Sinners Christ the Lamb of God is come in Person who was the same Saviour for these two sorts of Sins Heb. 13. 8. yesterday from the day he was preached to Adam unto that day John said Behold the Lamb of God and unto the end of the World which beareth away from these two sorts of Sinners the Sin of the World The way and the manner how this is done is one and the same in all Ages for as there are two sorts of Sinners the one who willingly Transgressed These God called as he did Adam and Eve to the Bar of Justice Gen. 3. 10 11 12 13. to answer for their Evil they had done before the Judge of all the Earth as appeareth in Moses Narration but Adam when called had lost all Freedom of Will to Good his Power being gone he with his Seed were Satans Captives holden by the Cords of Sin Prov. 5. 22. so that instead of shewing any Remorse of Conscience for his Sin as the Law required as it is written He that covereth his Sins shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall find Mercy Prov. 28. 13. but instead of Confession he sought to cover his Sin Job 31. 33. by laying the fault on the Woman as likewise did the Woman on the Serpent Then God of his Free Grace laid no more upon them but a Fatherly Chastisement in this Life Heb. 12. 5 6 7 8. as he doth on all his Children and freely forgave them and their Posterity in them their Sin in the glad Tidings of that Redeemer he had prepared Eph. 1. 4. Titus 1. 2. before the World was for them by the word of his Grace preached to them that the Seed of the Woman Christ should bruise the Serpents Head Gen. 3. 15. that is expounded the Son of God saith John was made manifest that he might destroy the works of the Devil John 3. 8. Thus Christ in the promise took away the Sin of the World from these two sorts of Sinners which the Apostle proveth thus Therefore as by the Offence of one namely the first Adam judgment came upon all Men that is on all Mankind to wit on all Adam's Posterity in his Loynes to Condemnation for a Child is called a Man Gen. 4. 1. John 16. 21. even so by the Righteousness of one to wit Christ the second Adam in the Promise the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpents Head as aforesaid the Free Gift came upon all Men namely on the Actual Sinners and their Seed in them unto justification of Life Rom. 5. 18. Again saith the Apostle For if by one Man's Disobedience namely the Disobedience of the first Adam many were made Sinners even his Seed in him by original Corruption derived from him so by the Obedience of one namely the Obedience of Christ the second Adam shall many be made Righteous Rom. 5. 19. and who namely the Believers and their Infants for as the Infants of Unbelievers are charged by original Corruption derived from Father to Child with the Unbelief and Disobedience of the first Adam Rom. 5. 12. even so the Children of Believing Parents are discharged from the Condemnation due for that Sin by the Obedience and Righteousness of Christ the second Adam by the Free Grace of God imputed to them according to the Promise in the Everlasting Gospel-Covenant as the Apostle Peter applied to such as Actually believed and unto their Children Acts 2. 39. saying The Promise is unto you and to your Children And again I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness and their Sins and Iniquities will I saith the Lord remember no more Heb. 8. 12. And thus as was the glad Tidings of the Gospel first preached to Adam as after the same by John the Baptist was preached to Israel that Christ the Lamb of God was now come to take away the Sin of the World meaning the Seed of the Woman Christ now manifest in the Flesh was to destroy the works of the Devil and deliver all such both Father and Children who by Sin Satan had captivated into his Bondage Heb. 2. 15. And therefore as Water-Baptism was ordained for a Sign of Remission of Sins not only the Actual Sins of Parents but when the Parents Actually believed it also was a Sign of Remission of the Sin to their Infants as to them who by original Corruption Sin is derived in nature from Fathers to Children and therefore by the Doctrine of the Gospel Such are to be Baptized saith the Apostle every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus for the Remission of Sins Because the Lamb of God being come hath taken away the Sin of the World which the Fathers and their Children were guilty of and why be Baptized every one of you for this reason saith Peter For the Promise of the Pardon of Sins is to you and unto your Children and this is Gods way in all Ages of the Redemption of Fallen Mankind that as Sin entered into the World by Families so Christ came to Redeem Fallen Mankind by Families And hence it is that the Children born to Gods Covenanted People are said by God to be born to the Lord whom although they be Man and Womans Children by Nature called their Sons and Daughters yet by vertue of the Free Grace of God in Christ in the Covenant of Grace into which they are accepted in all Ages with their Believing Parents the Lord calleth such Children Ezek. 16. 8 20 21. his Children and of his Kingdom born unto him his Heritage the Fruit of the Womb his Reward for when Adam and Eve was Fallen they together with their Seed in them were the World Sin entered into Rom. 5. 12. of whom Satan was Prince as he is called John 14. 30. The Prince of this World Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now from the days of Adams Fall worketh in the Children of Disobedience and hence it is the Apostle saith Eph. 2. 2 3. by nature we are all Children of Wrath but when the Gospel was preached to Adam and so ever since to all who have Actually sinned as they did God of his Free Grace mixing Faith with the word of Grace preached to them by which power of his word Christ dispossesseth the strong Man armed Luke 11. 20 21 22. namely the Prince of the Fallen World first in Adam's House or Children in his Loynes taking from him all his Armour wherein he trusted and divided his Spoil for saith Christ when come in Person to perform that work he the promised Seed to Adam was to do in bruising the Serpents Head Gen. 3. 15. namely as it is written Luke 11. 20. But if I saith Christ with the Finger of God cast out Devils no doubt the Kingdom of God is come upon you And hereupon when by the Preaching of the same Everlasting Gospel afore preached to Adam and to Abraham to the Dead in Sin Rev. 14. 6. in the Spiritual Babylon which caused
it for him Surely if Remission of Sins be the greater work for which the Sign Water-Baptism is to be set on than all that Christ hath washed away their Sin or Sins the Right in the Sesser the Sign is also merited for them by him that merited the greater for them namely the Remission of Sin or Sins so that for any to say nothing but Profession of Faith can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them is to rob Christ of his Honor and Sinful Man to take the Glory to himself That Man by his External Act meriteth a Right to partake of one of the insealing Gospel-Ordinances surely this Man's Faith is not built upon the Foundation or Doctrine of the Apostles or Prophets for since Mans Fall all Right Man forfeited from under a Blessing to any Mercy or Sign of Gods Mercy either Temporal or Spiritual for even the very plowing of the wicked is Sin So that in fine when Man hath done all with respect of Meriting by the best Act he can do to obtain any Mercy from God he is repulsed with this That he is but an unprofitable Servant Luke 17. 10. therefore by Grace is our Sins pardoned and by the same Free Grace in Christ have we a Right to the Sign of Remission of Sins for was it not of Free Grace that by the Sprinkling of the Blood on the Door posts of the Israelites in Egypt that by that outward Sign the Destroying Angel passed over them and was not this Right merited for them by Christ their Passover and not for any external Act they did or could do even so we to wit all Believers and their Infants as then they and their Infants by the Blood of Sprinkling of Jesus our Passover the Destroying Angel passeth over us for Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us and our Children as of old for the Israelites and their Children For so it is written as by the outward Sign in Baptism So shall he Sprinkle many Nations and I will Sprinkle clean Water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness Isa 52. 15. Ezek. 36. 25. As it is in the Sign Water-Baptism Be Baptized and wash away thy Sins or Filthiness By which it is clear that the Right to Water-Baptism is merited by Christ only for all such whose Sin or Sins Christ taketh away and by the Doctrine of the Gospel it is manifested that Christ taketh away the Sin of the World which Infants by original Corruption derived from their Parents were guilty of And unless the Anabaptists can prove that Infants were no part of the World that Sin entered into and so no part of the World from whom Christ hath taken away their Sin But the first the Apostle hath proved that Infants by the Fall Sin entered into them by original Corruption derived from their Parents Adam being the Root therefore his Off-spring his Branches could not be clean as saith the Scripture Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean no not one Job 14. 4. And likewise the latter the same Apostle teacheth as foresaid that is By one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners to wit Children so by the Obedience of one to wit Christ the second Adam many were made Righteous the Believers and their Infants But by the Anabaptists natural Faith they cannot see this Mystery of the Gospel and therefore leaning to their own Understanding which is forbidden Man so to do in the Mysteries of Faith in the Gospel they run aground saying according to the aforesaid Argument That Profession of Faith and Repentance giveth right to Water-Baptism from that Scripture He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved From this and the like Scriptures they plead against the Right the Infants of Believers have to be Baptized without regard to the Free Grace of God to Sinners by the Doctrine of the Gospel for that Scripture is not understood a right that an Absurdity can be brought on the Inference they make as for example if as they say None ought to be Baptized but such as actually Believe Then by that Scripture none can be Saved but only such as Actually Believe for that Scripture saith He that Believeth not shall be Damned which the Anabaptists affirm Now the true meaning of Mark 16. 16. He that hath Actually Sinned if he doth not Actually Believe in Christ to be his Saviour and repent and so forsake his Sins he according to the Revealed Will of God hath no Promise of Salvation but Infants who are Sinners not by their own Act but by original Corruption derived from their Father Adam and so by nature naturally from their Father that begot them they are Children of Wrath until their Father or Mother Believe and then until they like Cain Ishmael and Esau by their own Actual Sins prove Wicked If they abide Faithful with Abel and Isaac they are to be esteemed a Holy Seed Gods Children as aforesaid from the Birth so that the Promise of Remission of Sins in the Covenant of Grace belongeth to them and therefore have Right to the Sign of Remission of Sins Water-Baptism to be Administred on them by Free Grace So that if the Argument were rightly stated there is nothing less than the Pardon of Sins by the Merits of Christ can give any Soul Young or Old right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them But if as B. Keach saith Nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Then how near a kin is the Faith of the Anabaptists in this thing about Water-Baptism to the Romish Clergy for whereas the one say Profession of Faith giveth right The other The Fathers have Decreed in the Council of Trent That whosoever shall say Grace is not conferred by the work done Let him be Accursed Surely that which giveth any Soul Right to have the Sign of Remission of their Sin or Sins Administred on them is a Grace a special Grace But it hath been proved that Remission of Sins or washing away of Sins in the Blood of Christ is the only thing which giveth any Soul Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and therefore the Right is by Grace and not by Merit for the Act done by any Mortal Man Simon Magus made an external Profession of Faith and Repentance for it is said he Believed Acts 8. 13. If that had been that which only gave him Right to be Baptized he would not have been told he had no Right nor part in that matter and why because he was told he was in the Bond of Iniquity therefore Profession gave him no Right but was only required of him because he had been an Actual Sinner but it is the Remission of Sins giveth Right as aforesaid be Baptized not for Profession but for Remission of Sins So the Right is merited by Christ for all that the Scripture testifieth he hath bore away
Thirty years of Age for as God is a God of order so Christ as Man kept order in all things he did So that as he came to fulfil all Righteousness for Believers and their Infants waited for one foretold of by the Prophet Isaiah to begin that work which was to continue for a Gospel-Ordinance as it is written The Voice of him that crieth in the Wilderness Prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the Desert a High-way for our God Isaiah 40. 3. Matt. 3. 12. Now although Christ was God yet was he also Man and so waited for a Ministerial Officer to begin so great an Ordinance a Gospel-Ordinance to remain as a Sign of Justification by Christs Righteousness in the Remission of the Sins of the Believers and their Infants whose Sin or Sins he had bore away in Promise and was now come in Act to bare away in Person their Sins as a Lamb slain in the determinated Council of God before the World was Therefore John being the Son of a Priest might not begin his Ministerial Office according to the Law not then abolished until he was Thirty years of Age Numb 4. 3. The Lord Jesus as Man being but Six Months younger was Baptized so soon as John began his Ministry and this was the reason why Christ was not Baptized until he was about Thirty years old So that this Plea from Christs being not Baptized until he was a Man grown is Insufficient to prove that Infants are not to be Baptized thus we see what Windings and Turnings by any Colour or vain Deceit these People lye in wait to deceive by who turn away their Ears from the Truth and be turned unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. 4. Another Pretence is they plead the order of words go Teach and Baptize so that from hence by carnal Reason without respect to the Analogy of Faith according to the Doctrine of Baptism they infer That no one is to be Baptized until he is capable to understand Doctrine If the order of words would satisfie these People we read John did baptize in the Wilderness and preached the Baptism of Repentance for the Remission of sins Mark 1. 4. Here by this Scripture we see the order of words runneth John Baptized and Taught as elsewhere it is written Go Teach and Baptize To contend about words we are forbidden but commanded to contend for the Faith once given to the Saints Then for a ready way to understand the order of words in this matter we must begin at the Root the Figure or Forerunner of Water-Baptism namely Circumcision the one coming in room of the other as they both signified one and the same Benefit to Believers and their Seed in Christ who was Baptized and Circumcised for us in the one to fulfil all Righteousness imputing his Righteousness to Believers and their Infants as by that Sign Washing away their Sins in his Blood the other in disburdening them of their Sins as by Col. 2. 11 12. is proved Matt. 3. 15. Rom. 1. 5. Therefore as afore shewed of all Actual Sinners Actual Repentance and Confession of Faith God required before they might be Circumcised for Abraham and the Proselyte Gentiles first by the word were called to Repent God having given them also Faith to believe in Christ who was yesterday and to day and the same for ever no other name given under Heaven that ever any Soul can be saved by from Wrath to come Now when such had Actually sinned and repented and believed then were they Circumcised as a Seal set on them of the Righteousness of their Faith in Christ who by his Circumcision when come in the Flesh should disburden them of their Sins as afore proved by Col. 2. 11 12. with Rom. 4. 11. and because it was the pleasure of God that as Infants are Sinners not by their own Act but by the Actual Sin of Adam and so by original Corruption still derived from Father to Children therefore as the Free Grace of God was in the Gospel preached to Adam and Abraham That Christ came to take away the Sin of the World as afore proved Infants were guilty of and Rom. 5. 12. Christ having bore away the Sin from Infants when the Sin of their Parents was bore away is the reason that the Infants of old were Circumcised without Actual Confession of Faith and Repentance and after were commanded to be taught Then by the order of words some as Actual Sinners were first to be taught before either Circumcised or Baptized and others their Seed in Infancy as for the reasons afore given first Circumcised and after Taught as now Baptized and after Taught Deut. 3. 12 13. Eph. 6. 4. And thus we see the order of words are reconciled that John is said to Baptize in the Wilderness and preach the Baptisin of Repentance and the Apostles preached Repentance and after Baptized So that there is no warrant to keep Infants from Water-Baptism until they repent Thus the Anabaptists Doctrine is not of God but a Point of their natural Faith Seeing then it is clear that as Infants were first accepted into the Covenant of Grace in Christ with their Believing Parents and then Circumcised as by Deut. 29. is proved that first the Parents with their Little ones entered Covenant with the Lord even the same Covenant made with Abraham Isaac and Jacob v. 13. and afterwards were Circumcised at Gilgall Joshua 5. 3. by Joshua who was a Circumcised Person of them that came out of Egypt and then the Children were taught what God had done for them and what he did require of them as they grew up Gen. 18. 19. Deut. 6. 7. and 11. 19. Prov. 22. 6. So that the Infants then born when God accepted them with their Parents into the Covenant of Grace with himself as also the Infants after born their Parents were to bring with them in the Feast of Tabernacles as it is written Gather the People together Men and Women and Children and thy Strâ—â—gers that is within thy Gates joyned with Israel in Covenant with the Lord Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13. that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the Lord your God and that their Children which have not known any thing may hear and learn to serve the Lord your God Deut. 31. 11 12 13. Even so are Parents now to bring their Children with them to the Congregation to hear the Law of God opened and explained though as yet they may not have known any thing as it is written Ye Fathers bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Eph. 6. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our the whole Church of Gods Learning That they through Patience and Comforts of the Scriptures might have hope for them and their Children Rom. 15. 4. as saith the Prophet Who should arise and declare them to their Children that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of
the Apostles preached so that it is to be believed that as the Apostles taught so they practised If then the Apostle Paul hath taught that all our Fathers were Baptized when water out of the Clouds by the Lord himself was poured on Persons and many of them were Children called our Fathers until the days of David Acts 7. 45. and how highly the Apostle Peter esteemed of all the Writings of his beloved Brother Paul who among other things presseth Order to be kept in the Administration of all Gods Ordinances teaching from Gods Order of Old when as a peculiar work belonged to the Ministerial Offices as 't is written No Man taketh this Honour to himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Heb. 5. 4. So that the Example of Numb 16. 1 Chron. 13. 11. Corah Dathan and Abiram and Uzza sheweth by the Judgments that fell on them what a Sin it was for any private Man to take that work to do which God had bound to Office But more to this in the Fourth Query So then it is rationally to be believed and that by grounded Reason from Gods word that the Apostles themselves without the help of the hundred and twenty did Baptize the three thousand in one day which could not be done by Dipping the Anabaptists grant and therefore it was done by casting water on the Forehead and Face as before shewed for Baptized they all were and because that part of Mankind representeth the whole Person either in Old or Young therefore they were Baptized by water cast on that part to wit the Face as by grounded Reason from Scripture is to be believed Besides 't is evident to be believed that many of these three thousand which the Apostles Baptized were Children seeing the Promise of the Pardon of Sin was by the Apostle Peter Acts 2. 39. applied to the Children then present as well as to their Parents of the Pardon of their Sins Water-Baptism being ordained by Christ for a Sign of Remission of Sins Now to all to whom the Promise is applied the Sign of Remission to wit Water-Baptism belongeth to them but the promise of Remission of Sins was applied to them and their Children but more of that anon in the Third Query for as it was the usual manner of the Jews when by Thousands they followed Christ to hear him Teach and see the Miracles which he did to take their Children with them as doth appear in that Miracle which Christ did whom he Fed with Five Loaves and two Fishes Five Thousand Men besides Women and Children Matt. 14. 21. for so it was foretold by the Prophet speaking of the day of Christ as it is written Thus saith the Lord behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my Standard to the People to wit the Jews and they shall bring their Sons in their arms or Bosoms and thy Daughters shall be carried on their shoulders Isa 49. 22. Even so the Jews that resorted to hear Christ and afterwards his Apostles Teach and to see the Miracles which they did they carried their Children with them unto whom the Apostle Peter joyntly applying the Promises of Life and Salvation by Christ in the remission of their Sins in the Blood of Jesus saying The Promise is to you and unto your Children And this maketh way to the Second Query which is Query 2. To what end Water-Baptism by the Lord Jesus was Ordained in these last days for a Gospel-Ordinance Answ John Surnamed the Baptist Matt. 3. 1. with respect of his immediate Call to the work of Baptizing hath shewed the end in the Sign why Water Baptism was ordained namely but that Christ should be made manifest to Israel Therefore saith John am I come Baptizing with Water John 1. 31. The Apostle Peter likewise agreeth thereunto saying Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins Acts 2. 38. Again Ananias confirmeth the same saying Be Baptized and wash away thy sins Acts 22. 6. So then in fine the end why Water-Baptism was ordained to make manifest by that outward Sign that Christ the Lamb of God is now come according to the Gospel-Promise preached to Adam That the Seed of the Woman Gen. 3. 15. shall bruise the Serpents Head that is destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. and deliver them who by Sin he had captivated into his Bondage Heb. 2. 15. As also according to the same Gospel preached to Abraham That in his Seed Christ all the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. Acts 3. 25 26. with the Pardon of Sin And accordingly John the Fore-runner of Christ sent as an Herald before the Prince of Life Acts 3. 15. to prepare the way of the Salvation of Fallen Mankind saith Behold the Lamb of God that beareth away the sin of the World John 1. 29. And this maketh way to the Third Query to be considered which is Query 3. What is it by Scripture Evidence that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Answ We have shewed in the Second Query that Water-Baptism is the visible Sign of the Pardon of Sin called the Sin of the World Therefore the next thing is to be observed what this Sin of the World is And secondly who are the Persons that stand charged with this Sin And thirdly how Christ the Lamb of God beareth away this sin of the World from these Persons The Apostle Paul hath not only shewed what this Sin of the World is but also the World this Sin first entered into and stand charged with the same and also how Christ the Lamb of God taketh away this Sin from many who are guilty as being under Condemnation as it is written Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the World and Death by Sin and so death passed upon all men for that or in whom all have sinned Rom. 5. 12. Now because Adam was the Root of all Mankind when he broke Gods Law by eating the Forbidden Fruit all his Posterity in his Loynes sinned in him for as Levi is said to pay Tithes in Abraham's Loynes before he was born when Abraham did Heb. 7. 9. even so we all in Adam's Loynes before we were born brake Gods Law when Adam did and this was the Sin that first entered into the World and these are the Persons Sin entered into namely the actual Sinner and his Seed and for these the Lamb of God is come to bear away the Condemnation due to them even Eternal Death the Wages of this Sin Rom. 6. 23. Thus we see in the Fall of Mankind there were two sort of Sinners the one Actual as Adam and Eve the other their Seed or Children in his Loynes Sinners by Original Corruption derived from Fathers to Children who have not sinned after the Similitude of Adam 's Transgression Rom. 5. 14. as by their own act but are Sinners by Derivation or Original Corruption from them and from these two sorts of
34 15. By all which we see the same Doctrine of Faith Holiness and Love taught in Adam's Family is the same to us in Christ according to the same Covenant of Grace that was made with Adam and his Children whom he taught the way of the Lord but when grown up if as Cain they abide not in it as he so must they be cast out and this could not have been had he not been a Member of the Church in his Infancy born to the Lord in Covenant but when he not proving to be of the Election which the Apostle saith obtaineth it or continueth it in abiding Faithful to the end standing fast in the Faith which Cain did not but departed from the visible Profession thereof Luke 8. 13. so fell away Now then of Cain's Seed the World of ungodly began to take Root in the Earth again so that there was now on Earth the Kingdom of Christ in Adam's House or Family and the Kingdom of Satan in Cain's House or Family called the World of Ungodly who both Fathers and Children were destroyed by the Flood of Noah And then again there was only remaining the Church of God or his Kingdom in Noah's Family the Fathers with their Wives and Children a Holy Nation a chosen Generation to the Lord as Israel were by Families But in process of time Satan had his Seed in the Church in the Person of Cham or Ham Gen. 9. 25. who for his Sin was cast out of the Church and of his Seed sprang another World of Ungodly As likewise in process of time almost all the Posterity of Blessed Shem became Apostatized from the Faith So that then it pleased God to call Abraham from his Idolatry out from his Fathers House Joshua 24 2. Gen. 12. 1 and with him and his Seed as before with Adam and Abraham and their Seed God made an everlasting Covenant or preached to him the everlasting Covenant of the Gospel namely that in his Seed Christ the Womans Seed in the same Gospel afore preached to Adam All Nations of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. And when again the same Covenant was more particularly applied to belong to the Seed of his Body of whom Christ must be exspected as it is written I will make my Covenant between me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly besides the Promise before made to him of his being a Father of many Nations and I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee Gen. 7. 2 5 7. Now this Promise to be a God to the Believer and his Seed is the Substance of the Gospel-Promise as it is written And they shall be his People and God himself will be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. even the God of all the Families of Israel Jer. 31. 1. So then if the very Letter of the Gospel be so plain that in Christ the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed and this Family is the Seed or Infants or Children of Believers and this Blessing is the Remission or Pardon of their Sins as it is written God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from your Iniquities Acts 3. 26. Water-Baptism being the visible Sign thereof therefore saith Peter to Parents and Children be Baptized every one of you namely that have their Sin or Sins pardoned the Sin of the World for the Promise in the Gospel-Covenant is to you and unto your Children is also confirmed by John the Baptist that this is the Way of Salvation he prepared before the Lord saying Behold the Lamb of God preached to Adam is now come that beareth away the Sin of the World of whom is afore proved Children in Adam were a part thereof Now until the Anabaptists can prove that the Infants were no part of the World Sin entered into and so Children to be no Sinners it remaineth proved that Children are Sinners in Adam and the Sin of the Infants of Believing Parents is taken away by Christ the second Adam as well as the Sin of their Parents who had Actually committed As we have the Testimony of the Spirit of God for to prove it in these words but not as the Offence so also is the Free Gift Rom. 5. 18 19. for if through the Offence of one many be Dead much more the Grace of God and the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many and not as it was by one that sinned so is the Gift for the Judgment was by one to Condemnation but the Free Gift is of many Offences unto Justification So then all is of Free Grace both to the Actual Sinner and his Seed in Infancy who are Sinners by original Derivation Now although God doth require of such as have Actually sinned Actually to repent and to make Confession of their Faith before they may have the Sign of Remission of Sins if they were not before Baptized into the Name of Christ to be set on them So that great is the Difference between what it is that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them and what God requireth of Actual Sinners before they be Baptized Therefore the very Letter of the Law a Schoolmaster leading to Christ might teach the Anabaptists that of whom did God require a Sacrifice of Confession brought to the Altar figuring Christ but from such only that had Actually sinned yet the Infants of such by vertue of Gods Free Grace in the Covenant of the Gospel were Blessed with their Believing Parents and the Males sealed with the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith therefore called with their Parents The Blessed of the Lord as shall be more spoken to anon But now to insert here the general Argument grounded on Carnal Reason the Anabaptists bring as their main Pillar to deny the Right Infants have to Water-Baptism published by B. Keach in his Book Gold Refined P. 141. That nothing less than Profession of Faith and Repentance can give any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Answ If there were no Sinner pardoned or their Sin or Sins remissed there would not have been this Ordinance of Baptism ordained seeing it is ordained for a Sign of the Remission of Sins that such as have Right thereto may have Christ made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin or Sins in his Blood But because Christ the Lamb of God is come who taketh away not only the Sin of such Actual Sinners whom his Father giveth Faith to Believe in his Son but also the Sin of the World Infants stand charged with by natural Corruption derived from their Parents Now then who is it Man even Sinful Man that Meriteth a Right to have his Sins pardoned or is it not Christ that hath done
39. For Christ in the Promise was the good Tidings of great Joy preached by the Angel Luke 2. 10 11 12 13 14. according to the Scriptures of the Prophets Isaiah 9. 6. Micah 5. â— Seeing it hath been proved what the Gospel is and from whence the Apostles reaped it namely out of the Scriptures of the Prophets and that the Angel upon the Birth of Christ preached glad Tidings of a Saviour out of the Scripture of the Prophets Luke 2. 10 11 12. also Christ himself and his Apostles taught us no other glad Tidings than is written in the Prophets aforesaid It is therefore desired and required of the Anabaptists to shew us out of any part of the Scriptures of the Prophets where they prove that Gospel to be written that preacheth glad Tidings to Actual Sinners and not a like glad Tidings to their Infants in Infancy who as we have proved are Sinners by original Corruption derived from Father to Children and if dying in Infancy cannot be saved if there be no Promise or glad Tidings of Salvation for them in the Gospel in Infancy commanded to be preached to all Nations that is to every Creature of Mankind unless they will at once affirm and prove that Infants are no part of Mankind that the Gospel is to be preached unto with their Parents under the name of every Creature Col. 1. 23. To the second thing to be considered in the Commission of our Lord Jesus who came to save Sinners yea Sinners of two sorts as afore proved the Fathers with their Infants and that these are the Persons every Nation consisteth of is thus proved If that the Scripture may be allowed to expound its own Sense in every Article of Faith as in lesser matters therefore we read that after the Flood were only left alive Noah and his Family among which Noah had three Sons Shem Ham and Japheth and unto these were born Sons after the Flood And by these were the Isles of the Gentiles divided in their Lands every one after his tongue after their Families in their Nations Gen. 10. 1 5. These are the Families of the Sons of Noah after their Generations in their Nations and by these were the Nations divided after the Flood ver 32. By which it appeareth that every Nation consisteth of Families after their Generations that is the Father and Mother with their Children the two sort of Sinners Sin entered into by the Fall of Adam as aforesaid And likewise as aforesaid Christ was proclaimed when come according to the Gospel preached to Adam and to Abraham that in Christ all the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. namely with the Pardon of Sins so Christ came to take away the Sins of the World by Families because he came to save that which was lost Luke 18. 11. but Mankind was lost by Families Rom. 5. 12. as afore shewed Now whereas Moses writeth concerning the Gospel preached to Abraham saying that in his Seed Christ all the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed Gen. 12. 3. The Apostle Peter preaching that Gospel-Promise to the Nation of the Jews in his first Sermon applied the Promise in the Blessing to the Father and Mother with their Children saying The Promise is to you and unto your Children Acts 2. 39. And in his second Sermon expoundeth the word all Families written by Moses to be Kindreds of the Earth shall be Blessed Acts 3 25. The Apostle Paul expoundeth the word Families by Moses Kindreds by Peter to mean Nations even Men Women and their Infants and these are the Persons which by Christs Commission are to be Taught and Baptized Gen. 12. 3. Gal. 3. 8. Now as to the manner the Actual Sinners must be taught and they must actually confess and forsake their Sins because they had actually sinned before they may be Baptized and when the Parent believed then Peter applied the Gospel-Promise to the Believers and their Infants or Children as aforesaid Acts 2. 39. So then a Man's Family under the Promise are his Children in Non-age other of their Children if they have any that have actually sinned as have their Parents must actually repent and believe before Baptized but the Infants in Non-age must be Baptized when their Parents are Baptized because their Sin charged on them is by original Corruption derived to them pardoned with them as Adam's Children and Abraham's and all Believing Jews and Gentiles Children in all Ages were else Children dying in Infancy could not be saved by the revealed Will of God because they are by Nature Children of Wrath Eph. 2. 3. Now this is Gods way in his word that as Families Kindreds Nations are one and the same and as a Mans Children are his Family under the Promise in the Gospel and a Mans nearest Kindred under the Promise are his Children and that every Family is a little Nation as we see before of Noah's three Sons the Isles of the Gentiles were divided every one after their Families in their Nations so when a Believer and his Children are joyned to the Lord called a Family or Kindred a little Nation is joyned to the Lord as Judah when they came up out of Babylon by Families were joyned to the Lord Jer. 50. 5. as before all Israel were joyned to the Lord by Families in the Wilderness Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13. The Father and Mother with their Infants a Holy Nation for saith the Prophet meaning many Families little Nations were joyned to the Lord in that day as it is written many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day and they shall be my People Zach. 2. 11. as Israel were Gods People by Families and so many Families in Covenant with the Lord make one Holy Nation both of old and now as by Exod. 19. 6. with 1 Peter 2. 9. is proved how God calleth his People by Families some out of every Nation as it is written Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every Kindred Tongue People and Nation Rev. 5. 9. But Nations as the whole People in England France Spain Holland or other Nations never was yet heard of to be all Converts in one day or such a Nation to be joyned to the Lord every individual Person in one day but Israel as many Families was joyned to the Lord in one day being actual Believers and their Seed so were they a Holy Nation in a Holy Covenant Dan. 11. 28 30. a Nation in the midst of a Nation or Nations about them to whom saith the Lord in respect of their Faith Worship and Marriages they shall not be reckoned among the Nations Numb 23. 9. So now as every Gospel Church consisting of Families as the Churches of God in all Ages did are as distinct Bodies Holy Nations yet considered as under one chief Sheepherd Christ they are but one Fold one Nation or Brotherhood 1 Pet. 2. 17. in all the World called The Family of Heaven and Earth Eph. 3. 15.
Members than Circumcision remained but Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4. 11. the Covenant for which the Seal was ordained was the Covenant of Grace the word of Faith wherein is contained the Promises of the Pardon of Sins and eternal Life now confirmed by the Circumcision of Christ as afore proved and now Water-Baptism set in place thereof by the Authority of Christ the only Law-giver in Worship Isaiah 33. 22. James 4. 12. Neither will his third proof by similitude taken from Act of Parliament help him in his Assertion aforesaid For saith he shew us a positive Law for Infants Church-membership Now the word of God is plain that Infants were Church-members from the day Adam was restored so soon as Infants were born as afore proved in the third Query For if all Infants sinned in Adam's Loynes when Adam was restored they were restored in his Loynes and when born they were born in the Gospel-Covenant by which the Church of God was established in Adam's House so that the Children born in Covenant were born to the Lord whom the Lord called his Children for none out of the Covenant of Grace are visibly the Lords Children Therefore how carnally doth he reason against Children in these words For evident it is that what Priviledges soever are given to any Persons by an Act of Parliament which said Law was to continue in force for so long time and no longer when that time is expired and another Parliament makes a new Law wherein many things are contained that were in the first but those certain Priviledges given to those Persons in the former Law are left out in the latter Act it would not be a Folly for any of them to plead those Priviledges by virtue of a Law that is gone and not now in force This being a carnal Argument like his carnal Faith In answer hereunto his Comparison is Odious a Parliament is an Earthly Kings Great Council who maketh Laws and he signeth them But saith the Scripture who hath been the Lords Counsellor to direct him Rom. 11. 34. to give Laws to his Church or to order all things in that State So then as hath been proved as touching the State of the Infants of Believers since the day they were restored in Adam's Loynes and when born born to the Lord Ezek. 18. 20 21. Blessed with their Parents with Remission of Sin Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25 26. there hath been no word of God to dispriviledge them so long as they continue in the Covenant of Grace of whatsoever Priviledges they ever had no nor yet have these Men by any word of God shewed when or wherein they have been turned out from the Promises in the Covenant of the Gospel which they call out of doors for the things which only have been removed or abolished given from the beginning concerning what God had given to his Church to keep and observe were only those things which were shadows of good things to come by Christ but Infants in Gods Covenant were no Shadow or Figure to be abolished no nor the Baptizing of Infants any of Babylon's Rubbish as Mr. Keach with others affirm in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book No nor yet is Infants Baptism a Corner-stone that supports the An-Antichristian Fabrick by unsavory words as Mr. Cary affirmeth in his Epistle to his Solemn Call but it is one of the Glorious Tokens of Gods Love to his People and to their Seed that as Christ hath taken away the Sin of such Infants Christ's Name should be set on them in Water-Baptism that they are his bought or redeemed because Christ washed away their Sin with his precious Blood the small Vessels in his House who welcomed their Lord into his Kingdom that as they were included of old in the precious Stones in Aaron's Breast-plate with their Parents Exod. 28. 15. to 21. so are they now by Christ our High Priest presented before the Lord with their Parents a Holy Seed a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Pet. 2. 9. shining among the Precious Stones which the Foundations of the Walls of the City the Church of God is garnished withall Rev. 21. 18 19 20. as the Church of Israel was that as by Tribes Israel went up to Jerusalem even by Families to be presented before the Lord both Fathers and Mothers and Children Deut. 31. 10 11 12 13. Psalm 122. 1 2 3 4. to praise the Lord Psalm 148. 12 13. Exod. 12. 26 27. for now as Vessels great and small the Glory of Christs Kingdom Isaiah 22. 24. doth likewise shine among the lively Pretious Stones in Christs Spiritual Building crying Hosannah to Christ their Lord while the Anabaptists not only in Errors in their Faith are polluted but also garnished with the Shame to Nature as Ben. Keach for one when he beholdeth himself in a Glass how he weareth Womans covering the Shame to Man Nature which at this time I should not have mentioned but for this reason because he with other Teachers in their Narrative among other things proposed debated and resolved in the Affirmative That it is a shame for a Man to wear long Hair and Perriwigs and especially Ministers 1 Cor. 11. 14. Narrative Page 14. Now what kind of Teacher is this Man that shall condemn in words that he alloweth in himself by Practice Rom. 14. 15. he is one of those Teachers the Apostle reproveth as it is written Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self Rom. 2. 21. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law even the Law of Nature through breaking the Law dishonorest thou God ver 23. Hear what the Lord saith to such Teachers What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psalm 50. 16 17. of such the Lord complained concerning his People their Leaders have caused them to err and they that are led by them are destroyed Isaiah 9. 16. Now are not these like the Teachers the Lord complained of of old that would seem to reprove Sin but saith the Lord They healed the hurt of the Daughters of my People slightly Jer. 8. 11. So have these Men in their Narrative reproved this Sin the shame to Nature slightly And therefore for the help of all that desire to be informed in this Particular there is to be had where this Book is sold a Treatise on that Subject under these particular Heads God's Holy Order in Nature which Man and Woman were Created in truly Stated and Explained Proving First THat Man is Head of the Woman and how Woman is made in Subjection to Man her Husband Secondly That God gave unto Woman a Sign in Nature differing from Man to teach her she is the Glory of Man her Husband and this Sign is called Glory to Woman and Shame to Mans Nature Thirdly That Man is Commanded by the Law of Nature and Written Law of God not
trust Therefore what is Gospel but the glad Tidings of Salvation to fallen Mankind by the Death of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ merited for them whether Actual Believers only or Believers and their Infants is a great part of this Controversie to be handled in this Treatise for Christ came to save that which by the Fall was lost Matt. 18. 11. Rom. 5. 12. Now then seeing Water-Baptism is ordained for a Sign of Remission of Sins Acts 2. 38. as is proved in the second Query all that can be proved by the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets agreeing in one whether adult Persons or Infants or both that have their Sin or Sins pardoned by Christ mark that are the Persons that have right to have Christ by the visible Sign Water Baptism John 1. 31. made manifest to them I shall therefore refer the Reader for a full proof hereof to read and consider the Answer to the third Query wherein is proved that the Actual Believers as likewise their Infants are equal in the Redemption by the Death of Christ Likewise as there must be a true Administrator of the Sealing Ordinances of the New Testament as well as of the Figurative Ordinances of the Old For this I refer the Reader to the Answer to the fourth Query for Satisfaction And withall to observe in the fifth Query the Description of that first Administrator of the English Anabaptists who Baptized himself because he could not find any in the way of Dipping When denying his Baptism in Infancy he presumptuously Baptized himself without any warrant from God Moreover as the first Sin that generally reigned in the old World was the opposing of the Doctrine of Free Grace which was first seen in Cain the main opposite Doctrine to the Gospel and now reigning by the pleading a Right of Acceptance with God to Gospel-Ordinances by the external Act of Man And that this is the Ground of Anabaptistry which they have laid to deprive the Infants of Believers from the Benefit of the Free Grace of God in the Covenant of the Gospel of the pardon of their Sin And so from the Right which they have to Water-Baptism And this is fully proved against them in the third Query Therefore I desire the Reader to observe their Arguments and the Answer to them for when the Apostle Jude saw the Doctrine of Cain spreading it self among the Christians he exhorteth them that were Faithful To contend earnestly for the Faith once given to the Saints Jude v. 3. Namely first to Adam by which Faith Abel offered a more excellent Sacrifice than Cain therefore saith he concerning them that opposed the Doctrine of Free Grace For they have gone in the way of Cain v. 11. turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ And again concerning such as opposed the Doctrine of Faith he saith v. 10. These speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves And from this Root meerly by the Argument arising from Nature do the Anabaptists continually urge namely that Profession of Faith only giveth Right to Water-Baptism to deprive the Infants of Believers because they cannot Actually profess Faith and repent of a right to the Remission of their Sin and so of a Right to the Sign thereof Water-Baptism as in this Treatise is fully discovered Moreover And to maintain this their Doctrine grounded on Nature they quarrel with our English Translation as though the original word for Baptize was not truly explained because it is Englished Wash and not Dip Therefore we have proved in speaking to the first Query that the greatest Schollar who spake with more Tongues 1 Cor. 14. 18. than the rest of the Apostles hath by the Holy Ghost which leadeth into all Truth John 16. 13. opened and expounded the true natural and proper meaning of the Sense of the word Baptize to be a pouring of Water on the Persons Baptized as he saith All our Fathers were Baptized in the Cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. Psalm 77. 15 to 20. being under the Cloud the Clouds pouring out Water on them when they passed through the Sea so called Sea where the Water had been for they went through the Sea on dry foot this could not be on dry foot had they been dip'd Now our Translators durst not presume to have more skill in the Sense of the original word for Baptize than the Apostle Paul had and therefore durst not confine the word to one strict Sense as the Anabaptists would have it to maintain their disorderly way of Rebaptising As is fully proved to be against Modesty in answer to the first Query But they have left the word Baptize in its general term to Wash as it is written Acts 22. 16. Be baptized and wash away thy sins So that in vain hath Ben. Keach in his Book Gold Refin'd brought a multitude of Authors to confirm the word Baptize to be Dip'd being all disproved by the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. and when they can overthrow his expounding the Sense of the word Baptize by pouring Water on the Persons Baptized then they may have somewhat to plead that Dipping is the way and till then they oppose and withstand the Apostles Doctrine like Alexander 2 Tim. 4. 14 15. for as we may observe in another word that the Translators durst not confine it to one strict sense namely the word in the original for Church or Congregation but left it in the general term Church or Congregation because the plural number more or less is in Scripture called a Church The first Church was in Adam's Family and after in Noah's Family and after that in Abraham's Family or House as the Apostle accordingly writeth to the Church in a Mans House Rom. 16. 5. 1 Cor. 16. 19 all but few in number Whereas in the Wilderness Acts 7. 38. the word for Church or Congregation were in number above six hundred thousand Souls and in the Acts above three thousand Now to limit the word for Church to a strict number is Sin so to limit the word to such a mult of Water is Sin because it is an abusing of the word contrary to the harmonious Agreement of the Scriptures and so contrary to the Analogy of Faith as is shewed at large in the first Query Therefore As in the Lords Supper it is not the quantity of Bread and Wine more or less but the right apprehension of and sincere Affection to the thing signified that Christ intendeth thereby and the same in Baptism being both Signs and Seals to one and the same Covenant of the Gospel So that when any shall plead skill in the. Tongues concerning the signification of words without regard had to the Mysteries of Faith which cannot be understood but by the help of the Spirit of God they abuse the use of Learning for there are two
such an Earth-quake Rev. 11. 13. that the Tenth part of that Romish City or Church fell from her Traditions or Idol-worship to imbrace Christ in his Government in his Church or Kingdom for their King Priest or Prophet they being Translated out of that Kingdom of Darkness as in the beginning of this work when Adam and Eve with his Seed in him were Translated out of Satans Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of the Dear Son of God then as but one Family became Christs Kingdom here many Families or little Kingdoms of this World were become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11. 15. that so he might Reign among them by his Laws as in Adam's Family appeared by the Offerings Gen. 4. 3 4. his Children brought and offered up to God in his Service Next in Noah's Family and so in Abraham's Family as was the everlasting Covenant-Promise Jer. 31. 1. Gal. 6. 16. I will be the God of all the Families of Israel for as the Fathers with the Children were together by the Fall Satans Subjects Children of Wrath even so the Children with the Parents when their Fathers and Mothers who had Actually sinned believed then their Children who were Sinners by original Corruption derived from them Psal 51. 5. were restored with them to be the Subjects of Christs Kingdom as it is written Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 2. 39. They are the Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or buds with them And thus Christ beareth away the Sin of the World in all Ages first Christ in the Promise to Adam and Abraham and when come in Person bore away their Sins on his Body once offered for many Heb. 9. 28 namely the Believing Fathers and Mothers and their Children in Infamy with them as the Apostle proves by Rom. 5. 19. For as by one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of one shall many be made Righteous Thus it is clearly proved that the Infants or Children together with their Believing Parents are redeemed Now if the Children were not Redeemed with their Believing Parents then Christ did not bare away the Sin of the World Contrary to John's Doctrine John 1. 29. If Infants were not a part of the World Sin entered into Then Children are not by Nature Children of Wrath contrary to Paul's Doctrine Eph. 2. 3. If Children are not of Christ's Kingdom then they are of Satans If Children are not to be brought up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord then the Promise in the Gospel belongeth not to Children in Infancy contrary to Deut. 29. 29. Acts 2. 39. How many like Absurdities may be brought upon the Doctrine of Anabaptistry if they well consider how they are led by a natural Fancy in denying Infants to be Redeemed by the Blood of Christ in the washing away of the Sin of the World which they by natural Corruption are guilty of but the Sin of the Infants Christ hath bore away with the Sins of their Believing Parents and Water-Baptism is ordained by the Lord to be Administred on all that have their Sin or Sins pardoned by the Lord Christ who by that Sign Water-Baptism Administred on them Christ is to be made manifest to them that he hath washed away their Sin in his Blood which is the only thing that gives any Soul Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on Young or Old Rev. 1. 5. And thus the Lord Jesus as his Kingdom was first in one Family so it still continueth in Families And therefore when Adam and his Wife and Seed in him was restored there was only the Kingdom of Christ on Earth in Adam's House and then for a time no Kingdom of Satan was on Earth he being cast out as aforesaid and Christ taking Possession But because as the Anabaptists grant in their Narrative there is Election of Persons pag. 3. therefore process of time proveth 1 John 2. 19. that all in the visible Covenant of Grace visible Members for a time in the Church of God are not all of it as appeared in the Person of Cain so in the Person of Cham or Ham the Son of Noah therefore Man is to have his Judgment rest with the Lord Isaiah 49. 4. concerning the Infants of the Lords Covenanted People commanded to be Trained up in the way Prov. 22. 6. Eph. 6. 4. they shall go in and if they continue in that Faith 1 Tim. 2. 15. of Gods Elect that was in their Parents as Timothy did in the same Faith his Grand-mother and Mother had 1 Tim. 1. 5. they so long are to be accounted a Holy Seed Ezra 9. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Children of the Promise born to the Lord and so of his Kingdom his Heritage the Fruit of the Womb his Reward Gal. 3. 28. Ezek. 16. 20 21. Psal 127. Now then as that Wise King saith That even a Child is known by his doings Prov. 20. 11. speaking of the Children in Covenant Acts 3. 25. whether his works be pure or whether it be right So when Cain by his evil work proved himself not to be of the Election wanting the Faith of Gods Elect which Abel had known by his Action when wanting the work of Faith in Christ his Offering was not accepted for which he was filled with Wrath but he being reproved repented not but adding Sin to Sin as it is written Prov. 29. 1. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy so was he destroyed as being cast out of the Communion of Saints As he confessed saying Gen. 4. 14. And from thy Face shall I be hid namely from the Favour and Light of the Countenance of the Lord in his Kingdom of Grace and Worship being deprived of the Blessing in Christ that all the Infants born in the Covenant of Grace have because by the Free Love of God Infants are accepted in Covenant with the Lord with their Parents if they as they grow up continue in Faith and Love and Holiness with Sobriety they shall be saved As the Apostle in his reproving the Church of God at Ephesus in suffering Women to usurp Authority over the Man by Teaching as Men did Quaker-women like in the Assembly against the very Order of Nature and Command of God his reason in reproving the Female Sex was for that Adam was first formed and secondly for Adam was not deceived but the Woman being deceived was in the Transgression notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing that is if she her Husband and Children by the Word of Grace in the Promise believe in the promised Seed God Christ manifest in the Flesh the Seed of Adam and Abraham if they continue in that Faith and Love to God in keeping his Commandments and Holiness of Life as becometh such as are in Communion with the Lord and Sobriety the Women Adorning themselves in Modest Apparel as becometh Women professing Godliness they shall be saved 1 Tim. 2. 9 13