins of their Believing Parents and Water-Baptism is ordained by the Lord to be Administred on all that have their Sin or Sins pardoned by the Lord Christ who by that Sign Water-Baptism Administred on them Christ is to be made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin in his Blood which is the only thing that gives any Soul Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on Young or Old Rev. 1. 5. And thus the Lord Jesus as his Kingdom was first in one Family so it still continueth in Families And therefore when Adam and his Wife and Seed in him was restored there was only the Kingdom of Christ on Earth in Adam's House and then for a time no Kingdom of Satan was on Earth he being cast out as aforesaid and Christ taking Possession But because as the Anabaptists grant in their Narrative there is Election of Persons pag. 3. therefore process of time proveth 1 John 2. 19. that all in the visible Covenant of Grace visible Members for a time in the Church of God are not all of it as appeared in the Person of Cain so in the Person of Cham or Ham the Son of Noah therefore Man is to have his Judgment rest with the Lord Isaiah 49. 4. concerning the Infants of the Lords Covenanted People commanded to be Trained up in the way Prov. 22. 6. Eph. 6. 4. they shall go in and if they continue in that Faith 1 Tim. 2. 15. of Gods Elect that was in their Parents as Timothy did in the same Faith his Grand-mother and Mother had 1 Tim. 1. 5. they so long are to be accounted a Holy Seed Ezra 9. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Children of the Promise born to the Lord and so of his Kingdom his Heritage the Fruit of the Womb his Reward Gal. 3. 28. Ezek. 16. 20 21. Psal 127. Now then as that Wise King saith That even a Child is known by his doings Prov. 20. 11. speaking of the Children in Covenant Acts 3. 25. whether his works be pure or whether it be right So when Cain by his evil work proved himself not to be of the Election wanting the Faith of Gods Elect which Abel had known by his Action when wanting the work of Faith in Christ his Offering was not accepted for which he was filled with Wrath but he being reproved repented not but adding Sin to Sin as it is written Prov. 29. 1. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy so was he destroyed as being cast out of the Communion of Saints As he confessed saying Gen. 4. 14. And from thy Face shall I be hid namely from the Favour and Light of the Countenance of the Lord in his Kingdom of Grace and Worship being deprived of the Blessing in Christ that all the Infants born in the Covenant of Grace have because by the Free Love of God Infants are accepted in Covenant with the Lord with their Parents if they as they grow up continue in Faith and Love and Holiness with Sobriety they shall be saved As the Apostle in his reproving the Church of God at Ephesus in suffering Women to usurp Authority over the Man by Teaching as Men did Quaker-women like in the Assembly against the very Order of Nature and Command of God his reason in reproving the Female Sex was for that Adam was first formed and secondly for Adam was not deceived but the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing that is if she her Husband and Children by the Word of Grace in the Promise believe in the promised Seed God Christ manifest in the Flesh the Seed of Adam and Abraham if they continue in that Faith and Love to God in keeping his Commandments and Holiness of Life as becometh such as are in Communion with the Lord and Sobriety the Women Adorning themselves in Modest Apparel as becometh Women professing Godliness they shall be saved 1 Tim. 2. 9 13
34 15. By all which we see the same Doctrine of Faith Holiness and Love taught in Adam's Family is the same to us in Christ according to the same Covenant of Grace that was made with Adam and his Children whom he taught the way of the Lord but when grown up if as Cain they abide not in it as he so must they be cast out and this could not have been had he not been a Member of the Church in his Infancy born to the Lord in Covenant but when he not proving to be of the Election which the Apostle saith obtaineth it or continueth it in abiding Faithful to the end standing fast in the Faith which Cain did not but departed from the visible Profession thereof Luke 8. 13. so fell away Now then of Cain's Seed the World of ungodly began to take Root in the Earth again so that there was now on Earth the Kingdom of Christ in Adam's House or Family and the Kingdom of Satan in Cain's House or Family called the World of Ungodly who both Fathers and Children were destroyed by the Flood of Noah And then again there was only remaining the Church of God or his Kingdom in Noah's Family the Fathers with their Wives and Children a Holy Nation a chosen Generation to the Lord as Israel were by Families But in process of time Satan had his Seed in the Church in the Person of Cham or Ham Gen. 9. 25. who for his Sin was cast out of the Church and of his Seed sprang another World of Ungodly As likewise in process of time almost all the Posterity of Blessed Shem became Apostatized from the Faith So that then it pleased God to call Abraham from his Idolatry out from his Fathers House Joshua 24 2. Gen. 12. 1 and with him and his Seed as before with Adam and Abraham and their Seed God made an everlasting Covenant or preached to him the everlasting Covenant of the Gospel namely that in his Seed Christ the Womans Seed in the same Gospel afore preached to Adam All Nations of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. And when again the same Covenant was more particularly applied to belong to the Seed of his Body of whom Christ must be exspected as it is written I will make my Covenant between me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly besides the Promise before made to him of his being a Father of many Nations and I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee Gen. 7. 2 5 7. Now this Promise to be a God to the Believer and his Seed is the Substance of the Gospel-Promise as it is written And they shall be his People and God himself will be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. even the God of all the Families of Israel Jer. 31. 1. So then if the very Letter of the Gospel be so plain that in Christ the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed and this Family is the Seed or Infants or Children of Believers and this Blessing is the Remission or Pardon of their Sins as it is written God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from your Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Water-Baptism being the visible Sign thereof therefore saith Peter to Parents and Children be Baptized every one of you namely that have their Sin or Sins pardoned the Sin of the World for the Promise in the Gospel-Covenant is to you and unto your Children is also confirmed by John the Baptist that this is the Way of Salvation he prepared before the Lord saying Behold the Lamb of God preached to Adam is now come that beareth away the Sin of the World of whom is afore proved Children in Adam were a part thereof Now until the Anabaptists can prove that the Infants were no part of the World Sin entered into and so Children to be no Sinners it remaineth proved that Children are Sinners in Adam and the Sin of the Infants of Believing Parents is taken away by Christ the second Adam as well as the Sin of their Parents who had Actually committed As we have the Testimony of the Spirit of God for to prove it in these words but not as the Offence so also is the Free Gift Rom. 5. 18 19. for if through the Offence of one many be Dead much more the Grace of God and the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many and not as it was by one that sinned so is the Gift for the Judgment was by one to Condemnation but the Free Gift is of many Offences unto Justification So then all is of Free Grace both to the Actual Sinner and his Seed in Infancy who are Sinners by original Derivation Now although God doth require of such as have Actually sinned Actually to repent and to make Confession of their Faith before they may have the Sign of Remission of Sins if they were not before Baptized into the Name of Christ to be set on them So that great is the Difference between what it is that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and what God requireth of Actual Sinners before they be Baptized Therefore the very Letter of the Law a Schoolmaster leading to Christ might teach the Anabaptists that of whom did God require a Sacrifice of Confession brought to the Altar figuring Christ but from such only that had Actually sinned yet the Infants of such by vertue of Gods Free Grace in the Covenant of the Gospel were Blessed with their Believing Parents and the Males sealed with the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith therefore called with their Parents The Blessed of the Lord as shall be more spoken to anon But now to insert here the general Argument grounded on Carnal Reason the Anabaptists bring as their main Pillar to deny the Right Infants have to Water-Baptism published by B. Keach in his Book Gold Refined P. 141. That nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Answ If there were no Sinner pardoned or their Sin or Sins remissed there would not have been this Ordinance of Baptism ordained seeing it is ordained for a Sign of the Remission of Sins that such as have Right thereto may have Christ made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin or Sins in his Blood But because Christ the Lamb of God is come who taketh away not only the Sin of such Actual Sinners whom his Father giveth Faith to Believe in his Son but also the Sin of the World Infants stand charged with by natural Corruption derived from their Parents Now then who is it Man even Sinful Man that Meriteth a Right to have his Sins pardoned or is it not Christ that hath done
Seed but the Believer and his Child or Children are Children of the Promise for so is the Doctrine of the Prophets taught by the Apostles to the Believers and their Seed Acts 2. 39. For the promise is to you and unto your Children from that word written Ye are the Blessed of the Lord and your Off-spring or Buds with you Children of the Covenant God made with their Fathers Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25. Moreover the truth of this is confirmed by the Babes of Christs Kingdom who together with their Parents wellcomed the Lord Christ their Saviour into his Kingdom acknowledging Christ to be their Saviour so that the Children Crying in the Temple Hosanna to the Son of David Matt. 21. 15. that is O Lord Save or Give Salvation O Lord And this was a trouble to such Men then carnal Christians that expected they should be accepted for the external act done who knew not the way of the working of the Spirit of Christ in the Infants of his Kingdom But Christ defendeth their Fact by the Scriptures of the Prophets and said unto them that were sore displeased when they said to Christ Hearest thou what these to wit the Children say And Jesus said unto them Yea have ye never read Psalm 8. 2. Matt. 21. 15 16. out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected praise Forasmuch as the Lord hath said concerning these Infants of his Covenant And this is my Covenant with them Isa 59. 21. my Spirit that is upon thee my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith the Lord from hence forth and for ever Thus Gods Promise is I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thine Off-spring Isaiah 44. 3. Which was here made manifest to the Amazement of natural Professors Thus we see that the Fruit of Faith in Children appeareth in time in due season when God requireth Fruit of them as Plants in his Vineyard come forth saying But thou hast took me out of the Womb thou didst make me hope when I was upon my Mothers Breast I was cast upon thee from the Womb Thou art my God from my Mothers Belly Psalm 22. 9 10. Thus the Lord Sanctifieth his from the Womb Jer. 1. 5. and as it is written The Babe leaped in the Womb for joy Luke 1. 41 42 44. when the Mother was affected with Spiritual Joy of such the Lord saith Hear O Jacob and all the Remnant of the House of Israel which are born by me from the Belly which are carried from the Womb even to your old Age Isaiah 46. 3. these by vertue of the Promise to the Father and Child say my Fathers God and I will exalt him Exod. 15. 2. So that the Subjects of his Kingdom are Young Men and Maids and Old Men and Babes Psalm 148. 12 13. are all called upon to Praise the Lord in due season as Christ aforesaid out of the mouth of Babes thou hast perfected thy praise Now then as Infants were a part of the Subjects of the Kingdom of David and that the Infants were a part of the Honour of his Kingdom as Solomon said In the multitude of People is the Kings Honour Prov. 14. 28. Then for the Honour of the Lord Jesus whom David figured in his Kingdom as it is written They shall hang on him to wit on Christ all the glory of his Fathers house the Off-spring and the Issue all Vessels of small quantity from the Vessels of Cups even to all the Vessels of Flagons Isaiah 22. 24. which Vessels great and small are Saints Young and Old Believers and their little ones A chosen Generation a Holy Nation Exod. 19. 5 6. 1 Pet. 2. 9. every Vessel great and small Sanctified and made meet for the Masters use 2 Tim. 2. 21. as we see by the Children in the Temple for out of their Mouth the Lord perfected his Praise crying Hosannah to Christ their Saviour These things throughly weighed what a wicked Principle are these Men of that deny Infants the Sign of the Remission of Sins Water-Baptism and utterly reject them from being visible Members of the Church of God or Subjects of Christs Kingdom and so deprive the Lord Jesus of at least a third part of the Subjects of his Kingdom robbing him of his Honor as aforesaid the multitude of People is the Kings Honor which Honor they will not allow Christ but exempting them out of the Covenant of Grace in Infancy to be ranked among the Infants of the vilest of Men Turks and Pagans For what saith the Scripture concerning such as are without that is without Gods Covenant Rev. 22. 14 15. they are reckoned among Dogs Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lye And this is the State the Anabaptists reckon their own Children in and if dying in Infancy they in their own judgment as aforesaid must perish to all Eternity O horrible Principle for there is no middle way of Purgatory either the Children of Believers are in the Covenant of the Gospel or out if within as hath been proved they are Blessed and Happy dying in Infancy For Blessed are the Dead that dye in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. that is in his Covenant If as the Anabaptists say without the Covenant then under the Curse Cursed Children without God in the World So that it is a Spiritual Cheat as aforesaid to say to blind the Eyes of the People that hear them that the State of Infants is secret the contrary hath been evidently proved by these and like Scriptures Rom. 5. 12. Eph. 2. 3. Deut. 29. 29. Again that which blindeth these People that they cannot see the Kingdom of God and so do not know the Subjects of the same is because they reason carnally against Infants thus that because many of the Children of Believers fall away and become Profane therefore say they they have no right in Infancy to Water-Baptism If these Men would look back in and among themselves and see how many of them whom they re-baptize by Dipping do fall away to deny that to be any Baptism at all as how many of them turn Quakers who deny Water-Baptism as well as the Lords-Supper not now to be externally Administred and so no Gospel Ordinances They might for shame be silent from such vain Objections against the Baptizing of Infants until they could enter into the Secret Council of God to know who among them should renounce their way and turn to another and who would not Again another Objection they make to deprive the Infants of Believers from their Right to Water-Baptism That Christ was Baptized at Thirty Years of Age therefore none but Men and Women of Years are to be Baptized Answ This is as Carnal a Plea as the former for herein they still bewray their Ignorance knowing not the reason why Christ was not Baptized until he was
God but keep his Commandments Psalm 78. 6 7. Now that Israel were with their Children in the Covenant of Grace is evident for if the Believing Gentiles and their Infants were grafted into the same Olive-Tree from which the Unbelieving Jews with their Infants were broken off and that when the Unbelieving Jews as the Apostle teacheth shall by Grace be Grafted in again to what but their own Olive-tree Rom. 11. 24. that is into Christ by the Covenant of Grace from whence they were broken off by not believing Christ in the Promise when come to be their Saviour as Christ said to the Jews If ye believe not that I am he to wit the Seed of the Woman promised ye shall die in your sins John 8. 24. but Peter in his first and second Sermons to these Jews broken off from the visible Covenant of Grace in Christ know if they were of the Election they should yet obtain Mercy so shall they with their Infants be received of God in Christ See Rom. 11. 7. for saith the Apostle to the Jews upon their being pricked in their Hearts and their imbracing of Christ for their Saviour The Promise is unto you and unto your Children Acts 2. 39. Ye are the Children of the Prophets and of the Covenant God made with our Fathers saying unto Abraham and in thy Seed shall all the Kindreds of the Earth be Blessed unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities Acts 3. 25 26. Here we see God hath not cast away the Infants of his People but as by Unbelief some of the Jews were broken off and their Infants with them so when such Actual Sinners believed they and their Infants were grafted into the True Olive Christ by the Covenant of Grace again and hereupon was that Gospel-Promise fulfilled as it is written I will multiply them and they shall not be few I will also glorifie them and they shall not be small Their Children also shall be as afore-time and their Congregation shall be established before me and I will punish all that oppress them Jer. 30. 19 20. Thus God ever had great esteem of the Lambs of his Fold as appeareth in a day of Sore Calamity when the Lord called for a Fast who but the Infants must be Assembled with their Parents as it is written Blow the Trumpets in Sion sanctifie a Fast call a Solemn Assembly gather the People Sanctifie the Congregation Assemble the Elders gather the Children and those that suck the Breast Then saith the Lord Let the Priest say Spare thy People O Lord and give not thy Heritage to reproach Here we see Gods People are Men Women and their Sucklings and Little ones the Heritage of the Lord their God Joel 2. 15 16 17. Will not these Anabaptists say what Sense had Sucking Infants in that work to seek the Lord As much Sense as God required of them but because they were his Redeemed ones with their Parents unto whom the Promises did belong therefore they were comprehended within the Benefit of the Promise in the Church of God being a part of the Lords People O Spare thy People O Lord and God was their God not by any other way but by the Covenant of Grace in Christ who taketh away their Sin from them the Sin of the World Rom. 5. 16. Again in a like day of Fast when the Heathens came to invade the Land King Jehosaphat proclaimed a Fast throughout all Judah as it is written all Judah gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord now all Judah were Men and Women and their Little ones as it is written And all Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones their Wives and their Children 2 Chron. 20. 4 13. Thus Children with their Parents the Lord calleth for them in his Service that as Christ is a Mediator for them so they are included in the Prayers of the Church as they are a part of the same Now let these Men shew when Infants of Believing Parents were shut out from the Covenant of Grace before they with Cain Ishmael and Esau by their own Actual Sins made a Separation between the Lord and them while their Parents were stedfast with the Lord in his Covenant which they were bound to keep with Their Children that the Generations to come might know them even the Children that should be born who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his Commandments Psalm 78. 6 7. Now with what Face can the Anabaptists say The State of all Infants is Secret what word have they for it no word of God but like Men relying on the word of Mortal Men as B. Keach doth on his Author Dr. Taylor who saith God may have many ways to magnifie his Grace through Jesus Christ to them which we know not of to which he addeth And what have you to do with the Secrets of God who made you one of his Privy-Council Gold Refined page 143. Answ Paul was one of Christ's Privy-Council and he telleth us the State of Infants is not Secret for by Nature they are all Children of Wrath all sinned in Adam and so are under Death and Condemnation Is this Secret the Apostle Peter telleth us the Promise of the Gospel belongeth to Believers and their Children Christ telleth us in answering a question his Disciples asked him who was greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven the Church Jesus calleth a little Child such as played in the Streets of Jerusalem Zech. 8. 4 5. and set him in the midst of them and declared that that Child of his Kingdom was in the State of the Converted and the Humble and Believing so that if they were not in like State they should not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Matt. 18. 1 2 3 4 5 6. In Derision of all this whatsoever the Prophet or Christ in Person or his Apostles have said concerning the Happy State of the Infants of his People B. Keach saith Page 144. What Faith is in Infants and therefore in Derision of them against the very Testimony of Christ saith Is it the Faith of the Church or is it an imputive Faith or is it a dogmatical Faith or is it a Physical or Metaphysical or Hyperphisical Faith c. Answ Cannot a Child have the beginning of the Seed of Faith in the Bud unless the Acts of Faith be made manifest I may answer him with Mr. Ainsworth's words against the Anabaptists never yet answered by any of them Ainsworth's Censure on a Dialogue of the Anabaptists Page 52. How do they reason against the Light of Gods Word and even against Nature it self for if some Brutish Person should plead thus a Man is a Living Creature that hath a reasonable Soul and the proper Affections of a Man as he is a Man are the Faculties of Understanding
Heb. 3. 6. the Son of God and Phil. 2. 11. Lord of his own House had power to change the Seal of the Covenant who altered not but Rom. 15. 8. confirmed the Promises in the Covenant by his being Circumcised to the Believers and their Infants Now to be sealed with the Sign Water-Baptism by the same Authority which we believe Christ changed the Seventh day to the First day to be kept Holy for Religious Worship Again whereas they say it is manifest our Blessed Lord and Saviour rose on that day as having compleated and confirmed the Work of our Redemption Matt. 28. 1. Mark 16. 2. Luke 24. 1. John 20. 1. whereby is laid a Foundation of the Observation of that day By like reason we say that for all whom Christ by his Resurrection hath compleated and confirmed the work of their Redemption he hath laid a Foundation thereby for Sealing the same unto them by that visible Sign of Pardon or Remission of their Sins Water-Baptism but that Christ hath confirmed and compleated Redemption for the Believers and their Seed in Infancy before is largely proved in this third Query Therefore these are to be Baptized Baptism by Water being cast upon them as is at large proved to be Gods way in the first Query and by like grounded reason brought from Scripture as they now do to keep the first day of the Week Holy for Religious Worship to God Again they say our Lord on that day appeared to his Disciples teaching and instructing them and Blessing them giving them their Commission breathing on them the Holy Ghost Luke 24. John 20. Answ If the Blessing of Christ to his Disciples with his Spiritual Blessing of the Pardon of their Sins who died for them and on that day rose again for their Justification be a reason why we should keep the first day Holy it is a like reason why Infants of Believers are to be Baptized seeing the visible Sign of the Remission of their Sins in or by the Blessing of Christ bestowed on the Infants of his Kingdom Water-Baptism is to be Administred on them because Christ died for their Sin and rose on the first day for their Justification because they are of the Kingdom of God Luke 18. 16. in which time of the Forty days Christ spoke to them of all things pertaining to his Kingdom Acts 1. Again if it be a reason as they say why we should keep the first day Holy because our Lord Jesus remained with his Disciples Forty days after his Resurrection and spake to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and if they question not but he then gave them command about the Observation of the Lords day Acts 1. 3. Answ Seeing the Lord Jesus in the Forty days he was with his Disciples after his Resurrection spake to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and that the time for Worship is one thing pertaining to the Kingdom because there is a Time and Season for every work and that therefore there is no question but he gave command about keeping the first day Holy Even so there is likewise no question but he gave command concerning all things else pertaining to his Kingdom as aforesaid and the Infants of his People Christ himself hath said are of his Kingdom There is no doubt seeing he Blessed them with the Pardon of their Sin as well as he Blessed their Parents but that he gave a command they should be Baptized as well as their Parents seeing Water-Baptism was to be Administred on all that had their Sin by the Blessing of Christ pardoned Acts 3. 26. as it is written Be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins for the promise to wit of the Pardon of Sins in the Blessing of Christ is to you and unto your Children So that by the Anabaptists own grant seeing Christ was Faithful in his House as a Son he did not omit the commanding of the visible Sign of Remission of Sins Water-Baptism to all the Blessed in his Kingdom no more than he omitted a command for the keeping the first day Holy for Religious Gospel-worship because he was Faithful in his House as a Son as Moses was as a Servant Heb. 3. Moreover whereas they grant that the day of Pentecost was the first day of the Week Acts 2. 1. and seeing the Apostles Baptized 3000 on that day there is no question but that Christ gave command that they should Baptize on that day as in their Sixth Reason in their Narrative they say and grant the first day was solemnly observed by the Churches as appears in Acts 20. 7. with the Solemn Duties then performed and that we have no Example of the Churches then Assembling together to celebrate all the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the Week mark that therefore If the Practice of the Primitive Churches in the Purest of Times be the Rule for Gospel Churches ever since to follow their Examples 1 Thess 2. 14. as it is and that all the Ordinances are to be celebrated on the Lords day which Practice of the Churches is by the Anabaptists granted in their Narrative to be an evident plain Demonstration of its being a Day set apart for Religious Worship by the Will and Command of the Lord Jesus as if it had been express'd in the plainest words How is it then seeing Water-Baptism is a part of Spiritual Worship as they grant and an Ordinance when first performed after Christ's Resurrection on the Lords day in the Church-Assembly where was no River nor Pond that the Anabaptists Baptize after their way of Dipping on any Working-duy out of the Church Estate when Assembled when as by the Example of a Church-Practice at Jerusalem in the Purest of Times whose Example all Churches are to follow that then when the Church was Assembled to perform other parts of the Worship then Water-Baptism was performed in the Congregation Which is a plain Demonstration that they were not Baptized by Dipping but by casting Water on the noble part of Mankind which representeth the whole Person as before in the first Query is proved Therefore tho the Apostles and Evangelists by an extraordinary call Baptized in any place where any were Converted yet that any ordinary Officer as Pastor or Teacher chosen and ordained by a particular Congregation Baptized any other where but in the Congregation at the same time when all other Ordinances are to be performed in Worship as they grant therefore it is not lawful by the Anabaptists own grant for any to Baptize on any other day but the Lords day and then to be done in the Assembly with other parts of Worship forasmuch as they say the first day was solemnly observed by the Churches as appears by Acts 20. 7. with the Solemn Duties then performed and that we have say they no example of the Churches then Assembled together to celebrate all the Ordinances of our Lord
joying and beholding your Order and Stedfastness of your Faith in Christ Col. 2. 5. Therefore as the Ordinances are several every one having dependance on each other therefore Prayer being a Sanctifying Ordinance Numb 10. 35. Col. 14. 4. 1 Tim 4. 4. Acts 2. 42. 6. 4. Matt. 26. 26 27. Numb 6. 23 27. the Pastor or Teacher when the Church is gathered together in some one place 1 Cor. 11. 29. Sanctifieth the Congregation by Prayer and as Praises are next unto Prayer the whole Church Praising the Lord by Singing a Psalm of Holy Scripture even the words of the Prophets of old 1 Chron. 16. 7 8 9 29. Matt. 26. 26. Col. 3. 16. Eph. 5. 19. 2 Chron. 29. 29 30. Rev. 15. 2 3. This being ended the Pastor or Teacher giveth Attendance to Reading Exhortation and Doctrine having read some part of Holy Scripture giving the Sense and Meaning thereof as likewise taking some Scripture and teach or raise Doctrine from the same 1 Tim. 4. 13. Nehem. 8. 8. Phil. 4. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 13. Luke 4. 18 21 22. Cant. 4. 16. This being done then the Prophets or Gifted Brethren spake by Memberal Right as it is written Quench not the Spirit despise not Prophecying 1 Thess 5. 19 20. Keeping order by one two or three at most 1 Cor. 14. 24 29. as time will permit This being done the Church freely contributing to the Maintenance of the Officers and Poor the Deacons attending thereto by Office to gather the same and as need requireth to distribute the same Acts 6. 2 3 5. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. 2 Cor. 8. 12. Prov. 27. 23. 3. 18. This being ended the Ruling Elder in the time of Christs Regal Government in the Church Christ's Kingdom together with the other Elders Pastor and Teacher see that order be kept being the time when any Persons desire to be joyned to Christ by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. Acts 2. 47. to judge of the work of Grace in them by their Profession being approved by the whole Church and then are they to receive them into the Covenant with their Children in Nonage Deut. 29. 11 12. because the Promise is to them and unto their Children Deut. 29. 29. Acts 2. 39. in which time of Government likewise if there be any Complaint against any Members for their Disorderly walking or for Errors in Faith it is written If they will not hear to wit private Admonition and so if they will not be reclaimed at the first and second Admonition to tell it to the Church and if they despise the Churches Admonition to cast them out in the Name of the Lord Jesus from the Communion of Christ in the Church and so from all the Benefit of the Promises in the Covenant Rev. 4. 2. Isa 9. 7. Matt. 18. 15 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 5. Prov. 29. 1. This Ordinance being ended if any were received into Covenant in the time of Government and had never been Baptized into the Name of Jesus then the Seal must be set on the Persons received into Covenant as a Sign of the Pardon of their Sins being washed away in the Blood of Christ the Lamb the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant called the Church Covenant Zach. 9. 10. So that by Water-Baptism Christ may be made manifest both to Parents and their Infants that he hath bore away their Sin or Sins John 1. 29 31. Heb. 8. 12. This Ordinance being ended performed by the Pastor or Teacher then follows the Administration of the Lords-Supper as it is written The Cup of Blessing which we Bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we brake is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ For we being many are one Bread and one Body for we are all partakers of that one Bread 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. The finishing of this Ordinance is by singing a Psalm the whole Action of the day in Worship finished by Prayer Thus as all grant every Ordinance in the Church-Assembly is to be performed on the Lords day as the Anabaptists also grant in their Narrative Page 17. in these words We have no Example of the Churches then Assembling together to celebrate all the Ordinances of our Lord Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the week As afore shewed in their Reasons about keeping the first day for Gospel-worship Thus when Gods Holy Order is kept in the Practice all Gods Ordinances in his Church his Kingdom the Beholders thereof will say God is in them for a truth 1 Cor. 14. 25. and with this Admiration who is this Cant. 8. 5. that thus followeth the Captain of their Salvation Heb. 2. 10. in the Heavenly Warfare of his Gospel Rev. 19. 11. 2 Tim. 2. 3 4. whether soever he goeth before them in his Commands Rev. 17. 14. Rev. 14. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 1. then will the Spouse of Christ appear Crowned with Twelve Stars walking in the Apostles and Prophets Doctrine Christ being the chief Corner-stone whose Righteousness is put on by Faith Rom. 13. 14. looking forth as the Morning she is Fair as the Moon Clear as the Sun Terrible to all her Enemies as an Army with Banners Cant. 6. 10. Rev. 3. 7 8 9 10. And this is that Vertuous Woman her Price is above Rubies that looketh well to the ways of her Houshold and Eateth not the Bread of Idleness her Children arise and call her Blessed her Husband also and he praiseth her Prov. 31. 10 27 28. Now then where Gods Holy Order is not kept there is Confusion and every evil work and what doth Babel mean but Confusion so is every City or Church that transgresseth the Laws or changed the Ordinances or breaketh the Everlasting Covenant called the City of Confusion And this maketh way to take in consideration the Fifth Query which is Query 5. Whether it be Lawful for any Man to Baptize himself In speaking to this Query is shewed that from such an Administrator the English Anabaptists have successively received their way of Re-baptizing of Adult Persons only and excluding the Infants of Believers from the same or the Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Therefore it may be expedient to give some Description of this first Baptizer of himself by Name John Smith who by Profession was a Minister of the Church of England disliking thereof went over into Holland and joyned himself to an English Church at Amsterdam at which time Mr. Henry Ainsworth was Teacher to the said Church now as it appeareth by Calvin in his Institutions there were some in his time called Anabaptists in Judgment denying Infants Baptism from this Principle they then maintained in denying original Sin so that they affirmed Infants were not born Sinners and from hence they pleaded there need no Sign of Remission of Sins be Administred on them Now this Error is confuted in a word If Infants were not born Sinners then they could not dye until they had Actually sinned for the
Argument for the warrant of Baptizing of himself Thus as Mr. Clifton hath published in his Christian Plea Page 181 182. in these words There is as good warrant for a Man Churching himself for two Men singly are no Church joyntly they are a Church so two Men may put Baptism upon themselves Again saith Mr. Smith A Man cannot Baptize others into a Church himself being out of the Church or being no Member But such was the State of Mr. Smith when he Baptized himself he was then cast out of the Church whereof Mr. Ainsworth was Teacher So we see out of his own Mouth Mr. Smith condemned himself and his Practice Moreover Mr. Jesop in his Discovery of the Errors of the Anabaptists who some time as he saith walked with them saith If I should demand of you your warrant for a Man to Baptize himself I much marvel where you would find such a Practice in all the New Testament of Christ it would be too hard a Task for you Although Mr. Smith first Baptized himself and then he Baptized Mr. Helvish and John Murton with others See Mr. Jesop's Discovery of the Errors of the English Anabaptists Page 65. Now as in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every Truth shall be established so then Mr. Henry Ainsworth and Mr. Clifton and Mr. Jesop have testified in their Books published that Mr. Smith Baptized himself and from such an Administrator the Anabaptists have successively received their way of Baptizing Adult Persons only and excluding the Infants of Believers from the Benefit thereof and because their Reasons for this Practice of theirs are but carnal as afore is proved therefore wanting Scripture Evidence for their Practice some of late have published in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book namely Mr. Kiffing John Harris Richard Adams Robert Steed Ben. Keach a False report against three worthy Servants of Jesus Christ wanting help as appeareth to maintain their way of Anabaptistry their words are these And since that God hath been pleased to raise up many Learned Men namely Dr Ames Mr. Ainsworth and Dr. Owen with others who have Learnedly and with much clearness and strength of Argument made it appear that a true visible gospel-Gospel-Church is to consist only of such as are Saints by profession and who give up themselves to the Lord and one to another by solemn Agreement to practice the Ordinances of Christ The cause surely must be very bad in these Mens own Eyes unless they are given over to blindness of Heart to make Falshood their Refuge as will clearly appear concerning these three Mens Judgment published to the World touching the State of the Children of Believers Dr. Ames hath written That a particular Church or Congregation is a Society of Faithful ones or Believers knit together mutually in a special Obligation or Bond in order to the constant exercise of the Communion of Saints among themselves And further saith Children of Believers who are in the Church-Fellowship are to be reckoned Members of the Church 1 Cor. 7. 14. your Children are Holy for they are partakers of the same Profession with their Parents yet Children are not so perfect Members of the Church so as that they can expect acts of Communion or may be admitted to partake of all the Priviledges of the Church unless a growing Faith appear in them but are not to be excluded from those Priviledges which appertain to the beginning of Faith and entrance into the Church Doctrines In Medul Theol. Lib. 1. ch 32. § 6. § 12. § 13. Mr. Henry Ainsworth saith Children of Believers when they are born of their Parents and all are born Infants are all in the Covenant with their Parents and were of old to be Circumcised are now to be Baptized if the Children be of years when their Parents enter into Covenant either they assent and enter into Covenant with them or they dissent and enter not so Ishmael Abraham 's Child being taught of his Father to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. and not disobeying he was with his Father Circumcised at thirteen years of Age Gen. 17. 25. likewise all Children now assenting unto and walking in the Faith with their Parents are to be Baptized at what Age soever but when Ishmael fell from his Obedience then was he cast out of Abraham 's House and was no longer counted for Abraham 's Seed but in Isaac was his Seed called Ishmael was still Abraham 's Seed and Child in Nature according to the Flesh but he continued not still a Child of the Covenant Gal. 4. 29 30. nor Abraham 's Seed according to the Promise even so if Children of Believers now being of understanding do refuse the Faith of Christ and fall from it they are to be kept out of the Church or cast out from it and so the Seal of Grace and Salvation belongeth not to them Ezek. 18. 24. 2 Chron. 15. 2. Matt. 3. 7 9 10. As it belongeth to all the Infants of the Faithful and to all their Children of what Age soever if they receive the Faith of Christ and abide in it with them And these Men meaning the Anabaptists if they think we hold Children are to be Baptized because they are our Children by Nature for so they are Children of Wrath Eph. 2. 3. but they are Holy and so have the Seal of Salvation because God hath graciously accepted them into his Covenant with our selves and keepeth them in it until they fall from Faith and Obedience of Christ even as we our selves continue in the Covenant while we continue in the Christian Faith and no longer 2 Tim. 2. 12. As we are the Children of the first Adam and so are Sinners Disobedient Unrighteous and under Condemnation but as we are the Children of the second Adam Christ we are all Holy made Obedient Righteous and Heirs of Salvation according to the Apostles Doctrine Rom. 5. 12 21. See Mr. Henry Ainsworth's Censure upon a Dialogue of Infants Baptism Page 67 68. Dr. Owen saith Children do belong unto and have an Interest in the Parents Covenant not only in the Promise of it which gives them Right unso Baptism but in the Profession of the Church-Covenant which gives them a Right unto all the Priviledges of the Church whereof they are capable until they voluntarily relinquish their claim unto them Dr. Owen The true Nature of a Gospel Church Chap. 1. 14 16. Now will not Mr. Kiffin Mr. Harris Mr. Adams Mr. Steed Mr. Keach call back their words which they have set their Hands to in the Preface to Philip Cary's Book of their evil here and imbrace the Truth these Men have testified In the mean time let the Prudent Reader judge whether the forenamed Persons have any Grounds to publish to the World that these Men Dr. Ames Mr. Ainsworth Dr. Owen should Learnedly and with much clearness and strength of Argument make it appear that a true visible Church is to consist only of such as are Saints
by Profession The contrary by their own writing doth clearly appear That Infants are in Covenant and so visible Members of the Church so that 't is a bad cause when the Anabaptists are necessitated to bely such worthy Men to maintain their Errors And surely it is a bad cause when as the Scripture saith how some Men may confess that they make Lyes their Refuge Isaiah 28. 15. in making the World believe a false Report when the Men are not alive to speak for themselves yet that their Works like others spake for them how little they favoured the way of Anabaptistry when nothing less as farther appeareth in the last words of Mr. Ainsworth's Book called A Censure upon a Dialogue of the Anabaptists never yet by them answered saith That it was Christ's last Farewel to his Disciples when he Blessed them Luke 24. 50. being the Summ of the Gospel Gal. 3. 8. that in Abraham 's Seed that is Christ all Nations shall be Blessed this Grace Abraham 's Infants had this Grace Christ gave to little Children Luke 18. 16. and so the same he hath vouchsafed to continue unto us and to our Children throughout their Generations preserving us and them from the Curse of Anabaptistry whereby so many Errors are dispers'd Scriptures wrested and Souls perverted unto Destruction Moreover how apparently true it is that in the Anabaptists denying Infant-Baptism many Scriptures are perverted and Souls destroyed by such as press that Baptism in the World which they have received from their Administrator John Smith Baptizing of himself â—nâ— yet is condemned by Ben. Keach in his Book Page 147. in these words as aforesaid Water-Baptism saith he is a part of Instituted Worship and Service to God so that whatsoever is done in Worship and Service to God without an express word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles is Will-worship Now until he can prove it lawful for a Man to Baptize himself by some word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles it is Will-worship and so not from Heaven or from God therefore Ben. Keach's Baptism which he and the rest have received from their Administrator John Smith who Baptized himself is Will-worship and so not of God and to be Abhorred of all Christians because he granteth it is Will-worship forbidden of God Col. 1. 21 22 23. Isaiah 1. 12. Moreover seeing then the Anabaptists Baptism is not of God and the Baptism received in Infancy they deny then is there no true Water-Baptism remaining among them and thus at once all Gospel Ordinances by their Doctrine must cease and the whole Building of Christ must fall to the Ground Now whither must we go for Counsel in this Distress Surely but as the Prophet saith To the Law and to the Testimony so we should go for Counsel to none but to God his Gracious Spirit blowing upon the Sails of our Faith whereby we shall safely pass through all these Difficulties into an Orderly Practice of the Gospel in the Injoyment of all Christs Ordinances For after the deep Apostacy after the Apostles Decease we hear a Voice saying Arise measure the Temple the Altar and the Worshippers Rev. 11. 1. therefore He that hath ascended up on High hath not left his Church destitute of Counsel at any time for although the Lord for the Judgment of the World and Trial of his Servants and Manifestation of his Power did suffer his Church or People to wit Judah to be captivated by the Babylonians of old and now since his Churches or People captivated by the Spiritual Babylonians yet as of old a right way was found for the restoring the due and orderly Practice of all Gods Ordinances without the help of Mans Inventions so that the Lords Building was finished without a Stone of Babel for a Corner or for a Foundation so that although the Spiritual Babylonians said like their Ancestors Rase it even to the Foundation Yet we have a perfect Rule to the Practical Performance of all Gods Ordinances if we take Gods Counsel for direction as aforesaid To the Law and to the Testimony they that speak not according to it have no light in them Isaiah 8. 20. Now then as Water-Baptism came in place of Circumcision as hath been afore proved we then after a deep Apostacy must take our Directions from the one to the other let us then see whether we can find in Scripture any President for retaining Gods Ordinance done in Apostacy not to be repeated when as nothing but the Ordinance is retained only the Evil or Disorder purged away by Repentance as it was concerning Circumcision Therefore we read in the days of Hezekiah that the Church of God was fallen into deep Apostacy as the Divine History doth shew 2 Chron. 30. chap. the like we read in Josiah's time and after in Ezra and Nehemiah's time in which State of Apostacy they still Circumcised their Children so that when they returned to God to walk with him by Faith in keeping his Commands in his Worship they did not repeat their Circumcision but the Evil through Gods Mercy was Purged by Repentance and so they were admitted to the Passover for no uncircumcised Person might eat of the Passover Exod. 12. 48. so now no unbaptized Person must eat of the Lords Supper This being a President for all Christians when returning out of deep Apostacy the Baptism then received in Apostacy ought not to be repeated any more than Circumcision Seeing it hath been proved that both Circumcision and Water-Baptism are Signs and Seals to one and the same Covenant of Grace in Christ to wit Rom. 4. 11. of the Righteousness of Faith in the Remission of Sins by the Blood of Christ Col. 2. 11 12. For although Water-Baptism and Circumcision were no Seals of Gods Favour and Mercies but rather Judgments to them of old as now so long as they remained in Sinful Idolatry for it will be granted by all that Gods Covenant in the Blessings thereof continueth with any Church or People no longer than they remain in his true Faith and Obedience in walking with God according to his written word Rev. 2. 3. chap. 2 Chron. 15. 2 3. So then as of old upon a return of Gods Elected ones even they and their Children out of Apostacy they did enter into the Covenant of Grace in Christ as it is written They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Jer. 50. 5. This was fulfilled in Ezra and Nehemiah's days when they came out of Babylon by Families yet they were not again Circumcised but having separated themselves from the Filthiness of the Heathen of the Land Ezra 6. 21 22. and were joyned to the Lord by renewing their Covenant did keep the Feast of the Lord and so were admitted to the Passover which no uncircumcised Person might eat of Exod. 12. 48. Obj. If any say Circumcision once done could not be
repeated the Foreskin being once cut off could not be cut again Answ The Apostle Paul answereth this Objection in these words Is any Man called being circumcised let him not become uncircumcised Is any called in Uncircumcision let him not become circumcised 1 Cor. 7. 18. By which it appeareth that the Foreskin might be gathered again by the Art of Chirurgery as Historians shew Joseph Antiq. Lib. 12. ch 6. So then the way of God is clear by proportion from Circumcision to Water-Baptism both received in Apostacy That as Judah when in Babylon they Circumcised as in the Spiritual Babylon Water-Baptism was and still is practised that as God accepted of his People of old only renewing their Covenant with the Lord even so all whom God calleth out of the Spiritual Babylon God only requireth that the Lords Covenant be renewed he made with their Ancestors that were once in the Lords Covenant and so that People once Baptized into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is not to be done again And this Ben. Keach granteth from his Author's words Elten on Col. 2. 11. Page 291. who saith That Baptism is the Sacrament of Incision or ingrafting into Christ Sealing up our setting into Christ which is only once done never after to be done again Gold Refin'd Page 178. So then there is a difference to be made when an Ordinance of God is done and not done at all or done and not rightly done for if in Judah's Apostacy as aforesaid they Circumcised as the Christians in Apostacy Baptized the Error in the one being repented if so in the other Now because the Anabaptists have not in this matter taken Counsel of Gods Word but followed their own Spirits they have run themselves into Confusion some in Baptizing themselves others receiving their Baptism from them and others of them all crying out against Romes Baptism because so many Additions is joyned therewith and therefore they say it is no Baptism when as it may be easily proved that we English People received not our Baptism from Rome but from the Britains or Welsh the first Inhabitants of this Nation who as Historians say received the Gospel Ten years before the Gospel was preached at Rome as Mr. Jones in his Book Entituled Rome no Mother Church to England Sect. 4. Page 123. Besides the General Agreement of Histories for in the year of Tiberius the Emperor Gildas affirmeth That Britain received the Gospel Further he saith That Joseph of Arimathea was sent by Philip the Apostle from France to Britain about the Year of our Lord 63. and remained in Britain all his days who with his Fellows laid the first Foundation of the Christian Faith amongst the British People Acts and Monum Book 2. p. 95. Gildas Lib. de vict Aurelii Ambrosius 2. Tertullian testifieth How the Gospel was dispersed abroad by the Sound of the Apostles Tertull. con Judeus as was the Commission to all Nations as the Apostle Paul writeth to the Colossians The Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every Creature which is under Heaven Col. 2. 23. so that some of all Nations for so they Sung Praises to God and the Lamb saying Thou hast redeemed us by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Rev. 5. 9. and there reckoneth up Medes Parthians and Dwellers of Mesopotamia Jury Cappadocia Pontus Asia Phrygia Egypt Pamphilia with many more At length cometh to the Coasts of â—he Morians and to all the Borders of Spain and France and among the rest reciteth all the parts of Britain and reporteth them to be subject to Christ Again Origen saith that Britain did consent to the Christian Faith Nesiphorus saith that Simon Zelots did spread the Gospel of Christ to the West Ocean and brought the same into the Isle of Britain Origen Hom. 4. in Ezech. Nic. Lib. Cap. 40. Again the Scots did celebrate their Easter in the time of the Abbots of Clunick not after the Roman manner but after the Greeks which argueth they received the Faith but not from Rome Also it appeareth by a Letter of Elutherius Bishop of Rome written to Lucius King of Britain Anno 169. that Lucius had received the Faith in this Land before he sent to Elutherius for the Roman Laws for so the words of the Letter purport which are these Ye have received of late through Gods Mercy in the Realm of Britain both the parts of the Holy Scripture out of them by Gods Grace take ye a Law and by that Law through Gods Sufferance Rule your Kingdom of Great Britain Anno 169. By these and like Testimonies it appeareth that the Baptism received first in this Land was in a true Church and this Scripture was fulfilled The Isles shall wait for thy Law as Christ hath expounded it The Gentiles shall trust in thy Name Isa 42. 4. with Matt. 12. 21. And again one while the Anabaptists will not have Water-Baptism to succeed Circumcision as visible Seals to one and the same Covenant for then they suppose they shall grant that if Infants had Right of old to be Circumcised by vertue of the Covenant of Grace they must confess if they would speak truth that Infants have Right to be Baptized by vertue of the same Covenant But when it will serve their turn then they will grant Water-Baptism came in place of Circumcision in this thing for say they Circumcision initiated Members into the Jewish Church and now Water-Baptism initiateth Members into the gospel-Gospel-Church And thus they are Yea and Nay but to let them know that no Person had Right to be Circumcised until he was first in Covenant with the Lord as Abraham was a Believer in Covenant before Circumcised And further it is proved that all Israel the Males except Caleb and Joshua were uncircumcised Persons when they by the Covenant of Grace in Christ were established to be the Lords People Deut. 29. and after Circumcised by Joshua Josh 5. Chap. So now first Members are joyned to the Lord with their little ones and by vertue of Gods Free Grace in Christ their Sin or Sins are pardoned and then the Sign Seal of the Covenant or Token of Remission of Sins is to be set on the Believers and their Seed Acts 2. 38 39. largely proved in the third Query Moreover as no uncircumcised Person might eat of the Passover even so no unbaptized Person might or may eat of the Lords-Supper Now this the Anabaptists will grant that the Lords-Supper came in room of the Passover yea and so did Water Baptism come in room of Circumcision for if 1 Cor. 5. Chap. proveth the one then Coll. 2. 11 12. proveth the other And as no Man might eat of the Passover until all his Males were Circumcised even so no Man may eat of the Lords-Supper until all his Children in Nonage are Baptized but for want of the due informing of the Congregations in these and such-like things Note what
a Confusion some Congregations allow among them who are mix'd some are for Baptizing their Infants and some are not some are for having themselves re-baptized by the Anabaptists some are not Yea and some in Congregational Churches are re-baptized and some are not and these all joyn together in the Ordinance of the Lords Supper which is a high breach of Gods Order and so a great Sin See here what Confusion is this sowing divers Seeds in the Lords Vineyard or Garden his Church when as no Persons might eat of the Passover until all their Male-Infants were Circumcised even so by equality no Person ought to partake of the Lords-Supper until their Infants are Baptized Again no unbaptized Person may eat of the Lords-Supper as no uncircumcised Persons might eat of the Passover or such as were not accounted so but the Females were accounted Circumcised for no uncircumcised Person might go into the Temple but Women did and so were accounted Circumcised wanting that part of the Body Now then he that denieth his Baptism received in Infancy to be sufficient Baptism in his Belief or Judgment when he is re-baptized he saith all his Brethren are all unbaptized Persons in his Judgment and they that do stand firm to their Baptism received in Infancy do say he that is re-baptized and by a false Administration denieth his Baptism received in Infancy must acknowledge he is no Baptized Person fit to partake with in the Lords-Supper seeing he denieth also Water-Baptism to be Administred on his Children Yet these so differing in their Faiths and so contrary to the Order of God do both in Confusion together partake of the Lords-Supper These Confusions call for Judgment to come on Churches Many other things might be here inserted of Disorders in Churches but it will not be proper at this time to this Subject Therefore ought all Churches of Christ when any Man and Woman come to joyn themselves there to Christ the Head of the Body the Church by entering into an everlasting Covenant never to be forgotten that they bring their Children with them as Christ said Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such are the Kingdom of God Luke 18. 16. Now concerning what hath been said B. Keach proposeth by way of Objection That as if one of themselves should say Since the Practice of Baptism in Water was lost in the Apostacy How could it be restored again without a new Mission He maketh this answer The Children of Israel had for many years lost the Ordinance of the Feast of Tabernacles yet by reading in the Book of the Law there was such a thing required They immediately revived it and did as they found it written without any new Mission or extraordinary Prophet to Authorize them so to do even so ought we to act Gods word being a Warrant sufficient to justifie us in so doing Gold refin'd page 23. To which I reply That Water-Baptism was not lost by Baptizing with Water but God had his true Church who lived and reigned with Christ in the Practice of his Holy Ordinances under Sufferings all the time of the Beasts Reign in the Spiritual Babylon As we read Rev. 20. 4. So that only in the Spiritual Babylon Water-Baptism was lost by Baptizing with Water for they Baptized in Water as in Rome this day is shewed by dipping every one three times in Water Bellarm de Bapt. l. 1. c. 25. to c. 27. 2. As Water-Baptism is herein clearly proved to succeed Circumcision and as Water-Baptism was not lost nor neglected by the Suffering Christians under the Affliction they went through by the Spiritual Babylonians even so Circumcision likewise was not lost under all the Sufferings Judah underwent by the Temporal Babylonians 3. As to the Feast of Tabernacles which Ben. Keach saith was lost from Israels keeping the same in Babylon He might know that was because they were bound to keep the Feast of Tabernacles no where but at Jerusalem so that it was not lost but omitted because they could not go to Jerusalem to keep it And whereas he saith By reading in the Book of the Law there was such a thing required they immediately revived it when they came to Jerusalem and did as they found it written without any new Mission or extraordinary Prophet to authorize them so to do even so ought we saith he to act Gods word being a warrant sufficient to justifie us in so doing Now Water-Baptism afore shewed was not lost by Baptizing with Water no more than Circumcision was of old but had it been lost as Ben. Keach supposeth then the reviving of it again without a new Mission as his Parallel is from the Feast of Tabernacles or without an extraordinary Prophet to authorize them so to do But to the first had Israel thinks he no extraordinary Prophet to direct them to keep the Feast of Tabernacles according to the Law written Ezra was Gods Priest who expounded the Sense and true Meaning of the Law Besides there were Prophets in Babylon as Daniel Ezekiel Haggai and Zachariah and what thinketh he were not these extraordinary Prophets Pen-meâ— of parts of the Holy Scriptures moved by the Holy Ghost But seeing whatsoever of Gods Holy Ordinances by just hinderance may cease in Practice yet when revived Ben. Keach granteth they must be revived both of old and now as it is found written and then it will be a sufficient warrant to justifie any so to do I grant Now let me ask B. Keach this question Whereas he saith Baptism in Water was lost Then by his own grant according to the word written it must be revived And where is it there written in Christs Testament that a Man must dip himself in Water As John Smith did the first Beginner or Reviver of the English Anabaptists Let him shew such a word in Scripture and it will be a sufficient warrant to justifie so doing and until then their reviving of Baptism by a Mans dipping himself hath no warrant in Gods word in either Testament and I am sure John Smith was no extraordinary Prophet of God nor ordinary as herein is shewed but one that dis-separated himself from a true Church sensual having not the Spirit â—nd after cast out And how little of the Spirit hath that Man even such a one as Ben. Keach who maketh a Mock or Deâ—ision of Gods Ordinance of Baptism Administred on our Fathers saith the Apostle when the Clouds poured out Water on them as saith the Prophet Concerning which Baptism Ben. Keach saith If that was Baptism viz. the Clouds raining upon them the People may save their Mony and never go to a Minister more to Christen their Children for 't is but to carry them abroad when it Rains and they will be so Baptized and it will be as true Baptism no doubt Gold Refin'd page 61. Surely this Man thus making a Mock at Gods Ordinance may be reckoned among the Mockers of the Apostles Doctrine Jude v. 17
18 19 10. as it is written Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ how that they told you there should be Mockers in the last time and these because they have not the Spirit speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves If this Man was not one of them he would not have dared to be so bold as to say Flocks and Heards Exod. 12. 38. that went through the Sea when our Fathers were saith the Apostle Baptized 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. were doubtless Baptized as well as Children under the Cloud and in the Sea and now to say again to carry Children out when it raineth is as true Baptism as Israel had under the Cloud Yet notwithstanding he hath so contemptuously spoken of the Baptism in the Cloud and in the Sea yet he saith that Baptism was a Type or Figure of Gospel-dipping but how will this Mans words hang together one while he saith Beasts and Unbelievers were Baptized as well as Children whatsoever was a Type or Figure hath its Substance If the Beasts were Baptized in the Sea what did it typifle such Beastly Men surely that withstood Paul's Doctrine at Ephesus as it is said He fought with Beasts at Ephesus after the manner of Men as such Beasts of Men as Jude speaks of That speak evil of the way of Faith which they know not of and would exclude Infants out of Christs Kingdom as they do Infants from being our Fathers then as the Apostles calleth them Rom. 9. 5. Again whereas he saith The Baptism in the Cloud and in the Sea was a Figure of Gospel-dipping if so then Men Women and Children must be Baptized standing on dry ground for so it is said They stood in the Sea or place where the Water had been on dry ground but the truth is it was a Figure of Gospel-Baptism by casting pouring or sprinkling Water on the Head and Face the noble part that representeth the whole Person and whereas Infants were Baptized in the Figure it tipisied the Right they have now as afore proved in the third Query Now having proved by the Testimony of Holy Scripture What Baptism is The end wherefore it was ordained What it is that giveth any Soul Right to it Who is a true Administrator of it And what a High Breach of Gods Order it is for any Person to Baptize himself The next thing is farther to prove by Holy Scripture that the Covenant the Church of Israel was established in to be the People of God and the Lord to be their God was the Covenant of Grace in Christ and that it was not as the Anabaptists say a Carnal Covenant And also in particular to prove that the Covenant which God made with Abraham and his Seed Gen. 17. 7. and with Israel when they came out of Egypt Exod. 19. 5 6. and again renewed with all Israel Men and Women and their little ones Deut. 29. 10 11. that they were no parts of the Covenant of works as Mr. Cary affirmeth but the everlasting Covenant of Grace in Christ now confirmed to all Believers and their Infants Rom. 4. 11. Col. 2. 11. as shall be further proved I shall first lay down the Doctrine of the Anabaptists being the Ground and Foundation their whole Fabrick is built upon To begin with the Father of the English Anabaptists Mr. Smith who saith in his Book called The Character of the Beast P. 16. That the Church of Israel was a Carnal People had a Carnal Covenant or promise of Carnal things 2. Mr. Danvers his apt Schollar affirmeth in his Treatise of Baptism Page 144. That Circumcision initiated a Carnal Seed into a Carnal Church and gave them Right to Carnul Ordinances and that Trees and Fruit were as capable of Circumcision as Children at eight days old P. 173 175. Mr. Cary saith That she Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. 7. and the Covenant God made with Israel Exod. 19. 5 6. and the same renewed in Deut. 29. are but three Additional parts of the Covenant of works made with Adam before his Fall Solemn Call Page 120. Mr. Keach saith That Children were admitted Members of the Jewish Church is granted and 't is also evident that God hath now quite pulled down that House of his I mean that National Church State and broke up House keeping and turned the Bond-woman and her Son the Fleshly Seed Servants and Infants all out of doors the natural Branches are broken off and God hath built a new a Glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his houshold Servants to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as profess so to be 1 Pet. 2. 5. and that the old House the Jewish Church-State with all the Appurtenances Rights and Priviledges of it is pulled down and a new one built into which Infants are not to be admitted as is very evident from what the Apostle speaks Heb. 7. 12. which must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it And therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disanull'd with it They were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law Shew us the like now and you do your business or else you say nothing Gold Refin'd Page 113. This being the Ground and Foundation of the Faith of these Men on which their whole Fabrick of Anabaptistry is erected I shall therefore speak to each of them particularly and first as touching Mr. Smith's words concerning the State of the Church of Israel where he affirmed That the Church of Israel was a Carnal People had a Carnal Covenant or promise of Carnal things I shall first set down Mr. Henry Ainsworth's Answer which he gave him not only to the aforesaid words but also to what Mr. Smith farther said namely The Israelites did worship to Repentance we worship from Repentance first Men declare their Repentance and then we receive them into Communion to worship with us with them to wit in the Jewish Church saith he first Men were received into typical Communion and then they were trained up to Repentance and Faith in Christ c. Parallel Page 30. Mr. Ainsworth answereth These and the like distinctions Mr. Smith fetcheth out of his own Heart not from the word of God for although there be differences many between them and us as touching the outward Rights and Services ended and abolished by Christ as the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth yet as touching the Substance of their Religion Worship Constitution c. as tonching Repentance Faith Reconciliation to God c. There was no such difference as Mr. Smith faineth for the Church of the Jews they had the Law to shew them their sin and to bring them to Christ so have we the Church under
the Gospel Matt. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil Rom. 3. 30 31. Seeing it is one God which shall justifie the Circumcision by Faith and the Uncircumcision through Faith do we then make void the Law through Faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Rom. 7. 7. What shall I say then is the Law Sin God forbid I had not known Sin but by the Law For I had not known Lust except the Law had said thou shalt not Covet James 2. 8 9 10 11. Thus the Law is of the same use to us now as it was to the Church of the Jews We have the Gospel to shew us our Righteousness by Christ without the works of the Law so had they Heb. 4. 2. for unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them see Levit. 26. 42 45. Luke 54. 55. 72. 73. Deut. 30. 1. 12 13 14. Rom. 10. 5 6 8. Gen. 15. 6. Psalm 32. 1 2. with Rom. 4. 6. c. 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. Heb. Chap. 11. only in the manner of Administration of the Law and Gospel there be Differences manifested Ainsworth's Defence of Scripture Page 119. In which Answer of Mr. Ainsworth's is proved these things 1. That the Church of Israel had the very same use of the Law we now have to shew them and us our Sins that we as well as they might be lead to Christ 2. They had the same Gospel to shew them as us our Righteousness in Christ without the works of the Law 3. They had Ordinances for Worship which figur'd Christ to come which they in believing and looking for his coming offered in Faith Heb. chap. 11. so worshipped they the Father in Spirit and in Truth as Christ said to the Woman of Samaria Ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship for Salvation is of the Jews but the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4. 22 23 24. and such Worshippers were the Church of the Jews though not all as in the Gospel-Church many were reproved for seeking to be justified by the works of the Law Gal. 3. Therefore as well they of the Circumcision as others the Apostle testifieth worshipped God in the Spirit though not all as it is written For we are of the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh Phil. 3. 3. And thus in the Church of Israel many were Righteous walking in all the Ordinances of the Lord blameless waiting by Faith for Christ in the Promise to come the Consolation of Israel as it is written of old Simeon when Christ was born and brought into the Temple He then took him up in his arms and blessed God and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all People a light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel So likewise Anna she coming into the Temple at the same Instant gave Thanks likewise to the Lord and spake of him to wit of Christ To all them who looked for Redemption in Israel Luke 2. 25 28 to 39. Rev. 3. 4. These things being duly observed let the impartial Reader judge whether the Church of Israel were a Carnal People or had a Carnal Covenant and Promise of Carnal things as Mr. Smith feigneth or whether the Church of Israel were not such that worshipped the Father in Spirit and in Truth under the Covenant of Grace by Faith serving God although under Figurative Ordinances for the hope of the Promise made of God to the Father Acts 26. 6 7. yea believing that it was not the Blood of Bulls and Goats that could take away Sin Psalm 40. 6. 51. 16. Heb. 10. 4. but it was the Blood of Christ the Lamb of God the true Sin-offering 2. Cor. 5. 21. that on him was laid the Iniquity of us al Isaiah 53. that shall be saved As John hath proclaimed Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world Therefore what an Erroneous Doctrine is it that John Smith and Mr. Danvers have laid to build the way of Anabaptistry upon to deprive the Infants of Believers from the Right they have now to the Sign of the Remission of their Sin Water-Baptism And not only so but by their Doctrine they Damn the Infants of all Gods People of old if the Covenant the Church of Israel were accepted into with their Children was no other than a Carnal Covenant for a Carnal State is opposite to a Spiritual State as the Apostle proveth Rom. 8. 6 7. for to be carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be so then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God Now if the Church of Israel was in no better State and had but a Carnal Covenant their State was Death and Damnation for as much as there is no Eternal Life but in the Covenant of Grace in Christ John 17. 3. so the Church is not the World which Christ pray'd for ver 9. But that the Church of God from the day the Gospel was Preached to Adam and he and his Wife believed in Christ to come they had the Covenant of Grace whereby God was the God of the Faithful and their Seed so that the Gospel first Preached to Adam that the Seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpents Head is the same Gospel the Apostles taught as it is written And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. And this glad Tidings is summed up in these words of the Everlasting Gospel-Covenant made with Abraham and his Seed as it is written Gen. 17. 7. And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee which Covenant together with that in Exod. 19. 5 6. that in Deut. 29. Mr. Cary affirmeth to be but three several Additions to the Covenant of Works made with Adam before the Fall so no part of the Covenant of Grace in Christ Now for as much as Mr. Cary and others when they seek to pervert the Scripture from its true Sense or Meaning as afore hath been shewed concerning the Sense of the word Baptize so here concerning the word Everlasting Covenant Mr. Cary saith in P. 126 127. of his Book Solemn Call It is true saith he the Covenant of Circumcision is called also an Everlasting
Benefit Spiritual could not be if Circumcision had been but a Seal or Sign to the Covenant of Works for then Redemption had not been by Free Grace but by Works but here we see Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith and Holiness both which are confirmed to all Believers and their Infants by Christ being Circumcised which sheweth that the Covenant sealed to the Faithful and their Seed of old was the Covenant of Grace in Christ for the Law John 1. 17. was given by Moses to make manifest Sin and Sinners but the Grace of Remission of Sin was by Christ in the Covenant that God will pass by for Christs sake the Sins of his People and be their God and they shall be his People is the Everlasting Covenant of the Gospel to Abraham and to his Seed in their Generations as now to the Believers and their Seed Gen. 17. 1. Gal. 4. 28. Again another Shift Mr. Cary useth to prove that Covenant to be no part of the Gospel-Covenant because Mr. Cary saith in Page 106. of his Solemn Call The Covenant of Grace hath no Conditions of Obedience required Answ Then there was never yet any Gospel-Covenant given to Mankind for is not the Work of Faith and Labour of Love Obedience commanded that all Christians shall do now as of old as these Scriptures shew 1 Thess 1. 4. James chap. 2. and doth not Christ say to his Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you John 15. And again If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our aboad with him John 14. 23. And again Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Rev. 22. 14. for saith Christ Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven Matt. 7. 21. This Obedience is not to merit but to manifest our Love by our Obedience if otherwise for any to obey the Commands of God either of old or now seeking thereby Justification in the sight of God by the Work done makes either the Law or Gospel to themselves a Covenant of Works And this is clear by the Lords driving Man out of the Garden after he was restored by Faith in Christ in the Promise from Death to Life The Lord placed at the East of the Garden of Eden Cherubins and a Flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life that Man should no more have Hope to live for ever by his own Act for our Life is hid with Christ in God for his Obedience by keeping the Law for us but our Obedience is only that by it we know we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. For if there be no Conditions of Obedience in the Gospel Covenant to this end then there must be no Ordinances kept and performed why then do the Anabaptists plead for the Act of Profession of Faith or why do they Baptize as they call Dipping or break Bread cast out Offenders or lay a part to the Maintenance of the Poor or Teachers or any other Duty each is a Work of Obedience they suppose to the Command of Christ as likewise to suffer for his Name sake relieve those that are Imprisoned for Christs sake for the Saints are to do all works of Mercy and all works of Love or else it is their Sin as James and John teacheth us what are the works of Faith and Love James 2. 14 to 26. 1 John 2. 17 18. as aforesaid And by This we know that we love the Children of God when we love God and keep his Commandments 1 John 5. 2. Yet in all this work of Faith there is nothing exspected of Merit by the Children of God by the work done as by Matt. 25. 34 to 40. appeareth Then shall the King say unto them on the right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World for I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in naked and ye cloathed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me Then shall the Righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink or when saw we thee a stanger and took thee in or naked and cloathed thee or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee And the King shall answer and say unto them Verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren ye have done it unto me Thus although the work of Faith to Brethren must not be neglected no more than any other Duty in Gods Service yet the Saints account that no work of Merit as by their answer to Christ is manifest yet saith the Apostle God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed towards his name in that ye have ministred to the Saints and do minister These things truly weighed we may see how grosly Mr. Cary hath sought by many Devises to prove the Everlasting Covenant which God made with the Faithful and their Seed Gen. 17. 7. to be no Covenant of the Gospel to the great dishonour of God and grief of all that fear God Next as concerning Exod. 19. 5 6. That it is no part of the Covenant of works as Mr. Cary would have it the contrary is proved by the verâ— words it self in the Covenant the Apostle Peter being the Interpreter for had that been a part of the Covenant of works the Apostle Peter could not as he hath applied the Grace of God contained therein to the gospel-Gospel-Church unless Mr. Cary can prove that by the Covenant of works the Children of Israel were made a Kingdom of Priests a holy Nation a peculiar Treasure to the Lord as Peter applieth it to the Gospel-Church but if he hath no other reason to prove it a part of the Covenant of works than because Obedience is required he is before answered But it will be a hard matter for him to prove that Mankind since the Fall was by the Covenant of works made unto God a Kingdom of Priests or as Peter hath it a Royal or Kingly Priesthood the contrary is evident that the People of God are made not by a Covenant of works a Kingdom of Priests but of Grace as the Song of the Redeemed confirmeth Rev. 5. 9 10. And they sung a new Song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every
Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on Earth First over our Sins and Corruptions that they have no Dominion over us Rom. 6. 14. The Lord Christ having subdued our Iniquities Micah 7. 19. So having a part in the first Resurrection we shall Reign with Christ 2. By overcoming our selves which is greater than all Earthly Conquest according to the Scripture He that is slow to Anger is better than the mighty Man and he that ruleth his own Spirit is better than he that winneth a City Prov. 16. 32. 3. Our overcoming the World is in not loving it 1 John 2. 15. and to keep our selves unspotted from it James 1. 27. Patiently for Christ's sake bareing the Reproaches in it 1 Cor. 4. 9 13. so shall we be more than Conquerors Rom. 8. 37. And this is the Victory that we overcome the World even our Faith 1 John 5. 4. â—4 Over Satan by resisting him stedfast in the Faith 1 Peter 5. 9. So shall we by the Power of Christ overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb and word of his Testimony Rev. 12. 11. So shall we tread Satan under our Feet shortly and judge the World and Angels 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. As Noah condemned the World by Faith in preparing an Ark to the saving of his House the Church of God and Preaching Christ our Righteousness by Faith in the Promise and so became an Heir to reign with Christ in Glory in Heaven for evermore Heb. 11. 7. Rom. 8. 17. Thus as Christ is King and Priest on his Throne in the Kingdom of his Mediatorship in his Church Zach. 6. 13. Rev. 4. 3. 15. 3. from whom this Grace cometh to his Saints by applying unto us his Sufferings Death Burial Righteousness Resurrection and Glorious Victory over Sin Death and Hell to be ours Isaiah 53. 4 5. Rom. 4. 25. For so he hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father Rev. 1. 6. So that as the Covenant of Grace was one to the Church of Israel of old as now to us Gentiles as it is written I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the People for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. 6. So have we the same Faith the Church of Israel had 2 Cor. 4. 13. Psalm 116. 10. only their Redemption was under the Performance of Figurative Ordinances as the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth yet both the Churches now and of old all under the same Benefits of Grace as they were a Kingdom of Priests so are we a Royal or Kingly Priesthood as they were a Holy Nation so are we as they were a peculiar Treasure to the Lord above all People so are the Churches now a peculiar People Exod. 19. 5 6. 1 Peter 2. 9. As they were called out of Egypt the Figure of our Captivity by Sin so are we called out of the Spiritual Egypt Exod. 4. 22 23. Rev. 11. 8. As the very Names of the Five Books of Moses have their Titles to note the things contained in them as Mr. Ainsworth in his Epistle to the Five Books of Moses saith Genesis that is Generation which endeth with the going down of Israel into Egypt in which we have the Image of the Natural Man fallen from God into the Bondage of Sin 2ly In Exodus or Departure is the Type of our Regeneration and State revived by Christ so was the Covenant of Grace Gen. 17. revived Exod. 19. 5 6. 3ly As in Leviticus the Sacrifices in the Service of God the shadow of our Mortification sheweth whilst we are made Sacrifices unto God Rom. 12. 4ly Numbers the Sign of our Spiritual Warfare whereunto we are mustered and armed to Fight the Good Fight of Faith 5ly Deuteronomy or the Repetition of the Doctrine of Sanctification and Preparation to enter into our Heavenly Canaan after Moses Death by the Conduct of Jesus the Son of God By all which it appeareth although God lead his People under Tipes and Shadows pointing to Christ yet the proper end of the Law taught Israel the Worship of God in Spirit and in Truth Deut. 5. 7 8. 6. 4 5 6. as the truly Godly in Israel well knew and confessed see and read Psal 32. 1 2. Psalm 40. 6. 51. 6 16. compared with Rom. 10. 8 9. Again what the Nature of the Covenant Exod. 19. 5 6. was the Prophet Jeremiah sheweth speaking to Judah in reproving the Church for Breach thereof when as by that Covenant Exod. 19. 5 6. they were planted a noble Vine wholly a right Seed but by Apostacy they were turned into a strange Vine Jer. 2. the Vine is Christ unto whom they were espoused to him their Head and they were Branches by this Covenant John 15. made in the Wilderness Acts 7. 38. Members of his Body the Church as it is written Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the Wilderness Israel was Holiness unto the Lord and the first fruits of his Increase all that devour him shall offend evil shall come upon them saith the Lord Jer. 2. 2 3. Now where do we read that by any other Covenant than that of Grace Israel were espoused or married to the Lord The Angel of Gods Presence who went before them in the Wilderness Isaiah 63. 9. and was also their Rearward for by no other Covenant but that of Grace are a People made the First-fruits unto the Lord as we read Israel by this Covenant of Grace in Christ was as James saith to the Christians that they were a kind of the First-fruits of his Creatures James 1. 18. We likewise read that Christs redeemed ones Rev. 14. 4. are called the First-fruits unto God and unto the Lamb. These Spiritual Mercies were never given to any People by a Covenant of Works but by the Covenant of Grace in Christ from whence only ariseth these Priviledges to be a Kingdom of Priests a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the First-fruits unto God and the Lamb. Moreover the Lord when treating with Judah in her Apostacy by Ezekiel putteth her in mind of his Mercy to their Forefathers when he brought them out of Egypt when they were polluted with the Idols of Egypt Ezek. 20. so that their Estate was like the State of the Heathen Canaanites the worst of People in which sinful State when no Eye pittied them then by the Free Grace of God in Christ the Lord had Compassion on them as it is written Ezek. 16. 6 8. When I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thine own blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live Yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live Now when I passed by thee and looked upon thee behold thy time was the time of Love and I spread my
skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness Yea I sware unto thee and entered into Covenant with thee saith the Lord and thou becamest mine Which Covenant of Free Grace is one and the same with Deut. 29. and Jer. 2. 2. and Exod. 19. Gen. 17. for all agree in one by which they were become the Lords People and God to be their God even a God to them and their Seed not only then born as it is written Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God your Captains of your Tribes your Elders and your Officers with all the men of Israel Your little ones your Wives and thy Stranger that is within thy Camp Profelites Exod. 12. 48. from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water That thou to wit as one Mystical Body of Christ the Church in the Wilderness Acts 7. shouldest enter or pass into Covenant with the Lord thy God and into his Oath of which Covenant by Oath Christ was Mediator Heb. 7. 2. which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day That he may establish thee to day for a People unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God namely unto thee and thy Seed thy Infants or little ones as he hath sworn unto thy Father to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob Neither with you only do I make this Covenant and this Oath but with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God but also with him that is not here with us this day that is the Children then unborn as appeareth by the same Covenant aforesaid Ezek. 16. 8. compared with ver 20 21. wherein God reproveth them among other things for offering their Infants to their Idols saying Moreover thou hast taken thy Sons and thy Daughters whom thou hast borne unto me Thou hast slain my Children By all which it appeareth that the Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. 7. to be a God to him and to his Seed or Children is the same with Exod. 19. 5 6. and Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. which is confirmed both by the Prophet Jeremiah chap. 2. 2 3. and by Ezekiel chap. 16. and the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2. 9. and the Apostle John Rev. 5. 9 10. to be no parts of the Covenant of Works or of the Law so that it is a gross Mistake in Mr. Cary to parallel the word Everlasting Covenant concerning Aarons Priesthood Exod. 40. 15. with the Everlasting Covenant to be a God unto the Believers and their Seed the most glorious Gospel-promise in the word of God for how dreadful is the contrary to the Apostate Israelites and now to all Apostate Christians For ye are not my People and I will not be your God see and read Hosea 1. 9. and then see the change Hosea 1. 10. by the Covenant of Grace in Christ compared with 1 Pet. 2. 10. 1 John 3. 1. Deut. 14. 1. for what was the happy Estate that moved the Patriarch Noah to say Blessed be the God of Shem Gen. 9. 26. this proveth that the Faithful in the Church by virtue of the Covenant of Grace in Christ had God to be their God which farther appeareth by the contrary to such that were not visibly under the Covenant of Grace they are said to be Strangers from the Covenants of Promise without hope and to be without God in the World but when accepted into Covenant with God in Christ they are no more Strangers and Foreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Ephe. 2. 11. 13. 19. This Grace and most special Blessing of the Church of God was not by a Covenant of Works as was given to Adam before his Fall for Man was never more to be credited upon his own word therefore God drove Man out of the Garden and placed at the East of the Garden of Eden Cherubims and a Flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life that Man should not attempt entrance by his own Works because such is the Spirituality and use of the Law and the Doctrine thereof which terrifieth the Conscience and by the Works thereof no Flesh can be justified Rom. 3. 20. and therefore the Law served to drive Men unto Christ that they might be made Righteous by Faith Gal. 3. 24. See Ainsworth on Gen. 3. 24. And therefore Christ was not a Surety to his Father for Man to keep a Covenant of Works or of the Law of which Aaron's Priesthood was but Christ was Surety to his Father of a better Covenant for his Redeemed ones as the Apostle teacheth Heb. 7. even of that Covenant that was confirmed by Oath such was the Gospel-Covenant God made with Abraham and after with his Seed in Deut. 29 10 11 12 13. whereby the Lord was a God to them and their little ones Now let me ask Mr. Cary and his Brethren that have set their hands to their Narrative aforesaid what Covenant that was the Church of Israel had that they say under this present Suffering they may say in the words of the Church of old though All this is come upon us yet we have not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy Covenant Psalm 44. 17 18. Will they say this was a Covenant of Works then the Anabaptists suffered not for Christs sake but for to Merit by the Work done but if we will believe the Apostle concerning the Covenant the Church of Israel suffered under it was the Covenant of Grace even the same Covenant the Primitive Christians suffered for as it is by the Apostle gathered from Psalm 44. to Comfort the Gospel Churches under their Sufferings As it is written For thy sake that is for Christs sake are we killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8. 36. Now let these Men shew what was the Covenant of Grace the Church of Israel had into which their Infants were accepted with their Parents but even the same Covenant of Salvation the Churches now are in under the Gospel the Promise therein was to them and their Infants as now to us and our Infants as these Scriptures shew Gen 12. 3. in which the Families are Blessed in Christ called in Gen. 17. 7. Generations in Exod. 19. 6. a Holy Nation and by Peter a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Peter 2. 9. So that the State of the Church of the Jews was laid on a sure Foundation Christ in the Gospel-Promise first to Adam then to Abraham and so to his Seed the Church of Israel and now on the same Foundation are all Gospel-Churches built So then how erroneously hath Ben. Keach affirmed as aforesaid in Page 113. of his Book Gold Refin'd That God hath quite pulled down that House of his I mean saith he the National Church-State the Jewish Church and broke up House-keeping and turned the Bond-woman and her Son the fleshly Seed Servants
and Infants all out of doors To which I answer with the words of Christ concerning the State of the Jewish Church For Salvation is of the Jews John 4. 22. Now if Salvation be of the Jews then the State of the Church of the Jews was founded on Christ for there was never but one Foundation laid on which the Church of God was and is builded in all Ages and this is Christ as it is written For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. If then Christ be the Foundation of Faith laid in the Gospel Promise preached to Adam and that the Jews had the same Covenant of the Gospel as we have as it is written Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them Then if this Foundation in which the Church-State in all Ages was built on is pulled down the Anabaptists Church-State have not Christ for its Foundation as in truth it hath not for if the Anabaptists Church-State had Christ for its Foundation then they must confess the State of the Jewish Church had Christ for the Foundation of their Faith as it had else they could not be Saved for so it is written to the Church of Israel as now to the Gospel-Churches Behold I lay in Sion for a Foundation a stone a tried stone a precious corner stone a sure Foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Isa 28. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 3. On this Foundation the Church of Israel was built else Salvation could not come out of Zion as it is written There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. with Isaiah 59. 20. but the Church of Israel was called Zion because her State was the Covenant of Grace as it is written Say unto Zion Thou art my People Isa 51. 16. And again Praise thy God O Zion Psalm 147. 11. O Zion that bringeth good Tidings Isa 40. 9. Now by no other Covenant than that of Grace did the Lord say For the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psalm 132. 13 14. Therefore it is said to the Church of the Jews Rejoyce greatly O Daughter of Zion shout O Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having Salvation lowly and riding upon an Ass and upon a Colt the Fole of an Ass Zach. 9. 9. Now because some of the Church of the Jews rejected Christ that he should not reign over them this doth not prove God hath destroyed the Church-State called Zion no sure the Church-State remained with the Faithful and their Seed for it were they that welcomed their Salvation into his Kingdom see the third Query and from the day the Gospel preached to Adam promised a Deliverer should come out of Zion was Christ the Foundation laid which Church-State from the day Christ in the Promise was laid in the Covenant of the Gospel in Zion can never be removed as it is written Look upon Zion the City of our Solemnities thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams wherein shall go no Gally with Oars neither shall gallant Ships pass thereby For the Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law giver the Lord is our King he will save us The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Isa 33. 20 21 22 24. Now are we commanded to look upon Sion the City of God the State of Grace the Church of God in all Ages was built on Yea let us look and see that unto no other Gospel-State of Salvation are the Gospel-Churches come unto than to this Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and unto the innumentable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and unto the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 22 23 24. And again those that have the eye of Faith may see as it is written And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their Foreheads Even all Gods Sealed number who by Faith in the Covenant of Grace in Christ Gods Israel both Jews and Gentiles who came out of great Tribulation washed their Robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 7. 4 9 14. Now if as is proved in this Treatise that we Gentiles have no other Foundation for our Salvation than Christ in the Gospel-Promise to Adam and Abraham and that the Church of Israel had the same to build their Faith upon and that the Gentiles Churches stand by Faith on the same State of Grace Mount Sion the Church of Israel did and that in the same House or Church of God Moses was Faithful as a Servant Christ is over the same House of his as a Son therefore how near to Blasphemy is it for any to say God hath quite pulled down that House of his that National Church-State of the Jews when as Peter saith from the Covenant of Grace Exod. 19. 5 6. the Church under the Gospel were a Holy Nation upon the same Grounds as Israel were a Holy Nation as was Gods way in his Free Grace in all Ages that in Christ all Families shall be Blessed as aforeshewed in the third Query The Believers the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or Buds with them Now they that shall deny Israel of old had not the same Covenant of Life and Salvation as we now have into which they and their Infants were accepted go about to destroy the Gospel preached to Abraham that in Christ all Families are Blessed in that B. Keach saith God hath quite pulled down that House of his by Families when as by Families written by Moses Gen. 12. 3. Peter expoundeth Kindreds Acts 3. 25. and who be the nearest Kindreds but Children and these the Apostle calleth Nations Gal. 3. 8. as afore proved in the third Query to whom the Blessing in the Gospel belongeth Zech. 2. 11. Matt. 28. 19. In the next place to examine the Scriptures Ben. Keach bringeth to prove God hath pulled down the Church-State of the Church of old and turned Infants out of doors his first is 1 Pet. 2. 5. from whence saith he God hath now built him a new a glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his Houshold Servants
to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as prefess so to be Answ As to the Persons whom God admitteth into this House Peter saith They are a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the same namely that the Church of Israel were Believers and their Seed in Infancy let the Reader compare word for word Exod. 19. 5 6. with 1 Pet. 2. 9. and then judge who we are bound to believe he that speaketh as Peter did by the Holy Ghost or B. Keach who without respect to Moses or Peter's words presumptiously saith None are admitted into the Church now but Actual Believers His words are contrary to Matt. 18. 6. 2. The other Scripture that is brought to prove that God hath pulled quite down the State of the Church of the Jews and turned the Infants out of doors is Heb. 7. 12. For the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change of the Law Which saith he must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it and therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disannulled with it they were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law shew us the like now and you do your business Answ Two things I observe in B. Keach's words aforesaid First he granteth by the coming of Christ there is a Change of the Priesthood so is there also of the Law contained in the Ceremonial Ordinances which were both Figures of Christ as it is written Having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Eph. 2. 15. And these were those things which were to be removed as it is written And this word yet once more signified the removing of those things that may be or are shaken that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12. 27. And what are those things which cannot be shaken namely the Church State of the Jews as aforesaid Mount Sion the State of the Covenant of Grace Christs Kingdom which cannot saith the Apostle be moved and therefore by him set in opposition to the Law Exod. 20. given on Mount Sinai to terrifie Sinners for the Church of Israel had not only the Law to shew them their Sins but also God gave them his good Spirit to instruct them Neh. 9. 20. with the Gospel to walk with God by Faith in Christ Heb. 11. chap. so that the difference between the Jewish Church and now they had Figurative Ordinances to teach them Christ to come we have Gospel-Ordinances to teach us he is come so that although God hath given more of his Spirit in these latter days yet it is but the same Spirit the Church of old had so that without ground it is for B. Keach to say God hath quite pulled down the Church-State of the Jews and built him a more Spiritual Surely a double measure of the Spirit did not make the Prophet Elisha not Elisha 2 Kings 2. 9. no more than a double measure of the Spirit make the State of the Gospel-Church not the same State the Church of Israel had so that the Kingdom or Spiritual State by the Covenant of Grace the Jewish Church had was never yet pulled down although many of them rejected Christ the chief Corner-stone And Therefore from such the Kingdom saith Christ shall be taken away not pulled down and given to a Nation to wit the Gentiles bringing forth the Fruits thereof Matt. 21. 43. And therefore the Lords Vineyard his Church was not destroyed or pulled down but let out to other Husband-men which should render to the Lord the Fruits in their Season Matt. 21. 41. And therefore saith the Author to the Hebrews Heb. 12. 28. concerning the Kingdom of Christ that cannot be shaken we having received a Kingdom that cannot be moved even Mount Sion on which Christ from the day the Covenant of the Gospel was preached to Adam and imbrac'd the Kingdom of Christ was established in Adam's Family then Christ first sat King on the Holy Hill Sion Psal 2. 6. for all were redeemed in Adam's Loynes as they fell in him and Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 22. after the Flood Christs Kingdom as afore shewed remained in Noah's Family although some Apostatized then God chose the Posterity of Blessed Shem of whom Abraham came and God was pleased that of the Seed of Abraham's Body Christ should be born yet a Promise was made that God would perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem as was fulfilled when the Gentiles were grafted into the Olive Tree the State of the Jewish Church the Covenant of Grace in Christ from which some Jews for their unbelief were broken off Rom. 11. ch So then here was no new Covenant no new Olive Tree no new Kingdom or new Church-State no nor were the Infants of Christs Kingdom ever yet shut out Luke 18. 16. as Mr. Keach dreameth to deceive his Reader 2ly he hath also dreamed that Infants Church-membership came in with the Law of Circumcision if People are not willing to be deceived by him they may see Gods word for the contrary for no Person was ever joyned to the Lord by Circumcision but by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. as it is written Let us joyn our selves it the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten And so Abraham was in Covenant with the Lord some years before Circumcision was instituted Gen. 12. 3. and when Children were born to Abraham as after to the Believing Jews they were born to the Lord because they were joyned to the Lord by Covenant and the Lord was their God and God called them his Children so that all Infants born in Covenant must be eight days old before they were Circumcised Gen. 17. 12. As in the Wilderness by Deut. 29. before their Infants were Circumcised both Parents and their Infants were joyned to the Lord and established by Covenant to be the Lords People so that as Infants Church-membership came not in with Circumcision so Infants Church-membership went not out when Circumcision was abolished but as the Covenant afore proved was the same Circumcision and now Water-Baptism Sealeth the Covenant remaineth together with the Subjects Believers and their little ones the Covenant never yet by any word of God abolished nor yet the Infants born in Covenant shut out of doors that is our of Gods Covenant so long as the Parents abode in the Faith and the Children continued therein Therefore at Random B. Keach falsly affirmeth through his gross mistake to say that Infants Church-membership came in not till Circumcision was instituted and that by the Act of Circumcision they were joyned Members this were to put the Seal to before the Covenant is entered into to the divertment of all order in sealing Covenants So then when he can prove Infants were joyned Members by Circumcision then he may have some colour to say that Infants were no longer
Members than Circumcision remained but Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4. 11. the Covenant for which the Seal was ordained was the Covenant of Grace the word of Faith wherein is contained the Promises of the Pardon of Sins and eternal Life now confirmed by the Circumcision of Christ as afore proved and now Water-Baptism set in place thereof by the Authority of Christ the only Law-giver in Worship Isaiah 33. 22. James 4. 12. Neither will his third proof by similitude taken from Act of Parliament help him in his Assertion aforesaid For saith he shew us a positive Law for Infants Church-membership Now the word of God is plain that Infants were Church-members from the day Adam was restored so soon as Infants were born as afore proved in the third Query For if all Infants sinned in Adam's Loynes when Adam was restored they were restored in his Loynes and when born they were born in the Gospel-Covenant by which the Church of God was established in Adam's House so that the Children born in Covenant were born to the Lord whom the Lord called his Children for none out of the Covenant of Grace are visibly the Lords Children Therefore how carnally doth he reason against Children in these words For evident it is that what Priviledges soever are given to any Persons by an Act of Parliament which said Law was to continue in force for so long time and no longer when that time is expired and another Parliament makes a new Law wherein many things are contained that were in the first but those certain Priviledges given to those Persons in the former Law are left out in the latter Act it would not be a Folly for any of them to plead those Priviledges by virtue of a Law that is gone and not now in force This being a carnal Argument like his carnal Faith In answer hereunto his Comparison is Odious a Parliament is an Earthly Kings Great Council who maketh Laws and he signeth them But saith the Scripture who hath been the Lords Counsellor to direct him Rom. 11. 34. to give Laws to his Church or to order all things in that State So then as hath been proved as touching the State of the Infants of Believers since the day they were restored in Adam's Loynes and when born born to the Lord Ezek. 18. 20 21. Blessed with their Parents with Remission of Sin Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25 26. there hath been no word of God to dispriviledge them so long as they continue in the Covenant of Grace of whatsoever Priviledges they ever had no nor yet have these Men by any word of God shewed when or wherein they have been turned out from the Promises in the Covenant of the Gospel which they call out of doors for the things which only have been removed or abolished given from the beginning concerning what God had given to his Church to keep and observe were only those things which were shadows of good things to come by Christ but Infants in Gods Covenant were no Shadow or Figure to be abolished no nor the Baptizing of Infants any of Babylon's Rubbish as Mr. Keach with others affirm in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book No nor yet is Infants Baptism a Corner-stone that supports the An-Antichristian Fabrick by unsavory words as Mr. Cary affirmeth in his Epistle to his Solemn Call but it is one of the Glorious Tokens of Gods Love to his People and to their Seed that as Christ hath taken away the Sin of such Infants Christ's Name should be set on them in Water-Baptism that they are his bought or redeemed because Christ washed away their Sin with his precious Blood the small Vessels in his House who welcomed their Lord into his Kingdom that as they were included of old in the precious Stones in Aaron's Breast-plate with their Parents Exod. 28. 15. to 21. so are they now by Christ our High Priest presented before the Lord with their Parents a Holy Seed a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Pet. 2. 9. shining among the Precious Stones which the Foundations of the Walls of the City the Church of God is garnished withall Rev. 21. 18 19 20. as the Church of Israel was that as by Tribes Israel went up to Jerusalem even by Families to be presented before the Lord both Fathers and Mothers and Children Deut. 31. 10 11 12 13. Psalm 122. 1 2 3 4. to praise the Lord Psalm 148. 12 13. Exod. 12. 26 27. for now as Vessels great and small the Glory of Christs Kingdom Isaiah 22. 24. doth likewise shine among the lively Pretious Stones in Christs Spiritual Building crying Hosannah to Christ their Lord while the Anabaptists not only in Errors in their Faith are polluted but also garnished with the Shame to Nature as Ben. Keach for one when he beholdeth himself in a Glass how he weareth Womans covering the Shame to Man Nature which at this time I should not have mentioned but for this reason because he with other Teachers in their Narrative among other things proposed debated and resolved in the Affirmative That it is a shame for a Man to wear long Hair and Perriwigs and especially Ministers 1 Cor. 11. 14. Narrative Page 14. Now what kind of Teacher is this Man that shall condemn in words that he alloweth in himself by Practice Rom. 14. 15. he is one of those Teachers the Apostle reproveth as it is written Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self Rom. 2. 21. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law even the Law of Nature through breaking the Law dishonorest thou God ver 23. Hear what the Lord saith to such Teachers What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psalm 50. 16 17. of such the Lord complained concerning his People their Leaders have caused them to err and they that are led by them are destroyed Isaiah 9. 16. Now are not these like the Teachers the Lord complained of of old that would seem to reprove Sin but saith the Lord They healed the hurt of the Daughters of my People slightly Jer. 8. 11. So have these Men in their Narrative reproved this Sin the shame to Nature slightly And therefore for the help of all that desire to be informed in this Particular there is to be had where this Book is sold a Treatise on that Subject under these particular Heads God's Holy Order in Nature which Man and Woman were Created in truly Stated and Explained Proving First THat Man is Head of the Woman and how Woman is made in Subjection to Man her Husband Secondly That God gave unto Woman a Sign in Nature differing from Man to teach her she is the Glory of Man her Husband and this Sign is called Glory to Woman and Shame to Mans Nature Thirdly That Man is Commanded by the Law of Nature and Written Law of God not