Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	abraham_n	promise_n	seed_n	2,290	5	8.4156	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76800	The storming of Antichrist, in his two last and strongest garrisons; of compulsion of conscience, and infants babptisme [sic]. Wherein is set down a way and manner for cburch [sic] constitution; together with markes to know right constituted churches, from all other societies in the world. Also the cruelty inequality and injustice of compulsion for conscience, by 29. arguments is opened; with an answer to 26. objections brought for the same. Also 12. arguments against the baptizing of infants; with an answer to 26. objections brought for the same. Wherein is displayed to the view of all, from the testimonies of Scriptures, Fathers, councels; the mischiefs, uncertainties, novelties, and absudities [sic] that do attend the same. Wherein is answered the most valid arguments brought by St. Martiall, in his sermon preached in the Abbey Church at Westminister, for the defence hereof. With an answer to Mr. Blake his arguments, in his book cald Birth-priviledge; and to the arguments of divers others. As also a catechisme, wherein is cleerely opened the doctrine of baptisme, together with a resolution of divers questions and cases of conscience, about baptisme. Written by Ch. Blackwood, out of his earnest desire he hath to a thorow reformation, having formerly seen the mischiefs of half reformations.	Blackwood, Christopher.	1644 (1644)	Wing B3103; Thomason E22_15; ESTC R7842	101,204	126

carnall Jew so we Gentile cannot be the seede 3. Beleever of Iew and Gentile we Gentiles come to be the seed only this way Gal. 3.29 If ye be Christs then and not till then are ye Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise Gal. 4.28 Now we brethren as Isaack was are the children of promise Which was only by Isaacks faith looking on the promised Messiah and so we Now many mistake besides these three seeds which are all the seeds the Scripture names a fourth seed that is the seed of beleevers unto which they thinke God will be a God because they are such which cannot be because many of them prove wicked and none of them for the present appeare to be Godly Object 4. Baptisme succeeded Circumcision as an initiating signe Col. 2.12 For the Collossians objected this if Circumcision be abolished then we Christians have no outward signe at all to confirme unto us Christs satisfaction where by the mindes of beleevers may be confirmed and parswaded that they are partakers of the Spirituall benefits in Christ Now if baptisme succeed circumcision as an initiating signe then as infants were the circumcised so infants should be now baptized Answ 1. We deny the consequence for those in Colosse that were baptized were not infants but grown persons that were circcumcised with the circumcision wade without hands and had faith tbrough the operation of God 2. We deny there was any such scruple in the Colossians 1. Because had there been any such scruple the apostle would have given some intimation thereof or preparation thereto in words preceding but he speakes not one word tending to any such thing 2. because he was not come to a period in answer to the circumcision teachers and did not come to a period till the end of this 12. verse therefore could not bee upon any other subject in this verse then he was in the former and so much the word Also proves and the apposition of buried circumcised and risen again proves it 3. Because the Collosians had baptisme already being buried and risen again with Christ therein therefore they could not reasonably object that the circumcision teachers would abolish baptisme nor could they say what shall we do for an initiating signe to confirme our faith for they had baptisme already 3. But suppose it were granted that baptisme did succed circumcision as an initiating signe yet where is there any such thing in the text as this viz. As Baptisme shall succeed in the same latitude of infancie of so much as Males much lesse of Females which is the supposition endeavoured to be proved from the text nay the contrary appears that there were none but grown persons because they are said to have faith and buriall and Resurrection with Christ which could not in an ordinarie way be affimed of infants Suppose all the objectors premises were true yet all that can properly be deduced from it is this viz. That circumcision was an initiating signe to the Iewish church and Baptisme is an initiating signe to the Christian church and hereof there would be no great contention 4. The true connection of the words with the foregoing is this Paul having answered Philosophy teachers verse 9.10 The word Also showes he comes to answere teachers who would have brought in circumcision to whom he answers adversitively whereas you would bring in circumcision which is made with hands we have a better Circumcision made without hands which consists not of cutting off the bodily skin of the flesh but in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of the Spirit of Christ and having laid downo the benefit or priviledge vers 11. He comes further to confirme them in it by the seal or instrumentall signe thereof which these Collossians had already received that is to say by the seal or signe of baptisme buried with him in baptisme wherein ye are also risen again c. Object 5. If infants may not now be baptized then are they deprived of some grace Circumcision did conferre Answ No For 1. Circumcision did not bring any grace to the Jews but was rather a yoke of a curse Acts 15.10 11. Why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the neck of the Disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to beare He speakes of Circumcision not as the false teachers would then have brought it in but as it was considered simply in it selfe in that he calls it a yoke upon their fathers not able to be borne who lived before those false teachers were What this yoke was we see Gal 5.3 to be debttors to keep the whole Law and for failing in one point to be under the curse Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27.26 and the Apostle vers 11. opposes the grace of the Lord Jesus to this yoke 2. It is not a benefit but a misery for children to be baptized for hereby they are apt to thinke themselves Christians when they are strangers from Christ Object 6. Vnlesse infants be baptized they are excluded from the new Covenant but they are not excluded Mat. 19 14. Of such is the kingdome of God Answ 1. We deny the consequence for 1. The females of the Iewes were saved without Circumcision So Iob Lot So the Cananitish woman without baptisme were in Covenant with Christ 2. You thinke your infants not baptized are saved 3. The Scripture no where sets downe baptisme as a gate to let in or a condition without which we cannot partake of Gods covenant 2. For the Assumption it followes not because Christ bad suffer those little children therefore that he would permit all from a particular to an viniversall these is no consequence because it once rained Manna and once water came out of the Rock therefore it shall be so alwaies 2. From a negative there cannot be drawne an affirmative conclusion Christ did not baptize any John 4.2 therfore we ought to baptize infants 2 It s probable the kingdome of glory doth in a great part consist of such infants so dying in infancie through the free grace of God and presentment of the Satisfaction of Christs death to the justice of God for Originall sin yet doth it not follow they must be baptized neither doe we know which will dye in infancy free from actuall sin or which will live and grow up and prove wicked therefore we cannot baptize any If it should be concluded Christ laid his hands upon them and blessed them therefore wee ought so to doe the conclusion were probable 4. Christ being God and knowing all things his divine nature might communicate to the Humanity that to those infants that were then brought and such like as they were the kingdome of God did belong as knowing all things he knew them to be elect yet it followes not to other infants that the kindome of God should belong the greater part whereof grew up and proved wicked 5. Of such is the kingdome of God there is a two fold suchnesse 1.

Baptisme Answ It brings many mischiefes besides that it fils the Churches with rotten Members and confounds the world and the Church together it is a groundworke for more traditions and doth so darken the doctrine of Baptisme that we cannot know the true meaning of it when we read of Baptisme in the Scriptures yea hereby many are taken into communion in baptisme who are excluded from communion in the supper whereas the communion in both is one and the same Quest How do you prove that there is but one Communion in baptisme and in the Supper Answ Because there is the same thing signified in baptisme that there is in the supper that is to say our fellowship with Christ in his death and resurrection So that all that are baptized into one body are all made to drinke into one spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 and the same preparations of faith and repentance that are required for the one are also required for the other and he that is cast out of the one is cast out of the other seeing that by excommunication hee becomes like an Heathen or a Publicane Quest But what if an infant or any other in their childehood should die unbaptized are they not damned Answ We know nothing out of the Scriptures of their salvation or damnation and therefore we must not be too inquisitive yet may such infants so dying be saved through the presentment of the satisfaction of Christ Rom. 5.18 to the justice of God for originall sin which satisfaction though it be applied through beleeving in those that can beleeve yet may it be applied without in those that cannot beleeve for else how could any infants be saved Quest Do you thinke infants have no faith Answ Yes they have not faith for they have not reason to discerne betwixt good and evill Deut. 1.39 If they had faith they were presently to be admitted to the supper Faith is an act of understanding which comme●h by hearing as well as an act of the will Quest What grounds have you against infants baptisme Answ Many but chiefly Christs commission Mat. 28.19 Where the subjects of baptisme are those that are made Disciples and this commission is to last to the worlds end vers 20. and reaches to every creature that is to partake of baptisme Mark 16.15 16. Quest Is it not lawfull to baptize persons without they beleeve Answ No Acts 8.37 If thou beleevest it is lawfull Acts 10.47 and 16.34 and 8.12 and 18.8 Quest But may we not be baptized if we be ABRAMS seed Answ Yes but we gentiles are onely Abrams seed by beleeving Gal. 3.7 Know ye therefore that they which are of the faith are the children of Abraham so Rom. 4.16 Gal. 3.29 Quest But what think you of them that would make the children of beleevers to be the seed of Abraham Answ They are mistaken for the scripture speakes onely of three seedes of Abraham that is Christ Gal. 3.16 He saith not to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ 2. the carnall Jew 3. the bel●ever of Jew and Gentile Gal. 3.28 and they adde a fourth seed of Abraham viz. The seed or children of beleevers among the Gentiles about which the scripture is silent Quest But are not the children of Godly persons visibly in the covenant of grace Answ No the covenant of grace is an invisible thing and we cannot know who are in it nor have we grounds to judge persons are in it till we see some profession of holy life and profession of faith and repentance which infants cannot make Quest What is circumcision Answ It was an obligation to keep the whole Law Gal. 5.3 Rom. 2.24 and shewed unto them that it was their duties to circumcise their hearts Ier. 4.4 Quest. Whether was it not also a seale of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 Answ Yes to Abraham onely and if Abrahams beleeving children among the Gentiles should be baptized as he was circumcised then must it not be till they have the righteosnesse of faith as Abraham here had at least they must have it in profession Quest Whether doth Baptisme succeed Circumcision in the same Office Answ No Circumcision was to every Male though reprobate but baptisme onely to the beleever Mat. 28.19 There being a change of the visible Church and of the Ordinances this cannot succeed in room therof nor hath any dependance thereon Quest Whether may not infants of beleevers be baptized by vertue of a covenant holinesse Answ No for baptisme is not a signe or seal of any such outward holynes which may befall reprobates as well as Elect but it is a signe of death Buriall and Resurrection which the beleever hath with Christ 2. There is no command for baptizing such if the Gentiles were so holy which yet is not proved Quest Whether is infants baptisme forbid in Scripture Answ Yes where will-worship is forbid Levit. 10.1 As they that were not in the Circumcision of Circumcision were excluded because they were not exprest as the males and females of Heathen So is it in Christs Commission about Baptisme they that are not exprest in it are excluded from it But now to answer to questions or cases of conscience about this point Quest WHether is it lawfull for a person that is convicted of the unlawfulnesse of Infants baptisme or doubteth thereof to be present at it Answ No in no wise for these reasons 1 Because the inward man and outward man must not bee divided in worship 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God both with body and spirit which are his It s grosse hypocrisie when the outward man is at a worship which the heart doth not love 2 Because by our presence at such a worship we strengthen and embolden others at a false worship wiles they look on us as those that worship the same kinde of worship 1 Cor. 8.10 If any man see thee which hast knowledge fit at meat in the Idols temple shall not the conscience of him which is weak be imbouldened to eat those things which are offred to Idols 3 Because the person that is present at such a worship is not able to make any apologie to God why hee or she is present at such a worship in bodily presence though he or she reserve their hearts to God As a mans wife that is taken in an adulterous bed with another man can give no excuse for her presenting her body there though she say she keep her heart and affection to her husband 4 Because in false worship we are not so much as to touch the unclean thing 2 Cor. 6.17 Come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing Now this being an unclean thing in my conscience I cannot nor must not touch it any way neither with my affection nor with my bodily presence but that as soon at any preacher begins to pray for any such thing I must instantly depart though it be in his prayer after his Sermon 5 Because

of the sea upon dry ground so that the Israelites were Baptized spiritually in the cloud and sea because for the miracles which they saw in the cloud and sea they beleeved we see there unbeleefe vers 11.12 Because there were no graves in Egypt hast thou taken us to die in the wildernesse and vers 19. We see the pillar of the cloud stand behinde them and vers 20. It was a cloud and darknesse to them but gave light to those and vers 21.22 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and the Lord caused the sea to goe backe all that night and made the sea dry land and the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea and the same sea swallowed up the Egyptians vers 23.24.25.26.27.28 When they saw the cloud thus over them and the sea giving them passage it s said vers 31. The people feared the Lord and beleeved the Lord and his servant Moses So that their being b●ptized is Metophoricall as Mat. 20. Can ye be baptized with the baptisme I am baptized with They were baptized that is seeing the cloud over them a signe of Gods presence and the sea thus divided they were Baptized that is clensed from their ignorance security impenitency and unbeleefe 2 If baptizing unto Moses were a type of our Baptisme and that as all were baptized then so all should be Baptized now then Manna the spirituall food they eat and water out of the rocke the spirituall drinke they dranke should be types of the Lords Supper and in the same latitude and so all persons must be admitted to the Lords Supper as all Israel were to the eating of Manna and drinking water but our godly brethren among the Paedobaptists doe generally explode this therefore the other the thing typified by the Manna and rocke was not the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but Christ they dranke of that spirituall rocke Sacramento tenus as Austin speakes which followed them and that rocke was Christ it hath been an errour as I suppose to make one type to typifie another 3 Whereas some bring this place to prove thousands of infants were Baptized in the sea I aske whether the Baptisme of Christ and the Apostles were instituted under the old Testament If not then in vaine is this alledge Object 14. Lydia and all her family was Baptized but it is not said her family beleeve therefore its lawfull for persons to be baptized although they doe not beleeve Answ 1. Lydia and her family were baptized as Christ commanded else Paul had contemned an ordinance of God 2 It s absurd to Baptize any one in the faith of their master or mistresse I ask those that hold infants baptisme whether they would baptize all the servants of a Turke if he should beleeve though the servants did not beleeve 3 Hard Scriptures are to be expounded by easie Nehe. 8.8 But in the same chapter the Jailour and all his house beleeved and then were baptized Acts 16 32.34 ●8 8 Object 15. There are but two kingdomes families cities housholds Mr. M. page 9.14 vers 2. Gods and the devils if infants be not of Gods family Kingdome houshold then are they of the devils which is uncharitable to thinke Answ 1. It s true in respect of election and reprobation there are but two Kingdomes families and to one of these all infants doe belong but election and reprobation being secret things there no Church can tell whom elect or reprobate that they may receive one infant and refuse another and without grounds of receiving they are not to dispence this ordinance Acts 8.37.10.47 2. The objection places all infants in one state that they are all either of Gods kingdome or Satans kingdome whereas the Scripture places them of two severall kingdomes as we see in Jacob and Esau Rom 9. and the greater number grow up and go the broad way 3 But if by kingdome city family houshold they meane the visible Church and then if because infants are not of this then are they of the devils kingdom we deny the consequence for first many are of this kingdome who are notwithstanding of the devils kingdome as Ishmael Magus 2. Many are not of this kingdome who yet notwithstanding are of Gods kingdome as Iob and Iacob before he was borne and had done either good or evill before he was circumcised nay borne it was said Iacob have I loved and so he belonged to Gods Kingdome of glory yet was he not of any visible Church as being uncircumcised Obiect 16. As the childe is borne free by the fathers freedome Mr. M. page 15. and others so if God take the father into Covenant he takes the children in with him and if he reject the parents the children are cast out with them As the son of a Priest or Levite the son of a state officer by birth hath right to his fathers office so in this case God takes the father and children into the same Covenant Answ 1. There can no argument be drawen from symbolicall divinity 2. No childe of a beleever is borne in the same priviledge of adoption wherein his father is invested as he is a childe to such a father for them all the children would be so borne if by covenant we meane the covenant of grace no beleever is borne in this being we all are by nature the children of wrath much lesse can the children be borne in any such cov nant But if the objector meane it of some ou●ward covenant that is in●ig●tment to Church priviledge that by the fathers inrightment hereto the child should be inrighted I answer first they must show some copie that by the fathers inrightment in Church priviledges all his children ar● inrighted for that Acts 3.38 and Gen. 17.7 we have answereed before beleevers under the gospel are Abrahams seed Rom. 9. Gal. 7 29. Not children of beleevers of whose being Abrahams seed the scripture speakes not a word 2. If by this outward Covenant the children by Gods taking the the father into covenant be inrighted into the church priviledge of baptisme then are they in righted into the Church priviledge of the Supper being there is one communion in both and so by consequent are inrighted to that which brings judgement to many of them which are wicked 3. Baptisme is not a signe of any such inrightment but of our fellowship with Christ in his death buriall resurrection 4 For these three instances of a childe being free by his fathers freedome and the son of a Levite to be a Levite and the son of a state officer to succeed in his fathers office they had patents for these either in divine writ or humaine ordinances now let these objectors produce if they can that there is any patent in scripture that the children of those beleevers whose parents pertake in ordinances shall also pertake therein that the children of him that is baptized shall also be baptized Obiect But the children of all them that were circumcised were

the Gentiles now but that which was Covenanted before the world was and agreed betwixt the trinity Titus 1.2 that eternall life should be by beleeving in Christ and this Covenant never belonged to the body of the Jewish nation but to a remnant therein see Rom. 9.6.7.8 so vers 27. 3 This insition in the roote Abraham in the Jewes stead by a visible constitution is merely imaginary for Abraham stands as a roote two wayes first visibly to the Jewes that descended of him secondly invisibly to the beleevers among Jewes and Gentiles see Rom. 4.11.17 It s by vertue of this latter insition that not the Gentiles but the beleevers among the Gentiles are grafted in 2. Object The grand birth priviledge of the Iewes was to be an holy nation but this honour to be an holy nation is given to beleeving Christians 1. Pet 2.9 therefore Christians in this birth priviledge are equall to the nation of the Iewes Resp The very answer Mr. Blake goes about to refute but cannot is enough vers 2. Peter meanes it of the invisible Church the body of Christ who are all holy by an imputative holinesse of justification and an inherent holinesse of sanctification so that there is not any equalizing of justified persons with the body of the nation of the Iewes 2. This priviledge vers 2. to be an holy nation which belongs to the mysticall body of Christ he would draw it to all Gentile nations which professe Christ among which there are thousands are visible unbeleevers because it was a birth priviledge of the Iewes to be an holy nation which is a meer Paralogisme indeed beleevers or justified persons whet●er Iewes or Gentiles are all one in Christ Eph. 2.14 but it followes not they are all one in any visible constitution unlesse wee hold some universall visible Church on earth of which the Scripture is silent Object 3. The seed of believers must either be lookt upon as foederally holy Jewes by nature were or else as sinners of the Gentiles A third sort cannot be assigned If under the first we have that we contend for If under the second then the heavie doom of sinners Gentiles aliens is their condition they are then without Christ without hope c. Sol. We look upon them as sinners of the Gentiles tainted with originall sin and either these persons live and grow up to yeares and are capable of believing and so salvable or else they dye in infancy and are salvable through the presentment of the satisfaction of Christ to Gods justice for originall sin and therefore not without hope nor without Christ And I would fain know what way infants dying after baptisme are more salvable then these dying before Or whether in any other way they are salvable but by Gods free Election and Christs satisfaction to Gods justice unlesse we held which no Protestants that I know of do that baptisme takes away originall sin Therefore the hope about infants dying unbaptised is full as much as the hope about infants dying baptised Object 4. Those that have the substance and thing signified they must not be denied the signe But infants have the thing signified viz. Christ Ergo they must not be denied the signe Resp We deny the minor that all infants nay the greater part have not the thing signified but grow up and prove wicked and for those that have the thing signified let them make it appear to any Church of Christ and they cannot denie them baptisme Mean time because the greater part go the broad way and the Church is to judge onely of visible things give us leave to forbear till we see how those that have right can make it appear This is the summe of Mr. Blake his Arguments onely he breakes out with many aspersions to render us odious p. 17. as that the Anabaptists of this present age for so he is pleased to call us that do desire to offer up to God pure worship and do abominate all such points sail between two rocks either to affirm that infants dye in their pollution and perish in their birth-sin or else to deny this originall pollution or any birth-sin at all The latter of the two they therefore generally chuse judging it more fair to deny infants sin then to affirm their condemnation So chusing to joyn hands with Pelagians to deny originall sin they strait fall upon universall grace freedome of will in things spirituall the free Election of God they overthrow leaving it in our power to make choise of Christ and not Christ to make choise of us These things its like were written to render us odious though not without some evasion p. 18. But to forbid rendring evill for evill but after the example of our Lord who when he was reviled reviled not again when he was persecuted he threatned not but committed his cause to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2.23 We answer to these aspersions that we sail not betwixt two rocks either to deny originall sin or to affirm that infants dying therein perish For we confesse every man by nature to be defiled by originall sin yet do they not die or perish in it because from the grace of Gods Election and the presentment of the satisfaction of Christ to the justice of God they are saved from it which though it be apprehended by faith in those that are capable of believing yet in those that are not capable of believing as infants are not it may through Gods free grace be presented to Gods iustice If we enquire how your infants dying after baptisme are saved You must have recourse to this way of salvation no other being assigneable As false are the deductions that Mr. B. affirmes p. 17. that denying originall sin we strait fall upon universall grace freedome of will in things spirituall overthrowing of Gods election for we have constantly maintained the contrary to that we are charged with onely in point of Paedobaptisme We desire not for fear of persecution to wink against the light the Lord hath let us see Let him remember what he saith pag. 30. If a Turk fall upon a Popish State under the notion of Christian he is a persecutor If a Popish State fall upon a Reformed nation he is much more guilty A foul sin for a people of God in name and title to persecute his people in truth To which I le adde it s more horrid for those that are Gods people in truth as I hope Mr. Blake is one though I never saw him to persecute others who are no lesse Gods people then himselfe is and that for difference of iudgement For one godly man may persecute another as Asa who imprisoned Hanani Arg. 5. A believer can in the behalf of his infant make good such a title to the inward Covenant that none can say thou hast no part nor portion in this things and because it cannot be denied it is to be presumed Pag. 29. Resp The proof lies on the believers part that his infant hath right to the thing signified in baptisme and so to the signe before any Church can administer Baptisme the signe or seal thereof because the Church iudge not of secret things it lies upon their part to prove that they have part or portion not upon the Churches part to prove they have no part or portion It did not lye upon the Apostles to prove that Magnus had no faith but upon him to prove that he had so the Eunuch Acts 8.37 Acts 10.49 These are all the Arguments that are worth examining which Mr. B. hath save those common obiections I have elsewhere answered Onely some equivocate speeches that delude the Reader as p. 28. In nature children are their parents in Covenant Gods Every Christian parent hath a childe of God committed to his tuition and care which is by the Book unlesse he mean a childe of Gods creating or maintain falling from grace Obj. 6. Gen. 17. I will be the God of thee and of thy seed therefore all believers are in Covenant with God and so they are to be sealed Answ To all former Answers see Obiect 2. and 3. I le onely adde that it this Covenant with Abram was the Covenant of grace yet was it made with the children of promise onely which are believers of Jew and Gentile and not their seed many whereof are wicked and preffered onely to the carnall seed that were circumcised and not made nor covenanted with them FINIS