THE Reason Why Not Infant Sprinkling BUT BELIEVERS BAPTISM Ought to be approved Is because the Lord Jesus Christ his Fore-runner and Apostles preach't it and practic'd it As hereby will further appear By Scripture Authority In about Fourty TEXTS With Notes on every TEXT To which is added How Infant Sprinkling came in Fashion The Evil Tendencies of Infant Sprinkling Answers to Objections Differences betw Believ Baptism and Inf. Sprink With several other things By a Believer Baptiz'd He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 The Eunuch said to Philip I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God And they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and Philip baptized him Act. 8.36 37 38. London Printed 1694. My Friend IF you are sincerely inquisitive about the Worship of God and desire the Reasons Why Believers Baptism ought to be approved and Infant Sprinkling rejected then be pleased to consider this small Treatise which as my Vnderstanding I commend to you and that in sincerity and love to our Lord Jesus Christ his Gospel and your Information Wherein you may observe that the method taken to discover right Baptism by is the clearest from deceit that could be because every Text about Baptism is taken in order as Recorded in Holy Scripture that thereby it may fairly and clearly appear to you as well as to me That 't is indeed Believers baptism that is the Gospel Ordinance requiâ—ed by Jesus Christ and that it is not Infant Sprinkling Besides if you as I have been are rightly in love with your own Salvation and consequently the Lord Jesus Christ then you will find an aptness in your Soul to be obedient to the Ordinances of Christ as parts of the Will of God According to the Apostles saying We are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus to good Works Eph. 2.10 and all from a principle of Love to God Christ his Gospel and goodness and the delight of them begotten in the Soul of the Regenerate This Soul considering redeeming Love desires it may glorify God according to John 15 8. Herein is my Father glorifyed that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples John 14.21 He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me And again If ye keep my Commandments ye shall abide in my Love even as I have kept my Fathers Commandments and abide in his Love John 15.10 And therefore it is that many in our Age that have an effectual work of Grace upon their Souls have had also some Workings about Obedience to this great Gospel Ordinance of Believers Baptism Tho' some of them by Master save thy self Mat. 16.22 have been baffled off and their Light put out and those Motions stifled whereby they have turned their back upon it But the Lord preserves this Light in some and hath so in me and therefore I submitâ— to the prescribed Rule God hath given tho' thereby I converse among a poor dispised People according to the Apostle's observation of the Corinthian Saints 1 Cor. 1.26 To follow a Religion because it is in Fashion is not my Rule I have four sorts of People to deal with and they require four sorts of considerations to convince them and therefore I give variety 1. The Ignorant World that do not like believers baptism because it is commonly spoken evil of 2. The superstitious World that don't like it because it condemns part of their splendid way of worship 3. The Professor that dissents from that ignorance and superstition and zealously pursues a Reform'd yet a political way 4. The Converted that admires the Love that work'd about the Salvation of the Sinner and yet is somewhat blind about baptism c. But those among whom I expect the Doctrine of believers baptism should be effectual are all those that the Crucified Risen Jesus 's Lo I am with you shall give it success to The Sinner that 's fallen in Love with the Lord Jesus taketh him at his Word and in that hear of first Love dare do any thing for God Luke 7.47 This Soul is just touched with a Coal of holy Fire from the Altar and is all in a flame and takes the Glory of the World for Stubble And as by Revelation from the Father Mat. 11 27. Mat. 1.17 It Believes that the mighty Jesus is the Son of God so it Believes that this Sovereign Will ought to be obeyed And accordingly with the Fortitude that contemned Nebuchadnezzars Golden Image in the Face of a Fiery Furnaco Dan. 3. Resolves to be Baptized or Dipped Saying I must by baptism ingage in my Lords Service to fight the good fight of Faith and lay hold on Eternal life thro good report and evil report for what am I that I should pretend to a better way of obedience then my Saviour hath appointed Your Christian Friend C. D. London 1693. Yet for those of my Christian Brethren that â—re resolved upon their way of Infant Sprinkling 〈◊〉 in peace leave them to the Lord to their â—houghts and way and keep the Scripture Reason â—f Believers Baptism for as many as shall â—ave the grace to receive it And so as I began â—n Love to our Lord Jesus Christ I desire to end â—n love with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ CHAP. I. Matth. 3.1 2 5 6. 1. In those Days came John the Baptist preaching in the Wilderness of Judea 2. And saying Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Region round about Jordan 6. And were baptised of him in Jordan confessing their Sins I Note That as soon as this first Evangelist Matthew had by direction of the Spirit of God given a Relation of the Birth and preservation of our Lord Jesus Christ he presently tells us of John the Baptist preaching and baptizing thereby signifying That Faith in Christ hath the preference and that Obedience and Profession of Faith by baptism comes next in order Again The Persons to be baptized were such as confest their Sins but not Infants carried thither and senseless of Sin Agâ—in They were baptized or dipped in a River which they went to of their own Will but not sprinkled with a little Water out of a bâ—son or such like brought to them or they carried to it whether they would or no. Again Repentance was first preached and then upon Signs of Repentance the people were afterwards baptized So that the Subjects of and manner of baptism neither were Infants nor Sprinkling CHAP. II. Matth. 3.7 8. 7. But when he John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduces come to his baptism he said unto them O Generation of Vipers who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance I Note That those Persons that gave not Signs of Repentance were rejected from baptism or thus No Persons were admitted to baptism but upon
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
Matthew is imployed by the Holy Spirit of God to let us know That our Lord Jesus Christ at Man's Estate submitted to dipping notwithstanding the Dignity of his Person being God manifest in the Flesh Immanuel God with us behold this mighty person bears a Testimony too and puts a glory upon baptizing or dipping of visible Saints by being himself baptized in the River Jordan at Thirty years of Age Luke 3.23 If God hath appointed Dipping why should Man pretend to sprinkle as if Man was wiser than his Maker or had a Soveraignty over God's Worship I think none but Papists claims that Prerogative tho others practice it But sensible Christian do thou choose believers Dipping and reject Infant Sprinkling For the Lord Jesus chose to be so baptized and He hath dignity and soveraignty to command thy Obedience and this sort of Obedience even believers baptism in much water CHAP. XI Mark 11.30 30. The Baptism of Iohn was it from Heaven or of Men Answer me I Note That also the Evangelist Mark mindeth that our Saviour himself put the Question for us that profess believers baptism Was it from Heaven or of Men This Question being close to the point pusled the great Men of that Day that opposed Dipping so that they seemed to stand as it were speechless therefore our Saviour closes upon them again saying Answer me Answer the Question And then they set their carnal Reason to work to find out some sophistical Answer and preserve their Reputation among the People and the Learnedst Answer that they could find was a subtil one We cannot tell See their Policy in the Text And they reasoned with themselves not with the Scriptures if we shall say from Heaven he will say Why then did ye not believe him If we shall say of Men they feared the People would be in a rage for pretending to Divinity and yet deny Dipping a Heavenly Institution for all men counted that John was a Prophet indeed and they answer'd and said unto Jesus We cannot tell c. Mark 11.31 32 33. And thus our Lord Jesus shews That Dipping after signs of Repentance is an undeniable Doctrine God will accept nothing in his Worship but what he hath appointed and that 's sufficient to constrain me to submit to the great Gospel Ordinance of believers baptism tho many cannot tell CHAP. XII Mark 16.15 16. 15. And he said unto them go ye unto all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned I Note That this Promise he that believeth is baptised shall be saved seems to carry a great force in being baptised as well as in Believing But unquestionably it carries that believing is essential to saving and it is to go before baptizing and not baptizing before believing for that is just contrary to the Text Man's Will for God's Heb. 11.6 John 4.23 Believing and baptizing you see are joyned in the Text and therefore what God hath joyned together let no man put asunder And were it indeed that Infants were dipp'd which is the right Mode of baptizing it would not further their salvation they not belitving God having reserv'd the way of their salvation as a secret peculiar to himself even by the unsearchable Riches of Christ Then how can Infants have any thing to do with Baptism for Baptism here in the Commission is not annexed to a natural birth but to Preaching believing Again To secure dipping from supposed danger all the World in the Text signifieth cold Countries as well as hot and the Promise Lo I am with you preserves yea I never heard of any believer that had hurt in Baptizing Again Here 's a Commission for believers baptism but where is any Commission for Infant Sprinkling And they that act in the Kings Name without's Commission are invaders of the Kings prerogative Royal and instead of obeying they set themselves in the Throne CHAP. XIII Luke 3.2 3. 2. The word of God came unto John c. 3. And he came into all the Country about Jordan preaching the baptism of Repentance for the remission of Sins I Note That the Evangelist Luke also bears a Testimony to believers baptism upon signs of repentance and not to Infants nor sprinkling for they can give no signs nor can a little water serve for in the text it was done in a River Consider God's â—anger with Israel for among other things changing his Altar of Earth Stone or chittim wood into an Altar of Brick Isa 65.2 3. but Infant sprinklers say Why is not Sprinkling as good as Dipping seeing it will as well represent the thing signifyed by Baptism But that 's their mistake and God can tell best Why not and 't is best for us to obey and Dip when God saith Dip. So Naaman the Assyrian thought that God's choice and order was too precise and that therefore another place was better as now of Infant sprinkling some think t is better than believers baptism Said Naaman Are not Abana and Pharpar Rivers of Damascus better than all the Waters of Iâ—rael May I noâ— wash in them and be clean So he â—â—rned and went away in a rage but his servants advised him to obey 2 Kings 5.12 No repenting no baptiziâ—g If the Question be put Tho is to be baptized Why the answer is He that repenteth For the Gospel is to be preached only to such as are capable of believing and repenting and consequently of being baptised there upon Again Iohn preached in all the Country near the River because of much water CHAP. XIV Luke 3.7 8. 7. Then said he to the Multitude that came forth to be baptized of him O generations of Vipers who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come 8. Bring forth therefore Fruits worthy of Repentance and begin not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our Father for I John say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up Children unto Abraham I Note That being the natural Children of believing Parents tho grown persons doth not intitle them to this holy Ordinance for God is able by his Spirit in the Call of the Gospel to raise up Children unto Abraham and as he was counted the Father of the Faithful so his Children of the promise must be believers for of the Race of the Gentiles as we in England are we cannot be the seed of Abraham but as we are believers and faithful and so Abraham becomes our Father and then comes in our claim to the promise to Abraham and to his Children And accordingly hear Iohn the Baptist rejects natural generation and calls for regeneration Fruit c. for 't is not Abraham to our Father but believing that gives right to baptism Moreover every days experience teacheth us that tho multitudes of Infants are sprinkled yet but few very few of them when at maturity shew signs of Faith and Repentance And on
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
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
with all his house for the Text notes that such and none other were baptized And therefore these could not be Infants A house of people converted together good News They all believed and were all baptized yea otherwise the Jaylors believing could not save his house nor one person Mark 16.16 Neither will one man's believing serve another to be baptized by Acts 8.37 CHAP. XXIX Acts 18.8 8. And Crispus the chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed on the Lord with all his house And many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized I Note That here again is the believing of a whole house and their baptizing upon it and so also as many of the Corinthians that believe were baptized and no more And why is there such care taken all along by the Holy Ghost to tell us of believing when we are told of baptizing but to shew That there was no baptizing without the parties first believing Believing and baptizing baptizing upon believing is the fix'd order of the Gospel and is about Fourty times mentioned but through out the Testament not a word of Infant Sprinkling And therefore it appears that the Holy Ghost hath given us ample proof of what is indeed the Ordinance of baptism having so often told us Repetition upon Repetition And then how dare any man reckon himself wiser than the Holy Ghost by making alterations and saying A little water is as good as a great deal and Sprinkling is as good as Dipping and that Infants that do not believe may be baptized as well as believing Men and Women Faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 And therefore Infants must be without Faith or do not believe CHAP. XXX Acts 19.3 4 5. Paul discoursing the Brethren at Ephesus 3. And he said unto them unto what then were you baptized and they said unto John's baptism 4. Thou said Paul John verily baptized with the baptism of Repentance saying unto the People that they should believe on him that should come after him that is on Christ Jesus 5. When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus I Note That John's baptism and Christ's were the same only that John's was upon profession of Faith in Christ to come and Christ's baptism is upon profession of Faith in him already come Again To baptise a person by Dipping upon Profession of Faith that was Sprinkled in Infancy is no Rebaptizaâ—ion Do you say Infaâ—â—â— Sprinkling is lawfull because the Scripture doth not forbid it Thâ—â—â— I say it is unlawful because the Scripture doth not appoint it for what is 〈◊〉 commanded is forbiden And Samuâ—l said hath the Lord as great delight in burnt Offerings and Sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord behold to obey is bâ—â—to then Sacrifices c. 1 Sam. 15.22 23. And these Believers are they that according to Gods order and his peoples answer to the Gospel call ouâ—ht to be baptised to manifest that they do indeed seperate form the World and show forth Christs death and Resurrection CHAP. XXXI Acts 22.16 Paul relates how he was converted and that then Ananias said to him 16 And now why tarriest thou arise and be baptized and wash away thy Sins calling on the name of the Lord I Note That baptism is not to be delay'd when a person is converted but to be administered as the Holy Ghost knew best how to appoint the manner that it should be a proper sign and to a true believer a real token of the certainty of his being washed and cleansed in the blood of Christ O the unsearchable boundlesness and depth of the Riches of Christ represented by much water All things under the Law were cleansed by blood without shedding of blond was no remmission and this is the River of water of Life that Saints are washed in of which the Ordinance of believers Water baptism is a lively Emblem A River of Water of Life the boundless Ocean of the Merits of Christ's blood Rev. 1.5 Him that loved â—s and washed us from our sins in his own blood And so Jer. 23.6 according to Zech. 13.1 In that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the hoâ—se of David and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleaness Again To wash away filth Sprinkling is not so proper as dipping but here sins are to be washt away by baptism saith an Apostle CHAP. XXXII Rom. 6.3 4 5. 3. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ wer bâ—ptized into his Death 4. Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his Death we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection I Note That Faith in the Death of Christ is needful to baptism baptism or in English Dipping was a sign of the death and burial of Christ and so the rising up out of the water a sign of the rising of Christ out of his Grave which clearly shews that not sprinkling but dipping is proper to signify Death burial and Resurrection and not only that of Christ's but of our death to sin resurrection to newness of life in an holy walking before God and Men as saith Paul after his conversion and baptism the life that I now live is by Faith in the son of God and let the time past suffice for your vain conversation and that we should by Faith see that as our bodies are buried in the water so our sins are buried with Christ in the Grave and as our bodies are raised out of water so by Faith see Christ risen for our Justification and that we that are baptized are no more strangers and foreigners but visibly fellow Cittizens with the Saints Again By us that were baptized the Apostle meaneth believers not Infants for ever since his conversion he numbereth himself with believers Saints by calling CHAP. XXXIII 1 Cor. 1.13 14 15 16 17. 13. Were ye Baptized in the Name of Paul 14. I thank God that I baptised none of you but Crisput and Gains 15 Least any should say that I baptized in my own name 16. And I baptized also the houshould of Stephanus besides I know not that I baptized any other 17. For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel c. I Note That Paul doth not mean Christ did not at all require him tâ— baptize or that it was not in his Commission but he means he was not chiefly sent to do it these Scriptures are so to be understood John 6.27 1 Tim 2 14. Ephes 6.12 for if he had no command from Christ at all to baptize then he did evil in baptising Crispus and Gaius c. Act. 16.32.33 But it is evident that Paul declared the whole counsel of God was cammanded by Christ to baptise because he did baptise those in
must be Dipping of Believers The nature and end of the Ordinance proves That Baptizing is Dipping and not Sprinkling First To be a sign of the Covenant on Gods part viz. Of washing away of sin cleansing the whole man like the cleansing in the Law Lev. 15.5 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 3.27 Secondly To Figure out the Covenant on man's part that he thereby visibly declares to enter into viz. to die to sin and live to Christ in newness of Life by that figurative Death Burial and Resurrection by being put under the water Raised up again Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.11 12 13. Thirdâ—y To separate the Church from the World Fourthly To convince the Baptised that they are engaged by their own act of Baptism as their laying their hands to the â—low to hold out to the end Therefore Infant Sprinkling must be an invention of worldly wise men whose wisdom is foolishness with God and so it is a profanation of the holy Ordinance of Baptism and only Will Worship like Vzza's touching the Ark of God 2 Sam. 6.6 when another way of service was prescribed Numb 4.6 CHAP. XXXIX Col. 2.12 12. Buried with him Christ in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him c. I note that Baptism is a Burying in the Water and a rising again out of the Water whereby the baptized shew that Christ was buried and arose again Or thus That as the baptized tho buried in the Water riseth again so Christ tho buried in the Earth did not lye long but arose again But sprinkling cannot be this sign of being Buried and risen A man above-ground cannot be said to be buried because he hath a little Dust thrown in his face neither can Sprinkling be a sign of burying with Christ Several Scripture Metaphors explain Baptizing to be Dipping When Persons are over-whelmed in great suferings they are said to be baptized therein Mat 20.22 23. Luke 12.5 When they have great measures of the spirit they are said to be baptized with the spirit Acts 1.5 When the Children of Israel were covered with a Cloud and the Sea on both sides they were then said to be Baptized in the Sea and in the Cloud 1 Cor. 10.2 with Exod. 14.12 When Ashur had the promised blessing of great plenty he is said to have his feet dipt in Oyl As the ignorant World lays up a human Faith or inherent Holiness they also lay up a Human Baptism or Infant Sprinkling And as Saints have many things of self continually apt to put in with Christs perfection so somethings do mingle with their duties and one is Infant Sprinkling CHAP. XL. Heb. 6.1 2. 1. Not laying again the foundation of Repentance from dead Works of faith towards God 2. Of the Doctrine of Baptism and laying on of Hands and of the Resâ—rrection of the Dead and of eternal Judgment I note that Baptism was a Doctrine left in charge to the Church and that it follows in order in the Third place after Repentance Faith and that it is here reckoned a Foundation Principal Then any with Wonderment may say who dares move this Foundation that the Father Son and Spirit have thus laid for Believers they only being capable to enter into a Visible Covenant with Jesus Christ for Baptism is an Ordinance for the Solemnization of the Soul 's Visible Marriage Union with Christ Mark 16.16 Acts 8.36 Gal. 3.27 Other Foundations can no man lay then what is already laid The man of sin the Mistery of iniquity the great Whore of Babylon hath robbed the Church of Christ of the names of her Ordinances and put them upon her Whorish Inventions that she may deceive the Nations therewith Again Sprinkling will not serve instead of Dipping because it is a sin to alter what God our most wise Soveraign hath appointed in his Worship Isa 24.5 Obedience is better than Sacrifice do as you are bid CHAP. XLI 1 Pet 3.20 21. 20 Noah whiâ—e the Ark was preparing wherein fâ—w that is right Souls were sav'd by water 21. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jeâ—us Christ. I note that A Believer by being baptized is obedient to God's Will as Noah was obedient in building the Ark and going into it to his saving Again Baptism saith Peter doth now save us by the Resurrection of Christ which is as to say our believers baptism being our answer of a good coâ—science towards God is a sign of our Sanctâ—fication and so Dipping being an effect of our Sanctification doth now save us by the power of the eternal Spirit that wrought that sanctification which Sanctification is the qualification for heaven and so we are kept sanctified by the mighty power of God to Salvation began and continued by Christ's satisfaction of which his Resurrection was a sign Again Noah by Water dyed to the old world and lived to the new as the baptized believer dies to sin wherein he once delighted and lives to Righteousness or thus dead to the sufficiency of the Law upon which he once depended alive to the sufficiency of Christ Again There is also a â—ind of likeness between Noah's Flood the water of Baptism bâ—cause both is much Water Again The Apostle saying saved by water seems as it were a pointing at the Text He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved The Conclusion respecting the Persons that are to be Baptized Now I have noted oâ—â—â—out â—orty Texts concerning Baptism wâ—erein are variety of persons mentioned as Jerusâ—â—â—n anâ— all Judea and all the Râ—gion rounâ— about Jorâ—â—n that confest their sins Jâ—sus himself Jesus made and baptized more Discip es than John Three Thousand Souls that gladly received the Word And they of Samaria believing Philip were baptized both Men and Women the Eunuch Paul They that received the Holy Ghost Lydia the Jaylor and they that believed of their Houshold Crispus Corinthians hearing believed Epesians that were baptized by John Romans Gains Stephanus believing Corinthians Galathians Epesians Collosians Hebrews and those that have the answer of a good conscience Whereby â—elivers Baptism is clearly proved And I find not one word command nor example throughout the New Testament for Infant Sprinkling or Baptizing before signs of Repentance tho here are so many sorts of persons mentioned described and named yet no Infant Whereby Believers Baptism must of necessity be indeeâ— the Ordinance required by the Lord Jesus If the Authority of forty New Testament Texts is not convincing and swaying with those that would live Godly or be reputed Christians I know not what Argument will Where Scripture will not prevail people will remain in unbelief Tho one rise from the dead The Conclusion respecting the Mode or manner of Baptism John the Baptist according to his Commission baptized in the Riâ—â—r Jordan Mat. 3 4. Jesas came from Gallilâ—e to the River Jordan to
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
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.
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
National Church was once of divine appointment but neither now 2 Cor. 5.17 Obj. 16. Three thousand persons could not be dipt in one day therefore they were sprinkled Answ No Three thousand may be almost if not altogether as soon Dipt as Sprinkled and there was about four-score Preaching Disciples to do the Work Obj. 17. There is as much command for Infants bapt as for Womens pâ—rtaking of the Lord's Supper Answ No there is not for it is said 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man c. The Greek word here is of the common Gender and includes both Sexes Consider Acts 1.13 Gen. 2.17 Obj. 18. The Promise is to the Seed of Believers Acts 2.39 Answ The promise here intended was that if the Holy Ghost in Joel 2.32 which they might expect and also their posâ—erity and the Gentiles upon their effectual Calling So that their believing is upon their Calling which may be their bâ—ptism Obj. 19. Children of Believers have habitual faith Answ The whole â—ible doth not afford one word of habitual Faith in Infants 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 10.14 17. Matth. 3.7 8 9. Obj. 20. If the Root be holy then are the branches Answ Saints do not beget saints John 3.6 John 1.13 Gen. 4.1 believers are created in Christ Jesus He is the Root Col. 2.7 Eph. 2.10 He is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 Obj. 21. Baptism is the Seal of the Covenant Answ You Seal without God's Seal or Directions and can no where find his Approbation or Covenant Priviledge thereby Isa 1.10 to 20. Obj. 22. Some Children are in the Covenant c. Answ What then Christ and his Apostles knew that as well as you but yet never sprinkled them 2dly You know not which are more than others 3dly Why may not you put the Lord's Supper upon them too Obj. 23 Necessary and unavoidable Consequences will prove Infant Baptism Answ We could never yet see these Necessary and unavoidable Consequences and it is impossible that any man that hath not before-hand heard of Infant Sprinkling should ever find it by reading the Scriptures but believers baptism is there apparent Whether is best to ground our Faith upon a positive command or a supposed consequence Lastly Let men say what they will by way of Objection yet unless they can take out of the New Testament the Texts about Baptism these Texts will continually as great Guns be battering down Infant Sprinkling as a Rampart of that great City Mâ—stery Babylon Precept and Practice in about forty Texts of Scripture for â—â—â—â—â—â—ers 〈◊〉 is a sufficient Answer to any Objection The differences between Believers Baptism and Infants Sprinkling 1. God hath promised that he that Believeth and is Baptised shall be saved Maâ—k 16.16 But there 's no promises annâ—xed to Infant Sprinkl 2. There is a lively similitude between believers being buried in the Water rising again and Christs Death Burial and resurrection Rom. 6 4. But Infant Sprinkling shews no likeness to either 3. Believers Bapâ—ised are entereâ— into a prescribed way of Saâ—vation profession Visible Sanctification or a holy Life and so are likely to be saved John 5.24 But Infants Spriâ—kled are not but remain as they were by nature Children of Wrath Eph. 2.3 4. Believers Baptised Love God and keep his Commandeme t s John 14 15. But Infants Sprinkled do not Love God nor keep his Commandments 5. Teaching Repenting Beliâ—ving before Baptising is Christs command Mat. â—8 18 19. But Sprinkling of Infants is mâ—ns command 6. â—aptizing believers is bâ—ptizing Christians But baptizi g Iâ—fants is not 7. Believers baptism hath no contradictions attending the Practiâ—e of 〈◊〉 But Infâ—â—t Sprink ing â—aâ—h many Contradiâ—tions 1. Mâ—ny â—iniâ—ters assert thâ—t sprinkling is a Tokâ—n 〈◊〉 preâ—ent Reg ne ation tho thâ—n nor in after time aâ—y sigâ—s of a Change in Nature appears in the Inâ—anâ— 2. A Sign of Death Burial Resurrection tho they do not dip bury raise again but sprinkle 3. Protestants Sâ—perate from Rome as the fâ—lse Church and yet some own Popih Priests Sprinkling effectual Baptism as into one the same Church 4. Some profess that there is no falling from Grace onâ—e received and that that Grace is in an Infant Sprinkled Yet they afterwards teach for their Conversion and in case of signs of final unbelief reject them 8. Believers baptised of right come to the Lord's Table Asts 2.41 42. But Infants sprinkled come neither right nor wrong 9. Believers Baptism hath a commission a command Mat. 28.18 19. Acts 10.46 47 48. But Infant Sprinkling hath neither 10. Believers Bapt hath Scripture Examples But Infant Sprinkling hath none 11. Believers Baptism was preached by Christ and his Apostles as part of the Counsel of God Luke 7.30 Heb. 3 6. Acts 20.27 But Infant Sprinkling never was 12 Believers baptism was owned by God his Son Jesus and the holy Spirit visibly descending from Heaven Mat. 3.16 But Infants Sprinkling never was so owned 13. Believ bapt is upon their Acting Faith But Infants act no Faith 14. Believers baptized have the Answer of a good Conscience But Infants have not 15. Believâ—rs Baptism may be sealeâ— with Martyrâ—om because warranted by Gods Word But Infants Sprink ing may not because not so 16. Believers Baptisâ— was the Publican's glorifying God Luke 7.29 But Infants Sprinkling never was so 17. Believers Baptism if rejected 't is the rejecting the Counsel of God and against themselves Luke 7.30 But not so of Infant Sprinkling 18. Believers baptism agrees with all Scripture But Iâ—fants Sprinkling agrees with none 19. Believ Bapt directs to much water Joh 3.23 But Infants Sprinkling hath but little 20. To baptize Believers is to keep the Ordinances as they were delivered 1 Cor. 11.2 But to sprinkle Infants is to take that which never was delivered 21. To baptize Believers is no change of God's Ordinance But to sprinkle Infants is 22. Believers baptized upon their own Faith are in the right way to salvation John 10.28 But Infants sprinkled upon the Faith of another are not in the right way 23. Believers baptism is its being an Act of the Judgment Choice Will and Affections to Worship God John 4.24 But Infant Sprinkling is not so 24. Believers Bapiâ—sm hath the best Antiquity to plead being as Old as John Baptist Christ and his Apostles But Infant Sprinkling hath started up since 25. All those who sprinkle Infants do confess that believers were baptiz'd by the Apostles But all those who baptize believers only do deny that any Infants were baptized by the Apostles 26. Believers dipt know they were baptiz'd But Infants don't know they were sprinkled 27 They that baptize believers are sure that there is a Faith professed by them But 't is otherways of Sprinkling Infants 28. Believers baptised act in Obedience But Infants sprinkled act not at all 29. Believers baptism hath no absurdities in 't But Infant Sprinkling hath several Viz. 1. That Regeneration may be apparent before calling 2. hat Church-membership before conversions a duty 3.
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