An appendix to the answer unto two Athenian Mercuries concerning pedo-baptism containing twenty seven syllogistical arguments proving infant-baptism a mere humane tradition : the gentlmen called the Athenian Society desiring in the last of the said Mercuries to have syllogism / by B. K. Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. 1692 Approx. 39 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 6 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A47371 Wing K45 ESTC R2646 13663404 ocm 13663404 101137 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A47371) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101137) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 792:6) An appendix to the answer unto two Athenian Mercuries concerning pedo-baptism containing twenty seven syllogistical arguments proving infant-baptism a mere humane tradition : the gentlmen called the Athenian Society desiring in the last of the said Mercuries to have syllogism / by B. K. Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. [2], 8 p. Printed for the author and sold by John Harris ..., London : 1692. Written by Benjamin Keach. Cf. Halkett & Laing. Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Athenian Society (London, England) Infant baptism -- Early works to 1800. 2005-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-05 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-08 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2005-08 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN APPENDIX TO THE ANSWER UNTO TWO Athenian Mercuries , CONCERNING PEDO-BAPTISM . CONTAINING Twenty seven SYLLOGISTICAL ARGUMENTS , proving Infant-Baptism a mere humane Tradition . The Gentlemen called the Athenian Society , desiring in the last of the said Mercuries to have Syllogisms . Ephes . 4. 5. One Lord , one Faith , one Baptism . By B. K. London , Printed for the Author , and sold by John Harris at the Sign of the Harrow in the Poultry . MDCXCII . Price two Pence . An Appendix to the Answer to two Athenian Mercuries , concerning Infant-Baptism , containing divers Syllogistical Arguments to disprove Pedo-Baptism , and to prove the Baptism of Believers . Gentlemen , SInce you desire Syllogisms , I have gratified you therein . Arg. 1. If none are to be baptized by the Authority of the great Commission of our Blessed Saviour , Matth. 28. but such who are first made Disciples by being taught ; than Insants , who are not capable to be taught , ought not to be baptized . But none are to be baptized by the Authority of the great Commission of our Blessed Saviour , but such who are first made Disciples by Teaching . Ergo , Little Babes ought not to be baptized . Arg. 2. If Infant-Baptism was never instituted , commanded , or appointed of God , Infants ought not to be baptized . But Infant-Baptism was never instituted , commanded , or appointed of God. Ergo , They ought not to be baptized . As to the Major ; If one thing may be practised as an Ordinance without an Institution or Command of God , another thing may also ; so any Innovation may be let into the Church . As to the Minor ; If there is an Institution for it , &c. 't is either contained in the great Commission , Matth. 28. Mark 16. or somewhere else . But 't is not to be found in the Commission , nor any where else . Ergo. The Major none will deny . The Minor I prove thus . None are to be baptized by virtue of the Commission , but such who are discipled by the Word , as I said before , and so the Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies . If any should say , Christ commanded his Disciples to baptize all Nations , and Infants are part of Nations , therefore are to be baptized . I answer ; Arg. 3. If all Nations , or any in the Nations ought to be baptized before discipled ; then Turks , Pagans , Unbelievers and their Children may be baptized , because they are a great part of the Nations . But Turks , Pagans and Unbelievers , and their Children , ought not to be baptized . Ergo. Besides that , Teaching ( by the Authority of the Commission ) must go before Baptizing , we have proved ; which generally all Learned Men do assert : if the Institution is to be found any where else , they must shew the Place . Arg. 4. Faith and Repentance are required of all that ought to be baptized . Infants are not required to believe and repent , nor are they capable so to do . Ergo , Infants ought not to be baptized . The Major is clear , Acts 2 , 8 , 10 , 16 Chapters ; and 't is also asserted by the Church of England . What is required of Persons to be baptized ? that 's the Question . The Answer is , Repentance , whereby they forsake Sin ; and Faith , whereby they stedfastly believe the Promise of God made to them in that Sacrament . The Minor cannot be denied . Arg. 5. That Practice that tends not to the Glory of God , nor to the Profit of the Child , when done , nor in after-times when grown up , but may prove hurtful and of a dangerous Nature to him , cannot be a Truth of God. But the Practice of Infant-Baptism tends not to the Glory of God , nor to the Profit of the Child when baptized , nor in after-times when grown up , but may prove hurtful and of a dangerous Nature to him . Ergo. See Levit. 10. 1 , 2. where Moses told Aaron , because his Sons had done that which God commanded them not , that God would be sanctified by all that drew near unto him ; intimating , that such who did that which God commanded not , did not sanctify or glorify God therein . Can God be glorified by Man's Disobedience , or by adding to his Word ; by doing that which God hath not required ? Matth. 16. 9. In vain do you worship me , teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of Men : and that that Practice doth profit the Child , none can prove from God's Word : And in after-times when grown up , it may cause the Person to think he was thereby made a Christian , &c. and brought into the Covenant of Grace , and had it sealed to him , nay , thereby regenerated , for so these Gentlemen in their Mercury , Decemb. 26. plainly intimate , and that Infants are thereby ingrafted also into Christ's Church . Sure all understanding Men know Baptism of Believers is not called Regeneration , but only metonymically , it being a Figure of Regeneration . But they ignorantly affirm also , that Infants then have a federal Holiness ; as if this imagined Holiness comes in by the Child's Covenant in Baptism , which may prove hurtful and dangerous to them , and cause them to think Baptism confers Grace , which is a great Error . How can Water , saith Mr. Charnock , an external thing , work upon the Soul physically ? Nor can it , saith he , be proved , that ever the Spirit of God is tied by any Promise , to apply himself to the Soul in a gracious Operation , when Water is applied to the Body : If it were so , then all that were baptized were regenerated , then all that were baptized should be saved , or else the Doctrine of Perseverance falls to the Ground . Some indeed , says he , say , that Regeration is conferred in Baptism upon the Elect , and exerts it self afterwards in Conversion . But how so active a Principle as a spiritual Life should lie dead and asleep so many Years , &c. is not easily conceived . On Regen . p. 75. Arg. 6. If the Church of England says , that Faith and Repentance are required of all that ought to be baptized , and in so saying , speak truly , and yet Infants can't perform those things ; then Infants ought not to be baptized . But the Church of England says , that Faith and Repentance are required of all such , &c. and speak truly , and yet Infants cannot perform these things . Ergo , Infants ought not to be baptized . Object . If it be objected , That they affirm they do perform it by their Sureties . Answ . If Suretiship for Children in Baptism is not required of God , and the Sureties do not , cannot perform those things for the Child : then Suretiship is not of God , and so signifies nothing , but is an unlawful and sinful Undertaking . But Suretiship in Childrens Baptism is not required of God , and they do not , cannot perform what they promise . Ergo. Do they , or can they cause the Child to forsake the Devil and all his Works , the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World , and all the sinful Lusts of the Flesh ? In a Word ; Can they make the Child or Children to repent and truly believe in Jesus Christ ? for these are the things they promise for them , and in their Name . Alas , they want Power to do it for themselves , and how then should they do it for others ? Besides , we see they never mind nor regard their Covenant in the Case : and will not God one Day say , Who has required these things at your Hands ? Arg. 7. If there be no Precedent in the Scripture , ( as there is no Precept ) that any Infant was baptized , then Infants ought not to be baptized . But there is no Precedent that any Infant was baptized in the Scripture . Ergo. If there is any Precedent or Example in Scripture that any Infant was baptized , let them shew us where we may find it . Erasmus saith , 'T is no where expressed in the Apostolical Writings , that they baptized Children . Vnion of the Church , and on Rom. 6. Calvin saith , It is no where expressed by the Evangelists , that any o●e the Infant was baptized by the Apostles . Instit . c. 16. Book 4. Ludovicus Vives saith , None of old were wont to be baptized but in grown Age , and who desired and understood what it was . Vide Ludov. The Magdeburgenses say , That concerning the baptizing the Adult , both Jews and Gentiles , we have sufficient Proof from Acts 2 , 8 , 10 , 16 Chapters ; but as to the baptizing of Infants , they can 〈…〉 no Example in Scripture . 〈…〉 l. 2. p. 469. Dr. Taylor saith , It is 〈◊〉 the perpetual Analogy of 〈…〉 baptize Infants : For besides that Christ never gave any Precept to baptize them , nor ever himself nor his Apostles ( that appears ) did baptize any of them : All that either he or his Apostles said concerning it , requires such previous Dispositions of Baptism , of which Infants are not capable , viz. Faith and Repentance . Lib. Proph. p. 239. Arg. 8. If whatsoever which is necessary to Faith and Practice is left in the Holy Scripture , that being a compleat and perfect Rule , and yet Infant-Baptism is not contained or to be sound therein , then Infant-Baptism is not of God. But whatever is necessary to Faith and Practice , is contained in the Holy Scriptures , &c. but Infant-Baptism is not to be found therein . Ergo. That the Scripture is a perfect Rule , &c. we have the Consent of all the Ancient Fathers and Modern Divines . Athanasius saith , The Holy Scriptures being Inspirations of God , are sufficient to all Instructions of Truth . Athan. against the Gentiles . Chrysostom saith , All things be plain and clear in the Scripture ; and whatsoever are needful ▪ are manifest there . Chrysost . on 2 Thess. and 2 Tim. 2. Basil saith That it would be an Argument of Infidelity , and a most certain Sign of Pride , if any Man should reject any thing written , and should introduce things not written . Basil in his Sermon de Fide. Augustine saith ▪ In the Scriptures are found all things which contain Faith , manner of Living , Hope , Love , &c. Let us , saith he , seek no farther than what is written of God our Saviour , lest a Man would know more than the Scriptures witness . Aug. in his 108 Epistles to Fortunat. Theophilact saith , It is part of a Diabolical Spirit , to think any thing Divine , without the Authority of the Holy Scripture . Lib. 2. Paschal . Isychius saith , Let us who will have any thing observed of God , search no more but 〈◊〉 which the Gospel doth give unto us . 〈…〉 16. on Levit. 〈…〉 though the Arguments of the Anabaptists , from the defect of Command or Example , have a great Use against the Lutherans , forasmuch as they use that Rite every where , having no Command or Example , theirs is to be rejected ; yet is it of no Force against Catholicks , who conclude the Apostolical Tradition is of no less Authority with us than the Scripture , &c. this of baptizing of Infants is an Apostolical Tradition . Bellarm. in his Book de Bapt. l. 1. c. 8. Mr. Ball saith , We must for every Ordinance look to the Institution , and never stretch it wider , nor draw it narrower than the Lord hath made it , for he is the Institutor of the Sacraments according to his own Pleasure ; and 't is our part to learn of him , both to whom , how , and for what End the Sacraments are to be administred . Ball , in his Answer to the New-England Elders , p. 38 , 39. And as to the Minor , 't is acknowledged by our Adversaries , it is not to be found in the Letter of the Scripture . And as to the Consequences drawn therefrom , we have proved , they are not natural from the Premises ; and though we admit of Consequences and Inferences if genuine , yet not in the case of an Institution respecting a practical Ordinance that is of meer positive Right . Arg. 9. If Infant-Baptism was an Institution of Christ , the Pedo-Baptists could not be at a loss about the Grounds of the Right Infants have to Baptism : But the Pedo-Baptists are at a great Loss , and differ exceedingly about the Grounds of the Right Infants have to Baptism . Ergo , 't is no Institution of Christ . As touching the Major , I argue thus ; That which is an Institution of Christ , the Holy Scripture doth shew , as well the End and Ground of the Ordinance , as the Subject and Manner of it . But the Scripture speaks nothing of the End or Ground of Pedo-Baptism , or for what reason they ought to be baptized . Ergo , 't is no Institution of Christ . The Minor is undeniable ; Some affirm , as we have shewed , p. 15. it was to take away Original Sin. Some say it is their Right by the Covenant , they being the Seed of Believers . Others say , Infants ▪ have Faith , and therefore have a Right . Others say , They have a Right by the Faith of their Sureties . Some ground their Right from an Apostolical Tradition ; others upon the Authority of Scripture . Some say , All Children of professed Christians ought to be baptized ; others say , None but the Children of true Believers have a Right to it . Sure , if it was an Ordinance of Christ , his Word would soon end this Controversy . Arg. 10. If the Children of believing Gentiles , as such , are not the natural nor spiritual Seed of Abraham , they can have no Right to Baptism , or Church-Membership , by virtue of any Covenant-transaction God made with Abraham , But the Children of believing Gentiles , as such , are not the natural nor spiritual Seed of Abraham . Ergo. Arg. 11. If no Man can prove from Scripture , that any spiritual Benefit redounds to Infants in their Baptism , 't is no Ordinance of Christ . But no Man can prove from Scripture , that any spiritual Benefit redounds to Infants in their Baptism . Ergo. Arg. 12. That cannot be an Ordinance of Christ , for which there is neither Command nor Example in all God's Word , nor Promise to such who do it , nor Threatnings to such who neglect it . But there is no Command or Example in all the Word of God for the baptizing of little Babes , nor Promise made to such who are baptized , nor Threatnings to such who are not . Ergo. That the Child lies under a Promise who is baptized , or the Child under any Threatning or Danger that is not baptized , let them prove it , since it is denied . Arg. 13. If no Parents , at any time or times , have been by God the Father , Jesus Christ , or his Apostles , either commended for baptizing of their Children , or reproved for neglecting to baptize them ; then Infant-Baptism is no Ordinance of God. But no Parents at any time or times have been by God commended for baptizing of their Children , &c. Ergo , Infant-Baptism is no Ordinance of God. This Argument will stand unanswerable , unless any can shew who they were that were ever commended for baptizing their Children , or reproved for neglecting it , or unless they can shew a parallel case . Arg. 14. If Men were not to presume to alter any thing in the Worship of God under the Law , neither to add thereto , nor diminish therefrom , and God is as strict and jealous of his Worship under the Gospel ; then nothing ought to be altered in God's Worship under the Gospel . But under the Law Men were not to presume so to do , and God is as strict and jealous under the Gospel . Ergo. The Major cannot be denied . The Minor is clear ; See thou make all things according to the Pattern shewed thee in the Mount , Exod. 25. 40. and Levit. 10. 1 , 2. See how Nadab and Abihu sped , for presuming to vary from the Command of God , and Vzzah , tho but in small Circumstances as they may seem to us . How dare Men adventure , this being so , to change Baptism from Dipping into Sprinkling , and the Subject , from an Adult Believer , to an ignorant Babe ? Add thou not unto his Word , &c. Arg. 15. Whatever Practice opens a Door to any humane Traditions and Innovations in God's Worship , is a great Evil , and to be avoided : But the Practice of Infant-Baptism opens a Door to any humane Traditions and Innovations in God's Worship . Ergo , to sprinkle or baptize Infants is a great Evil , and to be avoided . The Major will not be denied . The Minor is clear , because there is no Scripture-ground for it , no Command nor Example for such a Practice in God's Word . And if without Scripture-Authority the Church hath Power to do one thing , she may do another , and so ad insinitum . Arg. 16. Whatsoever Practice reflects upon the Honour , Wisdom and Care of Jesus Christ , or renders him less faithful than Moses , and the New Testament in one of its great Ordinances , ( nay , Sacraments ) to lie more obscure in God's Word , than any Law or Precept under the Old Testament , cannot be of God. But the Practice of Infant-Baptism reflects on the Honour , Care and Faithfulness of Jesus Christ , and renders him less faithful than Moses , and a great Ordinance , ( nay , Sacrament ) of the New Testament , to lie more dark and obscure than any Precept under the Old Testament . Ergo , Infant-Baptism cannot be of God. The Major cannot be denied . The Minor is easily proved : For he is bold indeed who shall affirm Infant-Baptism doth not lie obscure in God's Word . One great Party who assert it , say , 't is not to be found in the Scripture at all , but 't is an unwritten Apostolical Tradition : others say , it lies not in the Letter of the Scripture , but may be proved by Consequences ; and yet some great Asserters of it , as Dr. Hammond and others , say , Those Consequences commonly drawn from divers Texts for it , are without Demonstration , and so prove nothing . I am sure a Man may read the Scripture a hundred times over , and never be thereby convinced ; he ought to baptize his Children , tho it is powerful to convince Men of all other Duties . Now can this be a Truth , since Christ who was more faithful than Moses , and delivered every thing plainly from the Father ? Moses left nothing dark as to matter of Duty , tho the Precepts and external Rites of his Law were numerous , two or three hundred Precepts , yet none were at a loss , or had need to say , Is this a Truth or an Ordinance , or not ? for he that runs may read it . And shall one positive Precept given forth by Christ , who appointed so few in the New Testament , be so obscure , as also the ground and end of it , that Men should be confounded about the Proofs of it , together with the end and ground thereof ? See Heb. 3. 5 , 6. Arg. 17. That Custom or Law which Moses never delivered to the Jews , nor is any where written in the Old Testament , was no Truth of God , nor of Divine Authority . But that Custom or Law to baptize Proselytes either Men , Women or Children , was never given to the Jews by Moses , nor is it any where written in the Old Testament . Ergo , It was no Truth of God , nor of Divine Authority : And evident it is , as Sir Norton Knatchbul shews , That the Jewish Rabbins differed among themselves also about it : for , saith he , Rabbi Elizer expresly contradicts Rabbi Joshua , who was the first I know of who asserted this sort of Baptism among the Jews : For Eliezer , who was contemporary with Rabbi Joshua , if he did not live before him , asserts , that a Proselyte circumcised and not baptized , was a true Proselyte . Arg. 18. If Baptism is of mere positive Right , wholly depending on the Will and Sovereign Pleasure of Jesus Christ , the great Legislator : And he hath not required or commanded Infants to be baptized : then Infants ought not to be baptized : But Baptism is of mere positive Right , wholly depending on the Will and sovereign Pleasure of Jesus Christ , the great Legislator , and he hath not required or commanded Infants to be baptized . Ergo , Infants ought not to be baptized . This Argument tends to cut off all the pretended Proofs of Pedo-Baptism , taken from the Covenant made with Abraham ; and because Children are said to belong to the Kingdom of Heaven , it was not the Right of Abraham's Male Children to be circumcised , because they were begotten , and born of the Fruit of his Loins , till he received Commandment from God to circumcise them . Had he done it before , or without a Command from God , it would have been Will-Worship in him so to have done . Moreover , this further appears to be so , Because no godly Man's Children , nor others in Abraham's Days , nor since , had any Right thereto , but only his Children , ( or such who were bought with his Money , or were proselyted to the Jewish Religion ) because they had no Command from God so to do , as Abraham had . This being true , it follows , that if we should grant Infants of believing Gentiles , as such , were the Seed of Abraham ( which we deny ) yet unless God had commanded them to baptize their Children , they ought not to do it ; and if they do it without a Command or Authority from Christ , it will be found an Act of Will-Worship in them . Arg. 19. All that were baptized in the Apostolical Primitive Times , were baptized upon the Profession of Faith , were baptized into Christ , and thereby put on Christ , and were all one in Christ Jesus , and were Abraham's Seed and Heirs , according to Promise . But Infants , as such , who are baptized , were not baptized upon the Profession of their Faith , nor did they put on Christ thereby , nor are they all one in Christ Jesus , also are not Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to Promise . Ergo , Infants ought not to be baptized . Mr. Baxter confirms the Substance of the Major . These are his very Words , i. e. As many as have been baptized have put on Christ , and are all one in Christ Jesus ; and are Abraham ' s Seed , and Heirs , according to the Promise , Gal. 3. 27 , 28 , 29. This speaks the Apostle , saith he , of the Probability grounded on a credible Profession , &c. Baxter's Co●firm . Reconcil . pag. 32. The Minor will stand firm till any can prove Infants by a visible Profession have put on Christ , are all one in Christ Jesus , are Abraham's Seed and Heirs according to Promise . Evident it is , none are the spiritual Seed of Abraham , but such who have the Faith of Abraham , but such who have the Faith of Abraham , and are truly grafred into Christ , by a Saving-Faith . If any object , We read of some who were baptized , who had no Saving-Faith , but were Hypocrites . I answer ; Had they appeared to be such , they had not been baptized , nor had they a true Right thereto . Arg. 20. Baptism is the solemnizing of the Souls Marriage-Union with Christ , which Marriage-Contract absolutely requires an actual Profession of consent . Infants are not capable to enter into a Marriage-Union with Christ , nor to make a Profession of Consent . Ergo , Infants ought not to be baptized . The Major our Opposits generally grant , particularly see what Mr. Baxter saith , Our Baptism is the solemnizing of our Marriage with Christ . These are his Words , p. 32. The Minor none can deny : No Man sure in his right Mind , will assert that little Babes are capable to enter into a Marriage-Relation with Christ , and to make a Profession of a Consent : And the Truth is , he in the next Words gives away his Cause , viz. And 't is , saith he , a new and strange kind of Marriage , where there is no Profession of Consent ; p. 32. How unhappy was this Man to plead for such a new and strange kind of Marriage : Did he find any little Babe he ever baptized ( or rather rantized ) to make a Profession of Consent to be married to Jesus Christ . If any should object , he speaks of the Baptism of the Adult . I answer , his Words are these , Our Baptism is , &c. Besides , will any Pedo-Baptist say , that the Baptism of the Adult is the solemnizing of the Souls Marriage with Christ , and not the Baptism of Infants . Reader , observe how our Opposits are forced sometimes to speak the Truth , though it overthrows their own Practice of Pedo-Baptism . Arg. 21. If the Sins of no Persons are forgiven them till they are converted , then they must not be baptized for the Forgiveness of them , till they prosess themselves to be converted ; but the Sins of no Persons are forgiven them till they are converted . Ergo , No Person ought to be baptized for the Forgiveness of them , till they profess they are converted . Mr. Baxter in the said Treatise lays down the Substance of this Argument also , take his own Words , i. e. As their Sins are not forgiven them till they are converted , Mark 4. 12. so they must not be baptized for the Forgiveness of them , till they profess themselves converted , seeing to the Church , in esse , and non apparere is all one . Repentance towards God , and Faith towards our Lord Jesus is the Sum of that Preaching that makes Disciples , Acts 20. 21. Therefore , saith he , both these must by a Profession seem to be received , before any at Age are baptized ; p. 30. 31. And evident it is , say I , from hence none but such at Age ought to be baptized . Philip caused the Eunuch to profess before he would baptize him , that be believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Saul had also , saith he , more than a bare Profession before Baptism , Acts 9. 5 , 15 , 17. p. 28. The Promise it self , saith he doth expresly require a Faith of our own , of all the Adult that will have part in the Priviledges : therefore there is a Faith of our own , that is the Condition of our Title ; Mark 16. 16. p. 16. He might have added by the Force of his Argument ; therefore Infants should not have the Priviledges : for I argue thus , viz. Arg. 22. If there is but one Baptism of Water left by Jesus Christ in the New Testament , and but one Condition or Manner of Right thereto : and that one Baptism is that of the Adult ; then Infant-Baptism is no Baptism of Christ . But there is but one Baptism in Water lest by Christ in the New Testament , and but one Condition and Manner of Right thereto , and that one Baptism is that of the Adult . Ergo , Infant-Baptism is no Baptism of Christ . Mr. Baxter saith , Faith and Repentance is the Condition of the Adult , and as to any other Condition , I am sure the Scripture is silent ; the Way of the Lord is one , one Lord , one Faith , one Baptism , Ephes . 4. 4. If Profession of Faith were not necessary , saith Mr. Baxter , coram Ecclesiâ , to Church-Membership and Priviledges , then Infidels and Heathens would have Right ; also , saith he , the Church and the World would be confounded . He might have added , but Infidels and Heathens have no Right to Church-Membership , &c. Ergo , 'T is a granted Case among all Christians , saith he , that Profession is thus necessary , the Apostles and Ancient Church admitted none without it ; pag. 21. And if so , why dare any now adays admit of Infants , who are capable to make no Profession . He adds , Yea Christ in his Commission directeth his Apostles to make Disciples , and then baptize them , promising , He that believeth , and is baptized , shall be saved , Mark 16. 16. pag. 27. Furthermore he saith , If as many as are baptized into Christ , are baptized into his Death , and are buried with him by Baptism into Death , that like as Christ was raised from the Dead , so we also should-walk in Newness of Life , &c. Then no doubt , saith he , but such as were to be baptized , did first profess this Mortification , and a Consent to be buried , &c. In our Baptism we put off the Body of the the Sins of the Flesh , by the Circumcision of Christ , being buried with him , and raised with him through Faith , quickned with him , and having all our Trespasses forgiven , Col. 2. 11 , 12 , 13. And will any Mau ( says he ) yea , will Paul ascribe all this to those that did not so much as profess the things signified ? Will Baptism , in the Judgment of a wise Man , do all this for an Infidel , ( or , say I , for an Infant ) that cannot make a Profession that he is a Christian ? pag. 31 , 32. He proceeds . Arg. 23. the Baptized are in Scripture called Men washed , sanctified , justified ; they are called Saints , and Churches of Saints , 1 Cor. 1. 2. all Christians are sanctified ones : pag. 33. Now let me add the Minor. But Infants baptized are not in Scripture called Men washed , sanctified , justified , they are not called Saints , Churches of Saints , Christians , nor sanctified ones . Ergo , Infants ought not to be baptized . If any should say , Why did you not cite these Assertions of Mr. Baxter's whilst he was living ? I answer , More then twelve Years ago I did recite and print these Assertions , and many other Arguments of his to the same Purpose , to which he gave no Answer . Arg. 24. If there is but one way for all , both Parents and Children to be admitted into the Gospel-Church to the End of the World , and that it is upon the Profession of Faith to be baptized ; then both Parents and Children must upon the Profession of their Faith be baptized , and so admitted , &c. But there is but one way for all , both Parents and Children , to be admitted into the Gospel-Church to the End of the World , and that is upon the Profession their Faith to be baptized . Ergo. Arg. 25. That cannot be Christ's true Baptism wherein there is not , cannot be a lively Representation of the Death , Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ , together with our Death unto Sin , and Vivification to a new Life . But in the Rantizing or Sprinkling of an Infant , there is not , cannot be a lively Representation of Christ's Death , Burial and Resurrection , &c. Ergo. Arg. 26. That pretended Baptism that tends to frustrate the glorious End and Design of Christ in his instituting of Gospe-Baptism , or cannot answer it , is none of Christ's Baptism . But the pretended Baptism of Infants tends to frustrate the glorious end and design of Christ in instituting of Gospel-Baptism , Ergo. That Major will not he denied . As to the Minor , all generally confes the End or Design of Christ in instituting the Ordinance of Baptism , was in a lively Figure , to represent his Death , Burial , and Resurrection , with the Person 's Death unto Sin , and his rising again to walk in newness of Life , that is baptized , as the Sacrament of the Supper was ordained to represent his Body was broke , and his Blood was shed . But that a lively Figure of Christ's Death , Burial , and Resurrection , appears in sprinkling a little Water on the Face , I see not ; and as done to an Infant , there can no Death to Sin , and rising again to walk in newness of Life , be signified ; And therefore Christ's Design and End therein is frustrated . Arg. 27. If Baptism be Immersion , as to the proper and genuine signification of the word Baptizo , as also of those Typical and Metaphorical Baptisms and the spiritual Signification thereof ; then Sprinkling cannot be Christ's true Baptism . But Immersion is the proper and genuine signification of the word Baptizo , and also of those Typical and Metaphorical Baptisms spoken of , and the spiritual Signification thereof . Ergo , Sprinkling is not Christ's true Baptism . 1. That the proper and genuine Signification of the word Baptizo is Immersion , or to dip , &c. we have proved , which is also confessed by the Learned in the Language . 2. The Figurative Baptism was , 1st . That of the Red Sea , wherein the ●●thers were buried , as it were , unto Moses in the Sea , and under the Cloud . Pools Annotations on 1 Cor. 10. 2. Others , saith he , more probably think that the Apostle useth this term , in regard of the great Analogy betwixt Baptism ( as it was then used ) the Persons going down into the Waters , and being dipped in them ; and the Israelites going down into the Sea , the great Receptacle of Water , though the Water at that time was gathered on Heaps on either side of them ; yet they seemed-buried in the Water , as Persons in that Age were when they were baptized , &c. The 2d . was that of Noah's Ark. See Sir Norton Knatchb●ll : The Ark of Noah and Baptism , saith he , were both a Type and Figure of the Resurrection , not the Sign of the washing away of Sin , though so taken metonymically , but a particular Signal of the Resurrection of Christ : of this Baptism is a lively and emphatical Figure , as Also was the Ark of Noah , out of which he returned as from a Sepulchre , to a new Life . 3. Metaphorical Baptism is that of the Spirit and of Affliction : the first signifies not a sprinkling of the Spirit , but the great Effusion of the Spirit , like that at Pentecost , Acts 1. 4 , 5. Shall be baptized , &c. on which Words Casaubon speaks thus : See Dr. D● Veil on Acts 2. The Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to dip or plunge , as it were to die Colours , in which Sense , saith he , the Apostles might be truly said to have been baptized for the House in which this was done , was filled with the Holy Ghost ; so that the Apostles might seem to have been plunged into it as in a large Fish-Pond . Also 〈◊〉 on Acts 2. saith , A Wind filled the whole House , that it seemed like a Fish-Pond , because it was promised to the Apostles , that they should be baptized with the Holy Ghost . And the Baptism of Afflic●●● are those great depths or overwhelming of Afflictions , like that of our Saviour's 〈◊〉 , i. e. no part free ; Matth. 20. 22. 〈◊〉 you have the same Greed Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and like that , of David , who saith , 〈…〉 him out of gr●●t Waters . 4. The spiritual Signification thereof ●● the Death , Burial and Resurrection of Christ and of our Death to Sin , and Vivification 〈◊〉 a new Life . This being so , it follows 〈…〉 Sprinkling cannot be Christ●● true 〈…〉 it must be Immersion , and nothing else . And in the last Place , Finally , To 〈◊〉 that Baptizo is to dip , both from the literal 〈◊〉 spiritual Signification thereof , as also 〈◊〉 those typical and metaphorical Baptism ●●●tioned in the Scripture , I might add 〈…〉 that this evidently appears from the 〈…〉 of John Baptist and the Apostles of 〈◊〉 who baptized in Rivers , and where 〈…〉 much Water : and also , because the 〈…〉 Baptized are said to go down into the W●●●● ( not down to the Water ) and came 〈◊〉 of the Water . John Baptist is said to 〈◊〉 them into Jordan , as the Greek Word 〈◊〉 it , which shews it dipping and not 〈◊〉 . Would it be proper to say , He 〈…〉 them into Jordan ? The Lord open 〈…〉 those who see not , to consider these 〈…〉 FINIS .