Transgressors as well as we hardly doing their Work by halves And this will we do if God permit I. That John the Baptist and Peter the Apostle declare They Plunged not when they Baptized Luke says 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 3.16 John said I Baptize you with Water So we well and truly and gramatically read the Text I Baptize you with Water He that cometh after me says the same holy Mouth and golden Oracle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Now I thus Argue 1st He that saith He Baptizeth strickly and properly with Water doth here declare He Plungeth not into Water Is it Sense thus to say I plunge you with Water Now Luke leaves out the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this Verse therefore I cite this place principally Thus this great Schollar and Grecian and beloved Pllysician I have observed doth in this his Gospel and also in his Acts of the Apostles Acts 1.5 And he brings in Peter's Saying about the Baptism of Cornelius with Water without any Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 11.16 Now here Peter and John embrace each other both disown here Plunging Who can construe this Greek Sentence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I Plunge you with Water No but as we do and they too I Baptize you with Water Now Luke wrote good Greek as well as Matthew that puts in the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet he and others cannot be read I Baptize you in Water for this is common for with to give but one pregnant Example If any be so weak as to doubt it Ephes 6.2 Honour thy Father and thy Mother which is the first Commandment with Promise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so we well and truly read it Not the first Commandment in the Promise but with Promise for the Commandment was not in the Promise but the Promise in the Commandment But this is so common in the Greek Tongue that no Man that understands this rich and copious Language can doubt it But suppose the bare Phrase by it self were not so clear yet it becomes so by its connexion with the next words and therefore I put in here before for greater Security Now as John says I indeed Baptize you with Water He that cometh after me is mightier than I the Latchet of whose Shoes I am unworthy to unloose the same shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire I hence Argue thus II. John so Baptized with Water as Christ with the Holy Ghost and with Fire and Christ so Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire as John Baptized with Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now the Proposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is always put in here yet this cannot be read in or into but with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Now let us turn to Acts 2.1 2 3 4 5. ver c. In the days of Pentecost was this Promise fulfill'd And I pray all to lay aside Passion and read soberly and see what Light that may give in this case about the manner of John's Baptisin whether by Effusion or Plunging The House was fill'd with Wind but when When they were together in one place with one accord Now observe The Wind was poured on them not they drove or plunged into it and did this Wind reach any more than their Faces or visible Parts Our Plungers tell us The Water must touch all The Fire lighted on them or sate on them visibly Observe they were not thrown into the Fire were they I no more believe John threw his Hearers into the Water than Christ in the days of Pentecost threw those Believers into the Fire But that which puts the matter out of all doubt with me is Peter's citing the Prophecy of Joel with a Then was fulfil'd I will pour of my Spirit is mentioned twice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on your Sons and Daughters your young Men shall see Visions and your old Men shall dream Dreams This is another Proof by the way that Baptize signifys to pour Now you that are Baptized and you that are Dipt I pray you I adjure you soberly and in the fear of God laying aside Pride Wrath or Considence compare Mat. 3.11 and Acts 2.17 â—ead carefully The Promise and its Performance the Sign and this Thing signified John's Literal Baptisin and Christ's Spiritual Baptism and you may easily know how John Baptized with Water as Christ Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire And this is said plainly as plain as words can make it That it was done by Effussion or Pouring not by Immersion or Plunging I may say as the Prophet Who is Blind as my Servant if you see it not For 1. Here is an excellent Analogy How improper had it been for John to fay I Plunge you into Water and Christ shall pour the Spirit and Fire on you Therefore in John's Baptism was there an Application of Water to the Persons not the Persons to the Water 2. We are not said to be applied to the Blood of Christ but the Blood of Christ to be applied to us Nor to be immersed into the Graces of the Spirit but they poured on us Therefore I take their Dipping to be Unlawful as well as Plunging the Difference I shall soon discover When we are said to be Baptized into one Spirit it speaks only of a Relation not Manner of a Thing as when a Man is said to be Baptized into such a Church by some Men tho by the way I understand not Mens being Baptized into such a particular Church and so ordain'd to such a particular Church only when they are Members of another Church must they have another Baptism And when some are Pastors on removal must they have another Ordination Into what particular Church was Paul the Eunuch or Jaylor Baptized into But not to digress But now the Canons are mounted up and roar Many Objections some think cannot be Answered about my Assertion of John s Baptism It is Objected 1st It is proper to say I Overwhelm you with Water if not I Plunge you with Water and the word Baptize may be translated to Overwhelm Yes if I pour Water on a Man or cover him this way with it I Overwhelm him with Water but if I throw him into the Water and not the Water on him I Overwhelm him in or into the Water 2dly But say others John Baptized 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into ordain Mark 1.9 But Mark before ver 5. and Matthew say in Jordain as we read and that properly John I hope went into Jordain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was he plunged too This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is many times only in not into Matth. 28.19 20. Go you therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost In the Name not into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Mr.
Ball 's Catechism leave and the Quakers Paraphrase to prove the Baptism to be Spiritual But is Spiritual Baptism the Work of Man No but of the Spirit And Water Baptism is the Work of Man But where is Spiritual Baptism or Sanctifying Work said to be into the Name of God O â—ard Phrase Other places may be urged when Occasion is Mark 1.9 shews John Baptized â—ot Christ when in Galilee but when he came â—o Jordain 3. But that which is accounted the strongest Effort 〈◊〉 That many Pedobaptists grant John Plunged and that so did the Primitive Christians a long â—â—me First Not so many say so as you imagin Secondly Some think when they read Anciâ—nt History of them that Baptized in such a River that they Plunged They that so mistake Scripture no wonder if they do Eccleâ—astical History I once liv'd in a Town where 〈◊〉 a River and there as is said of Enon were 〈…〉 many Waters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no Convenience was there to Plunge as Gecgraphers say Is not in Enon I often thought when I walked by the River which was not seldom that had I been the Instrument in the Hand of God or any other been so and they all had been baptized by Effusion I doubt not we had all gone down into that River for our Convenience and yet never have thought of such a nasty Trick as Plunging Yet some would have ask'd What did you do there As Foolish to ask What did John do in Jordain I pray did you never go into the Water for no other end but to be Plunged there not to Swim with your Heads above Water nor to wash only your Feet I pray what had John to do in the Wilderness Go there eat Locust and wild Honey as well as choose a River for Baptism In neither was John to be a President for us III. The Transmarine Anabaptist though so fierce against Infant-baptism yet are one with me in this point and so some here in England The Dutch Anabaptist lately wrote to the English ones to know Why they Plunge For they disown it and plead for pouring as I do May not I as well urge their Authority against them as they some Commentators against me IV. I cared not if many more granted John Plunged if I prove he declares he did not I believe John's Words not their horrid Exposition I therefore soberly not as a Doubter as iâ— many things O that all were as clear I say I soberly ask without intemperate Heat but with burning Zeal mixed with Love 1. What were John's and Peter's Arms and Legs made of Of Flesh and Bone or Wood and Stone to stand and embrace and plunge â—o many Mat. 3.5 All Jerusalem all Judea all the Regions round about Jordain were baptized So when Three Thousand were baptized by Peter in one Day he had not much time to do it in considering his Antecedent and Consequent Work For my part I should have read the History of John's and Peter's Baptism a thousand times over before I should have thought of such an ill lookt thing as Plunging had I not heard of some that dreamt of it Either they were plunged with their Cloaths on if so then indeed had they lookt like Men full of new Wine All must have smil'd and I think the gravest of themselves Or they were plunged with their Cloaths off They were then guilty of Immodesty Peter's Converts never thought of being baptized when they came out and so brought no change of Cloaths if they had there could be no putting on without putting off What! Men and Women seen naked before all Persons young and old Wet Cloaths next to the Body is dangerous in all Places to most Persons but I suppose their Bodies were made of no Man knows what Did Christ indeed deliver from the Yoke of Bondage and take away so many easy things comparitavely to Plunging and bring under this â—oke Bread and Wine are things grave and decent in the other Sacrament and I doubt not so must Washing be in this without change of Cloaths without strong Liquors to fortify against the Danger of a Gospel Ordinance 4. Some others Object There must be Plunging on another Account if you have a Baptism that answers some of the ends of Baptism that is not enough Vnless it answers all the ends of Baptism it is not right Now we are said Rom. 6.4 to be buried with Christ in Baptism 1. Prove if you can that those words have any Relation to the Form of Baptism but to the Confession of Sin the Person baptiz'd made see Mat. 3.6 Confession of Sin we are said elsewhere to be dead with Christ and risen with Christ where not a word is mentioned of Water Baptism by which we understand Mortification and Vivification Thus Men deny others Symbolical Signs and yet make some to themselves 2. Yet were it so not to say what others have well done of the Jows way of Burials as we read of Joseph of Arimathea c. our Form of Baptizing more represents a Burial than theirs When we bury a Man do we drive him or plunge him into the Earth or pour Earth upon him Comparisons run not on all four I am under a Necessity of taking up this and a sew Passages more I have written in other Books Pardon me Reader I use not to offend this way I cannot help it this once When any Anabaptist goes down into the Water I wish he would remember the words of God by the Prophet to them that went down into Egypt Oh do not this abominable thing my Soul hates This is a Breach of the sixth and seventh Commandment which forbids all Temptations Incentives unnecessary Actions that have a tendency to it besides the God and Man provoking Sin of some that deny their true Baptism What is the reason that more Frenehers among the Anabaptists long professing Religion should at last fall more before one particular Sin than other Ministers As I have observed where Providence hath cast me I speak not now of young Men but Men of Years I verily believe nay I doubt it not they got their Infection by embracing the fair Sex Would I were sure Mr. T. got none of his there Mrs. Roe of Bristol for Twenty Years or more confessed to her Husband to all Ministers and me among the rest and to good Mr. Fairclough who mentioned it in my hearing in the open Pulpit That one of the first Plungers there at Baptist-Mill for so is the place called frequently lay with the Women he plunged with her in particular which made her go up and down as a Terror to her self I call the great God to record I mention not this Story on any Design against the Anabaptist but to cure them of this Evil if there may be hope I doubt not the Piety of many of them He that had the Vanity of writing himself lately Medicinae Doctor Academia Cantabrigiensis to make himself look bigger after the
Portsmouth Weights had debased themselves to cope with him talks like a little piece of Infallibility about Plunging He is I confess a Man of Parts that is to say for a Taylor or a Mandamus Doctor by a Popish King who could make Taylors Quack-Physicians as well as Coach-men Justices in some places We are told All the Ancients plunged How long have some Men been acquainted with Lactantius Origen Socrates Schol. Eusebius and other ancient Writers I am sorry for the Book of his Whoredoms and Drunkeness printed by a Dipper I sear D. R. got his Infection in the Water Mr. Danvers or if you will Mrs. Danvers Collections may serve some Men or will Clark's Lives serve the turn who wanted somewhat else besides a good Stile and is unfit for the Learned He leaves out remarkable Passages in Lives and names trite ones I pray when Austin the Monk baptized Ten Thousand in one Day were they plunged all so many Saxons in the River Swall I pray Brethren when you embrace young Maids and Women in the Water remember one place of Scripture which I will make good to be an excellent place against plunging such Women Lead us not into Temptation and then I hope you will never thus go down there more My way is now plain to my second Assertion Second That Plunging is contrary to the Doctrin of Baptism and is no lawful Baptism Is it true that Baptism is a Washing with Water in the Name of the Father Baptizatio aqua Then not into Water-Baptism signifys a Sprinkling with the Blood of Christ a Washing of the Spirit a pouring of it c. I pray all Pedobaptists when they baptize Persons grown up not to put their Heads into Basons or Fonts tho' I do not say they that do it should be baptized again no nor if plunged Head and Ears for Quod fieri non dobet factum valet but fiert non debet still I hope by this time I have convinced some of them who have granted Plunging to be a lawful Baptism though not a necessary one I say it is not a lawful one Plunging is not of God I would be bound to make it good that it amounts to a Demonstration or that which is next to it That God never sent such Reformers of Reformed Churches who â—â—led to the best of Ministers Repent and be plunged whose Whoredoms Murders and Blasphemies were the worst acted under the Sun as J. of Leyden c. I cannot but with the highest Indignation imaginable think of some Plungers who shall tell us Such Criticks of ours say Baptizo signifys to plunge or dip and there stop when they tell us Or other ways of Washing and cite Mat. 3.11 for one Oh! No Protestant would so serve a Romish Priest nor perhaps a Romish Priest a Protestant I could tell a woful Story when some once appeal'd to Hollyock Tho' he since would prove it by Miracles and Cures of Sick Persons thus planged 1. Do not lie for God 2. Nor put that for a Cause that is none How many Infants baptized when almost dead have recovered 3. We are sure of the contrary 4. I know more learned Anabaptists than one that tell us Going down in the Water at any tir 〈◊〉 a cure for many Diseases the Blood running to its Center 1. Where are their Wonders then 2. Why do not their Physician plunge for Distempers 3. Why are they so shy of Profession of Faith generally in Frost and Snow Thirdly Now I come to that which may occasion the greatest Wonder at the first hearing but is as easy to prove as any Proposition before That if Plunging were a Duty the Anabaptisâ— practise it not Never knew I a greater Gulph between Principles and Practice than here Did Christ indeed give them a Commission to Plunge and dâ— they only Dip There is a great difference between these two as I have proved elsewhere Dip thy Morsal with me in the Dish To plunâ— in Butter or Vinegar many things we decent dip there would turn the Stomacks of weâ— bred Persons and make them loath us as nasâ— Beasts Joseph's Coat was dipt in the Blood a Kid not plunged sure there was not Bloâ— enough for this neither had it lookt as tâ— Coat of one whom some evil Beast had devour Now no more can be call'd Baptism thâ— what is the Baptizer's Work The Person diâ— goes up half way often or more is he so faâ— Sebaptist Is every part defiled by Sin and mâ— it be mortified by Grace as the Anabaptists sâ— and therefore all be baptized What a Mutilation is here of this Sacrament as of the other in the Church of Rome Doth the Bread without Wine make a Sacrament I have heard of some in the Country that have been plunged by putting Men into a Pond in a Sheet tied to both ends Now I grant there was Plunging indeed but there were two Baptizers by the way and one only baptized an Unpresidenced Antiscriptural Thing If it be ask'd Did John Sprinkle That is not the Question he did not plunge I know none that sprinkle which is strictly throwing drops here and there Can a bit of Bread and a sip of Wine be call'd a Supper A late Writer comes now to my Hand who asserts what I do of John's Baptism I am glad to find him Harmonizing with me in this thing we have both hit on many Phrases which might make some think I had plowed with his Heifer no my Notion were the Result of free Thoughts not many Months since and for this Book I never saw it till all my former Work was finish'd This Author says that which deserves Consideration That it is strange that if Baptism must be by Plunging and this practised by John and the Apostles How was it that this Ordinance had not taken its Name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bapto which signifys to plunge or dip but from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baptizo which never doth so This Notion is as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifys to Plunge or Dip exclusive of all other ways of VVashing so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 its derivative signifys otherways of VVashing exclusive of Dipping or Plunging So he challengeth any Man to name one place in Scripture where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to Plunge That derivitiives in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek loses much of their force VVe know in Latin words ending in sco do as Fervesco from Ferveo But I may further consider this if replied to Tho' I declare I shall not regard a Danvers or a Russel No false Historians a poor Plea to say The Wife did it no Pretenders to Philology and Philosophy they understand not I expect Ministers and learned Ones If Mr. W. Collins be the Man chosen as some say I shall be glad to fall into the hands of a Man of so much worth seriousness and good temper such as I can better admire than imitate If Mr. Steed Mr. Stennet or Men of known
can set on us directly not only in Print but in our Meetings I do declare I intend not to answer every sawey malepert little Man that shall set on me in a Coffee-House or elsewhere but am ready to meet any wise Men whether Scholars or not If any of your Clergy do as some say put a few drops on the Child's Face tho' I will not deny it to be a Baptism any more than a few drops of Wine and crumbs of Breâ—d tho' indecently and irregularly thus taken to be the other Sacraâ—â—â— or the Lord's Supper Yet I take it to be a way unsuitable and an unwarrantable Practice I cannot but wonder at Mr. Lesly and many great Men of the Church of England that often call our â—apts Baptists it is a Scruple to me so far to Countenance their Error and Censure our selves I know I â—ove their Persons much better than he In the place I have often call'd Noah's Ark are good-tempered discreet serious Bapts who are dear to me as I to them They are the best Person to be Examples of Temper and Moderation I ever knew they do not grow shve one of another or refuse occasional Converse as some other Contenders do I value them more than som others against whom I have written Had two Men liv'd when Men were more devout than discreet particularly in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth A Question may be made whether they had not been burnt for old Heteticks I grant indeed the Controversy about Baptism is not so great nor yet so small as some make it If we â—r we err like them of Old who give Infants the Lord's Supper If they err they err like Moses whom God sought to slay for not Circumciâ—ng his Child But God is more Merciful to us than we one to another You young Men once again take heed what you do Were it only your contracting Colds and Pains in the Water I would not so much care for 〈◊〉 you do notwithstanding all Attempts to hide it but beware of Heats Libidinous Provocations there But to the other matter If any such should 〈◊〉 They lead down all into the Water Yes for Conveniency not as a part of the Sacrament but on a civil Account For the Work and Element make the Sacrament I ask must the be plunged by you that have gone to the Wast oâ— above it themselves How horrid is it by the way 〈◊〉 baptize Cloaths I think I can prove it ought to be done on the Skin How odious would it be in us 〈◊〉 pour Water on the Cloth that covers the Child's Face By the way some Anabaptists invite their Friends to Dine with them and before them pray for their Infants solemnly bless them and dedicate them to God I am glad they are come so far but more of this and other things if uny sober Reply be made to me by any learned Divine for no other I declare must expect an Answer from me let no such trouble me with Authors I speak it without Vanity and for good Reason I have given away my Library elsewhere to young Câ—ndidates in the Ministry and others and the Books I buy â—ere I commonly dispose the same way I use not books John's Testimony is better than other Mens Notions He that believeth John and Peter plunged had need of almost a Transubstantiation Faith They that tell us how the Dutch Mat. 3.1 read John the Dooper If they meant Dipper they might not mean Plunger I believe some of those love to make the World believe they understand Dutch and I know not what Languages that hardly well understand their Mother-tongue Do they mean any more than John the Washer May not the word largely be to taken in that Language Will any of them dare to say who deny us Consequences That they find Plunging used once in Scripture or required in plain word without a Consequence The know how their Seventh-Day Men torment them with their Common-Question Where is your Institution or plain Words Why not they as well as the others Let the Bants on their Notions who will not have their Children baptized because they have no plain Word or Example say they for it in Scripture let them I say go Home and tell their Wives and Daughters that are Women You shall never more go to the Lord's Table There is no Word or Example for it in Scripture and I have read my Bible over many times Nothing can be said for this abominable thing but Consequences of Man's Wisdom Remember what befell Nadab and Abihu when they offered strange Fire God commanded them not for my part I am for keeping close to the Word You know how Infant-Sprinklers act contrary to Mat. 28.18 And they that abhor that Idol Infant-Baptism have set up another contrary to the 20th Ver. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you So much No more Now Christ commanded permitted not the devout Women that wept at the Cross and outdid Peter and the rest in Zeal and Piety to sit down with him where were Men Disciples only nor find we one Example after For any Man to say That Baptism must be of the whole Body and not a part only and yet be Baptized about the Shoulders and Head only is such a Contradiction as is seldom found in any Party under Heaven but among them For as in the other Sacrament if the Bread were not Consecrated and administered to the Receiver as such but the Cup only and the Receiver should take the Bread in a common way could he say he took the whole Sacrament Bread and Wine No. So here on their Principles It hath been a Query a long time what Name this Party should be called by they call themselves Baptist A high Name given to none but John the Baptist and this honourable Name was given him not purely as an Administrator of this Ordinance for then all such might be so called But we never read of Peter the Baptist c. How much worse is it for private Men no Administrators to take to themselves this great Name and all the while be none being Plunged John the Baptist was so called as the first Administrator Now what Name shall we give them Anabaptist No they care not for it disowning being rebaptized or baptized again for so the word signifys Mr. Tombs and others desired the name Antipedobaptist And Mr. Baxter well replied It was a long word and not easily pronounced by the Vulgar Perhaps they would crack the Word a thousand times to their Discredit and the Merriment of them that heard it Well then I that love the Anabaptist more than most zealous Pedobaptist have found out a word for them that signifys Men for Plunginig it is but a Monosyllable easy to be pronounced that is Bapts I hope they that are Learned among them will not be angry for this Kindness for indeed such it is and then I have enough For Ignorant Men that cannot reason but rave I
care not what they say who are no more to be regarded by Wise Men than Rabâ—ons I have too long replied to such but intend no more Perhaps such may say I have Nicknamed them and called them Bats and then run on what a Bat is and half of that ignorantly talkt of Others may say I have made them Owls No there are enough such among us as well as them The Kindness I have hitherto shewn them as well as other friendly Adversarys I intend the continuance of if they will give me leave But if the best of them refuse any Acceptance of Civilities I shall not impose on them but be their Friend if not their Companion My Kindness to them hath given Occasion for a Story That I had renounced my Baptism an I were Plunged by which some great godly good Friends of mine became my Adversaries This is one reason among others why I was willing to appear against this great God-provoking Sin to Renounce a true Baptism for one not so But I never intend to write one word more upon this Subject unless a Reply by any worthy Divine and Schollar of theirs make it necessary If any such appear and let them as soon as they please why not they as well as I whil'st I can have Pen Ink and Paper I hope to vindicate that righteous Cause I have now espoused And for a Close of all Dear Mr. Keith I am heartily sorry any Dissenters especially Presbyterians should so severely Censure you for your Compliance with the Church of England You know you went between me and the famous Author of the Snake in the Grass sent me his Letters and him mine about Liturgies and Ceremonies printed with his consent in my Apology for Congregational Divines nothing more clean on both Hands You then seemed to be of my mind if you are otherwise perswaded I am not tho' I was glad to fall into the hand of one of the most accurate devout Advocates for that Cause who made the best of it If you have left me and are now of his mind I dare not Censure another Man's Servant I hope you do nothing against your Conscience I am not so sure you Sin in your Compliance with the Church of England in her Liturgies Ceremonies and Sacraments as I am sure some of my Brethren Sin in their ungodly Censures of you I do not much Care what Party hath you seeing you have lest the Quakers You have left them that had the Plague Sores on them and gone among them that may be Itchy or Lousy Many say you being such a little Man will look very ugly in a Surplice I tell them pleasantly you will then but look like all the rest that wear it For perhaps no Man looks otherwise that ever puts it on If ever you appear against us as some fear I pray Answer my Arguments in my forementioned Epistle to Mr. L. If you thus do you may see A Third Friendly Epistle to Mr. George Keith and the Reformed Quakers by Trepidantiam Malleus As Friendly as the Letters to the aforenamed great Man You know how many plead Plunging from your Fonts and Orders to Plunge Children and not Sprinkle but in case of Necessity Should I Answer this at large I should make those Reflections as are not now convenient Bishop Laud was the Death of many Infants by this barbarous ungodly Impolition Whereas several Bapts say when we tell them the Tendency of imbracing fair Women We see what you are inclined too We fear not When David from the top of his House saw Bathsheba bathing herself perhaps as well Cloathed as some of their baptized Women are though hè a Man after God's own Heart and so in as little Danger as any Man yet we know the wosul Conclusion How much greater had the Temptation been had David had this Woman in his Arms in that Water If they thus dare to talk of Pedobaptist as less Chast than themselves Experience proves the contrary He that locketh on a Woman and Lusteth after her by Land or Water it is all one be committeth Adultery with her in his Heart POSTSCRIPT To my Dear Friends the London BAPTS IF I have given you any just Occasion of Offence by any Words too sharp I beg your Pardon and I know you are reconcilable Men as you have found me to be so I own your worthy Preachers before named and ohers to be Ministers of Christ and of the Gospel If any of our baptized Believers whether Conformists or Dissenters Ministers or People be displeased for my saying so I wish them more Charity and you more Wisdom and Light in our Controversies No Baptists among us hates Plunging more and yet loves the Plungers falsly so called better than Sam. Reconcilable FINIS