is to be taken what Hand Administreth the Setting to of the Hand in the Signing and Sealing of our Everlasting Covenant of which Water-Baptism is one wherein is contained all the Promises of Gods Love in Christ to us and unto our Children to confirm the revealed things that the Scripture saith belongeth to us and unto our Children Deut. 29. 23. of the Remission of our Sins here and of our Eternal Inheritance in Heaven hereafter Now then to the Law and to the Testimony they that speak not according to it there is no light in them Isaiah 8. 20. Therefore though it was lawful for any Gifted Brother Acts 13. 15. 1 Cor. 14. 29 31. Heb. 5. 12. 1 Peter 4. 11. or Man in Israel as now it is in the Churches under the Gospel to expound the Scripture Yet as of old the Sealing Ordinances were commanded of God to be done by Men in Office which the Apostle Paul confirmeth in these words For no Man taketh on him the Office of Priesthood Heb. 5. 4. but he that is called of God as was Aaron So that for breach of order as well as in other matters whatsoever was written afore time is written for our Learning Rom. 15. 4. Psal 102. 13. to warn all that none presume without Office to do the work belonging peculiarly to an Officer least Gods Judgment in Soul and Blindness of Mind and Body fall on them as it did on Corah Dathan and Abiram Numb 16. 16. who sought to overthrow Gods Order appertaining to Offices as the Anabaptists do as aforesaid like they of old to Gods Ministers that they take too much upon them For so they of old charged Moses and Aaron as the Anabaptists now do the Apostles upon the same Grounds with like pretence seeing all the Congregation are Holy and so many gifted Brethren Famous in the Congregation Why may not they Administer the Sealing Ordinances as well as you the Ministers of the Lord. Surely if the right Eye of these Men were not blinded Zach. 11. 17. they might see that John for his Office was Surnamed the Baptist foretold of by the Prophet in Holy Scripture and not for his Preaching only but in special by name called John Baptist Matt. 3. 1. Luke 7. 20. John 1. 31. for Baptizing So that we see at the first Institution of Water-Baptism established for a Gospel Ordinance after Christ's Death and Resurrection Acts 2. 38 39. as a Sign and Seal of the Benefit of the New Testament for the Remission of Sins was commended by the Lord and given to his peculiar Messengers the Apostles called Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5. 20. and such as were endued with Gifts to work Miracles These Master-builders having given order for the Ordaining of Officers by the Churches for to Administer the infealing Ordinances namely Water-Baptism and the Lords-Supper by Pastors and Teachers Titus 1. 5. Acts 14. 23. Thus we see why the Anabaptists would be called Baptists because all would be Baptizers and John a Baptist Yea and do hereupon hold it lawful for an unbaptized Person to Baptize himself and herein they pretend to a higher Commission than John Baptist Therefore And now at random without due Consideration hath Ben. Keach said as aforesaid That the Efficacy of Baptism depends not in the least upon the Quality of the Person Administering of it Ben. Keach Gold Refined P. 20 21. As if John was an ordinary Person whom the Scripture saith Among those that were born of Women there was not a greater Prophet than John the Baptist Matt. 11. 11. Moreover the Jews well knew that Water-Baptism was a great Ordinance that was adjoyned to Circumcision as Mr. Henry Ainsworth in his Annotations on Gen. 17. sheweth out of the Jews Records How that every Proselyte that joyned himself to God and his Church by the Covenant of Grace in Christ for by no other Covenant was ever any Soul reconciled to God So that the Hebrews write That every Proselyte that joyned himself was Baptized Circumcised and brought a Sacrifice So that Circumcision and Baptism then was not done by any ordinary Person less than Gods Minister by Office Therefore the Jews made no question of the Ordinance of Water-Baptism in it self But the question they put to John was John 1. 25. Why Baptizest thou if thou be not the Christ nor Elias nor that Prophet By which it appeareth that they held it unlawful for any ordinary Teacher in Israel to Baptize but a Prophet of God or at least a Ministerial Officer And so we have reason to believe now in the Administration of Gods Sealing Ordinances Water-Baptism and the Lords-Supper that no Man but a Minister by Office as Pastor or Teacher can or may Administer it without Sin since extraordinary Officers are ceased as Apostles and Evangelists unless we hold the Baptism of Water after Christs Resurrection inferior to the Baptism of John For most clear it is that the Sacraments of the Old Testament were Administred by peculiar Men called of God thereunto As the Ark in the Water being a Figure of Baptism built by Noah 1 Peter 3. 20 21. a Priest and Preacher of Righteousness Circumcision Administred by Abraham a Prophet Gen. 17. 13. Patriarch and Priest the private Passover by the Elders and Fathers of Families the publick Passover at the place the Lord had chosen Administred by the Priests and Levites and to this day the Priests among the Jews Circumcise all their Male Children in Germany and other places So when Christ the Master Matt. 26. 26. did eat the Passover with his Disciples He it was that took the Bread Blessed and brake it and gave it to his Disciples These things the Apostle Paul urged to be minded in the Church of God at Corinth and so to all Churches that order be kept in the Performance of all Gods Ordinances for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all Churches of the Saints and therefore hath commanded that all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. Again For to what purpose are Officers chosen as in the Old and New Testament But that some special work belongeth to them which Men out of Office may not no not under never so good intent presume to do 2 Chron. 13. 11. as did Uzza which cost him his Life but he that is called of God So that whereas it is afore objected by Ben. Keach that Philip Baptized being but a Deacon which is a gross Mistake Acts 21. 8. for a Teacher to publish in Print wherein he hath shewn his gross Ignorance in so plain a case if not a willful Mistake supposing his word was a Law to the Anabaptists for we read when Philip Baptized he was more than a Deacon namely a Minister of the Word and named expresly an Evangelist Acts 21. 8. which was one of those extraordinary Offices given to the Churches for a time as were the Apostles Besides Philip was Acts 8. 26. Authorized expresly to
joying and beholding your Order and Stedfastness of your Faith in Christ Col. 2. 5. Therefore as the Ordinances are several every one having dependance on each other therefore Prayer being a Sanctifying Ordinance Numb 10. 35. Col. 14. 4. 1 Tim 4. 4. Acts 2. 42. 6. 4. Matt. 26. 26 27. Numb 6. 23 27. the Pastor or Teacher when the Church is gathered together in some one place 1 Cor. 11. 29. Sanctifieth the Congregation by Prayer and as Praises are next unto Prayer the whole Church Praising the Lord by Singing a Psalm of Holy Scripture even the words of the Prophets of old 1 Chron. 16. 7 8 9 29. Matt. 26. 26. Col. 3. 16. Eph. 5. 19. 2 Chron. 29. 29 30. Rev. 15. 2 3. This being ended the Pastor or Teacher giveth Attendance to Reading Exhortation and Doctrine having read some part of Holy Scripture giving the Sense and Meaning thereof as likewise taking some Scripture and teach or raise Doctrine from the same 1 Tim. 4. 13. Nehem. 8. 8. Phil. 4. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 13. Luke 4. 18 21 22. Cant. 4. 16. This being done then the Prophets or Gifted Brethren spake by Memberal Right as it is written Quench not the Spirit despise not Prophecying 1 Thess 5. 19 20. Keeping order by one two or three at most 1 Cor. 14. 24 29. as time will permit This being done the Church freely contributing to the Maintenance of the Officers and Poor the Deacons attending thereto by Office to gather the same and as need requireth to distribute the same Acts 6. 2 3 5. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. 2 Cor. 8. 12. Prov. 27. 23. 3. 18. This being ended the Ruling Elder in the time of Christs Regal Government in the Church Christ's Kingdom together with the other Elders Pastor and Teacher see that order be kept being the time when any Persons desire to be joyned to Christ by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. Acts 2. 47. to judge of the work of Grace in them by their Profession being approved by the whole Church and then are they to receive them into the Covenant with their Children in Nonage Deut. 29. 11 12. because the Promise is to them and unto their Children Deut. 29. 29. Acts 2. 39. in which time of Government likewise if there be any Complaint against any Members for their Disorderly walking or for Errors in Faith it is written If they will not hear to wit private Admonition and so if they will not be reclaimed at the first and second Admonition to tell it to the Church and if they despise the Churches Admonition to cast them out in the Name of the Lord Jesus from the Communion of Christ in the Church and so from all the Benefit of the Promises in the Covenant Rev. 4. 2. Isa 9. 7. Matt. 18. 15 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 5. Prov. 29. 1. This Ordinance being ended if any were received into Covenant in the time of Government and had never been Baptized into the Name of Jesus then the Seal must be set on the Persons received into Covenant as a Sign of the Pardon of their Sins being washed away in the Blood of Christ the Lamb the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant called the Church Covenant Zach. 9. 10. So that by Water-Baptism Christ may be made manifest both to Parents and their Infants that he hath bore away their Sin or Sins John 1. 29 31. Heb. 8. 12. This Ordinance being ended performed by the Pastor or Teacher then follows the Administration of the Lords-Supper as it is written The Cup of Blessing which we Bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we brake is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ For we being many are one Bread and one Body for we are all partakers of that one Bread 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. The finishing of this Ordinance is by singing a Psalm the whole Action of the day in Worship finished by Prayer Thus as all grant every Ordinance in the Church-Assembly is to be performed on the Lords day as the Anabaptists also grant in their Narrative Page 17. in these words We have no Example of the Churches then Assembling together to celebrate all the Ordinances of our Lord Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the week As afore shewed in their Reasons about keeping the first day for Gospel-worship Thus when Gods Holy Order is kept in the Practice all Gods Ordinances in his Church his Kingdom the Beholders thereof will say God is in them for a truth 1 Cor. 14. 25. and with this Admiration who is this Cant. 8. 5. that thus followeth the Captain of their Salvation Heb. 2. 10. in the Heavenly Warfare of his Gospel Rev. 19. 11. 2 Tim. 2. 3 4. whether soever he goeth before them in his Commands Rev. 17. 14. Rev. 14. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 1. then will the Spouse of Christ appear Crowned with Twelve Stars walking in the Apostles and Prophets Doctrine Christ being the chief Corner-stone whose Righteousness is put on by Faith Rom. 13. 14. looking forth as the Morning she is Fair as the Moon Clear as the Sun Terrible to all her Enemies as an Army with Banners Cant. 6. 10. Rev. 3. 7 8 9 10. And this is that Vertuous Woman her Price is above Rubies that looketh well to the ways of her Houshold and Eateth not the Bread of Idleness her Children arise and call her Blessed her Husband also and he praiseth her Prov. 31. 10 27 28. Now then where Gods Holy Order is not kept there is Confusion and every evil work and what doth Babel mean but Confusion so is every City or Church that transgresseth the Laws or changed the Ordinances or breaketh the Everlasting Covenant called the City of Confusion And this maketh way to take in consideration the Fifth Query which is Query 5. Whether it be Lawful for any Man to Baptize himself In speaking to this Query is shewed that from such an Administrator the English Anabaptists have successively received their way of Re-baptizing of Adult Persons only and excluding the Infants of Believers from the same or the Right to have Water-Baptism Administred on them Therefore it may be expedient to give some Description of this first Baptizer of himself by Name John Smith who by Profession was a Minister of the Church of England disliking thereof went over into Holland and joyned himself to an English Church at Amsterdam at which time Mr. Henry Ainsworth was Teacher to the said Church now as it appeareth by Calvin in his Institutions there were some in his time called Anabaptists in Judgment denying Infants Baptism from this Principle they then maintained in denying original Sin so that they affirmed Infants were not born Sinners and from hence they pleaded there need no Sign of Remission of Sins be Administred on them Now this Error is confuted in a word If Infants were not born Sinners then they could not dye until they had Actually sinned for the
trust Therefore what is Gospel but the glad Tidings of Salvation to fallen Mankind by the Death of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ merited for them whether Actual Believers only or Believers and their Infants is a great part of this Controversie to be handled in this Treatise for Christ came to save that which by the Fall was lost Matt. 18. 11. Rom. 5. 12. Now then seeing Water-Baptism is ordained for a Sign of Remission of Sins Acts 2. 38. as is proved in the second Query all that can be proved by the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets agreeing in one whether adult Persons or Infants or both that have their Sin or Sins pardoned by Christ mark that are the Persons that have right to have Christ by the visible Sign Water Baptism John 1. 31. made manifest to them I shall therefore refer the Reader for a full proof hereof to read and consider the Answer to the third Query wherein is proved that the Actual Believers as likewise their Infants are equal in the Redemption by the Death of Christ Likewise as there must be a true Administrator of the Sealing Ordinances of the New Testament as well as of the Figurative Ordinances of the Old For this I refer the Reader to the Answer to the fourth Query for Satisfaction And withall to observe in the fifth Query the Description of that first Administrator of the English Anabaptists who Baptized himself because he could not find any in the way of Dipping When denying his Baptism in Infancy he presumptuously Baptized himself without any warrant from God Moreover as the first Sin that generally reigned in the old World was the opposing of the Doctrine of Free Grace which was first seen in Cain the main opposite Doctrine to the Gospel and now reigning by the pleading a Right of Acceptance with God to Gospel-Ordinances by the external Act of Man And that this is the Ground of Anabaptistry which they have laid to deprive the Infants of Believers from the Benefit of the Free Grace of God in the Covenant of the Gospel of the pardon of their Sin And so from the Right which they have to Water-Baptism And this is fully proved against them in the third Query Therefore I desire the Reader to observe their Arguments and the Answer to them for when the Apostle Jude saw the Doctrine of Cain spreading it self among the Christians he exhorteth them that were Faithful To contend earnestly for the Faith once given to the Saints Jude v. 3. Namely first to Adam by which Faith Abel offered a more excellent Sacrifice than Cain therefore saith he concerning them that opposed the Doctrine of Free Grace For they have gone in the way of Cain v. 11. turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ And again concerning such as opposed the Doctrine of Faith he saith v. 10. These speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves And from this Root meerly by the Argument arising from Nature do the Anabaptists continually urge namely that Profession of Faith only giveth Right to Water-Baptism to deprive the Infants of Believers because they cannot Actually profess Faith and repent of a right to the Remission of their Sin and so of a Right to the Sign thereof Water-Baptism as in this Treatise is fully discovered Moreover And to maintain this their Doctrine grounded on Nature they quarrel with our English Translation as though the original word for Baptize was not truly explained because it is Englished Wash and not Dip Therefore we have proved in speaking to the first Query that the greatest Schollar who spake with more Tongues 1 Cor. 14. 18. than the rest of the Apostles hath by the Holy Ghost which leadeth into all Truth John 16. 13. opened and expounded the true natural and proper meaning of the Sense of the word Baptize to be a pouring of Water on the Persons Baptized as he saith All our Fathers were Baptized in the Cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. Psalm 77. 15 to 20. being under the Cloud the Clouds pouring out Water on them when they passed through the Sea so called Sea where the Water had been for they went through the Sea on dry foot this could not be on dry foot had they been dip'd Now our Translators durst not presume to have more skill in the Sense of the original word for Baptize than the Apostle Paul had and therefore durst not confine the word to one strict Sense as the Anabaptists would have it to maintain their disorderly way of Rebaptising As is fully proved to be against Modesty in answer to the first Query But they have left the word Baptize in its general term to Wash as it is written Acts 22. 16. Be baptized and wash away thy sins So that in vain hath Ben. Keach in his Book Gold Refin'd brought a multitude of Authors to confirm the word Baptize to be Dip'd being all disproved by the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. and when they can overthrow his expounding the Sense of the word Baptize by pouring Water on the Persons Baptized then they may have somewhat to plead that Dipping is the way and till then they oppose and withstand the Apostles Doctrine like Alexander 2 Tim. 4. 14 15. for as we may observe in another word that the Translators durst not confine it to one strict sense namely the word in the original for Church or Congregation but left it in the general term Church or Congregation because the plural number more or less is in Scripture called a Church The first Church was in Adam's Family and after in Noah's Family and after that in Abraham's Family or House as the Apostle accordingly writeth to the Church in a Mans House Rom. 16. 5. 1 Cor. 16. 19 all but few in number Whereas in the Wilderness Acts 7. 38. the word for Church or Congregation were in number above six hundred thousand Souls and in the Acts above three thousand Now to limit the word for Church to a strict number is Sin so to limit the word to such a mult of Water is Sin because it is an abusing of the word contrary to the harmonious Agreement of the Scriptures and so contrary to the Analogy of Faith as is shewed at large in the first Query Therefore As in the Lords Supper it is not the quantity of Bread and Wine more or less but the right apprehension of and sincere Affection to the thing signified that Christ intendeth thereby and the same in Baptism being both Signs and Seals to one and the same Covenant of the Gospel So that when any shall plead skill in the. Tongues concerning the signification of words without regard had to the Mysteries of Faith which cannot be understood but by the help of the Spirit of God they abuse the use of Learning for there are two
125. That as no Person might eat of the Passover before Circumcised even so no unbaptized may eat of the Lords-Supper and that the Baptized and Vnbaptized ought not to joyn together in the Lords-Supper p. 126 12 d The Anabaptists Objection That Water-Baptism was lost answered p. 128. The Anabaptists Doctrine concerning the State of the Jewish Church answered p. 133. Gen. 17. 7. Exod. 19. 5 6. Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. proved to be no part of the Covenant of Works p. 133 to 161. B. Keach's Assertion That God hath quite pulled down the State of the Jewish Church and turned all Infants out of doore refuted p. 162 to 170. Baptism Anatomized OR A Seasonable Discourse concerning the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism Open'd and Explain'd in Five Queries Query 1. WHAT Water-Baptism is according to the true Sense and Meaning of the Word one Scripture opening another together with the Manner how it was Administred by the Apostles on the Primitive Christians Query 2. To what end Water-Baptism was ordained by the Lord Jesus in these last days of the Gospel Query 3. What is that by Scripture evidence that giveth any Soul Young or Old Right to have Water-Baptism administred on them Query 4. Who are they that the Lord Jesus hath ordained in his Gospel to the Worlds end to be the Administrators of Water-Baptism Query 5. Whether it be Lawful for any Man to Baptize himself Wherein is also shewed that from such an Administrator the Anabaptists successively received their new way of Rebaptizing of Adult Persons only and the Reasons disproved as they have exerted it Now Published as an answer to the several Pamphlets sent to several Persons by the Anabaptists in Penny Post Letters and other Books as Gold refined and also a Solemn Call or Challenge by Phillip Cary to any Person that will appear to vindicate the Right of Infants Baptism Therefore There is a time to keep Silence and a time to Speak saith Solomon The Summ of these Queries were delivered to one Benjamin Keach by one that the Anabaptists pressed with Arguments to be Rebaptized and not to have her Children Baptized In answer to these Queries a Book Intituled Gold Refin'd was offered by Benjamin Keach with this Message That it was an Answer to the aforesaid Queries But being examined and found too light in the Ballance of Gods Word to maintain that which it asserteth against Infant-Baptism Therefore what Benj. Keach says in the aforesaid Book relating to these Queries is here incerted and answered To the first Query What Baptism is according to the true Sense and Meaning of the Word one Scripture opening another together with the manner how it was administred by the Apostles on the Primitive Christians B. Keach saith in Page 33. of his Book Entituled Gold Refin'd That the Baptized were always Dip'd all over in Water and certain it is no Baptism at all if not so administred The only Proof he brings is the Learned in the Tongues say The word for Water-Baptism in the Original signifieth so So his Proof is not from Heaven but from Men Learned Men in the Tongues Answ Our last Translation Mr. Henry Ainsworth as well as others Learned in the Tongues saith is the well amended Translation in which written Word of God we find three several kinds of Baptism viz. the Baptism of Water Acts 10. 47. the Baptism of the Spirit Matt. 3. 11. and the Baptism of Suffering Mark 10. 39. Yet saith the Apostle There is one Faith and one Baptism Eph. 4. 5. by the word one Baptism expressed by one and the same word from the Original hath one and the same Sense in the Meaning or Signification of the word Baptism in the Administration thereof in all which the Persons Baptized with Water or with the Spirit or with Suffering are Passive So that when the word for Baptism is rightly understood in its true Sense and Meaning in the manner of Administration all three Baptisms they will agree in one and therefore we say with the Prophet Isaiah 49. 4 My judgment is with the Lord and they that speak not according to this word Isaiah 8. 20. there is no light in them Now according to this word the true Sense of the word Baptism is as followeth To begin with Water-Baptism the Apostle would not have the Primitive Christians Ignorant how that all our Fathers were Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea together with the manner in the Administration of this Water-Baptism by the Lord himself that it was by pouring out Water on the Israelites whom the Apostle calleth our Fathers out of the Clouds as saith the Psalmist Psalm 77. 17 18 19 20. The Clouds poured out water or the Clouds were poured forth with Water Thy way is in the Sea and thy paths in the great waters Thou leddest thy People like a Flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron Now it is to be believed that the Apostle Paul who had the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2. 16. was not inferior for Learning in the Tongues to any Learned Man since his days who hath given his Sense concerning the signification of the word Baptism to be understood with its natural signification from or by the manner of Israels Baptism in the Sea or where they passed where the Sea or Water had been on dry foot Exod. 14. 22. 29. by the Clouds pouring forth Water on them So that the true signification of the word Baptism by the Apostle Paul's Determination is a pouring or casting Water on the Persons Wash'd or Baptized And to confirm this not by Humane Authority but by the Testimony of God in his Word that as John came Baptizing with Water even so by the same term of words in the Baptism of the Spirit it is written They shall be Baptized with the Spirit Acts 1. 5. Thus we see the manner or meaning of the word Baptize with Water or with the Spirit as it is written Isaiah 32. 15. Until the Spirit be poured on us from on high not the Person dip'd in the Spirit And again saith the Lord Joel 2. 28. I will pour out my Spirit on all Flesh for John truly Baptized with Water but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost by pouring out on Persons agreeing in one sense By all which it appeareth that at Israel were Baptized with Water when they stood in the Sea so called because it was the place where the Sea or Water had been on dry ground when the Water out of the Clouds was poured forth on them and the Water of the Sea was a Wall on each side Thus they were Baptized with Water as the Apostles were Baptized with the Holy Ghost or Spirit when poured out on them Therefore John when he Baptized Baptized with Water that was by casting or pouring Water on the Persons So then as we are commanded not to lean to our own understanding Prov. 3. 5. but to believe Gods Word in
its explaining its own meaning wherein one and the same Sense in the manner of the Administration of Water-Baptism and Spiritual Baptism must when rightly understood agree in one as afore proved Again as to the quantity of Water in pouring it on the Person in Baptism God hath not limited but left free keeping to the manner by pouring and no otherwise is Gods way in the Spiritual Baptism limited for some have a greater measure of the Spirit than others poured on them For although the whole Church is Baptized by one Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 13. yet There are differences of Adminstrations 1 Cor. 12. 5. some more and some less as it pleaseth the Administrator thereof the Lord Jesus Agreeable hereunto are we to understand the word Baptism by Suffering Col. 1. 24. Heb. 13. 15. 34. Isaiah 51. 14. Rev. 1. 9. one suffereth Reproaches and loss of Goods others the two former and Imprisonment others all the three former and Banishment others all the former and loss of Life also Now he that suffereth but Reproaches for the Name of Christ or loss of Goods or Imprisonment or Banishment who dare say he partaketh not of the Baptism of Suffering because he suffereth not loss of Life also Now than the Error to be reproved is limiting and confining the word Baptism to one strict Sense to Dip and in truth contrary to the Sense in the manner of the Administration in the three Baptisms determined by Gods word when as 't is clear the word Baptism signifieth a pouring of the Spirit and so in Water-Baptism a pouring of Water on the Person and not a dipping the whole Body in Water which as aforesaid is particularly by the Anabaptists affirmed and asserted if not so done to be no Baptism at all Their Reason is they say The word in the Original signifieth so as though the Scripture were not rightly translated Now as we in the things of God are forbidden to lean to our own understanding There is a way saith Solomon Prov. 16. 25. that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof is death Therefore the way of Baptism by dipping seemeth right unto Man by leaning to his own understanding As for Example the reason why the Anabaptists say or think that John Baptized by Dipping Persons or that Philip Dipped the Eunuch is because it is written Matt. 3. 13 16. John Baptized in Jordan and Christ came out of the Water and went down into the Water Acts 8. 38 39. Nay let the Scripture deside the matter we read that Israel pass'd through the Sea when as they walked on dry Land Exod. 14. 29. where the Sea had flowed The Priests that bare the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Joshua 3. 17. are said to stand firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground where the Waters had been as 't is written when ye are come to the brink of the Water of Jordan ye shall stand still in Jordan so then to stand at the brink of the Water they are said to stand in Jordan where the Water had sometimes risen firm on dry ground Joshua 3. 17. And thus John Baptized in Jordan standing at the brink of the River where the Water had sometimes flowed for sometimes Jordan overflowed all his Banks Joshua 3. 15. and that John did cast Water on the Person like as we see before the manner was in both the Water and Spiritual Baptism administred by the Lord himself which manner we are exhorted not to be Ignorant of 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. After the manner of Rain Psalm 77. 17 18 20. So we are to understand Philip and the Eunuch went into the Water as the Priests did in Jordan at the brink of the Water where the Water had sometimes risen but not one word that any by John or Philip were Dipped but by Imagination only because 't is said they both went into the Water as Israel did into the Sea and Jordan which was but where the Water had been it being affirmed they stood in Jordan Joshua 3. 15 17. when they stood on dry Ground and so in the Sea when they stood on dry Ground Exod. 14. 29. So it is said that Christ sate in the Sea and taught Mark 4. 1. when he sate in the Ship and that Christ went up into a Mountain Matt. 5. 1. when he stood but on the out-side on the rising of it So Men are said to go down into the Sea in Ships yet they are not to be accounted Dipped in their Bodies in Water Again another great Argument the Anabaptists bring to prove Baptism to be meer dipping the whole Body under Water is because it is written Col. 2. 12. Buried with Christ in Baptism To follow their natural Fancy in this thing if every Person must be Baptized according to the word Buried as a Man Buried that is Dead and put in the Grave then as none can deny in the Act of Baptism but the Person to be Baptized as the Anabaptists say Buried by Dipping the whole Body under Water as a Man buried and covered with Earth must be Passive and therefore the Person must have no hand in the act of his being Baptized for Christ when buried was wholly Passive he put neither Foot nor Leg nor Knee nor any other part into the Grave Then by this Scripture if it intend Water-Baptism as by Romans 6. it doth not but if it did then to act according to what they plead for in the manner of Water-Baptism Buried in Baptism the Administrator must take the Party to be Baptized up in his Arms and lay his whole Body first bore up above the Water and lay him into the Water As a Man in the Grave is covered with Earth that is by casting Earth upon him then and not before he is buried so to bury a Man is to cast Earth upon him so in Water-Baptism to cast Water upon is to bury as a Man is laid in the Grave and so cover him with Water and there retain him the time the words in the Commission of Christ are express'd I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost So then if this be the main Scripture they will stand by to justifie Baptizing by Burying as they call Dipping why do they not so practice but Hypocritically plead for that they practice not for by their Practice there is not a Soul of them Buried in Baptism nor yet the whole Person ever Baptized as they call it Dipped for they Baptize but a part for the whole for so far as the Person to be Baptized putteth himself into the Water either the Feet or Legs or Thighs or to the Middle so far the Parties Baptized as they call it Dipped themselves and then the Administrator putteth but the upper part of the Man or Woman that was out of the Water into the Water So by their Practice they grant a part is taken for the
over whom Christ is King King of Saints Rev. 15. 3. as in civil States earthly Kings are called Kings or King of Nations Gen. 14. 1. unto whom both Believers as well as others are to obey them in Civil things in the Lord as Christ himself paid them Tribute by which example as in other Duties all Christians are commanded by the Apostles to obey Rom. 13. Now to Nations consisting of Families of Unbelievers the Apostles were sent by Christ to preach the glad Tidings to Families and Kindreds Rev. 14. 6. Therefore whosoever shall preach any other Gospel than is found in the Prophets sent to be preached to Families preacheth not the Gospel of Christ but another not found in the Prophets And therefore how dare any Man preach such a Doctrine for Gospel that is not written in the Prophets that Adult Persons only have the Promise of the Pardon of their Sins and are saved by Christ and not their Infants with them when as the Angel sent to Cornelius durst not deliver any such Message as the Anabaptist Doctrine is that he should send for Peter to tell him words whereby he that had been an Actual Sinner should be saved only and not his House his Child or Children in Non-age with him who were Sinners Children of Wrath by original Sin derived from Fathers to Children but the Message from God by the Angel was according to the Gospel contained in the Prophets in Christ Families or Kindreds shall be Blessed as aforesaid Therefore send for Peter and he shall tell thee words whereby thou shalt be saved and thy House as anon shall by Scripture evidence be proved that a Mans House are his Children his near Kindred who are not Sinners in Infancy by their own act but Sinners as aforesaid by original Corruption derived from Father to Child by the Fall in the first Adam and are therefore by Grace saved from Wrath to come by Christ the second Adam the Sheepherd of his Sheep who hath in his Fold bought with his pretious Blood Lambs as well as Sheep Infants as well as their Parents As was foretold by the Prophet when he should come his fore-runner John should proclaim that Christ who was born a Lamb a Sacrifice a Saviour should like himself be a Sheepherd most compassionate to all his Redeemed as it is written He shall feed his Flock like a Sheepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and carry them in his Bosom Isaiah 40. 11. This did Christ when he was on Earth took Infants Lambs of his Fold of his Kingdom in his Arms or in his Bosom and Blessed them Mark 10. 13 14 15 16. for by the word Bosom is signified one near him Beloved as John by that Sign leaning on Christs Breast or Bosom John 13. 23. was said to be the Disciple whom Jesus loved And whether was poor Lazarus carried by the Angels but into Abraham's Bosom as one dearly Beloved of his Father so Christ was by that word Bosom manifested as one most dearly Beloved of his Father John 1. 18. But now the Anabaptists by their new found Gospel would perswade that in Christ's Fold he hath no Lambs but all Sheep Adult Persons such a Fold was never heard of in Holy Scripture to be the Fold of Christ nor from the borrowed Metaphor of Sheepherds with their Folds on Earth So that this Doctrine of the Anabaptists is against the very order in things Natural and so in things Spiritual that a Sheepherds Flock should have no Lambs among them but we shall by Gods help prove Christs Fold his Church on Earth in all Ages had Lambs in that Fold as well as Sheep called a Mans House Children or Lambs of the Sheep Men and Women Gods Holy Flock are Men Ezek. 34. 3. such as Fell in Adam and were Restored in Christ Rom. 5. 18. And that a Mans Child or Children are his House saved with him according to the Gospel preached unto Abraham that in Christ his Seed all the Families of the Earth shall be Blessed and that every Nation to whom the Gospel is sent to be preached consisteth of Families or Kindreds Rev. 14. 6. Acts 3. 25. as first concerning the Nation of the Jews in the Scriptures of the Prophets Children are there called a Mans House and so in the New Testament we therefore are most certainly right in understanding of Scripture Terms or Phrases in the true meaning thereof according as the Scriptures expound themselves as for example that a Mans Child is called a Mans House when any Man Married in Israel and died without Issue his next a Kin was to take his Brothers Widow to Wife and the first born Son was to bear up the Name of the Deceased but if he refused to take his Brothers Widow to Wife Then shall his Brothers Wife in the presence of the Elders loose his Shoe from off his foot and spit in his face and shall answer and say So shall it be done unto the man that will not build up his Brothers House Deut. 25. 5. to 9. And thus Ruth did to her deceased Husbands next a kin that refused to build up his Brothers House but when Boaz took her to Wife the Elders Prayer was The Lord make this Woman like Rachel and Leah which two did build the House of Israel Ruth 4. 11 12. that is by bearing Children unto Jacob here we see a Child or Children are a Mans House by Scripture Explanation Likewise the Widow of Sarephtha's Son is called her House see 1 Kings 17. 9. to 15. and when God promised to make the Barren Woman Fruitful it it written He maketh a barren Woman to dwell in an House that is to be a joyful Mother of Children Psalm 113. 9. To this truth that a Mans Child or Children are his House the Doctrine of the Apostle agreeth with the Doctrine of the Prophets for when the Apostle Paul in shewing the Qualifications of one to be called into the Office of a Bishop or Pastor of a Congregation in the Church of God it is written 1 Tim. 3. 4 5. He must be one that ruleth his House well the House being explained in the next words having his Children in subjection the reason is given For if a man know not how to rule his own House his Children how shall he take care of the Church or House of Gods Children Young or Old To confirm this Truth that Children are a Mans House under the Promise of Remission of Sins and so of Salvation by Christ according to the Gospel preached to Abraham in Christ all Families of the Earth shall be Blessed Christ said to Zacheus when he confessed his Faith and repented This day is Salvation come to this House Luke 19. 9. or Children For this reason although he was in all likelihood a Gentile yet because he had the Faith of Abraham therefore he was his Son believing as Abraham did that God was a God not only to him when he actually believed as Abraham did
Heb. 3. 6. the Son of God and Phil. 2. 11. Lord of his own House had power to change the Seal of the Covenant who altered not but Rom. 15. 8. confirmed the Promises in the Covenant by his being Circumcised to the Believers and their Infants Now to be sealed with the Sign Water-Baptism by the same Authority which we believe Christ changed the Seventh day to the First day to be kept Holy for Religious Worship Again whereas they say it is manifest our Blessed Lord and Saviour rose on that day as having compleated and confirmed the Work of our Redemption Matt. 28. 1. Mark 16. 2. Luke 24. 1. John 20. 1. whereby is laid a Foundation of the Observation of that day By like reason we say that for all whom Christ by his Resurrection hath compleated and confirmed the work of their Redemption he hath laid a Foundation thereby for Sealing the same unto them by that visible Sign of Pardon or Remission of their Sins Water-Baptism but that Christ hath confirmed and compleated Redemption for the Believers and their Seed in Infancy before is largely proved in this third Query Therefore these are to be Baptized Baptism by Water being cast upon them as is at large proved to be Gods way in the first Query and by like grounded reason brought from Scripture as they now do to keep the first day of the Week Holy for Religious Worship to God Again they say our Lord on that day appeared to his Disciples teaching and instructing them and Blessing them giving them their Commission breathing on them the Holy Ghost Luke 24. John 20. Answ If the Blessing of Christ to his Disciples with his Spiritual Blessing of the Pardon of their Sins who died for them and on that day rose again for their Justification be a reason why we should keep the first day Holy it is a like reason why Infants of Believers are to be Baptized seeing the visible Sign of the Remission of their Sins in or by the Blessing of Christ bestowed on the Infants of his Kingdom Water-Baptism is to be Administred on them because Christ died for their Sin and rose on the first day for their Justification because they are of the Kingdom of God Luke 18. 16. in which time of the Forty days Christ spoke to them of all things pertaining to his Kingdom Acts 1. Again if it be a reason as they say why we should keep the first day Holy because our Lord Jesus remained with his Disciples Forty days after his Resurrection and spake to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and if they question not but he then gave them command about the Observation of the Lords day Acts 1. 3. Answ Seeing the Lord Jesus in the Forty days he was with his Disciples after his Resurrection spake to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and that the time for Worship is one thing pertaining to the Kingdom because there is a Time and Season for every work and that therefore there is no question but he gave command about keeping the first day Holy Even so there is likewise no question but he gave command concerning all things else pertaining to his Kingdom as aforesaid and the Infants of his People Christ himself hath said are of his Kingdom There is no doubt seeing he Blessed them with the Pardon of their Sin as well as he Blessed their Parents but that he gave a command they should be Baptized as well as their Parents seeing Water-Baptism was to be Administred on all that had their Sin by the Blessing of Christ pardoned Acts 3. 26. as it is written Be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins for the promise to wit of the Pardon of Sins in the Blessing of Christ is to you and unto your Children So that by the Anabaptists own grant seeing Christ was Faithful in his House as a Son he did not omit the commanding of the visible Sign of Remission of Sins Water-Baptism to all the Blessed in his Kingdom no more than he omitted a command for the keeping the first day Holy for Religious Gospel-worship because he was Faithful in his House as a Son as Moses was as a Servant Heb. 3. Moreover whereas they grant that the day of Pentecost was the first day of the Week Acts 2. 1. and seeing the Apostles Baptized 3000 on that day there is no question but that Christ gave command that they should Baptize on that day as in their Sixth Reason in their Narrative they say and grant the first day was solemnly observed by the Churches as appears in Acts 20. 7. with the Solemn Duties then performed and that we have no Example of the Churches then Assembling together to celebrate all the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the Week mark that therefore If the Practice of the Primitive Churches in the Purest of Times be the Rule for Gospel Churches ever since to follow their Examples 1 Thess 2. 14. as it is and that all the Ordinances are to be celebrated on the Lords day which Practice of the Churches is by the Anabaptists granted in their Narrative to be an evident plain Demonstration of its being a Day set apart for Religious Worship by the Will and Command of the Lord Jesus as if it had been express'd in the plainest words How is it then seeing Water-Baptism is a part of Spiritual Worship as they grant and an Ordinance when first performed after Christ's Resurrection on the Lords day in the Church-Assembly where was no River nor Pond that the Anabaptists Baptize after their way of Dipping on any Working-duy out of the Church Estate when Assembled when as by the Example of a Church-Practice at Jerusalem in the Purest of Times whose Example all Churches are to follow that then when the Church was Assembled to perform other parts of the Worship then Water-Baptism was performed in the Congregation Which is a plain Demonstration that they were not Baptized by Dipping but by casting Water on the noble part of Mankind which representeth the whole Person as before in the first Query is proved Therefore tho the Apostles and Evangelists by an extraordinary call Baptized in any place where any were Converted yet that any ordinary Officer as Pastor or Teacher chosen and ordained by a particular Congregation Baptized any other where but in the Congregation at the same time when all other Ordinances are to be performed in Worship as they grant therefore it is not lawful by the Anabaptists own grant for any to Baptize on any other day but the Lords day and then to be done in the Assembly with other parts of Worship forasmuch as they say the first day was solemnly observed by the Churches as appears by Acts 20. 7. with the Solemn Duties then performed and that we have say they no example of the Churches then Assembled together to celebrate all the Ordinances of our Lord
Jesus peculiar to them but on the first day of the Week Now let the Reader judge whether the Charge given by these Men against such as by Scriptures grounded Reasons prove it lawful to Baptize the Infants of Believers without so many literal words in Christs Testament Baptize your Children Seeing they by the same way allow and endeavour by grounded Reasons from Scripture to prove the first day of the Week to be the only day to keep Holy for Gospel-worship when as in the Testament of Christ there wants so many literal words Remember to keep Holy the first day as of old Remember to keep Holy the Seventh day Who is it now I say they or we that reflect upon the Care and Honour and Faithfulness of our Lord and Blessed Saviour Because say they did Moses deal thus with the Children of Israel No no how careful was he to deliver every Law Statute and Ordinance exactly and particularly in or about the Ordinance of the Passover that now they are forced to try their Wits to supply that which is wanting in their Sense to prove the first day to be kept Holy in the Worship of God Therefore seeing that they allow it lawful in themselves to do that which in things of like nature they condemn in others Let these Men hear what the Lord Jesus saith to such like Spirits Mat. 5. 2 3 4 5. With what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure ye meet it shall be measured to you again And why beholdest thou the Mote in thy Brothers eye but considerest not the Beam that is in thine own eye thou Hypocrite first cast out the Beam out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the Mote out of thy Brothers eye And again as we do believe the next immediate time after the Work of the Creation of the World was the time God in the Fourth Commandement commanded to be kept Holy until a new Creation was made wherein God in Christ his word created new Heavens and a new Earth Isaiah 65. 17. Rev. 21. 1. Isaiah 51. 16. namely new Heavenly Ordinances the old as Figures of Christ to come now by Christ's Death abolished Heb. 9. 23. which were for a time commanded to be kept by the Second Commandement as now the Lord Jesus we hear by a Voice from the Throne of God saith Behold I create all things new to wit new Ordinances a new Ministry a new Maintenance and a new Time to be kept Holy and a new People called a new Earth the Gentiles called to the Faith Fellow-heirs and of the same Body with the Believing Jews Partakers of his Promise in Christ by the Gospel And therefore it is written also Eph. 3. 6. Rom. 15. 9 10. Rom. 11. 24. with Jer. 11. 16. Rejoyce ye Gentiles with his People who were wild by nature are now by a new Creation in Christ Jesus Grafted contrary to nature into the good Olive-Tree with the Believing Jews and their Children so that if the Root be Holy so are the Branches the Root being Gods Love in Christ in the Covenant of Grace to us and our Children as of old to Abraham and his Seed the Believing Jews and their Children so now to the Believing Gentiles and to our Children who are Holy by virtue of the Holy Covenant which God made with Abraham and his Seed in their Generations if so as they grew up they continued with Isaac in the Faith So that the next immediate time after Christ by his Death had confirmed the Holy Covenant with many Dan. 9. 27. to wit with Believers and their Seed in Infancy was the time to be kept Holy even the first day of the Week So that although the Figurative Ordinances be abolished together with the old time next after the first Creation by the Death and Resurrection of the Lord of the Sabbath Yet as by the Moral Equity of the Second Commandement the new Ordinances for Gospel-worship are to be kept without adding to or diminishing from by any Mortal Man even so by the Moral Equity of the Fourth Commandement the first day the next immediate time after the new Creation is to be kept Holy for Gospel-worship to be believed by all Christians by grounded Reasons from Scripture as by like equality by grounded Reasons from Scripture is to be believed the Right the Infants of Believers have to Water-Baptism And therefore let them be ashamed ever hereafter to speak against or deny that Reasons from Scripture are not sufficient to prove the Right the Infants of Believers have to be Baptized And this leadeth to the Fourth Query Query 4. Who are they that the Lord Christ hath ordained in his Gospel to the Worlds end to be the Administrators of Water Baptism and the Lords Supper To this Query Ben. Keach saith in Page 20 21. of his Book That the Administration or Act of Water-Baptism was not tyed up to the Apostles or to the more ordinary Ministers but that any Faithful gifted Disciple might Administer it as well as they nor doth the Efficacy of Baptism depend in the least upon the Quality of the Person Administering of it whether it be Paul Apollo or Cephas or any other Disciple much inferior to them in Capacity or Office it is no matter for Ananias a private Disciple Baptized and Philip who was no other than a Deacon or Overseer of the Poor Baptized many in Samaria Acts 8. So that we find in the Primitive times the Simple Act of Baptism was a Work Inferior Servile and Subservient to that of Preaching the Gospel Answ The Lord Jesus in the Commission Go ye and teach all Nations Baptizing them was after Christs Resurrection given to Men in Office only Unless the Anabaptists think that the Apostles were no Officers but Common Disciples as anon it will be proved is their Judgment and that they look upon the Apostles in the work of Baptizing but only to be Gifted Disciples So that when these Men Err in any one of the Fundamentals in Christs Building with respect to the Ministry it being overthrown the whole work must needs be a Babel of Confusion as will appear for no Man can maintain an Erroneous Principle but he must violate either Faith or Order As first in this particular for Ben. Keach to affirm That the Simple Act of Baptism was a work Inferior Servile and Subservient to that of Preaching of the Gospel This Man seemeth not only to cross the very Order in Nature and much more in Grace For in earthly Covenants it matters not what hand writeth the Conditions if he be judged capable thereof Yet heed is to be taken in a special manner that the Sign or Seal to it be fixed by the Person that hath Authority to do it as the very Nature of Sealing to Covenants Civil or Spiritual the Holy Scripture sheweth John 3. 33. Eph. 1. 13. 4. 30. Jer. 32. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 9. therefore what care
Argument for the warrant of Baptizing of himself Thus as Mr. Clifton hath published in his Christian Plea Page 181 182. in these words There is as good warrant for a Man Churching himself for two Men singly are no Church joyntly they are a Church so two Men may put Baptism upon themselves Again saith Mr. Smith A Man cannot Baptize others into a Church himself being out of the Church or being no Member But such was the State of Mr. Smith when he Baptized himself he was then cast out of the Church whereof Mr. Ainsworth was Teacher So we see out of his own Mouth Mr. Smith condemned himself and his Practice Moreover Mr. Jesop in his Discovery of the Errors of the Anabaptists who some time as he saith walked with them saith If I should demand of you your warrant for a Man to Baptize himself I much marvel where you would find such a Practice in all the New Testament of Christ it would be too hard a Task for you Although Mr. Smith first Baptized himself and then he Baptized Mr. Helvish and John Murton with others See Mr. Jesop's Discovery of the Errors of the English Anabaptists Page 65. Now as in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every Truth shall be established so then Mr. Henry Ainsworth and Mr. Clifton and Mr. Jesop have testified in their Books published that Mr. Smith Baptized himself and from such an Administrator the Anabaptists have successively received their way of Baptizing Adult Persons only and excluding the Infants of Believers from the Benefit thereof and because their Reasons for this Practice of theirs are but carnal as afore is proved therefore wanting Scripture Evidence for their Practice some of late have published in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book namely Mr. Kiffing John Harris Richard Adams Robert Steed Ben. Keach a False report against three worthy Servants of Jesus Christ wanting help as appeareth to maintain their way of Anabaptistry their words are these And since that God hath been pleased to raise up many Learned Men namely Dr Ames Mr. Ainsworth and Dr. Owen with others who have Learnedly and with much clearness and strength of Argument made it appear that a true visible Gospel-Church is to consist only of such as are Saints by profession and who give up themselves to the Lord and one to another by solemn Agreement to practice the Ordinances of Christ The cause surely must be very bad in these Mens own Eyes unless they are given over to blindness of Heart to make Falshood their Refuge as will clearly appear concerning these three Mens Judgment published to the World touching the State of the Children of Believers Dr. Ames hath written That a particular Church or Congregation is a Society of Faithful ones or Believers knit together mutually in a special Obligation or Bond in order to the constant exercise of the Communion of Saints among themselves And further saith Children of Believers who are in the Church-Fellowship are to be reckoned Members of the Church 1 Cor. 7. 14. your Children are Holy for they are partakers of the same Profession with their Parents yet Children are not so perfect Members of the Church so as that they can expect acts of Communion or may be admitted to partake of all the Priviledges of the Church unless a growing Faith appear in them but are not to be excluded from those Priviledges which appertain to the beginning of Faith and entrance into the Church Doctrines In Medul Theol. Lib. 1. ch 32. § 6. § 12. § 13. Mr. Henry Ainsworth saith Children of Believers when they are born of their Parents and all are born Infants are all in the Covenant with their Parents and were of old to be Circumcised are now to be Baptized if the Children be of years when their Parents enter into Covenant either they assent and enter into Covenant with them or they dissent and enter not so Ishmael Abraham 's Child being taught of his Father to keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. and not disobeying he was with his Father Circumcised at thirteen years of Age Gen. 17. 25. likewise all Children now assenting unto and walking in the Faith with their Parents are to be Baptized at what Age soever but when Ishmael fell from his Obedience then was he cast out of Abraham 's House and was no longer counted for Abraham 's Seed but in Isaac was his Seed called Ishmael was still Abraham 's Seed and Child in Nature according to the Flesh but he continued not still a Child of the Covenant Gal. 4. 29 30. nor Abraham 's Seed according to the Promise even so if Children of Believers now being of understanding do refuse the Faith of Christ and fall from it they are to be kept out of the Church or cast out from it and so the Seal of Grace and Salvation belongeth not to them Ezek. 18. 24. 2 Chron. 15. 2. Matt. 3. 7 9 10. As it belongeth to all the Infants of the Faithful and to all their Children of what Age soever if they receive the Faith of Christ and abide in it with them And these Men meaning the Anabaptists if they think we hold Children are to be Baptized because they are our Children by Nature for so they are Children of Wrath Eph. 2. 3. but they are Holy and so have the Seal of Salvation because God hath graciously accepted them into his Covenant with our selves and keepeth them in it until they fall from Faith and Obedience of Christ even as we our selves continue in the Covenant while we continue in the Christian Faith and no longer 2 Tim. 2. 12. As we are the Children of the first Adam and so are Sinners Disobedient Unrighteous and under Condemnation but as we are the Children of the second Adam Christ we are all Holy made Obedient Righteous and Heirs of Salvation according to the Apostles Doctrine Rom. 5. 12 21. See Mr. Henry Ainsworth's Censure upon a Dialogue of Infants Baptism Page 67 68. Dr. Owen saith Children do belong unto and have an Interest in the Parents Covenant not only in the Promise of it which gives them Right unso Baptism but in the Profession of the Church-Covenant which gives them a Right unto all the Priviledges of the Church whereof they are capable until they voluntarily relinquish their claim unto them Dr. Owen The true Nature of a Gospel Church Chap. 1. 14 16. Now will not Mr. Kiffin Mr. Harris Mr. Adams Mr. Steed Mr. Keach call back their words which they have set their Hands to in the Preface to Philip Cary's Book of their evil here and imbrace the Truth these Men have testified In the mean time let the Prudent Reader judge whether the forenamed Persons have any Grounds to publish to the World that these Men Dr. Ames Mr. Ainsworth Dr. Owen should Learnedly and with much clearness and strength of Argument make it appear that a true visible Church is to consist only of such as are Saints
by Profession The contrary by their own writing doth clearly appear That Infants are in Covenant and so visible Members of the Church so that 't is a bad cause when the Anabaptists are necessitated to bely such worthy Men to maintain their Errors And surely it is a bad cause when as the Scripture saith how some Men may confess that they make Lyes their Refuge Isaiah 28. 15. in making the World believe a false Report when the Men are not alive to speak for themselves yet that their Works like others spake for them how little they favoured the way of Anabaptistry when nothing less as farther appeareth in the last words of Mr. Ainsworth's Book called A Censure upon a Dialogue of the Anabaptists never yet by them answered saith That it was Christ's last Farewel to his Disciples when he Blessed them Luke 24. 50. being the Summ of the Gospel Gal. 3. 8. that in Abraham 's Seed that is Christ all Nations shall be Blessed this Grace Abraham 's Infants had this Grace Christ gave to little Children Luke 18. 16. and so the same he hath vouchsafed to continue unto us and to our Children throughout their Generations preserving us and them from the Curse of Anabaptistry whereby so many Errors are dispers'd Scriptures wrested and Souls perverted unto Destruction Moreover how apparently true it is that in the Anabaptists denying Infant-Baptism many Scriptures are perverted and Souls destroyed by such as press that Baptism in the World which they have received from their Administrator John Smith Baptizing of himself â—nâ— yet is condemned by Ben. Keach in his Book Page 147. in these words as aforesaid Water-Baptism saith he is a part of Instituted Worship and Service to God so that whatsoever is done in Worship and Service to God without an express word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles is Will-worship Now until he can prove it lawful for a Man to Baptize himself by some word drop'd from Christ or his Apostles it is Will-worship and so not from Heaven or from God therefore Ben. Keach's Baptism which he and the rest have received from their Administrator John Smith who Baptized himself is Will-worship and so not of God and to be Abhorred of all Christians because he granteth it is Will-worship forbidden of God Col. 1. 21 22 23. Isaiah 1. 12. Moreover seeing then the Anabaptists Baptism is not of God and the Baptism received in Infancy they deny then is there no true Water-Baptism remaining among them and thus at once all Gospel Ordinances by their Doctrine must cease and the whole Building of Christ must fall to the Ground Now whither must we go for Counsel in this Distress Surely but as the Prophet saith To the Law and to the Testimony so we should go for Counsel to none but to God his Gracious Spirit blowing upon the Sails of our Faith whereby we shall safely pass through all these Difficulties into an Orderly Practice of the Gospel in the Injoyment of all Christs Ordinances For after the deep Apostacy after the Apostles Decease we hear a Voice saying Arise measure the Temple the Altar and the Worshippers Rev. 11. 1. therefore He that hath ascended up on High hath not left his Church destitute of Counsel at any time for although the Lord for the Judgment of the World and Trial of his Servants and Manifestation of his Power did suffer his Church or People to wit Judah to be captivated by the Babylonians of old and now since his Churches or People captivated by the Spiritual Babylonians yet as of old a right way was found for the restoring the due and orderly Practice of all Gods Ordinances without the help of Mans Inventions so that the Lords Building was finished without a Stone of Babel for a Corner or for a Foundation so that although the Spiritual Babylonians said like their Ancestors Rase it even to the Foundation Yet we have a perfect Rule to the Practical Performance of all Gods Ordinances if we take Gods Counsel for direction as aforesaid To the Law and to the Testimony they that speak not according to it have no light in them Isaiah 8. 20. Now then as Water-Baptism came in place of Circumcision as hath been afore proved we then after a deep Apostacy must take our Directions from the one to the other let us then see whether we can find in Scripture any President for retaining Gods Ordinance done in Apostacy not to be repeated when as nothing but the Ordinance is retained only the Evil or Disorder purged away by Repentance as it was concerning Circumcision Therefore we read in the days of Hezekiah that the Church of God was fallen into deep Apostacy as the Divine History doth shew 2 Chron. 30. chap. the like we read in Josiah's time and after in Ezra and Nehemiah's time in which State of Apostacy they still Circumcised their Children so that when they returned to God to walk with him by Faith in keeping his Commands in his Worship they did not repeat their Circumcision but the Evil through Gods Mercy was Purged by Repentance and so they were admitted to the Passover for no uncircumcised Person might eat of the Passover Exod. 12. 48. so now no unbaptized Person must eat of the Lords Supper This being a President for all Christians when returning out of deep Apostacy the Baptism then received in Apostacy ought not to be repeated any more than Circumcision Seeing it hath been proved that both Circumcision and Water-Baptism are Signs and Seals to one and the same Covenant of Grace in Christ to wit Rom. 4. 11. of the Righteousness of Faith in the Remission of Sins by the Blood of Christ Col. 2. 11 12. For although Water-Baptism and Circumcision were no Seals of Gods Favour and Mercies but rather Judgments to them of old as now so long as they remained in Sinful Idolatry for it will be granted by all that Gods Covenant in the Blessings thereof continueth with any Church or People no longer than they remain in his true Faith and Obedience in walking with God according to his written word Rev. 2. 3. chap. 2 Chron. 15. 2 3. So then as of old upon a return of Gods Elected ones even they and their Children out of Apostacy they did enter into the Covenant of Grace in Christ as it is written They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Jer. 50. 5. This was fulfilled in Ezra and Nehemiah's days when they came out of Babylon by Families yet they were not again Circumcised but having separated themselves from the Filthiness of the Heathen of the Land Ezra 6. 21 22. and were joyned to the Lord by renewing their Covenant did keep the Feast of the Lord and so were admitted to the Passover which no uncircumcised Person might eat of Exod. 12. 48. Obj. If any say Circumcision once done could not be
18 19 10. as it is written Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ how that they told you there should be Mockers in the last time and these because they have not the Spirit speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves If this Man was not one of them he would not have dared to be so bold as to say Flocks and Heards Exod. 12. 38. that went through the Sea when our Fathers were saith the Apostle Baptized 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. were doubtless Baptized as well as Children under the Cloud and in the Sea and now to say again to carry Children out when it raineth is as true Baptism as Israel had under the Cloud Yet notwithstanding he hath so contemptuously spoken of the Baptism in the Cloud and in the Sea yet he saith that Baptism was a Type or Figure of Gospel-dipping but how will this Mans words hang together one while he saith Beasts and Unbelievers were Baptized as well as Children whatsoever was a Type or Figure hath its Substance If the Beasts were Baptized in the Sea what did it typifle such Beastly Men surely that withstood Paul's Doctrine at Ephesus as it is said He fought with Beasts at Ephesus after the manner of Men as such Beasts of Men as Jude speaks of That speak evil of the way of Faith which they know not of and would exclude Infants out of Christs Kingdom as they do Infants from being our Fathers then as the Apostles calleth them Rom. 9. 5. Again whereas he saith The Baptism in the Cloud and in the Sea was a Figure of Gospel-dipping if so then Men Women and Children must be Baptized standing on dry ground for so it is said They stood in the Sea or place where the Water had been on dry ground but the truth is it was a Figure of Gospel-Baptism by casting pouring or sprinkling Water on the Head and Face the noble part that representeth the whole Person and whereas Infants were Baptized in the Figure it tipisied the Right they have now as afore proved in the third Query Now having proved by the Testimony of Holy Scripture What Baptism is The end wherefore it was ordained What it is that giveth any Soul Right to it Who is a true Administrator of it And what a High Breach of Gods Order it is for any Person to Baptize himself The next thing is farther to prove by Holy Scripture that the Covenant the Church of Israel was established in to be the People of God and the Lord to be their God was the Covenant of Grace in Christ and that it was not as the Anabaptists say a Carnal Covenant And also in particular to prove that the Covenant which God made with Abraham and his Seed Gen. 17. 7. and with Israel when they came out of Egypt Exod. 19. 5 6. and again renewed with all Israel Men and Women and their little ones Deut. 29. 10 11. that they were no parts of the Covenant of works as Mr. Cary affirmeth but the everlasting Covenant of Grace in Christ now confirmed to all Believers and their Infants Rom. 4. 11. Col. 2. 11. as shall be further proved I shall first lay down the Doctrine of the Anabaptists being the Ground and Foundation their whole Fabrick is built upon To begin with the Father of the English Anabaptists Mr. Smith who saith in his Book called The Character of the Beast P. 16. That the Church of Israel was a Carnal People had a Carnal Covenant or promise of Carnal things 2. Mr. Danvers his apt Schollar affirmeth in his Treatise of Baptism Page 144. That Circumcision initiated a Carnal Seed into a Carnal Church and gave them Right to Carnul Ordinances and that Trees and Fruit were as capable of Circumcision as Children at eight days old P. 173 175. Mr. Cary saith That she Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. 7. and the Covenant God made with Israel Exod. 19. 5 6. and the same renewed in Deut. 29. are but three Additional parts of the Covenant of works made with Adam before his Fall Solemn Call Page 120. Mr. Keach saith That Children were admitted Members of the Jewish Church is granted and 't is also evident that God hath now quite pulled down that House of his I mean that National Church State and broke up House keeping and turned the Bond-woman and her Son the Fleshly Seed Servants and Infants all out of doors the natural Branches are broken off and God hath built a new a Glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his houshold Servants to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as profess so to be 1 Pet. 2. 5. and that the old House the Jewish Church-State with all the Appurtenances Rights and Priviledges of it is pulled down and a new one built into which Infants are not to be admitted as is very evident from what the Apostle speaks Heb. 7. 12. which must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it And therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disanull'd with it They were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law Shew us the like now and you do your business or else you say nothing Gold Refin'd Page 113. This being the Ground and Foundation of the Faith of these Men on which their whole Fabrick of Anabaptistry is erected I shall therefore speak to each of them particularly and first as touching Mr. Smith's words concerning the State of the Church of Israel where he affirmed That the Church of Israel was a Carnal People had a Carnal Covenant or promise of Carnal things I shall first set down Mr. Henry Ainsworth's Answer which he gave him not only to the aforesaid words but also to what Mr. Smith farther said namely The Israelites did worship to Repentance we worship from Repentance first Men declare their Repentance and then we receive them into Communion to worship with us with them to wit in the Jewish Church saith he first Men were received into typical Communion and then they were trained up to Repentance and Faith in Christ c. Parallel Page 30. Mr. Ainsworth answereth These and the like distinctions Mr. Smith fetcheth out of his own Heart not from the word of God for although there be differences many between them and us as touching the outward Rights and Services ended and abolished by Christ as the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth yet as touching the Substance of their Religion Worship Constitution c. as tonching Repentance Faith Reconciliation to God c. There was no such difference as Mr. Smith faineth for the Church of the Jews they had the Law to shew them their sin and to bring them to Christ so have we the Church under
skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness Yea I sware unto thee and entered into Covenant with thee saith the Lord and thou becamest mine Which Covenant of Free Grace is one and the same with Deut. 29. and Jer. 2. 2. and Exod. 19. Gen. 17. for all agree in one by which they were become the Lords People and God to be their God even a God to them and their Seed not only then born as it is written Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God your Captains of your Tribes your Elders and your Officers with all the men of Israel Your little ones your Wives and thy Stranger that is within thy Camp Profelites Exod. 12. 48. from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water That thou to wit as one Mystical Body of Christ the Church in the Wilderness Acts 7. shouldest enter or pass into Covenant with the Lord thy God and into his Oath of which Covenant by Oath Christ was Mediator Heb. 7. 2. which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day That he may establish thee to day for a People unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God namely unto thee and thy Seed thy Infants or little ones as he hath sworn unto thy Father to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob Neither with you only do I make this Covenant and this Oath but with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God but also with him that is not here with us this day that is the Children then unborn as appeareth by the same Covenant aforesaid Ezek. 16. 8. compared with ver 20 21. wherein God reproveth them among other things for offering their Infants to their Idols saying Moreover thou hast taken thy Sons and thy Daughters whom thou hast borne unto me Thou hast slain my Children By all which it appeareth that the Covenant God made with Abraham Gen. 17. 7. to be a God to him and to his Seed or Children is the same with Exod. 19. 5 6. and Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13 14. which is confirmed both by the Prophet Jeremiah chap. 2. 2 3. and by Ezekiel chap. 16. and the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 2. 9. and the Apostle John Rev. 5. 9 10. to be no parts of the Covenant of Works or of the Law so that it is a gross Mistake in Mr. Cary to parallel the word Everlasting Covenant concerning Aarons Priesthood Exod. 40. 15. with the Everlasting Covenant to be a God unto the Believers and their Seed the most glorious Gospel-promise in the word of God for how dreadful is the contrary to the Apostate Israelites and now to all Apostate Christians For ye are not my People and I will not be your God see and read Hosea 1. 9. and then see the change Hosea 1. 10. by the Covenant of Grace in Christ compared with 1 Pet. 2. 10. 1 John 3. 1. Deut. 14. 1. for what was the happy Estate that moved the Patriarch Noah to say Blessed be the God of Shem Gen. 9. 26. this proveth that the Faithful in the Church by virtue of the Covenant of Grace in Christ had God to be their God which farther appeareth by the contrary to such that were not visibly under the Covenant of Grace they are said to be Strangers from the Covenants of Promise without hope and to be without God in the World but when accepted into Covenant with God in Christ they are no more Strangers and Foreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Ephe. 2. 11. 13. 19. This Grace and most special Blessing of the Church of God was not by a Covenant of Works as was given to Adam before his Fall for Man was never more to be credited upon his own word therefore God drove Man out of the Garden and placed at the East of the Garden of Eden Cherubims and a Flaming Sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life that Man should not attempt entrance by his own Works because such is the Spirituality and use of the Law and the Doctrine thereof which terrifieth the Conscience and by the Works thereof no Flesh can be justified Rom. 3. 20. and therefore the Law served to drive Men unto Christ that they might be made Righteous by Faith Gal. 3. 24. See Ainsworth on Gen. 3. 24. And therefore Christ was not a Surety to his Father for Man to keep a Covenant of Works or of the Law of which Aaron's Priesthood was but Christ was Surety to his Father of a better Covenant for his Redeemed ones as the Apostle teacheth Heb. 7. even of that Covenant that was confirmed by Oath such was the Gospel-Covenant God made with Abraham and after with his Seed in Deut. 29 10 11 12 13. whereby the Lord was a God to them and their little ones Now let me ask Mr. Cary and his Brethren that have set their hands to their Narrative aforesaid what Covenant that was the Church of Israel had that they say under this present Suffering they may say in the words of the Church of old though All this is come upon us yet we have not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy Covenant Psalm 44. 17 18. Will they say this was a Covenant of Works then the Anabaptists suffered not for Christs sake but for to Merit by the Work done but if we will believe the Apostle concerning the Covenant the Church of Israel suffered under it was the Covenant of Grace even the same Covenant the Primitive Christians suffered for as it is by the Apostle gathered from Psalm 44. to Comfort the Gospel Churches under their Sufferings As it is written For thy sake that is for Christs sake are we killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8. 36. Now let these Men shew what was the Covenant of Grace the Church of Israel had into which their Infants were accepted with their Parents but even the same Covenant of Salvation the Churches now are in under the Gospel the Promise therein was to them and their Infants as now to us and our Infants as these Scriptures shew Gen 12. 3. in which the Families are Blessed in Christ called in Gen. 17. 7. Generations in Exod. 19. 6. a Holy Nation and by Peter a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Peter 2. 9. So that the State of the Church of the Jews was laid on a sure Foundation Christ in the Gospel-Promise first to Adam then to Abraham and so to his Seed the Church of Israel and now on the same Foundation are all Gospel-Churches built So then how erroneously hath Ben. Keach affirmed as aforesaid in Page 113. of his Book Gold Refin'd That God hath quite pulled down that House of his I mean saith he the National Church-State the Jewish Church and broke up House-keeping and turned the Bond-woman and her Son the fleshly Seed Servants
to dwell in his Spiritual Family but Believers only or such as prefess so to be Answ As to the Persons whom God admitteth into this House Peter saith They are a Holy Nation a Chosen Generation the same namely that the Church of Israel were Believers and their Seed in Infancy let the Reader compare word for word Exod. 19. 5 6. with 1 Pet. 2. 9. and then judge who we are bound to believe he that speaketh as Peter did by the Holy Ghost or B. Keach who without respect to Moses or Peter's words presumptiously saith None are admitted into the Church now but Actual Believers His words are contrary to Matt. 18. 6. 2. The other Scripture that is brought to prove that God hath pulled quite down the State of the Church of the Jews and turned the Infants out of doors is Heb. 7. 12. For the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change of the Law Which saith he must needs include Circumcision with all the Appurtenances and Priviledges belonging to it and therefore as Infants Church membership came in with the Law of Circumcision so it went out and was disannulled with it they were 't is true of the Houshold of old but it was by a positive Law shew us the like now and you do your business Answ Two things I observe in B. Keach's words aforesaid First he granteth by the coming of Christ there is a Change of the Priesthood so is there also of the Law contained in the Ceremonial Ordinances which were both Figures of Christ as it is written Having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Eph. 2. 15. And these were those things which were to be removed as it is written And this word yet once more signified the removing of those things that may be or are shaken that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12. 27. And what are those things which cannot be shaken namely the Church State of the Jews as aforesaid Mount Sion the State of the Covenant of Grace Christs Kingdom which cannot saith the Apostle be moved and therefore by him set in opposition to the Law Exod. 20. given on Mount Sinai to terrifie Sinners for the Church of Israel had not only the Law to shew them their Sins but also God gave them his good Spirit to instruct them Neh. 9. 20. with the Gospel to walk with God by Faith in Christ Heb. 11. chap. so that the difference between the Jewish Church and now they had Figurative Ordinances to teach them Christ to come we have Gospel-Ordinances to teach us he is come so that although God hath given more of his Spirit in these latter days yet it is but the same Spirit the Church of old had so that without ground it is for B. Keach to say God hath quite pulled down the Church-State of the Jews and built him a more Spiritual Surely a double measure of the Spirit did not make the Prophet Elisha not Elisha 2 Kings 2. 9. no more than a double measure of the Spirit make the State of the Gospel-Church not the same State the Church of Israel had so that the Kingdom or Spiritual State by the Covenant of Grace the Jewish Church had was never yet pulled down although many of them rejected Christ the chief Corner-stone And Therefore from such the Kingdom saith Christ shall be taken away not pulled down and given to a Nation to wit the Gentiles bringing forth the Fruits thereof Matt. 21. 43. And therefore the Lords Vineyard his Church was not destroyed or pulled down but let out to other Husband-men which should render to the Lord the Fruits in their Season Matt. 21. 41. And therefore saith the Author to the Hebrews Heb. 12. 28. concerning the Kingdom of Christ that cannot be shaken we having received a Kingdom that cannot be moved even Mount Sion on which Christ from the day the Covenant of the Gospel was preached to Adam and imbrac'd the Kingdom of Christ was established in Adam's Family then Christ first sat King on the Holy Hill Sion Psal 2. 6. for all were redeemed in Adam's Loynes as they fell in him and Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 22. after the Flood Christs Kingdom as afore shewed remained in Noah's Family although some Apostatized then God chose the Posterity of Blessed Shem of whom Abraham came and God was pleased that of the Seed of Abraham's Body Christ should be born yet a Promise was made that God would perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Shem as was fulfilled when the Gentiles were grafted into the Olive Tree the State of the Jewish Church the Covenant of Grace in Christ from which some Jews for their unbelief were broken off Rom. 11. ch So then here was no new Covenant no new Olive Tree no new Kingdom or new Church-State no nor were the Infants of Christs Kingdom ever yet shut out Luke 18. 16. as Mr. Keach dreameth to deceive his Reader 2ly he hath also dreamed that Infants Church-membership came in with the Law of Circumcision if People are not willing to be deceived by him they may see Gods word for the contrary for no Person was ever joyned to the Lord by Circumcision but by Covenant Jer. 50. 5. as it is written Let us joyn our selves it the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten And so Abraham was in Covenant with the Lord some years before Circumcision was instituted Gen. 12. 3. and when Children were born to Abraham as after to the Believing Jews they were born to the Lord because they were joyned to the Lord by Covenant and the Lord was their God and God called them his Children so that all Infants born in Covenant must be eight days old before they were Circumcised Gen. 17. 12. As in the Wilderness by Deut. 29. before their Infants were Circumcised both Parents and their Infants were joyned to the Lord and established by Covenant to be the Lords People so that as Infants Church-membership came not in with Circumcision so Infants Church-membership went not out when Circumcision was abolished but as the Covenant afore proved was the same Circumcision and now Water-Baptism Sealeth the Covenant remaineth together with the Subjects Believers and their little ones the Covenant never yet by any word of God abolished nor yet the Infants born in Covenant shut out of doors that is our of Gods Covenant so long as the Parents abode in the Faith and the Children continued therein Therefore at Random B. Keach falsly affirmeth through his gross mistake to say that Infants Church-membership came in not till Circumcision was instituted and that by the Act of Circumcision they were joyned Members this were to put the Seal to before the Covenant is entered into to the divertment of all order in sealing Covenants So then when he can prove Infants were joyned Members by Circumcision then he may have some colour to say that Infants were no longer
Members than Circumcision remained but Circumcision was a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4. 11. the Covenant for which the Seal was ordained was the Covenant of Grace the word of Faith wherein is contained the Promises of the Pardon of Sins and eternal Life now confirmed by the Circumcision of Christ as afore proved and now Water-Baptism set in place thereof by the Authority of Christ the only Law-giver in Worship Isaiah 33. 22. James 4. 12. Neither will his third proof by similitude taken from Act of Parliament help him in his Assertion aforesaid For saith he shew us a positive Law for Infants Church-membership Now the word of God is plain that Infants were Church-members from the day Adam was restored so soon as Infants were born as afore proved in the third Query For if all Infants sinned in Adam's Loynes when Adam was restored they were restored in his Loynes and when born they were born in the Gospel-Covenant by which the Church of God was established in Adam's House so that the Children born in Covenant were born to the Lord whom the Lord called his Children for none out of the Covenant of Grace are visibly the Lords Children Therefore how carnally doth he reason against Children in these words For evident it is that what Priviledges soever are given to any Persons by an Act of Parliament which said Law was to continue in force for so long time and no longer when that time is expired and another Parliament makes a new Law wherein many things are contained that were in the first but those certain Priviledges given to those Persons in the former Law are left out in the latter Act it would not be a Folly for any of them to plead those Priviledges by virtue of a Law that is gone and not now in force This being a carnal Argument like his carnal Faith In answer hereunto his Comparison is Odious a Parliament is an Earthly Kings Great Council who maketh Laws and he signeth them But saith the Scripture who hath been the Lords Counsellor to direct him Rom. 11. 34. to give Laws to his Church or to order all things in that State So then as hath been proved as touching the State of the Infants of Believers since the day they were restored in Adam's Loynes and when born born to the Lord Ezek. 18. 20 21. Blessed with their Parents with Remission of Sin Isaiah 65. 23. Acts 3. 25 26. there hath been no word of God to dispriviledge them so long as they continue in the Covenant of Grace of whatsoever Priviledges they ever had no nor yet have these Men by any word of God shewed when or wherein they have been turned out from the Promises in the Covenant of the Gospel which they call out of doors for the things which only have been removed or abolished given from the beginning concerning what God had given to his Church to keep and observe were only those things which were shadows of good things to come by Christ but Infants in Gods Covenant were no Shadow or Figure to be abolished no nor the Baptizing of Infants any of Babylon's Rubbish as Mr. Keach with others affirm in the first Epistle to Mr. Cary's Book No nor yet is Infants Baptism a Corner-stone that supports the An-Antichristian Fabrick by unsavory words as Mr. Cary affirmeth in his Epistle to his Solemn Call but it is one of the Glorious Tokens of Gods Love to his People and to their Seed that as Christ hath taken away the Sin of such Infants Christ's Name should be set on them in Water-Baptism that they are his bought or redeemed because Christ washed away their Sin with his precious Blood the small Vessels in his House who welcomed their Lord into his Kingdom that as they were included of old in the precious Stones in Aaron's Breast-plate with their Parents Exod. 28. 15. to 21. so are they now by Christ our High Priest presented before the Lord with their Parents a Holy Seed a Holy Nation a chosen Generation 1 Pet. 2. 9. shining among the Precious Stones which the Foundations of the Walls of the City the Church of God is garnished withall Rev. 21. 18 19 20. as the Church of Israel was that as by Tribes Israel went up to Jerusalem even by Families to be presented before the Lord both Fathers and Mothers and Children Deut. 31. 10 11 12 13. Psalm 122. 1 2 3 4. to praise the Lord Psalm 148. 12 13. Exod. 12. 26 27. for now as Vessels great and small the Glory of Christs Kingdom Isaiah 22. 24. doth likewise shine among the lively Pretious Stones in Christs Spiritual Building crying Hosannah to Christ their Lord while the Anabaptists not only in Errors in their Faith are polluted but also garnished with the Shame to Nature as Ben. Keach for one when he beholdeth himself in a Glass how he weareth Womans covering the Shame to Man Nature which at this time I should not have mentioned but for this reason because he with other Teachers in their Narrative among other things proposed debated and resolved in the Affirmative That it is a shame for a Man to wear long Hair and Perriwigs and especially Ministers 1 Cor. 11. 14. Narrative Page 14. Now what kind of Teacher is this Man that shall condemn in words that he alloweth in himself by Practice Rom. 14. 15. he is one of those Teachers the Apostle reproveth as it is written Thou that teachest another teachest thou not thy self Rom. 2. 21. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law even the Law of Nature through breaking the Law dishonorest thou God ver 23. Hear what the Lord saith to such Teachers What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psalm 50. 16 17. of such the Lord complained concerning his People their Leaders have caused them to err and they that are led by them are destroyed Isaiah 9. 16. Now are not these like the Teachers the Lord complained of of old that would seem to reprove Sin but saith the Lord They healed the hurt of the Daughters of my People slightly Jer. 8. 11. So have these Men in their Narrative reproved this Sin the shame to Nature slightly And therefore for the help of all that desire to be informed in this Particular there is to be had where this Book is sold a Treatise on that Subject under these particular Heads God's Holy Order in Nature which Man and Woman were Created in truly Stated and Explained Proving First THat Man is Head of the Woman and how Woman is made in Subjection to Man her Husband Secondly That God gave unto Woman a Sign in Nature differing from Man to teach her she is the Glory of Man her Husband and this Sign is called Glory to Woman and Shame to Mans Nature Thirdly That Man is Commanded by the Law of Nature and Written Law of God not
and Infants all out of doors To which I answer with the words of Christ concerning the State of the Jewish Church For Salvation is of the Jews John 4. 22. Now if Salvation be of the Jews then the State of the Church of the Jews was founded on Christ for there was never but one Foundation laid on which the Church of God was and is builded in all Ages and this is Christ as it is written For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. If then Christ be the Foundation of Faith laid in the Gospel Promise preached to Adam and that the Jews had the same Covenant of the Gospel as we have as it is written Heb. 4. 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them Then if this Foundation in which the Church-State in all Ages was built on is pulled down the Anabaptists Church-State have not Christ for its Foundation as in truth it hath not for if the Anabaptists Church-State had Christ for its Foundation then they must confess the State of the Jewish Church had Christ for the Foundation of their Faith as it had else they could not be Saved for so it is written to the Church of Israel as now to the Gospel-Churches Behold I lay in Sion for a Foundation a stone a tried stone a precious corner stone a sure Foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Isa 28. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 3. On this Foundation the Church of Israel was built else Salvation could not come out of Zion as it is written There shall come out of Zion a Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. with Isaiah 59. 20. but the Church of Israel was called Zion because her State was the Covenant of Grace as it is written Say unto Zion Thou art my People Isa 51. 16. And again Praise thy God O Zion Psalm 147. 11. O Zion that bringeth good Tidings Isa 40. 9. Now by no other Covenant than that of Grace did the Lord say For the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psalm 132. 13 14. Therefore it is said to the Church of the Jews Rejoyce greatly O Daughter of Zion shout O Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having Salvation lowly and riding upon an Ass and upon a Colt the Fole of an Ass Zach. 9. 9. Now because some of the Church of the Jews rejected Christ that he should not reign over them this doth not prove God hath destroyed the Church-State called Zion no sure the Church-State remained with the Faithful and their Seed for it were they that welcomed their Salvation into his Kingdom see the third Query and from the day the Gospel preached to Adam promised a Deliverer should come out of Zion was Christ the Foundation laid which Church-State from the day Christ in the Promise was laid in the Covenant of the Gospel in Zion can never be removed as it is written Look upon Zion the City of our Solemnities thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers and Streams wherein shall go no Gally with Oars neither shall gallant Ships pass thereby For the Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law giver the Lord is our King he will save us The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick the People that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity Isa 33. 20 21 22 24. Now are we commanded to look upon Sion the City of God the State of Grace the Church of God in all Ages was built on Yea let us look and see that unto no other Gospel-State of Salvation are the Gospel-Churches come unto than to this Mount Sion the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and unto the innumentable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and unto the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12. 22 23 24. And again those that have the eye of Faith may see as it is written And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him an hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their Foreheads Even all Gods Sealed number who by Faith in the Covenant of Grace in Christ Gods Israel both Jews and Gentiles who came out of great Tribulation washed their Robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 7. 4 9 14. Now if as is proved in this Treatise that we Gentiles have no other Foundation for our Salvation than Christ in the Gospel-Promise to Adam and Abraham and that the Church of Israel had the same to build their Faith upon and that the Gentiles Churches stand by Faith on the same State of Grace Mount Sion the Church of Israel did and that in the same House or Church of God Moses was Faithful as a Servant Christ is over the same House of his as a Son therefore how near to Blasphemy is it for any to say God hath quite pulled down that House of his that National Church-State of the Jews when as Peter saith from the Covenant of Grace Exod. 19. 5 6. the Church under the Gospel were a Holy Nation upon the same Grounds as Israel were a Holy Nation as was Gods way in his Free Grace in all Ages that in Christ all Families shall be Blessed as aforeshewed in the third Query The Believers the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring or Buds with them Now they that shall deny Israel of old had not the same Covenant of Life and Salvation as we now have into which they and their Infants were accepted go about to destroy the Gospel preached to Abraham that in Christ all Families are Blessed in that B. Keach saith God hath quite pulled down that House of his by Families when as by Families written by Moses Gen. 12. 3. Peter expoundeth Kindreds Acts 3. 25. and who be the nearest Kindreds but Children and these the Apostle calleth Nations Gal. 3. 8. as afore proved in the third Query to whom the Blessing in the Gospel belongeth Zech. 2. 11. Matt. 28. 19. In the next place to examine the Scriptures Ben. Keach bringeth to prove God hath pulled down the Church-State of the Church of old and turned Infants out of doors his first is 1 Pet. 2. 5. from whence saith he God hath now built him a new a glorious and more Spiritual House into which he admitteth none as his Houshold Servants