for_o though_o a_o antichristian_a darkness_n overspread_v the_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n for_o a_o long_a time_n and_o infant_n baptism_n almost_o crowd_v that_o true_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o believer_n baptism_n out_o of_o the_o church_n though_o lodovicus_n vives_z say_v '_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o baptise_v adult_a person_n be_v yearly_o practise_v in_o rome_n itself_o even_o in_o his_o time_n yet_o he_o very_a papist_n all_o along_o as_o they_o do_v at_o this_o time_n retain_v this_o as_o the_o initiate_a ordinance_n all_o their_o write_n canon_n decree_n etc._n etc._n cry_v up_o baptism_n to_o be_v not_o only_o necessary_a to_o church-communion_n but_o even_o to_o salvation_n yea_o all_o the_o reformer_n whether_o lutheran_n calvinist_n or_o other_o foreigner_n the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o all_o the_o dissent_v congregation_n that_o own_o ordinance_n exa_fw-la few_o person_n of_o the_o baptise_a way_n and_o that_o late_o too_o have_v own_v and_o do_v own_o that_o baptism_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n yea_o the_o very_a first_o or_o initiate_a ordinance_n into_o church-fellowship_n without_o which_o no_o man_n may_v be_v regular_o admit_v to_o the_o supper_n so_o that_o this_o opinion_n be_v not_o only_o against_o we_o but_o contradictory_n to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o other_o christian_n ancient_a and_o modern_a batism_n be_v of_o old_a and_o not_o without_o reason_n call_v the_o gate_n of_o sacrament_n sacramentorum_fw-la janua_n sacramentorum_fw-la and_o be_v to_o keep_v that_o name_n and_o nature_n still_o viz._n to_o be_v the_o first_o and_o primitive_a ordinance_n if_o the_o time_v and_o order_n of_o institute_v worship_n be_v any_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o right_n and_o orderly_a administration_n of_o ceremony_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n rule_n and_o example_n be_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v all_o we_o have_v to_o show_v for_o any_o practice_n than_o baptism_n be_v to_o be_v the_o first_o ordinance_n after_o believe_v if_o the_o testimony_n of_o ancient_n record_n and_o modern_a writer_n of_o all_o sort_n unanimous_o make_v out_o that_o there_o have_v not_o be_v any_o other_o practice_n in_o fact_n among_o christian_n all_z along_o than_o what_o we_o here_o demonstrate_v though_o that_o be_v not_o bring_v by_o itself_o to_o prove_v the_o same_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a fair_a collateral_a inâ—orcement_n and_o illustration_n for_o there_o be_v no_o point_n of_o religion_n debate_v in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v a_o more_o clear_a and_o universal_a concurrence_n of_o sixteen_o hundread_a year_n complete_a than_o that_o no_o person_n be_v receive_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o church-fellowship_n unless_o they_o be_v first_o baptize_v yea_o such_o a_o value_n have_v antiquity_n for_o this_o ordinance_n that_o such_o as_o be_v baptize_v by_o heretic_n as_o the_o arian_n and_o other_o that_o use_v not_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n or_o otherwise_o defective_o perform_v it_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o their_o time_n to_o be_v unbaptise_v and_o therefore_o be_v baptize_v again_o by_o such_o as_o be_v orthodox_n when_o they_o leave_v their_o heresy_n which_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o it_o need_v no_o instance_n to_o conclude_v this_o chapter_n we_o shall_v give_v a_o few_o instance_n of_o some_o modern_a writer_n beside_o what_o be_v give_v before_o not_o so_o much_o derive_v authority_n from_o they_o though_o they_o deserve_v all_o due_a respect_n but_o because_o of_o the_o solidity_n and_o force_n of_o their_o reason_n a_o very_a note_a and_o learned_a author_n now_o live_v write_v thus_o 1._o '_o if_o we_o have_v neither_o precept_n nor_o example_n in_o scripture_n since_o christ_n ordain_v baptism_n of_o any_o other_o way_n of_o admit_v visible_a member_n but_o only_o by_o baptism_n than_o all_o that_o must_v be_v admit_v visible_a member_n must_v be_v ordinary_o baptize_v but_o since_o baptism_n be_v institute_v or_o establish_v we_o have_v no_o precept_n or_o example_n of_o admit_v visible_a member_n any_o other_o way_n but_o etc._n but_o john_n 4.1_o act._n 2.38,41_o &_o 8.12,13,16,36,38_o &_o 9.18_o &_o 10.47,48_o &_o 16.15,33_o &_o 18.8_o &_o 19.3,4,5_o rom._n 6.3_o etc._n etc._n constant_a precept_n and_o example_n of_o admit_v this_o way_n therefore_o all_o that_o must_v be_v admit_v visible_a member_n must_v be_v baptize_v '_o i_o know_v not_o what_o in_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n can_v be_v say_v to_o this_o by_o those_o that_o renounce_v not_o scripture_n for_o what_o man_n dare_v go_v in_o a_o way_n which_o have_v neither_o precept_n nor_o example_n to_o warrant_v it_o from_o a_o way_n that_o have_v a_o full_a current_n of_o both_o yet_o they_o that_o will_v admit_v member_n into_o the_o visible_a church_n without_o baptism_n do_v so_o 2._o '_o either_o member_n must_v be_v baptise_a at_o their_o admission_n or_o else_o after_o they_o be_v state_v in_o the_o church_n or_o else_o never_o but_o the_o two_o late_a be_v false_a therefore_o it_o must_v be_v the_o former_a way_n viz._n at_o their_o admission_n 1._o '_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v baptize_v none_o will_v affirm_v but_o the_o seeker_n and_o they_o that_o be_v above_o ordinance_n that_o be_v above_o obedience_n to_o god_n and_o so_o go_n 2._o '_o if_o they_o say_v they_o must_v be_v baptize_v after_o they_o be_v state_v in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o many_o year_n as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o i_o answer_v 1._o show_v any_o scripture_n for_o that_o if_o you_o can_v 2._o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o all_o scripture_n example_n act._n 2._o the_o three_o thousand_o be_v present_o baptize_v and_o the_o jailor_n at_o the_o same_o hour_n of_o the_o night_n and_o so_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o if_o you_o can_v show_v any_o that_o do_v delay_v it_o since_o christ_n command_n matth._n 28.20_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o have_v be_v sinful_a as_o through_o ignorance_n or_o negligence_n so_o that_o then_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v do_v at_o their_o first_o admittance_n according_a to_o the_o constant_a course_n of_o scripture_n 3._o '_o it_o be_v evident_a also_o from_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o end_n of_o baptism_n which_o be_v to_o be_v christ_n list_v and_o engage_v sign_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v apply_v when_o we_o enter_v his_o army_n 4._o '_o if_o we_o be_v jew_n and_o gentile_n etc._n etc._n baptise_a into_o one_o body_n than_o we_o be_v not_o to_o delay_v it_o till_o we_o be_v state_v in_o the_o body_n but_o we_o be_v all_o baptise_a into_o one_o body_n 1_o cor._n 12_o 13._o therefore_o etc._n etc._n for_o if_o it_o be_v the_o use_n of_o baptism_n to_o engraft_v and_o enter_v we_o into_o the_o body_n or_o church_n and_o into_o christ_n as_o rom._n 6.3_o than_o sure_o it_o must_v be_v use_v as_o our_o engraft_v and_o entrance_n shall_v a_o soldier_n be_v list_a two_o or_o three_o year_n after_o he_o have_v be_v in_o the_o army_n or_o at_o the_o first_o entrance_n whither_o 5._o '_o if_o all_o church_n member_n be_v christ_n disciple_n and_o all_o disciple_n must_v be_v baptize_v at_o their_o admission_n than_o all_o church-member_n must_v be_v baptize_v at_o their_o admission_n but_o all_o church-member_n be_v disciple_n and_o all_o disciple_n must_v be_v baptize_v at_o their_o admission_n therefore_o all_o church-member_n must_v be_v baptize_v at_o their_o admission_n 1._o '_o that_o disciple_n must_v be_v baptize_v at_o their_o admission_n be_v plain_a matth._n 28.19,20_o disciple_n all_o nation_n baptise_v they_o and_o by_o constant_a example_n 2._o that_o all_o church-member_n be_v disciple_n i_o prove_v thus_o 1._o if_o it_o be_v the_o church_n which_o be_v christ_n school_n than_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v his_o scholar_n or_o disciple_n or_o member_n of_o his_o school_n but_o it_o be_v only_o the_o church_n which_o be_v call_v christ_n school_n therefore_o all_o church-member_n be_v school-member_n or_o disciple_n 2._o and_o thus_o if_o all_o church-member_n be_v christian_n and_o all_o christian_n be_v christ_n disciple_n than_o all_o church-member_n be_v christ_n disciple_n but_o all_o church-member_n be_v christian_n and_o all_o christian_n be_v christ_n disciple_n therefore_o all_o church-member_n be_v christ_n disciple_n 1._o that_o all_o church-member_n true_a one_o be_v christian_n that_o be_v retainer_n to_o christ_n or_o such_o as_o belong_v to_o christ_n as_o his_o own_o phrase_n be_v be_v beyond_o doubt_n 2._o that_o all_o christian_n be_v disciple_n i_o prove_v before_o it_o be_v the_o plain_a word_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n act._n 11.26_o the_o disciple_n be_v call_v christian_n first_o at_o antioch_n so_o that_o all_o church-member_n be_v disciple_n they_o must_v regular_o be_v baptize_v at_o their_o
that_o the_o only_a warrant_n we_o have_v as_o have_v be_v frequent_o say_v for_o the_o practice_n of_o gospel_n duty_n must_v be_v the_o express_a warrant_n or_o word_n of_o god_n according_a to_o which_o we_o must_v walk_v and_o i_o very_o well_o remember_v that_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n who_o faithful_o follow_v the_o lord_n according_a to_o the_o light_n they_o have_v receive_v rather_o than_o they_o will_v kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n think_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o forbear_v the_o practice_n of_o that_o great_a ordinance_n give_v this_o as_o their_o reason_n to_o leave_v say_v they_o the_o practice_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n and_o to_o follow_v the_o practice_n of_o man_n in_o a_o posture_n invent_v by_o man_n be_v not_o safe_a but_o to_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v so_o etc._n etc._n therefore_o not_o safe_a and_o if_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n in_o those_o time_n be_v so_o cautious_a of_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v a_o addition_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n although_o but_o in_o a_o circumstance_n how_o much_o ought_v christian_n now_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v about_o the_o very_a order_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o ordinance_n themselves_o for_o here_o in_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n be_v a_o most_o evident_a leave_v the_o practice_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o follow_v the_o invention_n of_o men._n 2._o the_o commission_n give_v by_o christ_n matt._n 28.19_o go_v teach_v all_o nation_n baptise_v they_o etc._n etc._n have_v be_v a_o argument_n of_o great_a weight_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o that_o oppose_v infant_n baptism_n the_o order_n of_o the_o word_n show_v who_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v viz._n such_o as_o be_v teach_v first_o teach_v then_o baptise_v and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o prove_v believer_n baptism_n only_o it_o must_v have_v its_o consideration_n that_o baptism_n must_v go_v before_o the_o practice_n of_o other_o ordinance_n as_o preach_v go_v before_o baptism_n we_o find_v act._n 1.3_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v forty_o day_n with_o his_o disciple_n speak_v of_o the_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o doubtless_o he_o be_v not_o want_v in_o give_v they_o direction_n concern_v the_o order_n of_o his_o worship_n for_o as_o the_o commission_n matth._n 28.19_o be_v give_v after_o his_o resurrection_n we_o may_v see_v his_o apostle_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o constant_a administration_n suitable_a thereto_o do_v practise_v no_o other_o way_n as_o act._n 2.41,42_o and_o several_a other_o place_n full_o produce_v before_o which_o practice_n in_o order_n to_o the_o receive_n or_o enjoy_v of_o ordinance_n i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o constant_a and_o a_o stand_a direction_n for_o all_o church_n in_o all_o time_n unless_o any_o can_v show_v a_o variation_n from_o it_o by_o any_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n afterward_o which_o can_v be_v do_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v of_o he_o that_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o man_n what_o doctrine_n he_o be_v to_o preach_v to_o they_o be_v it_o any_o other_o than_o to_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v if_o no_o other_o as_o i_o judge_v all_o will_v grant_v than_o if_o in_o case_n the_o party_n believe_v shall_v question_v whether_o water_n baptism_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o if_o he_o believe_v it_o be_v not_o yet_o satisfy_v it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o be_v baptize_v but_o desire_v he_o may_v break_v bread_n with_o the_o church_n can_v this_o without_o a_o manifest_a breach_n of_o the_o rule_n be_v admit_v the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o gal._n 3.27_o that_o so_o many_o of_o you_o or_o as_o some_o render_v it_o all_v you_o that_o be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n have_v put_v on_o christ_n that_o be_v they_o have_v sacr._n have_v the_o verb_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v to_o put_v on_o as_o a_o garment_n liegh_n crit._n sacr._n put_v on_o christ_n as_o a_o garment_n and_o by_o baptism_n have_v put_v on_o the_o visible_a profession_n of_o christ_n plain_o hold_v out_o that_o none_o have_v put_v on_o the_o visible_a profession_n of_o christ_n until_o they_o be_v baptise_a the_o outward_a sign_n answer_v to_o the_o inward_a grace_n so_o rom._n 6.3_o know_v you_o not_o that_o we_o who_o be_v baptize_v into_o jesus_n christ_n be_v baptize_v into_o his_o death_n which_o baptism_n be_v a_o pledge_n of_o can_v it_o therefore_o be_v judge_v upon_o any_o reasonable_a pretence_n that_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o walk_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n before_o he_o have_v put_v on_o christ_n in_o the_o visible_a profession_n of_o his_o name_n by_o baptism_n from_o the_o whole_a of_o which_o we_o infer_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n that_o our_o practice_n suitable_a to_o these_o precept_n and_o example_n be_v a_o sufficient_a rule_n and_o warrant_v for_o our_o not_o admit_v they_o to_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o to_o call_v for_o scripture_n precept_n or_o example_n for_o refuse_v they_o be_v very_o absurd_a for_o we_o may_v as_o well_o call_v for_o the_o like_a to_o warrant_v our_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o name_n which_o can_v be_v produce_v no_o more_o than_o this_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o communion_n with_o that_o church_n as_o now_o it_o be_v be_v lawful_a scripture_n example_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o therefore_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o corrupt_a practice_n creep_v into_o the_o world_n when_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v therefore_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o any_o baptize_v person_n to_o disclaim_v communion_n with_o the_o unbaptised_a there_o be_v no_o such_o cause_n of_o which_o to_o make_v a_o example_n obj._n 2._o but_o we_o admit_v none_o to_o the_o supper_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o those_o that_o think_v they_o be_v baptize_v already_o and_o judge_n what_o they_o receive_v in_o their_o infancy_n sufficient_a answer_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o who_o believe_v that_o the_o only_a subject_n of_o baptism_n be_v actual_a believer_n viz._n such_o who_o upon_o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n receive_v that_o ordinance_n and_o esteem_v no_o other_o baptism_n valid_a can_v judge_v the_o baptism_n receive_v in_o infancy_n to_o be_v christ_n baptism_n they_o know_v that_o the_o proper_a subject_n appoint_v by_o christ_n viz._n a_o believer_n which_o be_v the_o main_a part_n of_o the_o essence_n of_o the_o ordinance_n be_v want_v and_o certain_o the_o ground_n of_o church_n proceed_n in_o admit_v person_n to_o the_o supper_n can_v be_v build_v upon_o the_o imagination_n of_o the_o party_n desire_v communion_n but_o upon_o the_o knowledge_n the_o church_n have_v of_o it_o and_o its_o be_v try_v by_o the_o rule_n which_o they_o be_v to_o walk_v by_o for_o suppose_v a_o person_n desire_v to_o sit_v down_o as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o think_v he_o have_v a_o true_a faith_n and_o a_o right_n to_o the_o privilege_n in_o the_o church_n when_o yet_o he_o can_v give_v no_o satisfactory_a demonstration_n of_o either_o will_v any_o think_v the_o church_n ought_v to_o receive_v he_o because_o he_o have_v that_o good_a persuasion_n of_o himself_o when_o they_o themselves_o be_v satisfy_v that_o what_o he_o declare_v be_v insufficient_a by_o the_o rule_n to_o make_v out_o his_o right_n or_o will_v any_o judgement_n of_o charity_n warrant_v such_o a_o proceed_n certain_o no_o and_o yet_o the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o for_o the_o latter_a as_o for_o the_o former_a beside_o the_o consequence_n to_o the_o party_n that_o shall_v be_v so_o admit_v to_o the_o supper_n upon_o his_o conceit_n that_o he_o be_v baptise_a be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o must_v needs_o build_v he_o up_o in_o a_o conceit_n that_o he_o have_v that_o which_o indeed_o he_o have_v not_o god_n of_o old_a give_v this_o charge_n that_o a_o stumbling-block_n must_v not_o be_v put_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o blind_a and_o sure_o a_o great_a stumbling-block_n can_v be_v put_v in_o such_o man_n way_n to_o hinder_v their_o inquiry_n after_o the_o true_a baptism_n of_o christ_n then_o to_o admit_v of_o that_o supposition_n which_o the_o church_n know_v be_v not_o true_a for_o have_v now_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n they_o hereby_o be_v for_o ever_o careless_a of_o make_v any_o further_a inquiry_n and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v that_o this_o may_v be_v serious_o consider_v by_o those_o that_o exercise_v this_o groundless_a charity_n again_o suppose_v the_o child_n of_o a_o baptise_a person_n of_o sufficient_a age_n that_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o a_o godly_a manner_n be_v convert_v and_o become_v a_o believer_n yet_o be_v never_o baptise_a at_o all_o shall_v propose_v for_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n will_v