Saul or Paul by many illustrious circumstances all clos'd up as it were with a seal Baptism as if his Conversion would not have been complete without Baptism so sacred and of great import is Baptism to follow conversion Baptism is the great demonstrative Expression of a Change in the Soul Again Paul arose that is as much as to say went some whither to be baptized where was much water for else a little if that would have done might have been brought to him as it is now a days to children but to be dipt he must arise Joh. 14.13 Mic. 2.10 and go to some place where is much water Jer. 13.4 2 Sam. 17.22 And this we find in Scripture was the constant practice of the Apostles in obedience to their commission Mat. 28.19 20. and accordingly this Apostle practiced it himself and praiseth the Corinthian Saints for their punctual observation of Ordinances 1 Cor. 11.1.2 Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them to you Baptism was delivered in the Pattern by Dipping Mat. 3.16 17. not by Sprinkling and therefore Sprinkling will not serve but it must be Dipping they went down into the Water Acts 8.38 CHAP. XXVI Acts 10.46 47 48. 46. Then answered Peter 47. Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus c. I Note That signs of Conversion are all along made the Qualifications or Reasons why persons should be baptized But Infants giving no signs of Conversion are therefore not qualified Again Water Baptism is so great a Duty that the Apostle commanded it upon finding the persons qualified but Infant Sprinkling being no where commanded or directed is a clear proof that the Children of the Believing Parents of those times were not qualified for baptism by their Parents believing Again That which the Apostles did bapbaptize with was that which Christ commanded to baptize with viz. Water Again Persons receiving the spirit of God is not sufficient to excuse them from the call of the Gospel to be baptized with water but is rather a sure qualification for water Baptism for no man can mend the Apostles Commission Mat. 28.19 20. Gal. 1.8 Again Sprinkling is not here commanded by Peter but Dipping he commanded them to be baptized that is dipped in the name of the Lord Jesus Surely if Sprinkling had been enough the Apostle would not have injoyned dipping Acts 8.38 Baptizing in much water is made an Emblem of abundance of grace and glory Rev. 1.5 6. tho some people chose a few Drops CHAP. XXVII Acts 16.14 15. 14. And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of Purple of the City of Thyatyra which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul 15. And when she was baptized and her household she constrain'd us to abide at her house I note That Lydia was a Merchant-woman a stranger in this country where she lived and in appearance a single Woman or unmarried because there is no mention of either husband or children as is usual where such are concerned nay she is named as principal not by a Husbands name but by her own name Lydia not as having an Husband nor in an Husbands business but her own a Soller which further clears that she had no husband nor children here where she lived Note her Speech Not in our House but in my House she properly calls it her House whereby it clearly appears the had no husband And why 〈◊〉 my should imagine she had children in her â—â—use is very strange and but a poor shift to bring in Infâ—â—t Sprinkling by but that she had a servant or two is probable because iâ— beâ—â—â—â— to her business of Trade and 〈…〉 â—ut for any to affirm that â—â—e had hâ—drâ—◠〈◊〉 the Text is altogether â—â—letâ— and leaing so much to the contrary much 〈…〉 〈◊〉 and except it be affirâ—â—â— shâ— had 〈◊〉 â—lso that they were not of maturiâ—â— â—â—d did not â—â—â—â—ve this Text will do Infant Spâ—â—kling no â—â—rvice For a supposition will not be sufficient ground to build a Church Ordinance upon at least when many Scriptures appear against it If thou believest thou may'st be baptizid was Philips terms to tho Eunuch and upon these terms Lydia's Servants might have right to baptism Again if Lydia had a husband in her Housal at her baptising t is strange that notice should be taken of the Wives baptizing and not of the Husbands nay if she had had a Huâ—band therein surely he would have been named and if no husband then why children Again If Lydia had a husband 't is strange that she should in description be described to be a Woman and not a Wise and that she belonged to such a city and not to such a person and that the Trade should pass in her name and not in her Husbands and that she was the Housekeeper not a Lodger Again Had Lydia had a Husband with her whereby a greater probability of children might arise it is very likely it would have been said That Lydia and her husband as well as Lydia and her Household or Lydia the Wife of such a Man and himself were baptized and their Houshold Judg. 4.4 or had she been a Widow to have been called so as the Woman of Sarepta to whom Elias was sent was called a Widdow Luke 6.26 And again Luke 7.12 The only Son of his Mother and she was a Widdow Moreover In all the forty Texts about baptism there is not one Child mentioned then why any should imagine that Lydia had any is strange for here is no more sign of Lydia having Children then there is of Pauls CHAP. XXVIII Acts 16.30 31 32 33 34 Paul and Sylas being cast into Prison an Earthquake comes the chains and Doors open and amazingly convicts the Jaylor who came trembling to them 30. And brought them out and said Sirs What must I do to be saved 31. And they said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house 32. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord and to all that were in his house 33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and his straight way 34. And when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them and rejoyced believing in God with all his house I Note That the Gospel was preached to all that were in his house and he and his received it and rejoyced believing in God with all his house And these that rejoyced believing are they that were baptized But if it be supposed that he had Children then 't is as supposable he had none and if supposed that they were baptized it can be only such mature children that the Text saith Rejoyced believing
Christs Name 1 Cor. 1.13 15. And again the only reason Paul gives for his not baptising is least any should say that I baptized in my own name and so set up for a party to my self and divide Christ's Church among principle Ministers and this he saith only to clear himself of Schism Again Pauls buisiness was chiefly to convert and other Ministers to baptize much like the Text John 4.2 Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples and so there is no doubt but the believing Corinthians were baptized tho' not all by Paul and so John 3.22 CHAP. XXXIV 1 Cor. 10.2 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea I Note That as when believers are baptised they publickly own Christ for their head leader so the chilâ—ren or people of Israel passing with the cloud before and behind them and through the Red Sea they publickly declared Moses to be their leader so it was to them the distinguishing Sign or Ordinance and that by God's Appointment they were all that obeyed the Lord by Moses to pass through the Sea Again There is also resemblance between dipping and being in the cloud and in the sea for in both the whole body is covereâ— the cloud was before Israel and behind and it rested upon them and they were in the cloud covered all over And the Sea also was a resemblance of dipping for as they went uâ—on the bottom of the Sea the waters were abundantly higher than their heads and therefore it may be said they were in the depth of the Sea or in a sense Dipt For they were in the middle and at the bottom tho' the waters were miraculously made to stand from their Bodies that they might not be drowned and Therefore and Apostle may say as this Apostle saith And were all bâ—ptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the Sea CHAP. XXXV 1 Cor. 12.13 13. For by one spirit we are all baptised into one body whether we be Jâ—w or Gentile whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one spirit I Note That the Spirit that accompanys the Preaching of the Gospel is one in all places and to all Persons that effectually believe and because of thus believing we believers were baptized into one Church The Bride the Lambs Wife part whereof were the visible Saints at Corinth to whom we were added by visible demonstration baptism whether we were servants or free all one all alike whether our Parents believing or unbelieving so the Person baptized were a believer and have been all partakers of the one Spirit in the one Body the Church through the Spirit and baâ—tism Love to the Brethren is from the oneness of that one Spirit of God and the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one Soul Acts 4.32 Again Infants are not concerned in this All baptized for Infants were not the Coâ—inthian Saints that this Epistle was writ to 1 Cor. 1.2 nor were Infants bond servants neither had Infants the comforts of the Spirit attending Faith in our Lord Jesus for that Spirit convinceth the world of sin and a soul of the want of a Saviour and also shews it the Christ that dyed not for his own sins but others An Infant cannot believe this Paul again numbereth himself among the believers and not among Infants CHAP. XXXVI 1 Cor. 1â— 29 20. Else what shâ—ll th y â—o whi h are baptized for the Dead If the Dead rise not at all why are they then bapâ—â—zeâ— for the deaâ— I Note That in â—his Chapter the Apostle is about to clear up the Resurrection of the dead and to do it takeâ— the baptising of the Saints upon theiâ— believing to be one good Argument for it and â—â—coâ—dingly argues thus The Saints baptiâ—m oâ— dipping â—o signify the Death of Christ rising again out of the Water to signify the resurrection of Christ would signify nothing if there was not indeed the Resurrection of the â—ody of Christ nor is to be indeed a Resurrection of the Saints of whom Christ's Body was the firâ—â— Fruits What signifies saith he to believers your being baptized into oâ— upon the Profession of the Faith of the Death and Resurrection of Christ if Christ did not die and rise again and if he arose again then in time shall be a Resurrection of them that are his the Bodies of the Saints being the purchase of the Blood of Christ as well as their Souls Again No Infants can be concerned in this Baptism because they could not be baptised for the dead they could not believe nor confess that Christ died rosâ— again That one dead risen Jesus should satisfy the demands of infinite Justice for thousands and millions of notorious Sinners chief of Sinners pall present to come of which his Resurrection being a discharge from the Prison of Death is a clear proof that he paid all the demands of injurest Justice CHAP. XXXVII Gal. 3.27 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ The Apostle in this Chapter is shewing that persons in a state of nature are under the Bondage soveraignty of the Law of Works the holy yet imperfect to justify a sinner Had there been a Law that could have given Life Christ needed not to have died But Saints by faith obedience are apparently Christ's Free-men I note that As many as have upon profession of the faith of the Gospel been Baptized have given a sign of being changed from expectations of Justification by the Works of the Law to an expectation of Justification by the Blood of Christ so from a state of nature to a state of grace that you Galathians have so declared your being baptized upon prof ssion of that Doctrine is a sufficient testimony thus he goes on expect not Justification by the Law begâ—n not in the spirit end in the flesh now Baptism hath publickly distinguished you from the world fight the good fight of Faith in the Son of God Again Infants never did put on Christ for they never did from a sense of a change in nature or faith in the Gospel desire Baptism but on the contrary are after their Sprinkling in a state of nature as every days experience proves by their signs of unregeneracy the continual pressing that preachers make to turn Again As a Noble man's Servant is put in his Lords Livery to be kn wn thereby so Believers Baptism is a piece of the Livery of the Lord Jesus CHAP. XXXVIII Eph. 5.4 4. One Lord one Faith one Baptism I note that As here is but one Baptism so it ought to be Continued as it was begun by Dipping of Believers for there is but one Baptism appointed as an Ordinance in the Church as for Sprinkling of Infants it is without any Example or order from Christ or his Apostles therefore that cannot be Baptism so that there being but one baptism that baptism
Texts together that mention that Truth there being many whereby one Text may expound another Query 10. Why should Infant Sprinklers by their Practice occasion pro and con about Baptism When one Text of forty about baptism will clearly prove that Gospel baptism is not Infant Sprinkling but believers Dipping Query 11. If Infants may be admitted Church Members because 't is believed some of them are in the covenant to be in future time effectually called by the Gospel to Salvation Then may not any ungodly persons be also admitted Church Members because some of them also are alike in the same Covenant to be in future time effectually called and saved Query 12. How can or doth Infants Sprinkling answer Christ's design of Believers Baptism for dividing between the Church and the World When experience and Scripture shews that the Infant Sprinkled Nations are grosly more World than Church even Strangers and Enemies to Regeneration tho all sprinkled Church-Members Query 13. Why should a Christian be blamed for obeying and defending forty New Testament Text of Scripture for Believers Baptism When all the Men that ever opposed it never shewed one Text that maketh any appearance for Infant Sprinkling Query 14. Who is most justinable he that shews his Obedience by many clear Texts of Scripture or he that sheweth his Practice by only sallacious Consequence and Presumptions Query 15. Will not a Christian do well to stand to the Doctrine of forty New Testament Texts tho' he be shot thro' and thro' with Ridiculous Speeches c. Query 16. Why should I be too much afraid of my weakness seeing my Case is true and Truth is strongest and like much Water hath always tendency to clear it self Query 17. Whether is it best to obey God as Revealed in his Word or obey Man as they Invent and Insult Query 18. If Parents Imagine that they may make their Infants Church Members by their Sprinkling them because it is no where expresly forbidden Then may they not do it by crouding any thing into the Worship of God that is not forbidden or by giving their Children some other odd thing That will be no abuse to Baptism Query 19. Tho' some groundlessly may be offended at this Treatise and catch at a word is it not the Offendeds Duty to act like a Christian by considering the Substance of what is said rather than Sophister like catch at a word to sophisticate the truth seeing every days experience shews that The greatest Clarks and Counsels have tript in a Word or Critricks have made them seem so to do Query 20. Why should a Christian take Infant Sprinkling for God's Ordinance when never any Man proved that God ordain'd it The Contents Christ and his Apost preach believers baptism p. 1. A new Creature hath aptness to Obedience p. 3. The four sorts of People that don't like it p. 4. Some Lovers of Christ dares be baptized p. 5. Christian Sprinklers left to their way = p. 5. Baptism is after Faith and Repentance p. 7.8 10 19 20 24 37 41 47. c. Baptizing is Dipping not Sprinkling p. 7.12 13 17 20 24 27 35 37. c. Baptizing in much water p. 28 36 37. Infants are not Church Members p. 8 47. Infants not baptised p. 29 31 33 47 48. Neither Believers Infants nor others sprinkled p. 9.18 21 22 29 30 31 32. c. An awakened soul sees no right by nature p 9 Repentance and baptism prepares for profession p. 10. Jesus was dipt and is our Example p. 11 17. Jesus chose and went miles to much water p. 11. Jesus had not Water brought to him p. 12. God approved obedience in much Water p. 12 24. Tho some reject yet others rece bapt p. 13 15 18.25 The Commission is to teach and baptise p. 14. Infant sprinkâ— makes all world no Church p. 14. Christ's presence promised to preaching bap p. 14. How dare some Ministers say In the Name p. 15. Election directeth not to Infant Sprink p. 16 22. God sanctifieth Man baptiseth p. 16. God accepts only what he hath appointed p. 18. Believing and baptism are joyned together p. 19. Sprinkling furthers not Infants Salvation p. 19. Never any believer hurt in baptising p 19. Believers baptm hath a Commsn but Insn none p. 19 Naaman advised to obey Gods Will p. 20 An Vnbelievers Child's baptism is null p. 22 Not Election but Believing give right to bapt p. 22 Duty excludes Infants from Baptism p. 23 The Learned own that baptize is dip p. 26 Baptised at Enou because of much water p. 28 None but Disciples were baptised p 29 Infant Sprinkling a Counterfeit to c. p. 29. Baptism is Commanded p. 30 37 They that gladly received â—he word baptised p. 31 As one so another is saved by grace p. 32 Not Covenant but Regen gives right to bap p. 32 Men and Women but â—o Infants baptisâ—d p. 33 Dr. H. Mr. B. sâ—id mâ—ch to little purpose p. 33 'T is foolery to dâ—ny that â—aptism was Dipping p. 35 'T is affronting to change Gods Ordinance p. 35 â—1 Baptism follows the sign of a change p. 36 Baptised with the Spirit fits for Water p. 37 Lydia had neither husband nor children p 38 39 The Jaylor had no Infants p. 40 Believers baptism is no Rebaptism p. 42 Baptism is â—a sign of washing from sin p. 43 Much water is an Emblem of Grace p. 43 Baptism a sign of death burial Resurrect p. 44 48 Paul did baptise several p. 45 Baptised in the Cloud and Sea p. 46 Baptised into one body p. 47 Baptised for the dead excludes Infants p. 48 Not Infants but believers put on Christ p. 49 There 's but one baptism that 's dipping believers p. 50 Believers baptism figureth 4 things p. 50 Sprinkling is a profanation of baptism p. 50 Dipping shews Christs Death and Refurrect p. 51 Several Metephors explain baptism = p. 51 Baptism is a foundation Doctrine p. 52 The Church robb'd of her Names c. p 52 Noahs Flood a Figure of baptism p. 53 Baptism is a sign of sanctification p. 53 The Persons and Mode of Baptising p. 54.55 How Infant sprinkling came in fashion p. 56 Nine Evil Tendencies of Infant Sprinkling p. 57 Objections Answered = p. 58 59 60.61 Difference between sprinkling baptising p. 62 c. Infant sprinklers makes self-contradiction p. 67 A sight of a believer at baptising p. 68 Of Reproaches and Sufferings p. 69 The dignity of the Lord Jesus p. 70 Likeness between grace and much wat. p. 71 to 74 Humaene Frailty hindereth not baptism p. 75 Believing is qualification for baptism p. 75 Gentility hindereth not baptism p. 76 A Persecutor called and baptised p. 76 A Proclamation for all to come p. 77 Believers admitted in a way of Faith p. 77 Twenty Quereis for Baptism = p. 78 79 80 Errata p. 5. l. 1. s the sinner r. this sinner p. 16. l. 33. f. sc p. 27. r. se p. 26. p. 27. l. 31. r. counted p. 33. l. 34 r. of hardness p. 36. l. 1. r. Acts 9.17.18 p. 36 l. 4. f. if it had r. it had p. 51 l. 29 f. up r. upon l. 30 f. they r. so they f. up r. upon p. 62 l. 29 f. which r. after which Advertsement At London are many larger Treatises of Believers Baptism which I shall willingly help the inquisitive to or to these
VII Mat. 21.25 26 27. 25. The Baptism of John whence was it from Heaven or of Men And they reasoned among themselves saying if we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did ye not then believe him 26. But if we shall say of Men We fear the People for all hold John a Prophet 27. And they answered Jesus and said we cannot tell I Note That some Men tho in the days of Christ disowned the Doctrine of baptism upon Repentance and John the first Preacher and Administrator of it Because there was as they thought a peculiar saving Priviledge unalterably annexed to the Children of Abraham tho when grown up were impenitent Joh. 8.33 but it was but a pharasaical thought Many that are not in love with Christ discover it by not being in love with his Ordinance for his sake And some again are willing their own Invention may serve for his Ordinance And it appears John 2.23 that this baptism of John was in much Water and therefore he abode and preached in a place near much Water but if a little Water would have done then he might have Travel'd and Preached and Sprinkled in the Hill Countrey all over the Land but to baptize or Dip he must be where is much Water and therefore abode at Enon a place by the River Iordan because there was much Water there Behold our Jesus indisputation sheweth that Diping after repentance is from heaven but Sprinkling before signs of Repentance is of Man's invention CHAP. VIII Matth. 28.19.20 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptiking them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the World Amen I Note That here is the Commission of Believers Baptism given by our Lord Iesus Christ King of Saints and Law-giver to his Church And that the Ministers of his Gospel are to preach first upon the success of their Ministâ—y baptize only those who believe the Gospel Therefore unless Infants hear the Word preached and become thereby convinc't of sin and the excellency of a Saviour they are not within the reach of the commission for baptism but that Infants do not do and therefore they that sprinkle or baptize before preaching set up their own folly against the wisdom of God by doing the last first just contrary to the Commission Moreover to baptize either Infants or Men or Women before they believe is to make all seem Church and no World or rather continue all World and make no visible Church but our Saviour will have a Church out of the World And therefore he saith to his Church Ioh. 15.19 I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hates you and accordingly believers are appointed to be baptized to distinguish them from the World See more pag. 15. Again This promise of Christ's presence with his people is upon condition of observing the method of baptizing after preaching for preserving his visible Church from mixing with Unbelievers CHAP. IX Mark 1.4 5. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins 5. And there went out to him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the River of Iordan confessing their sins I Note that this Evangelist also relates that baptism was administred not at a river but in a rivâ—â— by dipping of persons that went out not carried out and upon confession of sins which Infants cannot do Again Tho the Pharisees that thought they knew the Law did not receive Baptism yet God found a people that did upon confession of sins and therefore let not us that are sincere for Christ and his Gospel be afraid of the reproach of some Ecclesiastical Persons but value the love of God for the text saith Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulitrous and sinful Generation c. Mark 8.38 Matth. 10.32 Again I wonder how the Infant Sprinkling Ministers dare say In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost I baptize thee c. When they do but Rantize or Sprinkle and not Baptize or Dip. If they will sprinkle in some bodies name and not in their own it is then to my understanding more proper and safe for them to say In the Name of the Fathers Popes and religious Men I spriâ—kle thee according to the declared Will of the Milevetan Council in this case It is our Will that c. and of the 5th Council of Carthage An. 416. We will that c. but this is not God's Will and then they 'l put no fallacy upon God's Ordinance of baptism nor speak untruth in the name of the Trinity And let me here speak directly to some Christians that are for Infant Sprinkling what tho you believe personal Election is there therefore a necessity that you must sprinkle your Infants believing that that election runs only in your Line by natural Generation Tho it may be you can say as a great many can That truly I do not know whether there be another christian of my Generation or no for they all by their Lives discover Ignorance and Unbelief of the Lord Iesus or at most make but a Laodiccan profession and then my brethren what incouragement have you to reckon that Election will run to your Generation after you and that your Infants should be sprinkled Moreover personal election is a secret residing only in God then how can you personally apply Election before their personal believing Furthermore election gives no right to baptism until the elect person be taught or called according to the commission of preaching baptizing God's order of working about the salvation of a sinner is God elects and his Ministers calls and the spirit going with the Word regenerates and upon that comes a bending to obedience and profession Or thus God elects and Man preaches and then God regenerates and Man baptiseth God works first First Is the decree of salvation 2dly The publishing of it 3dly The change made in the soul 4thly The sign thereof and a profession which by the will of God ought to be done by dipping see p. 27. as a lively Emblem of cleansing in the merits of Christ the River of Water of Life As God in order of time hath placed Election before Sanctification so he hath placed teaching before baptizing CHAP. X. Mark 1.9 10 11. 9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 10. And straight way coming up out of the Water he saw the Heavens opened and the Spirit like a Dove descending upon him 11. And there came a Voice from Heaven saying thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased I Note That the Evangelist Mark as well as
must be Dipping of Believers The nature and end of the Ordinance proves That Baptizing is Dipping and not Sprinkling First To be a sign of the Covenant on Gods part viz. Of washing away of sin cleansing the whole man like the cleansing in the Law Lev. 15.5 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 Secondly To Figure out the Covenant on man's part that he thereby visibly declares to enter into viz. to die to sin and live to Christ in newness of Life by that figurative Death Burial and Resurrection by being put under the water Raised up again Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.11 12 13. Thirdâ—y To separate the Church from the World Fourthly To convince the Baptised that they are engaged by their own act of Baptism as their laying their hands to the â—low to hold out to the end Therefore Infant Sprinkling must be an invention of worldly wise men whose wisdom is foolishness with God and so it is a profanation of the holy Ordinance of Baptism and only Will Worship like Vzza's touching the Ark of God 2 Sam. 6.6 when another way of service was prescribed Numb 4.6 CHAP. XXXIX Col. 2.12 12. Buried with him Christ in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him c. I note that Baptism is a Burying in the Water and a rising again out of the Water whereby the baptized shew that Christ was buried and arose again Or thus That as the baptized tho buried in the Water riseth again so Christ tho buried in the Earth did not lye long but arose again But sprinkling cannot be this sign of being Buried and risen A man above-ground cannot be said to be buried because he hath a little Dust thrown in his face neither can Sprinkling be a sign of burying with Christ Several Scripture Metaphors explain Baptizing to be Dipping When Persons are over-whelmed in great suferings they are said to be baptized therein Mat 20.22 23. Luke 12.5 When they have great measures of the spirit they are said to be baptized with the spirit Acts 1.5 When the Children of Israel were covered with a Cloud and the Sea on both sides they were then said to be Baptized in the Sea and in the Cloud 1 Cor. 10.2 with Exod. 14.12 When Ashur had the promised blessing of great plenty he is said to have his feet dipt in Oyl As the ignorant World lays up a human Faith or inherent Holiness they also lay up a Human Baptism or Infant Sprinkling And as Saints have many things of self continually apt to put in with Christs perfection so somethings do mingle with their duties and one is Infant Sprinkling CHAP. XL. Heb. 6.1 2. 1. Not laying again the foundation of Repentance from dead Works of faith towards God 2. Of the Doctrine of Baptism and laying on of Hands and of the Resâ—rrection of the Dead and of eternal Judgment I note that Baptism was a Doctrine left in charge to the Church and that it follows in order in the Third place after Repentance Faith and that it is here reckoned a Foundation Principal Then any with Wonderment may say who dares move this Foundation that the Father Son and Spirit have thus laid for Believers they only being capable to enter into a Visible Covenant with Jesus Christ for Baptism is an Ordinance for the Solemnization of the Soul 's Visible Marriage Union with Christ Mark 16.16 Acts 8.36 Gal. 3.27 Other Foundations can no man lay then what is already laid The man of sin the Mistery of iniquity the great Whore of Babylon hath robbed the Church of Christ of the names of her Ordinances and put them upon her Whorish Inventions that she may deceive the Nations therewith Again Sprinkling will not serve instead of Dipping because it is a sin to alter what God our most wise Soveraign hath appointed in his Worship Isa 24.5 Obedience is better than Sacrifice do as you are bid CHAP. XLI 1 Pet 3.20 21. 20 Noah whiâ—e the Ark was preparing wherein fâ—w that is right Souls were sav'd by water 21. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jeâ—us Christ. I note that A Believer by being baptized is obedient to God's Will as Noah was obedient in building the Ark and going into it to his saving Again Baptism saith Peter doth now save us by the Resurrection of Christ which is as to say our believers baptism being our answer of a good coâ—science towards God is a sign of our Sanctâ—fication and so Dipping being an effect of our Sanctification doth now save us by the power of the eternal Spirit that wrought that sanctification which Sanctification is the qualification for heaven and so we are kept sanctified by the mighty power of God to Salvation began and continued by Christ's satisfaction of which his Resurrection was a sign Again Noah by Water dyed to the old world and lived to the new as the baptized believer dies to sin wherein he once delighted and lives to Righteousness or thus dead to the sufficiency of the Law upon which he once depended alive to the sufficiency of Christ Again There is also a â—ind of likeness between Noah's Flood the water of Baptism bâ—cause both is much Water Again The Apostle saying saved by water seems as it were a pointing at the Text He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved The Conclusion respecting the Persons that are to be Baptized Now I have noted oâ—â—â—out â—orty Texts concerning Baptism wâ—erein are variety of persons mentioned as Jerusâ—â—â—n anâ— all Judea and all the Râ—gion rounâ— about Jorâ—â—n that confest their sins Jâ—sus himself Jesus made and baptized more Discip es than John Three Thousand Souls that gladly received the Word And they of Samaria believing Philip were baptized both Men and Women the Eunuch Paul They that received the Holy Ghost Lydia the Jaylor and they that believed of their Houshold Crispus Corinthians hearing believed Epesians that were baptized by John Romans Gains Stephanus believing Corinthians Galathians Epesians Collosians Hebrews and those that have the answer of a good conscience Whereby â—elivers Baptism is clearly proved And I find not one word command nor example throughout the New Testament for Infant Sprinkling or Baptizing before signs of Repentance tho here are so many sorts of persons mentioned described and named yet no Infant Whereby Believers Baptism must of necessity be indeeâ— the Ordinance required by the Lord Jesus If the Authority of forty New Testament Texts is not convincing and swaying with those that would live Godly or be reputed Christians I know not what Argument will Where Scripture will not prevail people will remain in unbelief Tho one rise from the dead The Conclusion respecting the Mode or manner of Baptism John the Baptist according to his Commission baptized in the Riâ—â—r Jordan Mat. 3 4. Jesas came from Gallilâ—e to the River Jordan to
National Church was once of divine appointment but neither now 2 Cor. 5.17 Obj. 16. Three thousand persons could not be dipt in one day therefore they were sprinkled Answ No Three thousand may be almost if not altogether as soon Dipt as Sprinkled and there was about four-score Preaching Disciples to do the Work Obj. 17. There is as much command for Infants bapt as for Womens pâ—rtaking of the Lord's Supper Answ No there is not for it is said 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man c. The Greek word here is of the common Gender and includes both Sexes Consider Acts 1.13 Gen. 2.17 Obj. 18. The Promise is to the Seed of Believers Acts 2.39 Answ The promise here intended was that if the Holy Ghost in Joel 2.32 which they might expect and also their posâ—erity and the Gentiles upon their effectual Calling So that their believing is upon their Calling which may be their bâ—ptism Obj. 19. Children of Believers have habitual faith Answ The whole â—ible doth not afford one word of habitual Faith in Infants 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 10.14 17. Matth. 3.7 8 9. Obj. 20. If the Root be holy then are the branches Answ Saints do not beget saints John 3.6 John 1.13 Gen. 4.1 believers are created in Christ Jesus He is the Root Col. 2.7 Eph. 2.10 He is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 Obj. 21. Baptism is the Seal of the Covenant Answ You Seal without God's Seal or Directions and can no where find his Approbation or Covenant Priviledge thereby Isa 1.10 to 20. Obj. 22. Some Children are in the Covenant c. Answ What then Christ and his Apostles knew that as well as you but yet never sprinkled them 2dly You know not which are more than others 3dly Why may not you put the Lord's Supper upon them too Obj. 23 Necessary and unavoidable Consequences will prove Infant Baptism Answ We could never yet see these Necessary and unavoidable Consequences and it is impossible that any man that hath not before-hand heard of Infant Sprinkling should ever find it by reading the Scriptures but believers baptism is there apparent Whether is best to ground our Faith upon a positive command or a supposed consequence Lastly Let men say what they will by way of Objection yet unless they can take out of the New Testament the Texts about Baptism these Texts will continually as great Guns be battering down Infant Sprinkling as a Rampart of that great City Mâ—stery Babylon Precept and Practice in about forty Texts of Scripture for â—â—â—â—â—â—ers 〈◊〉 is a sufficient Answer to any Objection The differences between Believers Baptism and Infants Sprinkling 1. God hath promised that he that Believeth and is Baptised shall be saved Maâ—k 16.16 But there 's no promises annâ—xed to Infant Sprinkl 2. There is a lively similitude between believers being buried in the Water rising again and Christs Death Burial and resurrection Rom. 6 4. But Infant Sprinkling shews no likeness to either 3. Believers Bapâ—ised are entereâ— into a prescribed way of Saâ—vation profession Visible Sanctification or a holy Life and so are likely to be saved John 5.24 But Infants Spriâ—kled are not but remain as they were by nature Children of Wrath Eph. 2.3 4. Believers Baptised Love God and keep his Commandeme t s John 14 15. But Infants Sprinkled do not Love God nor keep his Commandments 5. Teaching Repenting Beliâ—ving before Baptising is Christs command Mat. â—8 18 19. But Sprinkling of Infants is mâ—ns command 6. â—aptizing believers is bâ—ptizing Christians But baptizi g Iâ—fants is not 7. Believers baptism hath no contradictions attending the Practiâ—e of 〈◊〉 But Infâ—â—t Sprink ing â—aâ—h many Contradiâ—tions 1. Mâ—ny â—iniâ—ters assert thâ—t sprinkling is a Tokâ—n 〈◊〉 preâ—ent Reg ne ation tho thâ—n nor in after time aâ—y sigâ—s of a Change in Nature appears in the Inâ—anâ— 2. A Sign of Death Burial Resurrection tho they do not dip bury raise again but sprinkle 3. Protestants Sâ—perate from Rome as the fâ—lse Church and yet some own Popih Priests Sprinkling effectual Baptism as into one the same Church 4. Some profess that there is no falling from Grace onâ—e received and that that Grace is in an Infant Sprinkled Yet they afterwards teach for their Conversion and in case of signs of final unbelief reject them 8. Believers baptised of right come to the Lord's Table Asts 2.41 42. But Infants sprinkled come neither right nor wrong 9. Believers Baptism hath a commission a command Mat. 28.18 19. Acts 10.46 47 48. But Infant Sprinkling hath neither 10. Believers Bapt hath Scripture Examples But Infant Sprinkling hath none 11. Believers Baptism was preached by Christ and his Apostles as part of the Counsel of God Luke 7.30 Heb. 3 6. Acts 20.27 But Infant Sprinkling never was 12 Believers baptism was owned by God his Son Jesus and the holy Spirit visibly descending from Heaven Mat. 3.16 But Infants Sprinkling never was so owned 13. Believ bapt is upon their Acting Faith But Infants act no Faith 14. Believers baptized have the Answer of a good Conscience But Infants have not 15. Believâ—rs Baptism may be sealeâ— with Martyrâ—om because warranted by Gods Word But Infants Sprink ing may not because not so 16. Believers Baptisâ— was the Publican's glorifying God Luke 7.29 But Infants Sprinkling never was so 17. Believers Baptism if rejected 't is the rejecting the Counsel of God and against themselves Luke 7.30 But not so of Infant Sprinkling 18. Believers baptism agrees with all Scripture But Iâ—fants Sprinkling agrees with none 19. Believ Bapt directs to much water Joh 3.23 But Infants Sprinkling hath but little 20. To baptize Believers is to keep the Ordinances as they were delivered 1 Cor. 11.2 But to sprinkle Infants is to take that which never was delivered 21. To baptize Believers is no change of God's Ordinance But to sprinkle Infants is 22. Believers baptized upon their own Faith are in the right way to salvation John 10.28 But Infants sprinkled upon the Faith of another are not in the right way 23. Believers baptism is its being an Act of the Judgment Choice Will and Affections to Worship God John 4.24 But Infant Sprinkling is not so 24. Believers Bapiâ—sm hath the best Antiquity to plead being as Old as John Baptist Christ and his Apostles But Infant Sprinkling hath started up since 25. All those who sprinkle Infants do confess that believers were baptiz'd by the Apostles But all those who baptize believers only do deny that any Infants were baptized by the Apostles 26. Believers dipt know they were baptiz'd But Infants don't know they were sprinkled 27 They that baptize believers are sure that there is a Faith professed by them But 't is otherways of Sprinkling Infants 28. Believers baptised act in Obedience But Infants sprinkled act not at all 29. Believers baptism hath no absurdities in 't But Infant Sprinkling hath several Viz. 1. That Regeneration may be apparent before calling 2. hat Church-membership before conversions a duty 3.
That one may be baptized by anothers faith 4. That National Churches are more agreeable to the Gospel than Congregationâ—l 5. That a carnal Seed hath a spiritual Right 6. That aâ— Antichristian hath Authority to administer Christian Baptism 30. Of believers baptism God will not say Who hath required these things at your hands But of Infant Sprinklirg he may say so 31. Believers Baptism will stand as long as God's Word stands because supported thereby Matth. 5.18 But Infant Sprinkling must fall for want of it 32. Believers baptized do believe repent examine themselves make judgment of things love one another take up Christ's Cross Watch and Pray c. and therefore are fit Members of a Gospel Church â—ut Infants sprinkled do not do so and are not fit 33. Believers baptism hath God's word for it But Infant Sprinkl hath only human consequence 34. That bâ—lievers were baptised by the Apostles all Christians may affirm But that Infants were sprinkled by them none can 35. In Believers Baptism when the Minister dippeth and saith I baptize thee c. he speaketh Truth But in Infants sprinkling when the Minister sprinkleth and saith I baptize thee c. he speaketh an untruth at least 36. Believers baptized are taught of God and made his Disciples Mat. 28.18 Acts 15.10 But Infants sprinkled are neither 37. To Believers baptism submitted the L. Jesus But to Infants Sprinkling never any like him 38. Believers baptism introduceth no Error nor false Doctrine into the world But Infant sprinkliâ—g introduceth many Errors 1. That it taketh away Original sin 2. That it worketh grace and regeneration 3. That it effects salvation by the work done 4. That it is an Apostolical Tradition 5. That Infants have Faith 6. That Infants are Dâ—sciplâ—s of Christ 7. That only believers children are in Covenant 8. It polluteth the Church with Mingling the World and Church together 9. Many deceitful and crafty Inventions of Antichrist as Gossips Bishoping Crossings c. 10. It hath made contention in the Church 11. It hath caused the bloodshed of Saints Christian People's Self-Contradiction by Infant Sprinkling T Is strange that a people my Brethern in oâ—her Doctrines that have proved and contended for the Scriptures to be the only Rule of Faith and worship and in other cases wi l say where is it written should be fond of Infant Sprinkling for which they cannot find in Scripture any word Command nor Example for to give it the Reputation of a Church Ordinance I profess I must give away my Understanding if I consent to a Scriptureless Ordinance under the Name of a Scripture Ordinance Never lâ—t me nor other Christians pretend to bear a Testimony to the Truth by suffering Persecution if Scripture must not be my Rule of Understanding and Faith take away this and take all I have or all themselves have said in order to Christianity or relating to Regeneration and Salvation Can any Man speak against Popery or Superstition that will form a Principall Ordinance in the Church without Scripture Authority for it 't is self Contradiction so to do 'T is but pulling down one Babel and Building another Let him that would find the truth of Baptism search the Scriptures and there he may find that 't is believers Dipping A sight of a Believer at Baptizing When you see a believer at baptising you may know that Now he devides the time of his Life that whereas from his birth to this time of his Baptism he lived without giving this Gospelly appointed Sign of Believing in the Lord Jesus But now he will live so no longer He till now lived as the Ignorant Infant sâ—rinkled World that gives no signs of special believing by special obedience to this call of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel But now the Believer is baptized that of choice in obedience and according to his Lord Jesus's requirement he declares to every body that he is a believer a believer in the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus to save and that he will no longer live as the Unregenerate do without the further Sign of his Faith by his Gospel Obedience But will as you see by baptism divide the Time of his l fe that he may now say let the time pâ—st suâ—â—â—e for a vain Coâ—verâ—â—tion a careless fearful anâ— disobedient Conversation And may also from this time say the life that I â—â—w live is by Faith in the Son of God My baptism upon beliâ—ving is a doing that the Gospel requires for a beginning of a Visibility of this â—ife of Faith undergoing the Reproach of the world for the sake of my Lord the â—ying Jesus of Nazareth our exalted Saviour Of Reproaches and Sufferings HIstorâ— affords Relations of many people in all Ages since the first plantat on of the Gospel that have suffer'd Contempt Reproach Scandal Lyes disgrace cruâ—ll â—â—ocâ—ings misery Imprisonment Death and puâ—â—ick Maâ—tyrdom â—ot only for the saâ—e of profâ—ssing the Doctâ—iâ—es of the Gospel in general but in paâ—ticular for the Doctrinâ— of believ rs Baptism And that which seems more strange is that those Men who have been the most bitter Enemies to the purity of the Gospel have in all Ages been persons not slighting or dispising Religion but those that have made great pretentions to Religion all of the same Spirit as were the Scribes and Pharisees that under a show of Sanctity lamented the sufferings and Death of the Prophets and paid a kind of Devotion to the place where they were laid and built their Sepulchers and yet as their Fathers did so did they still go on with Persecution And ever since the severe minded People upon account of Religion have been the Priestly People Nay what is worse a Reformed People have been as Ridgid as the former Behold a Wonder a Bush burning and not consumed Exod. 3.3 and Moses said I will turn aside and set this great sight c. God's lively Emblem of the Aflicted Persecuted Church of Christ The Dignity of the Lord Jesus that Baptised Believers obey The Mighty Jesus is the God man saith God the Father The Man that is â—y Fellow Zach. 13. 7. His Name shall be called the wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace Isaiah 9.6 Who is the Iâ—age of the Invisible God the first born of every Creature Col. 1.15 16 17 18 19 20. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him He is before all things and by him all things consist And he is the head of the Body the Church who is the beginning the first born from she dead that in all things he might have the preheminence For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Beware lest
Matthew is imployed by the Holy Spirit of God to let us know That our Lord Jesus Christ at Man's Estate submitted to dipping notwithstanding the Dignity of his Person being God manifest in the Flesh Immanuel God with us behold this mighty person bears a Testimony too and puts a glory upon baptizing or dipping of visible Saints by being himself baptized in the River Jordan at Thirty years of Age Luke 3.23 If God hath appointed Dipping why should Man pretend to sprinkle as if Man was wiser than his Maker or had a Soveraignty over God's Worship I think none but Papists claims that Prerogative tho others practice it But sensible Christian do thou choose believers Dipping and reject Infant Sprinkling For the Lord Jesus chose to be so baptized and He hath dignity and soveraignty to command thy Obedience and this sort of Obedience even believers baptism in much water CHAP. XI Mark 11.30 30. The Baptism of Iohn was it from Heaven or of Men Answer me I Note That also the Evangelist Mark mindeth that our Saviour himself put the Question for us that profess believers baptism Was it from Heaven or of Men This Question being close to the point pusled the great Men of that Day that opposed Dipping so that they seemed to stand as it were speechless therefore our Saviour closes upon them again saying Answer me Answer the Question And then they set their carnal Reason to work to find out some sophistical Answer and preserve their Reputation among the People and the Learnedst Answer that they could find was a subtil one We cannot tell See their Policy in the Text And they reasoned with themselves not with the Scriptures if we shall say from Heaven he will say Why then did ye not believe him If we shall say of Men they feared the People would be in a rage for pretending to Divinity and yet deny Dipping a Heavenly Institution for all men counted that John was a Prophet indeed and they answer'd and said unto Jesus We cannot tell c. Mark 11.31 32 33. And thus our Lord Jesus shews That Dipping after signs of Repentance is an undeniable Doctrine God will accept nothing in his Worship but what he hath appointed and that 's sufficient to constrain me to submit to the great Gospel Ordinance of believers baptism tho many cannot tell CHAP. XII Mark 16.15 16. 15. And he said unto them go ye unto all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned I Note That this Promise he that believeth is baptised shall be saved seems to carry a great force in being baptised as well as in Believing But unquestionably it carries that believing is essential to saving and it is to go before baptizing and not baptizing before believing for that is just contrary to the Text Man's Will for God's Heb. 11.6 John 4.23 Believing and baptizing you see are joyned in the Text and therefore what God hath joyned together let no man put asunder And were it indeed that Infants were dipp'd which is the right Mode of baptizing it would not further their salvation they not belitving God having reserv'd the way of their salvation as a secret peculiar to himself even by the unsearchable Riches of Christ Then how can Infants have any thing to do with Baptism for Baptism here in the Commission is not annexed to a natural birth but to Preaching believing Again To secure dipping from supposed danger all the World in the Text signifieth cold Countries as well as hot and the Promise Lo I am with you preserves yea I never heard of any believer that had hurt in Baptizing Again Here 's a Commission for believers baptism but where is any Commission for Infant Sprinkling And they that act in the Kings Name without's Commission are invaders of the Kings prerogative Royal and instead of obeying they set themselves in the Throne CHAP. XIII Luke 3.2 3. 2. The word of God came unto John c. 3. And he came into all the Country about Jordan preaching the baptism of Repentance for the remission of Sins I Note That the Evangelist Luke also bears a Testimony to believers baptism upon signs of repentance and not to Infants nor sprinkling for they can give no signs nor can a little water serve for in the text it was done in a River Consider God's â—anger with Israel for among other things changing his Altar of Earth Stone or chittim wood into an Altar of Brick Isa 65.2 3. but Infant sprinklers say Why is not Sprinkling as good as Dipping seeing it will as well represent the thing signifyed by Baptism But that 's their mistake and God can tell best Why not and 't is best for us to obey and Dip when God saith Dip. So Naaman the Assyrian thought that God's choice and order was too precise and that therefore another place was better as now of Infant sprinkling some think t is better than believers baptism Said Naaman Are not Abana and Pharpar Rivers of Damascus better than all the Waters of Iâ—rael May I noâ— wash in them and be clean So he â—â—rned and went away in a rage but his servants advised him to obey 2 Kings 5.12 No repenting no baptiziâ—g If the Question be put Tho is to be baptized Why the answer is He that repenteth For the Gospel is to be preached only to such as are capable of believing and repenting and consequently of being baptised there upon Again Iohn preached in all the Country near the River because of much water CHAP. XIV Luke 3.7 8. 7. Then said he to the Multitude that came forth to be baptized of him O generations of Vipers who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore Fruits worthy of Repentance and begin not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our Father for I John say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up Children unto Abraham I Note That being the natural Children of believing Parents tho grown persons doth not intitle them to this holy Ordinance for God is able by his Spirit in the Call of the Gospel to raise up Children unto Abraham and as he was counted the Father of the Faithful so his Children of the promise must be believers for of the Race of the Gentiles as we in England are we cannot be the seed of Abraham but as we are believers and faithful and so Abraham becomes our Father and then comes in our claim to the promise to Abraham and to his Children And accordingly hear Iohn the Baptist rejects natural generation and calls for regeneration Fruit c. for 't is not Abraham to our Father but believing that gives right to baptism Moreover every days experience teacheth us that tho multitudes of Infants are sprinkled yet but few very few of them when at maturity shew signs of Faith and Repentance And on