the other hand experience every day teacheth us that very many of them that have Repentance or an effectual work of grace upon their souls are those that cannot plead the priviledge of having believing Parents then pray what peculiar right to baptism hath the children of believing Parents more than others Besides if the now believer that was sprinkled in his Infancy have swaying reasons to believe that neither of his Parents were believers and such there are then by what rule did his Parents sprinkle or as he calls it baptize him And by Vertue of what promise doth the believer reckon his Infant Baptism effectual or valid to him seeing his Parents were Unbelievers For the promise was made as he reckoneth only to the Children of believing Parents Pray then doth not the unbelief of his Parents make his baptism void for want of a ground to found his baptism on Yes Abraham was not Father of our English Nation And therefore think not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our Father As we came to Christ not by the Will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of the will of God so cometh more be their Parents believers or unbelievers Or thus Our children cannot be the children of Abraham till they believe as he did Again formerly as well as now a generation of Vipers too often comes of believing Parents then how are they in the covenant more than others As 't is not election but sanctification that actually qualifies men for heaven so 't is not Election but Believing that actually qualifies for baptism The Elect are chosen to be sanctified as well as to be saved and accordingly are called by the Gospel to believe and then be baptised and that as a sign of their Faith and all this is before they are actually saved CHAP. XV. Luke 3.12 13. 12. Then came also Publicans to John to be baptised and said to him Master what shall we do 13. And he said unto them exact no more than that which is appointed you I note That the Publicans according to the saying of Jesus are apter to receive the Gospel than some Professors are The Publicans and Harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you Mat. 21.31 And the Publicans Justified God being baptised with the Baptism of Iohn Luke 7.29 A submitting to the Call of the Gospel and diligence to learn the Duties of it are signs of Faith and Repentance and qualifies persons for Baptism What shall we do What shall I do Acts. 16.30 is always the question of the Repenting Believing Sinner that is fallen in Love with Jesus under the sense of the need of saving from his sins And conceiving that Jesus hath something for him to do he is willing to shew that Love by doing somthing commanded by Jesus even to be baptised If any thing â—s to be done by the Creature then Infants are excluded Again Thus we read of many sorts of Persons Pharisees Sadduces all the People yea Jesus himself but yet not a Word of Infants the point in hand Again John doth not mind whether they were the seed of believing Parents or no but requires Repentance as a sign of faith to qualify for baptism CHAP. XVI Luke 3.21 22 23. 21. Now when all the People were baptised it came to pass that Iesus also being baptised and praying the Heaven was opened 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a Dove upon him and a voice came from Heaven which said Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased 23. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of Age c. I note That three Evangelists witnesseth that baptism was administred on people by dipping them in a River and not on Infants by pouring or sprinkling a little water on them Again Tho Jesus was Circumcised in his Infancy yet to be baptised he must be at maturity Tarry till he be just entering upon his Religious publick work tho he be about thirty years of Age first The Father hath given his testimony to dipping at maturity by instituting it and beholding his Sons obedience by a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased The Son hath given his Testimony to it by owning it his Fathers will and practising it and giving his Apostles Commission for it The Holy Ghost hath given his Testimony to it by descending in a bodily shape at its Administration Let Infant Sprinklers show such Testimonies Then what glory in the parts of Worship is there that exceeds this glory of the Testimony of these three Infinite Persons in the one eternal Being CHAP. XVII Luke 7.29 30. 29. And all the people that heard him and the Publicans justified God being baptized with the Baptism of Joâ—n 30. But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him I note The great difference between two sorts of People the common people and the superstitious The common people the poor imbrace the Doctrine of the Gospel tho the worldly wise and superstitious reject it The Publicans justified God that is the Collectors of the Taxes which the Jews paid the Romans who were infamous for their Exactions were convinced of their Sins by Johns Ministry and acknowledged the Righteousness Goodness and Mercy of God Being baptized with the Baptism of John they believed his Baptism was from Heaven and submitted unto it as a divine Institution confessing their Sins But the Pharisees and Lawyers the Rabbies of the Age rejected the Counsel of God against themselves continued impenitent not bringing forth Fruits meet for Repentance and refused submission to the wisdom of God in his gracious dispensation being not baptized of John Again It is the indispensable Duty of Believers to be baptized because 't is not only injoyned but there 's not any Text that leaveth them to the liberty of leaving it undone CHAP. XVIII Luke 20.4 The Baptism of John was it from heaven or of men I note That also the Evangelist Luke minds that our Lord Jesus defended John's Baptism as a Doctrin by divine Authority And that Baptizing is Dipping is also manifest by the literal proper and natural signification of the Greek word Baptizo which all our Lexicons and Learned Men yea Criticks in the Tongues with one consent do say That Baptize is Dip yea such a Dipping as is used in Bucks where Cloaths are wash'd to wash the whole body to dip over head and ears The English and French keep the Greek word Baptism untranslated which I reckon either a fault in the Translators or a way left whereby the peoples ignorance about Baptism was continued But the Dutch translate plainly in their own Language Doopen to Dip. And that the word Baptizo doth signify to dip or plunge under water Consider these Scriptures for the present Mat. 3.16 John 3.22 23 Acts 8.38 Rom. 6.4 And these Authors following Stephanus Scapula Budaeus Casaubon
Saul or Paul by many illustrious circumstances all clos'd up as it were with a seal Baptism as if his Conversion would not have been complete without Baptism so sacred and of great import is Baptism to follow conversion Baptism is the great demonstrative Expression of a Change in the Soul Again Paul arose that is as much as to say went some whither to be baptized where was much water for else a little if that would have done might have been brought to him as it is now a days to children but to be dipt he must arise Joh. 14.13 Mic. 2.10 and go to some place where is much water Jer. 13.4 2 Sam. 17.22 And this we find in Scripture was the constant practice of the Apostles in obedience to their commission Mat. 28.19 20. and accordingly this Apostle practiced it himself and praiseth the Corinthian Saints for their punctual observation of Ordinances 1 Cor. 11.1.2 Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them to you Baptism was delivered in the Pattern by Dipping Mat. 3.16 17. not by Sprinkling and therefore Sprinkling will not serve but it must be Dipping they went down into the Water Acts 8.38 CHAP. XXVI Acts 10.46 47 48. 46. Then answered Peter 47. Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus c. I Note That signs of Conversion are all along made the Qualifications or Reasons why persons should be baptized But Infants giving no signs of Conversion are therefore not qualified Again Water Baptism is so great a Duty that the Apostle commanded it upon finding the persons qualified but Infant Sprinkling being no where commanded or directed is a clear proof that the Children of the Believing Parents of those times were not qualified for baptism by their Parents believing Again That which the Apostles did bapbaptize with was that which Christ commanded to baptize with viz. Water Again Persons receiving the spirit of God is not sufficient to excuse them from the call of the Gospel to be baptized with water but is rather a sure qualification for water Baptism for no man can mend the Apostles Commission Mat. 28.19 20. Gal. 1.8 Again Sprinkling is not here commanded by Peter but Dipping he commanded them to be baptized that is dipped in the name of the Lord Jesus Surely if Sprinkling had been enough the Apostle would not have injoyned dipping Acts 8.38 Baptizing in much water is made an Emblem of abundance of grace and glory Rev. 1.5 6. tho some people chose a few Drops CHAP. XXVII Acts 16.14 15. 14. And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of Purple of the City of Thyatyra which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul 15. And when she was baptized and her household she constrain'd us to abide at her house I note That Lydia was a Merchant-woman a stranger in this country where she lived and in appearance a single Woman or unmarried because there is no mention of either husband or children as is usual where such are concerned nay she is named as principal not by a Husbands name but by her own name Lydia not as having an Husband nor in an Husbands business but her own a Soller which further clears that she had no husband nor children here where she lived Note her Speech Not in our House but in my House she properly calls it her House whereby it clearly appears the had no husband And why 〈◊〉 my should imagine she had children in her â—â—use is very strange and but a poor shift to bring in Infâ—â—t Sprinkling by but that she had a servant or two is probable because iâ— beâ—â—â—â— to her business of Trade and 〈…〉 â—ut for any to affirm that â—â—e had hâ—drâ—◠〈◊〉 the Text is altogether â—â—letâ— and leaing so much to the contrary much 〈…〉 〈◊〉 and except it be affirâ—â—â— shâ— had 〈◊〉 â—lso that they were not of maturiâ—â— â—â—d did not â—â—â—â—ve this Text will do Infant Spâ—â—kling no â—â—rvice For a supposition will not be sufficient ground to build a Church Ordinance upon at least when many Scriptures appear against it If thou believest thou may'st be baptizid was Philips terms to tho Eunuch and upon these terms Lydia's Servants might have right to baptism Again if Lydia had a husband in her Housal at her baptising t is strange that notice should be taken of the Wives baptizing and not of the Husbands nay if she had had a Huâ—band therein surely he would have been named and if no husband then why children Again If Lydia had a husband 't is strange that she should in description be described to be a Woman and not a Wise and that she belonged to such a city and not to such a person and that the Trade should pass in her name and not in her Husbands and that she was the Housekeeper not a Lodger Again Had Lydia had a Husband with her whereby a greater probability of children might arise it is very likely it would have been said That Lydia and her husband as well as Lydia and her Household or Lydia the Wife of such a Man and himself were baptized and their Houshold Judg. 4.4 or had she been a Widow to have been called so as the Woman of Sarepta to whom Elias was sent was called a Widdow Luke 6.26 And again Luke 7.12 The only Son of his Mother and she was a Widdow Moreover In all the forty Texts about baptism there is not one Child mentioned then why any should imagine that Lydia had any is strange for here is no more sign of Lydia having Children then there is of Pauls CHAP. XXVIII Acts 16.30 31 32 33 34 Paul and Sylas being cast into Prison an Earthquake comes the chains and Doors open and amazingly convicts the Jaylor who came trembling to them 30. And brought them out and said Sirs What must I do to be saved 31. And they said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house 32. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord and to all that were in his house 33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and his straight way 34. And when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them and rejoyced believing in God with all his house I Note That the Gospel was preached to all that were in his house and he and his received it and rejoyced believing in God with all his house And these that rejoyced believing are they that were baptized But if it be supposed that he had Children then 't is as supposable he had none and if supposed that they were baptized it can be only such mature children that the Text saith Rejoyced believing
Zanchius Spanhemius Taylor and Hammond For which consult Legh's Critica Sacra Taylor 's Ductor Dubicantium and Hammonds Annotat. upon the New Testament Again To baptize before Reâ—entance is just contrary to John's Practice for he baptized no Infants and rejected persons that gave no signs of Repentance Mat. 3.7 8. CHAP. XIX John 1. 28.31 28. Jordan where John was baptizing 31. That he Jesus should be made manifest to Israel Therefore am I come baptizing with Water I Note That this fourth Evangelist John also beareth Record to the first Institution of believers baptism which John the Baptist administred in the River Jordan Again John's baptism was by Divine Authority he called people by his Ministery to Faith in Christ and expected good Works as the fruit of that Faith And here began to be laid the Foundation of the New Testament Church gathered out of the World by the Gospel call of Faith Repentance and baptism these People he divides he gathers the good and throws the bad away admits the Repenting the coming Sinner and Rejects the rest not an Infant baptized nor a grown person Sprinkled in this Heavenly baptism The Old Testament Church was National consisting of the Natural seed of Abraham Servants bought with Money and Proselyter who were circumcised to distinguish them from others by express command from God but the New Testament Church is congregational consisting of a separate People gathered by the call of the Gos el out of the World and are reputed the Spiritual Seed of Abrâ—ham by believing as he did Gâ—l 3.6 7. Even as Abraham believed God and it â—as aâ—coâ—â—ted to him for Righteousness Know ye thereâ—â—re that they which are of Faith the same are the children of Abraham CHAP. XX. John 3.22 23. 22. After these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judea and there he tarried with them and baptizâ—d 23. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim because there was much Water there I note That our Lord and Saviour ownâ— Johns Baptism by practising the same and as Iohn his Fore-runner had prepared the way by preaching Repentance and Baptism but not an Infant concerned therein So Christ admitted none to his baptism but such as made an â—ctual profession of faith Again Tho the reâ—son why Jesus and his Disciples and Iohn also baptized in Enon was because there was much Water there a fit place for baptizing yet some men nowadays by their practice reckon themselves wiser than Iohn or the Disciples and Iesus also and they choose a place where is a little Water a spoonful serves their turn and this is just contrary to the Text of being aâ— Enon because there was much water there The truth is Infant Sprinkling is contrary tâ— Baptism in all the parts of it Surely 't is clear that this Text proves there is something in much Water 't is material to Baptismal Obedience and that a little is no◠〈…〉 handful is not so proper as a River foâ—â—â—ptisâ— If by plausible pretences one Error be admitted into the Church then all Errors may follow CHAP. XXI John 4.1 2. 1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and Baptized morâ— Disciples than John 2. Tho Jesus himself baptised not but his Disciples I note That the baptised were Disciples Christ's Schollars before that he baptised them And tho he baptised more Disciples than John yet he baptised no Infants for the Text faith they were Disciples persons that had learn'd some of Christs Doctrines Again Baptised more Disciples proves that Infant Sprinkling is only a Humane Invention a Counterfeit devised to politically make all that are born in a Nation Church-members or visible Christians before they have Faith or Repentance of which sort the Antichristian Church is full Which secures their Priestly Grandeur c. Yet those whom Christ and his Disciples baptised were not Infants but Disciples besides Sprinkle they did none Moreover If Infant Sprinkling had been an appointment or Ordinance of Jesus Christ there would have been some Command or Example in Scripture to warrant the same But where the Scripture hath no Tongue to speak we should have no Ear to hear that we be not guilty of Will-worship And should any conclude that some of these baptised Disciples were Parents yet we find no mention of the Baptism of their little Children for the Lord Jesus knew that they had no right to Baptism tho their Parents were believers CHAP. XXII Acts 2.28 39 41. 28 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the rem ssion of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 39 For the Promise is unto you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even aâ— many as the Lord our God shall call 41 Then thâ—y that gladly received the Word were Baptised and the same day were added to them about Three Thousand Souls I Note That upon the Jews being by Peters Preaching convicted of sin and crying out What shall we do ver 27. Peter answers and commands Baptism even as he Commands Repentance Repent be baptised the Reason given why they should now repent and be baptised is because now they are according to promise called by the Gospel to believe Repent and be baptised but not called to be Sprinkled first and repent afterwards Again When People repent before they are baptised they are then in the way or order that the Wisdom of God hath assigned but Baptizing or Sprinkling before believing and repenting contradicts the order appointed by God Again This Duty Repent and be baptis d is not only injoyned them but after Generations Joel 2.32 the Remnant whom the Lord shall call Every ones Children that shall be called be called by the Gospel in all the World so full and free are the tenders of the Gospel for the promise is to many even as many as are called Rev. 7.9 I saw a great number which no Man could number of all Nations c. Again Of all these that the Promise was made to and to their Children None were baptized but those that gladly received the Word But it doth not appear that any Infants did or could be capable of receiving the Word and therefore they could not be the fit subjects for baptism Again Tho three thousand believers were added yet there was not one believing Parent that had an Infant either baptised or so much as sprinkled for they that were Baptised were only those that gladly received the Word For in the Text is not a word of little ones Baptism is only for those that gladly receive the Word Again The Primitive way of admitting Church Members was upon a profession of Faith a Believing Whereupon having that sign of a Change a Regeneration the Ministers then obedientially baptise them as directed by Christ in their Commission they being by baptism visibly added But they were not
THE Reason Why Not Infant Sprinkling BUT BELIEVERS BAPTISM Ought to be approved Is because the Lord Jesus Christ his Fore-runner and Apostles preach't it and practic'd it As hereby will further appear By Scripture Authority In about Fourty TEXTS With Notes on every TEXT To which is added How Infant Sprinkling came in Fashion The Evil Tendencies of Infant Sprinkling Answers to Objections Differences betw Believ Baptism and Inf. Sprink With several other things By a Believer Baptiz'd He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 The Eunuch said to Philip I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God And they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and Philip baptized him Act. 8.36 37 38. London Printed 1694. My Friend IF you are sincerely inquisitive about the Worship of God and desire the Reasons Why Believers Baptism ought to be approved and Infant Sprinkling rejected then be pleased to consider this small Treatise which as my Vnderstanding I commend to you and that in sincerity and love to our Lord Jesus Christ his Gospel and your Information Wherein you may observe that the method taken to discover right Baptism by is the clearest from deceit that could be because every Text about Baptism is taken in order as Recorded in Holy Scripture that thereby it may fairly and clearly appear to you as well as to me That 't is indeed Believers baptism that is the Gospel Ordinance requiâ—ed by Jesus Christ and that it is not Infant Sprinkling Besides if you as I have been are rightly in love with your own Salvation and consequently the Lord Jesus Christ then you will find an aptness in your Soul to be obedient to the Ordinances of Christ as parts of the Will of God According to the Apostles saying We are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus to good Works Eph. 2.10 and all from a principle of Love to God Christ his Gospel and goodness and the delight of them begotten in the Soul of the Regenerate This Soul considering redeeming Love desires it may glorify God according to John 15 8. Herein is my Father glorifyed that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples John 14.21 He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me And again If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my Love even as I have kept my Fathers Commandments and abide in his Love John 15.10 And therefore it is that many in our Age that have an effectual work of Grace upon their Souls have had also some Workings about Obedience to this great Gospel Ordinance of Believers Baptism Tho' some of them by Master save thy self Mat. 16.22 have been baffled off and their Light put out and those Motions stifled whereby they have turned their back upon it But the Lord preserves this Light in some and hath so in me and therefore I submitâ— to the prescribed Rule God hath given tho' thereby I converse among a poor dispised People according to the Apostle's observation of the Corinthian Saints 1 Cor. 1.26 To follow a Religion because it is in Fashion is not my Rule I have four sorts of People to deal with and they require four sorts of considerations to convince them and therefore I give variety 1. The Ignorant World that do not like believers baptism because it is commonly spoken evil of 2. The superstitious World that don't like it because it condemns part of their splendid way of worship 3. The Professor that dissents from that ignorance and superstition and zealously pursues a Reform'd yet a political way 4. The Converted that admires the Love that work'd about the Salvation of the Sinner and yet is somewhat blind about baptism c. But those among whom I expect the Doctrine of believers baptism should be effectual are all those that the Crucified Risen Jesus 's Lo I am with you shall give it success to The Sinner that 's fallen in Love with the Lord Jesus taketh him at his Word and in that hear of first Love dare do any thing for God Luke 7.47 This Soul is just touched with a Coal of holy Fire from the Altar and is all in a flame and takes the Glory of the World for Stubble And as by Revelation from the Father Mat. 11 27. Mat. 1.17 It Believes that the mighty Jesus is the Son of God so it Believes that this Sovereign Will ought to be obeyed And accordingly with the Fortitude that contemned Nebuchadnezzars Golden Image in the Face of a Fiery Furnaco Dan. 3. Resolves to be Baptized or Dipped Saying I must by baptism ingage in my Lords Service to fight the good fight of Faith and lay hold on Eternal life thro good report and evil report for what am I that I should pretend to a better way of obedience then my Saviour hath appointed Your Christian Friend C. D. London 1693. Yet for those of my Christian Brethren that â—re resolved upon their way of Infant Sprinkling 〈◊〉 in peace leave them to the Lord to their â—houghts and way and keep the Scripture Reason â—f Believers Baptism for as many as shall â—ave the grace to receive it And so as I began â—n Love to our Lord Jesus Christ I desire to end â—n love with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ CHAP. I. Matth. 3.1 2 5 6. 1. In those Days came John the Baptist preaching in the Wilderness of Judea 2. And saying Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Region round about Jordan 6. And were baptised of him in Jordan confessing their Sins I Note That as soon as this first Evangelist Matthew had by direction of the Spirit of God given a Relation of the Birth and preservation of our Lord Jesus Christ he presently tells us of John the Baptist preaching and baptizing thereby signifying That Faith in Christ hath the preference and that Obedience and Profession of Faith by baptism comes next in order Again The Persons to be baptized were such as confest their Sins but not Infants carried thither and senseless of Sin Agâ—in They were baptized or dipped in a River which they went to of their own Will but not sprinkled with a little Water out of a bâ—son or such like brought to them or they carried to it whether they would or no. Again Repentance was first preached and then upon Signs of Repentance the people were afterwards baptized So that the Subjects of and manner of baptism neither were Infants nor Sprinkling CHAP. II. Matth. 3.7 8. 7. But when he John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduces come to his baptism he said unto them O Generation of Vipers who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance I Note That those Persons that gave not Signs of Repentance were rejected from baptism or thus No Persons were admitted to baptism but upon
arose to the water And thus tho God hath an Ocean of Grace and that this grace is free as a River Ps 78.20 Iude 3. Isa 33 21. yet saith Goâ— of his people They shall come weeping and mourning Isa 48.18 And so tho his Ordinance of water be free yet his people shall come to that and not a little of that brought to Sprinkle as if they were afâ—aid of too much and as if too much water Psal 36.8 would signify too much grace or us if could they but have grace or sanctity enough to carry them to Heaven they would not have a drop more Now Believer if it come to pass by thiâ— or any other means that thou art wrought to a solid desire publickly to profess thy self Religious Mar. 10.32 A believer on the Son of God for Salvation by an obediential submitting to this Gospelly settled Ordinance of believers baptism and yet thou findest in thy self frailty and inability to live a perfect holy Life as becometh such a professor and therefore thinkest with thy self to delay baptism till thou art stronger fortified against Corruption and better qualified for baptism If so then rest on thy Lord Jesus Eph. 5.26 and conclude to live thro the gâ—ace of God as well as thou caâ—st if not so well as thou wouldest so resolve to be baptized If thou believâ—st with all thy heart thou may'st be baptised Believing or Faith is an heart qualifying grace and doth and will bring forth the good fruits of an holy conversation tho much of corrupt Nature still remaineth Then what hinders thy obedience to thy Saviours appointed believers baptism Observe That the Jaylor Acts. 16. falling out of love with his sins speak like a man of sense and reason What shall I do to be saved And then the Apostle directs him higher than sense or reason even to act as a man of Faith too If thou wilt do then believe do that without staying for thy own Acts of Rigteousness believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Do that first and then thou art right to do more Faith is the Root of other Sanctified Obedience and also gives right to baptism If thou believest is the point that the Gospel stands upon art thou poor art thou vile nay art thou the vilest of sinners if thou believest art changed there 's no Objection against thee There 's no Qualification like believing in the Cruâ—ified Iesus of Nazareth that hath undertaken to Sanctifie Sinners Godly Parents and all the Forms of Worship are not to be compared to believing with all the heart Thus If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest be baptized Acts 8 37. Art thou a Gentile Person Then behold the Noble Ethopian Minister of State Acts 8. riding in his Chariot with his Courtly Attendence commanding all to stand still while he gâ—es down into the Water with Philip to be obedient to his Saviours dispised Rule of dipping whereby he sets himself against a Kingdom Ethiopia and then he went on his way rejoycing at the greatness of his Priviledge according to Phil. 1.29 Acts 5.41 Again But it may be thou hast been a Persecutor That indeed is a dreadful thing thou hast hereby made War upon God and his Son Jesus that should be thy Saviour and all the Saints and if thou mightest had thy Will thou wouldest have done strange things But yet see the kindness of the Lord Jesus to Saul And when Sauls Convictions made him cry out Lord what wilt thou have me to do He was then taught and sent to Ananias who said to him Why tarriest thou arise and be baptized Acts 22.16 And now to turn the stream of his Labours the Lord Jesus will have Saul become Paul the Preacher of the everlasting Gospel and a sufferer for it too Hear what the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah saith of the fullness and freeness of the grace of the Gospel to the poor and vile sinner Isa 55.1 2. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters the grace of the Gospel he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine Milk without Money without price Wherefore do you spend your Money your desires for that which is not Bread and your labour for that which satisfies not The Son of God confirmeth this John 7.37 38. In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood and cryed saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Water the Spirit and Grace of the Gospel And again This exalted Saviour winds up his New Testament discovery of his Grace by his Proclamation in Revelations 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is a thirst Come and whosoever will let him take the Water of life freely What wouldst have more O Sinner that seest thy pollutions and art under the sense of their deserts tho thou canst not by thy best Obedience answer the demands of a holy severe Law yet thou canst by believing with all thy heart answer the call of a holy reconciling Gospel that freely offers Christ for thy acceptance and injoyns Believers Baptism as a tryal of thy saith And so if thou believest in the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus with all thy heart thou mayst be baptised FINIS An Appendix If any be offended at this Treatise Then of them I Query Query 1. HOW comes it to pass that Liberty of Conscience is not a Christian's Priviledge now As much as it was when the Men of your perswasion hotly contended for it Query 2. Are you an Infallible Judge of a Christian's Reason Why he believes and obeys Gods Will in Scripture Tho never any Papist or Protestant could find a Iudge so safe for Salvation as the Scripture Query 3. Is it not safest for a Christian in the Conduct of his Life to Follow the Exemplary Practice of Christ and his Apostles Query 4. Wherein do Persons by sprinkling Infants follow the Practice of Christ his Apost Query 5. The Apostles by Dipping Believers only did faithfully discharge the Baptismal part of their Commission Then I Query by what or whose commission are Infants now Sprinkled for I never heard of another commission by Divine Authority Query 6. Infants being Sprinkled without Christ's commission for it How doth it appear that Infants Sprinkling will be accepted by Christ instead of believers baptism Query 7. Do not the Judgments on a Nation often come for want of Reformation from Popery and the Image of it in the Churches Query 8. Am not I in obeying and defending Forty New Testament Texts more excusable than some others that with Non-sequitors Crown the many more Learned that have pretended to defend Infant Sprinkling Query 9. Is it not safest for the finding of a New Testament Truth Baptism to compare all the New Testament