Where Peter upon Cornelius and his Companies believing and receiving the Holy Spirit said Can any man forbid Water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as We And he commanded them to be baptized Fourthly The Church of Philippi Philippi Acts 16.14 It is said That Lydia a Worshipper of God heard us whose Heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things that were spoken by Paul and was baptized and her houshold And Verse 32. They said unto the Ialour believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord and to all that were in his house 33. And he was baptized he and all his straightway 34. â—elieving in God with all his House Where you have two Families baptiâ—ed but no Child mentioned in either but only such who were capable to hear the Word of the Lord and to believe the same Fifthly The Church at Coloss Coloss Col. 2.10 11 12. Where the Apostle asserts that that Church at Coloss was buried with Christ in Baptisme wherein they were risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Which cannot be truly said of any but professed believers Sixthly Concerning the Church at Corinth Corinth it is said Acts 18.18 And Crispâ—â— the chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed on the Lord with all his House and that many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized and in 1 Cor. 1.13 Paul tells the Church at Corinth That they were not baptized in his name And in 1 Cor. 12.13 That by one Spirit they were all baptized into one Body viz. That they were joyned to the Church by baptisme of whom it is said 1 Cor. 14.2 That they kept the Ordinances as they were delivered to them Seventhly of the Church of Rome it is written Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him in Baptisme into Death Eighthly of the Church at Galatia Galatia Gal. 3.26 27. For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ And lastly of the Church at Ephesus Ephesus it is Recorded Acts 9.1 2 3. That Paul having past through the upper Coasts came to Ephesus and finding Disciples said unto them Have you received the Spirit since you believed and they said No c. And he said unto what were you baptized c. By which Scriptures it manifestly appeareth that the New Testament Churches were formed only of baptized believers wherein we neither find one Ignorant Babe nor one unbaptized person a Member And that Infants have as little right to be admitted into the Church and esteemed Members thereof or to partake of the spiritual Ordinances therein as they have to that initiating Ordinance Baptisme It may further appear if you do but consider how incongruous it is to Reason and sense to imagine that little Children are any way concerned as Church-Members either in the Dedications of the Epistles sent to the Churches or in the Epistles themselves Sect. 2 First In the Dedications and Directions of the Epistles as first that to the Church of Rome Rom. 1.7 Directed to the beloved of God called to be Saints and whose Faith was spoken of through the whole world But can that be said of any Infant And secondly those Epistles to the Corinthians are they not also directed to those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and theirs enriched with all utterance and Knowledge c. But what Ignorant Babe could be concerned therein And thirdly that Epistle written to the Church at Ephesus Is it not to the Faithful in Christ the chosen adopted abounding in Wisdome and Prudence But what poor silly Babe could be intended thereby And Fourthly In the Letter directed to the Church at Philippi Is it not to all the Saints in Christs Jesus who have had their fellowship in the Gospel from the first day till then Philip. 1.1 But how can that be said of any Child And fifthly those Epistles inscribed to the Church at Thessalonica were they not to such as did abound in Love Faith Hope Patience that received the word in much affliction and joy in the Holy Ghost c. 1 Thes 1. 2 Thes 1.3 But what Patience Love or Hope can be attributed to silly Children And lastly those seven Epistles written to the Asian Churches wherein several Graces are commended and s ns reproved and threatned and every one that had an Ear commanded to hear what the Spirit said to these Churches But how could there be one Child concerned therein The Church of England Church of England in their 19th Article do acknowledge that the Visible Church is a number of Christians by profession Dr. Owen gives a description of a Gospel-Church Dr. Owen in his Catechisme about New Testament Worship P. 89. tells us That a Gospel-Church is a society of Persons called our of the World or their Natural worldly state by the administration of the Word and Spirit unto the obedience of the Faith or the Knowledge and Worship of God in Christ joyned together in an Holy band or by special agreement for the exercise of the communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Ordinances of the Gospel Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Heb. 3.1 James 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17. And again in Page 106. As the Apostles in their Writings do ascribe unto all the Churches and the Members of them a Participation in this effectual Vocation affirming that they are Saints Called Sanctified Iustified and Accepted with God in Christ for which he again cites the foregoing Scriptures so many of the Duties which are required of them in that Relation and condition are such as none can perform to the Glory of God their own benefit and the edification of others the â—nds of all obedience unless they are partakers of this effectual Calling 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 1 Cor. 12.12 Ephes 4.16 Mr. Baxter in his 10th Argument to Mr. Blake Mr. â—ax hath these words very significant to our purpose viz. Paul calleth all the baptized Church of Corinth justified None that profess not a justified Faith are called justified therefore none such should be baptized The Major is proved out of 1 Cor. 6.11 Ye are Waâ—hed ye are Sanctified ye are Iustified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God To which he adds I confess it is sad that good men should be so unfaithfull to the Truth which is so pretious and is not their own and which they should do nothing against but all they can for iâ— Secondly
any of them and whether it is not contradictious to common sence and Experience for any to assert it For what Repentance or Faith are they capable to profess What present Regeneration can they evidence What Testimony of a good Conscience can they give in striking or keeping Covenant with God herein And how can they embrace or improve the Covenant on Gods part for Pardon Purging Justification Sanctification and Salvation And therefore is Mr. Faxter forced to confess in his plain Scripture proof p. 301. That as to the Ends of Baptisme they are rather to be fetched from the Aged then Infants and that because the aged 1. are the most fully capable Subjects 2. The most Excellent and Eminent Subjects 3. Of whom the Scripture fully speaks c. But on the contrary as for Infants Baptisme be acknowledgeth in the same place that the Scripture speaketh darkly of it Yea that it is so dark in the Scripture that the Controversy is thereby become not only hard but so hard as he saith he finds it Wherein if he hath not said more in a few words for the baptizing of Believers and against that of Infants then all his great book can answer Let all the world judge though he calls it in contradiction hereto plain Scripture Proof for Infants Church-Membership and Baptisme CHAP. V. Wherein the Baptisme of believers is proved to be the only Baptisme from the New-testament-dispensation so differing from that of the old THe Old Testament Church Fifthly from the new Testament Dispensation we find was national consisting of the Natural and Fleshly Seed of Abraham Therefore were Infants by the Ordinance of Circumcision added thereto Wherein they had a worldly Sanctuary Carnal Ordinances a Temporary Priesthood and multitude of Ceremonies The New-testament-church was by Christs appointment to be a separated people out of the Nations consisting only of the Spiritual Seed of Abraham and therefore believers upon profession of Faith by the Ordinance of Baptisme were added thereto Acts 2.31 1 Cor. 12.13 Wherein aâ— in the Spiritual house the true Tabernacle they partake of Spiritual Ordinances in Communion of Spiritual Members And by an unchangeable Priesthood do offer Spiritual Sacrifices and Worship God as true Wroshippers in Spirit and Truth And therefore upon this change you have John Baptist discharging that Priviledge of Abrahams natural Seed that admitted into the old Church from any such Rite in the new Mat. 3.9 c. telling them in express terms That now in Gospel dayes they must not say within themselves That they have Abraham for their Father viz. That they are the Children of a godly Parent No that which mâ—ght have served turn under Moses will not a vail nor must not be admitted now under Christ Nothing now but fruits meet for Repentance give right to the Bapâ—isme of Repentance and nothing short of the Spirits birth can orderly admit to Water-birth and Spiritual Ordinances And the Genuine Reason Christ himself gave to that Doctor in Israel though yet it seems ignorant of the Mystery of the new birth which only gives the right of admission into the New testament church Because saith he that which is born of the flesh is but flesh Regeneration being not entailed to Generation To which purpose therefore Dr. Owen Dr. Owen very excellently in his Catechisme about Government p. 106. Our Lord Jesus Christ hath laid down saith he as an Everlasting Rule that unless a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Requiring Regeneration as an indispensible condition in a Member of his Church a Subject of his Kingdom for his Temple is now to be built of Living Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Men Spiritually and savingly quickned from their death in sin and by the Holy Ghost whereof they are partakers made a meet habitation for God Eph. 2 21 22 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16 Which receiving Vital supplies from Christ its Head increaseth in faith and holiness edifying it self in love Thus far the Doctor Under the Law Ceremony Shadow Letter and Carnal Seed suited to Carnal Ordinances But when the substance and Spirit was come under the Gospel then only a spiritual Seed as most meet and suitable must attend the spiritual Worship and spiritual Ordinances Dr. Tayl. And herein doth Dr. Taylor very well accomodate this Truth P. 242. They saith he that baptize Children make Baptisme to be wholly an outward Duty a Work of the Law a Carnal Ordinance it makes us adhere to the Letter without regard of the Spirit to be satisfyed with Shadows to return to Bondage to relinquish the mysteriousness the substance and spirituality of the Gospel which Argument is of sâ— much the more consideration becausâ— under the Spiritual Covenant or thâ— Gospel of Grace if the Mystery goâ—â— not before the Symbol which doeâ— when the Symbols are consignations oâ— Grace as the Sacraments are yet iâ— always accompanies it but never followâ— in order of time And this is cleâ— in the perpetual Analogy of Holy Scripture CHAP. VI. Wherein Believers Baptisme is confirmed to be the only true Baptisme from the constitution of the Primitive Churches who were formed not of Ignorant Babes but of professing Men and Women that upon Baptisme were joyned together to observe all the Ordinances of Christ which is also further evidenced by the Dedications of the Epistles to the Churches as well as Contents of the same THe Truth whereof appears not only from the Order directed unto in Christs Commission 6. From the constitution of the Primitive Churches which as already observed requires that men be first taught in the Faith 2. That then they be baptized into the Faith And then thirdly that they be edified or taught in the Faith viz. in the place of teaching the Church or School of Christ The contemning which Order as Mr. Baxter saith is to contemn all Rules of Order Sect. 1 But also from the pattern and example the Apostles gave in observation of the aforesaid direction in planting the New Testament Churches we read of As first the Church of Jerusalem Jerusalem Acts 2.41 42. Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized and the same day there were added to them 3000. Souls The them that they were added to appear to be the Baptized Disciples mentioned Acts. 1.15 21 22. And so they continued in the Apostles Doctrine fellowship breaking of Bread and Prayers Where you have the order fully observed 1. Receiving or believing the Word 2. Baptizing 3. Church fellowship in Doctrine breaking Bread and Prayer And so in like manner you will find the self-same order was observed in all the Churches As Secondly The Church of Samaria Samaria Acts 8.12 Where it is said that when the Samaritans believed Philp Preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus they were baptized both Men and Women but not a Word of Children Thirdly The Church at Cesarea Cesarea Acts 10 47 48.
believe with their Hearts to Justification nor confess with their Mouths to Salvation p. 516. This Controversie he managed with much furious Zeal against the Pelagians in the African Councils And so inordinate was he herein that in his 23d Epist to Boniface he holds forth such a certainty of Regeneration by it that he not onely puts Regeneration for Baptism but also makes no Question of the Regeneration of Infants Baptism to cure Diseases though they that brought them did not bring them with that Faith that they might be regenerated but only to procure health to their Bodies a custom it seems they had to bring persons to be baptized for Cure Justifying thereby such a prophane Use thereof as that of Athanasius A School-boy baptized in sport confirmed by a Bishop who baptized a Boy in sport playing the Bishop amongst his School-fellows which was confirmed notwithstanding to be good Baptism by the Bishop of Alexandria And again in his 7th Tom. Lib. 1. c. 27. asserts to the same purpose That all baptized Infants are Believers and that the unbaptized are Unbelievers saying Who knows not that to Infants to believe is to be baptized not to believe is not to be baptized All the foolish ridiculous Ceremonies called the Romish Baptismal Rites before mentioned were owned and practised by Austin and others in this Century with this addition viz. That the Lord's Supper was given to the baptized Infants Lord's Supper given to Infants as Austin in his 107 Epistle saith where he holds a like necessity of their receiving that Sacrament with that of Baptism from Joh. 6.53 wherein he was also so earnest that he boldly saith in vain do we promise Infants Salvation without it Thus far Austin In the next place before we leave this Century The Character of Pope Innocent 1. I think it will not be amiss to give some little account of this Pope Innocenitus our first confirmer and imposer of Infants Baptism of whom it may sâ— truly be said that he was one that changed Times and Laws and that sate himself in the Temple of God as God As we find it recorded by the Magdiburg Cen. 5. page 1228. viz. He set up the Vniversal Bishoprick That he most strenuously laboured for the Universal Bishoprick and Supremacy over all Churches as appears say they in all his Epistles designing to bring the Determiation of all Principal Ecclesiastical Causes into that See especially in his Epistle to Victoricum and Decentium whereby say they it was manifest that the mistery of Iniquity 2 Thes 2. did gradually get Ground and increase Who was say they a great Establisher of humane Traditions Gave Divine honour to the Popedome and who blasphemously attribuâ—ed divine Honour to the Pâ—pedom as appears in that Epistle to Victoricum It was he that made Conâ—irmation a Sacrament made Confirm a Sacrament and confined it only to the Bishops to lay hands on Baptised Infants 1230. It was he also forbad Priests Marriages 1231. Forbad Marriage and Damned the Nunnes if they married That also forbad Marriage to any that by due Divorce put away their Wives that also instituted many of the Jewish and Pagan Laws as appears say they in his Book de Pontiff And it was he that to witness his Supremacy did excommunicate the Emperour Arcadius and the Empress Eudoxia and all his Ecclesiasticks that had their hands in the Banishing of John Chrysostom 662. 663. Excommunicated the Emp. Arcadius c. It was he that first appointed that the Eucharist should be given to Young Children so soon as they were baptised Ordained the Eucharist to Children after Bapt. a Custâ—m that continued several Hundred Years after And as head of the Anti-Christian race was the first sayth Socrates Lib. 7.19 Expelled the Novatians That expell'd the Novations from Rome that famous worthy Church and People Concerning whom we shall conclude with what the Magdiburgs say in their Epistle to this 5. Cent. To Ericus King of Sweden That it might then be understood that Rome that had heretofore Governed the world was now made the very Seat of Antichrist And again that the Spirit of Antichrist did then manâ—festly begin to spread it self by the Bishop of Rome lifting up himself in Supremacy above all other Bâ—shops and Churches And this was that Innocent who was the first great Patron and Imposer of this Innovation and was it not excellent Service think you for Austin to play the Game into the hand of such a vile Wretch CENT VI. The Councel of Gerunden in Spain held about 520. Ordained Gerunden Canon That young Children from their Mothers womb be baptised The Councel of Bracarense 572 and the Council of Vivense ordained the very same Vossus de Bapt. 179. Tee Maris Canon The Councel of Marisconenses held 580. Ordained That the Baptism of Ehildren should be at Easter except necessity hindred Magd. Cent. 6. 613. P. Greg. Dâ—cretal Pope Greg. the Great Lib 3. Ep. 4. ad Boniface-dist 4 de Consec Let all young Children be Baptised as they ought to be according to the Tradition of the Fathers Who gave Instruction to his Legat Austin to give Christendom to Children when he sent him into Britain which you may Read at large in the Book of Martyrs Justinian the Emperor who reigned 530 Ordained The Decree of the Emperor Justinion That Children should be admitted to Baptism and that those that were come to their full growth shal be taught before they be baptised Novel Institute 444. Justinus the Emperor who Reigned 570. Ordained That it séemed him good that when the Samaritans that desire the unspotted Baptism that they for the space of two years together be Instructed in the Faith and the holy Scriptures and that upon their Repentance they be admitted thereto But as concerning the Children which in regard of their years cannot Receive Divine Doctrine they shall without delay be made worthy or pertakers of Baptism That Gossips were appointed to all that were Baptised as saith Paulus Diaconus Lib. 16 in Justiniano And that it was the Custom when the Children of Princes and Potentates were Baptised that Bishops should be the Gossips Magd. Cent. 6. 332. Maxentius Maxentius saith that Children are not only adopted into a State of Sonship but have the Remission of all Sin by Baptism Cent. 6. p. 227. All the forementioned Superstitions of the Romish Baptismal Rites were in use in this Age with this addition Riâ—iculous Ceremoâ—ies That lâ—ghted Tapors were to be put into the hands of the Baptised p. 332. The Temples or Churches Altars and Reliques in their Dedications were Christined by Sprinkling the Water of Conjuration upon them p. 369. The Vncleanness and Murders found in Monastries In this Cent we meet with a dreadful piece of Infants Baptism viz. the Heads of 6000 Infants that had been murdered and buried in a Warren near a Monastry as Testâ—fied by Udulricus to