1. The piece of the Waldensian Confession which he sayes is not to our purpose is but an Introduction to the 7th Article in the same page which sayes That by baptism we are received into the Holy Congregation of the people of God declaring openly our Faith c. which our Answerer takes no notice of That of Vignier is pertinently enough brought wherein the Waldenses reject all Doctrines which have not their foundation in Scripture and all Ceremonies and Romish Traditions because the Baptism of Infants at that time was practiced from that ground And that he gives â— testimonial of them that they denyed Infants Baptism in totidem Verbis See what he sayes viz. Nicholas Vignier in his Book called la Vraye Histoire de l' Eglise p. 354. upon the year 1136. speaking of the Waldenses and some of their principal Barbs where he hath these words Et qu'ils condamnoient le Baptesme de Petits Enfans alleguans que le Baptesme n'aportoient qu' a ceux qui ont foi i. e. And they condemned the Baptizing of little Infants alledging that Baptism belongs to none but those that have Faith As to the agreement between the Donatists and Novations it is also properly enough applyed for all Mr. Whiston's hast as the following words of Mr. Ds. make out viz. they held That none ought to be received into Churches but such as were visibly true Believers and read Saints c. The way of being received into the Church Mr. W. knows to be Baptism but he overlooks this also As to the Three other Particulars out of the Waldensian Confessions p. 282 283 284. 1 Ed. he Excepts against as not to our purpose let the same return serve them as before That out of Thuanus from Dr. Vsher viz. that the Beringarians held that Baptism did not profit Children to Salvation is a proper and suitable Argument of their denying Infant-Baptism it being elsewhere evidenced and which Mr. Whiston nor his Associates never Answered that that was the only ground of its administration viz. that it Saved the Child's Soul 3. As to his Charge of Mr. Ds. perverting Authors sayings viz. Paedo-baptists in general it is already fully cleared by himself in his Rejoynder to Mr. Ws. and to him the Reader is referred 2. Mr. Whiston would have us shew wherein lyes the inconsistency of their words with their practice which is also fully done But me thinks it might be a properer task for themselves to reconcile their Contradictions which they are loudly called to do if they can and so either yield up the Cause or remove the stumbling blocks they themselves lay in our way 4. He says Some of Mr. Ds. Authorities are against himself and instances Mr. Baxter we confess he is sometimes against us to the purpose but sometimes he is also kind enough and gave us Twenty good Arguments improved by Mr. Tombs in his Felo de Se. But for the rest 't is but meer prattle Chrysostom is instanced to shew the Erroneous ground upon which Infant-Baptism was practiced viz. to take away Original Sin and if it be a proof for Mr. Whiston let him take it I 'll give him another proof too if that will please him out of his Friend Aâ—stin 23 Epist ad Bonif. Nec illud te moveat quod quidam non ea fide ad Baptismum precipiendum parvulos ferunt ut gratia spirituali ad vitam regenerentur Aeternam sed quod eos putant hoc remedio temporalem retinere ac recipere sanitatem non enim propterea illi non regenerantur quia non ab illis hac intentione offeruntur celebrantur enim per eos necessaria Ministeria But he must excuse me if I leave him the pleasure of Translating it seeing he may perhaps do it to most advantage That Peter Bruis and Henricus denyed Infants Baptism we have good ground to believe from many substantial Reasons offered by Mr. D. and if we reject the testimony of Papists in whose hands most of our ancient Writings have been for some Centuries which we are well enough satisfied to do in this why not in other things That Cluniacensis owned to be a very learned man disputed with Peter Bruis and Henry is evident he layes down their Position to be this Nos vero tempus congruum fidei expectamus hominem postquam Deum suum cognoscere in eum credere paratus est non ut nobis imponitis Rebaptizamus sed Baptizamus quia nunquam baptizatus dicendus est qui baptismo quo lavantur peccata locus non est i. e. We wait for the fit season of Faith and when a man knows his God and believes in him we baptize him not rebaptize as you charge us for he cannot be said to be ever baptized that is not washt with the baptism that washeth away sins And then makes this pathetick declamation against them enumerating the Absurdities he fancies that follow their Opinion he saith thus Itane desipuere praeterita saecula tot millibus parvulorum per mille eo amplius annos illusiorum baptisma tribuerent c. which I thus English And have past Ages been so foolish and have given but a mock-baptism to so many thousand Little ones for this thousand years and more and from Christs time to ours have made them not real but fantastick or imaginary Christians Was the whole World so blinded and involved in so huge a mist of darkness hitherto that it mâ—st wait for you at length to open its eyes and to dispel so tedious a Night that after so many Fathers Martyrs Popes and Princes of the Vniversal Churches it must chuse Peter Bruis and Henry his Lackey as the last Apostles to correct its long error What hath all the World perished till the coming of these New Reformers of our Age and have all things been managed by the Sons of Light and Truth in darkness and falshood that whereas all of any Age or Rank having been baptized in Infancy and received their Christian name then and in convenient time have been preferred in divers degrees in the Church no Bishop of the Bishops no Priest no Deacon no Clerk no Monk not one as I may say of those innumerable numbers will be a Christian for whosoever is not baptized with the Baptism of Christ hath not Christ nor can he be of the Clergy People or Church And if it be so what manifest absurdities will follow For whereas all France Spain Germany Italy and all Europe for almost three hundred or four hundred years have none baptized but in Infancy they have therefore no Christian if no Christian then no Church if no Church no Christ and if no Christ then certainly they are damned Our Fathers therefore have perished because they could not be baptized with Christs baptism in their Infancy And we that live shall also perish unless after Christs Baptism we be Baptized with Henries Baptism also And innumerable of the Saints shall be pluck'd
A TREATISE Concerning the COVENANT and BAPTISM Dialogue-wise between a BAPTIST a POEDO-BAPTIST Wherein is shewed That Believers only are the Spirituall Seed of Abraham Fully discovering The Fallacy of the Argument drawn from the Birth Priviledge WITH Some Animadversions upon a Book Intituled Infant-Baptism from Heaven and not of men Defending the Practise of Baptizing only Believers against the Exceptions of M. Whiston By Edward Hutchinson 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. It is necessary first to believe and afterwards to be signed with Baptism Basil l. 3. contra Eunom I beseech you regard not what this or that man says but enquire all things of the Scripture Chrysost 13. hom 2 Cor. If you be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed and heirs according to the Promise Gal. 3.29 LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royall Exchange in Cornhil 1676. The Epistle DEDICATORY To the spiritual seed of Abraham especially those of the Baptized Congregations BEloved for the fathers sake first premising that they are not all Israel that are of Israel I know there is drosse mingled with your silver chaff amongst your wheat and the Canaanite is still in the land and troubles you but to you that are indeed the true seed of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ do I dedicate this Treatise You beloved are of God and have your fathers name written in your foreheads you are the true Israelites to whom pertaineth the Adoption and the glory the Covenants and Gospel promises whose are the fathers and for whom Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever You are a chosen generation a Royal priesthood a holy nation a peculiar people walking in the steps of your father Abraham hearkning to that great Prophet whom God hath raised up among your brethren and have been baptized into the name of the father son and holy spirit But the devil that implacable enemy of souls hath endeavoured to wreak his malice upon you above all people opening his floodgates to overwhelm you the Archers have shot sorely at you the plowers have made deep furrows upon your backs yet you are still supported by the rock of Ages and strengthned by an Everlasting Arm they have laboured in vain for the blessings of your father Abraham have prevailed above the blessings of your progenitors Your begining in these nations of late years was but small yet when it pleased the Lord to dispel those clouds that overshaddowed us and scatter some beams of the Gospel amongst us he gave you so great an increase that Sion may say with admiration who hath begotten me these c. Nor is it lesse observable that whereas other Reformations have been carryed on by the secular arm and the Countenance and allowance of the Magistrate as in Luthers time by several German Princes the Protestant Reformation in England by King Edward Q. Elizabeth c. The Presbyterian reformation by a Parliament Comittee of Estates Assembly of Divines besides the favour and assistance of great personages you have had none of these to take you by the hand but your progresse was against the impetuous current of humane opposition attended with such external discouragements as bespeak your embracing this despised truth an effect of heart-sincerity void of all mercenary considerations Yea how active has the Accuser of the Brethren been to represent you in such frightful figures exposing you by that mischievous artifice to popular Odium and the lash of Magistracy in so much that the name of an Anabaptist was crime enough which doubtlesse was a heavy obstacle in the way of many pious souls And what our dissenting brethren have to answer upon that account who instead of taking up have laid stumbling blocks in the way of Reformation will appear another day Yet notwithstanding the strenuous oppositions of those great and learned ones The mighty God of Jacob hath taken you by the hand and said be strong Besides it has a considerable tendency to the advancement of divine grace if we consider the way and manner of the Reviving this costly truth When the professors of these Nations had been a long time wearied with the yoke of superstitious ceremonies traditions of men and corrupt mixtures in the worship and service of God it pleased the Lord to break these yokes and by a very strong impulse of his spirit upon the hearts of his people to convince them of the necessity of Reformation Divers piâ—us and very gracious people having often sought the Lord by fasting and prayer that he would shew them the patern of his house the goings out and comeings in thereof c. Resolved by the grace of God not to receive or practise any piece of positive worship which had not precept or Example from the word of God Infant-Baptism coming of course under consideration after long search and many debates it was found to have no footing in the Scriptures the only rule and standard to try doctrines by but on the contrary a meer innovation yea the prophanation of an ordinance of God And though it was purposed to be laid aside yet what fears tremblings and temptations did attend them lest they should be mistaken considering how many learned and Godly men were of an opposite perswasion How gladly would they have had the rest of their brethren gone along with them But when there was no hopes they concluded that a Christians faith must not stand in the wisdom of men and that every one must give an account of himself to God and so resolved to practise according to their light The great objection was the want of an Administrator which as I have heard was removed by sending certain messengers to Holland whence they were supplyed So that this little cloud of Witnesses hath the Lord by his grace so greatly encreased that it is spread over our Horizon though opposed and contradicted by men of all sorts And now friends I can safely bear you record that it is not humour conceitednesse or singularity so often charged upon you that makes you decline the BaptiZing your little ones For I know they are as dear to you as children are to any parents under heaven your sighs and tears those heart-breaking desires and pathetick wishes you send to the mercy-seat for them is a sufficient testimony hereof and your petitions that Ishmael may live before God that your children may be converted that they may have an Interest in the new Covenant that the law of God may be written in their hearts that their sins may be pardoned their natures sanctifyed and their souls eternally saved And did you know that Baptism could contribute the least iota hereunto how readily and zealously would you perform it besides it is an easy service that would bring you into the credit and esteem of differing professors divers of your natural relations c. yea 't is as safe as easy nothing of self-denyal or the Cross attending it And it is very remarkable that
notwithstanding the Ambushes and attaques of Satan and his Engines in despight of whom truth always stood since the Nativity of time and shall survive its utmost period and obsequies Let it not defer thee from a serious weighing of the Arguments here offered that some of them may be heretofore presented that diminishes not their force Nil dictum est quod non est dictum prius Yet this wrangler Mr W. would put us to the trouble of quoting every mans name that has the same sence or like words with us to avoid his aspersion of plagiaries A provident shift he has got to escape the edge of any Argument that gravells him May not men often hit upon the same thing from necessity of the Argument or chance not choice or designe I am certain no man's more guilty in that particular then this Mr of Arts. But there 's need enough of pressing the same things again and again When they produce new grounds for their practice but I presume this from the Covenant is the last shift we 'l addresse New Arguments to confront them for the current of the Scripture will afford us variety of Mediums to quash their bold encroachments The subject of the Covenant their celebrated Sanctuary hath not hitherto been so singly insisted upon as 't is here although it has been cleared sufficiently one would think to candid Readers by Mr Blackwood Tombs Laurence Danvers c. whose acurate and learned works are enough to satisfy every one that would be found in the serious and impartiall investigation of truth And indeed leave such a reader without excuse This Treatise is chiefly calculated for the perusal of some sober friends that importuned the Author to write something upon this subject And if truth hath any advancement by it he hath his end He is carelesse of popular applause or censure He hath contributed his Mite for common information and undeceiving the many souls that still hold fast those Dreggs and Remains of Popery T. D. Ad Clerum sic Dictum praecipue Triumviratum Novum COnquerar an Sileam Nova tollitis arma Ministri Christicolis cur non pax sit habenda prius Oro reformatae lucis * caesura aperite fenestras Tingere credentes Pagina sacra docet Totus ab asturâ Meretrice illuditur orbis Fallit imaginibus Bestia docta dolis Illecebris fucata suis obscaena triumphat Roma propinquantem nescit adulta necem Fulta Armis Regum caput altum in praelia tollit Aegra repercussis ictibus illa cadet Aegra cadet certum est Agni certamine rumpet Sulphurei ignivomas per Phlegetontis aquas Pars * R. B. convicta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quondam concesserat at nunc Impedit egrediens introeuntis iter Haesit in ambiguum vano Rantismate nollet Spargere at incerto convehit ore sonum Tempora mutantur nos an mutamur in illis Sumere tot formas quaeritur unde licet B. mordet duplex Vlatrat garrulat alter His opibus tollit gens inimica Caput Fit simplex clangor triplici clamore nec unquam Causa patrocinio sustinuenda Novo est Sparsio parvorum Romanâ ab origine fulcit Papale Imperium Castra cruenta Necis Lux Evangelii per binos emicat axes Occiduos inter lucifluosque sinus Bestia saeva perit meretrix furibunda peribit Obruta flammiferis nam morietur aquis Sic raptim Pacis Ecclesiasticae studiosissimus T. D. The PREFACE Courteous Reader THou must know I do not write this Treatise because I think there are not Books enough extant upon this subject But because I observe that old books though never so excellent are laid by and seldom looked into and nothing's relishable with this curious Age but what 's contemporary with it self besides many of the books already written are so large that ordinary persons cannot attain to the price and some so intricate and deliver'd in such a sublimity of phrase that they are beyond the capacity of divers godly and well meaning Christians Therefore I have sent out this without the exteriour varnish of humane blandishments that I may recommend this truth to every mans conscience Eloquence is nothing but Air fashioned with an Articulate and distinct sound and when suited to entice and enveigle carnall affections may do much but there is a peculiar Majesty and veneration upon the brow of truth that will not be beholden to those artificial braveryes No ornaments render it more illustrious then its own native plainesse The end of speech is to make our conceptions intelligible and when our meaning is carried away by towring expressions past the reach of a plain Reader what is it but a gay piece of vanity and affected pedantry I know the difference between the partyes represented in this Dialogue distracts the minds and troubles the hearts of many that are Godly Now in this distraction every serious man cannot choose but heartily desire and wish for resolution And in order to obtain that the most likely way is to examine the pretensions and grounds on both hands In prosecution of which I have selected the most plausible Argument insisted upon by the Poedobaptists of this age nay the only grand pretence upon which that baffled practise is supported so that I may say that all the Auxiliary considerations that contribute to its reinforcement will fall in the fate and live and dy with this Cardinal Thesis drawn from the Covenant in its favour Perhaps it may be said that I make the Poedobaptists speak what I please not what they think this must be said of course else they lose their old wont Nor shall I think it strange if instead of solid Answers they return their usual Oratory of calumny and treat me with that severity so liberally dispenc'd to their opposites especially by those writers who enter'd the lists for this cause of late years for their cause requires it To silence all clamors will be a task of impossibility and I shall supersede any thoughts of the attempt but for satisfaction to the tender-hearted and gratious Christian I say further that I have endeavoured to cull out the strongest enforcements I could finde and have declined nothing of moment I met within their best Authors if they think otherwise let them produce their greatest strength and lay it down in plain propositions without that incumbrance and perplexity of words and wheeling phrases as involve their meanings in puzling ambiguities and I hope they will finde it fairly examined The Argumentative part which I put into their Mouths is such as was first taken from thence and it is but a piece of Justice and restitution to return them thither They are such as are famously known to be their principles still the sence often the very words of their most celebrated Authors The reason that I take no more notice of Mr Will 's book is because Mr D. who hath already worthyly defended the Historical part hath promised also to reckon with him
as to the scriptural part and I would not anticipate him whose works will praise him in the gate notwithstanding the disingenuous cavils and querulous janglings that fill up Mr Wills's invective Pampblet I hope our Opposites will not disallow the liberty they themselves take of making use of some pious and learned men that have trod the paths of this controversy before us of late years I could wish that the voluminous and accurate Treatises of M. Tombs were epitomiZed for the information of the ordinary well meaning Christian the Arguments of the Poedobaptists being there learnedly and solidly confuted and perhaps to the conviction of many of the learned ones who had not reputation interposed having born a signal testimony to some excellent truths which they fear might be called in question had they subscribed a Recantation of this would possibly own as much It is not arrived to the degree of Miracle that even good men are loath to own themselves transgressors and destroy the things they built Pezelius reports that when one from Frankford brought Calvins institutions to Luther demanding his opinion of it he replyes profecto non inepte hic Author dixit indeed this Author hath not said foolishly meaning that he had spoke right yet recanted not his opposite Doctrine but privately communicates his mistake to Melancthon fearing that a publique conviction might discredit all his Doctrine To conclude Reader I offer my conceptions of this bandied point to thy candid acceptation and with this assurance that nothing but a zeal for Gospel reformation should invite me to expose my sentiments to this Censorious age and if they contribute ought to that end I have my aim And so I commend thee to the good spirit of truth to lead thee into all truth and remain Thine in all Christian Respects E. H. Feb. 10. 1674. A DIALOGUE Between A Baptist and a Poedobaptist Bap. MY Dear Friend I am glad to see thee pray what News in the Countrey Poed O Sir the Controversy about Baptism is again renewed which I fear will occasion great differences amongst Professors whereas we did hope to live in love and peace together but I see the point must farther be enquired into and the people must have more satisfaction before they will walk in communion and fellowship together Bap. Well but what is your opinion do you still hold Infant-Baptism Poed Yes I am still of that opinion but am willing to be inform'd for I would not practise any thing that is not warranted from the Scriptures Bap. You say well in that but have you been at disputes where you might receive satisfaction Poed Yea I have been at divers but their Logical way of discourse does so obscure and hide the truth that when the Dispute is done we are no wiser then before now Sir is there no way to finde out truth but by Logick Bap. My Friend you must know that there is a natural Logick which all men have except fools and Idiots and it is nothing else but reason methodized but as for School-Logick which men make a great flourish with especially amongst women and illiterate persons though by it also truth may be discovered if men were ingenuous and desired truth more then victory but alas it is miserably abused by men of corrupt minds to the deceiving of the hearts of the simple but seeing you have mentioned it I shall give you the opinion of a Learned man about it Nothing saith he hath spoyled truth more then the invention of Logick it hath found out so many distinctions that it inwraps reason in a mist of doubts t is reason drawn into too fine a thred tying up truth in a twist of words which being hard to unloose carry her away as a prisoner 't is a net to entangle her or an art instructing you how to tell a reasonable lie like an overcurious workman it hath sought to make truth so excellent that it hath marred it Vives saith he doubts not the devil did invent it It hath layd on so many Colours that the Counterfeit is more various then the pattern It gives us so many likes that we know not which is the same nature it self makes every man a Logician they that brought in the art have presented us with one that hath over-acted her But I speak this of Logick at large there may be an excellency found in the art and it is good to retayn it that we may make it defend us against it self in matters of Religion we must make faith the means to ascertain for other matters simple nature is the best reason and naked reason the best Logick Poed Sir I thank you for your opinion about Logick and I think it were better if our Ministers did less use it and dispute after the same manner as they preach which is to lay down a proposition and to prove it by Scripture and reason it would better satisfy the people but we have gone a little out of our way my great desire is to discourse with you about Infants-Baptism and especially concerning the Covenant made to Abraham and to his seed which if you can remove I resolve to be of your opinion Bap. It s true the Covenant or promise made to Abraham and to his seed is the great hinge or Engine upon which the whole business of Infants-Baptism moves now if I prove that the Infants of believing Gentiles are not the seed of Abraham then Infant Church-member-ship under the Gospel and Baptism falls to the ground Poed True Sir and therefore pray let me hear your arguments Bap. First then I argue thus If none be the Children of Abraham but those that do the works of Abraham Then infants are not the seed of Abraham But the Antecedent is true John 8.39 If ye were the Children of Abraham ye would do the works of Abraham So therefore is the consequent Poed But our Ministers tells us this is meant of the adult and not of Infants Bap. I know they do so and they think they had better say something then nothing but I proceed The Second Argument If those that are Christs are only Abrahams seed then Infants are not Abrahams seed The Antecedent in true Gal. 3.3.19 Ergo the consequent And if you say Infants are Christs I answer some are so by Election but the Apostle speaks of such as are Christs by calling not Election which is secret to us But 3dly If none are blessed with Abraham but those that are of faith then infants are not the seed of Abraham But the Antecedent is true Gal. 3.9 so then they that are of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham Ergo the Consequent is true also 4thly If the Children of the flesh are not the Children of God then infants are not now the seed of Abraham But the Antecedent is true Rom. 9.8 they which are the children of flesh these are not the children of God But the children of the promise are counted for the seed Ergo so is
subject and so soon lose the grounds So that I must give this short but true Character of Mr. Baxter and his late Book that he hath written neither with that gravity that became his Age with that Sobriety that became his profession nor with that modesty that became any tolerable Education And since he so much forgets himself I must tell him that that Gentleman Mr. Danvers whom he so insolently despises is to say no more his Superior a person of known worth piety and integrity and one whom God hath chosen to bear witness to his truth at that very time when he a Learned Scribe is shaken with every wind and scruples not to change his Judgement for and against things as the stream of outward success doth guide and influence them I shall now conclude with Mr. Baxter's Opinion of the Anabaptists when his heat is over he saith thus in his last Book There two sorts of Anabaptists amongst us the one are sober Godly Christians who when they are Re-baptized to satisfie their Consciences live amongst us in Christian love and peace And I shall be ashamed if I love not them as heartily and own them not as peacably as any of them shall do either me or better men than I that differ from them The other sort hold it unlawful to hold Communion with such as are not of their mind and way and are Schismatically Troublesome and Vnquiet in labouring to encrease their party I hope all the pious Anabaptists do virtually though not actually devote their Children to God and Consent to their Covenant-relation while they vehemently plead against it for surely they have so much natural Affection that if they did think that God would be a God in a special Covenant with their Children and pardon their Original Sin and give them right to future Life upon the Parents dedication and consent they would undoubtedly accept the gift and be thankful And I believe most of them would say I would do all that God entrusteth me to do that my Child may be a Child of God and accept any Mercy from him as far as God doth authorize me so to do page 188 199. Indeed my Judgement was and is that the point of Infant-Baptism hath its considerable difficulties which may occasion Wise and Good men to doubt or to be mistaken in it page 219. Therefore I never took the point of it to have such weight as that all that differed from me in it must be denyed either love liberty or communion If I know my own heart I do as heartily love a sober Godly man that is against Infant-Baptism as I do such men that differ from me in other Controversies and much better than one of my own Judgement who hath less Piety and Sobriety Nor do I think there is so much Malignity in the bare Opinion which denyeth Infant Baptism as that all the Anabaptists miscarriages should arise from the nature of that Opinion Ibid. I know that in the Ancient Churches men were left at Liberty both when tâ—â— would be Baptized themselves and when their Children should be Baptized and though Infant-baptism was without any Original since the Apostles yet it was not a forced thing And were it in my power it should be so still I would not deny Christian-love nor Church communion nor publique Encouragements to any pious peaceable man for being an Anabaptist I am not therefore half so Zealous to turn men from Anabaptistry as I am to perswade both them and others to live together with mutual forbearance in Love and Church-communion notwithstanding such differences page 221. I make no question but many of them are far better men than I and knowing my self lyable to Error c. I am far more offended at their Separation than their Opinion page 228. I know not by any Scripture or Reason that Re-baptizing is so hainous a sin as should warrant us to contemn at our Brethren page 233. By which you see Mr. Baxter is not so much offended with the Anabaptists as their Separation To which we say Let Mr. Baxter by his Elaborate Systems and subtil Distinctions first convince the Pâ—edo-Baptists of their error herein as the Independants and others and especially his Friend Mr. Wills who though he hath Written so much for Infant-Baptism yet 't is well known he is a wide Separatist May not the Church of Rome cry out against Mr. Baxter for his Separation Might not the Church of England do so formerly And may they not still yea Mr. Baxter also cry out against Mr. Wills and his party and say they are Rigid Independents and Separatists What means then all this Out-cry against the Antipaedo Baptists unless they would have us believe that they are such Universal Dictators as have Authority over Faith and are Infallibly inspired to propound Rules for all others that when they Separate we must and where they have Communion so must we Now if Mr. Baxter will vouchsafe to do Two Things 1. Tell us of what Church he is of 2. Prove that Church to be rightly Constituted according to the Primitive Pattern We will not then Separate from him In the mean time we judge it our duty whereunto we have already attained to Walk by the same Rule And if any be otherwise-minded we hope the Lord will in time reveal it unto them Amen FINIS ANIMADVERSIONS Upon a Late Book Intituled INFANT-BAPTISM From HEAVEN and not of MEN In Answer to Mr. Henry Danvers his Treatise of BAPTISM WHEREIN Believers Baptism in Opposition to Infants pretended Baptism is further Vindicated and Confirmed And that Believers only are the Spiritual Seed of Abraham is also further Evidenced against the Exceptions of Mr. Joseph Whâ—ston By E. H. Non adeo perdite confidens sum ut ausim aliquâ—d affirmare quod Sacra Scriptura silentio praeterit Theodoret. i. e. I am not so desperately confident that I dare affirm any thing which the Holy Scripture doth pass by in silence Grace doth not run in a Blood neither is the love of God Tyed or Entailed upon any Linage of Men Caryl on Job cap. 5. The Preface to the READER Courteous Reader THe Delay of the Fore-going Treatise in the Printer's hands gave me Opportunity to peruse and briefly to Animadvert upon Mr. Whiston's Book wherein I find a promising Title and very little more To Trace him in all his Meandrous Digressions would be an Argument I want other Business The main strength of his Objections is in the said Treatise fully Enervated and I do not think my self concerned to pursue him when he insists upon matters besides the Question in Debate His Exceptions touching the matter of Antiquity are substantially answered by Mr. Danvers yet shall be briefly glanced upon here I shall not now Dispute whether it be Generously done by Mr. Whiston to assail with so much Violence one that 's already beset with such clamarous Adversaries as Mr. Baxter and Mr. Wills But he gives the Curious some occasion
to question that either he thinks they want Relief being very near a Defeat or have not so singular a Talent as himself to set off a bad Cause For my part I cannot conjecture what his design is unless by making up a Triumvirate of Champions he thinks to carry the Cause by Clamour and so share of the Applause their admiring Votaries are liberal enough of But as his Book needs little more Confutation than to be perused so the infirmity of his Reasoning serves to illustrate not foil the Truth he invades Our Adversaries themselves are forced to confess that most of those great Fathers the generality of Christians are so fond of have been of Corrupt Principles and tainted with Superstitious conceits and unsound Notions and that there are but very few of them to be found throughly Orthodox though of great Learning Zeal and Industry which is an Item to us not to lean upon the Authority of man though never so Celebrated by Ages and Nations but to have recourse to the Word of truth left for our Instruction and to seek our Warrant for Religious Duties there This consideration satisfies me That this Triumviri however acted by confidence or self-conceit may be out of the way and that their Dictates are no farther to be received than they agree with the Word of God The perplexing Systems spun out of mans own brain nice subtil Distinctions and long-winded periods may be taking with such as are firmly Espoused to a Party right or wrong or such as think him Conqueror that has most words but the sober enquiring Soul that seeks Truth not Victory will easily perceive the Vanity and Error of such a procedure Error cannot be disputed against without giving it its name and its Abettors cannot be reproved nor admonished but in words accomodated to their mistakes which indeed is not Railing but plain-dealing and which I hope is Apology enough for me if any Expressions should seem to be of too acute an Edge The Scripture commands us to reprove Errors sharply or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cuttingly Tit. 1.13 I love the Godly Paedo-Baptist as one that I know my Master Christ loveth but having such a Call to Witness to and Contend for his Truth I will as he shall enable me do it without daubing on the one and unnecessary sharpness on the other hand I know how to distinguish between such as by a mistaken Zeal utter provoking rash words and such as in pursuance to their Duty contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints And that Believers Baptism is such an Ordinance as Christ delivered to his Saints I never heard doubted And that Infant pretended Baptism is not such is our work to manifest After all the Clutter our Antagonists kept to find some Evidence for the practice of Paedo-Baptism in Fathers Councils c. the Scripture as they fully own being silent about it they are glad to run for refuge at last to their new Invention of a Covenant they imagine to be made with the Carnal Seed of Believers Gen. 17.7 which they say Intitles them to be Baptized but to no other Ordinance under the New Testament a most pittiful Paradox and being ashamed to own the mistaken absurd Mediums its old and most celebrated Patrons have Insisted upon for its Support in Old Times they have Center'd in a more plausible pretence for it viz. the aforesaid Covenant which is their only Reserve at present And I cannot but admire that Men of any Reason should cry up Antiquity Antiquity at the Rate they do when at the same Instant they reject the Grounds and Reasons the Ancients used for the same And is it fair to derive the practice from Antiquity and add Reasons of their Own when the Old Reasons are found to be indeed Irrational We know Infant-Baptism has been of an Early Birth viz. in the Third or Fourth Century to save the Child's Soul and upon a mistake that it might be Damned without it But Infant-Baptism upon the modern ground of a Hereditary Covenant is new and altogether unknown to the Ancient Paedo-Baptists as by other hands is clearly made good And how plausible this New Argument is in the following Pages is examined And before I come to a particular Survey of this present Vndertakers Book I would tender to his Christian consideration hoping him to be a man that Fears God Whether it be so consistent with his Profession in so Taunting and proud a manner to scorn and reproach his Opponent whereas a meeker way would be not only his Duty but more graceful 2. Whether it be consistent with the Word of Truth to go about to impose his bare Ipse dixit's upon the World without any material proof from the Scripture 3. Whether it be consonant to the plainness of the Gospel to confound rather than Instruct the ordinary plain Reader with such a variety of needless impertinent Distinctions Hypotheticals Tedious and rambling Circumlocutions Preambles and dark miserable shiftings to find a Covert for his I adorantism in the Word of God 4. Whether it be Ingenuous or Honest to supply the want of Argument with such phrases as these proceeding from Immodesty to Impudence Warning his Reader to be wary of crediting any of his viz. Mr. Danver's perswasion can any man think he had any true actual Fear of God before his Eyes Down-right Falsities Forgeries meer Cheats c. though not the least Tittle of them proved to be justly chargeable upon Mr. Danvers And to all which I think as it is the product of an Vnruly provoking Spirit actuated by prejudice and its ireful concomitants the best return will be silence Let him consider Gal. 6.1 Mat. 5.5 We shall not Insist upon his uncomely carriage throughout the whole Book we leave it to his cooler consideration and the Reader 's Observation and shall present you with a brief account of his Book and then Select what wants our Reply and leave all to the judgment of the Reader The Book consists of Two parts 1. An attempt to weaken the Humane Authority urged by Mr. Danvers for Illustration of Believers Baptism in opposition to Infants Baptism 2. To Confute him in the Doctrinal part About the first he spends 24 pages his Objections are some scraps of what Mr. B. and Mr. W. have more at large urged and already Answered by Mr. D. of which nevertheless I shall anon take a brief View From p. 25. to 71. he goes about to disprove that Believers Baptism is only Christ's Baptism 2. To prove that the silence of the Scripture about Infant-Baptism tends more to its establishment than overthrow 3. To vindicate Tradition as he defines it viz. the Discoveries made by the Church Doctrinally and Practically from the Apostles time to us as a subordinate means whereby we come to know and are more fully confirmed what 's contained in the Doctrine of the Apostles 4. From page 71. to 129. he considers the Arguments from the Covenant and Faederal
might craftily insinuate him no fit person to inform the world of that abuse in Religion He thinks that worthy Gentleman encroaches upon the prerogative he himself made bold to seize upon viZ. handling cases of Controversy But he will not part so peaceably with the least aliquantulum of it A Souldier so he calls him must not enter the lists with this spiritual Warriour if he does he 'l fling Ink enough in 's face I have heard some say that his Soldiership and Mr. B's Chaplainship were contemporaries in the same service and that the later was far more active Therefore may not that Elogy bestow'd by Warlike Ajax upon his opponent be applicable to our Vlysses Quantumque ego Marte feroci Inque acie valeo tantum vaiet iste loquendo But let me tell him in his ear that if he re-engage any deeper in this quarrel and persist in his impenitent obstinacy he 'l receive as shamful a foyl as Mr. Tombes gave him For our Souldier ha's truth of his side and ability to manage it nor does he want an acute and elegant pen perhaps not inferior to the chaplain for all his triumphs and loud applauses of himself and his attempts to engrosse as vast an opinion of his accomplishments as the greatest University graduates though he never as they that know him say was a student at any 'T is no miracle to find him a match able to encounter him at Quill-skirmishes in this age But as to our querulous master of Arts Mr. Baxter dealt like a man of warr to set him in the Forlorn hope thinking belike that his confident noise would affright us or his scoffs jeer us or his reverence an epithete he forces upon his modesty would cog us over to him as his dexterous epistler inveigled Mr. Lamb and Mr. Allen. In pursuance to which stratagem the man talks big brags loudly and like an Olympick gamester so he calls himself and very fitly for whoever loses he gets by his divinity games and may in time learn the Ecclesiastical politicians push-pin Divinity flings on all sides traverses every ground to get us at advantage that so he may Comically insult and flout us for his language savours more of frothy scoffs and Romantick drollery then of sober serious or Christian But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He thinks he can scarce get over any Anti-Poedobaptist to his party that indeed is the luckiest conjecture I met with in him and I am of that opinion too for I hope they are a people of more reason and stedfastness in the truths they have learnt then to be shaken by so mimick and ayry a companion that by the pedantry of his scoptick style seems fitter for stage-pageantry then serious contests of this kinde Besides the irreligious artifice and I may say malicious insinuations we meet with every where in his pamphlet to render the person parts and principles not only of his sober Antagonist but of all that own his way ridiculous and hated so to preingage his Reader to partiality and anticipate his judgment is so notoriously disingenuous and dishonest that I question not but the Intelligent Reader will easily perceive that the want of a good cause puts him upon those shifts to fill up a Book with such Sarcasm's instead of truth as if he had been of the old Womans minde when she took that impious resolution Flectere si nequio superos Acheronta movebo But is this indeed the man of so clarify'd intellectualls that puts a Remora in the progresse of truth to obstruct such as would come over to its Communion that brags of ransacking the publick library that has his album calculum c. others say that Argenteis hastis pugnat that has the forehead to charge Mr Danvers with plagiarism when he himself has not a single Argument new but a surtive collection mostly for 't is but now and then he mentions an Authors name from those that were formerly engaged in that controversy So that his whole book had it been worth the while may be confronted with continued parallels being only in his own phrase such trite and outworn things that they have been in effect trampled upon and confuted again and again Is he not therefore himself that Aesops Crow that struts so gaudily in other birds feathers I cannot but remark how he treads in his Epistlers steps I mean Mr B's idle pamphlet mis-call'd Plain Scripture proofs for Infant-Baptism c. who in plain English amongst his other envious calumnies represents the Anabaptists as guilty of Murther and Adultery for an Imaginary practice he fathers upon them of dipping naked or in transparent garments c. So this Answerer pag. 258 c. But methinks if ingenuous candor and modesty altogether unpractic'd by him though so gracefull in all their possessors cannot perswade him to treat us civilly the awful reverence of an All-wise God might keep him from such daring criticisms upon the plain expressions of Scripture and drawing so impious a consequence from premisses pronounced by the unerring creator For instance it is said Act. 2.41 42. They that gladly received the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were dipt so the word is English Luke 16.24 John 13.26 Rev. 19.13 c. what then why then they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine c. But Mr Wills says they that are so dipt are Murtherers and Adulterers a more favourable sence his invective won't bear 'T is pitty this wise demurrer had not lived in the Apostles days that he may propose a more taking model for Christian Ordinances then the holy Ghost could inspire them with I doubt his carnal and injurious canting would be answered as Symon Magus in another case thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter Certainly if sprinkling the face were the Lords choice he could expresse himself by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being the proper term for sprinkling as 1. Pet. 1.2 Heb. 9.13.19.21 and 10.22 and many places of the O. T. and so put the matter for ever out of doubt Was not Christ himself so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in English dipt in Water were not the converted Thousands we read of so dipt And durst this audacious man fix such ignominies upon a practice that has so sacred a patern the Lord rebuke him But candid Reader here thou hast them counted out of that fort Royal they fancy so secure viZ their modern pretences to a Covenant hereditary title to Baptism The substance of what they can say in their own defence is examined and soberly refuted The vanity of their silly distinctions detected and the Doctrine of the Covenant cleared and made familiar to the conscientious peruser And so the Lord who will infallibly reckon with Mr B. and his confederate unlesse they repent for putting such blocks and remora's in the way to his truth set it home upon thy heart and give thee a discerning spirit to own him according to his directions in his word