the rudimentes off the VVorld vnder the carnal Testament or covenant Gallat 4.24.25 our Spirituall Church in the matter forme thereof is by Spirituall Genealogie that is the Genealogie of the Fayth of Abraham the Father of vs all vnder the Spirituall New Testament Gallat 3.7.9.14 Roman 4.10.11 Their parents in the carnall Church was carnall Abraham carnall Hagar all their carnall parents who according to the Flesh with carnall seed begate carnall Ismaell the type of the carnal Israelites our parents in our Spiritual Church is Abrah Spiritual al our Spiritual parents who by the word of God by faith begat Spiritual Isaac the type of the children of promise after whose manner we are Gal. 4 22-28 Rom. 4 19-21 Heb. 11.11.12 1. Pet. 1.23 Their ministery was a carnal ministery by carnal genealogie of the line of Aaron Sacrificing Preists our ministery is by Spiritual genealogie of the election of the true Church that is Spiritual Thus if you would compare the Type the Truth together you should easily discerne the sandy Fondation of your false Church ruinated your false baptisme quite abandoned who continue a Church by succession of a carnall line a baptisme by succession vppon the carnall Line through Popery VVhereas the true Church is onely by the Spirituall Line of Fayth true baptisme by the Spirituall succession vppon that Spirituall Line of Faythfull men confessing their Fayth their sinnes which was typed by that carnal Line of the Old Testament you therefore that introduce a carnal Line into the Church to bee baptized viz all your Children according to the Flesh that by succession fetch baptisme vppon that carnal Line through the Church of Rome into your Church following the president of the Old Testament in that carnal circumcision by succession of Genealogie doe therein vnawares make Rome a true Church your selves Schismatiques set vp Iudaisme in the New Testament so are fallen from Christ are become a new second image of the Beast never heard of before in the VVorld For such are you of the Seperation This being premised as a ground which I earnestly in treat you even in my best love vnto you al the Seperation especialy the leaders of them well to weigh ponder not to be ashamed to learne of their inferiors juniors I come to āswer the exceptions which you take at my first Argument The summe of your exception is this That seing wee are the posterity of baptized persons the Iewes Gentiles in the Apostles tymes were not so Therefore wee need not assume baptisme in our entrance into the Church which wee had in our Apostacy but wee may enter into the Church without rebaptizing as the Apostate Israelites did without recircumcising so we must not in the new Test be framed according to the paterne taught in the new Test in entering in by baptisme but according to the paterne of the old Testam the Apostate Israelites therein c. I answer divers things First I say that the New Testament is as sufficient for the direction of al the affaires occasions that befall in the tyme of the New Testament as the Old Testament was for the occurrences that befell vnder the Old Testament Seing Christ is as Faythful as Moses the New Testament as perfect as the Old Gal. 3.15 therefore if the Lord had intended to put a difference betwixt the Apostolique constitution of Churches our constituting of them in respect of the persons to be admitted into the Church in respect of baptiting not baptising or rebaptising of them he could would have done it but seing it is not done in the New Testament but left in silence seing the New Testament of Chr. is perfect sealed with his blood you that put this difference add to the new Testament bring in a new Christ a new covenant a new Gospel a new Church new baptisme wo be to them that ad to the word Rev. 22.18 as they were accursed that added to the old Test Deut. 4.2 12.32 So much more shal they be subject to the cause that add to the new Test of Chr. Heb. 12.25 in this respect ther for your answer is insufficient Secondly I affirme that as the Holy Ghost saith the Antichristians are in condition equall to Pagans therefore as I have said they are not called Israelites or Samaritanes but Babylonians Egyptians Sodomites Gentills but the Holy Ghost knoweth what how to speak And therefore as the Babylonians Egyptians Sodomites Gentils washings were nothing no more is the baptisme of Antichristians any thing For the Holy Ghost foreseeing that the Antichristians would abolish the true baptisme of Christ by baptising infants so by admitting into the Church the carnal seed of the Flesh would disanul that Holy ordinance of baptisme so abolish the true constitution of the Church in heavenly wisdom for our instruction calleth persons Apostating from the true constitution of the Church Babylonians Egyptians Sodomites Gentils therby teaching vs that he esteemeth no otherwise of their Church or baptisme then of the Synagogues of Babylon then of the washings of Egypt then of the worship of Sodom the Pagans these comparisons will fit you well against the assemblies Temples of Antichrist and I know no reason that they thould not fitt vs aswell against your Babylonish Egyptians Sodomitish and Paganish washings of infants which which though it bee done into the name of Chr. yet is no more avayleable in the Holy Ghosts testimony then washing of Pagans Babylonians Egyptians Sodomies Children Thirdly wheras you say that repayring the Church now after the Apostacy of Antichr is a fitter speech then constituting herein do you both taxe your selves off the vse of that word constitution plainly signifie that you incline to maintain the Churches of England Rome to be true Churches wherin whither you doe not forsake your first faith turne with the dog to the vomit look you vnto it let al indifferent men judg but your writings are against you sufficient witnesses in this case Fourthly I say that the Iewes that were converted to the Faith new Testament of Chr. by Chr. Iohn the Apostles in your account were in a far better estate thē Antichr For they as you say were of the same body with the Church of the New Testament their circumcision was a seale of the new Testament as you say they were in Chr. Iesus as you say were washed I doubt not many of them into the Messias whose blood they typically saw in their manifold baptismes purifications with water al of thē had been partakers of the word Sacraments in the Chur. of the Iewes why might not they by Christ Iohn or the Apo. be admitted into the Church without baptisme if therfor Chr. Iohn the Apo. would needes baptize them so by baptisme constitute them
satisfaction of every indifferently mynded man that â—oveth sekeâ—â— the knowledg of the truth more then the defence justification of error yet seing many things are variably alledged concerning the covenants made with Abrah his feeds concerning Abrah Fatherhood concerning circumcision which is called a seâ—le of the righteousnes of Faith I have thought God to referre these particulars to moreful discourse intertained vpon occasion with another of the Mrs. of the sepâ—ration not doubting but very shortly through Gods goodnesse that treatise also shal be published wherin the reader shal find larger instraction satisfaction câ—ncerning the forsaid particulars of the covenants or Test other matters therto aperteyning In the meane tâ—me I desire the reader to make vse of this writing to reade without prejudice or pa tiality I doubt not but that through Gods mercy much light of truth shal shine in his â—art even by this present discourse for the seperation who are the stiâ—â—est most obsâ—inate adversaries of this truth of the â— I could wish as the Tyrant wished concerning the people oâ— Rome that al their heâ—ds were joyned into one al their strength comprised into one writing that with the sword of the Spirit it might bee smiten of at once that so we might have an end of this controversy that we might not be troubled charged with the writing printing of many books Howsoever it be wee professe our readinesse to imploy our time cost for the manifestation of the truth we desire the Sep. that they wil not in craftines withdraw from the combat as hitherto they have done in the mater of the translation wors the Presbitery but we require them in the feare of the L. that seing they have suffered so much for so much truth as they professe they would not now subtily being guilty in their consciences of their dishability to defend their errors draw back pretend excuses as they do but we require them nay we chardg them yea we challendg them to the defence of their errors Loe we protest against theÌ„ to be a false Chu falsely constituted in the bap of infants their owne vnbaptized estate we protest against them to have a false wors of reading books we protest against them to have a false govern◠〈…〉 protest against them to have a false Minist of Doctor Teachers Finally wee protest against them that seing their constitution in is false therfor ther is no one ordinance of the L. true among them These things wee have published of these things we require answer For we proclaime against them as they proclaime against their owne mother England That the Seperation the yongest the fayrest daughter of Rome is an harlot For as is the mother so is the daughter Now furthermore we desire the Sepera al men that they would not impute vnto vs vntruths condemne the innocent without cause For we disclayme the errors commonly but most slaunderously imputed vnto vs we are indeed traduced by the world as Atheists by denying the old Testament the Lords day as Trayters to Magistrates in denying Magistracy as Heretiques in denying the humanity of Christ Be it knowne therefore to al men first that we deny not the Scriptures of the Old Testament but with the Apo acknowledg them to bee inspired of God that wee have a sure worde of the Prophets wherevnto wee ought to atend as vnto a light shining in a dark place that whatsoever it written aforetyme is written for our instruction that wee through patience comfort of the Scriptures might have hope that wee ought as Christ counselleth to search the Scriptures of the Old Testament as the men of Berza did bicause that in them wee may find everlasting life that they do testifie of Christ This wee beleeve according to these Scriptures Iohn 5.39 Act. 17.11 Roman 15 4â— 2. Timoth. 3.16 2. Pet. 1.19 yet neverthelesse wee affirme all the ordinances of the Old Testament viz The Church Ministery VVorship Government of the Old Testament to bee abolished al which were Types shadowes of Gods things to come but the body is in Christ Col. 2.14.17.20 Secondly we acknowledg that according to the president of Ch. Disciples the primitive Churches the Saints ought vpon the first day of the weeke which is caled the Lords day Revel 1.10 to assemble together to pray prophecy praise God break bread and performe other parts of Spiritual Communion for the worship of God ther owne mutual edification the preservation of true Religion piety in the Church that we might be better enabled to the forsaid dutyes we ought to Seperate our selves from the labours of our callings which might hinder vs therto that according to these Scriptures Ioh. 20.19 Act. 2.1.41.42 20.7 1. Cor. 16.1 Thirdly concerning Magistrates we acknowledg them to be the ordinance of the L. that every soule ought to be subject vnto theÌ„ that they are the ministers of God for our wealth that we ought to be subject vnto them for conscience sake that they are the ministers of God to take vengeance on them that do evil that we ought to pray for theÌ„ that are in authority that we ought not to speake evil of theÌ„ that are in dignity nor to despise government but to pay tribute tol custome c. that acording to these Scriptures Rom. 13 1-7 1. Tim. 2.2 1. Pet. 2 13-15 2. Pet. 2.10 Iud. vs 8. but of Magistrates converted to the Faith admitted into the Chu by baptisme ther may many questions be made which to answer 〈…〉 can 〈◊〉 if we would when such things fal out the L. we doubt not will direct vs into the truth concerning that mater in the meane tyme we are assured acording to the Scrip. that the Kings of the Earth shal at the length bring their glory honor to the visible Church Revel 21 24. Finally concerning the Flesh of Chr. we do beleve that Chr is the seed of Abraâ— Isaac Iacob of David according to the Prophecyes of the Scriptures that he is the Sonne of Mary his Mother made of her substance the holy Ghost over shadowing her So have other children ther bodyly substance from their parents also that Chr. is one person in two distinct natures the Godhead manhood we detestg the coÌ„trary errors our grounds of Scripture are these Gen. 22.18 26.4 28.14 Psal 13.2.11 compared with Act. 2.30 Rom. 1.3.4 Heb. 1.8 10. 2.11.14.16 Breefly to conclude let the Seperation be advertized That wheras they do so confidently through their self love self conceipt fil ther mouths with heresy heretiques as if therby they would feare babes That herein they tread in the steps of all the Antichristians their predecessors do not the Papists cal the Protestants heretiques cal for fire fagot do not the Protestants proclaime the Seperation Schismatiques
other when we want light as with the Iewes who deny the new Testament in other like occasions Besides the trinity of persons vnity of essence in the Godhead is proved by playne words 1. Iohn 5.7 hereby the Homoiousia of Arrius is confuted as also Phil. 2.6 for the word person it is Heb. 1.3 the word Godhead is Roman 1.20 So that hereby you gett nothing but I say still that whatsoever cannot bee playnly shewed in the New Testament is not needfull for vs to know in the New Testament if it bee an ordinance of the New Testament as baptisme is but the trinity vnity is no part of the New Testament more then of the Old Testament being common to both may be sought out of both so any other common truth Finally I say shew mee any necessary consequence for baptizing infants eyther out of the Old Testament or New Testament I yeeld but I desire it may wel bee observed first that you are driven to consequents for this matter therein simple witted people may easily bee mislead by a Logician Secondly that the Gospel of Christ is for babes Mat. 11.25 therefore the most simple person is capable of it so ther shal need no obscure consequents out of it for they are not able to comprehend them lastly that the consequents that are brought I avouch to be meer hallucinatious sophismes as I have already declared shal doe hereafter more fully as they shal be produced Your second answer exception is that if want of Special precept example barre infants from baptisme it shal also barre weomen from the Lords Supper I deny it for in playne termes it is said 1. Corinth 11.28 Let Anthropos viz eyther man or woman eate after examination Gal. 3.28 Ther is neither male nor female in Christ Iesus but al are one 1. Corinth 10.17 wee that aâ—e many are one bread one body being al pertakers of one bread 1. Corinth 12.13 whee have been al made to drink into one Spirit Dorcas is a Disciple Act 9.36 the Disciples meet together to break bread Act. 20.7 the Disciples continned in breaking bread Act. 2.41.42 being first 3000. then 5000. amongst whom ther was Sapphyra the VVidowes of the Grecians Act. 2.41 5.1 6.1 so this exception is nothing to the purpose Your third answer exception followeth wherein you doe affirme that there is both precept example for baptising infants the Commaundement is Mat 18.19 The example is of the infants of Lydra the Keper of the prison Act. 16.15.33 To these I have already given answer in the 6. 7. reasons going before therefore hold it needles to repeat it heer againe onely one thing is heer to bee answered that you object viz That the Law once given of sealing the infants aswel as parents must bee retayned except a repeale can bee shewed I answer besides that baptisme is not the seale of the New Testament but the Spirit that circumcision was not a seale of the everlasting covenant made with Abraham in respect of Christ but of the Old Testament that when Princes common wealths make Lawes to endure but for a tyme when the tyme is expired then they are repealed if they be not reestablished So though it were graunted that infants of the Old Testament were by circumcision sealed to the covenant made in respect of Chr. which I peremptorily deny yet seing the tyme of circumcision is exspired therfor infants are not now to be sealed as you say by baptisme for the exspiring of the tyme is the repealing of the Law therfor vntil you can shew that baptisme of infants male female is in the new Testament established I wil desend that they are not to be baptized especialy the female infants which were never appointed to be circumcised but I count these but slender exceptions In the last place you require proof that only persons that confessed their sinnes their faith were to be baptized I prove it vnto you thus 1. They only were to be baptized that Christ commaunded to be baptized Persons made Disciples by teaching were only commaunded to bee baptized by Christ Mat. 28.19 Ergo persons made Disciples by teaching were only to be baptized The minor of this argument is evident Mat. 28.10 wher this being the affirmative you shal make then Disciples by teaching them then baptise theÌ„ this must needes be the negative you shal not baptise them til you have made them Discipâ—es by teaching so persons taught were baptized they only 2. Againe considering that in every affirmative ther is included a negative therfor whersoever an example is that persons coÌ„fessing the r sinnes their faith were baptiâ—ed theâ— is signified that those that did not confesse their sins their Faith were 〈◊〉 baptized For wee must know that the body is one the Fayth is one the Spirit one the baptisme one the seed one that there is not two in Christ but one For in the new Testament they know God from the least vnto the greatest Heb. 8.11 they are al taugit of God Ioh. 6.45 the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater then Iohn Mat. 11.11 this do I take to be a plaine proof of the point which you desire You say further that the reason why Iohn baptized no children is for that they offered them not wel I say that his preaching was such as peremptorily excluded infants For it was the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sinnes Marc. 1.4 he required confession of sinnes repentance of them that he baptized Mat. 3 6-11 compared with Luk. 7.29.30 otherwise he would not baptise them therfor Chr doctryne is the same with Iohns Mar. 1.15 both therby signified vnto their hearers that whosoever would be baptized enter into the Kingdome of God must repent beleeve the gospel For being not regenerate though they were Iewes begotten of Faithful parents yet they could not enter into the Kingdome of God Ioh. 3.3.5 heer it would bee considered vnto whome Christ Iohn Baptist preached did he not preach vnto the Iewes the Lords owne holy people yet he said repent beleeve required of them amendement of life Now if they had been truly regenerate in their comunion as is pleaded Iohn needed not thus have preached nor Christ have required such conditions of them but onely they might in few words have said come you Faithful beleeving Iewes you all your infants be baptized at once For baptisme is for circumcision but Iohn saith think not to say you have Abraham to your Father Christ saith you are of your Father the Devil Iohn saith the Lord wil purge his floore wherby it is evident that the Iewes were not Faithful in their communion that they perceaved plainly that seing repentance Faith were required
merciful promise made to them but what is this to prove that Antic are beloved vnder the covenant for their carnal line descending from a beleving auncestor or if that were granted how doth it follow that the baptisme visibly receaved in the Antich false Chu is true baptisme sealing vp the covenant to them that the L. converteth in the false Chu No we have already proved that the baptisme is essentially false none of Chr. therfor it is the character or mark of the beast openly retained in the forhead of al the subjects of Antic who professing themselves to be of that baptisme do professe theÌ„selves to be of that body for of that body they are of whose baptisme they are of that baptisme they are of whose body they are 1. Cor. 12.13 Eph. 4.4 Gal. 3.27 we have also proved that the L. true baptisme doth not aperteyne to the carnal line but only to them that are of Abrah faith that is actually beleeving to justification shewing the faith of Abraham by the works of Abrah Lastly wheras you fetch the title to the covenant 〈◊〉 to baptisme for infants in the false Chu from some auncestor beleving 40. generations happily before acording to that Exo. 20. that the L. sheweth mercy to 1000. generations of them that love him I answer 3. things 1. you must prove that some off our predecessors had true actual saith were members of true Ch. this you must prove for every member you receave in without baptisme therby to assure you that he had title to the covenaÌ„t to baptisme by his carnal line 2. you must by the same reason receave by baptisme into the true Chu if you can come by theÌ„ al the infants of the Thessalonians the Ephesians the Galatians the Colossians the Philippians the Chu of Asia that did somtime beleve 3. I deny that you expound the place Exo. 22. truly For the L. directly doth require that they vpon whom hee sheweth mercy should feare him keep his commaundem I do vtterly deny that ever the fore-Fathers of the English nation beleved you can never prove it For that which you say that seing we are Apostates therfor it followeth that somtyme we or our auncesters had the truth I wonder at you for so saying for we are departed froÌ„ the faith of the Scriptures not from the faith of our auncestors who never a one of them at any tyme beleved visibly in a true constituted Chu Thus through Gods providence blessing I am come to a happy end of answering your writing wherin I praise the L. for his mercy I have receved such assurance of the truth as that you al the earth shal never be able to wring it out of my hart hands therfor I desire you Sir al the leaders of the Seperation to weigh seriously even betwixt the L. their own harts vpon their beds this which is written I doubt not but I may erre in particulars I have resolved to be vile befor men in confessing my erors but for the maine points in controversy the cause I defend it is the most vndoubted most evident â—oth that ever was revealed to me therfor as you love the L. his truth the people that depend vpon you seek it out embrace it resist it not but if we bee in error shew it vnto vs why shal we perish through your default wil not the L. require our blood at your hand are we not your countrymen al of vs in exile for the common truths we hold out against Antich Answer we beseech you in the L nay we adjure you in the Lord if we be in error it is ignorantly of a desire to see the truth to feare the L Thus hoping speedily either to heare an answer to this writing or to see you yeeld to the truth which I vnfeynedly ask of the Lo for you my countrymen I end writing this 24. of March 1608. Iohn Smyth Rich. Clifton If you reply shew your strength that we may make an end of these vncomfortable oppositions for if I see not weight in your reasons I wil bestow no more labour Ioh. Smyth Sir ther may be weight in my reasons you happily either cannot through prejudice or wil not through some sinister respect se the weight of them I pray you be not charmed by evil counsel but either shew me my error or yeeld to the truth I would be glad to be an instrument of shewing you this truth also at least you by shewing vs our error shal discharg a good conscience If you do not answer among you al I proclayme you are subtilly blind lead the blind after you into the ditch FINIS