and the Isralites now not of this world Ioh. 15.19 then the king thereof is not of this world as they are not of this world Ioh 17.16 aÌ„d if these spiritual lords coÌ„fesse that Chr king now of the sand aÌ„d people of Israel but yet he hath left our lord the king hâ—s deputy to make such lawes and lords over the church as pleaseth him the word of the lord is against theÌ„ â—ere is but one â—ord 1. Cor. 12.5 one law giver Iam. 4.12 over his Church Nay his Ma himself is against theÌ„ who saith There is no earthly monarch ever the Church whose word must be a law saith further Christ is his Churches monarch the holy ghost his deputy alleging luk 22.25 the kings of the Gentiles beare rule one over another c. but I shal not be so among you saying further Christ then he ascended left not Peter with them to direct theÌ„ in al truth but promissed to send the holy ghost to them for that end c. If any wishe rebellions against the word of the lord herein yet let them not be rebellious against the word of the king Oh that any thinge would prevail with theÌ„ to make them leave of these cruel courses of persecuting poore soules that desire truely to feare God and are most faithful subjects to the king and desire also the salvatioÌ„ of the soules of these their cruel persecutors who do seeke their vtter vndoeing by al the forenamed persecutions onely because they cannot of faith offer vp such worship to God as these spirituall lords comaund and the rather let them leave of persecutinge seeing the kings Ma tie acknowledgeth It is a sure rule in divinitie that God loves not to plant his church by violeÌ„ce bloodshed And if it be a law for al ChristiaÌ„s that in indifferent thinges one must not offeÌ„d another but the stronge but forbeare rather theÌ„ offeÌ„d his weake brother other wyse he wounds the weake conscience sinnes against Christ 1. Cor 8. TheÌ„ how much lesse hath any man power to be lord over the weake conscience forceing it to practice that it hath not faith in bringing it thereby vnto same and vnto condemnation Rom. 14. wee do vnfainedly acknowledg the authority of earthly Magistrats Gods blessed ordinance and that al earthly authority and comaund apperteynes vnto theÌ„ let them comaund what they will wee must obey either to do or suffer vpoÌ„ paine of Gods displeasure besides their punishment But al men must let God alone with his right which is to be lord and law-giver to the soule aÌ„d not comaund obedience for God where he comaundeth none And this is onely that which wee dare not but maintaine vpoÌ„ the peril of our soules which is greater then bodily afflictioÌ„ And onely for the maintenance of Christs right herein do false Prophets and deceivers who by that craft are clothed in fyne apparel and faire deliciously every day labor to make vs odious iÌ„ the ears aÌ„d eyes of Prince and people knoweing wel that if they had not power by persecution to force meÌ„ to dissemble to beleeve as they their kingdome and paine would soone come to nought the wickednes of which course is discovered in this writinge followeing For the manner being Dialogue-wise wee thought it the fittest in two respects First for the vnderstanding of the simple to whome especially Gods misteries apperteyne more then to the wise and prudent of the world Secondly because al the objections that wee have met with might be set downe and the playnelyer answered And because wee have faith and assurance that many wil see and acknowledg the vnlawfulnes of tyraÌ„nyzing over the conscieÌ„ce vn persecuting the bodies of such as cannot be subject wee have also thought it meet to manifest the careful estate of such subjection that they may deliver their soules if they wil be saved and also have set downe the beginning of that old and good way that Iohn Baptist Christ Iesus aÌ„d his Apostles have left vnto al that wil be saved â—nto the end of the world Beseeching that Almighty worker that he would worke in the harts and consciences of men that they may enquire for it and that out of the scriptures and walke therein theÌ„ shal they find rest vnto their soules although afflictions to their bodies Oh 〈…〉 is time for the Lord to worke for they have destroyed his law and have set vp in many Nations such worship for God as best pleaseth theÌ„ that are in authority and have power to persecute the contrary mynded Let all Gods people cry How long Lord when wilt thou come to destroy Antychrists cruel Kingdome and establish Christs meeke and peaceable Kingdome as thou haist begun even come Lord Iesus by the Spirit of thy Moueth and the brighnes of thy coming even come quickely Amen By Christs vnworthy witnesses his Majesties faithful subjects Comonly but most falsly called Annabaptists Antichristian VVhy come you not to Church Christian What should I do there A. VVorship God C. I must worship God as he requireth aÌ„d not as any mortal man requireth A. True but the worship that wee require you to offer vp is the vvorship God requireth C. If it be so I wil withal willingnes asseÌ„t vnto it but my conscience must be satisfied there of by the word of truth that I may have faith in it other wise it is my grevious sai Rom. 14.23 For I may not beleeve it so to be because you affirme it A. VVell you must go to Church othervvise you are disobedient to the law vvil fall vnder punishment C. But still remember that you would have me worship God as you pretend therefore let vs agree what worship God requireth Christ saith Ioh 4.24 God is a spirit they that worship him must worship him in spirit truth Here wee see what worship God requireth viz That wee worship him with our soules and Spirits and also that we worship him according to the truth of his word And therefore for your booke worship If it were according to truth from the which it is as far as light is from darknes yet if I cannot offer it vp with my Spirit it is not acceptable to God but most abhominable A. Well you must come to Church C. I pray let aske you a question do you seeke the glory of God and the salvation of my soule herein or your owne obedience A. I seeke the glory of God and the salvation of your soule not my ovvne obedience C. Then manifest it no by words onely but by deeds and truth which if you do you will not threaten me punishmeÌ„t to cause me to come but with meekenes and patience satisfye my conscience by the word of truth for this is the duety of the Minist of Christ 2. Tim. 2.24 that I may come with a willing mynd so shall I be accepted 2. Cor. 8.12 Psal 110.3 For if by threatning me punishment as imprisonment banishment or death
wheÌ„ the fulnes of the gentiles is come in the jewes shal be coÌ„verted now if the jewes who are such fearefull blasphemers of Christ aÌ„d his gospel that contemne him and his TestameÌ„t with al dispyte if their conversion must be waited for aÌ„d that they may not be destroyed from the face of the Earth then who may not see iff they shut not their eies that the conversion off all is to bee waited for and that no man for blaspheming Christ aÌ„d his gospel map be destroyed or afflicted by imprisonments death or any calamitie whatsoever I. It is not to be gain-saied with any shewe of truth I would God the Kings Ma tie would consider of this point seeing that the cruel Bbs by vseing his power commit such sin against God in this thinge both in persecuting theÌ„ that cannot of faith yeild and also in foreeing them that do yeild contrary to their consciences to sin against God and to perish if they repeÌ„t not C. I am perswaded that if his highnes did but once wel wey aÌ„d consider it he would never suffer such high iniquitie to be coâ—â—iâ—ted against God contrary to his expresse comaundement aÌ„d all to bee done by â—he Kings power for nothing have they els to beare them out The Lord perswade the harts of his Ma tie and his posterity vnto it seeing his throne is established by him that he and his posterity may sit raigne over these Nations and Kingdoms till Iesus Christ the comaunder of these thinges come in his glorie to recompence every Man according to his workes without respect of persons A. If vvicked malefactors should bee let allone to the end of the vvorld then vvhere is the Magistrats svvorde it is of no force if evil men may not be cut of C. I acknowledg vnfainedly that God hath given to Magistrats a sword to cut of wicked meÌ„ and to reward the weldoers Rom. 13 chap. But this Ministery is a worldly Ministery their sword is a worldly sword their punishments can extend no further then the outward man they can but kil the bodie Luk. 12.4 And therefore this Ministery and sword is apointed onely to punish the breach of worldly ordinaÌ„ces which is al that God hath given to any mortal man to punish The King may make lawes for the safetie aÌ„d good of his person state and subjects against the which whosoever is disloyall or disobedient he may dispose of at his pleasure the Lord hath given him this sword and authoritie forseeing in his eternal wisedome that if this his ordinance of Magistracie were nor there would be no liveing for men in the world and especially for the Godly aÌ„d therefore the Godly have particular cause to glorifie God for this his blessed ordinance of Magistracie and to regard it with all reverence But now the breach of Christs lawes of the which wee all this while speake which is the thinge onely I stand vpon his Kingdome is spirituall his lawes spirituall the transgressions spirituall the punishment spirituall everlasting death of soule his sword spirituall no carnall or worldly weapon is given to the supportation of his kingdome nor to punish the transgressors of the lawes of this kingdome The law-giver himself hath comaunded that the transgressors of these lawes should be set alone vntil the harvest because he knowes they that are now tares may hereafter come to repeÌ„tance and bâ—come wheat they that are now blasphemers persecutors oppressors as Paul was may by the power of Gods word become faithfull and a faithful witnes as he was They that are now fornicators etc. as some of the Corin once were 1 Cor. 6.9 may here after become washed clensed sanctified as they were they that are now to people nor vnder mercie as the Saints sometimes were 1. Pet. 2.10 may hereafter become the people of god obtaine mercie as they did all come not at the First houre some come not till the eleaventh houre if those that come not till the last houre should be destroyed because they come not at the first houre then should they never come but be prevented A. Were not blasphemers put to death in time of he lavv 1 evit 24.11 c. C. Yes an Isralite blasphemmy the Lord or doeing any thinge presumptiously which was blasphemy Num. 15.30 no sacrifice to bee offered for him but would you from hence have the kings Ma tie to put al his subjects to death that conteinne the truth of Christ If yea see what will followe All Papists ought to be put to death who are direct blasphemers Revel 16 10.11 VVhen the viall of Gods wrath was powred vpon the throne of the Beast which all England confesse is ment the Popish power they blasphemed the God of Heaven c. All the Iewes that speake many thinges blasphemously against Christ ought to be put to death Yea of what profession soever he bee doeing any thinge presumpteously against Christ ought to bee put to death by your affirmation no sacrifice to bee offered no repentance to be admitted dye he must vnder two or three witnesses but that this is most false Christ and his Appostles in his TestameÌ„t doth manifestli declare as is before shewed was no Paul a blasphemer yet received to mercie But this the Holie Ghost teacheth from blasphemy vnder the law Heb. 10. He that dispyseth Moses Lawe dieth without mercie vnder two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he bee worthy that treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God counteth the blood off the Testament as an vnholy thinge wherewith he was sanctified doth dispite the Spirit of grace Speaking of such as had received acknowledged the truth vers 26. This is now the due proportion an Israelite according to the flesh in the time of the law presumpteously sinninge against Gods comaundemeÌ„t by his comaund must dye by the worldly sworde no sacrifice to be offered for him so in the new Testament or time of the gospel a spiritual Isralite according to the faith contempteously or dispitefully sinning against Christs commaund he hath former acknowledged dispiâ—eing and contemning them by his comaund must dye by the spirituall sword no repentance to be admitted seeing he crucifyeth againe to himself the sonne of God makes a mock of him Heb. 6.6 David and Peter came not within this compasse though they sinned off knowledg yet they did it not comtemteously or dispitefully but through frailtie If an Isralite vnder the Law did ought through ignorance as Num. 15. or through frailtie as Levit. 6. There was sacrifice for him so vnder the gospel an Isralit doeing ought through ignoraÌ„ce or through frailtie as Peter and Barnabas with the rest of the Iewes mencioned Gal. 2. or the meâ—steous person 1. Cor. 5. There is repentance for him This is it that coÌ„founds al true religioÌ„ That be cause it was so in the time of the law therefore it may be so in the time of the gospell by
but they receive the devil by whose power they teach for as our Saviour saith Mat. 10.40 He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me So he that receiveth those the Beast sends receiveth the Beast and he that receiveth the Beast receiveth him that sent him that is the devil Further did not that Southsayer Balaam teach excellent truths Num. 23.24 Chap. Yea the Southsayers of th Philistines the like 1. Sam. 6. Yea those in the Gospell preach in Christs name Mat. 7.22 as many we testimonies might be manifested and secondly For their bringing off people to reformation and therein doeing great workes did not the Southsayers before recited 1. Sam. 6. shewe the Princes their sin in deteyninge Gods Arke and the judgments against them for the same exhorting them to send it away and not to harden their harts as Pharaoh and the Egiptians hardned their harts and was not reformation wrought hereby aÌ„d did not they that preached in Christs name cast out Devils and do many and great workes of whome our Saviour testifieth he never acknowledged them But let vs a litle consider wherein the reformation consisteth procured by their preachinge in drunckennes whoredome swearing etc. Moral dueties which thinges whosoever is not reformed in shal never see Gods Kingdome yet which thinges many of the Philosophers that knewe not God abounded in as they that knowe the stories cannot deny But do they teach their hearers to hate vaine inventions and love Gods Law in a generall manner of teathing they may but iff it come to particular practice you shal see what they will do do they teach any to submit to that one law giver Christ Iesus for the guydance of his Church and not to Antichrists abhominations no they will tell you you must sigh and groane till the Magistrate will reforme for you are a private person and must bee subject and iff the powerfull working off Gods word and Spirit prevaile in you to let you see that the Magistrats not reforminge wil not excuse you at the day off account but that that soule that comitteth abhomination shall dye and that rather then you will Worship the Beast or his Image you will suffer with Christ peaceably seperating your selfe from such opeÌ„ prophanatioÌ„ as neither can nor will be reformed endevouring to square your selfe both in your entrance and walking in Christs way vnto that golden read which he hath left for direction then the best off all these preachers and reformers will be hot and bitter laboring with al the turning of devices to turne you and with hold you from reformation And iff they cannot prevaile hereby then publish you in their previleged pulpits where none may answere them You are a schismatique Brownist Annabaptist and what not to make the multytude abhor your doeings aÌ„d not to followe you therein and some of them iff not all vnder a cullor procure your imprisonment and trouble by their Canonized lords or some off their Heilish Pursevants And such preachers of Reformation are the best off them all A. Oh how have we bene besottes in these thinges for waÌ„t of true knowledg and vnderstanding from the Scriptures how have I and others satisfyed our selves with these thinges in that our estate was happy perswading our selves thereoff when alas our feare towards God was taught by the inventions of men but the reason thereof was wee iudged our selves by our owne perswations and not by Gods word C. I pray you let not that seme straing vnto you that people should perswade themselves of their good estate with God when it is not so The Isralites Gods People thought their estate good many tymes when alas at it was otherwise as the Prophets declared vnto them yea our Saviour Testifieth that they boasted of God being their Father when they not so much as knewe him Ioh. 8.19 Yea when they were of their Father the Devil vers 44. The fyve foolish Virgines though their condition good enough and that they should have bene let in but it was otherwise Luk. 20 The wicked thought they did God service that killed Christs Disciples Ioh. 16.2 Mans hart is deceytful Ier. 17.9 who are more confideÌ„t of their good estate with God then the Papists notwithstanding al their grosse abhominations even so have you and I God pardon vs thought beyond al that wee were in a good estate haveing such zealous teachers that teach so many excellent truths vnder the Title of Christs ministers til wee came to examine them as the Church of Ephesus did Revel 2. then wee found them to haÌ„ve no other ministery then that they received froÌ„ the Beast and his Image which the Dragon gave Revel 13. I. Are all without exception in this feareful estate to bee cast into the laike that burneth with fire and brimstone C. Al that submit obey or worship the Beast without exception for their is no respect of persons with God So saith the Lord If any Man worship c. These worshippers vnder the Beasts Image may bee devided into two sorts First those that ignorantly perswade themselves that al that is practiced is good aÌ„d acceptable to God Secondly those that see and aknowledg many thinges to be evill which they would gladly have removed but because they cannot without the Crosse of Christ partly for that and partly by the perswation of their Prophets that the thinges are not fundamenttall and the like pretences all submit and teach Men so I. Some affirme there be thousands in England that never worshipped the Beast etc. but be careful to kepe the comaundements of God and faith of Iesus C. Such are not vnder these judgmeÌ„ts but if there meaning be of any that submit to these ordinances appointed for these asseÌ„blies such teachers preach peace wheÌ„ there is none strengtheÌ„ the wicked that they cannot returne from their wicked way by promissing them life whose reward shal be according to the reward of such false Prophets Ezek. 13.1 and Chap. 14.10 because they followe their owne spirit and have not received it from the Lord. For thus saith the lord Such shal drinck of the wine of the wrath of God I. It is also affirmed by some that in respect of personall â—races some of the professors as they are called are the Children of God and may be communicated with privately thâ—ugh in respect of their Church actions they are members of Antichrists body to whome the iudgments of God apperteyneth C. This opinion proceedeth not from Gods word but from mans vaine hart by the suggestion of the devil which that it my evidently appeare let vs a little consider of it In truth it is to say that in one respect they have Gods promisses aperteyning to them in another respect they have Gods most fearfull tormeÌ„ts pronounced against that Beast and that false Prophet Revell 19.20 apperteyning to them In one respect they are Gods people serveing him their Maister In another respect the Devils people
Church that Christ hath appointed to vsed of his as also of their ministery is it therefore Chri Church and ministery They vse also the same washing water and words in baptizing their bells that they use in their baptizing their Infants is it therefore Christs baptisme If aÌ„swere be made bells are not to be baptised I answere no more are the seed of wicked persecuters by our opposites owne confession Iff this were any thinge you should see what will followe the baptisme of Rome is Christs baptisme because they use water and these words So if any vse water and these words as the Iewes or any other of Christs adversaries as the Papists are there is Christs baptisme consider this and see what truth there is in it A. Though the baptisme of the Chu of Rome should bee â—ought yet the baptisme of the Church of England may bee good in that there bee many thousands that were never baptised in the Church of Rome C. I answere that the first beginning off the Church of Engl was made of the meÌ„bers of the Chur of Rome as is apparant in the dayes off King H. the 8. and afterwards in the beginning of Q. Elizabeths raigne after Q. Marys death and so contynueth vnto this day and the long contynuance of it maketh it not aproveable aÌ„d the Papists theÌ„selves did the ProtestaÌ„ts prove if they have or hold any other baptisme Church or ministery then that they have from them aÌ„d shewe it and they wil recant Besides the baptisme now practized in the Chur of England is no better no otherwyse then that of Rome For the Chur of Rome baptizeth al the Infants of the most wicked that are in hir dominions and so the Chu of England baptizeth al the InfaÌ„ts of the most wicked that are in the kings Ma ties dominions and of this timber are both these Churches buylt and therefore wee may truely say as is the Mother so is the doughter And as they are in their first buylding so are they in the most of their lawes Lords Law-makers Courts aÌ„d thousaÌ„ds of their abhominations in so much as it is playne enough the latter is the very Image of the first vnto which whosoever submitteth or obeyeth or maintenieth their baptisme or any other of their humaine trash he shal be tormeÌ„ted in fire aÌ„d brimstone for evermore aÌ„d shal never have rest day nor night Revel 14. therefore in Gods feare cast away that cursed actioÌ„ of washing where was neither Chr disciple administring nor his Disciple vpon whome it was administred nor Christs body or Church baptized into and obey Christs voice in becomeing his Disciple aÌ„d to his Church that you may be baptized by his Disciple and be made a member of his body or Church This onely is Christs baptisme and of him acknowledged and ought to be off al his Disciples and the contrary to be held accursed and in no sort mainteyned or kept I. It is obiected that we must cast away that which is mans ordinance and reteine that which is Gods ordinance namely washinge and water and words C. I deny that any thinge in that action was Gods ordinance or appointment what truth is there in this to say that because God apointeth water and washing and words in his baptisme therefore howsoever water and washinge and these words are vsed that is Christs ordinance I confesse water aÌ„d washinge aÌ„d words are Gods ordinance being vsed as he hath comaunded the which I acknowledg must bee held but this vse of theÌ„ or action forespoken off being not the vse of theÌ„ or action appointed off God as the adversaries confesse is to bee cast away as execrable I Further it is obiected they repent of that which is evil and reteyne that which is good C. For the better discovering of this deceit let vs consider what is the evil then coÌ„fesse aÌ„d that they repent of say they an vnlawful persoÌ„ performed an vnlawful action vpoÌ„ an vnlawful person this is the evil Now this is the questioÌ„ whether this actioÌ„ thus vnlawfully performed may be kept and yet repented of The scripture teacheth that not onely confessing but foresakeing sin is repentance Pro. 28.13 CaÌ„ a theife that hath stolne goods repent thereof to acceptance with God and not make restitutioÌ„ to the party wronged being in his power or haveing ability to restore I would knowe how this wil be maintayned for the one is a greater theft theÌ„ thother I. It is further obiected that Ieroboams followers had no right to circumcision in their ydolatrous estate yet such as were circumcised in that estate were not afterwards circumcised when they came to repentance C. It is there foregery so to object for either they had right to circuÌ„cisioÌ„ being true Isralits although in transgression or els none had right to circumcision in the world no not Iudah For what caÌ„ be said but that because the ten Tribes were in rebellioÌ„ against God therefore they had no right to circumcisioÌ„ may not the same be said in as high a mesure of Iudah was Israels sin halfe so great as Iudahs If it bee said that Israel forsooke the place of Gods worship the teÌ„ple so did Iudah to worshipping vnder every Grene tree and Grove and high place whatsoever caÌ„ be said of the one as much may be said of thother This is a meere deceitfull forgery raised vp by Sathan in the harts of his false prophets to deceive theÌ„selves and theÌ„ that shal perish if they repeÌ„t not in that they receive not the love of the truth but beleeve these lyes and have pleasure therein concluding froÌ„ this false ground that because the Isralites in transgression were circumcised and after comeing to repentance were not circumcised againe so Egiptians Sodomites and Babilonians never haveing bene Isralites baptized in the Synagogues of sathan are not to be rebaptised as they cal it there being no comparison betwixt the persons th one being true Isralites acording to the flesh Gods people to whome by Gods appointement circumcision aperteyned aÌ„d who should have increased their transgressions if they had not performed it and thother true BabiloniaÌ„s Gods adversarys vnto whome God threatneth his judgments for takeing his ordinances in their mouethes or hands I. I see indeed there is no true proportion betwixt the persons in circumcision and baptisme for the one were the persons appointed of God to be circumcised which circumcision taught them the forsakeing of their wicked waies and bound them to the observation of the law Gal. 5.3 And they had no cause to repent of that their action thither are not the persons appointed of God to be baptized but sinned in that their action and must repent thereof by your opposites owne confession But if this be granted this question ariseth who shal then baptize after Antichrists exaltation C. For answere to this there are three waies professed in the world one by the Papists and their several successors professing succession froÌ„ the Pope and his
ministers another by the Familists and scattered flock that none may inter meddle there with lawfully til their extraordinary men come another wee aÌ„d others affirme that any disciple of Christ in what part off the World soever commeing to the Lords way he by the Word and Spirit off GOD preaching that way vnto others and converting he may and ought also to baptize theÌ„ the two former I shal through the helpe of God confute and confirme the latter by the scriptures First to the Papists and all their severall successors some standing for all by succession from Rome some for more some for lesse some for nothing but Baptisme being of our judgment for the appointing of their ministery To them all I answere with the words of the lord Ps 50.16 what hath Antichrists ministers to do to take Gods word in their mouths or to declare his ordinances seeing they hate to be reformed and have cast Gods word behind their backs If they have nothing to doe with his word and ordinances then not with ministery and baptisme Besides God hath foribidden that the adversaries of him his Temple and them that dwel in heaven should build according to that of Nehemia 2.20 The God of heaven he wil prosper us and wee his servants wil rise vp and build but as for you yee have no portion nor right nor memoriall in Ierusalem 2. to that fantasticall sect I answer It is their dreame and false vision to looke for extraordinary men for God hath not spoken it For if an Angel froÌ„ heaven should come preach otherwise then those extraordinary men the Appostles have preached which none els could preach which is written in Christs testament wee are to hold them accursed Gal. 1.8.9 which truth none need go into heaven to seeke but every one that searcheth the scriptures may find by the direction of the holie Ghost which God hath promissed to all that obey him Act. 5 and aske it Mat. 6.1 I Now I pray you let me heare your confirmation of your practice C As it was in the second building of the materiall TeÌ„ple after the captivitie of Babylon in Caldea so according to the true porportion it is to be in the second building of the spirituall TeÌ„ple after the captivitie of spirituall Babylon Now this is observed in the former that every Israelite with whome the lord was and whose spirit the Lord stirred vp was commaunded to go and build Ezra 1.3.5 though some were more excelleÌ„t in the busines then others So now every spirituall Israelite with whome the Lord is whose spirit the Lord stirreth vp are comaunded to go and build and the Lord wil prosper them in riseing vp and building though some be more excellent in the busines then others the begining of which spirituall building is first to beget men a new by the immortall seed of Gods word so makeing them liveing stones therevpon to couple them together a spirituall house vnto God 1. Pet. 2. vpon the confession of their faith by baptisme as the scriptures of the new testament every where teach as before is shewed I It is confessed of many that any that hath giftes may preach and convert but not baptize C Such our Saviour accounteth hipocrites and reproveth Mat. 23. that held it was lawfull to sweare by the Temple but not by the gold on the Temple by the altar but not by the offering on the altar to whom he saith whether is greater the gold or the Temple that sanctifies the gold the offering or the altar that sanctifieth the offering So may I say whether is greater the water and washinge or the word that sanctifies the water I. What other example have you in the scriptures that on vnbaptized person may baptise C. If there were no other then that aforementioned it were sufficent An Israelite circumcised in flesh God stirring vp his hart was to build the Temple made with hands from the first stone to the last So an Isralite circumcised in hart God stirring him vp is to build the TeÌ„ple made without hands from the first stone to the last begining with Go preach and Baptise teaching to observe all that God coÌ„maunds as Christ teacheth his disciples to the end of the world But further wee have the particuler example of Iohn Baptist who being vnbaptized preached converted and baptized I. But Iohn Baptist was an extraordinary man it wil be obiected for God spake to him extraordinarily C. what then Is not his practice written for our instruction God hath spoken at severall times after sundry manners Heb. 1.1 etc. Yet all to one end as for this of Iohn Baptist the same God that spake to Iohn Baptist in the wildernes his word the same God speaketh to vs in his scriptures the same word he spake to Iohn and there fore seeing the Lord hath spoken who shall not preach and practice according to his word seeing now God speaketh to no particuler persons For what soever is written afore time is written for every mans instruction Rom. 15.4 I. Many famous men as Mr. Perkins and others coÌ„fesse that if a Turck shoud come to the knowledg of the truth in Turkie he might preach the same to others and â—â—â—erting them baptize them though vnbaptized C. True but this misterie of iniquitie so prevaileth perswading many that they are Christians because they had baptisme in their infancie wheÌ„ it apperteined not to them that they think their case is better then the Turckes though alas it is much worse for it shal be easier for the Turkes then for them if Gods word be true Are not all Iewes Gentiles in one estate by nature and is there more then one way of comming to Christ for them both namely to be the sonnes of God by faith and to put on Christ by baptisme Gal. 3.26.27 who hath set vp his new way Christ or Antichrist I. Many of those caled Brownists doe confesse that they are reasonable perswaded that Antichristians coÌ„ming to the truth may be baptized and they would not differ with you concerning that but that you deny infants baptisme what say you may not the infants of the faithful be baptized C. No except God have appointed it I. You know it is granted that there is neither plaine comaund nor example for it in Christs Testament but from the consequence of circumcision in that covenant that God made with Abraham and his seed Gen. 17. and other places agreeing therewith C. Let vs endeavor to put an end to this if it may be in short I demaund of you what covenant the Lord meaneth here It must be granted he meaneth either the covenant of the land of Canaan withall the promisses thereof or the covenant of Christs coÌ„ming of his loynes concerning the flesh or els the covenant of life and salvation by Christ one of these three it must needs be let me have your answere or any mans hereto I. The first and second cannot be pleaded therefore it