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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	baptism_n	baptize_v	infant_n	2,779	5	9.3007	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52394	Baptism discovered plainly & faithfully according to the word of God. Wherein is set forth the glorious pattern of our blessed saviour Jesus Christ, the pattern of all believers in his subjection to baptism. Together, with the example of thousands who were baptized after they believed. By John Norcott, late servant of Jesus Christ, and of his church. The third edition, corrected by Will. Kiffin, and Rich. Claridge. With an appendix by another hand.	Norcott, John, d. 1676.; Claridge, Richard, 1649-1723.; Kiffin, William, 1649-1723.	1694 (1694)	Wing N1227A; ESTC R213780	25,797	77

this Truth viz. Believers Baptism as it was practised by Christ and the Primitive Churches my great Request to thee is That thou wilt read what is said without prejudice And whatever thou findest according to Truth receive as that which is more precious than thy Life and judge of it according to the Holy Scriptures for when all is said that can be they 〈◊〉 be Judge in all Controversies of 〈…〉 And as Christ is the Foundation 1 Cor. 2.11 upon which whoever buildeth shall never be confounded I shall therefore take a few Observations concerning Christ his being baptized and herein you may take notice how exact the Holy Scriptures are to set down the Circumstances of his Baptism CHAP. I. Christ was Baptized in the River of Jordan COncerning the Baptism of Jesus Christ you may read it at large Mat. 3.13 c. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him Every word hath Emphasis then before he entred upon his publick Ministry as you see in Mat. 4.17 From that time Jesus began to preach cometh he might have commanded John to have attended him but in token of his subjection he cometh from Galilee many miles 't is likely on foot every step we take for God is acceptable and one day shall have a Glorious Reward to Jordan where there was a River where Thousands had been Baptized and was a suitable place for John to dip Christ in as will be seen hereafter Now I shall take notice of eight things concern the Baptism of Christ First Concerning his Age 't is said Luk. 3.21 Jesus being baptized ver 23. began to be about thirty years of Age here you see that Christ himself was baptized at Grown Years if any might be baptized in Infancy why not Christ Christians be not ashamed your Captain is gone before you he was thirty years old when baptized Christ is not ashamed to call you Brethren Heb. 2.11 Secondly Another thing to be observed in the Baptism of Christ is the Administrator of this holy Ordinance John who confesseth of himself he was not worthy to unloose the latchets of his shooes Mark 1.7 Now if Christ would receive Baptism from such an unworthy Instrument never slight the Ordinance because of the unworthiness of the Administrators let your eye be on Christ your Example Thirdly Note the Repulse John forbad him Mat. 3.14 Difficultly in duty must be no excuse we must take no denyal in following God Strive to enter in at the strait gate Mat. 7.13 Fourthly Note John's Argument Mat. 3.14 I have need to be baptized of thee 〈◊〉 comest thou to me Some will not be baptized but of need their carnal Argument is May I not go to Heaven though I be not baptized Is it of necessity to salvation Is this like your Lord and Master Was not he a perfect Saviour Was not the Spirit poured on him without measure He had no sin to be washed away wherefore see your example he doth it not of need but of obedience to his Fathers will Fifthly Note the excellent Terms he gives to this Ordinance of Baptism 1. He calls it Righteousness Matth. 3.15 'T is righteous and just that I should be about my Fathers business 2. It is a comely thing it becomes us Oh it is a very comely thing in God's Children to have respect to all the Commandments of God 3. The Conjunction us thee and me and all my Followers John 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be 4. A Completion it is a fulfilling 2 Cor. 10.4 The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual ver 5. bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ver 6. having in readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience shall be fulfilled Obedience must be fulfilled 5. The universal Term all Baptism is one of the all Christ reckons it so Thou canst not walk in all the Commands if this be omitted 6. Note Concerning Christs Baptism the form of Administration Mat. 3. And straitway he went up out of the water straitway because Baptism is once Dipping up had he not been down 't would not have been said he went up he went was not carryed in Arms as Infants are out if he went out of the water then he had been in We never say one goes out of the house when he never was in So Christ could not be said to come out of the water had he not been in he went up out had a little water been brought to him in a Bason he had not been said to go up out of the water this water was the River of Jordan Christ stoops to small things because an Ordinance 7. Note Concerning Christ's Baptism the Father's Acceptance Mat. 3.16 17. the Heavens were opened Some of Christ's Followers have found glorious openings of Heaven in Baptism the spirit descended the very same that is promised to Believers in their Baptism Act. 2.38 Repent and be Baptized every one of you and you shall receive the Holy Ghost Obj. But doth every one receive the Holy Ghost that is bapt●●●● Ans The defect lies not in Baptism ●●t in Faith and Repentance without which no Ordinance is effectual And lo a voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son Christ as Head was sealed and in Baptism is held forth the Sonship of his Members in him I am well pleased not only in all he hath and doth do but in this very Act of Baptism as an Act of Obedience to my glorious Will I am well pleased and so is the Lord well pleased in the Act of Obedience wherein from the heart we obey the form of Doctrine delivered to us Rom. 6.17 The same Voice the blessed Son of God hath in the Mount Luk. 9.35 This is my beloved Son hear him Hear him in his Commands and Appointments hear him now in his Baptism Oh saith Christ thus it becometh us you that have my Father for your Father you that have my God for your God Thus it becometh us to be baptized and to fulfil all righteousness Oh he is a beloved Son hear him 8. Note How in Christs Baptism the Trinity doth as it were meet the Father with a Voice the Son baptized in Person the Holy Ghost descends like a Dove And surely it is one Reason why Baptism in special is is to be administred in the Name of the Father Son Holy Ghost because he who doth sincerely believe and is baptized the whole Trinity the Father Son and Spirit is his portion and that glorious Union of the Trinity in Christ's Baptism is in every Believers Baptism commemorated CHAP. II. Of the great Commission for Believers Baptism AS you have heard something concerning your great Pattern the Lord Jesus so now I shall shew something concerning his Command Mat. 28.19 And I pray note what is said of our Lord Jesus Act. 1.1 Christ is said both to do teach 't

great Gospel Ordinance wilt thou call that Obedience which was not thy Act and had not thy consent nor thou knowest not of nor canst remember when it was done and thou hadst no faith in and wilt thou call that baptism that was not of thy obedience but thy Parents will 7. Consider that the Ordinances must be kept as they were delivered 1 Cor. 11.2 But Baptism was delivered to Believer● and not to Infants God did indeed deliver Circumcision to Infants but never d●deliver Baptism to Infants 8. Consider that many who have n● been Baptized since they believed do d●ny Baptism to their Children Let m● ask such if their own Infant-baptism wa● sufficient to them if they do deny it t● their Children why do they reckon the own Infant-baptism sufficient Ho● long halt ye between two opinions 9. Consider that it is without all doubt Believers were Baptized Acts 8.12 The Baptizing of Infants at the best is by a doubt Infant-baptism hath been oft disputed but when was Believers Baptis● disputed It is in very words expre●● They believed and were Baptized Now is not better to go in an undoubted way the in a dark way 10. Consider there are multitudes Examples of Believers Baptism see pa● 11. of this Book but there 's not one Example of Infant-baptism 11. Consider if the salvation of thy so didly upon this question Whether we Believers Baptized or were Infants bapti●ed wouldst thou not say surely Belie●ers 12. Consider as Birth-right gave a right to Circumcision under the Law so Birth-right gave right to the Priesthood Now you would entail Baptism without a word to the Believers seed why then will you not entail the Ministry unto the seed of Ministers Would it not be strang Logick to say the Preachers seed under the Gospel have less priviledg than the Priest's under the Law 13. Consider that we are not to think of any above what is written 1 Cor. 4.6 Now if Infant-baptism be not written as an Ordinance do not judge it to be an Ordinance 14. Consider that Christ was faithful in all his House Heb. 3.5 6. If it had been his Fathers Will that Infants should have been Baptized surely he would have been so faithful as to have left us one word in his Blessed Scriptures 15. Consider Moses the servant of the Lord did all according to the Pattern shewed in the Mount Exod. 25.40 and shall not the servants of the Lord do all according to the Pattern he hath shewed to us in the New Testament the Pattern left on record is They believed and were Baptized Acts 8.12 16. Consider whether those who do so depend on their consequences without a plain Text will grant Papists and others the same consequences for Altars Surplices c. seeing all is to be done decently And they say Surplices are decent Railes about the Tables are decent c 17. Consider that seeing the Scripture is so exact in setting down the several circumstances of Persons Baptized Acts 16.13 14. the time the Sabbath the place by a River side the Custom Prayer was wont to be made the Company Women the Name Lydia the Trade a Seller of Purple place of abode as the City of Thyatira her Religion a Worshipper of God her Action She heard Gods Word the Lord opened her heart the Instrument words spoken by Paul So Acts 16.27 28 29 30 so many circumstances but not one word in any place expressed that ever any Infant was Baptized why should it be left out were it Gods Will it should be done 18. Consider there is but one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy James 4.12 The Lord is our Judge The Lord is our Law-giver Isa 33.22 Now where hath this Lord given a Law for Baptizing Infants This one Law-giver hath not given one Law for the Baptizing Infants 19. Consider whether Baptizing Infants Godfathers and Godmothers the Cross in Baptism the Promises and Vows made for Children were not all brought in by Humane Invention at the same time or on the same Reasons 20. Consider whether it be safe to admit of Consequences against an express Rule Mat. 28.19 Teach and Baptize 21. Consider whether those who Baptize Infants will not have it said to them by the Lord one day as in Isa 1.12 Who hath required these things at your hands 22. Consider whether any of the Gospel-Ordinances hath so many plain words as Believers Baptism● 23. Consider whether being Baptized be not a justifying God and on thy part thou not being Baptized dost not reject the Councel of God Luke 7.29 30. 24. Consider whether such as hold Infant-baptism do not Preach Baptism to be a Sign of Regeneration and whether all or any Infants Baptized are Regenerated 25. Consider whether those who have not respect to all Gods commands will not one day be ashamed Psal 119.6 26. Consider whether Abraham durst circumcise his child without a word of Command then how darest thou Baptize a child without a word 27. Consider whether we are not to press after the purity of Ordinances and whether those Ordinances which have the express Rule are not most Pure 28. Consider whether they and only they shall not have the Well-done at Christ's coming who have done what he hath commanded and as he hath commanded Now I beseech thee to consider what hath been said in this matter and the glorious God of Truth give thee the Spirit of Truth which may lead thee into all Truth and may build thee up and give thee an inheritance among them that are sanctified and as in sincerity with unfeigned love to God and thy soul these things have been written So the very God and Father of our Lord Jeus sanctifie thee throughout in body soul and spirit and give thee a heart to search whether these things be so An APPENDIX containing other Objections of the Paedo-Baptists with Answers thereunto By another Hand Object 1. 1. INfants of Believers ought to be Baptized because the Natural Seed of Believers are the Spiritual Seed of Abraham I Answer This is contrary to Rom. 9.6 7 8. For they are not all Israel which are of Israel neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all Children but in Isaac shall thy Seed be called that is they which are the Children of the Flesh these are not the Children of God but the Chilren of the Promise are counted for the Seed And Gal. 3.7 26 29. They which are of Faith the same are the Children of Abraham Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to the Promise The Sum of the Apostles Argument is that the Children of the Flesh or Abraham's Natural Seed are not the Children of the Promise but whosoever believe whether Jew or Gentile they are Abraham's spiritual seed and none other Object 2. 2. But to Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made Gal. 3.16 I Answer The new

Thus by Baptism we put on Christ 7. When Christ was baptized he came up out of the water Mat. 3.16 Was it only a little Water thrown on his Face Then he had not been in the water but because he was baptized in the water therefore being baptized he came up out of the water Philip and the Eunuch went both down into the water and being there in the water Philip baptized the Eunuch and when he was baptized he came up out of the water Act. 8.38 39. Thus you see the place where they were baptized was a River their Action they went down into the Water then being in the water they were baptized this was where was much water The end was to shew forth Christs Burial Now if there be not a Burial under water to shew Christs Burial the great end of the Ordinance is lost but we are buried by Baptism Quest But why may not Sprinkling with water serve as well as Covering under water Is there any more vertue in a great deal of water than there is in a little water Answ Sprinkling may not serve as well as Dipping under water 1. Because God is a jealous God stands upon small things in matters of Worship 't is likely Nadah and Abihu thought if they put fire in the Censer it might serve though it were not fire from the Altar but God calls it strange fire and therefore he burns them with strange fire Lev. 10.1 2. and Moses adds Ver. 3. This is it that the Lord spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me and before all the people I will be glorified God bid Moses speak to the Rock and Moses smote the Rock and therefore must dye short of Canaan Num. 20.8 11 12. 2. Sprinkling may not serve because thereby the end of the Ordinance is lost which is to shew the Death Burial and Resurrection of Christ Rom. 6.4 We are buried with him by Baptism that like as Christ was raised c. 3. Sprinkling will not serve because it is not that God hath appointed Naaman the Leper did think the waters of Damascus to be of the same vertue with or better than the waters of Israel 2 Kings 5.12 May I not wash in them and be clean God had appointed him to dip in Jordan not that there was more vertue in that water but God did appoint him to dip in Jordan and he did and was clean Dipping is God's Appointment 4. Sprinkling will not serve because it is not according to the Pattern Christ went down into the water Philip the Eunuch went down into the water Act. 8.38 Heb. 8.5 See thou make all things according to the Pattern 5. Sprinkling will not serve because it is high presumption to change God's Ordinances Is not God wise enough to appoint his own Worship how it shall be performed Isa 24.5 The Earth is defiled because they have changed the Ordinance 6. Sprinkling will not serve because Sprinkling is not Baptism it is not the thing intended by God Baptism is Dipping or Plunging Sprinkling is not Baptism therefore Sprinkling will not serve Luk. 7.29 30. Gods Councel is Baptism or Dipping CHAP. V. Proving Water-Baptism to continue till the Second Coming of Jesus Christ THat this may appear that Water-Baptism is to continue and to be practised by Believers till the second coming of Jesus Christ take these six Considerations 1. Consider that Water-Baptism was once commanded and never yet repealed and no power can repeal a Command of Christ but the same power of Christ by which it was given forth Jud. ver 3. Contend for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints 2. Consider that Water-baptism was practised before and since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1. Before the Resurrection of Christ Mat. 3.16 Joh. 3.23 Joh. 4.1 2. 2. Since the Resurrection of Christ Act. 2.41 8.12 38. 10.47 c. 3. Consider that Water Baptism was commanded after Christs Resurrection Mat. 28.19 Go teach all Nations baptizing them Had Water-Baptism ceased with Christs death it had not been commanded and practised after his Resurrection 4. Consider that the end of the Ordinance remains as at the Lords Supper the end of it is to shew forth the Lords death till he come and to do this in remembrance of Christ as long as we are to remember Christs death it is to be done in remembrance of Christ even till his second coming so Baptism is to shew the Death Burial Resurrection of Christ Rom. 6.3 4 5. the End remaining the Ordinance remains till his second coming 5. Consider it hath been continued by Christians in all Ages since Jesus Christ left his Command with the Saints 6. Consider whether the same Argument that throws down water-Water-baptism if granted will not throw down all Ordinances for if you grant that when the Spirit is come Baptism ceaseth may you not as well say when the Spirit is come Preaching ceaseth Prayer ceaseth but this is by reason of mans corrupt heart Christ saith Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Mat. 28.19 20. CHAP. VI. That no Measures of Grace or of the Spirit are a sufficient Ground to keep any from Water-Baptism THAT no Measures of Grace or of the Spirit are a sufficient Ground to keep from Baptism may plainly appear if you 1. Consider that Baptism is from Heaven as you see Mat. 21.25 Now what should keep from a Heavenly Command 2. Consider the Lord Jesus had all grace and the Spirit without Measure as 〈◊〉 3.34 and yet he was Baptized in 〈◊〉 River of Jordan as you may see Mat. ●● 13 14 15. Is not Christ a good Patter● for Believers to follow 3. Consider where hath God thus limited Baptism to persons having little Grace or little of the Spirit Nay on the Contrary hath not God promised his Spirit that you may keep my Ordinances and do them Ezek. 11.19 20. 4. Consider the Apostle makes receiving the Spirit an Argument to encourage to Baptism Acts 10.47 Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we Now if you mind these were so baptized with the Spirit that they spake with Tongues and Prophesied a strange work to Prophesie and speak with Tongues such a Measure of the Spirit is not in our days yet he Commanded them to be baptized ver 48. CHAP. VII Believers Baptism a great Ordinance THE greatness of the Ordinance of B●lievers Baptism may appear if you ●onsider these seven Particulars 1. Consider that Baptism is an Ordi●ance which hath the great Pattern the Captain of our Salvation himself did pra●tise it as you see Mat. 3.13 Then ●ometh Jesus to be baptized If any man ●erve me saith Christ let him follow me And where I am there shall my servant be ●ohn 12.26 Christ is the great Example 2. Consider the

Covenant promises were made to Abraham and his spiritual seed that is Believers for they are the children of God and Heirs according to the promise Therefore saith the Apostle He said not and to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ Gal. 3.16 Many Temporal promises were made to all the seed of Abraham natural and spiritual but his spiritual seed only that is Believers are intitled to the promises of the new Covenant For those promises being made to Christ namely to Christ first and then to all that are in Christ none can have an Interest in them but as they are considered in him because he is the great point or centre of the promises in whom they me●● and are established Object 3. 3. But the Infants of Believers are to be baptized because they have Habitual Faith I Answer If by Habitual Faith our Adversarys understand an Infused Habit of Believing and that all the Infants of Believers have this Infused Habit then let them produce some Argument either from plain Scripture good Consequence or rectified Reason for their Opinion For to tell us of Habitual Faith in Infants without any manner of Proof either Scriptural or Philosophical is meer begging of the Question But if by Habitual Faith they mean a Potentiality in the soul to believe this will no more qualify their Infants for Baptism than the Infants of Heathens because there may be a Potentiality in the one as well as the other to believe And seeing it is but a Potentiality they speak of I demand how they come to know that their Infants have this Power is it by Revelation or by Observation If by Revelation then surely they have some Text for it If by Observation then their Infants do demonstrate it by some Act or other of Believing but if neither of these ways then not at all Further we may not Baptize Infants upon a meer supposed power of believing because a bare supposition or Presumption is a groundless bottom to go upon For the Scriptures do no where countenance such a practice We do indeed baptize Grown Persons upon presumption that they are Believers they making to us a profession of their Faith in Christ and giving Testimonials of amendment in their Lives but Infants being not capable of professing Faith in Christ or testifying of Repentance from D●ad Works we must not baptize them upon a supposition that as Believers Children they have a potentiality to believe which others have not Object 4. Infants of Believers are capable of having the Seal of the Covenant of Grace which is Baptism applyed unto them I Answer Baptism is no Seal of the Covenant of Grace Christ is the Great Blessing of the Covenant and the Holy Spirit Sealeth him to the Souls of the Faithful In whom after that ye believed ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise Eph. 1.13 And grieve not the holy spirit whereby ye are sealed to the Day of Redemption 4.30 And as the Holy Spirit sealeth Christ to the Soul so Faith the fruit thereof sealeth the Soul to Christ He that hath received his Testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true John 3.33 But granting for Argument sake that Bapism is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace how come Infants to be capable of it Is there any Word of God in the New Testament for the Baptizing of them There is none How then are they capable of Baptism Why the Devisers of Will Worship have created them a Title to it against the Express Revelation of God FINIS 〈◊〉 lately Printed 〈◊〉 Will. Marshal at the Bible i● Newgate-street MR. Bunyans Works Printed in Folio price bound 14 s. Mr. Knowls his Exposition on the whole Book of the Revelations price bound 2 s. 6 d. Mr. Collin's Vindication of Believers Baptism price 4 d. How 's Spiritual Teaching price 6 d. Mr. Keeches Childs Delight containing a Scripture Catechism wherein all the chief Principles of Christian Religion are clearly though briefly opened necessary to establish young People in Gods Truths in Opposition to Popery in perillous Times together with many other things both pleasant and useful for the Christian Education of Youth with Letters to Parents Adorned with several Copper Cuts teaching to Spell Read and casting Accounts fitted for the use of Schools and very useful for all Families price bound 6 d.