125. That as no Person might eat of the Passover before Circumcised even so no unbaptized may eat of the Lords-Supper and that the Baptized and Vnbaptized ought not to joyn together in the Lords-Supper p. 126 12 d The Anabaptists Objection That Water-Baptism was lost answered p. 128. The Anabaptists Doctrine concerning the State of the Jewish Church answered p. 133. Gen. 17. 7. Exod. 19. 5 6. Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. proved to be no part of the Covenant of Works p. 133 to 161. B. Keach's Assertion That God hath quite pulled down the State of the Jewish Church and turned all Infants out of doore refuted p. 162 to 170. Baptism Anatomized OR A Seasonable Discourse concerning the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism Open'd and Explain'd in Five Queries Query 1. WHAT Water-Baptism is according to the true Sense and Meaning of the Word one Scripture opening another together with the Manner how it was Administred by the Apostles on the Primitive Christians Query 2. To what end Water-Baptism was ordained by the Lord Jesus in these last days of the Gospel Query 3. What is that by Scripture evidence that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Query 4. Who are they that the Lord Jesus hath ordained in his Gospel to the Worlds end to be the Administrators of Water-Baptism Query 5. Whether it be Lawful for any Man to Baptize himself Wherein is also shewed that from such an Administrator the Anabaptists successively received their new way of Rebaptizing of Adult Persons only and the Reasons disproved as they have exerted it Now Published as an answer to the several Pamphlets sent to several Persons by the Anabaptists in Penny Post Letters and other Books as Gold refined and also a Solemn Call or Challenge by Phillip Cary to any Person that will appear to vindicate the Right of Infants Baptism Therefore There is a time to keep Silence and a time to Speak saith Solomon The Summ of these Queries were delivered to one Benjamin Keach by one that the Anabaptists pressed with Arguments to be Rebaptized and not to have her Children Baptized In answer to these Queries a Book Intituled Gold Refin'd was offered by Benjamin Keach with this Message That it was an Answer to the aforesaid Queries But being examined and found too light in the Ballance of Gods Word to maintain that which it asserteth against Infant-Baptism Therefore what Benj. Keach says in the aforesaid Book relating to these Queries is here incerted and answered To the first Query What Baptism is according to the true Sense and Meaning of the Word one Scripture opening another together with the manner how it was administred by the Apostles on the Primitive Christians B. Keach saith in Page 33. of his Book Entituled Gold Refin'd That the Baptized were always Dip'd all over in Water and certain it is no Baptism at all if not so administred The only Proof he brings is the Learned in the Tongues say The word for Water-Baptism in the Original signifieth so So his Proof is not from Heaven but from Men Learned Men in the Tongues Answ Our last Translation Mr. Henry Ainsworth as well as others Learned in the Tongues saith is the well amended Translation in which written Word of God we find three several kinds of Baptism viz. the Baptism of Water Acts 10. 47. the Baptism of the Spirit Matt. 3. 11. and the Baptism of Suffering Mark 10. 39. Yet saith the Apostle There is one Faith and one Baptism Eph. 4. 5. by the word one Baptism expressed by one and the same word from the Original hath one and the same Sense in the Meaning or Signification of the word Baptism in the Administration thereof in all which the Persons Baptized with Water or with the Spirit or with Suffering are Passive So that when the word for Baptism is rightly understood in its true Sense and Meaning in the manner of Administration all three Baptisms they will agree in one and therefore we say with the Prophet Isaiah 49. 4 My judgment is with the Lord and they that speak not according to this word Isaiah 8. 20. there is no light in them Now according to this word the true Sense of the word Baptism is as followeth To begin with Water-Baptism the Apostle would not have the Primitive Christians Ignorant how that all our Fathers were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea together with the manner in the Administration of this Water-Baptism by the Lord himself that it was by pouring out Water on the Israelites whom the Apostle calleth our Fathers out of the Clouds as saith the Psalmist Psalm 77. 17 18 19 20. The Clouds poured out water or the Clouds were poured forth with Water Thy way is in the Sea and thy paths in the great waters Thou leddest thy People like a Flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron Now it is to be believed that the Apostle Paul who had the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2. 16. was not inferior for Learning in the Tongues to any Learned Man since his days who hath given his Sense concerning the signification of the word Baptism to be understood with its natural signification from or by the manner of Israels Baptism in the Sea or where they passed where the Sea or Water had been on dry foot Exod. 14. 22. 29. by the Clouds pouring forth Water on them So that the true signification of the word Baptism by the Apostle Paul's Determination is a pouring or casting Water on the Persons Wash'd or Baptized And to confirm this not by Humane Authority but by the Testimony of God in his Word that as John came Baptizing with Water even so by the same term of words in the Baptism of the Spirit it is written They shall be Baptized with the Spirit Acts 1. 5. Thus we see the manner or meaning of the word Baptize with Water or with the Spirit as it is written Isaiah 32. 15. Until the Spirit be poured on us from on high not the Person dip'd in the Spirit And again saith the Lord Joel 2. 28. I will pour out my Spirit on all Flesh for John truly Baptized with Water but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost by pouring out on Persons agreeing in one sense By all which it appeareth that at Israel were Baptized with Water when they stood in the Sea so called because it was the place where the Sea or Water had been on dry ground when the Water out of the Clouds was poured forth on them and the Water of the Sea was a Wall on each side Thus they were Baptized with Water as the Apostles were Baptized with the Holy Ghost or Spirit when poured out on them Therefore John when he Baptized Baptized with Water that was by casting or pouring Water on the Persons So then as we are commanded not to lean to our own understanding Prov. 3. 5. but to believe Gods Word in
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
its explaining its own meaning wherein one and the same Sense in the manner of the Administration of Water-Baptism and Spiritual Baptism must when rightly understood agree in one as afore proved Again as to the quantity of Water in pouring it on the Person in Baptism God hath not limited but left free keeping to the manner by pouring and no otherwise is Gods way in the Spiritual Baptism limited for some have a greater measure of the Spirit than others poured on them For although the whole Church is Baptized by one Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 13. yet There are differences of Adminstrations 1 Cor. 12. 5. some more and some less as it pleaseth the Administrator thereof the Lord Jesus Agreeable hereunto are we to understand the word Baptism by Suffering Col. 1. 24. Heb. 13. 15. 34. Isaiah 51. 14. Rev. 1. 9. one suffereth Reproaches and loss of Goods others the two former and Imprisonment others all the three former and Banishment others all the former and loss of Life also Now he that suffereth but Reproaches for the Name of Christ or loss of Goods or Imprisonment or Banishment who dare say he partaketh not of the Baptism of Suffering because he suffereth not loss of Life also Now than the Error to be reproved is limiting and confining the word Baptism to one strict Sense to Dip and in truth contrary to the Sense in the manner of the Administration in the three Baptisms determined by Gods word when as 't is clear the word Baptism signifieth a pouring of the Spirit and so in Water-Baptism a pouring of Water on the Person and not a dipping the whole Body in Water which as aforesaid is particularly by the Anabaptists affirmed and asserted if not so done to be no Baptism at all Their Reason is they say The word in the Original signifieth so as though the Scripture were not rightly translated Now as we in the things of God are forbidden to lean to our own understanding There is a way saith Solomon Prov. 16. 25. that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof is death Therefore the way of Baptism by dipping seemeth right unto Man by leaning to his own understanding As for Example the reason why the Anabaptists say or think that John Baptized by Dipping Persons or that Philip Dipped the Eunuch is because it is written Matt. 3. 13 16. John Baptized in Jordan and Christ came out of the Water and went down into the Water Acts 8. 38 39. Nay let the Scripture deside the matter we read that Israel pass'd through the Sea when as they walked on dry Land Exod. 14. 29. where the Sea had flowed The Priests that bare the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Joshua 3. 17. are said to stand firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground where the Waters had been as 't is written when ye are come to the brink of the Water of Jordan ye shall stand still in Jordan so then to stand at the brink of the Water they are said to stand in Jordan where the Water had sometimes risen firm on dry ground Joshua 3. 17. And thus John Baptized in Jordan standing at the brink of the River where the Water had sometimes flowed for sometimes Jordan overflowed all his Banks Joshua 3. 15. and that John did cast Water on the Person like as we see before the manner was in both the Water and Spiritual Baptism administred by the Lord himself which manner we are exhorted not to be Ignorant of 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. After the manner of Rain Psalm 77. 17 18 20. So we are to understand Philip and the Eunuch went into the Water as the Priests did in Jordan at the brink of the Water where the Water had sometimes risen but not one word that any by John or Philip were Dipped but by Imagination only because 't is said they both went into the Water as Israel did into the Sea and Jordan which was but where the Water had been it being affirmed they stood in Jordan Joshua 3. 15 17. when they stood on dry Ground and so in the Sea when they stood on dry Ground Exod. 14. 29. So it is said that Christ sate in the Sea and taught Mark 4. 1. when he sate in the Ship and that Christ went up into a Mountain Matt. 5. 1. when he stood but on the out-side on the rising of it So Men are said to go down into the Sea in Ships yet they are not to be accounted Dipped in their Bodies in Water Again another great Argument the Anabaptists bring to prove Baptism to be meer dipping the whole Body under Water is because it is written Col. 2. 12. Buried with Christ in Baptism To follow their natural Fancy in this thing if every Person must be Baptized according to the word Buried as a Man Buried that is Dead and put in the Grave then as none can deny in the Act of Baptism but the Person to be Baptized as the Anabaptists say Buried by Dipping the whole Body under Water as a Man buried and covered with Earth must be Passive and therefore the Person must have no hand in the act of his being Baptized for Christ when buried was wholly Passive he put neither Foot nor Leg nor Knee nor any other part into the Grave Then by this Scripture if it intend Water-Baptism as by Romans 6. it doth not but if it did then to act according to what they plead for in the manner of Water-Baptism Buried in Baptism the Administrator must take the Party to be Baptized up in his Arms and lay his whole Body first bore up above the Water and lay him into the Water As a Man in the Grave is covered with Earth that is by casting Earth upon him then and not before he is buried so to bury a Man is to cast Earth upon him so in Water-Baptism to cast Water upon is to bury as a Man is laid in the Grave and so cover him with Water and there retain him the time the words in the Commission of Christ are express'd I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost So then if this be the main Scripture they will stand by to justifie Baptizing by Burying as they call Dipping why do they not so practice but Hypocritically plead for that they practice not for by their Practice there is not a Soul of them Buried in Baptism nor yet the whole Person ever Baptized as they call it Dipped for they Baptize but a part for the whole for so far as the Person to be Baptized putteth himself into the Water either the Feet or Legs or Thighs or to the Middle so far the Parties Baptized as they call it Dipped themselves and then the Administrator putteth but the upper part of the Man or Woman that was out of the Water into the Water So by their Practice they grant a part is taken for the
whole and what do we plead for more but that Water may by the Administrator be cast on the upper part to wit the Nobler part of the Party to be Baptized which representeth the whole Man even the Forehead and Face But if it be so as Benjamin Keach saith Page 38. of his Book That it is no Baptism at all if the whole Body be not plung'd into the Water then neither he nor yet any of them are yet by his own grant Baptized when they Baptize but the part from the Waste upward because the Party to be Baptized puts the lower part into the Water himself who must be wholly Passive as a Man Dead to be put into the Grave as they plead for that manner of Baptism in the act of his being Baptized so that what an out-cry do they make against them that in Water-Baptism Baptize a part of the Person for the whole when they themselves do no other only a little lower on the Body now then for ever hereafter let them for shame open their Mouths no more about water-Water-Baptism till they Practice what they Teach and then to bring better Grounds than to say the word Baptism signifieth to Dip the whole Body in Water contrary to the use of the word Baptism as by the Holy Scripture hath been shewed to be a pouring out both of the Spirit and also of Water on the Person and that on that part of Man Water-Baptism is to be administred upon that is Naked and visibly bare that is the Face and Forehead that representeth the whole Person As for example When Hagar fled from her Mistress Sarah she is said to flee from the Face of her Mistress Gen. 16. 8. so the Face is taken for the Person So Jacob is said to flee from the Face of Esau Gen. 36. 6. that is from his Person So likewise Christ sent his Disciples before his Face Luke 9. 52. 10. 1. that is before his Person where he was to come Therefore to cast Water upon the Forehead or Face the whole Person being signified thereby the Person is said to be Baptized for when the Fore-skin was cut off the whole Man Ex. 12. 48. or Child was said to be Circumcized Again where should the Sign Seal or Token of Remission of Sins be administred but on that part where the Name of God his Law to wit of Faith by the open Profession thereof was hold forth as 't is written Rov 22. 4. And his name shall be in their Foreheads and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him a hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads Rev. 14. 1. as being not Romans 1. 16. ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for if by the Jer. 3. 3. Forehead is set forth the bold imperious Whoredoms of Judah in her Apostacy from her Husband the Lord how much more by the Forehead of Christs Chast Virgin is represented her open Profession of the Commands of her Lord and Husband Mark 8. 38. as not being ashamed of his Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 8. the Power of God to Salvation Moreover as all Gods Ordinances are to be performed under the Form and Manner of a good report Phil. 4. 8. with Shamefacedness and Sobriety because 't is most certain that part of Man Woman and Child that is to be Baptized must be naked and bare for the Flesh must be wash'd in Baptism and not the Covering As for example in those Figurative Washings under the Law as the Jews were not Strangers to Water-Baptism as Mr. Ainsworth on Gen. 17. hath shewed out of the Hebrew Writers that every Proselite that was joyned to the Lord by the Covenant of Grace in Christ was Circumcised Baptized and brought a Sacrifice Now as the Circumcised part must be bare when Circumcised even so the part that is to be Baptized must not be covered as in all Legal Washings which signified Sanctification and Cleansing from Sin by the Blood of Christ Therefore when Moses and Aaron and his Sons washed their Hands and Feet at the Laver they Exod. 40. 31 32. washed them not with their Stockins or Gloves on for that had been to wash the Covering and not the Flesh and do we believe that Mary Luke 7. 38. washed Christ's Feet with Tears with his Shoes on no sure for she is said to have wiped his Feet with the Hair of her Head and not his Shoes So when the Saints Feet were John 13. 5. washed by Christ as also the Deaconist washing the Saints Feet surely they washed the bare Feet so now as Baptism is called a Washing Acts 22. 16. so Paul when Baptized is said to be Washed part for the whole so that part Washed or Baptized must be naked and bare As is shewed by the Lord alluding to the Laver of Regeneration Titus 3. 5. he poured Water into a Bason and washed the Disciples Feet from and by the Blood of Christ As saith the Lord Ezek. 16. 9. Then washed I thee with water not the Covering but the Flesh with water yea I throughly washed away thy Blood in the Blood of the Covenant of Grace in Christ by the Water of the word Water-Baptism being a Sign thereof to us according to his words Eph. 5. 26. Heb. 8. 12. Now then if a part in Baptism with Water serveth not for the whole as the Anabaptists affirm and yet by their Practice deny then the whole Body as they plead for Washed or Baptized must be naked or else they Baptize the Covering and not the Flesh and what an unseemly thing it were for a Man to Baptize the Female Sex naked taking the Person up in the Arms of the Administrator and lay her in open view of others for Water-Baptism was no secret Ordinance into the Water as they teach must be buried as afore shewed when one is buried is not till the Earth is cast upon the Person so Water must be cast upon the Person Baptized according to the literal words in common Burials or else say they the Person is not Baptized at all Now let them shew any word of God that among all we read of were either so Baptized by or after the literal word Buried as common Burials are daily of the Bodies of Dead Persons when Dead Strip'd their Apparel taken off and others put on we read not any such Practice in Baptism for although Acts 16. 13. Lidia was converted at a Rivers side where the word was taught as John at Jordan and Philip the Eunuch near a Water yet no mention in the least of putting off or putting on any Apparel but Baptized Nor Israel in the Cloud and in the Sea the Face and Forehead together being open and bare whichn represented the whole Person Washed is a sufficient warrant for us in Water-Baptism and not to walk by Imagination by a natural Belief or Conceit that either Persons changed their Apparel or went into the Water to the middle and that the Administrator put the one
half of the Body into the Water is to walk by a meer implicit Faith because some Learned in the Tongues say the word signifieth to Dip or Plunge or Overwhelm but presuppose the word for Baptism may have a large Signification and that 't is Lawful to use more or less Water in Washing and therefore the Translators durst not confine the word Baptism to one strict Sense what quantity was used on the Person or what was the manner in the Administration which John did use in the act of water-Water-Baptism it is not in words prescribed but that Water was used to the Person none will deny and seeing the word in water-Water-Baptism is said to be with Water and the Baptism with the Spirit is express'd by the same word meaning in both with which is by pouring or casting or putting Water on or to the Person and not the Person in it for it hath been proved by plain words that when they stood in Jordan is but to stand where the Water had been so to be in the Sea was but to be where the Sea had been so as all going to Ponds or Rivers is by descending so going down in or on any part where the Water had or usually did Swell or Flow is said to go in the Water as Israel went into Jordan or in the Red Sea when as they stood where the Waters had flowed on dry ground both in the Sea and in Jordan as at low Water with us how far may one go where the Water had flowed yet but to the brink of the Water so one may be said to be in the Thames as they in Jordan Another Scripture is urged by the Anabaptists to prove that John Baptized at Enon because there was much Water Answ The word Enon being the Name of a Town which took its name from Springs that did arise there as the word signifieth an Eye or Holes from which Water springeth up so that although there may be said to be much Water by its continual Springing up yet as Sandy's and the Travels of the Patriarchs Historians say There is not so much depth of Water standing as will dip half the Body in much less will it dip the whole Body in but as most commonly a Spring riseth on upper Ground so it runneth away as may be seen daily in this Land so there may be said to be much Water by its continual Springing yet no depth of standing Water Moreover another reason why there was said to be much Water at Enon with respect to the part of the Country being forty two Miles Northward from Jerusalem so differing from the South part where ariseth few Springs as it is written from the Scarcity of Waters Psalm 126. 4. Turn our Captivity as Streams in the South and hereupon when Calebs Daughter came to ask a Blessing of her Father she said unto him Thou hast given me a South-land give me also Springs of Water Joshua 15. 18 19. so he gave her the upper and the nether Springs And for another reason we may conceive John did not Baptize at Enon because he wanted much depth of Water to Baptize withall but because there was Spring water more desirous than other water to cast upon the Face as hath been proved is the proper place that water in Baptism or Washing is to be administred by casting upon because that part representeth the whole Body as afore shewed Moreover and why should the Anabaptists be so Despising of the word Sprinkling or casting of Water in Baptism on that part that representeth the whole Person we know not unless it be to maintain their new way of Dipping seeing Sprinkling is so frequently used in Scripture to signifie our Sanctification and Cleansing from Sin by the Blood of the Lord Jesus called the Blood of Sprinkling which so well agreeth with the like Sign express'd by water in Baptism by Pouring or Washing not by Dipping but by Sprinkling as 't is written Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your Filthiness Ezek. 36. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 12. 24. alluding to the Sign in Water-Baptism of Remission or Cleansing from the Filth of Sin by the Blood of Jesus by Sprinkling as it is written So shall he sprinkle many Nations by washing in Baptism as afore shewed when Paul was Baptized it is written not Dip'd but be Baptized and wash away thy Sins And herein the Baptism of the Spirit agreeth with water-Water-Baptism by Isaiah 32. 15. pouring out of the Spirit after the manner of Rain therefore ought the manner in Water-Baptism to be administred not by Dipping but by Pouring or Sprinkling water on the Face for the Reasons aforesaid But as the Lord who chargeth some to have set up an Idol in their Hearts Ezek. 14. 4. so Men may make an Idol of Gods own Ordinance as some did of the Brazen Serpent and as the Jews made little less than an Idol of Circumcision as now it is to be feared the Anabaptists do of Water-Baptism putting that Stress upon it as the Jews did upon Circumcision that they could not be Saved if not Circumcised Moreover that Ben. Keach granteth that the 3000 were not Baptized by Dipping is evident if his words in Page 21 of his Book be but observed his words are these The Multitude to be Baptized were so great that it required others besides the Apostles to do it Nor is it to be believed that Peter himself with the Eleven did Baptize all the Three thousand in one day without the help of the Hundred and twenty Answ All Christians are to know that as the Apostles taught the Churches not only to keep Faith Col. 2. 5. but Order also in the Administration of Gods Ordinances themselves being Examples to the Flock to follow them in due order in the Churches Then Note as that work to wit of Administring the Sealing Ordinances did in all Ages belong to Men in Office to do as shall be fully proved in the Fourth Query none being in Office then when the Three thousand were Baptized but the Apostles who only had received the Command from Christ to go Teach and Baptize Nations Matt. 28. 19 20. So that the Hundred and twenty the Apostles excepted were but common Disciples and some if not many of them Women Acts 1. 14 15. Some particularly named therefore it is not rationally to be believed that any common Disciple had any hand in Baptizing the Three thousand in part of that one day in which short time they were all Baptized and therefore how contrary to Sense and Reason and Scripture also is it for any to believe that the Three thousand were all Dip'd or Plunged all over in water every one of them to be taken up in their Arms by Twelve Apostles to be buried in water as the Anabaptists Plead but yet Practice not for the day was but Twelve hours long John 11. 9. and it was the third hour of the day Acts 2. 15. when
of Reasoning of judging and discerning True and False Good and Evil of Approving or Improving of Willing or Nilling of Speaking Numbering c. Now let them that affirm Infants are born Men as Christ doth John 16. 21. prove that Infants do understand do think remember judge discern Good and Evil approve will speak c. or else they say nothing Were not such a Disputer to be hissed at who requireth the Actual Use and Manifestation of Humane Affections and Faculties in Infants which are in them but potentially and in the Seed and Beginning And because they cannot declare these things by their Works therefore he denieth them to be of the Generation of Mankind or born Men into the World or that they have the Faculties of Men at all in them any manner of way Even so they reason against the Grace of Christ in Infants his work of Regeneration in them as Christ saith of the Children of his Kingdom that they are converted humble and believe in him because they cannot actually manifest the Effects of Regeneration and Fruits of Faith as did Timothy when grown up as in Elder Persons who by reason of Age have the use of their Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil. And here I desire to know saith Mr. Ainsworth of the Anabaptists First When they think that Children who in their opinion are born without any Sin begin to be Sinners Whether at two three five or seven Years And when they can justly reprove a Child for Sin If it shew in Word Deed or Gesture any thing contrary to the Law of God as if it Swear Curse Lye Disobey Parents take another's Goods be Froward Angry or the like Yea let any of them tell if he can when he himself fell from his Innocency and became a Sinner being none before as they account by what Act of Transgression of what Commandment for it is Strange that an Innocent Man should fall from his Innocency and know not when nor how Secondly Whether any Child so soon as it beginneth to be a Sinner an Actual Sinner hath not a Remedy for the Sin by Christ and so whether it is not capable of Repentance Faith Regeneration c. and consequently of Baptism the Sign of Remission of Sin so soon as it is a Sinner and at what Age any of them have Baptized their Children unto Remission of Sins for Parents are commanded to bring up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Eph. 6. 4. This they cannot do aright unless they know when first they begin to Sin and consequently when they begin to Believe for if they blame a Child for Sin while it is an Innocent they commit Iniquity If they keep a Child from Christ and Christian Baptism when it is a Repentant and Believing Sinner which may be so soon as it is a Sinner they wrong most Sinfully to coudemn that which Christ justifieth These things ought to be considered by all that Fear God And therefore before we conclude this Query I cannot but observe the Folly of the Anabaptists and in particular B. Keach how he despiseth those that prove by Grounded Reasons from Gods Word the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism because they shew not a plain Text in the New Testament in so many literal words Baptize your Children as of old Circumcise your Children And therefore he chargeth them Gold Refined P. 69. to reflect upon the Honour Care and Faithfulness of the Lord Jesus as if they rendred him less Faithful than Moses For saith he Can any thing reflect more upon the Care Honour and Faithfulness of Christ c. than this If he should neglect to speak out his Mind and Will to us to be so Careless that Sorry Man is forced to try his Wits to supply that which is wanting or defective in his word and when he hath done all he leaves it as doubtful as he found it in the Judgment of Indifferent Men. Did Moses deal thus with the Children of Israel No no how careful was he to deliver every Law Statute and Ordinance exactly and in particular the Passover So B. Keach saith Answ Methinks this Man together with the rest of his Brethren in their late Narrative Page 16 17. may by their own Ground wherewith they charge others to reflect upon the Care Honour and Faithfulness of the Lord Jesus be moved to look on themselves in that they are forced to try their Wits for want of so many plain literal words in Christs Testament Remember to keep Holy the first day of the Week for the Performance of Religious Worship as there is in Moses Writings Remember to keep Holy the Seventh day I say they may see how while they in their own Sense charge others to reflect on the Care Honour and Faithfulness of Christ they themselves are forced to try their Wits by Reasons drawn from Christ's Testament to prove that which they grant is defective and wanting by a plain Law as aforesaid to keep Holy the first day for Religious Worship Therefore to turn that on themselves which they take to be the way of Faith to keep the first day Holy for Religious Worship shall be as sufficient a Rule of Faith by their own Grant for us to prove by grounded Reasons from Christs Testament the Command for Baptizing of Infants as there is for keeping the first day Holy for Religious Worship without so many literal words As for Example Their first Question or Reason is for the keeping the first day Whether it be not the Duty of all Christians and Churches of Christ to observe the Lords-day or the first Day of the Week in the Worship and Service of God both in Publick and Private They answer to their own question it is concluded in the Affirmative their reason is because we find that day was set apart for the Solemn Worship of God by our Lord Jesus and his Holy Apostles through the Infallible Inspiration of the Holy Spirit We likewise answer It is concluded in the Affirmative That that which was once commanded by God to be observed and never by the same Law-giver yet abrogated is still to be kept and observed Deut. 22. 32. But the Command to set the Sign and Seal Gen. 17. 12 13. or Token of Gods Mercy in Christ on the Believers and their Infants was never yet repealed but only the Sign and Seal or Token changed from Circumcision to water-Water-Baptism even as the Seventh day time is changed from the Seventh day to the First day of the Week by the Lord Jesus and his Holy Apostles through the Infallible Inspiration of the Holy Spirit Again they say another reason is for keeping the first day because the Son of God was made manifest in the Flesh had Authority to make a Change of the Solemn day of Worship being Lord of the Sabbath Matt. 12. 10. Mark 1. 28. Luke 6. 5. By like reason we say Christ was manifested in the Flesh
a Confusion some Congregations allow among them who are mix'd some are for Baptizing their Infants and some are not some are for having themselves re-baptized by the Anabaptists some are not Yea and some in Congregational Churches are re-baptized and some are not and these all joyn together in the Ordinance of the Lords Supper which is a high breach of Gods Order and so a great Sin See here what Confusion is this sowing divers Seeds in the Lords Vineyard or Garden his Church when as no Persons might eat of the Passover until all their Male-Infants were Circumcised even so by equality no Person ought to partake of the Lords-Supper until their Infants are Baptized Again no unbaptized Person may eat of the Lords-Supper as no uncircumcised Persons might eat of the Passover or such as were not accounted so but the Females were accounted Circumcised for no uncircumcised Person might go into the Temple but Women did and so were accounted Circumcised wanting that part of the Body Now then he that denieth his Baptism received in Infancy to be sufficient Baptism in his Belief or Judgment when he is re-baptized he saith all his Brethren are all unbaptized Persons in his Judgment and they that do stand firm to their Baptism received in Infancy do say he that is re-baptized and by a false Administration denieth his Baptism received in Infancy must acknowledge he is no Baptized Person fit to partake with in the Lords-Supper seeing he denieth also Water-Baptism to be Administred on his Children Yet these so differing in their Faiths and so contrary to the Order of God do both in Confusion together partake of the Lords-Supper These Confusions call for Judgment to come on Churches Many other things might be here inserted of Disorders in Churches but it will not be proper at this time to this Subject Therefore ought all Churches of Christ when any Man and Woman come to joyn themselves there to Christ the Head of the Body the Church by entering into an everlasting Covenant never to be forgotten that they bring their Children with them as Christ said Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such are the Kingdom of God Luke 18. 16. Now concerning what hath been said B. Keach proposeth by way of Objection That as if one of themselves should say Since the Practice of Baptism in Water was lost in the Apostacy How could it be restored again without a new Mission He maketh this answer The Children of Israel had for many years lost the Ordinance of the Feast of Tabernacles yet by reading in the Book of the Law there was such a thing required They immediately revived it and did as they found it written without any new Mission or extraordinary Prophet to Authorize them so to do even so ought we to act Gods word being a Warrant sufficient to justifie us in so doing Gold refin'd page 23. To which I reply That Water-Baptism was not lost by Baptizing with Water but God had his true Church who lived and reigned with Christ in the Practice of his Holy Ordinances under Sufferings all the time of the Beasts Reign in the Spiritual Babylon As we read Rev. 20. 4. So that only in the Spiritual Babylon Water-Baptism was lost by Baptizing with Water for they Baptized in Water as in Rome this day is shewed by dipping every one three times in Water Bellarm de Bapt. l. 1. c. 25. to c. 27. 2. As Water-Baptism is herein clearly proved to succeed Circumcision and as Water-Baptism was not lost nor neglected by the Suffering Christians under the Affliction they went through by the Spiritual Babylonians even so Circumcision likewise was not lost under all the Sufferings Judah underwent by the Temporal Babylonians 3. As to the Feast of Tabernacles which Ben. Keach saith was lost from Israels keeping the same in Babylon He might know that was because they were bound to keep the Feast of Tabernacles no where but at Jerusalem so that it was not lost but omitted because they could not go to Jerusalem to keep it And whereas he saith By reading in the Book of the Law there was such a thing required they immediately revived it when they came to Jerusalem and did as they found it written without any new Mission or extraordinary Prophet to authorize them so to do even so ought we saith he to act Gods word being a warrant sufficient to justifie us in so doing Now Water-Baptism afore shewed was not lost by Baptizing with Water no more than Circumcision was of old but had it been lost as Ben. Keach supposeth then the reviving of it again without a new Mission as his Parallel is from the Feast of Tabernacles or without an extraordinary Prophet to authorize them so to do But to the first had Israel thinks he no extraordinary Prophet to direct them to keep the Feast of Tabernacles according to the Law written Ezra was Gods Priest who expounded the Sense and true Meaning of the Law Besides there were Prophets in Babylon as Daniel Ezekiel Haggai and Zachariah and what thinketh he were not these extraordinary Prophets Pen-meâ— of parts of the Holy Scriptures moved by the Holy Ghost But seeing whatsoever of Gods Holy Ordinances by just hinderance may cease in Practice yet when revived Ben. Keach granteth they must be revived both of old and now as it is found written and then it will be a sufficient warrant to justifie any so to do I grant Now let me ask B. Keach this question Whereas he saith Baptism in Water was lost Then by his own grant according to the word written it must be revived And where is it there written in Christs Testament that a Man must dip himself in Water As John Smith did the first Beginner or Reviver of the English Anabaptists Let him shew such a word in Scripture and it will be a sufficient warrant to justifie so doing and until then their reviving of Baptism by a Mans dipping himself hath no warrant in Gods word in either Testament and I am sure John Smith was no extraordinary Prophet of God nor ordinary as herein is shewed but one that dis-separated himself from a true Church sensual having not the Spirit â—nd after cast out And how little of the Spirit hath that Man even such a one as Ben. Keach who maketh a Mock or Deâ—ision of Gods Ordinance of Baptism Administred on our Fathers saith the Apostle when the Clouds poured out Water on them as saith the Prophet Concerning which Baptism Ben. Keach saith If that was Baptism viz. the Clouds raining upon them the People may save their Mony and never go to a Minister more to Christen their Children for 't is but to carry them abroad when it Rains and they will be so Baptized and it will be as true Baptism no doubt Gold Refin'd page 61. Surely this Man thus making a Mock at Gods Ordinance may be reckoned among the Mockers of the Apostles Doctrine Jude v. 17