much easier 3. In respect of the end of it Circumcission did but manifest an outward right to temporall inheritance in the land of Canaan but Dipping doth witnesse to Beâ—eevers that they have a visible right into the Kingdome of heaven Luke 12. 32 not onely in grace here but in glory hereafter Againe in respect of the time for circumcision was to continue so long as the Jewes continued to bee a Nationall Church and then to end at Christs death but Dipping is to continue so long as Christ hath any Church upon earth Mat. 28. 20. till the Kingdome be delivered up and God shall be all in all 1 cor 15. 28. Lastly circumcision was a Tipe of inward dipping the truth of Regeneration or the circumcision of the heart and Spirit Rom. 2. 26. to the 29. coll 2. 11. 12. And not a Type of outward Dipping Prov. 30. 6. Adde thou not to his words least he reprove thee and thou be found a lyar And Revellat 22. 22. for I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this book If any man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the Plagues that are written in this book and Heb. 12. 9. Further more we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits and live BEloved since part of this Treatise was in Presse there came to my hand a book set forth by P. â— which could I have gotten sooner I should have answered more fully But to touch some particulars and first of Christs not being a Widdower nor his Church without a head though I find not this expression we differ not in the matter or substance though it bee not alwaies visibâ—e on the earth as is cleare Rev. 6. 12. 13. 14. whereupon the opening the eight Seale heaven departed as a scroule when it is rolled together and the 11. 7. 12. the witnesses lying dead three daies and a halfe therefore the Church is not alwaies visible nor the Mâ—nistry but for a time is hid in the Wildernesse where she is nourished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the Serpent Chap. 13. 3. 17. And therefore Christ is no Widdower nor his Church without a head so long as his Spouse hath a being in heaven or earth 2. We grant the Ordinance being lost none but a Câ—rist a Moses Elias or a Prophet from heaven can raise it but beleevers having Christ the Word Spirit have this Mat. 18 19 20 11. 11. Luke 7. 28. Rom. 10. 6 7 8. for the Scripture is as silent of Johns baptising himselfe and so others as for one After the defection of Antichrist to baptise himselfe being worse then the Apostasie of Israel And this is plaine for the Spirit doth not call them falne Israelites but Sodomites and Egyptians that were the worst of all Pagans and so of all the Gentiles Rev. 11. 2. 8. 3. Israels Apostasie dâ—d not race the foundation of the constitution of the Church of the Jewes for that was of an infant of Abrahams seed or a Prosselite to be circumcised Exod. 12. 48. and so long as they did this their constitution was true in the Land of Canaan Gen the 17. 10 11 12. But it is plaine that Antichrist as hee hath changed all other Ordinances both in the Church Ministâ—y Worship and Government Esai 24. 5. So hath he destroyed that true Apostolicall institution the matter whereof being beleevers confessing sins and faith desiring the Ordinance Matth. 3. 6. Acts 8. 36 37. to false matter of carnall infants not new-borne Babes of that everlasting Father Begotten by that immortall seed Isai 6. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 23. First being Christ Gal. 3. 29. and not a fleshly Generation for that which is borne of the flesh is flesh that have not visible Faith neither can they seale unto the Lord. John 3. 33. as all true beleevers doe for all true matter for the true church under the Gospel must know the Lord Jere. 31. 34. And be all taught of God Isai 54. 13. And therefore did the church of Rome or England Baptize beleevers onely confessing faith and sins desiring it wee would never separate from them much lesse remove their Baptizme as false because it is Gods ordinance in it selfe but so was never the sprinkling of infants 2. Whereas you say we are filled with prejudice that we have not patience to heare wee shall bee ready as we have ever beene to speake or write and concerning the vessels of the Lords House if you performe your promise I hope you will change your minde for the Vessels of the Lords House had no relation to the sprinkling of Infants as hath beene formerly answered for they were his owne Ordinance â—nd need not be new cast so long as they remained the same but the sprinkling of Infants was never And so the Argument to no purpose But put the case the Babilonians had destroyed the Lords Vessels and in stead had made them of Brasse Copper Tin or Lead whereas they were to be of pure Gold and Silver had they beene then the Lords Vessels or would his people have used them in his service and worship or brought them backe Ezra 1. 11. or would the Lord have accepted them for his owne Vessels And thus it stands in truth for the Dipping of Christ destroyed and raced out both for matter and forme as hath beene formerly shewed the matter being a beleever desiring it the true forme dipping them into Jesus Christ in the New Covenant to be visible heires Rom. 8. 17. Gallat 4. 5. Matth. 28. 20. whereas the other is but a tradition of the Church As Master Rogers in his Treatise of Baptisme sheweth that his conscience was never convinsed by any Word of God Also confest by the Jesuits in the 17 controversies Therefore though in words you denie traditions yet for the sprinkling Infants you have no better Arguments 3. Whereas you say the whole Church of â—olosse and so children being a part thereof were baptised To which I answer could you prove them Saints and faithfull brethren in Christ with experience of their love 1 Chap. 2. 14. 21 22. and 2. 11. and 3. 8. wherefore he exhorts the Church to beware least any man spoile them through Phylosophy and vaine deceit after the traditions of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ they being compleat in him in whom dwelleth the fulnesse of the God-head bodily being circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands and so buried with Chrâ—st in baptisme wherein also they were risen with him through the faith of the operation of God which was by regeneration and not generation as Christ saith John 3. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 2. 3. 1. 3. 21. Rom. 10. 10. and formerly proved having tasted that the Lord is gracious to whom comming as unto a living stone elect and pretious they as living stones are built up a Spirituall House an holy Priesthood to offer up Spirituall Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ And whereas he saith some hold that Christ is to come and Raigne at Jerusalem wherefore hee would have had them to stay till then for the Ordinance To which I answer if the want of the visibility of the Church proveth Christ a Widdower then the state of the Church of which P. B. is a Member was unheard of within these two hundred yeares and so Christ a Widdower unlesse hee hold the Church of Rome a true Church which if he doe how dare they separate from her If not some of them being loving friends holding the same Principle how dare they raise up a State before Christ comes as they say to restore all thâ—ngs Lastly whereas the clothes or vestments are said to bee holy which they weare when they receive the Ordinance of Dipping they being dipt into the death of Christ for answeâ— hee might as well have said the clothes are holy preached unto exhorted to repentance faith and other duties that men weare when they are in their Assemblies but as is the man so is his strength and for setting our parts Judg. 8. 21. by Gods parts Ezek. 43. 8. Whether the Dipping beleevers which Christ comand or springling Infants which he commanded not be it let every wise man judge and the Spirit of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets 1 Cor. 14. 32. And for the whole houshold that he speakes of did hee but consider the Apostles first preaching to them the Word of Faith and their believing Acts 16. 31. 32. 34. This Objection is soone taken away but this hath beene sufficiently spoken to before therefore I shall leave it to Gods blessing and thy censure FINIS
A Small Treatise of BAPTISME OR DIPPING VVHEREIN Is Cleerely shewed that the Lord CHRIST Ordained Dipping for those only that professe Repentance and FAITH 1. Proved by Scriptures 2. By Arguments 3. A Paralell betwixt Circumcision and Dipping 4. An Answere to some Objections by P. B. Psal 119. 130. By EDVVARD BARBER Printed in the Yeere 1641. The Preface To all that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and his Appearing Ephe. 6. 24. 1 Gal. 8. 9. Matth. 24. 30. 1 Revel 7. 1 Cor. 9. 18. 2. 11. 4. BEloved Reader it may seeme strange that in these times when such abundance of Knowledge of the Gospell is professed in the World there should notwithstanding be generally such ignorance especially in and amongst those that professe themselves Ministers thereof of that glorious principle True Baptisme or Dipping Ephe. 4. 5. Instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ which aâ— that look for life and Salvation by him ought to be partakers of it being that onely which was received by the Apostles and Primitive Churches and for a long time unviolably kept and practised by the ministerie of the Gospel in the planting of the first Churches that the Lord should amongst some others raise up mee a poore Tradesman to devlge this glorious Truth to the worlds censuring but first inasmuch as the Lord notwithstanding my own unworthinesse hath in his Son accepted and counted worthy to suffer for his Name It being also by the Providence of God so much in question at this time we are therefore imboldened thereunto 2. The Lords usuall dealing it being to bring mighty things to passe by weake meanes as in Josh 6. 3. 4 5 20. 1. 1. where the walls of Jerecho fell downe by the blasts of Rams hornes 1 Sam. 16. 11. Amos 7. 14. And Judg. 7. The Lord gave that great deliverance to Gideon and 300. which he would not doe to him with 32000. verse 2. 7. And 1 Cor. 1. 27. 28. Chusing the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and weake things to confound the mighty Jer 49. 20. 50. 44. And base things and things despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to naught things that are Zach. 4. 10. thereâ—ore looking only at the glory of God and love to the Truth for which being imprisoned 11. Moneths by meanes whereof I being taken off my Calling had the more opportunitie to search the Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so not as they delivered by Paul but practised by the Priestes and Prelates so our times for Paul delivered no such things as by them is practised in many particulars as is cleerly showne in the following discourse 3. The reports of some who notwithstanding they never saw our faces and so by discourse trie the Spirits as John adviseth 1 Joh. 4. 1. yet behind our backs have reproached us and so as Saint Jude saith Speake evill of things they know not and as Jere. saith speak a vision of their heart and not from the mouth of the Lord Jer. 23. 16. 30 31. 32. I am against the Prophesies saith the Lord that steale my words every one from his neighbour I am against the Prophets saith the Lord that use their tongues and say he saith Behold I am against them that prophesie false dreames saith the Lord and doe tell them and cause my people to erre by their lies and by their lightnesse yet I sent them not nor commanded them therefore they shall not profit this people at all saith the Lord. 4. Others affirming there was no plaine text of the Dipping of any VVoman by the which they discover much ignorance of or malice against the Truth striving to uphold the Traditions of men in stead of the glorions Institutions of Jesus Christ for the word saith Acts 8. 12. that when they beleeved Philip preaching the things concerning the things concerning the Kingdome of God and the Name of Jesus Christ they were dipt both men and Women and Acts 16. 14. 15. Lidia a seller of purple with her houshold being judged faithfull was Dipped And Gal. 3. 28. Male and female one in Christ 5. Considering the great burden this State and Kingdome lately lay under chiefly by those that pretended to be the heads of the Church as hath been manifestly proved by divers that were none of their Clergy to their eternal fame in that most honorable high Court of Parliament 6. Others that pretend to come neerer in witnessing against the Prelates yet durst not Moses-like stand to it Exod. 23. 32. who desired his owne ruine rather then the destruction of the people But these seeing the Wolfe comming hid themselves or fled beyond the Seas not standing up in the gap to make up the hedge for the house of Israel so as they might justly be compared to the Foxes of the Desarts Ezek. 13. 4 5. so that if the Lord should have sought for one to make up the hedge and stand in the gap for the Land that it should not be distroyed they were gone beyond the Seas or â—id themselves when If ever the Kingdome stood in need but herein they discovered themselves to be hirelings and not true Shepheards John 10. 12 13. or as much as in them is giving Christ the lye who saith his Desciples shall be brought before Kings and Governours for his sake whereas the fearefull and unbeleeving are set in the forefront of wicked ones Revel 21. 8. But the true Shepheard layeth downe his life for his Flocke and Nehimia the 6. 11. being in danger and perswaded by Sanballet to goe into the Temdlâ— saith should such a manas I flye and who is he that being as I am would goe into the Temple to save his life I will not goe in then he perceived that God had not sent him and Acts 4. 18 19. 20. The Apostles being command silence by Authority durst not obey but answereth whether it bee right in the fight of God to hearken to you more then unto God judge yee for wee cannot but speake the things wee have seene and heard And Matthew 16. 25 26. Christ saith whosoever will save his life shall lose it and hee that shall lose his life for my sake shall find it This we see fulfilled in these daies for some forsaking the cause of Christ have lost estates and lives whereas others who have stood boldly to it have saved both And if Meroz with the Inhabitants thereof was cursed with a bitter Curse Judges 5. 23. Because they came not forth to the helpe of the Lord And Paul thought not good to take Marke with him because he went not with them to the worke what may wee think of those that run from it And if by the Law a Souldeir that leaves his Colours is to dye the death What may bee thought of those that leaves their Countries leaving the cause of Christ thinking thereby to shun the crosse When if ever the Kingdome stood in need of helpe
their right say they Answ 1. It doth not follow that because Christ received and blessed them that therefore he dipped them for hee dipped none at all Iohn 4. 2. but his Disciples Secondly this place is put in to be read at the sprinkling of children for the whore hath sweet words as soft as oyle and with these faire speeches she maketh the nations yeeld to her Pro. 7. 21. but the simple only beleeveth her Pro 9. 16. 17. For this place as all may see makes nothing at all for sprinkling of children Thirdly if they were infants of Eight daies old as Circumcision was Administred And that their parrents were Jewes they might not be dipt before nor after the Eighth day and then their Mother would lie in and be very unfit to goe abroad much lesse to carry out their children If they were not of the Jewes but Gentiles then had they no right they knowing not God And their Children not borne of beleeving parents Acts 2. 30. Gen. 17. 9. 10. 11. Fourthly we must not thinke so meanely of the servants of Christ or thinke his Disciples so untaught that if Christ had instituted the dipping of infants and so had practised the same that they would forbid or keep any away fâ—om Christs Ordinance But rather of all others observe all things as Christ commanded them to the end of the World Matth. 28. 20. 5. In both these places there is not one word spoken of Concerning Dipping in many Chapters before and after and therefore they came not for Dipping vnâ—o Christ he never did it to any having greater works to doe to writ the more Noble worke of preaching anâ— working miracles as hee thought good for to confirme his doctrine for the generall good in all places where he came The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath Anointed Isay 61. 2. 3. Luk. 4. 18. 19. me to preach the Gospel to the poore he hath sent me to heale the broken-hearted To preach deliverance to the captives and recovering sight to the blinde to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the Acceptabâ—e yeere of the Lord Acts. 10. 37. 38. 6. If the dipping of infants be Gods Ordinance Christ was not so faithfull over his House a sonne as Moses a servant was For Moses made and set out all things according to the patterne Heb. 8. 5. but if Christ received any patterne for dipping infants hee hath left no rule for it by precept or example And for those that doe it from Circumcision they set the Lord Jesus and the Apostles to schoole to Moses to learne of him in the Law to teach the Gospel but we have not so learned Christ as to thinke his care and faithfulnesse lesse then Moses and therefore he had no such command of God as to institute Dipping of infants for if hee had hee might have said to those that brought them have they been dipt and all the rest of your children at home look to it and for time to come see that you passe not the Eight day for you know Circumcision was not to be omitted Remember how angry God was with that good servant of his Moses Exod. 4. 25. but heere is not a word for any such end And therefore no ordinance of God for the truth is there is nothing in these places for dipping beleevers which is Gods Ordinance much lesse for the dipping of infants which he commanded not neither came into his heart Iere. 7. 31. Answere But for Answere to this Christ would shew his mercy to all both jew and Gentile Acts. 13. 48. for theres no difference Col. 3. 11. But the fame of Christ being spread abroad as hee was famous in all places Insomuch they thought them happie that could but see him Luke 1. 9. 6. and those that could but touch the hem of his garment were healed of whatsoever disease they had Matt. 4. 23. Luke 6. 17 18 19 hence it came to passe they came thronging in upon Christ And brought their Children for it is naturall for Parents to desire the good of their Children as well as their owne Matth. 15. 25 26. where the Woman of Canaan came to Christ in the behalfe of her daughter crying Lord helpe me Secondly Christ by imbracing and blessing them doth shew himselfe to be Saviour of Iew and Gentile young and old for there is no other Saviour and so that hee receiveth none upon decent but though he be poore and have no money yea nor money worth yet hee will give them milke and wine without money and without price Isai 55. 1. 2. Thirdly to teach his Disciples humility and selfe-deniall for he that is not a little childe in lowlinesse love humility and selfe-deniall hee shall not inherite the kingdome of God Matth. 18. 3. Mark 10. 13. 14. 15. Obiection But the promise is made to the faithfull and their seed for Acts 2. 38 39. Peter saith the Promise is made to you and to your children and to all that are afarre off even so many as the Lord our God shall call Answ In these words is not so much as any shew of truth for Dipping of infants for the words are part of an Exhortation of incouraging these Converts pricked at the heart vers 37. for they cryed out what they should doe to be saved the Apostle answers First Repent and be dipped every one of you for the remission of sinnes Then comes with this incouragement for the promise is made to you and to your children And to all that are afarre off even as many as the Lord our God shall call that is not to you Jewes onely but to the Gentiles also to so many as the Lord our God shall call of them and so it answeres to a case of conscience that they might bring being sencible of their owne unworthinesse in crucifying CHRIST Secondly this answeres that the promise is made to them And not onely to them present But to their posteritie yea and to all that are called though never so farre off the Lord calling them as he hath done you they may come in by faith for a part in Chrst as well as Abraham your Father or you his children or the children after you But what is this to the dipping of Infants for children in this place and many other the like is not meant infants of seven or eight daies old that is pâ—eaded to be dipped But the linially descended sonnes of Abraham Acts. 13. 26. Rom. 9. 27. loines men and women of age full growne for the Converts did not scruple the dipping of their Infants they knew not that they should be dipt themselves untill Peter tells them of it And exhorts them to it thus you see plainly this makes nothing for dipping of Infants Objection 4. But children are holy and therefore may bee Dipt 1 Cor. 7. 14. Answere The scope of the former part of the Chapter is to answere cases of Conscience put or sent by some of the members