Signs of Repentance which John saw was wanting in some persons and those he rejected as not intended in his Commission And therefore Infants are not intended Again The Infants of believing Gentiles cannot be concerned in baptism because not so much as the Infants of the Jews or Israelites were for John required Signs of Repentance before admittance to baptism because only the true believers are the New Testament Israelites and not Infants They are not all Israel that are of Israel Rom. 9.6 Rom. 2.28 29. Again If some will make the Infants of believing Parents Church-members by baptism or by Sprinkling because they reckon them in the Covenant why will they not continue them Church-members when they are grown up as If their growing up to Maturity were a growing out of the Covenant And indeed these in the Text being a generation of Vipers shew that believers Children are not in the Covenant so much more than others as to be baptised for John hear sets that Covenant aside from giving right to baptism CHAP. III. Mat. 3.9 And think not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our Father For I say unto you that God is able of these Stones to raise up Children unto Abraham I note That Parents being believers do not entitle their Children to baptism For God hath neither so confined himself by promise or the ordinary dispensation of his Grace as Experience teacheth Tho' he had promised many things to Abraham and his Seed by natural Generation yet none could by that Generation claim a peculiar priviledge in Gospel things For instance this of baptism is now denyed them they being without Repentance an effect of another Generation A being born again born of God And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to promise Gal. 3.29 And you hath he quickned who were dead in Trespasses and Sins Eph. 2.1 And therefore let none reckon themselves better than others because they were born of believing or professing Parents For we are all by Nature the Children of Wrath as well as others Eph. 2.3 Again If our right to this Ordinance as some would have it be founded in our believing Parents Rom. 4.4 how is it that an awakened Soul that hath been sprinkled in its Infancy sees it self in an utter lost condition by nature having no right to the Covenant of promise or the signs of it by any natural inherent Qualification or birth-priviledge And when by Faith it comes to have a view of the Lord Jesus then it sees that all religious visible priviledges are injoyed in the way of believing in him CHAP. IV. Mat. 3.11 I indeed Baptize you with Water unto Repentance But he that cometh after me is mightion than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire I Note That Repentance is such an essential qualification for Baptism that God in gathering his Gospel Church Commissionates his prophet John to preach it to prepare fit Members for that Visible Church and that also upon signs of Repentance to admit them by Baptism And that without those Signs Baptism should not be administered whereby it appears that God hath made Repentance as the root or Tree and Baptism as the Branch and so Gospel Baptism cannot actually have a being without signs of Repentance God hath ordained that Gospel Baptism should be the Fruit on the Signs of Repentance If you rake away the cause the effect ceases and accordingly John Baptized none but them in whom he found the cause Again John foreseeing the coming of the Lord Jesus and considering the manner of Baptising to be over-whelming in Water takes occasion from thence to foretell of the abundance of the Holy Ghost that the Saints should be endewed with so it was fulfill'd Acts 2.2 3 4. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sate upon each of them And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost c. CHAP. V. Mat. 3.13 14 15. 13. Then cometh Iesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him 14. But John forbad him saying I have need to be Baptised of thee and comest thou to me 15 And Iesus answering said unto him suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all Righteousness then he suffered him I Note That baptism is of divine Institution for the son of God himself submited to it as to Righteousness that he might fulfill all the will of God notwithstanding that the Prophet Iohn the Adminstrator thought that the dignity and innocency of the Person of Christ was above that Administration yet Jesus saw his duty as man standing in the room of the sinner to give for him a perfect Obedience to divine Justice and therefore submitted to Baptism or Dipping leaving an Example for our imitation Mat. 28.19 Acts 2.38 Acts 10.48 Again It was first Jesusâ—s choice to be baptized and not Iohn the Administrators to baptize him and so in the choice Jesus was Active and Iohn Passive but Infants are altogether passive and not at all active for sprinkling but rather by crying shew their dislike Again Jesus to fulfill his Fathers righteous Will of baptizing came where was much water tho it was many miles to it but if a few drops would have done then that might have been had where he was and Iohn might have come to him CHAP. VI. Matth. 3.16 17. 16. And Jesus when he was baptized went up straitway out of the Water and lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him 17. And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased I Note That the Lord Jesus in his baptism had not water brought to him neither did he withdraw to a Rivolet nor stand by the River-side nor did a little water suffice nor did he it in private but he went down so far and deep into the River that the Text is express When he was baptized he went up straight way out of the water Mark he went up out of the water is the curious penning of the matter by the Holy Ghost to shew the considerable depth our Lord went into the water to be dipt that it may appear much water is necessary for the right Administration of baptism This was his solemn Entrance into his publick Ministry Again God the Father the Creator of all things the high and lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity gives his Testimony to this his own ordinance of baptism or dipping by the Holy Ghost's glorious and miraculous appearing from Heaven in a visible descent and the Father approving his Son's submiting to his righteous Will Never was any Church-Ordinance usher'd in with more Glory than the Ordinance of believers baptism CHAP.
Saul or Paul by many illustrious circumstances all clos'd up as it were with a seal Baptism as if his Conversion would not have been complete without Baptism so sacred and of great import is Baptism to follow conversion Baptism is the great demonstrative Expression of a Change in the Soul Again Paul arose that is as much as to say went some whither to be baptized where was much water for else a little if that would have done might have been brought to him as it is now a days to children but to be dipt he must arise Joh. 14.13 Mic. 2.10 and go to some place where is much water Jer. 13.4 2 Sam. 17.22 And this we find in Scripture was the constant practice of the Apostles in obedience to their commission Mat. 28.19 20. and accordingly this Apostle practiced it himself and praiseth the Corinthian Saints for their punctual observation of Ordinances 1 Cor. 11.1.2 Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them to you Baptism was delivered in the Pattern by Dipping Mat. 3.16 17. not by Sprinkling and therefore Sprinkling will not serve but it must be Dipping they went down into the Water Acts 8.38 CHAP. XXVI Acts 10.46 47 48. 46. Then answered Peter 47. Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus c. I Note That signs of Conversion are all along made the Qualifications or Reasons why persons should be baptized But Infants giving no signs of Conversion are therefore not qualified Again Water Baptism is so great a Duty that the Apostle commanded it upon finding the persons qualified but Infant Sprinkling being no where commanded or directed is a clear proof that the Children of the Believing Parents of those times were not qualified for baptism by their Parents believing Again That which the Apostles did bapbaptize with was that which Christ commanded to baptize with viz. Water Again Persons receiving the spirit of God is not sufficient to excuse them from the call of the Gospel to be baptized with water but is rather a sure qualification for water Baptism for no man can mend the Apostles Commission Mat. 28.19 20. Gal. 1.8 Again Sprinkling is not here commanded by Peter but Dipping he commanded them to be baptized that is dipped in the name of the Lord Jesus Surely if Sprinkling had been enough the Apostle would not have injoyned dipping Acts 8.38 Baptizing in much water is made an Emblem of abundance of grace and glory Rev. 1.5 6. tho some people chose a few Drops CHAP. XXVII Acts 16.14 15. 14. And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of Purple of the City of Thyatyra which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul 15. And when she was baptized and her household she constrain'd us to abide at her house I note That Lydia was a Merchant-woman a stranger in this country where she lived and in appearance a single Woman or unmarried because there is no mention of either husband or children as is usual where such are concerned nay she is named as principal not by a Husbands name but by her own name Lydia not as having an Husband nor in an Husbands business but her own a Soller which further clears that she had no husband nor children here where she lived Note her Speech Not in our House but in my House she properly calls it her House whereby it clearly appears the had no husband And why 〈◊〉 my should imagine she had children in her â—â—use is very strange and but a poor shift to bring in Infâ—â—t Sprinkling by but that she had a servant or two is probable because iâ— beâ—â—â—â— to her business of Trade and 〈…〉 â—ut for any to affirm that â—â—e had hâ—drâ—◠〈◊〉 the Text is altogether â—â—letâ— and leaing so much to the contrary much 〈…〉 〈◊〉 and except it be affirâ—â—â— shâ— had 〈◊〉 â—lso that they were not of maturiâ—â— â—â—d did not â—â—â—â—ve this Text will do Infant Spâ—â—kling no â—â—rvice For a supposition will not be sufficient ground to build a Church Ordinance upon at least when many Scriptures appear against it If thou believest thou may'st be baptizid was Philips terms to tho Eunuch and upon these terms Lydia's Servants might have right to baptism Again if Lydia had a husband in her Housal at her baptising t is strange that notice should be taken of the Wives baptizing and not of the Husbands nay if she had had a Huâ—band therein surely he would have been named and if no husband then why children Again If Lydia had a husband 't is strange that she should in description be described to be a Woman and not a Wise and that she belonged to such a city and not to such a person and that the Trade should pass in her name and not in her Husbands and that she was the Housekeeper not a Lodger Again Had Lydia had a Husband with her whereby a greater probability of children might arise it is very likely it would have been said That Lydia and her husband as well as Lydia and her Household or Lydia the Wife of such a Man and himself were baptized and their Houshold Judg. 4.4 or had she been a Widow to have been called so as the Woman of Sarepta to whom Elias was sent was called a Widdow Luke 6.26 And again Luke 7.12 The only Son of his Mother and she was a Widdow Moreover In all the forty Texts about baptism there is not one Child mentioned then why any should imagine that Lydia had any is strange for here is no more sign of Lydia having Children then there is of Pauls CHAP. XXVIII Acts 16.30 31 32 33 34 Paul and Sylas being cast into Prison an Earthquake comes the chains and Doors open and amazingly convicts the Jaylor who came trembling to them 30. And brought them out and said Sirs What must I do to be saved 31. And they said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house 32. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord and to all that were in his house 33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and his straight way 34. And when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them and rejoyced believing in God with all his house I Note That the Gospel was preached to all that were in his house and he and his received it and rejoyced believing in God with all his house And these that rejoyced believing are they that were baptized But if it be supposed that he had Children then 't is as supposable he had none and if supposed that they were baptized it can be only such mature children that the Text saith Rejoyced believing
Christs Name 1 Cor. 1.13 15. And again the only reason Paul gives for his not baptising is least any should say that I baptized in my own name and so set up for a party to my self and divide Christ's Church among principle Ministers and this he saith only to clear himself of Schism Again Pauls buisiness was chiefly to convert and other Ministers to baptize much like the Text John 4.2 Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples and so there is no doubt but the believing Corinthians were baptized tho' not all by Paul and so John 3.22 CHAP. XXXIV 1 Cor. 10.2 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea I Note That as when believers are baptised they publickly own Christ for their head leader so the chilâ—ren or people of Israel passing with the cloud before and behind them and through the Red Sea they publickly declared Moses to be their leader so it was to them the distinguishing Sign or Ordinance and that by God's Appointment they were all that obeyed the Lord by Moses to pass through the Sea Again There is also resemblance between dipping and being in the cloud and in the sea for in both the whole body is covereâ— the cloud was before Israel and behind and it rested upon them and they were in the cloud covered all over And the Sea also was a resemblance of dipping for as they went uâ—on the bottom of the Sea the waters were abundantly higher than their heads and therefore it may be said they were in the depth of the Sea or in a sense Dipt For they were in the middle and at the bottom tho' the waters were miraculously made to stand from their Bodies that they might not be drowned and Therefore and Apostle may say as this Apostle saith And were all bâ—ptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the Sea CHAP. XXXV 1 Cor. 12.13 13. For by one spirit we are all baptised into one body whether we be Jâ—w or Gentile whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one spirit I Note That the Spirit that accompanys the Preaching of the Gospel is one in all places and to all Persons that effectually believe and because of thus believing we believers were baptized into one Church The Bride the Lambs Wife part whereof were the visible Saints at Corinth to whom we were added by visible demonstration baptism whether we were servants or free all one all alike whether our Parents believing or unbelieving so the Person baptized were a believer and have been all partakers of the one Spirit in the one Body the Church through the Spirit and baâ—tism Love to the Brethren is from the oneness of that one Spirit of God and the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one Soul Acts 4.32 Again Infants are not concerned in this All baptized for Infants were not the Coâ—inthian Saints that this Epistle was writ to 1 Cor. 1.2 nor were Infants bond servants neither had Infants the comforts of the Spirit attending Faith in our Lord Jesus for that Spirit convinceth the world of sin and a soul of the want of a Saviour and also shews it the Christ that dyed not for his own sins but others An Infant cannot believe this Paul again numbereth himself among the believers and not among Infants CHAP. XXXVI 1 Cor. 1â— 29 20. Else what shâ—ll th y â—o whi h are baptized for the Dead If the Dead rise not at all why are they then bapâ—â—zeâ— for the deaâ— I Note That in â—his Chapter the Apostle is about to clear up the Resurrection of the dead and to do it takeâ— the baptising of the Saints upon theiâ— believing to be one good Argument for it and â—â—coâ—dingly argues thus The Saints baptiâ—m oâ— dipping â—o signify the Death of Christ rising again out of the Water to signify the resurrection of Christ would signify nothing if there was not indeed the Resurrection of the â—ody of Christ nor is to be indeed a Resurrection of the Saints of whom Christ's Body was the firâ—â— Fruits What signifies saith he to believers your being baptized into oâ— upon the Profession of the Faith of the Death and Resurrection of Christ if Christ did not die and rise again and if he arose again then in time shall be a Resurrection of them that are his the Bodies of the Saints being the purchase of the Blood of Christ as well as their Souls Again No Infants can be concerned in this Baptism because they could not be baptised for the dead they could not believe nor confess that Christ died rosâ— again That one dead risen Jesus should satisfy the demands of infinite Justice for thousands and millions of notorious Sinners chief of Sinners pall present to come of which his Resurrection being a discharge from the Prison of Death is a clear proof that he paid all the demands of injurest Justice CHAP. XXXVII Gal. 3.27 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ The Apostle in this Chapter is shewing that persons in a state of nature are under the Bondage soveraignty of the Law of Works the holy yet imperfect to justify a sinner Had there been a Law that could have given Life Christ needed not to have died But Saints by faith obedience are apparently Christ's Free-men I note that As many as have upon profession of the faith of the Gospel been Baptized have given a sign of being changed from expectations of Justification by the Works of the Law to an expectation of Justification by the Blood of Christ so from a state of nature to a state of grace that you Galathians have so declared your being baptized upon prof ssion of that Doctrine is a sufficient testimony thus he goes on expect not Justification by the Law begâ—n not in the spirit end in the flesh now Baptism hath publickly distinguished you from the world fight the good fight of Faith in the Son of God Again Infants never did put on Christ for they never did from a sense of a change in nature or faith in the Gospel desire Baptism but on the contrary are after their Sprinkling in a state of nature as every days experience proves by their signs of unregeneracy the continual pressing that preachers make to turn Again As a Noble man's Servant is put in his Lords Livery to be kn wn thereby so Believers Baptism is a piece of the Livery of the Lord Jesus CHAP. XXXVIII Eph. 5.4 4. One Lord one Faith one Baptism I note that As here is but one Baptism so it ought to be Continued as it was begun by Dipping of Believers for there is but one Baptism appointed as an Ordinance in the Church as for Sprinkling of Infants it is without any Example or order from Christ or his Apostles therefore that cannot be Baptism so that there being but one baptism that baptism
VII Mat. 21.25 26 27. 25. The Baptism of John whence was it from Heaven or of Men And they reasoned among themselves saying if we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did ye not then believe him 26. But if we shall say of Men We fear the People for all hold John a Prophet 27. And they answered Jesus and said we cannot tell I Note That some Men tho in the days of Christ disowned the Doctrine of baptism upon Repentance and John the first Preacher and Administrator of it Because there was as they thought a peculiar saving Priviledge unalterably annexed to the Children of Abraham tho when grown up were impenitent Joh. 8.33 but it was but a pharasaical thought Many that are not in love with Christ discover it by not being in love with his Ordinance for his sake And some again are willing their own Invention may serve for his Ordinance And it appears John 2.23 that this baptism of John was in much Water and therefore he abode and preached in a place near much Water but if a little Water would have done then he might have Travel'd and Preached and Sprinkled in the Hill Countrey all over the Land but to baptize or Dip he must be where is much Water and therefore abode at Enon a place by the River Iordan because there was much Water there Behold our Jesus indisputation sheweth that Diping after repentance is from heaven but Sprinkling before signs of Repentance is of Man's invention CHAP. VIII Matth. 28.19.20 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptiking them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the World Amen I Note That here is the Commission of Believers Baptism given by our Lord Iesus Christ King of Saints and Law-giver to his Church And that the Ministers of his Gospel are to preach first upon the success of their Ministâ—y baptize only those who believe the Gospel Therefore unless Infants hear the Word preached and become thereby convinc't of sin and the excellency of a Saviour they are not within the reach of the commission for baptism but that Infants do not do and therefore they that sprinkle or baptize before preaching set up their own folly against the wisdom of God by doing the last first just contrary to the Commission Moreover to baptize either Infants or Men or Women before they believe is to make all seem Church and no World or rather continue all World and make no visible Church but our Saviour will have a Church out of the World And therefore he saith to his Church Ioh. 15.19 I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hates you and accordingly believers are appointed to be baptized to distinguish them from the World See more pag. 15. Again This promise of Christ's presence with his people is upon condition of observing the method of baptizing after preaching for preserving his visible Church from mixing with Unbelievers CHAP. IX Mark 1.4 5. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the Baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins 5. And there went out to him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the River of Iordan confessing their sins I Note that this Evangelist also relates that baptism was administred not at a river but in a rivâ—â— by dipping of persons that went out not carried out and upon confession of sins which Infants cannot do Again Tho the Pharisees that thought they knew the Law did not receive Baptism yet God found a people that did upon confession of sins and therefore let not us that are sincere for Christ and his Gospel be afraid of the reproach of some Ecclesiastical Persons but value the love of God for the text saith Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulitrous and sinful Generation c. Mark 8.38 Matth. 10.32 Again I wonder how the Infant Sprinkling Ministers dare say In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost I baptize thee c. When they do but Rantize or Sprinkle and not Baptize or Dip. If they will sprinkle in some bodies name and not in their own it is then to my understanding more proper and safe for them to say In the Name of the Fathers Popes and religious Men I spriâ—kle thee according to the declared Will of the Milevetan Council in this case It is our Will that c. and of the 5th Council of Carthage An. 416. We will that c. but this is not God's Will and then they 'l put no fallacy upon God's Ordinance of baptism nor speak untruth in the name of the Trinity And let me here speak directly to some Christians that are for Infant Sprinkling what tho you believe personal Election is there therefore a necessity that you must sprinkle your Infants believing that that election runs only in your Line by natural Generation Tho it may be you can say as a great many can That truly I do not know whether there be another christian of my Generation or no for they all by their Lives discover Ignorance and Unbelief of the Lord Iesus or at most make but a Laodiccan profession and then my brethren what incouragement have you to reckon that Election will run to your Generation after you and that your Infants should be sprinkled Moreover personal election is a secret residing only in God then how can you personally apply Election before their personal believing Furthermore election gives no right to baptism until the elect person be taught or called according to the commission of preaching baptizing God's order of working about the salvation of a sinner is God elects and his Ministers calls and the spirit going with the Word regenerates and upon that comes a bending to obedience and profession Or thus God elects and Man preaches and then God regenerates and Man baptiseth God works first First Is the decree of salvation 2dly The publishing of it 3dly The change made in the soul 4thly The sign thereof and a profession which by the will of God ought to be done by dipping see p. 27. as a lively Emblem of cleansing in the merits of Christ the River of Water of Life As God in order of time hath placed Election before Sanctification so he hath placed teaching before baptizing CHAP. X. Mark 1.9 10 11. 9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan 10. And straight way coming up out of the Water he saw the Heavens opened and the Spirit like a Dove descending upon him 11. And there came a Voice from Heaven saying thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased I Note That the Evangelist Mark as well as
sprinkled first and never believe after as a great many are Why shouldst thou think that the same God and Father that work't about thy salvation before thou thoughâ—â—st of thy self and hath by his grace effectually called thee should not also have a design of saving grace upon some Unbelievers Children as well as upon thine nay it may be it is upon theirs and if any be rejected not upon thine for it was not for any Worthiness in thee that thou wast called and therefore what 's in thee that thy Children should be more than others when others are of the same lump with thy self And thy Corruptions too much work up notwithstanding grace hath been at work upon thee that still 't is a miracle that thou art saved Nay thou wouldst never be saved if grace did not eveâ—â— dâ—â— abound and mercies great and manifold mercies follow thee every where and all thy life long so that 't is by grace ye are saved and the s me grace in the Text is free to as many as the Lord our God shall call And when called then are they accordingly proper Subjects for baptism Let men make the Covenant as firm as they please or as now a days make what alterations they will and put who they will into it yet that gives Infants no right to Baptism until signs of Regeneration for all things in God's Worship must have a Warrant from God's Word Lev. 10.1.2 chap. 9.24 chap. 16.12 And baptism is always in Scripture annexed to signs of Regeneration He that doth not blind himself may see by experience that neither the Children of Believers nor Unbelievers give signs of being in the Covenant until they are grown to Years of understanding and the most never do it at all how then according to your own reckoning should they have right to baptism And tho you sprinkle them upon a supposition that they are in the Covenant yet you will not admit them to the Lords Table upon that supposition until they shew signs of Regeneration then why sprinkle them Is their growâ—ng to be Men a growing out of their Priviledg â—ut indeed they were never in that CHAP. XXIII Acts 8.12 But when they of Samaria believing Philip's Preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ they were Baptized both Men and Women I Note That believing in Jesus Christ hath a Spiritual tendency to obedience Believers baptism tho in our degenerated Age many Converts motions thereto are stifled by seeming Truths Again How express the Text is both Men and Women were baptized but yet not a word of Infants for they indeed were never baptized nor intended for it because they were incapable of believing or answering the Call of the Gospel When the Men and Women believed they then were baptised and this is compleatly according to the Commission of teaching and baptising Mat. 20. Mark 16. And indeed baptism in the best kind could not be an Ordinance of God but by vertue of his Royal Commission I have read that a Learned Doctor of the Church of England saith thus I have seen what my Learned and worthy Friend Dr. H. Mr. B. and others says in defence of Infants Baptism and must confess I do not a little wonder that Men of so great Parts should say so much to so little purpose for I have not seen any thing like an Argument for it Dr. Bar. to Mr. T. Believing and Baptism are joyned together Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved What God hath joâ—red together let no Man put asunder for thâ—â—e is no dissolving the Native Unâ—oâ— tho disunion of living together hath been suffered because hardness of â—â—â—rt Matt. 19.18 CHAP. XXIV Acts 8.36 37 38 39. Philip by the Spirit preached to an Ethiopian Eunuch as he was riding in his Chariot 36. And as they went on their way they came unto a certain Water and the Eunuch said see here is Water what doth hinder me to be baptized 37. And Philip said if thou believest with all thy heart thou mayst and he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God 38. And he commended the Chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptised him 39. And when they were come up out of the Water the spirit of the â—od caught away Philip. I Note That they went down both into the Water and they came up out of the Water which plainly proves that standing by the water was not enough though much Water then how should standing by a Bason of water be enough or taking a handful be enough but both must go into the Water And the Text to be sure to fasten the going down into the Water upon our minds doubles the expression and names the persons particularly by Name both Philip and the Eunuch went down into the Water But why doth the Holy Ghost make this repetition but to shew that much Water is essential to baptising dipping must be essential to dipping and is not a Circumstance Dipping and Baptizing being all one Baptize is Greekish and Dip is English At my writing on this Text I being in comâ—any with one of the Dissenting Ministers in in London that practiseâ—h Infant Sprinkling I put one Question to him viz. Whether much water was not needful for the right performing of Baptism And after a little pro and con he said I will grant you that it was the Primitive Practice in baptizing to dip for 't is foolery said he for any man to deny it and he also acknowledged that the Greek word baptiso had our Translators put it into Engâ—ish must have been dip Tho he contradictingly said That dipping was but a Circumstance and might therefore at discretion be astered to Sprinkling that carrying the same signification in it as dipping doth but I answered That Dipping was not a Circumstance but essential to baptism It 's irrational nay it s making a thing to destroy its self to say That Dipping is not essential to Dipping And who is the Man that may at his discretion alter God's Ordinance Man must neither add to take from nor change the Institutions of Christ without Infalibility It is one of the boldest presumptions Man can aspire unto to innovate in the Worship of God nothing can be more affronting to his Sovereign Authoâ—ity Wisdom and Puriâ—y then for â—oor creatuâ—es to mix their own contrivances with his most â—ure Appointments Deut. 12 32. Ch. 18.20 Jer. 26.2 Prov. 30.6 Lev. 10.1 2. Again 'T is not another but thou thy self that â—elievest that is to be baptized yea every oâ—â— is to act for himself an other mans doing will not excuse thee CHAP. XXV Acts â—â— 18 Ananias put his hands on Saul and spake 18. And there immediately fell from his eyes as if it had been scales and he received sight forthwith and arose and was baptized I note That here is a miraculous Conversion of
Texts together that mention that Truth there being many whereby one Text may expound another Query 10. Why should Infant Sprinklers by their Practice occasion pro and con about Baptism When one Text of forty about baptism will clearly prove that Gospel baptism is not Infant Sprinkling but believers Dipping Query 11. If Infants may be admitted Church Members because 't is believed some of them are in the covenant to be in future time effectually called by the Gospel to Salvation Then may not any ungodly persons be also admitted Church Members because some of them also are alike in the same Covenant to be in future time effectually called and saved Query 12. How can or doth Infants Sprinkling answer Christ's design of Believers Baptism for dividing between the Church and the World When experience and Scripture shews that the Infant Sprinkled Nations are grosly more World than Church even Strangers and Enemies to Regeneration tho all sprinkled Church-Members Query 13. Why should a Christian be blamed for obeying and defending forty New Testament Text of Scripture for Believers Baptism When all the Men that ever opposed it never shewed one Text that maketh any appearance for Infant Sprinkling Query 14. Who is most justinable he that shews his Obedience by many clear Texts of Scripture or he that sheweth his Practice by only sallacious Consequence and Presumptions Query 15. Will not a Christian do well to stand to the Doctrine of forty New Testament Texts tho' he be shot thro' and thro' with Ridiculous Speeches c. Query 16. Why should I be too much afraid of my weakness seeing my Case is true and Truth is strongest and like much Water hath always tendency to clear it self Query 17. Whether is it best to obey God as Revealed in his Word or obey Man as they Invent and Insult Query 18. If Parents Imagine that they may make their Infants Church Members by their Sprinkling them because it is no where expresly forbidden Then may they not do it by crouding any thing into the Worship of God that is not forbidden or by giving their Children some other odd thing That will be no abuse to Baptism Query 19. Tho' some groundlessly may be offended at this Treatise and catch at a word is it not the Offendeds Duty to act like a Christian by considering the Substance of what is said rather than Sophister like catch at a word to sophisticate the truth seeing every days experience shews that The greatest Clarks and Counsels have tript in a Word or Critricks have made them seem so to do Query 20. Why should a Christian take Infant Sprinkling for God's Ordinance when never any Man proved that God ordain'd it The Contents Christ and his Apost preach believers baptism p. 1. A new Creature hath aptness to Obedience p. 3. The four sorts of People that don't like it p. 4. Some Lovers of Christ dares be baptized p. 5. Christian Sprinklers left to their way = p. 5. Baptism is after Faith and Repentance p. 7.8 10 19 20 24 37 41 47. c. Baptizing is Dipping not Sprinkling p. 7.12 13 17 20 24 27 35 37. c. Baptizing in much water p. 28 36 37. Infants are not Church Members p. 8 47. Infants not baptised p. 29 31 33 47 48. Neither Believers Infants nor others sprinkled p. 9.18 21 22 29 30 31 32. c. An awakened soul sees no right by nature p 9 Repentance and baptism prepares for profession p. 10. Jesus was dipt and is our Example p. 11 17. Jesus chose and went miles to much water p. 11. Jesus had not Water brought to him p. 12. God approved obedience in much Water p. 12 24. Tho some reject yet others rece bapt p. 13 15 18.25 The Commission is to teach and baptise p. 14. Infant sprinkâ— makes all world no Church p. 14. Christ's presence promised to preaching bap p. 14. How dare some Ministers say In the Name p. 15. Election directeth not to Infant Sprink p. 16 22. God sanctifieth Man baptiseth p. 16. God accepts only what he hath appointed p. 18. Believing and baptism are joyned together p. 19. Sprinkling furthers not Infants Salvation p. 19. Never any believer hurt in baptising p 19. Believers baptm hath a Commsn but Insn none p. 19 Naaman advised to obey Gods Will p. 20 An Vnbelievers Child's baptism is null p. 22 Not Election but Believing give right to bapt p. 22 Duty excludes Infants from Baptism p. 23 The Learned own that baptize is dip p. 26 Baptised at Enou because of much water p. 28 None but Disciples were baptised p 29 Infant Sprinkling a Counterfeit to c. p. 29. Baptism is Commanded p. 30 37 They that gladly received â—he word baptised p. 31 As one so another is saved by grace p. 32 Not Covenant but Regen gives right to bap p. 32 Men and Women but â—o Infants baptisâ—d p. 33 Dr. H. Mr. B. sâ—id mâ—ch to little purpose p. 33 'T is foolery to dâ—ny that â—aptism was Dipping p. 35 'T is affronting to change Gods Ordinance p. 35 â—1 Baptism follows the sign of a change p. 36 Baptised with the Spirit fits for Water p. 37 Lydia had neither husband nor children p 38 39 The Jaylor had no Infants p. 40 Believers baptism is no Rebaptism p. 42 Baptism is â—a sign of washing from sin p. 43 Much water is an Emblem of Grace p. 43 Baptism a sign of death burial Resurrect p. 44 48 Paul did baptise several p. 45 Baptised in the Cloud and Sea p. 46 Baptised into one body p. 47 Baptised for the dead excludes Infants p. 48 Not Infants but believers put on Christ p. 49 There 's but one baptism that 's dipping believers p. 50 Believers baptism figureth 4 things p. 50 Sprinkling is a profanation of baptism p. 50 Dipping shews Christs Death and Refurrect p. 51 Several Metephors explain baptism = p. 51 Baptism is a foundation Doctrine p. 52 The Church robb'd of her Names c. p 52 Noahs Flood a Figure of baptism p. 53 Baptism is a sign of sanctification p. 53 The Persons and Mode of Baptising p. 54.55 How Infant sprinkling came in fashion p. 56 Nine Evil Tendencies of Infant Sprinkling p. 57 Objections Answered = p. 58 59 60.61 Difference between sprinkling baptising p. 62 c. Infant sprinklers makes self-contradiction p. 67 A sight of a believer at baptising p. 68 Of Reproaches and Sufferings p. 69 The dignity of the Lord Jesus p. 70 Likeness between grace and much wat. p. 71 to 74 Humaene Frailty hindereth not baptism p. 75 Believing is qualification for baptism p. 75 Gentility hindereth not baptism p. 76 A Persecutor called and baptised p. 76 A Proclamation for all to come p. 77 Believers admitted in a way of Faith p. 77 Twenty Quereis for Baptism = p. 78 79 80 Errata p. 5. l. 1. s the sinner r. this sinner p. 16. l. 33. f. sc p. 27. r. se p. 26. p. 27. l. 31. r. counted p. 33. l. 34 r. of hardness p. 36. l. 1. r. Acts 9.17.18 p. 36 l. 4. f. if it had r. it had p. 51 l. 29 f. up r. upon l. 30 f. they r. so they f. up r. upon p. 62 l. 29 f. which r. after which Advertsement At London are many larger Treatises of Believers Baptism which I shall willingly help the inquisitive to or to these
Zanchius Spanhemius Taylor and Hammond For which consult Legh's Critica Sacra Taylor 's Ductor Dubicantium and Hammonds Annotat. upon the New Testament Again To baptize before Reâ—entance is just contrary to John's Practice for he baptized no Infants and rejected persons that gave no signs of Repentance Mat. 3.7 8. CHAP. XIX John 1. 28.31 28. Jordan where John was baptizing 31. That he Jesus should be made manifest to Israel Therefore am I come baptizing with Water I Note That this fourth Evangelist John also beareth Record to the first Institution of believers baptism which John the Baptist administred in the River Jordan Again John's baptism was by Divine Authority he called people by his Ministery to Faith in Christ and expected good Works as the fruit of that Faith And here began to be laid the Foundation of the New Testament Church gathered out of the World by the Gospel call of Faith Repentance and baptism these People he divides he gathers the good and throws the bad away admits the Repenting the coming Sinner and Rejects the rest not an Infant baptized nor a grown person Sprinkled in this Heavenly baptism The Old Testament Church was National consisting of the Natural seed of Abraham Servants bought with Money and Proselyter who were circumcised to distinguish them from others by express command from God but the New Testament Church is congregational consisting of a separate People gathered by the call of the Gos el out of the World and are reputed the Spiritual Seed of Abrâ—ham by believing as he did Gâ—l 3.6 7. Even as Abraham believed God and it â—as aâ—coâ—â—ted to him for Righteousness Know ye thereâ—â—re that they which are of Faith the same are the children of Abraham CHAP. XX. John 3.22 23. 22. After these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judea and there he tarried with them and baptizâ—d 23. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim because there was much Water there I note That our Lord and Saviour ownâ— Johns Baptism by practising the same and as Iohn his Fore-runner had prepared the way by preaching Repentance and Baptism but not an Infant concerned therein So Christ admitted none to his baptism but such as made an â—ctual profession of faith Again Tho the reâ—son why Jesus and his Disciples and Iohn also baptized in Enon was because there was much Water there a fit place for baptizing yet some men nowadays by their practice reckon themselves wiser than Iohn or the Disciples and Iesus also and they choose a place where is a little Water a spoonful serves their turn and this is just contrary to the Text of being aâ— Enon because there was much water there The truth is Infant Sprinkling is contrary tâ— Baptism in all the parts of it Surely 't is clear that this Text proves there is something in much Water 't is material to Baptismal Obedience and that a little is no◠〈…〉 handful is not so proper as a River foâ—â—â—ptisâ— If by plausible pretences one Error be admitted into the Church then all Errors may follow CHAP. XXI John 4.1 2. 1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and Baptized morâ— Disciples than John 2. Tho Jesus himself baptised not but his Disciples I note That the baptised were Disciples Christ's Schollars before that he baptised them And tho he baptised more Disciples than John yet he baptised no Infants for the Text faith they were Disciples persons that had learn'd some of Christs Doctrines Again Baptised more Disciples proves that Infant Sprinkling is only a Humane Invention a Counterfeit devised to politically make all that are born in a Nation Church-members or visible Christians before they have Faith or Repentance of which sort the Antichristian Church is full Which secures their Priestly Grandeur c. Yet those whom Christ and his Disciples baptised were not Infants but Disciples besides Sprinkle they did none Moreover If Infant Sprinkling had been an appointment or Ordinance of Jesus Christ there would have been some Command or Example in Scripture to warrant the same But where the Scripture hath no Tongue to speak we should have no Ear to hear that we be not guilty of Will-worship And should any conclude that some of these baptised Disciples were Parents yet we find no mention of the Baptism of their little Children for the Lord Jesus knew that they had no right to Baptism tho their Parents were believers CHAP. XXII Acts 2.28 39 41. 28 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the rem ssion of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 39 For the Promise is unto you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even aâ— many as the Lord our God shall call 41 Then thâ—y that gladly received the Word were Baptised and the same day were added to them about Three Thousand Souls I Note That upon the Jews being by Peters Preaching convicted of sin and crying out What shall we do ver 27. Peter answers and commands Baptism even as he Commands Repentance Repent be baptised the Reason given why they should now repent and be baptised is because now they are according to promise called by the Gospel to believe Repent and be baptised but not called to be Sprinkled first and repent afterwards Again When People repent before they are baptised they are then in the way or order that the Wisdom of God hath assigned but Baptizing or Sprinkling before believing and repenting contradicts the order appointed by God Again This Duty Repent and be baptis d is not only injoyned them but after Generations Joel 2.32 the Remnant whom the Lord shall call Every ones Children that shall be called be called by the Gospel in all the World so full and free are the tenders of the Gospel for the promise is to many even as many as are called Rev. 7.9 I saw a great number which no Man could number of all Nations c. Again Of all these that the Promise was made to and to their Children None were baptized but those that gladly received the Word But it doth not appear that any Infants did or could be capable of receiving the Word and therefore they could not be the fit subjects for baptism Again Tho three thousand believers were added yet there was not one believing Parent that had an Infant either baptised or so much as sprinkled for they that were Baptised were only those that gladly received the Word For in the Text is not a word of little ones Baptism is only for those that gladly receive the Word Again The Primitive way of admitting Church Members was upon a profession of Faith a Believing Whereupon having that sign of a Change a Regeneration the Ministers then obedientially baptise them as directed by Christ in their Commission they being by baptism visibly added But they were not
bâ— baptized and when baptized Went up strâ—â— got way oâ—t of the water Mark 1.5 All baptized in the River Jorâ—an and Jesus was baptized in Jordaâ— Mark 1.9 John 3.23 John was baptizing in Enon because there was much water there And they went down both into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him And when â—hey were come up out of the water c. Acts 8.38 39. And Acts 10.48 Peter commanded them to be Baptized said Ananias to Paul Arise and be baptized wâ—shing a way thy sins We are buried with Christ by baptism Rom. 6.4 5. If we have been planted together with him in the likeness of his death And were all baptized to Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10.2 One Lord one Faith one Baptism Eph 4.5 Buried with Christ in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him c. Col. 2.12 'T is strange and unaccountable that any man should pretend to draw a conclusion of Infant Sprinâ—ling from Scripture when there 's not a Text that looks like it And more strange that any should draw a conclusion that Infant Sprinkling is Baptism when all the Texts about Baptism tends to prove and clear the Dipping of Believers only How Infant Sprinkling came in fashion The Church of Rome coâ—fesseth she changed Dipping into Sprinkling Câ—prian is the first who pleads for baptisiâ—g the Siâ—k by Sprinkling and for Sprinkling now Converts in the Prison-house and by degrees they brought it in for sick Children then for all Children Romes first and great Argument by which Infants Baptism was brought in was their imagining it took away original Sin upon which they made this Canon in the Milevetan Couâ—cil It is our Will that all who affirm Young Children have everlasting life which are not baptized to the taking away of Original Sin shall be Anathemized So the fifth Council at Carthage 416. We will that â—hosoever denyeth that little Children by Baptism are not freed from Perdition and eternally saved that they be acâ—ursed This was first confiâ—meâ— by Pope Innocentius and Augustin with seventy Bishops I note Thus a Christian may see the Our Will the We Will that brought in nfant Sprinkling without God's Will therefore 't is not strange if some Infants in cold Countries Dye if Dipt Again The Fathers of the declined Church were but Children in comparison of the Apostâ—es and therefore the Apostles shall be my Fathers The Evil Tendencies and Consequences of Infant Sprinkling 1st It hath been a Snare to most people because they do thereby reckon themselves to be Christians and in a Salvable Condition tho' they indeed are without Faith and Repentance 2ly It hath been the Root and off spring of the National Churches and is essential to their standing 3ly The National Sprinklers of Infants have often made War upon the Congregational Christians for observing the word of God as the only rule of Faith and Practice 4ly It greatly indangers Congr gational Churches â—o â—egenerate and become National 5ly It is one of the great supports of the Anti Christian Whore of Babilon 6â—y There is more appâ—opriated to Infant Sprinkling then is due to Gospel Baptism Taking away Original si Qualifying for Salvation 7ly It sets aside Gods command and puts Men upon the quite contrary by which rule also any other Erronious thing may come in 8ly To guard Infants Sprinkling many Men bar the unsprinkled Infants out of Heaven so their way Damn Millions that are saved 9ly It puts some men upon aserting that all Infants of believers are in covenant And yet say that there is no falling from a State of Grace Tho on the contrary they will acknowledge that many of the believers Sprinkled Infants living to maturity die unregenerated perish eternally Evils always attend Error here are nine The Objections that the ignorant world and others usually make against Believers Baptism are Answered Obj. 1. I have been baptised in my Infancy therefore what need I be baptised again Answ You was but Rantised or Sprinkled not Dipt nor Baptised John 3.23 Obj. 2. Learned men are for Infant Sprinkling Answ Some Learned men are for Popery not for Purity But all are not however the Gospel ought not to submit to learned Men Acts 4.19 Obj. 3. Whole Fâ—miâ—es were baptized Answ All that were baptized did first believe Acts 16.34 Let it be so now Obj. 4. Circumcision availeth nothing but a nâ—w Creature then what need I be baptized Answ You may as well infer and say that because God will save by grace that therefore you will take the liberty of forbearing good Works Rom. 6.1.15 or because God works you will play Ob. 5. Many lays too much stress upon beleivers baptism and that makes us the more backward to it Answ And I fear you lay too little Christ layeth it thus He that Believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 Oâ—j 6. Were not little Children baptized by Christ Mark 10.13 14. Answ No he only blest them Mark â—0 16 Obj. 7. Infaâ—t baptism is not forbidden Answ At that door Popish Error comes in and all others may yet what 's not appointed iâ— forbidden Lev. 10.2 3. Isa 1.12 Obj. 8. Aâ— Nations are to be baptized and Infants are part of Nations Answ But they should be taught first anâ— believe accoâ—ding to the same Commission Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.16 Acts 8.12 Obj. 9. There hath been bad Men Anabaptists Answ Shew me a Profession that hath not such nay the many Malefactors that hath suffer Death in your memory have been of other Religions and it may be of your Church but what is that to Religion it self Judas being a Judas doth not overthrow the Gospel 't is not persons but things that are the Doctriâ—es of the Gospel we are upon even Believing and Dipping Obj. 10. Infant Priviledges are not less under the Gospel then â—unâ—er the Law Answ Their saving Priviledges are the same but that gives no riâ—ht to Baptism Obj. 11. Baptism came in the room of Circumcision Answ Circumcision of the heart came in the room of Circumcision of the flesh Rom. â— 28.29 the priviledges waâ— anâ—â—â—eâ— to Circumcision but now it is to Believing Obj. 12. There 's an Vniversal Consent of Churches and Anâ—iâ—anâ—â—y for Inf nt Sprinkling Answ Such cous nâ— makes nothing true nor fâ—lse 't is Scripture dâ—â—s both before Consent had a Being as it was in the beginning should be now and a Believer Baptized may say is now and ever shâ—ll be 13. There are some other Objections Answ One Rule will answer all Objections against Believers Baptism viz That God will acâ—ept â—â—â—thing in his Worship but what be hath appointed The Objections that some Christians make are here Answered Obj. 14. Believers Children are holy 1 Cor. 7.14 Answ A Believers unbelieving Husband or Wife hath the same holiness by the same text Obj. 15. Infants were once Church members Answ So were servants too Godly or Ungodly a
arose to the water And thus tho God hath an Ocean of Grace and that this grace is free as a River Ps 78.20 Iude 3. Isa 33 21. yet saith Goâ— of his people They shall come weeping and mourning Isa 48.18 And so tho his Ordinance of water be free yet his people shall come to that and not a little of that brought to Sprinkle as if they were afâ—aid of too much and as if too much water Psal 36.8 would signify too much grace or us if could they but have grace or sanctity enough to carry them to Heaven they would not have a drop more Now Believer if it come to pass by thiâ— or any other means that thou art wrought to a solid desire publickly to profess thy self Religious Mar. 10.32 A believer on the Son of God for Salvation by an obediential submitting to this Gospelly settled Ordinance of believers baptism and yet thou findest in thy self frailty and inability to live a perfect holy Life as becometh such a professor and therefore thinkest with thy self to delay baptism till thou art stronger fortified against Corruption and better qualified for baptism If so then rest on thy Lord Jesus Eph. 5.26 and conclude to live thro the gâ—ace of God as well as thou caâ—st if not so well as thou wouldest so resolve to be baptized If thou believâ—st with all thy heart thou may'st be baptised Believing or Faith is an heart qualifying grace and doth and will bring forth the good fruits of an holy conversation tho much of corrupt Nature still remaineth Then what hinders thy obedience to thy Saviours appointed believers baptism Observe That the Jaylor Acts. 16. falling out of love with his sins speak like a man of sense and reason What shall I do to be saved And then the Apostle directs him higher than sense or reason even to act as a man of Faith too If thou wilt do then believe do that without staying for thy own Acts of Rigteousness believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Do that first and then thou art right to do more Faith is the Root of other Sanctified Obedience and also gives right to baptism If thou believest is the point that the Gospel stands upon art thou poor art thou vile nay art thou the vilest of sinners if thou believest art changed there 's no Objection against thee There 's no Qualification like believing in the Cruâ—ified Iesus of Nazareth that hath undertaken to Sanctifie Sinners Godly Parents and all the Forms of Worship are not to be compared to believing with all the heart Thus If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest be baptized Acts 8 37. Art thou a Gentile Person Then behold the Noble Ethopian Minister of State Acts 8. riding in his Chariot with his Courtly Attendence commanding all to stand still while he gâ—es down into the Water with Philip to be obedient to his Saviours dispised Rule of dipping whereby he sets himself against a Kingdom Ethiopia and then he went on his way rejoycing at the greatness of his Priviledge according to Phil. 1.29 Acts 5.41 Again But it may be thou hast been a Persecutor That indeed is a dreadful thing thou hast hereby made War upon God and his Son Jesus that should be thy Saviour and all the Saints and if thou mightest had thy Will thou wouldest have done strange things But yet see the kindness of the Lord Jesus to Saul And when Sauls Convictions made him cry out Lord what wilt thou have me to do He was then taught and sent to Ananias who said to him Why tarriest thou arise and be baptized Acts 22.16 And now to turn the stream of his Labours the Lord Jesus will have Saul become Paul the Preacher of the everlasting Gospel and a sufferer for it too Hear what the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah saith of the fullness and freeness of the grace of the Gospel to the poor and vile sinner Isa 55.1 2. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters the grace of the Gospel he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine Milk without Money without price Wherefore do you spend your Money your desires for that which is not Bread and your labour for that which satisfies not The Son of God confirmeth this John 7.37 38. In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood and cryed saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Water the Spirit and Grace of the Gospel And again This exalted Saviour winds up his New Testament discovery of his Grace by his Proclamation in Revelations 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is a thirst Come and whosoever will let him take the Water of life freely What wouldst have more O Sinner that seest thy pollutions and art under the sense of their deserts tho thou canst not by thy best Obedience answer the demands of a holy severe Law yet thou canst by believing with all thy heart answer the call of a holy reconciling Gospel that freely offers Christ for thy acceptance and injoyns Believers Baptism as a tryal of thy saith And so if thou believest in the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus with all thy heart thou mayst be baptised FINIS An Appendix If any be offended at this Treatise Then of them I Query Query 1. HOW comes it to pass that Liberty of Conscience is not a Christian's Priviledge now As much as it was when the Men of your perswasion hotly contended for it Query 2. Are you an Infallible Judge of a Christian's Reason Why he believes and obeys Gods Will in Scripture Tho never any Papist or Protestant could find a Iudge so safe for Salvation as the Scripture Query 3. Is it not safest for a Christian in the Conduct of his Life to Follow the Exemplary Practice of Christ and his Apostles Query 4. Wherein do Persons by sprinkling Infants follow the Practice of Christ his Apost Query 5. The Apostles by Dipping Believers only did faithfully discharge the Baptismal part of their Commission Then I Query by what or whose commission are Infants now Sprinkled for I never heard of another commission by Divine Authority Query 6. Infants being Sprinkled without Christ's commission for it How doth it appear that Infants Sprinkling will be accepted by Christ instead of believers baptism Query 7. Do not the Judgments on a Nation often come for want of Reformation from Popery and the Image of it in the Churches Query 8. Am not I in obeying and defending Forty New Testament Texts more excusable than some others that with Non-sequitors Crown the many more Learned that have pretended to defend Infant Sprinkling Query 9. Is it not safest for the finding of a New Testament Truth Baptism to compare all the New Testament