Sec ^ ^V--^. 4 >'!•/: V lU t k> GIFT OF WILLISTON WALKER PlainScripture Proof QY •.'.*»'^'\ Infants Church-memberfhip *^ AND • » BAPTISM: BEING The Arguments prepared for (and partly managed in) the publick Difpute with Mr. Tom6es at Bewdley on the firft day oijan, l60. With a fill Reply to what he then anfwercd, and what is contained in his Sermon fincc preached,in his Prin- ted Book?, hi? M, S. on i Cor, 7. 1 4. which 1 faw, againft Mr. Mtf r/^tf //, againft thefe Arguments. With a Reply to his Valedidory Oration at Bewdley-j And a Corrw^ive for his Antidote. ByRICHARD BAXTER, A MmHer ofChriftfor his Church at Kedcrminfter. Conftrained unavoidably hereto by JAv.'tomhes his importunity: by frequent Letters, Mefllngers, in his Pulpit,and at laft In Print, calling out for my Arguments, and charging the Deniall upon my Confcience s Witli an Appendix of Animadverfions on Mr.Bedfirds Trad:ate,and part of Dr. WardSf which fcem to give too much toBaptifm. THE FOURTH EDITION. wherein is added. An Examination of Air. Ts. PKMCVRSOR, AND A friendly Accommodaiitn wiih Mr. Bedford. LONDON, ^. ^ Printed for T. V. F. 7*. and are to be fold Dy ^oib^Jfr/g^at the Kitjgs-head in the Old Bailey, i ^ $ d. ' . ', k Mark 10. 14. WHen Jefus faw it, he was much dif^leajedy^nd fa>d unto them 5 Suffer the little children to conic to mc,^«il forbid them notj for of fuch is the Kingdomc of God. ' n — ^ — ^- — -— ^« — '''<^t:t Mark; 9.3^; 37. And he took a Childjand fet him in the midft of them; and when he had taken him in hisarmsjhe faid unto them 5 Whofocver fhall receive one of fuch children in my NamCj recciveth me, 8cc. Ofigen. Horn. 8. in Lev it. ^id cauf£ efi cum Baptifma EcclefidS in remijftonem peccatorum detur^ ficundum Ecclefiae obfervantiam etUm parvulis Baptifntus dctur^&c. ita Horn* 1 4. in Luc, & lib, 5. in cap, 6, ad Roman, Augufl, deBapt, cont, TionatijlA. 4. c, 33. Ifanymanask for Divine Authority in this matter, although w« I moft rightly believej^that what the Univerfal Church holdeth^and was 1 not infticuted by Councils, but hath been ever held, was not delivered but by Apoftolical authority ; yet may we truly conjecture whatthe Sacrament of Baptifm perfo^meth to Infants, by Circumcifion which the former people did receive. Augufl. depeccaU Merit. & Kemtf, /. 3. c. 5. All Antiquity hath firmly held that Believers Infants do receive Re- miffion of Ofiginall fin by Chriftian Baptifm. ■Juftin. Mart, in Epijh ad Zenam, (Women) ought to look to their children, hecaufe of fuch it the Ringdome of Heaven. A 1 Qtrtan CyprtMH and 65 Bifho^s in Council ( E^iji. 59. operum Edit. Goulartiiipi^, 163.) fully determine, that Infants may be baptized before the eighth day (which was Fidus doubt ; ) There being then no qucftion or doubt once raifcd , whether they fhould be at allB^^^ tized. Of which /4Ngufl, Efift, 28. and Hieron» faith [Cyprian with his fcl- low-Bifhops judged that a new-born Infant might be baptized, (for correftion of them that thought they might not be baptized before the eighth day, &C.3 Not nta^hig any new Decree^ hut kieping the mojl con* ftattt belief of the Church. Let any man think what he pleafe againft any opinion of C>;?r;tf?/,where perhaps he faw not what he fhould have fcen; Cnly againft the ntoft ntanifeji ApoftoUcal Beliefs let no mai think. 3 Thclikchchuh lib. ^, ad Bonif. cap. 8. cited by Gow/^/rri^/i on Cyprian, Now Cyprian Vf^iS Bifhop oi Carthage 150 years after the death of ^iint John at thcutmoft; and fo was like to live within near 100 years of John : and could a whole Council , and all the Church be ignorant whether Infants were wont to be baptized 100 years be- fore > when feme of thcmfelves,or their Fathers, were thofe Infants^ Yea, could it be fo forgotten, as that none fliQuld once doubt ofit> The Current Confcnt of Hiftorians affures us, that H^giww^ Bifhop ofKowe did firft ordain God- father?, and God-mothers, at the Bap- tizing of Infants (Go(fips,as Dr. Prideaux cals them,wr Partinus & Prf- trina Infantemfufciperent in haptifmoy ut FafcicuL T^empor. velPatrimos & Patrimas^ut Platina in z;i^^jFf)'g/«/;)making no qucftion of their bap- tifm it (clfjbut mentioning it as aufual pra^ice and undoubted duty, f Nor doth any other Hiftory (peak of any beginning of it fine? the A- poftles timcs.)Now Hypnns lived 2isVan»Par£us CmhyAnno'Dom*i'^^* z^Helvicus 152. as Prideaux^ 1 50* as Fafciculm T'empor. 144. as Onu^ fhrius^i^S. Zi\tz%.Nicephorus before them faith (Ecclef, HiftorJ.^. c 15.) in theficft year of the Emperour ^«t(?..PiKf, which was accor- ding to H^/i/icMi himfclf, 157. hxAlren^m rchearfing the Catalogue ofth:Kow//HBi(hop8, faith, that Eleutherius was in his time, the twelfth from the Apoftlcsj and^ot^r, Anieetus and Fins all after Bygjnus',. Uygims 5 who was therefore the fourth that had been from Iremus writing upwards ;^and yet rr^w^ewihimfelf lived in Tolycarpus limQ (who was St. John% Difcipb) all which he recordcth, li.'^.adv.haref. cap, 3. where he faitb>that the faid Pofycarp converfcd with thofe that had fecnChrift, and wasby the Apoftles themfelvcs made BiQiopof Smyrna ; fo that Hyginus and the Church in his daycs living but about 40 years after St. joha^ and converfmg, if not with the Apoftles thcm- rclvcs>(as fome did) yet at leaft with the Apoftles Difciples and Fami- liars, isitpoflible they (hould fo generally be ignorant, whether the Apoftles baptized Infants 1 1 know that in a Doftrinal point a miftake is caiier 5 or a bare Narration of fome oncFa£i:, (as Iremus miftake of the length of Chrifts life j ) But in a matter ofPaa:. and of fogublick notice, and which fo many thoufands were partakers in, as Baptifin wa?, how could they be ignorant ? Were not many hundred then alive that could tell what the Apoftles didjas having feen them > and knew whether thcmfelves and their Parents were baptized in Infancy or not > Suppofe it were a qucftion now among us,whether men were baptized at age only, or in infancy alfo 40 years ago ? or 5 o or ioo>were it not cafie to know the truth > And i ^ it poflible all the Kingdome could be ignorant of it, and take the contrary for unqaeftionable ? Let M, Tl (hew but as much againft Infant baptifm. Nonejitemior trafgrejjto in interpret atione quam in Converfatione^ tertuldepudicit. c. 9. edit.Pamei.ipzg. 708. Tranfgreirion in Inter- pretation is not lefs than in Converfation. Mr.Tambes fclf condemnation. Treat, of Scandiis^pa.^ 23, (^Adhominem) With the fame fpiritat this day, do many fcducing Jefuits and Seminary Priefls bred of the fmoak of the bottomlcfs pitjfcan- dalizs many ignorant or corrupt fouls, &c. And no better are the ends ofmany other Hcreticks, as Socinians, Anabaptifts, Familifts, Separa- tifts, and the reft of the litter of grievous Wolves, as St. P aulcdih thcm^ Aii» 20. §0. that enter among Chriftians, and fparenot the flock. Afid^ AA^^ ipag.'^^i^:^42.hcfaith\^And others who out of crafty reaches ^ndfubdolousin^ tent'tons^ for worldly AdvAntagcs^Afpiy rhemfelves to fa duce others. Of which fort n:> d^ult are rra-y Ewiffaries out of I'ofijh St'inina} ics^ Agcmiy (or Scpar^ition, (/^ other Seedjmcn ofTaics. Shall J take uf the A^ofllcs wJ/7; Gal.5.1 i-I would they were cut oifrhac trouble lis? So indeed jvc wifj •, but rry Text puts me out of hope 9 f attaining it in this life i andthercfoie I can do no more but only read their doom^that a heavy direful MO hangs over their keads^ which will asfurely jail on them as God is true. For how can it beothetwifcy but that Gods wrath fliouldbicaliforth againfl thofe that continue f radices again]} him as his Enemies / ( an any Prince brookjhe Sowers of Sedition ^ thefeduccrs of his fubje^lsfom their allegiance f the underminers of his Authority / if Claudius Cafar were Jo bloikjf}^ we fl: all feldom meet with fuch another. Certain itisy God will not [9 put it up:he hath proclaimed himfelf to be a God that wil by no means clear the guilty jthat he will repay them that hate him to their face : Let no man de- ceive himfelf ^God is not mockrd:there is a trcafure sf wrath refervedfor allfuch Favors for 11:11 Jlje fame cup that Balaam e^ Jeroboam and]mxiti ^ Jambres, ^ Ely nas dranhjifSi^iW all Icducing Jefuites & inveigling i>cdaries,and promoters of Liccnti- oufncfs, drinl^of: The fvne judgement abides them •■, the fame Nell mufl held them. And Tpzg.-^4(; .Remember that of Solomon, i'roi/.i4.i5.Thefimplebelievethcvery word \ but the prudent man looketh well to his goings.Bf not eafily credulous then of mens counfels : truft not lightly to their judgements. Try their fpirits ; examine their Couifels and opinions before thou imbrace them. Forget not St. Pauls r«/f,Rom. i ^. 1 7. To markjhem which canfe divifions fy offences contrary to the doBrine which is delive- ed to us, ij avoid them.-For they that are fuch/erve not our Lord Jefus Chrifi^but their own beUy '^ and by good words and fair fpeeches deceive the hearts ofthejimple. And pag.^op. Let not thy T^eal be equallfor thefmaUer and the greater matters of the Law, Mat "23. 25. 2. Be not rafJ) or toofiiff in thy opinion, when it is about difputa- lie points '^fuch as hnefi and learned men do vary in, fo that it can hardly be difcerned who is in the right. Let thy conceits ofthy felfbc modeft, and be willing t9 learn fiom any one that which is Truth. 9. Be not apt to fufpeH another s unfoimdncfs. judge not thatthoubenotjudgcd, Mar.7.i.Rom.i4.4,io. 4. Wherein thou agree]} with thy brother, profefs that,praLlice that with concord, and wait till God jhall joy n you toge^ thcr in one mind, and one way for the reft, Phil. 3. i $, i ^. And in his Epifile : Errors in confcience produce many great ewlsy not only ad intrt in fnens own fouls, but alfo ad extra in humane affairs. Few there be that heed the terrible Comminationofour Saviour againjl Scandali^erSy and therefore are affccledas if by tranfmigrdtion they had C^mi [pint, when hefaid,Am 1 my brothers Keeper ? whence it is that offences are multiply ed daily s many fouls perifl) ; a'ienations of mind, Schifms,]ars and Wars too arife. And pag. le-^. As a lame horfe when he ii heated willg9 well enough , but when he cools will halt down right : even fo an Hypocrite thsugh for a time he may go on fairly in his way, yet in Conclufion , likl-ly when he hath attained bis ends, he falls fowly. ( Compare this with my Expofnim o/Mac. 7.16. which he gain-faies.J And^di^. 177. Tne Ordinances whereby the Jews were reft rained in their Liberty^ n\'re a yoak whirh they were not able to bear. Aft. 15. 10. But it is removed from OAr necks by Chrifis death, i^c. ^'opag. 190. And in his Exam. pag. 101. iV9>v I pray you what was this yoa^j, AB. 15. 10. b'lt Circumcif:on ? a^ your felf declare, and all thtLegail Ceremonies ? ^c. (^compare this with his anfwcr to that Text.) TO To the Church at Kedermln- ftcr^ my dearly Beloved^ my Crown ^ and my Joy, ^i?€i^lLefred be God, the Father of our Lord Chrift, who called you a holy cal- ling, and confirmed you in his Truth, and led you not into temptation , but delivered you from the evili , who hath ga- thered you to his Son, and kept you yet in himrand taught you to feck after knowledge, without the quenching of Zeal 5 & to maintain Zed^with- out defpifing kno wledge^tofeek after Truth in the way of Peace, and after Peace in the way of Tiutb, as knowing how neer they d vvel together 5 that when other of Chrifts Minifters more deferving than my felf, are made by their people even a- weary of their lives , I fliould yet be comforted in yourcon- ftancy, unity and Peace : that my greateft danger lieth ino- vervaluing my condition 5 and being more contentedin the en- joyment To the Church 'dtBen^dleyy my unfeigriedly beloved friends in the Lord. ^^^M^ "^^ ^'V ^^'^ the are committed to my overffght ^ did - -__, heartily congratu^ late your fnppofed felicity in yonr choyce of yonr late LeUn^ rer Mr. T. Jo were rve confirai^ ned to he very fenjible of your danger , when we faw their hopes frnjirated^ and the fparks of er- rour and difcord breaks out into a, flame ; being blown by that breath which Jhould have helpt to kindle our heavenlinefs^ and unanimous love. To this fenji^ bility we were engaged by many obligations. Tou are our Ancient^ our neercji and deerejl neigh-^ bours: As we are feat ed neer erto^ gether than any two fkch Towns that ihave feen in the Land ^ fo have we formerly held as neer ' familiarity and love, tVe were bound to lament the danger of our dear friends^ and to be fomewhat- fenjible of our own danger^ when the flames and inflexion was broke out ^ Ti? the church at Kederminfter. To the Church at Ber»dley joyment of you, than xhin^^toHt jo neer ns-^ hutefpecialfy to lay oneaith. And if the behold- j f^? heart the danger of the whole ing of your ftedfaftncfs be to Countrj ^ the wrong te the Reli* me fuch a folace , what a blef- liQg muft it be to you who do gton. Lord Cojpeli and inter efl of cur ' Tet did I not jiirfor the poliefs it ? May not your expe- ! quenching of this fir e^ till I was cat^ rience of the happinefs of ftabi- j led forth by God and you : I had lily, unity and Peace, perfwade no reafon to trufi on myfelf tofi you to hold on in fo fweet 2i\ungratefull a work^: Tour Afagi- way, though other Arguments }y?r^^e3^/////ferj and many of your were wanting ? Is it a fmall feofle did again and again intpor^ mercy that you meet in one fo- tune me to the undertaking : your ciety^when others are parcelled mifled neighbours more importu* into many ? and that you can ned me to write i I expe^cd no meet in love, 8c take comfort in one another, when others look ftrangely, and with jealoufieon their brethren? and that your folemn Affemblies are not cm- bitteredjbut you can publikely praifethe Lord with an unani- mous joyfulnesjwhen others do vilifie, or depart from the fo- lemn worfhip (where God hath the higheft honour ,& returns the higheft bleffings,^ orelfe they lofe all their comforts of it by the peevifti fcrupuloufnefs of their confcienccs, through miftakes ? Is it a fmall bleffing, that when others are a re-, proach to their profeffion, and harden the ignorantabout them to worldly advantage by fuch ala* hour: efpecially in thefe times^ when he that is againjifeparations and Errors^ is by many judged to be againfi the Commonwealth. If you find any thing difp leafing in the manner of my writing^ re- member that it was labour nnder^ taken for your felves : My great affliSion in Jo long diverfion from more profitable ftudies^ l^and perhaps fome fmall loffe to the church hereby^ hath been eccafio- ned by your necejfities. It is I that may complain. Ion may bear with a cracky in freely given coyn. I have been large in a Preface^ to let you fee fully the occafionofmy writing : ihi ufe whereof is known To the church at Kederminfter. f To the Church at Ber^dley, to their ruin 3 that your ftabili- ty and unaaimity fhould be convincing and winning? and make way for your counfels to the hearts of the ignorant? Not for your worthinefs hath God done this^ but becaufe he hath fet his love upon you. You are fons oiAdam^ and have naturally as erroneous and con- teatious difpofitions as others. I doubt not but you feel by the ftirrings of thefe corrupti- ons upon perfonall provocati- ons and difcontentSj what pub- lick difcords you m'ght have been guilty of,if God had given your natures their own way^ and had but plucked up the floodgate of temptations. I look upon you as I do on my own foul : I rejoyce that God hath done fo much for me: but yet account not my felftohave attained (the race cndj but prefs on, forgetting the things behindj and looking to the du- ty and the Crown before .• I dare not fit down in an Antim- mian conceit ^ that I have no- thing to do but exprefs my Joy and Gratitude. So do I rejoyce in what God hath done for you \tous ^ that l^now how much mif^ ^ reports^ and Mr. Ts reputation have taks^ ^^th men : though ^jirangers may ash^^ To what pur- pofekall thif .^f t All ftiould be admitted Church- members by Baptifm^ but denyeth onely that [ Infants are Church-mcmbers] andyet confejfeth that [ once they were] ^n^^A^^[of theuniver- (ill vifible Church] examine well horv he proves this Repeal- ed. I.J challenge him here^ to name me one particular Church [ fmce To the Church at Kederminfter, venthofe merij vvhofe Fathers killed the Prophets ^ and they built Tombcs ( in honour oi them ) and faid^ If wehadli ved in the dayes of our Fathers^ v/e would not have been par- takers with them in the blood of the Prophets {Mat. 23, 29^ 30.) Yet themfelves willatthe fame time out-go their fore- fathers. Ye?3 2iyhH whoisrai- fed to deftroy a perfecuting family, will be prefenily par- taker of their fin / Oh dear friends, be very jealous of your underftandmgs 5 forifthofebe lofl-, all is loft with you ; If the eyebe d^ik, how great is that darknefle ? If my own Brother did but think he were bound to kill me, he would do it without fcruple, and thank God for his fuccefle. And {o ftrangely uncurable is this difeafe, that be there never fo much Zeal, Yet nei- ther Arguments nor miracles will convince men, as the Pharifees example fhcwes you. Abhor the impenitent opinion of them 5 who think the un- derftanding uncapable of fin. You are yet but learners in the To the Church at Bewdley. ftnce Adam , eithr of '^ctqs or Gentiles^ tvhere Infants were ?tot Church^mmbers ( ;/ they had any Infants) till 200 yters ago. 2. And I challenge him to name me one man that was againfl^ or did once quejlion Infmts Church^ memberjljip jrom the Creation^ till ^00 years ago (^according to hk oivnfalfe computation) or till 203 years ago and lefs ^ {accor- ding to the truth. J As far as will Jiand with modejiy^ I mal^e thcfe' two challenges to him. And for yoH^ Idejire youhut impartially to copfider^ if chriji had revoked Infants Church- Memherflyip^ whether it be pojfible that no word in Scripture jhonld once mention it .. In it I gave you that advice which I beg of God to write upon your hearts. Part of it was ill taken by Mr. T. which hath occafioned the latter part of this Trcatife. You are fully 'acquainted with the occafion of the whole. For your prefervation and our dear neighbours of Bewdky did I engage in this unpleafing bufineffe. You importuned me to it .• you folemnly fought God before our Difpute for ftrengtli to my weak body^ and difcovery of his truth: By the hearing of it you are con- To the Church at Bcuvdley, Even whm tho\e that taught Cir-^ atmcifion^ did take it forgran^ ted tkut infa?:ts were Church^ members^ or elfe they could vot have fnjd^ they f^njibe Circtim* cifed. Is there apojpbil/ty in all this^ if Scripture be perfe^ ^ JSlay^ that the Apojlle Jkould tell them^ 'I heir Children were Holy ^ and the Lord Jefus leave as hiswill^ that we fiiffer them to come to him^ and forbid them not^ hccaufeef fnch is the Kingdom of God ^ and was much d/fpleafed with thofe that kept them from him : which fiews that it was then a k^own truth that Infants were members &f Gods Kingdom^ and therefore vijibly members if the church 5 and that on this ground the Di" fciples fiould have admitted them. Turn over your Bibles^ and find where chrifi or his Jpofiles have faid m much^ or the hun- dreth part fo much^ again(i our admitting Infants Church- mem^ bers : and then confider which way you may fafeliefi venture on. Its true^ he faith to theaged^ If thou believe^ thou maifl be baptized: Andfo hefifith^ He that believeth (t)all be faved 3 and he that he- lieveth not JJjall be damned: If yet To the church at KtdQrmmdQr. I To the Church at BeivMey. confirmed .* For which bene-Ue^ thk extend not to Infants^ fit you thought it your duty to w^^^/'W^ the other ^ l^hat great return as folemn thanks to j comfort would follow thk concha God, If temptations (hould J?^^?, \^t hat all your Infants art be renewed^ 1 doubt notbutj^w^ of Chrifis vijihle Church] the remembrance of thefe that men floonld bend their mti will be confirming to you. But fo to prove it ^ Do younot kstow left it fhould not fuffice^ Ctejthatto ievifibly in or out of the God hath compelled me (a- Churchy fs all one (^ vifiblyC(?r gainft my ftrong refolutions and refinance) to prepare you to our judgement) to belong or not belong to Chrtfi and Hea^ this Prefervative ^ and leave it j ven .M£J:a^£bl£ofjhtpm^ : Ihatitynight beafignto enttr them Church^^members^^^ their Dedication to Chriji^ and en^ gage them to be hts people^ and totak^e him for their Lord andSavicur^and ft fo to confer on them remijfion offim^ and what Chriji by the Covenant pro- ifjifeth to the Baptized^ Qlhovghyet themfelves underjhmd not this j even f as vpe put the names of Infants in Bonds er Leafes ynhich they can ndther I read nor l^ow of<. ) And withall upon fearch itfoon appeared to we undeny^ ^ able^ 'That it was the will ofGod^ that the Infants of Believers jhovld be admitted members of his Llniverfal^niibIc_Church : Jhefe difcoveries did {juickly fiay mf 3 and Jhew me more probability for Infant Baptifm^ than was againft it, (^And thefeparating^dividing^fcandalon^ courfesof alltf}^ Auabaptijis that I was acquainted withy their Ignorance and proud felf" efieemy and defpifmg the pretioufefl Miniflers of Chrifi^ did deterr me from ajfociating with them^ andfo k^t me out of the way of further temp- tation) Tet did I remain doubtful Jome time after ^ by reafin the Scrip* turefpoh^fo sparingly to the pointy and becau ferny apprehenftonsofthofe things which in themfelves were clear and certain^ remained crude and weaktill time had helped themto digeft and ripen. And the many weak^ Arguments which I met mth in the words and writings effome T>ivinei(j^ wkjch I formed moft of the fame anfwers as Mr. T. //•w doth) were not the hfiflumbling blochjn my way, I refolved therefore filently to forbear the pracfifey while I further ftudied the point. And being more in doubt about the other Sacrament than this^ I durfi not adventure upon a full ? aft oral charge^ but to preach only as a Le&urer^ till I were fully refolved : In which ft ate I continued where I now amy till I was removed by the wars ; ftill thinking and fpeaking very favcnrably of meer Anahaptifis. Being at GhccAawhenMr, Winnds bookjtgainft them came forth^ I fpo^fo much in extenuation of their error ^that my confcience hathfmce checked w# for it y left IJhould be a means thereby of drawing any from the truths though I did difcover my own judgement to be againft them : As Vodlor Taylors Arguments dclib. Prophet, have done by tcomany* Ihefemy former weak^mffes^ I acknowledge to my ihame ; and therein do hut imitate Paul, a better man^ who confejfed himfelffometimefoolijh^ and difvbedi" ent^ &c, and that he verily thought he ought to do many things againft the ' nameofjefusy&c. And I admired to find that learned holy Reformer Z[iin^\u9\Jafterward the mall of the Anabaptifts) to ieUMrJiis^expe' Yunceinthevery like kind, and that ^s cafe and mine were fo neer the fame^ that by Arguments giving too much to Baptifm^ he was driven quite to deny Infant Bapttfm (there he went beyond me ; but thenfo he did alfe afterward in his powerful oppofition to that error^asyou may fee /«Tom. 2.'pag. 63. asl have tranfcrihed it before my Appendix, And why Jhouldnot I as freely eonfefs my infirmities as he .<* who jet afterward^ (b 2) fpoki [poke ntorefljarpiy ttgainft their diclrine^fra^kes^ and ptrfoyts, thoft ever J m^'an to do^ for allfome will Jo much cenfure me as bnter ( Asaly did Luther, Calvin, BullingcrjRhcgiuFjWiganduFjSchlufrdbiirgias, -ppixb the reii afthofe Inl^ learHed Keforwersy vrhofe fharpnefs I do ^romje to com/fljort ofy fpherel ayn]udgedni^li jharp') Ifawthen Anahapti[hy hit in ths feed and egge 5 and who then could difcern what the tree andfnat •would prove ? Butthey that now fee it at the liature of Ranting (againfl which an A^ was lately made) may eaflyer h^ow it. He muji be a good Thyfician that kvowsfuch difeajes in the firji degree , and can difcern a. Cancer when the tumor is no bigger than a peafe 5 but when it dtvourelh th^ found contiguous parts^ then an)' man may know it, Jhe Garifon and City of£fOWQX}tTy ( where 1 li ved next) was almoj: free from them when I fir j\ carnl^uFer^ and a good while after : But while wefleptj the envious man fowid thefe T^ares 5 and our tendernefs of tbem, as godly people y caufed us atfirji the more remifdy togainfay xhemy audfo ti.eir number to increafe : 7ill at lafl they got a federated jccietVy anddefpifedtke Mimjiers^ andgottf3em[efvei_aj^apjfieachersy iomc $f which we before ejieemed godly men^utl^ewto be fill) men to become 'tea" chers. AH this whi/e I had no conteji with them^ much lefs any falling eut. For few of the Souldiers had tah^n the infediony they being many of i hem the mojifohcry (Uyed nieny that I ever met with in any Garifcn 'y and had a reverend efieem of the counfell of their 'teachers (which being returned home they doyet continue.) But it was fome younger people of the City that were then infeGed mofi. At laji one Mr. Coxe ( an Ancient Mmijier^of competent learning and parts) was fentjrom London to confirm themy which when he had done awhiky he was de fired to depart. After that he came down afiscond timcy and becaufe he would notpromife to leai e the Ci^ ty and come no moreytke Committet didhnprifon himywhich feme ofkps par^ ty gave out to be procured by me : when I can truly fay that I never fpcke word to put him in prifony hut (at the motion of Mr, Pinfon) didfpeakto get him out. In this time I defired that Mr. Coxc would entertain fome difpute about our differences : which wasconfentedtOy and begun by words y and afterward we agreed to follow it by writing : But to my firft Paper I €ould never have anfver(^faveto th.' extennpora^e writing before at cur weeting) and fo that labour ended. In which difpute my zeal for unity and Peace was ft much greater than my zeal againji Rebaptizingy that I refolved'to difpute thecafeoffeparationfirliy andBaptifm nr^tiprofefjiney that if they did not hinder the Gofpelly and fm againji the plain word hy DivifiQnsi IJhould eafily bear with any thai differed from we in the point $f pfBuptJfnf, F(fT Mr. Coxe taught them (^andit yens prefentlji fwailowed^ I that our Mifjiflers^ being unhapiztd^ %en indeed no Mimjiers ojChrijt, ^ find it was urJawfuUtq hear them^ 9r tojojH with our people (though never fo godii^bscaufe they were all Uribaptized perfins^ which dolirme began to fvake men to look at others as Pagans^ and to break^all to pieces , Jo that the Kebaptized husband would nut pray with his Qfuppofedly^ unbaptized wife. Before thefi flirrings I had never (jotny remembrance') wed led with theM in the Vulpit. Till at laji it pleafed the Committee and Governor j difcerning the inconvenience^ and the danger oftheGanifon^ to defireniey as being my duty^ to Freaeh on thatfubjell ; which before I would refelve todoj I fet my felf more ferioufiy tothejiudj if that point : I read all the Books for P^ehaptizing that I could get \ I daily begged of God ^ that hs would notfuffer we to err^ or ever to be an tnjvrument to oppofe any truth : *itll at lafi I arrived at a full YefolutioHi and God (hewed we more for his truths and the weakpefs oftheoppofition^ than 1 had ever before attained^ , though defired and endeavoured. I had before in all learned mens compa." ny^that were likely to inform fw, ohjeUed a gainfi Infant Baptifm (where I faw no unfetled Chrijlians that might hefoaken by my obfe&ions) When Ih ad after thefe preparations and inducements^^ Preached many Sermons ' againft feparationy and G&verning the Church bj the majsr vote of the we^nbers^ and Kebaptizingyand for Infant' Baptifm^ it pleafed theCom^ mittee to fend me their defiresy that I would Print thofe Lehuref* This meffage they fentby Sir Kkh, $kc^ngton (that truly gracious humble ' Saint y nowinUeai^n j who>fi I mention in loie and honour to hisname^ whom God removed from the evil! to come) and Colonel B:irkcr (with whom Hived) being then Governoury and 7ny fpeciall friend* Though they might have commanded from ine any thing that I could well perform ; andthoigb I had unmannerly denyed them the //% reguejlh before ( when they defired we by CoL Barker, and Mr. G.^orge Abbot (now with God) to Print ma- ny tenures on another fubjeB) and though thefe Leiiures had colt me msre ^ labour than ever I am hk^ to befiow upon any again : yet did I againy though unmannerly y as refolvedly deny them this requefi al[b ; pmly be- caufelthenpurpofedneverto have appeared in Prints, efpecially in that quarrel : which as I judged to be of the lower rank y fo lejieemed many of them to be Go Uy pe^^ple whom I mufi contradid 5 And though I k^ow tl e godly jhould be injirn^ied and reproved as well as others ; and nev^r gjven -up as uncurable becaufe they are godly ( for who Jhould receive reproof and information, if not th^y ? and whofe fouU Jhould Minifiers be more tender, r tender of^ even reproving thentjharpjy^ rvhen need requires it^that they wpy he found inthe Faith <' JTet did I find thefe men generally Jo tender- ear'^d, and inpatient of any difcovery of their Error (though I had done it hy nieer Argument without ayiy reproach') that it did hut hurt them^ and fid them with prejudice againfl the Speaker yfor they tooI{himfor an Enemy y if notaperfecutory that told them the truth ; partly^ hecauje it would have been a great VolunWy andlwasfenfible of the vanity and hurtfulnefs of filling the world with too wany Books. Butfpecially hecaufelbadfo lately tn the point of Baptifm been refolved my felf 5 and knew not but fomewhat might come forth which might Jhakl ^^^ again, So far was I then from being intemperate againjt them 5 and fo far am I now from that rafi^ nefs and tnconfideratenefs^andwant of love to thetruth^in this cafe^ which Mr. T.fo accufeth me of, Iconfefs^ I am as likely to be igmrant as anO" t her: but ifljhouldfay I am unwilling to know the ituthjJhQuldlye againfl fny Confciencey and continuallpraBife \ when my thirfi is fo unfatiable andexeejpve after it, and my timefo wholly fpent infeek^^g it^ that I could well forbear to eat or (leepy ifnty frail flejh could be without it, 7 he Argn^ tnents that I have managed iv this frefent treatife, are but two of the twelve, which I handled in the forewent ioned Ledures, 1 left ont all the refty partly becaufeiheBookwouldfwelltoobtg, partly becaufe my time and jirength is too little for tedious works ; partly becaufe my Auditors did ma^ ny of them hear them, for whofefak^ 1 chiefly write 5 but chiefly becaufe (?- thir metrhave handled moft of them already. After all this i when the bufintfs did not flop at Baptifm, but the infeiSi^ en was got nearer the vitals of^hriftianity, and thepulfe of the Nation fo evidently Jhtwed that it had tainted the Arterial blood andfpirits, that a. mean Fhyfician might haveprognofiicated the criticall iffue which we have feen and fdt , and when fame told us that the Army was not the freeftpart of the Land':! being invited thither by my much Honoured friend Col.yNhsL-^ ley and fl)me others, upon the advice of the Adinifters, I accepted the in^ vitation:?artly becaufe many of my deateft friends were there^whofefocie- ty had formerly been delightfullto me, andwhofe welfare I was tender of, beingnten that had a deeper inter efi in my affeBi^ns than any in the world had before that time ; and partly becaufe I believed Mr. Vines (Sermon, March. 12. 16441^ [ If they had no Freachers, they would have too ma^ ny,and the Countrey would favor of the Field VoCfrine ; ] And I am not afljamed nor afraid to fay, that the difcharge 9f my con- fidence tn doing my befl to prevent the Evil which in this hath befaln us, was not the laflor leaft oftny ends therein : And though there were ycere far more eafc and fafety, and content, a- W gain (then) to be found in Cities and peaceable habitations 5 yet I doubt not if others of the Mini^ firy had done as much in time '^(^asfome did) our calamity in an A by this wight have probably been prevented ; and our eyes might never havefeen thofe EffcGis of Error: Alas yto fit at home and accufe poor Souldien oftr- rors^ when they had few or none to teach them better^ was not the way of ■prevention^or of cure t Ihey are men^ as we are , and not bred up in Lear* ning and Academies : nor capable of refijung the temptation themfelves^ andofrefolving all the Komijhfcruples which J efuitical wits had hatched anddifperfed through the Land : and when qiiefiions come among them, and they have not able 'teachers at hand^ they mufl learn of fuck as ar9 next them^ and have mofi interefi in them. Some will fay ^ they were vi^ elentj and would not hear nor regard \ which for many I cannot deny : Buty alasy we meet with manj fuch in our own Congregations , andyet we dare not give them off: And for my own party for thofe two years that I was a^ wongthemy 1 found a II friendly acceptance and reJpeSf^ and never fell out with one man among them. And though many that I converfed with were a,gaiHji Infant-baptifni^ and I had frequent occafion of arguing with them^ yet did I never fa II into any pafjionate contentions with any j and for the niofi party chofe weightier points to confer on,^ So that hitherto I was not fiViolent and RaJ^j as Mv.-T- accufeth me. But to draw a little near the occafwn of my trouble : Before this y being in great weak^efsy and forced to repair to London to the Phyficiany Mr; Tombes ca^tie into my garters (at the Houfe of my dear friend Colonel Sylvamis Taylor ; ') and having greedily read over his Exhortation and Examen a little before, I was glad of that opportunity for my further fa" tisfaUiony fuppofing thatwkat more was to be faid againfi Infant- baptijm^ . I was as likely to hear from him as any, 1 urged him therefore with the very fame Arguments which in thedifpute at Bewdcly I managed againji him (fron Infants Church-member jhip : ) to which be gave me fuch feeble Anfw^rs y and I found himfo confident when he had nothing to fay whick feemedto me of any momentythat I quichiy gave over;being ynucb confirtued^ . when I underflood that the Champion of that Caufe had ?io.more to-de fend it, Andyet though I had ufed this Argument with himy and none but this fo many years agOy Mr. T. was not afraid to tell themin the Vulpity that he could never k^ow my Arguments till theVifputeyandthatl hidmy weapons till I m^^fit to (hike hj^ay though he had alfo feen fome Notes of my Argu*- mentinthefo^rementionedLj^uresy where thij was the firft. . When the Wars wereotdedy andlreturnsd home to vifn my friendsy the pofh-: /'fo/'/f 0/ Bewcilcy vr^te dejtuuteof a Freader jor their Chafel^ and Mr. William Hopkins ( uow yvitbChrijl ) aume to me to ask, my adiict threhi'-, celling vicibey-inere mot'miedio Mr\ Gcrec, and Mr, ToTrbcs, hut the latter h^ was fcrupulous ab'jut^ hecuufeh^' was a gainji Infant" tdftifw. My a^iJyrerwaS) that 1 judged Mr%T. apious atle man'^and though he ware agajnji: Infant BaJ>tifnjy jet heivg Orthodox in all things €lfe(as I then thoight he was) and the -point butjwallj and I hoped he WiH a peaceable temperate >»any 1 was perfwaded it would remain but as a dif' ferencemOpinicn, and that he would not wak^ any dijhrhance about it^ nor ( as the ignorant fort of them do^ labour to propagate k is OpinicHy and to make parties and diviftons among the people : which I told himy I the ra- ther believed y in that I had heard that he had promifed in London to be^ filent in that p^int^ except any came into his place to Preach againji him : . and therefore I doubted not but he would do Jo with them : and that his farts andpiety would be more advantagious to them^ than his different 0- ■pinicn (thifs filencedby temperance^ would be hurtfulL ibis was the grea^ teji wrong that ever I knew I did to Bewdley , andijlbe guilty (as Mr.T. charged me) of making a Schijyn among them^ it was only by this (though y et 1 beli eve not th at wy words had any great influence into the bufwefs,') fFhenlwas returned home^ I more rejoyced in Mr. T's Neighbourhood^ and made more ufe of ity than of mofi ef others : and accordingly de fired and enjoyed his affijiaacey for which I return him unfeigned thankl» And rtkenjoyne godly Divines that were acquainted with bis carriage of th^ hufnefs in London ) did tell me he was a man very proud , and bad far higher thoughts efhimfelfthan was meety I did not believe them^ butjfiU defended him. And leafl my touching that Controverfie^ though at a di^ (iant'e j wight irritate him to fall upon it , I never fpaki one word in wy Congregation of it (to my heflremembrance) to this day^ for fear of giving any occafwn of difference. Tet he writes in his Letters to me^ that \niany told him of my by-flings at hi}ii] which I never ufed either diredly or indi- reGly. 7 he only paffageobjeded that I can hear of ^ is thit'^ that I once told I nmt the danger of thinking themfelves found Chnjiians becaufe they are baptized again^ or are of this Church or that Opinion, And is it not bard that I may not fay this much to my own Hearers ? 1 had hoped Mr. T. would kavef aid as much himfelf. He hath an iilcaufe or an ill mind that cannot bear thofe words : therefore he (houldfirft have taught the Report^ ers to ohey the ninth Commandment:, before he had entered them into tbefi difputes. IVhere everl fell into Mr.T's company ^^ either Ifiunned any dif eonrfe on this pointy leji it fi;ould turn to contention j or elje. I laboured but to toper fwade him of the difficulty andjmakefs of it, that m might he content ted to differ peaceah!j/y where we could not clofe. But I could never cof^ vince hint of either ofthefe : but hecwfidentlyftill fiffirmed that it was ea^ fie andfUin^ arA of greater moment. I reply ed , that if it were foeafey then fo many thouf and learned godly Vivinei in England^ and through the ChrijUan world^ would not all be ignorant in it^who were as willing to k^ow the truth as he , and fiu died , ana prayed daily that they might know it* 'Though they may err ; yet hardly fo generally in fo eafie a cafe. To which he anfwered^ that they all erredthrough wilfnlnefs^ or meer negligence : as the Lutherans did about Confubfiantiation* Let the Reader judge of this anfwer as he fees caufe. Fir nty own party as I told hinfy I would I were as able to fee the truth as 1 am willing (jthenfhould 1 think my felfthe wifefi man in the worlds without the leafi fcruple of arrogancy. ) Tet I perceived that my conftant fpeech for Teace^ was interpreted as if I were loth to own the truth for fear of breaking Peace, Being once preaching for Peace(which is the very drift of my do^rine /(^nd life^ though I fpcak fharfly againji Teace-break^rs) among other caufes of the breach of the Churches Feace^ I Mentioned this [ Men think that no Truth is to befufpended for Peace'] and fo whatfoever they judge to be truthy they mufi pi^Hfh to the world though it eeJitheCBurch never fo dear* To this Mr. T. fends me word by a godly many that iflfofaidy Ifpoke that which isfalfe (which fmce he expounds^ offufpending truth fo as to lofe it") As if I had intended thif azainji him, wheny alasy Ifpokje it as to the healing of the Churches wounds (which this one mifiak^ is enough to k^ep bleedingy till it come to the lafi gafpy if we had HO more') (God may once give Magiflrates who will be as tender ofChrifts honour as their owny and be as fevere againji thofe that wrong Chriji as themfelves.) All this while I hadnever baptized an Infant (but thetwo fore'iiientioned) tillfomeofmy own hearers begun to fuffeU me tibeofhU judgement ( though I teflified my approbation by my prefence at the ordi" nance.) Thus far Mr. T, and I did live peaceably : But when the times thanged ^^ and^Id England wasfo much more than New (and yet oldfiil) he began to open himfelf fully in the Congregation : he exclaimed againji the corruption of Infant' fpr inkling ( a^he calledit ) heprefl them to taki it asmhutptifm^ and to be baPtized again* Hetroubleth his Sermons with the naikes^xffMr. M^fhalJ, Mr, Blake, and my felf^ and with printed paffagesofnmey^Qv'er and over. Now BewdUy' being a place where (by the ke^) of an able miniflry heretofore) were many ancient jiayedChrijH" ansy^jafwouldmt as children he ^ tofi up and downy and carry ed to and ft 4 mtk^every wind'ofda^rinfi 5 his de^rine didmt much prevdil^ at leaji not (^cj according according to his defire : At this the yuan grew nngry^ and bsgan to charge it fojharfly on their consciences y that poor people were wuch troubled. He told them in the Pulpit, that [ let I hem hudge at it how they wouldy it was their flyfocrifie that hindered them from receiving the truth'] Of ifthefe that y eel" ded not to him were Hypocrites. (Jhough fmce I hiar he hath got above twex'^y^re baptized Dijcip^cs, whom he,cfc vifits andconfirms^) ICet then for all this there did but ie:v come in to him : whereupon he proceeded yet more angrily 't and charged their blood on their own heads (as if their damnation y^ere liki tofollowy if they were not rebaftized.) He told them alfo that [Infant'haptifm pleaded from circumdfton as Mr. Marfhall doth^ is a He- rtficy and one ofthefirft condemned Here fies in the Church.] Iconfefs I did mt believe this report at thefirft^becaufe he had beenfo angry with thofe that call Anabaptijm Herefie : but when I ask^d him ofit^ he confeffed andjufti" fied^it in. the words I httve here Jet dov^u. And to tnake it goody he defined H^te to bojony ermJoy^'hkLfjfen- mndt^ party . J anjwered^ that then hewa^r>iAk^lndepAHdevts^Heretick,sfeeini^^^ : He toLdntSy that if X^h'^ make a'p^riyth^ are: 1 anfwered that I dwrfl mt fudge fo hardly of them 5 for he knew they made a party , and did he thin\he yoas bonndto nvoid an Independent after the fir j{ and fecond Admonition? A while after thts I underjiood by fome of Mr, Tombcs followers that he 'gpas writing a fuin^reaiife in anfwer t& Adr, Marfhallj Mr. Blflkc, Mr. Gcree, and all that was w.orth the anfw.ering^ and fo fhould difpatch all the lufimfs at once, :Aad the next time Ifaw Mr,, T. /;^ told me he was writing dgai^ffiMr. Marfhall a^idmany osiers* -And hecaufe I thought that fure if any more could be f aid than 1 had heard^ I Jhould there meet with it^tker^^ fore 1 defired him to lend it me : Sohefent inefomc two or three Sheets a* gainji Mr. M. on i Cor. 7. 14. which (as my manner is) I quickly ready and wrote out the fubftanct^and fm it him again. But I prefently heard that he was offended^ thai. Ifint tk^m home fofm. and without my Animad- Virfiws s when yet he.nevH required, any fuch matter at the deli ve^y^ nor ffojddlhaie received them en any fuch terms^ and it would have beenplain folly inme^fo to havefaln^ aboard with him in the middle of a bufinefs and m Mr. Marshals gr(5««^f iBefidfs, that^l had then a full nefolHtion to avoid Mllccntjelhtionwnk, him fifar as^ver Icouldymthout injury tinth^truth and tothe fouls ofmenhJhpotly 'after tbisBuX, t^tming'to^ourLc&ure {as he ufually did) we hAdJ^efi^kki^fy.^homAh.Ea^er^p^afidke manife- pd to we, that h^ tookjt not yvelltkaK Ifenthim not w/.Animadverfpns m thsmf if I dtdnot appt^v^ thm'MvX t^Jdkim\tl)0t\ik(iwcrtfMk\frmfia3^fv» Uory in my judgement 5 Je^;|y?V^i'^*i^■t^Arf.<^^.Wiy.^^37^^^>y^^^^ abk able to expe^ my confutatim of them Qn tfhkh J if ill appeal to any rtafona^ ble indifferent man. ^ Aft er this day ^ as I remember Mr, T. never ca^neia mr LeSure more 5 For if hat ends he came till now^ Heave to his oven confci- ence. By this time I began to fie that Mr* T. iifas no longer a man for the Churches Peace^ hiH vp as fully andvekementlyfet to carry on his opinion^and 'fftakf himfe/fa party ^and to9l{ it ill that his endeavors did no better fucceed^ I did before believe that he was moderate and peace able -^ for all his differing judgement^ and that he truljf abhorred diviftm and fa&ions in the Church, But -when I had occafwn to try him^ I found it otherwife to my grief. A If hile after that 1 had fent back Mr. T's Fafersy I revived from one of Mr, T*g Hearers, a re^uejl only in his own name^ that I would give him fome Arguments tofatiifie him of the lawfulnefs oflnfant-bapttfrn-^fer Mr. T. had preji the contrary fo hard upon their confciencesy that they were no longer able to withjiandit. I told him if he would difcufs the bufinefs with mey I was ready then or any time to give him the beji fttisfa^ionl could. But he refufed that 9 and would needs have fome Arguments in writings and nothing but writing would ferve-^ whereupenlfercei' ved that he was fent by Mr, Tombcs and as^d him whether he came not by Mr, T*s confentj and he confefl that he did 5 / told him that if be would not argue the cafe bimfelft &yet mufi havefatisfa[iiony I thou^t it the beft way to bring fome oneelfe that could argue rty either Mr.T,or ypho he would, Tet withall that being now quiet 1 did not urge Mr, T. to this^ nor would meddle in it without a better call-', hut for writings it would he endlefsy and there was enough already, A while after comes jive more tO" gether and tell (ne^they could not refiji nor bear Mr, T's reproofs any longer ^ and if I did not give them my Arguments tofatisfietbemy they mufi yield. I asked them whether they had re ad Mr, Cobbet an d fome other Booki that were written already 5 and they told me they had noty and that they were net able to find out the truth in tedious volums^l asked them why then they urged met to write y feeing it would doubt lefs fwelltofuch Volums befere we had doney if we once begun ? But jiill they urged me to writey and told me A^r. T. refufed to difpute. By this time I perceived myfelj in aflraightyaud that my for bearing ever to preach for Infant'baptifin or to Baptize anyy would mtferve turn to continue my peacey but Mr, T. would force me to engage whether I would or no, or elfe to betray the truth and mens fouls 5 if I had re* fufed to debate ity Mr. T's hearers who had turned to hinty would have laid all the blame on mey and f aid they fought fatisfaQion and could have none ; my own hearer ^ were in no doubt but yet told me iflrelinquifhed the bufinefs^ I f^jQuld be guilty of betraying the truth of God, and of the great Apofiacy ( c 2) , nad and dtvifioH that was lik^ to follow in the Country about, I now perceived the inconvenienc(f ofanunpeaceahk neighbour ^ andlfcarcek^newwhtchofthe evils tochoofe. But feeing Mr T* never de fired any thing as towards his ewnfatisfahion but only his neiMoiirs^ Imadelhef emotions (feeing Imuft needs engage in the eontroverfie/) 1. Ihatwemght f reach each of us two Sermonsy andfo leave all to tki judgement of the people* 2. Or if that wen refufed , that in their hearing we might dif fpute its 3. Or that we might difpute it privately before a few that were mojl un- fatisfied, 4. Or that we might write together ex tcn)porCi 5. Or if none of this would fervey I offered to write^ fo Mr, T. would give nte any ajfurance of a quick^difpatchi& fhew me any way to afcertain-it be^ fore we beguuy left we fhould write voluminoufly and without end or profit, Thefe motions Ifignified to Afr.T. in my Letters^ but he confented not to any Qnt ofthem^ but ftill importuned me to writCy write, I gave him twelve rea* fins againfi writings that I was weal{^ had not time', his hearers could not ftay for fatisfadion till we had done 5 they could not examine writings 5 be had written with others Ung^ and not yet ended, &c. He gain f aid none of thefe, andyet ftill importuned me to write, and told me that they would elfe taklit for granted, that I could fay no wore than was faid already by others in irinty& that all that was anfwered^unlefs 1 would jhewyou theweaknefs ^tbc anfwersJ thought this aftrange conclufion from fuch premifesiBut how Jdifcdveredy as I thought, more of the defign than before, Mr. T.hatb a 3oolrpriparingfor the Frefs, which in his Antidote heintitkth i'/^jRcvicWx^ in which at once he intends to k^ock^down all : & therefore J perceived would fain have had my Arguments to thruft into the croud among the reft, that he might fay he had confuted all at once, I ohferved how he dealt with Mr, Marftiall i« i[>« Apology ^and Mr. B>hkc in his Appendix: 6^ that his friends kadfo high an efteem of his ability in writingy& efpecially he of his own,that nil that he had writ againfly was tah^nfor anfwered, when yet they confeft themfelves unable to examine writings, and when I knew that all w/isflubbe^ red overfo, as it did not indeed deferve the name of an Anfwer :. and there^ fore 1 expeHed to befo dealt with my felf^ that what ever he had writ a- gainft me,it might be [aid I was anfwer ed,Andtheref ore befides a II my other rtafonsy upon this I refolved to put by writing. And where it is given out as if I were the provoker to difpute, it was or.ly as ajhift to efcape a more te^ dioui .inconvenience f A while lifter thisythe buftnefs flept^and 1 yfas in great hops hope it would be buried^ and I might yet have peace : But the next fiewi I heard) was^ that Mn T* was refilled to entertain a difpute ; which Icon'- fefs I was firry to hear /Upon this hefals a preaching onlj on tkefidbjel^.'But after a while when his people were weary of hearing nothing but Baptififime ofthemfpcki openly to him by way of contradtdion j & among otkers^one uk' happily asked him^TVky he refufid to difpute with me^ andyet would trouble them with thofe things s'upon which quejHonhe fuddenly was forced for his ere* dit fake to tell them publich^y thathewasrefolvedto difpute with me^ but thought good by thefi Sermons to inforyn themfirfi of the ftate of the contrO' verfieXhis rajh promife mard ally^ hinc illge lachrymse. Hereupon he went on and preached eight or ten Sermons againfi Infant -baptifmytelling them he had anfwered all the arguments of any moment that by any were ufed. Some would have had me have msved to preach before the difpute as well as he^fic ing one Sermon would perfwade thepeople more than a difpute which was paji their capacity 5 much more would eight or ten Sermons prepcjfefs them, Bui I refolved tofitflill till I were forced toftir 5 Ifent fome to fetch me the notes of his Sermons exaHly ; and I perceived he had culled out the weak^fi argu* wentS) andfatisfied himfilf with as weak anfwers to Come of them. All this while Mr* T. had my name up over and over in the Fulpity and very injur i- cujly fometin/es,,! faid nothing to allthis^ but refolved to let him go on till he were weary •But at lafl^the Bailiff and Minifter)& divers of the godly inha^ hitantSjfent to me to defireme tocome and prMchwith them on that contro^ verfteyOn which M T.hadpreachtfi long^that they might hear what cauldbe faid on both fides J toldthem^l would not preach in Mr, T's Chape I without his confeni(though I had the call of the ntagifirate & his fellow Minifier')and iflfhouldpreach) he would fay ^ he could have confuted alii and therefore when they further urged me then to difpute with him^ I told them that if he confenteduponfuch a calljidurfi not refufeitj whereupon the people pre0ng him to it^prev ailed for his confinto and thtday fell out tobe'thefirjhof]2in\i' ary 1 6^9, i had importuned God in myprayers^a^ I was ablejlong before that if I were miftaken^he -would fiew me my error 5 & if Mr. T. had the truth on hisfide^ that he would not fuffer me to refijiityor fpeakji word againfi it,And the morfi I prayed) the more I was animated to the wsrk^* I had been fo weak^ & pained long before ^th at I was fear ce able to rife&walkabout the very day before yyet did I rejolve to gOyifl were able to ride^ndfpeakj and when the timecan;ejwas ea fed much of all my painsi& whereas I can hardly on any Lords^dayfpeak^above an hour without the profirationof my.flrength^and extream languifhing of my body^ nor eouldfcarce takl ^^e air without taking ; a dangerous cold 3 itpleafed God then in the midfi of winter to e?iah.le me ro continue <■ continue the difpute in the ofm Churchy and thatfaftittg , from before ten of the clock^ttll between four and five y vpithout any of my uftiall infirmities^ and had more eafejron them a fortnight after then of many months : which thofe that k^cyv we do confidently believe was from the direCt encouraging hand of God 5 1 was l{nown to be fo unable in body^that Mr. Good camepur^ •pofcly prepared Qwithout my knowledge^ to have managed the difpute if my' jirength Jhculdfail. T^he main thing that ever encouraged me to this dtfpute^ wasy that I judged Mr. T. fo accurate a Vifputant-, that I verily thought he rfould not have digrejfed one hair jrom the rides of difputation'-, and therefore I hoped we might prejently drive it to an iffuej That which made nte beyond doubt ofthisywasy becatifehe had fo (harp ly dealt with Mr. M^vihxWfornow fyllogizingy and becaufe he hadfpoken to me fo much againji thofe men that would not Jiicl^clofe to the Laws of difputationy and in commendation of thofe that wouldy and becaufe hehadfent me his refolution before handto lay by Khetorickjind ufe meer Logick^i andlajh becattfe he had told his Hearers in the Pulpit (the ufuall dealing that I had from him) that if I did any thing flgainft hiniy it would be by Rhetoricl{^ (or to that effeif.) I found no fault with this puhlickjnfmuationy itpleafed me fo exceedingly to hear that I was not Itkfitofpendmy felf in vain babling and roving difceurfey as with tk& ordinary ignoravt ones I was forced to do. But when it came to the try ally to my great aftonifhment and trouble^ I found it almofi clean contrary to all 7ny expe&ations, I had nofooner brought him to a fir eighty but he breaks^ over the hedge^ and turns all the Difpute into a difcourfey and goes up and down at pie a fur e, I came thither with a full refolution fcarce to fpeal^a word but Syllogifm 5 hut all was frufirate i Tet did I endeavor fiill to re* duce him as I was Me 5 but all was in vain 'yfor the next lofs that he was aty he was gone over the hedge againy and from the Argument he would turn to feme 9ther quefiions or dtfcourfe. I intreated him to return to the meer du" ty of a Refpondent y andintreatedhim again andagain^ but allin vain y when he would propound three or four quefiions one after anoth&y at the lafi I told hinty that was li ke Catechizing.^ and not difputing 5 and when he would turn alltoalawlefs difcourfey anal intreated him to h^ep to Logic all difpu-" tingy he had nothing to fay , buty The people mufi be fatisfied y and thereupon fall a difcourfing to the people 5 To which 1 told him that I came not tofatisfie the people (\, e. on that manner by digreffive difcourfesy which alasy the people little defred) but to difpute with him'-, My mea7iingwasy wefhouldfp eal{toeach Ukry and not to themy when he k^^w not what to fay to an Argument, 7%eJetmwords are all that Mr, T. could find in above fix houres d/Jfutation^ to mention as hlanie-worthy ( which Ijetfcf ftp m harm in) and nf on th ground of thefe two words y he chargeth me^aU a long to have carry ed my JdfmagtfteriaUyy fcornfullyy and unbr other ly^ not as one that minded clearing of trut^^ but to diminijh his ejleem^ and to gain an opinion to my fe If of having the better ] Antid, p. 12. when 1 ferioufly frofefsf that I k^ow not yet ever any^ even of Air . T's own friends ^ did to this hour blame me to my face for one unfeemly or fagionate word that day 5 hut divers thanked me for that I wholly forbore it : nor ctf/i Mr. Tonibcs ^ame any other ^ orelfe Ijhouldfure have heard of it : Nor am Icon' fc'ous oj any pajjionflirring towards him that day , but the great trouble of wy mind for the crojfing of my hopes y when I perceived that he would not be held to any Logical! difputing. And when J palpably perceived that he \ had learned the common artifice y kftowing that the people judge much by multitude and earnefs of words y therefore when ever he was atalofs^ that the people might nH perceive it ^ he pr.efently would fa^ into a wordy vagary : agreatpartofwhichy tomymofiimpartialljudgementi wa^ lit" better than plain non-fenfe 5 And theMinifiers about me conclvded the fame, and therefore would have had me give over, I never blamed Mr* Tombes for any pajftonate words tome that day , alasy what great harm would they have done me? let he once told them that 1 was unacquainted with the School difputingy and began to infinuateto them as if Ifcarceh^ew what difputing was'y And another timey he told me [^ I would be hifloutofths' Schools y if Ifodifputed there'] andthatlfpo^e gibber i(h on ameer bra- vadoto tah^with the ptopky and to make up that in confidence which he wanted in argument) till the Minifters (poke openly y and toldhimy it was he that wtKiiid be hift out of the Schools 3 and Mr. Qoqd would have reduced hin^andfet him in the School way y but thathewas filencedlfaid only this tobimy that I came not thither on fi low an erratid as to plead for the re- putation pfmyown learningynorhadl any tiyrie to fpare forfo m^^na i^orki,andtherpforewasrefolved I would not fpeah^ a word to it, J never fdwlefs difiurbanceinmj difpute than Mr, T. had that day i, there being Ki?ptJ^elealijaj4je of of ence given that I could difcerny though the multitude a^dcco-fd^a^ jo jixceeding great. Only once the people begun to laugh at ■ ^K'^'^^Jk^^^^^^fi^P ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^ fi^ "whathefpeaksy that [the bufi^ n^sTi^4/pac^t^_Q;yup.aBj^tct^ Antid v p. ^o* I feriouPy affirm y that KS J never he'af;dofanyfucb' pachjngy folhave c-aufe to be confidents that it is an nntruthy it being thefudden motion offhjfe that did it ; and JpeV'^ •■ uivednot any ^f my familiar friendsy that had a veyce intkatcryy but en^ 4e4vom:e4 \9ftilliti 4^ditwas not ^ili^llwas dme^ and tleAffe^My- flif7>tiffcrl 5 I undertookjndeed before for Air. TV pcurtty , that the people (houU be f lent and quht durirt^ thedifputey or elfe Ifhould breakjt off: But to jmdertak^ for the tongues offueh a multitude afterwards^ was wore than 1 could do. JVhen all yras dgtie^ Mr. Borafton, bji the confent of fome godly pejple ( and before this the Adagijirate haddefiredit ) did before theCoH' gregation ask^Mr, T. whether he would give his confent that Ijhould preach one or two Sermons there on thatfubjeif^ feeing himfelf had preach* ed fo many , and that before the difpute topreppffefs the people (^andmight doe after , and did) But Afr.T. would not grant it^ but f aid he could not give rcay to have me come there tofedvce the people. I was glad to hear that he was againjl unlimitted liberty of Trophecying ; hut I thought it no credit to his caufe^ that he durft not fuffer me to preach one Sermon againfi his ten, whenyet he had liberty to eontradi^ me. Of the fuccefs of that dares difpU' tatioH IJhaJIfay nothing-lonely thisy thofe that were Mr.T^s greatefl friends ( Minifiersy and others) did the broadlief^^^eak^in my hearing of his being foyled 5 and Mr* T. himfelf frequently confejfed little lefs inprivattto di* vers 5 and layd the blame on me for treading anew path, Hejhortly after preached a Sermony which he faidwas abundant confutation of all I had faid y which yet overpafl the veryfirfl and main argument y and moft of the refi: his memory is certainly Jeplor ate y and his notaries imperfeG. Ihad anfwered that Sermon exaQly y but that it contained but the very fame {of any moment^ with hisFarewelf^eech and Antidote \ what ismore^ J Jhallanfwer, then again he falls upon me in his Pulpity f^r unbrotherfy dealing y in that I did not fend him my Animadverfions on his papers , that isy becaufe I did not put my finger into the fire of contention eafifyy anden* gage in a quarrel with him as long as Hived y and that when I had not ftrength for work,s of a hundredfold more excellency ; and that 1 did not aU this in a frepoHerousy ridiculousy unprofitable way ; far this mufihis Tulpit found with my accufations. As alfe y that I did not fend him my Argu* ments before hand to keep him from erring y when as he never defired them for himfelf ^ but his peepky and we had tak^n a more expeditious courfe for their fatisfaU'ton. Tea when he had told mcy that the Contfeverfieis fo eafie , that AU our "Divines that differ from himy doe it throitgh wilfuln^f} •r negligence ; Had I any reafon then to fend him Argument Sy as to tea^W him that was fo farpafl doubt alfo for ike Fublkation^ and rre for r either : for Icon fefs they h axe it agawjitu^ wiii^ a-'id could I we'} ha ve hel^t it^ they had never feen it j I adnme the xcife p'ovidence of our God^ who rather than Schifm (hall gounrepjledy willcom- felhhe almoji deadto tejlrfie agdnji it^ and make the Leaders to be the infirument's of compulfton, 1 k^iow Mr, T. will be angry with me fur the -writing of this Book^ 5 thiugh he have cmj felled me to it againfi my will* Hovp (hould a man live peace., bl^ ypithfucb men ? the Afojile kttew what he faidy when he put in £i Hc be polTible] and[z% much as in you lyeth] Ron). 1 4. 1 8. J deflre xha wi/eji man that lives to tell me how it is pojjible for me to do it ? when I never peach againji his Opinion^ nor praHife In- fant Baptifm^ ^yet bee ^ufe it is difcerned that my judgement is not the fame with Mr. "W I muilbe follicitedby Meffengers and Letters af- ' ter Letters to enter an endlefs quarrel by writing 5 When I ^give twelve R ea Tons againji ity no excufes will ferve turn : His Followers mufi comG together t$ me to force me to it^ orelfe Imuftbear the blame of their Kc-- baptizing and Divifions 'y NsBooki^ no P erf on 7nuji fati^fie them bm h Alas^ that a man may not live ne(r Mr. T. except he will write agarnji his Opinion, Why might not I havedenyedthis contention^ and lived quietly as well as others ? Tea^ when a II will not do^ the people mufi hear of it in the Fulpit as unbrotherly and uncharitakle^ hecaufe I will not write : Tea^ the wsrldmufi hear of it from the Frefs with loud out-cries^ th/a I will not write : Andyetwhenldowrite^ it difpleafeth him moji of all. When I wrote but a few lines in an Epijile, it caji him into fuch a. Teaver of pap fion, as I would not he in for all his revenues^ were they four times more : S» that if the kindled humor had not had a free ventilation in Fulpit and in Frefsy I doubt it might have fpoi led him^ what ever it may doyet» What courfefhould I take to pleafe fuch a man^ that will ?ieitker fuffer me to be filenty nor tofpeak^l_asB^hcdidwith Balaam. 7 he only way is tofpeak what'te would l^aveme. But if no other caufelviU advance me into his fa^. vour^I am cmtentedthatGod fhould keep me from that honour » Ihetriith^ as far as I can poffibly learn^ is this j Tk root ofaUmy fufferings by him^ is^ the intereft that God hath given me in the efieem and affe^iojis of the people ofthefepartsy efpecially in my own Congregation^ andfomewhat in his, Ihis feemed to him a great blochjn the way of hisfuccefs 5 which if he could re* move^ he might hope the work^ouldgoon the morefmoothlf : Hetelstbem therifere in the laft page of his Antidote^ of their Temptation in the high (d 2^ efteem '^€iteentt)jeJ^dve'^]fHc'y which Y*tay caufe th^ni to drink^ hi i^y Errors. I do 'i'cnh UUeve that am I valued far ahove wy yponhiUn whether J encoura'^e ^^ecjjkt herein f or rather faith jidly diffwade them jr omit '^ ^rid whetheFI ' ambitioufly feel^for popular breathy cr how much I value it^ further than ft tends to the propagation of the Gofpel, afidthefarirfgof tnyownfculj hi that fearcheth vy heart can tell 5 Though' I know I am far from hei>ig free from pride, which is the moll radka'ted and natural! of all fins. And I '.hope Mr. T. will find e^ that when 1 am dead and takpt out of his way^ the '^'interefl of Gods "truth and Peace willftrll withold th e people from his Schifm^ and thai it was not my interefl in them only or chiefly 5 (jhough J confefs I never k^ew a happy Church wrthc'Ut a go&d (juide^and a dependance-on him^ ^nd obedience to him.) r '^ And I perceive by one paffage^psi^. 21 . ofhk AntidotiyXhat he is ^fended ftme^afifIdiminiJhedhifefi:eerr!'yforhecomplainethy that [ my Neigh - ors' were his Auditors till (he imagineth^ my oppofition to him tooJ^them cjf ; 3 Afalfe imagination. 7'he ftory is thus {feeing the world mufl he troubled with fuch trifles ; ) One of my friends hada defire to perfwade one ut one dayy and another another day to go by turns to fetch the Notes of Mr. T*s Sermons ; which WiM done a long times and for/ie ^/BsiVdiely didfo here yl mil lik^d neither y heingto travel on the Lords day without need ^ fjet I did not dtffwade them^ for three Keafons^' i. Becaufe I it^as willing to hear them my felf^ having not the benefit of hearing a ^jy^ 2. BeCaufiL would not hinder their profMng 5 if they found it indeed profit them. 5, Becauft I abhor that proud humour of Mi^tiJhrsy that envy if any iuan ie followed hut ihemfelves. But I found none went willing^ on this hu • fmefsy hut only to grati fie one man that defire d it -, and at lafl that man finding Mr. T. deliver fuch Vo&rine as was againfl: his judgement 3 and which he durfl not repeat when he came honie^ did of himfelf hreak^fftbat practice as he haditfet a foot-i without any knowledge of mine \ for 1 mind' ded it noti nor knew that they had ceafed it^ of many a wsek^ after-. And this Mr. T. muji complain of in Print ! when God bath tak^n down the- pride of our hearts^ we fhall learn to he lefs tender of our credit^^nd lefsva-^ lue mens applaufe. Two things ilookjo he queflioned or blamed for on inrthis Treatift: I. JVhetherlhave truly reported Mr. 1''% anjwers throughout the whole?- To which Ifayy I. His valedi^ory Oration was tak^n from his mouth in Short hand by a SchdUr^ and a very good Notary y who is confident he hath nothfiaword^ (empt tht namf of one 'Auihor^ which Mr. T* nldthim ' hi' ^ibad in the Library at WorceKcr ( which it feems by his Amidote to be Eckbertits 5honau£^ien(is : J andlheli^ye 1 could do it my [elf i^pitthe advantage'of Mr, Ts^flow detivety : Andfor the fidelity of the NotaryyOf .Jhe is Coitfcienciousyfo he was at leajf as favourable to Mr, T>his caufeasto - the contrary J and the only man of my farniliarity here that -was in doubt, ■ And for the reji of Mr. T's. f^yi'fig^ mentioned in this Booh^^ they arcfuch as I had from his own mouthy mojl ofthsm in the Vifpite before thovjands of JFitnejp Sy(^ which Vifpute Ihavealfo by me^ as tak^n by theforeJaidNo- trtry y ^except fome few out of his Bool{Sy and a few in conference. In ail which 1 herejolemnly affirm in the word of a Ghrijiiany that I am certain! have jpok^n the dire^ truth y and delivered his very wordsy and that I have mt knowingly concealed a^g thingof moment that might makffor himy but have delivered all of confequence^ that he anfwered in the Dijputey and cul- led out of his Bookithat which feemed ofgreatefi firength on his fide 5 and . tht Papers of his Reviewy which he Jent me on 1 Cor. 7. 14. I havean^j fwered as far as they have more than is in the reji y of any momenta '■^, ^ 3. But the main thing Ifhall be blamed for y is bitternefs and harJJynefs^ To whichlanfiecer, i. Sin hath dealt fo bitter I)! with Enghnd^and efpeeiaU ly thefmofSchifmy andfpecially thi Schifm of the Anabaptiftsy that I dare mt deal fweetly with it,-- I have before toldyeu the aafwer of my (^onfcience in this, 2, Letiiny man fpeak^asjharply to me as Idothemyfi they well but fpeaJ^as truly ; and if 1 blame them for ity I will give them leave to tell me that! am, a proud many and unfitto Preach humility to others. Ihe -plain truth is y the f ride of this Age isgrownfo great y and the Reverend Fious Minifim are ma:^ of them fo guiltyy that it is a very Jhame to mej^" .tionit^ they are fo tender of their honours^ and names y that aplaindea^ - ling man k^ows mt how to fpeak to them^ but theypnfefitlf /mart and taki offence : Never did any diffembling Courtier smdre bajely' flattery th an fome ofthem mufi be flatter edy andfoothvdy andftrokedy and extolled, though they are pled at every word y'lriDo^ty Rcverendij Gelcbcitinii 5 yet if youdobut difcover theweaknefs of their Argument Sy they think^ you con^ temn themy and trample them in the dirt: It grieves i^re that the Preachers of humility y peace and patienceyhavefi little tbemfelves. Pride hath made mfo tender y that men muflfet their wits on the rack^to find out words that fh all not difpleafe us : every lower Schllar in the School of flattery cannot havis a room in our favour : he muft tea Graduate atkaji. He mujibea vian of very firing partSy thatjhall be able to fuit all his expregions to coh" tern Hu W6 nsce^me nt^n ioiearn the School of Complements andfuch 5 ' V Bc^k^ of /lattery, ifcifkb amoftghuMnwen are thought fitter to he trcdtn inih^ ^irt. El i'rj m«/« thai is not a Graiho wa accoiwt a rcvi'er 5 and ail jjLiin fptech vpe account f lain raihrig j Wi teach the feofie to tell m tkatw^ rail lit Fulpitattd private^ ulen we camtot endure th hmdrtth part of that plainnefs and (hay piefs vhich we ufe to tl.en). Our Jnt^HeB orfati^ tafie is as a Burtiingolafs which contra£leth the rayes of the mo',i amicabk exprtficnsy fo astoptallour paffiGUs on fire. IFe have lived fo long a- mcng\i contentions^ and wary till our pafftons are become Gunpowder^ and eur ihemories Match^ the one to catch fire^ and the other to k^ep it, Ifpeak^ not of all) hit I would the guilty would lay it to heart. As I will excufe no exafperativg words^fo I find it is the excoriation^ and exulceration of ijiemfpirits that ufuallj caufeth the fmartyandmaketh words tofeem in- toleralle^ which ate either but a duiyy or wholly hlamelefs^ or at leaji a found mind would Keier have felt them. 3. And I confefs it is my judgementy that the "truth of our fpeech lieth in the fitting of words to the nature of the matter which they exprefs 5 and therefore where tkey are not fo fitted^ it is a. kind of F aljhood -^ I confefs it much trouhlethniey that lam forced to uU Mr, T. fo oft that his reports are untruths 5 hut I doubt I jhouldfpeak^ fal(ly nty felfifldid otherwife. Vodrinal untruths I thinh^fitter to be proved fo^ than barely called fo':, but in matter of fadlmuji call that an, untruth which isfo, lofpeakjafily of a hainous crime , is a kind offaljhood of fpeech 5 it is an expr effing and repre felting the crime as lefs than, it is, I If ill givey ou -a touch of two examples in Mr, T. Ike lying Papijis do ac cufethe Albigcnfes and WMcn{c$(^ our firji Reformers ) to be tVitches^ Bugger ers^ Sorcerers^ and to deny Infant-^aptifnty and hereupon thejraife war againji them^ andputthem t» the fwordy and burn their Cities to af:es ; Jhefe godly men deny thefe accufationsy and fhewthat their Mim-» - fters being few^ andmuch abroad to fpreadthe Gcfpcl^ they k^pt they chiU dren unbaptized till they came home » becaufe they would not have them baptized by the Priefis in the Popijh fajhion ; upon this the flander was raifed^ that the^ would not have Infants baptized 5 which they purge them- felves ofi and profefs their judgement for Infant'Baptijm, Now what doth Mr, T. but perfwade the world that the Papijis accufations of thefe t»en were true in this ^ andciteth the facings of twe or three Pnpijhas a certain presfy that thefe men were '^oo.yeers ago againft Infant'Baptifm ? He prefixetb one of their fay ings on the title page of hisfirji Book^ 5 In the I BookJ:e repeateth it over again ; Mr, Marfhal told him of his faulty and he takes no notice of it •> butintkefulpt at Bcwdlcy with great confidence bath :^^^^i^ hath it up again-, to delude the poor people that k^ow mt the name of a. Tapiflfrom anotf. e.\ Tea^ in his Antidote he hath it over again^ and that Mofl confidently^ with this infulting Preface , vir ^he would have me take mticeofit^thatlmay learn t9 order my pen better. 1^ Now what language JhoMIbeflow on fuch a tricky as this ? If a Froteftant fhould fet in with Cop^ in his accufation of our Martyrs^ and allege thePapifis teftimonies figainfl their own puhlijhedprofejftons^ what wovldyoufay to fuch a man ? hit railing to fay ^ that this dealing is ftarkjrazen-facedj andunconfch^ nable ^ Another in'iance is this. 1 mentioned in my Epiflle the Jhame Judgements oj God (never to be forgotten) on Mrs. Hutchinfon and Mrs. Dyer, Antinomiaits in New England ; Mr, T. mifioo^jne, and thought I had intended it as againji the Anabaptifis, Whereupon in the Pulpit^ he firfi labours to mah^ the people believethat it is rather to be thought that God fends fuch wonders to be flumbling-bhckl to men 5 and then he will prove to them that thstfe wonders did witnefs againfl my doHrine of Juftifi- eatim : Now my do&rifje is this^ That works in Pmhfenfe(^ which make the reward to be not ofGrace,but of Debt) Rom. 4 4. have not the leajlfin. ger injuflificatien^ but worki ^^ J^mes his fenfe(^andinChrifis in Mat. 2 5. throughout) (which are the Obediential 'expreftons of faith in Chrifi) though they have nn hc^d ittfutxfirf^prtrrln^ ^y Jujlifir/rtimi^yPf^hfy ^yg conditions (and no more ) ofthe^ontinu^^ttcej^ ofourjujii'' fication^ and of the confummation~at Judgment, Nsw'the Antinomians d$^rine wasy 7'hat faith isnotfo mtiCh as a condition of the New Covenant^ that it hath no conditions on our part, that no man isjuflified by fait h^ but it is Legal tofayfo', that all are jufiifiedby Chrifi without the^^ and not at all by faith '-^to prove which they lay down this agument^ [ To bejuft/fied by faith is to be jufiifiedby worki \inferring^ that therefore ns man is jufiified hy fa it hi becaufe no man is juftified by la^orks* Now what doth Mr. T. but name this propofition of theirs to jhew that my do^rine and theirs are alike^ when as I am accufed but for being too mu'ch contrary to them ? Is it railing to fay that this dealing is fuch as I never found in any Jefuit^fogrofs.Nay and upon further deliberation he hath Printed this in his Antidote. Truly ^ I- dare not retrad m^tla in reprehenfi on^offuch dea lings. Indeed h is perfona I vtifcarriages I never thought to have named 5 but in that I have done what is done upon the judgement of others^ but not againfi my own 'y Efpccially ^ hecaufe he urgethit as my duty firfi in the Pulpit^ and now in his Book pag. 27." he faith we have little love to himifwerehuk^himnot^ hutfuffer fin m him ; And morever he ypiU needs involve bis own credit with the credit oj his canjey afidthirefore I thought net umm t to fay nrhat js. due, not as agamjibimfelj^ butkiscaufe, 4. Andwy judgement tels we v:iihout any doubting^ that Pease- breakers and dividers^ of the Church ejieciall) ihut viokmly andrefolvedly geoninthat fraCnfe^ fhould not havf ^jC fftnic language as others. My endeavors are jor the peace of the place •^'hne 1 live ■■, theref^n tf I abufe any^ or if 1 do not part withny own righty and f'.^ffifr wrongs y forpeacey Ideferve to be blamed y But ij there be oneyyian in the town, that wiUfpit in every mans face that he n:eefSy or will fail upcn theyn uruibeai theyuy or willfet the Town on fire , f>mft I bear wtih this wan for peace !' nwji 1 let him alone to do all the mifthiefhe can^ ^ntdfayylfupr him for p^aci^QX is not the only way for the peace of the place to hinder fi^ch a man from breaking peace? Ij ifhoufd chide fttch a many will 'any man fay y why areyoufobittery andunpeaceahky and do mi rather let him go on? If I deal harfhly with any erring brother that is peaceable^ andjeel^ only thefatisfadiod ofhi^s own cmfciencey and not the divipon and diflurbance of the Churchy then let me hear the hlamSy andfpare not. Indeed Mr. T. faith in the lafipage of his Antidote [tha t as for my wayesyhow far they are from truth andpeaCe^ may eafily he difcerned by my managing the hufinefs between hirAand me~\ And in what paffage »f all that bufwejs this may fo eafily be difcerned^ he could not tell the world one wordy but only that fayy and wiih out vanity y that the chief eji ftudy of my life is the Churches pace 5 and that all the controverfal writings which I have written^ or am abouty are all to tak^ men off from extreamsy and bring them to Peaces And that to my be)l remembrance^ I never fell out with one man in City or Country y Artny or GarrifoHyfince I was a Minifier of the Gofpel , and that I bear no ill will to any man on earth^nor do I k^ow any man that is anene" my to mey except in generaly in reference to National or Religious difagree* wents, I fay therefore as Bcza (praefat. ante Calvin, traft. ThcoJ.) fiquis Calvinam cuiquam convitium in his fcriptisfccifle^aut in Privata caufa irae indulfiffcjacmulto magia iiquis cum msndacio patrocinatum fuiffc conviccrit, turn ego plane de fcntcnda deceflero 5 '^n vero quam a na- turainfitam vchemcntiam habebat , caipfe advcrfus pcrditos fophiftas ufus cft,uc intcrdum ctiam modum nontcnuifle videri poflitj rogo nio- dcratifliQios iftos homincSjqaibus nimium incalefccrc videntur,quicun- queipforum morc non frigcnt, ut ^w'quo 8c in quern dicatur paul« at*? tentiu? tcntiiiscxpcndant.nequchcroicosiftosrpiritus ex ingenio foo nictian- tur. Lajiljj Tft mil 1 not fay or ihifih^tkat I have not tranCertfred in this or any of wy writings. I confefs wyjUIe in writing doth tajkof the natural kiennejsymdeagernefs, and Jmmfncfs of wy difpcfition ', wherein lam ualQus that 1 may eafily mifcarry 5 and am mUkelyntyjeifto difcernit Co fion as another ; which if I have done againfl Adr. T. or any one elfe I heartily crave tkejrfardun, and that they wouldtake warning by my faults, ,tnd avoid them the mm carefuVythemfelves, and ]oyn wiikmeinhearty rpqueftsto the Lord,tbat he will lay none of cur intewferance.or mifcarriaaes to our charge, ^o conclude, you mujih^ow, that after Mr. T. had denyed me leave to peach in his Congregation , the magijirate and people would have had me do It without his confent, which I would not do ; hut when Mr. T. was gone front them, and they invited m again, 1 had fome thoughts t» yeeldto tkm, and therefore begun thk treatife in way of a Sermon to themi hutlquickljchangedmypirpfe^becaufeMr. T. Jhouldnotfay, I came tocontradia hm when he was gone, and b^caufe I ever judged Controverfie fitter for the Frefs than the Pulpit : let I thought meet to let it pafs as I had prepared the beginning of it for that people. I am firry that I have occafi- en t^ trouble the world with this Afohgetical Narrative, andfi tedious a Jiory of our particular matters: lutthofe that have dealt with the An^i^ taptijis, haxe been ufually put to this, w^/V//^/^ Calvin, BuIIingcr, -Skidam bpanhcmms, Baily, &c. the Lord God that hath compelled me to tbU work g$ along with it, according to the truth of it (^and no further) and blefs it to the recovery offome ofthofepoor well-meaning fiuls^ who through theufuall gates offeParatjonandAnabaptifm, are iguwantly travelling towardthetr mn^ andthe Churches difiurhanci or defoladon. AmQn. July j. 16 f9, (♦> pe The Contents of the firft Part, CHAP, I. W Herein is prentifedten things neceffa^ry to he h^own of all that will impartially and fuccejfeJulJy ftudy the controverfie of Infant-hap- tifm. Page I, &c. Chap. 2. Wherein are laid down three wore preparatory propofnions^i.that the controverfte about Infant- baptifnt is difficult* pag« ^ 2. And oflefs weight than many take it to be, pag-? ^•Tet the grounds on which it ftandethy and which ufually are denied hyf thofe that deny Infant'baptijm^ are of very gr^at moment, pag. 12 Some termes explained, pag. 1 j Chap. 5. Containing nty firfi Argument ^ from the Medium oflnfants* Difciplejhip. ' pag. i 5 1, Infants proved Difciples from hdi, 1 5. lo. and that 'text fully vindi^ catedfromAdr,Vs.miftnterpretationy pag. i§3 &c, 2. A fecond Argument to prove Infants to be Vifciples ; and the text Lcvit, 2^, ^1,^2, fully vindicated. pag. 18, &c. 1^, A third Argument fromljxk, p. 47, 4S, compared with Mat. 18. 15, Mark. 9.41, pag.2« the objedion [ that Infants cannot learn\ anfwered. pag. 23 Chap. 4. Containing the fecond and main Argument for Infant- Baptifm^ they ought to be admitted vifible Church-members^ and therefore to be bap" tized, pag. 24 the full proof of the Major (that all fuch jhould be baptized^who muflbe ad- mitted fnembers of the vifible Church ) which Mr. T. denyeth not* pag. 24 Chap. 5. thefirfi Argument to pr&ve Infants Churcb-member/hip: Infants were formerly Church members by Gods appointment^ and th^t is not aty where repealed^ therefore they muji befoflilL pag. 26 ( e 2^ Mr* Mr. T. confeffeth they were once Church- members : He is to prove the re* peal. pag. 27 Mr. T. hk (lament ahle^ proof of the repeal of Infants Church-weniter/hip froM Gal. 4. 1, 2^ ^. examined 'y and the contrary thence proved, pag. 28 Hk other proof from Mat. 2^. 2pi^o. examined^ andthe contrary thence proved. " pag. 29 His Arguments from the alteration of the Jews Church- conftitNt ion and calif examined* P^g-29 Some Vijiindions neceffary for the right underflanding of the quejlion^ How far the Jews Church is tak^n down ? pag. 30 ibf palpable vanity of Mr. T's Argument [^from the peculiarity of the Jews Church-call ^^ Abraham /rWMofes, to the overthrow of their Church^conjiitution'i manifejied ; And the Ambiguity of hU terms [call iindconflitution']difpehdn P^g* 33 H'pf other Argument [^from the overthrow of temple y Sanedrim^ PrieJK hoodj&c.'] 7nanifejied exceeding vain. P^g'ST' £i\i2i^. 6. 'the firjl Argument to prove that Infants Church-memberpip is not repealed. pag, 3 5 Vindicated from Mr^ T*5 ff range anfipers^ wherein he feems to give up his^ caufe.' pag. S^j&c. Ghap. 7, The fecond Argument to prove Infants Churchmemberjhip not re- pealed^but fliU to continueyfromKom. 11. ij, P^g«43' Ghap. 8. A third Argument from Rom. 1 1 . 20. pag'44 Jhat Paul fpeak^ofthe vifible QhUrch^ and that maji direCffyy if fuUy proved hy many Arguments. P^g-45 Ghap, ^. Afourth Argument drawn fromKom*\l. 2^. pag.4S Chap. 1 o.. A fifth Argument from Rom.i i .24,25,2^. * P^g* 49 Chap. II,. Afixth Argument from Kom.i [ . 17319524. pag. 50 Cihap. 12. Ihefeventh Argument from Mat. 23. 37, 38^ 39. pag. 51 Ghap. 1 3 The eighth Argument from BI53 2c*The Church under Chriflnow in a better condition than^efore^ there* fore all Infants not unchurched. .; pag; 5 ^ Qhap.'U. The eleventh Argument. If all hi f ants were put out of the Churchy the very Gentiles [houldbe.in a worfe cafe fince Chriji than be^ f^^* ' ' pag. 56 ^^•ii 7» T^f twelfth Argument from Djut. 2pr i O; t f, 12 . pag, 5 7 Chap Chap. 1 8 . the 13. Argument from Rom. 4. 1 1 . pag. 5 8 Chap. I p. 71'^ 14. Argument^ Infants Church-membetjhif no fart of the Ceremonial^ or Judiciall Laws^ nor of a Covenant ofw^rks 5 therefa^c not repealed. pag. 59 Chap. 20. The 15. Argument. All Infants that were members of any parti" cular Chur<:hy were alfo members of the vifible univerfall (hurchy which certainly is not repealed. pag. 60 Chap 21. the 16* Argument from Gods promife in the (econdCommande- Htenty Dzm. ao. pag«<^3 Chap. 22. the 17. ArguiuentfromVCal. 37. 26. pag.6^ Chap. 23. the i%,Argument from Infants being Church^members vifibls before the Jews Commonwealth and circumcifion^ which is proved by three Arguments. pag. 66 Gh. 24.!^^ 1 9. Argument from Gods feverity to the feed of the wicj^d. p. 69 Ghapt25 i the 20^' Argumem from Deut. 28.4. 1 8.32, 41. pag. 70 Chap. 26,the 21. Argument Jf Infants be not of the vifible Church ofChrifty then they are of the vifible Kingdom e of the Vevilly which is falfe. pag. 71 Gh2Lip»2j.the 22. Argument JJ no Infants are members of the vifible Churchy then we can have no found hope of the falvation of any Infant its the world that dyeth in Infancy, pag. 72 How much betfer ground of hope we have offuchy than^Mr.T. hisdoHrine would allow us, pag. j6 Chap. 28. the 23. Argument. Chriji while he was an Infant was head of the vifible Churchy therefore it if utterly improbable that kewmld have no Infants to be members^ p2g.79 Chap. 2 9, Ti^^ 24. Argument from i Cor.7.14. pag ^ the true fenfe^fthe word [^ Holy ] cleared, pag. 8 o the fame fenfe proved by many plain Arguments y^ and Mr, 1"*^ fen fe over ^ throwfiy and all his exceptions anfwersd.. pa. 812, Y'^r. Whether we may kftow who are Baptizable according to my expofition. And how far wewujiufe a judgement of Charity : the nature of that judgement by which Minifiers muji deliver SacramentSyismore dijiin^ly'explaitted,^2 the ohjed ion front Tit* i .15. anfwered, pag. 98 Mr, T's. great obje^ion anfwered about thefan^ifying of an unhelievin^ ^hore.' ^ ' pag. ^'8 Another of his obje&ionr anfweriedythat iftkeCovemntfanUifieytkeywuji be Holy as foon as. the Covenant was made,- "^ pag. roo Whether any children of Infidels in Abrahams Family w^re by bin h^privr- lege Holy .? where thegneat.aueflion is^refolved^ whther any but-Behe- veas Infants may be baptized ? pag. e ca Chap, ^o.lh i^^Argmtf em. Scripture uls us fully of theceafing ofCircunt" afion^ ht not a rvordofthe cenfwg of Infants Church'r>t{wb€rjhif^ nhkh is greater^ nor any qtf^jiiou or doubt about /r. pag. lo a Chap. 31. ihe 26, Argtment from Chrifis plain and frequent exprejftQns, Mark 9 36,57. & 10. 13^1 4, 1 5, 1 6y &c. many Arguments briefly expref- fed from thoje uords , and the right fenfe of the iext vindicated againji Mr, T. his excepthvis, • pag. I03 The Contents of the fecond part. CHAP. I. ANotker Argument for Infant-haptifm briefly named. pag. i ©9 Jhe great Ohje^ion anficeredy which is drawn front Ro.p. 8. Eph.2.3 pag. no Chap. 2^ An anfwer to the Ohjedion , "that Infants are uncafable of the endsofBaptifm^ pag.iii Chap. 3. A, 3. Objection anfwered^ How can children Covenant with God? And by what right do Parents Covenant for them .<* And whether we did Covenant with God in Bapifm or not /* pag, 112 Chap» 4. A. 4. Objedion anfwered^why Infants may not as wdl receive the Lords Supper? pag. 114 Chap. 5 ./4. 5. ObjeBion anfweredy why hath God left it fo darl^ and [aid KO more ofit^ if it be his will that Infants Jhould be baptized? pag. 115 Chap. 6. A, 6. Ob'jeHionanfweredy drawn from the evill confequents that are fuppofed to follow Infant'Baptifmj as ignorance) prefumption^ and want of folemn engagement to Chrijiy&c, P^g*U7 An humble motion that the VireCiory may be in this revifed^ or the Churches fattifiediivixh their reafons to the contrary ^in thefe 4 points, j. 'that the Ta* refit may not onlypromife to do his own duty^but may alfo enter his child in^ to Covenant with Go d^ by promifmg in his name^ what the Covenant requi^ reth. And that the parent may profefs his own ajfenttothe articles of Faith, and his confent to the duties of the Covenant, 2. 'Ihat the ancient praCfice oj Confirmation may be reduced to its primitive fife; andinftead of political and controvertible covenants^that every Chrijiian who was baptized in in^ fancy ^may fokmnly at age renew his covenant perfonallyibefore he be admit" tedto the Lords Supper, 3. That the Church may have power to fee to the renewing of this Covenant often^whsn there is neceffary occafton, ^,7 hat the words words of the Covenant may he (from Scripture') frefcrihed^ and no Min?^ fter or Churches have power to alter it. pag. 1 20 iheduty effokmn perfinall Covenanting proved from Scripture^ ^g^inji thofethat thinkjt an humane invention : And that this would he far ?mre folemnly engagingthan adult haptifm^ and more agreeable to the will and word of God. pag .122 Ch^p.y. t he firfl Argument againfi delaying of our Infants haptifm^ in that there is no word of precept or example in all the Scripture for the haptizmg a Chridians child at age (^except it befinfully nagkUed hefore) pag. 1 2 5 Chap. 8. thefecond Argument. The haptizing of Chriftians children at age ordinarily y is plainly manifejUd to he utterly inconfijUnt with obedience to Chrifts rule for haptizing, pag. 126 Chrifts Kule is for baptizing upon thefirfiVifcipling. pag»i26 Mr, T*s. qualifications ofrequifite profefmt, examined, pag. 1 2 8 Chap. p. A third Argument againfi delay ofbaptijm, pafol30 Ch, \Q. A fourth argument. Baptizing Chrijiians children at age^willuna^ voidahlyfill the Church with contentions & confufion^ or give MmijUrs the fnofl Tyrannical power that ever was ufurped^even more than Papal, p.13© Chap, u, A fifth Argument againfi their ground. Mr, Ts, arguing from Mdit,2S*would tend tojhut out Baptifm from the Church, pag, 1 32 Chap.I2.^^;>cr)b Argument againfi their ordinary haptizingin cold rivers^ hy dipping over head^ as neceffary, pag. 134 Ch. I ^.Afeventh Argument againfi their ordinary haptizingnah^ed, p.!36 Chiip.liio An eighth Argiment, Anahaptifiry hath heenpurfued hy gods evident Judgements everfince thefirfi rtje of it, pag, 1 38 !• they have been great hinderers of the Gofpel. 2. And the inlet to moft hor^ rid opinions. ^.Andnotoriouflyfcandabus^ 4. And purfiisd with Gods ruinating Judgements, P'^g'^S^ 'the Hi(lory ef their carriage in Germany, pag. 1 3 p ^he doUfullfeandals by them in England. pag, 1 45 Chai'p.t'^, Antiquity for Infant'Baptifm. P^g. 152 CypnmandTtttullhn acknowledged for us hy Mr, T. P3g.i53 ' Fiartkertefiimony out of Tertullhn* P'3g.i53 XrcnxmTefiimony vindicated^ . P'^g»l54 Juftin Marty ri leflimonies for us, pa- 1 5 5 Mr. T's Teftimony from Antiquity examinediwhere his mofi horrid vile alle^ X^ gations oftheftandm ofthePapifis againfi the Albigcnfcs &■ Waldenfcs is deleted, pag. 157 ihe cmclufton^ with the found judgement o/Mdanfthon and Camcro p. j 60 teftimoniesfrom Cyprian, Chryfoftonie, Ambrofc. • Xhc The Contents of the third part, A Preface. pag, i^5 That I never call Mr. T. Heretich^ pag. \67 Of tke reafon of-j)uhli}hmg thofe words in nty Efjftle. pag. 1.72 Of the tiawe of Anahajntjh^wkeiherMr* T. darejujhfie aUtheprojhatteyas having not violated any Covenant in Baftijw, P^g^l74 Whether Anabaptijls play not a worfe fart than tbeVevils materially ? And how they are accufers of their own children, pag. 1 74 Whether Mr, T. J^ep them out of the vifihle Church ? pag. 176 Whether they that pUad for Infant- baptifm do play the Devils part^ as Mr. T. faith they do ^ pag. 1 77 •Whet her Infants may he engaged by Covenant to Chrifi ? pag, 178 Whether Mr, T. plead agatnfi Infants being ChriJisVifciples and ferv ants? pag. 179 Of his denial! of Infants Holinefs hy feparation to God. p^g. 180 C^wc My expofttion o/Mat. 7. 1 5. vindicated. pag. 1 99 Howjalfe teachers may be known by their fruits ? pag. 200 Mr, T.not charged as he will needs fuppofe : yet not free. pag. 2 02 Mr. T'e confidence^and his mifreports of the difpute. pag. 205 Severall Abfurditiesthat Mr.T. maintained in the difputCy Jan. 1.1^49 pag,ao7 Many more of his evident untruths about thefaid difpute. pag. 20^ Whether I crowed over Mr. T. or trampUd him underfoot. pag. 210 More untrue reports of his confuted, pag.211 More of the carriage of the difpute* pag. 212 Ihe true Reafon of my f peaking fo much againfi Anabaptijis in theEptftle before my book^ entituUd The Saints Reft. pag.6i 2 rkat J— 4>J.aijr- ' .{iii^'tr.ii-i,. 7'^atl Cafi-Hot dirt in the face of Mr, T. hut onij ofkis illcaufe. pag, 217 Mr. T's error ahoutthemt conced'ntg any 'truth for Peace ^ cottfuud^,2\k His error \jhatthofe that are no Mimjiers may Baptize'] confuted, p. 2 20 His err Qr\that private men way adminifi^r tie Lords Si^pper] confnted.221 His errQr\ihat Godfealeih not ACitially^ but wUn He Sacrament U admi' nifiredxo -a believer ~\ confuted, . - . .- pag. 22.2 Mis error [that the Covenant^ whereof B aptifm is tbefiatf is only the abfo- lute Coveuanty ynade only to the EleB] confuted. pag. 2 25 Hh error agai>jj\ Magijirates fuh^rdinaii'jn to Chrifi the Mediator^ c^nfu^ ted^andmyDo^nne vindicate:!, Mr, Rutherford, and l^r, Ball^r^ down .right for it i n at all the Kings and Rulers on Earth have their pW^rfrom^ and under thMediator. pag. 22- \€^-§«^^ The Contents of the Corredive. ' ^^^^^ SOmefayings 9f others infiead of a Pr^face^ P^g •*37 5^^^?.!. Mr. T*8 Epiftie anfweredy and n^ other writings vindicated fromhis ntifwterpretationy whether our Wnifiersjir4jvfejfcrmalltea» ehersy and Infant-haptifmbe a damning Error, pag.241 Sf&:2,Hisfirfl: 'Seeiion anfwered about dip fing^and whether we are officia- ting Priejis ? whether we would have deftroytdox banned Mr, T^l/i^ own judgetvent about Liberty ofConfcitnce* .-_I-___._J pag'2 45 Se^, 3, Hisfecond and third Se^ions anfmred^ Jundry more untruths de- teHed. pag. 248 Seii, 4. His faurth S^^ion anfwered about Lev it. 2'5. 41. pag, 248 Se^, 5 . His fifth Sexton anfwered about Deut. 2^. pag. 2 4^ Sed, 6, Hisfixtb Se^iion anfwered about A^. 15.10. P^g«25 2 S^c? 7. His feventh Se&ion anfwered about i Cor. 7. 1 4. pag. 253 Sed, 8. His eighth Se^ion anfwered ; his falfe accufation 9f me about In* dependency 5 more about the nmt(ivrs in New - England , pag. 25 7 Sed, p. His ninth Seliion anfwered of Mat. 7, By their fruits ye pall I{how them, pag. 2^9 OfHerefjey what ft i% 19 Mr.T's Authors for the Antiquity &godlinefs of Anabaptiflsye^amined.260 FuUerproof of the Antiquity of Infant^baptifm from Fathers and Councils, pag. 262 Mr. T*8 witne^es examined particularly ^trndixA^ Cluniacenfis, Eckbcr- tus, Schonaugknfis^n^^Walafddusstrabo. pag.264 (f) Cyprian, C);pnan tyes falvation to the vifwh Church, pag.26 when it if rij e (againfi whom the State U fain to wak^ AUs.)> P^g'269 St^. lo.Hij temh Se^ion anfwered.7h2 0>yi\0T^ 'teiVtmony conftdered.ip,2yi IhctYue reafon of tvy inferting thofe p^fffages in the Eprjiie before wy Jreo" fife of the Saints Refl^ which Mr. T. is angry at. p^g,2yi Again Mr. T's charge^ that [I am become a Ringleader of wen that mind net the things ofChrifi, nor regard m^ but lo tiphldxheir rf/?«lf. 3pag,273 Ihe reafon ofnty plain fpeechy ^^hich is called kpen-nefs. pag. 274, IFbether my jfudgentem about univer fall redemption hem^er lierefe ? And how many of theymft learned and famous Vivines that ever the Refer' 7ned Churches had^ do maintain it /* Whether my Judgement.^ that A^agijirates hold their power under the Me- diator^ bsneer Herefe^ mort Authors alleged for it y and the main oh], anfw. P^g. 27^ Whether my maintaining Jftfant-haptifm he Herefe ? pag. 2; 8 ■ %heynain\\rengthofMr^ I's anjwer proved vain. P^E*V9 Paffages about t^ difpute md\ny feif. pag. 2 S o, aS I %be refult of my mojl impartiall examination of all Mr* TV papers and ar* gvmtnts. pag. 283 An advert ifement to the Rjeader. pag. 284 TheContents of the Appendiir* AFremcnition to the Reader. pag.2£8 nefayings offundry great Divines upon the fointt • pag. 295 7hereafons of this undertaking* pag^ 1 9^ Mr, B^dfords opinion laiddown out of his three hook^: pag. 2^4 l/fy own Judgement laid down in tenpropofitions^ after fime dUfin^ions preparatory thereto, pag. 2^5 About tradition, and humane additions toGodstvorfl.ip, pg. 301 Baptifm only a Moral Injirument^arJ not Naturallor fuperna^urall.^.io^ Whetk4!rikere be a hyperphyfical caufahty diJiinUMb jrom Fhyfical and I MordL pag.a<^^ Wteik^ M^hether Faith give men only jus ad rem, bejore Bapifm^ nnd not alfo jus in re. pag.307 In rfhatfenfe Baptifm is a condition of Juflification^&c, pag. 300 yiz^infi the necejjity afBaptifm tofalvation. P^g-3 lO Whether God give feminal true grace to thofe Injmits that aftery^ardpertp^ Whether there he any third thing infufed hefides the ejfence and workoj ike Spirit ? and which ofthefe it is s* ibid. T^etler there he any true effeBua II faving grace in Infants^ which will not certainly A& when they come to age /* pag. 3 12 What AH tt is by which God forgiveth and jullijieth, pag-3 1 3 - there is fpeciail grace fromChriJi, before any that flows from union with ^'^^f- pag. 316 The ttkts that are brought for their "tenet Aufwered, pag. 3 1 7 Of the nature of cur union with Chrifi. pag'3 1 ^ Whether experience fpeahj or the tenet I oppofe ? pag-. .3 1 9 Wl^^ ^ forgivenefi is . pag, 221 How far Chriji died for Vnbeliefand Impeniteucfy and how far he did not:, opened.^ ibid. I N the Auinjadvcdioiis on Doftor Wards Tra£tate. wi 'Hat kind ofhihument Baptifm is^ viz, vtornlL P3g-?23 , ^ Bv2Ldw3irdiiKS Judgement of efeauall^/'ace. ibid. How far it is true^ that Chrijh death ^ though a fufficient remedy ^ yet pro'" fiteth n<>t except we apply it, ^^a 525 Sever all points wherein Doctor Ward is againj} Mr, B. * ilx maorWs mijiake [that baptifm fe a let h not ta Infants'] confuted, p. 3 24 His miftake [thattkeword apply eth not Chrifi s merits to hif ants'] confuted. pag. 3 25 His tniilake [that Baptifm is the firft means ofpardmy and not the Cove- nant] confuted » p2P. 226 S^te pofltiom about Juftification by tie Coven^'nt^ and by Baptifm. ib. the Vr. dangeroufly gat hereth from A«^. i.i^y. that common faith is the condition ofBapt3fmi& Baptifm the mea:is ofremiffiony before true lively faith, pag.327 More proofs that the Covenant Juflifieih before Baptifm, ibr Vr, W's Arguments againji Covenant jupficationof Infants before Bap^ tifwy anfwered, " pag.^ ^o Calvins fejiimony agmifi Baptifmall precedency, . pag. 33 1 ^'H. And ahvin the umvtrfalnj o-f the coHditiunal Covenant. Pag. 33a , . u^^vi j'^.o^t^vt H 'Z> Ttie Authors judgement ofDo&or Davcnant, and Mr, Owcntcenfmt of hh late excdicnt V/JJertatms. pag .352. Davcnaiits clear judgement. 1 . In the poiut of umverfal redemption^i^And. ^fJ^J^'fi^^f^<^^y ^^^ ff^ fvorki concur, ' - P3g'^33 J^e/J/»/.ojDavenants Ep//f/f. V^^'^^\^ Whether Bifl)of Ufiicr, and Mr. Cranford^i? /or Mr,B. pag. 335 3^/rt the Parents Faith is the condition for the childy proved. pag. 3 36 1?CTk\t\$ judgement herein plain and fuih ibid. The judgement of Rlwcty Bjzj, Zuinglius, Twifs, ourAJfemhly^ and An- ftin: pag.337 AN Addition to the twentieth Cha^p ofthefirfifart^ About the Cat hom hc\yifible Churchy referring to Mr. Hudfons hook^ j ^ ''^ ., ^g^^i^ KgumeHtsagainfi the Socinians^ who denj the ufe of Baftifmtofetled Churches^andagainji the duty of Baptizing trvice, pag. 341 Mat. Mat. 28. i^. Go ye therefore and Vifcipie to me all Nations^ Baptizing them in the Name of the father^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghoft, CHAP. L Eloved Friends and Ncigbours,! ana invited hither by your (elves, and the providdenceof God, to perform a work tome fofad and unpleafing, that no ordinary motives could ever have engaged me to : Bur the delivering fo many beloved friends and neer neighbours from fo dan- gerous a fnare i the preventing of thofe dolefull divifions, diftraftions, heart-burnings, and ruins which Anabap- tifm hath introduced where ever it yet was entertained (fo far as I can poflibly learn) the quenching a fire fo near my own dwelling ; the curing of that plague which clfe may infed my own Congregation ; and efpecially the vindicating of Gods precious truth, and his peoples precious privi- leges,which I dare not betray by my filence,being fo called forth for their defence: Thefe are all Arguments which I cannot gainfay, and have conflrainccV mc to this task^ how ungratefull foever. It can be no pleafing work to me,the Lord knows,to preach the truth in a way of a contradidion, to fpeak againfl the dodrine of a bro- ther whom I fo much love and reverencc*,to amufe the poor ignorant people,whiIc they hear one man preach one thing, & another the contrary^ one pleading Scrip- ture for this opinion,& another againft if,one interpreting it this way,and another that way^as if we were all brought to a lofs in our Religion, and fo caufe people to caflaway all as uncertain. To be put to defend Gods truth againft fuch a friend and lover of rruthiand Gods Church and people againfl a builder, a Shepherd,a Guide, a Father in the Church*, & to heal the wounds that you have received by a friend^ to turn my labours and your attention from matters of greater momcnt,to thefe tri- vial quarrels i to fee the beginning of that plague broke forth in a Congr^ation which fo lately were minding Chrift in Love, and Unity,and Peace, which hath al- ready made fuch havock in EngUndj^nd in the face of this Congregation to behold the dolefull ftace of the Nation i and by the fight of your Sparks,toba forced to rc- B ' mejoaber rldiH Scripture Troofof member our piiblick flames,whicli have made us a fcorn to our enemies, a wonder to flrangcrs,a grief & aftonifhment to our fricnds,a confufion to our fclvcs, a fhame to the Gorpcl,and a perpetual reproach to the caufe of God: S > far is this from bc- jiTg a plcaiing imploymcnr, that it makes me begin with an afflided heart. I pray God you may have more joy in the end by your information,thaH 1 have in the be- ginning from the nature of my work ! For if I had not hopes of that, I fhould not have come hither. But feeing God will have it fo,&: becaufe of your neceflity there is no remedy,! will here affure you of rhefe two things in theprefence of God,the fearcherof hearts I. That / have notraflily entertained the clo general , Rules to particular Cafes,and havefenfes exercifed to difcern the fcope of the Spi-J tit. Suchisthecafeoflnfant-Baqtifm. 4 The New Tefiamentfpeakcth morel fparHigly_ofjhaLM4+i€l*4s4ftore4UlJ^LiUfi^ What need the fame ' thing be fo dene twice, e:Kcept men had queflioned the Authority of the Old? The whole Scripture is the perfeft Word and Law of God ■-, and if he fhould re- veal all his mind in one part, what ufe fhould we make of the other ? How filenr ^ ^ is the New Teftament con cerning a_^Chrjgjari31aRif\racv ? w hiclumade-the- Aaa* baptills Of old deny it: wheTe find you a Chriltian in the New Teftament that ex- ercifed rhe pl^re of ^ King orVarliimenr min.or ^uflke of Peace, or the like ? fo cf an Oath b efore a Magiflr ate,of War, oftheJSabbath,fec. how fparing is theNew — * B 2 To(U. ' rUin Scriplure Proof of TcftameHt? and why ? biu bccaufe there was enough faid of them before in thel Old ? This alfo is the very Cafe in the queftion in hand. The main queftion isnorJ h fy whai; fign memb ers are to be admitted into the Church ? or w|ierhprhy{i(]gn| or without ? but, Arwhar A^ e they are t oheadmirred lyiftr^b^rs ? Now this is as; folly determined irTthe Old Teflament as moft things in the Bible : and therefore what need any more ? The dcfpera:e higheft fort of Anunomians ^ who to put off this, will wipe out all the Gid Tcftament with a flroaW, are men to be deplored rather than difputed with. They may as well do fo by the New Teftament too if they pleafe,when any thing in it contradifteth their conceits ; and they are halting to it apace, when in mod of the Land our Qiicflion, Whether Infants fhouldbe Baptized, is turned in- to a higher, Whether the Scriptur e ^ be the w ord of God,or not ? But O how hap- py were thefe men, if their difclaiming either the Old Scriptures, or the whole, would make them Invalid, and abrogate the Precepts and the Threats ! Then perhaps they might difpure with God in Judgement, as they do now with us, ani cfcape by excepting againft the Scripture that muft condemn them. I m'-ght be very large here, if refolved brevity did not forbid, and fhew you thact t\\p Afp^ree^ ofmarri^ire forhiddenfeven marrying with a SilUr_) are not forbid- I den in the New Tcftament, witlfmany the like, which yet are (ins, becaufe for- / bidden in the Old. Some fay it is flitficient that they are forbidden in nature*) But that is a Silly fhift ■-, It tends to make the Saipture fo imperfe he nf rhe fame Churclt, or body with them-,X ]uft as the Jfews were wont to look at the Gentiles^ Let them take heed leU next they refiife to have the fame Head and Saviour, or the fame Hea- ven or God ai they. Thus you fee in the Four Cafcs,Seripture( efpccially the New Teftament) fpeakcth very fparingly j And therefore we ca\inot expeft to have fuch points at large, Pofitm II. T He great difficulty of a point is no proof that it is not Truth. A thing is nor therefore to be re)e(fted as not of God, becaufe it is not eafie, nor the proof Ibxlear as we would have it. I find a mKlcitude of filly -ignorant Chriflians, if a point be once Queftioned, and they find not prefently aneafinefs to refolve it, but the Scriptures and Arguments brought for it feem dark^ they prefently conceit or fafpeft it is no Truth-,when they never confider that what is faid for the contrary> »ay have far kfs evidence or likelihood of Truth. Thinr he doth notinfufe jmowledg^e. efpecially of Hifllicd t points on a fudden. If he^^o^wliy are we commandedlo ftudy the Scripture,& meditate on theni day and nighr?Did they ever know any that was fuddenly made fo wife? except it were only in his own concci Ther are feveral ages & forms in the School of Chrift. Men reich net to the underftanding of hard pointi, till artci- long ftudy and diligence, Sc acquain- tance with truth. If you believe not me, believe the Holy Ghoft,7/<^6.$. 11,1 2, 13, .14. Of whom we ha,vc many things to fay, and hard to be uttered, feeing ye arc dull of hearing ^ For when for the time ye ought to be Teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the firft principles of the Oracles of God, and are become fucli as have need of milk,and roj of ftrong meat ; For every one that ,ufeth milk is u nskilfuUin the word of ri.g:iceoufnefs, for he is a babe ; But ftrong mcatbelongethto them of fullage, evr. ^hofe who by reafon of life have their fcnfes exereifed to difcern both Good and Evil I. The plain truth is, tliis is the very B3 . • , Cafe Tlain Scripture proof of /Cafeofthcmoft of the godly among us: They arc children in knowledge, and Vbave not by long ufe their fcnfcsexercifed in difcerning. Moft of the belt of yon have need to read Scripture and Books of Ccnrrovcrfie/even years at Icalt before you will be capable of underllanding moii con trover fies. Ocurfed Fride, thac will not fufifer one ignorant godly man of many, to know that he i* fo ignorant. I think 1 had eight years ago, read feme hundred Bocks more than moll of you, and thought my lelfaswifeas mofl of you, and others thought me wifcr, whea I now know that in many mere weighty points than this, I was a vety Child ^and Ihope, if 1 lived as much Icnger, 1 fhouldfind out many more wherein I am ig- norant now. Yet do I not perfwade you that this point in queflion is beyond your reach . I fee it eaHer now than ever I did. But thus , the generality of the godly are very ignorant : And ifyou deliver the plaineft Evidence of Truth to the ignorant, it will not make it plain to them. You may think you can underfland plain Scripture or Realbn ifyou hear it j but you cannot : O that Pride would Ice men know, that they cawnor. Read the plained Lefture ofGecmetry or Arirh- metlck to one of you, and you cannot underfland it. Read the Grammar to a Boy in the Primmer, and he underftandeth never a word you fay *, when another pcrceiveth it all very plain and eafie. If plain teaching a truth could make every one prefently underftand it, then the Boys in the Primmer might be the next day in their Greek wh^n they hear a plain Greek Lefture. But knowledge will not be hid foeafily : Therefore I expeft not that the more filly ignorant profclTors fhould apprehend the Truth, though I deliver it never fo plainly and evidently. Otherwife one man fhould know as mnch as another, and all as much as their Teachers, feeing they all hear and read the fame word of God. Pofition. IV. WHcn the Cafe is fo difficult that we cannot attain to a clearnefs & certain- ty, we muftfollow the njQig-prnbable wai; Now whether it be likeher rfiac Chrift would have Infants of believers to be admitted Church- members,and i^ Baptize d,or to be fhutout, I hope 1 fhal make plain enough before I have done. Fofition. V. TEnder- confcienced Chriftians will not be rafh & venturous in changing their judgement i They know errors to be dangerons finsjand therefore are afraid left they fhould be enfnared. They will therefore wait, and pray,and enquire of all that are like to enform them, and read all the Books they can get that will helpthem,bcforethey will venture. Donotfay, you cannot have while, except you will venture your fouls to fpare you time and labour. Do not fay, you cannot underftand Books \ for tlien you cannot underftand words, nor the ftate of the controverfie *, and will you venture before you underftand what yow do ? If any ofyou have taken up this opinion, and have not read and ftudied Mr. €obhet^ Mr. Churchy and other the chief books, and been able f at left to himfelfj to confute them, you have but difcovered a feared confcience, which taketh er- ror for no fm, or clfe dare ventujre on fm without fear, and have berraye'd your ©wn fouls by your lazinefi, pufnm Infants Church membcrjhzp andBaptif/M. FqfjtmV I. THe overthrow of a mans own former weak grounds, is not the overthrow of the truth which he held. I /hall here difcover to you a moft frequent caufc of mens falling into errors. Almoft all men in the beginning do receive many Truthsji &on weak or falie grounds, and fo hold them a long time. Now fomc m.n when by others arguments, of their own ftudiesrhey are beaten out of their old arguments, do prefently failed the eaufe it felf j as a man that leans on a bro- ken ftaff, who fals when it breaks ; fo do they let fall the Truth with their own ' weak grounds ^ when alas there are far better grounds which they were not a- ware of. I am perfwaded that there is few among you that did ever receive the Dod:rine of Infant- Baptifm on the beft grounds and arguments ^ and then when you are driven off your old conceits, you fondly imagine the truth hath no better \ fapport than thofc. I dare fay, by M. T. his Books, that this is his own Cafe. ^ Fofition V 1 1. THe overthrow of other mens weak arguments, is no weakning of the Trurh which they maintain : I cannot deny but fome Divines have argued weakly for Infant-Baptifm, and ufed fomc unfit Phrafes, and brought fome mifapplyed 5criptures j Now it is eafie to write three or four Books againll thefe, and feem to triumph, and yet the caufe to be no whit fhaken. Some filly people think when, they hear an impertinent Text put by, or fuch or fuch a man anfwered, that all is done ', when it may be all themoft plain Scriptures and befi arguments have ne- rer been anfwered with fenfe or reafon. Fbfjtion YIII. di. Y ONe found Argument is enough to prqve any thing true, if there were never another, and if all therefl fave that one were confuted. Falfhood hath no one found Argument from Scripture or Reafon to defend it. Jt is not number kit weight that muft. carry it. Therefore I refolvc not to heap up many. What if all the Texts were put by that are broughtfave one ? Is not that enough ? There muft be two witnelfes wi-rh men ', but Gods fmgle witncfsis as good as ten thou- fand. I fpeak not this as if I had not many, but to redifie the ignorant in their fond conceits. 'ofnjon I X. THe fornierjajaiiprci>nr r nflonis af rhr bolieft Saints ^n d Chur rhes. Hiould be of great weight with humble moderate ChriOians in cafe £ fonrrnv r rrprj amj____ beyond their reach. Whatfoever TJ/r.r. may pretend among the fimple, 1 fhall ea- fily prove, that Ip/ant- Baptifm was ufed in the Church as nigh to the ApoAles I days as there is anyfufficient Hiftory extant to inform us j and that the deferring (of Baptifm Qame-4tt-wkh-tl^HFeiU£JgQpeirv^_j]pon Popiflinr. berpi-irali grmmrk. te=cr" itodever fmcethe Reformation, who knoweth not that it hath been the judge- ment of the moft learned and holy, and generally is to this day ? The ApoflJe thought there was fome weight in th-at Argument , when he fa id , We have no fuch Cuftome nor the Churclicsof Qod j of which read Mr. Cradocks Gofpel- l-i^rty. ^ Fof/tioBi S PlainScripture proof of Fofit'm X. P VidenLConfequcn ces or argumen is^drawtt by Rcafon from Scripture, areas •■^cruc prooi'as cffe very exprels words of a Text. If you have the words with- ^ outthj£mc^i»&a »ti reafon, you have no proof; fo^r h^^ n^vil nCed Hiptri cc* r.hriO. ^ I And if youhavetlie meaning and reafoii, you have ehough for evidence. Words i are buc to exprefs thcibi^^ God writeth his Laws to Reafonable creacures, and f witRmrTB^StorTtfiey can make no ufe of it ', Rcafon is the effence of the foul. He •^that hath it not in faculty, is not a man : And he that hath not the ufe of it, is a ^mad man, or aflecp , or in fome Apoplexie, or the like difeafe i would it not make a man pitty fuch fenflefs ignorant wretches, rhgr will rai l for exprefs _words of t Scriprure^ wht-^ rh^y hnve rhe evidcRtconf ^quentsor fen fe ? I^cripturc ^J^-afon , '^ I no Script-urc ? If I prove. That all Church-^SEEZsSijQiSCTlmiJIcib^^ [ v^ rhrn P''"ve fh^rjnfam^n r.hnrrh.n^PmK>^r«i i Is not this as much as to prove, tney muft bebapti2e3T"Bijtthefe men are not to be rcafoned with , for it is Rca- fon they difclaim , we muft not difpute with them, for difputing is Reafoning •, If / rhey will o nce renoun ce Keafon. then rhpy are briire bcaft s j and who will go to ( plead wirh a heaft ? It is reafon that diflT^ r^"^^''"^ ^ "^ fVwir-a beaft: But yet I may a little Queftion with them , and I will defire them to refolve me in thcfe two points j I. Do you think the Lord Jefus knew a good argument,or the right way of difputing ? Why, how did he prnr^ rhf> Rpfnrrpftjnn r o the Sadduces / From that Text, / am the God o/Abfaham, and o/Ifaac, and o/]acob. Would not one of thcfe men,if they had f tood by, have chidden Chrift for this argument,and have /faid, nivj- n«^ ^ Tf vf fha^ fai rh, the dead fhall rife ? Wha t's this to the Rd utfe^i- I on, that God is the God oi^ Abraham . Now 1 fhall go yet a neerer way to work, and prove to you, That i . It is the will ^i)t<-f~Tof God thatjomclnfapts fhould be Baptized. ,2. Thatitis the will of God that [ :^1| \nfA\i\^ Qf Bejieve rs ordinarily fhould be baptized. But before I come to thcfe, f ^ J willfirftproTctoyouthefe three Propofitions. i. That the Queltion of Infant-^ ^ Baptifm is of greater difficulty than many on bothfides will acknowledge.2. That' in It felf confidercd, it is of lefs moment than many on both fides do imagin. 5 Yet the grounds on which it is ordinarily denyed, ar\d the errors that are the ground ef their deniall, are of great moment. CHAP' Infants church^memberjhip and Baptifw. q CHAP. II. Hat It is a queAion of diSicultyJs evident from thcfe two groimcffi I, Pofitives about worfhip which are racntioned in Scripture but fparingly and darkly, muft needs be difficult h But the point in queftionis fuch-, therefore difficult. All the talk anddifpu- ting in the world, will not make that cafie which God hath left obfcure. 2. Thofe points which the moftlearRcd, godly, Imparti* al Divines cannot agree in after all their writing, difpuriiag, (tudy- ing and praying, are certainly no eafie points. But this is fuch j therefore noteafie. Confidence and felf-coaceitednefs may make many think it eafa than it is, andfpe* cially when they know not what may be faid againfl them. But if it be fo eafie, why did you not fee into it fooner ? and why cannot lb many humble, godly, learned men difcern it? Mr. T. hath told me that it is an eafie point : and in anfwer to this argu- ment, he faid. That the reafon why all thefe Divines did not difcern it , was their wilfulnefs or negligence i and gave inftance in the Lutheran Confubftantiation. But I pray God never to fiiffer me fo far to oveiltfe my humility and modefty, and con- fciencioufnefs, as to fay , that almoft all the Divines on earth, except my felf, are through wilfulnefs or negligence, ignorant of thofe cafie thincs which I underlbnd. I confefs heartily that prejudice may do wonders in this kindV B ut that alaioft all the humble, godly, learned men in the world fhould be fo overcome by it in an eafie controverfie, who are fo incomparably beyond Mr. T. and me in holinefs,hea- venlinefs, humility and underilanding (very many of them) I fhould tremble to pafs fo high a cenfure. Yet that youmiflake me not, let me adde this caution *, Though it be diflBcult,yet far from that extream difficulty as fome other points are : And alfojchaiihc^groundiB nfir app very pafip anH plain, though to many it be difficult to difcern how it is from thofe grounds inferred. And therefore, though feme few learned and godly 8e hum- ble men do doubt of it, yet in the whole known Chriftian part of the world there t5 but few. And though it be difficuh to young Ihidents, as it was about eight or nine years ago to my felf : yet to thofe that have dived into the true ftate of the contro- rerfie, it is far more eafie. I do not therefore by the difficulty difcourage you from ftudying it, but would take you off"from hafiy conclufions , and let you know that you may think you know all when you know but little. And for Mr. T. 1 cannot choofe but obfcrve, that if he think it is wilfulnefs or negligence that keeps others from being Anabaptifts, than it feems tha: it was thcfe that kept him from it fo long till of late years j (for fure he n\ ill not fay that he was then more fincere than all his brethren, though he may be now. ) And if he had no better prefervatives againft Anahaptiflry fo long than wilfulnefs and negligence, it is little wonder to me that he is now revolted ; for indeed ( if fo J he was virtually one before. a. Juf Y Second Conclufion was,That this controverfie in it felf confidered,is oflefs ■^momentthan many on both fides imagine. Here i. Let us fee what men judge of it. 2. What Godiudgtth j and then I fhall leave you to judge of this Conclufion. C ■■* * i.0» lO rlaiH Scriplure Proof of I. On the one fide fome think it no lefs than Hcrefie to deny Infint-Baptifm, and to require Re baptizing. Not that the generality of fober Divines dofo. For thoiig^i fome of them do number Anabaptifts among Hareticksiyet they mean not that they ar fofor the meer dcniall of Baptifm to Intanrs, but fur the reft of the errors which almoft do ever accompany it : On the other fide, many tliarare for Re baptizing, or againft fnfant-baptifm, do think it a matter of fo high raomcnr, that whofoevcrH jiot Baptized at age, you may not Iiear them preach, nor receive the Lords Supper from tliem, nor with them, nor be of the fame Cliurch with thera,no nor pray with them in their Families. O what abundance of ray own acquaintance arc of this opinion I Lefl you /hould think 1 wrong ythcm , 1 had a difpute about this ve- ry point In CovL'nojy with one of the learnedfl and ableft Anabapcifts in England^ . Mr. Benjamin Coxs f that 1 have met with J Whether it be lawfull to hear a Mi- nifter not Baptized at age : And I have one of his papers yec to fhew ('for wc agreed to manage it at laft by writing : but to my anfw<;r I could never procure his Reply.}! pray God none of you come to this height your fclves. Mr. T. hath con- fefled to me that he did preach to you in publick, [ That to argue for Infant-Baji- tifm from Circufficifion, as Mr. iW^rr/W doth, isHxrefie, and oiie ofthefirft con- demned H^refies in the Church] fo then Mr. Ma firf/is an Hseretick with him, and all the Divines in the world that go his way. Thefe are the men that fo llormed jit others for calling fome grolTer difl'enters [ Hjereticks] yea, and which is much more Q\(my notary fail not, and a multitude of hearers be not mirtaken)Mr. T. faid. That in this he hath told them the truth of God,which if they obey not,(their blood will lie on their own head . J Jt feems then he thinks it a matter that mens blood is like to be fpilt for : by which I conceive he means no lefs than tfieir damnation. And if fo, then it mull needs be a fundamental point and duty, of abfolute neceflfity toialvationi orelfe heisfurethat his hearers dilTentis through meer obftinacy and wilfulnefs : but this ( for all his means to convince themj he will fure never have the face to affirm 5 for then he muft commit no lower a fin , than the challen- ging of Gods peculiar prerogative, ^to know mens heartsj and the afcending his Throne (^to judgement for their thoughts:} therefore itfeemeth evident to me,that Mr. r. dochtakethisibra fundamental point, which the filvation or damnation of men doth neceflafily depend onj or what he means to fay ("Their blood be on thei r own head) 1 know.not. . And yet he blames the Papifts for making Baj^tifmofjop- f^fTnrjr pfaiy a^iQn ' and therefore 1 know not what he would here 6xor. But ic 'TsSeproperty of error to contradi^; it (elf, as well as the truth. « Well, but doth God lay fo great a (Irefs on this point ? To them that have read our Divines againft the Papifts on this point, I need to fay nothing. Oncly this briefly. I. It was the imperfeftion of the old Law, that it confifted fomuch of Ceremoni- als. 2. Some of its abolifhed ceremonies were,as the Apafile cals it,He/?. 9.10. iO«- §^f9>ilSxw}i(ryL9t,'y'm divers Baptifms, or wafliings,and carnal Ordinances. 9. God is, aSpirit, andchc ofeth fpirituall worfhippers.4. One main excellency of the Gof- ( pel above the Law is. That it placet hjefs in extcf najs , and frt ^^flTJgelie vers from [ the Ceremonial Yoak i Therefore fure it layeth notour falvation now upon Cere- «onies. 5. Even when the worfhip was fo much in Ceremonies in the time of the Law, yet then did God dif-re gard them in comnarifon of Morals. Therefore he cals thena vain oblations, and teis them, he will have mercy^and not facrifice, &c. Much more now. 6. The Gofpel having taken down Ceremonies, and fet up but two a- »€w, which wc call Sacranacnts, though as duties they are all great which- Scrip- ture Infants chmrch't?femberjhip and Baptifm, 1 1 turc enjoyneth, and the thing fignified by them is the foundation it felf, yet com- paratively they vmi\ needs be the fmalkft parts of fublbntial worfbip, confidered as in thenifelves, feeing the GofpeH CKCclIeth in introducing fpirit & life, inftead of Ceremony and Letter. 7. Even in ceremonious times, God woiiid difpenfe wich the great ceremonies^when they were againft bodily welfarc^in feveral cafes: Though he threatned that the uncircumcifed fhouldbe cut cff, yet in the wildeniefs forty I years together,becaufe of their travel, God did forbear the whole Nation in this Or- . I dinance: and doth he lay more upon Baptifm now ? 8. Mark further the language VfthenewTeOament, I r/>«.4.8.Bodilyexercifeprofiteth little i Yet fome bodily exercife was a duty,i gQr.7.£9 .Circumcifion is nothing,& uncircumcifioii is nothing, / but the keeping the Commandments of God. And yet uncircumcifion than was a du- ty. So G^rf/,5. i,2,g,6.Though Vaul teftifiesto them, that if they were circumcifed, Chrifl fhould profit them nothing, and they were debters to the whole Law: yet he telsthem. That in Chrift Jefiis neither circumcifionavaileth anything, nor uncir- camcifion (i. e. of themfelves) but faith which worketh by love. SoCol.^.it.Bom. 2,28,29. Hf- \9.x\nf a ]p\y y/hjfh '^<^n£i}^^fw:^'' Hlv, nor is thatciry ^ir^^'fi^" which is outward in the flefh, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcifionis that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter, fyc. See how meanly the Gofpel fpeaketh of all meer extemall things. And when Vaul faw their divifions at Ct- / it rinth^ he thanks God that he Baptized none of them (fave fome few j ) for Chrift fent him not to Baptize, but to preach the Gofpel. But did not God fend him at all to baamc-L Yes ; for i . Elfe he had fmned in baptiz ing any. 2. The Apoftles were fent to preach and baptize, AT^r. 28. and ne was alTSportle. But this was a fmall part of his wo rk, ija- com p a rifnn of preagfa ipf^^ ^ n d rh f r cf 'r'r g n '^^" p^medjoh im at hit particular lenSmg, and therefore for the moft part he left it to others to' i^aptize ' them, though he by preaching converted them, and was their Father, i Cor. r. 14, 17. e^ I Cor. 4. 1$. Therefore Chrift baptized none him felf , thoiigh helwrDuld preach to one filly woman, 7o/j. 4. 2. The Papills6t))t!ftefpeL'ially twoTexts^ Mdr, 16.16. He that believeth and is baptized, fhall be faved. But it faith only. He that . believeth not, is condemned j not,he that is not baptized,7/ hold,butonely this about denying- the grounds of Infant-Baptifm. For example', They allfthat ever 1 fpoke with^d o deny all Infants theix ^toiberfh jp and , rom m^in tl)e vifible Chu rch j and that is aootlier matter than to deny memWater.They^e- "t' ny them futually ) any part in the Covenant of Go dj ("except when they fpeak like •V * Antinomllns of the aljfuIuLC Covenant, calling Gods Eleftion, or his difcovery of aa Eleftion in generall [\\\% Covenant j ] and this no parent in the world can (ay that his Child hath intereft in, as themfclves will confefs^ Alfo they deny the very , natural Jprerpft w :hicli4>a renrs have in their children , tomakeCovcrantsm^h ^ Bame and behalf. They call c hatcomm'^ " ^fi^, iiriclr-jT(a?T;^sr^^-?'?>nfpqnpnri^ whi ch God hat;h made and calle Jholv . T^hey give us a new model Of the vifibk ChuTcK o/chcir own making in the very materials of it. They provoke Chrift to aa- ger in forbidding children to be brought to him into his Church . They repeal a con- fxderable part of the Old Tcftamenr, which they can never prove that God harh re- pealed ', and what belongeth to them that addc'to the Word , or take from it, you know.They cake down the Arguments which parents fhould ufe to prove the Jufli- fcciulon and falvation of their Children. Thry leave parents no tr ik.* ground to be- kieve or hop^e for the faWation of their Children which dye in lnfaiicy,according to the »»i^— — ^— — — ' ■ ■ " In fants Church- memberjhip a nd Baptifm. 1 3 tlie received definitions of Faith and Hope^ For they deny them any promifeof fal- vacion jand Faith and Hope go upon the ground of the Proroife •, They deny them entrance into the vifible Church, which is far wider than the invifible, andtherfore leave but little hope that they fhould be admitted into Heaven f according to their Dodrine ) where are none but real Saints, when they may not be admitted into thel^ Church,which alfocontaineth many workers of iniquity, /Jf^M 3.41.1 hey fhuttheiw^ out of t he Houfe of God ; They leave them as much ou t of the Church as the c\\\\' Aren T»f-rnrFs' and Pa^n^^iev makTfhe tipi^p n^ f"T;^T ^^r jq be incomparably morejull of gr ace ttTcliil c/ renThan the tjm es of the Gofpel *, They make the Jews in this reT^'ed cu h^ty.ct^^i^J(^^xxJS^I^n(ii coming, even thofe Jews that be- lieved in him j They ma^e God to un- Church and dif-franchife men before they have forfaken him j and to punifh fome for the fins of others, when they abhorred and renounced thofe fins j they make God unfaithful in his Covenant, and to break I Covenant with thofe that kept Covenant with him j They make God more prone far to fevcrity than to mercy , ancl to fhew more wrath againft the Infants of the wicked, than mercy to the Infants of his Saints j They make even the very Gentiles themfelves to be in a far worfe ftate, in refqeft of their Children, than they were in the time of the Law, when the Gentiles were ftrangers and Dogs. They excee- dingly derogate from the free Graceof the Gcfpel, retraining and confining its un- fpeakable Riches j They deny our Children thofe mercies which God hath eftated on them in the very Moral 1 Law j They lay dangerous grounds of derogating from the Lord JcfMjjTimiUf^hile h^j4Laianjnfai[ir. La%, they do plainly play the Devils part in accufingtReir own Children, and difpuj [ng them^ ut ojjhtSivQf^] and Houfe of God, and out of his Promifes and Covenaut , and the privileges thacj accompany them v and moft ungratefully deny, rejed and plead againfl the mercies^ that Chrift hath purchafed for their Children, and made over to them. It becometh not a difputant peremptorily to conclude againft his adverfary before proof-, But this I may fay. That in my jndgement they are truly guilty of all this, without any uncharitable or partiall cenfuring them,or any forced wrefting of their fpeeches j And if God will, I fball prove all thefe to you particularly *, and till then 1 defire your patience j and that you will not conclude that I wrong them till you hear my proofs. I Come now to prove my firft Propofition, 1/7^. \Tljat it is the Will of God that fome Infants fiiouldbe Baptized"] or \_thatfome Infant sought to be Baptized.'] And here lecme give you notice, that 1 intend not to meddle much with thofe Arguments that others have already fully managed, feeing that would be but to fpend time and labour in vainjyou may read them in many Books ^ & though I confcfsfew have im- proved them as they might have done, or managed them in the moft forcible way : yet 1 believe a judicious deliberate,impartiall Reader will foon difcern,that the An- swers fo much boaA^d of,are meerly frivolous^ A mntriVpr^f^ rhf^^*'*^ in \m\iZJ^^ wctejoesier- an i wf ffid thact can learn. And fo are there many in Englifh, efpecial- , -JyJiflr. C(\bhfU which I conjefture will never be fatisfad:oriIy Anfwered.I fliall ther- fore pafs over mcft that they have fa id, fuppofmg that none of you dare venture up- on novelty, till you have firft read, and well weighed at leaft the chief Author s and Argumefits already in Priiir. And though 1 fhall ufe man.y of the Scripture proofs that others do make ufe of, yet it fhall be in another way, and to another end i I will nor ftand to ufe many Arguments, but: rather drive home a ^cvj-. And indeed, were it aot that I muft noc^yerpafs that which my Text affDrdeth , 1 would (pend plain Scripture proof of all my time upon one only, which is draw n from the Msdmm of Infants Chnrrh. l)ilemberfhip i as being chat which doth moft throughly convince my own judge- ment; or at leall but one more, which is drawn frnm rh(- f^Mtyf^f Hif-ir fnlpin«^>%- gagcment to God. Due though I refoived to ftanTmoft on thtle, ycc 1 niuft be- gin with this in my 1 cxt. For the Explication of the Text, 1 will fpare time and labour, and ftandto moft of that which Mr. T. hath given yon already. 1 fay as he , that the verb /waQjn*- : f tmh fignifieth [ Make yepifaple(\ aa dJkadzi ng is the A<^, or Sign of their jojemn admiiiion. As the word [D/yap/g] fignifieth/i. Oronc thatlsa Dilci plejijcomp leat^ not yet folemuly joyned to the Church, 2. Or one that is a Difciplecompleat^and fo- Icmnly joyned or entredjSo muft there he two wa ye^ ofm^l^ in g i;hem fo . according to the faid difference •, As a King is firft King by birth-righc,or Covenaur,or the likcj but yet incompleatly, tillhebcfolemnly Crowned and inthronedj in the former fcjife it is his birth-right that makes him King (which yet receiveth all its power from fome foregoing more potent Caufe, as the donation of God, or the peoples choice or covenant j ) in the latter fenfe, it is his Coronation that makes him King*, Or as a man or woman are truly married by private Covenant^ but yet t ris not com- ^jjlgattilLthc legall conjunftion or folemnizing i fo it is here j They are firft m^de Difcj^ks ,^and rhcp fnlrmnly admirrf d.» fntred, or hfted by Bapiifm , and fo made morecompleady Difciples. Before I come to Argue, I will briefly help you to un- derhand, I . What is meant by a Difciple i 2. What it is that maketh a Difciple. f . Befides what is faid afready,you muft underftand that one may be called a Dif- ciple, I. In a larger fenfe, Relatively; as being of the number of thofe that belong to ehrift,as Mailer and King of tfic church, and deftinatcdor devoted to his overfight tnd rule, and Teaching for the future : Thus believers Infants are Difciples ; Of which I /hall give you the proofs anon. 2.Sometimc the word is taken in a narrower \ fenfe, for thofe who are aftuallv Learners. But commonly applyed to men at age,ic WirlnHpi-h hnrh the Re Tation and Su hordjparion ^ and alfo a<^nal learning ^ but the former prmcipaiiy : but applyed to Infants, it intendeth the Relation as prefenr, and kftual lea/ning as one end of it, intended for the future. 2. To me making of a Difciple there muft concur, I. Somewhat properly caufal, i, e. Efe^ive j 2. Somewhat conditional. The former is Gods part, the latter mans. It is Chrift that maketh himfelf Difciples •, in regard of the form of a Difciple, which is Rdatiye,(^/:C•His Relation to the Mafter of the Church before mentioned) fo Chrift giaketn Difciples diredly by his Grant, Gift, or Promife in his Law, or Covenant, Join I. 1 1 . It is faid of believers at age,that To them that receive him he giveth power to become theStnsofOod, To be Gods fons is a Relative Privilege; What is the caufe of this ? Why the Text tels you ; It is Chrifts gift ; he-giv€thjjieaL£Q5«£r"> or Privi- lege,or Title to it ; And how doth he give this ? Not by a voyce from heaven,but by r his Laws, or vwitten promife, or grant, which containeth all mens Legal Titles,and \ according to which their Titles muft be tryed at Judgement. But in regard of the matter of a Difciple, God beftoweth it in a Natural way : for it '' is nothing but our being. 2. The condition of Difciple- fhip, is,what pleafes the free ^ Law-givcrtomake. If hehadenafted that of Stones fhould be made Chile r>-'n,'>r Difciples to him,it ftiould have been fo.But the condition which he requireth,isbHt (the CofllsBLg^f every man at age for hina felf^ and of Parents for t hcmfelY es aad-their Chil dren, tha tTKeyj3£?icate, give up, ofenter themTclves'uricier him as the only Maft£L(QLtlie|lLaiid.tIick ChiW •,andrupGh this condition he wHl take them and tHar C^ildrcnlbdeYOtcd for his Difciples. All thi* (hall be proved anon. In a word; the Infants Chnrch memberfiip andBaptifw. ^5 the PjijxiUisJEaitk is the condition for himfelfandhis Infants. The caufesofthis Condition ofDirciple-fhip,or Church-memberfhip, may improperly be called the Caufes of our Difciple-fhip it felfi but properly Chrift by his Law, or Covenant-grant is the only caufe Efficient. We do not therefore fay, that the Faith of the Parent is the caufe either of his own, or his Childs privilege of Church- niemberfhip,no more than of their Juflification,or Salvation, but only the condifjor j And when we fay Children are born Chriftians, or Difciples, we do not make their Nature or birth - privilege any caufe of It , but Gods gift is the caufe > and that they be born of belie- ving Parents, isbut [ to be thofe perfons whom the Law of Chrift judgeth to have .interefl: in the Condition, andfo in the privilege.] G HAP. III. Come now to my firft Argument, which (from the Tcxt)is this. All that are Cbrifts Difciples^ ordinarily ought to beBaptix,edi Butfome Infants are Chrifls DifcipUs ; Therefore fime Infants tr- dinarily ought to be Bapti:(^ed, . By C Difciples] in both Propofitions I mean as in the Text : Thofe that are rfe;j«/'?, or incompleatly Difciples, asaSouldier n^tjethfled^^orjJUiagjjotj^e^ I put in the word [ordinarily J becaule~there maylalTout fe vera! Cafes wherein God will difpenfe with external Baptifntto Yongand Old 5 as he did with Circum- cifion to the Jews Children forty years in the Wildernefs. Morals natural take place of Pofitives, God will have Mercy rather thanSaaifice. I The Major Propofition is evident in the Text, from the conjunftion of the two Commands : Go make me Difciples^ Bapti;(tng them. If any fhall be fo quarrelfome a- ; gainft the plain Text, as to fay. It is not all Difciples that they were commanded to 1 baptize ,but only all that were made Difciples^znd this making was only by teaching: / I anfwer, I. If I pro ve Infants D fcip lcs, 1 fure prove fherph y fh^r .tbf-y were mad^ fo, or elfe they had never been fo. 2 . B y teaching, thf parpnr<; an^ f l^il dren wer-c \ bot hmade Difciplcs j^ the parg-ir^ difeffly. rfip [n fan"tsremQfelv, or mediately : I f/j it is by this way. He that J tHey be proved onceto be Difcijks, it will eafily follow converteth the pa-rent, niaketh^HWjlJj^an^JliLlnfant Difciples incompleat, or in Titles This therefore lies on the pfootoi' the Minor. 3. But I would fay more co this, bat that Mr. T. (as I underftand ) hath in his Sermons profefled. That if we will prove that Infants are Chrifts Difciples, he will acknowledge that they ought to be Baptized ; the like he granted to me j and well he may. ] That Infants are Chrifts Difciples,and fo called by the Holy Ghoft, is moft evident to a«y that will not grofly pervert the Text,or overlook it, InA^L 15.10. Why tempt ^ ye Godtto put a yoke ^n the neck^fthe Difciples y which neither our Fathers nor we were able to bear ? Now ^0 were thefe Difciples ? No doubt thofe on whom the fakb ; teachers would haye laid^he yoke. And what was that yoke / It is plain it was cir- / cumcifion,as neceffary, and as engaging them to keep the Law. And whom would they have perfwaded thus to be r;r<-nmrirf>/^?i\A7hyjwhjjif par^n'-'^ ^nd chiM ^g" *"- •that age, and only the Children in all following ages ordinarily. So that thus 1 ar- | guej Thofe on whofe necks the falfe teachers woiJd have laid thrs yoke were difci-/ pksj ButfomeVyca naofrdftliofc were Infants,on whofe necks they would have Jaici . . thii ^ Plain Scripture proof of this yoke ^ Therefore fome Infants are difciplcs and fo called here. T«ie Major is plain in the Text. If any will fay. That ic is n oj alL but fom ^jof thofe on whom they would have laid the Yoak, that are here called Difciplestliat is, only them at Agcj J anfwtr. Then it i^ hiir fom^- r >nely whofe Circumcifion thx Aj2ciIl^^-a« }^->fj]|r^f^r)ipKing^.Stfhir(^snr ^if^rvanr^ I |in ap^inWe fen ft- c>n\y ? Is it not foundation enough for the Relation of a Servant, if ' I God will own them f o, and number rhem with his Family of meer grace, though he vfhouWmakej3gLiil£i2frtl2£aia£ili4 Or if there mult be more ; May they notbefo . called, as being d cftinated to his fervice for the future ? And fo they may have the Relation b efo re the Se rvice : which is common with thofe men that buy Children . with their Parents for their future fervice. S ^Ecd. 2. 7. read it . 6. But the grof- feft is yet behind : (^as the worft of Error is ItTlTat lafk s and the further a man goes that is out of his way, the further he goes amifs. ) Would any man think that fuch a rtianasA/r. T. can pofTibly believe that Infants are called Gods Ser vants in n r^nrhrr, fertft^ rhai] rhe Hfavpnt; arid Earth are ? Let me a little reafon this cale. i. Are the Hi^vens only paiiive Servants of God ? Is that good Philofophy ? 2. .What if the Earth and Infants were both called Servants only in a Paifive fenle^ becaufe God maketh ufe of them ? Is it therefore in the fame fenfe : Is it the fame ufe that God maketh of both ? What if Chrill were called Gods Servant fOr his fuffering? "^ Shall we fay it were in' no other fenfe than the Earth is fo called, when ti:e *' ufe and fufferings are fo unlike ? What if I prove ( as me thinks with Mr. T". . I' might cafily do ) that the Heavens are Go ds (ervants Aftivelv , and Chrift alfo is called his fervant Adively ? Doth it follow that they are fervants in the \iame fenfe, when the Aftion is fo unlike? ^. Hath not God prevented allthefe ' Cavils, by joyning Parents and Children together in the fam eti tlej. He faith of Pa * " rents and Children both together, They are my Servants 7~"^rfiefe7r is evident that jth th erefore have the fame kind of Relation. And will he fay that the Parents are Vnly Paliively Servants ? 4. Or if all this bv not enough, yet look further, where God himfelf tels you the reafon why he cals them his Servants ( who knows better than Mr. T.) They are my S ervAnts which I brought out ofE2 ,y ft ^ he. Gods Intereft and mercifull r h^iff nf rh^m^anfl irp^ranpn ro hlJl!(giLlljyKl^£iJPB: When God -. "calleth ushis Servants, it oftner fignifi eth the honour and prmJeges ofthat R elation which in mercy he cals us to, than any fervice we do him therein. Are the Heavens Gods fervants, becaufe he brought them out of Egypt, and feparated them to him- felf as a peculiar people ? 5. Yet if all this be not enough, he that will fee, may be convinced from this : the Jews and their Infants are called Gods fervants in a fenfe peculiar, as rhnfpipyjmjj^p^rajpd from all nrhprs. TJ^^ Gentiles at age were not fo I}ods fervants as the lews Infants were. If God call thefe Infants his Servants in no other fenfe than the Heavens and the Earth, then it feems in the year of Jubile men ■■ muftreleafe the Earth from it fervice to them. But Mr. T. knows that even the GennlfiibciaDiSa^that were aftively fo, were nor ro he releafed in the year of jubile : An Jitherefore the Jews and their Infants are called Gods fervants in another fenfe than the Heavens, or the Heathens either j even as the chofen feparated people of God, and members if hisfami'y. Oj^ el fc howcouldjt jje a Rea fon for releafmg them in theyear of jubile, any more than for releafing any^tTier I But no Scripture'- can be fo plain, buta man that hath a mind fodifpofcd, may find fome words»of cojdtradi^tionj • • * ^' 2; That Infants church-f^emberpjip and Baptifm, q i 2. T^Hat Infants are capable of being Difciples of ChriftJ prove thus. If infants arc \ X capable of being Subiefts of Chrifls Kingdo m., then they are capable of being I his Difciples*, But they are capable ot being his Siibje^s^ Therefore of being Difci- / pies. The reafon of the confequence lieth here , in that Chrifts Church is at ieaft as pro perly called his Kingdom as his School \ and therefore every member of it is un- der him both as King and Prophet. llpeak not here of hi* Kingdom in the largcO fcnfe, as it containeth all the world y nor yet in the Arifteft, as it containerh^only hisEled ; butinthemiddlefenfe, asit containeth his rh nrch vifih ie. asitismoft' commonly ufed. To affirm that Chrift is their King, and they his Sub)ed:s, and yer that they are none ofliis Difciples, would be very grofs. Yet becaufe we murt ex- pee ^in^ iig that fpecial F fcnfe over thofe th arar^r^or^hf'^'^^ s ^ and if men may be fo his Subjefts and mem- bers of his Church, and yet be no Chri(l[ians,then 1 know not what a Chriftian is.The fecond part is this [That all Ghriflians are Chriils Difciples.] This is it that. more fveerly concerns the caufe 5 For then certainly if I prove Infants_Subjeds^Iprove. them Chriftians j and if 1 prove them Chriftians, I prove them DHcipIesTl^ntflRrs^ the Holy Ghoft hath done in evprcfs vvprds^ ASf. 11. 26. The Difcipjes were cal- 7 led Chriilians firftat Antioch : So that Difciples and ChriHians in the language of the f . Holy Ghoft is all one. ~~ ^ ^'^■ Now for the Antecedent in my Argutneht, That Infants are capable of being Chrijh ' Subje^ts^ I. It is evident that they are capable of bei ng Sub je ft s in any Kingdom on Earth -. and there fore why not of ehe Kingdom of Chrift ? 2. Nothing can be (hewed to prove them uncapable. 5* They were aftually Subjefts of Chrifts Kingdom be- j fore his comming in the flefhi and thercfere they are capable of being fo afterward. That they were aftually Subieds before, needs no proo'^jwich thofe, who grant thefe'^ two things^ I. Thar rhey were me mhgrs of rhe ]f yvifh Church T^ r le^j^") hefore: 2. That the ]ewjjjiJ^r tTlhough onev^ould think th^t no iiian ftiouid ever affirm fuch a thing, tliac were pot Uiv Infidel of enemy to Chrift. I therefore argue thus. If Infants' in the JevVsChuFcU were Servaaciaqd -Difcipks ofChri ft, and God fheweth as great and gfcr^r mercy D-3 . ^^ • 2X-^ rUiH Scripture Trcofof ^^ CO his Cluirch now ^ then ic cannot be becaufe God will noc (hew them fiich mercy, " \\ Infants now be not Difciplcs \ But Infants in the jew.s Criiirch were Servants and Difciples of Chriit •, and God fhewcth as great and greater mercy to his Church now, therefore it cannot be becaufe he will not niewihcmfuch mercy, if chey are not now D fciples. ,.■:]■. I hope I need not Oand to prove, That the Jews Church was Chrilts Church, and that they were his Difciplesi ([though noc fo fully and explicitly as now ) Chr[ft was then the Kmg as Mediator, upon undertaking to pay our debt i he that prcrervcd> juflified, fandified, &c. Abraham faw his day and rcjoyced, John 8. 56. Ic was the reproach of Chrift which Mofcs futfered in Egypt, Heb, u.^6. MofeshvoMLiiL^SiSL (crvant of Chrif\, and fubordinarc to him : No man ever performed^y acceptable fervice to God fince the fall, but in Chrift : Therefore all thatfervice then was under him. No man ever received any mercy from God (efpecially faving ) fince the fall, but for and from Chrifl". I proved before that their Infants are called Gods fervants as a peculiai' People, 1^x^.25.41,42. Andthen they muft needs be Chriils Servants, • and that is all one" 'asldT3e his Difciples. The jews fay, We are Mofes Pi fciples, in op- pofition to their being jefus Difciples, John p. 28. Therefore it is evident they took the word [Dilciple] in the fame fenfe in both. Bu t Infants alfo wevfiM iles ^^jfej^ pies (and fo Chrifts, to whom Mofcs was fubordinate.) But all this wijf beyertuIU- cr proved anon. 5. \A^ third Argumeat to prove that fome Infants are Di fciples, isthis,from Chrifts $y^ * ^^own words. If Chrift would have fome Children received as Difciples, thea " "* they are Difciples j But Chrifts would have fome fuch received as Difciples j There- fore (ome fuch are Difciples. All the Quefti^ is of the Antecedent j and that is plain in Lu.kgf^> 47 > 48. compared with Mat^^. 5- and Mar. 9.^1 . He that receiveth this Child in Ihy name^ receiveth me. Here otlerve, i . It was tWe Child himfelf that ^ Chrift would have received. 2. He would have him received [in his name] now ^Oi ' that can mean no lefs than asaPifciple: W hen they are ba ptized^it is into his name : And that which in Luke is c41ed, received in Chrifts name, isexprefted in Mar^-, ^ne^ that behngethto^Chrift^ and in Ma thew, in thejwmjfjLQiid^le. Though fome of thefe placesTpeak of Infants i and fome of others : yet compared, they plainly tell 'Vou this •, That to receive, in Chrifts name,2nd as belonging to Chrift, and as a Difciple ef Chrift, in Chrifts language is all one ', for they plain lyexprefs the fame thing inten- ded in all. So that Chrift hath encouraged me to receive Children, in Jij s name ^Uk? ' 9. 47. And he expoundeth it to me, that this is to recei ve them, asbeloniwsL to h im, ^and as Difciples. I know fome frivolous anfwers are mnde to this j but they are not worth the ftanding on. Mr. B/^ites Argument hence remaineth as good asunanfwe- red. (?/ '-THUS T have proved to yon, tliat infants are Chrifts Difciples, and Chrift faith in * my Text, Difciple me all Nations, Baptizing them : fo that b eing Di c iples, we ar e commanded to baptize them . Me thinks this is plain to thofe that can iee. And now, what istnc ir common obje^ion worth? The y fay they cannot learn^ and therefore ca\inot be Difciples. Anfw. But 1 have fully ai>fwered this already, & Ihall add this much more. 1. They can partake of the protcftion and pr.ovitiQfrof their Mafter (as the children of thofe that the I fraeliccs bought) and enjoy the privileges Infants chHrch''/;^t:mberJI)7p and Baptjfm, Q^ of the Family and School,?- J be under his chirge and domiaio n, and that is enough to make them capable of I ein^ Dilclples.».Thrv ar cdcvoted'to learning ifthev live*,^ howfoever, they are confecratcd^ o him as the ir, Mafl:er,w ho can teach them hereaf-' ter i and that is yet more. 5 . 1 woaderyoulhDuTd be m ^re rigorous with Chrift in thi 5 cafe than you are with men-Is it common to call the whole Nation of the Turks both , old and yong, by the name of MahomecaaS-Qr^iigglr^.or iVUhi>n:i^? and why no-: we aad our children then by the name of Chriftiaasaiid Difciplesof Chrift? And when a man hired a Philofopher to teach him and all \\h children,were they not all > then Difciples of that Philofopher ? They chit are enter ed iinder jiimabjh eir Mafter j . fnr/i^^pre teaching, jye at prcfent in the relati on.9£jQifelples. 4.~And truly I wvjnder J ' alfo that it (hould g51o current that Infants are not capable of learnings there is m^re wayes of teaching than by preaching in a Pulpit. The Mother is the hrft Preacher to the Infantf in(\rumcntally j ) Do we not fee that riiey do teach them partly by action and gefture, and partly by voyce I Thxt they can dilhearten and take off from vices, is evident j and teach themobedienceiMe thinks we fhould not make an Infant Lfs' docible than fome brutes. Narfes will tell you more in this than 1 can. And what if they cannot at firft learn to know Chrift ? Even with men of years , due is not the firft lelTon i If they nuy be taught any of the duty of a rational creature, it is fome- ' what. And if they can learn nothing of the Parencs either by adion or voyce •, yet Chrift hath other wayes of teaching then by men 5 even by the immediate inward working of his Spirit': Though yet it is not needful! to prove any of this-, it ts enough \ that they are takenJty^^JKUaiinrn.his Srhon] and Kingdome. But feeing an Infant / can fo quic-^ly learn to know Father and Mother, and what they mean in their fpee-. ches and aftionsv I fee no reafon that we fhould take it for granted, that theycan^ learn nothing of God, tilfwe are able to prove it. Sure I am. Scripture requireth to teach children the tr ade of their life in the time of thei rj^outh: (as early no doubt as they are able to onderftandTand to bring them up m'lhe luirtbre and admonition of the Lord : and fure >his jiurture belonfi ito them as Scholl arrQ756£ifi- Moreover I m;p^^ .^rpr.in t-hnc^ ^\\ ^hr^(^^h7^• <.ri» ^.lUifif^^-anf^ fj^ypd hy C.\\r'\(k. are his Difciples j (for he faveth none but fucH J But Chfift juftifteth and faveth fome Infants •, therefore fome Infants are his Difciples. But becaufe the proof of the Minor Propofition of the nextargunj-ent will prove this too, I will fay no more of this. CHAP. IV. Argument. 1 1. Y Second Argument, and the chief 1 fhill make ufe of, is'this.AlIthat ought ^„ ^tobe admitt ed vifibie'ChurcTi- members, ord ijiarjly ^ught to b e_baiKixgd_2^ But fome Infants oughtto be admitted vllibie churclvmembers , therefore Ic-me In- fants ordinarily oqght to be baptized. Mr, r. hath gciiie over and over the terms of this Argument fo oft., as if he could notpoffibly find out my meaning in them , when they are as p/ain as I well know how to exprefs my felr^A great while he fain would have denydd the major propofi- tioRf ; but at lift he is content to deny onely the minor j And indeed that is the very kcart of the controverfie i The QuefU^n between us is not fo much whether Iwants Z^if "" .7^ " . P/iT/// Serif UYQ rroofof .^ 7 ^ I' ^ niay bc.Baptized, as, whether they are in rhenumbcLOlC^ nbfnembers to th e vif iblc Church. UMr. T. did grant the Minor, an3 not dcnypiir . .., c hi 1 dren ChnltianTty and to be members of the Clniich, 1 fiiouldibr my pa!:r,,r'nb)k terror (though foul3 yet of lefs confequence in denying them Baptifiri. Buti]: rheirChurch- member/hip that he denyerh,and yeeldech that all that ought to be ad- mictcd fticmbers, fhould be Baptized. Bat becaiifc it is a mutable world, I were befl proV^ if, though he do now yeeld it, left he fhould upon fecond thoughts. deny it a- By [a vifible Church-member ] I mean plainly one that is a member of thg vlfiblc -CJuirch^oroftlK by [admitting^I mean f olemu a d i ji ung. As J before diftingui (lied between Difciples incompleat andcorapleat ', To liereldoof Church- members. Asa Soldier before hfting , and as a King before Crowning and taking his Oath, fo are we and Infants Church members before Baptifm •, But ase- .. very one that muft be admitted Solemnly into the Army , muft be admicte-d by hft- rjr.g, as ttefolenm engaging fignj So every one that hachrlghttobe fokmnly.ad- .iiiiaed into the vifible Church, mull ordinarily be admitted by Baptifm. So much ^ftjiiakethat plain which was plain before j bec4ure fome men areiorh,^am)4$r- r i&nd any thing that is againft their minds. , | ' . , .:. 4-VL--'}-ils:^ik ' ' And I. As to Mr. T. His own concefTion is proof enough till ^e chanj^e his.nimd. J He faith in the $4 page of his Apology [I grant that,^aptilmis_die^ML!i' an<^ manner I of fii^kmn .idmiflTinninro rhe-Thwdi,'} rmf.ingbfi^egularway.] So there Isieuiough forhim. ,r, '-"-.i-f"-^^ '-.vi For others, I prove it thus, i. If we have neither precept nor example in Scrjp- /ture fin^ Chrifl ordained Baptijmj ^ofany other wa y of admitti ng vifible members I but oneiy by Baptifm, then all that mult be admitted vitible memSersTlmuft oi:fliha» Hily be Biiptized. But fmce Baptifm was infhtuted for eftabhflied j we have no pre- cept or example of admitting vifible members any other way, ( but conftant precept and example for admitting this way 3^ therefore all that rauft be admitted vifible members, muft be Baiptized. . , , . 1 i?now not what in arty fhew of Reafon can be faid to this,by t|ipfe.tiiftr^jjo;j^cc not Scripture. For what man dai^e go in a way which Iiath neither precept nor i^x- ample to warraht ir, from a way that hath a full current of.both ? Yet they that vyill admit members into the vifibJe ©hurch without Baptifm, dofo. 2. Either members muft be baptized at their admiHion, or elfe after they are fla- red inihe Church, prelfe never: But the two later are faUe j therefore ic mufll?eThe former way, vit^. at their admiflTion. 'i. That they fhould never be baptized , none will affirm but the Seekers , and they that are al)Ove Ordinance fth at is^ above obedience to God, and fo Gods.J 2. If they fay, They mult IJe Baptized after they are flated in the Church (and that many years as they would have iQ I anfwer. i . Shew any Scripture for that if you can. 2. It iscontrarjf to all Scripture example, Alf. 3. The three tliouland were ^r efcntty Baptiz ed, and the Jaylor^iulieimchour of the night, andfoofallthe reil. And if you could /hew any that did delayitTIIince Chrifls command, ilf^. .28. 20. ) it would appear to have been finfull, as through ignorance or negligence; fo that it muft needs then be done attfieirfirlt admittance according to the conftanc courfe of Scripture. 9. It is evident alfo from the very nature and end of Baptifm, which is to be C hrifis liAing cn^a gngjgn i kjfid ^^ftejoi^piu^hf ^plyed. whqi w^tCrft en^cr 4)js Army. ] :; \,',^^. ,',!,-J..; . v.rv-.r- ''i, ■.:f:^j .in1om.'< \: 4 4. Ifweare(]ewsand Gentiles. &c.JBaptixecl inro one Body, then wcarcnotro ] day ic tiii we have been liated in the body;Biic we are all baptized inro one body./ 8i r^ich the Holy Ghofr, i Cor. ] 2. 1 5. (^I fhall have occafion to prove hereafrer^that P^^'< ciiis h odxjs the vifiblc Chtifch, if any doubt _ef i tj^J therefore we tr.uft not delay our KaptifrnCoromers; rill we are Itared in the^body^ for if it he theufeof Bapcifm ro eggratf and enter us !"^Q^|j5_^Q<^y or Church, ( and into Chrift, as /lom. ^^) then lure It mult be lUed at ohf-m^famn^ITi^reTifmft^e. Shall a Souldi^TbeWed two or three year afrer he harh been in the Army, or at the firft entrance, whether ? 5. If all Church-members are Chriils Difciples, and all Difciples muftbe Baptized I (it their admiirion)then all Ciiurch-membersmuft be baptized at theiradmilfioia :/ Bur all Church- members are dirLiples,& all difciples mull be baptized at their admiffi- CTJ^ordinarily) therefore ail Church- members muf I be baptized at their admiflTimi. I. T KaTDTIclples muft be Baptized ac their adminion isplain^ Ma t. 7"^. 19, .20; A Difciple all Nations, Baptizing them, and by conftant example. 2. That all Church-/ members are Difciples, I prove thus. i. if it be the Churchjwhidi is C hrifts^ Sch ool,j ]ieauiti-6bc members of the Churd lJLi:£-i^Hs-^cholars"orDircipiS~orKen^' . bers ofTheSchgcl ; But it is only the Church which is calleHliJfiriftrScHtJor: there-^ foi^ ail Church- members are School- members or Difciples. 2. And Church-members are Chr•lltinn^^^^Jn^d a" rhrifrirtn^ ^pp f.hr'f^^'^^^P' Ciiurch- members are Chiifts Difciples : But all Church- mem.bers are Ghrii all Chriflians are Chrifts Difciples i therefore all Church- members are Ch pies. I. That all Churclvmcnibers f true ones) are Chrifli ans, that i s, reraineriJii-^ JfVA^ Chrift, or fuch as helofig rp c;h'"'f^ fas his own phrafe is) isheyonddOUbt. a-TThac ^^ ^ aU Chriflians areP j^iples^ proved before ^ it bting the plain words %f the Holy r ^Tioft, Att^\J^::^^\^\\^ re they are made all one. Tlie Difciples were called * ChriftianTffiTat Antir.h j fo that all Church- members being Difciples, they muft Re- . ^ . gularly be Baptized at their admiOion, according to the courfe of Scripture, and my ^ Text, ;Wrff. 28. 19, 20. ' . 6.. Another Argument may be plainly fetcht from Eph. §. 2^. thathemighr' ^M--r fandifieitandcleanfeit f his Church) by the wafhing of water through the word^i ' J Jf the wh ole Church mull be^fanftihedby the wafhing of water, then Infants and all others 'tliat are particuTarly members oTtHe CJhurcn, mull be fofanftified. Buc the whole Church muft be fo fand:ified ; therefore the individuall members. Mr.' T.. in his exerch. Objedcthj i. Tliac then the Thief on the Crofs, &:c. were no Church-members. Anfiv. It followeth not fronlTHe that is Baptized fhall lie faved] that therefore he that is not baptized fhall not be fayed: fo herejfor the former fpeaks but addebitum., and the later de Eventn j it will follow, tliaiJtJLajdutyjo baptize all ^ Church- members where it may be done '-, but not that it Ihall certainly come to pafs. 2. He objefteth, that therefore it muft be underilood of the more famous part of the Church, or that purification is to be underflood of that which is for the mofl fart. Anf. The Apoftlefpeaks plainly of the vHhpie^Church ; and to take it for part, is to Crofs the Text, except you fhew a neceffity for it. 2. It fpeaks of all, as i-faid qwfid £vc'«fj//w, in regard of real purifying. 9. And of all quoad debitum ^ in regitrd of the means of ic which, they are capable of. 4. And ufually ^wo^i £w;;'//mofrhc faid means coo. (Uj. But fome may (ay, that [by t hewor jj ] is her e added, which fnfants^^^ are not capable of. Anf. i. Infants are fand^ified by the wordofpromi fe and prccg g""^^ to Parents co dedicate them to God , though not by the '^rd'^prelUlTe^i^lSiijlF 2. The meansis to each membe r as the var e capuible ; wafhia^lSV^ ater t o f"- ""- - — ar£ capable of chat, Sc bV ttnTW^rHTo lKoIe tha t are capable o rthar,whIch " E 26 — '^^" rlafft Scripture Troofof' deaf men are not any tnore than Infants. ObjcU. Butitis the Iiivifibl^ Church that Chcift isniidtlmstocleanfc. Av.fw. i. Certainly, thofe that are waihedjiiith-Water, and hearing the word, or either, are nil vi^iblemcm^ers. 2.Theviribk Church hath outward privileges and titles of the invifible, becauie a« to us they vnuft" in probabi- lity be iiidged to belong to both. Therefore F/tiy/frpgnenrly c-:\ U rhfm-a ILSaiiir:,and fonsofGodbyfaith, &c. fo that it is plain in the Text, that t!ie Church, andfoall the members of the Churc!i,oiight to be bapii7.cd,Wh*er6ititiay be done : And I fhall fully prove anon, that /nfants are Church-members. And thus I have proved the Major of my main Argument, -vn. That all fhat muft be admitted vifible Church-memhers mult be bapciied. Yet remember that Mr. T, denyeth notthis : All therefore that I have to prove for deciding the whole con- troverfie is now but this, That fome I nfants oi^ t rn b^ t]-^"\^t:red vj iible Chiirch- memkers : So that 3^ou mud flill remember, ic is no more their Baptifm, but oneiy their mepiberfhip timt hereafter [ muft treat on "throve that, and I prove all in Mr T. hisown judgement, i fay it again, left you miitake in your e>:peofi orderly to rake them before us from the beginning, i will firf\ fetch one from the Old Tellament, and that (uch as .is fully confirmed from the New ; For 1 hope you are nong^thofcjliaiLhave wiped , [out all the Old Teftament from your Bibles, or that prefently look upo n a Text as no ) '|£XtJily.ou hear It come from the Old Teftam-ent : 1 therefore argue thus,-FirIt j If by the mercifull gift and appointment of God, not yet repealed, (ome lafants w ^re once to be admitted members of the vifible C n^tfch. then fome Infants are to beio admitted i\iii j ijut by tuc mercjiuii gift an^ appointment of God, nocyetr'c- pealed, fome Infants were once to be admitted- members of the- vifible Church . therefore they are fo to be admitted ftiil. •- .. ^-^^ : i^- The Aiuecedent hath two parti, i . That by Gods merciftiH gift and appDintmenr, fonsc Infants were once to be admitted members of the vifible Church : This is as far beyond all doubt as you can eKpeft. i . Mr. T. grafted it m his publick difputt^ And fo he doth in his Apology, j(>/t^. 66. where he faith [ 1 ack»iowkdge that in the vifible Church of the ]ews, the Infa nts were reckoned to the_ Church J yet kit any fiiould be f J impudent as to deny itpi brieriy prove it thus. 77 II Infants werej^rj:.- ofrhepi th at entered jntq jC ovenant with tJic Lor d God, and into his Oath, that he might ftablifh themf®r a~pebple to liimleU, and he might be to them a God j then irfvlants were pa jt of the Church ^ But the former is pjain, in ?> »r. ^p jg, ii, i2-. to swy tlm wmread i t ; T hcr^lore Infants wcfc par^oLxhe Chuf ch. .. ''' ^'-mL. ■ci.lf Infants cbHrch-memherpjp ana'Bapifi m. ^7 1 . If Infants were en gaged to God by the Seal of his CcvcnanrCCirciimcifo nJ t!;en they were rnejiibers of his Church> Buc foine Infants were io engaged i rhiere- •fcre they vvercChui'c4ij^eaalbM?^«i^ca^5,K^^ •tHacdenVedciLhef. ','" ,"; - • ^ M ^::.':^-?r "^ -y-^-r.,' ,^,. l<. ^i,-,; , j,,,: -'?. '5. Iflnfancs were part of thofe rliat were E aprl7.ed toM/e ^ in the Clcifd and S!ca^ 2.ad drank the fpirltuali drink, even of tTiat rock which v/as Chrift, then iure they were part of the vifible Charch : Bur the Antecedent is plain in i Or. 10. i» %, 3. Thiey all were Bapcized, &c. .: 4. The Martyr S.u\^jun^iX\dh that Affembly whereof they were mensberL thi Church m the wiUirnefs^ Ad.-y, 38. Therefore they were C'uirch-membcrs. But I will fpend. np more words in proving that which no body th^t I know of dc-^ nyeth. - ^ , .'^: The oaely thing which Mr. T. denieth, and which the whole weight of this ar- gument iiech on, is, that this mcrcif nil gift of God tQ Infants, and ordinance for their ^hurch-tmmbtt)fnp is not yepeakd. And here you fee l have the negative, and the p roof doth not lie upon mf. They 7[i ^rfay it is repealed, mult prove jt ^lwiU here fcittheretofe examine M-.r. his proof, and then I will prove the negaTive to you. that this is not repealed, by n multitude of evident Arguments from Scripture : and then leave it to you impartially to judge, Whether he better prove that Infant. Church-niemberiliip be repealed, or 1 that it is not. _ i have fhcwed you Scripture which is not queftjoned, that God once bellowed this mercy upon Infants j and may I not nowjuftly exped, that he who faith God hath taken it from them again, and repealed that Law, fhould bring fome plain 8cripture,or Argument to prove it? 1 will not conceal the lead part of the Ihength of his Argument, but will adde what ever elfe I conceive he might fay, and then a»- fwer all. A Nd firft feonfefs, I exp^aed fome plain Scripra^re/^i . Becaufe if muft bea i ^^ plain wprd of God onely that can prove the repeal of any part of his word i I and mens reafonings may as likely prove vain in this as any thing, if they t>enoc I grounded upon plain Scripture. And 2. Becaufe I deal with thofe men that call for ^ plain Scripture proof of Infant Baptifm from us j therefore did 1 over, and over, and over, defire Mt. Tto bring fome word of God to prove the repeal of Lifants Church- nriemberfhip. But what Test do you think he brouglit ? In his publick difpute he «ever ©fice offered to name one Text ; Nay, in his Sermon which he preached after upon deliberation, he never offered to name one Text in all the Bible, to prove that God h^£lu:£peakd^iQ4ntS..Chm^^ Is not this enough to make hrs caulc fufpicious ? Nay, I am confident he cannot bring one Text for it. What li Mr* r. fliou-ld ufe Magii\rates as he doth Infan ts fas former Anabaptiftshave clone Jhatli he not as good ground? and would they take it well ? Way he not as well fay when J fhcw himScripture in the Old-Ttflan>ent for Magiftrates in the Church, and being Gods people ; [ that it was from the peculiar Church State of the jews ; God hatii letupnoMagiltratesof ChriftiansintheChurchnow] would not our Magif traces bid him bring fome Scripture to prove t he rcped , oreife they fnall take tUeir OldTcrtamejit Commiffion fOTcurrcnf, andlet him bring me any more Scripture to prove the rcpeaToOniancsJimihdm^ ' P^al of Magi flF ates in the Church, jf he cap J ohow^ juft is it with God, that thole Magiitrates who favour, countenanceand cher ifh thofe mcn^ that.would keep an ^ £ 2 Chhliians iff PlaJH Scriplnre Vrvofof' ;*' Chriflians of rhc Church, fhould by tlif-fuir/C n)cal>e rutoatthert»rtl,Tes> M^^^ 5iMrchandftate?>> V''':'^- ''■' /?'" '^^ '^i : :;■;"" 'l'., -."!> Yet in private I con{c^')rt'i{r.cdr'^(t Tcy.ri lo ptof^'tKcrBep^ll.of Gods 6tHjVi^ifi-re' jnil mcrdfuB gtfr, thatTnfanrs flioiiW be Churc^-rncn-'bers', and I v if! rcadr^e rvi^',^ places toyou (_which private conference I would not m-ntioii, bur Ic(l it flioul J he thought a^wrong to him to ovfrrpafi his only proofs.) The tirit was GaL 4. i, 2, 3, NowJray,that the heir as long as Ijc is a child, diflftrcth ncth lug from a fcrvanc, though he be Lord of all, but is under Tutors and Governors till the rirae4ppoinie^ pf the Fariier j Even fo we when we were children were in bonda^e.undtr rhetS; kmcnts of the world 5 Butwhen thefulnefs of t'saie/V/^s come, God fent forVh hjij Sbn made of a woman, made under the Law, to r^'dqcui. th^m char Were'urjdf rjfHS taw, that we might receivethe Adoption of Sons. ' ' ' ' "' "' "'•■'-' s^f'^-'.n. ,. c /; When I confidcred that fuch a man (hould deny all Infants Church -iiiernbcrfhip, and affirm tliat God hath repealed chat his ordinance and merciful! gift, and- havv; no more Scripture for it than fuch as this, and yet be fo confident, itmakcth ivt am.tzed. Hath not he a good wit, thatcin prove that Chrift hath repealed his nicr- cifull gift, becaufehe hath redeemed us frnm undergnr bonrlagj ^ an;! nirofage ^ ''9^* that he hath flilit out all Infants from his Church, ^-caufe he hadi delivered' therr? from t he hiconvenienccs of their minority ? If 1 had no better proof than thh for Iq-J "JanTBafftilm, I Hiould be alhamed once to open my mouth for it. Niy, I pray you do but confider whether his own proof be not fufficicnc againlt him? Doch not thii; Te-Kt plainly tell us, that thg jieir in h'fs minority is Lord o f all? knd foapprGveOjf rhc natural! birth-privilegeoTourcJh IdfeVi in civlll'thmgTt^And will Gcd then dcnv^ childreiitohehcirs of anything, &: bereave theai oftheirfpiritnall or CI)urch-Pi i«p fege,and neither tell u s why lie doth it, no r that lie doth it ? Again more'pliiiniyf ,vt Clirilt came to free the heir from his bondage Bi tutorage on ely^ ^ fr om rh^f f fy 'fv ^j^ of his minority,is it likely that he came to tree therll itO\i\ tlieirChurc'i-nicmbjriliir? Gan any man think, that this was any part of the bondage? I require tlv-ife. whole confeiencesf are not wholly enilaved to their, fancies and conceits, tojudge of -iliis ioberly, Whether thdycan pofTiblv think it ji bondagf to be a member bora oif th e^ nnivprfall vifih!eqhn[-^h. an-.-l ofa'p.in-jrnTir ? T rr rhf-m nor h&r^- rh\'r^^^ rh-t-f^i^- ^cumcifion was a bondage, or thTtt^ieLaw was a Tutors Fori fpeak of nor e / of thefe, but of their being n)embers of che Church of God. g. Yet further, whea \his Texttels us, that Chrifl cam.e to redeem us from under the Luw, and the bonr dageof minorirj^ is it not a clear proof that he hath brought us i nto a far b^f: ,cer ftatc than we were in before ? and hath advanced 115 in his Family, as the heir at a^? is advanced ? And can any man cf comaion fenfe ancfconfcience expound this ol' his i caftinga il their Infants^our of his Famijv ? Chrilb Church is his Family; and doth \ the heirlife to Be freedby being^caft'out of the Family ? Why may he not as well lay chat ail the body of the Jewifh Nation are now delivered by being caftout of iIjC Church or Family of ChriftPIs it not more agreeable to the fcope o!the Apoftle here to affirm, that certainly they are fofar from being turned out cf the Family or Church ofClirifl, that by Chrift they arc now brought inco af^r higher ftare, and made memi^giis af a far better Chuicii^ than that particular Church of the Jcvy^vva:-', 4. And if anyyet lay; that 1^ 1! ftOtthelnfanrs, but only the parents chat are thus ad- vanced bv Chrifl to a better ftate, is not thisTer.t plavn againfl him ? For the Apo- ftle extc:. acth redemption here to thcfejJuLa^fiie.wu^l/Jt? Z rfiy',aiid who knoweth HOt that loikotsjKeriUmdeCihe Law ? Ami if it didt>oc belong to each iadividuall under the Law- yecic cannot in "any coieifabl< fenfe be dcrve^l'to belong to each > fpecies fjjcdcs of age •, Cy^t I can prove, that condiricnally this deliverance wasfoFeach in- " ~ dividual perfon in the fenfe as God fenc bis Son jcfus co turn every one of them (fpm tbtir ini^Liicy- A^. 3, h%J And novy judge I pray, whether this be nox,^^\s^'&x\\ ground for men so prove the repeal oif Gods mercjfull i^^x and ordinance ^f InTan;s ChL|rda,TiVleiXiber/hip.^ BUt one Te>:t pfvore was named, and tliat is my TeKt,: Mat. 28'. i9,''2o;:feoi'iiqX pie all Ninons, Sfc. 1 5 not this brave proving the repeal before mentioned? vvhar\ faich this Text CO any fuch matter? Nay, 1 am confident the contrary will be proved 1 ffomthisTcKcallo^ For ific be Nations th at mull be difcipled and Baptized, certain* j ly all Infants cxw never be evduded, bucraufl needs fome of them at Icaft be inclu- ded. I do not believe that men were to be made Dilciples by force: nor that all were Difciples when the King or greater part were fo: But that the Apoftles Cotn- million was to Difciplb Nur ofa City or Nition that God will call : / fhall fay more tp.the/hame oflhisfpeecli aifcerwards •, yet let me fay this much at prcfanr.. ific be but fome few, or here and there one, yea, or but the moil that Ci.riflcommandeth to Difciple, then wemtift endeavour to makebiit thofe j^aLSL^'^Q^^ Difciples ( for oar endeavour muft notgo heyotid our Command and G o mmidion. j t>ut this is moi't tiornd L)dver,and he dothnor deny them. ?. And that this was ever repealed, you hear how well from Scripture he can proves Though 1 defired him again and agiin to bring (omc , ^cn^tij^'e^fpr i|, if he had an y . ■DUt let lis hear wtether his Argament£br^..rnnrnrnrinr^., whf^ffpf rhfiy \^."re Mtrmber^bc «iD ,7n, then their l^ml3£r[h i? 15 taken downjl^ t the Church, kc.tliercforc, Sec. To '" £. 3 • piovo go V^- , rlam Scripture proof of -r-: ThcAnreccdcilt, chiiisarfdcd : Jf tneitCIiorch C«i!l be alcercd/tlieq Their h Cc^TiliitUiion is jlc«red : bur their Chufch-C^Il is-Alb:r<:^ •,.therercre, Src.;T6 iljp y.iiicr, lie ("htws the different Cals then ai^tf tips^: i. 'Then the}'. wer(,^ pl^- LVC pi icd by yl/a/t'i or Ahiak.im, tfte MKg'tftrare v hr.t noWhy Kfi^mclrf . 2. Tlien all th(^ W tic-n u as called in ouc day, even ^Servancs and all ■■, but now God caJs here 6nc aina^ there one. B<:fideb,hc fliews that the Temple,Priellhood,Sacri6cx*s are taken down, aod.ihereforc the Chyrch-confucLition. This is the very ftrengrh of all that 1/r, t. hath to iay to prove the repeal of Gods mercifiiU Ordinance for Infants' (Jhurdi- Mcniber/liip. And I cannot choofc but fay. They are filly roi.!h,andtrad"ahictOi'iil5- velty, and eafjly fediiced from the truch of God, and farfforti cive lability ofjudiar. "oi»> tciider conlcicnc'd ChrilUans, who will be drawn bv fuch nii(\y,clou4y; ar^ulii^ uithput one Scripture proofs yea, and againit Co much Scripture. ' ' '.' ' Seeing therefore all his flrcngth liech here, I Will firft lay you down fome necef- fary Dil\inttions todifpcli the clouds of ambiguity ^ and then Anfwer thcfercafoa- lujigs of his : iVnbn|,> ] tpjvfprd^j) v;fibip rhitrr'li rl^ar CtqAjiaA then in the world. Though jiiariy learned men think otherwifc in this-,yet Jfr.T. doth' nor, but confeiTeth it true.G;ofij<^^^ F;vz/?f : /«J-,andmany Withers have proved rhis:(though I know not what CloppsnkHrg^ltff and others fay againft them, which were vain now to trouble you with) But led any other denyir, though Mr- T. donor, I prove it thus. i. Gcd promifeth toblefe Abrahams cbildrejiin generall, andforetelleth thus, Oen. 18. 10. 1 know Abraham that he will teach h ischildcen after him,and they (hall keep my Law,&c. Mark,Go4 faith not, /jw f^i/c^ as of //^Mc only, hut his childten wholly, that they fhould keep Gcds Law : Now Abraham had many Children by Ketarah v & tliey ^'ere al] Ch^^jJi members,andCircuracifed ^ And if they kept the Law, no doubt they would teach it their Children. Again, ^un lived 40 years of y^rfcVtime -y and who dare fa y that de mand his Family were no Mem bers of the viiib]e_gm3j[jchi-iina is it neer to pro- hablc, that when there were lo rnanylBiouianHsof 5em5 Pofieriry then living, that n^neof thtfe were of the true Church but Abraham ? were Scnis Tents foefirruiged from God? And what were the Family of Bcthuel that Rebecca came from? were tiiey none of the Church? Yet plainer *, I remember what Jufiin Metnyrm his Dialogue with Tryphon faith oL\fdch}fedech^ He was King ofSalem, and a.PxiefV of the moil high God j And could there be a righteous King, and a King of Righteoufncfr, and a Vrieftfo excellent as to be the Typeof Chrift^ and had this King no Righteous fub- jefts, and this Priefk no Righteous People ? It feems by Job and his Family, and by the language of his three friends and £///;«, that God was nor fo fkange rothe world then, nor the Church fo narrow as many do imagine : The like may be faid of Candace_QucQnpiihc Ethiopians (whoyct derive their Church from her arid S()/> ~7Wil) So t)f Ui'i'iim King ofTy as of r^inivej and many other. Alas, that the jews Privihfgesmul'i needilSiurch all the reifof the world, 2. Propof. Ifthejewifh Church had been tlic whole vifible Church, yet it would have been confiderable in both refpefts ', both as theJ£ a:ifh Chur ch, and^ s t he unive riall. 2. There is no Member of ^ny particular Church who is not alfo a iNJeraber ot the Univerlal Church : Infants Clmrcihmemberjjjip and Baptifxf/, Church •, therefore Infants were Menribers of die U niverrail yifihlp r.h^]r <;;h ^^ well as of fhp ]f M^h p aitieular Ch urch h So that )f it could be prove^ that their Memberfhip in that particular Church is overthrown^ yet that is nothing to prove that they have iod their ftanding in the Uiiiverfall Church. But this 1 fliali fuUier improve and vin- dicate hereafter. 2. You mud dji^ijiguifh between thcEfrentials,and fome Accidentals of the ]ewifh Church i The FrieAhood, Temple, Sacrifice, &c. were meerly Accidentall, and w might be repealed without the repeaiof the Eifentials, or the Ordinance eflablifhing j the Church it fclL ■ it-^ : -^silT ..<;, r.^ -> • ' 3, You muli diiUnguifn. between thoir Chordh confidered ih itfelfs and confidePed comparatively as to others j The Jews were a peculiar People and Church of Godjno^ other had the like privileges. Now if they had believed,, they fhould have kept all their Privileges abfolutely confidered i (except it bea lofing them, to change them for greater) Burcompararively confidered, they fhould not have kept fomexdaiizfi Fri-jileges^ For they fhould no longer have been a fin gular peculiar, people, (eeing others fhould have enjoyed as great Privileges as tliey j Yet this would have been without any lofs of theirs •, much more without wholly un-Churching them or their Children. When a man hath but one fon, he hath the privilege of being his Fathers only fon 9 Bur when his Father hath many more, he hath loft that privilege, and yet is not therefore turn'd out of the Family j nay, the adding of more brethren in our cafe is anencreafe of die happinefs of each particular •, for this is the very cafe of the Jews : The adding of the Gentiles would have made the jews no more to be fo peculiar as to be fipgulaf in their privileges^ and yet they fhould have enjoyed ne- ver the lefs. Therefore, mark it, the Scripture fpcakirvg of taking in the Gentiles, ic exprefieth it as b y taking down rhe p-^ rrirjpp.-^yaii nna nv^k ing ot both one Church; but itfpeaks notof un-Churchin.'gthg ]ewsfirlU and their children, or bereavmg' them of their I'rivileges. And wiien m his \ luonr cter was taught the Do<^rine of the Gentiles receprioa into the Church, Ach 10. it was not by making the jewsl ij.ncle^n,butbycleaniJiigtheG€ntilefctobeciean asthejews. So that if the Jews' would, have believecjj,, tiiey fhould havelqft only rhf-ir roy>iphrnriveJrivilegts con- riding in the, ringulaiity of their enjoyments, which is no lols to them, to hive the ^ Gencile.s enjoy them as well as they '■, hut their Privileges in rhemfelves confidered would not have been diminifhed, buc fome ielTer turned into greater^ And therefDre certainly God would »ev/sr have- turned thek: Children ail olit of the Yifible Ghu?;ch. . . . . ^^ •■-• : -..^.^< ■•...^^^-"^ ■^^- '.; .- };^4. .So when we,caU the jews a N^tiGjiall- Chuuh^ and when3/r. f faith Gcd t06k the whole Nation to be his Church, it may be meant either in regard of the ap- pmpri.^ri on a^^ , relir^^ tjon rr> that Nation only, as if God had iK)t Called any other whilfiJiaLioa i and foTTmay be true, that the jews only werea Nationall Church (though yet it is doubtfull, as what is faid oi MdcMfedeikhdorc Oieweth ^) and alio in regard of their Nationall and Church Unity ( which yet is the excellency and flrengthofall other Churches i ) Orelfe by a National Church may be meant', a^ if all were Church-r gembers that were of t)m i^ j.ion,and no more were re<]uircdto [ the being a C!iiir£ li=^[iemh€<^-fettiH^iie ofT^ Nation v And thus Iperccive icisby/ Eflanyunderflood. But this is notor ioufly talfe h For it was then as well as now, he Covenant of GQd ,Cwherein he took them for his peculiar People, and they took nm for their only God, the Parents engaging for themfelves and their Children) which made them Mej ^b ers of the Churj:h . Fori. Noaged perfon,nonocfcrvants, fflftach lets ordmsr y ProSIyces, i#r.tr* -jAembers, except di&it^ Bt^ed thg Covenan^ j^ " ' ' though i '^2 VUin Scripture proof of chough they arc conmanded roCirciMUcirc all in their H;u!c , >tc i: is fuppoled rhar by their Ij^tercAard Aur^ ^ori'v, the, caut>^ (•h^'mfirfitoc '-.^r yf-|^ r>>-.^na»^^. th^r^-- P.>rr: they vv'iiu ib ■. ^"^ ci vaiirs bought v^irh niouey^ as beiji,i> iXfAv^V, thcif <>v;n^uc i^or :0 be ^r.ht>rrhn^<.'mh<--|^^^ jp^jr.('fit:irr]y, l>nr firO in f y^cf-r i^rp j-tjt, f"nvPnr>nr, :ir.r< rak-f- him for UieirGcd, ajidfotobe Chuichniembers. ^ . 5. You mr.ia difiinguilh btrvvjxt Breaking off that partlculaj Individual Church, 6nd, ; and fe call out her felfj or elle Breaking off in a following ad by punifhment (botii Morally and Phyfically,)(as a man that putcth away his adulterous wife-,)ln the for- mer fenfe all the jews that were un- Churched, did un-Church themfelves and their children, And God only un-Churched tiiem in the latter lenfe; And therefore the children of be||evmg jews Twho did not adulteroufly violate the Covenant^ were_ never un-C hurch€(^ ^ GodTatleth out n<9ne but rhoie due firftcaft ourjhc'idUves^ • ' Having Infants ehurch^memberpip and ^aptifm, 55 HAving thus'fhevved you in whatrfenfe the Jews Church is taken down,andin whatnot, lee us review now ATr^rV Arguments, i. He faith, The Church- conflictJtioa is'taken down ^ and therefore cheir Memberfhip. To which I Anfwer ^ 1 . By Ccnftitutm is meant either the F.fT^nriaH nnrnrf»,nr fn p^^p rere nior^Ull Ardrl<-nr' And iv/ tal:tng down h meant either [by repealing the Law , which takes down the ) ..•W'hok Species] or [ovineer punitive Execution, taking down that individuaily Church : 'Jin the fir(t knfeof Con/jifwfi^n .tnd taking down, I utterly deny the Ante- cedent, aiid may Hay iong enoiigii I perceive before he prove it. 2. By their Mem- berfnp either he m^t^ns the indivlduail Infants of unbelieving un-churched Jews, ( which I graft) or elfe the whole Species 01 Infants ( which I deny^ 9. Befides, the' Argument condudeth not tcr what he ihould bring it : That which itfiiould . jpbnclude is [thattke mcrcifull gift and ordinance of God, that fojnelnikaLsihouId te Church-members, is rcpealcdr] This is another tiling from what he concludeth. He proveth that their Cburch-conjlitutian is altered^ becaufe thsir Church- Call is dl- terw^^. To-whichl Anfwer^ i. Here is lUlI nothing but the darkncfs of ambiguity, and troubled waters to fifh in. As we know not what he means by Conflitution as is faid before j fo who knows what he meaneth by their Church- Cnll z* Is it meant firft of Gods Law or Covenant, ena a nian, and thehackildei and then a woman be fcnt to call you to dinner, of to any imployment or company, a.oth this change the nature of the company or imployment? w hat ifaBifhopCa M o^e ma atoihe, Miiii£Ly» andAPre^tcvy anot her, and the PeopleTth irdJi-imLthe t^inifteriairwork and Office fiilTtl^ ^ what if a Magiftrare C(^nvert one mih ' iiow,and'a tviinHreTanbrher, and a woman a third , doth it follow that the Church (if State that they are converted to, is therefore not the lame ? whit a powcrfuli Ar^ gfiment ishefe for a man to venture upon to un church all the Infants in the worlcrr The efficient caufe enters not the Effence •, or if it did, yet not every Icrs-principill i^feriour caufe, fcch as the Meflcnger or Minifter of our call is ; ifyou had proved that Godhad repealed his Law, which is the <:harrer of Churrh-meiMb^r/hJp, then vou had laid fomethingv clfe you fay nothing to the purpole. ' ' -• ' ' '^' - ■ /"^ ' '2. I utterly deny that there is any moretnich in the Antecedent than in the Gbff- 5:qttent'. God hath not altered the nature ofthe call in any rubftamiall pomt; but 5?i mcer circumflances *, Ixisfaid, It was then hy^ Magitl rates, andnowbyivitiiiilm. J ainfwer -, \. What was by Magiflrates ? the firft Call ? or all afrier ? For the firff^ Iknownotwhich, orwhen itwasi Lethimthar-can tdUfeethathe prove it. Ifind when rirmfjnri fion wa^ firft lnUii; ti tf d in Abrahams Family ^ E ut never when their rl-i iirrhmPTp n ^ f fhip bf^un '^ Shall I dare to think that cither Abraham or bis Fartiii'^ S w ere no Church membcrs till they were Circumcifed? ^?/t^. 4. -'''Wcrtild'confqS / fe ■" ''•*— --^^__.— -'^- ''''^•- vju bfifliu.n.iw D:iA-vlbiinT > jme. ..J ^ "■ r ' 2. Snppofe it were true that Abraharn's 'Pzmly^^g'xW'lvM rSb^^'^^u^') ('which will never be proved) yet did not God call them to Circumcifion immedir ately? what isthistoaMinifteriallCall ? ^ ,' 3. Are you fure that which Abraham did in it, vi'^s as ^ Magiilrate 5 ' ^n4tttit^3s;i • J^rophet ? nor Mafter of Fami ly ? prove that if you can.' ' ; ^,' ' ''' • '' ■ '' ' ' ']^^_ '. 44 What was it that Abraham did ? He circunncifed tlichi whe'fi' Obd fetlfcdiii'- Hianded himt And waseircnmcifing.the Call? then the Infants Id the Wilderrie'f^ nor the whole Camp almoft had no Church Call*, and then the women had never any Church CalK What was it then that Abraham did more than n-jiy now be don^ 3f you fay. He compelled them to be circumcifed by violence without tlieir con- fent^ I deny it as a forgery •, And if he had done fo by chofe at age, it had 'been u© waking them Churchmembcrs, fortheir confent is abfolu^rely rtecelTary tfieretb. '3ffyou(ay, Abrahambyhx^ intereft, authority and perfwafion'did N^-ih allat'^^eip his Family to confent j dare you fay, that every Maf^er of a Family aiid Magilrrat^ OMghc not to do fo now ? So that 1 cannot find any more tiTjt Abraham did in tins Call, than may now be done. And then for Afo/t'y, what more did he ? I)idhe make rhcra Members without their confent ? No j Hf fet$ befbte ch€m\t1f(? and rrrtr ...Injants l hHrch'memherpjp and Baptifm. iOi '- .^y/ peath, Bleiting and Curflng. and bids rhem choofe which rhey would,te«t.28, 20^ ;?Tid 50. Chapters. Dotli 1^^ circi-jiicife them ? No, not liisown Son. Nor cheln- fanr, forty years, nor die women at all. Doth he command them toobey theQom' j^jar4sof Godi^And Oiould not every King and Maglftrate do the Kke? Doth he pefr fwade chem? Why^you know he was a Prophet : and if hi had nor, vet fure he mvA do it as a King> andasa.fervantofGDd. Where then lies this pccul-iar Call by the Magiflrace ? I think by that time we have fearcht this to the quick, we fhall find the; Magiilracy lef^ beholding to Mr. T, than was imagined. No wonder that he told rfie people in his Pulpit,chat it was doftrine of a dangerous coHfequence which I de- liveced (_That Magiftra^ces had their power from Chrift the Mediator, andnotoncly from God as Creator] I doubt by this arguing of his, that he will not allow the Ma- giflace to call all his people together, and propound the Covenant of God to themj, and command them to obey God. You find not M-i[(is h-y Prifon or Fire forcing a»iy inan to confenc : And if he had, you murt hare a little further work to prove that k j2Vas that which made them a Church, or that Magiftrates may not ftill do as much as ,was done herein then. 5 'This Argunienr, if good,would help the Seekers to prove t64LwcJui^no_Chiirch^^ fo the CJhiiK^- Cpn(\itation taken down, and none by God fiibltituted. Letthem that have&etc^ eyes than I find out this peculiar Churchmaking Call, for I cannot. Well, But nia^ itIiOE lie in the fecond Point, CThat they were all taken in to be a Church in one day? j An^w, i. What day was that? I would 3/r. T". could tell me. He faith iWisf/fx clid itjbut thatsno truer tlian the reliFor fure they were a Church jbefgre M^ /gj ti me. Jpjd^hsy begifl to (^e a Church in the wildernef£?Or did Mo/w only cxprefsthe €0- y^nanc to them more fully, and caufe them oft to renew the Coycnant, and fp onely confirm them a Church ? Was not the circumcifed feed of >l^r^^4OT a Church inEr ^^r / and was the uncircumcifed Boft onely in the Wildernefs the Church i This i$ excellent arguing. - ~ Bur ^irrf/;4w took all his Family to be a Church in one day, you will fay.I Anfwer, feirft, It is not proved when they began to be a Church. Secondly, And would nop ^i^.y;! now have a whole Family madea Church in a day ? Is that his charity? Thirdly, And what if it had been true of the whole Kingdom ? Either it was with their eonfentor without: without their confent they could not be made Church- Members j for they could not enter into Covenant with God. And never was any (uch thing attempted. Even Jo^ma treads in Mo/ei fleps, and bids them choofe whe- ther they will ferve the Lord or not, J')f. 24. And it being with their content that the Nation were Church-Members, may not the like be done now ? What, may not ;>ny orall the Nations in the world be added to the Church if they will confent and enter the Covenant? What then, is this making them a Church in one day that Mr. 7*. j"^ cloudily talks of ? If he fay it is that then the Infants were taken in: Ianfwer,Tha£ jtjs to prove the fame by the fame, or elfe to argue circularly. As to fay their Cjhurch- call did fake ni InfantE,therfore the taking in of infants was peculiar to their Church call : thisbegs the Queftioni or to fay their Church-conftirution isceafed, i}bctneml)ei'sof theGhbixhiwas itbut here one, and there on e^ when, three thou^ far)d were convert(?^ at once, and'fivc thoufand afterwards ? and many Myriades or ten th<>ufeiKlS^-e\»en>)T the y^Wi' that continued zealous of the 1 /aw did beheve ? Alb '2. 41. and 4. 4. ani^2t.2o. bcTides all Gentiles ? v/a"s itbut hereand there otie, .when aHthat dwelt at Lyddn ind ' Saron turned to the Lord both men and women ? 'Ai^^9' "95 -and ali that dwelt ztSmaria^ Ach 8. Let him fhew me when three thou- - fat^ Jewsvftxt made Church- meif^ib'ers in a day if he cm before Chrifts time ^I fe'y, if |hedh» ietr him fhew it me. " Sire ever fihce Abrahams time, ( and 1 doubr HdTB^f^^oretoo ) tlicy were added to the Chn:-c!i by one and one as they"<^ere-. Y^n. And I liave Oiewed you before, that Chrill fendeth his Melfengers to fiifa'pn? Ug J ali Nations '■, \t is a bafe Expofition that fhall fay he means onely. Go and Dilciple I ifte hereone, and there one out of all Nations, and no more. And what meancth Vhat in /^.eW. 11.15. The Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his ChriiK^ Are not thefe Kingdoms added to the Church, as vv^elta^ jJfrdeRSc arenorall profcfforsofchriftianity in£ff|/^;r,:^,astruly intheChurclVas 2ilt?ri / Ifraet v/crc ? i challenge any to anfwer nK- limin, and undemk^^ tb f^ike it good I againftthem (as Ur is will Oand wi^h modeily to challenge^ whatfc^.cver any Sepa- jifatifts f commonly called Independents)" or Anabaptifls may fay to the contrary I ('for I have pretty well tried the Orength of their Arguiug in this. J -Yet a little further, Richer iVr.r. by [ Church-Call] means that which was the ■in(?ansofeiiteriftgrnfants, or^menatagc^ brfomewhaeebrnmontoborH: Ti-iejeips 'dkl ail enteipinco^heChufch^mefftbers inTnfa^ftcyv even they that rfererred Cif- aimcifion till forty years oldv and the wOinen that were noicircnmci led. A»jd whd.c Gallhad thefe Infants that cannot underfhnda.Call^ The Prcfelytes , who were made Church Members at age, were firft converted to God, and profelTed the true Religion, and fo brought in their children with them vThty were converted not all in a day, but by times ^ noc onely by Mofes or fucceeding Magiftratcs, bur chiefly by Prierts or Levites, or zealous people, or by what w^y or meins God was pleafed to ^ufe for that end. I did intrcac Mr.T. to fhew me any mirtrriail diiTlTence between the. /GaU^f thefe Profelytes into the Church in all ages till Chrift, and tfie Call of us \ (Gentiles iftto the Church i And truly he gave me an anfwer of lueer wards for a p«t off, (wherein he hath a notable faculty ) which I can fin I no weight nor fenfe in, nor am I able to tell you what he would fay co it , nor can i conceive what poiVibly be faid of any moment. Camera well nnrpri-i^ //v^a^ffj^f, jg n^y/t^p^^ in the Church-._aL it were 'i:\ 'x^(rr\ht)]tvm :, Difciplin g n_OjaLtQ u ,, is aTIaiLlyring was t^iem. rclv^ now what this ChLir<:h-call is which he laycch fo greai a weight on, and how much iaclKmainic diflfercrh from OIKS- T$\!t 1^ Ik yetone o^iierargumerir iW/.T'.hath^ prpwi^e Cfeurcti-eqift(iift^ti(p|i W^cf^rv. Xi aad confcqucm ly In fan rs. n :; w cart ,©at, of th^iPtCJiW^- member /l«p> FCg^aJc^A"^ And^tjiatis rhb>thcy wei-eto go up three «i^f|llfy€ar -co rhe Temple v thc)fKA£{| dieir;S^,q/!clrim, and High- FrieA : now he appeSetJi to all whether chefe nqnotafr) tered: Avid therefore theChiyrcJi-confticution iiftufc ^eeds be altered j ^ndfolii-f A| as, m i feraBlc Caufe that bach, no; Setter Arguments ! Are any of t hefe-ElTentt;^ t ocheu'^.Chm'cli-CQnflitutio rvs^' ilow-x:ame there to be fo drift a-COnftitutTon. bee v^e^ '^ PrieltiiQod, .'remplev, ^anedrim, &c, as that th^ Church muft needs fall whei>,,t^qif, ffU'^JNlay it not, be aChurch without thefe? I would intrear Mr. T. OFany!jCijc4£l§5 a%whoJhath'theleaft good will to truth left in him, eoniiderately to Anlwer me.jf^ tfe^ V I. ^V^as not the Tewifh people a Chur gh before th c^rji ad either T grnple^ f>r*7 .S^q^jjjgT or ^V^gh- PrieH, or any of all the Ceremonies or Laws of Mofes ? wer^J t|i^T noc a CI>urx:h-in ^j'fi-j aadin the Families cx^ Abraham^ Ifaac and Jacob / 2 . Did ti^CjAdaiij^Qfthefe Laws and Ceremonies take down any former part of the ChurcU| Of didevery new Ceremony that was added, ma,ke a new Church or Cooftltutioii oftiie Church ?§. if the adding of all chefe Ceremonies did not make a new ChurclH o;: overthrow the old, why ftiould the taking of them away overthrow it?- -4. If the Jews Church-conflkucion bdoie Mofes time was fuch as took in infants,why nocsfter Mofds time ? Or if t>^r^fc v-v^rf Church-members long before citherTe mple , or S^«edria>, or Kigh-FrieA, &c.^ Why may they nor be lo When rht^li^ aie dowiii. Why j^uftchey us^edsfall with them, when they dki not rife withthem? .$,- Aadif *|i;e;ve.!:y.f^ecificall»a£ure of their-Church be taken downs then men are caft oist^and wojii^H^aas well' as children. Ifitbefaid, that Chriffehath appointed m,en antJ^iatfome Infants /hall be Church- memb^^ . ..y^hifr '- A. Nd, now, by Gods help,,! fhall try whether I can any better prove that it is no£^ :>E.q;j£akiiThjQugh I muli tell wu that it is no neceflTary part oFmy taslf/ee^^ i^gcHe proof lieth on.-|iim t-hat affirmeth theflej^alvand■^o^on roe that deny it. If I brjQgflny ^cripture^o pf ove any truth , it is an .e^fi^ mat«rtp Ciy it is repealed, i f ithat noayferve turn :So^he Anrinomiaiis willput by m«d5 of the.Scripture,and the AiKi-Scripcnriil^,i|i deny it all. ^-.-1 '^ C-HA'-P« MYfirl\ Argument is this. If God hiv^ Repealed this Or^iiuance, airdrci voked this mercifull gifcot Infants Churchir.eipbef ftiip,' thenjiris eichcr t p Mercy orjn Jullice , rirher for rhe vr Good or fotjc heir Hurt :, But he, hath vuirher Repealed it in Mercy for thei r Good, jwria Juftice fpr:^heir J. Hurt i therefore he hath not at all repealed it. Xi J vtill hide nothing from you that Mr, T. hath faid againfl this Argtment, eichcr •biour publick Dirp«te,or in his Sermon. The fufficicncy of the enumerarion in the lyifijof propofition, he never offered to deny : nor indeed is there any ground co de- . ny.ic. It mulhieedfc be for rhe Good orJ ixm of hifants that they are put out j and / ift tenftnecd&bc in Mrreyorlof^ice : for God maketh not fuch great altcratiOi>s.ia )i^Chuich and Laws to no end, an d of no mome nt, but i n mrerin dilfereHcy. V >vThe Minor I proVeirTBotlTparts : i. That God hath not Repealed this to thetr hurt lA juOice, I prove thus : If God never Revoke his Mercies, nor Repeal his Ordi- nances in juftice to the Parttes hurt, till they firit break Covenant with him, and^b procure kby their own deferr,then lie hath not in Julhce revoked this Mercy to the hurt of thofethat never broke Covenant with him : But it is certain that God never revoketh a Mercy in Jnltice to the liurt of any that never brpk^ .Qjyi^^iiH wich himv therefore to fuch he Ifath rtot fo revoked it. , ' \ - vbof! '^'/^"^^N That t his is a Mercy ,A »d of the Covenant, is plain, DeHt. a^. J6, i r, iMj%Yia fre- quently pan'denial.2.llTat Gcd doth notin Juftice revoke fuch to any but O^enant- Breakers, 1 prove briefly thus: i.From the mercifull nature and conftant dealings of. God, who never cadeth cff thofethat caft norqifhim: 2. From ,his Truthranjl. Faithfulnefs^ forelfe wefhoivld make God the Covenant-Breaker ,and bod itiaoj which is horrid Wafj^iemy. 9. From the immutability aijd confkan^y of God j His gifts and calling are without repentance. 4- Scripture frequently laycth all the caufc of all evill of fuffcring upon mans finning ', For the iniquity of Jacob is all this.an^^ forthefiiioflfyael.nic.i.S. Thydeftniliioniscfthyfelf, Ifrml, but of mc uthy- helh Hof. 1 g.p.He that will deny this, is not worthy the name of a Chriftian. Now you know there were ma ny lews th at did bdievc;, and did notforfake the ■ Covenant of God, even mojUfth^^QitleiutBea rfeTvPS a nd many tho ufand^ naorc h 1 Now how than can thtfe or their Infants be put our of th^; .Church in] JulUc^ tp their [hurt, who did not fit ft break Covenant with God? . :. ;, t . ,. ^ I am brief in this, becaufe Mr.T. doth not deny it. But that which he Anfwereth, ' is, that [It is m Mercy for the ir Good] I prove iheijontrary plainly thus j It can be y >.r> y^^f^ y \r^ nk" au-'ay a M^rr'-,-^>T(rr^ \\ ^^^^fl^^?^'^''^^^^^^'^!^ ^^^^^"^ "^"* ^"^1 ^ Here is no greater Mercy given ro Infants intKe flead ofChurclvmembeflhJpj thtJCcr- fore itcan be no Mercy to thtmihat it be revoked. . _^ j - ■" fot^> -n The Major, Mr. T. doth not toy i and I will fully tell you all that he faith xf^xv^ Minor-, i. In his difpote he anfwt.'red, that Church- member Iliip of Infants vvas revoked in Mercy for their Good ; and that they had a greater Mercy in ftead ofic | And what do vou think is that greater Mercy ? why, i iisChrift come in the flefh. -- ^ — icoufcfe 7>?^WtriC^/^^ j^aptifm. I confefs itarmzeth me to fee the power of error, how ft can both at once bereave the underftanding of ordinary Light, and the Conlcience of tendernefs *, or one of ^ thefe at lealt. Is it polfibie that the judgement of Inch a man as Mr. T. can take this for a fitisfadory Anfwer, or his Confcience give him leave to deny Church-member- fhip, to all Infants in the World, and to raife a- Schifm in a poor diftreffed Church-, and to charge their own blood on the heads of his people thatyeeldnotto him, and all upon fuch lamentable grounds as thefe ? I. Was it ever heard before from the mouth of man,that ChriA fucceeded Church- memSerfhip, as a thing that was to give place for him ? Doth Chrifl caft any out of Hie Churc)i, only that he may fucceed them ? C4n he prove that their Church-mem- .bcr&i^>> w^satypeof Chr ilt, that mud ceafe when he was com:? V/hy doth he no: prove it theiiFrom feme Scripture or reafon ? Cannot we have a room in the bor rfy^ ^A;•irho^r hriii^ r^ft nnr ar the romming of the hf ad ? Are the Head and Members atfuchodd?, that one mult give pllce^ and be gone when the other comes? Why then is not the Church-memberfhip.of men and women to give place to Chrifls con3^ ming in the flefh ? Sure the nature of Church- memberfhip is the fame in both. Why^ did the Ar>oilles never fpeakx)f this among the Types of Chrift that did ceafe, thac ail Infants are put out ofthe Church, or Family of God, that Chrifi may fucceed ad a greater Mercy to them than their room in his ChuJch and Family ? Is not herd, comfort (but by a TiUy , comforrerj toailthe Jeirs themfelves ? though they^re broken off from {at Church, yec Chi lit is a greater mercy xo them an-ftcad of -it. ^ • ■ - . .";,,, ,■:,.:. :: <-:.aii;i But let ns confider a little what is the Church. Is it jnot the body of Chrift^cven :aii i]-'.c ChuTchCmct Adam's fall, and the making of, the Ne^w^ovena^^ 0trif^:even the vifible Church k hi?^ vifihle hr^-ly^^^ i fTor.i 2.,& many Scriptures ful- ly'ftl^vi' -f therefore evert the Branches not bearir^g Fruit are faid to be in him> thae IS, i n his vifible body. Job, il.j.2.2. Nowdnr:! Chrittbre^ik oflF^iH Tnraarg frnm his bddy^ thathe may comf in the fiefli to be z greater Mercv to them ? What's that,buc to be a greater Mercy than himfeif, who is the life aad welfare of the body ? Again,itfeems by this, Mr. Tl thinks that E ymmr^i t^i-i icacion is a great Mercy, If aUt?he ]ews Infants had been ExconcttTii infcafe, or caAourx>i'ttLe Church byGod _ himfelf, if were uomore than Chrift did m Mercy, n^ever bringing them mto any o- rfiei: Church inftead. Againft this {Grange fiAioa I argued thus j If ordinarily God, Oww not fo great Mercvro rhnfe .nnr.nf ((3^ rh.:r-rh ,7 ff^ o thofe in it, then it is not aj -^ greater Mercy, or for the parties greater good, to be put out, t!lan' t6 b^m j But or-) dtnarily God fheweth not fo great Mercy to thofe out of the Church as to thofe in it, Tlierefore it is not for their greater good, nor jt^j^gr^tpf;. NIfjrcy m be putoucr To this Mk r.anlwered nothing. ': '-i-'V- 'Vrrt ■.,•_> .i,.; :'-., \ I arghed alfo thus ^ If tliole that are out of the Church fince Chfifi:', have no fuch 'pi-ATYiife-Of ■Atfafa«€»^£M£r£y frorp hJcn. ;^^ rjiiff; In the- Ql^nr'A h^A before Ghriil^ tlKn it is not to them a greateF Mercy to be Out,oT"tTic Gliurch -, But chofe Out of the Church fmce Chrifl, have no fuch Prcmife or AiTuranceof Mercy fromhiin, 3^ thofe in the Church had before Chrilt', Therefore it cannot be to the ma greater Mefcy. To this'MrrT. anfvv'ered. That it is a greater Mercy to Infants fmceChrifl: ro'be dutbf tlie Church, than before to })e in it 3 and chat they have ae much ilfu- rance of Mercy from Chrifmow, as then (he (houldfay, more i J To- whiciil Re- plyedthus. , , ^ If thofe Infants whrih were in the Church before Chrift^ had God engaged in ^ - ,-4-- Ojtj ?^^nd Covcna r u to l?e their God^ afidto take t h^JQrJii&^Bgijairiaf People ? and ' -fbluoal • -^ - -tix^e jnjaviri r^H*" '^^" Hir C hurrh fmc c Qr ^lt have no luch thing; then they before Thrilfnvrhe Church flad more affuraflce of mercy than thofc out of the Chmck - {wtc Chrift: Butthe f^^fn^er ts rnif , as I proved our of Dt•M^ 25. 10, 1 1., 12. Upou 'WhicbTt^^'Vvb:.- rcltions there w^i'e. indwiiatvyords wcreufcdaganjft the ey|»rcfs'4^?rtT . >;f^ yo!h fiiaH fee ip.the Mf<^i^n of cl.c Difpurc, , ift be : Called to publKh if.' . " , ^., . ri ':.' 1 ttirrher adde oiic 6t~Ppbcf. 2. 12. Thofe tHaV^^re iM"^ to the Common-we^tcfi / ^iljraiU wx:re (tra-^gers to the Govenanf ofProrrifcs, and withouc hope, andvvith • 1 fP^W ^ |5art I give rou up a^forlorri v'and look upon ^^our Under flan din^ in this a.forfal^f n by God,andnotonely void of fpiritiiall illumination, but common reafoyi, and.pray the Lord to fa ve theunderftandingsof all his people from fuch^ plague, ^ndto^ef- cue vonrs before vc -go further. - -r^-n i:^ ; BUt let us kt what Mr. T anTwers to this in his ^ermbiif which iifjoa dvliber:a- rion he afterward preached to confute my Arjgumeiits,'and tliefcfore cannot lay trie blame upon his uhprepared^nti?. And truly in my judgement he dbtb hei"e plain- ly thrown down his wcapons-.and give up the whole Caufe (chough not difcttly cox\- felhng his error j he is not yet fo happy.) I were befit i,l ve yen his own words, left I be thought to wrong hinij they arethefe; [Asfottljofepctty rtarons,If it be done, itmuftbeinMercy or judgement. I fay in Mercy in refpea of tlie whcle.iyatho- lick Church ^ now Chvifi being come, and wc having a mere, fpiricuall Church'St4tc thjn they had; Their Church-Aate vyasmorecarnall andMily, and 2greeab|c,ro their time of minority ; It is in mercy th'ac is taken away; ^ And as for that^ excej^^i- / o , It cannot be taken a-Aay in mercy, unlefs fome privilege te to theni in ftead if I ir \ VVc anfvvcr,It is in mercy to tht; whole <^hurch,th-ugh n^ *^- - •' "' be to th^mO \>orar ,V;>-. rf. word<. - ' - "^ ,. ^ r«" " " ■ "i"»" ' I ';^' II I II , i . . T^ ^ , I cofifefs i4iev€r iKard a cauk more phmlyrorrakcn,eKcepc a nun (Iwuld toy f! pf I rtcdjait.N. Btimuclj akereiJifthe ternisof my AFgiHfienr.» as Jfoumay j^a^'^b^.k- fae&rc. |rJi.e Argainent isthus', It can be no mercy to aiiy to have » mercy 'taJten a\^X^^**'^^^^^^*^^^^P^ '^^ ^ ^^ givea greater irv i?s ftead:But hcfeis no^rearer -^tcrcy ghtti to In fan es m (lead of Church-niembeffhip, Therefore it cm be no mercy to thci!n> that it be revoked or taken away- To call thefe [Petty Reafons] is theo^ily "feerrgchoi^ Mr, f. his Aniwer. For I pray you niark^ i. He never denyed rht Major " teopofmoO^ [That it can be oo mercy to any to have a mercy taken from them, cx- : cept"h3j:they may have a greater in fread.] He could not deny this with any fhew of ^eafon:For otherwise, if it be a merty meeriy to deprive the creature of niercy,then vve ihAll turaHetlaato HesYen»& naakc it die greateft place of mercics^becaufe ijone tre deprived of mercy io much as they i no, nor of tlws particular mer«y » for no*|^ . are further removed Jrom being members of the Churchy thafl tht damped. V 2. And obfeive next»That as Mr. r.denieth not the Major, fo here he plainly gramw the Minor, & fo ycelds the whole Caufe. For the Minor vvas,[That here is no greater mercy given cc Infanta in i^ead of Churchmemberfhip. ] Doth not Mr ♦ T.. acknow- ledge this? when he faith twice over, i . That it is a mercy to the whole CavhoUck C^hurch (to have their Infaiiits put out of the Church.) And foif the mercy be only to the Catholik Church, that they be none of the Church("vifihle)then inyiosjcutoa^ a mercy ; So that he taketh it to be a mercy only toathersjbutn one to themT accor* ding to this anrwer. 2> Yea he faith it more plainly the fecondtime^That it is in mer^ cc to the whpl^^ church, though no pr|vilegefmuch lefs a greater mercy) be to them ^ro the Infant^ mf^nfelvej. ) So that for n>y parrel think I nnay well break off iKare, ^14|!d rake the whok piufe as ye.clded;Fcac if itbe no mercy ca any to be deprived of ijaercy, except that ch^y may have a greater i And if Infants have no greater ia fkead of this, but only t^uirPs^ieats have a greater -, and both thtfe be confelfed h then, it ifiiufl follow, thatips no mercy to infants to be deprived of this mercy ofcheir ' (Churcjiraemfeerfhip ? -^rjdccT.iequently God h^th not taken it from them in mercy ;for their good j^whkh if the thJng I am proving ; )and,Mr. T. yeeldeth that it is not tfaVen from th^njii^Ji^icero their hur^ i and therefore it is noc taken frcm them ai ;Hf; And tl3U5joij^.^<;,^yi4'«VCrfS CD«ie of the caufe that hach been, driven on withftidi ■ '^icocfidenoe. ',': .,"^ ',--:",'>' T' Butyet let us foIlo^^ it furtV.er. And i . What means Mr.. T- to talk of mercy to e-j thcrs,when our Qgeflion is,V/hcther it be a mercy to themj elves to be unchurched ?/ 5 . By this arguinJTiclnay prove any thing almoft in the^^Grtd a mercy *, For all fhalL^Qrljogethcr for good uthem rkMkveOocL^om.^ii^.knA therefore if I fhotild \ik hirifKWhsrherit be in ns^rcy to wicked men,that God giveduhem over to rhein- •i^ivisV^t at laft dainneth theni ? Mr. Jl niay^hus anfwer, that it Is s for iris a mercy to the whole Caiholike Chur ch, that is, to other men ? but what is this to the danv* ^fel ? So Mr. T. faith, It is a mercy to the whole Catliolike Chnrch . but wha^ is that -Ife Infants vvhoare unchurched ? ■ ^. And what a ftrangc Reafon is that of Mr.T, to fay, [] It is a mercy ,bccaufe their ChurcK-fiate was carDall,i5cfhly,and agreeable to their minority ^ but ours ib fpiriru- 4lh] What is this to themthatare put out o frhat carnall C hurch- ilare, and keptoutj ofthis rpifiruall.Church-ftatetoo? If they had been admitted into this^bggEcr flate^ /'as no'doubt rhey are) then he had faid fcmewhat. Elfe is not this as great a mercy fto the poor ofF-caft Jews? they arc put out of the carnall Church-lUrc too. But did God give fo many admirable Elogies of the Jews Church i andean Mr. % yecthink t^t ir is better to l^^f jio^ifibkjQhurchvdii^^ oi theirs .** G 4' ^''^^ 41 Pi rUm Scripture Proof of ^ \^\ ; 4. And where did iTfr. r. Icarn m Scripriire tocall the Jewcs Chiirch-ftate fCarnal ? 3 Or whac dothhe mean by'Cliurch-ftatc ? whether the clTentiall nature .of tf)e Church it felf, or any carnall Ordinances of V/orfhip which were accidenrall ;;9k?Js not this word [Church-ftarcj hke his form of fChorch-CaiQ devif^d terms to darken the raarter with ambiguitie^, and rignifYing what pl^afes the fpeakcr? -,.:--^. < ^- ' V. ■ -V: ■ 5 . And how long might I wait before Mr.Tt' would prove from SCiipnire, that nn amercy to the whole Catholike Cliurch to have all Infants put out, or unchurched ? Thefe are the, men that make their Followers believe that we have no Scripture for our Caufe,when tli£mfelvesgiveusbu: their Magifteriall Dlftates, Butl wonder /Whence he fhould fetch ibch a dream. What? are Infants fuch Toads or Viper's in com- Ipaciibnofmen of ycars,that it is a mercy to the wholy Catholike Church to have rhcrrr Vcall out? Are not the aged worfe than they ? And were v/e not once all Infants ? If this be true Dodrine, why may we nor next exped to be taught, that Infants mufl ^fi) be caft out of Heaven, in mercy to the whole Catholike Church ? If it be no car- jLall Church-ftate to have Infants in Heaven, why is it a carnall Church-llate which coptiJoeth in it Infants on Earth.^ And ifit be no benefit to the Catholike Cl^urch tb> have. Infants kept out of Heaves, nor no hurt to the Church to fee them there *, why ihpwlditbeabenefit to the whole Church to have them kept out on Earth, or any hurt to the Church to fee them here Members ? ^ ' ', But yet let us come a little nearer: what ever it may be to the enemivrs*, or to Man- Ik^ters, (of which fort the Church hath none ) yet methinks to thofe that are Love ^sGod is Love, and that are merciful! as their heavenly Father is merciful], and who Jice bound to receive little children in Chrifls riahie, and who are converted and be* come as children themfclves *, to fuch it fhould feemno fuch mercy to have all In- fants unchurched. But fuch are all true Members of the Church i and therefore to- . the Church it can be no fuch fpercy. \ But yet nearer : whatfoever it may be to Strangers, yet methinksjo_tlisJBare«5t&' themfelves it fhould feem nofuch mercy to have their children put our of the Church. Hath God naturally planted fuch tender alfeftidns in Parents to their children.' and dothGrace increafe it, and the Scripture encourage it ? and yet mu(V- they take it for a mercy, that their children are put out j when Mr.r. will not fay ic i«-a mercy to the children^ - -:. .;. .:, ; . \. Yet further: why then hath God made fuchpromrfes to the Parents for their Seed,as.if much of the Parents comfort lay in the welfare of their children^ if it be a nercy to them that they ar^ kept out of the Church ? may not this Do<^rine reach- Parents to give their children fueh ableHlng as the jews did. His bhodbe on us and twrxhildr en! h^ or their Curfe is to he broken off from the Church^and if that be a Mer- cy, the Jews are then happier than I take them to be : And how can we then pray, that they may be graffed in again ? 6. But what if all this were true ? Suppofe it were a Mercy to the whole Churcf* to have Infants put out*, yet it doth not follow that God would do ic. He isthc God ^f lafjinr ^ as well ^ s Q^fhf aged, andis mercifulFto them as well as others j all fouls ace his : He can fhew mercy to the wl|ple Church in an eafier Way, than by calling; •ttt-all their Infants : And his Mercy is Over all his-works. - - - 1 will tell you yet how Mr. T, followeth tliis with Examples. He faith, [That tha Irelcafe of the ]ew£fervants,and the confecration oiNaz/trites and firftborn, and the I-andof C4fl^/tti, were all Privileges, and yet thefe are taken away.] To which I an- -, jftrgr? There arc abunda nce far greater ^iven jxi their i\ta^ y And what is that then to -"'^ thofe r=-- ^^ ' A5^ ' r-A ? Infants chHr£h--m€mberffl}ip atid^pti^^^^^ 4B xhoTe that have nothing in ftead? Beiide,if Mr. r. think that the mercy of Church- memberfhip is of as low a nature as rO;be Naxjirites , or to have Canaan^ he is much miilaken. But.he faith, [[TJiacit was a Privilege to the Jews to be owned as poids -Peppk diftinct ff.ona the relief the Wjorld, while others were paficd by ; yet thisis repealed in Mccy to us GentTles.] Ar^jvc. In my diftindion before you may find this anfwered. i. Then it wa's no mercy to the ]ews, you think, but to us Gentiles^ .ButGur Queftion is, whether it bea mercy to the un-churched Infants? 2. Th^ jews being a Church anci People of God, was a Mercy ^ and this God took not from any ol them, but there that cafl it away : byt the xeftridion of this to them, and the ex- clufion 0^ the Gentiles, was no mercy to them \ and this only f with the Ccren^oniai Accidents} did God take away by the ciiange of his Laws. ,Ic would have been ra- ther an addition to the happinefs of the beheving Jews , to have the Gentiles taken •in, by taking down the Parcition-wall : And fo it will be when the ]cws are grsitfed .in again, and both made one body. Whyelfe doth the Jewifh Church pray for\ h^r Itttic Sifter that had no Breafts ? and iVo^/; pray that God would perfwade 74-/ j[>/;ef to dwell in the Tents oiSem .«' Though the rcftddion therefore, and the^excla- fion, C which are no mercies to the ]ews^ be taken away, yet no mercy is ral^^ from them, but what is' fupplied with afar greater in Chrift : And though they par- take not of thefe, yet that is becaufe of their unbelief who rejeft it, and not becaufe •the new Law doth exclude them : For God hath in his new Law or Covenant madfe a Deed of Gift of Chrirtand all his benefits, to all that will receive him, whether Jew or Gentile, without excluding or excepting any. And for his denying to parti- cular perfons the Grace ofConverfion, that is nothing to our prefentbufmcfs, asbii- longing to Decree, and not any change in the Laws .• and it was denied to many bC- .fipre Chrift, and granted to many thoufand Jews fince Chrift: 5 and fhall be at laftio far more. ' And thus you have heard all that Mr. T. upon deliberation hath faid to this Argu- ment. And yet (^would any man think it ? J he concludeth that f this i$ a^tkndanc clear anfwertoall alleged from the vifible Churchmeiftberfh of the children of the JewsJO never let my foul be ta^^^j^ii^h this ierror,which fo ftrangely bereaves men of common ingenuity ! i^K^ CHAP. VII. V)^ faoniArgiilnent to prove that Infants Gh is wtrepealcdy and confequently they are Jiill to be Members of the vijible Church, 1'Come now to my fecond Argument reprove [That the jjiercifull Gift and Or- dinance, that foine Infants fliould be Church-membcrsf, is not repealed.] And it is from Kom» 1 1. 1 7. ( And i f feme branch es be brol^nqffy ^c.) Whence -I argue thus; If it be only (ome that were brokc acftYrom the Church, thc ij^tq the refttfa at were ftjll in it, the mer cifull G jftgLCtoc b"'^"*^*'^!] ?*;^ them and their children is not revoked: But itts only'Some that were brpken offlrom tlTeXhurclTTThcrc- fore to tlie reft that remained In, the Gift was not repealed. The Antecedent is the plain words of the text ^ The ftrcngth oftlicConfc- 02 ' qOdlOC /^ ^ FUm S€rjpiftn Vro<>fof ^iicRCtUcrh here : t. For the parries^ not broken off-, The breaking off from tli^ Chureli is au irnavoiciable c niequence of the revoking of the gift of Clujrcfi?nemher /hip, aod/thc repealing of the Ordinance : Therefore where there i^no breaking off IJroflmditi^rch^tlTcreib no ibch rcvokiftgor Kpealingi- ThistSTtioftcyicknri f\\d. yet Mr. r.dcMJedthisGoufcquciTce. a. I6aiiy^fuy, rhac the Some that were broicen off ^^er^ X "^ll cffe f»ifai(its, aWibtf*^ o- - thcTs] asthc whole Chapter will confute them, fofpeciailyconfTdcr, that the Apo- file faith it of the )ew.i(h Chur<:h whereof Infants were Memb-rs with their Pardrts, tha^tt was hilt 57mi;that were broken off from this Church, fo far is the wholt TihiH^^ r^^" ^"^^'v b^'"g cij-nhivr^. . ; - .. . ^ . ■■ ' . ■ Alf .' caifider, thst as the Infants cowpe in Avkli'thttt ParVrtk^ fo' they^w^nfrt^W ^ •out while tlic Parents <:ontinue in .• Euoqit when ^hey are grown tip, Hiey caft oiic '' th««feIve*by dJieirpcrioHaUrins. who can imagine that God fhculd caftcutthc " InlfinK>(rhtftcair.c iw forthe b'iltlleP6•faJoeri^::;'.Tiv .:!;. - -^-^ ■ ., Ii.mjjm -:. ; in >j;/:it or^. rft>:'. f f?ilMr!^;>idr!;/nie'rl3^^:>3^Ta3ti . £[Vell : becaufe of mbeitefthey were br$kcn off] Whence fsrgiic^^TtJs 'i'tf • none of <:be jews were bro ken o^bnt forimhehefv tfren-'believi-ni^ Tews ,and their- SecTW^f^ n(^( ! broRen^ ^of^anc^ conlegnently r!ie-(^-itt ot Chtrrcri'-^ momberfl!ipv?iis«}or^oicnem revSted ; 'But none of the- J^vv^ ' wtTei^ro- ken'Offbuc for unbelief : Therei&re bfel*^vc»rs mi^thtfr SeeA-werc'iioi!''t?h5kenrOffv and confequently the Gift to them is not repealed. ^ • ,, The Minor or Antccedeoc is plain in the words of the Tcvti Tfic'Confeqnence is 1 chink, mi deniable *, For F hope none- will affirm that Go^ broke off all the la- iaBts of helieving ]cws for the (ins, or unbelief of other men. He that will nor punifh the Children for the Fathers fins, will miichlefspiinini them for a Strangers. I have one other Argnmencfrom tht fame Chapter j but i will anrwer the Ob- )c(ftionsragainft altogether here .before I c^me to that. A^ thaC'l know that M. TXmth to aH'thcfe,is,that they fpeafc of the raviTible Charch. Bat! pray you mark °, He ddrTi-not fay of the itivifible onely -, Nay, he confefTed in ;^. our Difpute, that it fpoke of the vifible alfo : And that is as much as I need, aad in* • ^kedayceldingofthccaufe. But he faith, it fpeaks not of the vifible Chirrch, as "vifibic. How thenar Doth it fpffa^k of -ehe vifible Church as not vtfible? Tiwisisiin > sn^ar yikc the refl* tHe brkigs mafty^tafon^'in ^ig Aphgk^ to ^i\y that tht* m^ •vifibkChiirch is here meant, but nor of force, though nothing to-thepurpofe. The • truth is, it is the feme Church mfeverall •re^t'ts, that ufiuHy is: called vifible or in- viflbk.r ItisfpecJally for the^fake-oftrtie' believers ^ thatallfceming Believeriarc : 'Criled vriite^Church : And to fay therefore , that the Jews are broken off fiTom the, Church invifibk only, -and -wc'plarited in ihcirfltg-d, i vJi-n. ft is the fame Corn- - ^(idd, thatxSDrttairteihtlwCorn, and the chaff-, amdftraW-, but the diorn^ttoog- •ut id' H iDf-c cxccllem , chough -theJefs^ilcciTied parr, doth give the ii*nac to the whole, I nfants ChHrc h-memherJIsrp akd B^iptifm. 45^ whole. Naw if you reap tne Corn, anUom, tfic Tcx-tj to-prove ciaat ¥aiii fpeakei rhere of the vifiblc 'A«d ,i.t argued from ver,2^.F^'ifih.4YfiirexKt'oMt^fthe Olivttree whkhif ve'rll. • hf nature^ and iv^rt gra fid contrary to nature into agi9d Olive tree', Ndn-wMmoi'e^Z fiaU,tlx:f€ wMcJi k the Mtuvitl branches^ he graffed into their own Oliv-: jtree ? Hen(fb 'I . argae^chus. T hat Church whereof the jews were naturall braaches> Vas the vi^rx- / t-af^Chijrch: But the Cliurch that F^m/ (peaks or, v^as tnatwtiereot clie jews w^'e I^ nasucall branchei*. 1 herefor^ it was the vifiWe Church. Here an ordinary man woald. ■" thin'lcthere were nothing j:o be denied. MfxT. denied the Major : whether a ccor^.. • iijag ^a.hfs^Oiirelence, or agaifift-it, he feefl knows. For can any man -believe that'. :' the jews are called naturall branches of tiie in rifible Church onely ?i prove cEe. T/lW-or therefore thus : If Pmti here fpeak of the main body of the jewifh Nation, and that body were ail Members of the vifible, but iiotof the invifible Church ; then ki6.thc vihbk Giiurchyaiwl thtt mofi: dire^ly, thit F^j^f here fpeaks of : ' HutTiK? ' herxjfpeaks of the main body of the jewifh Nation, who were all Members of the vifjble Church, but not all cf the invifible : Therefore it is the vifible Church, and jthatmo{l:dired:IyvthatF<- .'- '" *'^"' This Argument might prpve the main by icfeKl- Further thug :" tf jdjerebe none known to^ us to be of the invifible Church jmmediateiy, but byfiim^nowing ■e'-temto beof the vifihlej tbenitmufibe principally or firftthe vifiblc Church wher^Q^ Pf ^/ fajith die, Jtfvs wcif^e-n^urallbiancte ; :Bul the fosmer iis-tr^i^ *, flterc- .fbre the latter. '" ^" ' .b-f^'^o'ino;^ 3' rn\^H5o:!";i'C*^H'' d:';::?^:^*?':^^-' '^r. Who dare fay that ?aiil fpoke here from lome Reydation extmrdin^jry; ;\A^efi1le caltechthe jews naairall branches ? But if it hadbeenoftbe inviiibJe-ChuR'h diitft- ly, l^aul coiild havf icnowano man to be a member of that, but' by .eiicraordinary ieyeIariGnf.,\',,_.^v', ./-;;.,.■. ,^ _- ^ ^ ;'-ff-, -":■'' : ■- ■ -. ■ ,-•-•''. Furch^fvt^rgiiedtliuVi.f but chiefly Ad bom'mem^ bcoairfe iW^. T- "ftands fo mtrch on R0.V2.9' 7.)rf the jews were not naimall braiiches of the invifible Chtirchdircftl/, - butonWvof jfhC'Vi%le', then k isthc vifibie Church that P<<«/here cals them naruraF^ iwanches of: But th e lev/s were not naturalbranches of the invifibk Church dire^ ^-^ \j\ Ti^er efore i t i s the^vifible that PfJ«J liere jpeaks ot. Mr.T.doxixtA die MinOtpV^iicI i I |}rovedx)ut Qf.A«w.:9.'f5,7,8. Thi:y are Tiotal.lJfiddj^hit^^'^ofJfya^ were "all nacurall-JaiiaiUihes ) Neither irecaufe- they tire tjje feed oj'-Abtilum are tijcy cbildrijiybut in Ifdac fljall thy feed'he^ciitJedy thatis, 7 bey vrhich nre thechfldre'n of the ^t{tKthefe ot B/n^rar^i ] To which I replied, Thatthk very rvprd5"worVls ef the Te>:t, v;a4. ^^Ka^A u c^i^cifi his diAinj^ion^ nfinn tjOtU terms lj ^youhave read theie words in hisfxrtw. p.ic8. The phrafes (^faith hej Kcm. 11. 21. [cfthc>A'4r». Yttll branches^ V. 24. cf the Wild Clivc by ratme ^ Thou vrajl irpffid m befi des mvure^ I theft' According torMure] do fecni to n c to import, not that the Je>vs wgre jg^e Ce^ vcna nt of grace by nature^ , but that they had this privilege to be reckoned in th« T TTTward anmii.iCtraticn as branches cf the Qiivc by their birth, by vcrtuc of jGods appoint rrretrt,'whichthe*Gentil-e5lia'dTriof: " '^ "' '" ...... And is not this then to be vifibie Members of the Church ? But Mr. T. his wit witt find a fhift to reconcile thefe, as conrradidory as they are. I furthermore I adde, Thofc that wtre not branches of the Invifible Church dt ally vvere neither Naturally^ nor by Nature branches of it. But many thoufand Jews Wcrt! no branches of that Church at all : And thcfe that P4w/ faith, /lo/w.p. 8. [That th^ were not the children of God, becaufe the feed of Abraham] then they were riot members of the invifjble Church, either naturally, or by nature ^ but yet they wens members or naturall branches of the vifible Church as the feed of Abraham^ becaufe the Covenant made over that privilege to his feed. 2 . 1 further prove that ?aul here fpeaks of the vifible C hurch thus. If the treating ^jjO^bexip/'/e, then it muft needs be from the vifible Church, f yea, and diredly from it alone) But the breakjngcjf of the ]cwi\7ii vifible i therefore it muft needs be from the vifible Church. The Antecedent Cthat it was a vifible breaking off) I prove thus. 1 . From Rotri'i i • 22.Behdld tbegoodnefs andfeverity of the Lord •-, on them which feil .fevcrity^Scc. That breaking cfFwherein Gods fe verity was to be beheld by the Gen- tiles, was fure vifible : But this was fuch a breaking off, wherein the feverity of God was to beheld by the Gentiles •, therefore it was vifible. ?aul would not call them to iie^o/^ that which could not be feen. -v - ;,; iidrs^db i/t uo^ \nf >.. 2. That breaking ojf which the Gentiles were in fuchdartger of boafting of againft the Jews, muft needs be vifible, ("^or they would notboall of that which was undiC cernable.) But this was fuch, as appears v.- 18,20. Boaftnotagainft the bmnches-y'-B^ not high-minded^ but fear. ' . ;f i Yea 3. Vaul himfelB<^ould not elfe have known that the Jews were broken off, but by Revelation extraordinary, except it had been a vifible breaking offj there- fore certainly the breaking off was viftble. 2. And then the confequence is-cvident, (that if the breakinig off be vifible, then it muft needs be from the vifible Church.) For to be vifibly broken off, is to be vifibly . removed from the Terminus a quo^ (jot Church from which they are broken.^ But there can be no vifible removall, or diftance from an invifible Terminus : therefore there can be no vifible removall from an i nvifible Church *, and confequently it is the vifible Church, which they are dire^y vifibly broken ofTfrcm. Though it is time, that their breaking off from the invifible Church may from thence in the fecond .;place be rationally concluded. , v, ' ' ; * .9! Again, The Condufion before faid I prove thus, (* pix) That^4Hi here fpeaks of their breaking -off from the vifible ChuicH.J If every vjfible breaking off from; the . inVifiUte Infants Chnrch-mern'MrJIjip and Baptifm. 4^ favifibie church be alfo avifible breaking off from the vifible Church; then the breaking off which P4«/here mentioneth mud be from both, f If it be from the in- viftble. ) But the former is certain, therefore the latter. The Antecedent I prove thus. To be vifibly broken off from the invifible Church, k to be vtfiby out of Covenant with God, ouc of his favour, and in a known (late of damnation ', (i fpeak not here of cafting ouc of one particular Church onely, or with limitation^orofmeer Non-communion.) Bur all that are vifibly out of Covenant with God,and ouc of his favour, in a ftate of damnation , are vifibly broken off alfo ^ from the vifible Church , (I will not now difpute, whether Defa^h^ or only De ]urry whether i///t', o^zl^o qmad nos.) Therefore breaking off vijibly from the vifible Chufch, is infe'p'arable from vifible breaking off from the invifible h Q Nay, it isihc limfe thing in another notion. 3 • - a v-u Further, if God fhould break off men from the invifible Church onely and di- reftly, then it would- be by an invifible a^hen Chrift faith-. They were branches mJiim , the m e anir^was, they were not? i n i iiini, but only feemed fo . The y w^re reallyjnChrJfts vifible boj ^ Eoc 2. This ;AiifWer in Ills Apologie he after diflikes, upon the difcovery of one that^ he thinks better, vi^. That it is the Cclledive body of the Jews, nor taken as at that one timer; but as^hc river that runs to day, is the fame river that ran long ago, though not th€ jfeme-water. But this fhifc will never ferve his turn, i . For if the Church be con fptm^prc^fof 1tifiKcul^,chen itnone of chote iadividiwH pertotis were broken oHi,.thcChujchwastmK broken oflF> Bur the CUurch Is conOjfuted or compclcd o Indivicuall perCons \ Thtrretore it none ofthcm bt broken otf, ti>.e!i the Church is n o"- brdkt:netl"^(_to thacisfalfe.) • -li - j i -- '2. Aguu, »ul:cy Wert brokert cflf fcr unbelief, then for the unbelief of fomc pani- ciftiv ptribns, aixiconlcqtieiuly k wai fomemdividuallperfonschat for rhar uhK> Itirf were broken cff i Now furc God would nor break ctf the Churcii for ihe unb^- itefofanyfottgoiftg Age> wichotit theirowa. - j* * ' • ^. Ag^iin, it btu- j^m^^ were broken efl^ then shofe /(wur 'tncO needs be Jiacif^ail :" ptsfoijs, aiKlnOiall rhc Nation in a fenCecoir«iining'n« individual] p^ffo^j V/ | ; 4 Aoc9rdMJgto/¥r>r. hi^CQ^Kd^•^ti^€y ip»rfth« it) bi^knvgoff^ kwgrfmH»^4t » ieaft an Age, x/r:^. by the death of all the true Be^iever^^ and the fuctcfiion of llnbc- UcKCS.'.Bu^ tfeis was not fo : There was a time wken the fame Churdu_( for the dkht^mjw.'] They chat wer< of the Church betore, imrrediarcly upon ehe'st- iSiSS-^ this- Mtkie w^re alt unchurched t this being now ftiadeefientidtl to tftJ^r SonMp, or ChaKchinemberfhip,. and of abfolate necelky to their falvmi en, Which Cwis toe ib before to the fanae individuaU pcrfons ? their unfeelief which was but nc- gaDve, wa^ now privative, "^'ere o^t^thc'n they were broken off before tfes breaking off, aiidfb Hih ebuJdit>c '^^ ittriier t-hey were a Church immediately before this kwking oif, or not. ff they BObFcakingefif: I^chcy wtre aChurch>, then it was IndiXndoail pcrfons tlwe *9rete •'-JfcTokeatif V xikJ conk^uently k mBtt need^JjfiXnjna rhe \ifibk XQI^h, feciwg ft-oni '^, i3w invifibk there is no breaking of in Mr. Ts. owii judgenoentv" - v Aad thu^ 1 da»c confidewdy affirrr, that 1 have fully pr bV^v f Ittfc-tTie ApofHe m Jtom. It. doth fpeak of the Church vifible -, from which It is but feme that he l'*itl> jireKrcken offvandihofe but k)r unbelief-, and thcrefcrealhhe belie ving Jewsa^d , their children aceyctin that Church , as being never yetbrokene#. I dctirje ?€» £0 remember this tOo, ihe j^hcr bccaufe I /hall make ffihkd? 6^ of foi»fc ttit^^tt thisChapcerv "''.■ " '';•;-'■• -" :/>.vv> • ■;-;, m^ r -^'^^ -; CHAP. IX MY foprrh Argument toprovjcthat Gods OrdJaance for Into-Church'Tnerft- bcrfliip is not repealed, is from Rem. n. 24. [ jH^t? much more fkal! thefe which be raturall branches begraffed into that own 0li and To AUlfra^lMMWt' . r; if^ „> faved] with a multitude of the like places in Scripture which fpeak of the ^iHng'0ftheyew//2> Nation. ..'; From whence I argue thus. If All Ifrael fhall be grafFed again into their own b- live, and All U fa v^d from their Off-broken ftate. then Infants /hallbe gcaftediu ^4. faved with the Parents : fcSut the Text faith, that All Ifrael fhall be graflfed in again» and faved from their Off-brcken ftate : Therefore Infants alfolhall.be graffed in ati^' ft^cd. .- ;. •'. ■'/.'...[ \:^IL 1^1 know but two thing* that can be faid againft this. Firft, Sonie may iay, x\m^f jUtlfradii meant fome onely, excluding all Infants. To which 1 anfwer, _ ^.;:; li f had rather &y as God faiths than as they that thus contradid him. Kponftich' cScpofitions you may contra dift any thing in the Bible as well as this. If Gqd fay* All, atleaft I think kthefafeft way to believe it is All. But methinks thofe raqa- Ihoold not rejeft tlie plain letter of Scripture, that fo exclaim againlt us for want of plain Scripture. 2. Paul faith not All believers^ hut [^Al Ufrae I : j fhew ing .fully that it will he a Nfari ongll recover;^; Ww ifyou can prove that any are excepted- ^-ytt if it be Natio- nall, certainly Infants are a part of the Nation ■, and it is not the Nation, if all the In- fants be excluded. Secondly, If the eld objef(jf nwi t h mor e faved into the Church vifible. But according to Mr. T. All I frad ^Wht (aved into the Church invifible^ therefore much more into the Church viftble. 1 would Mr. T, would chew a little up»n thcfe plain Arguments. 1 believe if He .kncwihar AU the Jtws Infants at their iecovery fhall be faved, he dare not fiire de- ny them to be members of the vifi ble Church ( except he be grown fo bold, that he dare deny almoft any thing chat is againft his way.} ( 'if? ih& mn^ Mmb* . }. f< V ' ia t •^ crA'pjxi. 1«^ jm^y fixth Argaracnc is alfo from the fame Text, ver. i*? . 19. 24. [ tffmt |fc Im of ths branches bd brol^nojf^ and thou being a wild Olive tree wertgrajfed ', Im/ 1 inar!mgfiMi£m.i andp.iththemparta ke(i of the root andfatnefsof the Olive JL Y JL^^^^' &c. j The branches were trbkea off that I might be graft in» 6^. fa verf. 24., ^-i^,^■■; ■ • ' ** Whence I argue thusi if k were t he famg_ Church thar the Tews were broke jjj ^ fiFOtWy which wc Gentiles be graffed in, then our Intants nave right of -naemberfhip afetneirs nad : (and coniequently tne Ordinance that fome Infants fhould be Church members is not repealed v ) But ic is the fame Olive or Church which they were bro- ken ofFfrom, that wc Gentiles are graflRrdinv therefore our infants hi re the (ame wl&lirof memberfhip,&c. IJT their Church-admirted IntahtinembcrH irtdoiff Chorclr : be the fante, then ours mart adnak of tofaatmembc rs^ - ; - 1 . This Argunftentconcludeth not only that the gift and Ordinaffceis not repealed to* beteefing jews, but alfo that it continuetb' -to the Ocnriles ^ what may be faid againfl ir,isanfweredbefore. I purpofely omit thofe other Arguments which Mr. Cohbeti stnd others life, to prove that the Apoftle fpeaks of the vifible Church, becaufe 1 wiir not (land to fay rtMich of chat which is fufficiently faid by others already in Prifjt. Another Argument I mighe bring here fromthe fame Text : in that ir maketh the^ OUve, that is, the Church it felf to remain ftill, and only fome branches broken off, " ;^d others of rfie Gentiles ingraffed in their (lead : And if the Church ir felf were jiot broken, but only fome branches, then it is not taken down, except only the Cc' remoniall Accidentals: therefore the Apoftle faith, Bludnefs in fart is happfntdtQ- Iljracl 5 tlut is, co part of //r^e/. But chiiText 1 fhali difoaUs,. and go to anoclier. CHAi*/ .u iijjJ^'Mi iBgwaBWwwwi InfanShohMtch-^met^er/ly^Jftd Baptjfm. ^ | J hoOorbaBlftafilWo^^iMfeq-JU^.-w v^^ /'-T^'. - . - 5 '.i^-- '^.t '•v/;.; !/ DUB «OfTlfa03 falilllD 31K tj iOi315r -■ Uilrtq fh^ Yfcventh Argument IhaH be dr^wn from thac of 3//!f. 2^.17^ 3^1 ^« '^Ojemfalem, J^u-fakmr. km efrwouldl have ^atjjeredthy childnntcg^" tber^'Af^^d l^n gMa^erh her chickens under her wings, and ye would nmf - 'EtbMyiiir''B'ife'ist€ft unto you defoiatey ^c. ] trom hence I argtie rbfosi'u fft"€iwif|i«VPC're fo tender oyttjerufakm thv: he would have gath^rti'^ them as a Hen gathcreth lier chickens,then fure he woqid not have put them or rhfeir; ' Infants out of the Church: (or repealed the mercifull gift and ordinance of their ChtUfchmembef fhip) But'Chf ift wa^ fo tender of them, tliat he would have^ga^- thered Jervfakm, &c. Therefore fure he would not have un-churched their hifants*!^ Thfe_^ntece4Jent is the woi^ds of the Lord ]efus : The: reafon and ftrengtH of tha ■• confequence lieth here. i. It is not fome particular jews that Chrift would haf»i« g3th«^:t6«hlfrvfelf find fo into his Church asaccomplifhed with higher privileges tl jati^fcefore i')^ut k was Jerufatehu, whole Jerufakw, C which is ufually put for M J/it(/ei(ranttche Jewilh Nation.) Now MJerufalem were gathered, then Infants tnulV:,' needsbegathercd. I know nothing of any moment ttocanbe faid againftthis^'^ but leave it to any tender tonfcicnce to )udgc, whether itbelik'-^y that Chriftv«foiild«* have' ewchilrclied^^J their Infants^ when he would have gafchefoi' to him^f ; tHe ( Jf chat contemptible afifwer (hould-hete Bd agamTbttiriicd^ fthat Chrift would have gathered th^m only ^ into the invifibleChi^rch:}! have a^fwered icbdbrevr They that are vlfibiy or^l^arently gatheredjnto the invifible Church, are gathered^ alfo thereby into rhe vifiWe, Atid ifall Jerufatem had been gathered, it had bee» doubclefs^a vifibfegatlieHftg. ©that IcOnldfee asclear cvidendp for many other controarerwd trtith^B^r f^sein rhde woi^dsofthfeiofd^fijts^to conTince one, that ht would havegathcrdfd ill /t'rj//ir/^//2lnco htfe vHihle Qhuiachs ^and iconfeqqentl^ nop^ have unchurched all their Infahrs : I Ihouid cren^leio thinkpfjeMpg foplaiii tc-^?. ftimonics of GotJ.;If|ehrifts own words will fiot (erse, IJtnov^ npt what will. If any fjy,that by Jerufalem is meant only the aged oi Jerufakm *, I anfwer : It is vain to ealt for Scripture, if they dare comradiftitatpleafure, or to make it fpeak only what they lilt. It is not fully a Nation, or City without rhe Infants. Befides, Jerufalem had uH- churched Infants when Chrift fo fpake *, therefore Iiow could his words be otherwife underftood by them, unlefs he had excepted Infants I 2 . Yet further, Chrift doth not in vain ufe the fimilitude of a Hen gathering her Chickens *, The Hen gathercth the youngeft moft tenderly j Yea, how long will fhc fit the very Eggs ? Now who dare expound this thus ? As a Hen gathereth her yong ones under her wings, fo I would have gathered the aged of you, but none of your yong ones vifibly. ^ 9 . And doth-not the leaving of their houfe defol^te, mean the Temple, and fo the unchurching theni, till t hey fay, Blef^ecl is hethatcommetb in tJ iUJam^titheUriL And then /erKp/fm (and^tncrefore Infants J ftiall beinchurched again ? So Chrift Jefus himfelf hath made me believe that he woald have gathered all Jerufttlem-, but un-churched none of them Ha .CHAP. m. w\v\-4tfim^ff^»ft«J?<:g€f¥\ ■ -v j^Tfj-tTririo ' '" !!STirnrsTTTrtwn-77T3rm — MYeighjth Argument IS from Ji^V. 1 1. 15. If the Kingdoms of this World, eicher are, or fhall be the Kijigdoms of the Lord and of his Chrift •, then Infants alfomultbe Members of his Kingdom *, ( and confequendy- the Gifc and Ordinance for their Churehnfiemberfhip i5 not rejpe^Ied) But the Antecedent is the words of the Text. Vv' hat can be faid againft^Wi that is fenfe or realon ? If they fay, that by [Kingdoms ] is meant [fome part of the Kingdoms] excluding all Infants i I fay, fuchmen »eednot look into Scripture for their faith ^ they maynukg_t heir own Creed on thefe te rms, letScripture fay what -ir^Tiri know (omrpfacesot Scripture may 'be produtTPd-M^here the word King- (torn and lemfalem^ &c. is taken for a part j but if we muft take words alwayes im- properly, becaufe they are fo taken foKietime, then we fhall not know how to u"n- dei;(it^nd any Scripture, and humane language will become ufelefs 5 andby.this^ Hia)(i:may put by any Tefliimony of Scripture, though it were to prove thetnoilfiS^-. dS^nental Truth ? As the Amansipiit oif all Teilimonies for the Godhead of Chrifl, b^aufe Magiftrates are called Gods. , - : 'But thecircumftances of this Text andthe former do/ujly evince to us,thar Chrili ^aketh properly o( whole rerufalemy. and whole KingdoaWi.;aiidiiwr4oajHrop^iy.af. anypartonly. ■>;....■.,/■.■ -....^ ,, .^i;vi-.^.r,y'\y:n^t:'-^-^'-\rr,^ .2. If they fay, that by£Kingdom of Chrift] is not meant the Church of Chrift,thcy' tnehfpeakagainftthccbnftantphrafeof Scripture, which cals Ghcifts Kingdom hi»- Church, iyconvcrfirti ':. Chriit is King and Saviour of the fame fociety. What is Ghriib Kingdom, but his Church? I know the Kingdom of Chrift is more large, and more; fpeciall jbuthere it cannot be meantof his Kingdoni in the larger feafe* as hftisit- juYe , only King ( in regard of voluntary obedient fubjeds,) aor a;^^ overrufcth common focieties and things vFor To the Kingdoms of the world wtjre fiver Jthe ^iwg- donbs of the Lord and hrs Chrift, and it could not b^ faid rhiac now they are become fo. So that for any thing I can fee, this Text alone were fufiicient to decide clie. iij^te. nm«r r.^^ r.f^ rhnnh'iim fi rh G(S»enan^ a ff«ra6c& or mercy anfwerable. If there be, let fome body ihew it, which 1 could never get ^fr.T.todo. Nay, he feemeth to confefs in his Sermon, that Infants now have no privilege at all inftcad of their Church-memberfhip. ,4. 3 argue from jR.ow. ^ . i.What advantage hath the few ^ and what -piofit^the rh'- cumijlon ' Muck ev^-ry way i^c, Ifthe Jews circumcifed un-churched Infants had Bfiuch advantage every way, and thofe without the Church have tiose ; then it is better be in tlieir Church than v/ithout the Church i But the former is plain in^he Text h therefore the latter is certain. 5. Again,fromilo;n. p. 4. I argue thus*, Ifthen to the Tews pertained the A- dopdonj^^^ri]£j;^iyiq^ the Promifes, Sec. but no fuch thing to them without the CliiircfiTthen it is worfe to be out of the Church , than to be in it as they were ^ Bac the former is the words of the h oly Ghoft ; therefore the confequent is certain. 6 If it be better to be jgC^r^jif^jjpnfr nn^ ^^ mily rh ^o npr. and in his vifible King- dom than out j then it is better to be in the Church (thruglTbut as the Jews were) than out i But the former is evident, therefore the latter. 7. Ifit be better to be afandified peculiar people to God than to be none fuch f butaw excluded, common, unclean people j ) then it is beccer to be in the Church ■ H 3 . . Cthough t •/" ■ I- • • ^^i^m, ^-—^ ■' ■ ■ —■ -'■' ■• ■ - ' ■- Bi r I - -' ii r> — -■ • ' - - I I - ■ - ■ I -,. (though bar as the Jews were ) then out ol tlie Church *, bur rhc foinier '\i molt cer- tain •, therefore the latter. T}>c coufcqutnce is plain, in that all the Church, both jews and Gentiles are properly a. jp^oiJiar.rCjOP^e, feparatedor fanH i: -s «r^ ■!'. ^. If Gliriftimr^midc largef p^miie&to hisehorch vifible^an to any ia then woricfcchat arc not of his Church, (nay, if there be no fp eciall promi fe at'all, nor k fcarcccoipaion to any without the Church* but the condIuoiiaIi,~lipon their cQWr wm% br^ tlicaic ib worfeto heOUtQl^eKahurc^i^^than 5Qi>^fc>iinn 5 BttCiiKifor> mwisitaslieithereitticthelatter. iti:;'Mni'-!t^/^'V-^'-^ ■■^-■. ^y^^^- ■[ -'.^■^::i:v^i-v:.j i»<»af Gliriftkive proHMled Jtisprefeucd Mjollis Ghopch m t^eendof the wofkU^ tarid^o^Kalk among rhe goldenCandltfticks, •andtake pile^ftjre in her •, bac.aot foV? tctthiorewithCBrfhe Chiirchvthcn it is better being within(though but as the ]ew^)\ ihanwiiiiauc. ; But the former is trucv therdbre the latter* . Pid I|i0C(erc4v«:Q)[t''x bfcyicy^ itwerrcafK: todcefnDltitude5ofT€KCsforallthd?*,,^,;..r ,: :, //vt)Uui sBotuponrhisTOHeh Ifay tfiM!heicomwry^naiiided,a? y^/^4*ift4liothcrc»/5?jChoofii,i fwhatSociety you will be of, but as for me and tByh /feeingthcy think ip&ch a mercy to be without: the Ch|ir€)^» ill wiUnotfiyof h; as' \faaloiHt{):ap;t:Extept}eabhiehmyscMmtbefavttii':ri \ \ And fo I conclude, Chri&didnoti;»aie to belicvers^^haftyrh^ imehBTchingthek children. ^ ■ i -.,.,.■.-■ ..nu^-^ -•, _ . ,' v-uvsMTf-m^^l^rHi'^^-- ..>.:;,■■..'. ;e3nbl«I brii moibiw fiiO lo rnofj^H £ vKul ion eiM M\ vorit woil ^lohiofh i 33itqiol fliirDnafiw e'iaB\(i\ h:)di-itiAo-tiuhrA^'Ah{v,'\^tZ^hi\-!>^ '-: rtm?di\ h'-7<.] jojra bfiri 3ri H^inu .•:n^di vd lv.;vMh3bno ali w7?.:'^'>o vj ^biow airi blLiOj :-.Hfilo sboiili;. • ,-^i rm d:!' :ill3Y .? ••— .- ■ -. .-o-"- ■■■•■ - ..^:^^-.^^'S^^v i.-IhS «>*5»:fn/rT?idilo3aivBM3riJipfr.r}iofa bnA .^ T(0"i-3i3d: 1:'«rc/) of Chrift be not in a worfeftate now ("m regard of their childrens happinefs, and their Parems ^comfort therein J than it was before Chrilh comming, then our children ought to be 'Iphurchmembers-, (and confequently that Ordinanceand mcrcifuH Giftis ndtre- 'Ptaled.3 But all the faid Texts and many more fhew, that the Church of Chrift is ;Bpt in a worfe condition now than it was then (^but unconceivably better : ) there- lore our children ought tobe Churchmembers, as well as theirs were then. I have before proved that it is worfe to be out of the Church than in it i and then ' nothing eife can be faid againfl this argument, that I know of. v:» •■ Further J might prove it out of Ephef 2. 12. They that are out of th^ Church are l&dtobcftrangers to the Covenant, and withdut hope, and without God in the world, ift coroparifon with thofe within the Church. O how little then do they ap- prehend the height & depthl&c.Gr know that love of Chrift that pafteth knowledge, who think that Chrifl will un-church all; the Infants of Believers now, that took them in fo tenderly in the time of Mtffes .^ Church- privile ges of • ! rhg ]ews C and much more,) and thel'ementhmlc the partition' Wall isfofar ilafl^ ; ^ingUiUasco keep-out our childrcnryea, and to un-church theirs that were in be-/ ^ore j This is not to take down the par.irioa Wall between Church and Heathens/ > Jfew and Gentile, but roplufck up the Wall of the Church or vineyvird ic felf, and as to our children, to lay all waOe to the Wildernef; i except Mr. l! will yet again bethink him, and fhew- us tiiat the mcrciesjvidiajnhcChuix^ within, Si that Infants have feme greater mercy infteado?thtirBang"lo1tHe^^ a-ad Famii^and Kiogdeni of Gsd^ which hcwili nc vex well do. «^'iCV;^t'.. Plain ^c/tfttwe Jr^ff ijf' ^^^"\^1 Tckvciith Argnmcnfifeichls:: If the children of BttlfcYeS^sf'^ciiJwIttr out of the Church, then they arejna worfe condition than the very chiU dinioftbeO:vulcs vvere before the comming ofChrilt: But that were ' iiioft abfiird and falfe ', theretore fo is the Antecedent. The Ccnfequenr would plainly follow, if the Antecedent were truei'ias it'iitft' KJent thus ; Before Chi ills conimnig any Gentile in the world without esttj^tion^tf Ik »»Dilld,-mighthavehisc hiIdren to ii^ M£iB]2£ii^Dl»he vifible Church i Bttirjiow Qic^ tor^mp toMr" iTJmOmHv may have his child a Member of the Church i There- fore according to this Podrine the very Gentiles, as well as the lews, are in a worfc cDndition now i and Chrift fhould come to be a deftroyer , and do hurt to ail the world, r which IS mcft vile dodrine J t, u.r -c ^ *That the Gentiles might have their children Church members before, if they would come in themfdves, is not denied, not indeed can be j For it is tiieexprefe " Icacr of Gods Law, thacany ilranger that would come in might bring his children, and all bcjcircuiticifcd and admitted Members of the ]ews Church; This was the cafe of anV tl^at would be full Ptofely tcs j God in providence did deny to give the know- ledaeofhisLaws to the Gentiles, as he did to the jews 5 but he excepted no man out of the mercy of his Covenant that would come in, and take it, (except fome fewthatweredcftinacedtowrath for the height of their wickednefs, who^jie commandedthem prtfently utterly to deftroyO Ifany fay, that the Gencileswere admitted with their Infants into no Church but r hcpa rrlmiari^iHtf^M^e ]ewr, I fhall anfwer him *, i . That it is falfe : for they were admitted into thevifible um- verfaliciiurch, as 1 fhallfhew mgii^iAiU y ^ frer ward. ' ^ ^^ ^\ 2 If it were fo,yet the Church ©f the Jews was a happy Church of God,in a thou- fand-foldbettcr ftate than thofe without. 5o that he that will be of the faith of our Oppofers, you fee, muft believe that Cbrift hath cooie ro deny the vel-y GentileS that piTvilegewhichfbrtheirchildrentheyhadbefore. - ^', c'-'^-c--'^? , ' ' Yea that you may fee it was not tyed to the Jews only, of the Seed of Abraham^ even when Abrahams own Family was Circumcifed C and as Mr. T. thinks then firft admitted all into the Church h J there was but one of the Seed o{ Abraham Circum- cifed at that time f for he had no Son but IflmaelJ but of Servants that were not of his Seed there were admitted or Circumcifed many hundred. Gen. 14. I4. He had three hundred and eighteen trained men Servants that fought for him •, and hov$r n any hundred women and children, and all, you jnay then conjeaure. And'dl thefc were then of the Church,and but one of Abraham's Seed,and that one Jjhmacly Therefore certainly though the greaieft privileges were referved for Jfaac and his • Seed, of whom Chrift was tocome,yetrtot the privilege offole Churchmember- .ftiipj for the very children of /4^r ii,w99'j'iwjih 2& iira r.; i m'u ■ ... ^-^i:ii- CHAP. XVIL Tf Ytwctf^ Argttrtientis from rlie iforemcnrioned TextinDtxr, ^p.io, i i,i2. ^ Where all the Jews, with allrheir little cues were entered into Covenant with God. From whence larguetluisi if the Cavenant which thofe Infants wh« were then Church- member;^ werei dkere d mto^rh God^ was a Covenant of Grace for a Gofpell Covenant} then U is not Repealed^ (and conic^uentivtneir Church- 4ncp[iber(>iipis not rcpealediasrbentgbuilt on tfeeGovcnanw mfcpA *JEiut the faiji Covenant which the Infifrtts who v^re than ChurCfi- members did i>4*s *ii}t^, wa;s a CovettaUi^Gtacc .^^ asdifthid t^bhrth^e l^r^Wch was r^ea^pd ii) ^^oj^^.nutiief Ki :ipief tliek:;GhiircK^rtieft^e^ffii^is^fepeal(*at ic w^sfijdiu Cfikvefaatit of "Grace* 4* And'thtn it vvjltl^^ j kirWciutJcisnotfe|»ealed. rl: --:• ^^^ - : . i:: 'V-/ , y.i^Mr»T.4tnkd long together in the face of ^nany thoufand peoj^le, ^that the Jn^^ f^i^s wecf^ft^tred iftcp any fuch Covenartr>,againft the p^ain Jettcrof sheTextjyetho l^fiiled t^d€Dy.>i^s, w«hoiatany;Tearon» ( a&^j^imajrteejh thel)h|Jate, it out. J JX pU,m S<5ri|»tiire i^-^ir^pftiwisfic thefe men ^ vrhy then db they calJ for Scripture ? The; words arei fefiandthis day alhf pulfefirefhe' LaYtl pur .(hif, your CaptajtiJ'o^^^ Triksi, ymrOffims^ Elders, md: ^Itk? nm eflfraeU yaurliitle ones, your Wives, and^ tl^efiranger-tlxdi^sin thy)Ca^^ from the hewer of thy v^ed itnto the drawer eftby wd-] teKy iiiit tf^Gu fimLkfl ^merrnto Covsnant with the .Ldrd thy God, kiidmohis O^tb m^idtksX^r^ rlyi:OMw^^thmthtkce:t^isdax^ that ke may eft abljjh thee HJ^xJ^Jif. fc^pte umpjJiffifdiHid thi^hciB^^ He:tn*t is<|ifciibawHethef-ltel!reIi^v'efhts^^t6 be the i|tjhe Infaatsfoir. forty years in the Wilde rnefs were not Cim im- dfcH^ anH yerWrc ChMff 1l"K "^^^''^ t ^^^d proved it from thii Covenant •-, yet did he lefolurely denyir, that the Infants were Church- members ^ whereupon feeing he wafted time in wrangling, I was bold to fay, i did verily believe that (contrary to our firft agreement ) he difputed againft his own confcicnce, feeing he could not be- lieve himlelf. That the Infants then were no Churchmembers, and that none but the circumcifcd were Churchmembers ', But he took it ill that I iliculd fo charge him to go againft Confcience j and yet when I told hhn that wciT]t p ^yer^ Churclnnentbers. chough' not circumcifed, heconfeffcdall, andyeelded that the Infants were fo too. And indeed, elfe God had no Chui ch, or almoft none in the Wildernefs, when all bsit Caleb and Jojhua were de ad of the eld floc k; anr^ .-ill nfforcv vears old were uncircumcifed ^ yet Steven calsTtThe Church in the Wild ernels^//.? ?• $8. But I think it vain to prove that thofe were Quirclimcmbcrs that'cnccrcd fuch a Ccvenant. He that will deny this, is fcarce fit to be difputed with. . , - I 5. That «f. I ^ Fkm $crif{urc hoofo^ '^. Thar this was a Covenant of Grace is all the Queflion. And That I fhall quickly ptit out of qiieftion thus, i . That which promifeth f To circuiiicife the heart, and the heart of their feed, to love the Lord God with all their heacc, .and wirfi all their fdalVthatthcy may tiv^3 muft needs be a Covenant of Oracev But, this wasfuchj-as is evident, Pe«r. 50. 6, That this is a Covenant of Grace, the ApolUe /hewi,//ff>. JO. 16,17. ticre is no violence but the plain words of Scripture for both. a. Yet more plain.jThe Apoftle in -Row. 10. 5, 6,7,8,9. fhew'sitin exprefs wordsi For when he had fhewed. That the righteoufnefs of the Law lieth in perfed obedi- ence [He rhaj doth thefe things fliall live in them ] he then flieweth the difference thus, [But the righteoufnefs which is of faith fpeaketh on this wife. Say not in thy beait^ who pjoliafccnd up into heaven.^ (^th^ u^tti bring Chrifl down from above JOr who fhall defcend into the deep ? (^that is^to bring Chrift again from the dead) But what iaitk it/ The word is nigh thee^ even in thy mouthy and in thy heart : that isythe word of ^Jfitktfhich WepteaiJ}.} Now thefe words of faith the Apoftle citeth out of |hi$vi- rYa)vie"nanr,I>?^f. 50. If, 12,13^14. " '' - '■'Mr: r. faith, That it is ufuall with the Apoftle to allude to Scriptures thus., ^ ^ii Te§t fo plainthathe may not fo put ofFif he will ? When the Apoftlepjaiiity .* Ukhf TJjis ix the word of Faith h and fpeaketh thrice in way of expounding the t«{t. •;jVf^yciuha\^i/eadmyanf\verto^r. r. hisDefcanton this Text, lamji^t fwaded you will wohder at the vanipy and wilfulnefs of his exceptions. , x • ' • f rffJR.* . Gfl;A P. XV IH. Y thirteenth Argument U fr6m ^m. 4- almoft all the Chapter •, wherein the Apoflle fi^i^ (h^ifyeth, that |he^^roHii(^ ( upoii which his PrirHege* were grounded^ was not madeto i4i»;/*^.'iw upon Legall gcoundsv but i^pon the ground of Faith : JFroro whence I might draw many -Argu- ments, but for brevity J defire you to perufe the Chapter j on^ly from the iS . verfe [And he received thefign ofC'ircumciflon^afeahftfTe Righteoufnefs of the Faith ikhicb he had yet being uncircumdfed^ that he might be the Fittfyer of ail them that believe^ thugh they be notcircumcifed, Sec] Fr@m whence I thus argue. If Infants then ufi*-. allywere entered and engaged Church. members by thj|^€}ircumcii1on which was a fealofthe righteoufnefs of F^ith,aTiA was not given on Legall grounds j then that Church- member Hiip of Infants is not Repealed : (as being built on grounds of Gofpc I, aad not Law, and fealcd with a durable feal, that is. The, Seal of the rrghteoulnefs . of Eaith. f Eucthe Antecedent is plain in the Text.3 ^ I urged this on Mr. T. many years |igo j and ail his anfwer was. That Abrahams Circumcifion t»ac ^ f^^ \jr^ c^ri^r'■^ r^^r p^nnM mnu^ afrcr, of the Righteoufneftof -4- brabams faith, but no otherwife. A ftrange Anfwer,and very bold 1 1 hear that fmce he anfwereth, that it wis onely fuch a fe^al oi Abrahams righteoufnefs of faith,but not * otothcrs afterward^.. Sut i . The Text feems to fpeak of the nature and ulc of Cir- ^ [ curocifion, and the end of its inftitution > .a^ being ordained atfirftofGod to feal lonely a Gofpel-Righteoufnes of faith : and not a legall Righteoufoefs of Work*or \2fireniomcs... - •..;:;,:';;;■>>,•■., '.-i^^; . -• '^/-.T ■• a. Doth ■ ■- ' ' "■ ' ■ ' I '^ ■ ' »■ ■ ' ^ J "1 lit , , ... j. - ^ ^nfants cBwcTs^^eMW^Tp dttdBaptifm. "^g i .^.2 .-Doth God inftirute aflaricliiig ehurch-Ordinance to endure till Chrift, t^ have imc etid for him towhom-it was firft given, and another to all others ? h not che w^- ■?fore, end, and nfe prSacrainertts, brhbiy ^n|%i:ng Signs and Seals; thefaqne-to-all? ^thOijghthe fniirBenoralwaV~th'e(am(f. " ;■ * ' ' "- - -• ; ?J*^; Thi^ ar^j^bdAH^agaiififtWffi^^^ iil^ MY fourtieenth Argument K this : f fthe taw of infants Ch prch-memberfliiiy were no.£a iLof tlie Cergmonia ll, or meerlyjjuciiciall Law, Jnor yet of the law of Works', then it is not repealed But it was no psin 6f tlie Cerenaoniall Lavr» nor meerly ladiciall, nor tJartdf the Law of Works f as fuch : J tlieref0rek isiiOt ^^-^Ifhe confcquence is evident, feeing no other Laws are repieafecir't'hie Aiitecc- ttefttl'^rovem its parts, i. NonewiU fay it waspart of the Law of Works j forth§t knows no mercy to thofe who have once offended j Biit Church-nM:mbcrfliip was a mercy. 2. If it were part of the ceremonial Law,then i.tet them fhew what it was a Type pf,^ffd wharis: the^ntttype that tia th^^fucceede j t, aiidpro ve 1 1 to & lo IF they cai^ 2. If the very materials of the Church were a Ceremony, tiien the Church it felf If fhould be but a Ceremony. And fo the Church m Abrahams Family fhouldbe more' vile than the Church in the FsLSulyotmah^Mehhi^fMk^ ^^^^ J^byLtty &€. whidlij were more than Ceremonies. g. And that it was no part of the meerly Judiciall Law,, appears thus. i. As was laft'laiid, then j|lfo the Ghurchirt Abrahams Family fhouldbe inore vil^Nhan Jk* aforefaidi FdrfthdiyChtarcb-rheilibci^fliib was nbt^^i^eof raieerMicy, as we caVi thejudkials.? frBv,^j--v-.r< ^.v^^. •- ■-- '-- .-f .s?v --_. ;.- .-^^ : ..: tj^. It cannotbe fliewnthat it hath any thing of the natitre of a tticcr Judfciall LaW ill it Qe^cepr as we may call the Morall Laws, or GofjSell Pronnfifes Jcdiciall, upon Which'meer Jtidiasfis-arebuUp } Why, is it not ismbchof the Judiciall Law to ^ have women Church-members as Children? Yet who dare fay that t4ii< 46-«eerl)U ^^ 1 y.lc isof^he Very Law of Natnrt? tS' h*yfc ihMti\ to be part t^M'Ufhgdbriii ^itf ' j?he KJfl^s fubje^s. AxidMr, T, hath toH me his Juc^gement, that iht jews Chnr^ and 'Common-wealth ifos all one : therefore according to vffr. T.hh grounds, it triirfl ii^eeds'bereqnifite evewriatorally, that Infants fh'buld thdrt be Chui^h-mcmber?; I think this is paftdeniall. . : .-j *^^i ThePromifethartoofc themin, andthe Seat, were both grounded on flie i-fghtetiufnefs of faith, as is proved before : therefore not aweer judiciall. '^-'S. Merits were Churth-memhers^lohg before'thetiftieof3firfw, wheh th(^ Jews #ere formed into a Common- wealth;, and the juditiall taw^s given them. And as the- Apol^le argueiSvt^e tiw which Was Wany hmidred yejtrs af^^r; could notxnakc vpid the Promifc, and fo it couJilnot.be that this Was pirt of the ftiecrly JudiCiill 6, That it is neither a mccr Jadiciall, nor proper to the Jews.appeareth tkiis^fJwt ^oO/.,f 1 2 whicfe ^ ^^^ '^ J^tk^^^criptur^ FraffofA^ i\t\j.^^r' ^hictiW^prbpr aftdiart- rx grounded or^ the Law of Graces and Faith, bjvroiqybmi/ .. ■ >Uiuhl a ;: '. n .?""'' ^'''''V'''ix- ■■ ,— .* — -^«.— i — ^ — ■— jry a i ;ui ^""^'i/.^^^'?' CHAP, XX. A\^-i^ii.imi\^(\Q,^j, i-Vfifteettth Argtimeiaifirfiisc:: :IM\ ^tim^sff^W^nmv^'^9^\m^ fc^tmlar Q\i\ixc\\^ were aifo nacimberi- ,oC i\\^,nm04U viable Xhi^rcb (^whrch Wis nev«r taken dowp Jth^n certainly their (;hurchmemberfhi|\i$ n»t repealed *, but all Infanrs that were members of any paytimlarQhitrcif^ !were alfo members of the univerfal. vJfible Churchyt\KJ[e(o(^ tbeir Churcli- memberfhJp is not repealed- -:::&.■ \ \. mo .1^^-, y.iv-:)tU theConfequeneels hcybnd diipute, b^ctttfc.tfef ioaiWf»iaR ghVfjpfefl^ j feth here. And mitiy judgetfient^e «holci^gOTBemJfefcbcl^^^^ i. That, there is an,. univierfallvifibleChurch^MrV Rtttljerfard and others have largely proved*. They o(Nerv England, indeed deny a O ujiiyerUj l, v'lOy^' GQvernin^ I ^PoijcicallChurghi but not ibis that I fpeak of ( as^Wj may lee in hit. Skcphmrd^ I aiid Mr. ^//erirAnfWer to Mr. BalL ) But left any IKould deny it, I will bring one I 0roof,.or rather many in one, t Or. \^. i;. Wi a-e,aUMpti\edbj. on^ Spjrii into^ne- iody ^whether Javs or OMiks-nrre-yTJ^rfetir-h op f^ ^d t^hc. fii^ie body tJiAt all arc baptized into j Now that this is the vifible Churcfi, I prpve thus. . . -vy I, That one body which ha^h diftinft vifible members »witli vanery pf gjfts, is th?. vifible body i But this is fuch. v • ^. That one body.which. is vifible in fuifering and rcjjoyciog, i5ktMe.yifil^l«J|>q4yjJ Biitthlsisfucli, ver/. 2 5v,26, ' o:a« uj.i. - . ..oS b.>;.. .,. ; ;. • j: ;i:::>v t- {niwoO 5, Th« bodjr whicli is capa ble bfSchi6ii,andn uii!ibcldiltQoifligid »pr«Q«jiffiif i ,. ^i >.*;.*.(..•./.:'/•;..; dii)n bi.;? 4. That body which hgdthe vjjjfcj^ .^^^a^c^oT^aj^ ^ yj^tlK! J^ ^ ihc vifible body> But this was*fuchTv^r. 15^ i .i ,.,. . .,. » ^ j ;, j.t, -^ 5. that onebody which had vifiWe univedall^ Officeh^ ^^W tfi8*v»(i)l«UQJkWffey| CbWch or body 5 Bpt this waj fuch- Therefore,. ^t% . erf:jiwi^ 2. That. Infants Chut^imi^eKfiif^and^iiptifm^ k tt^That the ]ews-^I»rfarK& were Members of tfeis UnrvejiaU vifihk Ctiurcfi, I j^ove thBs!^' Thtreis; bu r^nc v iable UaiirerraJt Chprch or Body vTh^fefor? chey . i)Hfcj)Everf ofi^thiic i^aT^emBer ofchepamcj^ iBuft needs be a Member of t% Ww'iverfaH elfebnc niighcbe a j>arrof the part, *nd yecnoca part of thewhcki Vvhfchisab(brd. ■ ; ■•■ tc vonv-:,: : :;. ^.V f This iiaUbeyoftddirpuWi^and'Mr.T^denyed none of it when T urged it onhirr; hecoafeflahv' i^'T4iat ritere h an Ifenveciall jC^iurch vifible. 2. That the Jews 6hur^ was iidt^^it vv»hb>le^tioWc^iiiUu ^.T-hac^every oik tlaat is a Member qf a paf,^ tfcular Chi:frcht is atfo a Meififeef of ;the llniverfaU. 4, And that the jews Uifants %c,t^ ftterti.berfc of the Bnive^pfall.^.-And that this UniverfaJI Church is not diflQlved. WKac then remains to be denied ? Why, this is all chat he faith to the whole : (That their Member fhip in the Univerfall Churrhv^^nnVy hy reafon of rheir^Memberlhip ifi,th(C baftitular', and therefore ceafecTwith it.] And how is this proyed? Why^^!/^ &irh x' fhj/ii 2if?Blui i«Hi vhow 1 . 1 think I have fufficiently proved, that even .the-Hacnre of ^rhe }e\ys ptijr ph W«^ not r«peakd,butoftlyt:he Accidental Ceremonies , and the individual! Church mac then was, is broken off for uabelieAb ut the Olive fiill rem ajned. . 2. If the Jews Cfiurch were repealed, yet he that will affirm that t he whole Spe- cLes of Infants arc calt out of the Univerfall vliible Church, muft prove it well: b'or ifIfindl HaMf^y^^rf>nnrpinjr^ \ need no more proof that they remain in till fome aife fUe^rt^ Whtl*^ It i-s revoked, 'which isjootyetvd.oneby aiiy tliatl-knqw of. ,., ^^ g^^.; The Utiivtpfal ChorcH is more e«<«llent far tha» any paFtic^i^ar, ^rid fooiiir fta'niiirtg irt the imiverfall Church is a far higher privilegjj.thanour ftandihg or Mctflr btrthfp in any t*^rticuiar: Therefore it will.nor follow^ that Infants lole the greater, beca'iMb they lole rhefcirer v and that they arc callow of tj^Mryveci^Jl, becaufc rhey are caft out of the particular. , u-'U-^'Si^yi -on ? <- 'i^jrj i..^ v - ' 4; PeYfons'if^teft fin -order ofnatope^or timevbr both) members of the ttoivcr- fiirChiJrch b^ftfT^th^y ^fe Members of any particular ; So was ^oab, Lot^Abrahatn^ and all men before Chrift , and foare all fince Chriil. The Eunuch in a4 8. wa^ bapiired hlto th^ UniverfaU vifible Church, and not into any particular.. I ns lo witti Sf otTfers :"Jc rs the general iile and nature of Bapti(m ; They,are. baptized into thc7 -Nime of the F^h^r, Son, afidHolyGhoft, and fo into the CarhohkeGiurch j butl ti6t iiitban-y particiijIir^Churchv If anyfuch thing.be, it isf^^condary, and accidcnraU., iM artditio»a!1s arid Wpr^peb end of bapxifm. So tliat it being .^rfl in order chj^ v^ea^^^rcd^intQ^«*i^ .^Vpf^iie llni*'cf fal Chucch,- it is likijly ta^cjoif pKJtedufabis .continuance, .^■7:; .::-• r,...' '^ -, .■• ,.; >''!5Tt ft'iio good-confequence that is fetcht from the removal of a particular Chirrh, or of the Jews particular ChiTrch,co breaking off from t\k llniverfal j Therefore this will tiof 'pf oVe that Infants are broke off. . If a Jew had been forced into a lirauge Country j yet there, both he and his children had been Churchmembers of the Uni; Vtfiai'Ghtir4jhi When^ill the Jews wetefcatteted abroad.in Captivity, fo that they Iiad neither Temple, nor Altar, nor PrieU, but perhaps^one live in one Town and ic^thet^iQrtinother, is th«y doat this day ^ you could not fay that thefe were of the vifible particular Church of the ]ews , though you might fay ftill that they were A- £»r4i?>rfmr6ecd) and th«yand d9wn-, , Therefore Infants Merobcrfhip^f this Church is ^ot^^^ iici^ii^wfhiceveficbcQifthc Jews particular Church. . -jv3 ■fc j>:0;: .,:■ :.-5. ;■•■:-'.:■- '■ - '; - ']' . \ • ■ -> v?J >4^' ^^^Ds^fflfniy Argonteflrs have chfefly tended; to prote^ tffac Gods mercifHll Gift jLand Ordinance,that fome Infants fhould be Cfiurch- members, is not repealed v Thai!gh many of them will alfo direftly prove the Churth-memberfhip of >U other Bciicvcrschfldren,as wdl isthe Jews. Yet if any fliould be hereby convince^, th^t , the'b&lmkTS i^^ children are ftill Church, members, and yet d^ny that the GentiUn- dMdrmTitt fo 5 Ifuppofe(ifit were worth the labour to Diipute'with men Tq weak) we might quickly bring them Arguments enough from plain Tc;s(ts of Scrijpture to cocfiite them ^ As where the partition Wall is faid to be taken down, £])i;e/. %. 14, and both jews and Gentiles made one , and reconciled by removing the €nmity,, i;er/vi^.:AndthcGeHtikstobe cleanfed as the jews were before, i4^. 1 9^ An4 thif theretsbntone'Bbdy, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptifm, &c. E^hef^ ^, $„^ ■ ■! I II • _. , f " CHAP. XXL TpHe fixtecnth Argument then is this : f^from the fecond Commandmentyv7/rt?>|:: Jt r'^£y//ijo/ri?£Frf^A«ri«fOBr^e children to the third and fourth Generatm of th'^ni rte /;^/e m^, and [Jh^fnercy to thoufands of them that Love me and kse} myComian-^: f&h 2 From hence I argue thus 5 If God haye made over this Mercy (of ChUfdi-i i&^mberniip) in the Morall Law, to the children of all that tove and obey him^then - it Is. not proper to the Jews children, nor is it ceafed *, But God hath madeoveM^ls: mercy in his Moral! Liw, to the children of all that love and obey him : THerelbl^" itU not, proper to the Jews ch^ld^en, nor is itceafcd. '■ '\^f"l ': I ^ y'^'l^thjing but the Antec€w. ^ ?•>;.>;, , -Ifahy ofjjcft:, li'tiatthisf rcntiifers to'dTtChiltlrenof th^m ofiely tHat iJoVehiin iUittd^keep his' commandments ^ and we know not who thofe be. 1 anfwer. It is trde| '■^ut though C'dd make the Proraife onely to luch, yet quoad nos it belongeth to 6'-. th^rs --i that is, we are bound to deal with all that pfofefs Love and Obedience by ai (erious probable profeflion, as if ciicy were truly what they profefs. This 1 fhall ful-' 3y prove after ward^ -■■.•" ^-f •■■;■. "^ "-^''\ - ^ ■" ' . ' ^' He that hath the liircei€fiat, ^hat God cftaterh here his Mer^rjronthechrldi^i^bn tli ]sjpw muft 1 throw p way that whichiT part ^bubc, bccaufe of that which is doukfull ? Sb we may chrpV^ away alUhe ScripTures. K CHAP. • C H A'P. ' ux 11. •\j THe feventecmh Argument is drawn from PfaL:^'j.26. [^.HJs SccdhbU^p^ that is» the righteous mans Tccd i whence I argiie as before : If God by his wjf ' Ghangeabk Law and Fromife, have pronounced the feed of the Righteous breiTe<^ then certainly they are members of his vifible Church. But he here pronouncecS them blelTed^ therefore, ^c. i . I have proved before that he harh fo done by no fcr eiety our of the Church: They that fay he hath pronounced any other fociecy BUffed^ let them fhe wit. Bnticisabiurd onceto inugine that God fhouldpronouncje ^ff^ ciety blelTed, and yet take themfor none of his vifible Church. , ; i.^, 2. Thar this Proraifc is an unchangeable Promiie, 1 take for paft doubt, ii\\^fr.T\ Aiew me where it is repealed a little better than he hath ftiewed me the repeal of Infants Churchmemberfhip. It is made t® the Righteous and their kt6. in generai, and not to the Jews: enely : It is written in the Book of P//j/mj, from whence Chriik and his Apoftles fetch many Texts for confirmation of cheir Dodrine. And if it had fbecn ii?okcbutcothe'7^wi,yea,ortooi]e particular perfon, yet ifitcannct.be pro- ved to be refh-ained to them as being from a reafon. proper to them , ,th^ Scrip^jL^fe tfeacheth us to apply it to all tlie people of God, Hch. 15. 5 . The ApoiJ^e |ppli|i^ that to all believers which wasfpoken onely tojfojhuay I mil npuev. fatlti:^ mr.for fakfthee. So Heb. i^.4.£wm?faL 118. H^b. 10. 16, 17. Rm> 10. 6.. .,^ ;,-jj5y ' •__ ^ ■.i^^o^':^i- ^ b5t>3h' !;ii:iu t' .urn 3£ni loi^' (.l>:/0 io baafi J IdDirfwifirheie^nro'^HT r V'.>m^3l C H A p. X'Xl^Jto^iib -■ w • ■■ 'iii\ ^■fiiH^f ,-» . r. THe eighteenth Argument in this i If Infants were CHucciirpe m bc iUspthr e ^ ver Cir cumcifion wait iniiicu ted, then certainly it was not proper to the Jstwsy and conlequently isliot ceaiedTaccording to Mf. T. hiso.wndoftrine : But Infants were Churchmembers before Gircumcifion was inftituredv therefore it was not proper totheyt'»'j,norisceafed. Here at our difpute i^r. T. feemed to yeeld all,, §f I would prove Infants were Churchmembers before Circumcifton : But in his Sermon fiace, among much of the fame liuff, he made the poor deluded people believe fl mean thofe that will believe him) that by Infantsbeing Churchmembers, 1 mean nothing elfe but that they fuck of the breads of godly Parents, and are broughti'.p in the Family of godly Patents ■-, jufl as in our Difpute he would have faced me'd^wn before thoufands of people, that by Churchmemberfhip f mean nothing but Cireum- cifion-, I told him I did nor, and he told the people Itill that I did. Isirany intem- perance or harfhnefs upon fuch dealings to fay, that it isfad that (1 will not fay eminent holinefs, but J a very little tendernefs of confcicnce, and fear of God, and love of Truths or charity to a^Brother, yea, or commoa niodefty fhould not retrain [Ill » ■— — ^» I I II ■ I . ^^^^^^^^—M —*— it— W^— >^— ^^^^ Iftfatits chHrch-memberfliipandBaptifm. ^ tliis ! but rliat Mr. T. durft, Firft Take on him to fearch the heart, & know a mans thoughts to be contrary to his profeiTion j fecondly, And contrary to the plain fenfc ofhis terms of fpeech^ thirdly. And perfwade multitudes of people that itisfo, XVtVathopecan I have that ever Z/^-. T. fliouM be brought tothe truth, when he hath notability enough to underftand what is the meaning of [a member of the vifible Church J and that after / hadfo fijlly told him ? I was long before I could get him coconfefs, th;»t CixUffi cifJon and Church-memberfliip were two things and fepara- bl c, till I ^ave him an _InlQ^n££ia,^!££ !rnenr A ndnow mult I be fam to {new him, that Ctiurch-memWnhip is neither (iickmg the breafl of a godly woman, nor being brought up in the Family ? Whata hard word is this [ Churchmember ? ] wheft I knew not poffibly how tofpeak it plainer. Why Sir, where is the difficulty? Is icin the word Church ? I fuppofe we are agreed what a Churdi-vifible is ? at Icaft you underftandit? Oris it in the term Q Member? J Why, do you not know whata fMemberjis? How under Aand you Prfw/i difcourfe about the members and body? Pdyou uhderftand what is Totum aggregatum fy pars totius .** Do you underil:and7 whatitistobc amember of a City, or of a Family, and why. not of a Church? If If lay'children are members of this Kingdom ( ©^ (topleafe you^ Commonwealth) or' if I fay children are members of every City in the Land, and of every Family where, f hey are i this is all true , and me thinks a man of your parts (hould underlland it. ■;And why not when I fay, that Infants are members of the Church ? But if you will : not underftand, there is no remedy. . / } come to prove that Infants were Churchmembers before CIrcumcifion: i . Froni ^ Blal. 2. I $1 And wherefore one /that he may feekazodl^ feed^ or g feed of God. Thofe that ar c a feed of Cod , arc Churchmembers: But lome Infants before theinBitution of Circumcilidn werg a le ed of God, c !i(!10f(Jf e they were Churchmembers.That the term [feed of God J doth comprize Infants, Mr. T. confeffcth, and I need not walVc rime to prove. That to be a feed of God, is to be members of his Church, ( and fo to he a known feed, is to be known or vifible members ) this is the thing which is .dsnicd.._Eow I find but two Interp which our Divines make of the phrafe X feed of God3 (for that third ofthejewsy Is'allowedonety oTTf^g^n^^/and a very few more. ) The one is that which I fuppofe to be the plain truth , and which the words thenifelves moft direftly fignifie i that is, j.co be a ( e^d belon2in^ oGodJna_ peculiar fpeciall manner, as dil\inft from the reft of mankiYTd : J and that is plainly (.to fee of his Church] and fo the Sons of God, were in thofe times diftinA from che (oris and daughters, of mem which clearly fheweth that there were then two dillinft joci-pties : one which was the Church, called the Sons of God ', the othcx-* which had J^rfaken God (for almof\ all flefh had even then corrupted their wayes Jand fo were iqpt^of the Churchyand called the fons of men^ f For i hopefewwill entertainthat £pl;d dotage which Vererius and other Papiftsare afliamed of, vf:^. that by the Sons lof God is m,eant the Angel :, who fell in love with the daughters of men. J Now ,4oth not this phrafe plainly agree with the for mer,^7;^. [S eedi^ God, and Sonj iiL. ^d'},(^AS ^rufms and others who incline to the other Interpretation acknowledge^^ fftijanktlurcfore 1 fhall fuiliciently eftablifh this Interpretation, if 1 do but befides thisprove the falfhood of the other. Now the other Interpretation is this. That by a feed of God is meant aleRitimatc ^ yfced, and fuch asare not baftards : This Mr. t. choofcth. Now that this cannorbe lo^he meaning, I prove thus : If by [a feed of God] be meant fuch as are no nb^ijtards , then it would follow, that if any then had more wives than cne,that the V ^^j^ildren of the fecond were all baftards : B ut that Confe quence is falfe *, therefbrc j K 2 thtr/ '*58 rlam ScHpfHKii proof of that cannot be the meanmg. Jofeph^ B^njamitu, or any other born ol Polygamiit, v^crc not baftardi i tvtrn before the tlood they had more wives thaia one, as appears {■nlrtmsch. 1, T^^^^f ^'^"^- rnfantswereChiirchroembers before (inftitution of CircunrciiioiH- JL I fnrrher prove thus. If the Infants in Abrahams Family were members of the vifihle Cliiirch before Cir'- Cumctfion, then fome Infants were Church-members before Circumcifion : Botthc Ipfantsin y4fcr4/;rfw Family were Church members before Circumcifion ^Therefore, i(c. Al! the doubt is of the Minor. Now that the Infants born in Abrahums Family were Churchnriemhers before Circumcifion, is proved thus. i. They were Ciiurch- aiembers f by Mr. T. his own confcOion^ after Circumcifion h and Circumcifion did .hot make them fuch ; therefore we arc to judge them fuch before. , That Circumcifion maketh not members, is evident, i . Abraham was a Church- member long before he was Circumcifcd j as is plain, i . In that he was a true wor- fhipper of God before ; 2.And wa'sjuftifiedby faith j ^.And had the Covenant made and renewed again and again. , / 2. It is but a (ign of the Covenant, yea, and not chiefly of that Covenant which I maketh Churchmembersj but which promifed^ir4^.x7i the extraordinary privileges \after his believing. 2. Circumcifion prefuppofeth Churchmemberfhip j therefore the Circumcifed >yere fuch before. The Apoftle fhews rhis m Abrahams own cafe, Rom. 4, If the Promife went before Circumcifion, then Churchmemberfhip went before it. , • "f ^fides, The Infants not Crrcumcifed were to be cut ofiFas breakers of the Cove- nant from their people, Gen. 1 7. therefore rhey wereof that people, and in the Co- venant before j elfe how could they break it? ^ •• •".. 5, The Scripture fpeaketh not a word fo much as intimating that Abrahams Family was then firft made a Church, or Infanrs then firft admitted memberst therefore w€ have no ground to believe it was fo : Sut it fpeaketh of giving them the fame fignof the Ci>yenant,''hr" f^p '^w^'-lT whirh Abraham hinrrfelf (an ancient Church member) did /t^fi ve j therefore i t gi ves us ground to jurige that they were before Church-" members- I do not think that any confiderate foberman will think, that Ahrakam and his Family were notas much Churchmemhers before Circumcifion- as after,: 3. That Infants were Churchmembers before Circunncifion, 1 prove moft likely ttius. If God had before the fame tender love to the-farthfull and their Seed i as he • had after, and there be no mention in Scripture when the Churchmemberfhip oCln- fants did begin (fmce the firft Infants^) then we are to judge that it did not begin at the Inflitution of Circumcifion (but rather with the firft Infant of fairhfuil Adam^ though he after fell off) beccaufe Gods love to the faithful] and their Seed, was as great before as after : But the Antecedent is true, therefore the Ccnfequenr. He that will prove a beginning of Infants Churchmemberfhip iince the fird: In- fants, let him bring any Scripture, or good Reafou forir, and I will believe hiw, (^ which 1 never expci^ to fee done.} 4. Laftly, I leave it to the judgement of any confiderate Chriftian,whethcf there be any likelihood that God fhould deny that mercy to the children of Scth., Enochs Noah, (^whom he would prcferve fo wondrouHy when all the world wis drowned) wliich yet he granted to the children of the pooreft Servant Ir Abrahams Family,and to the poorefl //r^/ire till Chrilts^timc>, and to any Heathen in ail the world that would Infants C hHrch^m ember Jhip and Baptifw. wonKi become a F'rofelyte ; what man of common fenfe can believe this ? d'peci^Jiy, i*.WiheiT there isnota vsrord in Scripture tending that way. 2^ And Gods love *;4s as great to Noah^Sem^Sic. and their Secd^ as to others, and raanifefted by thatfamous deliverance from the Deluge. 3 . And when all thefe Church- mercies are bef towed upon the ftanding Gorpel-grounds of the Covenant of Grace,entred with our firfl Pa- rents prefencly upon the fall. 4. And when the very terras of that Covenant^re to £the S^cd of chc womanjwhich corapriferh Infants as well as others.* And we fee in the Serpent (who was the Devils inftrumentsandfopartakcdinthe Curfejthat there is an enmiry,even between them and Infants,as well as the aged? the very nature ot man being averfe to them, though they have not power fo to exprefs it as men. Yea, and Sarans enmity is againft the whole Seed of the woman (^as Rev. 12. 17.) againft our Infants, no doubt; And therefore it is evident that even Infants were com jrifcd in that firrt Covenant of Grace, in.the term [the Seed of the woman. 3 I have not ki lure to (land upon thefe fo largely as to improve them as they de- feiyci Miin JtlU(Kl>iii^r-r>i\ CHAP. XXI Vo THe nineteenth Argonhent.- If Godbe not mope prone to fcvertity than to mercy 5 then he will admit of Infants to be Menobers of the vifible Church. But God is not more prone to feverity than to aiercy : Tiaertfore he will admit of Infants to be vifible Church-members. ^ . : i. =v .n .■i.,;- ,'.,,„,/, All that needs proof here, ischeconfequenceof die Major. Propofuion^ wWch'S made evident thus : God hadi cut off multitudes of Infants of wielded men, botli froai the Church and from life(^ror chefmsQf their Progenitors: ) Therefoie if heiliould not admit fome Infants of taichful men, fo'much as inta the vifible Ghnrch, then he fhould be more prone to fevericy than to mercy , (except it be proved that God gi- veth them lome^reater Mercy out of the Church, whichiis not yet proved. ) .Ail the children of D^f/;^« and ^^/V^^ and their Accofsiplices , were fwallowed up wirh them for their Rebellion, and fo cut oft^both from the'Church and life.. Acljans Son> and Daughters were ail floned andburned for liisfin, and focucofFfromtlie Chrncii and life, fof. 7. 2$., 26. Yea, it was the ftablifhed Law of God concerning afiv City that fhould ferve other gods (by the fcducemencof whomf^ever) that is* ifrhc.v fliDuld break the Covenant (for the Covenant is, that they take God oncly for thciv God} then that City fhould wholly be deliroyed, and not fo much as tire Infants fpa- jed Deut. 1^.12, 15., 14. &c. AndGod concludeth irinhis Moral h^w^ThatbcwUl vifit the i nUjuity of the Fathers on the cbWren to the third ttnd fr.urth Generation tifihcm that hate^ him. All the Infants cf AmekcksiTC flain with the i-'arencs-, by Gods com- mand. So are all the Males among the Hrric Ones of the Midianites^ and that by Gods command. Num. 31. 17. Tbey that dafh the children of S^-^y/on againft the fiones are bleflfed, Pfal.i^'j. 9. The children of Daniels Accufers are caft unto the Lions, Dan. ^. 24. Yea^ God commanded //r<:i?/ to fave the life of no one Infant of all tV.e Nations that were given them for inheritance 9 tht/Jitrit^s^ AmrdtiSy , Cannamies^ Pwexires^ the Hittitu^ and Jebufites^ Dent. 20, 1 6, 1 7 . fa . «»^^ ' ^ '^^ ^ ' ^^ ^flatn Scnpmre proof vf ( How all this is rcrconcikd wich that of £^<.-t- IThe Sonftjoll not bear the iniquity ofihc Father ] isfhewed by our Divines that wrice on the fecond Commandment) And it God will not. admit the Infants of Believers fo muchjis to be Members of bis vifiblc Church or Kingdom, then he/houldnotonty ftiew more fevcricy to the Seed of rlie wicked, than Mercy to the Seed of the faithful! y but fhould even caft out aH Infants in the V/orld from being inany vifible f^ate of Church-Mercies. And how that will ftancl witb the tendernefsof his CompaflTions to the Godly and their Seed* and the many promifes to them, and the enlargement of Grace in Gofpeil times, I know not. ■ i^ r i w I.. ' .. mm 11 ]* ' i i n ■»■ — "" ^*' ^# i >' ' ■ "! '>m oft^ \o mobsniH ol'; .. > r? ti i^ mdfujYmf ^V ^ -^n^^^^ Y"^^ ^^^^ "^f^''' "'*" •kri U^^'A >-'■■ . ■:■''■:■■ i:^ . '::-' ^ •■■-'■•:'' -^ r>T ; •*4:^<^ twentieth Argument I draw from Deut. 28. 4, 1 8,92, 41. Thofe thaclc^ 4. the Covenant are [ BleJJed irt the fruit 6f thmbody'] Indof the Covenant-brea- Vc« J. it is faid, [ Curfed fljalt thou be in the fruit of thy body j Thy fons and daui^ tea J})allbe given to another -people^ andthy eys fliall look^andfatl with Mghlpr ihcipjSic. Thou flmlt beget fons and dAH^kterSf but thou fJmlt not enjoy them^fartife^ ftMgo into Captivity, ' -^ •- :; > JJ-^- :o ■ --'^-^ Tlje Argument that I fetirhto't^, is this. That Do^riae which maketh the chit^ dren of the faithful! to be ink wotfe condition ( or as bad J than the Curfe in D^ut 28. doth make the children 6fCovenantbreakers to be m, isfalfe Dcj^ine : Bui! that Dpftrihe which denyeth die fnfints of the faithfull tobe vifihl^'Ctiiirch MemJ)fi!^ dc)ch make thettr to be in as bad or a worfe 'condition AM i^threamc'cl by tfiic cir'^ Deut. 2^. therefore it is falfo-Doftrine.- -''■ '^:- f^ '"^^H-y- -^y ';;■ ^^f^^^, ^^^ The Major is undeniable. The Minor I prove thtisl ThtCurfe oh the childreii, Deut. 28. is, that they go into Captivity : Now to be put out of the whole vifible Church of Chrift, is a forer Curfe than to go into Captivity^ Therefore that Doftri^^ which puts Infants out of the Church, doth make them ih a more accurfed jR^te tHan ^hofeinD^Ht. 28. They might be Church-members in -Ciprivity, as thtirl'ardjits were i or if they were n6t, yet it was no worfe than this 1 To be in Capdvitjs i^^bat^a bodily judgement diredly h but to be out of the Church, is dircftly a fpiriruall judg- ment : Therefore to be out of the Church, is a greater punifhment f which lmu(]k take for granted, having before proved that it is far better to be in the yifible Church than out.) ' y» a-. ' Another A rgument this Text would afford, in that the judgement on the childt'^ U part of the Curfe upon the Parents, ICurfedJhalt thou be in the frrnt of ^l'/^ J Now God doth not Curfe the faithfiiU; but hath taken off theCurU? l>x v^?^ Cthough ccrporall afRi tillprofelfion ', cither he rouft prove that God hath left ic wholly in the dark, and not revealed either that any Infaocs.fire of Satans vifible Kingdom, orof Chriils, ftheco^urary whereof is abundantly pro- \-tdJ or he niuft find out fome third Kingdom or Society, andfo find out fome tMird • King befides the King of the Church , and the Princeof this world y and its like he Will be put rb find out a third place for diem hereafter befides heaven and heU. ^. Sure the Apofile cals the world [them that are without] asdiftinftfrora the Church vifible w-ho are within, CoL 4. $. iTheff, 4. 12. And befpeaks.it as the dreadfuilmifery ofthem, Thofethat are without God ptdgeth, i Cor. $. 12, 19J..N0W ^in^anrs are either within or withouf.and to be without, is to be of the workl>wliich * th6 Devill is by Chrift laid to be Prmce of. THetwoand twentieth Argumefit. That Dodrine which leaveth us np found grounded hope of the ]uliificarion, or Salvation of any dying infants in the ^ world, is certainly falfe Doftrine. J3ut thatDo(S:rine which deniech any Infants to be Men^bers of the vifible Church, doth leave us no foupd grounded hppe of the )u^ ftification , or falvation of any dying Infants in the world 9 therefore i(| iS[ -cejEpaJBly falfe Dodrine. ■ - - No reafonable temperate Chriftian will deny the Major , I think. The Minor I know will be paffionately denied. Mr. T. takes it hainoufly at Mr. M^rfiidl. and Mr. Blal^e^ that they pinch him a little in this point, as if it were butto.raifean edium upon him: And yet when he hath done all for the mitigation oftheW/f/w f which he faith was his end, ApffL pag. 62. J. ycc he doth fo , little towrards the Vindication of his Doftrine, that he confcfTeth., -[ It .fufpendcth,,any judgement of Infants , we can neither fay they are in (^the^oveuMnt of Grace) nor out. Apol. pag. 62.] He labour^ co prove that there ifjnofuch Promife or Covenant in Scripture as alTurcsfalvation ro the Infants of '%U€vcrs j bu^tjiat God would have usrto fufpend our judgement of rliis matter>»;'orreftpi):,thc A- poitks determination, /iom, 9.14. He w)U haw mm/ on whomhwUkl^Vim^^rcyj Yet Infants chHrch-memberfijip and Baftifm. 75 Yet that there is t hope, though not certain, yet probable and comfortable, taken ft'omfome general indefinite firomifes of the favour of God to the Parents^and expe • ricnce that in all A ge^! hath been had of his mercifuli dealing with the xjh^l^iijejo of hisfeiranrs. /4/)5/.p*i^Viijj,] > -..jfjinf . 1 ;will firft profecute my Argument, and then confider ofthefe words; r - ^ Underftaod therefore, that, 1. 1 do not charge their Doi^rinewith a Pofitive affir- rration, that All Infa^^:s do certainly perifh *, but with the taking away of all pofuirc Chriftian well-grounded hope of their falvation. 2. That thcQueftion nowisnotof particular ?n^ants of Believers, but of the Spe- 1 cUsoi whole lore that fo die : Not whether thisjor that Infant be certainly favedyor we have any fuch hope of it ? but the queftion is, Whether there be a certainty, or a- ' ny fuch hope that God will juftifie and fave any Infants in the world,or any Infants of Believers at all? Now I affirm, i. That there is a ground of Chriftian hope left us in this, that God doth fa v^ fome Infants (^yea, and par ticuUr ones, though that be not now the qucflion.) 2. That they that put them all out of the vifible Church, leave us no fuch hope. I will begin with the latter, which'is the Minor in the Argument. And 1. 1 take it for granted, that to he a vifibl^ ffiqpri'tjerjfrhe Chpr^h, and to be a n}aiih£r:i£tliejdiibl£cii^ all one.He that denieth thaE,will fhew but his vanity* And that the invinbleChurch, or the lincere part is moft properly & primarily called the Church and the body of Chrift j and the Church as vilible, containing alfo the un- (incere part,is called the Church,fecondarily,and for the fake o{ the invifible, and fo it is called the body ^ becaufe men feem to be of the invifible Church, therefore they ff' truly are of the vifible : If we were fully certain by his own external difcoveriei^hac rf^ 'any man were not of the invifible Church, that man fhould not be taken to be of-the vifible. Therefore the properties and privileges of the invifible Church, are ufually in Scripture given to the vifible, (as to be Saints, holy,all the children of God by faith, Gal^.26. to be Chrifts body, 1 Cor. 12. 13. to be branches in Chrifl,/;)/?. 15. 2. &c.) becaufe as the fmcere are among them,fo all vifible members feem in the effentials of Chriftianity to be fmcere*: therefore if any converted Jew or Pagan were to be taken into the Church upon his profeflrion,we ought not to admit him,except his profeilion feem to beferious,andfo fincere; for who durll admit him, if we knew became buc in ;eft,or to make a fcorn of Chrift and Baptifm ? So that to be a member of the vifible Church, or of the Church as vifible, or a vifible member of the Church, are all one, and is no more but to feem to be a true member of the Church of Chrift ("commonly "^^ called invifible} or of the true mydicall Body of Chrift. Therefore even Cardinali ^''Cw/^n«jcalleth the vifible Church £cc/c//rf conjeSuralis a receiving its members on (iori)cftural figns. And our Divines generally make the unfound hypocries to be bud to the Church as a wooden leg to the body, or at beft as the hair and nails,8£C.and as the ftraw and chaff to the Corn : And fo doth Bellarmine himfelf, and'even many 0- thcr whom lie cicethofthe Papifts QAqmims^ Pctr aSoto^JohJcTurre CrematalHu-^ gOy Alex. Alenjisy Canus.') And when Bellarmine feigncth Calvin and others to make two Militant Churches, our Divines rejcd: it as a Calumny,and maniftft fdion, and ^■^ 'fay, that the Church is not divided into rwjif^rrfi, bur it is 1 t\vufD\^_jr(£^Qj2l^^^'^ ''■ ■ and the fame Church j one as to tEeTnteFnali Effence, the other as to the externall manner of exifting, as Amef. fpeaks. - Again, You niuft underftand, that to be a member ofthe vifible Church, is not to be a member of any particular or Politicall Body or Society, as Rome would have it. And to be a vifible member, doth notneceflarily import that he is adually known to be a nncmber , for he may live among the blind, that cannot fee that which is vifiJble." h ■ Bus ^7^ rlaiH Scripfure rroo fof^ But that he is one fo qimlificd^Ji^hihc^gllLi^ o? jyiento hHoflgJ iitlTFCmimrorCii rlit/lti^^ in Amr,jca,m^y .•e^-t^ca Meniberof the vKibkCluirdu for he hath that which conftitutcthhirr.a Vifible Member, though there be none to difcern it. There things explained, /proceed, and prove my Minor thus. They thatare notjon }ijd L a& fy gm l Ptt i y (or vir i M.v) ^'1'^!^'^^^^^'^^} ^^^, ^'f^em fo dying, wo can have no true ground ofChrvflian hope, that they Ihall beUved:But thev that are notfo much asfeemingly or viGbly of the Church, they are nor fo much asfeeminglyorvifiblyinaftateof lalvarion: Therefor^ of tliem lo dying* wlc that he redeemeth from their fmKand, hftlheep to whom hegrveth eternal hTe , and thofe that deep in ]efusthat God fhali bring with h m, andthe Deadin Chrift that fhall rife to falvadon, and thofe that die^, m the Lor d that reft from their labours, and the Church chit Chrift will prefent pure and unfootted,&c. He that denieth this, is fcarce fit to be difpured with as a Chriftiani • Even chey that thought >4// fhould at laft be brought oiit of Hcl! and faye^^did think: they Hiould becotnetht 'Chufcli, arid fo be faVed. T/j^.^afe^ijce ,i&.. ^yi}nfl-j<19e- llbaing. " ^ ,.. T-"' » - -^ '" •• -i}" VV / ■■ I 5.1 next argue thus: Ifthere He noTife ground for Faith coi ^ccrnig^ rhe fa^lva Kon. . Aof aiivout or iht Cjiin^klbfJiJiierrTrno fure ground of Hopei (tor t^ich aa^flc^pe l\ -ecSSjuna-, wc maTnOthSpewith a diriftian Hope, for that we may nor believe. ).. i But there is no fure groondfor fuch Faith', (They thKfay,cherej,^,le^thgiW,ibe\^ic 1 jfthey can j Therefore there is iio fure ground of Hope, _ -^^^,^y ^s-^ra iiniL^. . . \ 2. Agiin, If there be no promifeiii Gods Word for tire falration of any Hvknmt Vidfc'vinble CJiiiLdi^chen there is no ground of true Chriftian Hope that th ,promiie,methinks ftiould not be denied: It is plain, ilor«. 15. 4, i^ Ephef. u 18. fe 4. 4. Co/. I. $,23,27. 2 Toeff. 2. 16. I Tim. i. I. Heb. 6. 18, 19. Heb. 7.19. I Pa. i. 3, 21. &3. 15. Rom, 4. 18. & $. 2. Tit. 1. i, 2. IJ^k. m. i,&c. Vfd. n^^v 42,74, 147, &c. In naturall things we may have a common nafurall Hope upon iw--- turall grounds^ But in fupernaturall things, asarejuftification andfalvation,weroiift have the ground of a Divine Revelation to fupporc all true Chriftian Theological! Hope, ( 4. Again, UGod do adde to the Church fuch afP)a!lbefavedy then we can have ao true ground of Chriilian Hope Of the falvation of any chat ^r^mudMn the CMrch: Infants churck-mcmberfojp and Baptifm, But rhat God doth adde to tlie Church fuch as fnall be faved, is the plain words of Scripture, A^. 2. lalh Therefore we have no true ground of fuch Kopeof thtlalva- tioii of chofe that are not io added ro k. ^ If any fay, rliat the Text fpcaks of the Invifible Church. I anfwer, i . Theff h ^ould hold of the vifible much more j for the vifible is far larger than the invifible, ^ and contains the invifible in k, 2. But the TcKt e:-:prcf!y fpeaks of the viiible Church-For it was fuch a Church, i . As we re baptize d^ 2. And as the three thoufand ioulswere in one day added to; 9. And as continiied in the Apoflles Dodci ne, Fellowfliig ^ breaking of hread^ ndprayerc ^ 4. And were together, and hadall things common j 5. And fold their poffcftions and goods, andparcedthem to them that needed", 5. And continued daily in the Tew pie, and breaking bread from houfetohoufe, did eat with gladneff, &c. 7. Andas 'did praife God, and had favour with ail the peOf le. And doubtlefs this was the vifc. ble Church. To this, fuch as fhould be faved were added, yet not only fuch i fqr many falie Teachers and others did likts: goout from rhcm 5 and fuch as Sirmn Ma- gus were baptized j and falfe brethren was one caufe of the'if fuiferings. So that I doubt not but it is clear, that they that deny any Inf ants tobeMembgrs' of rheWible Churfch. do leave ns no true ground for any Chriftian Hope ot their iaWI vati'on. ~" " ""* ' ~ — '-"""^ Nextletus confider how far their own Arguments will exclude all Hopeofth4^< falvation of any Infant. If it were true which Mr. T. fo much ftandeth on, Thatthe only way now appoint ed by Chrift to make Church- Members , is by teaching the perfo«s thertifclves 5 aimthat none elfe may be Members ot the viiible Church, buc- thofe that hav^ leatnt : Then i. It will much more follow, that they are notof t.H6 invifible ChHrchyas I have fliewed 3 or at leafl that we are nor to judge them tofc ©fthe invifible Church at all. ^ "" :;^:; 2. And intomMat.2S, 20. they may argue, thatnone but thofe that are taugfii;/ i Difciples, an^are to be baptized j why may they not as well argue from Mat- 1 6, • ace . ... „ i6.iWbof9eveY bm^eth not fljall be i/anincr\ (-[^j^r all T^^f;^p^c -y^ r^rnj. " Wdamned ? wherein l!e?h the difference in thefe two Arguments ? Sure the latter feems to me cq have more fliew from Scripture, though but little. I dare invite Mr. T. to prove to me fronft Scftptilrre, that any Infants in the world are juftified and fanaified, andtcy if Ifhall not in the fame way prove that fome Infants are Members of the vifible Church? Or let him anfwer the Argument (rom Mar. 16.16. that is brought for their damnation, and fee if it will not afford him alfo an anfwer to that from Mdt, 28. againft their being Difciples, and to be baptized ? But why dol expedthis, when he fufpendeth his judgement ? If he mean it6(,, parriaUar Infants , it is not home to the Queftion ; for fo he muft fafpend hisju'dge,^^^,, mcnt concerning the falvation of every particular perfon, ascertain, feeing he is ua-*^ ,' certain of the fincerityof any : And yet /hope he will not conclude it uncertain^', whether any man be faved ? But if he mean it of all the Species of fnfants, rhcnl / muft fay, he fufpendeth much of his Faith, Hope and Charity j and that Doftriiiie which fttfpendeth our belief of God,and Charity to our own Children,fhall be none of my Creed. . And where he thinks we maft take up with that, Rom. 9. iB.JIe will have Mer^ .' euwhom he mil have Wrcy. Janfwef, i. This is no other ground of Hope, thaiT^G^; any Heathen in America we may entertain. 2. It is no ground of Hope for Jn.fants at all: for it neither diredly nor indireftly promifeth any Mercy to them, no r faith ; any «wrc of M€jfcy',th;w of hardepitigv ancl rather would afford fuch Pifputers an Ar- L 2 gument H } jS'^ Tlain Scriphtre V roof of gun>cncagainft Mercy to awy Infants, beca life it is Mercy put in oppofition tohardcn- ing> which Infants in that fenfe are not capable of. Yet Mr. T. tels us [there is hope f®r all this, tlioiigh norcertain,yet probable and eomfortable,] and he fhewech us three grounds for it. If th-is be fpoken of the Spt:-^ ciesof Infants, as if there were no certainty, but a probability, that any of them fhall be faved, then 1 will prove it falfe and vile'anon. If it be fpokcn of particular indi- vidual! infants, then i. /t is as much as can befaid ef any men at age j for no other man hath any certain, but a probable Hope cf their falvation. 2. It is as much as i defire; for if their falvarion be probable, [then they are vifibly or feeHiingly,or to our judgement in a ilar-< » .of -fa lYarion^ apr^ fo mull need s be vifible members of the Church. How dare ilf^-. T. refufe to take thoir for vi'hil k Churc h- mpmhpr^, whnfe falv4^inp \f> probal^, when he hath no more but probability of the falvation of the beft man in the world ? 3. But doth not this contradift what went before? And I wifh he do notconrradjd it. again in his proofs. His firft proof of the probability, is from fome general indefi- nite promifes j but wliatthcfe promifesare, he eels us, ApoL />. 64. by general and ift5 definite promifes he means fuch as determine not the kind of the good promifed^npir:' the particular perfbn *, and therefore are true, if performed coany perfoninanyforc of good 5 and conditional!, upon condition of Faith and Obedience, Anfxv. I. Ifir determine not the kind of good formally, nor virtually v nor contain it gerterically *, then how doth it make it probable- i's-.^ And if it neither determine the perfon, nor give us ground to determine, how then doth it become probabk to th^t perfon ? 3. And how then can that promiie give hopes to the faithful! of theialvati^ of their Infants, which is verified, if performed to arjy perfon in any foft cfgood ? as if it were but to one Infant in a Nation, in reprieving him a day from damoatJ^mi If it intend more than this, then it is not verified or fulfilled in thus much : Ifitiote^^ no nwre,then how doth it make their falvation probable ? 4. And uire the conditio- nail promifes which hementioneth requiring Faith and Repentance, are little to the benefit of Infants, if thefe coadirions are required of themfclves inthetrjnfaac^y . And for his other two grounds of Hope, vix^. The favour of God ta.the j=!itfents, and experience, they are comfortable helps to fecond the promife, but of themfelvas v;ithout a word, would give us no ground of Chriftian Hope ia fuch matters as Ju- ftification and Salvation are. ^ Nd now let me proceed^:orthe next thing promifed,and fliew yen, that we hav^ il grounds of hope in Scripture concerniog the falvation of fome Infants : AnH will ftand the m^re on is becaufe Mr. T. calls on us fo oft, to fhew what we have to fay for their falvation more than they '-, which I fhaU herefhew him once for all. And, I . We have a flronger probabHiry than he mentioneth, of the falvation of all the Infants of the Faithfull fo dying, and a certainty of the falvation of fome, in that God admitreth them vifible Members of his Church. For Chrifl is the Saviour ofh4« B6d)^,and he will prefe nt-his Ch_urchcleanfed and unfpottedtothc Father '^and if ^od will have them to be yifib|[e Members ofthis Church, then he would haveus take or judge them c6~5eTtonbers of it : Aivd withall there is lefs danger of miltake in them, thin in men at years^ bicaufe they do nor difremble,nor hide any hypocritical intents under the vizor of profeOion,as they may do. And itjs certain allo,Tliac if God would >iave fome andttviny to be of the true body of Chrift^aod fO bcifa^-cd/ theH.he wouJd no? Infants Church-memberfj/p and Baptifm, 7 7 HOt have all to be vifibly out of that body. That he would have them Churchmem- bers, isproved, and fhali be, God willing, yet more. IfGodadde to the Church I fuch as fhall be faved, then there is a ftrong probability of their falvation whom he ) addeth to the Church. - ' 2. And the promifes to them are fuller than Mr. T.expreffeth, and give us Wronger ground of Hope. i. God hath, as I have proved, aflured that he will be mercifuU to' them in the generall, and that in oppofition to the feed of the wicked, on whom he, will vifit their Fathers fins. Now this giveth a ftrong ground of Hope that he will favethera. ' For if the Judge or King fay, I will hang fuch a Traitor '■, but 1 will be merciful! to fuch a one, it is an intimation that he meaneth not to hanghira. If your friend promife to be good to you and merciful!, you dare confidently Hope that he means not to del! roy you. r r-, 2. God faith fas I have fhewed) that the Seed o tihe Righteous is blefled J ew j is not that a ftrong grnnn.-^ pf t^npf>, x\^?^ ^^ ^yj ogv they jhall jiot be damned r It is / not likely that God would call them BleiTed/wnom he will damri eternally, after a few dayes or hours.lifc in a ftate of Infancy, which is capable of little fenfe of Blelled- ncfsliere, 3. Godentereth Covenant tOLhcLXlidLSfijLjnd to take them for a peculiar peo- ple to himrelf,Di?«r. 29. 1 1 , 1 2, 13. Arid this giveth ftrong Hope of their falvation. For asif the Ring promife to be your King, and take you for his Sub)eft, it is likely he intends all the benefits of Kingly Government to you j Or, if a man promife a wo- roan to l>e her husband, itis likely that he intendeth to do the office of a husband : And fo when God promifeth to be their God, -4. Arid F4»/^ vTheff:^, 15. would not have the faithful! mourn for the Dead, ^s] thoTe that are wjtiiout Hope. Niw what Dead arethefe ? and what Hope is it ? i.We/ iairh the Dead in g;e neralL which wiil not ftand with the ey.clufion of the whole Species of Infants. 2 . He fpeaks of thofe Dead for wh om they, were apt to mouTB ; \ And will not Parents m ourn for their GhUdr en \ ' ^" . ' \ 2. Awd for Hope, it is evidently th^^opeof ReCurrei^ion to Life; forR*"- furre^brt' to Damnation is not aching to be Hoped for. This leems plaiii to, me." -'• y *^'>' ^■-.' :•'■:■ ■ , ; - - -, 5. Drfw'^cbififbrtethhimfelf concerning his Dead Child, becaufe he fhoiild goj;q the Child, but the Child Qiould not return to him. To fay this was meerly that he fhould be buried with it, is to make D/ix/iitoo like a Pagm, rather than a Chriftian : However, it ftems he was confident that he fhould not be damned v or elfe he would not fay, I ftiall go to him. And to fay D^'u/a' knew his falvation as a Prophet, is a grourtdlefs ftdion chat cannot beproved ^ Prophets knew not all things, nor ordina- rily things of another World by fuch a revelation. Therefore whatever ground of HDpeD^v/^ had, other faithfulU'arents have the like. ^ v 6. Again, If there were not far more Hope of their Salvation .> thasi fear of their^ ./Damnation, it would never be laid; That children are an Heritage of the Lord , and ^hefmtofthe womb his rewards Andthe man. blejfed- that haih his quiver fulUj. tbcrn^ -fto 127. 3,4,5. ^^•-'j . And why fhould Children be joyned in ftanding Church-Ord!nances,as Prayer, ^^afting, fee. if there were not ftrong Hope of the Bleifing of thefe Ordinances to then) ? 2 Chron. 20. 13* The Children rhatitic kthe breaiL were to be gathered to J •fhefolemn Faft^ Joel 2>i 6, (This will prove t¥em aUo ftanding Cliurch-memberf^ 7 'fedn£jii£.v^muft ioynjnjt andin Or dinances; J fo, why received rh«:y Circooioi- ife»,a feaW tTJe Rlpreouffie^^ ihexe were not: ftrong probability that they 7^ Vlain Scripture f roof of had die thing ftalcd and fjgnitied?'' God will not fail his own Ordinance, wliere ,muw fail not. , 8- .VVliy clfe dtthGod fo oft compare his Love to chat of a Mother or Father to - 5|ic child '.'i Toij\ 2. 27. Num. 11. 12. Ifa.49. 15. i'pi/.' I05. 13. >Q 9., Wc have Chrrft encouraging us to receive Children in iii^ Name, and himfclf J taking them up in his Arms and Elcirn igjlicm, apd angry wid^ hemrhar kept them from him, becau fe of liich is the Ivin^J om of God ; And cerraJnlyTTTiofe that ChnO: I Blcfled are bleflccf, and ll:all be laved ; akicTif your felves interpret the Kingdom of \ Gcd of the Kingdom of glory, yon put it pall doubt : And we ai e fure it was not nnen Vt age that Chriil took up in his arms and blelTed > and therefore have caufc to be- lieve it is /nfantsthat belong to the Kingdom alfo. And that this was no extraordinary cafe, nor fhould have been unknown to the Difciples, is evident, in that Chrift was rff>nd£f[wirh rhemfor keeping them from himj wbj ch proves that they fliould have known tha.t it was their duty to admit themi which tliey could not know~of thofe Infants, as having more light to tliis bl<;iiing thanothers that fhould he fo brought. ;. 10. We read of feme that have been fan^ined from the woreibi and therefore were in a flate of falvatioa., and. Jacob was loved before he wa^ born, and sJierSfocdL. before he had done good oreviU, was m the like ftate of fol vation. ,j\. Wefindpromifesof falvation,to_vsJJiOleJiGufholds,*^(her€ it is probable there • wtolnfants>^//. 16. 54. '^'jii. God Cals themHoly, I Cor.7.14. Which I n^MjM-nyj^ \*. Uy fq«raf ion m nnA as' a pecdiar^£2£le. Now ic is exceeding probable, that where God himfelf hath ^tfirite^any to mmfe 1^ fo from the world, thac^wiil noc after ward rc^thenv except they reje^ his grace afrefh, which Infants do not. ^ It cannot be faid that chefepronaifes are verified accordiag to their fenfe^ if any Nercy he given to any Infant. Here the perfons are deternain^,^ that is, Alithefeed cf the faith full'-, and we have Targe" ground given prbbaWy to conclude, that it is eternall Mercy that is intended to all that living co age do not again rejeft it, but /, that either at age ke^p Covenant , or die in Infancy before they break it : And we "* haye certain ground to conclude, that thisfalvation belongcth to fome Infants, and ■" vifiblc Churchmemberfhip to aU the Seed of tlie faithfelh And I think this is more than Mr. T. dotii acknowledge them. If that Mat. i8. 10. be wellconfidercd, it may nnake another Argument full to the point. If little ones have their Angels beholding the Face of God in Heaven, then they fhall be faved : For that is a Mercy proper to the people of God. And that the T eyt fpeaksof I nfants^ others have fully proved. ; iV. .. If any will go further, and iay, that Godsaffunng Mercy to them ^ and calUng d them Bkfled, and Covenanting tobe their God, with the rc(\ofrhe Arguments, n will prove more than a probability, even a full certainty of the falvaticn of all be- lievers Infants fo dying j rfiough 1 dare not fay fo niy felf, yet 1 profefs to think this Opinion far better grounded than Mr.Ty.that would fhut them all out of the Church. And I think it ten times eafier to give very plaufible, probable grounds for this Opi- nion than for his : And it is not luecrly a blind charity that draws me to this, which ~ makes men apt to judge the beft h but I mean, there is far more fhew of proof for it I in Scripture, that all Believers Infants are of the true body of Chrift, than chat none are of the vlfible bodv : and if 1 muH turn to one of thefe Opinions 1 would tar foo- . ner turn to the former. Infants ChHrch-memberJIjjp and Bdpifm. , , , - 79 I would urge another Argument here from thcUniverfalicy of Redemptldil^^^hrifl dying for all, for every man, for rhe fins of the whole world, as the Scripture fpea- keth h but that it would require more time to explain my felf in it, than 1 can hei"e fpare : However , methinks no man /hould deny thacChrill dyed for every fort of n)cri,3rtcl every age, and fo for fome Infants. '^ » - • ■■ '• ■ > ■* ' * ' ■ II III I u yB~~«y«a,; p p j ^. ,^ „«%, i^. > » i|., ii. M ii j m* .1 I j| il w , j 'liti.i. M iiM* iiiii» «»': I i l . - ' ; '- '^ -r.<-:;.7GbtKi}J^r!:':3^;-'w.'^ci renif n::ir\i! ji:)VJil CU AD VV\7TTT orriswgidi Ifirfj baA H A i^. A X V 1 1 1. . , ,^: . ,,,.^,p,. ,. ,e:.irji^ia MY twenty third Argument is probable : TFin Tnfanr ^vere licad oFttie M\(\h\eChnvc^^ rhpn fnfanrc; mayhe m^rnhpr?; : Ejk Chrift mWM^lt . //eacTorthe Church : Theretore Infants may beMembe'rs. *~ / That Chrift was Head of the Church according to his humane iiatur6r m his Infancy, I hope is not queftioned. What acclamations of An« gels, and TraveU and Worfhip from the Wife men, with many otlier glorious pro- vidences, did honour Chrift in his Infancy, more than we read of for many years afjEeward ? The confequence of the Major dependeth on thefe two grounds : i ^ This pr-^Mesthat the nonage of Infants makes them not uncapable, ruppofing Gods Will ? 2^>!And thenic fliews God would have it f9,thus *, becaufe Chrift palfed through eacli age, to farjftifie it m us/ Tbis Irensus fpeaks in exprefs words, (an Author thac'IP Ted Seeft&e Apofttes times) Ideoper omnem v^nit ^tvtff^m^ ^^ hif^ptjjiifc fn fi^ns f a^uf^ tip" exemplHm Hits pietatts ejf'eHus^ \y jHjinui ^ fubjeHionis. That is , Therefore he (Ghrift) went through every age, and for Infants he was made an Infant, fandify-, ing Infants-, in little Children, he being a little Child, fanftifying them that have , this very age iaffdwiitraU: feeing made to them an example of piety, and Rigbreouf- . nefsv and fubjedioni Is not here clear proof enough from Antiquity of Infants j ehsrch-Memberfliip ? If they are fanftiiied by Chrift, and he himfelf became an in- fant tofanftific /nfants , then doubtlefs they are Ghurchmembers. f For / hope Mr, T. will not interpret r)-/>w^»cjg3n/tifying, a^^h^ Horhi'^- Pf^/f/pf legitimation.) Now let any judge whether it b^ probable, that if Chrift the Head ot the ChurclT were an Infant, whether it be his will that no Ttt^infcs fhould be Members. For my parr, when /confider that /nfant-ftate of Chrift our Head, and the honour done to him therein, it ftrongly perfwades me that they know not his Will, who fay he wiH ncr h<*ve:/nfants to be viiibly his Members* GHAP^ • : > o rlam Scripture froof of CiiAP. XXIX. ;^M|k ^Y twenty fourth Argument is from that full plain Tci?t, \Cw. 7. 14. Im, /S ag^"^ ^^^^^ch men do fo wilfully cavill in vain, as if they were forry thtt , I ^/ 1 God fpeak s it fo plainly, and were rcfolved to yeeld neither to dark ex- 1 w J prefTionTnor to plain. 1 ^fe veere your children umlcaiiy but mw arc thy holy.-] - ' ic is undeniable, i . That it jsonely Bej jevers to whom Paul giveth this comfort^ and of .whom he faith, that their children'werTHoly. 2. And that it wasfpoken as a common Privilege to all Believers children, and not as proper to the children of theic Cohntbians. All this is confefled ; But what is meant by Bolincfs here, wc.are not agreed. Three EKpofKions are commonly given of it. i. Some, very few,think it means ihacHorinefs which is the true Image of God on the loul, and confiftcth in itsintqr- nall fpirituall Life and reditude, and accompanieth falvation infeparably. ,2. The comnxin and (I doubt not 3 true Expofition is. That ic is meant of a f^atc ■ X^fi°pararion ro God, as a peculi y p ^^p^^frnm rh^ ^^Y orld,as the Church isfeparafed: ^ahs^iein^ hccaiiie the C ovenant orPm mife of God is the chief caufe, thjcrefqre (3|cy nf^^^W ir [ffAey^W Holinefs.l '. ' ^.Mr, T. thinks that is taken for legitimate, that is, [noBaHardsj 3 ^^ if F4«Z ihould fay. The unbelieving Husband is fanftifiedtoche Wife, &c. EUe were your ^Children baflards, but now are they Legitimate. ' '* Moreover, we are not agreed what is the meaning of [ the unbelieving Husband hcmg fanBiJied to the Wife, and the unbelieving Wite to the Husband.] Mr. T, Cuth, it is rpcken Catachreftically, by an abufe of Speech, and by [San^ihed j is meant r^sitlie were Sanftified, ] that is,[he or fhe may be lawfully enjoyed.] i. Again,he thinks that it is no Privilege proper to the Believer which the Apollle kcre mention- eth> in the fandifying of the unbeliever to them •-, but that he tels them onely of a common Privilege of all Heathensmarried, that they may lawfully live together, be- cav.fe they are Husband and Wife *, and that in mentioning the unbeliever fan 6tified, the Apoftle means but this, PT hou^h he be an uD belieYer^ yet he is lawfully ufe4 or enjoyed.] " ' - Now on the contrary we affirm, i. That by £the Unbeliever being fandifiedjthe 'Ap6ftlc means properly as he fpeaks, and as Scripture ufeth jhe w_ ord San^iified, ( vJT^. f or , a reparation from common, to'G od'>)"and not abufively. 2- Apd that it is fpoken as a peculiar privilege of the Believer,and is*not common to Heathens. For the fuller opening of thefetdyoii, let me give you the true meaning of the wor d [Holy") ajid fome diilinftions of it, to avoid confufion. Whether a>iOf, Holy, comeTrom «^» to Worftiip, as Janfemus would have it \ pr from.>»n>75 «>»'>, as Arei'ms improbably in his Problems i or from the He- .. brew word fignifying a Fcall, as Pafor--, or from «>«, as Beda and the moft judge, is not vvorth theftanding on now : The laft is received by moil : However, . it a generally agreed, that the moft common ufe-of the word '^ '' ly ] ( if not the Infants churck'memberjhip and Bapifm. onlyjbothin Scripture and Prophane Writers isco fignifie [ a thing feparated to God:] and to fanaifie any thing, is tofeparare it to God, Omni jancjum Tji Deo ^ Jantium \ w hat^ever is Holy, Is Holy to God. This therefore being the proper Icr.le 'and ordinary ufe of tlie Word, I rake my felf bound to receive it as the meaning here, till I know more reafon to the contrary. For it is a general! Rule among all found Divines in expounding Scriptures, that you are to take words in the ordinarvi fenfe wherein God in Scripture ufeth them , except there be a palpable unavoidable - neceifity of underftanding them othcrwife. And if men will not Ibck to Gods ordinary fenfe of words, butrafhiy venture upon fmgular Interpretations, and pin a fenleupon Gods Word contrary to his own ordinary ufe of them, it is no wonder if fuch men abound in crrour, and be uncapable of any facisfaftion from Sqin- rute : For they will believe God means as they do, let himfpeak what, and how he will. Nowas [HolinefsJ thusfignifieth [a feparation to God] fo it may be diftinguifh- ed thus i I. A Perfon or Thing may be Holy, or feparated to God, either in Hate and gandhig Relation. Or elfe only for fome particular Ad or \\(c. whether for nmrr pr time or longer. In this latter lente, a wicked man; yea a Heathen may be fan being fejgaratedto^one that is je parareid-td Ggd, and ^lib who will u.le all ior God y '^ Yea, as a HuiBand or Wife they make up that'conjugall ftatc which is more di redly Ibir God ■-, And if they beget a holy Seed, it is one of the ufes that they werefandified yot, Though I will not flick to the common term of [ Inftrumentall Sandification] >vhichMr. r. takes fo much advantage againfl, becaufe it implyeth but one of the ends of this feparation, and that not conftant neither j for I doubt nnrhnripfnme r^- 1^ fes it maybe lawful! for thofe to marry that are pa ii child-bearing. ' ' / 4.' Again, fometime perlbnsor thrngsareiandiHed Adively^ that is, feparated to /feme Adion for God j As the Friefts, Levites,&c. And lomccime Paflively, tiia t is, l^lcparated to be ufed for God, as the Temple, Akar, Sacrifice, &c. The unbelieving Husband or Wife is both waves fandified. All thefe difiindions are but from fe vpra ll end<; ^^ ^(^ i ^^^ rep^ of feparati on : The common nature of Holinefs is one and the fameinalU that is, a ieparaciori to God j And fo both children of Believers and alfo unbelieving yoak- fellows are here faidto 'beHolyandSandified. And now I come to my Argument. H - if M J JJJLii^-- -*■ rLimScrifture Proof of IF the children of Belkvers are holy in tee, then 'they ought ro beadmirte'd'vifi- blc Church-members : Biu the children of Bclievetgii*e J'rpfy^^in ft^t^^Thdr^^^^ d.icy ought to be admicted vifiblc Church-niembcrs.' ' '''^'' ■■ '' ' ' ' ' 'i^ thcconfequcnceof the Major I prove thus; If Holinefs oF flare hcre^ejUQ'iced feparatiori of the perfooi Jcoii the world, to God; and ths Church vifible be a Society of perfons (b feparated h thenThofe that are holy in fl4re,are to be vifiljle Churcji- Member&:Buc the Antecedent is true: Therefore the confecinenr. Whether the Greel^ word 6xx,A)iWawere beforc ufed for any ^Aflcnihl y , as C d^mio ^inks ; or w hether ik be fpok^n W-TO JKvcct A^t. » a"s Muja iju s ojTKow^i.iM much matters not . For certain- ly all^^mggrlTrtTKird^nitionot tlie Church are agre edT"that it lsa Society of perion sfeparated from the World, to God, or called out 6t tlie Worid>"^ c ^^^^^-STTprove it further thus^ ii thisholinefs ol llaced leparation to L:od^ be the coni fianLattrihu fe of the Church, but never ^fjpy p^rf-^n \A/irhniir rhf (^hurrh^ then aTf fhat are fo holy , mult be admitted Cliurch Members : But the former is true't Therefore the larrcr. 5. Again, If thofe that are thus holy by Aated reparation to God, did not belong i to the Church as Members, then there were a holy Society, or Generation without I the Church •. But the confequent is ablurd ■■, for there is no hcly Generation wirhout I the Church : Therefore the Antecedent is unlound. - " • I 4. If God argue from futh ^'^''^^^'^frlr )^^^ ^^ ^^^^ inrhi^rrliinp of rhVi^^ (hea the fo holy muft be inchiirchedvBut the holy ^GTholit-doriifoargue^^f<:0/;/.'it^^ Sec. So the Confequent is proved. , '^jr-liyiin- i LZ/rtj;- The Antecedent is plain iathCTexr, [that Children are holy by flared' feparatj- on to God :, ] And for the vindicating of the fcnfe of the Tei<;t againlhWr. T. his fcnfe of Legitimation, I argue thus. lcU i,Iftheconf\ant meafiingofthe word [Holy] be for»feparatiori*ta ddd,"thtni^ we muft (0 underftand it here, except there be a palpable rieceirityCf undet-fldhyip^ it other wife ; but theconftantfenCe of the word C^^^y J *^ f^"* ^ reparation to GociV and here is no palpa^)ie necelfity ofundcrftandingit otherWlfe i Tliie^forfe'^^^e-MS!' fo underftand it here. if-n ■ -^^ ■ /' " '^■^'' ' -J - . to this M)'. T. anfwered thus v r He denied not that the conftant meaning of the^ word [Holy] was as I faid , 2. But he afhrmed that there Wtts a palpable neceiTity Oii*' underftanding k ocherwife here j but what that palpable neceificy was, he fliewed not. He faid alfo that the word i^jta-U is taken by the Apoftle in i Cor. 11. i $. for a ^ womans Veil, as a fign of fubjedion to her husband, when yet ic is no where elieT6 . yfed. To which 1 anlwered ; i. It is ufuall to take the fign for the thing fignined",/ 2. If it were not, yet once ufmg that word out of the ordinary fenfe, will not war- rant us to do fo by this, without as palpable neceifity. Otherwife we mightpervert all Scripture, and none of it would be underftandable. I applied this my Argument for my felf and others thus •-, If he have a better de- fence for his judgement and praftifc before the Judgement-Seat of Chrift, whb:, groundeth them on Scripture exprefs words,underftood i.i that fenfe as they are u- , fed'neer fi:^ hundred times by the holy Ghoft, then he that groundeth them 011 Scripture unclerftood in fuch a fenfe as it is no where ufed, but necr fix hundred jimcs otherwife > then we have a better defence for the judgement andpradifecf , Infant-Baptifm, than Mr. T, hath for the contrary •,. biir the former U true j therefore ^hc latter. ■,,/;:. -int.)- iv^^o;^.- 1^.1 "» Here Infafits church^nnmberfiipaffd Baptffm. Here Mr.T.dcmcd not but that the word was taken fo oft in my fenre,and never in Iiis,and yet denied the confequence. I do therefore here require all men that are nqi- of defperaterefolutions, andproftitutcd confciences, to confider faithfully, i. Wh|- tfe he be likely to make a more comfortable anfwer before the bar of Chrift , wife faith [Lord, I fearched after thy Will in thy Word,as far as I wasable,and I durft not rafhly veiuurc ow my fingular fancy, but in my admitting or bringing Infants into thy vifible Church, 1 grounded my j udgement and praftife on thy Word, in the fame fenfe as it is ufed neer fiK hundred rimes in the Scripture.] I fay, will nor this man ^^ave a better plea than he that ITiutceth Infants out of the Church, upon the Expo- feipn of^cripturc in a fcnfe as it is never elfe ufed in, but neer fizi hundred times 6\ thi|fvvif? li_yc^r^iyd-^ warrant you I fhall prove it is ufed otherwife here.) i I'si. Whether now it be not evident howJnjurioufly thefe men deal wich ns, in 'ftiaking the deluded people that follow them, believe, that we have no pla'm Scrijp- tiirefor our ju.dgement&. butfar-fetcht confequences, and that they have the plain Scripture on their fide? 1& it ooc here apparent now how falfc this iSj and that tli^ cafeis cleancontrary? ,rQ ' - -'rr'-y.- :. ' -^''^f^^ ■ (M ^^^'^'^'^^^^ ;b ,bo0^o;3 n- MY fecond Argument is this : If Infants of the Faithuill were Church- members hf-fnre (^.hriO^rimp, pnrl fr^ |^nly ; then it is Utterly improbable, that the A- poftle fhouidfpeak of no other Holinefs here but Legitimation (which is common to the children of Pagans) and nioft probable that he fpeaks of the fame kind ofHo- linets which was the ordinary privilege of the Seed of the faithful 1 before. But thac fuch Infants were vifiblc Church- members before Chrifts comming, is confefled, (and fully .proved btrfore : ) Therefore, &c. They are alfo called the Holy Seed, E7:^ra. 9. 2. The Antecedent ftands on thefe two grounds : i i If the ApofWe by [Holy] fhould have meant [ that rhey were not Baflards 1 then he (hould have fpoke in a phrafe which they were unlikely to under(land-,and fo his fpeech might tend to draw thenn into mift^kes, and not to Edifie them. For if the word [Holy J were conitanrly ufed (^even neer fix hundred times in the Bible) for afeparation to God, and never ufed for Legitimation ( all which Mr, T. denieth not,) then what likelihood was there that the Apoftlefiiould mean it for Legitimation, or the people founderftandhim? If I fhould write an Epiftle to a Chrifiian Congregation now, and therein tell them, rhajt their children are all by nature [unholy, ] would they ever conjedure that I meant that they were, allB^ds ? Or, if I told them, that by Grace they were Ho- ly, or that they were Churchmembers, would they think that either of thefe words did mean only that they were lawfully begotten ? If when you fpeak of Bread you mean a Stone, or if by a Fifh you mean a Scorpion, who is like to know what you mean ? I^the people fhoald miftake you in fuch a way of fpeech, arc they not mo^re excufable than you ? But certainly it was the intent of Paul to Edifie, and not to le- duce the people. 2. Alfo would not the Chriltians think it utterly improbable, thar Yani fhould here tell Believers of thar as a glorious Pr lviiepe^ which every Pagan, hajji aft^j-whiduhgrn^^^lvcs liad while they were Pagans r and knew they had it i And might theynotwell expeH that the privileges of their children fliould be W S^. Plain Svripnre Proof of ' and of the houfhoIdofGod : of which City and Houfc Infanrs were before Member?, and therefore called Holy ? This being all fo, would nor the Cliril'tiansthirk that lure F4,M/did fireak Of no otherHolinels, and no lower privilege than ochers before ha4? .-1 'k /. '■'~^" «-•■•';■'"-;■" '**- '.'•' wonoi 7on iliw IB) c^blbrtuOig 03 fttii5 ifiw n^m ol eu' faDif.Biitw •^. T F to be Holy in Pauls fenfe hcre,b€ no more than to be lawfully begotten, then JL we may c all all perfons Holy that are not Bafta rds : But that would beabfurd", Therefore the Antecedent is lo. The Minor i prove thus *, If it be not the phrafe of Scripture to call: all Pagans Ifo- 'IV'fcHar are iibt Baftards, or any other , bccaufe they are not Baftards » then it is|!)- lul'd for us to call them lb', (for it is a contradi<9"ing of the conflant ufe of the Scrip- ture words ) Bur the Scripture dotli no where call Pagans Holy, or any other, meer- ! y bccaufe they arc not Baftards : Therefore we muft not do fo. For my part 1 had ra- ther fpeak according to Scripture, than according to the fancies of nacn. l(Mr. J',,his ieriib be right, nor only almoft all our Congregations are Holy (in a fctife not knqwa in the word J but we may fay, I think, that almoft all the World is Holy j for 1 hope ' thaf^kftards area fmall part of rhe World. . .i; . ;■ ..•^- •- ..-.. j; .v^uvi "Tw things Mr. T. pleadeth for himfelf here ', li Tliey arc called in MaL ^i^'3. ' SeedbfjOod, and that he thinks is meant, that they are no Bafkards. To wHich i '- anfwer^i. Thisis nothing to the word [Hfil^;. J 2. He will never pro%'e the one or the other. I have proved before that by a Seed of God, is not meant Legitimate j for '/then Jofeph, Benjamin., Sulomon^^ and a great part of the Holy Seed fhoiild be ballards, ■ and fo fnut out of the Congregairion j w hich is a known falfhood. But why fhould QOcGods Wordbeunderftoodas hefpeaksit?andaScedof God be underilood pror pcrly? For God will fooner choofe and blefs the Seed of the temperate, than of I wandring, infafiate,licentiou-Iuih the temperate and Ibber will alfo fooner educate I theq[i for God. And this feemeth the plain fcppe of the pUce^ .Though fome other I \knt)vv do orherwife expound it. . : . ;, iBiit Mrl r:cbjV(^ethfor his feiife thus vTh^ threat end ©fMarrii^ge is' Ive^itjrria^oa of ifTue j Therefore this is here meant. To which I anfwer v i ♦Ther^ j^rc other ends as dire(^ V a ^ t^iar f\]^ xv^w iiiig ht have a help meet for him, {^cT^ TIieconleliiucnce is denied •,"For it is not proved tliat the Prophet fpeaks iiereot thatdirtd end. 5.. If by the direft end, he mean the ulrim;ite end, which is firlt intended} Then i.JEithcc the ultimate end of God inQitutJng Marriage fbox then his Afiertion is manifeOly, falfe, for Gods glory in his ultimate tnd r and many other greater there are than Le- gith-nation} or clfe he means the ulrimate end of Man in Marrying, (but-that is nO' thing to the Tckc, and is alfo plainly falfe.^ Or if by the dired'endhe mean the nci.t effc^, this is neither true, nor any thing to the matter . .1. His fecond Objection is this •, If badgrdsJ^ cailed^aiic/tw?, then byconfe- t]ucncbe Lcgirimare may be called Holy. To which 1 Anfwer: The confequence IS ungrounded', ^\\^^c!cJ:nncfs\^v\t\tr^{np tr^ rf^^^r,^^^ ^'PmoraU roHolinefs; The ■' beafts that chewed tlic Cud,and had cloven feet were clean beal\s,and yet evGryiOs , or Sheep was not Holy. Again, you mufi difiinginfh of unclcannels', i. Either k wasGeremon'i!iH'V'2. Or Moral'. The uncleannefsof hathrd& then was only or chiefly Ceremoniall or Typicall, God did deprive them of the Jewifh privileges, a< thofe were for a 'time that had touched tht deav), which yet was nofm. God doth r not now fhut fuch out of his Church to fo many Generations,as he did then outoftliat Congregation la fome mcafure, So that baflards are not now:fo unckaft as then ' '■-' - thty Infants ChHrch-memberJIjip and Baptifm, they were,and therfore the Legitimate not fo Holy 5 when Legal or Jewifh Ceremo-.^" " niall cleannefs and uncleanncfs are ceafed j Therefore this could be n©»e of the A- poftks meaning here-. And if.GQddi$i.yetca|I,Baftardb unclean, as he did dien^^ic | will not follow that we may call all them that are no BafUrds, Holy i till GQd'ji^ve/ warranted usfo to do. But fee howthcfe men will trull to groundlefs, far-fetchc confequtnces when it fits clieir cum ! . iii)dii3d Lliiow jiJl) :;ua , ^b^^/Ua^oa sijj xli. I proceed to my^fotinhArgiTmentfoc my feafe of the Text againfl Mr. T, his. If the fan^ifpog of the unbelieving Husband or Wife, be not me ant of making^ or contin uing the Ma r riage lawfu LJn oppofition to Adultery, then by iTolinels of the childreiTcannet be meant their Legiriraation in oppofiticn to Baihrdy. But the fan. You muft fhew fome palpable neceffity then for leaving the conflanc life of the Word*, which he faid he could do j and I will believe it when I hear i^ But a?k(V Mr;,^* denyed alfo my Antecedent, ^nd af^rmed that the word fand:ify- '/^'feg-Wal tifediorfrnaking lawrull] and proved j^jiy)fijjfet(\)o^.of i;?^/w^ $. A ll tjarthl^ngi' are findihed by the Word and Prayer. .; 'i>%,vTr>^.e-n ^h> ^gri ^ "" T"'--^**-*!^^ To whJGh I replycdi That the Text courdnot meai> it of a meer making a tiling lawfully which 1 proved thus *, if ir we^g ) awfull before, ^^ven \f} rngflP^ *"" ^'^f ^"^ drink, though they fminthe manner and endsj then thiscannot be meant of making ii meerlylav/fdlv but it.was lawfull before i Thercfoire, &c. ;c::i',.'i^^ which he gave not fo much asanydenyallibut yeelded alij whereupon I could 3'??/jfot but def.re the^eople to obfcrve, that when as thefe men would make the world believe, tliat \vc have no Scripture for us, butchey have all j now Mr. T. confcflech before them, that the Scripture fpeaks many hundred things in that fcnle I alleged ir, avid he could bring but one place which he would fay did favour his fenfe, and now he plainly, giveth up that one alfo. He that will follow fucluDifput.Ts, ani ^^ build his Faith on fuch proofs,is fufce.kd by Pic«S inc^i^ft in himvmorevtiian hy-Qod^^ M--T43i: the evidence of truth. ■; ; . - , :- .: - 10 y : .2. 1 proved my Antecedent farther thus (that [ by fan^ifying the unbelievers 1 h ;^^^;bot meant the making or continuing theiii lay/fuU in oppofition to Adultery j J U bj 'fandif}ing be meant [making or-continuing lawfull J then both this and all crher Liwfall Relations of i-agansaref^jHtified j But the confcqnent is abfiird j Therefore :*K Antccedenu l^^ fiMH^VTTprmt^rodf of ^^* ^ Mi. T. auiw crcd to this. That cheir Etlations may Le laid to bclandificd iutliis Ibifc vbut when Scnrturc faith fo^ I will bcheve him. V t.-ifitfihti- argue thus: Thar which is commo n rri^all Pagans Ia\Ffully married, cahnfoc be mentioned as a privilege proper to Eelivers h Bur I'aul mcntiontth favi^ii- ftcaiioa/of tht Unbeliever to rhem, ^<^ .. p r^v^lf g^ -F^F'' ^^ RHtrvrr ; Therefore ihib h nothing coiiiraon ro Pagai s for which they enjoyed whjUft they were Pagans, as thaclawfiilnefsot life is whicii .yfr. T. nncntionech,^ My.T. in his Book denieth rhcv, Minor ofthi:, and faith it is not proper to Believers.ro have the Unbeliever fandiSed^ " to them , burrhat the ApoAlc fpeaks of it as a common thing which they enjoy^j while both were Unbelievers. But thcjcoEgof;rh£-Apoftle|a^ly f^^iifie^Vme of clje f.-,. )■ >uj.,i _ . -^ ^ , ,. rf. -,■ -,(,v: VVhtHce another Argument maybe added: 4. That cannot be faid to be done to the Believer as his prrpcr privilege which he enjoyed before while he was an Un^ I bdicver *, But the lawiuli ufe of his unbeheving Wife he enjoyed b;:fore ; Therefor^i , I it is not his privilege as a Believer j and confcquenrly not the thing here meant inV ^ the Text. If it be faid thai it is not the making,buc the continuing lawfull that is here/ n^eanc ; 1 aqfwer, That which firf\ made it lawful!, will continue it fo, h ,l( bqijiha^.j^ continued Unbelie\'(r:, their marriage would have continued lawfull. "j.^jjj ^^^?^ $. My next / rgumertt is this '-, If by fan^ifying were meant making lawfulr, tnen^^ the Ape file could noc^rg ucas^ A/offO/e r" f r^n^ a thing morf- )cnoWn,1frhiy [herhil. tjr^s^ajf^m^fcj-ojjYeUn h^^ beinf^ fofanftjfi ed; But the ApoTiIe dpth argue n Notiare ', So faitli^7)\iritill, and ^/'o/. p. 120. he faith they were ce rtain t|i^y ^.^ J^llildlXn WC I C Lc i g itimgtC. ^ .^ ,. r. . , /r-^^^ 1 do unfeignedly admne how Mr. T. canfatisne his own conicience in the Anfw-^ I he giveth -to this Argument, or how he can make hi mfelf believe that ic is eichcr &*i'. tisfa^ory or rational. But I will hide none of his Anfwer from you •, as iris, you (hall; ' have it, and fo judge of it. 1 confirmed my Major proporition thus (for the Minor is ■ his own. )i . if no man can rationally know that his children are Legitimate, till he fdUtnow that his M arriage is lawfull (]as in oppofition to Adultery, ) then the chil: flr.ns Legitimation is not a thing better known than the faid lawfulnefs of marriage. But nC man can rationally know that his children are leg^imat^ till he know firli that his Marriage is fo lawful i Therefore the childrcns Legitimation is nota thing better known than the lawfulnefs of the Marriage. The Minor 1 prove thus^ If the childrens Legitimation be a m.eer confequentofthe faid lawfulnefs ot the Marriage, receiving al! its Arength from it, then no man can ra^ tionally know that his children are Legitimate till he firft know that his Marriage is fo lawfull; Butthe Antecedent is certain (andconfeiTedby :T/r. T. ^;>o/. p. 123O Therefore fo is the confecjucjiir. . '- 2. Or thus j If every man that doubreth of the lawfulnefs of his Marriage, Os be- ing Adulterousj muft needs rationally doubt alio of the Legitimation of his children, that the fiid Legitimation is not a thing better known. But every jman that doubteth whether his Marriage be Adulterous, muft needs rationally doubt alfo whether his children arc Legitimate j Therefore the faid Legitimation is not bccccr known^ ; , :, ' ■■ •■■ ■■ *-' " ^ Now -— r ^ ^L f 'r-''<^^^-^\ ;: '^t- — "^ Infants C bur c h-m ember Jliip andBaptifm. .-^^..^ ..^ I g? ————-; -i">//>ffr"Y .tWx Now what fairh Mr. T. to all this ? why in our dilpuce he faith, oVer and oVer, I that the Orinthians were certain that thei r chiMren were no BaOards, and' yet chey were not certain whether their continuiug together were not Fornication. And this magifterially he affirmed without any reaion : To which I reply, i. Then were the Corinthians certainly mad, even (iark mad men, ifthev HonhrfH rh fl f they lived in ^ - Fornicarion, and vet were fi^re ^hat; rhei r children wer£j awfijlv h"p m rh.ir . ft.ite. Bat Mr. T. hath no ground in Reafon and Conscience, to malfrtuch a Church asthisofCori/if/j to confiflofmadmen : nor will I bdieve him, that they were fo bcfidesthemfelvesinthis, who had fo much wirdom in other things. .. 2. /repiy further : He feigneth them to know a thhig not knOwable, and ^o.allim-^ poffibility i for it is not knowable that the child of an Adulterous or Fornicating *Bedis lawfully begotten i and if they were in doubt of thdr living in Fornication, though it were not fo, yet it would afford to them no more arfurance of their chilv drens Legitimation, than if it were fo indeed ; For who can raife a Conclufion fron*^. unknown premifes ? Indeed, if there were any other premifes to raife it from,: them k werefomething ; but there is no other ground in the world on which a m^n^cari ; / know that his Childc is lawfully begotren^^jby^.^ijy to know that hfcwiEiiOjffd^rfi-. I caror or Adulterer. ' ', .,-. . :• • - -rroil^ !;!!':; Therefore I would Mr.T. would tell me,upon what ground they were certain' th'ae:' their rTi;Mfpja_ix;..^rp l^^x7^ii|jy f-i^gn^rpp. vvhil^^ rhpv r^n ubred whether their living to^ j i . ■ gether were not fornication. Doth he think they knew it by Enthufjafm or Revelat*--; / on from Heaven? If not, then it mufl be rationally by deducing it from feme premi- fes : Arid v/hatare thofe premifes? If he will teach an incontinent perfon,how tahe fure that his children are lawfully begotten, he will deferve a fee ; clpecially fome great men, that would fain make their Baflards their Heirs j fhould not all men doas they would be done by ? And would Mr. T. take it well to be fo cenfured himfcIP, as hecenfureth thcfe Corinthians ? Can Mr, T, be fure that his children arc lawfully be- gotten, when he is not fure whether he live in Fornication, or no, that is^ whether he lawfully begot then\ ? Why fhould not I think th^ Corinthians as rational asMr^T^ I am fure they had better Teachers than he among them, and lived in better tin-e^^ (^Though fome think that many now knny i/ mnr^ rfi^n P guJ ; and I th inidbtoo; hnr with fjirh a-kiiA^^lgiii£^i<; /,.::?! Tq which I anfwer f if it need any j j 1 . Fj^- fctcht or difficult confequences they i may not fee *, but fuch as this, I dare ray,he is neer mad, if not Oark mad, that cannot / fee. 2. Then-'l/r. T. being a learned man will take it for no wrong it feems, if a man , tell him he is notable at prefent to fee this confequence, that his children are law- ful ty begotten •, therefore ,h< did lawfully beget them, or he did not beget them in- Fornication.. ■' . ; 9 . But if fuch a learned liian fhould hot fee the confequence of the fald antecedent; yet I would fain know how becomes to know th^ conf cg uent, withou t firfl know- - lllg ^ny pr^"^''f^^ or.rinp.LCf-^'^^i''' This is the Qucllion tliat Afr. 77 iiiouid.havedn- fwered. How they came tobe fo certaia,that their children were lawfully^ begotten-, when at the fame time they kja£WjaSjL.a:h€XhHi!2|y ^^8^ ^ V'^^"^ law f uFIy ~or in For- nication.Didnotfoableariian as /Ifr.r. know, &mataker ib ir.uch Uilpute, that this was the Queftion whic|i he fhould have anfwered ?, And yet . he f^ith notliing to it : . And yet hetaitH, He hat^ abundantly arifwered all, What Ihould a rasq fay to fuch , .• Thus I have fhewed you what Mr. T. hath to fay againft this Argument. My fiyth Argument is this', If it were not the unlawfulnefs of their Marriage as Fornicating, but^sjmpious or irreligious dilre^ly, which the Comthians M'^eS:edy thenitisnottiielawfuinefsinoppofnionto Fornication, thatishere calledfanftify- sng 7 But it was not the unlawfulnefs as Fcrnicatory, but as impious direftly which they fufpeftec jTherefore it was not the lawfulnefs as oppofite to Fornication, which is here meant by fandifying. The Minor owly will be denied, which I prove thus j If they doubted not of tfie Legitimation of theirSeed, then they could not rationally doubt of the lawfulnefs of their ufe of Marriage, as Fornicatory h (but they might doubt of the lawfulncfs of it, asbeingiiiijiLQUij But the Antecedent is Mr. T, his own, Apol. p. 1 20. Therefore theconfiquenthecanno: well deny. . 2. B«fides, to any unprejudiced man, it will appear from the very fcopeofthe / Text, that t his was^he CQmi£ /)7wn.f d(uSt, whether it were not Irreligious to live I with llnbelieve fsraild iTOtTwhtthe r irwere ncoLdiiJeiaixJlQinicarionT \ My ieVcnth Argument is this i When the proper fenfeofa word may be taken, V- and alfo that fenfe wherein it is ufed many hundred times by the Holy Gholl , and this without any palpable ire ;nvenience i then it is finfull to rejeft that fenfe, and prefer an abufive Catechreilicall fenfe, and which is difagreeing from all other Scripture-ufe of that wordjEuc here the proper fenfe ofthc^ord[-ftia^ificd3«iaybe ^ taken, Infants chnrch-mzmherpip dnd ^aptifm. Jjiken whcrem Scripture ufcch it many hundred times, and that without any palpa^ ■fc!e (yea theleaft) inconvenience j Therefore it is finfull to preftr before it an abu^ 'iiyc feofe, wherein Scripture never ufeth the word j (^by his own confeiTjon.) 5 The Major was not denyed ; the Minor was denyed ( tliat the pr©per ufuall fenfe roay be here taken without inconvenience i) i. I defired him to fhew any incon- venience in it j And you fhall anon hear all that he hath Jliewed, then or fmce. 2. 1 proved the Negative thusj If the Scripture fay cKpredy, that To the pure all things arep^ure andfanllified^^^nd here be nothing again*^ that feafe ', J then it bting a cer- tain truth, we may fo underftand it here. But the Scripture.faith exprefiy, that To the "^ure alltkings au pmrnnd fanrtvfipd'^ {m . rhejproper fenfe j ) Therefore it being aicerrain truth (^andhcre is nothing againfl that fenfe, ) we may fo take it here. -ji^KatiV/r.r. faidtothis, it is a fhame to hear from the mouth of a Chriftian; but ^ypu may fee part of it (if it be worth the fseing ) afterwards. In brief, he affirmed, ji^d Icng contefted, thatall things are fanftitied to Believers .only while they are jjding Fairh j yea, onely while they are s ^ficd. 4, And how would this refolve their doubt, whichitis apparent was,whe- bea- unlaw- JuJLas-l m p ioug ., tho u gh l a wfull a s not - gorn i cnrioM^ . And who fliouid be here be- lieved in their interpretation ? ^Tr. T. that expoundeth by adding to the Text? Or thofe that fay no raore or lefs than the Te^tfaith ? We fay as the Apofile faith, that the Unbeliever is fanftificd in, or to the Believer : Mr, T. faith, He is as it wer e fan* &fied i that is. He is not fandified, bur either as good, or Jomcwhat like ir. Who ftiallbe believed here ? S. Paul^ or Mr. T? 1 believe S. F^w/, that the Unbeliever is fanSified. Let Mr. T. believe that he is but as it were fanftified. He tells us tbat 4 Cor ID. 2,5 to be haptited in the Cloudand Sea, i s auaCi bapti zed. And what of diat ? What is that to this? Becaufein Metaphors, Similitudes,. Types, &c. the name, may be g'^yrjUJcaHuiis ^hing fig n ified, doth it follow char it U fci Jlere»..v|^h^n.Mr^ t. dorhnot fo much as afhrm any Type or bimilitudc i . ■ ' , ^ I am refolved on (and necefiitated to^ brevity, elfe I might adde more Arguments here. 1 will only hint one more thus : The ApoAle here argucdi from this asa hoir- Aidconfequeuj^e , containing much evill in ir, [Elfe were y our. ckiL{rcjij{nd-:a}i j 'J and j fiomrhe contrary as a happy confequence. [ But now they are holy : \ But according. V ro Mr. T. his Expcfition, there is no great good in one, nor evill in the other: There* foreMr. T. hisfenfeisdiffonantfrom the Apoftles. For the Major, it is undeniable v .The Minor Mr. T. will confute, when he hath wcllanfwered me •, what great evill is, according to his opinion^ toi be a Baftard ? i. Iri'^nnfm (jn r-h>-fb»l-jj jr|^i:it>;«; cerram. 2.' Andwhatevill of fiifFering is ic ? j . Though the I'arcnts iliojld be impeni- tent, yet according to Mr. T, it would be no punilhment to the^hili to be out of the ■vifftyie Church ; For he thinks that even the Seed of the Faimfull a'-e all without, and yet xt is no evill to them. And for the place he urgeth,' ( He will have mercy on^. whom he will have mercy t) they may be concerned in ic id^cll as others. So that' ciccept mecr fhame amongft men, or the effect of humane Luws, wliac harm doth he leave ? I Shall now proceed to anfwer alWiat ever I corld know that M/.T. hith broughc againd my Expofition of this Text. 1. He faith, HI do overthrow his fcnfc, and prove not my own, it is nothing: for,: poflfibly neither of us maybe inrl.c right. , - Aiif, 1 . 1 v/onder nqt that he feeth ;iponibility of liis ewn erringV tfiir rather tl-Kic JfcTeeth not thar hecertaiDlyerrcth. 2. 1 have fully proved my Expofuion already : Is. iSS^ Infants Chureh^memberjhip and Baptjfm. o j Is-tioc proof enough that the Scripture neer fix hundred times uirtth the word ia my feiifcand never in his ? g.Vv'hen there is but thefe rhrcc fcnfcs urged by any of under- ilaifid-hig, I think rheoverthrow of his thirdisthe enablifhingof one of the former; \ and if either of them fland, his caufe muft fall. For the other fcnfc of the word [Holy] which is for Qualitative reall Holinefs, makes againft him more than mine. And I fay again, 1 had rather fay as they that would have it a Holinefs of feparari- on, fuch as certainly favech, than as Mr. T. that it is only to be no Eaflards. For I know no^otie Jcripiore againljjhgjf ,,i.ndafmenr rhajLfliall affirm, that all Infants of Believers fo dying are certainly faved : nor any Argument, biitontly this, thatthen the children of the faithfuil that prove wicked^ ^o falLa wa jLfrom Grace. And were 1 neceffitated to the one ( as I am not) I hadTather believediat fuch Grace as con* filkth nor in perfonall qualifications, bu r is mee^ { y R f; I a ri vt- ^ groun ded on ch e Co- venant, and having only the Parents Faith for its condition, I fay, that fuch Grace ma y be loll when they coa^e to age, than t o believe with Mr. T, that God hath dc: nyedaU/nlantsinthe World to be fo much as Members of the vifible Church. For 1 fee twenty times more may be faid againfl this Opinion of his, than the other. But in ills Papers which he (hewed me Sgainft Mr. Marfljals Defence, he memio- ncth fome Scriptures where Holinefs or Sanftifying is not taken . for fepararion from common to ficred ufe, as Jojh. 20.9 . i Sam 2T. j. //d. 1 3 . 3 . Jer. $1.27,28. . • / ;'To which I anfwer^ Mr. iWrf>y7W/can plead for himfelf jbutthisis nothing againft ^ ^hat 1 have feid. Holinefs is evera fepar^ciiaiUaiaQd, though not ever to a Temple tt Religious ufe. r. Sur'e the Cities ofrefuge Were feparated to God, when they were ieparated for thefingular exercife of his Mercy, & faving the lives of his people, and for being eminent 1 ypes of Jefus ChriO the great Sanftuary of dilirelTcd finners.a. Ia what fenfe foever that in Samuelhe. taken.that the ve lTels of the young men were ho- i^, it hath no fhe w of oppofition to my Interpretation. 3 . Muchlcfs//^. ij. 3. it be- "^ irig the fame fenfe evidently as I have pleaded for. FurtherMr. r. allegeth i rhe[. 4.3. This is the will of God, even your (anaifica- tion, that ye abftain from Fornication. To which / anfwer ; i. It is not All that are iroBaf^ards that are here called fandified. 2. Nor is it meer lawfulnefs of Marriage- ufe, that i s called fanc^ification. 3. No nor the meer chaflity of any Heathen. 4.But here fandification isplainly taken for the reall purity of their lives, asbecommetha people feparated to God, whereof their Chaflity is'a pare Further, Mr. T. addeth, That Marriage is called Holy by many Divines j there- fore Legitimation may be fo. Anfw, But we are only in queilion how Scripture calls, I had the rather flick to Scripture with you, becaufe you make men believe we flic from Scripture. li you would ftand any whit to the judgement of either the Anci- ent or the late Learned and Godly, we fhould more willingly joyn iffue with you. Bcfides, the Popifh eflimation of Marriage as a Sacrai-ent, may occafion fome Epi- thites to it, not yet laid afide. And yet were it worth the finding on, / might fhew more reafon why Marriage fhould ht- raljed f^o ly, than meer Legitimation : But / am loth to draw you away from meer Scripture Argument. Ut the great ("& dnly Arguments which he urged in private conference) §£ chief Argumeuts which he ufeth in his Confutation Sermon , and in his Anfwer to Mr, Mavjhals Defence (as I took it out of his own Manufcript fenr me) and it feems, which he molt truflech to againft my Expofirion of the word Holy, and to prove it ^2 . _^ VlaiH Scrrpture Proof of cannot be meant as m Tit^j^is^ & i Tim. 4. 6. are thef^two. .1. He argueth thus? If the Faith of the Parents be thecaufe of the childrens Holincfs ( as he argnetha- gainftMr. Mar/hall') or the condition or Antecedent (as 1 affirm) then it is either theprefenceof Faith,or theexercifeofit: If the prefcnce, then either of the reahty, or of the bare profefljon. If the former, then ^yirh^ur Rrnliny ^i h'^'^t^ rh;'^^'^ no Holinefs of the children : If the latter, then^aHVfaithJudi^^ fying. If it be the exercife of Faith that is requTfeHTthen it will be uncertain to the Baptizer. If it befaid that in common eftimation he is fanftitied j then icis coipi moneftimatlonthatfanftifieth : For it may be without Faith, but not without conv^. luoa eftimation. And if it be the Hohnefs that is mentioned, T n. 1. 1*;. 1 Tim. 4^$^ 6. tHtnk is onely when one perfon is a true Believer , and alfo when true Faith is cxercif'ed. * This is the very ftrength of Mr. T. his Arguing againfl the plain words of Scrip- ture : And be not thofe diK^ile and traftable fouls, that will be drawn from the plain words of God with fuchamazeof words? But mL^thinksto the judicious, there fhould be no difficulty in the untwifling of all this which Mr, rrf4iath fo ravejled*;^^ give him therefore my Anfwer plainly thiis. **' t- : o: ^l\''- t/Faichisno caufe(notfomiich as Inftrumentall properly^of a mansown ]ti- fhScati on or Salvation , buta meer condition, ( Mr. T. and I are agreed in this, though the mofl Divines are againfl us both : ) Therefore it can be no caufe buta condition (whichisan Antecedent, or Caufa fine qua^non) of chWdrcnsHoYmtis. Let Others plead for its caufality, I plead bnc for its condirionality. 2. How Logically he contradiftinguifheth the t'refenceof Faith from the Exercife of it, I leave to our betters to judge. By the prefcnce of Faith, he may mean either the prefenceof the HaVit, or, of the Ad : If the latter, it would be a filly qiieftion : but I think he means the Habit only; 3. If he had not diftinguifhed between Prefence and Exer- cife, but between Prefent and Pad, and fo demanded whether it were the pre-r fent Exercife onely , or the Paft,^ 'or fbrmef Exercife,, ic had been a more .Dfeiull Qusere. ' -^vrKj-^r:. :i;. .^; r^;^./-:;^ , -,■.■■ - /^r.-^;--; ;- 4. ranfwer therefore fully: Ifthisbeth'e Qaefiion, what is the Condition on. which God in Scripture bettoweth this Infant Holinefs? It is the Aduall believing^ of the^^Parent: For what Faith it is that hath the Promife of perfonall Bleilirgs, it is the fame that hath the promife of this privilege to Infants .-'Therefore the promife to ns being on condition of belcving, or of Aftuall Faith , it were vai'.vtofiy that the promife to our Infants is only to Faith in the Habit-: the Habit is for the aA. Yet as the Habit is of necefTity for the producing of the Adj Therefore it is both Fairh in the Habit.f" or potentia proximaj and in the Ad that is neccflary ^ But yet there is no ne4 cefficy that the Ad muft be prefently at the time performed •, either in A^hi procre-f andi.^v:l tempore nativitatis^vd baptifmatis. It is fufficient that the Pareac be vir^ tualjYanddifpofirively atj^rd[en£.iJieh^x^r, ar\d one that ftands in that Relation to ChnUai'HenevTrrdtrT'to which end it is j-equifite that he iiave adually believed formerly f^or e!fe he Iiath no Habit of Faith, J and hath not fallen awavTroni'GhVsft, but be ftill in the difpoficion of his heart a believer, and then the faid Ad will fol- low in feafon j and the Relation is permanent which arifeth from the Ad, and cea- ieth not when the Ad of Faith intermitteth. As a man may be your fervant w.htn he intermittcth his fervice, and a Difcipieor Scholar whence is not learning -i or aTradefman, or Husbandman, or Souldier, when he is not working at his Trade, er Husbandry, or is not in Fight r the Relation (and fo the Denomination) iirom the Ad remaining when the Ad ceafeth for due time, and cheprofciiion alfo remaining. Infants ChHKch-memberJhip and Bapttfm. §3 Itismoc therefore themecr bare profcffion of Faich which Qod hatli mafr. r» chat here arc four .diilin<^ Queftions to be Anfwered*:^ 1. What is the faith which God . hath made the condition of Infant Holinefs ? 1 2. Whether In fanes are holy thereupon, as feparated from the World to God? \ 5,. Whether alltjiacarefo holy or feparated to God, are to be folemiily admitted I . by B apcizing them ? 4. Who they are whom the Church is to jujge Holy, or to have\ ) [the conditions of this granted Privilege ? Nowit is only the firfl of thefe Qyefiions / \that I anfwf red, before. It is only the fecond which the Text in handaffirmeth, ^ The third ( proved towards the begmning of my Argument ( affirmatively. J The fourth 1 fhalicome to. next. So that let it be .uncertain to the Baptizer who hath reall ¥aich : Yet i . It is certain to him that Believers Infants are holy as feparated to God ■from the World. 2. It iscertain to him tliat all fuch fhould be baptized. 3. And f heJiath a certain Rule to know wiiom he is to Judge or take to be believers; not a / f" BjuIcCoi: an infalliblejudgement of their Faith ; but an infallible KuJe for his judge- i j raent. - The judgement which he palteth of the perfons Faith may be fallible; &ic' the Rule is infallible by which he judgeth : And the judgement whicli he is.bound ta pafsa<:cordiog to that Rule, as his duty, is infallible too^ The Rule is, That a feriousprofetiou r of the Faith, is to be taken by-us for a true be liever.. Now here are included ieveraU aitertions. i. that a (erious pr'clelhon is a probable fign oi tri^c Faith ; this we may be certain of. 2, .That we are.thereforc bound, to judge fuch Profeflbrs to be in probability true believers. .5. That we are bound therefore to re- ceive and admitthern , and ufe.them as true believers.- Thefe three .Ads (two of - the judgement, and one ofthe whole man) are infallible Ads, andarejncluded as certain, having certain Obj fts : So that thus far. .both Ruleand. Ads are infallible. 4. Bat then that Pfofeflion is- an infallible Evidence- of fmcere Faith : 5. Oi" that, this Ijerfoa hach cccisi^y and Jufiillibly aCncer^ F^ith^ the ^i^le givech us no wari.ai^i: M'^ . ' ' -thus ;-- 94 ' . Plain Scripture proof af thuwojuag^. Vv'cartrnoccalledtoanyi'tichjudgenncnr, ic is none of our duty ^ and thefcfcce r.awortlfrr if wc be hi:rcc jc fjiay be called a judgement of Charity : Though indeed Love being an Aflfe^-K. on, cannot rightly lead the judgement ^ j-etweareto manifeft Love in our judging («<>? ag:gravati5}g failings, but hoping all things, and obferving the heft to inform our judgements,) and yet m.ore clearly are we to maniteft Charity in our admitting, feceivifig, and ufing fuch perfons : For it may be our duty to receive them as if they ■ were true Believers; 'and yet none of our duty to judge them certainly ctue Bc>' lliuversi but only to judge them probably fuch. ' God binderh no mancobelieww:* Vialfhood. ' i^j. r;^?;rl"?:i .il-n^r;'! ^-n -• s-^v;?.:; -lu, • f-.-t; ;/ .:.u .isi >.'/.• ...J ■:• ,;til' 1 know it is ordinary with Divines to fay concerning judgement of Charity , fafi'd I have oft faid icmyie]f,J tliat [It may be a duty to believe that Good of a man which is not in him, and a hn to believe that which is the truth : ] But then the mea- ning ii only this 5 it is a duty to be ljeye it a sprobable C andfoit is 5) but nocas cer- tain (God bindeth none totharj and thentTTie'prove worfe than he feemed, 1 was not miftakenin my judgmg his fincerity to be probable. And on rhe Other Mc^ If the fincerity of a man be proba{)Ie, he that fhall judge either that ne is certainly an-^ • found, or that he is not probably found, he finnerh againft God, though the maii'^ prove unfcund^ becanfe i . He had no ground for iVis judgement, it being not a crur!> tlierefore to him, which proved true in the ilTue. 2. And he is forbidden fuch judging. 9. And the fincerity of the party was probable, which he believed im» probable, and fo in that believed falfly. - . . Well, but Mr. T. think:s, that: feeing that we are uncertain who are true Believers' Seed, therefore we may not by Baptfm admit them among the Holy, or into the Yifible Church. Anfw. But is it not enough that v(^e know whom we are to judge in probability to be believers ? and whom we are to admit and receive among believers, though wc know not who are infallibly fmcere ? But ilfr.r. objeded laf^ly to me thus,[howevcr f faith hc)thisTeyt will not war- jant you to admit them-, forittelsyou of the Holinefsof none but believers chil- dren, and you know not who thcfe be. ] To which, and the rcil before, 1 Anfwer ; I . I bring not this Text to prove diredly either that Infants mufl be baptized, or that .this or that particular Infant is HoJyor a Church- Member : But 1 bring ir only I to prove that all the Infants of believers are fo Holy:I have proved before, that thofe miatare fo Holy or feparared to God, muft be baptized j This I proved from other Scriptures, and not from this » And I am proving noWithatferious ProfeHbr* are to be Infants ChHrch'-memberfitp and Baptifm, MV be Judged probably to be true Bcli€vers,& fo their Seed judged the Sttd ofSeKever*', ' and both received-on this judgement, without any judgement of certainty about the undoubted fincerity of their Faith. And this Rule for our judgemenr, I fetch from other ScriptureSy and not from this. So that why fhould Mr.. T. expe^ to have more proved from this Text than I intend ? Let him acknowledge but as much, and I ex- peft no more s rhat is, that all believers Infants are Holy, as being f::'parared from the i> world CO God : Qm which {mit the vifible Church is Holy,} If I prove only my An* f tecedent from one Text, will he fay it's in vahi, except 1 prove my conrecjuent from-' the fame Text? who would expeft fuch arguing from fuch a man ? For the concluding the whole therefore, I would defire Mr. T. toanfweir me tliefe Queftions following : i - How doth he know himfelf whom he fiiould Baptize ? whom doth the Scripture command him to Baptize? If he fay as Apfwer it as me ? if he can tell me how he knows a man hath Faith enough for his own ad- iriftrance or vifible Holineft, t-lTen-let him prove it, and his proofs iha 11 ferve me to prove that the femo. Faith is it that is aifo thne coadition c^ his infants^ admittance andHolinefe. ; ■ ^ -:- : - -'^ > :■. ■ y: . . n if he fay, tkat it is not on Faith that God giyeth. to men at age tfjis vifiMe Holinefr, butuponabareprofelfion. i. 1 fhould defire hhn to prove rt, and then when he hath proved foundly that by Believers are meant ProfdF^rs, and thacisthedire<^ condition of the gift, he fhall prove it for me alfo, that it is fuch I'roftfibrs children that on the fame condition are H©iy. ^-^-— i^ 2. Bur yet I do not believe he can prove it. Though he may prove what lam *^/^ pit^ proving, that the Church is to take Profedbrs for probable believer;, and fo admit a\ them among believers : yet he will never prove rhat the Promife or Grant is made d:- teflly or Properly to i'rofeiii on, but to Faith •^ northat Profe ilion isthe Condico n, hnr^:hgfigQ to us toiudpe of rT ToTe that" h ave theXoiidlriOil!, and therc.^oieavjmitteth not into this vifibk ftate of Holinefs for it felf, but for the Faith which ic profeffeth andfignifieth. t ' Though Mt, T. feems to deny this , and will fly further from the Independent*. ' than 1 dare do in this; in his ApL p. 137. where he feenierh to deny, [that the Holi- nefs which is tiie ground for the Adminiftraccr to b-ipti'/e^mufc bcieali cither indecdv . or charitably believed.] If by [charitably believed j he mean [judged as probable f ■ I am againfi him , and will not run away frcm Truth and Chrifraniry for fear of : Independency 5 for j; 1 would know where 'k is rhat the Promife or Grant is maiie dire^ly, to a fole, bare Fr ofeifion ?- 2. I would know whether he will baptize any nian' ( or give him the Lords Supper, all's one J upon a Profeffmsi which hath no ffgJViticauoij of p*^^^i<^ ^'ii^fl^^n becaufe'che Apoiilechcre fairh that nothing is pnrc tofncj) imbclie^'crE as yet proftfs they know God, but deny him in works j and therefore.- thcchildrcn of ungodly ProrclYors by this fhould be unholy. ' ^ To whicli I amwer : i. This is nothing againft mc wfio fay it is Real Faith that is tht condition. 2. I doubt you are like the Englifh roan that Klri ^Charlcs m ^ncioiYg OU t_Qf Cfcrf«C fr, Th:ir which hg would not know, he rannrr nt^7fffly^\TdT^>7l(V you^ might fee, that rh^ Apofilp%.iksrhere ^ews a rj^ [pf^dfhnnty; F^rr hfj^j^ pitlTeth them of the Circiifncifion, that isTf^ws, verf. 10. 2. He callech the Heathen Poet one of their own Prophets. 9. The riling he fpeaks agiinfi, is Jewifh fables and commands of men that turn from the truth. 4. He exprefly calleth them unbe- lieving*, and you know who thcfe are in the Gofpell phrafe. 5. He faith only, th^ profeh to know God (as th e Tews and many Philofophers ^\d^ ) hm ^QPJ IHLIIIO' jjro&lLtaknQaLjChrill. • _ -, 5. Butfuppofe they were profeffed Chriftians, yet they were fuch whofe prof^In«' on was no probai^lc fign of their Real Faith •, nay, it was evident that they had rii true Faith, and therefore ought tobeeaft out, or not reckoned among Profeffors v for the very clTence of Faith liethin Affenting that Chrift is King and Saviour, and confenting that he be \o to us ; Now thefe men were fo far from this, that they 4^- nyed even God himfelf by their works, being abominable, dijohedknt, andtcA^ gtiod work reprobate. From a Church composed oTTuch ProfclTors, I will be a Sc-' pacatift. IMeet but with one more Objedion of Mr, T. againft his Antagonifts^ ibtut th?i Texf, thftt is worth the nocing ; and that in his Printed Books and his Martftfcript againft lAr. MatJhalU hcglorleth in more confidently than all the reft, asifitw'ere iinanfwera!)Ie : But tome he never objeft\:dir, as leeingit wasof no force C^ conl jefturc) againft my Expofjtiou. And it is thir,He faith,If Holinefs or Sandi.fying were - thccffe<^t or rcfultof the Faith of the Believer, tlien an unbelieving Fornicator might be faid to be fanftified by his believing Whore, as well as a Husband to his bclfevin^:[ W-ifcy/^/'o/. pag. t2. And then it would fotlow they might live together. ' ar' To which lanfwcr: i. 1 1 is only the free gift or grant of God in his Law crCovci-' «ant which fanftifieth j Faith is but the. condition, if Faith, as fuch, orfirom its ov.but not of iin 3 which is xxot of God. Therefore Mr.T. his "* — -^ ■ arguing' Infants chvrch'-memberjhip aftd ^aptifm. '^ argui»g h moft vain, [where pne party isfandified to the other for the begccrmg of a holy fced^ there they roay lawfuliy continue together. Bur tire unbeh'eving Whore is faiiAitied to tiie believing Fornicator : Therefore rhey nnay lawful!)' live together.] JotJti^s lanfwer : i. "Xhe Major Proportion is his own tidion, and is nor in the Tiekti The TeKt aflfordech him only this propoficion, [where one party in laWfulI Marriage is fandified to the other, there it is no impiety for them to live together,} The reafon of the 11 nirarion I lliewed before. Though the faid fanftification be re- quired to make their Marriage to be Pious 'nd Reli^jious ; yet it is neither al way nor only required to the dir eft lawfulncfs : Not alway j for Heathens Marriage is lawfull' to whom nothing is pure : E^otoiiIyV ^or there mult be other requifites to the law- ' fti|ncfs before the faa^ification, which in Fornicators is wanting. - ; "2. Hisaflumption alfo [ that the unbelieving Whore is fanftified,&c. ] 1 den'y^ftiil" rtquire his proof. AgainA my Expolirian he offers not to prove it ("that Ihe isfa^di^ fled to the ufe of the Fornicator, and fo to God.) and againll Mr. Ma^fljals fenfe of Ipftrumentali fandification,he doth as good af nothing, (i/i^^. to prove that a Whore i>finftified for the begetting of a holy Seed.} For ifhe fhould prove that Baftards arc a holy Seed, as he hath hot yet, when himfclf faith, they werefhut o«cofche. Congregation to the thud generation, as Dent, jg, 5. Yet he hath not proved that the lanAifying of one party to the other was the caufe. But fuppofe this be urged yet further, and any fhould argue thus^ AH the diildrcn of thofe parents whereof the one isnoc fanftified to the other are unclean: But the un- believing Whore is not fandificd to the Fornicator^ Therefore all their children are unclean,or unholy. To which I anfwcr ; 1 . If the whole be granted, die abfurdity is not fuch as Mr, r. his Expoliti on brings. All Baftards may he unholy in l eipe^-a^^^ their birth, or as not having any promife to thera as fuch a Seed , and yet afterwards cither the penitent^arentSvor oth ers that i tnvf full inrereft in rhem. m;iy have p pyyer tobri^fi; tlT emjntorhieChpr^h anH rnvpn^tnr ! hi]^f>frhif; more anon. 2. The Major propofition is a meer fidion, not to be raifed from the Text ^ For the Text v»^iU,afltordbu;thds: [All tlie children of thofe Parents are unclean, whereof one being an unbeliever is not fan<^ificd to or in the Believer.] But Mr.T. will needs face down Mr. B/^^?, Jpol. pag 123. That though there be no more than I fay in «;he Text, yet.the proportion that provcrh it mud be as he faith j as if St haul's Lo- gick muft needs be the fame with Mr. T. his, or elfc it cannot be right. Is it not poC- lible that Vaul may be in the right. fied fo. Therefore if two Fornicators be both believers, though one be not f^hdt^ ficd to the other, yet for any thing this Text faith, thelrchildren inay be Holy.- ^of- being -neither of tliem, unbelievers, they are not capable of this fanftification. A: wounded man may beget a found iirue,.though a Leaper cannot. ■> BUc I had alraoft forgot one great obje^ion which Mr. T. had in private confe- rence againft my fenfe of this Test (which Imuft mention though it were pn- vate, left I wrong him in leaving out the Itrengch of his Arguments. Andbbcaufe there was no Witnefs of ir, I avert upon the word of a Minlfter and Chriftian thartt is true : ) It was this. If the Covenant be the caufe of Infants Holinefs, then tbcy ftiould be holy as foon as ^the .Gov enam was in being : but that was before they were born. To this I anfwered. That theconfequencewasunfound. He proved it from the Canony Fofitiicauftponmreffe^Us. I replied, that Moral 1 Caufes, ( andforemot:* cawfes,)might have all tlicir being long before the efFc(ft, fo that when the eflfed was produced there (hould be no alteration in the Caufe, though yet it have not pro* duccd the cflPeft by the Ad of caufmg. To this Mr. T. returned fo confident a de- nial, that he (^either in pitty or contempt, J fmiled at my ignorance.. W hich makes roe the lefs wonder at his other miftakes •, I would know of Mr. T. whether Gods e- ternall Eleftion of him be any caufc of his Juftification , SaQdification,or Salvation j and if it were^ Whether he were juftified-. S^nftified, and Glorified, as foon as God Elefted him ? Alfo whether the WiU of God be not the caufe of ail his good Aftions (at leaftj and of all the Events that befall him ? and whether thefe,co^e to pafs as \loon as God Willeththem f fpeaking of the time, or rather Eternity of the Aft of, Willing, and not of the time when it is his Will that it fliould come to pafs.) Alfo I would know whether the jlcath of Chrifrbeany caufe of tlit pardon of his fins and' falvation? if it be, then whether were hepardonded.and faved thereby as foon^s Cjiriltdied ? or doth Chriftfuffcr again when he is pardoned by it ? Alfo whether Vthe Promife or Covenant of Grace be any caufe of mens pardon or juiliftcaticn ? ifj it be, are they pardoned aiid jiillified as foon as that Promife or Covenant was made? that isjbefore they were born ? Then fair fall the Antmomictns. Or, -v^ hat alteration is there in, or of the Covenant, or Promife, when the effeft is attained/ is not the Law of the Land that was made long ago the caufe of a Pclinquents condemnation, and the righting of the ]ufi many years after? and of every roans right in the Tenure of his Eilace ? And what change is in the Law ? or what conrainerh if,more than be- fore? If a Deed of Gift be made of looo 1. to you,.be enjoyed ac the end of twenty' years \ was not this Deed any caufe of your en;ajysse«c ? Or did you enjoy it as foon as the Deed was in being ? Or what alteration was in the Deed at theprodudion. ofcheeffed.?ifthe like Deed of Gift be made upon a condition by you to be per for- fijcd, fo that you fhall not enjoy the gift, till you have performed the condirion ', mufl it needs follow, that either this Deed is no caufe of your enjoymcnr,Qr elfe yciv TOuftenjoyitasfoon as the Deed is made? If a aianJet the Clodk to flrike twoor dirce liours hence, is he no caufe of it ey.ccprit ftrike fud-denly ? or doth he perform any new Ad after to produce thee ifed ? It isfure therefore thee tf!^''-;*^:^J 'lc;T2i/;biJri I .. ONe thing moreCfor I an) loth to conceal any (^iriV.r. iJisT'ftrettgth) he hach an Objedion againftMr. BUkey ApoL pag. 124. which may feem to have more weight with it i and that is, that in our fenfe, children maybe'Hc^y though born of Infideli h for he faith [^according to Mr. B/akes Opinion it is faJfe, that [ mibcltcving Parents never beget children by Birth- privilege Holy :] for children born of Infi- dels brought into Abr^hanCs Family had right to CircumcifiGn,and fo were by Birth- privilege Holy in Mr. B/^^^ej fenfe. ^ i - Anfw. I am the willinger to take notice of this, that I may have opportunity to ro- folve the great QueAion, wherhf^r n^ily ^hjl^jr^-a pf tirlipy^r'^ *^^^r to ho. Baptized;? I.I anfwer therefore .• If a man fay that this was proper to Abraham and the Jews, hemayiiavc farm.ore to jufline it, than Mr. T. hath to prove tliac the Churcii- nieraberfhip of the whole fort of Infants was proper to the Jews. -) -xi y-^ 3. 1 anfwer according to my own judgement, thus: r. I deny it as mofl untrue, tiiat the children of Infidels brought into Abraham's Family, were by Birth-privilege ^^^oly, as Mr. B/zi^e eyprelfeth it. For thofe children that he means, were either thofe j^Ofn m.Abraham'slimk^ or thofe bought with his money : Forthe foi^nKr, th|?.y i^^re no children of Infidels*, for Abraham kept no Infidels in his houfe^nor rauft ioi |For the.Parents were to enter their Covenant as well as the Childrea , and the FJ- ,|jcher wa^.ro be Circumcifed . And I have fully proved before ( anda mukitudejaf. ...XextjS' more raightbe brought to prove it, ) that men were not to be Circumcifed, '^5v;hvifl they vvere profeffed Pagans, but. we re to enter intoGods Covenant as wellas .'i;the Jews: even the Hewer of their Wood, and the Drawer of Water, Dent. 29. lo^ ^-11. when God commandeth Abraham to Circumcife every Male, if is fiippofcd he. i>fcj;ijigs then? to enter the Covenant, whereofit was the Seal. " . : >.'• 3f^; And 2. li he jaieaa ijie Infants bought with moneys I fay,They wenenochy Birth- ^j^ivilegp Holy.: For then they fhculd have been Holy as foon a& they were born,and ^Jobefor^.they came into ^^m/;rf7«V Family. ■ ■ '. >> ..^f) 2. You m lift therefore diftinguifh between Infants.as born of fuch Parei«^, and. ^-j<>they were unholy j and as after becoming ^^/Wm/wV own, the iVents. having gi- ,;5{.-;yin up their Tide to him 5 and fo Abraham had power to bring them into the Cove- V^t,, acd make them Holy by feparating them t©-God :. But this was by no Sirth- privilege. • ^ •■ ^. And for ray pare, 1 believe that this is a Handing Rule and Duty to ail Chriui- , ifiS J Only the children of a Believer are Holy direftly as theiis, or by Birch-privi-l T . J^tJge Qw fubordination to the Covenant,) and from the womb i But when we ei- ,r tbcr^ ^uy Infants, or they are left Orphans w holly to us, fo that they are wholly orrs. - , and at our difpofe, the Parents being either dead, or having given up their Intereli ta >;y las, I doubt not though they were the children of Jews and Turks, but it is our duty , Aj,t|8L.iiftthejmjiiiidej:C&il^, a*;ad,em'ertheinmto his School, Kijigdom.- orChutchby: . ■ ' ■ ' ■ O 3 Baptifffi) . . loi r.lain scripture f roof vf -'^-^■^-- j:r, >Baptitm i and that (SroHs Law to AhvAham will prove tiiis. Why elfe wtrc die Jews taOrtimicihr alt bought with money, ( even nicer Haves J but becaufc chey were fwholK their own and at their difpofe, but not hired Servants , becaofe rhe'yxould nothyrheif> Anthcrityfo arrainjy prevail with thiere, as wich -the others fcwtmwft" itay fill c^Hry voluntarily would be rrorelyte>. I know fome will chick ic ificrcdibk' thot ewB^flaves or any Thould be compelled to enter Gods Covenant \ But I ^tti, nor tell ihem thattlie good Kin 2_of Jjidab ap poff rer^, fhar whot-ver o^ his peo p le would p0L£a tcr the Oi)vcnavit, flTOiTd be'j^ut to d catli^ ( Indeed this Covenant contained nor circunvifantials, but chut tliey Ihould take the Lord onely for their God, and re; now CO all idols that were diredly fet up as Gods *, and he tli^t will not take thfi Ceveiiaht, Ichfnk ought not by any goodPriocetpj^f? (uf?rcdtolive in hw Km^ Thisismy Judgement •, in which I anf> thetnorecon^cknryVirhenlconikief how freely Chrift invireth all coajmers, and that he never rgjufed^ny that came, or an y Ifriant that was brought ; And chat it i[[befe£inerh Chri (l unTwicH o ut plain groun ds " fo-ftraiTcn^CfiritU Kfil^fggTL/^r^tgl^r 'i^^IiJIlLL^ ^^ wfttild nor havp kept OlVt. i ""■SSnmcli for the Vindication of i Cor. 7. 14. ^.m'^c^-' ■ .^ .,,...., . ,-•-.■....-•*... io i/cuiitq.n03 ill z.'-?^ '^'^^ ^«P'^ "'' «,'^*-^- ^ '"* ?.h CHAP. XXX. v/) -jd 01 ih h- M^ am Y twenty fifth^ A rgument is probable at leaft, and proceeds thus i If the Im yl Scripture frequently and plainly^e j] us of the ceafing >of Cir curacifion, 1^/ ■ but never givfcj^xhe Ica ft wordxo ncerning tliT ceah ng ol lnta_nts"Church' JL.^ Jl nicmberfliip, thenTEough CircumciiionTecealeHT we arenottojudgc [that Infants Churchmemberfhip is ceafedv But the Scripture dUiili'^ thi"8 —"■ "^"- ^. "%*^'^f^^^>.*v«»ttrtn ^^/, nh^x^. Infants ChHrch^memderJhJp and Baptipa, * 105 thing then to the whole Nations about rhem, and ro any particular perfon, to ke mi- circumcifed, andconftquenrly robe wichouc the Church '■, The uncircumcifcd were mentioned then by them as Pagans now by us ; Therefore it is evident that to be cir- cumcifed, and fo to be Churchmembers, was a thing that they judged both dcfirable ■■ and attainable, by allthe Nations about them (if not their flat duty.) Now if all the Nations about fhould have become Church-membersfas no(ipubt they ought',} then it feems they fhould or might be all Circumcifed j and if fo, then it muil be alter the manner of the Jews, that is. Infants and all Males j for there is no other rule or manner of Circumcifing mentior.ed in the Scripture. . And therifure this, would not have been peculiar to the Jews. 2. And let Example fpeak ', when Jacob and his Family were but few in numW,*) -yet he joyned with his Sons in treating with all the Sichcwitesyto have them Circum- V cifed , Infants and all, and it was done : ( For it was Jacob and his Sons that they/ communed with about it, though Jacob had no hand in the deceit and cruelty,} Gt?«. 34. The thing no quellion was good, ffithadnot had wrong ends. Now ns^ /nan cao fay, that the Skhemites were to become fubject to Jacob^ivid fo to be one people* as being under one Government ••, But rather Jacob was to take up pofleliionS among them, and joyn to them, as Allies to them at bed i he being but few in comparifon of them. , : ....-,-- So alfo when the Jews in f/lkry timeprofpered in Captivity, it is faid that many of the people of the Land became Jews : Now to become Jews, was to be Circum- cifed as the Jews were, and fo to be of their Religion : No man canfure dream that it was to be of the Jews peculiar Commonwealth, and under their Civill Govern- ment, when the Jews were difperfedin Captivity in a ftrangc Land, under the Go,-^- verivment of a Heathen King. Is not all this plain to thofe that arc willing to fee ? / ;hi > i/ Jiuiq i haB ■d- "■ iJ'^i'f I nn:ll walk' by, and his Wcrd thacl nvjft be judged 4)y, and he hath given /ine lofiill a difcovcry of his Will in tliis points I will boldly advcncure to follow his Rule, and iiad rather aniwer him f up?ii his own encouragement, J for admitting 1 a hiMidred Infants into his Chnich, than anfwcr for keeping ouc of one- 1 do not believe that Chrirt would fpeak fucli words to feduce us, or draw us into a fnare. I And it is not once, but oft that he hath thus manifcfted his will; In the very next Chapter he doth it more fully yet, Mark up, i^ ^ M, 1 5, > ^, And they brQugbi \ young chUcfren tob'im that he pjould touch them; And his Difciples rebuked thofe t/jst brought them *, But ivhcn Jefusfaw it^ he was much difpUafed^ nndfaid to them , Suffer ye little children r ) come unto mc^ and forbid them not ■, for offuch is the Kingdom of God, Verily, I fay untoyou^ Whofoeverjhall not receive the Kingdrme of God as a tittle childjje jhall not cf.ter therein '■, And he tool^them «]> in his Arms, put his hands on them^ andbkf^ fed them. And is not here enough to fatisfieus yet, that he doth not cart all Infants in the worid out of his vihble Kingdom or Church ? but that it is his will they '^ll:ouldbeadmirred? Will any fay, that it was not Infants in the former Text and thi-siharChrift fpeaksof ? Did he take any but Infants into his Arms ? was ic not plainly them, that he bid rhem receive (in the former ^Chapter ? ) and was itncr, thern that he would not have to be kept from him I And was it not them that he bid fhould be fuffered to come I (that is to be brought, ) and was ic hoc them that he VBcffed? Hence I argue thus ; i. If Chrili would have us receive Infants in his_K [ame, then / we muft receive them as b elonging to jiim. and his Church'. But he would have us I receive them in his Name s Therefore, &c. ^ 2. If he that receivcth an Infant in Chrifts Name, receiveth himfelf , then foroe Infants are to be received in his Name *, and thofe thatrefiife them, fin ; But the for- mer it true *, therefore the latter. 3. IfChrift was much difpleafed with thofe that kept particular Infants from vi- fi bleaccels to himth cTK fthough they could not keep them from his invifible Grace) itTieinre will be muclTmore difpleafed with] thofe that keep all the Infants in the / World from vi able acccfs to him in his Chur c h now s ( Though tliey cannot I keep them fronn themviiible Cfiurchl ) BuTtBe former is true j Therefore the Vlatter. . 4. IfChrift command us to fuffcr them to come, and not to forbid thetn, then j thofe fm againfl hisexprefs command that will not fuff.T them to come, but do for- bid them h (For it is a (landing command, and fpeaks of the Species of Infants, and not of thofe individuals onelyj and there is no w no other vifible admitta nce to . ChriO, but by admitting into his Church, and to be his Dil'ciples^ J l5ur,&c. fherc- fore, &c. 5- \( offuch be the K' midom of God^ then of fuch is t he vifible Church , Sutthe for- mer is true 5 therefore, &c. ^^ Here th:y have two cavils againrt the plain fenfc of the Text. i. By [fuch] is ,1 meant [fuch for dociblencfs and humihty;] To which I anfwer*, i. Thenicfeem* I Toey are fo docibleand humble that the Kingdom belongs to them. For if it belong VVto others becaufe they arc fuch as them., then it mull needs belong to them alfo. ^K 2. DothXlirlfl: lay, JoTuch d^tminlFu or tbdtrefpeS only , andnojjfljiiem ? [oT faith he not in generall; To fucb .''even ^ofnck a§ he took m his Arras and BlcfTed? ye Infmts ch'iiTcih-memhcrfhip dnd ^aptifm^ ^ C)^ He would not havctaken upund b^ ^lfed any for a niec r Emblem o ffuch as were 9 &tefl[bd 'f He would not have taken up and bie lied a Lamb or a Dove, as Embkttis of J Himjilky iind Innocency. If Chridfay, C Offnch ] is the Kingdom, I am bourjdto ^ 't*l?<8fcf rpmre in the moft exrenfive fcnl'c, till there be a plain reafon tonecedftare rift t5 reftraifl it. Aiidcherefcre mwll underftand it, [To fuch] both of that age, or «ny otiier age. W ho dare think that the word [ To'fuch] is not rarjuj^inflnfiyi^aR / to theai, than e^xlufive ? t^lf I'lovc humble poor men, and my Servants keep them from my Houfe Ijecawfe %'*tey are poor, and if I chide tliem for ir, and fay, fuffer fuch to come to me, tti&'oif^ bid rhem nor, for my delight is in iiich^ Who would fo interpret this Speech, a:s rcr tli^ifik I would exclude dicm while i command their admittance ? aadthacl mesne other humble ones and aot thefe ? ° 7,. Wheni>/r. T. makes theirj^iitoiiA-iie thing intended byChrift, he forgot that he judged themijngspal^^r'he'in^ nj fdplp< . why may not thofe be DifcipIeSi whaare not only DoIi BIfT^M ^&xe m^Ian for t heir Teachablcnefs ? i^' Ttieir fccond Gbjeftion is, that by the [Kingdom of God] is meant the Kingdom^j ' of Heaven. And Uhinkjo^o : But then if the Kingdom of Heaven belong to fuck,/ mi»ch more a ftandinP a^ Mepibpr^; ^-| fh^ ^nf^\^]^ Qhnrrh - Fnr what is it to bc a Member of the CTTurch vifible, but to be one that in feeming^or appearance, or to the / judgement of man doth belong to the invifible Church, or the Kingdom of Heaven ?y For the Church is but one, and the difference refpeftive, as I fhewed before > Tlier- fore both vifible and invifible, both military and triumphan:, are called in Scripture [the Kingdom of Heaven or of God."] H a maia be kjiown ( or any fort of men) to belong to the Church invifible^ then they vifibly belong to it : and then they are vi- fible members of the Church. So that this proof is more full for Infants Churchmem- berfhip, than if it had been faid. They may be vifible Churchmembers. For it faith much more of them, which includeth that. 6, Hence I further argue thus : If Chrifl were much difpieafed with his Difclples for keeping Infants from him , then he took it as sart of their revealed^d jtfv;>^tbat they fhoifld not forbid them ^ But the former is true, therefore the latter. ^"^ V/hence I further argue j If it were the Difciples known or revealed duty , not to forbid them to come to Chrifl, then they mufl needs take it alfo for a revealed truth that Infants //z/jOa/e (^ and not thefe numerically only) fhouldnot be forbidden to come ; f for they could not know that thofe individuals fhouldbc admitted, but by knowing that Infants fhould be admitted j ) But, Sec. -Yet further ^ 7. If it were the Difciples revealed duty, to admit Infants to come to Chriftfbr this very reafon, becaufe o//«c/? w the Kingdom of Heaven^ then it was no fccret, bur a revealed truth. That sffuch was the Khgdom of Heaven '-, But the for- mer is crue^ For Chrill would not be angry fo much with them for not knowing that i which was never revealed, or for not admitting them when they had no means to \ know them to have right of admittance. The confcquence is evident thereforc,and/ fo it follows \ That if it were then a revealed truth, that offntb is the Kingdom of Heaven^ then they v/ere vifible Member s" of tiie Church. For thatfortof men that are known to bcloni:; to Heaven, (^though it be not known of the individuals^ d^ vifi- ■bly belong to the Church ', ( as i think none dare deny.^ . 8. But the chief evidaice in the Text lye th here', If, bccaufe that of fuck istbeX Kivgdom^ therefore it was the Difciples fm to keep diem back '■, then it muft needs i\ be the vtry fpeaes of Infants that Chnft means are of the Kingdom, (^and not or.ly / the Aged humble.; But thefelofelc was the Difciples fmTo keep them back (& their P duty lo6 TUih Scripture Vr oof of duty toadrak them,or elfe Chrift would not have been much difpleafed with them>) bccaufe that o//«c^ is the Kingdom '^ Therefore if muft needs be infants themfclves thatare of the Kingdom. Thereafon of the confequence lijth here*, Ic co uld be no fin in the D i fciplesto keepaway fromChril t rhofe that wti^ hvx meir Em Uems oi the laved) iJutitwaS tij ieirfinro keepaWgy i/tf^icri^ Theretorcit was not becaufe they were nieer Em- blems of fuchasftiouldl^ fa ved.' Forclfe it would have been the Difciples fm to have forbidden all the Slieep or Doves in the country to have been brought to Cluifi, CO lay hands on. This is plain and convincing tome. 9. Thofe that Chrift cook up in hh^rms, lajd hishan d[s on, and Blcj Ted, were vi- fibje Members of hisC hiJJxh^--ami not mccfrcfemblAnccroi fuch ; But'iome Infants Chrn\ took in his Arms, laid his hands on, and BlelTed^ Therefore fome Infants were Members of the vifible Church i (^and confcquendy Q\n^ hath not re- pealed the Churchmembcrfliip of Infants i ) and they were notmeer refemblances of fuch. I For would Chrift have BlelTedfo a.Shecp or Dove ? Or, arethey blefled of Chrift, I and yet notfo much as vifible Members of his Church? Sure there are none viftbly Vbleft without the vifible Church. And it was not thefeonly j for I have proved, ic was the Difciples duty to admit others to the BlefTmg. (Anditisyetmoreconfiderable, that all the three Former Evangelifts makeiUH mention ofthefe palTages of Chrift,and1:her^fore1rirevidnitTtrarthey were not ta- ken for fmall circumftanrials, but Dodrines of moment for the Churches information. They are recorded alfo inMat, 18. 2, 5,4. (ttc. Max, tp. 15, 14. Lwt- 9. 4, 5- Luk: 58. i5, 17. I defire any tender confcienced Chrifiian, that; is in doubt whether In- fants fhould be admitted Members of the vifible Church, and would faia know what is the pleafurc of Chrift in this thing , to read over-Texts impartially, and confidc- rately, and then bethink himfclf, whether it be more likely that it will pleafe Chrift •better to bring, or folemnly admit Infants into theXHurch, or to Oiut them out , and whether thefc words of Chrift fo plain andearneft,will not be a better Plea at ]udgr ment for our admitting Infants, than.any4i«evecthe.^=dnab3ptil)^ t^rought will be rto thera for refufmg them. -jc .n:;i ' \-/ f^ ' \m>H jd; . . f ;>:" i ^i ■ But what faith Mr, T. againft this ? Whvv i- He faiths -it was fome extraordinary . blefiingrothsm, thatChrilUnrended,v4p9/. /?. 149. Anfvr, i. It wasa difcovcry of • thei r Tick to the Kin^d omof Heaven ■■, Itwasfuchan extraordinary bleftingthat jn- J ciuaeTdie ordinary, if extr|D£itmaFy hle(i«g^j±Uiftmuchjriore_ordinjry. 2. It w.is juijiasjjTeJjiiJbiples fhopld hi^ve knowiixhot ^iev ftiQuld bT ad Httcd to« o r,eirc Chrift would not have been difpleafedT . • ., Bat Mr. T. fiich,^i^. ApjL i > i. That [the reafonof Chrifts anger was their hin- dring him iu hisdcfign, not the knowledge they lu-dof their prcfent vifible Title? diis is but a dream.] To which lanfwer i \.Mr. T. is as boldtofpeak of Chrifts thoughts wichoutBook, and to fcarch the heart of tiie Searcher of hearts, asifhe were refolved to make Chrifts meaning be what he would have it. 2. W hat defign was i t t hat Chrift had i n iund ? was it any ocher than the dif^ oye- / ry of his^merc y to theypgc/ glofl^nfarKS^^^ thofe amonq oth ers ? and the pre- 1 fcntiiig therfTas'a pattern toliis Fotto^^sTand to teach his ChurcbTlTuTriility and re- novation, and to 1/*^." r^giT) ^'1 "^'"'f"^^^^ "^^^^ Anabaptifts, thatiti^his pieafure that Infants ftiould not be kept from him " ' ~"""^ 5. How did the Difciples hinder Chrifts defign ? not by hindring him iramediate- ly -y biitby rebuking thofe that brought tiie Infant;i. 4. If ^' Infants chhrch-memhcrjldip and Baptifm, 107 4. If this were no fault in them, why fhould ChriA be difpleafec!, and nwchdif- j^Ieafed ar it ? Andhowcould itbe their fault to hinder people from bringing jn fanrs to Chr/fl, if the}^ might net know that they ought to be admitted ? And could ^iKfy knew of Chrii% piTvaEeJnt^^ tv^Verc there but this one'coiT?ideradorrTience robe urged, I durft challenge Mr.% ib anfwer.fas far as modefiy would permit a chalJengtj ) that is, If Chrift had inten- ded only that humflity or dociblcnefs fhoiild be commended from rhcfe Infants as an i^mblem to his Difcipks, then it could be none of their fault to forbid the bringingof them to Chrift j for how could they knn \y whar n(e Chrift wo uld make of them? or j by wh-at Emblem he would reach them ? or when he woul3"c[oTt ? i\litheCrea- f^es in the World may be Emblems of fome good ? and mufl they therefore permit the bringing of all to Chrift? Chrifthad not told them his Defign before hand, to teach them by thefc Emblems j and when they knew his mind they defifled. $. If it had been only for the prcfent Defign, then Chrift would have fpokehut of thole individuall Infants, and have faid, Suf fer thefe now to co me s But it appears f^om the Text, i. Thar it w as not thbikindividuals more than ofhers that the Difci- files were offended at, or dillikedfliould be brought i but the f^edes. or thofe In- fants becaufe tatants. ' 2. And that Chriit doth HOt only fpeak againft their hindring thole individuals, hut ihe {pedes , and layes them down a Rule and command for the future, as well as for the prefenr, that they fiiould fuffer little children to come to him, and not forbid them. ^ -■"-■ '^^'' • • - , . ..^^6. And he doth n6t command this epon the reafon of any private defign^ -butbe-) ^^lileoffuch is the Kingdom of Heaven. -^ -*^^'^. And where Mr. T. laith. It was not from any knowledge they had of their pre- ^ ierit viiible Title j I anfwer. Who faid it was ? did Mr. Blake .•? no ^ but it was a thing that the Difciplcs o ught to have know n, that Infants are welcome to Chrift, and that *of fuchis his Kingdom, and theretorebecaufe of fuch is his Kingdom, they ftiould not be kept from him. God will not be much difplcafed with men for being igno-| rant of that which they ought not to know. 1 blefs the Lord jefus the King of the Church, iorjiaving fo gr eat a tendernefs tcf the Infants themfclves _and fo grea^a care of the informa tion (STTils Churchconcer- ning his Will , as to fpeak it thus pliinlyT^ tEarplam meanlTTgmenjTijy~well fee his mind -, even as if he hadtlreretore done rhirBeeaiile he forefaw , that liTthefe latter days fomewouldarife that WQ jild renew the Difciples miftake in this point, and think it unfit to bring Infants toChrilt And lor my parr, 1 gladly accept msmfor- mation, and fubmit to his difcovery i Let them refill it that dare. And it is not unworthy obfervation, how that to teftifie that Chrift rejefteth not this Age from his Church, he doth call his Difciplesby the name of [litt le childrenj , "^ aealC as an exprefifion of his tcndernersand love,even as Parents are tendereft of the Job. 1 3. 53. And lo doth the Holy Ghoftby his Apoftles very frequently, Gd.^' i^. 1 Job. 2. i, i2y 18, 28, & 5. 7, 18.&4. 4.&5.21. P a And 1 08 rlam Scripture Troofof ANd thus I have fufficiently proved. That Infants ought to be admitted vifible Church- members : having before proved, That All that ought to be fo admit- ted, ought (ordinarily) to be baptized j there being now under the New Teftamenr, no other revealed way of lolemn admiffion or enterance into the vifible Church, but y Baptifm : Which I Jiad l\ood longer and largelyer to prove, but that Mr. T. dorh ot deny if, yea, when in private conference I urged him again and again to deny it if he would, that I might prove it, yet he would not deny it. Yet left others lliould deny it, I proved it in the beginning fully, though briefly. And fo 1 have done with this fecond Argument, drawn from Infants Church- memberfhipj which I defire the Lord to blefs to the Readers information,buta(;- cording to its truth, and plain Scripture ftrength. Part, Infants Church-memberjh rp and Baptifm. 1 09 Part IL ^ CHAP. I. AHfweriftg the OhjeUions againfi Infant-.Baftifm^ and^ Confuting ths Anabaftijis way. 1 Intended to have handled but one other Argumenc to prove the baptizing of Jn* fants a duty i which is drawn froni the necelfity of Parents folemn ingaging their children to God in Covenant j thus. IfitbethedutyofallChriftian Parents folemnlyt o engage their c\ God in Covenant f whereby they are engaged to the Lord as their God ii Ghrift» and God again doth Covenant to take them for his people^ then they ought todoitinSaptifm, which is the mutual! engaging fign : But it is the duty of all Chriftlan Parents folemnly to engage their children to Vlod in the aforefaid Cove- nant. Therefore they ought to do it in Baptifm, whi ch is _the engaging ilgn. The r Antecedent (that Parents are bound fo toengage their chidrenj "bendes the exprefs ' Text, Dent. 2^. 10, 1 1, 12. & 26. I would have proved from many other Scripture Arguments. The Confeqaence f that therefore theyniuft do this by Baptifm^ I fhouldaUo eafily and fully have proved, there being no one example in all the/ New Tertament of doing it without j and baptifii being, as ATr. T. confeffeth, ap-! pointed to that very end •, f/^. to be a murnall engaging fign between God and his| people. Bat my painfull ficknefs commands me to cut Ihort thework '-, and I know men love not to be tired with large Volumes j «ind it is not the number of Argu- ments that muft do ir, hut the ftrengch. If therebe ftrengthbutinany one, itis no . matter if all the reft be weak or wanting. And ber]des,rhere is enough fjid a-Irca- dy by men more able than my felf : Therefore 1 fhali adde no more of rhefe i but briefly anfwer the moft common Objeftions. Oh]eiiion i.- THe great and mod prevailing Obje^ion which 1 have heard in Loiw:n moft confidently infiftedon in the Pulpits and fcen' moft ufed in their Priuctd Books, is this : ~ - p. 3 WW -- rlatH Scripture proof of .»'-'■■' i^. I ■■■ " ■ ' ■ k — ■ . - - I . . — ^ ■ - » -*^tii»y^. p. 6. TIk) ihat itn't^i djiu^tai ofthijiijh , tfx^Jl (trenotthccbiUren cf'd'fJ^ti'i.nhc ,-htuhi.n of the j^rorhife a(e accdHHtcd for the Scid. And, Epbi 2. $. We 'ToAilr?c!h I aniwcr : i. There isnoftrong appearance of comradidlon in this tj -N^'hftt wc have faughr. For 1 willingly acknowledge, rhac all are net Tfrad that are ctrfa:!^ and ycc clicy arc //1/i.'/ ilill. Ar-d cheyare not therefore the children of G od becacfc- 1 hcv are die Seed or Abraham^: others that arc godly,but becaule rhi y are Children ^f the t'romife. wowv.i.,' ■ ,;...,• '■ '.h?' liut for this Brit Teyr, I pray you 6bTerve'l:h6fe four things : i . That Which the A- pc fife here pleadeth, is, t hat falvaricn was nor by the covenanc tyed ro z\\ AbYahAni'i i ictd '-i but yet he den vc th not but Churchniembe'rfhip did for the tioic pafl belong to j the {generality of them. Now it is not the certain lalvacion, but the Churohmcm- berfliij!> rhatwe arc difputing lor in regard crche.individuah. 2. The ApofUe difputeth not againlt the lalvarion or Chuichmemberfhip of every •one oiAbiahiifns Seed ( for many of his feed were after this laved , J but againft the lalvariciiofthe irhol^ feed or poller iry coiijuiiSim, But now Anabaptifts difpute a- gainfi the Churchnitmherlhip vifible ofany Infants. ^. That which the Apoille mainly drives ar, is, that men are not rhercfore favpd hecaulcj ^yi^ ^ ^a re ^/^^/j^/z/'j caniall feed^ ^and confeouentiy ; not becaule thtey are the "caiHaii leed S'any other ^ J And i lay Yo too with all my hearr. But the Apoftle dotii not fay or mean, that Abraham's feed ftiall not be faved i (for they fhall again be _ .called, z\{d(o All Ifvacl be fdvcd, Rom. 1 1, j but only that they are faved, notbe- leaife they are his feed, but becaufe they are children of the Promifei And fo fay we, That the feed of the faithfull are Churchmembcrs, and Difciples, and Subjefts of Chrifi, not properly or diredly, becaufe they arc the feed (for fo they are no better rhan othert i ) but becaufe they are childrcnof jhe_promife -, God having been plea- icdro inake the prcmife to the Fai t'^mfTjnH^^irJefiiU.-a nd having promifed thac theTecd of the Righteous fiiai beblellcd j and thathe will be mercifull to them, 'and vviiltake thert4tobca people to him, and he will be to then? a God j andhath pronounced theni Holy. Ifadc was Abrahmn's ktdy and Jacob his -, and yet not fa- ved becaufe his feed direaJ^lft€C-' fhould entail lome Honours upon all your children s you might well fay, that^;' /;^ Mu^aJiTy as they were your children^ they were not Honourable or Nobler zndytt by t h? Favour of the Prince, they might be all Honourable from the womb. The godly at age mayitillfay. That they are yet by nature children of wrath, even when they are fare that they are the children of God by Grace : And they ufe in their confclli-- on, to fay, that by nature we are enemies to God, fire-brands of Hell, &c. 2. Again," they may be Church- members vifible , and yet perhaps children of wrath too. All the children of Church- members among both Jews and Profclytes were alio Church members, as will not be denyed. And yet as we are children of wrath by nature, fo were they. So that if you will have anfwer, [How all the Seed of Churchmembers i-Z/en, could be both^y n^mre children of wrath, and yei:>^;C^Jf/^ vifibk Churchmsmbers ,^ "] you have anfwered your felf. ; >!ujL"> ^jifi fhii^i. ijifiw3B(lT..^ CHAP. IL -^ ■' ' Ohje^ion 2. * BUr it is objc^ed further, That Infants are notca^able of the endsof Baprifav^ For it is an engaging ijg n ; and fignifieth alfo the wafhing away of fm in the blood of Chrift, both guilt and ftain ', and its very operation is by a morall way_Q £ fignifyirg i and therefore f ftfants being uncapable of the ufe of Reafon, areaTToun-" capable of the operation of Baptifm : and therefore fiiouid dsfef 4t till they know what it fignifieth, and what they do. i.j ,;^.^;.,j ..._:,,,.., To this I anfwer '-, 1 . Baptjfm hath more ends and ufcs than one { Irsftrri i\{c isro be C hrids lifling fign for the admittinj^ fjioujjiers jmdcr his Colours^ or of Difd - pies into his i^cnool, or S'u!;.)cis to be a luutuall engaginf ^ figa w hereby rheyafe by their Parents, or thofe that have full power of them, tngageJl:o God, and Ggd engageth himfelf to them j And this fwith the grounds and nature of icj I fhall prefsntly fhew you that Infants are capable of. And then for the operation on his foul by its fignificancy, I hiy, ir i^ but a Secondary end or ufe, uhich the Sacra- ment may he wirkout ; though it be a very great end in rhofe that are capable of it. For 2. A Leafe, or Covenant made betwixt a Land- Lord and a cbild, or the- Te-^ nant and his Heirs, may be of ufe to the child, though he undcrllaod it nor; evc-n .is much as hislivelihood comes to j So may a Legacy or Deed of Gift made to a chikj. Now will any be (o foolifh as to fay. It is better leave out the childs name till he un- derhand the fignificaticn of this Leafe, or tiil he be capable of enjoying the benctits, ofit? ♦ / g. Itmay be operative by its fignification asfoon as he comes to the ufe 6f liecfforj, (whichwillnoE befoloBg as AnabaTptilh ufe-tq -defer Baptifm, J He-may thtn}>e . ' ■ '^^ ' --'- taiiph't — II I . , » . 1 - ■- ■ rlui?2 Scnpiurc proof of 4:anghc wiiac ihc duiics and henchts ot'chc Covcuanc arc i what he is engaged lODc , anddot«Swai"d God i and wluc God isciigaged to be, and do row;;rds hiiiu 4. In ih: nitan time, as his inrcftil is upon d;e condition of the I'artncs Fai-h,aiid as he is received as ic vvvre a MeiTibcr ofclicm, (0 the par<:nrs Oii'l l:ave the aCiii^ll ccmfon of it ',**'As the faith is tlieirs , and tlvi child theirs. To God would not Have tiiem without die coH^forc. Godi that lutli implanted fo ftrong a love in the JKatii of parents to their children, that they cannot but cake the Good or tviJl that bcfals them as ii it were their own, hath aUb a tender regard of his peoples comfort fiefc- ,in. A parent hath the a(ftuaU comfort of the Leafc ;\ui alTureth an Inheritance to his child. $. Eaptifm may be adminillred to tliofe tj i at are capable of feme end s^iou^h they are i:ncapabl'r ofoth^r. Thri ft hi^'"'^'^^^ b'^pri ^rd, when yetlie w^ot £;a- pabi e ot n"iany of the ^reat ends of baprifm : For baprilai was not to cnrtfhrftgq of the waihnigawayofhislins (for he had none . J noFof purifying his foul ('which was pcrfeft before i ) nor of his beijig burycd with Chrifi,nO nor of his entrance in- to the vifible Churc!i> nor of any covenant chat he folemnly engaged in with God. 6. And bow uncapable were the Infants thai; Chrifl laid his hands on, and cook up in iiis arnvs, of undcillanding the meaning of what he did, or receiving any impref- licnby the figni6carions of thefe Adions I And yet fiuU we fay, that: Chriil ihould llavcktir alone till aicei wards? 7. Eur yet more fully : Tell me what operation Circumcifion had on all the In- fants of Chiircli-members formerly ? It was a Seal of the rightecufnefs of Faith : ilo;/f. ^,. II. And ycc they had no more faith nor knowledge ot the fignificancy than ours have now. It was an engaging f^gn : and yet they were as uncapable of underlbn- .-ding either the fignificancy or engagement as ours are : Yea, Chriil himfelf wa^ cir- cuRxiied in Infancy, when in the courfe of nature he was uncapableof underftanding its Ends and Ufes. Not tliat 1 am now arguing for Baptifm from Circumcifion : but this fully anfwereth this thtir Objedion |_ that Infants fhould not be baptized, be- ciufe they are not capable of underftanding its Ufc,andfo being wrought on by it:] They are as capable of Baptifm as rhey wcxe of Circumcifion and its Ends : They therefore that wdl yet fay, ic were better let ic alone till they arc more capable, do but exile cheir reafcn againft Scripture, and fpeak as men that w ould teach God. CHAP. 11 L Obje^ion 5. BUt fome Ob)e<^ : How can an Infant Covenant with God, or be engaged by thisfign? And wji ere doth God rcguirejhe Pa rent to engage his chijdrg i ? or CO pr pm ' j fe <^r Vow any chm jftnTlT nFnnmes T'Oi', how can it be faid riTa t we maSc anx_£Gy£aaat-or"VoW hi I5aptifm?~Could we vow or covenant, when we could not underfland ? Arfpfer. I am the more engaged to anfwer thit., becaufe I was once fo ignorant of it my felf, that 1 adventured in my Ignorance to tell others, ( long ago) chac 1 did npc perceive tl a: we cculdbe faid to make^r^Yqwjn^ur Infant- haprite:Therfore I am "~~ -— ^ - bound If7j^ fits church' mcmberjijip atfd Baptijm. i j o bound ro cnfay it & rigl t thcfe that heard nxfycung and nnftudied Preachers v. ill be venturing to fay that , which when they have (li:died,rhey wilJ fee nufi be unfaid-^ I, Jt is agreed rr btih fdes , that Eapifn h crdair'ed to be a n i:ti al engagir g fgn between Gcd arc tl'C bapH7ed : Ard that this er gag e rrent is a ccvenantiB^ with Gcdj and fo Eaptifm is called a Sci\ cjthc CoYCnan t."Ncw , \\\jl\ pjinii^ \\'AXih\ authcriiy to engage ther children in ihis Ccvenanr, and to pre n lie in their names' tHi they fliall perform the cciodidcns, that they n-ay enjoy the benefit , is evident,' thefe twowayesi i. FrcmNatnre, 2. FrcmScriptnre. ' I. 1-arentshave nati^ralW fo g reat an inrereft inth eir children, that by this they zxc authcriied to rrake ccvenams in their bthalfT"!]:^ Law of Nature is the Law of God. N ay.it isa plain ratural duty of parents to covenant for their ch ildreri w hen ins for their g ood. fV!ay net a parent take a j.calc or other cov<;i QanfjrvrJ^ c\^d ; and enga^e me child to ray fuch yce rly Eert^orrio fnrfi hcrr^^pTiA^yj {^^ not engage his^cnud to take fuch a man for his LandIor5r~oretfeTCrbe turned cut of liis Hcufe j and to take fuch a man for his King , or be hanged as a Traitor ? Nay , were it nor a fin in that parent that would rda^t to covenant in behalf of his child, when elfe the child fhculd lefe the benefit of it ? Nay, in fome cafes a parent may engage his child to an inconvenience j much more may he engage him for his good. V/ho htiyech not Lands for him.felf and his Heirs .«* And the Scripture attcOeth this natural interefl of parents in their children j in that a ycung wcm.an that was net an her own difpefe , 15ut her Fathers, cculai not m.ak e a binding Vow wi thcut hisfi-/ lent confenc. , / 2 . But particularly, Scripture fully ftieweth , that all the people of Jfrael did by / Gods flat appointment enter their children into the covenantof God. For, i.Thcy 4^ were tocircumcife them, which God call eth This covenantlg nd ^the fgn of this co- venant. ] Therefore they were to enter the covenant. 2. It isas plainly fpokeriasthemootl'iofmancanfpeakir,in Deut. 29. 10, ii, 12,13. Yea even for the children that were unborn they were to covenant, ("as raoft expound thofe words , [and vrith kirn thatflands vMjm^^JSJtjyja this dayy\ though it may be meant of any_H£a£li^ that would be converted:) And this co- yenant was , that the Lord would rake them for a people tohimfelf , and would be to them a God. So Deut. 76, 17,18. And no qucdion , a parents interefl in hiij child is as great now as then j and God as willing to covenant with the children ofl his people. But this needs no peculiar proof, in that all that I have faid hitherto in proving them holy , and Church-members, doth prove that they are in covenant with Chrift , to be hisDifciples, and take him for their Lord : and therefore they muft be cntred by their Parents , or others that have authority and incereft in them. But it may be then obje^ed , That it cannot be lawfull for a man to promife thatk which he cannot pe rform : How can we promife that another ffiall take the Lordj for his God , and ChBilt torEs Redeemer ? So we may become Covenant- breakers) upon their default. ' / To which I anfwer i Thereisnofirengthatallin thisObjeftion. For we pro- 1 mife not in our own names, bu t the I tifants ; no r to perform the duty our fejve s, / Butthat he (hall do it(and that'we will contr ibareour beft endeavours t hereto; jnor/ do we promife abfolute ly that i t (hall cotpe to paJJ^c^ hut we eng a ge him to it as Bsdutj ) X _b y covena nt,( which alfo v/ould have been his duty,ifhe had not covenantedflatl^ we promiTetlTat he fliall perform the conditions as a means to attain the bcneiits'of^ the Covenant , upon this penalty , That if he perform them not,he fhall lofc the be-» nefits of the Covenant,and bear the punifhment thrcarned. So that wc only promifei ^%i4 rUifi Scripture V roof of tliar he fhall kee p die cx)vtuan[; ; or if he do not, we leav e him liiblc to cjuLpenalty. "Artdilic beviDcllepr, it is 6? chac breaksir, chit WisbOLhidcopcrlorm icTand not xve that bound /;iH by OLifproniirc, and noco«>/t'/-u.'j j and ir is he that mui\ bear the puniHimeiK, and not the PaiciK. .t^- Who doubtech but a man may lawfully promifc for himfelf and his H>-Mrs,that th^y (ball pay afmall yearly rent to a Landlord for the enjoyment of fnme large and com- modious Polleilions Tand fo bind them to it by Leafe? Will he lay, How can I promifc for my Son, when I know nor wliccher he will perform ir •, and fo I may break covenant? He that (hould deprive his Heirs of die /nlLtritance for Want of fo engagiag them,.or promiiiag in their behalf, were both un v/ifc and uj:nacurail. 1*oe nature bindeth hiai h to engige hi.^Hcirs^when it is fo mijcii for their own b^ne.icSt. if they break the engagement or covenants by not paying dicFvcn^^ iris their faulr, and not the Fathers ^ and they fhali be turned out of tnQ Houfe an i fufifer for ic, and . uoc he. 1 he Leafe is made in this tenour. That he fhall fuflfcr that performcth not what he is bound to ^ fa that where the Son was bound to duty or payment, the Father is in no tank that bound him ; And if the covenant be not performed, the X.andiordcan require no more but the Forfeiture and Diffeifure •, and that muft bee firomhim chat Pnould have performed, and did not. So is ic in thaprelent cafe : Jf I the Coveiianc which we make for J w fanes be not perform :d by them when they come ' CO age, .God will claim the Forfeiture at their hands, and dilTeife them of the bene- fits, but we are quit. chap: IV. Gb]eUion 4. IT is yet furtiier Gb)e^''^iTheir Infants haJa^hxIpojjl'ffim^ and that upon Gods own Grant and Ordinathn : And what unprejudiced man of common reafon can imagine, but that if Chril> would havedirpon.clTed,rhcm , he fhould Ibmcwiiec ^iavc dilcoycrcd it? yea , rhacit would nor have lud very great difpatin^ anddebatTsy dndthac the jews would not have argued much againfk the parting with this privilege to all cheir Infaurs? Is it likely chat they would let it go as cafily as Mi: T. doth*, and fay , It is a benefit to che whole Ghurch, that all our Infants are put out, or their Chufch-memherftiip repealed (like a houfe that is quiet when the childrenarcpuc out of doors, 'though they havenopri-viledgein fteadof it. What a flir was there about t\}e , repe^t j of Circuracifion , and how hardl ^could the many tficm faudJbjdkvingJews be fati^ecj jn this , thattiiey_fhoul d not circun idie their children ? (for itwaTtHefr childrens cireumcifloiTtHat the quarrel wai about, as islaid A^.2 121. they were informed chat r^w/ taught the diff^r fed ]t-ws not tocircumcif g their children *, }And do you/ think then, that if F;*;// had caught thenFthar tliey were nottocfleem or admit theif children Members of the viribIejChurch,( which was afar higher matter thaa the notcireumciilng thera,)rhac Jfrfw/fhou Id never have heard of this^ nor the Jews havedifputed it: nor been much more unwilling to acknowledge it ? I conclude thet>u§iE DVEtl Qbjea. 6^ ^!.' ' 'i- io)0 ' ._.. ,. .. M BUt T^/r. r. ftandcfh TiiuQh on this Objedion drawn from the eril confcquen^. ? ces of Infant- baprifm , and the benefit that would enfue upon deferring bap- ' ^^ :ifm till years of difcretion. He faith,thac [the grofs ignorance of the people ' ^ ' is much occafioned by their baptizing afore they know j That ifthey were ^'^ not baptized till they knew Chriiiian Religion, as it was in the firft Ages, grofs .Ig- ij norancein Chriftian Profeflbr? would be almofl wholly reformed; AndforChri- ,'^ fiian walkiug, ifBaptifm were admiuiftredwixha folemn abrenunciation , profef- 1" fion, andproraife by the baptized in his own perfon, and upan that were baptized: I doubt not but it would have more awe on mens eonfcienccs than many other ' means ufed or devifed, &c. On the other fide, lafaflt-bapcifm is the ground upon which innumerable people ignorant and profane, harden tliemfelves as if they were gopd Chriftians, regenerate, and fhould be favcd without holinefs of life, never ow- ning or confidering any pxofefTion or promife made for them as theirs , ^/ies a-mong us do think they aire goodChriflianf, m^erly bccauferhey be- " lieve Gods Word ro be true by a b^re a flrnr, and profcfs themfelves qiiriftj an^ : An^^ 1 fhallwe fay that this is any caufe of their delufion ? Or, bccaufe it rs.an occafion, »iiatir were better calUroi3f? Or, miiiiMinil^ers n^ver perfwade chemco believe Q^^A tha«i af Tlain Scnpinre proof oj that ^-odsVV;Oid 15 cri.c,C'r CO prcxels thcir-k-lvcb Clkfiliians, kit n ruould itnd to thcii* ddul^on.? Wli.it kind of Doctrine were this? ■t p. Let Mr^ T. fhew if ijc can, whaz rhere ls in the oatiiiig of tli e thing that fhould be hiirtftll ofirfdi to any. Jf a child tharcan read never a icfrcr, beenrrcdiniathe Sclicol that he may-k.»rn ro rcadiis there any thir.g in this rhac rcndsro his delufion? Or if^hf Ihoiiid be lo ciiildifh as to thmk , that now he isa Scholar futhcienc Ixcaufe hcisij] rhc Sclioclj would any nnan therefore think it needfKll, that thcyrauftbe kncwirg 5chc brs lief( re they ccnie to School, ltl\ they fhculd run into the I'ike mi- I'-ake ? And why then nnuU they need«>:be l(]wwwgbc[oit they are Chrifls Difciples? 11 a cldidb name be put in a Leafe, is there any thing in this to do him hurt ? And if afterward he n-.all he fo foolifhas tothjuk, rhac it is Uitf.cient that his name is in the Lcafe, and that lie needs no mere to fecure him the Inherirarce, though he« C4n underftand what tlKy do? ..■.,. .\^, , ,, , ;,/ . . , ,\V,har hurr can it be to-be in Clirifts Fanriily frcra our ycuih, or ro be in his School, qr.p be in his vifible Kirgdcm as his Subje<:ts, any more than it i sfor alithc Inf^ irs in Ens'and t;p |,)ej^]e .^iihi<-(S^f rh^ King ? If rhcy fhould think tiiat ir were enough to be bcrn in a Kingdom , ana fo be the $ubjeei:s of a King, though tbey never cor- dially acknowledged liim , ncr obeyed him, butafter proved Traitors i would any fober man therefore ccnclude, that it were better let no Infants be the Kings fUb- >e.ds? I think not. _ ,";.-:uj -., Andl wculdintreatiT/r. r. to tell me how Baptifm it feif tends to hinder J(now- Jcdge I Cannot he be as diligent to teach the baptized, as the unbaptized, if he will > and may they not learn as well ? Except he think that there is no teaching thofe that are in the School , but thole onely that are out of ir *, or that they will learn the bet- I ter for being out of Chrifts School, and the wotfe for being in it. Or, may they not •be taught ro know their King Chrift , and their duty to hioi, becaufc they are born his vifibJe Subjeds ? How doth that hinder ? $. I inrreatlv^r. T. to tell me, whether Infants being b^EiulKliiabk-Sabjeds of Gods Kingdom (^nd of Chrifts,i doubt notj bi^fore- Chrjjh corning^ and their being folemnly entred into the vifible Church and covenant , were fo great a wrong to them as is here pretended ? Was that the reafon of the delufion anr^ gf(;]l> i^nnranrp of the jews, that they did not fray till they were at age before they were entered in- to the Church and Covenant ? How dare he fay fo ? and fo make God the deluder and blinder.ofthc Jews, andaccufchis facred Laws and Inititutions of error, and of fo great error as tocontradid: their own ends*, yea, and fo much to hinder the at- tainment of their ends? Was it not rather their high privilege to have God fo neer them, and to be born and bred up in his School under his Dodrine,andinhis King- dom among his Laws ? And if it were an high favour, and no wrong to them to be enrcred in Infancy inro the Church and Covenant, how ccmesit to be a hurt and wrong to us now ? He that can anfwcr this, hath either a better wir, or a worfe than I have. I 4. And I would gladly know alfo of Mr.r. whether the cafe of fk' Frofelytes among \rhe Jews were fomuch better than the cafe of their own childrcn,& the cafe of rt// xhc Jews mid their children.^ The Frcfelyres were all entered then, asMr. Tl would have all the Difciples now, viz^, at age, when they knew what they did i & the Jews were not, nor the Prc(clyres children were not; And dire Mr. r, fay, that thefe Frofelytes Infants Church-tnemberpif and Baptjfm, 9^5 Prdelytes, who were brought over to partake of the ]cws mercies, were in a better flate? or that their way of covenanting was a better than Gods ordinary efta- bHftied Church- way ? and that Gods own people the ]ews, had lefie mercy than thofe that were thus adjoyned to them ? or that their own children had lefie mercy than the i'arents ? or that by turning Profclyces, they brought all their children into a more dangerous way than themfelves cam^: in by ? or rather would not they lay of -themfclves,as FaHloi hislaft knowing Ghrilt,that they were as men born out of due time? What can be faid to this? 5. And what \i My.T. had his defire in this ? and all fhould profcfTe their Faith \\\ ;) Chrift before they were entered? wereitiikely to prove fuch a cure asheimagin- ech I A rhink it is but a mccr imaginarion. I or he is f:) far from the New-EngUnJ. vvjy,th4t I fuppofehe would require no further profcOion or covenanting, than he ha^h warrant for in Scripture •, fuch as the Apoflles when they bap.clzed men did re- yoifc,and as Chrift warrantech in the Commi(r]on,Afiir.28.if ,20. And were not this-N as likely to become cuftomary,aad formal, and confillent with Ignorance, as the pre- -^ Cent courfe ? How quickly might the multitude learn fuch a Profelfion as Mr. r.could> not rejeftupon any Scripture-ground? They that will make no confeience of the fo- lemaPromife which their Parents made in tkdr names, will fcarce make eVer the' more confeience of it, if they had made it firft in their own names ^ feting the viola- tion of either will alike forfeit their falvacion. And is ir not dayly evident how for- ward the aged are in any ficknefs to make promifes to God,or any wicked man when ^ a Minif.'^r fhall deal with them for their fms convincingly, and yet how ea>fily and frecjuently they break them ? - 6,. And is it not the conftant endeavours of Minifters in England^ to take men ofF . from fuch forraality-and feif-delufionsj and to let them know that th«ir meer Raprifm (whether in Infancy or at AgO i^ Jnf^jfficient ? 7. 1 would fain know a reafon oiAIr, T. why thatfolemn abrenunciatiow, and pro- \ mife which he fpeaks of, may not be as effeduall a t^the Recognizing a ndperfpnaU) renewing of their covenant openly in the face of the Congregation when they come"' to age, though they are b^£tized_bcfore, as if they had deferred their Baptifm till then ? For my part, it is my conllant Do fhallbehisGod, and Chriitonly his R>:deemcr, andfohis Saviour aYid Lord, and V promife in heartand li/c to be true to him accordingly : And / deliver the Sacrament ro none that will not thusproftfs and promife. For as widi the heart maw belie- ;, v<3th unto righteoufnefs, fo with the mouth is confeHllon made to Salvation. Now . what if this were every where done, that when childr^ come to age,, diey mul.1 all '. • jolgjQnly ifl thcfe gg of Eb£ ^fl§rcg aJQn£husper.roflaUrovyj^ilJ>4j:cnew ckekj^* ^ 1 20 PlaJft Scripture proof of nanc , why may noc this engage them , as well as if chey were baptized then ? And feme foot fleps of this courfc have remained in England i partly in [the pro- fcftion both of Adcut to all the Articles of Faith , and the abrenunciationofthc v/orld , Flcfh , and :?acan, and the engagement of the child to be Chrifls faithful! Servant X.0 his li vcs ciidi] which every Parent is to make for his child in Eaptifm .• and paril yin the folcnni profdiion of the Articles ofF^jirh^yyli ir h j^j^crY man at age inconvenience orlpcakir.gin the Congregation ^ ev en astnc covenant wa^ taken by Jifting UP the hand : ) and partly by the .old ofdcr of Confirmation"5yTBifhops, Iwliich was to be done upon profeflion of the FaItET~aiKr laflly ,l5ytlTrconfciriOns \and profefTions to this end whicli £Vv-ryonewas to make ac the receiving of the U.crds Supper. All which , though by cufiomarinefs of people , and negligence of Minifters they were abufed, and degenerated into for malities , the commen banc ol'facrcd things , an djohad loll their life-, yet were in^themlelves lo cKcetteriTind necellary, that it IiJd-temiarFfttcr to have renewed and revived them , and re- ilored them to their Primitive vigor and luftre, than to have laid them down. And here ( though! have little hope of being heard and regarded in this deaf ^id felf-conceired age (for it is only the Anabaptifts that ai'e ^yjif'^H , in^eflaperate, j^rejuiiced and£ar|iaJ], 3 yet / will fatsfie my own^confcience in a word of intrea- ty both to the Magiflracy and Miniilry of England y I mean, the ruling and advifing part, f Tiiat they would be pleafed in the forementioned particulars torevife the Direc'tory , and if they know no more Reafon to the contrary than they have made l^nown to the world, chat theyjwould Dircft and Ordain ; i . That the Parent may net only Defire that his child may be baptized , andpromife to difcharge his own Duty in the Education , but may alfo covenant in fh*" "^'rti* and h^^hal'^g f the child (which is either emitted , or obscurely implyed at moft, in the Dire(Jtory3there be- ing no other known way of engaging a child in covenant with God, that cannot covenant for itfelf, and it being the way of the people of God in Scripture to en- ter tKeic cinldren in to the Covenant , Deut, 29. 10, 11,12. (and they being no »K)rc guilty iftheir child keep not Covenant, than of his forfeiture cfaLeafe, or like Covenant intowhich they engage him with man : ) And that the Parent may I alfo profefs his own belief of the fundamental! points of Faith into which he would Vhavchisehild baptized i that fo we may not baptize the children of Pagans in- ftead of Chrirtians i which we rather defire , for that to our forrow we know fome that have been former Profeifors of Religion , that are fallen to that Libertinifm and Familifm w hich i s flaj Heathenifmj and have given us caufe to fufped ftrongly, iFnot to be natiy certain thaftheySelieve not jhe Creat ion , or tjie truth of Scripture, or in carnation of Ch rift , or hislivmgcrbeing vifiblyon EartTiywho yet for the meet avoyding of obloquy, wiHTend ttiHn^ildren t<5rbTBapt1xed, but will not there profefs the Articles of Faith : And we know not why fuch chilcjren (as r/;e/rj)fhould be baptized. 2. /further humbly propound, that the ancient prafticc of Confirmation may be , reduced to its primitive nature,(as Calvin earndlbLi-efi*f*h btjlh.l.^-.caf • 1 9O ^'^^ fo confirmed, that all perfons when they come to age may be brought folemnly in the face of the Congregation to enter or renew and own that covenant perfonally . which they entered by others in their Baptifm,and that in fo doing they may profefs 1 their alTcnt to the fundamentals of Faith,and their confent both to the l^Iaturalljjod i SupernaturdUjgarts of the coxenant,i'/X. [_ That the Lord only fhalT be their God] M ajid(tha7tfieytakT^ITriIt only for their .Redeemer > to favc and rule them, ] and M their "• "*"'^"''' ■■ :" " "^ "''^nfamchunj^- mcmherpp and BaptJfm. - 121 thsir refolurion robs fairhftjl in this covenant to the end ofchcir lives. And if they did enter or fubfcribe their names to it (\w a book containing the names of all the "lijIenVjerb of that Cnurch, cut of which th*:: dead,the removed, and the c>;corrmuni- ."jtate fh^uld be wipedjit would be the more engaging, and not wane either Scripture fibf rcaion to warrn^fi^^ -^d il^g upV ar the Creed may alfo be reduced to it's primitive nature and vigor.. ' '' 4. Andlafll y, that the exprefs word^ o[ this covenant f no more than v^'hatis of fiat nccefsirjs^may be prefcribed to all Churches , out of Gcds Word ", and that no particular Winifiers may have po wer to impcfe any other covenants upon the Chur- j ^ ^ches,ncr to alter any word in the coveranr,({ceingluch alteration may introdiiccthat I ■'V^hich willfubvcrt the whole: }And that no other covenants containirrg (mailer and> controvertible pciritjf asis that of Fpifrnpf^fy in fh^ KJr^t-mint^] rnvpnanr^ ) wherein* even Godly and learned men may differ ,may be rafhly impofed upon the Churches/ But this unqueflionable covenant of God may ftand and be renewed. ^ Yet though this hate profefsion of Fundamentals muft fuffice m this care,yet I in- C— tend no inlet to errors thereby : For I conceive that the Church fhould have three ^^^ diftin<^ confefsionf^ Thp firf^,fuch as I have faid,Gon raining onJ. y ftmda^ei-ifak ^irke '* the Apoltles Creedjwhich is to be impcfe d on all the people as is faid ,Thefecond, \* containing afl points ne:stthe foundation thatare evident in b'ctipture , and beyond controverfie among Godly Divines,and of necefsity for the clearing and maintaining the fundamentals : And this to heipip^f^^ on all Miniflerj^.r a nH!anrht-hi^f<^ former to be in the ver)'^ words cfScripture.JThethifd, to contain Icwer controverted ^» points that are fit to be debated : and this to be impcfed^for fiibfcription on none,nor any tyed ft om a peaceable mo^gain-fayng: Butto(^and as the judgment of the Sjnod, which fliouldfw'ay mncli witfi all niDdefl men, and may be a Rule to the ^ yonger fort of Divines that are not able to difcern in fuch cafes, and alfo that the f*^ moft able may not unpeaceably or intemperatly contradi or.thac the praftice of teaching ch ildren as foDn.as th.ej h^aye . ufe • ^ of reafon is defeftive,becaufe their capa^cjty is not fuch as it will be afterward. This therefore is but like the reft of their arguing. 2. And for the Scripture- warrant J have for requi ring a_ pcffbni? ] rfnr^^'^^^"^ o wning of the Covena nt at age , /fball. give kyou plaiiily •, (for /have already •f proved the necedity of the Parents entering the /nfant into Covenant-} I. h hath been the conftant praftlce of the Church ofGcd In all the bcft rimes of the Church,tobe frequent in publick f'jfjnn.r^nr'^yjrc^^^'''^'^"^"'^'^'"'^"'"' aiiy pcH- tkal or ccu troverted coveman t^butthis Covenant of FundamcnraU ^ f3 that all the people b'oth old and young did enter it and renew it ^ how eft did.>/c/t'.f cau e them to enter and renew the covenant? asDeHr.26,i7,i8.r/:o« hafi avouched the Lordthis day ro he thy God.andto wal^^in his ways and^eep his Statutes and Commandcmcvts^and his Judgment s^and to hearken to his voter-, And the Lord hath aviucbed thee this day to be his peculiar people as hepromi[cd^i^c. So Beut, 25. ri, 1 2,1 5,8: 50. 1 5. fp^&c And yet all thefe were entered into covenant before in their /nfancy,Jvvho now fnlemnly renewed it at age: For Circumcifion was a 6'eal of the Covenant which they en- tered. (And rhoie that were difpenfcd with in the Wildernefsfor Circumci^on, yet were no t difpenfed with for^ m'enmning ) And when Mofes was dead, J'>p:u(i takes the lil^ courfe with them. Jo fmd 24. and io cffedually dcaleth with thtm, that he bringeth them to promifepublikely tiiiee times together, that They would ferve the Lord only as their God, and lo engaged them in Covenant with him, ':verfe 1 6 ^2 1,2 4^2 $. Y ea^ dud he wrote it in a biol^^ vcrf.zS. And yet thefe had all " entered the Covenant in their /nfancy before. Good J'^fiah did engage hiir.felf and al the people publickly and folemnly in covenant ,and all the people flood to the Covciiant,2 Kings 23.2,3. And Afa in )\ii b cfl dayes, and as one of his beft works» caiifcdi Infants Chnrch- member fiip and Bap tijm, 1 2 5 cdufed all the people, and Grangers that fell ro them, to enter into a covenant to fcek the Lord God of their Fathers with all their heart and with all their foul; And that whcfoever would not feek the I^ord Godof//r4e/, fhould be put to death, whether fmall or great, whether man or womanj And thty fwarc with a loud voice , and w.th fhocting , and with Trumfcts, and with Cornets; And all yw^'^ibrejoyc- cd at the Oath i For they had fwoin s^ ith all thtir heart , and fought him with theil^ whole defire, and he was found of them , and the Lord gave them reft round a- bout,2C^)0«-i 5. 10,1 1, 12,1 3,1 -J, 1 5. /four Naricnal covenant had been as (imple as theirs , and contained nothing political or controveiial, we fhculd as well have re- joyced in it , and never hadcaufe to repent it. $o6\dHe:(el^ab^ 2 Chron. 29.10. 8c go. So did Jeho]adahy2 Kings 11.17.2^ hroM. 1-^,16. And it is faid oijcfiab furthcf, that he caufed the People to fland to the Ccvepant, 2 C/)ro«.54.3',32. D<:n.2i.2^, 2^,50,31,32. &c. Soupon adefe(^ion they all entcrrd covenant again, £/r. T. will likel y admit them, abou t f^yr^ r^r fiv, n|- Ceveu ^e^nU. For i( he require no more tiian aTree,fcriousJol3er,iinderrtanding profelfi )i^t^Funda;mcntals only J fapt pofe, which are very fewjthen every diligent Parent will teacH tHeir chMd fuch a profefhon which he is bound to rake for fuch .and thac Ijkcl} before thty ai e feven ~ years old: And how will this engage them more than the way mentioned .'' or the common way? yea,iric were fuppofed that they ftayed till nine or xen,or twelve years old? 4. Lafi!y,7anfwer to this Objeiftion, that itbvfngbut thefpumeof humane rea^ .fon, I needed not to have given any other ai^fv^er but thisj Go J would have /nants Ito be Church- members and fo entered by BaptifmiAnd f.^t.ing,as / h.vi proved, God would have it fo, then all thefe Ob'cctionsare againrt God,and a carpisgachis way, and findirgout afuppcfcd unresfciMhienefi'oriuccnveniency in Ifis Aiflitmi- ons '-, which, how well it becomes the Creature , let Mr-T. judge. My anfvvcr iss that it is Gods will it fhall be fc, who needeth none of my reafons to juflitie his Or- dinances: his own Authority and will being fufp.cient. And yet i have fV.ew.cd yoii, that the reafooablenefscf them is evident enough too. Andfomiich in aniwcr to ths'Objcctiona. CHAP Infants Church.mewberjhip and Baptifm. i q^ GHAP. VI. Arguments to prove the Analaptifts way of Baptizing to hefinfuIL HAvIng now defended the Church-memberfhip and Baptifm of /nfants, / fhall next proceed to examine the contrary pradice of delaying Bapciriia, and fee whether it have as much warrant in Gods Word, as I have broughc for [nfant-baptifm. - ■'• Where a Church is to be newly githered among Pagans or Infidels that are yet Without , there it isbeyond donbt, that they rnuft be baptized at age after aAa.dl converfion : But this is the Qneftion to be debated , Wh-zt her the Inf ants o fvijibie Church -members under the Gofpel ( or ofChriflians ) Jjmld havetlmr bap'tijm dHer- red till they come to age ? And here Mr. T. having the affirmative, fhould prove ic from Scripture : which yet 7 find not that he doth any thing towards toaoy pur- ■pofe, but only by denying fa fant-baptifm, and fo putting us upon the proof. The denying deftrudive way of Difpure is eafie. But feeing it is beyond my hope that they fhould do any thing confiderable in proving the affirmative , I will bring fomcL Arguraenrs for the Negative, and againft the way of bapcifm which theycomm.)nly ufcr fwilifee whether their way have any more of the Scriprure Charaft;rr of Divine approbation upon it than ours hath. And here Imuflintreat the Reader, i f he be willing to know the truth of Gvod and would not wilfulfy delude himfcif, that he would n^ot look on onefide onl v,^^!? dnbah : andthat he will notconfider only the difficulties that feem to fi:and in'me can fay farr more aganift their way of baptifm, which theycommend iafleadofit^ m<;thinksit fhould Hop men in their changing thoughts. Every wife m an will fee a better way before he leave the o ld .• andnot leave one tlwt fjenu^di weak to rake up a~farr worfe: nor qui^his Opinions upon every diffictil:. Objec4ion : for fo we fhonld \^t go m'!) fiof onr Falrh for we hiov^ not wh at. Therefore / defire but thi? th.ir you lay boch togecher,and take that which fcetne^li but mofl likely to be trut! ' ' And firi\,/wiil argue againil theJTJme of their bapciiing : fecondly , againU' ' t he Manne r. "^ ' And to^hc former,/ argue thus : /f there be no one -word of Precept or Example f^r bapciiing the child of any oneChriflian at years of difcrction,then to delay z.V.x: bapcifn til years ofdifcrccion,and then to baptize them,, is not the Scrjprnre-way i . B-ut there ir. no one word of Precept or Example in ail the Scripture f )r baprizipg, the child ofany oneChriOiinat years of difcrtcion , Thcccfore co dcferit till ciieu> and then to do it , is not Xxiti Scripture way. R 3 -; KSi: lyO rUin Scripture proof of Me thinks no man fhoiild queAion the Confcqaent that acknowlcdgerh the Antc- denr. And for the Auceccdcnt , iclyeth en them to prove the Affirmative. Let any man fhew mc one word ofcommmd or Example in all the Scripture for bap- ti Jng rhjidiil i ot a Chridian at years of ^'di^erction. and I will willingly caftaway, rl'.is Argument. Anci methmks tl;ey!l'hoiild bring fome Scripture for what thtj do, who require fuch eyprefs proof for our pra^icc. Chrifi never commanded the bap- tizing oi- any at age but rhcie that were made Difciples firft at age ; But the chil- dren ofChrillians arc not made Difciples hrftat age, as/ have proved ( thougli they may be regenerate and made fmcere Difciples firft at age, J therefore C hrift never commanded the baptizing of the children of Chriftiaus at age , ( except they break his Rule through negligence or fome other caufe , in Mancy leaving them Hnbaptizcd,) /fpeakofthe Kegular ordinary way. CHAP- yiii. A Second Argument^/ ufe , is this : That pradice which is utterly kncofififtefic with the obeying of Chrifts Rule for Baptifm,isa finfull practice : ':6uc the baptizing of the chidren of Chrifhans at years of difcretion ordinarily, is ut- terly inconfiftent with obedience to the Rule s Therefore the baptizing of Chri- ftians children ordinarily at years of difcretion is a fmfull pradiee. / know BO fober man will deny the Major. And if /do but prove the Minor foundly it is fully fufficient againfl , Anabaptifm , If/ had never another word a- gainftit. Andif/do notproveitfoundly, I amnuichmiftaken. / And /prove it thus ', /fChrifls Rule be,that perfons fhall be baptii^ed when / tjiey are firfhn a^gj^iiofiks^without delay , and if they that baptize the children J o! Chnltiansat Age, cannot poflTibly do it when they are fitft made Difciples , then ^ the baptizing offuch at age (o'dinarily^ is utterly inconfiflent with obedience to Chrift Rule, /need to fjy nothing for the Confequent , if / can but prove the two branches ofthe Antecedent, which fhew the contradidion between Chrift's Rule and their pradice ^ And this, / doubt not to fay, /(hall evidently do. /• And I . LThat it is Chrifls Rule that perfons fhall be baptized without delay , / when they are tirft made Difciples] / have fully proved already, both from the / Co mmidion for baptizing , and fro rn Scrip ture-Eyample , ex plaining that Commif- I iion^ and from the end and ufe oTBaptifm. i. In the ComhiilTion, i^^r. 18.19,20. I Chrift adiovneth Baptizing immediatl v t o Difciplin g. Go,DJfd^leall Natms^Bap- \ tiding them. \ 2./fany fhould be fo impudent as to fay , /t is not the meaning of Chrifl. that Eaptizing fhould immcdiatly without delay follow Difciplingj they are confuted by the conflantExamle of Scripture. For there is no mention that /canfindofany (one perfon that was baptized long after their Difcipling;or that ever the Apodlcb-of Chriftdiddelay the baptizing of Dircipl6S,7(3/v2 4. i, 2. l efii.-. made and ba ^lllgj, more Difciples than John. See how M^■j^'ipg ^\\^ y>^pp:i-/mg i'}2|2J^i!r^^2£:^j^r^ A^h 2.38,41 . The three thoufand were prcfcntly baptizcdthc lame day that they were Infants Church - mem berpip and Baptifm, 12 7 were made Dirciples,without ftaying till rhc morrow: Though one would think the ^^ number of three thoufand might have excufed the delay , if they had taken longer time to do it in : And fome would think that their converfion being lb fu jden \ the Apoftles would have w|i.rH fftra fr.vil.l.nf rhriiJii^t-riry.BuE tliis is not the wifdom of Godv, though it feem to aim at the purity of the ChurchiScripture teJs us of another way, ASLB, 12. The people ofSamaria.whcn they believed, were bapt.zeif without delay. }And verf. 15,1 ^^.Simm Magus was prefently b aptized^thou gh yer nnr hrn noH> QUt of the ^all of bitternefs or bonds of iniquity , and hadjHLj ajjJLor ft ll^^^TnTp"!?^ — that bulintts , Yea,the SamunTdM W^r^^criTeially baptized by i^/;?7?i^rbet ore thef ; j/L h^A r^pp.viga rhe Molv Gl^oft : For he was yet fallen upon none of them*; only tliej?^ werebaptizedin thename of the Lord Jcfns, -uer/.i^. So AH. 8. 5.^^, 37,58. The Eunuch was baptized in his Journey as they Went, without delaying one day or hour after he profelTed himfelfa Difciple. So was ^'rfrt/baptized as foon as he rofe from his bIlndncfs,upoH t\\t words oi Ananias^ A^.p. i8. So was Cornelius with his > friends baptized immcdiatly without delay, the fame day they were Difcipled,/4j5?. , 10.47,48. So rhofc in AH-ic^.^. So was Lydia and her Houfliold baptized without dchy.AH. 1 6.1^. And the Jaylour the fame hour.of the night that he was Difcipled, AH. 16 $3, So the Connthuins^ All. 1 8.8. And Ananias language to Paul repeated : AH. 22. 1 6 is plain. And now why tarkjithou ? A rife and bi; baptii(ed^ &c. And of the Houfhold o^Stepbanusdut Pauiniptizcdyit is implied too. And it ismoft obfervable which isfald in Jj/jr^V2<5.of Jcfushimfelf,thathe baptized,(by his Difciplesja nd All . piciLcame unto him. Wiiere it.is undeniable,that.]efus baptized without defay.even Jj ^^JaiU stjie ;^,camej:ohim> and profclTed rhejpf elves Difciok s.- Andean we have a belter Example than the Lprd.Jefus himfcif; Oh ! that our brethrea that are foin-) a oecter Lxampic tnan tne Lpra.)ejus nimici£; un ; tnatour bretlirea that are loin-/ clinable to fcparation, becaufeof the unfitnefsofour Church- members,and thatun-j Churchwhol e Parifhe s, and gather Churches out of rhem.as if they were no Chur-'- "ctrrrrdfaTmuIl have fuch tryalls an d difcoveries of the wnrk gf mrP^^converfion, before they admit them,wou!d but ny tonearcali chele ^'criptare'-ExamplesTand make mot ^^e Confcienceo fobfemrK-rhf'ir Riilft>and not preftime m>>p wVfer and Hoi- -^ kr than Godv when IF'was mans firft overthrow "tode(irf m he hiir n< rr-J^h^:^ he did not a:tempt co go beyond him. Doubdefslhofe that Chrift baptized, werel Church-members •, for j^rifm admitted them into his C hurch, and to be h is Dif-/ ciples , ]foh. 4. 1. And he that will go beyond ]efus Chrift in ltrret&els,f'hailgo wirh- rut me. I do not think that he will be ofifiuded with me for doing as he did. And thus you fee that according to all the Examples of baptifm in the Scripture^ ^ (not tofpeak of John's Baptifm)thcre was no delaying, no not a day ufii3!ly,but cheyV were all baptized as foon as they were Difcipled. (If any reafon of neceihry or con- • venicneecaufcit to be put off a fe wd ays, yet dii& is not properly delaying it, nor putting off many months and years as the Anabaptifts do •, And yet there is no war- - ra-nt in Scripture foi^any delay atal],bu: as necelfity may excufe ir(as want of vvatei__ or the like.) '^^^- 3. And /proved this before from the endand gfe of Baptifm^/f they are hipti7/^rf :\ into the name o frhe Father,Sonand Holy Gholt, and into tlie body (of the Cuurch I virihlc)x1frba!:iy''^ ' the Ruleof Clifift,is,thai: men be bapdzed without delxy as ioo.r^.i they arcDitci-"* 1 28 rUin Scripture frcof of f UiVNJti'c'iU fully prove the fecond branch ofche Antecedent : [that they who f>«p- tiv.c the children of Chriftiau; at Age (as the Annhapctfif dec cannot poHiMy do i« when they aic {irit dikiplcdl And rjiat Jprcve by thdVArgumChrs : i,. /f thechil- ctrcn ofChnfruns are Difciplcs in thtir infarjcv,thcii rhey that t aptii'C them nortr!! they come CO age.,camiocpo(i;bly(in fo dcing3'^2pi:izc them"^heii they are fi.id Dif- .ciplcs : Bur the children of Ciuiilians are Dilciples in /iifancy : Thei efcre they that baprizc there not till they come lo age, cannorjdoit when they are firft difcipl^s:an-d .i:) Hfe>t -according-to-ChriflsRule. All the doubr here is of the Antecedent , which I have fully proved in the bc'gimiii!^*of-rh+s--Bi%rt«r^d1ncl'etbi'c vv*^ pvacii. . .^^,^' ^ * J. Bur fnppcfe this had nrt been proved,[that /nfanrsire Dnci"p!esTi^t ffilTTt is iapoliiblc for tlicfe ihnt baptize the children of manyfif not moIt,or alfjchriftiafis at age, to do ic wlien they are firfl: Difcipled.as 7prov<: thus ; Ji tJiey cannot poilibly know when fiic h children are tuft Difcip led C except it be in the fir{\ 7nfancy,}then tliey cannot baptize them wnen tneyarcfirft Difcipled.* Luc they cannot ponibly know when fuch /nfants arehrft Difcipled. Therefore •they cannot baptr^e th.em when tiiey are firft Difcipled. All that needs any j^roof here is the Minor : For no n:an can think that they can baptize thofe when they arc fitli Difciples, whom they cannot know whetiicr,or when they were fuch. New that they cannot know it (at leaft in very many , if not in moft orall of the godlyes ofif-fpring^is evident thus ; i. If God ufc_roj2^ork fix h to theac- • fe.wledgme ar'^^' (^.hij j\ , byfiich degreesi har the b^tJQ^t^ng^ l^^^P^^^^ vliLle of tj-ielrtrue acknowledgment, then the be ginning nf rhe.r bein g difc iples Is a'ifo unperceivable : But the former js a certain truth : Therefore the^ later isfo. , , 2. Again , if fuch donotufually know themfelves when they begun to be Difci- ples.thcn others can much Icfs know : But fuch( children of the godly ) do not u- fually know themfelves when they were firft Difciples •, therefore much Icfs caa orhersknow. *^ ~1 lrefeTake"DrfctpIeniip in 'Mr.Ts own fenfe, as it fignifieth one that doth feriouf- ly, underflandingly, &c. prcfefs ChrifHanity, laying by at prefent , the confidera- tion of meer Relative /nfant-Difciplefhip : And / fay, t hat men are ufua lly C who arebcrn and'bioughtupofChriitian Parents )'. wroug]it totni s [?y lucninfen fible degrees, that thetrje beginning cannot be di'fcerncd :' uLbv others , 2. no j ior the mfelves. Fo r 1. If you enquire after their 6r{\ profellion without confideration "ofitsfmcerityvthen it was by degrees as their Parents taught it them, and likely al- moft asfoon as they could fpeak they wouldiprofefs what part they had learnt ', For Tarents are commanded to teach them Gods Law from their childhood , and that diligently,lying dowc,and rifing u;-,De«f . 6. 6,7. & 1 1 . and to teach them the trade of their life in the time of their youth,and to bring them up in the nurture and ad- "monition of the Lord, E^hef. 6. And godly Parents do make confcicnce of this duty; therefore according to this Rule they fhould be baprired almoft as foonjas they can fpeakj but when the time rightly is , no man could be certain. But I conjecture that this is none oi Mr. rVmeaning to take their firft profefTion, if ic could be known*, i. becaufe he pleads for aiult Baprilm, as folemnly engaging and awin"g the Confcience; But if he baptize them withm divers years of their firft profeffion"^ it will leave no great aw upon the'ccnfcicnces of moU children , nor fo PTongly engagcin alllikelihood."^ 2. Becaufe he require, that the profefficnbc fober , fericus , underf anding , &c. thcrC' Infants C hur ch^m ember Jbip and Baptifm, 12^ therfore fure he will »ot take a bare fyofefiion without thefc qualifications: And yet I am Lftceriy urxerta'in of his meaning. For fomecime hefeemcth carneftly to difdaim an cnquirie after the fincericy of thofe that he would baptizejbut he wil! be eontent with their profeflfion. But is not a fearch after the fincerity of their profeiilon a fear- «hing after the fmcerity of the perfon ? If his profeffion be fmcere, he is fmccre •, for it is fin-cere, becaufe he fincerely makes it. And therefore if Mr, T. will have a fm- cere profeQion befoi-e he will baptize, furely he will have firft a fmcere profelTour. Now what is an underftanding, ferious p-rofeiTion, but a fmcere profeffion ? fuppofing the matter profefTcd to be extenfively fufficient.If a man profefs all the B'uHdamentall Articles of the Faith, and his WiliingHcfs to receive Chrtfl: for his Lord and Saviour, and to trult and obey him , and do this underflandingly and ferioufly , 1 think it is part doubt that he doth it fmcerely. If I ask a man. Whether he thus believe, and] thus confent , and whether he will ftand to this Covenant to the end of his life, and! continue Chrillsfaithfull fervant and fouldier ? and he ferioufly and underikndingly fay that he will, I think he is undoubtedly fmcere. For as it is prerequifite to thej fmceriry of his profeftion, that it be fober, free, underftanding ; fo in the ferioufncfs I think lies all, or much of the very fincerity. Now if the fincerity lie it that is looked after, who knoweth what day or year the child began to be fincere in his profeifion ? Or, what Chriilian ( not one of man> ) knoweth it themfelves? For my own narrf^ Tavgn^ly frommy |:^earr^ rfmr \ n^irh^f kr<^W^^d.iy, nor vear when T heg x ysTtCih^ fincerej laoafiLthe time whe n I begun to pro fe(sm yfetfa Chrifllan : ) How then ihould others kncwlFrAnd when Mr. T, would have baptized me, I cannot teO. And as large experience as I have had in my Miniftry of the (late of fouls , and the way ofconverfion, 1 dare fay, I have metuQt with one of very many, that wouldiay that they knew the time when they were converted : And of thole that would fay fo, by reafon that they then felt fome more remarkable change, yet they difcovercd fuch ftirrings and workings before, that many I had caufe to think were themfelves miftaken. And that I may not tell men only of my own experience, and thofe of my acquaintance j I was once in a meeting of very many Ghiiftians moft eminent for zeal and holinefs of moft in the Land, of whom divers were Minifters, Canal fome at this day as famous, and as much followed as any I know in England ) and it was there defired that everyone fhould give in the manner of their conjWfCon, that it might be obferved what was Gods ordinary way : And there was but one that I re-^ member of them all, that could conje(Sure at the rime of their firft converfion i but^. all gave in, that it was by degrees, and in long time. Now when would Mr. T. have baptized any of thefe? But \i by fmoufnefs^ he mean any thing befide fmcerity j as I would know what it is, fo I doubt not but it will be uncertain too, as well as Imcerity. If he mean a fee- mjngferioujhefs^ (as I conje<^ure he doih^ then it is all one with i feeming fmcerity : And even thhf^dm'jng underfianding.andferioufnefs comes in children by long and infenfible degrees : it may be at four years old. or Cooner , there may be fome little feemrngof lerioufnefs and underftandingi and at five years old a liitle more ■-, and at fix yet more. But when it will fecm to be ferious to the larisfaaion of the Church, who knoweth ? Chrifl himfelfincreafed in wifdome and knowledge : but when he was at that degree as Mr. r. would have admitted him into the Church, who could tell ? . . So that to me it is quite beyond doubt, tha^- neither the time of childrens firft profeflion, nor of their feemingferioufnefs or fincerity can be known by others, nor ufually by themfelves, no nor the moneth or year, or perhaps in m^y y^ars^ And S their 1^0^ Tlain Scripture Proof of ^ their reall fincericy ,can rjever be known to others at all by ordinary means .- So that this pradice therefore of baptizing Chriftians children that are born and bred m the Church, at yeers of difcrerjon, is utterly inconfiftent with the Rule of Chrift, chat would have all baptized at tlieir fitfldifcipling. But now with Pagdns and Infidels, and their children, it is far othcrwife. When the ApofUes went to preach among tliem , it was cafic to know when they begiia I their profedion, who had been enemies, or no profcfTors btfore. CHAP. IX. A Third Argument drawn from what h already here laid down,is this.That pradice which goes upon meer uncertainty, and hath no Scripture Rule to guide it, is not according to the will of Chriil. But the pradice ofbapci- zing the children of Chriftiansac age, goes upon meer uncertainties - and harh no Rule in Scripture to guide it : therefore it is not according to the willofChrilt The Minor only is queftionable y ( for the Major cannot, fuppofing that It fpeaks not of things meerly indifferent or Civil], but of matters m Religion, and thatnecef- Ciry to be known, as no doubt this will not be denyed by them that ccntend fo much about it ^ ), and the Minor is clear from what is faid already under the laft Atgumenr, of the uncertainty of the time of Chriflians firft being Difciples , if they be not fo in infancy. CHAP. X. A Fourth Argument from the fame gfound, is this. This praftlce whic^^ will neceiTarily fill the Church with pcrpetuall contentions , ( as Being a- bout a matter that cannot be determined by any known Rule_) is not accor- ding to the mind of Chrift : Bur the pra<^ice of baptizing Chriftians chil- dren at age upon thtir profeillon, is fuch as will ncccflarily fill rhe Church with perperuall contentions , therefore it is not according to the nciiiad cf Chrift. ' 1 hope none will be lb vain as to objcft, that the Gofpell occafioneth contentions, and yet is of Chrifl. For, i. It doth but occasoa tlcrn, and notnecefTarily caufe them, i* It is againft its own nature, throu^-h mans pci verfnef » but this doth jt naturally. 3. And the contentions that the Gol-^ell occafioneth, is be- tweeatiie Seed of the woman ami of the Serpent,betweenthe godly and wicktdibut this 'Vrvina^ Irifafits chhrch-memberpjip and Baptifm. Igl this will neceffarily produce it among the Churches, and befi Minifters and Chridi- aus.And thac isprcved fixmthe uncertainty of the time of Childrens fiift being Difciples, which I have proved before. For Mr.T. faith, the profeHion nuift beunder- i-ianding, andferious: And how /ball irpoif.bly be known, cr when will ever the Churches or Miaifters agree upon it, wheu this underflanding or fetming fcrioufnefs is arrived ac thac degree which nnift fatisfic ? or when it is begun fo, that they nnay no longer delay. For my own parcj make no doubt, but that \CMr, T. had his will, and none fnould be baptized but upon furious profcOion^ic would he the greattft fire brand of Contention in f he Church, ("to be farisfied with this profefiion fhould be ta- ken, and when not, J thac ever the Church yet endured j while the Parents wouidv have their Children baptized fooner, and perhaps the Minifter would ftay longer, ] and one Min'.fier in the Church will be for one time, and another for another timcy All the contentions about admitting to the Lords Supper, in likehhood would be no- thing to this j for there we have a certain Rule to guide us,that All Church- n;tmbers|^ are to be admltted,except there be juft caufe brought againft them for to fufpend them^P wliile they are under trial. Moreover, it is evident that it would either turn all into confufion, and make Baptifm contemptible and ufelefs j or clfe put the greateft power and oppor- tunity for L ordlijoefle and Tyranny in toib e^hands of the Miniftery, that cvcr_did_ any Doctrine in the Church. ForeTTher private men mult baptize, "and bcjudge who (hall be baptized, and who not j or elfe Minifiers only mnft judge and baptize. iWr. r.thinks thac they that c onvert may baprize,whether K tiniflers or not : And if fo, then where will be the folemin engage'ment and aw^fulncis of Baptifm ? where will be the purity of the Church? When every man may baptize, no doubt every man that will may be baptized j whether he be an underflanding ferious Prorcflbr,or notj whether he come in earntfl or in jefl ; whether he ccm.e to fubjeft himfclfto Chrift, or to fcorn him. For it will certamly be, (jis it is now among feme lawlefs Carats in marrying people} every man that will give tliem 12 ^. may be baptized j and if one will not, another will. And many, no doubt, would baptize as many as they could, whether fir or unfit, that they might boafl of the number of their Converts. And would not this be a fearfull Reformation, and a doleful ftate for any Chrifiian to fee the Church in? Butifany be in this more judicious and moderate than Mr. T. andwouldhave none baptize, and judge who fhali be baptized, but Minifiers j then fee what power they put into Minifters hands, even to judge sU perfons. Noble and Ignoble, Princes I or People, wlicther they fhall be taken in among Chrifiians, or not? and whether I they fhall be admirted into the Church? or when ? hew long they fnall be kept out? So thac if the MiniAers be not fatisfied and plea led^ neither Prince nor People fha ll be Chrifiian s. Did ever any Pope at Rome claimTo great a power as tliis / The power of Excommunication is nothing fo great. And yet thefe men cry down the afpiring aridufurpation ofMiaificrs', when they would have every Minirrer,if not every man, to have a power incomparably greater than any Orthodox Minifier doth dcfire. We mufl all then fi:oop and couch to Minifiers, and give them what they would have, Icfi; we fliOLild be no Chrifiians,nor be baptized- If the Fable of Purgatory drcwfo much Lands and Revenues to the Clergy, how much more would this be like to do it? What would no: dying men give, thac they might be Chrij\ians, and ' S 2 be 1^2 PlaiH Scripfnre Proof of be baptized and adtnicrcd into the Church before they go one of the World? and ho'^ would bacpcizing Priells quickly learn todekyand referve their Pare nti for; fuch an advantage ? r* Ifany fhillfay. That this all makes as mjch agiinft the baptizing of Pagans when coaverted.ac age,becaufe there the Bapcizer is judge of his profelfnn : I anfwcr •, No (uch mitter. For where there is nadoiibt, Hiffirnlrv^ ^r controverik ^hcre needs no Judge to decide it. I have fully proved before, that Chrifts Ruleis, that at their firft profelfingthcmCIves Difcipies, and dsfiring Baptifm, they are to be baptized ^ and that is eafily known. If they fliould apparently do it in fcorn,it were eaflly discerned. It is eaflly known recall, and can be no controverfie, when a man begins to profelTc himfclfa Dirciple,that was before a Pagan. But when one is born in the bofome of the Church, and brought up in theprofclJion of Chriilianity, and fo comes to itby in- fenfible degrees j and alfo when the Baptizer mnft try and be Judge when it comes to ^ach a degree as fhall be accounted ferious and underfianding, then the cafe is far o- IPbierwife. Then Minifters would be indeed as men that carried the Keyes of-Haa? ten and Hell under their girdles. • ; ;>i rioij;< ' flf-q ii H CHAP. XL Aving given you thefe Arguments againft the praftice of their Caprifm, let me give you the fifth. Argument np.iin ft rh^ir p ;r oi]nd nf thh pm^i ce. The great Argument that Mr T. produceth, and moi\ others,isfrom Mat. 28.10, 20. From whence they would infer, t hat Chrilt hath take n down Inf ant Church-memberrtiip,and now ordained that none /lull be Bapi:ized,or ad- mitted vifible Church-members, but thofe that are firft made Difciplcs according to the fence of that Text : And withall they deny, that any acording to that Text are giade Dijc ipkiJ xitthofethat aretau j^ht y fwhereas the truth is, that indiredly and rcmorelvThc DifcipITng ot the Jr^. ^ r^rnr 1^ a Dif-j^^lin g of his ^^cd alfo. )N ow according to the I'cnce oi that Text which they urge, this tcaching-^iuft ht by f»fin ific ri.on.dyj. . whom Chrift fendeth to preach the Gofpel. For Chrift there fendeth forth his Apo^- (lles,not as private mcn ^bur as Miniftcrs,to prea ch^ndJuptizc : and foic is only tfiole that are made DifciplesBf [VHnlfterial l reaching dire mjft teach them t o he Chr^ftians. Th.it this is Gods firlt ordinary means ot bringing the Childi'ert WB if lie vers to actaall Faith and Profeirnn, I prove, i. From! Scripriire. 2. And Experience. I. God commm deth the afeofthi s m?aa5 tQ ^]l_Parenrsv that they teach them the Law of God, and trade of their ITFrTand bring them up in the admonition and nur- ture of the Lord,from their childhood. So that this is the firfl: means for Aftual Faith, that God hath appointed. Now Gnj will appninrpo mra;i!^rnhe nfeH/rom which he will o rdinarily withdraw h isgrac;; ^, or deny his blelfiag, if it be ufed aright. Cer- tainly,'' if godly Edacation be as well his Qrdinaace as M ini fieri al or publike Prea 4 ehingvand go bebreit, t\\Qi\ mxy m.n expeft Gods blciTiag on their endeavours in' fuch Education of their children, as well as on the pablike Minillery. God fets none upon vain and friiitlefs works. [^I{}vpJJjall thjy bdkv;^ mtkmt a Pre etcher ? 3 is^P^' * ^^.^f^FJt-wsanf^ (7^hp ^ Infidels only . Certainly it was not women to Educate their ^ chtWren that Chrilt lent, when he (aid, G?, D'lfciple all Nati)ns, baptiiini th^m. For the fame that were fent to ma'ut i donot.)So that according to thefemens Dod:rine, I and miny thout'ands more 'in the fam^ cafe fhould never be baptiied, becau:(i;jve were n n r fjr ft m.i d ^- Pi fr. i pi es Immediately by Teachi ngs ac cording to the fenfe of that Text, (which rs Minifteriail Teaclirng) 5ee Mr. T, £cemrat,p. 24, I doubt nor, hut jfFax'nts did faithfully dif- charge their duty to their cbildrcii^ that Godwh") fft th^in a^jrk^^ would blefs if, and leave bus few to be firfl anv-srted by the Afiniflry within the Church : bot the chief ufe of that j fliOuld be to Guide and Govern the Church , and to build up th€ Difciples, and to ' convert thofe without, as it was in the Primitive Times, S 5 CHAP.- Plain Scripture proof of CHAP. XI I. Yfixth Argument fhall be againl\ the ufuall manner of tlicir baptizing, as i r is by dipping over head in a river or other cold water. This is known to be the ordinary way of the ^nabaptifis. Mr. T. refufcd todifpute tliispubhkely^ but yec he hath puUikefy preached againf) our pradice under the name of [ Sprinkling , ] and fmcc hath publikely prea- ched for Dipping. Forniy parr, I may fay as Wr. Bfake^ that I never faw child fprinkled ; but all that I fiave feen baptized had water poured on them, a nd fdwere wal Now, againft their ordinary pradice of dipping in cold water, asneceflary, 1 ar- gue thus : That which is a plain breach of the (ixth Commandment, TIjou/halt not kjll^ isno , Ordinance of God, but a moft hainous Cm : But the ordinary pradice of baptizing by dipping over head in cold water, as neceffary, is a plain breach of the fixth Ccmmandmcnt : Therefore it is no Ordinance of God, but an hainsus fmj And, as Mr. Cradock^ in his Book of Gefpel- Liberty fhews, the MagiHrate ought to rejlr^n^K, to faycj he lives of hisSubjeds '-, even according to rheir princi- ples that will yeTallow theMagiftrate^no power diredly in matter of Worfhip. That this is flat murder, and no better, being ordinarily and generally ufed. Is un- deniable to any underflanding man : For, that which dire ^y tcndeth toj ^erthrow mens lives, being wilfully ufed, is plain murder : But the ordinary or generall dip- ping of people over head in the coid warer , doth tend diredly to the overthrow of ■ their health and lives ', and therefore it is murder. Here fcverallanfwers are made, fomevain, and fome vile, i. Mr.T. faith, that many are appointed the ufc of bathing as a remedy againildifeafes. To which I re- ply, I . Though he be no Phyfician, methinks his reafon fhould tell him that it is no univerfall remedy. 2. Few Difeafes have cold Baths appointed thtm. I havecanfe to know a little more than every one in this j and I dare (ay, that in Cities like Londcn, and among Gentlewomen that have been tend erly brough t up , and ancient people, 1 and wcak_£ei4jl£aanjlJ]]opJieepers efpccialiy women that take but little of the cold [ air, the dipping tiiem in the cold weather , in cold water, in the courfe of nature, would kill hundreds andthoufand?ofthem,cirher fuddenly,orbyCaflTT]gthem into fome chronicall Difcafe. And 1 knpw npt what trick a covetous Landlord can find out to get his Tenants to die apace, that he may have new Fines and Heriots, like- Ker than to encourage fuch J reachbrs, that he may get them all to turn Anabaptii\s. 1 wifh that this device be nor it that countenanceth thefe mien. And<:overous Phyficians (me thinks}fhould not be much againft them : Catarrhes and Obftrudions,which are the two great fountains of micft merral Difeafes in mans l»ody,couId fcarce have a mere notable means to produce them where they are nQt,or to c^ Infants ChHrch-memberJIjip and Baptifm. \ 3 5 to increafe them where they are j Apoplexies, Lethargies, Paliies. and all Coniar(His difcafes would be promoted by it. So would Cephalalgies, Hemieranies, Phchifcs, * d bilityofthe ftomack, Crudities, and almoft all Feavers, Dyfenteries, Diarrhoea's, Colicks, Iliake paifions, Convulfions, Spafmes, Tremores, &e. Ail Hepatlck, Splcne- tick, Pulmoniack perfons, and Hypocondriacks would foon have enough of ic. In a- word, icis gaod for nothing but to difpatch men out of the world that are burden- • fom, and to ranken Church- yards. Eat Mr, T. will fave all this *, for he faith, There is no neceflity that it be in coldji water. To which I reply, i. But then he forfaketh the generality of his Partners in this opinion, fo far as we can learn, who ufually baptize in Rivers or Ponds. And if they can no better agree among themfelves, we have yet no reafon to be hafty in bc> lievingthem. • . 2. And his warm Bath would be alfo dangerous to very mjny perfons. 3. And . i where fhould this Bath be prepared ? if in private, it wili fcarce be a folemn enga- ging aft. If in the meeting place of the Church, then i. It will take nofmallroom, , and require no fmallltir to have a bathing place, and w^ater wherein to dip people over head. 2. And if they do not run home quickly before they are well engaged, the hot Bath will be turned to a cold one to them, and make them repent this badge of i repentance, except they will have all things ready, and be brought to bed alfo in tha I Church before the people. ' 3. And it will be long before .'J/r. T. will fhew ontof his reading of Antiquities, . what Church had fuch a baching place in it. 4. But mechinks they that call for Scripture for Infant-3aptifm , fhould alfo bring Scripture for baihing in warm : water. Butfome fay,they may ftay till the heatofSummer,whcn the water will be warm. To which I reply ; wherV have you any Scripture for that ? I have proved before, that the conOant Rule and Example of Scripture is clean co. trary , and -equircs that men bee baptized when they are firft made Dfcipks, and not iUy till Summer. Others fay , that Dipping was in cultom in the Scripture-rimes. To which I re- ply, I. It is not yet proved by any. T he laylor was bapiiied inth enri?!ir inhjs He^e •, .. ther ^ore not likely over-hcadyitrtha: Councf V where wareFvvaslo irAfcfT^ AJ- S The Eunuch mTglit Well be iud'to go down into the warer j for the Counny^'as /^ jftiomitainous, and th e Brooks were dcwn in the bottoms. Even the ^i ver JBjmu where J^hn baptized., !>ecaufc^ there was much warcMs found by Travtikri to bee a iniall B rook that a nun may almofl Hep ov er. 2. The word fi^niheth to wafh, as. , well as to dipv andfois taken when applied to otler. tilings, as' Mat. 7. 4, 8,&c. " 3. The thing fignitied is fet forth by riie phraf e of warn ng orforinkling^ and r he figa \ Beqd raorevrp^<-t rherhingfigoified. See I Cor. 6.1 1, in.^.^, Heb-\o.ii. i'Li.AA.2. I J)el2.2^. £7^^.36.26. I Pet. 1. 2. HebA2.2i. 4. If it were ochcrwue, it would be proved but oc^iiianalUfrom a feafon proper to th€>fe hot Countr.t s. ^. Chi ift hath not appointed t fierneauire of vv^t er, nor the mamier of wafliin ^,, no more than he take. Aad it would be but folly for any to think that men mud needs fill thcmlJ.-lves full of Bread and Witic, becaufe it beft Signifies the fulnelTe.of Chi ift •, fj Ir is no bet- ter to fay, that we mufl needs be walhed ail over, hecaufc ir belt fTgnifics our iniriall . with Chrii>, &c. Chr iji: told Fcter that the w alhingof liis kut wa^^ennn ^h to cleanfe : / all. A little roayfigniiie-as weil as much y a s a Clod of earth doth in giving poifcflioinr^ ©f much Lands, aiid a C orn of pep jper fignineth our he mage for much, &c. 15^ Plain Scripture proof of Biurom • d<:fpcratcly conclude, that if it be Gods way, he will laye our livcs,how • probable foever the danger may fcem. I aiifwer, i . But this is to beg the Qpcftion. Nay , I have Ihewcd, ar.d am fi-ewing, that it is not Gods way. God hflth appointed no Ordinance ccnrradidcry to hii great Morsll ccmnnands. 2. God mvd not be tcmp- jtt-d. This was the Lcvils trick, to have drawn Chri(\, under pretence of Scripture I and of truiiing Gcd, to have cafi himlelf into danger of death. 5. So ycu might have faid to the Dilciples, that if it were Gcds ccmmand to keep the Sabbath, then » they need not rub the ears of corn ; for God could luOain them without. 4. If it were a duty, yttwhcniris inconficenc with a greater duty, it is at that time a fm: Vor it is alwayes a fin to prefer a lefs duty before a greater : But the duty of felf pre- fervanonjs a Ms^uW rat urall dnry ^ and ^iapriy in g is hnr p nfirive. as Mr. Cradockhzih (htwed you *, Erpeciaffy the majo rier, and g uaritity of water in bapti-Tm. if you had leatr.edn-bat this tneatis, I will have jMercy, and net Sacrifice^ ye would not havecondim- fi cd tbegmltkfs^ faid our Saviour to thefe mens Fredeceilcrs, Mat. 1 2. 7. God hath not appointed Ordinances in his Church which will deftroy them, except they be prelerved by Miracles j for then it were a tyiug himfelf to a conftant working of Mb racles, which he hath net done, except the Doftrine of Tranfubflantiation be true. So that I conclude, If Murder be afm, then dipping ordinarily in cold water over head, in England^ is a fm : And if thofe that would make it mens Religion to Murther rhemfelves, and urge it on their Confciences as their duty, are not to be fuffered in a Commonwealth any more than High- way Murderers j then judge how thefe Ana- baptifis that teach theneceflary of fuch dipping, ate to be fu^ercd. ^ CHAR XIII. MY feventh Argument is alfo againft anothe baptizing, which is their dipping^ gerfon many of them i or ne>{t to nak^. aT tr have heard of. Agamil wmcn 1 argue 1 Y feventh Argument is alfo againft another wickednefs in their manner of i_._.:_- ..--i- •. . •. ,. . )erfo ns naked, a s is very ufuallwith __^_,^^^^^^^^ "Ufuall with the modefteft that I Agamlt whicn 1 argue thus : If it be a breach of tlie fe- venth Commandment, [ Thou fl)alt not commit adultcry^^ ordinarily to baptize the naked, then it is intolerable wickednefs, and not Gods Ordinance : But it is a breach of the feventh Commandment ordinarily to baptize naked : Therefore it is intolerable wickednefs, and not Gods Ordinance. Al 1 the Queftipn is ot'the Minor •■, which is evident thus. 1 he feventh Command- Imenr forbids all ir\CKementL£Q-imdea)^^ immodeft adions : Butto baptize women naked is an immcdcil adion, aud an incitement to uncieannefs ; -theretore it iirhere forbidden/ To this Mr. T. made me this anfwer in conference -, Tliat in former times it was thoughtno immodefty. To ^\hich I reply 5 1. Cuflomin fome Countrie's, like Brajil, or other parts of America^ where they Hill go naked, may make it lecm no immode- defty there 5 but among thofe that are not Savages, mcthinks it fhould. 2./fA/r. r.could baptize naked all the Maids In Bervdly, and think itnoimaio- dcfty, he haih loft his common ingenuity and modcfty with liK Turh. 9. IS Infants Church' memberfijtp and Baptifm. 127 i 5. /s not every good man fenfible of the decekfulnefs and wickednefs of his heart."^ and that he needs aJl helps againft it ? and is it not his daily bufmefs to watch over \ ic ? and his prayer and indeavOLir that he be not Lead in to temptation .-^ And would/ it be no fnareor temptation to Mr^ T. to be frequently imployed in baptizing Maids naked ? Let him fearcii and judge. Methinks the very mention of it, could / avoid it,is immodeit. If there were no danger to the baptized, yet methinks Minifters fhould have re- gard to themfelves. For both thefe laft Arguments make more againft the Minifter, then the people : For the former , it is evident, that if the Minifter mufl go into the wa ter with the p arty , (which is the ufe of moll: that / have knownToi'tnemJic will ccrtainly jend to hjs de ath , though they may fcape that go in but once. For weak Students to m^e afrequent praSice of going into the water, will cure their itch after novelties, and allay the heat of their intemperate zeal. Andfo in this laft cafe, fona Miniikr to be frequently imployed about the naked, will be as bad. Aai what it may be to all fort of Spcftatars , I will not ftand to exprefs. Befides all this , it is likely to raifc jealoufies in Minites Wives, and others,aiid fo to foment continual diffentions. And it wili(^upon the very probability that it fhould prove a fnare3no doubt bring a conftant fcandal upon the i/iiniriry,and make the people look upon them bu t as fo ^ many vile incontinent men. If Auricular Coufeflion brought that infamy , no wow- 1 der if ordinary naked baptizing do it. ' Furthermore, /t would certainly debauch the people , and bereave them gene-l rally of their common modefly j If it once grew into a cuftom to behold each others) "nakednefs, they would quickly be like the Indhtm Savages in this. And fure that' pra^ice is not of God^v/hich io dire^ly tends to bereave men of all common civility modefly, ingenuity, and humanity. Moreover, 11 -at pra'^ice is not of God, which would turn Gods worfhip into con- tempt, and make rt iiit- erly ridiculous : But this praftice would certainly bring Gods worfliip into ccncempt, aiiu make it meerly rediculeiis : Therefore it is not of God. would not vain ycrng me.: come to a baptizing to fee the nakednefs of Maids , and I make a meer jcft and iporc of it ? And v^here then will be the reverence and foletn-/ nity of. Worfhip ? Moreover , that pradice which would bring a general reproach upon the Chri- flian Pf ofedion among all the Enemies of it, and that upon fo probable grounds, is certainly not of God.- But undoubtedly the pradice of baptizing naked would bring a general reproach upon the rhriftian Frofcfiion amoiig all the Enemies of it3 yea among the moil fober and difcreet j and fo would keep men in tii^^ir Infide- lity , and hinder the propagation of Chrifts Kingd0m,and the converfion andfalva- tion of milions of fouls : For what hinders this more than prejudice,and the difcre- dit of the truth .«* When Chriftians have once the repute through the World,as i4ion,Thatit is not neceiTary that they be naked: / reply : i . /f they be next to naked, vet the dffference is not great, and the former inconvenience would in ^reat mcafurc follow : And /leave it to any fober Chriftian to judge , whether it be likely God will be pleafed with . luch Worfhip,whcH he would not hayc men among the Jews go up on his Alur bv 1 J 2 1 rlain Script fire proof of lleps^left rheirflikedaefs fh^uld be difcovered thereon. £r)«/. ^20. and when Charn i wab ntr<'-*jj2r-!Z!J12JJii*^' ^'^ Farhe^ nakednefs , and nor covering it without be- Vholding anH ? anTwlTeiiChrifl celleth us , thit he hirh commirrei Adulrery thit looketh on a woman to lifl after her? AndDAvids example will rell you, that I looking on thern naked is an incitement to luft ; and when the Scriprures even for- bid all fiUhinefSjandfoolifh talking, and jefting, as things not comely, and faith, that the very ftaming of uncleannefs becomech not Saints, as Ephsf^.-^.^^s. 2. Thofe that woulcthive them covered whollyOr moftly when they are dipped do differ from their brethren and Partners herein*, whofe arguments to the contrary "" /leave them to anfwerj and when tliey are agreed better among themfelves how to baptize,then let them try their firengch with others.5. To dip them cbathed, will overthrow theirown Argument for the neceffity of wafhing the whole body ; for this will be no wafhing, but a foaking or Q^ gpinR, (if they ftay in long enough. J It may wafhthcgarmen!:, but thF!5oHywiIlb>£j^ in likelyhood. And fo / leave the mention of Liis^julixorxpraftice, which were it not ncceffa . ty to confute, I fhould not have medled with. But in borh thcfe lafk Cafes , we di- fputeftot againftbare words,butexpericncesandknown praftices. For their nak- ed baptizing is a known thing, and the wickednefs chat hath followed on fome, and rhat fome have dyed on i t i and /would have others b- more wife,and efeape both dangers. Only let me fa7*:his much m^re, riiat itisvery fufpirious, and to me unfa- ▼ory , that .^r. T. fhould fay no more, but , That it is not bltcejjury that they be baptized n«ked , and in cold Water ', as if he took it to be la wful , though not ne- cefery. Methinks he Ihould rather have given his teftimony agiinft it as iinfull, and expreffed fome diflike, if he do indeed dillike and )udg.- it fiafiiil j and if he do not^ I dare boldly fiy he is very far gone. y CHAP. XIV THe laft Argument that I will ufe , is this : That party and prac likely to be of God ; But xht Anabaptifts party and practice is-fuch i Therefore uoc likely to be of God. The Minor oniy requires proc»/,which I fluU fbew to be true in thefe particulars, i. It hath never helped on,buc hjndcrcd.the workof God where **" iteomess Nor hath Gdd ordinarily blciTed che -4,ifliiiryor the Aitaibrvptiils to the true converfion of fouls, as he hach done other mtnsj hue rather they liuve. been fa- ftrumejQts.of the; Churches fcandal and mikiy. 2 Anabaptjflry hath ,becn the ordi- nary inlet to rnoifl other vile Opinions i and few {J;^ac44:3but.ga ofuich further, .g. God hath ufually given up the focieti<:s of Ana^.ip'.jfcconotQrious Icandalous wick- i ed converfations, more than others due pro(cftTgo41i)/i- '^i^,there were Anabaptifts that affirmed ChriftwasCbut)a Prophet, and aflirmcd. that rhe devils and wicked men fhould be faved.(This isthe progrcfsof their Do- ftrine.}At Sengaiont cut offhis brothers hcad,as hefaid , at his fathers, command. What iilthinefs they comiViit under pretence of fpirituall marriage, thofe Towns and Cities can tetiifte who have ofcen fliarply punifhed them for thefe wickednerTcs.And this HO man can deny,that moft of them dof^rfjke their wives andchildren^and lay- ing by all labor,dolive idly,& are fed by other mens labors: And when they abound wicli filthy and abominable Iiifl,they fay it is the command of their heavenly Fatfiei T 3 , -per. 1 4^**- ' Tlain Scripture froof of perfwadina women and honefl Marrons,that it is ?rapofti'oIethey fhoold be partakers of fhc Kirgclcnicf heaven, imli.fs they filthily proliitru- rhcii bcdics,alkd^itig that it is wrirrcn,thac we ini'.fi: rcroiiiice ali thofc tilings Vr hich we ]ovc ocltand that all kinds Qrinranny are to be fwallowcd by the godly for C'.iriits fake^asd that Publicans aud Harlcrs go firft into the Kingdom of heaven. Olthe Treachery, Lying , and Se- dt'ion whcrtwitli thefe aifobcditnt people do every where abound, there js no end or meafure. And I pray,are there(and .more which in prudence I filencejtheir ver- tues ? Do you yet think that they defign nothing difhontft i Or can ycu deny the truth of rheYc things ? Ob]e^. Sure many things are charged en them falfly^and fame addeth fomewhat. ^/?/n\ What things have hitherto been mentioned , may be all proved by figned Ictters^and by certain Teliiracriies. i er my part , I have in pru* dencc filenced their crime?, and fpcke lefs then they have commirred', fo much the more doth it grieve it me , that men are To blind , that they do not obferve thefe things, or lay them to hearty Yea , that a great part of men do en brace and follow thtic erroneous men,even as though they came down from Heaveu,and were Saints [ an'iOng mortals, who preached nothing but what is Divine and Heavenly , whereas they far exceed the Nicbolaitans and Valentmans in. filthincfs. Ob)ett> 1 have not fcuiid rhefe things fo h nor do / think that all are thusdehied. And if a few a- mong them are fuch, what is that to the godly? There was one Judas among the Apeliles , Sl'C- And they teach fo excellently of God,and avoiding Tin, that /cannot teCcive they are fo bad. \Vhenthcy are apprehended they praifeGod, and give thanks^ when they are flain, they conftantly endure it,and gladly and cheerfully undergo death i This you cannot denyi and therefore /would you had heard them as I have done. Anf, Perhaps /fhould have little tofay againft you,unlefs/had long ago throughly known this kind of men. But /am not ignorant how much by guile and deceit, Hypccricie can do. As to your anfwcr *, it is true, that the wickednefs ol a tew fhould ht no diTparagement to the innocent j but you have not yet proved the AnabaptifvS caufe tobe juft and good. Nor canyon Jhew me one man of them , who ■ is not ^emipjed with fome of the forefajdwjckecineffrs *, / mean^L:^w^^Tieachny.-, Per]u* ry^Vj^hbedigKiif Sdhion^ Idlencfs^ D efertmij of their wivcs^Filthincfs. Of thefe, al- t houghaiihave notallot tnem,yet every one hath feme *, iTi the mean time, /fay nothing ofthcirHerefie and Scfts, their pertinacy and falfe erroneous Dodrine. And for that which they fpeak rightly ,it is but the fame that we fay. Thus Bullhger goes on in his teftimony of them,which / may not be larger in tran- fcribing. It is not againft their Bodrine that /bring thefe Teftimcniesjfor that would be bat to alledge one mans judgement againft another. But it is concerning tjieir qua- lities and behaviour,and open wickednefs:in whichicafcf being about matter of fad:) iffo many learned,holy Divines,who broke the Ice in the work cf RtformarJon,and did :i»d futfered fo much to accompHfh it , and lived in the countries and rimes where and when thele things were a^ed : 1 fay if thefe be not to be taken for ere, dible witneft'es, / know not what humane Teftimony fcarce may be credited , and whether all HiOoiy be net meerly vain. And / doubt not that Mr.T. knows, that Peter Mart)rJ.anchiHs, \)a»d!tis^ hareUus^ Eeyt^ Chemmtius^ Toffanus^ GrynAus^Bucer^ Ckyyt^rus, Aretius^ Hmmirgius^ Gcrrhard^ withmukitudes more,do>ll givcihe like uftimony of the Anabaptifts,giving them commonly the titles of Furies, Fanaticks, perjured, Filthy,Tumultucus,Seditious, Src.And the bufinefsof Murfier /need not fchtc. Sleidan, Spanhemjus^^md ht dy M}\B dily and others have faid enough of it. Sothatbythisyounay cafily pefeeiv?HbwXcd hath followed them with his iudecmcnts abroad in all the four for.mentioned refpcfts. ~ ^ • I. How InfatJts ehurch^memherjloip and Baptijm, i ^5 1. How they have been fo far from being profperous in che Miniftry,;inGlfurther- crs of the Gofpel , that they have been die great fcandals and hmderers of its fuccefs. 2. And chat they feldom flopped at the denyal of Infant-baptifm , but have pro- ceeded further to the vilelt opinions j and feldom any came to notorious Herefiesi bntbythisdore. 3. And that God hath ufually given up their Societies to notorious wickednefs in life , iii>fo much that BuUinger challengeth co name a man that was k^t. 4. And how they have withred every where , and come to nought, is too evident to need proof. So that when the light of the Gofpel once broke forth, and the true work of Reformation was fet a fooc,God profpered itfo mightily to che aftohifhmenc of the very Enemies, that'in a fhortfpace it over fpread a great part'of che Chriilian Worlds But Anabaptiftry, which fet out near the fame time and place with Luth'ers lleforraation^didonly raakeanoyfeinthe World, and turn Towns and Counrryes into feditibns and mifery, and fo die in difgrace, and go out with a flink •, And in what Councrey foever it came , after fome fhort flirs, ic had the fame fnccchy c:^'cepc were a few of them are in fome places tolerated, as Jews and tlerecicks are , for meer Policy or compaffionj yea, andflill the moft learned and Godly Divines were theinftrumentsoffuppreffingir. / And doth God ufe to deal thus by his truth in a time of Reformation ? /deny not . but fome Truth may be long hid before the time of Difcovery •, But this is no New Llghf,for it broke out long ago,and hachbeen put out again and again. And I deny not but godly Divines may refift a Truth with much zeal while they think it an Erfor vBut then '^thec-D wUl maintain ir, and it willlikely get ground lliil , or at leaft God will nor fuffer ic to be extinguirhed in a time of Reformation •-, much- lefs will he follow it with ftich heavy Judgments, and mak^ icche inlet of much Error . and wickednefs, and calamity. At Geneva (a Chiirch that God fo wonderfully bl^fl ,;aTid' Where there Were able -Divines to encounter ir,)it no fooner biroke forth but a few Difputacions did filence its Patrons, and by conviiicing them did extinguifh the fire. Thofe places that have entertained it throughly , it Ivath been as fire iii the thatcfl , and proyed'^hejr But alas, what need we look into other Kingdoms to enquire whether the fir^ be hot,^when we are burning in it?or ro know the natm-e of chat poyfon chat is working in our bowels, and which his'ftriviirig to extinguifhthehfe of Church and ScaceT Er^tand i's'now the ftage where the doleful! Tragedy i? a(^ing y and che eyes of all^ Reformed Churches are upon us , as the miferable objefts of their compariioji.Cer-* tainly , he that will not know and acknowledge fni in.the yecyxiin^ of affli<^ion,and that When fo-many heavie Judgments are on our backs, yea, and when we I'marc Zy^ the fm/^r which we fmarc,fo chit ic iuhtmeansas well as che -Meriter of our nji'fe- ry , thisman is fearfully blinded andhardcnrd. To love antl plead for thefin tqr which>and by which we fmart,even while wc fmart,i5no good fign, /have hid tob • much opportunity to know very many of tliefe called Anabaptifts, 31)4 co be faiiiiliar • with chenv,and having firfi: examined my heart, leaft/fliould w/ongrhcm our of any difafil'fftion through difference of judg!nent,as Iclearly difcover that J bear 00 ilt ivil ; TO any one man of them, nor ever did , nor find any paffton but companion mdving me to fay what /dovfol do impartially and truly affirm concerning the.uio^cl:' them chat /-have converfed wich,boncerni.ng the forementioned particuUr^.as follovy ' «ch.» 1. That. /have kfiawn few "®f them •& much as- labour after tht .wfnnlng of louk 144 ^ ^ Tlain Scripture proof of IbiiU tVoiii (in CO God, and bringing them into love with Chrift , and holincfs , and hcivcir, tnit the main fcope of rhrir cnH^^nvnnr^ in pnMirW ni^i^ priu^/* ^^^n. pm. ,pa£aU£jildc_Qj;iinlons *, and if they do preach any plain wholfomeDoftrincic IsoCu- t ally but lubfcrvicnt to their great Defignjthat t'le Truth may be as fugar to fweeteii 1 their Errors, that they may be the eafilier fwallowed ; And fo flrangeJy are they ■ tranfported with a defire to bring men to their opinion , as if they were never in a happy conditiDn till rhey afe.rr-h;ipri7rd,Qr as if there were no hope ofchefalvation of the liolywfl men till theni& as if there w ere little morerhan this required co make xnen happy ; For this is the Doftrine that they raoft eagerly prefs j and if they can ,gi*t the proplianen peifons to imbrace their Opini-ons, and be re-baptized, they ulh- ally maKC much of them, andfliew more affcAionto them, than to the mofi godly ,tliat dltiicr from them. Nay more , they are the greatefl hindcrcrs of the work of Qod in the converting offciils, and reforming the Church, that / know in the Land; ,what others have done I will not fay ", but /know none of the moft prophane or ma- jignant, that are half ib bitter enemies to the Miniflry, and fo great hindercrs of the ; faying of (ouls. Alas', how oft hath it wounded my fpirit with grief to fee and hear men pfofeiTing to be more godly than others , to make it the very bufinefs of their I Uv^s to difgrace the Miniflers of the Gofpel , and make them vile andodioas to I the people.; If they come into company of the prophane, that hare a godly painfull TAinifterforfeeking their falvation , thefemen will harden them in it , and fay far #. more againft the Minilkr than the ijioft notorious fcorners Were wont to do \ and that not in a bare f«orn, which is lefs fticking ', butin ferious flanders , perfwading I the poor people that their Miniflers are Hypocrites, and belly- gods , and meer felf- feekers , that lludy but to feed their own gats , and to make x prey of the people, and to advance thenQfeIvcs,and be raafters ©fall men j and that they are cruel blooil- thirfty perfecutors, Baals Prief^s, and Antichriflian Seducers, and that they preach (^Ifhood to our people, and tell lyes in the pulpit,with the like accufations. O how this eonfirmech men in their enqiity to tlie Doftrine of the Gofpel and the Preach- ers of it! When poor people hear thofe defpife the Miniftry, that once were con- ftanc hearers, and hear thofe deride family duties, and holy walking, and the Lords day , who onc« fecmed godly , they may think ^ ^^hat'fure rhefe men that have tryed this flrift way, fee fome evil in it, or clfe they would never fpcak againft it fo much. Nay I never heard any of the old fcorners that would fcorn half fo bitterly and reproachfully as fome of thefe men. Read but the book called Martin Mar-ptefts and then judg. And ufually when they run up into a Pulpit , or preach in private, Ithechieffcopcoftheir DoiSrineistoperfwade the people that the Miniflers are J Seducers and Lyers, and falfe Prophct^^&c As. if the po orjgeople were in a fure 1 w ay to falvation, ifthey could but have bale t"H o uRhfs of tlieir MinilfeTTT^arr ghis if HhniiHnEingtlTartTieyliav^ their Teachers whom the Holy Ghofl commandjjibf^rn t^^ ohey,^^. 1 5. 7.17. andhigh- ly to efteem them for their works fake: and know them, to be Ovir~them in the Lord^ I Tbef.$. 12^1^. How could all the Divcls in Hell have found out a more efifeftuall means to make all the people difrcgard and defpife the Gofpcl,and fo to pcrifli cer- • * talnly and fpeedily, then by thus bringing them to vilifie the Meffengars of thcGol- pcl, and ! hink it a vertue to reproach and forfake their guides. Moreover the moft of them that I have known,have made their DodrJne of Ana- baptillry a ground of feparatlou , andperfwade the people that itis a fm tohear ^ our pretended Minifters, (^ as they call them )^becaHfe they were never baptized : Asd thus when they can nwke them believe that the Miniflers arc Seduccrs,and that Infants c hwch'?^€mherjl)ip and Baptijm, j^ 5 'ar- >er-j Pa-/ ic isa fin rohear cheni, thcri jucfge what good they are like k) receive by that Mi- nil\iy? and wlur a cafe the Land wcry in if^II rpen oidbdicvc tlicfemtns Doj^rincf? This is the l^apilts only Itrtngth among us j to make the people believe^ it is a fin to i hear us, or pyn with iis, and then they are out of all wayes of recovery ; they rray ' ma!fe them beiieve any thing when no body coatradidech ir. And ic is not only the vulgar tort of the Anabaptiftsthat hence plead aneceility of reparation •, Biicthe moft Learned of their Teachers : as Mr; Benjamin Cox did at Coventry^ whofe firft endea- vours ( when he had made them believe chat Infant- Baptifm was finfull ) were to perfwade them it was fiafuU, to hear and joyn with their Teachers, being nnbapti- 'ltd men i which cafe when 1 had a while difputed with him, it was agreed that we fhould pfofecute it by writing, and that the people (hbuld hear each writing read. But when I had fcnt in my ftrft, in confirmation of my Arguments, I could never ger his reply to this day ■-, At firfk he e^cufed it by his imprifonment /* whereof I was falfly accufed to be Author, when indeed I perfwaded them to releafe him: ) bur )tt never fincc could he have while to doit. Moreover, the very fcandallof thefemens Opinions and Praftices have been an unconceivable hinderance to the faccefs of the Gofpel , and the falvation of multi- tudes of fouls. Oh how i c ftumblerh and drives ofFthe poor ignorant people frohi Re- ligion, when they fee thofe that have feemed Religious prove fuch f and when they fee us at fuch difference one with another? and when they fee fo many Se^s and Par- ties that they know not which to turn to ? They think that all ftri^nefs doth tend to this •, and fo that the godly are but a company of giddy, proud,unfetled, fmgular per fons, that know not where to Itop, till they are befides themfelves. Oh how the pifls alfoare hardened by this ! I have fpoke withfome of them that once begun to be moderate, and could fcarce fay any thing for their Churches forbidding the common ufe of the Scripture, and teaching people an implicite Faith j who now upon the ob- ftrvation of thcfe Se<^s and their mifcarriages,are generally confirmed in their way, and fay tons, Now you may fee what it is to depart from the unity, and bofomeof the Church j and what it is to make the Scriptures common*, and to forbid filly people taking their Faith upon truft from ehc Church j and fet them all a ftndying for that which is t>eyond tijem , till you are cut into fhreds, and crumbled to dufl '. The Epifcopall Party arc far more confirmed in their way by it, and fay. Now you fee what it is to cut up the hedge, and pluck up the banks of Government. There was none of this work under theGovernmentofthe Bifhops *, you fee how you have mended the matter, by extirpation of them root and branch : Yea, thofc that were offended at the Prelates cruelty, in filencing and fafpending. Sec. do now upon the fjght of thefeSedsand abufes, think they did well, and irwas needfull for the quenching of this fire while it was a fpark : And many that beguff to Oagger at the Kings late Caufe and Wars, are now many thoufands of them per- fwaded of the lawfulnefs of it, meerly frcmthe mifcarriages of thefemen : Yea, and if report ( too probable J do not lie, thoufands and millions of Papifh in all Coun- rreys 01 Enrofe where they dwell, are confirmed and hardened in their Religion by the odious reports thar go of the mifcarriages of thcfe men in England i Thcfe fuy they J are your Reformers : And this is your Reformation! Oh that our heads were fountains of water, that we might weep day and night for this wound, torhe Go- iiptU thisdifhcnor to God , and this grievous injury to the fouls of multitudes ! Jc mufl needs be that offence commeth, but rvo be to thofe men by n'hom itcommeth-'', it were better for them that a milftone were hanged about their vec^s^ ^ they were cafl into the depth of the Sea : And happy is he that is not offended in Chrift. This is the U help 146 PlafH Scffpirire T roof of help chat the work of R^foraution, andof mens falvation hath received frorii diefe men. ^ ' ^ (Kurthcrmorc,it is evident how lirtlc they help on the work,in that they lahour for the mofk part to work upon thofe that are or feem Religions a ready , and not thofe that have raoft need of iwftrudion : ("though yet tl ley will welcome chcfe too if tliey will be of their way.)They make a great flir to pervert a few of the weaker nnibble PfofelVorsj but the great work of converting fjuis is little endeavoured by many. _ How many Sermons do rhey fpend in venting their own Opinions.^ till they have j brought poor fouls (^which is too eafily done) toj ^hce rluir K^lig JQji in holding rhefe ( OpinionSj^andjnbeing Re-baptized, and tlien they think they are good Chnfiians VnH(Sdrand of the highefi form : An eafie Religion, which will prove a defperate dclufion. If Mi' T. do challenge me here as being free from thi-s e>:ception him- Cel: i fliould be loth to meddle in fuch perfonall applications j but r. One Swallow makes noSumnier. 2. 1 fhould have been loth to have fpent fo much time and zeal in the Pnlpit for Infaftt-baptifni, ashe hath done againft it, and to have had the names of Mr. MarflmlU Mr. BUke^ and Mr. Baxter y oftner in fo many Sermons, then of Dityid-, or Peter^ or Faul. And 5. though [ unfeignedly acknowledge my fclfa moft unworthy wretch to have been the inllrumenc of converting one foul, and that 1 have deferved God fhould rather bhft all my labours, and that the fuccefs he hath given me, hath been meerly of free- mercy, yet I would not for all the gold and glory |n the World, that I had no better fruit of my Labours to fhew then Mr. T. hath fmcc he came amongft us ^ and that I could difcernthc probable figns of converfion^from prophanefs to fincerity j upon no more fouls in my charge lately wrought, then for ought I can learn is difcernable in his, as wrought by his Miniflry vunlefs thepei*-;. verting of five or fix Profeffors, be the work of their converfion •, Yet I know that'.r better men than either of us, have labou rej^ loag with fmall fuc cefs^ but that is not ufualU but in m/ownc^perience7Tnever knew tRF" Labors of any zealous Ana- baptifi, that ever Gcd bleffed to the trtie converfion of many fouls •, but many chev / make meer talking, ci3^'ipenc their rime and conference in the edifying of each others fouls, and in heavenly duties, and mutuall afhftance, and lived together in unity and love, accordir.gto the great command of I Chrifl ', they ordinarily turn all thisjo.v^Uiijangiiiigs.^jLiiij'm^cj ,w*»dy^ unproiiaW^i' \Difputes, which he that is mofi gracious, dCth tafte the leaii 1 A-c;.tiiers in i and they . turn their unicy into divifions, and fa<^ions, and theimmicy into jealonfies and cent tentions^one iifcrthis, and another for that-, and they lejdom meet but they have iarrings and conccndings; airdlookoii one another wi:ih ftrangei-efs, if not witti fecrct heart-burningb andenvyings ■■, ftudying all they ean how to underniine each, other, and every nun to ffrengrhen his own party. And thefc are tiie ufujll fruits , of the Dodrinc of Anubapriffry where it comes. It may be they will fay, that Chrift! ' came not to fend peace, and the Gofpelit felf occa(:cns divifion. Anrwer. 1 It doth occafion it, but not diredly produce and foment iccfits ownna:ure, as, this doth. 2. The Gofpell occafk/nsdivifion between good and bad, the Scecf of tile woman and of the Serpent, but not between the godly and tfie godly, ;is this doth. Chrii\s Do^riiie and his wayes kad all to peace, a.id to dcareft love airiong the Brc-. thrcn. He leaves them his peace as one of his chief Legacies, and nukes '.t his new commandvnenc to tlitm, chat thev love one anothtr, andfaich, that by i: Infants chMrch'-^^emberpip affdBaptjfm, 1^7 that fliall all men know that they are his ^ifcipljcs. But bCthis before. ' ]!-, ^^ ■'2. An^as AnahaptlAry hath been ho greater a fticnd to mens falvarion wnfi us, fo.LVCiY manknovvs rhatiris,tiii^(^rciir^ryfii>-Icr to the nioft horrid Opinions. How few did yoiV ever knew ch^r^qfni^.coiheliioA monltrous Doftrines, bntic vvas ^^'cl'is (fcor? And hovv Tew did ycju ever jinqw that entred this door, but they wenC- dn'furrher ; except tjiey '^yed of r^^pentedfhortly after ? I cofifefj, of the nauiticudes of 'Anabaptii^scha: I have known, at the prefect J caanot call to nnnd any one char.. Ra^hilopt there, Moft chat I have^met with arc .Separarilb. /Ir/wj/yy ^j.or AnthiomiAiu, '{ ^ qi both ('for they have found out a way to joyn thefe e>:tremef, whielia man wouia ' ttyinkinipofTibk} ^oarf.-^u'r, Ubotines^ Seekjrs^ or Familifis. But becaufcmen may r^Tt:fe to credit my experience of them, (O char mofi parts of £>j|/W had not.eK- plfience of t!iem as we!l as I, though perhaps not fo much ) I a]ppeal to the Wrifingi» oJfall of them that I car. remember that cv.ei: wrote. Whither M » Pe;> arrived hv . tfijs way, his WTitirigs fhew, & his late confefficn when he was to be put to death lor rAcUing with the Levdlers. what horrible things Collyer, is come to, liis writings agamll Ordinances witnefs. Mr. Saltmarfl) his writings tcflifie the like tco ©penly, fitifH^hfon ( one of the Subfcribers of the Churches Confelfionjpublifheth hiipfeifa ^ocinjan to the world, reacliing that God was never at enmity with men,but only men w'fth God ', and chat Chrift did not reconcile God to man, but only man to God, and did not purchafe Love, Life and Salvation *, but was fent to manifeft them, &c. Mr. Ox (^another oftheSubfcribersJ taught them it Coventry^ that our Minivers might: j none of them be heard, as being unbaptized men ; and that they might not ordinarily ' preach in the ordinary Aflemblies, and that the errors of their Calling and Do/(?f ?. Ev en Mr. Blackvcocd hath as much for his Liberty of Coufciente as fdrAnaaapdi^tTTTor Mr. Erhury., let the C/x/oro' Conference teftifie of him : What fhoutd I tell you of all thofe hideous Pamphlets againft Ordinances, and for the Mor- tality cf the.foul> and thatthe Soul is God himfelf, and againd the truth of Scripture, and dow'n- right Familifm,Libertinifm,and Paganifm, fuch as K. J'f^i/tin/bw,The ruad mans difle^lon ol the Divinity, &c. with a multitude more, which all fpring from this root of Ariiihaptiflry : IremeiEpber four years ago, when An abaptiftry had not . been long in the Country, about AfiVsjieU^ and J) ubricigeyand thofe parts, they main- tained that Chrift took our fins into his rraturc, asweilasour uefh, and fo had origi- nal! corruption as well as wt : andthatniens fouls are but a beam oi God, or God himfelfapp^'aringin feverall bodies, and when men die the foul is in God again, i cannot l^ut think how men cryed out againfl Mr- Edwards his Gangren at firfl, as it he \ had fpoken nothing but lie? j and now how they have judi&cdit witha fearfullover- j plus. I will notfiand to name any more to you , but only one, which being late, k> frclhjih our rheniory , and being not far cfi us, is nearer cur knowledge, and being .,'"'' U2 nx)ft 1^8 vUiH Sari f lure Proof of ffi moft dreadfull, fhould he heard with trembling, as one of Gods moft fcarfuH judge- ments J and rhar is •, M ft Coppe. and ju s Followers, called by fomc the Ranters, by . ochtrs, t he Huh atj jig^rs. This man was a zealous Anabiprilli w'len I was preachtV CO the Garrifon o{ Coventry ^ he was Preacher to the Gsrrilon of Compton-^owk io.cHc fame Counirey, and I heard of no oppinion that he vented or held,bi)t,ehe NccefHty. of Re- baptizing, and Independancy, and was a fharp Rcproacher of the Miniftry' ([ which is the common Charaftcr of all fchifmaricall Subvcrcers of the Church: They [ fmi^e the Shepherds, that they may fcacter & devour the fheep tlie more cafilyOThi*. V,raan continued a mod zealous re-baptiZer many years, &: re-bapcized more than any' one man that ever I heard of in the Countrey,wirneri3 Warwicki^fljir^^Oxfordflj'ne.^dkn^ of Worcefterjlmc^ &:c. ( So far was his fuccefs beyond Mr .Ts. in this wori^ J Ttli'^f^ lafl God gave him ov^er to a fpiric of delufion, that he fell into a Trance, and prolcf- feth himfelf that he continued in it three or four dayes,"S: that he was in Hell, Be that he received' thofe Revelations which he hath piiblifhed in his Book, in which he blafphemouny arrogates to himfclf the facrcd Name and Titles of God, and crycs down Duties and godly Life, by the name ^f [p l^i^ p.y h o linefs ,] and iwgtrechaioft vilely 9 & profelTeth that it doth him more good to run on men, and tear thembytf^ fiair, and curfe like a Devill, and make them fwearbyGod, then to joyn in Family- Duties, and in plaguy holinefs : And that he can fwear a full naoufh'd oath, and caa kif$ his Neighbours wife in Majefty & Honour, whith if a Precifion do, that knowech iin,he fhallbe damned for it : He pleads for Community, and againit Propriety j and faith he Went up and down London Streets with his Hat cockt , his Teeth gnafhing, his eyes fixed, charging the great ones to obey his Majefty within him *, This and a-, bundancemorefuchhideous Blafphemies hisown Book contains. And hispra^icc Uaafwerable to his profelfion ' For he went up and down teaching th s to the poor ProfefTors in the Countrey , andfweareth moft hideoufly in his Conference and Preaching*, andcurfirig, and filthy lafcivious praftices, not cobe named, are his Re- ligion. It may be fortne will fay that he is a Wad man : But it is orhcrwifc, as may be known by thofc that will fpeak with him,( he is no /V in Coventyy Gaol,where he was once before upon his re-baptizing, for which they W(fre taken to be Perfccurers by thofe that now are apptovers ot his fuffering, J '^ut doubtlefs he is worfc than mad i^ his .delufion : But O the dreadfulnefs of Gods judgement, 1 Would any Chriltiao ever havebclieved thatfuch a man fhould havcS^y Fdflowers ? and thai men and women profelfing the zealous fear ef God, fhould ever be brought ro place their Rehgion in reveHing, roaring, drinking, whoring, open' full-mouthed fwearingor- j dmarily by the Wounds and Blood of God, and the fearfullefk Gurnngrhacharh ( been heard, as if they were all polfeffed with Devils, fis for my pirt, I think they are? 3 Yet (bit is: Many of his people fall intb Trances as wtll as he, aud go about like walking devils in this language and carriage. Seme were fee ia the ftocks at Str/tr- ford upon Avon for their Oaths, which came to a great number : About SQuthan: and Common fide among thofe that were Anabaptifls before, divers, as I am mod credibly informed, are brought to this fearful! fiate : And fome moderate .hcpefull Anabap- tifts nearer us , are inclined to it. OneTaid, that when fhefirft heard him fvvcar,' her ftefh trembled, but when fhe heard him fpeak for himfclf, flie faw that he liad ground for it (^or to thatfenfc : ) And in London it is by imp-art iall tellimony rcpoi- ted that he hath abundance of Followers •, whereof one woman was lately Carted ' through the Steers for ordinary whorxlom, & gloried in it,who was formerly judged godly and modcft. Andis not the plague of blindnefs upon his underflanding that will not fee the hand of God in this ? The Lord is known by the judgcnieuts whioi he Infiinis ChHrch-mcmberJIoi^ and EapUfm, ^ ^^^ hs cxecuteth, Ffai 9-1^- And is not that man a fccond Fharaoh thatyet wiH not ' fee not ftoo? to Qodl is not the name of the fin legible in the jiidgemehr ? and ddth nOtGodceftifiefromHeavenagainftAnabaptifm plainly by all thefe ? Are they not even as vifibie Charaders of Gods difpleafure , as the Monfkrs i.i Ucw England Wei'c? ?^<| * The Lord grant that neither I, nor any friend of mine may be ever fo. blinded or; , hafdned , as co rtia upon tlie face of fuch vifible judgements, and fo over Isok th& apparent nnger of God, and to flop our ears when he thus fpcaks from Heaves. O poor England \ what Vermine are bred in the careafs of thy glory? Did we ever think when we were reproached by the Enemies, as having our party compofed of Ana- biprifks and Separatifts, that fo many of them would have proved To much worfe-, and made their Aceufacions true as Prophetical!, which were then falfe as' Hiftoricall, and - deprdfente f And is this i t that our eyes muft behold inftead of ouf; fomuch defiredand hoped for Keformition? O what heart is fohard in any true Chriftians breaft, that doth nor rend and relent to think of the dolefull cafe ot^ Eng'" land ! How many thoufand ProfelTors of Religion are quite ruined in their fouls, and turned into Monders rather than Saints ? How many fad, diflrided, divided Con- gregations? -Minifters lamenting their people,and people reproaching their Miniflers? vt^har dividing, and fuh- dividing, and fub-dividing again, and running from Cjuircli \ tOtChurch, and from Opinion to Opinion, till fome are at Hich a lofs, thatthey.af- I firm that Ch'riflhath no Church, nojL&jliniftryjan EjLtxh^noLaiiyL CMrrant Scri £turc j / v(ox fhall have till he fendnew Apoftles or Miracles to rcllore them j and others pla- cing their Religion in curfing, fwcaringand blafpheming ? How many a diftraded Family is there in England that were wont to worfliip God in unity znd joyfulnefs I Oat will pray, and the other will not pray with him, becaufe he is unbapcized *, and 1 a thitd faith, that Family- Duties are not commanded in Scripture j One will fing/ pfkyfes to God^, and anotherJ corneth it. as if he were linging a 1igv an d a third will' iing Ffalms from the dictate'cTtHe'Spirit oniy. One will crave Gods bleffihg on his lAear, ^unsj retu rnjijmtha nks ; and anothe r derides hlmj jbr it. One will devote the Lords day rofacred imployment, and the other chinks the^^blervatiori of it is fu- . ye ftirious. One will be of one Church, and another of another*, envyTrrgarKTITrife HaHi taken place^ while unity and love are laid afide j becaufe that truth is joyfled i^tir by error. . t • ' ';5. And for the judgmentof a wicked life, to which God ofually gives up the grofly erroneous, and fpecially this Seft , i. VVc have made itievidentfrom unqueflionable witneiTes, how this hath ftill followed them in other Ages and Couutreys. 2. And . for thefe now living,we have not feen their Qs\d^%c therefore know not yet how they vviil prove : Molt perfons that end ^orf^ of thefe forts do begin fairly. Jt is the end . ^f wicked men that mud give us the true eflimare of their condition. When Chrift 7>»^ frid, [ by their fruits ye flail t'joxt^ tbcm^ ] he doth not fa^ by ^^^'^ ^^"'""^ ^^ r^^ fjrfi^ year, or fccond, or feventh. jl heartily wifh they do not grow worfe and worfe, dc- ceTving ancf being deceived. 3. I do not fay or think that every particular perfon of. them is fo vile in their lives , Chrirt did not tie himfelf togive every man of tlaem up ' tb-fucii a converfation, when he laith, ^by their funs yeflhill kljoiv tb.m.^ h is fiiffici- ^•rot that !c is fo with them ufualiy : Even as whcii he faitli, f The feed of the righteous itre blejjedj']ht doth not tie himfelf,ro make every or.e blelTed with his fpecial blefling rliough he do it ordinarily. We may know an Orchard by the fruit ; Though fomc • one or two Trees may havenone, yet if the generality be Crab-Trees, the rule will hold. We may know a Flock of ftieep to be fuch a mans by his mark ; though two or three among them may have no mark. 4. But for the moft part of them 1 know, this 115 ?. ijo -Titiin Scripture fYCOfrff is tlic inoft difcenviT^lc judgcrre.it upon rlicrri of iW the ti^\\ : Wluc a mulfitucle do I I l>H9>^;thar J re Tmifi jvnvii?!'' ^crpri^^^■^■ fla?vilMr,|tH,r>, ^fe]ve< Y)if.,.\vhcn diy^nTavctiecri cohe c^fccchited ? Ib'me ofthtm rini dp iiuoTHeTiil; j \v.i to prcack find cliailcVigc rlie ablelt MiniileTs' fodifputc, and openly cohrr^adV^' Vvvbat MimiUrsprcaeh, when thcvTicithe^ijndefflartd thep^rf^!'--^-^s n^r ^'•IiPr^' ', and ho; nun can pe'rfwadt tlicm that rhcyarc ign'^rafic, though ic be as p'alpablc aEtheE-; gyptfan darkneli, to all knowing nictt that "know them. Others that willrict til)lick, arc conAan c Teachers in private, wlierc t h^y VillH^ the MirlAfy, and make poor fouls believe, tlTat thc Minnters are igqor|intLSftH>^ Trfir hsof^od in cortip ari-J^ vRin of them. As iftlicm^Jtriearned JiidgodiywSe ail bLib f66l^, audrliere WeTea^ mat necelUy chat thde men nw.d rake on them theinfl:ril.e Herfe-"' 'fjcsin the land they mirke themfelves guilty of bv their Do^riiie of Liberty for ail. 1n"a word, ler thcfe tiiat have tfyed them judge how many of F4;/L\Ch^fat^efs'ap-, pear upon rhem, 2 Tim. $-.-1,2,3. Inthe hxter days fl^ill come p^Yilious ttmes ■ jfrniS 'f/ib, 'uni hanks full, Ktiholy^ without muratl affeil ionr^rucc- breakers, falfc accuferf^, ino\]t\nent^fieYCi!y deffiferscfthofe that tire good, trap^rs, heady ^ high-minded, lovers of pleo-fiifc more tban loW)sofGody having a form ofgodlrnefs, but denying thepoTVCi then.' cf .'fyotnfuch turn array, O that England were deer from the guilt of thefe frni: ar^d theft kind of men had not brought this infamy upon us ! For my own parr, ^11 the uuVidiens that ever /endured from the wicked in my body, Hare or name, and all the luflPedngs and dangers that Lhave gone through in thele cvill time?, are nothing' roniein comparifott of. j. The doleful! fcandall that thefe men have brought upbn Religion. 2, Andthefrultaringofour expe^ations hitherto of the fo much dehrcd •ReibrnTation, and the power, and plenty, and purity, and peaceable enjoyment of the Ordinances of God. Had they brought me and all the friends I have into fci;vv'^ tudCj to be their bond- Haves, ic would have been nothing to me, if I know m}^ oU'n^ heart, in ccniparifon of theie. Had they brought the whole Kingdom iaio aTar greater (lavery or poverty than ever was before^ndeavoured, it would have been nothing to thefe. Had our Ta-Kes aiid oppreflions been as great as the Ifraelii^es m. £gyp^ y^f i^ would have been comfcrtable, had it not been for thefe. But O'the \ wound that Gods caufe hath received ! O the horrible fcandal that. hath been caft oq ' our Religion I the hardening of Papifls and Atheills ! the opening the mouthes of air the Lords enemies, and caufmg them to blafpheme, and to reproach his Truth.t;^ What heart can hold to think of thefe? To fee the powder-plot buried in oblivion by ' |their mifcarriages i and to hear the Proteftanc Religion charged with perjury, perfi-/ /dioufiiefs prevarication, and fms that may not he named . It makes mealmoli ready with Jcrmy to lament the day of my birth, and to fay, Woe is me that my Mother' brought me forth to be a man of ibrrows i and did 1 think to have lived to 'heifr thcfe reproaches calton the people and wayes of the Lord? The prefcnt times iiuy p^I- liar^em with vain diOindions, and cover them with filencingall that openly may rmeniioh^riKm : Buttrurhis the daughter of tim;.", when we arc dead, Cluoiiickb. Iwill fpeak plaTJi-^^nd other CouiitrJe<.rpeak plain now. O that God woulct^d cut fon e Way to vindicate his own Honoijr, and clear his caufe, and then no matter what becom.es of us fo much. Why, the vindication is at hand, and th;jt mofl true and unfeigned, and ] do chijrge all men rhar look upon the n-tffr^^T'^*?^! "Trhr^ Infants ChHrch-mzmberpif and Baptifm 151 actions of thefc f imea^to rake notice of it j and m rhe oame of rhe moft high God I re- quire them, that the y mif-interptet not his providences, ahd impute not the fins of men to him or his truth. And thofe tiiat fhall write the HiOory of this ^ge to Pofte- rity , if thefe lines fall iftto their hands , I adjure them to couiider and declare this truth J [Th^'tt it was not thd Orthodox godly Froteftants^ that w^-c the Authors or Apprd- vers of the horrible wUkfdneffes of thefe tjrna^ but the Anabaptijls, and other the like SeUaneSy w hmn the Orthodox more zedoufly and conftantly oppofed than any other did^ who /lander them as guilty ',yea^ and how far they have gone to fujfering in their oppofnion^ the world is judge : And though all be not Anabaptilb that have been guilty of thefe fins, yet the leading aiftive party are i and the reft are but drawn or driven by them : So that Gods Caufe and Peopleare hereby fully vindicated:' And BJefied be the Lord that hath kept his Orthodox people from the guik, that his Caufe may be fo vindi- cated. What are Anabaptilis to us ? and why fhould we be charged with their mif- carriages, any more than with the Papifis ? If Papifts were Covenant-breakers, and deftroyers of Authority, and Self-exalrcrs, and Captivatetsofthebeft of therir Bre- thren, and Abettors, or Connivers at the viieft Herefies andrendings of the Churchy what were all this to us ? what werejhefUrs of yM/?/^gr to the Protelbnrs ofGgr-_ ^ tn'any / Did not the Proteftant^eTFcfo^mpre againfl: them than all the Papifts ? Year" did not the Papifts firft ©ccalion all by their pollutions and cruelty ? And did not the Prelates by their Siipcrftitions' Innovations, and Perfecutions occafion all this among us? which methinks fhculd make them filenr and blufh for ever.] Andforthedifappoincingofour hopes in point of Ordinances and Reformation, it is a moft heavy burden and grief to our hearts : Thedivifions and havock of th wt-re ready rc) rh ink thck to be jc arcejjns ; But now we begin to know 'their meaning '-, and I can fay as good Vadianus (^ before raentioj}ed J.I nvverknew v/harHcr^-CiC^Schifm w^isiiLijiow. -•- '^" I conclude this witfi a folemn adjuring of every fober-Chriftian thit reads thif,t.8. 11. Ifn. 55. 20, 21, And Chrifl promifeth to fend the Spi- rit to teach them all things, /o^;. 14. 26. And promidff 1, T^iat ^hcif 'itTC Spirit of truth is come, he fhall guide them into all truth, Job. 16. 15. ' Now, how all thcfe Promifes can be fulfilled, if God have given up his Churches everfmce the Apolllcs days into Errors in this point (^efpecially if it be of fo great moment and conii^ ijence asmamMiT^^ 1 cannot underfland. Now that Infants werTbaptTzed ever finc'ItRcT^L^oIHeTdays, as far as the Church harh any currant \Hiftory left for her Information, I fliall prove, 1. By producing the Tcflimonieb r ^. And then require Mr. T. to fhew where, or when tire Cltnrcn' f]55ke agaraU it ; / or when there was ever an Anabaptift in the" Church uncondemncd? oT'Wbeftln- l fant-baptifm had its beginning? Yea, or how he can prove that ever denyed Infant- ^baptifm, till the late Reformirion in Germany ? And I. for the later Fathers , zi Aujiiriy Baftly the Grciories , &c. i need not mennon them. Mr, T will no deny but they were for Infant- baptifm, & ic was then pradilcd : Infa?ns church^ntcmherjhh and BaptiCm. 1 53 /i P'^aM.-d : All c'le vveigHc Iks on the Tcl^in^oniesof their ProdeceiTori, ^And for . l-tiihniihs riut lived as BuUinger faich, ^5 'O years afrsr Chrift, (xhough i?4ronf«y and ri7.ed in£nf/.orno,aioo.or 2ooxear?agO !' And here it was as calie. As for (?//gen,others have IheWtid OUt ot his Comment on Kom- 6* Lmt* That it was then taken as delivered from the Apoftles. But it is needle fs to infilVpn him, as being fomewhat later then TurtHllian. Now for Mr.T. to c ypeftany ancjg ^- » '^ jl^ .» tcr Record,is flrange,when he cannot but know that there arc bgTverv tew 'Ti?mH- — '^ *^^ Books,which are of unqueftionable credit before TerfM/[w/r, and tholefew ar e upon .' other rheams. And yet we fhall find fomewhat even from them. And becaufe Mr.T feems in his Apology to put by TurUiUiatLi Teftimony, I fhall make it evident that Infant- baptifm was £raS4iyi4«Uw4Xime,and that his judgment was for ir. And firil* if it had not been then praftifed, why ^^"^±^hr p^r^"^^"^^ rh^yp nr.r ro makphaft> lib.de Eap. cap.B. cunilmo utilior^ precipue circa parvHlos^(^c. s.VJ hy fhould he fpeak /* oij^infoj-es elf^ ratherjJiapfr/:ppt<)r/?.f?_2.He cvidenrlY excepteth the cafeJaLa^cciritf- , t1ut:i^>a dien they were in danger of death^ yhen he faithjy/ »o» r>?m mce^c \ as Pa- _ we//«7trueiy expoundeth hmi. So that 5ejCTe(which is all that we enquire afrqr ^ now)it is evident that ' n fan t- baptifm was then praftifed : And for the que(Uon dc ^V jure about delay, I doubt not Tertullian erred, i . Not cbnfidering that in Scripmre i£ "^ was ever adminiftred at the tirft entrance without delay, and yet . TgrtAllian would ^ have even the Adult to j el^y^ wh en himfelf and other Fathers call Baptifm [Initia- tion.] 2 Alid the wcaknefs of his reafcns are evident, i. Quid enim necejfe eft fpeti' fores pericttb ingeri^qui (^ ipfiper wortalitatem deli ituere frcmifflo n fi CuasjP oQunt^ fy pr(rventu'maU indolis falli .•? 2. Huid feftinat \nwtcns At as ad remijiionrnjectAUrHm I ?. Caurius agitur in fecularibus ut cuifubflantia terrena non creditur , diviua credatur ? Be not thefe poor reafons?And } ec I believe Pa7mlius^it\d many others, thatit were i _ . ouly Heathens ChiMren that Teitullian herefpeaks of^ becaufe he fpcaks only de f fpo^fidh-U £t rsn^de-M^i^^^l^ '? ^"^ ^^"^ ^Q"^^ ^^-^ Sponfors be endangered while ther e w&re Parent s? But rurthcr,itis evident that TeriuUian was for Infant- baptifm in thathe argues for the necedity of baptifm tofalvation,And anfwereth Argumenrsto the contrary, /i/», de Bapt.cap. 1 2.Qjium vero pr^fcribiturjie mim fine Baptifmo cmpeterg falutem, &c. Now he oft exprefleth^iimtclf for tfieSaWarion of Infants j and there- fore mull needs be for their Baptifm; (The grounds we now ftick not on,but the ' X matter ^i^A vUin Scripture Proof of Itiitter of fa 1 Anfi I . That cannot bei fo r he fpcaks of Chrifl s fandifyi n^ the ver :^ S pecks or Age, by becoming of that Age; And j. Then according to their Expofinon om en'afcuntttfy It fhould b^ , but a tautoloi^ ie, q ^:[hefanftifieihan that are fandificd, or new born] 5. And the word [fan^ifiejwill be f eldom (if at a HJfonnd to be tjfed for a mcer in- fufion of the Seed of Grace witHtJTirifiiy arfive holmefs : buMforj^^RdAjveJcparati- on to Godj tis moft frequently ufc d 4.H0W ever,this wasa lanSf^caciorvSniTWrwtfS- kaovvTTmHe Chaich ', 0: ellcTi'ow could Jcen^tus fpeak oFir?& if it were known ihatfoire were fanftified , the very Age ofmfancy being.fantSificd , then there are ^fr Infants chHrch^m ember Jhip^ and Baftifm. ^ 1 5 5 are certainly fome Individuals whom the Church is bound to judge to be probably luch, and ro receive as fuch : For to fay thar Chiift by being an Infant hath fan^ged Infancy and Infants, and yet there are no Infants in the world whom we are bound to judge pfobably fanftified, and to receive as fuch, is a contradidion. Nor will itfol- ' Jow that th en all Infants a rc fanciified : No more than th at all the Pay vult^ Juve- nes-, though Chriit becaiiic Ftiryulus ^ Jmvenisto fan^Sifie them. And for Mr. T*. his faying xhzt A judgement ofCkarit) is no groundto wdkj>y in this, I have fully anfwered Jlibctore. ►i. 2. And further, a^ it is hence evident, that Infants were then taken for fandified, and fo for Church-members ( as Infants among the Jews were, J fo alfo exprefly that they were baptized : For m Jujhn Martyr^ Tertullian^ and all the firft Writers then; Kenafci is an oruirtary term to iignifie Baptixari : N or do eirher the words qi (coptoUrenaas aereihcw his meaning to be otherwire,Tor all that Mr. T. faith. For as his fcope is to fhew that Chrill: went through all Ages to fan^ifie fprneof^Il^ anfl InfaK isampn^ the reft , fo here he puts this to fhew who^iofeibme v/ere, that we mightnot tliliiiU he means all of every Age: And baptifm is the Cognizance by which I he would have us difcern them. And [ per eum^~\ may be meant [by his commaucjjj ' or [by him, as thz way to the Father,'! feeing they were baptized into the name cJ j the. Father, Son, and holy Ghc>ft. The truth is, Reiiafcuntia is not ufed by the Fa« / thers ordinarily, fo far as i remember, f or either meet bamifm, or meer regenerati' on i bu t for baptifm us Ijgaifying Re^generation Co r as ma ny thougIit.» etfeding it,T of Regeneration as ^'ignriied (given j by b^ptilm. Fcr thofe that they Judgeci probabily Regenerate (or to be fitted for it,) they baptized; and thofc that were baptized, they called Regenerate. So thatcalling'infants Regenerate, was a certain fign, ac- cording to the language of t^ie Antients, that they were baptized. F^or Mr. T, can neveir fnew ( I th'mkj where they called any Regenera te, that were not bap^ ti zed, or fit to be baptized. Therell ofWr. T'f. exceptiqiisagamll irenms^ Wr, 4/rf»y7;4i/ hath anfwered. ThenextTeftimony which I will produce, isfrom^^n^M^r^r, wholivedin all likelihood in S. John's d^x^i^ f& therefore could not be ignorant of the Apoftles pra- dice in this:) For he was a Philofopher, and converted to Chriftianity in the year of it - / 2^ our Lord i 2 8 . An d wrote his firft Apology i So. as Hekims from his own Teftiraony Jj gathereth. And therefore if he were a converted Philofopher before thirty years of age, or thereabout, it is ftrangejCAndS. 7a/j«dyed,rfflW98 ) Sc«/tet«J faith, he flou- rifhed i ^cParms^thiit he was beheaded 1 68 .you cannot expcd that he fhould fpeak expreily to the point,both becaufe he is brief,& treaceth on a :*other theam, to which this did not belong, & becaufe the Church then living among Heathens had fo much to do in converting & baptizing the aged, that they had little occafion to treat abouc children, efpecially it being a point not controverted, but taken for granted by the Chrifiiansy, who knevy Gods dealings with the ]ews Church, that children were Members with the converted Parents 5 efpecially when the very Gentiles children were Mtmbers before Chrift ; and it was the ]«:ws that were in part broken off, but *' no talk in Scripture of Breaking ofFthe Gentiles t)r their children: (If there be, Mr.T. would do welitofliewitbeucr than yet he hath done, if he mean to fatisfie men with Scripture: and not with hisown naked affirmations. } Yet doth Juflin give us fuch hints,by which hii judgement and the pradice of the Church in thcfc days may be difcerned. The commonly alleged place in Kefponf. Qjiefi. $6. ad Orthodox. I will t notinfiflon, becaufe though the place be moft exprefs for Infant-baptifm, and the / %, Book ancient, ^ yet it is cither fpurious or interpolate. 1 have not the Greek X 2 Copy j^$ pUin &criplHrs Proof of > ^as'^v.x Copy now at hand, and ch.refore muft ufe Tranflations. In his Dialogue with T ;- phen^part^i, Propo/.^. he faith (according coGelenjus Trandarion) Nos ce>te qui hu' jksvfe ad Dmm acceffimus non caniMlem ifta^n (^'ircumcifionem aj[HmpJimui\ fedfpir'itUit" lem illamquam Enoch i^fimiles objtrvaverunt : Nancnos per baptifma^ vtpotej^aims K natu ^ Deoj niferante accepinms ^ earn licet omnibus fim ii^*^^ ^^dpn"- ^'' as Scultetus trantlatesit, \^ofteaquatn vero per Chnflum aditum adUeum vatii fumus^ mn carraUm fufcepimuscirckmcifionem^fcdjpiritualemy quam Enoch ^fimiks cujhdiermt. Earn vero nos per Baptifmum^quandoquidempeccatores fuetimus. propter wiJerKordiam ipfius Dei ae- cepimus : Omnibufque adeo illam ex aquo Mcipere integrum e/^.Now if i . this be the way by which the heart circumcifion is received,that is,by bapcifm^thenfurc they did bap- tize Infants. For they knew that Infants had the Proniife of that heart circumcifion, DeHr.go.T,6,7.&c. z. And if all might receive it,even fo as they, (which was by bap- tifffl,^^^^" ^^^^ ^^^ ^*^^ °^ /nfants muft be part of that All, and not wholly excluded. Again in the fame Dialogue /«/?/« faich, Sic<^pr£ccptum Gircumcifionis qujt ab mm- §us nnper nath exigitur oHavo die^figura erat verx Circumcijionis, &c. This is bat a leaf before the other <, and (o hemakesit plain, that the heart circumcifion which he be- fore (aidthcy received by bapt ifm, and All might even lo receive as well as they, is 1 itf which fucceeds this Circumcifion of children the eighth day , and fo children are part of the All that may receive it. And therefore a few lines after he going on with this,in expounding a hying of I/ f^n^^^'^'C^^i '^"^- not the denial of infant- baptifm in EuJVbius: even Cyprian that Mr, T. thinks waS the fprin g of Infan t- baptifra •. the Coimcell he mentionethj is, called an Anabaptift for defirmg and urging the Re- baprizingofthole chat were Baptized by Herericks : The like Kind: of Anabaptifn^. . A'/^tp/Wwj'/r6.i7.cap.9.faith,ilie Synod of Cenjjantimple condemned on Stvcrus Pc- uusy and Zoorai Tor, but no other tha>J:fiiid. Bur Mr.T. will prove that there were fome that derried Infant- baptifm 500. years ago*, and that out of Bernards 66. Se-rrip jnCant. a faying which he ftands much on, and puittthit inthe Fromifpeiceot his. ., ExciciUvion ; that all Learned men may fee how little verity is in hisCaule, that miift be upheld by fiich deaiir.gj the faying is this , Irrident nosquia bapti^^amus In-f . fitntes^ quodoramiis pro mnms^ qHodfan^iorumfuffragiapofiulamus, So the like out ; : of Bernards 1^0. Epii\. And from Pctrus Cluniacevfis, Andiicre, tiioudi I would faiH bekcve chat Mr. T. his Confc'e ice is not fo depra- 1^58 Vldin Scriptfire proof of df i^raved as his judgcmcnc, yet 1 cannot tell how to defend cither the render ucls of . bisconfcicnce, or conwcn uigcnuity againitthe force of this plain Teflimony agaiiiii ' \\\n\ -, If any man hence gather, that he is a nun t^a will ftrike in with any party, or take up any the falfcft (landeis to defend his caufe with, I knew not how'to confute him. Fori dare not think but Mr. 71 his reading is far more than mine i andccnfe- quently, thatheis not ignorant, that thcfe fuppcicd Hercticks that ^tYO^c/ and C/k- riacevfis did thus accufe, v^ctc Nenericus an d_Fcterfiruj t rht> firft great I reachei i. of the Albigenfcs aiTid W aldcnfts, atiTtTiat their"accu(ersjv,yere ^pif\s, and C luniacetifis a iijQglAlibot^ying many other falfe charges igamtlthcm, and confeHmg he took them up on rcporf,and though Bernard were devout, yet a popifh Abbot,& took upthis with other falfe acciifaticns againft them ( as that they were Manichccf) upon lying fame : And that fas Mr. M4 >/?/♦?// hath truly told him,) the Albigenfcs and Wd- dtnjes own writingsandconfelTions mentioned by V flm^ Honsed e n^ the lAAf^debwr gen- k^_altaiar Lydins^ &c. do acquit them from this faue acculation. And if Mr. ZTTfaa 1^een glacTttrrak^Up fuch lying accufation againft the Saints of God,for the furthering of his Caufe, and to ftrike in with the Accufer of the Brethren, he might have found t more of the like (landers and lies, if he had read Albenus dc Capitaneis of the Origi- iiall of the Valdois ; Rainerins de forma hdtretkandi hjiretkos j ^fumma CUud. Kmi^ \^ Jiijhr, Lugdun^^c. Where he might have found thefe godly Reformers to be accufed of many Herefies,and to be Ribalds, Buggerers, Sorcerers (as Bernard zKo too much dothjandallas truly as to be againft Infanc-Baptifm; Yet that it may appear that fome Papifts, yea, a Pope himfeUdealeth more confcionably and honeftly, than Mr. T. with them, you may find that many of thofe their bitter Adverfaries do free them, from thofe falfe Accufations. Kainerius himfelf mentioneth them as reported to have continued from the Apoftles dayes, andfreeth them of many falfe Accufations : And io doth Baroniu s ^ an, ii'jS.vi 1 , 12. artfj. 21. And j^acobusde Riberia in ColleU.dt Tirbe Tholof. giveth them high commendations, and doth not charge them with this : Yea, Rainerius when he reporteth their Dodrine malicioufly, yet chargeth them ia point of Baptifm , but that they wouldjnotjbave it adniiniftr^d in _aiL.uakQQ»aa- tongue, bcc aufe the God f athei^J inderftood got wTiartfiey ar^wercd^cr^^ : IsTrrrorhenceplain, that they were for Infant- baptifm ? And ^ncas Silvius^ after- ward Pope Pius the Second, in Hiftor.Bohcm.cap.'^ 5. reporteth all thdr Doarines,and in particular about Baptifm, and never chargeth them with denying Infant- baptifm, but onely that they would have Baptifm done with common water,withcut the mix- ture of Oylj And would not he that fearched them fo narrowly,have mentioned more if they had held more ? And Fredericl>^the Second, in his decrees aeaiof^ t!i( m, did never charge them with any fuch thing, as appears in the Epif^les of Pehr di Vineis his Chancellor, /;i. i .cap. 2$, 26, 27. Many more Authors, both Pfoteftants and Pa- pifti, that vindicate the Albigenjes and Waldevfes from the forefaid flanders,you may fee in l'rf«/ Pt?rn«iHiftoryofthem, and in the Lord du ?leffu Myf^eryof Iniquity, J nd others. I will onely add what they fay themfelves of their own belief in the eintollnfant-baptifm.ln theixLBoQkcalkd7^';^/jf)/rit«d^M/5^ they fay fbaptlzed, is f*^,ainf\thisflander8 Th cjime|and place ot thole that arc to beljaptlzed, isnotor- lined •, but the Charity and bdihcaTioff of the Church and Congregation mu(\ rve for a Rule herein, &c. And therefore they to whom the children were ncereiV lied,bronght their Infants to be baptized,as their Parents,or any other whom God had made charitable in that kind. True it is, that being ccnllrained for fome certain hundred years to faffer their children to be baptized by the frielts of the Church of Rome^ they deferred the doin^of it as long as they could pcflibly, bccaufe they had Infants Chnrch-mmberpfp dkd BapUfm. i)| 9 had itt deteftaci on thofe humane inventions which were added to that hoIySaaa- nVoot, wh?ch they held co be bat pollutions therefore. And forafinuch as their Pa- llors were rainy times abroad imployed in the fervice of the Churches , they conld n-ot have the Sacramcfnt of Baptifm adminidred to their Infants by their own Mini- fters, for this caufe they kept them long from baptifm, which the Priefts perceiving, and taking notice of, charged them hereupon with this impollure i which not only their Adverfaries have believed, but divers others who well approved of their lift and faith i;i all other things. Thus you fee what-occafioned the Papifts to fla'nder the Wsldenfes^ as being againll rnfantbaptifm , and th^ir own Vindication. So in a Confelfion oft heir Faith about tiie Sacrament in ?enks Hiftory,/ii. r; of pan, 3. cap. g. they have thefe wordt. : \ And whereas Baptifm is adminillred in a fuil Congregation of the Faithful!, it is tc | the end that he that is received into the Church, fhould be reputed and held of al. foE a Church-brother , and that all the Congregation might pray for him, that hi i naay be a Cbriftian in heart , as he is outwardly efteemed to be a Chriftian. And fo) this caufe it is, that we prefent our children in Ba ptifm v which they ought to do,l to whom the children are neerefi:^ as their Parents,an d they to whom God hath gi J v£n this charity. / Now, after all thefe cleer Vindications of the godly men from thefe malicious Aiccufations of the Monks and Fryers, who would have thought that fuch a man as MX or any other Prorcftaac that hath any profeffion of confcientioufnefs, fhould e- ver darefo openly to make the world believe that the milicious Papifts fpeak truth in accuiing thefe men •, and tliat all our Divines vindication of them is falfe/ Yea, and their own Vindication of their own Faith is falfe*, and all this to have fome- what to fay for his own caufe ? What a caufe is it that mufl be thus defended ? Why may not Mr. T. afwell rtrike in with Co^pe^s and others Teftimony againft cur Book of Martyrs, or with the Papifls in their other foul lyes and. (landers againft Luther, Calvin^ Be:(a;imngli us ^ &e. as well as he doth here? Nay, would not this make the world believe, that all other the Papifts flanders of the iValdenfes (ascobc >lri4^j,NWc/jfej, Witches, Buggerers,&c.) were true, as well as this? For if the Fapilts teftimoniesbftberter then ours , yea, or the mens own, in one thing, why not in another ? But yet worfl: of al I is this, in chat when Mr. Ma^jhail'm his Defence hadfaid enough, one would think, to have convinced Mr.r.ofthe horrible foulnefs of this dealing,yet he goes on in ic,and publickly in the Puipit in his VakdUhry Ora- tion to the people oiBervdiey fonjv againft me jdid with mighty confidence repeat the fame palTages out oi'&ernarddiVLdiQlHmAcenJts: He that dare do thus, what dare he not do? and wliac teftimony will he not think valid,that will lean on fuch as thefe? and how fmall matter will fatisfie him that will take up with this , aiid upon fuch like grounds dare venture his life yet upon the truth of his Ci^^fe? I pray God con- vince him i for bare evidence, and reafon , and Scri pture wiU never do ic, while ffiichrcafoningasthisfeemsfatisfad^oryor honeft. 1 For the reft he f^aith about Antiquity, and the Teftimony of miftaken Str^ and/ VivCiy I ref?r you to Mr. M which if it be true, mcthiiiks they fhould make Confciencc of all thofe grievous evUs that they run into.BefjdesthofiiJAihldU iiiujt one^in the beginning,mtthinks it fliould lie heavy on a tender confcience to add to Gods Word, to affirm the repeal of his Ordinances, which no Scripture aff rmethj To fay he hath revoked his mercies,whi n they caionct prove if, To put fuch a fcorn upon the moft higli God,as to fay he hath revoked his mercies in mercy, without giving any greater or other mercy inllead of if ■-, and that ir is in mercy to the Church and Parents to have their children all out of the vifible Church,and to have this Ordinance and mercy revoked, though it be no no mercy to the children^ as if Infants were fuch creatures,that it is a mercy to the whole Church to have them all kept out j Thus to deprave and pervert the facred ScriptHres,againft the nindoftheHoly Ghofi', To t each falfe D ogrincj To defile the Church, and make work for more Reformation ? To break jHe^econd Commandement by taking down aj^a f <">f ^h ? prflinanrf ?; ofX^fi? 1 o corrupjQHeiT^ivv^^ un- XTTranHings j T Q_draw poor fouK mEg-efforu-wfiorr^^ recover again.To run upon a way that God witneflcth againfl from heaven : To be guilty of the Chur- ches dolefull Divifions, and the great grief that hereby opprefleth the hearts of the godly i and cfpeci ally the faithful] Miniflry: To hinder the falration of multitudes of fouls,by being ftich a fcandal to them : and iifual lyhy virifytn p^d paiafuH Niniftry that fhould do them'good, and doing more to the difgrace of thcm,and fo to the hin- dering of the Gcfpel,than the prophanefi fcorners : To vilifieGcds Ordinances, and fcorn them,as moitof them do by Infant- baptifm : To hinder t!ic bleflfed work ef Pe- formation,and fo help to def\roy the hopes of fo many thoufand Chriftians : To open the mouths.and harden the hearts of the enemies , an-d make them fay of the godly, You fee wlvat they will come to at lafi ; TojMuip-tbemHvciiiiahejy^ hearts, anrj r^nfur^ (if nor un-Chnrfh ^ ^I fthe Churches ot Chrif\ fi ncedic tigiga of the Apoitlcs , or almolt all : To difcourge godly Magifirates, and bllng theminto fuch a fnaie,ihat they know not what to do : if they refirain thefe men,they are a- /Traid of perfccuting or being injurious to men for fuch difllerence : if they do nor, Vtheyareafraid ofbeing guilty of all this evill : To waft fo much precious time in thefe Difpures and vain jangling5,which fhould be fpent in helping one another to Heaven, contrary to Aom. 14.1. i T/'w. 1.5,4.(2^ ^.3,4- Tit. 5.8,9. with manywore the like fins.O what tender Confciencc can bear them ? much lefs rafhJy and violent- ly rufh into all this guilt : and all this upon no necfiity .^ What is it that they fo eamdUyJkbiSJkl^^ th^t^th^|r^gBj:hildreB_a re allout of Ch rif\s vi-, liBIcChu rch?And what excellency isin that aShcruiicnvif it were ff ue,that fo fliould ^laReTSiTBreak the Churches peace to vindicat it? Mr, T, confefTeth^thatif they ought Infants c hHrch^memherfinp and Baptifi^. 1 6 1 oughc to be admitted Churchmembers , they ought to be baptii:scl. So that all tlie QHeftion is, Whether they onght to be admitted vifible Churchmembers ? And is it not a tiolefuU cafe thatjmX-Q iriftians fhould be fo ze aloui_mjiHp ute their own djji- - '*-dren ou tofChriftsChu rc h-iand rop lear? th^irbey hlr yFioTTgRrtobeadriiit tedMeni,- *bfers? that they are no Difciplcs of Chrift,^ and fo no Chriftians ? dw none be found in Earth or Hell to do fad) an office againft our children,bat Chriftian parents them felves ? Doth Mr. T. take itfo ill, that I call this the Devils fart ? I fhall fhew yo'j f tiow that it is far worfe than the Devils part : I fpeak foberly without pafiion, I bf- J lieve it is materiaKy wqrfe. I conclude in the words of holy, judfcious, peaceable Me- 'w^//7o«,(who, as ^fr.r. would fain make the world believe, was inclined in this ro ^the Anabaptifts^ as they are cited by Conrndus B^rgius in his molt excclleat Pacifi- catory Cthoagh hitherto much unfuccefsfuU) Treatife, called Praxis CathoL Divmi (^*anonis Differt. C. pa^. SS. ltd nos projinndams de Baptifmo infant ium : Habemus tcft'i- monia in Scripturis mamfejia quA ajfima'^'t^ extra ecclejiam non effe falutem^i.Er^^o infm- > ^ mus EcclefiA infantes. Deinde fy prim.a Ecclefid tcfiimmiis jnvamur. Itajudexejtver- f >lMm Dei., (fy" accedit pura antiquitatis confefio. MelanH. in CorpJo^Mna edit. Argentor. 1580. p. 479' »•€• ?o we pronounce of the baptifmfof Infants; We [*ave in the Scrip- tures inanifeft teftimonies which affirm, That out of the -Church there is no Salvati-. on , Therefore we ingraff Infants into the Church ^ And then we are helped by the teftimonies of t'ae firll Church. So the Word of God is the judg'^ j and theconftffion of pure Antiquity is alfo added. The Lord jefus, who being yet an Infant, was Head of the Ch urch, foj-give mens A /conceding agiinffc their Inlants-memberlhip, and himleUvindicale their privjic^gts, O . [ t!»at they may be fofifv^red ro come to him , and not forbidden , bccaufe effuch is the V\ ^L Kin^dome 'of Heaven. And' tHe Lord- recover all his own that are fallen into this de- ceicfull error, anddcliverh}S poor Church from the mifchiefs that i: hath already 'brought, and is yet bringing on it. y^/nVn.'' CameroinDlfputatione cum Courcellio, retcreiKC P. Tcftardo. ■* AVfdiiit Camero Infantes f Mian Ktjipp i>vdi i ur p.yfpii ^ jH^ ii^jjp ducpprtinpm^f. . pi/if.;^ ^od lit iUul}rav€t.,Ar7ftotelem axduxit in Ethids difputant-ym^An Infantes Civiurfi ejufdcm Civitatis- Cives did ify^ ccnferi debeantPac dt/ium pYivrke^us-fid.^ cum Ciyes vnl- gbcenfeantur it tantum qui ?rinapifidelitaUs JmWandMr. prfjl Hermit., ftut cei tk ogidis . . yrga Civitatcw vd Prhidpem defungiuitur^- qu£ n^i^dim vafent pei' ktatem pr^Jlarc In- 'ydntes / filua dijficnltafejjcfe expcdit , ut dkat, Civium Infantd^ tffe '.tr.-T,^ f]t(;Mc ejh *Oeluti appevdicey fii{afdamVarentuw.,ify rtputayj Crjes^c^uia cum ex Cii3:is i^ttifntyta^X 'din Cives in bcnefido cenfentur., quamdiu opere {'y fdihs mfe- mn piydi'd€>iini mastics J Bxewplum ad remfic accommodamt Camero^ vt djcedt. Irifastei fdyitt': pde/imj pareatMi:! effe 7rfo<;3^i'lci<,.ac in fijcdere cenferi., \uid ?^/7■/)^a^)^u^ -intf.i^ fcf^^^t-^^. cy frderdtrsy :fc' Cf — pioindetamdiu haheri pro fcederdtis^ quamdiu ipfinict foedus r.on dcjeruni^ ^ gratiai'i ^- ■ CbnjliqA^ eft ft'deris fundamentum per Jncredulitatem nm rejiduni.quodnyi aduUifd- cere ncn p'^ffunt. Ilaque fi moriantur anieqiiain ad ^«d,^ierri]c meaning, of clie Promjle iiirhe Second commandment, wicll KKjjic (?i{;his llibjcd, Rc^d out the reft of i fut Difpuranon. I Know by wliatiT/r. T. luth borrowed concerning Vivcs^ Strabo^ i^i. rliatne ji ji^noc unac^uainred with the Tefiimcnics which V':\'s'vm bringerh frr Infant baprifm, not ocly out of H'loom^ Ahftin^ Paulims^ Theddorct^ QondL Melevit. Germdcnf. ^ Bracaceiif pc And what Grot jus hath in his Annotations, wit!} which I fee alfo M^; y. ij acquainted. To which it were ea(ie to add many TeflimOnies gathered byi\. AND k IG^i^^^m^ifor his Antidote, aiiH Cionftita^tipn- > ■ii>ifar3^^u,\buA.- SERMON. '4^-.;:^- ,^^ Being the third Part of this Tx^atifc. Extorted unavoidablyj from one that abhorreth Di* viiiiin and Contention, and bcnd.th his prayers and ftudies for the Peace of theXhorch. Rom. i6. 17,18. I kefeech you Brethren, ma)\ tbcm which caufe dhlfions and offences contrary to the doUrm which ye have learned^ and avdid them, for they that arefuch, ferve notour Lord Jefus Cbrift, but their own belly ^ and by good words and fairfpeeches deceive the hca ts oftheftmple, Rom. 14. I. Him that is weak, in tije faith receive youy but not to doubt full difputations. LONDON^ Printed for T. V. F. t. and are to be fold by John IFright^ at the KmgS'head in the Old Bailey, 1 ^ $ 6. 14 %t v^6"iK''ffl6 InfanU Church-m^mherpip and Baptifm. 165 jVIEr. T. 1 Should have faid little tjiore^ hadmt ^n vrexpeSIedccc/ifjcn enforced me to addefcme- thing fun her ythe loft Lords day harJlwi th^pir.t ofHcrefie j becfinfe I kpcw there were not a few intcmcrate Spirit s.ithatw£tc ready to arfure the holdwgof that DoUrinethAt I have tAugkt )£ ofdtryhg ififvpt'^apiijm^to be lanfull^ J to be Be- r^ie \ i did therefore the laft Imds day ahrc'aitly ( a^ J MVif) ^^(ar-.ny jelj-> ard thdfe that }M that which I conceive truths ^rddoyct n£ure»y jeijit isttuth^ far from holdiriganyNerefie. But it feews others thcyfiic\_mt to reckon them that dciiy Baptising 6 f Infants moji Hereticall ; and the next day after unexpeHedly I lighted u\on a Eook^of my ^fi/^^o^riJ/r, Richard Ea>:ters rrakjrg^ to whiih he tath prefixed a Preface^ or an EpjftlcDeiicdtory t9 his ^eighkcurs of KedernniEfttr, in which he ccmmendsto them ten DireSlions 'tin iheffthofwhich^ ajter avery f},o}t touch upon Antinomiani[m^ Sedma- tiifm, Arwinianifm^ Separation^ Ir. dependency^ he tbcnfiies out upon the Jnabaptifts wham be calls Hereticks^ and.meddleswith fcmewhat more fully ^ andpniticularly names me^and reckons me otTtong them whom he cals J^ereticks, as a ry man may eafi ly perceive, that if he did not lay at me only ^ yet mainly^ andfo it feems it is taketi j and accordingly that paf- fdge hath been hadupinpublick^ly theParfcn of your Pariflj thelftji Lords day:(^ Perfctis are grown infelent in their Speeches v.pon it. And I cannot tutobfe) ve it to be only ufcd^pdrtly to make me odious^ or contemptible to yxu^ and partly f divide your ajfeliions from me'-, anditis not unbkely to be the beginnivg of a Schifmf^ or reit am^tng you j and it is likely to be injurious to me throughout the whole Kingdom, R. B. SIR, I> am forty that ycur fpirit fhculd fee fo nroved at thofe few hmes in my Preface, as I undeiftand it was: I fokirnly profefs, that I neither theo was nor to this day am confcious to my felf of any pallicn towards you, but onely of ccrrpafTion for your exceeding high and pafl.onate difpcfi- - tion, and thatyoa fhould bean inftruracntof foniuch hurt in the Church of God, who otherwife might have done much good. Wethinks, that or- dinary ingenuity might have retrained your paflkn ; Ycu knew it was not in any caufeof my own that I fpake 5 It is the caufe of God and his Church : in which, as no man fhould dare to mifcarry by intemperance, fo no nran ought to ftecz or be remifs; 1 hate both ignorant violence, and luktwarni- ncfs. Sir, I can fay (whatever you accufe me of) before him that knowcth i»y heart, that if I know ray own heart, I bear ycu no mere ill will.than Idb the neercil friend I have > but heartily Io»g that God would recover yco from the Y § . fnare. l66 ^ . Plam Scripture proof of fnare, tliODgh I confefs my hopes do now mucli langmfh ; ) and chat it was the naecr cnforcemenrs of Conicience that caufcd m,' to write thek words. Sir, 1 amslt a dy- ing man 03eing almofi Gonfiimed ) my people of Kidermmftcr are very dear tome : Myaflfcdionstorhem, and theirs to me are»veryftrong i' ihavc laboured much ar. Biongthcm, and God hath given me chat fiiccefs which binds me to beeverlaftingly thankful! to God, and to be very render of them. And fhould J betray their fouJs after all tliis by my (lience, for fear of difpleafmg ycu ? You know I cake your Opini- on to be an '"'ror \ and its confeqiience to be dangerous : Are you angry -at this ? will you be angry with all that are not of your Opinion .^ And I wrote thofe Direftions ro them as my dying counftll, that they might have fomewhat to prefcrve ttiem, and might be minded of rhe fnare when J am gone j Had I not fpokenow, for ought I know, I might have never fpoke fo more. And do you take your felf to be fo bound in confcience to Preach fo many Sermons together againfl Infant-Baprifm } and may not ! write a few lines to defend them a^ainft the Irvfeftion of your Dodrine? If the- plague were at tewddy^ had not Kcdertmnfltf need to watch? when our Tarifh joyr ncrh ro yourrown, and our converfe is fo frequent ? You know, or mighcdo, thac I: meddle noT with you in the Pulpit (nor ever did ifi my life, though you wrote tattle dur yen were informed that \ had often girds at yoii ', which is a notorious falfhoodv So well have you taught your fewDifciples to fpeak truth -,} And may I neither in Pulpit nor Frefs fpeak any thing againft your mind ? All thir / was wont co'di-- fpute with aboutLiberty of Confcience, would grant a Liberty to fpeak againft error; though not to ufe force againft it. And by how many Letters, and Meflcngers, and Sermons have you urged me, and called upon me ro write ? and are you now fo an- gry at a few lines? /f/ have offended, it isagainlt my will, for it is without my • knowledge •, and no one hath fo much caufe to be troubled at It as my felf ^ for if it be evill, it is unconceivably more injurious to ray own foul than ro you. /am drawing apace to the time of my account. Truly Sir, wkhonr vanity /may aln^oft challenge you to name me a man that hath proceeded lefs rafhly and morexaure-'^ Joully in thi* point of /nfant-baprifm than "my felf.^ /never yet baptized bur two iii ipy life j and thofc were children of godly Parents, whxh is neer eleven or twelve y^ats ago- / had prtfently after fomc doubts about it, and Iend<^avoured rogetthem re- foivcd as impartially as /could i whik / have been fcarching, / have-forborn the. pra^ice till this day ', /have heard all that/ could hear aganifl ir, in Army and Countreyjhavc read all that /could getagainft hi Andthoygh /have beenlonglatif ficd, yet becaufe / was to be your Neighbour, & you were judged the mofl^k that way, /was willing to hear the urmoflthat could be faid, before /pradice>j,; And . though /fhunncd Difputcs of thisjiature as much as /could, yet when you W^/of^/. , cedmc to ir-» /entertained it with much difadvantage *, for a man of uyextK^pi,, weaknefs of body, and weaknefs in Learning, and unreadinefs of Speechoti: times tO^ Difpure before thoufands of peopkyand fome tliirty Miniftcns and-Scholars, witjjt?^' Bw of Divinity of fo long flandiog, andfo pcrfe^ly verfcdin-this ConcrovcTric,having -,, written againfl, and flighted far abler men. tlian myfcifv nothing but necelfityatid^,; love of Truth, could have forced me to it. In the mean time, / daily prayed unrd the Lord as heartily as /eould, than if ycu were in the right, he would not fuifcT nit tooppofeyou , bur convince me , and bring me over to you. And when the tunc came, though / wa^ extream ill the day before, God enabled me to fpeak from 1^- twixtnine and ten a clock, till a^terfour ,, when atno othf/r .time /.am abJe to f{ >eak ^gll above anhouj^iyea , and /was better a fortni-ght after cliari of long t^mie \ ThU - proYicicnce /k^ow/wa^ in anfwer to my prayers ;.An4/f9 the fac<;cf5 of that dayes / " - - - ,'- 'pir|5cite?- InfdLnts ChKrch-memberJIjif and Baptifm. 167 Difpoteiwhidi / tee in writing by ire,as it was takcnin fhort hand, but am imfeign- ealy alliamcd fofc ycuf £ihe, that the woi id iliOwId fee it. 1 nientic n net my rufpcnrion on>flptiziDg ,> iiQi" my doubts fo iong by way of exoufc, much kfs of boafting *, foe Goii knows, I Uiruitjtab my weakncfs & a rour/But to (hew you how caurcloufly I h'ive proceeded in tins cafe, and therefore how litdc cauic you liave «f be fo angry with me herein, (befides many a hundred pound Hic«nsthat I might have had more* if I would have baprixed and adminillred the Lords Supper. J Do you think I did not know when / wrote thofe lines chat / fhould offend you ? Yes j And did I dcfire to provoke you ? No, the Lordknow^ it. But/firft begg'd dircdion of God, aB And now he tels them in his Farewell- V fpcech j ttiat a feW lines in my Book to By own pjcoplc is like to wake a Schifm among 68 Plain Scriptme proof ef among chemibecaiife 1 hinder that fcarfull Scliifm which by prcacliing 8c lirivatedsa- Img he hath been long a working It is a fine world when Inch men as Mr.T. fhall crv cue againft making a Schifm among chem,becaure f warn my Ovvn people to take heed of his error. As if he had been fetting B^wi.'/; on firc.and'l bid Ked-:rmmj\eYi2LViii hc^cd of it,& therfore he would periwade rhem,rhat by fo faying,! were like ro fee Bdvodely on tire. It is part the reach of my underftanding'how thofe lines can caufe a Schifm : Will itfct them agai lift his Opinion ? So they were all before he came thither, for ought I can learn ^ and almoit all yet. Will it fet them againft his pcrfon ? i.l fpeak of him ab the motUearned and moderate of them in the Land*, and hetaketh the Anabaptifts for the righteft.people in the Land j and is not rhac as honourable a title than he can defire ? I have heard him oft accnfed to be very proud': And if this title be too low for him, I doubt he will fiill more verifie it. ^. Heisgoing from them, andthisishisbarewell-Specch^ and what danger then, thatdif-affc .. . , , - . . Asfor giving you a utle. to make you odious, i: is anpther of your untruths^ it is none of ray purpofe j but to call you by that name by which only yon are cominrron* ly known, /am fain to ufe the name of i,«f/jJM77, Calvinift, Arwiniany ^ to the Church : I l ike the anfwer that t he. Kin g madcvjad^en they enquired of his Rdi.^i on.and he tcldthem |]g]w!isTnTrtfH- JnloTif you Will have any more ot' me , 1 am ^ CacholrcKCh; i.iian , or an Ortho- dox Chrillian, or a Chriflian of that Rcligicn as was heldin the Apodolical and Primitive times. And yet/ muft ufe other naK[ics,though /utterly dillike them ,i\s being the fomenters of fadion, • - ~ ,u. But now we come to the main bufinefs.': Mri T thinks 1 (peak hainoufly , to fay. They play the Devils part. But let me rell him^that truly I fpeak not thofe words in- confideratly,but upon moft fcrious confidefacion : nor in that bitternefs of paifiou>. butin judgement and eompalfion : and in the fame fort fhall ndw fay this much mqre: that /do verily believe that the macrer or fubf\ance of your fa ft f feparared from the malicious intention) is not only a playing of the Devils parr, but worfc : yea, very far worfe infeverall refpcfts, than if it were the Devil that did it. /pray ,ey.amin firf\ deUberatly whether this be true or no : and if it be not; then blame me; ' ' ^* ■ bu£. Infants Church' memberfirp and Baptifm. I 75. but if ic be true, ic's time for you to repent, and not to be angry with thofe that tell you of ic- And now ffhill mjnifeft ic to you, in anfwer to your Challenge,thac yoa are the man that play this hainous part. And i . /s it not pity that fo able and lear- ned a man doth not underftand, thicaccufing contains more chin laying any crime, to on^s charge ? As the law hath two parts , the mandate and the fanftion % and as the true nature of a Law is to ht\lAn. Authontative Det erminatim de ddbito .of Due] "^ ^ fo each part of the Law determineth of a feverall debit urn : The preccpt(of doingor forbearing) determineth of, and producech the 4ug"gfs of obedie nce. The promife determineth of the ducnefs of rewa rd. The threacning determineth oftheducnefs of the l^enaky . Nbw^r, as there is a various debitum , fo there is a divers accufati- on. As there is a two fold Reatus^GmUh KeatusfaUi vel omifjionis ut culpA^isr reatus j)a2/ije , guilt of fault, and guilt of puaifhmen I*', fo is there a twofold work iortheac- cufer : And as the Keatus poena vsl ad pxnam^ is the chief thing which is cornnoaiy GdUed guikCand therefore thecom-n^n definition ofguilt;is,tiiat it i^obHgam ad}£' r^am^ an obligation to punifhtnent^lo the Chiefpartof the accufers work is to charge that guilt , rather than that meer guilt of faath notright tp the good that is pleaded for him : And then 2. As a mean _ tochis,he pleads his guilt of faft or fin. Now Sir, / fhall firft fhew you thjt you play' the accufer of your own children, 2. And chat your iia is aggravated more hainoufly ill feverall refpeds than the Devils, i . One of the mercies that God balowech in this life to his people, is to be members of his Vifible Chii rch^and fo to be i.i all Pfoba- 'Eilicy members ottlie invifible,to belubjeds of die viriblefpecull Ivingdomof Chiijl, to 1^ DifripIeyLofOirlO, r.7 !^.- fn|^ n nly engagedfb y the Parents into Covenant- with Chritl,taki aghim for thtir Lord and Saviour3a nH;bintmptoiirelves to obedience if tliey livej to have the bemshcs otthe condicionall"CoveiTanrorfrTce fealed up to shem, to be baptized for theremiifionoffias, as the Scripture phrjfe is, and to be baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and 4oly Ghofl, to be dedicated tj God, or holy asfeparated to him. Now Sir,did you notzealoufly difpute ag;iinll z\ thcie a- bove {r:i hours together with me before thoufands of wittiefTes ? Sc plead that fntants we. e no Difciplcs, no vjfjbie Church-members, nor fo holy ? fiirely yoa did. Aad is not he an accufer of you that wouldplead chat you are nofubjeft of King or Sua no Citizen of a City where you are enfranchized, no mt;mber of the Church Vifjblc 110 Difcipie of Chrift, &c. If you dill fay that thefe are no Privileges co Infants , aud therefore it is no accufation, /come to that iu my next. 2. And herein you hainoufly exceed the Devill.i./cis more narurailto the Devill than to men,and godly men: therefore you fia againft nature more. 2. You arc neer- lyiclaced co your own e'iildren,they are yours, whom you are bound co love dear- '" : bii^they arc notfo re-aced co ths D-vili,they are not his : Ic is aure hiinous for ^^ ; _:_-. Plff^ Scrrptiirs prdof of \s ilacher to i>k.;d Unsown child one of his inheritance , thanfor'an enemytodoic. o. ihc Dcviliibinovccl by his own dcfperac cbndiriootO be malicious i but you ctnnot fj»y ib. 4. Ai)d wliichis ycchrniorc'T the Devil , for ought we ever find, doth never atciiit any ab dtlerving the pena'ty and forfeiti&g the rr.ercy,huc for forre fault i he provtth the guilt of fm, and i'o the guilt ofpunifhment for that; But you accult your children, as having no right to the faid holintfs , Church- mcmbcrfiiip, bitciplefliip, {'^c. without allcdging any fm as thecaufe , which is a foukr injuilice thai the DcviU is found guilty of. Indeed you fay here they have originall fwi ^'but ^onorfay,thac for that they are bereaved of thefe privilege^. Nay, as the eomple- ment ot\ our error, you do plead that it k no privilege to be <^f the Vifible Church for thtnfi, and that God ieaveth them all out in mercy j though it was a mercy that once /nfjiifs were in the Churcli,yet now ic is a greater mercy that they are^out: and to whom is this a mercy? why to infants, to all infants,thofethac are faved , and tiioie th^t arecondemned,and,to their parents, and to the whole Church', thefe are yonr own words ^ and is not this to adde fcorn to accLifacion ? as Jfulian did by the Chriftians when he buffetted them,and took all from them , and then told th.emic wasChrifts will, and it rtiouid turn to their good. Find wherever tl\eI>eYtl# guilty of this. .,'',,., ^l y^^r- And yet you fay, it is language that you underftand nor,to call the denyall of jflr fants'tiaptifm[Ac'Gulmgthem.} Anfw. 1 . It is pitty you fhould trouble the Church? I fo much with your do<^rine,and vaunt fo againll all the Divines that are againft you, : and yet cannot underftand fuch athing as this. 2. Do you underhand that denyall V<^f their right to Baptifm,and to Difciplefhip and Church- member/hip, and Chriiti- aniry,is an accufmg them ? Thefe are the things that we are upon. Doth no he ac- ojfe a Prince that dcn5cth his Coron$tion,and all right thereto ? , . : 5. You fay, you difpute them not out cf the invifible Church. Anftv. i. Bfut will you >ield that they are fo much as feemingprobable members of theinvifible Church/* Ifyou do,then they arc members of the vifible-, which you deny .• For to be avi- fible member of the Church ,or a member of the vifible Church , asfuch,Isno more than to be a feeming member of the invifible Church,or one that we ought to take in probability to be of the invifible Church. Now if you deny this , then fure you deny morcthan I. A poffibility isnot fomuchasa flrong grounded probability. And whether I fay no more for'infants falvation than you , I leave you to judge by my former Arguments. Butyoufay,thatno difputation of yours tended ever to keep them out of the vifible Church. To which I anfwer , It' is not in your power to keep them out diredly , therefore it is no thanks to you it you keep them not out. The Devils falfe accufations of the Saints, as having no right to heaven , doth not keep them out ofheaven^ for which they may thank God, hut no thanks to hun. Eut you plead that they areno vifible Church-members,nor ought to be admi;red or initiated fuch,or have any prefent right to do it. And what can Satan do more in way of accufation in this cafe, than plead that they have no right to thefe privile- ges? indeed you are more favourable than to plead diredly that they ought to be all damned, or certainly fhall be *, but you plead with all againft the chief grounds iofthe probability of ihcir falvation. You deny them to4)cin'"Ct)venantwifhi1tc Lord as their God^andtlieengagingof them tobehis. You deny that title- to fal- v atiaTr9rtTrch~upon prom ifc they have in p©intof Law (as I have fhewcd before) and you might know chat ek(Sion givcth no legal title, and wichallthat ,all fhall he ?udged by the word, and according to the Laws of God,', even Infants as well as 0- • rhers ^ and fo their title to mercy muft be pleaded frcm feme prcmlfe of God in his Injants Church' me^berfiip a?7d Baptijm. i jj 9. And fure, fo far as k is in your power, in my jucigement , you do as much as "pi^ manm Engtand^ ckat I know, to keep them out of the vifibk Church : For you ^rcvery zealous and induflrious in preaching, difputing, private folliciting ircn- not to engage their children in covenant" with Godi not to bring them as Members into the vifible Church', not to initiate them by Chrifls initiating fjgn i yea, nor to believe that they are, or that Chrift would have them to be Members of die vi^ ih\t Church til ihey come to age , yea, to believe that it is better to be out of the Church than in it. And fure, if the parents refufall can do any thing to disfi-anchik- the child, and keep him out of the Church, you have done your part to keep them out •, for which \ think Chrifl: will give you as much thanks as he did the Dilciples for keeping fuch from him. But what a ridiculous paflageis thistoprofefs yonr judgment, that they are no Members, nor ought to be admitted, and yetro fay,That ' you do nothing to keep them out? ' 'But you rcfolve you will yet go'a higfier flep j and what is it that you will not fay to maintain yourcaufe? when you dare tell your people in the Pulpit : That it is the Devils part to affirm Infants are Church-membersyifjble, and to maintain their Baptifm. I blame my heard heart, that doth no more tremble and lament fo horrid eypreflicns, and to fee how far godly men may be given up.. Mr. BtacJ(Wood would have made the world believe, that Inf ant-baptifm and Reflraint in mate rs \ nf RHijPjo^T vyprf^ A Qtichrifts two laft Garifon s ;. And the Soanians lay , iTiat it ii I Antichr^A that firfUaught that Chrilt is God j and r he Dog rine of thej rinity is / of Antichrift : And others fay, That the Doftrine of thr-^buls immortality is Anti-V chriftian (as Mr. Bfake in his Preface to his confuation of Mr. Blackwo^yd ; which /-would have fome others to think on too, that dcterr thoufands ©f ignorant prokf- forsfrom truths with the name of Antichri A:) But fee how farr .T/r. r.;^ocs beyond them all ; he faith, That it is xht Devils parttto fay , that the Infants of believers are members of the vifible Church , and ought to be initiated by Baptifm. How long hath the Devil been fo charitable to believers Mants, as to ceafe being their Accii- fer, and become a pleader for their Privileges ? And how long hath he bee» fuch a propagator of Chrifls Kingdoni,as jo be forward to bring him in Subjeds and Dif- ciples ? if the Divel would bring chem into the vifible Church , I am fure he would bring rhem the next door to the invif]ble,and into a llrong probability of falvacion- / wilTi they do not next fay, that it isthe Devil that. brings people to Chrilf , awd makes Chriliians, and' that brings them to heaven. . ^ . But let us hear Mr. T^y proof for thisj for he proves it too-, bur with a pirtifil Ar- gument, almoft as had as the caufe for which he brings if. ft is this ; Becaufe many tho.ifands think themfelves ChriOians for their infant- fprinkling, and rell in it as the ground of their hopes for falvatioR. I have aiifwered this beforeibut this much now. I . li they think themfelve s Ch riflianE^as all piicibles are callij^d Cliriftians. Acls vi ♦ 2<^. they thifitt tuily \ P'ur tliey are Chfiltianf vifible that ar^ ba; " _ ) tiled in ro th< Mameof Chrilt, if they have not i'lrtW by vvofd or works rendiiinced n[i». 2. L ciouht ■ whether Mr. T fpeaks of thefe many thouunds by experience,or at random. /Jiaigj. not met with many perfonsllicb.a . If they do make thistlie ground of their hope for (^vation,(that is^^the very baptizing, and not Chrif\ into whom they are baptized,) no qiiefiion that error, and toref^ in ic,is from the Devill : but doth it follow, that therefore their baptifm is from him ? 4. What horrid confequence would follow up- on this arguing ? multitudes make their belief of Scripture , andl>elieve thatChrilll dyedandrofeagain,andisthc Saviour oftheworld,and the profdrion of his name to] tie the grotiiid of their hopes of falvacion -.[and / thick thoufands more than trufl 10 1 tlidri '■ -.^ ria/n Scripture procf of their mctrbaprifm.) And will Afr. r. fay, That rlie belief of fcriprurc ^ and ^r Cjiiifta^jnd tlie piokllicn of his name are frcn^. the Pcvil ? :lu;; feari>ig> ancjj^ra^ g^and Alnis-deeds : Arcthck therefore the v. vvharir 1 kiu w n^any rhat thii:k t6 b glavcj bcmj c rhcy are b>.frr ;^ n i ,y , Mr. T. ANdfer the Cover ant of Chrift^ itTr.dfbe underflc&d, either thdr Chrift mude to thctr, or thM they have m/ide -with Ckrift. I never by tiny Difiutatkn did difpnte them eut of the Ccvetiavt of Chrift^ as if he might not make a Covenant to them of Righteottf" v.cfs andfalvation : Bef/des which ^Ikjiow no Covei.nv.t of Chrifl that doTh afiure fur- give'nefs offns^fanilipcation^ adoftien^atd eterraliife. And I jay as much as Mr. Baxter / can or dare.fay^ That infants way have an intercfl in the Covenant ofi. hrijl , iein^ elp ; ^Ud.h God : but whether they have or i;ct , neither I mr. Mr. Baxter can certainly af" firm. It being unknown to us, or any body elfe , feeing it is hidden in the purpofe^ of'God^ ^' and known irnly to God, And for their covenanting with Chrift ^for wy part , / know not how any perfonjhould Covenant with Chrifl,,t7ll hepromife to Chrift that he will be his child ^ and take hfmfor his Lord: And J think,^r. Bzncr can ko where prove that infants do Covenant with Chriftfo,, NExt,you fay that you keep them not from tlie covenant of Chrift which he makes for they may be Elcft,and fo in covenant : but you deny they can Covenant with Chrift. Anfw, i.Thatisno thanks toyou,itbeingnot in your power to make thepromife of Chrift of none effeft.. Satan may fay the like, that he keeps not God from making promifes to his people. 2. Eledion is not a Covenant , nor arc they in Covenant, becaufe EIe fftn> J>rfps^ c'ul tffice heretofore the High Friefl amiii^ the Jews^ and tthers then were fipipi- ted M Codi but ds the cafe ffandi nowj f{n9rv M9 waji a perfm is holy by ftpiYAtioriybut by E - leSlion^trbyCiUing: Notv^ [never denyedtbdt Infants miy be ele^eUy aad feptra'ed t9 Gfd by vertue tbefetf: in thttfenfe hif^tjly accnfitb tne therefare^ as faying ani deny tng Infants are holy^trf^patated t9 O&d^ifhe underfiand it in that jenfe. And far Infants feparated tdQod by caUtogs if b: underjiind it by an extrao^'diftafyy immediate ciSing, as John the Baptijf wasfanliifi^dfnin the womby I can miiher agirnt^ ntr deny ; «r 1 think he neither. If bs itnderffand ttby %rMnayy cxUing^'fo they aU noifepa- fUtedto (lodjfirthey are not Capable •f heariag the rvord of Ood^nor oj receiving it ky f%tihy wijjfktre thew4i(s 9ffefarati9n to Qod» YOU come next to their holinefs: And indeed can a man of your parts know of ",7 r'£Piir3''''n" t^ ^od^^ll^ by ele^ion or by callinp?Methinks Godf, Or^nr ^r Deed of gift in his Covenant is the moft immediate ufual caufe of fuch holinefs of reparation. Indeed ycu may ftrerch the terms Elcftion and calling fo far,as ro com- prehend this:buc that you feem not to do.I queftion whether Elcftion be a proper fcparating or fanftifying,or to lit called rather a purpofcof fanfti fving in time,if you fpeak of /^dual ran^'tifying,and take not iandifyingasT(rrmin«/^/miiiMfnj ; For clfe r[Tar wh jch is nnr^canqoi! jie f^n iftified: and the confequcnce would' bCjValid, ab eji tewi abjeili^d eftfecundi : fan^ljicatus hcJcws^_the^ ^ era peculiar peopTerifnorrlTiTTeparating? 1 Rnow no mort prapcFa"nd dircd: way ' of fcpararion^thcn whcnGod f halllav claim to apcrfon or thing by his^Law^aiitl affix on it in ScripturTtnTnote ofliis Jntcrelt a nd propriety, or by Covenant or Scripture Gift make fuch a peffon or fort of perfons his o^n.He therefore that hativ faid f har 0ilL£l3ildTcnJlrehdJ^^^ are blcflcd^nd t^har he wjl bejo thcin a God Z&cliaSTcparntedlhe^ or Cqycnaiit^ .^nd fan^^.i^dtb.eni by this word of tru"tli7i4nd yet Mr.^I\canunH?f{Vand no reparation but by Election or Calling. How /can you teach the world to underftand more then other Divine5,as if they were all no body to you, wbcn yet you cannot undcrftand fuch eafie things which a very weak Chriftian may underftand ? If that a Landlord make it a Con- dition with his Tenant in his Lcafe that his firft born Son fhallbehis Servant : both not this Covenant or Lufe here ftparate^iiai.SoniO^c^^S'erYant.'' I think all V * out. Infants church -mtmberjhip andBaftJfm. 381 our ?'V>f^'r4rI-jf r^^rhar .-;||d m;ikf ny^r rhf^irl.ands^Of devote ar;v thing elfe ro thf main. tcnance of GodsWorlhin^did b-v that gilt or"3Fdicacion fcparate them to God. Th ere- tore !orrhfl^nl6o7 reparation by EIedion,OF extraordinary caii,or ordinary perfon- ali calling a^co the ear, (which are all the wayes of feparating that you could or would underiRanti or find out) they are all your own fancies j I mean none of them; and fo I gave you to undcrftand frequently and fully in the Dispute: but what you would not khow, you cannot undcrftand or rennember; Nay in private I ftill told youjthat I afcribed this fanftification to the Law or Covenant of God on- iy. Therefore the falfe accufation which you lay to me,rcturns into your bofom. Mr.T. BVi he fdUhlGod faith ^he Centrary'^Let mfee thife texts in which ht faith Godfaitk the mjtraryrfor they are all the Tey^ts he c»ncltideth any thing out oj^ fuving Rom.i i , i^.the fir/i Text to prove Infants are Servants ofGodyhe brings o«rifciple^whe7i that afer- V ant in this fenftk cue that freely and voluntarily gives fcr vice to God? But beftdesy when the Ifraelites children are called. fervantsefGcdj tf tncn^ that can^underfiand any thing., the meaning ii mt^ that Infants are a^ually fervants^ but in right to fne ', asd there- fore they fhaUnot bcferved as Bond krvamr-i he doth not {fenkwhat they didybht of Gods right ana intercfi he had in them. So, that the term [^Seivants'] cannot he under ji 00 d any otherwife then pafjiveh^ tb iy are my fervants^ that u. hecaufe of myri^ht to them, andbe^ cGufc I do Tj;y wttupontketn\and mt becaufe they do rfy Will a^ual/f]andifthis'be enough to jrcve Infanti Codsfervants,thcnVi!i\. 119- 9^- They continue this day according to thine ordinanceSyforaUare thyfcrvants. Jkat is the heavens mntioned ver. 89. and the Earth rramioned in ver. 90. If this be a good Argument^ infants are called the fervants c/Ged^ therefore ihey are Difciples^ end fT'ufl be baptised i by the fame reajenit wmld foUow.the heavcm and the Earth are called theftrvants of Gcd, Flal. 1 1 9.91. Therefore the Heavens, and the Earth are Vifciples, and are to be baitixtd. Judge I frayj Ncbiichadncizar ]cr.43 10. iscaUedGodsjtrvant j WhatthenVishe therefore a Difci- pie ? What a hUatkn^an Iddatrem King? andtberefore to betaptiT^ed / BelevediUm hih to ffcafi. I tfsight more freely give my i€p{ure-, but I [pan . ^ Aa 2 R.B. 1 8 a Plain Scripture proof of K, B. WHen you fay thcfc arc all the Texts that I conclude any thing from,eyccpt Rim.11.19 it isanocherofyouf palpable uncruths,as they know that were hearers, and is to befeen before. To that in Uv'it.is 4i»42^55'you fay,i.It was on- ly a priviledge ro the Jews children,aad not ours:To which and all the rcfl I hare fully anfwcred before,and dcfire the Reader to turn back to ir.But thus much now briefly. 1. The jews Infants were Infants , and our difpuce you know was of the fpccies, 2.1 have proved that our pririledges are greater then theirs(and you deny it not,^ and that this was not peculiar to them. 3 It proves that there is nothing in the Age to make them uncapable , or clfe the Jews Infants would have been uncipablc.- 2 Where you ftiJlurge that a l>ifciple and fcrvant mud be meant of one that voluntarily ferveth God,you do but go on to beg the queftion^which yeu never yet did any thing that I know to prove,of any moment. % When you fay the fenfeof Levi^ 2$. is, that Infants were lervants [in Right toGodQ if you mean, ^Related to him as a peculiar people feparated to'himfelfc from the world Jl grant it ',and fay that is the meaning of Infants being fervanrs, and Holy, and Difciples ftill. But your ridiculous additions of being difciples paflively, and as the Heaven and Earth,and Nehchadnezx^tr^Scc. /have confuted before in vindicating this Tcxr. I concluded nor,that whofoever is called Gods fervant may be baptizcd,miu:hlcfs that whdtfoever is fo called may be baptized. Where did / argue in either of tfToie ways? But you are fo accuftomed 10 miOakes, that you feem to underhand little that is faid to you i no wonder if you lead others into miOakes.Mycos^cliifion was this,that if notwithfianding their Infancy,they are ca p^[ ; )le of being Qod j fcrvancs, as r elatively frpararprirojiimfplf fr^^n^ the world , th en rhey are capabTc*bf being Difciples in Inlaniy COoTwhereupon you denied tuiz rhey were calitd Gods fcr- vanish and / brought thatText to convince you. But can you think indeed thac thofe Infants were called Gods fervantsbut as thecreaturcs,or as Nebu(hadne7:_:(s.r} why then God fhould have commanded the fetting free of their bond-flivcf,ajQdpf all their Cattcl,for they were his fervants pa jTively too \ yet its Orange to fcc,wileii you have "plaid your (elf with your own abfurd fiftions, how triumphingly you conclude how you could ccnfurc me, but you fpare me, and you are loth, u is, I am confident, for your fake, and not for mine, that yon are loth, as I Osall prove anon.But were it not for your finning by falfhood or reviling, I fhould not wifh you to fpare me a jot.* So little do I regard tobe ccnfuredby youj Burl fee here upon what filly grounds you can pafl'e a confident judgcriient, and freely cenfurc the generality of Divines that are far nw)re learned and godly then me or your felfl And when judicious people wonder at you, and think you have half renounced your Reafoujand talk as if you were between lleep, and waking,yet do you roufe up your felf,and glory that the day is your own, & boafl what you can do,but that you fpare and are loth! A compailionatc Conqueror you arc Indeed-, you hurt notjbccaufeyou fight but with a bulrufh. Mr.T, Infant Church-memberfhip and Baptifm. 183 Mr, T. HU fecond text is out o/Deur. 29.10,11,12. &c. thdt if another place wherein Mr. Bixter /iifib that God affirms contrary r« that rvhich I [ay % the rvards are thefe^ Yc Itand this day all of you before the Lord your God,yourCaptains of your tribes, your Elders, and your Officers, with all the men of Ifrael , yo ur little one s, your wiTCs,and thy ftranger that is in thy Camp , from the hewer of t1iy wood unto the drawer of thy wacer,thac thou fhouldft enter into covenant with the Lord thy God & into his Oath which*the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day t^cAs there any word here of our children^ here is no mention made of any hut the children (/"Ifracl. And (hat which I (aid in the Dif^utation^ though Mr.EAXterJeemedft confident thutit isfo deer in that Covenant^that every one of theittleoAesdid enter into that Covemnt^nd faid^^j the Fafifts had but as good plain text of Scripture to prove thiir Religion^as tbit is topo^e thit every one of the (ittleones^ of the Children of Ifrael did enter into Covenant rvith Ood^ he would be a Paflif :yet it moves me notj but ^ill I fay it cannot be clecrty proved,that every Infant did then emer into Covtmnt^^ there are trv^ reafom (iil iathe text a hrom thefhr&fe of entcringimo Cwcnant* Entering into Covenant Jay fome, rvM by faffing {for fo the He- brew vpordis) by paffinxJeis^££n^inniefjhe beaji that wm k}Sed i norv this was jure eitne byfome in the najBLiUIi£^xeJf^ mtlythe little ones themfehes.Avid 2.it is faid, Ye ilaflithis day all of you before the Lord your God,that thou fhouldeft enter into CovenantjWith the Lord thy God, ver. 1 4.15. N ither with you only do / make this Covenanr,and this OJth, but with him that fhujlerh here with us this day befoic the Lord our God,and alfo with him that is not here with us this day. Mari^ he ^hatisuj^Jiaix^xidUiAUh'^sday.isnota^omwHh verf. 12. That |~rlicn J fhouldeft enter 1|« to Covenant. Sn 1 conclude{_thou ] in the 1 2 verC/i di^in^ front the refi that flood there ^ 4imong which the little ones were comprehended. Yet I d{ny not but God did make a Cove- nant with the children of the /fraelites j but then they were a peculiar people J iftin^f from the whole war Id^to whom God did engage hmfelfi't many especial refpeils\ai to bring them into the land of dm^n ^and do oihsr thmgi for tham. And for our Chiidren.ifany M^gt- firate iid enter ^0 into Covenam^lhjtOivmi but hemtydoit. But according to the ConjH- tution of the Church of chn^iws whence to inf^j btCanje that little ones did thrrefoenter into Covenant with God^ therefore cur Children do enter into Covenant xi>ith God^ and are t^ he ntcoumed viftbie members of the Chureb^and c nfequeiitly to be Bapti:(ed> I confefs.fr «?; partyitis a far fetcht reafon ; axd indeed hath no rcafonM^ is a great trdflake, whiib Mr, Baxter h^ldi as if the fame Con^itittionojjkat Church which was then is fiOw'-, when that God never fent his preach '.rsfo tot each feopk and gather the ChU'ch'of the Jews at he did when that be fern the ^pojiles to gather the Church of'ChnlVti^s v this difersnt wjy of gathering them t doth (Itew plainly the different conflitutton of theje^ijl). &ni Chrijlian Church;and there fofe Mr^BiyitCT doth mo§ impertinently aUedge tltis text for tb^t buCtr.cfs for which the Dif^ute was , to prove Infants to be bnptired , let him aHedic ir at oft as he pleafe. Aa3 K.B. 184 P'^^'« Scripture proof of K. B Concerning tliat in Dcut.29. 1 have .infwercd your vain fenfclefs caviJsbcfore, and fliall do tiie reft in your confuracion Sermon afterwards, and thither refer the Reader. Only I fee, and fay, the people are in a poor cafe that trulhhcir judge ■ mencs implicitcly on yeur guidance, and take their opmions on your word, (or I Ice the eyprti's words of Scripture arc nothing to you, when it is againft your fancy. .4ad thcfe riiac will rakefuchan anfweras ycu here give for fa tisfaftory or rational, I think them uncapable of prtfent underftanding the truth, till they have got u:cir Fvcafon more (\rcngt!incd,or their prejudice andw ilfulncis more v^cakned. Mr.T. Mr.Eaxrers ihv d text, wherein hefath God faith coWary to me.is AS.j$.io, where, Pcrcr in hit fp^jch jni(h thM.Now therefsre why tempt ye God.tc^ut ayoak, upon the jicckoftbeVifci^lei, whkh neither onr Fathers nor we are able td bear ^ The yoak., faith Mr.Ei^tcT, was cireurvcif.in, ai bindingto the ctrmoniAU Lawofmftr. theyarecd- l?dVifcpl€i upcnwhomthi^syoak rra^ put , feme bfthoje were Infamh t her efm they arc Vifcip'-es. ^'h:^s than fec^rgmngis this/ The yoik^i bui a Metaphor , and ids uncefuin whether ft be VoCime, or-the a^ oj cicutr.ciftcn. U is true, by confequence, the Dc^nne of the faife Fropbcts and Cirmnciften which ihcy would haicput upon the Difctples.Uiey would have put upon the Infants : but they did not, nor would they twmedmely tak,e away thefdre* fkin.of their fle/fj. $ut the putting on the yoak isplain]yman}jefkdtebe the teachi?2g^»f %Uffe Prophets', ntjd theVifciples were called brethren in verie. 1 and /n verfe of the fortner Chapter, they are faid to he thofe whfife hearts vpere purified by faith; and cln this be faid of Infants P Shall we from fnch anobfcuranjcrence 4S this k, contrary to the ufe of the word thiouihm ther^hole New Tefiament,gtatio»» infix hundred places itiifotaken. Weanfwtr i iWr. Baxter cannot^ 1 thtnk^fbsw in any one place where the rvf>fd\^Ho!y']is takfnJn hufenfcfor aflate orperfon fepATAted to Qod-jn that way that he would have a perfenf-^aratedto God, neither byele^ eiion mr outrvard uUmg.noi any Oiher way that I knew of, in which hvlmfs is uf<;dfor « (f^tejepamted io Gcd. Ij ^fr.Baxrcr will leU us how ^hrldreaaiefeparated tt Gid.we fhaU ^:,/M/et/f,//;m' hi^' that there is not a Textffjews that [Holy'] is take>t in his fcnfe. But bcir^d k i^AS then willing, and pill i<,to carry things ifi the generals, and m diJlMly tci/iis hew inj^tits arc f^id to te h ly.andin afiate feparatedjo God. ArtUfortiaifenfeygnvecf the jormer part $f the verfe^ The unhelieMing huibandJi CnSi'ficd iaike wife-; that H,fa*m^tdi%UH wfc oj the wi\e. by vertneoj the wifis faith, aiin rir.i.i5.'< To the pure all things are pure : 1 hen thskanely true 9 fthofe wives rbdt kax e true faith befoi t God 9 and they cnely have their huf bands fan^ified t» them,who - by prayer md juiih have a ho^y ufe 0} their husbands. What if i: be granted / then it foMwt that eaely ihe children ojfhch parents are holy ^ for dfe, that is, if the unbjlieving husband we^etii'tjan^hpcd in the wifc,th(nyeur children were utKlean, but new they are holy, §r (leas: e fc were ymchildieti untie an h that isy if thM were not fa, your children wtre un- I cleaH'y iben itjoUcwSythat if there he any child whereof cue parent is not a true believer be' [fore Gd,tlm that child u unckau.ihai is^in a jtate not feparated to Gad. And what wilt KoUow hencellf this flite of fepaiation gives them right f Gedythen it wiS ftUtw, that no child ought to be biptixed.lut the child af one parent which is a true believer before Oodiaud Co I would ask, .)fr.Baxrcr,«f any body effe^hcw they dare baptise any InfantWe wit fay, they ouiht charitably to]nige fiftbem.Unt J fay.t judgement ojcharity is noriile in thk cafe^net" tber ought we to proceed withtnt ground jrm Scripture, mther he ncr I do ^nom that the parents} any child it a true believer before God-,andf» neither he nor any Miniver ujpep earth may, aciordini to this expofttiou, pre fume to baptize any Infant, until God vtuchfafes by s that mud follow theruleofChrifttmiitHtiM. tkftcwwho meDifciples tn Chrifis fenfej thofe that profcfs the faith of Cbrifi^and accordingly we ought, and I will proceed. And thk text in iVr.Bay.tcrs «»n interpretation, will motfervt the turn. But concerning my inter* pretBtion, however j»/r. Baxter conceives oj it, I do not dtubt, if he will let me (eehit trgw memsfor his hterprttation, but when I have weighed them, my interpretation mayfiand when his will fall. And thus have I gm through the fourth Text that Mr. Baxter hath given Butfuch high words cf, a$ if the denying cfthcfe Texts to proxe that which iWr.Baxtcr brings them for, were to jay contrary to Ged. UmUthtofmK.what Imay^ menas they are affetled they fpeaf^J perceive. R.B, Ihfants Church'memberjldjp and Baftifm, 587 a: K. B. Boiic I Cor. 7.14, you hive nothing that is not anfwercd before more fully then ic defcrvesjfave a new crochet of the nature of the rcft,where you fay that /cannoc fhcw where the word Holy is taken in my fcnfe for a flare or perfon feparated to God in that way,&c. /^nfw. 1. is ic not enough that /prove it is always taken for a fepara- nonjoiiid'. bur I muft /hew that rhc word fignifies a fcparation by tl)is or that way- or meapii tifedcd ? Muft every denomination of an ad: or a Relation, fignific alfo the ptrricular efficient caufe of Jr, of meanes, or antecedents? Here is arguing fit for \.our caule. Shall I tell you of an argument juft like your exception here? Amm was out of love with his wife,and re(olved to put her awayjand to this end( being one of thofe that could believe almofl what his lift) he was refolved to believe (oradeait fo maintain) that it was lawful to put her away. When the Scripture was produced that forbiddeth putting away a wife^he anfA'ered, that the word [wife] in Scripture did fignifie another thing, and not fuch as his wife, and challenged them to fhew^ wiitre the word [wife '] in Scripture is taken for one.that v^s married with a Ring A and a Common- prayer-bookjas his wife was jand becaiife no fuch Scripture could / be fhewn,he triumpheth,and concIudcth,that Scripture forbiddeth nor putting away fuch a wife as his ; Af\d is not this the fame kind of rcafoning as yours ? So i prove that Holincfsss always taken fora icparation to Godj andyoumulthayeitfignifica fepararion by this way or that way. 2 But you arc furc that what you fpeak is rrue',that no Scripture fpcaketh of Holi- nefs in this fenfe ; you will confcfs that the ]«'wc ir|ranrc w/>r/> j'f.p a p^rf'r^ ^^ God; they. arc called t he holy $ttd\ a nd was not this direftfy by the La w or Covenant of God by whichheTfgally ftatcd themjn this Relation, a nd appropriated themTolitmTe^f^) and gavclhcma legal right to the priviledgcTTt wasliot b)^£lcftion in tlie llr^d fcnfci only j for all men were not fo elefted , but all were the holy Secdj it fs true they wereclcfted to this relation from eternity; and fo are our infants to the relation thac they ftand iB,as holyj but the Law or Covenant did adually give them that holinefs and rclatioii to God, to which from eternity they were deftinated. ^^nd by calling they were not feparated ; except yon will underflandit , that the /nfants ar ecal- [ffj in rhe call of |^hf ir p^^tcnts^ and fo ours arc called, as well as theirsV Yea^TotaT are you befides the truthTntRis, that it is more doubtiul whether allTcparation to God or holinefs be npt^yjertue of fome Law; or at leaft whether moftly it be not fo, where God is the fimSifieFrfor Eledion and Calling exclude not this, but rather u- fually include it, God cals us to be Sonsj and yet it is his. OyvcjaanLthar co nfcTsj he Relation and dignity of fonlhip on the callediToas many as believe he^TvFtTT^w- cr to become his fons ; fo as that calling goeth before Believing , fo Believing in or- dcr of nature goes before fonfhip, as being the condition on which it is given ; and where is this given on this condition, but in the Covenant or Law of Grace? fo is it in the prefent cafe i it is the Covenant that gives the titleand Relation of holy or | feparated to God, even to thofe that are called i and fo doth it ftill as it did formerly - to the feed of the called. / i4nd >et when / fo fully explained this to bee my meaning to Mr,?*, both in pab- lick and private, he rcU them here moft confidently, that /was then willing,and ftiU Bb ann 1 88 J'lam Scripture proof of am to carry things in the general, and not dillindly tell him how Infants arc fiid to be holy, and in a Uacc feparatcd to God. To which what can I fay,biu lament that Mr. T. ha:hfofarlaidby coniciencc and common modefty. For i. raulticudesof witnertcs heard me explain myfelf, andl did at large to him in conference alfo^and never was unwilling to doc it. 2. Heaccufcrh my will, both as then it was, and a$ ilill it is ; And doth he know my heart/ will lie (till tifurp the prerogacivc of God ? I folemnly p/^ofefs that if Mr.f. know nor my will b-trcr then /do my o An, that this charge is a moft grofs falfhood. The nacureof it willallowme no eafier language v for if I fhoLild fay it is true, I fhould my felf be untrue in fo faving? And is this fit for a Preacher of truth/ and that for the Fulpit? and fo many of thefe? And will noc thcfcjuftifie the charge of [having little rendernefs of confcier.Cc-, ^f.] which M. T. took as fpokc of himfelfe. Arid for his great exception about going upon a judgment of charity in baptizing, /have fully anfwcred in its place already. / have fhewed that we go upon a judge- n^ent of certainty as to our duty, though wc have bu t g_prpbability of thcjggr fons fiL>_ rity, and that this Imltcs hiralelYfull as much as me j For He will take no profciFion but what is a probable fign ofiincerity. And here he tcls them again, that he will not fay what he may. Zf he mean [what lawfully he may]] / give him no thanks. If he mean [what unjuflly and finfuily he may] /thank him for not wronging God and himfelfscfpecially if he had been as con* fcionable throughout, as here. Mr. T. 7 Gd w II cannot dlgrefs nfortifie you agawji thefe SeSs'] Se^^rifts he cbargeth w we are, ^It it fgfie f§r him, and any tthers to write i^hat they fUafe, they hive th e libei ty. It, at I urn ;i Senary or doht/d with any SeB^ be catinitprtve^ R.B. YOU have little caufc to be angry if /had called you a Seftary h you know it is a Cm that the Holy Ghoft condemns , and therefore no godly man fhould make light of it. And may / not almofl as cafily know you to be a Se9ilrmes9f.Mrs,V{Vit* "chiiifcns, but nom oj them againft Baptifm of Infants, R, B. T He judgements that I mean they have fccne, arefachas this Land is full of, and now groanes under, giving up thefe Scfts to fuch vile opinions and praftices, as might be a terror to any confideratc man that followeth chcns, unlefs he will goc on as the Egyptians into the Red Sea. For thofe in Nt!w England^ they are apparent and undeniable wonders wrought by the finger of God Almighty. Sir, God doth not ordinarily, nor every day work won- ders, and crois the courfe of nature ; and therefore his wonders arc not fo be flighted nor overlooked. I wifh all Divines and Ghriftians in England that ate too favourable to the Antinomian principles, would a little more fadiy & ferioufly confider of thofe wonders j and whether they ftiouldnot above all errors decline thofe that God hath fo vifibly teftified his deteftation of. Certainly God would neverjhavc done it, if he did not expeft wefhould obferve it,artd give hira the glory. It is a defperatc thing to be hardncd againft wonders. , But you fay,that this was not aganft the deniers of ihfant-5apti(m, &c. Anfw. 1. 1 intended only the Antinomies in mentioning that example. 2. I have had acc|uain« tance with (orae of them that left New England when Mr. Wheeler and Mrs. Hutthinfon were difcharged, and they were againft Baptifm. 5. Your language about ths abfo- lutcnefTe of the Govcnaflt of Grace is too like many of their Tenets, Bb2 Mi% ■ 4Jfi«V' ICO : . / -. TlaiH Serif ture frvof of M. T. ANd if God did decUre w'lth ]ud^en cmsf om Heaven a^iin(f thfe errcrs j &ne of thm is the 21. [To be jujiified by futh^ U to be jajiified ty works v do bnt csnftder h^rv titare thu h to Mr. Baxters own Do^hkey in his Apbo:ifms nf Juilificition, 7^. Aphjrifm^ ar.d o- tber$~] from what hath beenfaid^it appeared) in whatfa)fc faith only )uj\ifiith , and in whit fenfe ivtrkj 4lfo )u(iifte. Faith ortely juftifieth as the great p-'tncipal Majkr duty 9f the Oojyd^ §r chief part of it's condition^ to which ali the rejj arefonie way reducible, IVorkj do ')uliifie as the fetovdary^le^e principal parts of the condition of the Covenant', and afterward hi ex- prefly maintains jrom the Second o/Jamcs Crphicb mu(i «or bt mderflesd faith he by a Met:- nomy as Mr, Pcnible and others explain it) and iffo^ then Mr, Baxter hoids thit Jamts tea- cheth that we arejuftified by work/ «f Charity^and gruini to tbt poor y and ijtbis be not one cf the errors that prereccndemned in Hqw Enghndy which God from Heaven decUn'd agatrA} I leave it to be tcnfidered. R.E. BUc that which follows about my Do^rinc ofjuflification is the very height of alf. I know not what is in your heart; but a hearer would think it were ciicvilee- biiilition of rancour and malice in a moft evident falfhood that hach Icfc no room for bluQiing. I do not remember that ever I met with the like from any man in a black coatjand I may well fay as you did to Mr. M4r(ba\i fhould fooner have cxpcdcd this from a Jcfuit then from you, and cfpecjally in the Pulpit, and before a tlood ci tearc. The 21. Article condemned in New EngUnd'Wis this [to be juftificd by Fairhiis to be juftified by works.^ This was one of the Antinomians arguments againft purification bv Faith iFor their opinion was^that the Covenant of Grace had no condition cither of Faith or obedience,and fo that no man was juftified by Faith, but by G hrift oncly dwelling in them, even as our Antinomianifts fay, that we arc juftified before Faith, €itherfromctetnity,orclfcimmediately on thedeathof Chrift. Now to prove this, ^hey bring thisreafon againft juftification by Faith, bccaufe [to be juftified by Faith, is to be juftified by works3 therefore they think none is juftified by, Faith or works. N.QWwhjit doth Mfil', but bring this as the fame tenet with mine, when it is even difcftly contrary ? That this was the meaning of the Antinomifts is evident. In the 27. error they fay, it it incompatible to the Covenant of Grace,to joyn Faith thereto. And the 57. error is, tha» we arc compleatly united to Gbrift before, (fy-c. without any Faith wrought in us by tlic Spirit. The 28, error is, that to affirm there muft be Faith on nuns part to recerve the Covenant, is to undermine Chnft. Error 38. is, There can be no true clofmg wirh Chrift in a promife that hath a qualification or con- dition expreftcd. Error 48. is, That conditional promifcs arc legal. Sec error 44,45, ^47,50,<52,64,^7,^8,72,8i. where the fame is evident. * Now wftat is the Dodrinc that /maintain ? why, it is in this plain terms. That Faith only juftifieth as the condition of our firft juftification j Butfinccrc obcdic»ice to Chrift as a fccondary p^rt of the condition of our continued atd con- fummatc Infant Church- memberjhip and Baptifm. 1 9 1 fummare juftification ar judgeltientj yet that neither Faith nor obedience is aay caufe ofour)ul^ificacionjnor the leaft part of that Righteoufncfs which the Law requires, and which we muft plead for our juftification j nothing but the faiiffadion of Chrift is that which Divines call tjie mittcr of our juftification.or rhe Riphrennrn fft which wejguftpi ^d co_acguit us m ;ucigemcnc. /n at works in F4w/srenfe,that is, fuch a and ^ pcrfof qa the . Officct o f a Wifctoai Husband, and be faithfuU to him : which if flie he /^ ~B^ 3 not 1 9 2 Plain Scripture pro^f of not but cleave to anorher,aDcl prove a where, be will turn her off Now this woman is policircd of tliis Prince and all chat he jiatlu upon mecrconfcntor contraft atfirfl, ""wichoiu any tiling flic i but yet (he Ihall not continue To ponclTcd, but on condicioa Ihc conrinue faichtullf cfiougli for parricular failings thar violate not the marriage Go- /vcnanc,!hc (liall nor be caA offJSo we arepclleflcd of Chrilt with all his bcnehts up- jon condiriGii of our filth alone , or mccrbelitfc and confent ■-, but wefhall notconti- Inucit, bucon condition otfaithfull Love and Subjci^ion to the death. Yet cliis hath Vor the narore uf a dowry, as it were^as if we mult Uing any thing in our hands to Chri ft, cither for hilt participation of him or continuance, bor faichfulncls is no me- ruing -w oik. Ir was inciuded chat wc muft be faichtull when wcconfented and cove- nanu'd ro be faifh.'uU i and that to attain the ends c-f the Covenant. Or thus, As 3nfwer, a hiaiiicus Errour indeed. Suchasis delivered, Joh. 1.11,12. As many as rcceivedhinuje them he ga\€ power to became ihe fons of Ood^ even to them that belKve i/i his name'. Doth he think that live fcje^ing or refufall of Chrirt is any parr of the fin of infidelity? Doth he think that Faith is in the will as wellas theunderflanding ? if he do nor, Davenant in his Determinations, and Dr. 7/4//, and AmeftM , and JWelanWim.^ andmoflof cur Divines are againflhim, and/j/j^o CrQcm and many more againti BelUrmine do affirm it to be the common Dodnne of Proteftants.' But if he do rhiuk that juflifying Faith is alfo in the will { as doubtlefs it is^ then how can he exclude themoft immediate Elicite i4^s, which Rejpe^hearumqHafuntadjinemy zrc Eligere^ Con/fijrjrf,«f/,as jiqui/i. and others generally ? i4nd I would fain know what is the danger ofeither of thefc points .''Is it leaft hereby we rob Chrift of any of the honour of his office ? O that any man would manifeft that in the leaft degree! Hath the Govc- nanc of Grace which promifcrh and giveth Jufliftcation, Adoption, and Salvation anycondition,or hath it none ?1 know no man that is not of the Anrinomian Faith, wilfay ithath none: /Ind if it have any condition, is it any queftion whether Obedi- ence and perfeverance be a fecondary part of it? IsnocGhrift the Author of eternal falvation in all them chato bey him ? He b 9.$. And /would know whether Chrift do perform this condition for us ? or whether he require that all of us fhoulddo it our felves? and enable all his Eleft to do it accordingly y Doth Clirilt Repent and Be- lieve in himfelf, and obeyhimfelf in our ftead ? or will any fay fo, fave a crazed brain? why then if it were not of Ohrins part to fulfi.13 thefe conditions of the New Covenant for us,(^but he rcquireth and enableth us to fulfil them,Jis it any wrong to Chrift that we fulfill themj? or to know and fay that we fulfill them ? or to call them the conditions of his Covenant,when he hath madcchemfo? What? is it a wrong to Ohrift todoashcbidsus ? and as he requireth us upon pain of damnation tq do .^ and will condemn all that do not .^ When ChriO hath bought U5, is it any wrqng to him that we obey him/ a«d that to the endshcharh propounded, m. as ihc condition of our participation of hirafelf and his benefits .^ If I give either to Faith or Obedience the leafl part of that honour which is due to Ohrift, then blame me, and Qiame me, and fparc me not. But Mr.T, faith chat^he thinks I have not perfwadedany one Miniiter in. England to be Infant Church-memberfhip and Baptifm. 193 be of my Opinion,] To wliich I girc hirei this Anfvrer : i. Ir is none of my endca* deavours fo CO doe. When I had once put forth my Arguments in that Traban. iSeigiiis in Joh glzd. with divers others do affirm,thjt fincere obedience is the condi- ticriofno. Inofing or keeping jnfhhcation when we have it. i^nd is not that all one jsto fav,ir 1^ acondirionof JuUification ascontinur:d,as /do? Yer the fame Divines lay, we^re juiiified by Faith only without wosks ; but then they fpeak of ]ufiification at in the tiilt Ad^ and (o I id) too. ("bci it was not fo clearly difccrncd by Divines TTrrvjf"; j/ T^r/JF/iTTrhad^cvinctd it. tki c iuflificati on is a coyiti^ nf^ ^^, ^"^ nor a/iy InHanraneous ad, i)jn>iul ct femel as to be ccafcd,as was before raughtj 2. And for my definition cf Faith, not only as it takes in Acceptance of Chrift, but even of Chrift as Lord, into the formail definition, Mr. 7. may fee tliat Dr Fre/jo/iij pc- remptory for it and large upon it. And Mr. iVmowof New EnglandTm fTis judicious grounds of Divinity gives the fame infenfeasi do [juftifying Faith is arecciving Chri ft.as our Head and Saviour , according as he is revealed in theGofpel]fo doth godlylvlr. Culierrvell'in his Trearifc of Faith .• and Mr. Trogmorton in his Trcatifeof - Faith fix or fcven times over. But why fliould I name more, when the Learned godly Divines in this Land in the ^Henibly have agreed on the like definition in their Catechifms, to which /wholly and heartily fubfcribe [juflifying Faith isafaving grace, wrought in ti^ of their obtaining falvation,asalro our Divines fay."' i4nd how can it be a condition of ourfalvarion, and yetnocowdition ofourfinall juftificacion, or ofthecontuiuance of it here/ And is it not asgreat wrong toChrill, tolay that our Works or Gofpci- Obedience is acondition of our falvation, as to fay, itis a condition of our ftnall ]ufiification .*' furc it is Chrifts Office to be our Saviour j and he that makes his own works to be his Saviour^doth wrong Chrift as much as he that makes them his Jufti- ficrs ; but he that maketh them butfuch conditions of both asaforefaid, doth no whit derogate from anything ofChrifti except it bean honour ro Chrift to have his fervants wicked and rebellious. They that will fay that all their obedience harh no other tendency to their falvation and finall Abrolution, but as meer fi^ ns. and . that rhcy Obey only that they may have a bare fign which is not fo muchasacondi-j tionofLife, 1 fhall expcd they ftiOuld flag in their obedience erelong: /amfure' the end of Ftfj« Wil t- fhirean Yqu may.know a Crab- trte by the four fruit 5 yet not every Grab-tree, for feme nr^ay have nofruir, and fome grow where you cannpt know them. Is there no ufual chara^^r of a faftion but that which is a ftrid property of each individual party ? It iscnoughthac by the lives of the generality of them , Hercticks may be known. 2. Many have lived godly that have been called Hercticks by the angry Fathers ffor the Church hath Hill been too libcrall of this title even to thofe that diflferedifl nothing fundamental. J But what realHcreticks can m.T. name that had holy lives? The bcft have njade nothing to facrificcjLhgj mJty and peace of the Church to their fancies, and rent it in pieces to ftrcngthen their party. ; < . i. iWr T. faith, that there are proportionably as many unholy of that party tHatI am of ;*To which /anfwerr 1. 1 never meant that nicer Anabapcifls were Hercticks; therefore my fcnfe of that Text were neverthclefs good, though all the Anabaptifls had holy lives. 2. But for the comparifon Mr.T.makes,! have faid enough before. Lay by the common people who are confcientioufly of noiide, but will be of that fide which is in credit, and then compare thofe on each party that are carried to it in judgement and confcience,and experience will quickly confute Mr .T, his reproach, i^nd itJs no fmall degree of evil that a man is fallen to,when he dare flander onm^ke infamous the whole or greaceft part of all the holy Churches on Earth,' to maintain the reputation of his own Opinion- / know we have fome Davids C\x\(m^din& Peter s^ yea,and Jndas''s too > but let him either fhew any that ever came to the height as Cep and his Followers, or any number of zealous profeflTors that lived as tlie Anabaptifts mentioned by BulIingeryCal^i?ijScc. or have been guilty of the fin that in this age hath accompanied the Anabaptifli. C c :5 -«r. r. 200 * r//?/« Scripture proof of Mr.T. I A ^^ /'»'' f^^f ^^ faith[jhat veT€ but idem per idcm^ it is very firange \ Falfe Prophets \ jL\were the fub'jelfs, Mnd their tit^rine thefign.ind is thii idem per idem ? thii is but « ' corxeit ofyir.bixitXiytndllcoRfefstejtu'jbeyoMdmyfkilito cmetve. R. B. IFyourcapaciry cannot reach to conceive a thing fo eafi©, I would advife you to think your fclfunfic to lead the world out of error. /< man would think that your Logick fhould be better^though your Divinity be fo bad. Falfe Prophets you fay were the fubicds,and their doarine the figa.But there are three things in this fubjca ccn- fidcrablc,and thequeftion is,which of thcfeis the fiiratum, the thing (ignificd by this fign? I . .4s tliey were men,and fo Chrift never intended that we Ihould know them to be nun by their fruits. 2. As they wcrci'rophcrsjand fo Chrift intended it not neither. 3j. But as they were falfe Prophets ^ and fo Chrift intended that by their fruits they fhoiild be known. A^ow what is a falfe Prophct,but one that preachtth falfe doftrinc? are n^ot thcfe Synouima's ? Now Mr./, faith their Dodrinc is the fign; Not their Doa- rine as Dodrine^bur as falfe. So that this were plainly according to Mr.T. Beware of thofe that preach falfe Doftrine; youfhall know them to be preachers of falfe Doft» fine, by their preaching falfe Doftrine-, or you fhall know their DoftriRc is falfe by the falftiood. And doth a Philofophcr of Mr.T^s ftandingfay it is beyond his skil to conceive that this is idem per idemi and call it one of my conceits.^ Lee better Scholaii judge. _ . '^ .. . - Yec I was not ignorant that more then he names did fo interpret iij But magis atnica vtritas, ' Mr T. but at U(l all falfe Dd^ines lik^elj end in R. B. BEing not able to underftand an ufual phrafe, you fuppofe it to be ridiculous, an4 play with itj^probably and perchance]are terms of your oWn, and therefore the fitter for you to )eft with. But by [likely]/ mean [ordinariIy,or for the moft parlor ufually Infant Church' memherfhip and Baptifm. 201 urual!y]ic being our ordinary feufc of chat phraf:. And this nootherwilc propounded as a Rule chea Chrifl-himrdfc docn propound ir, not co be inllead of Scripcure,but as a confirmation and explication of ir. Mr. r. WHere hath there heen knmn a f§chty ef Anabaf tills fme the mrld fir^ hflew them thu proved not wik,edO Wi?y, i tell Mr Baxccr if he doth fiot knsrv. i. /« London there is known at tha day^ ani I doub: noi but there are irt this congregation that eante^jjicit. 2rTe Id !et .ou wm take it ,11 to be called an accufer of the brethren •, you ''"r A^dtr'tl'll'l! Germany, 8.c. I have told you before what they were our of n^Jc credible and knowing -viinefics then ycur felMnd as godly as the world hath had fmce the Prinwrive dayes. Mr. T. Il9t i; here^tiamed in ibis palfage. And if the men of Kedcrm nfter kpovo any [ucb thing by ms oi lyhsi,per{idm\nc(s, covet oufiuJs,niali:e, confempt of the godly Bnthren, licemoufnefs , er ?i feared cenfcieme, they may do weU to foScw the Me Mr Baxter hath given in his Ser- mtin' ' M u tell me of it, between me and them ', and if they do not vein n e, to take two me'e mthihem; and if I heaiken nofto thm. r» tett it to the Church. But I Icve not to tecriminatc^ for that xvere to fetid: labhorfuch ddrg.Mylifeishin^mtoyeu, if I am gmlty jf lying pMioufnefs, co7,-etoufnefs, malice, ccntetm of the godly Brethren, Itcenhcufnefs, or if a femd confMnce whether I am guilty of thefe J appeal to you that kjtorv my conveifaticn. R. B. THevknow fo many, that makes them the more abhor the way that leads to ir. Tnd for your felf, i. /never intended theaccufiog of you... thefc, but named ,ou w"th the honou of being the moft abie,and one of the moderated, /f you w, 1 rro^fe your felf accufed when you are not, you may .2 Yet becaufe you charge ,t as mv duty to tell it you,and thatfirft privately, &c. I fliall (ay th.smuch. ■. /would rhefe Soke OratiLs did not too frequei'W manifeft how eaf.Iy untruth will fall tliele I "0""^ Yh . ,. , have fhewed in that which s faid already , and your Inters LT^o iradon' Se"m 'n'fty tormuih. .: Perfidioufnes lies mofl in bteak.ng Co- and ^o"^"/ . and this/ charge YOU not with :t IS a great queftion in this age, Infants Church'memberjbip and Bapifm. 202 quireth many moncchs yearly rcfidcnce} having means alfo of your own befidcs and ycc 10 complain as you do in your Books,of the great want that you and your Fanulv may be put to 5 Si ego ftcjecijjem 4. And for malice, I wi II no' accufe you of It, leaft i fccm to plead my own caufe. Though many of your Hearers think that they have oft heard its voice m your Pulpitj and in particular when yoa wo-jJd have made them believe, that my doftrinc was the fame with that condemned in A>«.. EnglMd i whichyou have (cconded in prnir. 5. And for the fm of coacemnina your brethren C yea, the moft of the learnedft and godUeft Divines in the world, mul- titudcsot whom arc incomparably in all cKcellencies beyond your fclf J lap- peal to ail that ever difputed with you, and to your own molt judicious Rearers whether rhey have ever known many more guilty then your felf ^ who pre- tended to be learned Divines cherofelvcs :J and whether it be not ufuall with you to put ott the authority both of their arguments and judgements with a coniempcuous Imile, or a wonder at the fillinefs of them? And you told me your Iclf, that it was wilfullnefs or Kegligence in all the Divines that were tor Infant-baptifm. And who can exprefs higher contempt, or more evi- dent untruth 5 or a confciencc lefs tender in ccnfuring others? or more pride, in exalting his own judgement and fincerity / But I underftood by thisi thic it was wilfullnefs or negligence that kept your felf from being an Anabap- lift folongj and therefore what wonder if he be one now , who had no bettei prefer vatives? 6, And for licentioufnefs, further then it is exprelTcd by this liberty in finning , / hope you arc not guilty. Though your not reproving the prophaning of the Lords day , and excufing your felf from refolving the qudVion concerning its mor/ality, hath no good favour. 7. And in all thcfe , the tendernefs of your confcience appears. If you think i wrong you in mentioning thefe, I give you my true i4nfwer. i; I never intended your accufation in the palfages wherein you will needs take your^felf aceufed. But you will needs make your felf the accufed perfon. 2. And fo publickly challenge me to make it good, 3. Efpecially becaufe you will needs hang the credit of your bad caufe on your own, as if you were refohed they fhould ttand or fall together; elfe fliould I never have med led with your faults. But that eaufe hath this day troubled England-, and I will trouble it by fpeaking "the truth. 4. ^nd if I filcnce your fin after fo publikc an invitation to reprove you, it may lie on me. 5. /mention no faults, but what all theCoun- ,trey knows, or what you publifhed your felf in prcfs or Pulpit ; for the mat- ter, 6. 1 have privately admonifhed you of your untruths in Letters j and of jour hard cenfures, before two or threes and of your plurality of places, and 'thefcandall thereof i but all in vain. You made fo light of having no Icfs then four Market Towns to lie on your fhoulder^, as if it were nothing; and tliofe cvafions (from non cbligacion in LawJ do fully fatisfie you, which fcen} frivo- lous to' iiie, and to far wifermen ', feeing where you receive wages, you owe duty, which confcience will require, though the law of man fhould nor. And were you abler then you are, and had many to help you , / dare fay, you are little enough for the work of one place. 7. i4nd for telling the Church ; you know you are not cf the fame particular vifible Church with me, where /may fotejl the Church of your ctfences. 8. i4nd indeed in this 7 have, the advife of fa^c pious, fober men that /have advifed with, who think it my duty to lay whacl doj feeing the reputation of your fuppofed innocency is the fnareofmany, who forget that there are ihoufands more innocent tJ^at differ from you, and thou D d ' - fands ao4 ^'^'^ Scripture proof of fands Icfs innocent that arc of your way. p. Ycc fhould not this have moved me, but thar / ftnde warrant from Scripture. / finde Chrift fpcaking far plainlicr of the fcdu- cing l^hahfes,aiid the leaven of their falfe Dodrines and wicked lives, & that openly before the people : and Fa«i faith far more of them that would havcfeduced the Co- riutkhns and OaUtimi: Hepublifhed X>emrtJ his forfaking him, and turning to the world, and AlexAtiders oppo(ition,and Hymendm and Fhileimh\^c Doare not thefi-ock-^ Mr.T. THey hjve confident ey^prcffions to /h^epoor ignoram fcuts^ whom God mB hive difco- vered in *he day oftriaU } I conceive (iill lam reckflncd among thcfe -, Mr. Baxter j/zp^/ti fijerv what confident expreffions they rverey and when they were delivered. 7n e, I was then Confident-, and I am (iill confident:, yea and fo far, that as far as Iknorv mjownfjtartyl fhould lay dorvn my life upon it, tbit it if a, truth of God, that neither Jefisi Chiji, nor his jipojHes did appoint Ba^ti^ing of Infants, but that it is a meer conceit. Did I ever go about to (hake a-Ry o\ your fouls ? it is true I have brought all the Texts of Scripture that I know tj, which are urged to prove Infant- baptifm^ and have anfweredthem : Tea, and thw much more, }j Mr. Baxter rviU let me have his a^gumeuts, or write, he fl? all have an anfwer{ if Oodblefi andenable me ) (0 fuU, that there ffiallbe no ']uflreafonjor him to fay hchath not a fuUanjfiver. And Uhank, God for that which hath p why tio.h be not pTsduce them .' I R. B. Did produce them before witneflcs cnOugh,and in p4rticuUr,beforc many of them CO whom / wrote that Preface. Mr.T. YOu kji^w lijave had as much opportunity to try their ft rengtbyOS moft,and[neveryet met with any^in Oarifon, or Army that could fay any thing which might fiagger ajolid man^} If Mr. Baxter never met withfueh^ he hath met with thofe th^t urgefmn Mat. 28. 19, 20. that Chrift bid gomak? Difciples^ and baptise Difciples , and Mar. 15, i^. Go preach the Oo§el to every creature h and that ftiU the ^peftk puts repenting before baptizing ''t andm not thiiablt to f agger nfolidman / tiuly if fo be that menwiUnot be fiagge-ed with theje thingsy that hold baptising of Infants, for my part IfhaB tefo far from thinkjng it it part of their folidity , that it is pirt of their weaf^tefs, and that their praUice k a corrupri n. And I will not new be afraid to ^eak^itj that it k but [light, fnvolctfs arguingyand a man ofreafon woufd thinl^Mr.BdLZiCT were rather in jefty then m eafnc^» R. B. WHen you will from your ^drguments from thofe texts, then we fhall know their flrcngth : In the mean time, all your confident words fhcw not mc the lead ground for your conclufion : No more then this, Scripture requireth faith to Juftificarion, therefore none but believers are juftified, which is falfc,aud yet like yours,if 1 know what you would theoce deduce. Dd 2 Mr.r. 2o5 Plain Scripture froof df Mr. T. BVt he[a'}th of his Dyputation[ToH heard in my late fublkkVifpute at Bewdley, Jan.i. ;vith Mr. Tombs, whe is tak,en to be the ableft ofthtm in the Land^ and one of the mojl moderate, bow little they can fay even in the hardefl point ofBaptifm, whit grofs abfurdities the) arc driven to, and how little tender confcientioui fear cf erring is left among the beft, '| f O ^e faith this j the people of Kedermiii(ler hear how little they can fay. From whom did they heart it ? it may be from iVr. Baxter himfelfin his own caufe *, a mans orvn tefiimeny ii fcarce a competent wiinefs \_ But how little they can fay ] ( 2 J why ? / was net toplead by vpAy of arguing then, it was my fart: only to Anfwer : And how could the men of Kedermin- fter know by this what I could have faid^ they might kpow what J did jay j but I thin^^ not -what I cohU fay i for how the men of Kedcrminfter fl)ould know what J could have [aid, i4 pange to me. f O They might kjtow that I preached feven or eight Sermons of that Text in Matthew, andfo much as neither iJfr.Baxccr, nor aU the Divines in England w///' be able to stnfweT \ yea, and more I will fay i and preach, and write, if the Lord fl>all fave my life. (^4j Seeing Cod hath carried the bufinefs fo far, lamfo engaged in it, tit if ^y life be of' jeied in it., I conceive that I offer it as a fdcrifice to Ood, ■ ■ . .',■..•>- WHat a ftrange feigning fancy have you, that would make men believe that it f was only from mc that they heard it,and not from your own mouth? And this you would tell the men o(Bewdley in the Pulpit,who themfelves faw multitudes of the people oiKederminfer prefent at your Dirpute,being a confiderablc pare of the Congregation, which was judged to be many thoufands. (a^ And how few will be- lieve you,thac you could have fild much more to the points in hand ? who heaid x. how long we (taid at it 5 even about fix hours .• 2. i4nd that you, though Refpondenr, took np far ti)e greateft part of the time,and would oft-times fcarce let me fpeak,and Mfually inrcrrupted,and were very little interrupted your felf .g. And that /gave you leave alfo ro oppofc in proving the repeal of the Ordinance for Infants Church mem- berfhip. 4. Aw^ rliac you forced me to oppofe,and never will be brought to Difpure as Opponent your fclf, but only to put us on tlic proof. And yet you would make men believe r!uc you could fay more if you might. (3 ) For your eight Sermons, I heard rhem moft repeated, and unfeigncdly ;udge them worthlcfs for all your great boaft. You chole out the weakeft ^rgumcntsjaad then triumphed over tliem^and fome that were ilrong, you uiged in a wtak way of your owns or elfc weakly anfwercd . /t is cafie to conquer and triumph when you have no body to gain -lay vou. (^4) For the facriftcingof your life, I wifh you may doir,if ever in a better caule, left vou lofe it. But if you had conccivd your \\ic in danger, you would not have thrcatnc'd rac with the danger I go in for oppofmg you. Mr. r. Infant ChHrch'memberJhip and Baptifm. 207 Mr T. HE^dith {what gnfs abfurditief they are driven ro/] Mad he named them we xhen might bive judged oj thm j the grc[feft abfur dines J conceive veere notjuch as he talks of hU Arguments brought me to ', the mfjf were about my Expofttien of 1 Cor. 7.14. and whar if one let pafs an abfurdjty upon a'4 Ei^pofition urged [uddenlf. "f^'T^rrw R. B H Ere begins all thac I charged you wirh^though yoH arc picafcd to take the reft to yourfelf. ^nd i. for Abllirdities , (i ) where you would have had me name them, but thac was not fo fit a place j but to pleafurc you i will namefomeof fhcm here ( though about 1 Ccr. 7.14. you feem to conftfs fome; and yet even now, you thanked God for thac which paflcd from you, and fay, it was nothing but found /Arguments. J i. You abfurdly affirmed , That Chriftscomming in thefleflil is a mercy gji^en to r/?e Cifjurff/jinftead of infants vifible Mcmberfliip. 2. ThatitistoX the Infants a metcy given tbem inftcad of their vifible iJfemberfhip. 3. You affirmed I that all the whole people of the Jews were members of the Congregation of the/ Common- wealth fas you callit)but not vifible Members. 4. YouabfuffHy affirm- 1 cdjthat the Infants in the Wildernefs were no Church- members without Circumci- | fion, 5» Yea, you affirmed this after you had granted that all thc/nfanrsofthe Jews were vifible Members. 6, Yea, you affirmed thac noTieyvcre vifible Members without Gircumcirion,and foGod hath either no vifible Church among the Jews, or but Caleb and Jofima.oi few, when they entered the PromiRd Land. This was not a flip from you, before you were aware, but you infiftcd on it neer an hour to make it good. 7. This you did after our folemn engagement in the face of the Congrega- fion,that we would not fpcak any thing agaiaft our judgements for the advantage of our Caufe againft the other. And you took it ill when I told you i believed you fpake againft your Confcicnce, f that neither the /nfanrs in the Wildernefs nor any without Circumcifion were vifible TJ/embers .•} and yet when I told you that women j were vifible Members without Circumcifion, you confeficd if, and unfaid all again * ' and yet had nor the ingenuity to confefs you had erred, though you yielded the point. 8.YCU mod abfurdly affirmed, that no lafant can befaid to be 4 vifible Church mem- ber wirhoutfome ,4-wiifca_vL gtupon the jlnftance oTwo menb eing^iTi^ ha djg. rantedit before7afteL -3 loi]g~3eniall, ( wirtclTierthe people a laughing atyou j' And was this truth orConfcieniious? 17. You cell me that [cannot tinde any one Author that expcundeth I Cor. 7. 14. ofla- fants holinesinmy fenfe, before Luther and Zmglim \ Isthistrae? 18. You fay - that the word €^plcs,then it iseithcr bccaufe they are uncapablc of it,or bccaus God will not (hew them fo much mercy j but neither of thcfe; therefore &c. You brought a third ; It wasbecaufe they have not learned. 26. When / further argued j If they have not learned, then it may he reduced to one of the former 5 either becaufe rhcv are uncapable,or becaufe God will not Ditw them that mercyi you give a third, bccaufe they are not taught. 27. You abfurdly fay , k is nor Circumcifion as ntccffary and engaging to Moies Law, but it was the Doftrine of the falfe /Jpoftles, I which Peter faid that they and their Fathers were unable to bear. It were tedious to Vnumbcr all. How lamentably did you argue to prove thif Repeal of Gods Ordinance V for Infant ChHrch-memberJIoip and BapHfm. 209 for Infants Church memberfhip ? nothing but idem per idem over and ovcj .-infofjiuch that frequently Mr. Oaed and the reft of the Minivers th^t fare ncxr me, urgtd mt tc. Mt. T. BVt U this pi much 5* (^\)When a mm rvaifst.upon at ajudden. ("2) And the buftr.efs wuf fo carried on, that I tiHtfifcarce know of it (g J ^nd h^tve concealed from me the Argw menu beforehand i andf^Jrvken I hadfcarce time afforded me to repeat them, (5) When the Opponent would n')t open his terms. (6 J When a Kcipondent jhaUbefo checked^ ai he did me then. I thin\ he may be driwcn by an Opponent to as grofs absurdities^ as hs can fliew in any OHiofmyAnjwtrs. <^r}y Px. B. BUc /underftood ( as from other!, by your private confeffions, ) To here by yo'jr own confcifion, that you are confdous of feme abfurdities that" you were driven to \ yet you excufc wiiat you will not confeffe : and what needs rhere any cxcufc, had there been no fuch matter? but fin Is an eiiradglln^ engaging thing. One draws on another by a ifeemingnecefllty. Your excufe much aggravatetih your f.iulr. For while you pretend to fee more truth' thed moft 6f th^-Chriflian worlds even the moft godly, and here to plead for this truth; as if Gcds-Ofory needed mans fal^ood to^mainrain it, and as if the heap were not great enough already, you here add in four lines fix grofs untruths more. I am forry that Tamnccefntared to tcllyou4o. Bur he tliat will fin openly, muft be rebuked bcfore'alI< C\J 1. who can belicvo you were Tec upou at afudden, that knovyeth how'manyf wccks,yea,pnonechs the bu- iinefswas in motion, and how many Mefl^e; and L^tfers paft between us ? and that it was not in my power ,t.6 forceyouto Dfirpthte .<^ (-2 J = 2. ' And who then can believe th^t that bufincfs was cafriecj on fo as you fcarcc knew of it Z Who carried ic on but you and I? Did you not know of your own Letters and mine.*' Did not you force me to that I did,3s I OialJ fliew? Did not you promife your people in the Pjulpic toDifpute with me, when fome of them urged you to it y and preach eight or ten Sermons to prcpolTcrs them with your notions ? and told them when you promifed the Dirpure,that you thought good firft by rhcfe Sermons to acquaint them with t!)e ftate of the Controverfie / and therein anfwered, as you thoughr, all of moment that could be faid for Infant baptifm ? When I never preached one fentcnce before- hand, nor fince foyour Hearers or mine own, chat /can rcmcmber,on the Queflioni and when you would not at the defire of your people, give me leave to preach one Sermon on it afterward s?& yet can you fay,the bufincs was carried on that youfcarce knew of it?Why Sir,I am forced to tell you,thar it were awonderifyoufhpald have found the truth ofGod which others have lofi,whcn you havefojoft compn modc%' and^ 2 J o Pia^^ Scripture froof of and trurh in your PulpicTpccchcs. f 5) 5. And is it true, that^I concealed my Argu- ments/ Did you ever dcfire mc to lee you know in reference to the Difpuce what Ar- gumenrs I would infilt on/ Yca,cr did you ever dcfire mc to give you any thing as ro your own farisfadion or inforn^ation ? And could any Arguments of weight be new and f\rangc to you, that hadftudicd the peine fo long? and wroc on it fo much ? and coiuradidcd {0 many?and laboured to make a party & Schifm for your Opinion/who would think that a man that had any fear of God,fhould do this much,beforc he had fcarchc out all of moment that could be faid againfl him I Yea, did not you tell mc that Divines did all differ from you,and were ignorant in this, only througli wilfuU- nefs or negligence / and did you not Uill plead with me, that the Controverfic h mt difficult f And yet do you lay the blame on me for not giving you before- hand my Ar- gument I fiuc what if I had denied you it? had it been unfeemly and unufual? But be- caufe you fay the like in your Letter to me, and make this your common cxcu(e, let mc cell the world how falfe it is. /he firft time that ever / had a word with iJ/r.T. a- bcut /nfanc Bapiifra, was about five or fiK year ago, when he accidentally came into my quarters at the houfe of mymoft iniirc & dear friend QoX.Sylvanm Toyler inLond^n, and there did / urge A/r.T.with this one Argunent,and none but this, which i ftood on in that difputc, drawn from /nfants Church- memberfhip. After this I was forced to preach on the fubjed at Coventry ^ and /am informed by thofe that had rcafon to know, that Mc. T. had tlie i\^otes delivered him, where this Argument was in the front. And yet did he not hear my Arguments before?C4J4-That you had fcarce time afforded you to repeat them,is an untruth that hath a hard fore-head; or elfe it durll HOC have appeared to the world againft thouiands of Witnefles that arc ready to convift it i and in the Pulpit before that very Congregation that knew it to be falfe j and knew tliat though you were Kcfpondent,yet you fpoke much more then 1 j and that I was fain to beg of you not to interrupt me»but could not prevail; and that you repeated Arguments over, and over, and over, before you would take them right j which ovcrtedious and frequent repeatings indeed i told you would lofe us time ($J 5. Nor is ic anymore true that Irefufed to open my terms fo far as was the duty of an Opponent; Indeed I was lotii to turn a Difpute into a nicer Catechizing, to fol- low you in anfwering QueOion after Que(\ion.lf f had fpoke ambiguouf!y,you fhould have fliewed the ambiguity, and have diftinguifhed accordingly, which I intreated you to do. ^636. Nor is it any truer that I checked you,if thereby you mean any paf- fionate uncivjll terms : except you mean the checking your Opinion by Argumenr, which mated you, or the bare naming and difcovery of your mi flakes and raifcarri- ages. However / hope you are not fo baflifull aftcr^ all your defying the i4rmies of I Jfra'elyind calling, Give mc a man that we may DifputCj &c. for your uncircnmcifcd I Opinion,as now to be driven to abfur4itie5,mecrly by a check from fuch a one as i ! ' '■'»*" ■ ■r ii i Kn ii — ' ■■■ 11 r\ - Afr r. . .,./ '. ;..:■•:■ : / :' nr . ■ • • LEtMf Ui^'CT bringhis Agumnmsinwriting, that f may exafpinuhem » andibenfee r^hitabhrditmhecanhringmet^, For I toid him before the Difpute, that a fuuden Anfwer wauld not fatisfie any lamed mm in the xpM, I couid feZ?^r. Baxter that at learn- ed men as any 'were in the Land, were mt very a bU to Anixvtr a t a fudden, though thsj v^ere e^celknt in writing. A nimbk wit, and that we might keep clofeto the ftrideft Logical! Dfiwnng^ without any vagaries or difcourfes; And what room was there then for me to trample ycu underfoot, & Crow over you • And when I would have drawn you to ftrid: Difputing, you had nothing to fay,but [The people muft be ii'ade to underdand.^^f you account the bare difcovery of the nakcd- nefs and evil of your caufc by ftrcngrh of /Argument to be a Crowing oyer you ; and trampling you under- foot, I am forry that you fo make the difcredit of an ill caufe to be your own: Yet you would do well to confefs, and forfake that caufe that cannot defend it fclfany better. Would a man ever have thought, that had heard how light Mr. T. makes ofmoftDiyines in the world in this point, that he would have com- plained in the Pulpit of being trampled on, and Crowed over by folow and weak a perfon as my fclf by meer i4rgumenc / Mr.T. Ndbovp little tender confcjenttm fear is left among the befl. ] Whit a falfe charge U fy^berc P It appears that in the Difpm I had a confciemioui fear : Mere u a deep chargej nnd gathered as I conceive, upon a (light proof. I have little confcienttoM fear of erring lefi^ and thit U l^r.orvn by the Difpute at Bewdley -, What was the Difpute that makes methut? Why, becaufelhid not yield to Mr. Baxters Argnmnts, I did not yield lo them, nor do I/ee any Reafon why I ffjcuid yield to them then. Hath a man no confcientiow fear of erring, un- Ufs he h^ld the fame with Mr. Baxter ? ;Wr. Baxter holds that Works juftipe as part of the condition ofthe Covenant of Grace, and that ]upfyi^g Faith doth include Mceptance and (undry other tkhgs he preachetb as confidently as [ do thh. Andfhalllfay hehathm cov^cien^ tious fear ! I thinkhe hath not perjrvaded any onel^Mnifier in England to be of hu Optnm.^ lamfure in hit Utter to me Jje faith he mshijfed at from all parts of the Kingdom j and JbaU J fay he hath no fear of erring^ R. B- WHcthcr this deep charge be falfe or true, and on ftrong proof or on Wcak^ I will be judged by the moft judicious hearers. Yea, and leave any Reader to )udgc,whcthcr he that will mamtain all theaforefaid >lbfurditie5,rather then forlakc ftich a «ufe, have any great confcientious fear of erring ', For what yo"/ay about holding the fame with riic, its one of your vain intimations : It is for no fuch th ng Infant Chwrch-memberJIoif and Baptifm, 2 1 1 that I charge youi but for,i; ileturning fuch feeble Anfwcrs la.Building your caufe on fuch grofs abfurdities. 3. For ftandin^ in rhera, and faying and unfaying againft your own confcienccand kMowledge,and cngagemcnc ; and yet will not confcls ic .4 Fc^r your lamentable arguments when yon where opponent, to prove the Repeal of Gods Ordinance for infants Church- raembcrnii p. To what you fay about my Dodrincof juftification, / have anfwered before. Only this much more 5 If I have made no one Divine of my mind, but am hifled at from ail parts,thcn you may fee I am not of your judgement arid fpirit j For I do not feparate \ds qutflions about the Law and Genealogies, S^c ^which on one fide were truthsj was bccaufe t^iey engender flrifc,that is,brcach of Peace •, therefore he thought fome truths were to be file need for Peace. lo. Hell is not to be chofen rather then the leaft truth filenccd j But the total pri- vacion of Peace is Hell ; therefore , &c; We arc little beholding to thcfe rha r would iiave the Church turned into Heli,rather then filencc their fuppofed Truth. IT. If a man may filcnce fome Truths for his own Peace, then much more for the ChurchesiBut a man may filence fome Truths for his ov\ n pcace,thereforc much more for the Churches. The Minor is evident from Chrifts own pradice, that would not anfwer his Enemies when they enquired what might cnfnare him fevcral times^and fo the Apoftlcs ; and no man is bound to accufc himfelf,though it be Truth. And I con- je^ure that the reafon why 3/r.T.meddled not with thcfe things in the Fulpic,while the Ordinance againft Herefies and Errors \^ as in force,was his own Peace^but whca the Authors were pulled down,he quickly fpake our. And is the Churches peace of fo little worth to him in comparifon of his own .'^ 1 2. Mfliy, That Tenet is not to be fufFerd in the ChL:rch,which evidently tcndcth to its deftrudion : But this Opinion, [ that no truth is to be filcnced for Peace] is fuchithcrcfore,e^c. For if this take, then every one that doth but think it is a truth, that Chrift is not God,that there is no God, nor Heaven ,nor Hellj that it is the height of Religion to Blalpheme God,and Swear, and Curf?,and Whore fas Copind the rcfl of the /fnabaptifts that follow him} or that it is a duty to kill Kings,to blow up Par- liaments, or the like, will prefently think himfclf bound to reveal it to the world, though it turn all into confufion. And will there not be enough that will think it their duty to praftife it P And fo you fhall never want for a Clement^ a ^avilliack^^a F««x,&c. And every Congregation and Markct-plagc will have heaps of Preachers, while every man hath his truth to icvcal, though it turn all into afhes. And fo 1 leave jhis Opinion to .Vr.7*.and his party \ and again dcfire my friends to abhor it. Error II, Mr, T. hc/deth^ that Bapti^^ing U wH fo tyed ts adj perfgn, but that perfon thit k the in- (irument of converting other s^may be the inprutnent oj baptizing, f Tet he [eemcth to fiipjent t0 our excfpting tfrvcmen.^ Confutation, 'His he laycth down in his Anfji-cr ro the fixt Queftionj which he handled in his Sermons 1 prove the the coairary thus : I. H 22& Infdnts Church-memberJInf and Baptifm» I. If Chrift neve r fenc anv biic Miniflcrs ro Bapcize, then no others may do it ; Buc Chrirt fenc non^ biu Mmitters to Baptize, therefore no others may do it. The Antecedent is evident in the Hiftory of the Gofpcl-, Let themfhcw where Ghrift fenc any other ,and I Will yield, TheGonfcqucncc is pnsin hence-, i. In that none may d® ( any work wichQiuAuthoricyi buc they that are not fent have no Authorityjchcrcfore/ &c- 2, The Apoftles received commiliion for Prea diLng ^n^ Bapti zing together j tiierefore one may no more be done without commidicn then the other,3ccording to Chrilts way. The Apoftlcfaith» How (IjaU they peach except they te fent i and Ghrift hath joyned Baptizing in the fame Commiirion. 3. That which Chriit hath made pare of the Miniftenal work,by putting it in their Gommifsion,that they may not be ufurp- ed by others". bucChnll hath made Baptizing pare of the Minifterial work,by putting it in their Comraidion 5 thecefore, j^c. Ilie Apoftles received this Commiliion as Mi- nifters,and not as -Apoftles only. 4,if there be no example in Scripture of any but Mi- nifters that have Baptized, then no others may *, ( for the /^poftles eflabliihed the Ghurch according to Gods mind,and the Scripture is a fufficienc ruIc)But there is no fuch example, ( they that affirm there is, lee them prove itj therefore ,§i:c, $, (f any that convert may baptize, the n wpnten m ay ; Bur that were abfurd } therefore, &c. 6. If all things muft be done in order, then every man may not baptize, bui; thofe lo whom Chrifl hath committed it as there OfficcBut all things muft be done in Orderi therefore, &c. the con(cquencc is evident, in that Qj:jerre(ji^ircsihat cvery Member of rhe body_ha ye his own Offic e j and if every man ffioulcTB^judge^rto have" autlio-" ' rity to baptlleiwhac iiornbie^onfufion would it make in thofe Ghurches that border upon Turks or pagans, or live among them i Every one that had a conceit he had converted them, might baptize even the dcrtders of Chriftian Religion, and make mingle mangle in the Church* M Error V. r. 7*. hoJdeth, thut not Miniften onlyilmt ctb^rs that are no Miniffers^tn ay admmfle r he Sacrament ef the Lords Supper, confutation. THis I am informed he preached *, but I am certain he affirnfied to me ip Difcourfe with confidence. In a cafe of neceftityf as if people were in the Indies) where no Minifters can be had; if any fay that it is better a privare man Baptize and ^d« minifter the Lords Supper, then wholly omit thciti, I will hoc deny iti For the re- . vercnce of antiquity prevaileth much wfth me j /tfnd I know God hath alwaydif- 1 perfc4 with Gircumftantials.,when they come in competition with the fubftance.Buc / Mr. T, fpeaks It in reference to our ordinary cafe in England' Now againft him I fhall now fay thus much. i. He that adniiniftrtth the Lords Supper fin breaking the bread.deliveringit to all, bidding them, laA.^ f4t ,&c J muft reprefcnc the Lord Jefus, whohimfelfdid this at the Infticuriori ; But only Minifters, and no private men, areperfons who fhould reprefcnc the Lord Jefus in Church- adminiftrations 5 F f 2 Therefore J 2 2 VlainScripture proof of Therefore only t^inifters and no private men may adrainiftcr the Lords Supper. Mi- niHcrsonly arc called hirAmbafTadors, Stewards cf his Myfterics,and befeech in his i^ead.&c.lt is a filly anfwcr of >W.T.rhac Sacraments arc not called Myfterics of God. I For tlic Word preached neither is nor the Myftcrie it ielf^but a revealing and eyhib- litir.g of , that Myftrriej and fo are the 5acraments: The one revcakth chem ro the ear, and ^heoclier totheeye. a. If there be no command or example in Scriprwre of any bur MiniOers adminillrtng the Lorps Supper ,thcn no other may do it j but there is no command or exaiuple in Acriptiirc of any other doingit j They that fay there is, let themfhewir. ,, , . Eur by this time you may fee whether Mr. /. would reduce the Mmittcrial office. I. Others may baptize. 2. And adminifter the Lords Supper. 3 . And then, Preaching is all or almoft all that is left, ( for he gives them Icfs far in Government then I do ") And how well he defended the Minif\erial priviledge of publike preaching,in his Di- fpures with Captain Braj^ is too well known. And whac need the people allow fo much of their meanj then to maintain Minif\crs ? Is not this next to the utter extir- pation of thcm,according to the doftrine of their learned Martin Mar-Prieft •? Error I V. M iiever but not (jods^fenHngy Slc I Coftfntatictt, I Conceive thefe dangerom Errors of Mr, T. about the nature of the Covenant and Seals in general!, which I fhall touch in this and the next, are the root of his error about Baprifm, or at leaft much flrcngthcn it. It mud here be undcrftood, that cut qneftion is not about the internal feal of the Spirit,but only the external feal of the Sac? amcnr,w hich are two diftind things.The nature of this Seal, & whether it feal conditionally or abfolurcly, I have fully opened in the /tppendix of my ^phorifms cf Jn!iijrcation^ whither 1 muft dcfire the Reader tO' turn and read ir,co fave me the labour of doing it here. His opinion I prove unlound, thus- 1 . If the Sacrament right]xjldJIUBifij^ ^an liypQcnteJiaT^^all in it that is cf- fcn^aJQf Go^ sjgual fealing, then it is an aftual fealing i But the Sacrament rightly ad minifTr'tcTioanTiy peer i te hath all things in it eflcntial to Gods adual fcalingither- ' fore if is hisafluaUealing.A feal is an en gaging or obi gingfign, or at leaft a teftify- ing ; He that aiftually ufeth a fign to fuch an end,doth aAuaiiy feal Now 1. God ufeth thisrign.2.And to this end. i. Heufeth the fign,whilehisMiniftersufe it in his name at his command i for immediately he never ufctH it or applieth it to any. 2. He ccm- mandeth it to be ufed to this end, to engage himfelt to make good his promifes. For I. To what other end fhould God command them ? 2. Elfc he fliould command them ro be ufcd to one end to one, to another end to anoihcr,which it cannot be fhcwed :h^ Infants Church-memherJInp and Baptifm. 223 that hchatl.1 done.^I fpcak of the end of tlieOrdinance.not of the event which God hath decreed fliali follow.^ 3. If the promife Kg to others befides Bel ievers.the n fo is the feal, (for to whoai God promifeth, to theiii he eogagcth himIcirto*pCTf&rm ) but the promife is to others, therefore,&c. This will be evident, if it be once underflood that ic is ool y the Qgn ditional prnpiiff^ which (^n^f^a^f^rliKy rhpJ^jrM^i^r^rc j- ifthiiit believe in the Lord Jefus^ thoujlalt befave^, ~] For this promileis niadfero unbelievers ^ * though the good promifed is not to be enjoyed by any that perform not tlie conditi- on. This I have fully proved in the forcfaid Appendix to my ^phorifmt', and will fall under the next queftion. 2. If God doth no more in his atSuil fealing to believers, then he doth when the Sacrament is rightly applied to Hypocrites ', then he aftualJy f-aleth CO Hypocritcs:bur God doth no more in his aftual C.aiing to Eclievers,then he doth when the.Sacrament is rightly adminifired to Hypocrites^ therefore he actually feakth to Hypocrites. The Major is proved by the enumeration of the feveral A&s.i. God makech the promife i 2. Hecommandeth Minlfterstopublifhit j 5. He hath in- ftrtutcd the Sacraments as mutual engaging (igns or fealesj 4. He commandeth Mini- ftcrs to deliver or apply them to thofe th^iJ profefs their confent & defire to enttr or renew the Covenautj (This I need not ftand to prove,feeing 3f r.T.here yieldeth,thac the giving of the Sacrament is a right aft of the adminiftrarorj which it could not be except ic were commanded} as alfo the initiating Seal to the children of thofe belie- ving parents that will enter them into the Covcnant,as is proved tjcfore. Now what act more then thefe doth God perform to the Eled or believers Ink be faid,that he addcch the feal of his Spirit, that isnothing to the queftion, feeing we are fpeaking only^ the outward feal. /fit be faid that he affurci h_the confcicnce of the truth of the promife, & mSkcth rhe outward feal efF^^ual. I anfwer, i.T hat isTlill the inward feal,and fo nothing to this. 2. That is the making of^he feal fuccdslulJ,whicTrTs no- thing to the ad: of fealing /f you feal a Deed of gift to three men,& one belie veth it, and another doth noc believe it, and another doth half believe iCj yet this doth noc make it no fealing to him thatbelieveth not^youfeal equally to themall.2./4nd God doth not ajways thus adure the £left or believers, but that they oft conclude hardU- cr againft themfelves then others do that have no faith. So that 1 dcfirc Afr.T.to pro^' duce any one Ad which God performeth to believers, and nor to others which may / appropriate the name of fealing to them.But all this dependeth on tlie next queftion - h whether ic be the AhColme or Conditional! promife that God fealeth to ? which we are now to enquire into. Error V. r., r. boldeth, tfmthe Covsmnt iflcbereofBaptifm is the [ul,is the AMolute Cmuni I of Grace, n.ade cnfy to the Ele^, ' ConftttatiQa. M Any more mi (lakes he utters in the way to this about the Covenant. This he publikely pleaded for in his difpute % and allcadged Dodor ttviffe as affirming ih^ Covenant of Grace to be abfoluce. To which/ then anfwered, 1. That to thruft in tucn^ names and words, when in dilputation we were enquiring what the Scripture Ff3 faith, 12^ rlawSmfturefroof of faith, was unfcafonabJe and diverting. 2. That Dodor Twtfe doth conllantly in aii his WriciDgs atfirm, that the prgmilc of Rcmiffion of fin &faIvafion are conditional i though the proiiiile of the firit grace, 1 will take the hard heart our of their bodies, ^c. ] is abfolii:c. This 1 dare affirm, as having read fix of Doftor Twi(fe his Books a- gain and again (^Ahich i think are all) having been long ago fo great an Admirer of hull, that I valued him above all others ; yet though i ftill a.uch value him, I would give young Students this caution,Tiiat they rakehced how they read him in thcdo- dnneof Judification ; tor hefpeaks of Jurtihcationfrom eternity, and Rtmifiion of fin fromctciniry^and Faith procuring but the knowledge of Fardon and jultifying in for Q Conjiient'is^^cc. as the Antincmians do, and fights againft Arminians ^ith ^nrinomian weapons, to cm: great endangering of young Students, who are i. Ape enough to run from one extreme to another : 2. Efpecially toa worfe; g. And will eafier fwallow an error when it comes in way of oppoficion to an adverfary, and as an argument agamft another error. A^d 1 have been informed by a Godly, le.jrncd, Juditious Divine of the AlTcmbly , that the Antinomia.ns being queltioned, did plead Doftor Trr/jjej authority ; and the AfTcmblyqueLtioninghimfor thofepaHages in his i)Ook|^ while he wasModeratorJ he wasable tofay littlein escufeof them. Tliis on the by. But Mr'T.\ anfwcr to me was, that the promife of faving grace is not conditional *, and that though fome parrs of the Covenant beconditional,ytt it is all together that is called the Covenant; and the leading promife being not conditional, therefore the Covenant is not conditional ; and that it was a grofs palpable error ofmetofay, that the promife of faving bcnefics, was made to Infants that were noteleft. - „ And he faith in hi$ Exafheh and Apology ^ that Mr. Marflal fpeaks like Cervinm and the i4rminians iri his afTeriing the conditional fealing j and when he talks of che Ge- venantiChrifls furetifhip,&c. To all which I anfwer, r. A great many more Hot-fpurs of this age do make any thing /4rminianirm, which isbut contradiftory to Antinomianifm. I will not fay , Jiir. T. is an ^ntinomian, for I think he is not : But this opinion,fhat the Covenant rracc,which Baptifra fealeth,is only to the EIe^,and is not conditional, is one of two mafter- pillars in the /fntmomiari fabrick. 2. But to thefe Mr.Bla^e hath fully anfwered Mr, T. though in his Apol he paflfcth over much, and is not able to difcern his meaning; but he hath thelaft word, and that mufl be taken for a fign of vidory. For my parr, I fpeak impartially,according to my judgment, 1 think there " is more true worth in thofe two or three leaves oiMr.Blak^s book,in opening the na- ture f/the Covenant,then in allA/^T's books that ever he wrote about baptifm-And Mr, Blakf: hath fully cleared Mr, Marjbal and himfelf from the charge of fymbolizing \ with the Arminians ; and hath fully provd,t hat the entrance into Covenanr,and ac- c ^ination of the terms of it r^though not fincerely and unrefcrvedlyj is common to the Ele^ and ileprol3ate\and that the I'leprobatc are within the verge of the Co- vcnjuUiJ5.icnjderedjnjchc^o^ andjcc£j^d fas bcforefaid, wFth a naif h^rt J r And if any that are runlnto tte oFIier extream,fhall rhink that this affirmiflg that J { Chrilt hath brought the Reproba te alfo 'n£g;^-CgV^"^^- of P'"^ ^^ condit ionaJI be 5 ?• \ any part of the y4rminian Err6fs;'as the whole icope'orKcripture is agamft them, fo \ Mr. Blake hath faid enougli to fatisfie.He that will deny Reprobates to be fo far with- in theCovenantofGrace, muft not only deny Infant-bapt)fm,but all Sacraments, till he be able infallibly to difcern a man to be Elcd. (/Ind doubtlcft this intercft in the Covenant is a fruit of Chrifts death. ) Mt. f. fZTGt l^fuliy Infant ChHrch'memberJI.^jp and Baptifm. 215 f MuT, one day in thePulpit, in pleading that the Covenant bdongeth only to the Eled, was pleafed to bring me in as witncfrmg thereto in the A^^vi. .of my A^^tr, p. 43. becaufe I there fay, that the Abfolute promife or Prophcfje thf re mentiontd is made only to the Elcd. When yet the very (cope of tlie place is to prove that it is not the Abfolute promife that is niofl fitly called rhe Covenant of Grace. But that this ^Ibfolute Promife or Covenant f if you will call it foj is nor /t that is I fealcd in Baprifm and the Lords Supper, I prove againft Mr.T:^ thus,ckatly. / I. That which is fealed ro by the Sacraments, is a proper Covenanr,having a Tle- flipulation on our parts as well as a promife on Gods part: Bur the Abfolure promife is not a proper Covenant, wiih fucli a mutual aigagcment, but properly a mecr Promife or Prcphtfiei tlierefore it is not this Abfolute Promife which is fealed by the Sacraments. The Major Mr, t, cannot deny.; for he pleaded it himfejf in the pulpit as arcafon to prove that Infants might riot be baptized, becaufe they could nor en- gage themfelves. And he brouglit tharpafTage in my forefaid Af\€nd\x ^M. as atcca- ing it, where I fay that it is a mutual engaging fign or kiiXo: ; As st is given, it is Gods kalj as itisaccepred,itisours.i4ndindeed the very definition of a proper Covenant f of which Ommde Juie keUi.imi other Lawyers will inform youjfhewtth as much that it mufl bea murual tngagcmcnr. Now in that abfolute promiic, [I will rake the hard heart out of their bodies, &C.J there is no fuch matter, but only God telleth what he will do.- ... _ 2. If it were the >lbfolute promife of the firfl grace that is fealtd by the Sacraments, i then rheSacramctitsmufl be given to noman,or to all men: But that is a!)furd,thcrc. J forefoisthefornier. Theconftquent is manifefl, becaufe that >y his Conditional Sealing.3 Here is more things heapc up, then will be fatisfied in one anfwer ; therefore 1 (ay, 1. It is improperiycalled Liberty of the will, which comfiils in an indifferencie to good or evil^as Gibiduf. and Br^dwardm,^c. will fully teach you.J 2. More improperly is the nullifying of the Covenant called a freeing of theni- fclvcs, which is an enflaviiig themfclves. ' 3. i4nd the violating of the Covenant is not fitly called a nullifying of it. 4. Yet if you will needs ufcthofe terms; 1 fay, that God fealeth the Conditional Promife to thoufands that fhall perifh,& Icaveth it to their own choice whether they will Reccognize and conrinue,and befaithftil to the Covenant,(giving them only his Common Grace •, J which men do prove unfaithful, and break the Covenant, and foperifh for treading thebloud of the Covenant under foot. And doth -%r. 7. think. That no wicked men pcrifh as Covenant- breakers with Chrift ? . ; ; . r- 5. It is unworthily rajd,That God affordeth thefe but a while the fayoar &privi- ledge of being in Covenant with him, feeing it is their own wiifuH ad to caft them<- klve:s out of this Priviledge ; they might have continued it,and proceeded further in it, if they would. I remember wh^t Minut?mT6lix (aithof jhe |ew& in hiiO^avim ( in%he^cnd oi^Armbimm'ih'u i^ig. 594. -) ItA pm eos deferuijff cok^ehendes quam e^s defmos j nec^ut impie loqmiii crnn Ve or ever r«ad or heard any thing that way, I know he was a very lcarncd,judicious man in Divinity ,Philolophy,and Phifick And whereas many blame him for mcdlingoutof hisown Calling in the bufincfs of Divi- nity,! wilh chie ordinary fort of our Divines were but near as able in Theologie as he. Phyficians in thofe times did as much honour their proftfhon by their grtat learn- ing and godiintfs,as m auy age fmce the CceaticHi, that is known of: i4nd they were very great means by thtir intereft in Emperors, and Princes, to further Rcforroa- tion,and procure that liberty for Religion which was obcained in Germany. Witnefs, Crato^ Jul' Altxandriiiy Monavjuiy Cafp. and Jo&n. Ndvii^ Peucerm^ tragWy Piate* rufyCureuSi VadUnus, Fuchftuf^ Otjheru ^Zningmus,Camer alius ^ Valer. Cordus^ Scheg* kjus, Scholfz^^s^ Pofihius^ Objopdus^ htUnnernf^ with multitudes more, to whom the Church hath been much behoiding ; among whom Eraftus wai in all refpetts one of the chief, and moi^ honoured by the D. vines, as well as Phyficians of that age ', as is apparent by multitudes of Epiftlcs which ZanchJus^BHliinger^ 5i/n/er, and many pthec wrote to him. And for fuch young Divines as the moA of us are, ro blame men fo raiich more learned and judicious then our fclves for writing of Divinity , as if it were beyond thtir reach Or callirg»doth favour of that Arrogancy,whkh maketh our facred funtt- ion b> man;* to be defpifed. A s for Eraftus his book, I conceive that fome of it is good, and fome erronicous i his arguments for mixt communion are very weak, and he feemeth oft to contradift what he there plcadeth for. For my part f were my judgement of arj moment to o- thcrs^ after my moCt ftrious fludy in this point, bo^h in Scriptiue and Antiquity, G g rfpcclally plain Scripture proof of rbccifllly rhc writer*; of the three firft CentiiriesJ I am confidently pcnVadcd,Tha^ the true way ofChrilh Difciphne is parcelled cut between the Epifcopal, Eraftian' Prcshi(crian,and Indepcndencsjand that evciy party hath a piece of the Truth in pc- culi^r j and had we (o nruch humility., peaceablencfs,and felfdeniall^as to meet and lovingly dcbac«ihccafe,a«dlay all toget!ier,it would be happy for the Church. And I verily think, That if every one of the four parties do entirely cftabliOi their own way,thev will not eftablifh the Scripture way. For me to caft in my Model, would but be ji dged Arrogar.cy; but to bcfeech them to joyn all fpeed ly in a peacc-making Conrulc4tion,me thinks Oiculd notdeferveacenfure. And yet letirbe taken how it will, I purpofcjifGod will fo long draw oucniylifCjto acquaint tlic world with my thoughts in this alfo. But to the point. Mr. T. tcld them publikcly in che Pulpir, that I had delivered in my Apherifms a DoArinc of dangerous confcqutnce, and fo read to them thefe words, Fag. 27^. 1^ Some of his Government Chrift cxcrcifeth by Miniftcrs, andfomeby Magiftrato under him. For I cannot con(^ent to them that fay, riic MagiOrare isoncly the Officer of God as Creatour, and not of Chrift the Mediator, &c,] But what could be.VATs.cnd in tclliug his people of the dangerous confcquence of my ^(^rine in the Pnipirrfor that is his way of prcaching,though I never meniioned hirtTdireft- iy nor indircdly i no nor ever preached to my beft remembrance againft his opinioa of Anabaptifm to my own Hearers^ when yet he never told them what that danger- ous con'equencc war* And can any man conceive what danger can be in raying,Thac the Magillrate is the Officer of Chrift the Mediator .•? Where lies the danger ? All that ever I heard is that (Tom Mr ^GaUffie; left it bring in Church Government by MagiHrares, and fet upon £rtf/f w his caufe j and^r. T. alledgcd notany Scrip- ture, or argument of his own againft it Cyea, though Iwrote tohitmtodifputeit^ but told the people that Mr. Galafpie had confuted it i efpecially that his 7. Argu- ment (which he namedj was unanfwerablc. And he told me, That he fhould take ray Dodrine for Errour till I had anfwered Mr: Galaffie : which is a ftrangc refoluti- on. Should i deal with all Mr. Qak^ie hath faid on this point, I fliould fill too much paper with this Hetcrogencal fubjeft. Onely this I fay, i. 1 undertake to prove every argument of his to tliis point to be vain and falaciousi toany man that will difputc it. 2. Wgainft Mr. Gdlaffiei Judgement, I lay to Counterballance it, the judgement of Mr- KutherJ9Tdy his companion, and a man acknowledged a more able difputant then Mr. 9ahfpU (^though both very excellent men>nd this I do with thefe advan- tages. I . Mr. Rutherfirds greater ability* 2, He was well acquainted with Mr. Gr4- Ujf.es arguments, and yet judged contrary : why then may I ijot judge them weak / g., It was Mr. Ruthevftrds judgement upon fccond thoughts, which ufually are the wifeft. 4. He was far from being an Eraftian . therefore this opinion will nor prove a man an Eraftian. His words arc thefe in his due right of Presbyteries, Pig. 409 : [Otje5. Bat they rcafon, a fupernaturall good, and life cternall, are eflfefts flowing from the mediatory office of Chrift, bcftowcd on the Church r but Kingly power lie >J/eth not from the Mediator Chrift,but from God as Creator,who beftoweth law- full Kings and Magiftrates upon many nations, who know nothing of a Saviour. I anfwer •, when I confidcr the point moreexaftly,! fee not how Kings, who reign by the wifcdom of God, Jcfus Chrift, Prow. 18 .14 15. have not their Kingly power from Chrift. N* ho hath all power given to him in Heaven and in Earth,iW;t 2. But if there fhould have been Magiftracieiainnoccncie,it follows not that it is not upon the Fall delivered over into the hands of Chrift.The whole Creature isdc livered up to him upon his undertaking the work of Rederoption,and fo Magiftracic. and even the Law of Nature it felf. And the deniall of this is very injurious to the Digaity>Dominion, and Redemption of Chrift. And yet fome are fo zealous agatnft Arminiani(m,that they run into the other extrcam,and even deny that all things arc delivered up to Chrifl upon his Purchafc and Reden5ption,which yet the Scripture is raoft exprefs for } 1 will name f»me undeniable Arguments. I. R/ ] E S U S every kflee fhould bow, ofthingi in heaven, and in earth^and under the earth ; and that every tongue (i)ould confefs that Jejm Chrifi U Lord^to the Glory ofOodthe Vather^ to vphom the Mediat^/r (hall then give up the Kingdom^ and he fhall be all in aU^ whom angels and Saints fljaff glori^e by everlajti»g Ftayfes^aud whofe ii the Kingdom , the Pomfy and the Glory for Every Amca , igt >^ A ICORREC TIVE ;|; For a Circumforaneous lANTIDOTE* ,| AgainfttheVerityofaPafrageinthe W ^ Epiftle before my Treati/e of f REST i ^ Markio.,4. ^ them,Sufferthe httkchtldrm to come untJ m,J„d forbid ^ ^ them mt: for of fuchu the Kingdom of God. h^ ■^ " l i'Sf^ g Auguft. T. 10. Serm.i4.de Verb. Apoft. f^H 4 yf/«fr 4e Parvulof nemo duhitft^ gtmdo nee iUi hinc S ^ dnbnmtcimexjartedtqufuon^^ ■^ — "I . '-^l^ M.. ^ ' ~ ■ ** JJ London^^tvatG^ Anno Dom. x^-iS. •#< ^v #;^«i Infant ehurch-memberfhip and Baftifm. ~ agy Dr. TwifTus in Praefatione Vindic Grat, adver/^ Arminium. "J^,gfe§|^'£ piactda Collatioiie quatn (pondet, nth I dico. Neque enim ab ea quotUs quk ^VS< W dejlelin, fihi aut\uk cauj^proddU fed ^otm adv^rfarne \ jud vero tamo magH i^, Dt & ^bef, De nobif hue in parte non efi qutd fpcttdiam ; latn tranfaiU funt partes '^ jy^^^T '"^*- ^^ ^(^^ ^"'"^ /^' ^ tanquam ad extrema devenio. Confido autem nnpfuam ♦c*^ 'i!^^%* . 17. 28. and many more, and confidcr qjnifljccerunt^^ quanam %tntate^fy f mo animo^ Dav. Chytr^eus in Dedicat .Enar.in Nuiner- ■ ■..■' * THe Members of the fame Body, faith Naxian^en^ do make war upon one another. . rhey all pretend to he gidly by this one Thing, Jbat tkey iondtmn others «f\ MngodUnefs : and he is the Btft man among them, not that lives e^uieily in the Fear of) God, and medling vichhisown buiinefs, fpeaks not an idle word, but he that I heaps up moft evil fpeeches againft his neighbour — " — -They obfrrve one anothers/ crrori,not to bewail them, but to upbraid diem i not to cure them,,but reproachfull/^ roobjeft them ^ and that by Hirringin ohrrmens wounds,they may cover & defend their own w ckcdnefsi and what chcy praifc to day, they dilpraife to morrow, and admire what others difcomtir^d ; and as in a fight in the night, and by NIoon Oiine, we know not the faces of friends from foes but run headlong upon one another,and areconfumed one of another. Yet I commend them that underts^keconflidts for the truth,& profefs my ftlf ro be one of them. For a Laudable war is better then a Peace that fcparateth from God But now there are fome that unfearnedly and boldly fcoki about fmall and unprofitable matters and draw all that they can ro thcir^ci«ty,and then they make Religion the pretence of all their fcoldings,and abufively wreft that Venerable name t ) ail ahejr privatccontentions and hatreds. Hence we are hated in other i ountries,and whith is worfe,we cannot fay thatw^are upjuftly blamed,evcn by tiic more moderate among our fclvcs. And the wicked they build upon our back^^ H h 3 a«d^^ ^40 J^^]^^^PtamScnptHre proof <^ /" and that which we intend againfl one mother, and objeft againft one another, rhcy make ufe of againft us all s and fo we arc become a new fpeSaclc, not to Angefs and mca,butco«lT the wicked at all times and in all placc5,in mar ketfjit their fcafts,&Ci .H- 1 learn and profefs Divinity, potas an inflrumenc of railing and o(lef)fationj&£ w*t,but as the Art of true godlincfs,an^ of Paith 2nd Obedience towards Go6^ndp( Kind|icfs,lu(\ice,Gcntlcnefs and welldoing toward my Neighbour, and I hadirart^ fhcw my fclf a Chriftian and a Divine by Ardent Praying and Doing good, then by fubtlc Difputing and contentious brawling. TO this Rcfolution of this peaceable Divine,my very heart unfcignedly fubfcribeth.* But yet,as himfclfwas an ac<:urareunfolder of truthfand able for ir, being Maltcr of Arts at fifteen years old, and deferredly, in Melati^hont judgement) fo I delight m thofc that are clear difcoverers of the myftcrics of the Gofpel, and being unavoidably compelled ro it,as now, I dare not betray the truth of God under prcteiKJC o{4T?i4^ ing contention. 1 remember iWi?/ma magis fub qua lignea elaufira j atent. Kuclemiiimi4iofHiivi4Utet,(»t«iue[alHhrfs^ i ndT tilj f in ErgofchoU fimilit cjedatur Amigdaltn effe, lnf»dDo^mdiV9xfoMt unadejy^c^ a. Rivet, in Dedicat* Apologetic, cont. Grotii votum , 7\n<} '>^'iT f)ortr>(T.5 1 incpro race. TAnta cum animi impotentia fe gerit^ ut db eo viro qucfti pleriqtte (^intcf qnyfegojffe fui) hufftaniorit ^ peentiork ingenti nomine Uudabant^ tanwrn t^ ^vtsTitndiftti ef fundi mirnm videri fO^t^ raft iSudfuccMrrerety Fr^cipit6S4git if a gradus^ ^feUea torquent Lummy contemnit bumiles rMtiOHk babenttt. Sed, 'ISjaSfiJ^urcBfmlKh$Wjbip'(^ m E GTION L ^' Merc h Iiftic in this Writing worth the repeating^ but what is iA ' his Valcdidbry Oration, which is already anfwcred \ and I havc^ no time or words to fjfare. They that ;udgc his caufe bcft who rpeaks mofl and lafl fhall be no Converts of mine, nor (hail I rMfcg^A^JUfa? judg€ my ii^lf guilty if they mifcarry by their Error. Yet bccaufe ; &• ^ 8|ji® that may be ntedfull to fome men by rcafon of their prejudice and cxpe^ation, which is ncedleflc as to the nmrcer, I fhall adde ^mewhat to thofe palTages which are lead nnedled with before. The grcareft of Oiy trouble is, that I am for<:cd to deal wirh a Writing which is filled with fo many j^erfonal matters (which it is pitty any Rtader ftiould be ftopt and troubled with)afldfe many angry words^ and fo many hif^orical untruths j thae as I know my very mentioning the latter will be ill raken.f^ I know not how to deal with the former^ For if I fhould plcafc aiy fclf in overpaihng them, I know fome will fay his Book is unanfwered, who take the firength of it to fie in fuch words ; And if I anfwer it, as I fhall bur weary a- judicious Reader, who looks for arguments, ^hd 1 oaths' aitcrcari on, fo I fliall be forced to (peak according to the matter j and having naturally too harfh & keen a fiile in writing{even when 1 am moO free from paffion)- which a iong^ftom of akeen wa^ of preaching for the m oving of dull hearers hath habituate^me to)lam jealous of my felf ,Ieft 1 Ihould tranl^rellebelore I amawarc^ * And then / know it wiU be taken to be in fplccn and dilaffedion to Mr. Ti pcrfon, whom I profeffc unfaignedly to love and honour j and the Lord that is fcarcher of \ my heaft, knows, that if he would but be a friend to tlic peace of the Church, and live quietly, vvithoutmakingpart'resand Schifms ('when wearcfo deeply wounded by our Divifions already} /could, for all his Opiniont ,live as loving'y wi-li him, and take as much content in his fuciety, as in moll mens in thefe parts, a< / did as long as he fo lived neer me. And I never liked the praftlce of thofe men who do a^ fome wild ' beafts when they are hunted, who when tliey arciquke tired and can run no further, will make an odious flink to drive away thcpurfuers (*as Cflmero fpeaks m £p?i?. ante KefjfOfff. ad Epiji. vin deHuJ The Argumentative part of i*/r.7'/s Hpiftle is confuted before : And theugh the Hiftorical pat t have fome latent corruption in it, yet dare /not lance it,Ieft it fhould saufc a fmart^and fo a conflux of more humours to thegricvcd place.ff the complaint of 2 4 2 Infants Church-memberpif and BafUjm, of his rudcrings which .I/-. 1. begins with, bemcerly co raile acompailion in the Rcadefjl willbeonc that ir part ftiall aulAcr hiscxpcrtaiionjbucif ir bcalfo thcrby to draw chcm to entertain his doftrinc, 1 am not one that can be moved by luch ar- guments tor the five things he complamcs of,he mult give me Ic avc to.rc)oycc in his happincfs^thar thty were no grcater,as much as to compaiiionaec hini,thar they were fo gi eat. 1 His fn quent-tlittings. 2. H.s niuch toil. 1 am giad thty • ere fo fniall in comparifon ot hisBrcthrcns : I darr not imitate Faulin layingm ne and his in the ballancc rogethcr,by comparing the particulaTs,lcft it favcur of Vanity m me. 9. And for the ijn,Mii ing of his bodily ilrcngihhci eb), I congratulate his evidenrftrtngfh& hcaithfulncfiiaud according ro my little skil in Phy(iognom:e,l hope he may live yet many a yt-ar, if heeudangcrnot hmilclf by going too oft mto the cold watery and if the padi MIS of his miad oe not to his body as a keen ip<;/?f|;/a/>pone«£//s whichyec is nor fufficient tn ommgimYS. Eva-y Bu: gels at age, as ructi,haiii power to trade and bear oflice, &c. in the City Will it follow that (i-!erefQrccyeQL.fa£iHUlia ^oeio rhar js born J^urge fs? Y^r tliis is My.Ti potent argu-Dg.For the relt,abour giving iAtanrs the lupper" /have tfflfjverecj before; as alfoihe ill conkquents of /nfant-Baptilm. Wh ch /defirethe Reiderto turn to, and perufc iiiipaftially (^in the fccond parr^ .vhere he fairh, chat fBapcifm is inorencceirarytobe rcforined then Epifcopal Ceremonies, againfi which, though much more ei{cufable there have been fo great contending ]he Items tome to fpcak as ii he had yet fomc of his old Epfcopal cercmonicus fpirir, 'though I hope and btUcvc verily that he did nor turn nneerly for the times, diough with rhc rimes. Ii he do in* deed think Epifcopal Ceremonies morcexcufable,! wifh him ro as-fwcr what 85 writ- ,.^.rtn againftthem,by Ames^Bajne, hradjhawj Barker, Jacob, iWJe^Jfmi^ n,S>-Cat'] ' ' vpright^Hidoclavs Mtar^ Damaft, Gerfm^Buccr, wirh abundance more, If by [fDigreati .^..; coutendings^ he have any aim at me, I muft fay, i . I proceeded as groundcdiy as I was able in that bufinefsi I read overall for Ceremonies as well is againllthcm. 1 writ out wiih my own hand Do^or Ames frefh fuit, in the broad margin of Burgefs ^for the fubf^ancej& deliberately compared one with theorherJvtfould I had fpeac kfs time in ftthngmy judgement in that point, fo/ had iMiowfof greater works S 2. Yet was I never a hot contender, nor difaffchis opinion is according to Chrifts inftitution^ fo that if he be miftaken in thi?, he will yield that he underftands nothing.* and then they are too blame to rake any thing on his crnft.And that he is miftakpn Ijcre, bcfides all that is faid, I prove thus: Thaj:j^a( ^ict vvj^-ch quite Qver ninies tUc rr^e end of Riprifrri^-.c an erfftDC H'r prs f^lce atid not of Chri^. Bui the pra^ice of baptizing the children of Chriflians, ordinarily at age ofdifcretion^o verrufnesthe true end of Baprifm^ therefore ic is not of Chrift,^c. The Minor 1 prove thus. The true f principalj end of "Baptn7n js .,'ro ^e Chrifts fien for folemn admi(Tion of Ch'aicli lutiUbm ("ui difi:i;iltf5.J ti^c this end is quite ovcr- thrown by the ordinary baptizing the children ofChrirtiaus at age,rhereforc (fy^-.Thc Major in plain, ^i^?>^ i<^ qq ^f^^ nnr A^nicA fj»nA ifyou name another cnd,as to be a fign of Remifiion of fin, the argument will hold as (Uongly. J The Mnor I prove thus. If chey chat ordinarily baptize (uc'i it age, donoc baptize them till long after rfiey are infUllcd Church-members, then they quice over throw the forcmenrioncd ^t\dyfvii^. to be the fign of their i4dmi(Iion into the Church J Bu: the i4ntecedenc is true, therefore the confequent. The Antecedent 1 have proved already on two gtounds.i.Thaticiscertaine they arc Church- members inlniancy, as the whole book almoft proves. 2. However they 'cannot orherwife have any knowledge when choic jrtiac arepioufly educated begin to be Church- members, no not of fome yearcs. Wr, T. /huts up with his uioallfbut dangerous] artifice of working on their affefti-- ^Ons,wJien he miftrufts his ftrengtli co work on their under ftanding5,and clrefcforc to terrific the poor fouls intohii ncts,he beatcs the waters with the moft dreadful threat iiiingjiKid bids thtin^beware that for difobediencc to Chrifl the great Propher,you be hoc cue off from his people] From that text A^s. 3.25. he had thus thundred againft them in the Pulpit,But doth lie indeed think it a matter that will prove a mans dam- nation to diffirr from him in the point of Infant- baptifm.'or not to be bagtizid agtin .me -to make a Religion of fwcaring and Blafpheming, none rogrowber- cer,and B)oft ro grow prefenrly worfr^as if a vifible judgement of God did follow that a^to^ tluci cannot believe thac men Oialbe cut off byChrift from his ^oplefor wanc- br being Rebaprized. Moft rhar I have kiiown do qu ckly cue offfhemfelveEfas fD:>aaj they have been waflied^ fr. m the vifiblc fociety of G-^ds people where they I^v^d, in4 with wiioiB th^y before con vcrfed.. SECT infants Cburch'-memherJhipand'Baftifm. ^ ^ 2AfV' the Churches 3 Nay why did you never yet renounce your owne catling [6 the Min^i- (\ry.^ How long have you been fuch an Offidating Pricft/ Me thinks you thrive a- pace (andapacej in your prpfef lions your language begin i to found: li ice Mn'tn Mar pritfJs /t's another untruth, that /(aid, Tliac di^ping^iri cbtd, water is Mijrthcr and Adultery [/faid that the ordinary pradicc of baptizing incof(i^Water(fn rivetsj with us is a breach of the fixth Commandemenc,T/b6My7>a/( nn ^^wrt^yiAnd the ordi- nary praftice of baptizing naked,is a breach of the fevenrjiConirnandment.I'^oa Jfialt not commit adultery lam forry that you are cf the ftme opinion, |coji)cftiirc ttia*: by thar time you have baptized halfe as many maids as Wo>lien naked in Cctlld river, as you have baptized Infants like an Officiating ;iVrcfl',youirfccc'wiir ei- ther take cold, of your heart ml take heat. /fyod wouldbs micd by itie^you fhipi^d not endeavour to introduce inro theChui^ch,a cutlom' tor every young ^^/i hi fe or neighbour fo muchas to look on a hat h ing tcthfli^lja o r Safin pa left to thbfe wlthOq C i, the na-mc of a CburcRTITl'd a SreWs, iWaT^r^Tsyrif and a'Pander, a Chriftian & a f or-^^ nicator to prove Smonimaes. I eafilyyeild that in tatulliint time, arid CyfTidns, dip- "ping was ufuall. But wirhall I believe-, i. That iris rto more then probable that the jailor in the n)gi»t in his houfc, and the three thoufatid by Petci were not fo dfor. 2.Thac the Praftice fprun^up in the hot rercountrcys,whcre cuftomhad" taught thera tK) Ro aim oft ha ife naked in comparifo n of ustilTcrefore it was there ^as i t wbuW be among the naked /ndians ) more clyiTor leliTc immodeJL arid fefle dangerous to t1ic;r Jivcsi bathing bemg theremedicinal, wh^fl in thefe cou^treys it may be mortal; And foit was'jbroughtby littlegc little into the colder climates,upcn a fuperfticious con ccit of its neccftityor conveniency./ doubt nor but on rhelfkc erroneous grounds, <4c- lay of Baptifme begun to creep into the Chwchcvtn'mte^tulljdns time, & cctifi ning \tto^aflorand Whitfut^ayrpr (ueh times; when accoi ding to Chrifts rule, they nmii be baptized at their firft folemn admilfion ; Bapt'ifmtti initiathncm ^j fjuafv 'f^rtuniv noflri Chriftiamfmi €([e dorewus, inquh Doftor Hum fed , 7^/w?/'n,pagei45! 3. Ard I doubt not bur there was fprinkling then as wel as dipp ng ( though I never favv* a^as When ofc by fprinkl mg, appear t in t)pridns Epift. 76. adwaimnK- Set al(.j PaneH-AS yinmr.iiiions^ n. /\^, t^pj:^«j miglu have liclpr you C9 chis as well as ro fomc what for tiie* ciiftom of dipping. You mighc io In 111 have found that ihe .^poAlcs fcinctime poured water on rhenj.asin rhe fore'Ci-ipreircd cafes, as Aquinas &: orhers judge, and t!iar LcLurcntiHSAn'i LmcVJhs were fo baptized: an 1 Qoneims apud Ei/fch, and Waiaj'i- dits 5frij^&'s)udgemenr( which ycucouid there fpie with Vive*, lb far as was for y(.u) , Is not pouruig- water (morc^ or Itfic on tliema wafliing? and is noi vyafhii}g(to riic rigiuends^ bapcizing? >^ iieic you (ay [^ liad I mindcrd equity or peace, I had chofLn- rachcr co Ihle you Aiicipa'lobapti{is. fl anfxver i.t hac'b an unufual wordjand 1 will r)Otbnr:g nrwnick- names on you or'any; i'wKh clicforaier were nor known; but when a people are knowji by fuch a title, wc mufl uf- ir,if wee will be underflood or . ufc a I'criphrafjs or dcfcnption of them inflead ofacjtle, as I have faid before. 2 You know the title is taken frona Rcbapcizing, upon the denyal of Infant- Baptifm, ¬ the other additional opinions, which have liil varyed according to the (eycral Sc^s of thtm, 3. 1 fpoke nor of youcither only orchieMy, and therefore was to fit a title to you alone;HovV few of that title are known that arc of any note that are not in other things more then you? For the Churches in London that difclaim the title,! have named you already fome of the fubfcribing l*aftors,whofe writing arc rank, with ylntinonnianifm,Sociniinifm or ocher evils. Where you ad de that [many Preachers charge them wirhPtftilcnt errors, to make them odiousco the pecplc,that they mighc drive them away out of the Land,if not deftroy tfiem]Lcc me anfwer for my fclfe in that once for all, I never moved Magiftratc or people cither to drive them out of the land or to deftroy them. I may perhaps fpeake more vehemently to you or others then is meer, for /"confcfs my Uileis naturally keen, but if I oflFcnd in point of good manners, and be too rude with you in my language,yct I can trucly fay 1 am far from fach uncharitablcne(Te,orperfecucing difpofition. My judgement m tiiac much de- bated point of liberty of Religion, 1 have alwaies freely mid^known, I abhor un-. limited lil)erty or toleration of All. & think my fclfe eafily able to prove rhe wic- kednefs of it. And I have heard yen fay as much your fclf. Tliougii I confcfs if I were of the judgment that you and fome others are ofi_ that the Magillrarc is notun- derChrift the Mudiaror,or holdech not his power fronrhim] then 1 fhould be for Ut bcrty of Pagans as well as ChriUiins.Buc as I believe that the Magiflrate holds his pDwcr from Chriftjo /believe he multexercife it for him, and not be indifJ.reot to Chrirt andSatan,Chrinians and Pagans. If every man Oiould have' Liberty under preLenccofworlhippingGod, to preach up Mahomet, or preach dovn ChriO, and hiafphem chacfacred na )ieby which we muft befaved,yea,or to preach down the fun- damental Articles -cfthe faith, or to drav people all to pieces into licentioufnes & riifobedirnce,/ (hould ab'ior th itMagiflrare,who pretending to be a Ciiriilian,fhon](i grant fjch a Liberty, ar,d (iiould rather live in the wWdc^mcrica then in England.On the other fide, I befeve that many are inclinable to a contrary extrcam,&: chat if we forbear not one another in many points of diiTcrence, no two men on eartfi will live peaceably together^ abhor their difpofitions, who in difficuIc'do(ftrinal,controvcr- le'd points far from the foundarion,mufl needs have tlieirjgv^Q ludgemcn t: the ftand- ard & rule of all other fiicns & none robe tolerated that dift-crs !rom t fieri), (^'greater I nifndc there mufl be left in do;^lrin2ls then pra«^icals. In a v&ord, The Toleration ri:;K I vyou'd have,is for the Ciuirches and my Brethrens Peace, & therefore / would «o. Iiave uripeacea!)lencf!e & divifion to be encouaged or defended.lf men will ei- iher keep, their opinions to thcmfclves,or modellly & peaceably make ihem known / would ( f-vsr Infants Chnrch-memherfiip andBaptifm. ^^y would have no rigour ufed ro fuehibut if they rhinke they are bound in confcience to go preach ic at the Market place,and importunatciy to foiicitall to it that they can come near, and violcmly ro drive iron ro the divifion and overthrow of the Church, and to make themfclves parties in \r, /thinke the wanronnefs 8c violence of fach men fhould bere(tr4ined,not prefencly by driving thea) cli: cf die: i uid, but by a difcouragcment and penalty proportionable to their oflRrncc,/ tlimKc aifo that crueiy tender confcienc^s fhould be tenderly dealt with : But no man fhould bee fuffercd openly to make a known plain Cm his profcffion andprafticc. The Kings that fuffcred rhe people to worlhip at the hi „h places are reproved, though the ttxc Uhh that yet they worfhipped only theGod oftheir Fathers,& chough it wa3 alio a concro- verted poir.rjOur fathers fay in this Mouucaii,ai>d you fay at jcrufalem men ought to worfhip, imh zl^.e Siniarjtan WT^man, 7^6,4. To conclude, j think if the good that an /-rppg ^^nift^-r Hoth he {jreargj- ni^-n rhe hiijc^ tiiar hi5> encouragement for the one fiiould he greater then his difcourageia^.cnt for the othtr. But 1^ the hurt be greater then the good,rhenhis difcouragement fhould be greater then hisencourage- menr, and the Magjfirare fhould by wik and covenicnr meanes hinder him from do- ing that hurt. This is part of my judgement in thlspoinr.So far am /from feckmg to banifh or deftroy you, that I never wifhr your hurt." And /meet with few godly Minifters, but will lay a? much. They will be glad if they can keep in the Land, and enjoy the proteftion of rhe Laws and cxercife of their Miniflry thcmfelvcs. /pray you Sir call up your accounts, and tell me, whether the number of Minifters and Schollars in the Vnivcrfitics, and people who are againft your Opinion that have been difplaced,or have fuffered of late, be not far greater f yea, far indeed^ then the nnmbcr of Miniflcrs or Schollars, or people of your Opinion chat hav.e fuffcred. And if all be executed which is enaded & rcfolved onCwhich we mufl rationally exped")' tell me who fliould ralk in your language/ /have left all I had for the publike caufc, and fcrvcd them ^molllyon my own charge^ from the firft day of the war to the laft, and hazarded my life over and over, and almoftlofl ir^for I doe but live) and after all this, ycu tell nice of my danger, ^nd yer / doc not fpeakc in your language,, nor fay, they would defttoy me when no body medleth with me, but / live in peace. ' For your own partjam flili of the minde, that you have no caufcof fuch hd com- plaints^nor to talk of banifhment and dedrudion. /never heard that you fuffcred any fuch matter, or were likely fo to doe; And yet you have as mudi footing in the Land as mofl of your Brethren; and (59 more then [ would win7; Your Brethren will be content if they may enjoy one place, and djc yoa f> talk r,t yanifli- ment and deflrudion while you enjoy fo many .«' What you fay cf my virklencyiT.moderatenejJe.zv.d noc heeding whac / wrore in fay • ingycu play the devils- pa^V, I have fully before an'fwcred.lfirprove true (as I dare fay,I have proved ir true ^riien is it worfc ro doc ir,or to tcl you of ii? Had yen rather do ill then hear ill.'' You accufe them (and that without reference to their Yin) to have no Right to the Members of Chriflj vifiblc Churchf which is not to be fo much as vifibly or/ccmingiy members of the invifible Church)nor to be Difciplesof Chrif^, nottobcChriftians;this'youdoebyyourfeIvesandby your inftruinentVi by word and writing, violently & pafJionatcly, before God and before men,in lefPer Hl in lar- ger Affemblies, by preaching and b/ Difpuring: /^vid yet dare you fayfo confident^ ly that you do nor accufc them?rhe reft of this Sedion h anfwercd^lrcady. Jj ^ SECT a^8 PtaiK Scripture proof fif SECT. m. IN fhcfecond Se^ion is nothing but what is before snfwctcd^ worth rfic repcring, Nor yet in the third Sedion : There being but a vain citation of a paflagc out of my Book of Rcft^p. 549. little know 1 to what purpofe^and an aditlon to the heap of no- torious uutrutlis.i.He faith he could nor have libercv to e^iprefs himfcifc without Checking, when being bur Refponden*, he fpake very far more then my fclfc, and ufually interrupted me, though 1 entreated hrni to- doc otherwrfe, as loathing that courfc nor can he name anyClicck^but the term [C a tcchizingjwhich I conceive wa? no raoFc then meer, Much lefle any hinderanceto him tofpeake, A fccond unv truth is, that [all that were prefenr, know he could not have in tlK Difputation liberty thus toeyprcfle himfclfcll will give him three hundred to one of thofe that Were prefent,& let them judge ofthc truth of this.Swrc i am,all that ever Ifpokc with abotic ir, judge clean contrary, th«t he had his full liberty to fpeakc withoi^ hin- derance, which 1 could not poflibly crave, but was fain to let fall my fuit, and fpeake by parcels as he would give leave. 9. Another untruth is tharfifhc might have had liberty, he would have diflinguilhed of a ftatc of fcpararion toGod.]{^ti fides^ ubifrons .«* Did I eVer checkyou fas yon will needs call my cnrneatics, ybat for not diftin^ifhing? when you would needs ftiji turn by que|iixuiiae_a«L ldn$ difcourfes ro the people, I enr rcated vouro remf mbff rJlgtaw^ of Dirpuration; "^bdought you over and over to (nTHn^rnflrofauyrerm that was doubtful tbyouvand dare' you now (^having fo marjy WirneflTes of the untruth, } tell the world deliberately in prinf,that you would have diftinguifhcd if you had had liberty. If ymcmbers, and that is all the fcnfe that 1 contelt for. They were reckoned amoiTg7»!fc/b'T)ifcip!es, and fo are ours to be among Chrifls Difciplcs or Chrftians, ( As Mo^s Difciplcs alfo fn fonie fort were Chriftf difciples J SECt. Infant ChHrch'mtmberJhip andBaptifm, 349 S^ECT.V. To the fifth 5eftion, The Text i nX>tVK..29- wa s broa4hc ^o prove that God en- ircdinto Covenant wirh Infantt ro cake them for his People, and to be their God, andcoufequetifly midc theiu Church.- mem':)ers Let us fee your excepn'ons. I. Youfay (^r/joMjv.ii. doch not necelfafily comprehend the little ones. ^ To which Lfay. 1. 1 doubt not but you have weighed the Text deliberately, and if you here fpeak not contrary to your own jodgcmtrnt & conrcience,! am forced to tell you that /.fct very low value on your judgement j an^d if youenterprct all other Scriptures riius, it is great pity yoa Qiould be that way impioycd.But if you do fpcak contrary to your confciencc, then/muft tell you, rhati fet a low value on your coufGicncc,and loath that caufe which did thus prortirure it. 2. Do not you know that lthou~]h a Collc^tve tcrm^ufually through the Bookcs of Mofef fpokcn of all the pcop]e,cxccpc any be particularly cxecpred? 3. Arf not little ones here named? and yet are they exclude/ 4, Why Hiould /Wb/ei (ay, ffe^eflatui pur Children andWives^ th»t not thcyl butyou might enter the Covenant/ 5. Doth n6t Mf. T. confcrtc that the Jews /nfaat$ were in Covenant; Why elfe were they Circumcifed, which is the Scale of the Co- venant? ^. /dcfifcno meanes to convince any min of your flrangc abufe of the '?exf, but oncly that he will read it, SjCt^«nd this day All ojym hifore the Lord y6ur G4dy your ea^tains ofysur Xnbes^y^Af Eldert, aud yOdt O^'en^ mth all the men of litae^youflUtkOms^ymrWives^andthe Strangef that is in thy C^^np^ from the ///»- er of thy IVood, unto the drawer of thy V/nter. thitthon fhou'dej} enter into Covenant with tk: Lord thy Godj and into his Oathy which ihe Lord thy God mak?tb wiih thee tbit day that be maj effMflr thee to day for ajeoplei to kimjelfe^and he may be ta thee a God.'] He that can confiderar'ely belie ve^lf^r.rhat the word[f/?«x]v. 1 2. doth not necedarily comprehend the i«r/e(?/iei, if/ knc v hinr. /would tell him, that f will not under- take by Scripture to convince him of any thing ac all, and /(ay again in Sobriety, that if the Papiftshadas plaine Scripture for thcrir Religion, as itdiflKirs from ours, I would not delay a week,but would turne Pipift, & deteft all iepsracion from them / fay if they had a plain Text as this to prove that thefe itttk Ones were- entered inro the Covenant. And wiiere he faith^f fought to fuggcft tothf; people as if it were bis impudence to deny this.] /anfwer : i. Did fever ufe any fuch terms ro him / He will not fay /did. What then was the fuggeftion? Why / told them theTcxt was fo plain, that /knew not how ir could be plainer fpoken. He may as well re 11 mc,that every time /confuit his argumenrsj fugged into the people that he is a liar,& fo for*.; bid all oppofing him as unmannerly. Where he fairh,thar[y(5M] v. 14. isdiilingunlied (tom VtbemthatifaTri^ (t*yc. "| I anrw5m) and^ him that is not here. 2.Wereit othcrwife,yet it were oncly from the people of othtr Narions that flood among them, Whtrc he faith ffome enrred into Covenant in be- halfe of the reft, ] I anfwerj i . God entered into Covenant on his parr immediately, ©c by A^si the Mediator with them all, and not with fotnc onely, 2; I doubt not but • the- a JO rlam Scnpturejroofof ^^ the Parents enrered their children Inro che Covenant, and not t!ie Infanrs tlicm- fclves, which Hicws, God harh given Parencs this interclt and Aiuhority.^. But that any other" that hid rhe^iife of reafon fliould nor enrer tlieir own confcnc is r^rtion 00!: zo be admitr-'d; And yet Mr. T. in his Confuracion-Scrmon, cxcliidcrh the Wives from a perlb.ia! oveninring as well lis die Infanrs;but bircly on his own Authori- ty: Nay, he Hiili ic was oncly che Capcauis and Oificers, though the Covenant is mad^ with tUtf reft. . ^ — -: ,—"-—- ..:-_.._ 2. He fair!) .W)j.'7midc tliSt Covenant with him that was nor there that day^thac f«!^ r.'i c^ir pof>iM-iry noL y^ r Uc\vx\\ fhill K therefore be laid r'lar they were vi fib le Mem - vverctlKOUi /rfjeviden: th^ Covena.it fpo ke <^g p^iL sJUa-JDxUaTe xhac o'liv of thofe that were not in bcing^bucfuture; They that efe^ nor, coiMd nor be Members vifiJie or invifi^ie, A i, they haZIla-^ficia^ fo they hada Membcrfhipvthari?, tn polfe & in fmnntiorte^ non inef/. By vert tc of 'miiDeed ot'Ciil'r, rhey llK.uld he born Church member^, /fa Landlord do by Leafc nukeover any Land to you and your children, and your cliiJdrens children, paying fomuch Rentjdorh it follow that your children (who nre unborn) are none of this mans Tenants, becaufe your childrens children, fwho a.e born) are not his Te- nants adually, burpotentiaVIy? Or,if a Kingbelet ovcf U3 and our children, and childrens children f by compaft,) doth irfollov, that our children in being are not his fubjefts in being, becaufe our childrens children /npoje arc not fuhje^s w f|/ip, hue in ;)3jfe only? Ah here is good arguing / 5. Your nexc Anfwer is, that [an «n- rring into Covenant by Parents doth nor make a vifiblc member in the Chriftian Church, though it did in the Jew^. ] But Sif,thisis buttobeg theQueftion, I have fully proved the' contrary. You cannot fliew a line inScriprure where that Prrvilcdge is revoked or repealed^ which is the gr^at thing I ftiil urge you to. Ycur reafon here added, I have manifefted to be moft vain, and a compofition of fidions f about the different Church Call and frame. 1 inrrcat the Reader to turn back and read ir,becaufe you lay the main ftrefs of your caufe on \t.M'fes gathered noChurch (ie n9V0yhuz found it gathered to his hand*, only he added rheii Laws,& caufed them frequently to renew the Covenant. .4&ra/;4m gathered no Nation, but a Family, and taught them too, if God may be believcdi Yea, Abraham had no new Church frame in his Family,much lefs did he gather any Church in a new frame, bur in the fame as was in 5e;ni Family^ before him and in his time i Circamcifion was a newfign of the Cov^nani^but not a new r.hnrrh.frampWt^y^ yheprofelvt;c^ rhpiri_parhprpd with- out teaching? that is a foul fidion. And hath Chrift coo^manded nowtoteach any y.nd _hcfore wee Baptize t hemj^iL rfofelvtes (^. AsJatmmmiia^^y^\\f^r^f^'i you vthatevera O Relievers cMild e waTffiptSe^tagejn the Scriptur e? '?Vhat you cite of mine in your 'Mirgin,. is tb no purpoie. 1 lay that God lent not Magiftrares or Commanders to bring in the world to Chri{\ (^ as Mahomet did to him, J) but Miniilers. Would not t man wonder w.hat you cm gather thence** M en that are born out ^ oiL-fhc^hu'rch, mijil.he iaiigh[,and by co^ifcnt brough t in : I know thT^ o7dj nji7rrvrButjt fo^^ notVthat fherctore 'th ofe boftt ih the Churfch,o r born Meml^^rsyTTiirf^ be h. Bur,y6a fay, that I fay, p. g. that fne Jcwsand all profelyred Gentiles wcicJjoLsL-bcfQrc.] Before, When ? before Gbrifts comminc. True, but thev were broken off foruja: belief m^ft ^frhfrn ^'""^ .in Argumentasyouhint at, I findeto anothmJIelrTthe Preface to theAftsbfthe Nevi>'E?2gknd Synod. But doe nor you know, that wl^n Chriftha dadded ane aLA£tjclg-rp '•b^^''''<"''rcd.['*'y^ bc^(J|yp£f]rion to every fentence,[Who Hiall afcend into Heaven] that is,faithhe,to brin'gC'iriJfJbwn from above .«' i4nd [ Who fhall defccnd into the deep, ] that is, to bring Chrifl: again * from the dead ? 5. He fully exprcfff th it,v,8. But what faith it ^ The ward is nigh thee, ] ^c. that is. The voord cf Faith which we preachy that if thou confefs with thy mcuth^Scc. Is not here a full difcovery that the Apofllecxpoundeth,andiiotonly_allud£th t^odTcfe / wprds ? Name me one place in the New^Tcftaraent chat more evidently fpeaksin an ^"^ Expofitory way of any Text in the Old ? Your lad anfwer is the worftofall. You fay, 7f the Covenant did contain promifes purely Evangelical, yet the Covenant in refpcft of them cannot be meant of all and every of the Ifraelites, that God w ould be a God to them, that is,fanftifie, 4»ftific, and adopt them to be heirs of eternal life.] anfw. 1 j God faith, Toujiand aU K k here^ — . — , — - .••\v\\t%v rlah I Scripture proof of 1 1\^ ' . herey^c. to enter into the CeviMnt and Odtb. Sec -4nd youfay, ic cannoc be AH t whom Ihall wcbelJCvc,God oryou? 2 You foul y mif nicer prcc che Promife, To /(g /otto a (/Oiijasif itwcrcfacliascouldb^verilied tonon^bar theEled. Godhach promi?ed to others to be their God, who are not Eled^as is uadcniablc in the Text : Therefore in a larger fcnfc, as / have before in due place fully explained if. Axid why may noc God promife Juftiticacion, adoption C and San<^ification in the fenfe as Divines and Scripture moll nfe it, for the work following FaithJ and eternal life, and all on the condition of Faith, and this to more then the Elcd .'' and hath he not lo doae ? Buc of this, and of fnfancs condition before. You would fain fay fomewhac to^ to that Dint. 50.6. but like the reft. i. You con- fers it is a promife of fpiritual Grace but rothe Jews after their captivity. 2. And upon condiiion of Obedience : 5. And not performed to all their Seed,but ontyTo^hc Z' led : '] anfwer,i.Eut did God promife fpiritual Grace to the Jews after the Captivity, and not before ? Was not the Promife made to them that then Were .^ Were not the y captivated oft in the time of the Judges, and fo it mighr at leaft be made good then ? /f God would do as much for them before they forfook him,and broke the Covenant by Rebellion, as he would do afterward when they repented, then he would Cir- cumcife their hearts before as well as after j But the former is true ; therefore the latter. 2. And if it be on Condition of Obedience, then you confefs there are condi- tional Promifes j and then it was made to more then the Eled. 3. [fit were not performed to any but the Eledei7rt?^from other people-, and the firft faorii from other Sons. Frofeiiion and Vows of Parents wl2ich you call fan^irying, is noc fandifying in fo full a fcnfe asTTnTTTTrGoidiatjaiK^^ fcnfe i tliourh chefs aifa ren-otcly.But for the fcparation by Election wnich you mention, ic is no reall proper feparation,but only Gods p uri;iojc to fepara te them hereafcer. When >ou fay a man is )u{\ificd, far.ftified, or favcdfrom Eternity in Gods Dccee, You inu<"lmean, that heis nocreallvand truly juftificd, or fandiftcd at all, bur only Gcd did Decree ro )!:flific him anc iandifie him . which proves it is not yer done ^ clfc how could G v! Decree to do ic hereafter ? -l^oikin^ cannot have a real aduall Moiiff, or Affeftio.j, or Accident. Elfe it were a f;:;und arguing ab efi ttnii &d]acentU ad e/f /e- (undiJerafdiM c/I,ergo eft, xife^dratM were not temtm dimumem. So that your fep*- ration by Eledion is but a purpofe to feparate hereafcer. In the next place, you let fall many untruths together (if rhe Reader have a dcfire to know the number,lct him count hinifcif ; for i have no minde to ir.)You intimate 1 would noc tcU you in what manner children are holy y which is untrue. I would/ have you trufl that memory no more. You back this with another, that you would have told me more fully what you deny,&c. Yet ycu add mor c,that I checked you,fe all along the Difputc I carried my felfwagiftcrially,fcornfnlly,and nflbrotheTly,wt«n you cannot inftancc in one fuch word : All you name, is, that when you overturned the Difputation by turning it to divers Qiieftions one after another, I faid, that was- ' t notDifputing,but Cathechizing.- and wh<:n you turned to long Difcourfes to the peo- 1 pie, and faid you muft iatisfie the people, f told you I came to Difpuce with you, and V not to fatisfic them, r. e. by ItyngDjksmik^ioJtu^xe the Difpure . And was there Ibmuchevil in thefc two wor^v^Then I faw no other remedy to prevent the lofing of ail out laboiKsand eijpeftations 5" Another untruth you add, that I did not [ as one that minded the clearing oftruth ] wlien 1 can from my heart fay , i t was my ormoft . aym.Bot my judgement wa5,& is, that your popular diverfions for the hiding of your Errors did nor tend to clear the Truth ^ bur that the^ri(fteft argumentation is moff conduciblc to clear it. Another yet youadd.asif I aymcd [but todiminifhyoure- flcem3when certainly Sir,I dcfire the advancement of your c'fleem fo far as it hinders not the advancement of the Gofpcl j and where ic doth, and you v^Wl needs involve your own cfteem with the credit of your ill caufc,as if you were rcfolved rhey fhould' f^and or fall together, 1 confcfs i had rather they fell together then ftood together : Which hath ciufed me to write here fo mlch as /have done in reference to your felf* Next you add, that/did it to gain an Oritiion tomyftlf, as having the better*, which as /was a fervant to the Truth, and ss that Opinion is meant of a true Opini- on, /acknowledge to be true ', that is, it was my endeavour and dcfirc that /might folly vindicate Gods Truth from your Sophifms, But Qthough in fuch contcfts /dare nor fay that there is no ftirrings of pride or vain glory in rte, it being^fo natural a fin, and ftickingfi?_eIcfeLro uLaL',YCtJ/ can~truly fay,fhat /fought Gods Truth above my own repuration,and that I can be gladly vile fn the eyes of men,if/ might but know more ofthe Truth of God ^ as /have evinced by publifhing difgraced Truths. Did J rhink Anabaptifra were of God, I would entertain it, withrejoycing. Where you next add, that the Auditors will teftifie thefc things, i fuppolc you mean one among HAany Infants Church-memhsrfiipdnd Bdpt}fm, T^tT many hundreds i who fhcw alfo whsc their principles art by fuclj tcftimoiiies. You nexr add, that [for this rcifon y-cu ob:aincd no': froni ,r»o lo k.iow ia wJuc manner and by>vhac means every Bchevers /nfanr is holy at, (cpitacsd to God,1 / anfwer i Can you for fiume fay fo, being fuch a Difputant / Could nor you ha/e iorc'c m« to it by diaingifliing,whic(i /entreaced you to do ?. 2.Did / ever HeFy'7oTeI^y^51^I^ ? 2 - Nfly,di(rn^nTcll you ever and over without your a^kingGiccafionalh^Jthar /meant not that the patrh of the ParcntL was a caufc, bu£t?iecom ; iiiig g^ and that Gods Qa ^ You have nothing but the weaknds of your memory anJnotarics co excufe alTtHele^ palpable untruths j which yet do but excufc them a tanto, Kor your further Difcourfe here, /paOc it over, as b^mg pundually anfwered a/. ready. Only where you fay San^ificacion is taken for ChaPacy.i 7^4.3^ and that is near to the taking;_HolyJfGr [Legitimate] /anfwer ; i . ChsiuTil^Iauioned buc as pare of their reall lan legitimation is no Vertue, nor Baftardy any fin I at all \ How like thefe are?Fut any thing wnn^?^^^ ~ ■ - , YQ^ ^^V. p ^-j^ fajch children were holy, but notasfcparared to God,] when /convinced you that HoIinelTe is taken for nothing elfc in alloihcr Scriptures, but for afeparation ta God. * — ~ ii^ . You add four Rcafons againft my-feni^^ this Text, i Ccr, 7.14 The firft is an- r^creAefore s The fecond is anfwered by Mr. Marfiall and others long ago. That ray fenfe fuppofeth as you fay, the fanftiftcation to be from the Faith of die Believer as cheCaufe, is untrue. Did f^nor tell you that /denyed it to be the Caufc, but only aconduion .^ Your third aifo/ have anfwered before, Yet do you here give up in my judgment the whole ca jfe about this Text. You fay that this propofitionrThc children whereof one of the Parents is not a reall true believer before God, arc none of them holy as feparated to God] is falfe,takc the feparation c© God,what way and to what ufe / will Do ycu know what you have faid ? Why then you yield that feme fuch children are Holy and feparated m my fenfe i that is,that they are Holy by vcrtuc\ of Gods Covenant, claim,and gift, as being fcparared from thofe without the vifiblc J Church, to ftand m the Relation of Difciples,Clixiftians,orvirible church- members $4 ^ This is my fenfe of Holy ; and if you yield this to any children, fure it will be ro-^ theSeedofChriftians; andiftoany,why fhould net chofe be baptized ? But/fup- pofcyou will recant thefe words. As for your con fcquent, /have fhewcd you before the ungroundcdncTs of it. Your fourth Reafon alfo is before fully anfwered ; What you cue out of my Ajfenlrxcds no other anfwer, but to wifh the Reader to read the whole. Ai for the foiw arguments which you fay /ufed againft your Expofirion, the three \ firft are imperfedly cxprefTed, and the fourth is none of mine. GrotiH4 might weif i Expound e.5a7rr|^ctjTo,i Cor. lo.a.by quafi bapti^ati funt ^ For it was a fimiiitudc or i Typej but what is. that to this Text where is no fuch thing? He tels youMiirPat iif.m ! iiiiiHidJimle. Mcthmks then you fhould rather conclude, that as all the Vrtf^/J, \ even /afaiits and all were, qHaftba^n^ inumba & fmykudine nofiri Bapifmiio^ all the Church now, whereto /nyfpiWft beirmnimi^ratcd. fhould be iScd byBapt.&nj Efpec.ally when the -rfpoftle purs fuch anEmphafisin the wor^LiJlL afldTm«to there cited by Grot 11^, Ci}th,Jlii^fguramanififlhr in Baptrfmis:^ wejto.^&c That which /cailed an irrational fancy.was not 4hat you here fancy wc to fpcak of,but this i when in the Difputation /asked you,How thi Cmnthians could 55 rlain Scripture proof of t bcfurc thar their cliildf /..ji^^^i^'-m J N^^'^ I know as this • is the nrd great duty, fo /doiatry or taking lome thing for our Happintfs' inlkad of God, is t he firft ^reat damoinp ^ fjn(as /r.fideliry i^'rhg ffC9n^ ^c } Nowa;. fomc make Thfjr hnn'f'nr, nrid tn^^ r^-^'^rj^^ ^rs -indfom e theiijefhly d elights to he their Tdol and happinefs, fo when / fcarch my heart, I finde my^deflrcs after the knowledge of Truth fo f^rong, and my delight in it fo great, that / am more jealous of my heart in that point, then in any one in the world , Icfl /fhould prefer iuch truths before the God of Truth, and \cii Adams inare ofdefiring toomach kno v ledge fhould prove mine, and left / regled God and ray delight in him, by my oter-bufie fearch after Truth,and too much delight ia it. Which / the rather difclofej to give warning to all Students to take heed of this fnarc, and lefl when they have overturned other /dols; they fhould be overturned by this lafl /dol thcmfelves. Certainly to fomc fearching ftudious men, it is no fmall nor contemptible temptation. So thatSir, when you are pleaCed to dcfcribe me as of excellent abilitic5,hut a Scphifler,& not a lover of TcurH, if /Ifnow my fclf, you have quix mift it j and all is clean contrary, i//^. my abilities but mean,but my love of Truth too great, and dangcroufly too great. By this my cor- ruptien you have advantage co win me, if/ could difcern the Truth with yCu. \ SECT. Infant church-member/kip: and Baftifm. 257 SECT, vrij; IN your eighth Scdion, you aflauk my words, which you fay have a manifeft tind- cure of reviling and little reafon. What arc the revihng cxpreffions ? why, my calling >#ntinomians, 5ocinians, &c. Scfts. i^nd is that an untrue or an unfit cx- prelHon ? But about /ndcpendents you ceal with me as you fee j you fay [ Let reafon be heard ; why fhould men be any more called a Scft, for denying that it is of Divine appointment, that a Synod of many Churches fhould have power to ex- comumnicatevchen others caJled Presbyterians for holding it. J I anfw. Letcominon l^onedy be heard tpo. "why fhould fo notorious an untruth be fb infmuated by a preacher of Truth? as if i called all /ndependenrs a Sed", or any Independents for that reafon, becaufe . they deny the power of Excom^munication to Synods ? When as I fpeak of none but Scparatiits, and of no independents but thofc only that are Separatifts, and as they hold tilt doArine of popular Church- government. Sir,/ meet with many Indepen- dcifts ("conimoniy fo called) that wouldjooiJii^'^^^^'^c^jeQJSle^^^ by vote j there- fore d d i diftinguifh luch from others, and far am I from vilifying or reproaching them, but reverence and love them as Brethren. My words of them are only thefc (^ T^''' /ndepcndency which gives the people to govern by vo te, is thcfam ejhfng in a^nocher name^/i'/;^. as 5eparatifm. Cbuld /plainlier Uaut my fpeech rolKofe only tjiat give the peopld to govern by vote .•' Do t fpeak of any otf er at all .^ ^^nd yet do you come in with an iiifinuation,as if /called all Independents a Seft,or any of them, becaufe of their denying Synodical Excommunication ? yea to a Synod of many Churches ? That confcience that will fuffcr you to deal thus, doth certainly leak or hath a flaw in it. ■* " ' 2. ^nd doth this infinuation efpecially bcfeem you, who have twice told rac irt conference, that Independents if theyj3akcjL£aay;^arcl^ y This is not fair d<;aling. Atid for your next Queftion, Why ^^nabaptifts fhould be c^led a Sed ? /antwef, ' becaufe they do mike p a rrif^ yand fg parare from the Chnrch in tht m a intai nin g of an error. / would you had Cyprians little Traftatc de Vnitate EcckftA written in your, hearcand as it would help you to anfwer this /I^ueflion your fclf, fo it would recover you to be a blcfling to the poor Cliurch of Chrifi,roo much already torn by Sefts and diHention, and calling for your compaffion and help, rather then your mercilcfs widening of her rents and wounds. You again talk of my rafh and hafly reckoning you among Hereticks,and /again tell you that you miflake me,f did not fo. Or if you will needs face me down that fdid, as berter knowing my meaning thenmyfelf, then do / here recant ii, and unfay it again to make you farisfadion. /confefs I would have men take heed whom they call Hcreticks, it being no fmall fin and dan- ger to be fuch. ' > You again complain that you cannot get my argumenr's *, Why, did you not hear them in our difpuce ? But to fatisfic yoar importunity, here you have them, and much good: 2 «; i Flaw Scrjfture froof of good '»ny chcy do you ••, rind O that I might be fo happy m them, as that you might th--. Vyo: co.:vinccd and rcclaimed,if not from your crror,yet at ieart from your di- viding x:a'. f M rhc propagation of it. YoufayJ was willing to blafl your reputation. Bu; ih4v^i»iorc truly toidyou my ends. 1 could heartily wifh you &: my fclf that vic- tory over our pide,wliic'ri migh: caufe us to be Kfs render of our reputation then we are. i have ro!d you in my Pr.facc the untruth of ycur imagmation ^that my opofiti- on to you took off my neighbours from being your auditors.] i4nd i have told you in the fecond part of this book,what judgements c f God /mean, befidcs thofe in A'ew- England. /could name you nmki:udcb more if / thought fit. / had reference roforac of their friends and mine that upon the change of their judgements have turned to moit notorious wicked lives, and run on in their errors till they denied Clirifl & rhe truth of Scrip: u:e, and made tliem butafcorn. /had reference alfo to fomc friends of ou s,rhat ic is n jc (ic to name to you, that on their death bed have cried out of thcfe opinions, as that which was a great caufe of their luinc. Where doth ycur opinion dwell aloae,witiiout other errorsPyou Vnow that even thofe in thefe countries re uni about,rcachcis S: private perfons that are rcbaptizedido few of ihtra continue of your reinde,b_utjiiA ^ti!rn ^rm'inians, & many far worfe. /sit not fo with twenty for one? and is not thisa"Viriblet)UdgtM!cifjt" TTor thofe in New England^ /am refolvcd not to fhut up niy eyes again(\ the convincing light of extraordinary providences, whether miracles or wonders. I do abhor your flories of rhc Earl of kottands daughter, and DuuftzPie^ and the reft f not like to thcfe in New England J whereby you feek to datkcn and difgrace the wondrous works and tcftimonies of God. Take heed how you difpa- rage and fpeak contemptuoufly of thofe works whichGod commandeth his people to keep in remembrance. 1 his is fomewhat worfe then taking his name in vain. What judgements have bcfain the undervaluers of Gods works ? & how iea!ous hath he aU waycs been in that PoincMoft that will not be convinced by wonders of Judgment, have pcrifhed by Judgemenr.l believeChrift to be the Son of God for his miraclcsj Ycc would 1 hinder none from trying dod:rine by the Scriprures.nor fet up any other rule, as 1 have before told you. Nor do well relifh your exception agalnft that one ftory in the Book,cntitul^d,Gods judgement on Sabbath breakers, as being jealous that it is from no good- will to our dodrine of the morality of the Chrif^ian Sabbach . Buc your arguing is againft the fcope of the book,though you except but againft one thing for the verityjas alfo againft Dr.Beards Thea[er,& the Fathers frequent making ufe of foch providences,&: againft all other that fo obfervc themjTake heed of Pharaohs fin. What you fpeak whether Ws.Htitchinfon and Mrs.D^e)' were Anabaptifts,! anfwcr, I. I knew divers of their company that were. 2. /^nd I intended thatpalTage only againft the Antinomifts,againft whom God plainly fpakeby them^and againft whom I confcfs my zeal is far greater then againft Anabaptifts. I conceive Antinomianifoi the moft .dangerous plaufible error that ever invaded the Church, iHfinuatirg them- I felvcs into well meaning minds under a falfe pretence of advancing Ghtift and free \ Gracc^and if you would have given meleavc,l had fpent this time againft it,which I Sim now by you compelled to fpcnd againft Anabaptifts. For any that made ufe of mfy name and words in ihe Pulpit,! approve not of it, as thinking my name unfit matter for a Pulpit-difcourfc. And where you again think 1 intended chiefly to make you odious, I again tell you, it was only to make your errors odious to my friends -, acd agam / wifh you lefs folici tous for your honour. For what you Say of my doftripe of ^uftification, / have anf«^crcd bdbfc. Infant Church-^memberjhif and Baptifm, 259 SECT. I X. TO your ninth Sedion, I Icnow fome interpreters expound it of Dodrinc *, every falfc teacher is not a Hcretick, nor the falfe Prophet that Chrift aims at. 1 think thefc rauft iubvcrt the very foundation. / dare not fay that Pelagius or Arminim were fiich (^though I like not their dodrinc. } For ought I know,they may be both with Chrilt. 4nd fo/fay of many more whom the Fathers called Herecicks j &fo of every ■Jioncft ^nabaptift. Towhatclfcyou here fay , 1 have anfwered it fully before. .Where you fay,thar [in my Logick then falfc do^rine & falfe prophets arc the fame] 7anfwer,that it is but your fidion. In my Logick,a falfc prophet & a teacher of falfe dodrinc arc the fame 5 To make the forme and fub)ed:,as you fay^thc famc^may well feena falfe do^rinc in Logick. You ask [ are the whitenefs and the thing white, the heat and thing hot,all one / or doth a man that knows hot water by heat,cold water by its cold,know idemperidem ^ '] anfwer. Did /ever think to have found you at this pals in your Logick too /' Can you know the fuppfitum, even the Subjeft & accident by that accident alone ? Can you know both that it is in water, and that it is cold by the cold ? or that it is cold water rather then milk or whey,when other-things are cold as w«ll as water ? i4nd can you know it is bpth water and hot by the mear hcat^ when other things may be hot as well as water ? t>oth not he go about to prove idem per id«m,who will prove this water is coId,bccaufe it is cold ? or this wall white, be- caHfe it is white ? Or if he will prove alfo that it is a wall becaufe it is white,he will mend the matter fairlj^. Chrilt never intended to prove(or teach ois followers how to provcjthat the falfe prophets were men,nor yet that they were prophcts,but that they werc/d/ftf prophets. And is it not idem per idem to prove that they are faljs teach* ers,becaufc they teacb falfly'^ that is,thcy arc falfe teachers,becaufe they are falfc teach- ers. / leave your Logick and mine to better judgements. i4nd if you confidered buc how the iipoftles ever after this, when they write of Hereticks and falfe teachers, do ftill accufe ihe.m of wicked lives,you might fee this in part expounded, /know there muft be forae fair fhews which arc ihe fheeps cIoathing,but ftill the men are ravening wolves : i4nd doth [a ravening wolf J fignific ficlier the error of doftrine, or the vi-* tioufnefs of cheir nature? And fo/may fay ofthefruitofa thorn or a thiftlc. But for the application, if you would not needs force my words to a fenfe /never intended, wc fhould nor be at fuch odds: For be it known to you and all men by thefc prcfents, that / take not a meer Anabaptift for a Hcretick : no nor thofe that hold greater er- rors then thty,exccpt tJifcy-ajfo divide. and rent the Church. / like Mr. ^ines his de- scription in of a Heretick his Sermon againft Hcrefies. Scripture and Fathers place very much of the nature nrHcreii ^iy^ g^hifm ^pri frparpinn^ ■ And fodo the mofl accurate of our maderns,as Vcfius^Oatak^r, See. Though cu?Iome had alniofl prcvail'd toplace it only in an erroneous opinion, or obftina cy in t hat opjnion. Buflinger'sis this, H£fetkum quHmdicOy inttiligo SeilmufnauthoreHrqui Ecclefum fdndit^ quijal^adst erroned dQVnina fevtimctm pergjt umtatem Ecclefia infringltur fl^ turbare^ DUhg.cont, Catabapt, page 24* When /talke of a Hcretick, /mean an a urhn f of ^je^s who L I rendrctii rlain Scr/fture proofs/ r^ndet h the Church, who perciriacioufly procccdcrh by falfc and erroneous doarine ^infnngrand crmMc the unity of the Chufcli. TTis not much out of the way which Vimrius (inftitur. p. H2O ^aith was thedcfinicion of many then, vi:(. Hoentictds e(i qui rehSla fide &Ecc!efi£ dotirm, aljcmi tmpor aiu commadi gmia (7 ma:tm c glorU , Men ^ novas opiniones gig,mt velfequitHTy ut veljc maneat a9t.cclejtadm^us. Yet I ( know lome will Hatter themfclvcs wjth this, that while they gather into Churches, themfelves, itisnoforfakingthcChurchi if they leave one Church, theygoto,or \ gather another : To^hom I will now fay no more, but what temUkn iiith of the ^MArcionits C^dverf, Mardon. li. .\.ca. <; . ) Habet pUpe g» illud Ecc kfm, (edfuas, tampof- urasqusm adulters •, quarum ft (enfum requiyas^ fucuus ApojUncum mvemas qua^. jifrjf. tolicum i Marchnejdlicet condme *e/ d/i^Ho de Marcmii examine. FiChtniaMis^/rtt^dV fiiciunt Ecchftof ^ MarcionHd, The waipis alfo make Comb6,3nd the Marciomtes aifo make Churches. r ,/- r .^ for ray Queftion which you mak-e an affirmation, yon putafalle knfeofyodr own upon it, and then call me Dog for it, and fay [like a right Englifh Maftive, I fly in the face, &c. '] The Queftion me thinks carrieth my meaning very plainly with ir. It is neither owwaff dubitantis, nor yet dttermindntis: but only fpeaks what a rarity it is according to my reading ; and yet becaufe I will not therefore affirm it rare ffor afociety of Anabaptifts t© end well) muchlcfs that never fuch a thing was, there- fore 1 provoke them to look over their own intelligence ', As if I had laid in all my readmgit is a rarity j fee whether it be not fo in your?. If a Phyfician ask, How many Tympanies have you known cured, cr where have you known one well cu- red ? The Ayeftion intimates the rarity of it in the enquirers obfervation, but not a determination that never fuch a thing was, or that it is a rarity in every mans obfervation. 1 have feen neer a dozen cured within thcfe few weeks, and yet fienins de fatibus faith, he never faw a confirmed one cured, and others generally make ic a rarity, ^ndif my obfervation fail nor, yet a queftion is not capable of being falfc : but becaufe you fay [you may boldly fay, that I here play the Devils part with a witncfs") truly Sir,my dcfire or intent is not to make them fetm one jot worfe then they arc, but only to obfcrve the ftrangc hand of God upon them in giv^vig thera up^ fo ufually to moft wicked opinions or converfations ^ and againf^ tTris judgement £ dare nor ffiut mine eyes, nor harden my heart. Sure I am the good lives of the Par- liamcnts friends, was the grearcft means toencrcafe their party j and it was an Ar- gument that many a thoufand ventured their lives and fouls upon ; They rhoughc iure God would not give up the generality of the godly, except here and there one, to be fo far deceived, as to be on the wrong fide in fo weighty a cafe r, and in the mean time give the generality of the moft deboift, to know the truth. And the Argument is probable too in the prefcnt cafe. But let us hear in all your reading where you can name one Society that ended well i and fo prove me to play the pare of a Dog or a Devil : ^U lies upon the proof, i. You inftance in CyprUa, the Heme- robaptilts and the Picards,which you well know were no Anabaprifl-s : for we take words according to their common ufe. Nay what a jeft it is that you fometimes com- plain of Ci^rwn and his brethren as thefirft orgreatcft introducers of Infant-bap- tifm, decreeing for it in a-Counccll j and yet now bring them in for i4nabaptifts ••? Your next inftance you have more confidence in, and therefore ufher it with a vaunt ftliat I may learn to order my pen better hereafter j I may rake notice that befides the probability that Berengarius oppofed the Baptizing of little ones j notwithftand- jng what Mr. ^dryfcj^iz// and I Dr. Vfm fay againft it. The world may now fe? what a caufe you pat fuch a face / upon, when i You cannot bring the leaft proof for ought yet I hear from you, lo much as of one ni'an (much Icfs Societies , and leaft of all, godly Societies) that did once oppofeor deny Infant baptifm from the i4poftles days ril about Luthen time:2, uSnd yet acknowledge that Infant baptifm hath bin ufcd in the Church finee Cyprinns time atlcail,if not ttriuHians (as i have proved before:) dnd did no body comradid k for fo many hundred year / and yet is it an innovation ? you flill mifreport my in*- terrogacion for an affirmation. / do but provoke you and others to enquire whether they' ufually have not proved wicked. And 1 again provoke you to prove the contrary: for certainly you feem to yield up their credit as loll, when you cannot bring omi wordoftolerableproof to the contrary, out of all your reading. I have told you the reports of the godlieftDivincs then living of them,who mcthinks when they concurr ^yi^§I^ to unanimoufly, may be beleeved in Hiftory. For Alfiedim^ you know he concnrrs ^^ with the reft, though he acknowledg e them their fheeps cloth ing/^vf/lem bstidi vita) and no more j adjoyning them to Pdagians and Novatunsy and concluding chat they are not to be received 5 and no doubt they,many offhem, profersgodlincfs,even thofe that now preach down the godhead of Ghrift. And Atfleclifti in the lamc place cx- pounds Mii. 7 . of the fruits of an evil life. ¥ or CaffandcTy i. He fpeaks of feme appearance or profcffion ofgodlinefe^ which none denies them j no doubt they arc mo ftprofeirors, and god ly words are in thc iir, writings j but what is that to the liveTofthe Societies, and to the end i 2. Caifarid^t in all likelihood never faw a fociety of them in his life , nor perhaps one Anabaprift, For he lived at Cobnia ^gripfinA among the Papins,where Anabaptifts were not ; and bcfidcs he was a man for long time of fo exceeding weak and oonfumed a body, and troubled with the Arthritis^ and alio of a folitary dilpofirion, that he lived Continu- ally as in a Cell ^ fo that when the Eiiipcror Tent to three Princes to fend him to him, he could not flir towards him (" as Qrotms ante Caffand» confult, J And Calvin faith he was ab hctoiitium^confuetudineremotus'', ^ex JoHtudm diihe^^iittu centr^^ternt ^ and that he wnslamiay^elkrvay e ju9antro\ ubi hAcietups ben^iatuity non extrahendu4 » quid Cttloni^ tot annoi in fterquiUnio fu9 ad hunc ufq-y dim finquitj jacujty &c. Re{ponf» adBaldvh' mirali, theolog, page 508. And how was Cic»niy negat parvuhs per Bap- tif/num Cbrifti apeiditioneltberari (^ falutem percjpere mrndm^ anathema fit. FulgntiHt defide ad Fetrutn : Firmijpme tene & nuUatenm dubiteSy parviilp(, qutnec propria volun- ' tatecredere, ntcpcen'itmthmpro peceato^ quod originaliter trahunt^ agere pojunty (acrg* (mentttm jdej quod eft fanctum baytifma , t^ujja^'m y^f/o^jf ^fyj^a dtas Cf^p^x e(fe non poteff, \tt^cerTadf4tHtem' Fontiw Faulinns {mquit Rhenanus in lib. teftiHL de Corona militif^ taptifmHtn^ defcibit (as you may finde m his Poems in Orynei Ortbodoxographia. ) Jttde parens facto ducit de fonte facer dot Infantes nive^s corporeyCordeyhabjtu.Scc, And it is evident that they baptized Infants even in antientcft Churches, in thas they both judged them ordinarily faved, and fo to be vifibly of the Church ; and cal- led Baptifm initiation; and affixed it to all Church- members. For Tertuliian makerh it an argument to prove we are of one Church,bccaufe we jj ^ eadem kvgcri fa iramen' idj de virg. veland. page 221. cap. 2. edit, F Ansel, which excludes tlioieThat had not that Sacrament. But the ordinary falvation of Infan rs they ordinarily alTcrc (it were cndlefs to cite thera.)And of thofc wi thouc the Church,they had very hard thoughts^ Therefore Tertull. in carmine de'judicjo 6'««in/,brings them in among the other mikra* blc ones at judgement, faying, 7)efun^'jq\fenes animif viventibus afiant. Infa^tumq; gemens rejonant vagitibus orbls^Scc, That is, faith Famelius^ not as then in an Infant age, but thofe that were In*- fants on earth. And if Latiantius call them temras atq\ jnnocemes an'mas, qu&maxmi^ eft itasparentibus dulc'm^is^c. Inftitut. Iib.i.cap.2i. Sure then he thought not that they were to be excluded the vifible Church, or that it was an age that Chrift would hate or rejeft. And \ijuftin Martyr fay that the Chriftian Religion fuffcreth not men ro expofe their Infants, ( noSra voo do^rtna non ftBit quenquam effe moleftHm aut injurium^ li AC ne Infantes quidemfas putat exponere, Apolog. 2. Page 191. edit Oelen.) then fure they I thought it nejoi to exclude them out of tlic vifible Church of Chrift. For the Anci- \ cntcd Infant Church- memberjhip and Baftifm. 263 entcft and purcft Fathers were far from Mr. Ts judgement [that it is a mercy to /n- fants to be out of the viiiblc Church]They rather judged all without to be without rr lalvation, For all Chriftians and onely Chriftians are vifible members ot the tliurcli Cvifibilk et ft nohVija J 2nd only CliiiiUaAs (fay they) are faved f except Clemens /ileXAtid.and feme few thajjax£ agans are faved .) Yet further let us hear lome more of the Antients. ComiliumAfdvittanum fut vul^ oj vel w'lm Carthaginenfe C utvereJ, Amthemi dixit neganiibut infantes EapiiT^arflnreSijJionm origiKalu peccati y ((^ fHb)un- git ifta canone 2. Q^onUm non aliter inteUigcndtkm efi quod ait ^pofioim^ Per unum hoA minetn peccatum intrgvit in mundum^ ^ per ptccatwn Mors^Scc. n'lft quemadmodufM) Ecclefta Catfjolica. ftbiq; difufa femper inteliexM i Procter banc enm regnlam fidei j5r | PAtvnltqmnihii peccamwn infcmetipftsadhuc committere potuerftm, ideo inpectatorum\ remijjioneffi vefaciter baptixantur , ut in ek reiene rgtions mHndetury ^juod gsneratjonel i_ tnxerunt, . " 7 CaU^xim the FelagiaH was forced alfo to confefs this (which he naighc better have denied then Mr. t. now can do, if there had been any ground for a denyalj zi^. /a-i fantes Baptism in remjfiorem feccawum Secundum rcguUm Univerfalis Ecclefix^ I Secundum Evangcliifententiam ; ut Augufltn. (cubit W. 2, contra Pehg. ^ Cje.'c^. qni ef^ de peceato oi^tn, cap $.PoTro Augu^. eperit iffiperfeHi Com. Juli, U. 1 . cap. 48. ait : fi Deum colt! in quo (peravit ^ (perat ecclefta primitivorum, qudt confcripta eji in cMiih cur nan credis Bapti^andos parvuteu^^ erui de potejlate tenebrarnm ? &c. Et idem Auguff. fernt' 10. de verbps Apo^^J^ccom^j^ tJUis eeck fia aliorum p edes ut veniu n U aliaruin cor ut credanT^^UorHm UniUjtHut confiteantuy* guontam qiiod ^j^n im a lio ^eccante pYAgravan^ tuFi fif cuin iJ [aiii f«nf, alio pro eis ccnftentefalvantur. Nemo ergo vobis fufunetdoiFi^ not alicnas. Hoc Eccleft a femper hghutu fenper tenutt. Hoc a mci)oYum ^de aecepit \ hoc ufqu; infinemferjeveranter cuftodit, Q^oniam mnopw eft [anis medictu^ fed agrotanttbus, fluid neceffarium ergo habet fnfans Chrifium, ft non ^gfHat f ft fanus eft, quare per eos qid eum diligant medicum quant ? f quando portantur Infantes^ dicuntur tmnino nuUum pro^ paginii habere ^cccatunty & veniunt ad Chrijium\ cumon eii diciturin Ecclejiaquieos apportant, Auferte bine inn^centes ifiosi non eft opus fanis tJiedi:us -, fed mal^ habentibus '^ nonvenitchriifasvicarejuftosy fedpeccatores. Nunquam di^um efty fed n€C aliquandodi - cetur. And that Origen (who elfcwhere affirms that the Church received Infant- baptifm from the Apoflles^did ackno^^ledgc it as unqucflioned then, appears in that being a leadjer and Patron of the Pelagian error (after vard fo called) he gives this reafon of their Baptifm,that it was to wafli away thofe fms which rlar foul was guilty of while \ it was in feme other body(according to Vythagoras fancie^beforr it came into rhar,as ) v\. //«r6W^ affirms of him in Dialog, adverf Pelag. It. 3. coxdufione. Rffk/it.- t-pif-pus An- ' guftoduenps qui Conftandm M. m^^O'e vixit^it:, Haneigiture efepincipaUmin Ecdefia indulgentiam. neminem prxrerit, Cloquitur de bapti/moj in qua anti w cnmin'H omne pen- Urn exponimm.^c. Citatur ab Auguff. H. cont.Ju!ianuap.2.<^ Hv.i. ultirrn opcri f cohX.'jHli- an.cap.'y^.pag62y6^. The fame Atfiin faith, Clib.4. ad Bonifaccont. i.Pelagt'tepift. cap.sy ^.J Ahftt Ht a'iquandofjdes Catholica dubitaverit utrum nafcentes trabejCnt onginde pec-j catum quod Renafcendo deluerent.So that in his judgement the Church never doubt.' cd of Infant baptifm any more then of Original fm *, a^in lib. 3. de pecc.mer. ^ re- miff, cap. 6 ^ 7. He mcncioneth it as the Hereticks novelty, that Infants were not to be baptized for Remiflion of fin, but that they might bcfanditicd in Chrift ; but their~Bapttfme it (elf they durft not deny- Hierome lib. 3. cont. Pelag. fi'nh,Q»i pirvvdui efl.parentis in baptifjno vinculo folvitur. Ac ne me putes }:afetico fenfn hoc imeUigere, beaius Martyr CypriinuSy &e. And io he re- Ll 3 hearfcth 264 ^^^^ Scrfptwe proof of hwirfetli Cyprians words^which are rhcre,as you may findc them, /i6.3.ej).8. ad Fidnm, Si a 3apt'jmo atqs a gratia nemo prehibetHr : qnanto tnagis prohiberi non debet Infant^ qui resens ?.'iitU'! nihil p€cca{^it, mft qitod jccundum- Adam CarnAlner natui^ Contagiummortif antique prima tauvittiie contraxit ? qui ad rimiffam pcciatorum accjf$endam bac jpftt jiciliuiatcedtt.qucd an rcmittumur^ ncnprcprk^ fedaiiena pecata y which tefti-niony- of i jpr ?tf n f With circle before ci red our of Origeiiy TertuUian, lren£4i^Jn]Un.J I vaiui^ more thc.i many lacccr,ytc I .idd r!ie laner^becaiile Auftin was l^Plauius^^c. that t!i"e Gentiles had Rue s forTIlX! ey piation of Infants. And that BjprifttifuCceedcd Circurftcifion, and the jcvvs fiapiirrirpi^Hgurea^ourfpirituall ^ wafhing, and fo our baptifm j fee MaCariui in hof»H. 32. and Hm. 47. And the moft ancient of the Fathers infifl much on the purity, innocency , nicekncfs, &c. of ln» fants, as being fuch to whom all that will be faved mufl become like : and therefore they fure judged them nor to be all caft or kept our ot the vifible Church ; fee Dorj- '^tbeHsinGryneiOribedoxogYaphiaiT[>ag. 214. And Clemens^lcxandrin. Psdigog. hb. t. cap. 5, and 6. He that would have more renimonies yet of the Fathers Judgement for Infant- baptifm, cfpecially /4jipotuit evad^re qui[qucimjvdjxtraarcamiJoe ftdty^ qui extra E'-ckfrdfn jorisfuerit^evadit. Etpage ^o. EJe Martyr non paejf^qui in Ec- dtffd non t,! •, al n-guu •> p'ivsnire nott petcrit^ qui tarn q)nt regnatura ejty derelinquit. If any doubt whether Cyprian fpeak this of the virible univcrfal Church, rhc whole Book will evince it j (he fpcaks not of the Church of Aomf,as the Papifts would have all under- hand the word Church. J But I forget my intended brevity I am fully fatisfied that M/. T. cannot fhcw rac any Society C 1 think nor one man^ that ever open their mouths againft Baprifra of /nfantb till about 200. years ago or thereabout. Which confirms roc much that it is from the Apoftles times^cr elfe feme one would have been found as an Oppofcr of it •, Even is I prof fs ferioufly, that it much fatisficth my confciencc, that Chrift and his Apoftles did never fhuc the Infants of belceving jews f^and conHqucntly not of be- leevingGentileO frof^ being Members of his rifible Churchjn that Inever findein all the New-Teftament one word of exception,arguing,murmuring, or diffatiifaftion ^ ^ againft it, when as it cannot pofTibly be conceived but thofe Jews who kept fuch a ftir before they would let ^o Circimcifion thefign of Church memberfliip, when yec the> had Bapi:ifm,anochcr fign,wouId undoubtedly have been much more fcandalir'd at rhe unchurching of ail their children, and would much hardlier have let go that priviledgc of their Ccurch mcmberfhip, or at leaft have raifcd fome fcruplc about ir, which might have occafioned one word of facisfaftion from fome one of the Apoftlcsj lEfpecially, when J^d«/calls them Holy^ and Chrift faith, Sufer them to come tome^ind \0 ■ \i^^^^^ 'l^^^ net 't f«y oj fuch is the Kingdom of God. I know not how Mr. t. and fuch Vbrhers think on thefethingbibuc tor my parr,they ftickfoclofc to my Conrcience,that I dare not fay Chrift would have no Infants received into hi 5 vifible Church among the number of ClKi(\ians,whcn i findc he once placed them in the Church-, & neither Mr, T nor any man breathing can Hiew me one word of Scripture where ever Chrift did put them out again i and yet thefc men pretend to ftand^to the determination of Scripture. I would this one thing were impartially confidered. I conclude this in the words o( Pet. MiTtyr ("Thef. Argent, ex. iSiy i'),GeH.Tbel.^.p3gc(^mihi) \ooS. hc.com.^ ChriPianornm Infantes quditdomfcuntur^ ncn minus adDeHmperiment quam Jad^Qrum filij antiquitus pertinuerunt ; ideo ita baptifmo tingendi^^ uf jlU circumcjdebantur. WcW^ Mr. T. for all his anger, cannot yet name me one Society of them (^out of any good Audior,) chat proved not wicked. He next therefore is fain to come to thofe in Lon(i«» i ofwiiom the Hiftorics of this age will fpeak more freely to Polkrity, then is convenient for me now to fpeak to Hr.T, I tremble and grieve in- ilcad of fptaking j yllas, to look upon the face of EngUnd after all my prayers, labors hazards, tears, hopes ^ Ah poor England ! Oh that my head were a fountain of tears for thy fake '. I think my approaching death will he lefs grievous, to think that I muft go from this Land of fm and mifcry ! Do 1 need to tell £«^/an^ how /^nabapcifts have proved ? Surely to this /4jfc Sc home,and feparatcd from their d£far peoplc,for Non- conform icy, a re you yet afr^iid of them / What, afraid of a profligate Friend, niiftaken for an Enemy / & of thclc chac never hurt you when you were in their power ? 2. Bur fuppofe you were in danger from the rude Vulgar h To have I been, at kzi\^ as much as ever you were : But do we encourage rlTtm to ic^r would wee infringe yoiir Liberty .•'/hope you doe not think that every man that difputerh againfi you,wouId knock you i'ch' head. When I was iflthe^rniyi thore^hacfpokea^amft thcMagiftrates power to ref\rain fins againft the firft Table,did yer freely acknowledge the lawfulnels of fpeaking,preach!ng,and difputing againft chem. But thofe arc pali; as wee grow older, we grow wifer. ^nd for what you fay of the ylnabaptifts Orthodox Confeflions, 1 anfwer, i. The fame men that fubfcribe chem, have many of them written other kind ofDoftrine elf- where. 2. We arc now enquiring whether their Lives be Orthodox (as one fpeaksQ and forchtir l^'ofdlion, /lay tomy friends, as C\pria>t de mit.Ecdef. -pig, 42. 45. CfiHjeJfio in cxyeiium glorUe(f,no?t mevitum jam mtna-y nee perfiut laudcmjed inittat dignuaiem : cumque fcrjptum fit, Qj^i perjevaaverit ufque in jincm, hk falvu$ erit; qiitcquid amefinemimit,.gyadHsej\quoadjcj};gjum [alutu gfcendnur, non terminus gu^ )am cHlminis JHWfi^a teneatur. -Nmo per amfefforis exetDpim pere at , neque In juMt- tiam, neque infolcntiam, ncque perfidiam de ccnfcpU mmbm drfeat. Confejfor eft-, fit. bun\ilii ^ quietus-, fit ina^u (uQcum difap/joa modeftus.ut qui Chrjtti c§njefcr eft ; fi Chnftum ium ctnfitetur tmitmr. Nam cum diCat.qui fe extcUit kumiUkbitur, & qui humiliat je exaUabitur-y^tpfea. PatreexaltAtKsfit.quiafe in terriifermofy virtus ^ fotimia Dei patris humiliavit.qucmcdo poted extoUer.tkm diUgere, ^c. Conjejfor eji €hrij]i\ fedfi non poftea per i^ium bJafphemctur majeflas & dignitas C\m{[\. Lingua. Chridum cmjeffa non fit tu a [ediea, non turbulenta, nan convkiii et iitibus perftrepens audiitur; nfin contra jratres & Dei faccrdotes^ poji verba Jaudis/ferpentis venena ]fitJan,b(.eaufe of the Herefies in Phyfick.-? Neither fhould he that isfick in foul.pretendHercfies ag*infl his health & converfion to God. Certainly, Herefies are for (to manireft)the Approved, that is, thofii that come to thcLords dcellniauf neceffe habeas CKjlodiri ? It was Luthen (ay ng, S^eid. lib, 10, J Cum auJijfet: Anabaptjifas fegnum moUriy rapere arma. imnirewfbes^ ja^are vitiorium Antcquam ddbe^aHeni, Crajum ^'dkm £{i acrudem djimomm refpondit^qui non diu fit hifminibus impofitu>iis: Bik he that pretended holinefs was a more ingenious Devil. Many i4iiabapcifts now prerend toag'ff of Prophcfit'-c Sofi^fl/vjtfifaich ouf Henry the Seventh had, who calling an Aftrologer before him, askech him, art thou an Aflrologer? the other anTwers Yea^ And f faith the King ) canfl t houj^ll where rhou [halt be itEi^€r nexf ?H? anfwered No/A ^y then / carTteijjh eeTTaith [he King^jThon fliaTtlie in f»c!i a Prifoniwhirher h^pretently I'enTiiim, and m'afiegcjod c!ie Prophclie. But yec 1 wouT3 ndc have you expcft to fee thefc Frophciies falfilled on every iiian that fecms in danger. What will you fay men Ere brought in no danger only to try their honcfty, and then to countenance the honed and faiclifull, and Nou (pedes e^^ Jem qu,s Infant ChHrch-memberfhip and Baftifm. 271 fnat ante man^. But aias, coraplaints arc frultlcfsi we feci, wc fear, but God one/^ can remedy. H^n eadem ratio eft [entire 4c tolteye morbos. Senfus inefi cm^is : toUim Arte malum .Ovid. I.^. de Pont, Only /addc Prou 70,2 5. it isafiwrc to the man who dcvourctli that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. Yet for ail this i doubc iiocburmanya godly man isan Anabaptiftj &that it may be faid of fouie of rhera as it was of Scbwenck^feidiuf. Ca^uijeguiatm^ hanim n^.ndcfui(fe . feo emm ei>^gio ceimeffatusf e^, inqim Spankem.Di&tnb. Ke AnahaptT' ~ iui2^.)\^\t\j^lm Bcgulared heads,racher then honefk well meaning hearts.Whom i can truly fay, / hearcil; iove, and-can live peaceably with them (and have done) if they w)ll bur confcnt to a peaceable lifcj So far am / from ever defiling them any liart. . But little -know ihty whither char way leads, nor where it wil! leave them except they rccurne : Orif ma^iy particulars cTcape, yet what wrack irufeth to make in focietits?i conclude with thewordsof I:/?drJ/«.f, fpc^king ofSacans way of itmv>i\m.{ liiosautemptQSxidcriUvamsimblk4t^ell/^^^^^^ inimbtni facmt. MitJib^ I %:ap. 4. The Devils way to make godly men ungodly, is to mlnarc tfiem in vaS Religions. SECT.X, I Am glad I am come to the laflSe<^ion j for this altercation is a weary woVk./faid [They have confident cxpreflions to fhake poor ignor2nrrci]ls,whomGod wil have dilcovcred in the day of tryal]And /fiy it 5gain,beciure I would h-ve it remcmbred IthinkonI'i:rrH//i4«5Words (it.' Fr^/fripL fcircd alfa by Dr. Muf/ifrey^ Jefii''tif.p.6j.2.) Rjiiefes a pi^d cos vaknt,qni mfJe non valentk where faith is weak,hercrics (&fo errors) prcvailc&arc Itrong.TiicfoIid men thari>/r.T.harli perverted I never knew,nor could hear of. The grcacnefs,povver,and valour of the Captive is a glory to the Conqucrori commend him when you have overcome him, rhougli ycy (?ni7eu^^ Vel you that atTeriion is too much crudely exprcfTed for me to own. 1 never thought alUliLngs of himia n invcnr!on iin.GQlis worflii p^irher wil worfhip or unlawfril^n:.nt>y | circur^amials muiTbeibx iheJiccies of humane determination or mveption, whicfiT God hath dctefiiiTnedSueiXJi?^^ of the old Nonconformilh.) ^2.1 am fully convinced that I fhould gricvoufly fin againft Jefus GhriO & undervalue ^;..hisfrec grace and full Gofpe I covenant & m-rey, if I fliculd keep [•Janis gut of his Vifible ChurchiAnd therefore why fhoisld /reckon their admirancr amcig humane !>'ihveBtions ^ 9. You have faid fo little, and very nothing to prove the repeal of rhac dmrch meriibcrfhip, which you confeis tfiey once had^thatl marvall you can fo c ■>n- . -,^dcndy call ir a humane invention. 4. 1 never heard Presbyterians fpcake for f|iimanc •kvcncicKS inworfhipo if they know ir to be fuch. 5. Me- thicks a man i-iou'd be Mm 3 th&xs 2 -^ 2 ^'^^ Scripture proof vf pever the iiecrer Gods judgments for being againft will-worfhif/ j but he rhat isa- giiniiitinall orhcr points, is likcit co abhor ic in t'nis: /fhould raihcrfcar kllthofc that Ijavc iWallowed down humane inventions in other poiiK?,fhould be in as grcac danger of Gods judgment in thfs, as they that havenot.Eut Idarcjudge neither. That the Papifts and IVclatical party do as you fay, urge Infant-Bapcifm tobea tra* airion,is no wonder, i. /a that wee cannot loolc they Ihould he of cicareft judgment 2. They purpofely do.it to get credit to GhurchuTradirion.g.Yet they are offand on, as their intercA carries tljcai.You know that eei/ perhaps one that mayencline thac way^or at leaft,onc that may not he able to maintain the Truth a- gainft an Adverfary : therefore left they fhould fall into fo fad a cafe, / thought with ray fclfe,pcrhar5 ai IcaP the very remembranceof thisdayesDifpute(whcn rhcy heard how little Mr. T. could fay, and with what poor fhiftshe would have fupported his ' caulc) m.ay be a ftav to them hercafrcrjand if ever he triumph over any weak perfon- in conference hercaf'.er, they may remember this, and know that it is but through the Defendants wcaknefs. This was my very end, and to this end my very con- fcience required me to do it. And for crowing over you, alas,Sir, it ^as but over your ill Caufe. Have you not read Politjansihon Ep'idlc^ Dolet quod AnacM in difputatione te vicer'm^. Dolere ron debcs* Nam (i funt amicojum ammunk mnia, non m the -p- that call evifl gocd^ and good €v'iU\ putting Varkpes for Li^ht, aiJUghtjor Ddrkm[f which is common in thefe times wherein Satan hath transfoinied himftlfe into an Angel of Liglit, and his fervantsinroMinillcrs of Light, and harli deceived rren h far, as that there is fcarce an error fo vile, but it is preteuded to proceed from glorious Light. I lee alfo chat this C^nitjr is a fretting and growing evill. Thofc of your Brerliren in rhefe Countries who a while ago laid out their zeal againfk /ufanc baprirm,are already preaching as zcalouily againft the God- head of Chrift. And fome of them arc grown fo far, that the Parliaiiiencis fain to make an Ad: lately againfttheni that call rhenifclves God, & tiiat lay VVlioredome Murdcr,^c.are no fin,bur he is iikeftGod ihac committeth theni (fyc.{WG may thank ill manners for good lawsj / hope their zeal will at laft he raifed a little t o be friend Chrift the Mediator, as well as God as Creator ■-, and to put in one claufc againfk them that fliall deny Chrifl to be come in the flcfli, or deny his Godhead , or chat make a fcorn of him openly, or that prefer yifd/jome^ before him, or that call the Scripture a bundle of lyes, ^c I hope at laU:they will notonely honour the Father, but kifb theSon left he be angry & they pcrifh in the way:for if his wrath be kindled yea but a little-- ) The difcafe therefore being of fo dangerous a nature,/ think will not be cured by fmoothing and fljttery.I rtmembred, Frov.24 24. He tbatfiith to the wickedythoft art rigbte&HS.himfhali the people c/^//?. Nil ions fhall abhor him, i4nd for your felf, if I be in my ftile a little too kccn,ic may mitigate your pailion to remember that it is the fruit of your own imporruniry,& of no ill will in mc tb your pcrfon. Let mefpeake to you in the words of famous D KeigrMd- in his laft Epiftlc to Albejicus Qent'iks dboxxx-Vhyc^. Qjiare qudd mihi ob]ids te a m: ya^ori pejfiMe— jd immerito mihi a te obj^^um ejfe taa fpftus voce convineoy &:c. iluid fi plus Aloes quam me^lis medicainentis meii adm'ifcui^vel cum acrimonja potiuf majcre tanquam ad fecanduin (fy' ureadum acce0,t(tmen hoc quoque a prndente monm mugijlro fcis probari, qtium nulla reperitnr alia rnediina. Ciccr. offic. I i» Ac ego tmdicinam atiam fjipinjcuk in teexperiw fruffra^hanc unam futereffefalutaiem duxu alioqui defperandum. And read but the ftile of famous rct with. And to tel you freely my thoughts^thac is the pni nr nf nniverfal Redempnonvs herein I thin j^ yj fflyrd/,idochbef\ ,and in that (as I havelaid in anocberbookj i appiovc ui u.ulL he faithTBiu abouTthc Decrees I differ fro m him; cipecially the Phrafe of aconditia^ ^rhat^fnrfiV^iuiQASldinike.And/nowliaeipnkmiubjudg- nal rrrrrpj("^ hirh hr hp^h f^rfikrn ^f ^\ tnenr about univerfal Grace in general ^but ohly after univerfal RederDption,as ap- proved by me. 2. Are 3i (hop //^//,Bi (hop Car/f on, Bilhop Davenant^ Dr. Ward, Dr. Goad, and BakaniHaU.dvA Di Prejfon, and Mr. Ba//,Hcrt ticks ? what Htrcfie fhoui-d this be that this doarine favors of? iinkfci it be Chriilianity,! cannot tell. Ifyois ftiould mean Ai n)inianifm,/ pray tell rr.c. was it not the Synod of Dort that con- demntd ArminiaiJfm? hath any Synod done fo much againft them in the warld,And were not the Britiifh Divines taken for tire chiefcU flower in the garland .'^/f yoe know not that they go this middle way about univerfal Bcdemption.read their judg- ments in the Synod,& you will know,And were there none fo quick lighted in thic famous learned aflembly as to difccrn theDodrines which favor ofHerefie in the very points which they aficmbled to extirpate? And why have all thefe Divines been re- puted the moft Orthodox and excellent oppofers ofArminianifm evtr (ince till now. ^nd was learned MartwiHiAn Aiminianh and Imj/. CiociHim Aminian ? Sure they v.ere taken for fingular and eminent men in the Synod of Don againfl the/^rminians. Read tl.cir excellent Thefe s delivered in the^-ynod, and you will fee that they aiaintam the fame do^rine there which they do in their books and as plainly & ycc then it was not accounted to favor of Herefie j Was noc Catneio taken for the ablcft man iii thofe Churches againft Aiminianifm?and do not his writings witnefsit? And yet you may fee him in'his fepifile to I. C. averting the fame doftiine as Awyraldui* Alt the generality of the Divmet of the Vnivcifity oiSalmurmm, of Bnme, or Benline, all ^rminians.'^Yet Rivet andspanhem will tell you that they goe this way;yea ( Wctf ^f/iwefpcaks of reformed France in theGcncrallJ and a reverend, learned, anticnt Do^or of Cnmbiidge tels me, that Bifhop K/Z^er is of thefamejudgrmcnf, and he was never taken to favor of /4rminianifm. And to cocfirm me in it, I have lately re- ceived from a pious judicious Gcnrltman, a Mannf cript of Bjrhcp VfiKn in refolutioa , of thcquefiion of univerfal Rcdemption,detcrniining juftas Ma nwH i,p^''^^f-^H ^"d thercft,mo{\ folidly and excellently fhewing the twoex^reamesv and the danger of them. i4nd from the fame my much honoured friend J have received a Manufcrlpcof Dodor Staugktom^hixfig a Latin Difputation in Cambridge of the manrfer of the work i ofGraee in converficn^whercin as he difpures for a middle way^bclow that of a new I /e quaeretur : tar/ien Yolunrare Fropclin fut ior^u lur Revtrcr^^Ki Saristpuricnjisj illiM cffi^ellus, Amyraldus^ pdi/e/wnr, Frcjon, Staughton^VjIm^ Ball^doc weigh down five cboafand of our vul- gar Divines. Yea I think it wil be found that theSynod ofOort tliac were deflroycrs ofArminia- nifm, went in ornccr this middle way which you fay is netrcr Herefie: As may be fecn i n Canon 2, g,4,$. 6./4/tK.2. de R eJempt. Though many younger hor-fpurs of lare do quit^ 6ut-gU riie Synod, and IcoR on Aujiins Dodrine as Auj}:n did on the Pehgi- ans. Ye when Rzi/eniimfclfrepcacingCcmero'j own words (Difp.6, fe^.io, ii.)con- cludeth that thofe that go that way,do agree with all the Orthodox in fenre,& differ only in ihe manner of cxpredion. ^.id yer is it fuch a fault? However in my judg. mcnr,ifany that ever breathed in tlici^hurch ofChnltmay claim! he priviledgt^f be- ing thouglir free from Arminiani/m, itis Dr. trvi(fe\ If Ifhould fay more then he h^th done, I may ei\ped^(^and hopejthat my book fhould be burnt as Mr. Archers was. And yet I believe you know,thac Dr. twtffe is down right for univcrfal R e- dem ption in this middle wayrycj & tliat he ma^kerh very great ufe of ir to Anlwer all tcKtsbrought by tlie Arminians. I thir.k I gave you inftanre enough in the end of my Aphorifms. Gonfiderof/i/enfti reduction of the Synod @f Dort. Scc.pag. St. pjgv 145. 144. I willingly profefTc that Ciirift died for All j in refped of procuring the benefit Cof pardon and falvationj conditionally, on r nnf^irjnn nrfhpirjaifh..Sn he HatWmany times over, mat unriits acarli hath procured for All men^p^don and lalvation if they will bclievci and fo he dyed for All j bur he hath furthcj^procurcd ^airh for hi?; E leg. that they mav believe; fo p. 154.161.164. id-^. 170. i94nrrid in ^ his difcovcry^oTDn^r Jackfons Vanity. pa£, 527. 551. And in his Vtndic. &rat.lih. 2. pare 2. Crimj, i.fe^, 6,pag. mihi 441. And againft Mr. Cottan^ Ph-IA' ^"^ \(^hQ higheft Antiarminian that ever had the liappincfs to be reputed OrchodoK^be yet but in that middle way which Mr.T. fait!-; fivors moie of Herefie, then i muft go higher then ever I intend before /fhalefcape his cenfure. When Mr.f hath aiifwcred folidly andfatisfadorilyvICmeanbettcr'then the Pofthumusi;??/(iK/. 3^3 Plain Scripture froofe of ragcmen: of ihcm chat-do well.ilcw.^. And do not Chriftians do wcl in wo, fhipin^^ Cnri(t? Elfe if tl?c Mtgiftra te as .1/ p;, k. ag //rag./te a'.>d a . t:.^ pLJin lii ivin :.' a C'lriftian and a Pjj^in ji^jnjy^cr ralv'c the LJirjltianb par: any tn'c chcuhc otiiers» nor miy do any tfiing ro vards tiijr funting up of Gliriit more then at mJ) w.nn the , land, as a Migiftracc! Sure Mr. Dtfj Sermon againl\ Rcfoimatioii caiuefrom this- fountain-, ^^■^■^'r f^.T'"^^'' ^^'"g'^ "^"'^ ^"^'^^ "^'• ^renuiTin2 Fathers .o thr Chuich, then to any Heathen r>cicry, con- 1 ary to tiie I'rop.-Kiic. And ITthe Magiltrarcs govern us fi'ot as thnlUans, buras men only, then chry may not p'usiifh men tor ofifciding a- gainft Ghrill,norforblarphcm;,i^ him, or di awing men from him, nor may they reftrain any H-rcfie or fur againll him:whereis chcy are fct to be a terror to and exe- cute wrath on them that do evil. Kom. 15. And is not Blafpheming ChriA, or teach- ing falfe doftrine evil?By what right then did the Magiftraces take down high places and falfe worfhip former lyPDoubticffe the very moral Law now is theLaw of Chrift, and therefore if the MagiAratc muft not fee Ghrifts Lawes executed, and rule accor- ding to them, then according to none ? feme fay they rule only by the Laws of the (Land: But they ftrft make rhofe Laws of the Landi the fuprcam powers are above Ithofc Laws*, therefore if the Magiffrates govern us not as Ghrif\ians, but as men,rhen Vkey may not mikeanyLaws for us as Chrifiians,nor againft men as ofipenders againft Chriff,fceing the Legiflative power is thcchief of their power. But I forget my fclfj will faybutthi5,Allmagiftrarc?fliall find at ]udg«ient that they arc under Chrill the Mcdiltor. ButMj|T.hath yet found out in me //erefie indecd,as he thinks,& that is for being ;jgainft him for Infant Baprifm.i^e faith, /am more juftly chargeable with //erefis for altering Ghri (Is way, ^c. knfmr.i. So he told them in his Pulpit,That it was f/ere- fie to maintain Infant Baptifm from the ground of Circumcifion. See the parriality of this man ! he may call our Doftnne //erefie in Prcfs and Pulpit blamlefly ,bur he may not hear his own called fo in a Dream, Again,! tell you I never called you //erctick, nor doth it grieve me to be called fo by you. .. " You proceed to the difpurc & fay,That,[they might hear how little you did fay„ \ but furcly they could not hearein that difpute how little you CflM/t/ fay, muchkfs how little Anabaptiflscanfay, ^c. Anfwer^i. We know noue of them fo able a$ yourfclf, therefore if you cannot f;iyir, we may weMceafe our expectation of ir«. 2. And wlicn will you make us believe, That in fix hours free difcourfeyou did not fay what you could.'But you fay,[That we may know by this, & your other writings and Sermons, that you can fay ra'ore »hen you faid then ] By this? Why, what is in thii?afairbufincfrc toboaftofindecd! I have read your writings, and heard your iSermons repeated for the moft parr, for truly I could not intreat my lelf to lofc fo much time as to hear them all) and I rauft needs fay fome weak aguments yoi^ cahly anfwcr j but rhey that will be brought to your judgement by fuch difcourfes, are in my eyes very ignorant or trainable fouls. But wee fee now, /hope , what you fayv and if this be all, / dare fay Men are in nwredanger bY shtit own weakn efsa_then Uy Sut yet you fay [you anfwercd enough, notwithftanding your care to fay no mcre^ then was ncceflary i e.to fill the peoples ears leaf\ they fhould think you at a lofs^&r your naturall hefitancic in anfwcring an argument at the firfl hearing.]A;f/»ivr, This hefirancie muft bear the blame of an ill caufe, But why then faid you no more after- ward in your Sermon,3nd here in this writing upon deliberation? i4rcyou not here hcfuant aUo? But alas what a ftir is here about the Credit of dilputc! Rather then wc will differ about it, 5^/v(j vmute. the viftory fhall be yours. JidJfeld tells you of iwo Infant ChHrch-memberJfjip and Baptifm. 279 two brethren that had lived long together, & never fell out, they vi'cre of luch meek difpofirions; ar laft fairh one of theni, Brother^ what (})}jt do men mak?tofall out, let's fee if you and I can do ir. Why faith the other, we muji takietlm tilcCor jomefuch thing) find fct it betyv'xt ni% ^nd Imuj} (ay it it mine^and pu muji fay it is yours^andfom wuji grm ho'j-ir and hntcr ; fo they fet the Tile between them, and one faid it is mine, the- cther faidjcis not, biicitis minevwh}' then (quoth theother) itis yours Srothcr, take it s and fo rhey could not fail out; for he could not contradifft but once. And fo Sir, if you will the honour of the Viftory fluli be yours, faving the Credit of the Truth. And for the Packing you fpeak of,to cry up a Baxter, as I profcfs to know of no fuch ■ packing,fo I am confident it is your {i(Sionjand if you plcafc;, you flial cry him down again,and let them cry up youj and then all is well./ will take the name of Heretick, and Maftiff Dog,fo wemay bebutfrieflds.Buryou come on with the full ftrcngthof your reafons,why /could not argue from theChurch Mcmberfhip of thcjcws Infants to that of ours. And what is the fumm of all your reafons now upon deliberation in full force ? Why, f becaufc the vifible Church of the Jews, was the whole Nation brought into Covenant together by Abraham & Mofes without previous inftrudion ; bur the Chr iftian vifible Church had another Stare ScConflifution, being gathered by Apoflles and other Preachers, by teaching them rheGcfpcliand therby making them Difciples; feme in one Countrcy, City, Family, fome in anorherj noone Countrcy, or C.ity,or Tribe together, &:c. ] This is your firength; And, Sir, can yon be angry with a man for nor being converted to your way by fuch ftiifFas this?I muft cfefire the reader to fccall thij anfAcred to fliame of it in the beginning of this book i. Did A- Braham bring a whole NaiiojTintoCh urchfcllow ilil p, or , a fa mny^nly? 2. Nay when \ will you prove that Abvahains fa?!iT!v"was not a Church before circ umcifion as wel as I after? 5 Did /'?/^fgf gather an)> new Church.^ or were nmif>atl injl ^ m a Church be-/ fore Mofes} and did he nof^nlv renew7TTe_ Coven3nr,and give them La ws/ 4. When you fay,Thcy did bring them into Covenant without previous in(trud:ion,either yr)U mean the Infants, or die reft, or ail.'' if the Infants, that*s but to beg the qucftioni why^may not we do fo nowfeven by our own Infants & others, that are made ours? as Ge. Calijctus fjith EpJt, tbsQi. C. de Bcfp. } They were brought in Covenant but by orhcrs.If you mein^KUged^kis fuch an untruth as methinks the fillyeftPfeacher of the Gofptll fhould never have uttered j Dot h not God fay , h e knows tha t Abraham uill teach his houHionldjDQth not Mof?i reach th em tun v an'H frf;qi ]gnHxIIg^5?^ the Covenant imply knowled ge and confent? Do thev Covenant fo they konw nnr who or what? And is Abrahmind Mcjesio barbaroufly uncharitable thai- they will force men to Covenant, & never teach them what they do,Bor who that God is tha'C t1iey take for theirGod nor that there isfuch aGod,nor that tbey muflheartily fo take him,ncr what he wil be to them,and do for them?or could they be compelled to Co- venant whether they would or no.^Is not all Mofes writings & Joffma's inviting thcm^ to a volwnrary covenanting contrary to all this? or is it not a Oiame ro mention fuch I a thing.'* and to feign men robe fuch blocks, & God to be d-elighred in fuch worfliip j and Covcnanti-ng,as to have men engage themfelves, to take the Lord only for their God, and love him above all, and fervehim( which was their part of the Covenant^ without knowing before hand whether there were a God,and who he is,and what it is CO Love and ferve h!m,and whether they muft fo do or no,and fo to promifc they ' knew not what, to they knew not whc? this Covenant fo made was like to be well kept. Thefe kind of fidions are the ground of your Opinions. $. Sir, if you were my father, I would tell you that when you f*y [Chrlft makes - • Nn ^ BO r\ci one Ciry,CcuTirrcy> Trihc,his Di(ciples]ycu fpcak mcft malignantly & wickedly ggainnrheKisfidoni and dignity of my Lord jclus Hath he i.o: ccmn»jndcd to Dif- Zg cij^leNarions^Hatli nor the Father pron.ifcd lo give him the heaiil£iiorNations for . his inhcilrancc, and the iicrermon parrs of the earth for his pofT~diionTr/7/.2r& thac I Nations Hjal] k ujcJiiaiJAnd that the Kingdcms o(the w-orI( j fli;^!! h^-rnme ^ h<- j^m^ domctouiLoi-' andhisChrifVai.d doycunotfee icfuifilled bt/crc ycure)cs.^ i».re not t^ervdlcy.Kedeminflcr., ^c, and England frill of larcjas fully Chrifls Difciples,and (o ChurchiiiMiibers,as thcjewes were inCovenanc witfiGod,and foChurchmcmbcrs? We art noc a ll finccre; 7 ri ie^ no mo r^ wfi^ rh.^y- f^r ^'rh tTiany nfilif-m Qc'd was " ^t well p !ca(edj2Jir flitir niira'l rhar Nanon ^Covenanters ffcm his rcfi/ ave Caled atrd ^.y/;jr*r We may have Pagans and infidelsTurk among us unknownjBut th^y had many among tixm known. In the mean rime,weasgencra]ty profefsChriOianity ias they did cofcivc tlie rruc God And areyoufure there's never a City or Town chac are ailfincere / rhink you be not ; Or acleaitis therenever a godly family as i4/)r4- h:i?7u was? You cannor be ignojant thac rhc term [Difciplcs] in Scripture is given to more then thefincercly godly. 6. I have told you enough before, that Mef^s and Abrabm did no more in this, then Makers and Princes, may and Pnoukl do nowi and / am forry that you are one thac would nor have thtm do ifi& that the Apcliieiwere ffnrr«^ prnf/^iyp^. p{^nfr rtiar ^/^r^ IK) rthard]- nini^hsxi^fo were the Profelytes made before Ghrifts timcjand fo as they received in BaptiTTn an eijjs novum e t le rp novam ^er gmm t^icitur homo not/Mj, lu (^^Jw£allr^^i^r^^1al ^^^^f^qf ^ffnr(h,p^ f^ ^]Ch \t ^xr^^ nnr n^^Af Fnr a pprf^/f Rulcconccrningworfhipand pofitive Ordinances; and if not for thefe wherein the light of nature falls fo fhorr/hen fare it is a perfcft rule for nothing, I know mcer cir- cumftances arc determined of but in generall,and left to humane determination in (Specie, I. But that is becaufe they are things not fit for Laws to determine in Spec^c^ for all timcs,placcs and per fons, becaufe there is a ncGcffity of variationjor ac leall no neccffiry or fitnclTe of a dcrermination,& lo it is ne part ofthe perfedion ofGods law to determine thcmiotherwife if it were Hcceffary & fit that they wereuniverfally de^ tcrmined of, then how can Gods Law be excufed of being imperfedjiit determine ^lot of thenajit being the Rule of worfhip?2.Efpecially,when you acknowledge Tra- dition to be Icfs certain t hen Scripturcj and fo you would make us beleeve that God hath left us as an'uncertain rule of neceffary worfhip.when hemighr have given irus in ihcccrtaiiii'cripturc 5; And you know that our greateflDifputcrs for the oldCere- mo n i es.wcr wont to rc fcrvenQr >'i"p,f^TT''^^''''nn fufn^ggrxirxumftantials or things. 'Tndlilerenr. A nd it you ;uclge infant*Baprifm a meer circumltance,ybu are much mif*; taken) and if you judge it a thing indifferent, then it is more indifferent with you to be an /inabaptilt then it is with mc. 4. And fof your denial, there is few Pjpilis but will fay as much as you (for the moderate fort] & willingly admic of your two Limiratiom,asCif 1 had time) /could fhewyoucaftly from their own words. 5. And indeed if all that is not contrary to Scripiure-Cuftoms,& thatmans vain wit can find reafonable from Script ure,nui ft beadmitted,& that upon equal authority with Scfi- pture,ifthey dobut cake it for a Tradition Apoftolical, then 1. It will fet mans wic a work to makeGod a worfliip or )udg of the currantnefs of it accordingto its reafon-, and one man will think it reafonable, and another not. 2. And what a multitude of Ceremonies will thisadmifinrotheChurch,to the burdening of mens Confcieuces, and the polluting ofGods «ror(hip?Is not this the door that the body of popilli irafh came in at? and the argument thai hardcneth them in it,& hindereth cheir Reforma- tion rothisday/And if you open this gap, what a multitude of Fopperies wil. rum in^6. And as you fecm to confcfs,fo it is unqueftionably certain, That chcfe Tradi- tions that men fo talk of arc utterly uncertain i That fure they can be no part of Gods law, and rule of worfhip, Traditionjia^^ Infant Church ^memberjbip and Baptifm^ 50; o Lfa^ whic h may confirm its authority in j certainway^but thc fe prgrenrled ftJditi^ onTairFBytjlStrwtttmiTnefM^^ is mere between thefe pretenders to Tradition?as there was between thofe that contended about £^ in Worfhiprwhich they can but findf rhar rhf Farhgr? have ufcd when fome of them the very Papifts thcmfclvesjliis:e caft off I Methinksmen fhould deliretogo on the fuccr firic of the rieHgciandT feeing whpg» rh^-ir^ ;^ nn law^rhfre i<^i)o Tranf|^refrion.rin being nothingelfe>utaTranfgrc(Iion oftheLaw,thcy fhould concIude,Thar it is cer-* tainly no fin (^ tfiereforc fafcft} to let go thafc ^dditions which no taw cn;oinerh. But on the ocher fidc,That it may be a dangerousfm to ufe thcm,both as bcmg an ac- cufation ofScripture as in rufficient,and as adding to Gods worfhip. If when his wor- fhip was fo muchCereraonious heyet layetha^arge to dowhatever he commanded, and adde nothing thcreto,nor take ouglir there1irom(that is not to^or fr om the mrds commanding o nely, b ut alfo rhetwar^ cAmmaifi'^^^^ h it likely then that hewilibciels "T^alous in ilTTs now? .If we might not adde oneCeremony to an hundred,may wee adde to two or rhrce? DidChrift take down aU thofe of Gods own inftifurion,that he mi ghr £jve ixianjeave^ to fe.t up j^thers of t heir own?I fpeake not of meer circumftances,neceirary in Q energy^ but which muft be diflkcencly & occafionally determined; jip^^f myAical,DQfl:r^na l Rites, or the like Ceremonies not ncccffary in their Gfnj^. Why could not Chrif have determined thele himfelf,& that in his furc written word, if he would have had them determined? Hath netGod made us work enjough,but we muft make our felves fo much more ? Yea, thofe men that arc mofl backward to Gods undoubted worlhip, are the mof\ forward to make more of their own. Is it not the priviledge of the Gro- fpeKGhurch,and excellency of Gofpelwotfhip, that Rudiments & Ceremonies are down, and God will be worftiipped in Spirit without fuch avocations?In vain do they worfhip him, reaching for Dodrines the Commandements of men. Who knows wfi ^t wlll .fik4ieG rid but himrelf?8: ha th he not told us what he expedctlTFrorBus?^ Can that be ohcd t gn g ewh ich hath no command for it.* * is not this to fupererog«te,& to be righteous ovi^rmuch^ h ir not alio to accuie uods Ordinances of infufficiency as wclas his word as if they were not fufficicnc either to pleafe himjOr help our own Graces? O the Pride of mansheart,that in ftead ofbeing a Law obcyer.wil be a Law- maker \ And inftcad of being rrae wof fiiig gers, they will be wor"niip iTuk^t>! And , that are fo little confcioas of their own 'vireiicf5,as"t6 thirtk themlcivcs "^ io7 fuch a f work as this, and fo little fenfible of their weaknefs, and difability to obey what is already commanded, and their two frequent failings,that they will make more work themfelves and fegin more Laws tobeobeyed'.For my part, /will not fear that God will be angry with me for doing no more then hchath_£QjiiiiiMdidj^^ ingclofe to the rule of his word in matter of woffhipTbut I IhouldlrcnablcToadd or diminifh. To the Law, and to the teftimonyj iftheyfpcak not according tothefc*ic isbccaufe there is no light in them. God is wifer then I, to know what is acceptable to himfelf,aQd fit for his creature. I fhal but make my felf unexcufable at judgment 0.1 3 f^' 50^. Plain Scnptnre proofs of for all my failings in known ducy,when / wil needs fupcrcrogacc by adding of more, /fiy c.'ic more of this, i. /n connpiKioa ovcrfome learned Divines f whom 1 fhajl not namcjwho are more clear m many Dodrinals then moft of chc world befidcs, and yet ftlll arc fo ftrongly addided to unwritten Tradicions,Formaiities,aHd Cere- monies. Doubtlefs chc Church oiKome themfeivcs are not near fo blame- worthy for thcirErrors in mcerDodrinals,(miltakc5 hach made them fecm worfc in fome of thcfe thtn they arc) as for their horrid unreafonabie confulion, vain pompous fhcws. and cmldilb jcftirig formalities In wor(hip;The reading of one of theirMiilals or books of Dtvoiion,wouid make a mans heart rile againik tHcm more then ihe reading of their Do<:tf inal concfoverfies. 2. And i lay the more of this to Mr, B. becacife iie u plcafcd (T/"frfi. oj Sa^T. page. i8o.) to fpeak to the ilnabaptifts argument,from Chnlisfaith- fulncfb, and 5crjpiiircpcrfcftion,thusi[_T)bMii the triumphing Argument oj all Schjf- tnatkkji, ^'^^ mjlik^e the Ceremonies oftbt thufchy whether National cr LaihoUck J Where 1 any tlcidcr rtiat looks to knowa mans mind by !}is words,muft think chat he means thar all rholc art ^chifmaticks that millikc the f4idCercmonics.And if fo,chen i.This ib very hard,high,uncharicable cenfuringvfeeing many hundreds of fuch never fepa* rated ncr made any Rent in thcChurch: and are men ,SchiJ"maticl$>-ihat n ever made Kcnts^ 2. Yea,muituudesof them that confoimed not tothele CercmonTes^wercas 1Ioly,'Tcarned, judicious peaceable men as thefcages have known. It feems nor fuch a man a^ Mr. B. to brand luch as ^ei^noldsjhainy Brightman. Aimsy Parker^ Sandjord, Bradjhan; BaiJ, Wilder ffjinty DodyT(ogers\ fJook^r ^wi th hundreds more, with the title of ■Scnilii^3ncks,w(io did more againit Schifm by writing, then all the contrary minded m England. '^ And even of rhole that conformed to Ceremonic?, fas i ncouvenienc , Nnrfhpn^ ^l"^h Y^^"MZ^T U" h^'-.nyifiJigrrhfn fnrhfar preachiHg jwhatamultitudc of cheTiiolt learned and godly milliked chem,tneie times navelntwed.witncfs onr Re*, verend and learned AlTemblies judgment againft them: and are thefe Schifmaticks tor a mcer midike.'' 4. But cfpecially one would think that there (hould more refpedt be due CO all the Churches o(ScotUndy Holland^ functy Helvetia^ &c. that are known , CO miilike thcfe Ceremonic5,then to judge them Schifmaticks.^ 5. But for that phrafe oi^Ceretnonk^ of the Caiholiff^ Chtirch^ ] ic is very rank, and fuch as is not ufuall with Pfotcftant Divines. I hope this learned man doth not take the particular Roman Church for the Gatho- lick Church;& if he do noc,l am utterly ignorant what he meanes by the Ceremonies of the Catholick Churchj/ would he would name what Ceremonies the Catholick Church holdeth which thefe men miflike,(yea or which they c/onof,be'jng unwritten,) Arc all the Churches of Eaft and Wcf>,cven the Ethiopians complies, & all agreed on any one unwriten Ceremony ,& that fuch as thefe men midikci* And are all thofc Churches or perfons that miflike them»no parrs of the Catholick Church? Sure this is no Catholick Doctrine. God will teach us before he hath done with us,to be more /entle and tender of one another in fuch Traditions and Ceremonies. But to return to the point in hand. Againft this Dodrincof Mr. B, / argue thus : If there bcTraditions of equal authority withScripture>t;)o/r('A'^:i/C«/ijmi,thtn there are Traditionswhicjijjajhe.vayLaws ofGfldJ^ which menmuff be judged,juftifted,or condemne^fTbuc there are no Traditions unwricten.that are the very Laws of God; therefore there arc none of equal authoritv with the ScuptuvoJpojloiicalCuihmsJChe Major is cleer, in that thofc Scripture- Gultoms were part of God Lawsj for though all examples of good men in Scripture be not diredly binding, yet when God hatli gjycn a.£fta in\iinQn to fgnic in fp cclal rQjg£J€fjhcmauga ^ Church & worfliip, Infant Church ^fnemberfi)jp and Baptifm. 3 0.5 and promif ed^to be with t\\zm,z n6 j^\'reH rln^m hy h{<; fpirjt in doing ir^{^as he dici to | ^ iJpolTlcsTcn ere tiie very cuHom by tht m eftabH.licd hatn tne torce o ta Law.kur"^ ! befides thofe mentioned in Scripture, there is no ceruincy ot any luch cuftomeieita-^ blifhed by the i4poft!cs, except you will call every cccafionali art of theirs thecfta- blifhing of a Cuftom, i c being the mind of God tliar his whole Law fhould be writ- ten, and fo certain. Elfc what a fad lofs were the Church of Chrift at, concerning the knowledge of his will in matter of worfhip?how would thegcncrality of ordiiiaryChriftians be wholly puzled in difcerningrruc ^poftolical Traditions from falfe,& reafonable ones from J unreafonable ones? it being indeed a thing to them impodible ^ and needs mull it I bring them t-^M-hg ai'^h^tFy "f ^^^^ pr^frrtr (,f•H1'•^^^<^<^ know what to take for ciuranr I Tradition-, Sfld what Church rau(\ be judge, we fliould be at a lofs, there being fuch / difference among the Churches. How (lily would thisDodrine of Tradition,equal to Scripture^ Cuftoms, brir;gus over in rime to Rows againland indeed of all their Do- ftrinal errors, this & fuch other that deny the perfcd:ion ofScriprurje,in being a ^uffi^ cient rule forjajth^and theefTc inMalft f.f wnrn-iprj^n fj the accidents in gcncial/o far as an univerial determination is fir,^ are to be reckoned among the moi\ dangerous, and fo they are by nioft Proteflant Divines. And. for the point of Infant baptifm, whether the Scripture give us not proof of more then the reafonablencfsof it, upon fuppofition that the inftiturion be firfl proved by Tradition, I leave Mr, B. to judge by what I have written, (^thougli the pradice of the Church be an excellent Exp oficionvand confirmation of the Scripture herein.^ The like I might fay in regard of baptizing but ^n ce y*at leaft with Chrifls baptif m. into the name of th^ FathcTj^Cn, anH Un\y Qhc^\\ } anri irti» rpreiving the ^ Lords Supper oft, which I undeTtaIcetpprovefullyl30fh from $cripture,&yet;»fr.B. faith, Treat. of Sac.^y Tlie ground of which pradifc(^why baptifm is adminiltred,and "received but Qnce^and the Lords SuppejLCftjimcs)bindingus to obediencef under •*corrredion I fpeak it_) I take to be not any dired Text of 5'cripture, either conja '^manding the one, or prohibiting the otheribur the Tradition of the ancientChurch *, "received and approved by the GonUirucion of the prefent Church. ] /will not further digrcfs to lance this paifage,8c let out the corruption. I have iaid the more ro^ .this,becaufc ifmy beli ef of ,Srripture be once fhaken,my Chrifiianity will be fhaken : ^ and ifmy belief of ScriptuTe- perfcdion be oncelftaKenTbiV BrliefOt' lis trurh^ wi ^^ c foon be fhaken i and if I once believed Tradition of equal authority wjtn Scripture^ ' i^poftolical-Cuftom^^fJid that in matters of fuch moment as Infant. baptifm, my belief 0/ Scripture- pci^tftion were fhaken already. ^ I now proceed to confirm che fecond parr of my Fofirion, (which i*s higher then the firfl, and fo will be a fuller confirmation of the firft,) viz. that baptifm was not injfiui' Ud to he an mfirument^ by which any real QidCe jhould be wrought in the joul of any Infant^ or any real change made in it. Argum. iJfitkaninjirkmentoffueb a change, theti either as a Phyficd kjfrument^ OY a moral : but it is as neither of thefe--, therefore none at aU. //ere iiill remember, that I fjpcake of an inflrument efiPcding the work or change it felfe upon theSoiiU& that I deny not,i.Z>ut thatBaptifm may be an inflrument of conveying RelativcGrace.2. Or | right to real fubfequent Grace.g.Or that God may renew theSoul of an Infant at the time of his Baptifra:he is free to work when he pleafcth.But,i.He hath not promifed < or revealed that he will do fo,much lefs inflitutcd it ro that end. 2. And if he do,yet ) Baptifm is no inftruorcnt of that work. The 5'urgcon may lance a fore, or cleanfe a wound Tlain Scripiiire proofs of ■wound m a mans body, at rhcfame rimeasheis wafliinghis handsi buc thewafhirtg ofliisliands vAa- not thcinftrumcncofir. 5**^,. Herc,i .1 will prove the Minor, That ic workcth not th s change as a Phyfical, ndr ' as a Moral infirumcnt. 2. The Major, Thar rherc is no /fri^rn. I. Do(ftor I'l^^r^ in his annexed Traft,affirmcth icrobe no Phyfical inftrumcnt, but a Moral i and Mr: ZJ. himfclf affirmcth ic to be no Phy fial mftrumcnr, fffjg. 40. (chough in hhTr.of Sacr.^ag 192. he U\thjbe SfjrH workcth not as a Moral agent Jut oi a mturd^oY rather fu}ernatur aiybut that is nothing to chc operation of the in/irumenr.) Now a Moral inltrumcnc may direftly convey a Detiumu or ajwj ad riVTT,burin real changers ic cannot direftlytffc!;c. 2. So dorh/rne nature of the thing man!feft,that it can be no Phyfical inftrumcnr^ -nor have an} real proper efficiencieon the foul. An inftrumenr properly is Caufa qu£ irfluitinefeihmper virtuteminf. 121, b. 119. 120. Ec jre^. But /need fay no more to this, becaufc it is conftfled. 2. All Jics then upon this,whether Baptifm be a Metaphyfical inftrument as3f.B.faith /f he give not this as a third Member,ihcn 1 hare faid enough to him alrcady.If he do then when he hath fhewcd the infufficicncy of the olddiftinftion)& the nature of his Metaphyfical ijiftrument, aiKl proved it, then he hath done more then any that ever went before him. i. Btitchc waterof Baptifm is ameer tiaturall being, and thercfbrc cannot be any other then a Natural or Moral infkument. 2. If it were a pure Spi- ritual Supernatural being,as God himfeif is,yet t|j ekin d or way of oper arinn ^ yould jvrj>jH <^ir;|ifr ^hyfigfi l or Moral . T he fcnfe of which diftin^iOn is not to denote the matter or cflence of the Efficient to be Natural or Supernarural,nor the force in Gau- fation to be either by an ordinary natural way,or extraordinary and fupernatural i But as Schibler, Ruvia^ and all (olid Philofophers explain it, A Moral caufeis that which doth not truly and properly effcft,but yet is fuch as the cffcd is imputed to it, Cand therefore many Phylofopherseall it C4H/4imptffd^iftf 5 ) >< Ph>fical caufc is that which truly and really effcfteih j & fffff«w pro;cWwe a^ivitatefua attingity uu Schibler, Eac quo (iiqm Iffe) apparet quod non foium faufa Phyftca dicatnr m, qutf eft tojpui HAturaieJed quod caufsi PbyftcA dicantur etiatn Deus & Angeli qMtenus vere jnHuunt aliquid pioducendo^ veluti Angelus dum fe movet^ & Deus dim cttat. Tepic. c, 3. /. 133 &/>.ioi.&p. 42. Sicetiam SuareZ' Metaph, diQ>. 17. Seii. \ N. 6. Legeetiam Xivetidifp.g.f. 16, 17, 18. p. 15^, 1(5$. fully of this. And do not allDivmes & Schoolmen concludc,That not only the foul of man,but even God when he under- i^andcth Infant Church ^m^mberjhip andBaptifm^ eth and willerh, is Cau^i Phyfica a^^s ITius immanentis. And furc if your Hipcrph) fical or Mciaphyfical tatium would have place any vyh^rc, ic would be abouc cjic immd- ■ ticnc Aasof God. v May i not thereforefafely conclude,! hat all thofethac give this for a ten'mm^ do cither undcrfiand the rerms Mora! & Phv(]cal ia a way of cheir own, different from Philofophers that ufe them, or t\\c do nor underftand the fenfe of them j For is not your ^apiiffn either a caule reaI,or niccrly imputative / haih ir not either a pi ope: in^ fluence and caafaliry, or no^? Is there any middle between chefc ? or any third mem- ber tQibe imagined ? But the plain truth is, this is a common trick of men, that either know not what to Jay, or know noc what they fay. lo caft in Hiperphyftcai as a TertinWt to ftop ihc n.ouths of rheignoranr,& amaze mcn/nftead of clearing che truth ro themi whea if you aik rhem the meaning of rhcir[Hvperphyf]cal]they wil tell you no more, but that It JsSupernaturaI,or above our rcach.the meaning is^they know not what iris i and therefore know not what they fay j and tlicrcforeit is noc a fit fubjed for difcourfe. , . i have found this Trick common when I have diTpurcd with men about the inflru^ mentalit) of fairh injuflificaiion, when they are forced to deny it to be a Phyfical a^ive inflruriaent, they next fay, it is a Phviical Panive Inftrunient; and Credere.is not JigetC: hut pan j and yet faith is Nutiiia.Affenfus ^ fidmk j but thcfe are no afts, but paliions. FearfuII Divinity and Philofophy : And when they arc beaten out of this, then the aft refuge is cliis of the ignorant j itisa Hyperphyfical inllrumcnr, and neither Phy^ fical nor Moral. And fo Mr. B. feemeth to doc about the inftrumencality of Baptifm, in operating real Grace oa the fouls of Infants ', and is it not a real proper caufc of it then? THefe Pofirions aflTertcd.do cut the finews of the main part of Mr. Bs, miiflakcs; ycc I will examine feme moje of his additional Dodrines. 1. Where he faIth,That[Faith may give men j^f ^i yem.buc they cannot or dinarily hivc^us iff rg, without Baptifm. treghoj Sacr. page 91. And traif page 86. 87. where liTs Opponclit laiiti^ That [^ihc aged are regenerated before they are bap. ized,]iic an- fwcrcth, [1 grant it.as far as it may be done by the Word without the 5icrament.But when th^ cficrt is commo n co two meancs inftitqted ofGod,; r is not abfurd to fay.that ^ itiiJClotPerfc§cdJjy_onc^ the Spirit in thewordnliey are rcgt.ncrare in part by the fameSpiritworking In Baptifm fully. We nsuftfaytherefoire^That to riic aged Bap- tifm c6nfcrreth a more perfeft ftatc of rcgeneration.By their faithwhich the word be- gat, they have obtained Jus ad rem, by the Sacrament Jus in reh that which is begun by the Word, is perfect by the Sacraments J ffiA conceive this Doftrine contrary to the very nature of Gofpel-mercies and Grace,0 ^ < and to the very fubftancc of iheeovenant,& fo to the truth.Right to a thing is cither 4 H^ ^ imaujiiatel y or/w^mfn/a^ ^ at the end of fomecerrain rime . A nrJ it is either cendi^ j ^t^^ iional,or abiolutc and aand to be a Member of Chrift, is a Member. He that hath right ro be immediately pardoned, b pardoned, or to be ju»1ified,is)uftificd. 1. Tht Jtts ad rdm, and inre^ arc relations here thar refult from the fame grounds, if not all one. 2. Or if they did not, yet what (hould keep us from poflWfion, where we have Right to the thing / Either it isan ab- folute Right to it that we havc,or but a Gonditional. If an abfolutc,God is not unjuft to deny any man his Right. If but Conditional, then itisnot aftualrighttoiti it is properly bur a pollibility of future aftual Right, and till the Condition be performed, he hach no more Aftual Right ro ir, then any other man j nor fhall be ever the better for that Condition if he perform not the condition j therefore this is not properly Juf udrem. So that I dare fay that he that hath a true adual immediate J^us adrem^ ri^ht to pardon and juftification, is pardoned and juftified, and To hath Jus in re. , 5. This Doftrinecontradifteth the very tenor and fubftance of the Gofpcl, which faith, Thxt at pj^n; as received bim^ to them gAve he power to become the Sons of (sod, even .10 them that believe in bk mmt^ Joh. 1.11,12. And dU thut believe in him,are yiffified ftom \ aU things^ from rvhkh they couH not be ]Hf\i^sd by the l^dvp of Mo^es^ Aft. 19.^9. Andt^ kirn gave all the Fiophets rvitnejs, that whof^ver believeth in him threugh bis r.ameJfjdU receive retniffion of ^asy Ad. 10. 45. i4nd John 3. 18. He that believeth en him, is not condemned^ /fnd verf. 5 5. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlafring life, &c. Soalfo Joh. 5.24. &6. g5»4<3»47. &7-?^. &««.2^r2^- Rom. 9. 26, &4, 5. Sep. 33. with multiudes of tl>c like. Now if they have nor Jms in re,then they arc fttll unpardoned, and un)uftified, for all their faith in Chrift. But where you fay,That the promife is made to two things, vi:^. Faith and Baptifm, /there tore one cannot perfedly doitj i anfwcr, 1. h ismade ro one astheproper I Condition,of abfolute neccfiity ; and but 10 the other as an accidental folemnization, I though ncceitary necefjitate prdCepti,^ medii for Solemnization and fignificarion, ob« ^fignationCtaking the word necelTary limi redly,) yet not of that abfolute neceility, as that withouT it the end cannot be attained,oris not confUiid3Laic*un£(i| the v^ord 0r exciting ajid cheriftiiog it,andthe Lords Supper for confrming h(p:^$») "and that iff the Spiri't do convey grace to any without the ufe of Sacraments, this is 10 be accouniid ooraoTilmary, Treat* of Sacr. p, 145.] 1 fay, all this fecms to me very unfound dodrme. ¥qt I. What can a Papifl fay more almoft for the neccftiry of it ? then that God is -febt ufed ro give grace without it, and that we may not exped the Grace of the Sjwri: without it. 2. What hope then of the falvation of many thoufand Believers and their children, that dye without Baptifm ? doth not this overthrow our hope of fuch ? For either God hath promifed to fave fuch though unbaptized,or not ^ If he have, then we may exped ir, and that in an ordinary way, vj:(. upon promife, and then God is wont ta give it *, for fure he is wont to fulfill his promifcs. If there be no promife of it, ana God indeed be not wont io to give ir, then what ground of Chriftian hope of the fal- vation of fuch ? The promife is the ground of Chriftian hope. Who dare cxpeft falva- tion from God,for himfelf or others, out of Gods way ? which were to tempt 6od, and plainly to prefume. i4nd therefore the mofl that we could do in fuch a cafe, were to leave aH believers & Infants that are unbaptized, without true hope, in the cafe of Heathens InfantSjConcerning whom God hath not revealed hismind.^Though indeed that will not hold neither^ for if God havj^ revealed, that he ufeth not to give faving .■^race without baptifm,fhcn at leaftin all probability the unbaptized are damned. ^j • g. And can any thing be more contrary to Scripture ,then that believers in fincerity are damned ? And can any dodrine be more deteftable then that which would teach !^ us not to belitve the great promife, Thar whofoevcrbelievethfliall notpcrifli?butat teaft to quejfion the falvation of the faithfull ? Ard who knows not that true Believers may be unbaptized ? And whcreas-you give them hope, if ic be in a cafe of necelfity, R r 2 where rlaiff Scripture pro of e of where Baptilm cannot be had; A'hat ground have you to give them rhic hope,if grace be not ioh^ex^:lkd wiihour BApiifm, and God be not ufcrd co give it ? your charica- bie opinion of men, is ^ poor ground for chcm to build their hope of falvacion o^ except you will (hew chcm foriic Scripture for ir. 4. And coiifidcr whit a multitude you leave ro this damnation. What you will fay to the times before Gircumciiion,and the Uraeliccs fourty years uncircumcired,we ftialii.eanon. You arc not certain that the twelve Apof lies were baptized, atid fo accoraiiig to you Wc muftqueliion their (alvarion. You know that even in Te.'tu'Jians time, they begun to delay baptlfjii long^ and fa down to NaT^ianz^ns time, when they forbore oit, except in danger of death j and you know how long Conliant\ne hirafclf,' and /iufiift, and many others did defer it ; and that the Novation error bred fuch a fear in men 01 finning after Baprifm, that atlaft tnultitudes delayed it, and fometill their death bed. And were all chefe unpardoned and uniuilined,noc having Jui inre? w^rc they not truly poiTel\ of Chriil aad grace?Nay,were they regenerate bur in par*?, And it mufl needs be that many muft dye without it? and did rhey perifh? Or was it by an extraordinary way that Conftantine^ Auj}tn^(^c. had the faid grace befoie Baptilm;- Yea, wha: fay you to all the Churches of the /JnabapciUs in Germany^ HoUandt EtigUnd-, fyc. Have none of them Grace till baptized ? Are you fure fo many thoufands ate all unpardoned,or that God is not wont to pardon them,aod give chem Grace .'' I dare nor chink fo uncharitably of them. And yet they might liave Baptifm if they would, and are notdenyedJt,by any cutward impediment, bur only by the er- ror of their own mind : but who dare think that it is fuch an error as excludcth them from Grace .«• You fee how many thoufands of them 2LXcm England already; And what if by their prcvalency, and the peoples ignorance and inftability, Anabaptiflry fhould become the common Religion of the Land (which you know is too poffible i) would you fay that the Land were excluded from Grace, and rf^ight notcxpeft the operation of the Spirit .'' Or if they had grace, that it were in an extraordina y way ? 5ure that way that God gives grace ro fo many millions is an ordinary Aay. And fure the word is an ordinary way to faith : And fure faith is an ordinary way to ]uftift:a- Xion. 5. Berides,you do ill to exclude all means befides the Word and Sacraments. No doubt prayg Ms alfo a me ans j God will^ive his .Spirit to them that ask^ If any man lack wifdom,lcrTiimasl( of God, whogiveth co all men liberally, &c.Teck the Lord and your foul fhall live, &c. The like may be faid of Medication, Affiiifticns, Mercies, convmcing wonders of providence, and tlic like. 6. And if you fay thatycu leave not all the forcfaid pcrfons in eftate of damnati*- on, then you fccm to affert a middle fhte, and then we may look for a middle ^^'acc between Heaven and Hell. For if a man be thirty years between his faith and Bapcifm (^as many a ihoufand Anabaptifts are many yearsj he hath all that while Jusairetn (to Chri(t,pardon,&c. )burnoti«re. Now if hebefavcd without Bight in Chiift and pardon,it is ftrange j and if he he not faved when he hath Right ro Chriit and pardon, h is flrange too, and then he mult be betwccnaftacc offalvation and damna- tion. 7. Again, you make fo long and ftrange a wgrk of Regcncrarion, as I never knew Divines do. Thole that deterred their Baptifm till necr death, it items the work of Regeneration was half donci perhaps fourty or fixty years bcfore,and partly then. For you fay the word doth it but in part* and not fully, nor gwpr^tmJuUn re, efpecially w a man that takes Regeneration for the firft Aftual Renovation of the nature by fpc^ cial grace 3 this is llrangc doftfinc. 8, And. Infant Church - memberjhip and Baftifm. 5 H S. And what confidcrare man can judge it credible^ that the Gofpcl Ihould place fo great a necelfity in a Cermonial Ordinance, when ic hath fo graciouily delivered us from them , yea when it in rhis fo eminently diflfcrcth frontvthe Law ? Even in the In- fancy of the Church, God did fave all Infants that were faved without an> fuch ordi- nance,many hundred ye^rs \ even from the beginning of the world till AbrAham. And even in Abrahams time he made ii nor necelTary to ail his Church, but only to Abra- hams family, to be cii cumcifcd. Sem and his family who were then living, were not fo much as commanded to be ci cjmcifedi Not MdchiT^edccfinor zny of the fubjefts over whom he V. ab Kiiig,or any of char Church to whom he was Priclt. And to thofe that were commanded the ufe of ir, (0 far was it from being of fuch ncctiij-y to faivatioi), that God dir(5enrcd with it in rheir journey in the Wiidernefs, and that to the whole people, fct fourry yetrs tjrac^ fo that none of the world (except the feed oiKeturah» Efau or ll^-iac!) did then ufe jr, ro fhew that even then he would have mercy and not facrifice, and would ever difpcnfc with Ceremonials, when they were inconfjitent 1 with moral*. And can any believe that Chrifl harh placed fo much greater necc^fity now in his few Ceremonial ordinances, as that men have not Jus in re without it, nor may CKpcd R?generatic*i before it, 01; without it, now as well as then I What muft they in NdW England that preach to the Indians, judge of this dodrine .^ or any that live among Jews, Turks, or Pagans ? 5ure if they baptize them before a probability of Repentance and Faith, they muft forfake the condud of Chriit in the work ^ And if they have Repentance aifjd Fait^j, they are regenerated ; And furc this mufl be no ex- traordinary courfcj for it muft be ufed with all their converts of all Nations. ANother unfound doftriac CI thinkj here maintained, is, That God dctb ofdmariiy by Sa^tijm give the Holy Ghofl, or the feed of Grace^ or Regeneration to Infants that af- terwards lofe it J andperiffj, as rveli as to the EkU. ^ I do not here fpeak ^f rhcr '^^^^TJYf ?,^'*^^ (^f yiarWnn of original fin , which bein^ received onconr?it)nn of a pf^irh withnnp th,e m.it is not fo abfurd if we affirm irmayhflrft. Btir ^ rhr Holy <^h nft within them. W hat is here meant by the f Holy Ghoft] and [the feed ofFaith'J is hard todilcover. Doftor Surges confcireth ^*^1. / it is not the Holy Ghoft confidered ejfehtiaUy indperfomlly, but operatmly^ and yet*^'*^ /I faith fi Lis not only grace wrought hv the Spirit . hur the Hoi vGhnfi Hweliingin^ f^^u; %, ipy^r y true ClTrnTia n, and workTnggrace] Ba miPn. Kegem. pag. 1 2. But whac middle "~^^ ^ thing between ths^ence and grace of the Spirit there is, I never yet heard. Is any ~ '^''V^ thing [the Spirit himlelfj which is nor his cfleace or perfon .^ If he mean the ciTence is given, but not coniidered as the cflcnce, but as operative. I Anfw. Confideritho^ you will, the Holy Ghoft iscfTtntiaily everywhefe^ and m.oveth not from place to place." So that what it can be but aw cffe<^ and operarion of the Spirit , I never yet: heard. Tet the very perfon o ft be Holy Ghoft may be faid ro be ^iven Rclatjveh to ,-^ work this in u s, and fo Mera^TIovically tg _be,lcnt; As ChriU according to Ir.s Godnead ^"^ was given andlcnt to his Office forulr Butftill that which is given /iwi/y into our natures, muft needs be a created thing, and fo only Tome wori^ of the Spirit. And Mr. 6. confelTeth this more plainly •, for hefsVch \^\t is that fame degree of grace It Apr inciple : <^nd then it mufl be PrincrfiUfn qnod^ velqtto--, the principle which is tecelvcd, or by which wc rec^' ivc the obje^s of the loulj The former is only things True and good, as fuch s ;ii\d cannot be u. The latter mult be either tli^ faculty it Rr^ fclf — — — ' ' t ■ ' ' ^ - " ^^ •'• ' ' PlamScripturTfroofcof fclf or power *, or clfe fomc difpofuion or Habic co qualific and fit that power. That fj grace infufcth no ne w power. Dr. trvilfe in his late Anfwer co Co'vinm will tcU you, t^ Tn many placcs(a£'5^u may lee in chc index jand ttnrttls only a Habic that is intukd. j For my part,l cafily acknowledge that we arc all at a great and rcmcdilefs lois con- cerning the nature ofour own foulb, their being, motions, and thelc Habits and qua- lifications of thera. But wharfoever you will call it^ mcthinks Mr. Bs. Dodrine caa- noc hold found. For the Holy Ghoft or Seminal or Habitual grace which is given to them that Icfc ic afrcr and peri(h, is either fpecial, ctfeftual faving grace (pre tempore^ IP tht habit and feed, or ic is onely common, uneffc^ual, not laving grace. If the latter, then it would not be faving to thole that dye in Infancy, as Mr. b. thinks it if. If the former^ then it would certainly and infallibly bring forthjpecia^javing A&i of Grace as foon ^s the parry had the ufe of re afcn. ftJrHIBKrarc given for the facilitating of the ads i and to feign Habits or IcHs of cffedual faving grace, which yet will not at all br/ng forth an a5 of faving grace, is new Doftrine. When Chrifl rives the reafon why the hearers lilcened to the fiony ground do fall away and Wither , bccaufe thfy had not root in thcmfclves, which intimates, that if they had had root, they had not fain awav. Mat.j^^. 21. A nd /o/^w faith, They cannot fin, ■ — Becaufe the lecd of God abideth in themTlo that tITe Radical & Seminal grace which Scripture (peaks of, is ever cflfcftuall in Ad^, and will not be loft. Not that habitual grace will ferve torn without the Spirits ccnrinucd affiftancci But things work ac- cording to their natures i and when God will change the operations hcwillfirft - change the natures ; if he will have a flcnc fpeak and reafon, h^ will make it a man » and if he make it a man,hc will have it Reafon : where the Spirit gives a new nature, he will not deny that conferving, concurrng grace which is ncccflary to the perfor- mance of new Ads. SuRSofc fas we may for difpura-ion fake) that thofc Infants hJd at that time the ufe of reafon . would that Scniinali grace be cffedual to produce fen- cere Ads, or not .^ If nor, how can you feign it to be faving grace ^ If it would j then how comes it to lofe that efficacy, and not to put forth fuch Ads, when the party doth firf\ come to the ufe of rtafon P If you fay, rhat it isan effcdualgracc, which is in it felffufificicnt to produce rhe >lds, it other things concur. 1 anfw. God giverh ic either for the produdion of the faving ads Absolutely ^ or onely Conditionally: If Abjolatily^ then it (hall doit; if Condnmaljly : i. Name the condition if you can ; either the condition is expedcd in the parent or the child; Mr. B. makes it to be in both, tra^, p, $4, §5, $5, §7. He faith [i . That the primary grace which bapiilm conferrtth J^ unicn with Chrift ,. the jVronHjry i?, re ^enera'iion : whsch is but Potential, asan IngraffinginroChrift fand fo is the fame witli thariic cals unianj and fhall become Aduall , on condition the branches apply themfelves to the root, and draw juice from it: If through their own or their parents faults they learn not co draw frcmChrifl the juice of gracevic way ne- ver come into Ad. 2. Hefaithjicisyecmore agreeable rothedodrincof the Church, to fay, ThatBapttfmall Regeneration is Aduall, but onely initiall and ftminal, not full aiid perfcd , yet of the fame degree witw rhe infufcd habits which the Schoolmen difpnte of, and that which Paul cals [ the Spirit oj ^dith^ 2. Car. 4. 15. and F(:tef [x\\c incerrnpnble Sees'] 2 Pet. 1.4. and [the Divwen f^i^d fo drawing grace from him : Now Mr. Bf. doctrine is, that God gives Infants by Baptifm chac Radical grace which lliallenelinc their fouls to come to Chrift and draw from him, upon condition they comc to Chrift and draw from him, or which fhall enable and incline them cffcdually !:obclieve,on condition they do believe . How abfurd is this? If you lay the condition upon rhcirwill to ufe the means, or not rcfift the Spirit, I Anf. The nature and ufe of rheir Seminal or Habitual grace is f iQaving and cffedu- all^ to incline their wils effectually to ufe the means and to obey tiie Spirit, as foonas thty are capable in the ufe of reafon •, Now according to this Doftrinc ihcn,God gives them grace to incline the v.ill effeftually to ufe means for increafe, and to obey the Spif ir, upon condition they do ufe the faid means and obey the Spirit. As if a Phyfi- tianifiouldtell his Patient, I will open your obftr unions (or give you a medicine that (hall open them) upon condition they be opened j or I will give you that which fliall reVive the paralytical members, upon condition they be revived. 2. Moreover, when this condition comes to be performed (of drawing from Chrift, or ufmg meansjor not refiftingjthe party hath then the ufe of ReafonJ i4nd then,fcc- ingby vertue of the feed of grace, or the Holy Ghofi dwelling in him, he is (^cflfe4fts. Ifhisfirft,then who was it long of that thofe firft were not good? There could be no aduall condition in him prerequifirc to the goodnels of them j for it cannot be required that he have any ads before his firft i And to what end hath he the Holy Ghoft or Root of Grace to inclme him toad well, if it do not fo incline him effedually , no not to the firft ads , before he hath refifted the Spirit or forfeited grace ? will God give his faving grace and Spirit to be wholly ufclefs / \ But if you fay, thatit was not by his firft ads of reafon, butfome following ads, / that he loft the Holy Ghoft } Then firft. Why rather fhould not his firft right ads / ha^ire confirmed his grace/ 2. Why fliould not the Holy Ghoft work asetfedoally in/ following ads, as in precedent, feeing he is given for both / If you fay [Becaufe the party w^iiZnot obey^ I fay again,what was the ufe ^UhtSx^nr_^m2\^^ ^^ nn^H^ 1k- him wiUing ? And aifa I would have Mr. B. remeriifeFfTtKatTITiisTieraaketh men not y only lofe lois Initial Seminal grace (^whichyet he fcemeth only to alTerr) but to lofe \ and fall from adual grace too. For ihhe former ads Were gracious, befoie the patty , loft the Spkic by following ads, then he muft needs lofe alio adual grace And in- / deed.whai Mr^B. makes confirmation,by the Lords Supper, to be the condition, this that I fay muft needs follow ; we ufe not to admit any to the Lords Supper, rill fiX' > teen, or fourrccn or twelve years of age i Now they have all the lime before either aded gratioufly , and believed and obeyed the Spirit, or not i If not, then they loft the Spinr,of u ^^ai uneffedual,even before they came to the condition of confirma- tion. If they did, then they fall from many years adual grace,as well as initial, when upon the aegled ot the Lords Supper they lofe all. 3. Efpcciaiiy I would Mr. B. fhould confider,that*this dodri efficacy of the Holy Ghoft upoa mans Will, and which makes God adual faith upon, or according 10 precedent Merits or works i Pi^lagianifm. So much f<»r the conditionality in the Infam, \, For the other part of his conditionality [f/^. that this Initial or Hafeitual Grace fl;all become adual, if the Parents do thchr pare in education] I anfw. i. Thg children. ^1 2 __ ^ ^^"^^^Ti^i^smptuti proofs of .:rtii{|VVff living under rhc found of rhc Gofpel, will furely hear 6f rhe t^rtoe'pf <:hn(\ ap^ rhtP T^cdual Grace wiM fqre produce A^ua!, rhc, objcft being re- vealed. 2. /4nd in the mean rime th'^fe Graces will be Aited, which rc^uire^ntt (u- ptrnatural Revelation of the ob)c;^,but che ol jed is known by die light of Natorcas Love to God, Fear of Gcd, Obedience CO hiiii,&c. g. It is acknowledged that <*od doth at ftrft take Infants into his Covenant oi Grdcc,as belonging to Parents that ace in itj and fo theParcnrs Faith is rhc condition ot their entranccbui chat the Parents faith or duty fhould be the condstion of rhc conrinuance of the Hoi; Gholt in the /n- fant, or of the operation and efficacy of the feed cf Grace, fo that they ftiall- be cart o'jcofCovcnant again without any fault (f their o,vn, but only the Parents, this is iVange Dodrine to tiic Orthodox. 4. Wh^n f hty are well educated, yer wee fee mul- rirudcscvcp ot": he: children of the godly never come to fa ving Faith or Grace. And who then did fail in pcrfoniiing rhe condition ? The mofl holy , skilful, diligent Pa- rents that cvrr i knew, who have taken paii^s with their children day and nighc by fair means and foul, have yet had wicked children, 5. This is not only Pclagi- aniffn, bur fupcr-Pelagianifrn, to affirm that God giverh Faich, orthc firft Adual Grace, nor onely according to our own prerequifice works, but even according to o- ther mens. Yea and that he doth give Radical or Habitual Grace, or rhe Holy Ghoft t6men to be operative or cffedual, on condition oforher mens aftions. In An^tn^ Ftojpery F«/^enfiH/, and in DodorTn?;/e and all other modern vindicators of Grace, you may findecnough againft all rhcfc.<5. Where God gives the greater means, he ever gives che lefTcrj where he gives faving Seminal Grace,or the Holy Ghoft,hc will give the external means which is ncceffary to the A^ant of external means without any fault of our o wn. /f he give F/r«/ his in- ternal Grace CfntjeBvs) he will fend him to 'Ananias ro reveal the objeft. If he give Comeliui a gracious nature, he will fend Petei co reveal ChrilVto him. /*ndif he give the Holy GhofVto Infanfs,he will provide parents,or fome body elfe to reveal hj^ Will ro them, objedivclyj Elfe you may as well feign God alfo to give the Holy Ghdft to the aged which yet fhal never produce any A^ of Grace for want of means ro dif- cover-fe excire. That love which caufeth Gdd to give them t1ie Holy Ghoft will caulc him to give them the revelationof the Oo\^t\: Agi\\^ 7. Thefe children have the ufc of Rcafon, when their parents muft teach them and bring them to the Lords Sup{>cr. Now either they haveufcd their firft /ids of Reafoh for all that time rightly ^accor- ding to the degree of their capacity )or nor. /f not then the Holy Ghoft was unefleau- ail before the parents fo failed of their condition, and io was loft before rhe means of lofiug it i if they did ufe it nghr, then they fall from /<<^nal. grace as well as Se- minal or Hibitual through other mens faults viithout therr own. i4nd therefore it isvain thatMr. B. faithfthcdifeafeisinthemrelves, which is u.)cufed,bccaufe the parent feeketh not the remedy for them] for the difeafe f upon his fuppcfition) 1% cured, fm pardoned, the parry united to Chrift, the Holy Ghoft given, the Domi- nion of fm taken away, the nature /Regenerated, and inclined to giacous A^\om^ and the per fon in a fta e of falvationj Now the qucftion is how he comes out of his Oare and lofcth all this again? Can our parents lofeour grace and ftate of falvation? Lafily I dcfirc Mr. B. ro review all rhe Texts he menricncch in Car. Job. Pet. and fce.whetlier that t^Pirit of fai^h] that [incorruptible feed] that [feed of God'] fee. be not the grace which IS not lort but pcrmanenf,if therebeany fuch. Doth not John fay wee cannot fm ( thar is to death )becaufe his feed rcmaincth in us ? And fure it wil remain in us then i for nothing hnt fm f which that feed prohibitethj can take it from us. f know th^ whole concrovcrfk about the certain pcrfcvcrance of Micvcrs is of great Iftfaftt church - memberjljip and Baftifm. 5 1 5 "^ great difficulty jiBd I k«ow the moft, if not all the Fathers within two hundred, li not three hundred years of Ghriajpcak as if they were againf^ us» both in thar,and Free- will, as thofc chat read rhcm throughly may cafily perceive, as Scultetusic- cufcth them particularly infer Ndvoi^ whenhementioncth their criors jaBdl kBO\lr O) . ^ that all rharcall on thcF4(hcr,who judgcth cvcryman accordiwg to his works withouc / ^^ refpeaofpcrfoos, ftiould pafs the time of their fojouming here in fear j and he that nrt, £y thinkcth he ftandcth mull take heed leO he fail jand Chrift thought fit to warn his ^^~^ own Difciplcsofrhe danger of not abiding in him ; and therefore Ijudge it unbe- fecmi«g fo weak a head as mine to be too pcrewipcory in fuch a point, and to cenfurc tlldiircRtcrsfofcvcrcly asfomedo,whodo butilicw rharthey never ftudied the point fo far as to findc oar the difficulty. Bar ycc as, 1 am paft doubt of the certain pcrfcve- Mice of all the Ekft, & that the foundation of Gods particular choice ftanderhfure tht Word knowing who arc his i fo / am perfwadcd thar there is a ftate of Grace here' that noae ever fall from i and it is yet my judgement, that none ever fall totally or fi- ually that have habitually or a^ually thaccffcftual grace which CliriftUkencth to the Rooted feed, 3faf. 13. 21, t8j?i«isallpIainandfullascanbcderired.(as P^iulus Erynachuf, (who ever he be thatfo nameth himfelfjin his late Trias Pattum de gmkr'i^WX fully certific you) Mac Gratia qu£ occult ehumanis cordibus trmitur diving Urgitate, a mac dm cor- de refpuitur hjdeo quipje tnbHnHf.ut cordis duritiaaufer am primnw. Aui, de pradeif^ San^. lib. i . cap. 8 , & r 1 -^-gT^ V*4^>f< — K — r tc A r u X.' ^ . -^ any condition, 1 know nor." i.Bcciufe I fiade no fuch thing m Scripture..M»faith,and all thcpvilians. That an /Obligation is taken away by the fame kinde of means by which it was induccd:Suc ic Swas by an/ifft of the Law or Covenant that the obligation to punifhmcnc was ^ brought upon usj therdoreit is by an ^ft ofthe Uw or Covenant that iris taken, off j again j f which is the formal nature of i?emhrion,J l^ Well, but now for Regeneration, or the firfi Habitual grace, the cafe is far other- wife. This is not given by fuch a Legal Moral Ai^ of Donation, It is indeed firomi. led, but in another kind of Covenant, i//^. The abfolute promife of the firfi Grace, made only to the Eled. Therefore not only C^yct not fjo immediately^norin the fame fence as fomc other arc ^as Awyraldus h ath ^c0y /hewed wclij & the further opening ot that point will be of exceed inglUc in tFe coiTT s troverfies with the i4rminians) And therefore to fall from faith according ta Dodor ^ WArd^VavenantyZnA the reft, would be to fall from Eledion i and furc the Holy Ghoft, or the true Seed, Root, or infofed Habit of faith muftflow as dircftly from Eledio n, as the Ad of faith. If Dr. Ward fay contrary here, reconcile him co himfclf, and his brethren. So that this one reafon of my judgtmenr, why we may better judgeit certain. That all the Aifanrs of true believers are juftified and pardoned (^though tome fall off and perifh) then that they are regcncratcd»or induced with a fincere new nature,anH the eflfeftual Seed or Habit offaith. Though yet for my«©wn opinion, I have refojyedl no other then this, That'wc arc to judge the Remifrion,or ]y1iifieation and Salvation of particular infants moll probable, till the contrary appear^y them i and for die full certainty, /leave it as to me uncertain. u _ -. ^ _( HAving touched the chief of the miftakcs of this book,/ ftiail now be briefer in niy, aimadverfions on the by paflagcs. ^'/H' 39- he faith, .411 grace is to be fought from Chriirt as the fountain. From "Chrilt it is not derived toman, unlefs a man be firflingraffed into Chrift, as the '^branch into the vine j the innrumcnts of thij in^raffing arc die Sacraments, gfc. Infant CbHrch-memherftjipand Bapifm. ^ i » * Atifw, This cannoi hold true, though it fcetxi the eaule of other your miftakes. i. /$ .^.e Grace of infition into Chrift, and union with him, no grace ? 2. Is the giving the ; .h ojy Ql l'jft i:n ^j2!^t^^>^'S ^^ fi^arp? ^. Ar e the Sacraments which you think are Inliru- ments to e(fcdif, anci therefore before it,n o Grace/ 4. Efpecially, i s true faving Faich fiograce which our Divines generally fay gosth before our union with ChriiVras the^ means of if, and indeed may be fully proved from Scripture fo co do? Doubclcfs,if ail Orace come from Chriit, then all thele come from him, and yet are before our union with him. The truth is there is much Grace,both common & fpecial that comes from Chrift before our unioii with him. All that Grace which draweth men to Chrift, and joineth them to hira, is before this union, even from the decree and good pleafure of God.(as the giving of Chrift hirafcif was) and alio from the Love and Merits,of tbie Mediator. ''^Pag. 44. He faith gvcll and folidly that, fthc means of application on mans part is ffalth which wotketh by Love^the PiimarY frnir of t\\\^ rnvVj ^ ro g rieve for offend, l . •Nng God Faith and Repentance therefore arc ncctflary ro iiim who deliretF) to have'^ **Chrifts bloud applied to him \ which if they be wanting, negleUntiog only of the firft Habits of Grace : hnr :». P.v.j...p.^,^.j.rh ir. hr thir ii in ^ / €hrift, is a new creature, old thmgs are paired away, behold all things are become ^^ ncw,Ai)ew£jjji£i:ui£wHe^n<:wJ^,ane>Kjk^ rhatweare mcmbersof new ^ost^^twJmS^Jji^^y^M^'^^ Kegcncrarion figmfiechall or mod of this 'new ^gtit^Nbw 3.aptnmgiveth much oithi^.^n^ r.he rd\ t hp nifip.h 4. You cannoc deBybutinthatfirftAge, when uieii weie convertea ftom JudaTmi and Faeanifm but the twoft that were baptized were the Aged ; and you confcfs that RegencratioR wasmihcmpicrequifite,and the^poftiefpokeonly tothem,orchitfly : Now ifhis meanmg were that bapcifm was thelniirument of giving ihenifaith,or thtj firft crirce xhcBit were apparently faifejetdoth he exprcfs of whom he fpeaks ther?,ev^nof fucfa as were fomenme foohfh, difobedient, kc which werennr Tnf^ nrc 5 ' Yoifr fclf add$,that Baptilm here is Gods /nftrument in the vcryTaire manner as the word h ^led ;[che powp of God tofclvation] Sut the word is only aMoraLinftrumenr, and foworketh inherent Grace in none but the aged that have uTeofi¥afon to ander- ftftjf4.^pthc^fihu way pr^mifc Grace to others, wd fo &ivc them a righr.-:i«nd i Sf2 fo f H^ ' PiainSmftuJe pocftff fo fiaptifm can work inherent grace as a moral inftrumcnt only on tl«ft li(iicli?^ei^c!: though by fcaling it may convey to infanci a right to whac the Covenant prg* mifcch, ' ^H^ 47- He bringetlivTbfeii g. Except amsn bebornef witer anilcifibf Spirii^b^ cannot mer, &c. which [ctfniw^] he expoundeth thus, That Baprifm is a means not without which God cannof,but without which he is not wont to favc,(^c3 Anfwer^, I. But the Text fcems to make a flat ncccfFity, faymg {^he einn$t^2. Therefore aofc to mean irpropcrly of thefign,burofthc thing figniticd. g. Such a multitude of our learned Divines againll the Papifts have anfwcred thh, that / think it necdicfs to fay more of it. 4. Only remember what /faid before, that ilcgcncraiiiinJii-iakcn for that new ftat cof Relat[Qns> Priviledgcs. and adual Ht^linefs of { ifTWhich w g t-ni ^ ter into wncn welcome into Lhriits Kingdom, which is to us as a new world into which we are born. And fo Baptifm may regenerate, and we may be born of it $.^nd Chrift fpoke this to Nicodemui who was a t ag e, and of all th e' aged of the world then unconverted, and therefore Tie c6iild"if6rimTrthat"5ipt)fm muft give them re- ' pcutance, and faith, and love, ail which your fclf confcfs to be prcrcquifitcin the aged. , Page 48 . The next Text is, i Cor. 1 2, 1 5. Bf one Spirit we are aU Eapti:(^sdinto cne B»- dy] knfw. I. Tfie Apofllecxprcflcth himlcif of the Aged here, who certainly received not rcpentancc,faith or lovefl mean the firftjby Baptifm and yet he fpeaks of that way by which Ail entered into the body jfrom whence is an invincible Argument againft yoUyJhat ingr^ffiffg^ or entering into the Bttdy^ whereof Baptifm is the means^ is fucb ' as jis common to all the dgp tired : Bia the ingraffing or entering them in your [enfe is not ^ common to AU ( but proper TolnjMnts^ and excludeth aU the Agerf, and thofe to whm ibe Apofllettenwroteffor the chief part of them J therefore the Apofiks fcnk is not «h^- ^ fame with yours (but dcftrudivc to it.J ^nfwer this if you can. '^h^': a. Baptifm is plainly a mora) /nftrument of entering all into the Body, even as when all Burgcfles & Officers are entered into a gorp orarjo g hy ^ he (^orpoiation* QiilLJjr Coyeoant, the y mav be faid to be entered by kiflingthe book, which is the fign and means j but moft properly by the Oath or Covenant. Divines (let me ' /[/VT^ fpcake itboldly^do to Chrift himielf and the Church a great deal of wrong,by feign- |i -I -_l"g fug^^ i* P^^y%^l M"'f^" «^ifh c\m\{\ ivhirh jc dangerous to hold, and then fitting- ''^y^ lill the frame of their Dodrine to that dangerous notion. The comparifon from the / Tree and Branches holdeth not in all things, as not in the Naroreof the Infition and Union; /f we be phyikally one Myith Chrift; then one what/ One perfoo/ lliat is Blaiphemy. One Nature eflentially? That is a great Blafphemy. They that will fay it is an Union \\yx'T'j^^y{\r^\^Jh''\\'""'' rhrm?'^ r?jhr wayi:^f ^***'^**^i but if they mean it is not by a real, proper making ^?r iu Bf'"g, ^^^^**'^, f^r^P^nftf vcta Rclativc or. MQtaU then wiien they rcU me what they mean^ / will be glad to "TmsnfiTlanTlHcm; Tnthc mean time/ believe we are Members of Chf\^% Myj\'tul . Body^ thc-^«ftfrXQi4JXii^jLPi^thc..iVt-w Jetufalemi and have a far clofer Union with him in AflFcftiop and Relation and Moral Uoio nf then is betwccDL.a Husbund^ ^A Wife, w ho yet are called one ftcfh j and thaF our Communion hence ariiinf isreal, and coftfiftcth in communjcati^m.ofrcal an d mo re then r elative ^b cncf ^ut^/ dare . not believe we iUCQO^ j^ nce^Naci i rc or Pcrfon with Chr jlf; wd fo Dclfie man, and makeGhrifTthe grcatcfta^ual linner irTthe World : as the iterc- ticks of thi;^^g^£for fo/ dare call them^ fay,That mans foul is but part of the (rod- head. Thcfe phyfical, grofs^caroal concci ts of our Union with Chrift,is the very point too tbac Injant Cbkrcbr^^mbtrjloip andEapifm* ^f !5l«Mthipftu5infhcp«^rincof Juftificacioni and brooghc Divrtics co fay, That tafth isPhylicaiiya MivcAccepcioo of Chrift hirafcif, and no a^Uc ail, buc i Paifh)ii. . |. .-^^'♦(^f "hindecd, tint this is a great iAj/lierieofour Vnm with Cbrifi j but the fimi- liradc by which he opens the Myiteuc, is that of Marriage. And Mr. b. here fccfnctli CO nic to fay as / m this ; For p. 48. he laith,That without doubt ix4s the MyiiicaJhoi. d2:ihat wcaic baptiz^djntQ : And if the M^itical fwhich is the Church jthcrrnoc~ tiicNacurei nor arc wcmaHc one Individual with Chrift,nor conjoyncd by any phy- fical co-agjiientation;But wc are united to th ^C?«e hol y Corpor ation. whert:uf Chrift IS the Head. We arc not now enquiring after any improper fifthbte Union kngeniK vd fpeae, but a proper Union whicH make th one /ndividuai of two;which we niuft be cauccious how we aflert. And pa. 49. Utih^That£/t is our reUtim to Cbrifl, and not to Chriftians that is noted i/i Rom. 6. 4, 6. Col. 2. 12. J whereby he lecras co interpret it but of a Moral or Rela-. tivc union .- and if thac be tiis meaning, fofar wc arc agreed j but faith f both in feed I and ad) goeth before that union. -^ H J. Iccoiid Realon is drawn from the experience which men hare of the efficacy of the dacramencs j to which /anfwer, 1 . The aged that arc then baptized»have certain > experience that his dodrine is unfound i and cnat to them Baptifm is not for the cob'- veying of Seed or Ad of baith, which they mud have betbre, or not be baptized Ccouid it be known) 2. We have no fuch experience that he fpeaks of,of7nfanis.For his following reafons of the unetfcdualnefs of Bapiifm to fome, / have examined thent already. But i'iii. $7. he concludeth, That [it// /owti by experience that fme infants receU ved Grace m tir/|m, ']4n)iev. i> A bare affirmation; without the Icalt fhewof proof. : 2. if they did receive true inherent Grace in Baptifm, it foil owcth not that Baptifmr*-^ an inllrumentof tffcding it. g. The friits you difcern in fome betimes i but whe- ther they received the Root then, or fo long before, no man can be certain. 4. But if they do receive the Root in Infancyf which is my opinionjit is far more likely to be by verrae of the Proraife, and from Eledion and Divine Love before Baptifra, thca ^ by Baptifm. 5. ttowever we arc fure God nevef lels^s that he inftituted Baptilin tQ? work it. ' . ■ " .^^?i-^^^^'*;'^fis-.-- ; ..■'•' - --^f^* Pag. 70. He faith, That IWithout douW thepfl end is exhibition^ the Utter ob-! fiination'] and that [There h no piace for jtalkgy bm upon fuppo^tion of the exhibit tion']'1nfrv.i.i()ou mean that exhibition is thefirft end inrended^you fay true( though ; not as to the Root of Faith. J Bat the next words fhewthat you mean it of the firft " «flFed,or end obtained. 2, And then I fay, the clean coiitrary to your obfervation h true, /ndced there is' no place for fcal!ng,eycepr there be either an exhibition, or pre-" v paration to it, in and by the inf\ruraent which is fcalcd ; But that not the inftrumenc ^ or writing but the Seal ir iclf, fhould firfl exhibit ncceflTarily under (ome other noti- ' on,before it Seal, is an obfervation that ncedeth more confirmation then your word. AHthofepaflagesthatproveoniytheeffcdof Remiflion of fin, and Relative Grace, I ibill ovcrpafs i as alfo all thofe paflages that need no anfWer, or that arc anfwered Tag. 74, He faith [The water oj Baptifm doth mt touch the fouU Ut the foue of'^: tbeMoMdofChrift,~jAn[vp. i. Then that water can be ho inftrument of.effcding in-'* licrent Giace on an Infant i Forifit touch not the foul, then it is no Phyfical in- ftfumental (or at Icaft by fome force fent from it reach the foul) And a morai inftru* mcirtdothbut, I. Convcya right, and To rdativc mercy, as the CoVeriant andfeal ^>- Sf 3 dQ • ?^c> V Plaw Scrifiunpr^Bfr > jr^r^^ . do, Or 2. operate morally by rcprcfcnti^ngand fignifying to the cyracni oth<>r icn. fes, IS tfic word ro thenar •, And fo it can work on none thac cannot uftder- flandir. , j^ .». -, * 2. 1 hope you thinknot rhaf ChrUh Woud, of any naturall force ofindufhmtfeh the foulc arty more then warer.EIfc fair fallTranfubftantiation.Buc moraf lyl 3(?ktfd>v ■ ledge the force of Chrifts blood doth touch the foul,that is»thc g'^accwhich his b?ooo hath merited. As the price that is paid to redeem aCaptivc inTurkic doiii byitsforec touch his body. Thefe phrafes need explication there(ore,tha!: rhcy may nothirrr. ' Pug. 75. He faith [The bread harh neither a narura! nor rupcriiatyrai efficacy in Jt felf] Aniw.then it 15 neither a natural nor fuppernatural inftrumcnr properly^bur ma- ralty 5 for what it hath not,it cannot convey,e"Xcept you mean only rhat it hach itnoc principally in it fclfj but furc you will acknowledge, that not fo mucii as derivarivety, or as received from the Spitit ; the Elements have not grace in rherafciycs. / lam glad you interpret [the Divine nature] in us, to be [only the tflfcdfs of grace land holinefs imprinted by^he Spirit] and not with Doftot l^urgefs, of the holy Ghofl Ihimfclf, as diflinft from his grace. Though I fee not but the rcKc C^orgivc 6ur the TinguUriry^maybeweli interpreted of a /le/<2»iej)drf/C7;)4ridn oft/ja Uivjne -nature in Chnff, which by thofe prtcms From/pi wc have inrcrtft in, as our Husband and Head. Pag. 79. He confcfreth[ThatGircumcifion & the reft of the 5acramenrs arc called Seals, becaufe by the Covenant of God they confirm Faith.] Anfw. Then they in fucli fjrcfupppofe Faith r a«d therefore were not inftitute^ to convey it,cith^rin thcSc rh(-refore we are warrant ted fo to interp'Tct the word [fign] app licd_tQ_th€ other Sacramen t s. Pag. 82. He laith [l acknowledged God is not tied to means \ but I add,To mcan& which are abfcnt.] ^nfi^*- Means are,i. Such as he hath tied falvation to,as abfolutely ncoeffary (as is Faith to Jufiiftcation jj 2. Or but accidental, which are nccelTary,that i8-,Oae,orfHchasdughttobcBfed,and ufed as meansybut not a/j/j/wtc/jf neceffaryi fuch»is Baptifm.It is not abfent to all the Children oC i4nabaptifts,and yet who doubii but thofe that truely belicvr arc ^uflified ? /f chisdiftinftion of ^perfand and i^^r a/ National RemiflTiow ftand fp. 84) ic x:an be true of no Remiffion but that of temporal punifhraent But the/ipofllc cxpoundeth rWs Text of more,i/e^ 8. Where hethiiik6ch)j>«8$.Cthac itifancs peri/hlRg^ire cpndcnaaed^onl/ for iollowsing fin; Infant Church'^emberjhif andhaptifm^ 34l fi», and thac Original fm doth not return J I ara clean of another niindc. My Rcafcn is j bccaufe Aii /tcmiifion !S« as to the concmuance of it^ but Condiaonaii. while we are m this life : My proof is, Wc arc no othcrwifcRemictcd, then by chcConditioijal Uovcnanc, ^Whoever bciieveth, ftiali be forgiven, juitiAed, ^c] whicu Covenant therefore wfil judihc and pardon no longer then we bciicvc,Thefetorc do but fuppofe a failing from the Condition, and it is evident (hat ali the forgiven (in returns i be- . cauic Condjcional forgircncfs is of no force longer then we have the Gondiiion. And ^yS^ the two Lxaiiiplcs he adds do contradi(^ him, and confirm me. i. Who can believe, ^^^ ''X^ thac when the ij]aeiites fell in the Wiidernefs for their unbelief, thac their unbelief did not bring b4ck upon iheni all their former guile / The Text oft chargech aii cheir former tvebci lion upon tiicm,upon their renewed infidelity* 2. And thac in rlic Pa- rable which he addcch, is fully for mej For the Servant to whom he had forgiven all the debc though he be calt ijito Friion principally for not forgiving his fellow fcrvanc, yet this plainly brought back upon him all the dcbtjforhc muli lie till he had paid the uctermolt farthing. Fage 86.87. Arc great miftakes,but /have touched themalrcady. Yet /doubt nor, but at. a Kings Coronation, or a iiurgeflfes kiding the Book at his Oath, or a ^eal to a Charter, may be faid to perfed them j fo Baptilm may be faid more fully to confer our Aighc co die mercies of the Conditional Covenant, Fage 88. He brings the example of the -dngels and Mdantior faliifig away from grace j Sut the Queltion is, Whether allfpccial fandifying cffedual Grace, which gives Chrift the chief Adual intereft in the foul,do not now flow only from £ledion, and proceed from that Abfolutc Promifcof a New heartland fo upon a furer Cove- nant then thac with Adam : and fo whoqj hecallcth he ;ufli6,eth, and them he giori- ficth i That the Aportafic of every Saiar (and even the Eicd:,>is poHible,/ doubt no^j but wirhail it feeras to me to be Ccrtiiiofl/Hf«r«w. His reafon of the necelJity of aftuai Faith in the Aged, rather then infants, is moft found, I p- 89.) Bccaufe another Law of jaftifying is propoHnded to the Aged, to which if tney fubicribc nor, they perifh, Moft ofhis Summary i^phorifms/ have anfwered before. In his firft CoroU what he faith of the Conditionalicy of the right ufc of initial. Grace,is anfweredj that Grace is given to afccrtain thofe ^df> which he cals the lighr ufe, if it be faviug, cif«ftual Grace When he faith [they may wholly lofe Hope of falvation, 1 either he means by [Hope] only [the ground of Hope] or clfe he acknowledgcth that fuch do iofc A^ual Grace, as well as nitial or Seminal. The fecond .Corol.were it r xadly opened, would hardly be reconciled what went before. Where he (kith in his fccond Aphorifraj [That Chrifl did not die for the (ins of /mpcnitencie and Infidelicieofa wicked will : ] If he means as he fpcaks,/am far from his mind , For I know not how all the /mpenitcncie and Infidciirieof Fauihc* fore his Convcrfiou.or any other who after believes Oiouldevcr be pardoned ifChrift did not die for it. But I judge that this Learned man means only final /mpenitencic and Infidehtie v And /confefs Chrifl neyerfdycd for chat j yet diners mifiake me in ihis, as if i tliought or faid thac Ghrift died not for Unbeliefj When alas,/never dared > uo have fuch a thought. Only /fay,he dyed not for Final unbelief. For I diftinguilh between unbelief, i,As it is tKrcatned by the Law of works f(or To d/y/5 even againft the Gofpel is3and fo,I fay,Chrift dyed for it, or elfe wo to us.2.^nd as it is threatned by the new Covenant or Law of Grace ffor it hath its thrcatnings coo, wharfoever fome J 2 2 VUin Scripture f roof of fomcfay to thccontfiiry, asall iropcniicBtuubclirers wili fincl,^ audio ChiiA died not for ir. For Chriil never di«d ro bear the curfc of the New Ci)Vcrant5oi the poniflimcnt which ic thrtat«cih./^od it rhrcatucth Hell to none but final unbtlitvcrs and rebels agamft their rightful Loid. i4nd that which is not thr<:amed,Chrift need •ot bear for us as threatned. 0iit jf they will needs teach men that Chrilt died for fi- nal unbelief aid impcnitCDcic, their Dodirine ruay bring many a foul ro damnation^ buc when chcy come there, they will find that Chrid died not for thofc fins, H they do not, let me perifh asa falfc Prophet. Thofc that / in Artjc. 2. at the Synod of Oarf, would in fewliaes teach rhc contrary minded founder Dodrinc, if they would but learn. Cut ir is a hardci thing to ccach a Teacher,thcQ one chat knows himfclf a Novice. HAy'wg done with Mr. B'y Traft it felf,/ fhould next examine all the refl adjoined: But //hall only give a brief taftc of their Doftrine, aad that wic hall reverence to fo famous men ; and I think,rather vindicate them from Mr. B'i injuries, then op- pofc rhcm, except fomewhat in Di. Ward, And in him / fhall i fhew fome thingi wherein he is againft Mr. S. and 2 Two or three points wherein his own Do^rinc requires corredion. I. /n the main point,[;the kind of caufality ro be afcribed ro tlic Sacrament] he doth nor feign ic to be an Hyperphyfical inftrumcnt, differing both from PI>yfical and Moral; buc only faith, nhnCauja finequancn^yNlWchn nocaufc, but a Condition or Anfecedcnr,3orrathcran /ni^rumentinagcnerail fcnfe, thar is a Moral inftru- menc; asaCanonfliip is given by the giving of a Book, and an Abbots place by a Aaff, and a Bilhoprick by a Aing, and as upon the agreement of the Contraftors,an Inheritance is delivered by an authentick inflrumcnt.] But who knowcrh nor,that a Car.onfh:p,/4bbacic,Bifhoprick, are but Relations .''and we ackoowlcdge Baprifm fuch an Inftrument : And the Inf^rument of Contra^ors, as ic dcth but perftft what the contraft had firfl done (which is contrary to Dr. W^himfelfjfo it delivercth only a Aighr ro the thing and not the Thing it felf, and fo caufeth only a Rclative,aBd aot a Phyfical mutation. So that according ro Dr. t/'i Explication of Baptifms Inflrumen- taliry,it is impoffible It fhould be an Inftrumcnt of operating any Phyfical Muration to the foul, and foof infufing inherent Grace Peg.99. Heraei?t46nethBr«fi«74ri//flwExporuion ponendi ohiam^ Buc hradv^ardme in that Corollary fully and purpofely confutcth tht Dodrinc of Gods offering Grace, fo men will n<>t ponere obicem : He fairh, Et qnkquid obex dicatur^pttel} ifia refponfa imipi^ ftCHi ai$d prdicedentes . cumnullui pofit hnnc ebicem utltre nifi Deur. vel per Veum ipfum prdtoHentem ; ^ p ipfe cum voluerii toBere, irrefiffib Utter tQUitur : as he jbctorc fhcwcd, lib, icap. 10, H9cidemprdtftenf4 de^at'ta fy P^nitentiSy i, cgp. 10. To whicK' InfantChHrch-memberfljipandBaptifm. 533 1.: which end he heaps up abundance from the Fathers: I conceive this is deftrudive to the Doftrine off/aving habitual Grace which fliall be cffedual to produce its A^ upon condition of fomcwhat to be done firft by the party or the Parent.] So the fame Brdciw»4rflf/»^ there concludcth,(pag. 61 2O that NK/TKxGrd'iaw \imAm memuf^ per JjfpdfumefM prainam, nee per atiam quamlibet atimtm : of which alfo,in lib* i* .^^ fully. And heconfuteth thcai that lay, [That God offers Grace freely to every one, rfo he open his hand, his bofome, his heart to receive itj and fo he that receiveth Grace, therefore receivcth it, btcaufe God giveth it 5 but he that receiveth it nor^ therefore receivcth it nor, becaufe he cpcneth nor, and fo God giveth nor, becaufe he accepteth not the Grace which is offered i as if one reach you a gifr, and you ac. ccDC it not, 8fC,] f This he fpeaks not of iielative Grace, but Jteall /nherent. ) This he confuceih alfo in ii^. i. cap, 58. & 10. & 22. Zc CoroSar^ ^jas & alM pajfm. Page 100. Dr,iV. faith, that [This conferring of Grace by the Sacrament is nc- ceflarily conditional, ] Therefore it is not a Seal to the Abfolutc Promifc of thcfirft Grace. Page, 10 1. What he faith of Chrifts death ] that though it be the ttioft potent and efFcdualremedy agiinitfin, yetit profiteth not, except it be taken and applyed ] f truly approve of, as it rcferreth to the removing of Guilt; But if it fhould be fpoken of the conferrring ofli he firft Grace of Bahimal pf y \ ^nal Fairh^ g< >ppyic^if>cc,8rc- whi/?h are in fome fcnfc the fhiits of (ihrilts death, then 1 believe there is no application by any /i& of ours that doth precede, For it it do,then cither that' applying Adi is from the Grace ofChrift,ornot, If nor, we have Grace without Chrilt the fountain, or cife we do it without Grace-, which are both intolerablc.lf it be from the Grace of Chrift,then either that Grace muft be received from him without a former applying %k*ii^ of ours, or elfe a former is requifite ; and fo wee fhould run in ittfin'mm. But I have reafon to believe, that In this the Dr. means as I, from his judgement with the reft hi the Synod of 2>orr. ilnd where he next faith that in the aged [Several Difpofuions arcrcquired to fif« f vHian tareceive pardon (^and fo juftificationj i/;;^. Catholicke Faith, i/opc of Pardon^ ( iear of punifhmenr, grief for fin, a purpofc againft finning hercafter,and a purpofe of s new Hfe,all which difpofe the ilecciver] i agree to him though all do not, , Fage 102. 103. 144. 138. He coBcludeth, that [The pardon of Original fm is die .; yfirft and pimtttily benefit whereof an Infant is capable,] which is quite contrary to Mr. B. whofaith that firft they arc united to Chrilt, and fo i. Regeneratc,^and 2. Pardoned, Page 107. i/e faith that the cleanr!ng,falvation, renovation,regeneration9 in Ephef^ . 5. 26. Tit. 3. 4. Kom. 6,5. 1 Car. 6. n. cannot be meant of ihe)Jr^ ilegcneratlon|bu9 of a fuller meafure i which is enough againft Mr. B. in his own Tradatc he pleadeth dircftly for no more butthejuf^ification of Difajnts and pardon to them -, as his the[. fhewsj and oft, when he comes to mention their Aenovation,hepurs itof?^asbeingnotneccfIitated toafTcrtit. ' what \ic h\t\\ypagei2'^. [of the New Covenant made with all mankind,] if it be* meanif as I doubt notit isj of the Covenant as enafted and offered on Gods part, to. all upon Condition they will accept it^ and enter it on their parr, /eafily believe riia^ fo the Covenant is made with all, at leaft where the Gofpel rs preached, Moreover, Dr. W, pj^e 209. 210. an, 212. 215. argueth largely againft any mfo- fed Habits in Infants, both out of the i4ncients, and from Aeafon j Andasketh wherefore Uhm anim^ ad agendum promptitudmmaut ad a^us vjrtutum facUita- tt tionem ^24. P^^^^ Script ure froofe of tmem tonexnt? &c. And to whatclfearcHabirsor your initial or Seminal Grace but to incline the foul to Ad when capablc/He Ihcws^that according to AuftinjBzpui- mal renovation liccllin rhcRcmiirion offm, but rcnnvarit^p m rhe Image nfLTinH bcRins only at aftual Covcrfjor, and no Habits arc mfufcd into /nfants : And if Vour Initial Grace be not Gods Image or pare of it, I dare fay it is not faring. Nay» he concludeth,that Anjlin frequently coucludeth, That the /Adequate efdl of Baptifm iu lufanis^is that Henovation which conftfteth Only in the Remiffionoj Original ftn-y but that other Renoviiionywhicb is to the Irrnge oj Qoi^ doth n9t begin bm at the time vohen the heart is convcmd, Auftin tallies of no Seed of Faith in them, but onl y Credit tn ql^ o eui teicavit in alter g sC^'"^"'^^,& Injantes-. tmde crednnt : tjuomodo c rsdmLFidejA' remumTA nA he laitlfthe like oTall the Fathers & Councels, that tlicy fpeak not of the "TanSification of /nfants (that is by Inherent Grace. J And therefore that the elder Schoolmcn,//4/e/i/. Tom. G^y/enC^/J'^^alfo deny that any Habitual Grace is infu- fcd into Infants. And none yet hath told us what that infufcd Seed of Grace i5,which being faving, is yet fhort of Habitual. And that all our Divines do conflantly teach that Xnfantsfandifiwtion is at death. But feeing the T)!?e/ri which he defcndeth is only for KemiflTion of Original fin to Infants,! will not ftand upon every by pafTagc-, only three or four points wherein I fuppofchc is befidcs the Truth,! fliall be bold to examine a little further. In that he ofcco affirms that Baptifra doth notfeal to Infants, but only to the intelligent: 2. That the Word doth not apply Chrilts Merits to any Infant^ feeing the word applieih not b«t when itisunderftood. z. That Baptifmis the_firiijneans o f remilfion, and the Coycnant^forcJt^q)liJ5lLdo^ twoTormcr 1 hopcarTbut mii-cxprcf- fions of a Tolerable fence, thoyglTintoIcrable as plainly fpokcn. But the third is fo in- jurious to that Church and Covenant of God, and feemeth to be the very Core of mens afcribing too much to Baptifm, that / cannot without wrong to theTruth over- paid it. THc firfl of thcfc hehatb,pag. 137. 158. ^)>4/;/m.Buthe hath nochingforthc proof of it. He takcth fealing to be properly adiial affuri^^as torheminHf nfrhr party. But doih not our common ufe of fealing conrradift him? Sealing tcliifycth the full confent of the party ftaling^ whi ch pcrfcdeth fomc time rRc ratiticatiod ot the Inttr'umcntor Grant in Lawi thdtno Advcrfary may have any exception againft rhe parties right to whom it is fealed : And this (uH Jeftjmo ny of the S ealcrs jConfenE doth ilronglier oblige himfelf toihep crformanccof his promiie^ j^Slggcma irrnre, tgffur^flfcMII tcr l bjjr c^^^ to whom it is granred,ancr lo prepare for his 'fifiiu? aft uai mental aSaraqcejfo that the parties knowledge or mental certainty is but a remote End of fealing i or if it were the fpedal End^ yetnot asprefenfly m, I fee attained, but for futurity. Do wee not make and Seal Deeds of Gift to Infants, ordinarily? and Taflamenrs wherein we bequeath them Legacies, and put their Hiames in fealcd Lcafcs, wherein we engage our felves to them, and they by their Parents doe again engage to us? And yet fliall wee fay fo confidently, that there can be no proper obfignation, but to thejlntelligcnt.'' God is pleafed thus to ratifie that Grant in Law Ccmplctively, whicH before was ratified as to the fubflance (as Mariage is without the7(ing„ and an Oath without the kiOing the Book, and a Soldi- ers place by confent without Lifting and Colours, and a King's without coronation;^ and this for oui ufe, before it is to our knowledge; hereby all Adverfarics are the mxc fully difAblcd jQroraqucftioningojir fight, and diflTcifing us pandit is not dif- fonaAC Infant Chureh-memherpip ^d Baptifm^ 3 2 § fonantfrom Scripture language, toray.,that God dothic to confirm his Promife ffor fo it is faid of his Oarh,which as this qucftion is all one with his Seal: yet we know God may fwear to do good to Infants.} Heb. 6. 17, 18. Wherein God willing more abun- dandy to fhew to the Heirs of Promifc the Immutability of his Counfel, that by two Immutable things wherera it was impoflible for God' to lie, we might have flrong Confolation. The_ConfoiaiioiuijamaIwayas^^ Seal for confirma- tion i but immed iately the ground of fnri ^ ifeTronTotingrris laid, and God is pleafed, as it were to bind iTiWIelt , ancl engage himlelf more'Je'ej^iy f6 fhe performance of his Promife.^And in the mean time, ask is by the Parent that the child believes, (as it were) and h'ath intcreft,and is engaged : fo the Parent hath the comfort in the behalf ©f hjs child, for whofe ufe the writing is Sealed. So that it is a moft obvious truth. That God Scalcth his Covenant to infants, and the contrary gives fob* much advan- tage to the Anabaptifts, and denycth the apparent priyiledge of the infants of belie- vers; Dnrh nor Gctt\ fav^ rirrnmof^nn yt^avajeal o f the righTCQ ulhefs of^t^frh-JL And were nor Infants Cvfcutncifed? aW tha jfore had the Covenan r Sealed to them? Doth not God fay that Circumcifion is hisTovenant and the hgn ot rteveiil:o lnfants7And as Mr. Bedford well notes, the Apoftle warranteth us to interpret a Sign to be a Sea- ling Sign. So that 1 admire that this reverend man fhould fo detraft from baptilm, under pretence of extolling it 3 and remove Gods ends, that he may add new ©ncj» 1 He fecond miftake [That the word doth not apply Chrifts merits to any Infanr, but to the intelligent onely. '\ he hath page 104, 196, ^c. This is an ill way of advancing Gods Ordinances. I doubt not but this /levcrend man by Applying^ means onely Applyi ng to the Confcicnce for aftuall co mfort. -Andfo'itideed if 1 wcrc'of'tHt Antinonuan opinion, "fhac Juttihcacion by faith, isowely in fare CORfcientia, or ^as icarnsd Mr. (?»en faith, and afTerteth^ terminated in the Confcience h then I would alfo believe. That no infant can be '}u{lified by the Covenant (and indeed not at'aU) Nor thae the word can apply Chrifts merles to an /nfanr : but till then, I fliall be far from be- lieving cither the one or the other. For I doubt not but as one dcnieth Infants alt Juftification. ffor / think no man will fay, it is terminated in their ConfcicnccSjJ ( though / will not be too confident in this age, when men nfiay fay any thing, li rficy have but Rhccoricktofill uprhe vacuities, & cover thenakcdncfsanddeformitiesjj So the other denyech them all rrue Legal application of Chrifis merits ; there bc.ng none at all,if none by the word. Av\& what reafon hath the Reverend Doftor to take the word [^pply] info narrow aienfe ? That yhich conferreth a thing upon a man (either naracd,or defcribed^doih apply it to him. Eutj diewordof the Covenant o r^ Promifc doth confer the bene fits of Ch rifts merits upon /h fan tsj theretore it dom ^pply themi Iftft Word is Godsj^rincipinnttnimen t dTgtvmg right to Rcmifliont Juftification, i4doption3&c.BHrgivingright is certainly an ^pplymg. li mfants have any right at all to thefe privilcdgcs, and to the Kingdom of Heaven, and to Chrift himfelfjit is given in the Covenant i and therefore it i4pplyeth. But this will fall un- der the next, /conclude therefore. That this Reverend man greatly wrongcth the Word, and the Church by this Doftrine, [That the word doth not apply Chrifts noc* rits to /nfants,] and wo to /nfants if he fay true. For the Sacrament conferreth no- thing but what the Covenant conferred and appiyed firil: i which is the next poijar* T t 2 The 2^6 r^rn Serif tureproofe of cT! T He third therefore I conceive to be ihe great raiftake of all , and the fountain of . nioft ofihe reft. vi^. Tjiat^l^haprifm is t he firft means of Rc miU ion^ and h m the Covenant before bapt! fm.^This he hath divers reafons for, Page 191, 192. 195. Tp4,!55. Gods covcoiBt^nd promifeb«iTgThrgrtmnd of my hope and confolation, I dare not let pafs without examination, a palTirgc fo injurious to it. i. If Gods w ord jjfhis written Deed of Gifc by which he beftow ech Rjemilfion, and JufiificacionT and haprilm tnc 5eai oj: it \ then Remillion and lulntication is by the Word betore it is b y baptifm Cfor tjj e Deed goes before the Seal in ord er. ] but the tormer is true,thcreiorc the latter, 2. U me word otpromitc be part of Gods Law ,which is both the fountain and difcovetcr of all right or due j then our ngrtt to Kemiflion mufl come primarily from this w#rd of promifc,rather then from baptifm ; But the former is true,thercforc thclattcr. 5. If the word of promife b e Chfifts Tdk ffiwu-by wfiichhe bequeathe rh. the benefits of his blood to his people , then are thofe benefits conferred principally by that word of promife : But the former is true, therefore the latter. 4. If Remiilion of fmbe a removal of the obligation to punifhnient C i. e. Guilt.) and all obligations be removed by the fame means they were induced, then Rcmiilion is principally by the Word : but the former is true, therefore the latter. Thefccond branch of the Antecedent is cleared,in that by the wordfofchrcatning} the obligation was brought on us .• therefore by the word f of rclcafc or promife J it muft be taken off. The branch it felf is a rule in the Civil Law. Oftje^wn, True : it is the Word that gives the righc : but it giveth it uppn Con- dition r andbaptifiii is that Condiiion ; th erefore rt giveth it not aftailiy before baptilm. -" Anfiver. Baptifm is rather a duty, then properly a condition cf Jufljfication v or you will think the name of a condition befits it, then you rauft diilinguifh of Gon- ditions -, fonicare foabfolurely necclTary (^being principally inrcndcdj that liie right orpoffcffion fhall depend upon it ; others arc re^uifite as accidental to the former which ought to be prefent, but may te wapt^^ "^itlibut diftiu^ion of the Right, or nulhfying the Grant. .;ri irj.' Of the former fort is our Ccvcnahj:,or engagement to God,or our faith. Of th^ later is baptifm. I. Pofit. the Covevant fiequcntfy giveth fui! RemilJion tvithimt bi^t)[w. 2. Baptifm never ^ivetb Remtffion without the Covenant. 5. When brthgo together , the Covenant if the fnU mexiii erinjirnmcnt oj Djitiim^ and Baptifm hut afeceftdary for fslean csmpleat' ing it : which yet weulfl be valid if they were feparated. 4. The mw Covenant , as it ii granted by God in Chnjf^ dotb befiowChri^ and Rcc^miliat'ton^ and Remiffion conditionally 9n aU^ even thofe that never are a^ually Reconciled, The abfolutely neccfl'ary condition is our afTcnting to the truth, and accepting rhegood here offered j and fo Covenan- ting with God, that it may be a full proper mutual Covenant i whofoever doth this iincercly.fhall have the benefits of the Covenant. Baptifm is but the fign of this Co- venant which fhould be added ordinarily j but not to make our engagement accepta- ble, or Gods engagement valid aid cffcftual j but as a duty prcfcribed for folemnity, and for a more full and formal engagement. All thefcjhad / time, /would flay to confirm j But foaicwhac will be fpokcn to ic m anfwcr to the Dolors argument! f ollowiflg; 50 Infant Church^memberjhip and Baptifm^ 3 37 So that when I fay [Gods Covenant Juftifieth or Rcmitteih, '] I do not mean thi r'^v/.n^nr Scriptufc, bcforc our performance of the great ncccffary Condition, That is, before oor Accepting of it, and our Cevenanting again with God: For till then, it fuftifiet h onelv Condi tion ally^ which s not an Adud juftificacion, but (o full a preparation to it, as it is uluaTIy Called by that name : As if a Condemned Traytor have a pardon granted to him C'and offered by afiindrhac fucd it out on his behalfj on condition rhat he thankfully accept it i this n-.an is tiid to be conditionally pardoned j though .yet he may rcfufe it, and fo be never Adually pardoned. Bur ) ct validity or efficacy of the Covenant ck|th not de pend upon the perfor rii;_ ance of every duty required by it , or evgry ^rrnmflanf^ r>f arrifjen roTthc " gre at Condition, flucn a ^ tcaLinn hv banri^ni i<,) ^nrr yn rFi^.Snhf^ntial andaEloiut c ly ncccliary part ot the Cofidition. When a Prince marryeth a beggar, and require ' nothing thereto but her ccnfenti rcvy rhis confent is all that the match de- pendeth on ; and yet there are many additional duties, sfs comely behaviour, folem-l nizing the marriage by engaging figns, &€. which yet, if not perforrticd, breaks no^f the match. That Baptifm Jiiftiiicth more without the Covenant, me thinks no confidcratc mam /hould queftion. And yet this Dodrine of [ Baprifm, being the firfl means of juflify- ing] comes neer it. That the Condition juftifyeth Without Eaptirm,and confequcnrly before it, I yet further prove, thus. i. As to the Reverend Doftor, he con fclTcth, that yolid repentance,con)und: wiih true and lively faith in the Mediator, obtaine th pre- _ ienyj^miiTiQii of jjiiswith God, Pagi i4<^. J This is as mu a faith t hat is fhort of juftifying and faving fairh,which admitte th men to baptirm /"as i "^ havingfrue lighr in jnrn T)ei) irjgTTrnake iqu\ wTSrFin rhe Tf^Q^rh y When Chrifl-'J • feith [Mak^e me Dtjcipks of aU nations^ baptising themy'] he means fTincerc Difciplejj though we cannot ever know them to be fmccre. 2 When he faith, He that bslkvcth and H baptised, fltall he fived\ here faith gpcs before baptifm, and that no t aCom« m®n,bur a faving faith i for here is but one faith fpokcn of,and that is beforcTjaptilm, 3. Thar faith lo which rhe promife of remiliion and Juftification is made, itmuflal- lo be fcaled to ( or that faith which I5 the Condition of the promife, is the Condii ipii in foMJ}fjoij\xUto^che^'iit.J Wt it is only folid true Faith which is' the Condi- tion of the promife (^oTrcmiffion j J Tlitrefore it is tliat oncly that gives right in/ore Bet to the 5eal. 4. The Dr. palpably miftakes the Text. i4/i?.2. 57,58. when the A- poftle faith,i[ Repent and be baptised jor the Remifien offih^ ] he plainly mcancth be- lieving, as intended before bapitifm, and comprifed as chiefly aimed a c injhc WordT^^^ ^8 • ^^<*^^ Scripture proofe oj [tafrix^f] U is uTual co pur the fign To for the thing fignificd, profcficd, and engaged to by thai fign -, which plirafc in Scripture is the occafion of tlicfe mens miftakc y and giving fo raiKh to baptifno, as to wrong (and make void almcft) Covenant, an'd faithg and all. The phrafc is plain as if i fhould fay to the enemies Souldiers,rLeave yoor old Com- manders, and come all of you and be liOed under our Gcncr3l,and you fhall be forgi- ven all your fighting againft him.] /s not this ordinary language ? -^nd is it not obvi- ous to any man here. That the word \_Lifling] is pur for [Taking him for your Gene* ral, and giving up your fclves for hisSouldicrs.] ^nd that this will Tervc, though iiAing were ovcrpaft ? /f that Tm imply not believing (folidly) as p;e-rcqui(ire in the Wo rd [Ketenf\ (x^r. of youftnbtlicf. >> ( r in the word [ftc hptj^edi'] then i. It \i requires not laith at all ^ for there is no other mention of it. 2.i4nd tl>cn Peter bapt'tT^ed Xmbelievers, ("and (hat without requiring rhcm to believe,) which is falfe. 5, Ifitbeonly this Initial fairh fas he calls it) ("which is not folid and juftifyin^) which IS required before baptifm^and remi(]icn,rhcnfoIid faith is required either after baptirmandjuflificarion,crnotatall. To fay that it is not ncccfl'ary atall.js unchrilUo ani to fay it is neccllary only after baptifm and remi(?ion,i5. i. To make a faith which rs not true,lively,and folid,ro be the Condition ofbajKifm & remifiion j or elfe 2. They Hiuft fay,Thatfiich arc juftified by bapiifm,without any jufiifying faith, g. And it is tc take away thencceliity of a true and lively faith. Fori. According to this Dodrinca man may be faved without true and lively fait!i,by Initial faith and baptifm( 1 ufe the JDoftorsdiftinftion and terms, } For if the man that upon his initial faith is baptized and£orgiven,niould immediately dye; no doubt he ffiould be favcd,( before truefaith come.) For what fhould condemn him,bur unpardoned fir? 2. And if tliis Initial faithj which isdiftinft from trne and lively, can procure hit fiill remiirion ( which is the greareft rautarion,^ why not aUo the continuance offr ■: And fo what ufe for true and I lively Faith ? If any fay, That this true Faith is to be given in, and by bapcifmiani fo neither before,nor after ; I anfwer, i. However the iormer a^Airdities of the cfticacie ofa Faith to juftiftcatioB, which is norcruc and lively,&c. would follow. 2. When will any man fhew roe a Scripture to prove, that true lively Faith is promifed to meo ■upon the Condition of a common Faith whi^; is nor fuch ? Or that baptifm was infti ^ tuted to confer a true lively Faith.wherc it was not bctore? The Eunuch muft believe ^^jmkgiUdsJieaUJstioic he muft be baptized *, AndSmon that djd not believe tdth all ^isljeart did receive neither a true lively Faith , nor remiifion of fjn by his baptifm f Mark that. For he was yet in the gall of birternefs, and bond of iniquity, and had no part nor Fellowfhip in that buiincfs. And if Si/woni Faith will not procure rcmiflion and juftificatipn for himfclf, thou^ it may procure him Church Member fhip, then ic cannot procure remiffion and ^uftification for his Infanrs,though it may procure them Churclj-Mcmberfhip. But this Reverend mans miftake ^ifeth from his affixing^and a- ribingthaFcmain remiflTion to baptifm,as its own immediate efifed:, which he fhould afcribc and affix to Gods Covenant and Grant, as the proper tffcft of it ; and there- fore becaufe he finds, i. That the Apo(\les baptized men that had no true lively faith a. And thar yet they bapdzed nien for the ReraifTion of Sins i therefore he conclu- dcth. That baptifm Rcmitteth fms, without a true lively Faith foregoing(in the agedj for them he (peaks of^ But this very dangerous miOake would be reftified, by 1. Dif- tiriguifhing between the cu rrant juflifi cajtion of xbeCgyenanj-, or P.romife, and the Gompletivc by the S.eaTr27 Between right to baptifm wfo^o Vet, and right jnforc Ec- ; fTeJFi. MinTnerTtraveright to baptize thofc that bcforcAjod have no right to baptifm. [ £or they muft judge of ractas right by a piobable profeffion. V Baptifm Infant Church'memherjhip and Baptifm. 5 29 Bapcifm is ordained to fignifie & fcaJ, mi thereby confer rcmiifion of fmsj but doc to all that have Righr in the Judge mcTi> of the Church, to be baptized, but only to thofc that have Right to k bTfore God,& to whom his word doth firft give his remif- fion;that is cot to all whom we mufr baptize, as hd^gprobably true believers,but only to thofe who have true right to baptifnn and its bcncfir,as being wue believers indeed. The Apoftlcj. did not admit any to baprifni who did not make fuch a profeifion, which men ought to judge a probably note of iiacerityX& the children of fuchJLec any man prove whcreever they baptized any whom they knew to be devoid of true faith . yet if they had known Simons heart by extraordinary rcvelation,thac were nothing to the peine (Though / ncicher believe they had any fuch hcart-fearching kriOwkdge,nor ffhatic becomes any man to thinke they had much iefs to affirm it, before he can prove it)But tliis whole matter about judgement of prchMity and ofceytainty in baptizing, 3 have fuller handled againft Mr. tombes before^whicher I refer the unfatis fied reader. So that I doubt not to conclude, That the Reverend Doftor yielding that[folid re- pcntancc joyned with true lively faith in the Mediator, obtained prclent rcmiffion of fm (even before bapnfm) ] is a full yielding this whole caufc [that remKfion is ckt- rantly granted by the Covenant or promife as the pjincipali inftrumcntjand oft only by it 9 and not Only or pr'tJiwily by baptifm,] 2. That the Covenant juftificthiirft, yea and ofc without the fign, is further pro- ved by example, i. Of all chat ws c jMHeddom Adam till Abraham^ 2. Of Abra^ \ bum hin?fclf,who bcii g the firfl figugd perfon, methmks wee fhould in him difcern the ( ends andefifefts ofthatfign,and he wasjuftified by the Covenant and faith before^ it. 9. In all the females a mong cfie ]g'4iB that were uncircumcifedf though t he Ifma- eliies and^domitesTand atcer .vard cne iigypti?ns,as Hiftory tels usiwcrecircumci- fed,) 4. In all the males that dyed before the eight day. $. In all iTrael for forty years in the wildernefs. 6. In Chrilis own Apoftles, who if they were ever baptized (which is uncertain to mej yec it is like long after their Juftiftcation. 7. In Conffan' ?iiff, i4«^«y?/«e, with multitudes both yong and old in thofe times, who either upon "tertuUwis weak grounds, or the fears raifed by the Novation errors did long de- lay their baptifm : fome of them till neer ^hejr death:, and y^t were Juftified by faith. 3;In the generality of the jrCatechumeni,who no doubt wciC pardoned upon their be- lieving, long before baptifm. For the Satehrs generally delayed tht baptizing of profc- - lytes or new convertr, quire beyond &briides the Scripture rule and Apoilolical pre* iidenr. 9 /n all the Infanrs of Believers who now dye before baprifm. 10. hh-all the Infants and yourhof the godly Auabaptiils. 11. And fuppofc iliar the error of tfec Sociuians (^that Baptifm is not necciriry to fetled Churches, but only for tlie firft en- tering con verted Heathens] fliouldprcvaile yet more [I mean feparated from their other damnable errdrs}which we are fadly taught in thefe times to think to be no im- poinbilityiifwhole Kingdoms fhould take up that opinion, and thereupon lay down all baptifm, fhould we think that upon their entering the Covenant of God, rhoogh without that feal, they were not luftified.*" were they all unpardoned,and fo damned."? or fhould they have onely Jua ad remfrnt »oc in re,as Mr. B.faith/ or muft we fay that Veuspotefifednonjolet tales Jdjlilic are^ sind fo that wee have no found ground to ex- pcft it ? It is no impoflibility that all the Church fhould take up chat eiror, or the greater part •, for is is uoc fundamencall and certainly damnable. Baptifin is iiot in the A poftles Creed. t; But to the examples of the fcraajes, and the uncircumcifcd in the wildernefs/ tlii§ Reverend m^n anfwcreth [that rhfe meanes might be neceflary to ofic fcxe & .lot to the other for AeraHHon, as welUs Jbtkal'mg p, 176, 177.] Anf. i. As a duty it was.- bm- - 2j|Q platH Scr/ptnre froofe fff 4but noc of i4bfolutc necciruy to remiilion andfalvation ^ God not taking fuch dif- icrcnt courfes for that great end. 2. f he difpoifablencfb fhews it was not of that abfo- ufc neccliiry. 3. Obfjgnation isnot of Abfolutc nccdTiry (therefore not the feaU butrcmiflion IS. , ' Fag* 17B. He faith [Itisprobable the parents define or vow ofcircumcificion might fcrvel Anfw. That confirms what i have faid» Mens dcfircs or vows are noc Inflru- rncnCt of JuOificarion or Regeneration to others : much lefs the only or principal In- llruments : before or without the Covenant and Grant. Butlccus nowconie'to this Reverend mans Arguments againft Covenant-Juftifi- carion and Rcuninon to Infants; r. Hce mentions three Covenants, ^i^. i. The '•^VMN/j'conditionall Covenant of Grace to the faichfull andthcir fted. 2. The Abfolutc of die firf\ Grace. 5. TheCovenantof Ghrift that he fhall fee his iccd^^c. And he faith it is none of ihcfc that lurtificth Infants without tht Sacrament (Stconfcqucnt- ly not before it) Pag. 191. 192. 193- Anfw. it is the firft, vtTi. Tlac promife (fnade to all that believe, that God will be their God, and of their feed, and they fhall be his people and that the feed of the Righteous are bleffed : and that he will be mer- cifull to them. £to _ 2. He faith [ma ny children of tihc faitbMj(li.«lLBferilh3 Anfw. i. That contradi-fteth notthe certainty of their ]uf\ification by the Covenant before baptifm, any more -then the certainty of their jullification by baptifm as tlie firil iiieans,which you affirm. a. Efpecially it is noc againfl my opi»ion, who affirm only a certainty of Church- memberfhip, and a ftrong probability of Juflification (not denying the ccrtaintyj till the contrary be difcovcred when they come to age. 2. His third Re3foni5[Becaufe if Infants be juftified by the Covenant, then they that dyebefore Age, aad they thadiYcihoiild he all-iUtej unified before Baptifm. j Anfw. AncTwhatgreateTirbrurdity in that, then that All alike fhould be juftiftcd after . Baptifm, whether they live or dye (as you teach?^ 2. The /tfnfwcr to the former may fuffiee to this Reafon. . ,. , 4. His third Reafon is, that [Thepromife Gen. 17. 7.1s conditi onal, on co ndi* J\\ l4>ni«tion Q fCircum cifion,as theoriiJiaiiLmcaniof rcnutti fin rthercibrc the jcws~ehil- ' ^"^ *'^^dren werenoForamarTly nullified jy thepromife alone, w ithout th e Sacrament] AnC This is anfwertd belore by diftinguifhing ofConditiunVTlt, luCfr-as'the evenr de- pendcth on^andfyfil-aiLiljdoih^^^ baptifm J6 of thcTatcriorcri can uamc you many aprcmifc to the Jews on condition of iheir Infant Church^membef'Jhip and Baptifm^ |j I their obfcrving each pirticufar Gercjiionie, which yet were performed, though feme were omitted, and the people not prepared according to the preparation of the San- duary, Alfo the inftanccs before do anfwer rhis. $ . His fifth Aeafon is " [ Bccaufe from this proraife Peter exhorterh the Jews. Afff " 2. §9. to bring their children to baptifm: therefore he fuppofech that their Infants ''More baptifm were not Aftuall)' comprehended in the Covenant, nor ;uiiificd &c* Anlw. This Text, which this /Reverend man doth«ifo mightily miflakej have fully an- fwercd to beforcFef^r calls in the Infants to baptifm, but with their parents,and not before them. The Covenant was but conditional! cither to parents or children, ("and fo neither Adualiy ^uftifiedjtill the parcnts(for both) performed rhe condition. Now the condition was Faithjor Covenanting to take Chrift for their Lord and Saviour; thi sFe/er imply ed in the word [Baptifm J as neccffaTy to go before it. Or elfe unbc- lifcvers muft be baptized for remiflion of (in. If I thought rhefe few words made not all this Plain, it were eafx to do it more fully. Next rhe Dodor faith [There is properly but two Covenants. vr:(. ofLaw, or Gof- pel i the tormcr it is not -, Nor the latter j Becaufe, i. The feed of true believers arc oft not faved, 2. Unbelievers children are often faved.] Anfw. 1. According to his own doftrine they may be juftrficd with their parents, though notfavedrAnd what is that againft the Gofpcl conditional Covenant? If they be not faved, himfelf fhinks-ic is only itthey dye not in Infancy, but rcjtd recovering mercy at agea2.The Infants of unbelievers arc not faved as theirsj there is no promife of their falvation,if they dye in Infancy,nor fo much as a half promifc,or ground of probability and ChriOian hope: God hath kept it fecrec what he will do with chem And if thev live to age & believe thty are then in the Covenant of Grace upon another ground. So that I think I may conclude that thefe rcafons do conclude nothing againft the primary in tcre ft of the i-~ Covenant fn juftification, nor for the primary or fole incereft of the fign. ^v. And 1 marvcll the learned Doftor would alledge thatof Ca!vin\n A3t. 2: gS.asfor him,which is as plain againft him as /can fpeak. Tametft in contextu verborum bapiif-. «j«i, remiffionem pecaxorum hk pracedat^ ordine tamen feqwituTy quia nihil a!iu4 eft quam bonorum qud per Chrilfum confe^uimur obftgnatie, utin conjcientiis noftris rata ^nt. Can any thing be more againft the Doftors opinion,rhen to affirm pardon to go before bap- tifm? The truth is, Cdvin giveth too little here to hapcifm, fo far /she from going the Dolors way,for its fealiug ufe is more then the certifying of our confciences as I have /hewed t And aftiirance to our confciences is not luftification. Let the Antino- mifts that fay rhe contrary, (hew it out of Scriprure,wherc we are laid toht )u^ified\n. our confciences by faithMnd the Dr. knew that Qahin in the foregoing words doth purpofely fhew this to be the order of Gods proceeding.i.Acpenrance or a true chance 2. To which next is added rcmiffion of fmsi and 3: they are called to Chrifts death %> the groundj and 4. in the fourth place he puts baptifm as the feal by which the Pro». mifcisconfirmediwherefore(faith C which Mr.To»i>j,faith is in Amyraldfts and mt fo near to Herefie. THe next great name that Mr. Bedford adoraeth, and would fortiftthis book wrth^ is Bifhop Davenani • which mof\ learned judicious man / have as high thoughts of forthtfolidity of his^udgement (would my efteemaddeany thing to hiiiKn>e, or were of any value)as of almoft any thacthisKingdom ever brcd.Thc truthheis,»ny that perufe hij writings, may find» that as he ftudicd to avoid extreams in Divir:icy,fo was he admirably blcfl in the fucccfs of thofe ftudics, God having opened to him fl think J the true middleway in many weighty points of /Religion. As to in- iRance in two. i. The doftrineof univerfall Redemption, as !S to befecnin the fuffragesoftheBritirii Divides in the Synod of Dort ad Art 2. &Cj .^nd efpecially in his late excellent, jiiditious Diltertations on that fubjeft, and on prcdedination,-*- gaitift which /find indeed a learned,godly man^whomCthough unknown I much lofc and honor for what of God / fee in his ftudics) / mean Mr, Owen of Coggefljall in E/Jfx, " to fpeak very confidently, and undertake rodcmonftraie, that the main Foundation of his difTertioa about the death of Chrilt,with many inferences therefrom, ari rcirherfouhdin, nor founded on the word] with much i«ore. Butif/ may judge cf this confident undertaking, by his fuccels againft a man more wcak,& not to be juiiii£:d with learned Dtftendnt, eiihe my judgement is utterly contemptible, or elic his attempt would be mcerly vain, as to the undertaken ilTue. The fruits of good karning, piety, quicknefs of wit, and very good Rhctorick / fliould expcftj encugli tocafl fuch a milt upon the truth, thanhc vulgar ftudcnt imli notdifccrn icj and- to Infant Church- memberjfjip and Baftifm. 252 «o fet fuch a glofs upon his own notions, that fuperftciall Readers fhall judge him in the right. (For vulgar eyes behold truth only in the Y rituge-<»t>ih/> fp^'^ii 'i''j; lanp^ij^g^ y according to whioh they pafs their juclgiiienr, wtie re error h avjn^ofr rjiejine^ f^j'^rh^gj V- doth as oft deceive thcm./t is only within doors that 1 ruth Is tobeiecn naked, where none buLpai«foW, humblcjonging^pidij^^ accefsOBuc as the parts of ritK-lcarne"^ niainVliaatncy the additionofrouch more, I think would have found work enough in dealing with a Davenam^ fo 1 am much raore confident that his caufc would fail him more then his parts, and that Davenams caufc is built on the impregnable rock. 2. The fccond Inftancc of this famous Divines efcaping the dangerous eKtrcams, h in the doftrinc of Juftification,whereirj he harh clearlydifcovered,how far good works * T/i;^. Evan gel icall, are neccflary (w;^. as conditions bothinfome fe nfc of attaining jijft«^c£tfon^andj^^ howTar Hor(i/i:^.arRaving any merit or projpcr cauUUtyj at juJtij.Habltmnib' ASuali.cap.^o. 51.6' Faffim , For the af* fertingof which fame dodrine,/ have been judged fo injurious to the Church by fome men,when I never yet heard it once blamed in Davenant, And according to the ufuall bent of his fludies hath this excellent man gone in tfc point of Baptifm, giving as much to it, as poifibly may be, without giving too much : but leaving Mr. Be^/or^ in the point inqueftion, as far as /can find, His Thefes are thefe [1. In the controverfic of perfevcrance or Apoftacy of the faithful] or Sainrs,thc queftion is of that faith or fandifying grace, which cannot be received, excrcifed re- tained , or caft away, but by fome aft or operation of free will interpofing. ' 2, In this controvcrfic of the lofing of faith or inherent grace, regenerating or fanftifying, it is fuppofcd, that they who arc faid to have loft faith or fain from grace have formerly received and had that grace,which they arc pre fumed afterward to have caftaway. 9. The Papifts acknowledge it not as a point of faith, that any Habits of faith or Chanty are infufcdrnto Infants m Baprifm,nor do rhey reach it,as of faith, that any of them are made juft formally by the inhefion of habituallRighteoufnefs ^^^ holinefs 4. ThcProtcftants grant not,thaf ;uftifyingfairh, or charity unjtiic to God ' Rcgcneratinggrace, which repaireth^Il the faculties of the fbul, arein theVerv ' reent of Baptifm infufcd into Infants. ^ Of wlierehe cites Calvm.Jnjimt,lib.4, cap jS,S. si.faying [There isno more pre. fenr efficacy to be required m Infant- Baptifm, but that it confirm and f^ablifh the rn venant made with them by the Lord] And he concludes, that fhc knows none of our Divmes who determine that thatRegeneration N^hich confifteth in the creation offoi! ntual qualities (which we call fandsfication, and the Papifts, formal juflificationj IS produced in the very moment of Baptifm. And that neither Arroinian Panii^c ^^n Prceftams acknowledge infantsio the very receiving of HXTb/^tZ takers of thofe habitual gifts, or fpitituall quafrties, which properly are faid lo conftf tHte a man juft and inherently holy. t- F" i^' are law to conlti- 5. The Fathers acknowledge neither aflual nor habimal faith or charlri, rn u. „• to /nfants in Baptifm. And they teach,thatconverfion,or thecr«tfon r7, .? i?"^" which isproprly tobe called Regen- rightly) "eaMolvedJrom.the_j„jltor Ori- '^"^ ths 534 fUin Scripture froofe of This (he Oiif h) »• the Primary cflTca of Baptifm, and the reft follow ir, which he /fhcws in the particulars, i. Juftificacion of Infants is nothing clfc but the pardon [of their Original fin. 2. WhenlnUnts arefaid to be rcgencrarcd in bapci(m,thac alfo \o dcpcndeth on this rcmiiljon of original fm, that it may fcarccjor indeed not at all be diftinguifhed from it. Renovation in baptifm is by remilfion of all fm, faith Auguji, Infants Regeneration confifteth only in remi^fion of rm,and acceptation to life etcr'iial, {faith CajAndiTi The fame is to be faid of tranflaring /nfants out of the old Adm^ and [ingraffiag and incorporating them into the Nevy. For this alfo isconncKtd with re*- Sfniliion of original fm. For as foon as guilt is removed from the Infant,which hecon- ^radcd in old A^am, tie is cikemcd ipjo fajlo to be of the flock or family of^he f.cond /tdam. For which he citctli Bex^a and Aujfin, ^" Much of this down. right againft Mr, Bfd//or(ij,( and Dodor B urges') doftrine, and none of it for him in the point I oppofe : And here thofe that are fo hor^and high'for 1 Phyfical union (or fomewhat c(|uallj with Chrift, may fee that this learned man af* firmeth but a relative and morall (^in Infants ', and doubtlcfs union with Chrift is of the fame nature in them, as in the Aged, though not on the lame conditions.} 3. Again(he faith)that which is called the fan^ification of Infants baptized is con'* ftituted,fof the moft part, in this wafh ing away of origina l fin. Though 1 will nor de- ny that they are alfo Iwly or fan^fiHed in orlicr reipeits j As in ttiat jhey are de dicated jto the holv Trinity i for to be dedicated to God, i^ in one fort to Be lanam^riTTfiic ~T heonciywordrma 1 1 Divenants Epiftle, that hath any fhcw(^as far as ! difcern^ of favour to Mr.Bs caufe,is the next,viz. headdethfth at they have rhe Holy Ghoit dw£ l« ing in them in a fecret way, and to us unknownlBut confider here, 1. He doth norTav Tti^TTs thecaie 01 all baptized Infants, as of other effcd:s he doth : nor of any nqn* clc^,but only that Infants may indeed be faid to be fane Relative, 5 He maheth remiflion ^he firftfrui^ and the rcfl but refuits from that, conrrary to Mr. b. 6. He faith, [it is jthe Holy Ghoft operating', but Q^'idautmhoc aut quale ffr.explcet qui inteHigi't', e- Uo/dtforwe nofl/Btf^ere. j.e. Whatit is, orofwhatforr, lerhim explain that under- ftandeth j for my part,I eonfefs I underfland it nor] This doubtfuH cbfcure paffage on^ ^hcby,is all the countenance to Mr.Bx caufe, that this modcfl,lcafned man rflTordeth. 4. He fhews alio, that Infants ^doptionisof the fame relative nature, and he con - ^ludcth of all together, that[the ]uflificaiion,Aegeneraticn, Adopcion and San^iftca- tion of fnfanrs arifcth from '^mitfion of originall fin onel'y,by the bloud of Chrift ap- plycd to BaprifnT) To that here is no grace,buc relative given by Eaptifni to them. 2. Fiopof. is [That ]iif\ification, Regeneration, Adoption, which we yield doth be- long to baptized /nfants, is not uuivocally the fame with that ]ufUncation, Regenera- tion aixi Adoption, which in the Qucftiou of the Saints pcrfevcrance, we fay,is never loft. . .„ And for Regeneration, he citeth, Aufiin Epijf. 2g. Parvuhim, mn R^ejeneratio m i^A in Renator m voli*n taji£_si nfi(iit^ fed ipfw Keit OiULims mamentmi rejUKWnm ' *"* ''*^' ' minall grace lie, it none in the — "^ ^ \jadi. And whc?c inouicfTheir icminafi grace lie, it noneln the wTH I ^ ^. Vnp^l. Is [the Juftification and Regeneration, and i4doption of baptized In- ts, conferreth on them aftatc of Salvation according to the condition of Infants. V /'ropjf.ls [Thgfc who in Bapulm were tr ucl.y juftift:d, Regenerated and adopted \ fuicablc Infant Church -memberjhfp and Baftifm. ^^ foirablt to their Thfant-ftare 5 when they come to the ufe of reafon, are not juftificd, regenerated and adopted^fui table to the fpccial (late of the aged, unlcfs by repenting, believing and /ibrcnuntiation, they fulfill their Vow made in Baprifm. The laft Pr(^pf. j^When we teach the [perfevcrance of the Saints in a flace of juftifi- cation once obraincd',we do not deny the quality or Aft of a faithful or juft man inrc^ gard of the fubjcd to be ntHtable ajijilfligable ; jj mvvce affir m thar f he ^ applicans gratiam p rorrirThm linigvcl i\\\ fin rium nnfritur^ fed tanqum n^A(;:ctipuni promffpnehh proleJpf6'& exkde nufcitur j i^ ^r"^ ^^ ^"^ f parens mferetur pojt conceptiotiem injantis^quod tempQjc nendiimpotuitei aBu fideip ap- pticare, Infans tamen nafcsfetur f andus ex vi promiliionis ^ Z^L^iflgf/MS / conjecture f^udied the Dcftrine of Baptifm as much as moft Divines? mdheisfo large and frequent in proving, i. That aU the infants of believers^dy- ing in Infancy, are certainly faved, whether baptized or unbapized^and that by verruc idf the Covenant upon the condition of their Parents Fairh, and brings fo full Tefti- monyofit. 2. i4nd that baprifm doth not regenerate, nor fanftrfte, nor take away fin (he mea«s properly and eflftciently^ but only fign'fie and 5eal it ("and fo cxbibite by thefe, J that 1 rauft refer you to his books they being too l^rge to Traafcribe. Sec Tom. 2. p.wf i2o,i2i,i22,andp. 56. Scalibi^affim. DOdor Twifs ront. Corvhum Page 29, 90. ilaid fane ad Heterodoxium omnem fjoc ex parte ab ipfts amoliendam [uflicerer.fi modo Infamibm duntaxat foederatii & intra. lLclefi£ gremium prmealify ^lutmm Chrifii gratiam acccmmodirent. /it ut In* mibn^ •TTg Plsin Scriftur^ proof e of Tjiinx'ihni extra fddus Dei morientibHS ftlHs conttngit^hc in /Irm'iHii fententia miming ulis VrattditmefftidtCimttf. Vid. nftrd. Mort you nuiy ftndc ro this purpofe,and contrary to Mr. Bt. doarmc.page 32. 5^. ^4i S5» 9^» 37i 38, &c. Only the learned Doftor Fage ^%, col. 2. argues upon an utter raiftake oiAuftins opirtion,fuppohBg rha: if a non elcft Infan r fiiould dye before the ufc of icafon after Baptirm,then he fhould not be faved, bccaufe not Elcd j nor damned becaufe pardoned. But he might have known that Auftirn judgement is, that if he dye before the ule of rcafon, after Baptifra, it is a certain fign that he is Elcd » and fo that no ilcprobate fhall fo dye *Hetcftimonieslof W^/c]^/i#;:2«rng.'w/,Aw/rdWw,thc4Leyden Profcflbrs in S^Mpft purior, tbeolog. I put before ihefe Animadverfions. faith iitrone iurn idem keatus Cjfrianus affumif, quod etiam atqjie etiam conftderans^ mvenio^ noh tantum pafmem pro nomine Christ id quid ex baptjfmo dm at pojfe fupplere^ fed etiam fi( ^em converfioncmque cordis /? for^g ad cekbrandum m^fferium^ baptifm i, in angufiii ^te^ormtjuccurri nonpotefl. Neqtie enim latro illc prommineCbrijthtm^fxus ^f\Jeayro tneritisfdcinornm fuorumj nic quia credidit pajfus e,/?, fed dum patjiur Credidit. to what 1 have faid,alfo the Doftrine of our learned and Acvercnd Alfcnibly is tenfonant, which being too large to tranfcribc you may fee in confiff, cap, 27. 28. and InbQihthtCitechfms, * AN. ) :\Tz-^. Infant Church-memherjhip andUaptipu. 559 -"^ I An Addition to the twentieth Chapter of the Firft Part. Take it to be an invincible iirgumcnt to prove that Infants Church- mcmbcffhfp _ which they arc confcffed to have had before Chrifts Incarnatioii,is not revokcd,iii ihat They were Members of the U nivcrral viH '^'^ ^^^f■•^h i*i ^^'L^*^ "^ f^e ^fc^^Na-. lional Church ; Yea, and thar mnrg imn^c diately and pr'^^^^Y * which Univerfal Church is not overchrown by ChriU, and therefore not their (landing in ic. Mr. T. confefleih the lews Church was not then the univerfal Churchy and tha t Infants then ^ — M^c Members of the dm vena l; botfte iaith, ihcvwere primarily Members of the Jews Churcn/and cheretorc that falling, their intereft in the Univerfal fell with it: ^nd fon»c others 1 meet with, tha^ deny there is any fuch thing as an Univerfal vifibk Church. For the full fatisfa^ion or confutktion of both thefe, there is fo much written, and clearly and Judicicufly by Mr. Siamud Pl^dkn in hi^ late Vindicarion of the BJf^^ gnd Vniiy of the Church Catk^icke vifible^ tUt I ccutd not but gi^ethis notifccofir» CO refer the gainfayers to it .• Seeing that which 1 did but (lightly touch, and weakly perform, is there done with-a dmirable ilrew2th and fuln efs, by abundance of found arguments from Scripture, and the Nature of the thing, 'where alfo Mu T. may fee enough tocpnfutc and (hame his diminutive contemptuous exprcflions concerning the ^ Kingdom of eijrift,as if it were but here one in a Town,or there one in « Fancily thar jrj ni Chtift would have called, and that he meancth by { AUNAtmi\t o bcDifcipIc^l. >s r'^^A^ indeed the Scripture isfuH againft him in thar, and (pcaketh mere glorioufly of the *^* Kingdom of our Lord, as he may find it cited there by M' . Hndf-n^ Zach. 14. 9. And ^ the Laid [hall be King oven aUthe earth \ in that dayfhaU there be One Lord, ^d bis Name One, l)aD. 7, 14. There vcas given to him CCht'ifiJ Vcmmon and Qlcry^ and a Kjngdontt that all People^ Nathns and Lan^ ^ia^esfhouldferve him, I fa . 2. 2i 3^ 4c LfljaJlccme tcpaft in the lafi days that the tncuhtain oj the Lordi Houje pali be tftat'afhed Ort the top of the m^urtains^ and piall he exalted above the Hills ', an d an Nations fhail fiovp unto it ', and many people {hall go and fay, Cme ys^ let us go up to the mountain ofibe j^ordy 10 the houfe sfthe God Oj Jacib , andfje will teach us bis vpayes , 0id rre vpilt walk, in his paths. For Pfal. 8^. p. AH Nations whmjho u bs^ tnade ^ ihatj cme andwo^fiip before thee OLord^ andftiall gloi'ifirthy name. So /&. 2$. 6» Pwl. 22. 27. All the ends ofthevroild fliall Ttmember^ and turn unto the Lord^and all the f^jndreds of the Nations {hall mrfiip before him P/al. 72. 8. He fihill have Domkion alfofiom Sea to Sea^ audfiom the Riyfr to the Ends of the Earthy ifa. 55. $ thou (halt Calljt^JtlityaujfM thou kpevFefl nw, and * N ations vphicb kn^vf not t hee fhallrun unto thee ■■, faith Mr. Jiudfon^ It isfpoken of Chrift r under theGcfpdy and there is fet down both Gods CalJ of a Nation, and a vNations anfwcr to that Call ^ and thefe two are fufhcient to make a Church. ¥£1.72. 1 1^ 17 . All Kings {hall bnw dov^n befoie hm^ all Nations fifallferu him,Mit,HA^» Xx thif . Plam Smfture pmfs ofi the Kingdome ofOcd JhaUhetal^n Jfomycu > andiiv en to a Nation b r trim Uith fruits thereof. Rom. lo. 19. Mic. 4. 2. Muny Nations fhaSfay come^ i^c. \M. 52. 15. He fl)aU S> nn/(te manfNgtiont^ ]tr . 4. 2., the Natifiis fbaU ^ie(fe thmjelves in h;m^ and in hmfhall thfy^iry Ifa. S^.i. llont^. 17. Ac v. 21. 2 4- Zcch^^2^i « Many Nat iitis (fmti b^ oyned U th^ Lo rd ^ ipthat da^^and (ha Ubctsj peoj''''- J^^ that the Scnpcurc (peaks moremagni- 'Tic^itny'ot the Cliurch ot CihrllTfor the extent of it, then Mr. T. doth. Though fome are fo bpldas to affirm , that to have Chrifts Govcpanc, his fatjsfa^lpn, his Church, his feeing caixtAnd' to any more cl^eo' the verxplcft „anrd favqd ». is.np honour to Chrift,but a difgracc ; many fuch defperate exprefjions i find in late writing of a fa- mous learned man, or two, very difhbnoiirabic tb^hrift and Scripture. Mr . Hadfcn faith better then they CF4|.220.)rhe Covenant of Grace and falvati^n by Chrift,and I th€ fir ft Evangelical P^omifc tha^tever was made in the world, w ^ to Adatn and Ey e^ I rcprefcntTn^ airmankihH^anH rhereioreconle gi/entlyTHeiwTToTeTRurch ofGndT^ Vj I deiire Mr. T. therefore wheii he is anlwering that argument of mineTc^apT 2o.to ^eal widi thcfcftt'ong fupports of it in Mr. /fH^i/ow^ book, and not to turn it over with a wet finger /as he ufeth^ being backed with fo flrong defence of Scripture and Rca- fon, as he fhall thcr cfind. When he hath foundly proved the taking down of the uni- vcrfal vifible Church,f whereof all Infants were Members,who were ever Members of any particular Church,^ or yet the cafting offall Infants out of this Univerfal vifible Cihurch, then he will have done fometliing proportionable to his undertakings. Bat thcii he mutt do it with mofc Scripture and Rcafdn, then he hath yet produced to prove the Repeal of their Church-memberfliip, or the Morall overthrow (de )urtj of the ElTcntial frame of the Church of rhe Jews, as well as the cutting o^Tthe Ac<^iden- rals^ and of the unbelieving Members. The vifible Univerfal Church as well as the in- vifible, Cthough for the fake of this latterj h called Ghrifts body. And the Body k kit one j and therefore not altered in any of its Effence. Arga. tn ,;. p tij ii j..i«U.v .V- ill I \\ -^'^ ■ ■'" ' '." ' II ilili II wm I )■'<' ■i Q'Hi J 1*. 1) u; Infant Church-memberjhip and Baftifm. 341 ICM !.•.-<■!: j..p^ Arguments to prove that Baptifin is a ftaiidijng Ordinancefor entering of all Church-Mem- bers(ordinarilyj)and not only for the firft Difciplingofg Natipfli W//en I had fent this Boole to the Prefs, and t great part wasprintcd,a Neighs hour Minmer, and very iovingfricnd cold me, that thercare fomc ilfcn up in iNcighbbnr Goun'trey to us, who do confute the ^ebapciziers i biic it was on thj* ground, as denying the continuance of ^Baptifm as a Handing Gr^irj^nce 13 the Clhiifchj and therefore he dcfircd nie to adde fomewhar by way of an Appendix a- ^aiirlV^thTs Opimon i which (fkeingmcris erfron M5 very briefly, :. ;m -.,,■■ „ m - , ---^ ' ^ /. fiucl will firft prcmirethefc two^flertion^M. In my Jwdgcment thif ^rror of the old and new Socinians, though bad, is nothing fo bad as ^f.r^,and thofe others thac deny t!it Church memberfhip of infants. ' , :• INtyVearonis, bec^ufc they deny Only the fign and Seal. to Infants, Cwfcich is incom- parably the IcfsO bat nor tije Pri vifedge arid benefit fealtd ("which is the grearer. JBut Mr, t. dcnycfh them both chefign and the Privitedge of Church- memberfhip, and confcqucnilyallthePriviledgesthataredueto vifible Church.members only. And though he ycifd the life of the (ign to them when they come: to age, yet it i^ ro be but afn empry fign, as being quite bcfide Ghrifts Inftituri6n, and vpid of the true end of B^prifm i for it cannot then be the initiating fign to rhofcthac have been k>m in the Church before: — i ?• , ? , , ... ., yr ltI' li"':^"^/^^^^ Arguments only to thofe that acknowledge the Divine j^uthority MScnprure j for nafdrt t<^neth us rlorhing of meek- pdfitives, tterefore to thofe of the Seekers that deny boh B^tifm and Scripture, it is in vain j it being impoOiblc to 'convince them of the duty of Baptizing, till they firft arc convinced of the ijiithoritv oFthew6rdqfGod, wtiichcnjoynethtf: r , / zt - ,? _:But oxhcrs I prove it thus : r. From. MattL zgr ^ic^^GcandDiflipkmeaUmti' ons, bapt7pnithem,{^c.'V^'hcntklnrgncthm! whu Chrift hath con? wncd, lAaa f ftipft not feparate,; But Chrift hath conjojMtiedDircTpIb^^ / cour/e to the end of the Worldras th^exr vale Ip^ i kv-Och'ei'g ftji e we iiiuf bityrfepa- raV^fhcm. Thorgh the word ffcr evdrldo fcmetime fjg«ifie aiimitcd time in the old Teftament, vi^, till the New World nnder Chriil: -, y^ UmlatC^fii ftUl the End dlmM ^*"^^^* t^o other then the proper iignification without plairi impu- XX 2 AmiW, 5^3 Plain Scripture proof ef ArgH'H, 2. ^rom I Cor. 12,1-^, By one Spirit wsiire\a!l b(ipti7:ed into one body- If Bap- tifm be Gods apf ointed ordinary way of eu^raftii ^All ipco tlic^ iJody^oflliirirt, tncn« it is a lUndmg O.dmance, as bcinfoi a ttanding uk; Buc Baptifm is Gods appointed ordinary way ofcngrafcing All into the body of Chrift : Therefore &c. 1 he Antcc^p:^ dene wtll appear pain in the Texc,if youcanfidcr, i, That ic is rcail Bapcifm rhac.is: here mentioned, +ic Spirit being fpoken of asaconcurrcnr caufc. 2. That ic was Alt ' th»tvfre»c rhus Eaprized into the Body / Argr^m, 3^, Is from the cxprcfs place, Ephef. $. 26. where it is laid chat Ghrin faD- a-f- cth & ci.-ai,fech h.s Church with the wafhing of water by the wordjchac he might Vcfcnc it rohimfrlfa^lonous Church,&c. If the whole Church ofChri ft mnf>4n du- ty bcwaN>ic4_wirhW , then f r is a l\anding Ordinance for the ufc of the whc^I? ■ CfiiJich i Bur chrAncecedi-nc is plain in the Text ; Therefore, &c: \^rgutn.^.^fom Rom ^.^/f the ufe of Baptifm be to BaBtizcmcn^^ Chrift, and into his dcarh,the« it is a landing Ordinance to tRcChurcRias bc mg^of a Aand :: ingufc: But the fcimcr is in the Te5^: Therefore, &c . Argum.$Js UomA^i 3. 28. & 22. 16. if Baptifm beinflitutcd for the Remiifion or fin, as the wafhing away of iin f whether by (ignifying, fcaling or exhibiting} then it ts-rftancfing Oidinince to the Church j (as being to a ftanding ufe and end, one a^c of the Ghurch having no lefs need of it then another ; } But the Antecedent is in the Icxtj Tliereforc, &c. . . , . a «. f Argum. 6, h from Co/, 2. 12. If the end of Baprifm be our burial and ilerurrcaiOtt (withChrifl, then id's of f\anding ufc, and confequendy a flauding Ofdiiiancc; J,u.t Othc Antecedent is in the Text; Therefore, &c. . . , , r, ^^^ Argum^ fs from i Pet 3. 21. If tHe end and ufe of Biotjfm be Churches Wljtl tion, thenu is of continual ufef and fo a ftanding Ordinance.^Buc the AftcecedfiRtlT in the Icxt. therefore, &c. ... . . UrgHtn: S. Is from H^b. 6. 2. ft is there rcckon^d^>n3ngjheJtai^^ files which a-rej illUadijliUiik. and therefore it isloTelclf: ' 5oGri/: 2.27. fcis the ordinary way of Initiation in:o C'lnft, or purcmg on Chrift^ Afgitm. 9. /fwehavendi warrant by w ord or cxajT i2lejjiiU^e_NewJciUaigac I (60CC the folemrnntirtilHorrTif-Stpt^^ ; C hurch w irho ttcbaptiftiLbuc bo th Prec ept and cQiit h m^Elxa mple ofadmicting t hera / byltlteiwemuft not admit an7 wrTlloUcitCordlniiTiTyOBut the Antecedent isevi- I dlenc,?o6 4. i. A^f 2. 38, 41- & 8.12. I5,i5.g5. 38. ^9.18, e^ 10.47.4a. &i5. 15. 35.& 18. 8. & 19. 3. 4. $. lliin.6* 3. &c. niecoofcqtiicatisundoubied to thole chac I take the Word for their culc. . . ^ :,. r o -r • u » . ) Argum.io. If Cirifl fiimfdf havcjngirutedtlieO^ of Biptifn m the Word, a nd not i gain rep ealed it y then it it a ftanding Qrainance to the Ghurchj ("and no manmuTTdarrco^ but CHnft hath iafticurcd it i and lee any man flicw where he hath repealed it that can j and till then it maft^bc acknovvicdgcd to be ^ill in force, - . , . _. , r t \ Man,v more Arganunts in^g'it be brought from oth^r 5cripturc>, as 7it^.5.«?*.io. d^mn z. $MUluz do fpeik of Biptifiv. ) Ei>bef. 4. $.As the wiole Church is one body, and hath one Lord, and one e-'aith.fo it hath qog^coininn bipjifm: But I wil addc no more,bccaure it is but on the by,as to my main intended bufinefs, ^mdbccaufithisis furficicnt to chofeehatcan judge of Scripcarc Evidence when they hear it, ^ad will be ruled by it whcncticy k^owitjand for others, ic m not many words that can care their difeifcy lunde ' ' — ■ " • — — ■'-'— ^— -_;■ I Hi ll, I , Infant Church-mmberfljip and Bapttfm. oao |Undcrftan4 alfo thac fomc few ^nabaprifis there arc that Rcbaprize upon ocher -^^rounds chcn common ; Who believe that /nfants arc Church members, andmuft bcencrcd by Bap:irin.*Bat becaul^ they then Covenant by their /'arcnts,and m«ft »c- GClVarily afcer Covenant by chcmfclvcs .-therefore they take ic for a doable Covenant ai>dfomiirtbc an iceraced Sea!. * And rdme becaufe they cannot be rcfolved whether Baptifm in /nfancyor at Age be berter, thiiik it the fafcft way to do both, that fo they may be fore ti hit on the righr. jf am part doubt, that both thefe forts do go on far Icfs erroneus and dangerou?^ grQimds,then Mr. T.8c the reft who deny all /nfants rhe benefirs of chc vifible Church- memberfhip, wliicn is far more^then'toiteracc the A^ oi Bapcizing. Yet doubtlefs they are bo;h in an £rrour. For ic is bucone Covenant which we enter in /nfancy by ourFarentsandaragebyourrekes.Thela:terisbuta renewal and recognitton of \ the Covenant vhicii before wee encred: Cthough abfolutely neceffary to the falvation ©f thofe thac come to the ufe of Reafon^ And each renewing the Covenant muft not have a Repeaciag of the Seal. And for the lacter,mens owit ignorance will not warrant them to change or deprave Chriftsiinftications:.4ndtoboth;i. Chrift never commanded Baptrfm but for the )H^ firftentringofDifciples,andifltohisbody&c. But we are not twice made Difti- plcs, n'>r twice entred into his body f I Coy.i2. 13- &c:)2.The Apoftles fto whom thefull clearing of thefe doubts, and difcovery of Ciirifts will was committed J did never Baptize any into the Name of Chr«l, but once. And we are to be Follower*, of them as they were of Chriftjand to take the Scripture for a pcrfcft Rule and Law t And therefore not to go beyond !^ . ftlibtt I have not time to addc,^ Kiguwt^m s.qv i^^^j-pi^ hmmvoowe, ■:< Tbp tiBi«4 ! fe.^.,» ' ■■ ■■' '!^ * !i)f[}^ "vy ^-K'-ji 3CJ4: The Conclufion of this Treatife. I Was not fo ignorant in the wtiting of this book,as to cxpcft to plc^fe them ::' A • --T^-.i iT'J:,: ^l.^'TivT:.- -it^? >;' F J 13 1 S. -r.i Injant Church-memherfhrp and Baptifm^ ij^ An Addition to the twefltieth Chapter of the Firft Part I Take it to be an invincible /frgiimcnt toprore that Infants Church-member fl)^ which they arc conftfiTcd to have had before Chrifts Kicamacioiijis not rcvoketiiiB that They wr;rc Members of ;hc Uniyerfal Vifiblc Churth as well as of the Jews Na- tional Cburch j Yea, and tnarmorc immediately and primarily ; which llnivcrial \Cfsurch is not overthrown by Chrift, and therefore not thcr ftandingni if. Mt. T» Confcffeiti the ]cW5 Church was not rhe^j the liftivcrfal Chqtch, and th^c Intants then : wercMcinbers of the Univcrisl s but !»c faith, they were primarily Mcirihers M the J^ws Church, and therefore that falling, their iutereftih theUniy«*riaIicnwirhit: j4n^d fotipc others i meet with, that deny there is any fuch thing as ^n Univitiaiyifibic xrirarch. ■■--^■-- ■ . - y ■•--:■„•,•-• ;^ ' " •- ■ - ^- ' ; ,. *. Fof the full fatisfaftion or confutarioB of both thefe^ there is forauch ^irtcw,aifd clearly and judjcicufly by Mr. Sd»»W i/M^/<7« in his late Vindication oi tU Ejfetce andVnity of the Church Carkofkke v'lftde^ tbat I could net hut give this notice otit, to refer the gain- foyers ro it ; Seeing that which I did but (lightly touch, ajftd weal^ perform, is thcicoone with admirable ftreugth andfuliiers, by abundance of fpuDd arguments from S^ip.^ure, and the Nacurc ot the thing. Where alfo Mu t, iway fee enough to confute and (hamc his diminutive contcmpruou? exprefiions concerning the KiBgdcm^X:hrift,as if it wcic bui here one in a Town,oi there one in t Fanail) chat Chtilt w ould have called, aBd that he mcancth by £ 411 hktkns"] to be Difciplcd. As indeed the Scriprure isfuil againft him in that, and fpeaketh mere glorioufly of the Ktngdcnrof ourLord, as heiray fiftttit cited there by i^'".7/Mii!f »» 2itjb. r4. 9. i4hi the Lordprnllbt: King over aUthe earth , in that dayfhatl there be One Lordt and his KaxH One. Dan. 7.14, Tbire was given t» him f'Chrift^ Vcminion and G lory y and a Kingdom, that allPeoplt, Nations and Lanr^aages jhauldferve *yhen,Ke is^anfj^epng that iTg\ijm.i)t^6tm\he,^(:ha^. 2p,. f o Ideal withLthefeArongfuppprt^ of itiriiyli:. J^f«i/^/z/b6ok, aod not to turn itVer'wlrh .'a wet finger fas he ufethj being backed wjth fo ftrong defence of Scripture and R^a* . ion, as he fhall chef: efind, When he hatli foundly proved the taking down of the, iipi- .rcrfalvifibleChurch,(^ whereof all Infants were Member"s,'who were ever Members of any particular Church,^ or y^i; the caft^ing oflTall Infants out pf this Univerfel vifible iChurch, then Jie will have 4pr\e^opethipg proportionable to His ynder takings.' ' But then he muft do it with m©rc Scripture and Realon, tliehhe Hath yiet produced te irprovc the Repeal of their fa(i Argu« , Ji •{\Jk\^ buc not the Pnvilcdge and benefit fe^Jcdfwhich is tlie greacer.jBui: Mr. T dcnyeth them borh the fign and the Priviledge of Church- memberfhTpv-attif confcqucntly all the Privilcdgcs that are due to vifible Church.members only. And though iie yeild the ufc of the fign to them when they come to age, yet it is'toie but an empty fign, as being qui>e bdide Chri/ls inftituti6n, and void of tlie true qiid ' pif £aprifm *, fcr it'cannot then be the initiating fign to thofe that have been long in'rhe Church before. : r , ' • ' -.v? y.. . 2. I iri rend thefe Arguments ,only to thofe that acknowledge the plviiie i4uthority ofScrips;ure jfor narure rellefch us itoThingt)f nicer pofitives', therefore- tcrihofe of ijijc Seekers that deny bochBapti/mjudScriprure^ it JSjinvain j it being iniooYfiblctQ' convince them of the duty of Baptizing, till they firft arc convinced" of th^* ^Juthorit^ of the^¥or4ofGod;which'i3n;)Qy'nerhir." :-, ... ,. , . «• - * ' y*^ ^;But ckiicrs I proveitthjasi i. From. J^mh:^$\^.Ooaiiimf7^emt6]i'mtr ons, fcfl/^r/t'"^ t«f«»,6f.«W.hcncei argue thus/ What Chriit hath corijcyhed; i^aW muft not fcparate ; But Cbrift hath con joynednj|cipling and Bmmm as a flandlrlg courfe to the endof the world fas thcnext verfcIfSl?rJ^:rSe7dfS^^ r^cfhem. Th©uah,thcjjvof^ ^for^ever^dp romciimefignifie a limited ti^ Tcftament, vj^. nil the New World nnder Chrifi j yct^ fetb/^Qoipel LfiUthe Evd \ cf;he WorldJ can have no other then the proper fignillcation wit%our plain iiiip^^^^ ) d«nt Mjclcncc. * o r *- y '2 ±2 Plain Scripture proof df Argum, 2. From i Cor. i2,\:^.By oie Spirit ireAre\aO hdpti^^ed into ore body. If Bap- tiftii OS Gods apfointcd ordii;ary wa.y of engrafcing All into the i>ody of Chrirt/thcii icisa(lauUiiig6idin4iic-,as beingof a l^auding ufr. : Euc Baptifai isGodsappoinrcd' ordinal y way of engrafting All into rhc body of Chrift ; Tliereforc &c. The. 'Anc^ce- dauw.'.Iar>par plain in the Tcxr/if youcunfidcr, i, Thaticis reall Baptifm ^r hat is hc^€ ai«.u.ioncd, ilif .ypirir hcing f pokeo ofas^coucurrcntca ujg, 2. m at tt was A U' tliitwcie thus Baptized into the Body/ '. '"' ' Ajgum. g. /s from the cxprefs place, Eph^f:^. 2(5. where it is faid that Ch/ift fjn- ft;fi<;i;h & cicanicth his Church with the wafhing of water by the wordjrhat he mtght fiV^-ftac ir roiiimfclf a glorious Churchj&c. If the whole Church of Chrilt riiui't in du? tf iie^rajQi^i^aaihjKAtcr V then it i s.a todrngQr dJjiancc£af,lh lufeof thc _>^hoto- Chu ch •) Kuf the Antecedent is plain in the Text : Therefore, &c; •-»^«i/j.4-From Rom 6.'^ lithe ufe ofBaptifm be to Baptize men into Jcfus Chrlft, iiKl into his dcath,<:hen it is a ftaftding Ordinance to the Church,as being of a land- ing ufci^But the former is in the Text: Therefore, &c. Argum. $.h.froti\Ac}- ^. 28. & 22.1^. If Baptifm beinQituced for the Remiffjon op fin,as the wafhing away of finV" whether by ^g aifying,feal|ngor_cxhib irfng) rhen ir- is a Handing ordinance to the Church j fas beingro a Handing ule an(i end, one age of the Church havir.g no lefs need of it then another : J But the Antcccdcnc is in the Tcxti therefore, &c. Argum. 6. /s from Co/. 2. 12. If the end of Baptifm be o u^r buqal a nd Aefurreaiort with Chrift, then it is of ftanding ufe, and confequendy a ftanding OrclTnancc; Buc rhc Antecedent is in the Texc : Therefore, &c. ^ Argum^ /s from i Pet 9. 21. If tnc end arid uTeofBtprifm be Churches j&It^^ tion, then it is of continual ufef and fo a (landing Ofdiliance.^But the Antcctdpn0r- in the Icxc. therefore, &:c. Argum: 8. Is from kldb^ .2,11 is there reckonrd am ^ng rhe foun dations or pr^nc j^^ pies which are of ftandinguTs. aart tneretoreic is fo it (elf. So Gal: g. 27. Zeis the ordinary way of Ifiicia^ottia^oCirif l, or putting o n Chrift, Ar^tfm. 9*tf we liavcQO. warrant by word or cxam^cTn ili Che NiwTcftamcac ((ince the folcmn in(\itucion of Baptifm, iVi«^. 28^) co admit any Me mber jnto the Church wirhour ba ptifm. but bo th Precept and conftant Example of admitting t hcni; b'y it": then we muft nor admit any without itCordinariIy.>But the Antecedent is evi- dent, /a^ 4. I. A^?; 2. 58, 4i.&8.i2.i3,i5.g5.33,6'9-i8,6' 10. 47.48. &i5. 1$ 35.& 18. 8. 8c 19. 3.4 $. Ilm.6» 5. Sec. The confccijenc is undoubted co chofc thac 1 rake the Word for their rale. ^^Argum.io. If Cirift himf-lf havg mH i iruted the Ordinance of Biptif inm the Word, . and not again repealed it i th en it is a ftaading Jrdmance to ttie ChuTcTvC^nd no man ihurt'dare to re^til his Laws jv> but C^nft hath inftitured it ; and let any man /hew where he hath repealed it thac can j and till thea it muft be acknowledged to be ftiil in force, _ Man,y more Argameats m; gVc be brought from other STcriptures, as lit. 3 . $ > [ieb.io^ J^... John ^. $.(iU:uzd2(pi\ko(^ipti(m,) Ejfbef, ^, $.As rhc wiole Church is one bSI/Tahd hath oae Lord, and oie P'aich, fo it hath one common bapcif(n: But I wil addc no more,becaure it is bat on the by,as to my miin inreaded bufincfs, and bccaufc this is faffi:ieit to thofechat can judge of Scripture- Evidence when they Tv:ar k, and will be ruled bv it wlienttKyMow ici**^ for others, ic knot many words thac can care cheir difeafe^ lunde I^fatft ChHTcb^UemherJfjip and Baftifm. :^343 "|Ufiderll:and alio that forwe few i4na!>aptifts there arc that Rcbapfize^poii otfier *|^roui)ds ihen coiiniion : Who believe that /nfancs are Chtfrch nicmbers, andmuft bq cncrcd by Bapiirai/BLic becaafe they then Covenant by rlicir Farenrs, and muiiiie- ccflVily afccr Covenant by chcmfdvcs .'therefore they taktit for si dbobk Covenant, JUid foflaufl be an iterated Sca4. * And Tome becaufe they cannot be rcfolved whether Bajicifiniir /nfancy or at Age' be better, think it the fafcft way to do both, that fo they may be furc ti hit on the right. . /am pad doubt, that both thefe forts do go on far left erroheus and dangerous groimds,then Mr. T.Sc the reft who deny ail /nfants the benefits of the vlfiblc Church- mcmberlhip, which is far more, then 'to iterate the A^ of Bipcizing. Yet doabticfs they arc both in an Errour.For it is but one Covenant which we enter in Mancy by- our Parents and at age by our fel/es. The latter is but a renewal and rccognirtoh of the Covenant whicii before wee entred: tchough abfolucely neccflTary to the falvation of thofc that come to the ufe of Reafon^And each renewing the Coycnant rauft not have a Repeaciag of the Seal. And for tlic latter^mcns own ignorance wiH not warrant them to change or deprave^ Chriftsinfticuiions:/4ndtobochii. Chrift never commanded Baptifm but for the never Baptize any in ro the Name of Chrm, bur once. And wc arc to be Followers of ^hem as they were of Chriftund to take the Scripture folrii rierfcft Rule and Lii#%' And therefore not to go beyond it. , l^ •; ^x«^ ivuieanai^^ . r More/ have not time to addc. ■ " - •'""" '" '-^ ^'^^'}^i^ humni^^io ^s %i ^^m .aob .8380U. .l!I3l?)SSi;' Tfe S!^ f " ^ '*' ' . ' i ' A i \'!uQ Viwy ^^i y ^ \ I t^.- ^ w t^n ' T 3^4 . The Conclufion of this Treatife. I Was not Co ignorant in the wxiting of this book,as to cxpcft to ple;ifc them whom I contradid. £xperienee hath caught me, thacmy free and plain dealing with men that arc coo proud to welcome that truth which tcls them they have erred, doth buc diminilli and lofe the afFeftion of my moil engaged friends ; much more may I cxpeft the cxafpcration & fharp cciiurc of others. But if Chrift put the moft unpl cafing raef- fjgc in my mouth, by his Grace, I will fpeak it: 1 had rather men were angry with mc fdi: fpcaking, then God for being filent, /f / yet fcek to pleafe men, /am no longer his lervanc. Sure /am that! fpeak not for my fclf, nor the advancing ofanytteftly intc- rcft.' I know as well as others,which is both thepleafing and rhe rifing way,8: though through the great mercy of my Lord, the daily expedation of my change, ddch weak* en my temptations to the latter,yct to the former I am tempted aswcl as others /have fome labour with my felf to bring my felf to that work and manner of performing it, vi^hich doth moft di&aft -, bu: none tp that which procured me friends. But I have i^mt^, that ;thc very f^rmall nature of fttmiiy cmfiflfth jnjhtjrevgLsncf of Chrifis in% t^J^iniifs abQ"c th/jp ^ freft oj the Flej ^fi have any language pffilfhricfs or mi- fOcJfaTaUsTitistoo probabrejl Ihall not dare to father i r on the Spirit, but unfeign'* edly crave pardon of God and man(''defiring only that thej would not judge bfGods caufe by that, I6aft they hurt themfelves more then me. J But I dare not ^oid phin fpcaking under the pretence of avoiding harfhntfs.l know the pride of men Ctbat fctf-* idolizing fm} hath brought them generally to be impatient of that language, which our pattern doth prefcribe us. When Chrift (whom / would imitate) was asked by the i^ulers, of his doftrine,be faich[l fpakc openly to the world, I ever taught in the Sy- ^iigoglie and rhe Tdriipie,whithcr the Jews alwayes refort 5 & in fecret have / faid no- thing. Why askeft thou me? ask them that heard me what I have faid unto them,thcy know what /faid,/tf/jn.i8.2o.2i.3Thcrewas no evil in thisanfwer which they could bear vvitnefs of i and yet Chrlft is fmitten •, and if he had now given fuch an anfwcr, our times would have cenfnrcd him for arrogant, unmannerly, laucy, and ra/h. / dc- fire not to pretend to more wifedom then Ghrift.lf I be thought to be in the wrong, 3^4 the Anabaptifts in the righr,if this book wil not convinccCas it is unlikely where the receiver if not capable) we muft flay till the great judge determine it by his finall decifjoij.and then it fhall be known. If any will Reply, i again will give them this cn- couragemcnt,ch;jv tlicy are likely to have the honour of having the iaft wordjfor were I able, I Mt purpofe never more to deal on fo low a Tbeam. Poftfcrift. Infant Church'-memhefjhip and Baptifmo %^5 Pofifcript. '/ij^ingrt^^ afniaHbook, Emtti^iie^ " ^^p^o?ifms brjuiUfeaiiOii and Jh^Covenaiits, I qiiickly found too many, over- ;'Valuing It, and fome over-rviiirying it (c6ntrary to my own mea?i. 'EftimA" ^l^m dimixfe^l^trnf.^ ) The former with the Stationer (the Impreffion ^';^i.hg t6lc|)^<^ inipprtime me inceffiutly for a {econd Edition ; I am iiot ,!ipiily 4i^r^5^ed bet^^ mens contrary jiidgemeilts and deiires | but far .^.more^between a'fe'ar pfwronging the Church by miilakes, and of wrong- ^irig it by filence , and ' Chrift by hiding my TalencV aiicl his precious ..ttruths, which after hard fludy and earn^lt fivpplicationj' he I'evealed to tipe on thefe tern\s , that lihould reveal them to others. 'My foul trdni- ^j>.B]fcs at the thoi^ghtsbothpf behig a depraver 6f the Trtith, and ofbping ' a mah-pkafing betrayer bftt: A^'f 'daily imporutrie God todireft^w in thefe ftraits , {b have I beyond modefty importuned all my learned ^ifriends ( from whom I had ground to expeft that favour, ) whom I dif- h cerned to diHent, and were likely to afford any help to the change; of my judgement , that they would be plea(e d fpeedily to impart to me their .thoughts 5 ^But^icouJd never yet prevail with aity to gvM^t-mt herein ; t,^fave one ingenuous friend that voluntarily attempted fomewhat at the firft % and another Dear and Learned Brother with wht)m I prevailed for a few brief lines andwords^ conjoyned with a profelllon not to difput^- "'the Cafe.) Some accufe that Book of ^oKmrebirmyj -fbine of inconrv^^ %ientphraies, fome of particular Errours.; and moil, bf ere<^in^anep I'framleof Divinity.My pre(entpurpofeis(if God a(TI(l)to clear in the mkt f;>whatfeemsobfcure5 to confirm what feems to be but nakedly aifert^d, Hitomanifeft the confent ofthe learned to nioft that feemeth novel In d ^fingular, to adde mnch where 1 tind \t 4efqftrve , to reduce the v^c^e to ^i better Method , and c ontract andannex\vhat T h ad p^-pr^rd nP^n'^, vgrfal redemption fbecauf e I will not provoke the angry world with any more contentious Volulmns^if I can chu{e)and to retract what my /riends (hall difcover to be erroneous. To which end I earneftly intreat them^ that if there be any who think it worth their labour fo far to endeavor the prevention of mydotng^iit)wf^o--f^l*or-fi or that have already prepared any Notes to that end, that they would be plea^d fpeedily to vouchfafe me the benefit of them. Or if the Wifdom fronn above (which is firft pure^ then Peaceable, Gentle, eafie tobe entreated, ) fliall 34^ ^ POSrSCRIPT. (hall direft them rather to publilh their Animadveifiom ; they would be plea(cd (pcedily to give me notice^that I m^y^elayjoyJEdition^till 1 (ee what licth againil my Doftrine. I prefumc not to cxpeft this for my own fake, and meerly upon thefcore ofChriftianlovc, (though this were no unreafbnable expeftation,7tfw. S-ip^^o.) but for the fake of the Church and tnith oFGoa, which I had rather die then be guilty of abu- fing. And this Encouragement I give to any diat (hall attempt this cka- ritabfe work ; I do (blemnly promife in the prefence of God (by the help of his Grace) to try all with my utmoft impartiality and diligence, and to beg daily of God to reveal to ms his truth : And do profefs, that if my heart be not wholly unknown to me herein, my love to Truth is (b ftrong (and I fear exceflive) that I had far rather Retraft, were it to my great di (grace (much more when it Oould tend to recover the love of my dear Brethren) then proceed^ on the leaft jealoufie or doubt of erring^ This much my Confcience forced^ne to publilh, that at Icalf I might be free from the guilt of ralhnefs, and of inconfiderate wronging of the Church and Truth. Let my Brethren an(wer it as the Lord (hall direft them. Kederminfier^ Novemb.1 2. i ^50; Bich. Baxter. f I N IS. 4CGOMODATIONR35 ^JlOi^ fore-debated Controverfie *' ' - Between Mr. B E D F R D, And the Is manifefted that the Differences are few and fmall j andthofecontijiucd with mutual refped and love. ^.^:^. ####§##### ###^###>>### .^^ Loffdo^^ Printed^ AmoDom. l6$6.^ tf Tleadcr, Itn^asntydefirttobaverfvifedthis Appendix^ and have cone^cd aU harjher offeti five pafl ages ^ and blotted out whatfoever Mr. B. dtfowneth or hathfince recalled^ which is here mentioned as his P^ords j But feeing I cannetpojfsbly in thisfireight havefo much leifure^ Imuft defire you fi>far tc right both him and me^as to view over thefe following Fapers^ and wbatfoever joufinde in the former that iihere ncalledyor contradiHed^takl it as non di*- &jam or obliterated. K. B. i'^4####i'*" Heverend Sir^ #^^S^& Have read over your Book , in which you have maintained the _ ^W^ truth againft the Arguments of Mafter Tm5s, in the queftion of ^^ Pedobaptifm. fcoBfefTe my fclfe fo much taken with the C-lccr- I £^ ncfle of the Judgement , and the Solidity of the Arguments pro-: # * X ^ **""^ ^y y°" "^^"^ *^ • T^^^^ ^^^" ^ ^^"^c f° ^^^f °^^^^ P^ff of your ' ^^^f^ Book which concernes my felf, / began to qutfiion mine own Tc- ^ L / net, which /fouhd oppofed by him, whom i could not bat rcvc- tfencc, whofe labours and zcale for the caufc of God / could not but admire and emulate. Addc this alfo, /found many things in your book interlaced And Obiter touchcd,which did not a little confirm me in what refolution/had fiycd on,as touch- ing the Pcftilent Do^rine of the Anunomunr, touching the Non-coherency of that Dodrinc, that]uftification is an inftantaneous Ad, /?lJI///d^/e»5e/t^an^adedin our firft unition to Chrift : touching the Combination aud Co-adunation of renewed rcpenrance,of the care and conkience of Holy duties, the combination of thofc I fay with Faith in the perpetuation & continuation of the juftified perfon in that cftatc of juftification, in which upon his Faith he was firft dated: That F aith ^ ^kao fitf fs_no c fo much acaijfeas^tjic^n^ion for juftification : That the Co- venane oTGrace lo far as it holdeth forthTHnft upon the condition of Faith and Re- pentance, is not rcftraincd to the lekft onely ; Howfoevcr, by a fpecial preventing Grace of God, they only are enabled to come up to the full performance of that coa- dition H hich is required 5 Others fo far carried on in the way as they do follow the condud of Grace,but then juf^ly iefr,whcn they grow weary and giv^c cffche care of Godlincfs i Thcfc and fomc other particulars which I found here and there hinted in your book / did not a little rejoycc to find-, For who is there that doth not congratu- late the confirmation of his own ecnccprions by anothers ? cfpccially.fo able an hand. And hereupon utfu^n^fcriptum e(fy when I earner to what concerned my felfc in your book, I began xo ftaggerin what I had writr<>n -, Till upon more mature deliberation, examining what /had wriiten,and what you anfwered, /did plainly perceive, that in what you had nor mifiakc n my meaning,a favourable confirudion might eafily recon- cile usj And the appearing diftercnccs would he found ;but ^cyo^A'xja, not worth thcwhilc CO conteft about thcmj Whereupon 1 refolved rather in this way to give you Y y 2 an an account of tli'ofe miftakcs and verbal diff-rences, tlien ro make a publikc bufiacffe ofir,aiid cogirc wja^ to cfut bicccrnefs of Spine wlncli commonly foUowcrh the Kc- ciprocicion odhcjLiw in macrcrs ofqueflion and co.urovcrfic •, Subfcribing wboUy to chat in your bcHK pag. 284 chac concrovcrfies occafi m difcontents and hcarr-bur- ningi, tend to dilcumpolc our owne Spines, and much unftt us for life or death, Sec. Now thQn to t!ie matter in your book againft me j / obfcrve thefe five particulars^ in which Jycth tlic grcateft part of your oppoficion. i . That my Tenet touching the efficac) ofiufant-Baptifmis not Orchodoxal. 2. That it is not confonant to what thofc two great Divines Bifhop "Davenant and Dr. Ward have dehvered. 3 . That in the ufe of thofc terms Moral and McraphyficaUrhcrcis grofs igaorance. 4. That in the ^ Tcaec of Ghurch-rradirions there is too much loofncf3,and too mucii affinity with ■" the Romanifh. 5. Thar there is coo much bitternefs in cenfuring thcfe for Schiima- ticks which miflikc the Ceremonies of the Church, whether Catholikc or National. Thofe are the principal. As touching this laft, fio begin there) I may jufUy reply: Your Animadvcrfion Cometh in too late ; fc. after the fault is mended : That part of my book which dealt wirh the Ambaptifii Arguments,/ have finec that time rcvicwed,and ( upon 'occafi on of the growth of that error)printed again under this titlcr,A moderate anfwer to tbofe / twoqueftioiis : v/;^. whether Parents may bring their children toBaptifm, 2. Whether /^itbefmful to receive the Sacrament in a mixc /^rtcmbly *, This was printed Anm I \^^^ -^"d howfoever /conceived no flrcngth in that confequcnce, T.B. faith, this is ^ tlRcmumphing i4rgumcncof all Schifmaticks *, ergo T. S. accounts them all Schifmsi- ticks that upon that ground do miflike the Ceremonies of the Church -, Yet to avoid offence, / left out that paflage wholly. In the fame Edition I did alfo bring again to the hammer and anvil, that Tenet touching Traditions i And / hope , freed it from all jufl exceptions, Which I doubt not may eafiiy be done,in as much as all our Di- vines whodifpute thatquedion with the Pontihcians do ftill return ro this diftin(Si- on; Some Traditions trc de T>oJliiiinkrcj^i iL''> and thcfc we difclaim. Others are (i? Tfjtibw' ^ya^endii Ecdefi/n , TherTare not alTof them difclairoed ^ /refer you to yeur I V)wn Dodor, nor the high cflcem of BiOiop Davsnant^ at whofe feet /fomctime fate, j i cannot but love youj c/ej«£/ice,Ch. 5. (& fequemibHs) .and to your own book,^. 151. ( God forbid that I HiDuld in any the lead particular fee u? Tradition to the prejudice of thc5cripturc5 Or account them all Schifmaticij^jvljichiniflike the Ceremonies of the Church, whether more ijiikcLSI^IuS^^ Lent, &c. or National, as th e Vedurcs'and Gelju KS '"'^^■J^i^I late Canons prefcribed. Can. 25. 27. /rfdd thif,that irRiiac fir l\ book ot mine, printed fdgS. there was both caArition,aQd interpolations ufed by an hand not mine ••, ("which you may eafily perceive in pai.S9, ofroyScrmon.) Particularly that Marginal note, Jusadrem., (fy jhx in rp, againft which you rake exceprions,was none of minc,though I fee not but it may have a good conflrudion ; Since all mtn know there is a diflFercncc betwixt /light and pofTcflioni ijiii crcv% hach right to Silva tion Q^ec is he not in PolTcHio ni, ^nd had your bowks come t6~thc"^fd'4 whiiT lllliiedlarTthcy woi^ld have iuiTercTas mine did ; and how to Iielp it, wh n the Books is printed, / could not devife. When it comcth to a fecond Bditicn, which I fhall haikn as much as / can, pcradvenrurc it may be done. But to proceed. Touching that third point, 1;/^ That in the ufe of thofe terms Moral and Alctaphyfical there is grofs ignorance,yea in this a contradidion betwixt D.ffariand aie ^1 fay no more bur this, I am not much careful ro wafh away the imputation of 5gflorance,favc in chofc things thar arc of prime Ncccffity \ I doc not arrogate to ray felf ! felt day great mciHrure of hanias learning. Hid /choiig'ic that definicion ot caHv. Thac the/)r7>r^grd/ifjCQpfgrrfW in p.apfifm^ !< (fdiih Bifhop Davenant) Remijfio pcccati Orig^nalif : but ffaich 7. b, ) it ii our union with Chri tt ; Then followcthouc Regeneration byleminai Gractr,and tlKU rtniiirK.n of fin j You add, that if the two firil,!;/^. Union and Regeneration be left cue, then you and / (hail be ncerer to an Agreement- Bur I be leech ycti (dear Brochcr,) Is this any whit more then a ftrifc about word*? Doth not BiOiop Z>«t.7a.7^t,when lie hath fet down the pijmarium effeihm baptifmi to be Remiffio peceat't Orjgtnalis, doth he not add, That out ofjhisd o rcfule t heir R egenera- tion, Jultificacion, Adoption, and 5and:ificarion ? The which7 thoug]rTficyi)e noc VrnVQC^eadttn with thac Regeneration and Adoption, which is afterward by Faith j Yet isi t (uch as doth confe r xix^r^n rhgm a f^jf^ f> f falvation pr o^ccnditwne parvulorum, NowTficnjl looking upon thcfe benefits alrogether,and feekfng to caH thcnjlnfolHc Order of Nature as I conceived, placed this hrll:, vi;^. Our Union with Chrift, Our incorp oratign i nto him, which /cal led th^primmum effi^um Baptifmi, and which I tafertoLe the foimafu ratia of our Adoption *, and then did / in this tanquam in majfa wrap up the other which / call fru^us Baptifmi., vi;^. Regcneration,& Remifllon. You will fay,That that Regeneration whereof Bifhop Davenant fpeakech, is only relative , but mine is real j His ftandeth in tranjlitione parvuJiJjyet erjP^'^f^^J'f i nji9iiaJtL.'hiit mine in the collation of feminal Grace ^ But withal youwTirhnd, rTianiis regcncra- tion doth confer on them fwhcther Elcd.or Reprobate) StajuniJalMijs ^ condition e parvukYum'', Nor docj ff f k fnr any rJliiT^jfurther \ He feemes to (ubfcribc^to that of (Jer/wand other Schoolmen, cited by Di7]^ard traS. 2. pag: 217. That what is not Ainfufed in Baptifm into the foul of the Infant, vi^i. Habitus jidei, fpeiy ^ charitatisi is I infufed in mtmento fepMraticnis anim^ , if the childe dye after Baptifm ; For which Tc- Sicf, what Scripture have they ? without Rf gf nprg^^^q^ wi^hmu HoIinefTe none fhall f^Q^'^ ypl?-^'\' fie(>j2 .i4. This is their ground 5 How mucirmore conionant is the text oi Scripture, ^MpK judt^ey ro fettle the collation of it in Gods Ordi- nance? 5incc that text of jr^S^.S- tit. 3.5. give us fueh confcfTed ground for it. E- fpecially fince there is no necciJiry to multiply the wayes of regeneration, for /nfants dying^andforotheersfurvivingi And fincc, thac Rock «^e Apojiafia fan^orumhptQ* venkd upfupra. And (b i come to the firft Poflrion, in which I can make it apparent. That I have not deviated from the text of Scripture and the trutli of God 5 /may be excufed, though none of thofc great Names mentioned in my Tradatedoe bear witnefTe witfi Inae. I miglu here alledge,That what /have fet down, if taken in my meaning, is con- fonant to the Doclrrne of the Primitive Church, and the Ancient Fathetsj that it is in wrminiJ the Dodrmeot the Ghurch of £/j^/d»£/. What is the intent of my £»^/;j& Treatifc, but to (ct down the Doftrinc of the Church of England touching that Argu- ment.which is fufficiently acknowIcdgcd,in that he who liccnfed it to be printed was hut over-curious in this point, though not more curious then rhofc times required. But I fhall wave this, and deal by i4rgument j Your firft and main -Argument againft me^is this ', That Baptifm was not inftitutcd to be a Seal of the abfolurc promife, i-/;^, that in Jer.^2. Vak^ cor novum^wrhkh is that that works a real change in manjReafon, becaufe,befof c the fulfilUng of that promlfc, i.e. betorc men have a new heart they arc uncapable Fit to SJl uncapablcofengagingthemfelvestoGod, as being d!l then alrogtcher illieni.Buc Baprifm is confclTcd by nie to be a murual engaging Seal. Hence )Ou argue; Uuot maiciucd to be the Seal of this promife, Then not to be an inflrunaenc ro convey chat Grace. To this I reply. 1. 1 admit^that D^63 co/ Mvumd(>th indeed make thcfirft real change ; thatc'epefi- deth not upon the well ufiflg of Natural abilities, but is a?etrly the cffe^ of a prcven. ting Grace : that thofe previous works which vou grant are wrought in fomeiu the way of preparing them for ir, are fome fruit, cfF:ds or flaxes of that fir ft Grace as the dawning of the day is from the Sua fifing that followeth jSo Chri ft_hach a work upon ^ll^ ^rar^^^'^^^ ^^ '^^^ '^ into Unio n with himfejf ^AlI this / cfnUiTn^ ~ 2. 1 add. What doth hinder,but that this Djibo c^r/j3i/-^n, though it be: abbiure.and a preventing Grace co_iheI nfant ^ Vet m ay be the- tffea ^nd frciir nf a conditional p rmniTe to theTare nt, viz. What he byTiiTFlith hath laid on for himfelfe and his V /nTanr. Is not chcumsidim cortuum (fy' [minis tui, an explication of Ero D^us tms fyl feminutui.^ Ac leaft, it is an exprefTion of one main benefit comprehended in that-^ promife. Dothutat-GoiLby tha t prom ife engag e himfelfe to do for them, w hatfoever may be for the welfare both of body and foulc? Asfor them , lo for their chUdreiF' according to their capacity, /s there any exception to this, bu! that only, M:d3 non- ponant obieem ? And is not this promife , Era Deuf tms ^femkii.kikd to the Parent, in that Sacrament / Particularly, that branch Dsitj Icmmif tui, is fealcd to the Pa- rent in the baptizing of his /nfant i As e Contra the Parent by prefcnting his Infant to the Sacrament doch cngigc his /nfant ro the fcrvice of God', Thus it is eaOIy feea, How Baptifmis a mutual engaging Sral j Not that the /nfant doth or can engage himfelfe j But that his Parent doth engage for him ; So then .thc Faith of the Patent acceptcth of chA.t promifc^forjiisjnfant, tcndereth his infant coTt^SacramentjcJiatia -Z it Godjiiayj[Cce£thin^^ tl,^ prayecof Faith, andcIoIecKliath that promife, that his infant may be received into Covenant with God.-and receive fuch benefits of the Covenant as he is capable of .'in the nujP ber of which I doubt not butr^r yi3i/s faith j His faith is an cffcd of if, But to his faith may it be fcaled for his infantiwill not this evidently appear in the inilince o( A brahaw.^ Not he prevented by his Circumclfion j Already he is juOified j But well may his fon Ifaac in his Circumcifion receive upon the faith of Abraham chal- lenging the promife,hc may / fay receive preventing Grace. Thus have /cndiavoLired in ihefpirit of mecknefs togiveycu an accoiinc of yo«r miftakings ^ The refult I hope will be, that in the main, / fhall be found to have de- livered liOthing which is not confonant to the text of Scripture, the DodrineofoUr Cl'.urch,the dcrermination ofthofeDivincs,and your own conelufions. I fhall not aid much iiioie ; Tins only I fliall dcfireyou to take into ccnfidcrarion. Howcan (he Dodrine of BaptifiTial Rtgeneraticn, bean cccafion of Anabaptifrt), thjsyou alledge as a reafon why you did meddle with my Trud:ate, becaufe you con- ceived it to be dangercus as well as erroneous ; As likely a means co make men Am- baprifts as moft you know i Now fay /, How can this be «? When as this is the cora- (mon faying of the vu'gar. What is the infant the better for this water fprinkling/ And why do the Minif\erscry down the Anabaptifls for denying Infant- Baptifm,whcn they can fhcviiJis no good that comech by ic . Doth it not hence appearc that it is judged rather a^mtional way^cvcnt the ptevailing of i4nabaptifm ? vIt^. To make it good, that there is fome good gained by it,which ordinarily is not gained without it. Some real good.fome fpccial grace that is truly tendered by God in the Sacrament, & truly received by the infants of believers,for the conveying and receiving of which /fo far asitcan be tranfaded by a corporeal (ign}was the 5acrameni in(\ituted tobe a mean-s thereof. And truly (mt thinks) this fhould be a proper argument to overthrow the Antipedobaptifts. Mr tombs doth objeft to Mr. Mar(hal, that he doth alledge the Ancients for the proof of Baptifm, bur not upon their grounds j Had he and oihc« taken up that argument, I verily belecve they had long fmce, if not filenced him, yec provided for the laying of many from being led afidc with the errour of thofe wicked ones. So.much the rather /doc belecve this, becaufe fo long as that argHment,;raean the efficacy of the Sacsamcnt was acknowledged*, ri^. ^ Regeneration wrought fn Baptifm,thepradiccof /^nti-pedobaptiflswasnot received. Your felfc obfervethat Antbaptifm rofc not up till Lutters time. Mr. tcmbs inf^aRce of the Albjgtnfes and Waldenjci ycu have very well and worthily confuted *, Thty took cccafion from that pofition of his, No Faith, No Baptifm, Co-etaneous with him was Zuwgl'ms and o- thcrs,who to overthrow thercal prcfcnceinfificd nuch upon it that Sacraments were but fi'gns for rcprefentation •, /rd when that Dcdnrt >Aas cKce breached, it foone found them that could make bad ufc of it /any thing that tends to de dignfiic Gods Ordinances is fccnicccncd.) The i4n^&4f7J2j could cafil) irakc their advantage of ir. I If no benefit ccmc to the infant by Baptilm,bccaufc he wants Faiih,thtn to what pur- pofe fhculd he be bzptiftd before he hath faith? HjiXLuiiJ]JIl.aJLtJb'P i* C' grant} a bc» efir ret tc be ccutt n ncdj even as it is aJUJujJMrxLPaviUc'gc j Yet if you make it nor a (larrxLiPlTa^J^ft ^p ih^ii^f^ipr, they will net nuch repaid the oihcr.So then, I fee nor Few ibis Icarire of mine Ih.ci^ld cccaf cr the error oT^rabsprirm. Ycu urge fome inflances rr^n ycur cwn krcwkdge.ard v» hich is n ere ic \Yk rcirr,ycur cwii icr raticn \ Ycu make my beck ere pan ef that tentaticr j 1 belecve it was the Icaft part 1 may not enter into the heart to feck what was tl eether.lt it wcll,ihat ycu did cverrnaficr that tentatien-, Weall have csule to bltft Ccd for }ciir labctirs •, and fhall havemoTCj ifycufvdy cut well this rciiir,tcichu p tie cifcacy ef tl e Sa- erar£ Thus have I learn- ed ; 1 hus do 1 teach i I (hall trouble you no further at this prcfent ; but onely to r€- queft your candid interpretation of what I have written, and with all yciir prayers for mc, that wherein I err, I may readily upon admpnltion reform it^ and wherein I am. rigfct^I may proceed couragiouily notwlthftanding all oppoiitJon and difccuragement. Farewell, ('my D.Br,)God Almighty guide you, guard you, and blefsycu in your way and work for the Glory of his namdand the Good of his Church. So ft ill prayetis for yoB,and all faithful Labourers In Gods Harveft, Lond. March 8. Your brother in the Faith of Chrift, 16^0, andinche workof cheMiniflry Tho. Bedford^ E$Bor Ecclefi^ Londinenfis qti^t vulge dUitUT Martin Outwich. T^ftfcript. FOr affirther eonfirmatton of my conje^luretonclgmi the mo^ prevailing Argument again ft the ^nabaptifts^ I have fentj/onthis letter ^f Mr c Cranford to me Written with his oVpn hand. fVhofe Epiflle prefixed to my bookJhadyoH advifedly read it, yon ^oM have found to he more then a hare Imprimatur. Now^if by all thii you receive fatisfaElion^ I hope you ^ill take it into your thoughts how to wipe of that hUt^ that you have cafi upon me* Farewell. Zz 354 Brother, * Y0» kriowmj tnlnd^ that I conceive the ground of ^Anaiaptifm to have been the erroneota DoUrlne de nudis fignis, (U ii clear in the Ec' clefiafticalftories oj old^and mofi arguings of our Anahaptifls. I am wore confirmed in thii opinion by ^hat I ha^ once returned me in anfwer to an t/irgument dra^nfram fcph.5./row the efficacy ofBaptifm to inforce the hapti^ng oflnfantf^bj i^r.Tcunbs at Mr, Kobttts hu houfein London; viz. if that tenent could be clearly proved^ he would no longer oppofe that TraBiJe. 1 Jhallfpeak with you further about this bupnefs^ andrefi. Mareh j. 1^50. fours^ Ja.Cranford. My My Reverend and moft honoured Brother, 3 51 Unfeignediy confefs my felf unworthy of {o much efteem and refpefl as thefe your lines imporr, and offo tender and friendly dealing as they contain. I rejoyce in your confent in the owning the Truths mentioned by you : And alfo to find by this your Epiftic , that we are fo much neerer in judgement about the point of Baptifm then I thought: we had been ; and are fo fairly accomodated^that you doubt not to fay, that i^in what I have not miilaken your meaning, you plainly perceive, a favourable conftrudion might eafily reconcile us : and the appearing diferences would be found to be but Logomachies, not worthy the while toconteft about.] And Chould I deny that favourable conftrudli- on, to one chac fo favourably conllrues me, it being the only neceffary and fuffiaenc means of Reconciliation, 1 ftiould juftly incurr the cen- furc of chit unfeaceablenefs^ which I fo much abhor. I. A5 to the firfi: and fccond points you fpeak of (being the laft of the five you namberj I im heartily forry that I have done you fo much wrong, ss to lay that to your charge which you have already revoked or corrcded ,vea and that in your books, which was none of your own. Wherein I mnft boih excufe and accufe my felf. i . This much in excufe I m ly tuily fay ; thac I could not pofiibly know of chat Caftration and Interpolation of your books ; Nor well fufpeQ it in that point which I (aw again in your Latine Tradue : and that I never (to my remem- brance ; faw or heard of your book which you mentioned, wherein thole things are reverfed j nor yec have I.feen it ; (living fij obfcurely Zz 2 and 35^ and remote from that chief garden where fuch flowers grow. 2. Yet muft I accufe my felf,That before I adventured to mention your name,I had not enquired ^whether you had not fet out fome other book?,where- in ihofc poims might be reverfcd.For I acknowledge to you it is injuri- ou%to have that laid to your chirge,which you hive publickly difownd. ] take it to be fo uhen the cafe is mine own ; Mr. Tombs fcnt me his Animadveifions on my Aphorifm?; Therein the chief thing he excepred againit,was a word in my book of Reft : I told him that though I took that faying to be true in the fertfe whkh I manifefted, yet 1 had left it out purpofcly in the fecond Edition of my Book, which was extant before hefent me his exceptions ; Yet doth he long after in his 7r aadxben I siced^oUurther €ontend.witbyouY though what Metony*. 357 mie you mean,whether CaufayEfeSii^Suhje6fi,oi y^iijmUiJknow not, nor yet fully how ic ftiould be any of thefe. Astothcip^tchoiT'erkiftj, ic mult reeds be limited to thofc Be- nefits of Chrift which '^b^fgrjJilr^nH^ *"o"^"^iirjT>ikP« ^^p'' '"O t^^lj^- vers and iheiTleed^intltrcannot extend to [^all] unlimitedly, or to thofe of the Abfolute Covenant. Is not the Grace of perfeverance,a benefit of the death of Chrift ? And if all Believers Infants have that, then" according to you they are all certainly faved. To be bred up under the means^f Grace, is a benefit of Chrift, which they all receive not ; To be the Children of believers,and thereupon to be within the Covenant, I is a benefit of Chrift, which Baptifm conveycth not 5 for it goeth before | baptifm.When Mr. Ball in his Catech. asketh QHow we are made parta- kers of Chrift with all his benefirs.?j| and anfwereth [^By faith alone^he ixiuft not be interpreted either to think that our firit faith (and all the means to work h) is none of Chrifts benefits,nor yet that we are made partakers of that Faith by that Faith it felf. But the word [^benefits] jscvidently limited CO thofe particular benefics which are contained in that Covenant, whofe condition Faith is. 4. To the ncx'', which you calii~the fecond Exception] whether you go riot further then Dr. D^t/^;j^«^ and Dr^W? I think I have made ic manifeft that you do 5 and though you now think I miftake, yet after* ^« /^- l utispro conditione parvti lorHm i Nor do I feekforany thing further.] J th ink then we ftand at nogreatdiftancej B ut then remember that it is not all that the Church hath right to admit to baptifm ("that is, the In-- fants of Hypocrites^ but only all that have true Right before God to the benefits of the Covenant and baptifm ("that is,to the Infants of true believers only ; ) And in this i think you will alfo agree with me= Now I then all the qusftion is, whether the habits or feed ofreal Regenerating^a , j Sandtifying^race, be abfolutely utct^i^^adjlatfim falutispro condi- , \iiom parvu/orumJl( you affirm if ^ you muft provelr 5 which till you have done, I have no naorc to do. Zz 3 Bat ; 158 But here you muft underftand that Davenant and I, do not mean by [_S mHm falHt t6~\ thatlhce wherein one is immediately capable of en- pyTng Ood in"C7jory;buc that ftare whereixi we have right to both thac enjoyment, and.tiie immediate capacity thereto. Fori. Elfenomati living can be fata to be in a fUte of Salvation ('which is contrary to out fenfe, and common fpeechj For no minis in an i mmediate ca pacity to enjoy God in Glory> til l , hc beperfec^lyfan gified and freed from each degree of fm ; But no man is fo perfed till ai'cer Death, (\x\ order of nature at lead J Indeed that perfedion wherein this immediate ca- pacity doth confifl-,is our very Happinefs and Glory fubje^ively, as God. is Obj'edlively. Here therefore have you, I think, ajuftanfwerto your Qucftion, W^ [^what Scripture have they (I^avettant, Ward, Ger/on and othec Schoolmen) for their opinion, that habits or Faith, Hop.. the fame fpecies / of Habit. (Though he fay, that the fouls firft Cenatus or fclf determi. "^"^ation to underftand and will, is in the predicament of Adion.j And ifl muft take any thing in this part ofPhilofophy on truft, I confefs ScotHs his credit will go as far with me, as any man thac ever writ, noc guided by an unerring infallible Spirit. At leaft Habits are fo properly foi the fake of the ads, or connexed with them, thac you will hardly prove . . 359 py^YP t^p akfninfp nprpOhyj^^'^^^^^ the ^fk t^ vF. neither nec ef^ fary nor pbflible, 2. And tharthis kDavenmts fenre,you may fee ful- Jy manifefted, p. 26 Nam voluntas Deipeccatum Originale iU remitteri' tisy eofj^fdvo/e fuo compleRentis fptfjicit ad ponendum illos i n flat u f aim i^ y ahf^ pr^ fentaftea ali^fia frrgtU irih ^f,*-/^*^'^ '*ift(/!^r^j^- Etpag. Ip, 20. Where ht approves o^ Aufllns '^m^'^iParvtiium non regeneratio illa^quds, in Re natornm 'voluntate cotijifiit^ fed ip[in4 Regeneratioms SacramentHmt Rege ner ilium fac'it, E t pag.14. ^Inod Infantes dicuntur tn haptijmo Rc^ generari^ id etiam ita dependet ah hacremijjjone Originalkpecc MJ^ tit vix aut ne vix quidem ab eadem difiinguatur. But what need I fay more, when the third,fourth and fifth Propof./>^^. 4,5,6,7,8,9,10. and 11. are (o full, wherein the common judgement^f fathers and our Divines is manifefted as well as his own. And the like hath Dr.Ward, 3. Ahdl would intreat you toconfider well of this Argument. That which is the whole condki on on mans part of his Tuftifica tion and Sa l* vation, is fufficienToiffiispart to put him in a ftate of JuIFfHcation and Right to Salvation : But k is the JFaith of thfe Parent (h^r !< fhe. Infants Vvhole condition of Juftificatio^l >ftdSaIvttfeft|thcrt:fbr€,&c.TheMajoc needs no proof : For el felt \^e ire no tro^ *nd full condirion. {Still remcmbring that by [[fufficient] I mesn u6tihttotume]HoddehetHr^\xt the totHm ahfolutc neceffarium. ) The Minor I think you will not denyj For you take not Habitual Grace to be the rnfiints condition, chat he may have Gods Covehant-bertiefics, but to bfe the benefit of the Cove- nant, fulfilled tiD him that before in his Parents had the conditio^. And indeed it is very plain in Scripture, that all the Itifaws Right is ifor the] fake of the Parent or fomebthcr, as in him, and not his own. And^ therefore there are no promifcs to them meerly as Jnfancs, but as the feed of the Righteous , th^ ch i Id renof b elievers ■ and confe fjuently, th^ w'hoTt^ nf rh^rth^^ belteven? And if , this be not maintained, fdoubt we fliairgiV^' upuluo rhe Anabaptifts, And therefore 1 conclude that the Parents'true faith is fuflScrent on the childs^part, to put him inthtlhte of J^lification, and right to Salva- tion, (Though not into an immediate capicicy of en joying God in giory,for fo H Ko belie verjtiltjDeach* ) The Texts John i,%. Tit, S.j.fpeak nothing for you, as I have (hewed. ^ « :. . \\ Without Holinefe none Qiall fee God, not yet without perfe, his PoRerity flioul d_have all New Hearts ; and fo tfieir pofterity, and fo to this day.' II. And fo there fhould be never an unregencrate man in the wdrld, eitlier now, or fince Noah* 12. The fame promife that giveth the new heart,giveth other mercies that are proper to the faved ; as the writing of Gods Law in the heart, remerabringnoraore thdr /ins and iniquities, &c. And the like pro- mife gives perfeverance,[ I will put my fear in their heart?,that they (hall not depart from me.] And it promiferh adual Grace Qthey (hall all know me from the leali to the greattft.] It feeras to me therefore that you may as well fay all thefe muft be given to the children of believers as one; and may as well mike all of them as one, to be common and lofeable Grace. But fomearenotfuch, therefore none. I think cer novum is no common Grace fas \t is in this promife meant J ig. You make the Parents faith to do more for the Inf^nts,then evet it did or could do for himfelf who is the principal : that is, To procure the Infant cornovum^ or the firft eflfeduai Renewing Grace. 14. I think you will never prove that Baptifra hath fuch different ends to the Adult and to Infants, as that it (hould convey that to one^ which is the very condition prerequifite in the other. CBut of this I \ fpoke to you already .J ! 15. Cod hath not engaged himfelf to any certain time before deaths for the beftowing of any Gcac&^viHclHwuinmiliiy.^^^ fHe giveth {\x^utT)ommm abfolutus ; As the degrees of Grace and comfort to his people : he may give them when and in what degree he ^ will:) But COY novum is not tolnfants necelTiry a^ fiatfim faluti^y thaupf^ ' it be a dJpramMfitem. ) He that faith it is, let him prove it Iherefore God is not engaged to give cor novum to Infancs in baptifm- Thefe Arguments perfwade mc that you yet miftaKe in this matter. And now I expert that you recall all this according to your promife, ic Aaaz beiqg 3^4 being againft the exprefs words of Davenant, pa^e 8. Tropof. 5. Con- I'rrjionem^ five Novi Cordis crenticnem ejtit profrie Regeneratio dicenda efl, non yiificum ^d at, item ratioyjis c^pacem p(rve?7erint, in ils prcduci do" cent. Which I urge, bccaufc you yer profcfs (^and iterate it) that you doubt not but for 77 /7'2//y»; is one of the benefits of the Covenant which Infants have title to. l^or Mr. Perk'ws fpcech, I aniwercd before. As to yourReaibn drawn from the comfort of Parents,! fay,i.We mufi: give no more comfort then God hath given. 2 Is it not a large cora- fort^that^Qij doih pardon their^Ori^inal fin, and put \}^em inflA tum \ftilfWs,r{\d will give them the meansof Cira££..,2iid-bi s own help when they come to age for the working in them jne^fh^it^^nifi ponatfir ohex\ .and will effc^dually work it in his ekfttrfTIieTittert IeiitoTTt>-j-^mltiion \xperience evince defa^o when they come to age or any ufe of Reafon, that all fuch children have not cor novum > but Original fin is dill pre- dominant/ 1 he faith of the ?circm((j^oad corJiihnem )doihtmk^ the Infant R eHum i-n CHrinRelatiyej b ut you do not think fure, that all O- riginal fin is taken away in Baptifm , as the Papifts do / Nor do you prove that it is mortifyed,or overcome, Tothefecond Argument, ydugive [hefame Anfwer, as tothefirft ; and I return the fame Reply. And where you fayjthat this will evidently appear in the inftance of Ahrah^-imy I fay, i . Prove that Ifaac had cor no- 'vum by vertue of that general Covenant to the faithful and their feed, and not from Eleflion and fpecial Grace. 2. If that be fo,then Sfau had a new heart as truly as 7/^^rand J^cob, which I fee no likelihood of? I am glad that among the red, you feem to recall that over-afcribing to baptifm, and derogating from the promife ; Cwhich Dcf^ard is more ejqprefly faulty in then you) and now feem to yield that it is prin- cipallyihfi Xovenantap d faith of the Parent y and thij is the chief thingthatlinfifted on. To your Quefi:ion,Hovv the Doflrine of baptifmal Regeneration cati make men Anabaptilh,! gave you before a full anfwer, i.l have known many that it hath almoft made Anabaptifts, that were fober people. 2. A difcovery of one error in an adverfary, is a moft potent means £0 make us fufpefl all his Doftrine,and poffefs us with prejudice againft it ; Efpecially about the fame matter. When men hear that the ground oFour baptizinglnfants, is I. That they may all be Regenerate really , and have new hearts : 2. And that by the proper Inftrumental efficiency of baptifm ; And when they fee by Scripture and Reafgnathat this can- ftot 365 not 6e, siid by experierce clbtt defaSloxt is nor, but chat divers fUch baptized ones never difcovercd any new heart; what likelier way lo make them Anabaptids ? They think that to overthrow our ground?, is to overthrow the lawfulnefs of that pradice which is built on themo Even as it hardneth Papifts to read in many of our greateft Divines,thac Chriils A6 iive Rif.htcou fnefs a s fuch is ours formaliter, and not , only « y meritorioifly : that we are julfiffed by faith properly as by the Inftni- / ment of our juftificatidn : and that juflifyirg faith is Affurarce, ( fay fomej or perfwsfion that we are pardoned (fay others : ) and that tn thefe thirgs are the main differences between us and Rctne. Would not any irr onfidcrate Novice turn Papift, when he hath found that we crre in all thefe, and yet make thefc the main difference? So in the prefent cafe. If ( as ycu fpesk, ) we could fhew men no othergood that comes by baptifm, but this •, then it were time to make good thi?; or §!ve it over ; But I think there are other benefits, which wccan bet- ter prove;when the afTerting of one which we cannot prove, will (hake all with the common fart. Your Argument Qhat Anabaptifiry arofe not while the efficacy of the Sacrament was acknowledged, 3 is a non Citufa pro Catifa* I deny not the unfoundnefs oiLmhers Pofition,No faith, nobaptifm ; Nor fo. Who knows nor, that we all (hall in fome things differ,whilc we know but in part ? and what hurt is it if they know therein we differ ? If men took it for no wrong ordifparagemenc CO be contradicted,- {'and there's little reafon they foould) then would our debates be placidly and lovingly managed, without any ftrife,exafperations or divifions ; and fo the Church might hive the benefit, and we efcape the burr. For my part, I do but as I would be done by. I never felt that aay mans writings againft me, did make me fmart. And I can truly fay, that my fmall difference with you 1% accompanied with unfeigned love to you, and honouring of your worth,and prayer that God would prcfsrve you, and biefs your labours CO the fer vice of his Church* Kederminfier pn. z8. Your unworthy , 165 a. fellow- fervant, ^ch. Baxter* To 3^7 To the Booksellers^] ii/r.Underhil and i^nTyton* IJm ciepredto leave out the Jpfend'^x in the next Edithn of rnyhooh^ ofBaftifm> 1 Am loth to ^rong the Chtirch^or w] Reverend brother by being ^uarr elf cm', and yet loth to withdraw it if it be of ufe tow/irds the dijccvery of Truth* Itfeews to me thM the moft ^jfeElionate Brethren way ^ellfublijh their differing thoughts and debates^ mthout the Uafl ifj* jury ^alienation ^cr mutual dijfaragement^ thatfo others may have the heln of finding out the right. J dare not be judge in this particular^ nor have I thofe neer me at prefent^ that are fit to be confulted. I do therefore intreat you both to confult ^ith the moft judicious and Godly Divines whom yopt can procure to give their judgement infuch a bufmefs • anh tfthey tell yon that it Vcili be more ufefull to the Church to have that Appendix left out^ J require you 'Wholly to leave it out : Jfthey judge other^ije^ then print it^ and after it put thefe Papers* Tours ^ R, Baxter. A Ccordingly we have performed our ^-^truft. Thomas UnderhiSp FrmcisTytQn, TPmfefiinanm Morator. OR, Mn Tombs His PRJECVRSOR, Staid and Examined, and Proved not to be from H e a v e N;> but of Man. Yet G O D by Mr. T. fendeth this Truth to the hearts of allwhomit ntajconcern, Prtecurf.pag.823 83. [fPaftors and Teachers , or Preshjters to Teach and Gcuern the Church of God, I am affured area Divine Inftimtiony and a very mercifull giftofChrifl, Eph 4.11,12,13. i Cor.i2.i8. A6I.14. 23. iTim.j.i. rit.2,5. to whom People Should yield obedience, Heb. 1 37.17- an^ yield maintenance liberally^ i Cor.9.l4. Gal. 6.(5. I Tira.5.17.18. If any go about to extirpate them, let him be accuried as an Enemy to Chriftand his Church.] Or If Socinm be of more Authority with them^ let them receive the fame Truth from their Cracovian Czzcch. de Ecdcf. cap.2. London^ Printed in the year, 1652. 371 The Contents. OF the Antiqmy of Infant' Baptifm. ' Seft. g Of mj allegation of Hyginus infiitHtion of Gojfips* ibid» whether all Difciples Jhonld be baptised, Se6l.6 UMr. 'X, untruly chargeth me with preaching againft Anabaptifts ^hecaufe iVProte againfi them. Se6l 7 I truly mentioned hh plurality of places, Sed.S Air, T. hl^ unworthy dealing ^ith me about my Do^rine of the Nature of Faith, Sed. g whether he excufe not Jinners from the guilt of breaking their Baptif- mal Covenant, Se^.l® whether he accufe not hU own children tu no Chrlftians, ibid. whether men are in Qovenant eo nomine becaufe eleBed, ibid. The Relation of afervant may be^ where there is not fer vice, ibid. tJHy meaning fully apenedt of the term [Vifible] as to the Church or Members, Sed 1 1 whether I had not reafon to think that LMr. T. judgeth it befi for Infants not to be Chrifiians, ibid, A fuller explication of my meaning of Inf^tit'Holinefs, I Cor. 7. 14. ibtd. The ^onfequences of the ^Anabaptifiical principle of not communicating Vi^lththe (fuppofed) unbaptized, ^fs^m Gods admirable Vroviiencein keeping the Orthodox from the yinto^ioHi . guilt of this Age y and leaving tefiimomes to vindicate them from ihe calumnies of all enemies, S^d. 1 5 Gods eminent appearance by providence againfl the ^^nabaptijls and oc her SeSls of this age, »t)(d. Air, T. hii reafons for private mens admlniftring Sacraments confuted*, and thofe againfl it defended, Sti^. 1 9 . His reafons againfl Alagifirates tenure from the Redeemer confuted, ^ b: cL A 2 ■ Ancients 372 THE CONTENTS. JrtcierjtsarjdLMsderrtyOrthodox DiztrneSy toof^ not Infant -B apt ijm at -without Scrifttire froof. Scdl.20 How far Mr. T goes towards the overthrow of the Mimftrj. Sedl. 2 1 Teople are mtto govern hj Vote. The Elders have more to do then the people in Excommunication : Excommunication a part of Government. ibid. ^) mifiake of the fenfe tf/Mat.7.15,15. acknowledged and correlied. ibid. Mr. T. dothJangerouJlj extenuate ^ and f^eak^dijhonourably of Chrifis Kingdom, Scft.aa Letters between Mr.'X* and me ahut Hunting and Difputing. My 313 Y Reverend and unfelncdly beloved Brother (for Co I will call you whether you will or no :) I lately overtook your Pracurfor^ and finding him in a publike andfcooj common Road (theugli outof hiswayj I prefently enquired after and perufed his in- telligence. (News pleafeth humane Nature i eipeclaliy when it concerneth us.) 1 confefs I had no high expcdatlon of fatis- fadion 5 but yec I looked for fomething new, after fo great provocations and promifes ; But I found the old mattcr,the old ftile, with the fupplement of fourteen (heets of Paper, which had they besn bare, had been worth three pence, and would have ferved me for fome better ufe. A new Title tlfo I confefs I found ; And Its like no mock-Title ('as you judged mine) x Teflinans atcos parit^ It makes more hafte then good fpeed, fo nimble footed as to overrun the Truth. The Proverb faith, TheJate_Me[[cnger brings thetrue^nms^ And a wifer concludes, He that is fiifiin his own caufe, Jhmetb juJTfTutlmnei^ ]■ hour cometh and fearchethh'm' P10v.18.17. John may oufiun Feter^ and go laft into " the Sepulcher. I have declared my intentions never to meddle with you more , while you continue Enndem canere Cmtilenam 5 but I durft not tye my felf, as having found God croffing nay purpofes by his providential Call. Two things now prevail with me to do what is here done. i. That your Pracurfor fet forth at that very feafon when my Book is in the Prefs for a third Edition : z. The advice of fome friends to take this feafon, who otherwife would have had me to have confuted you with filence. Becaufe men mufb an- fwcr for every idle word and work, and every loft hour : I will fay nothing to the re- peated or frivilous paflages in your papers ('which Is moft) but in each Se^ion touch on that which is moft material or new. The Lord guide my Spirit and Pen, that I may do it In his fear, and light $ and may not vent my own fancies or paflions , nor let fall a word to the injury of his Truth. You divulge the great humility of the fix Gentlemen, who will fo patiently permit you to affix their names to fuch a paper. I know none of them but Major Gen. Hari rifon, whom I love fo well that I wilh he may patronise a better caufe. I finde the old querulous ftrain in your Epiftle,as if you were much defirous to be noted for aSufFerer. You firft complain of [a new ftorm by the violence of men bent to bear down diifen- tersfrom the determinations of the Affcmblyj&c] This ftorm did bear you down iwm London to Bewdely J Rofs J dec I wilhyon lefs fuiFering or more patience. Your next fuSking was, that you found not the fettlemenc which you hoped for in the B b b 5 - Coumrey, 374 Countrey. I donbt thofe hopes are the rooc of your unfctledncfs. Two caufes of this, youaffign. i. The States fold your Lands_, out of which your maintenance there arofe. Are not the Gentlemen you fpeak to, part of the State whom you accufe? But if it were your Lands, the fault was the lefs : fome faid, it was the Churches,and fome faidit was Gods. 2. You fay, thealicDaim^of mensfpirits from you through the diftance between you and the Antagonift, did in a great meafuie fruftrate your hopes. God ufeth to fruftrate hopes of fettlemenc on earth. I am glad you can charge the An- tagonift wiih nothing hue diftance ( and that only in judgmenf , not in af% feftion.) Your fecond Epiftle Is querulous too, that [you finde neither your AntldotCj nor your fpeech regarded by many, nor perhaps will this writing take much with them.] You might caiily foretell that by the quality of your wok; except with thofe chil» dren that every wind of Dodrine will tofs to and fro. But let's fee what the book it felt will afford, to that difcovery of my injurioufnefs and wcaknefs which you fay [will appear in part by reading it.] To what end you recite my Allegation of Jiift. MartyYth paft my reach to imagine : Vnlefs you would infinuate that I confcfs this to be the courfe with all J/;g baj^ti'^dt rvhich I exprcfly Jay was the way of bajftic^ng the aged, §. u To your firft Scdlon I have nothing to fay. §. 2. To the fcccnd but little j for it needs not. The fuppofed contradiction In my wcrdSj had been removeii, had irpleafed you to read or cite them all, in pag.^. And is it a contradidion to fay^ [Tk giite is (Iraitj the way narrow'] and yet [hli yot^e U eafic, hii biindcn lightyand his commands not grievom^J §. g. The fum of your Anfwers to the words of the Ancients, feemstome to be this [I will regard nothing that Antiquity faith againft my opinion.] Such is your Anfwer to Oiigcn. It is not in one or two places only that he fpeaks for Infant- baptirm,and there- fore the Icfs iikely to be corruprcd .Auguftmes rule you cite by the halfs leaving out[and wasnotitiftitutedby Councels, but hath been ever held, j Your crofs infiances fefni vain. I. Epifcopacie no doubt is of A poftolical Ordination i but if youmtan Dioce- fan Epifcopacy, it is fo far from having Aujllns univerfal Antiquity, that the firft Wri- ters manifcft they then knew it not. ^, The time of Eaficr as it was at firft a matter of no great cbfervation to Chriftlans^Sc therefore might well be forgotten^as was the time of ChriftsNativlry, fo it never pretended to univerfal confent^one part of t&e Church pleading for one time, and others for another. ^. Infant -Co mmun ioji i s not on ce m entioned till many 100 years after (T/^W^; but enough againft Tt in theHrft Writers, 4. I he Millcnai ies opinion, was only aftfrmed to come from John by fome particular ■ men 5 and it is not matter of FaS, but of DoSrine, wherein 1 radition hath lefs Authority. Butareany of thefe like to the matter of Baptizing Infants, which muft needs be fo notorious, that it is next to impofliblc, tha: Origcn, Cyprian and the Church in their times fliould be ignorant whether this had been the former Chur- ches pr aft ife. Matters of Faft themfclves are very different; fome pradifcd, but once ^r long before, or in a corner; fome often eve n throu g h ail the Cliurches^-and ordinarily. This in gppftifn jcnf th^ hr'^^r f'^'*'' If indeed you think that Aujiim Rule is uncertain in iuch matters as tKcfe, I defirc you by the nest to tell me, how yott. 375__ yQ uknow whether the Scriptures which v onno w ufe are the fame Rooks in vtrt-l-^nr patt wh ich were extant in ttie Ap cltie s i^&t 5na that there was not more and wKTch be "^ Cinfiohical.&c. Do not you careTo fmite through Chriftianiy, lo you may bring down " Infant- Bapcifm ? Salmafita and fome others fpcak as raflily and partially as you. See- ing you deny nothing In Juftin Mflrtyrs words, you niuft yield that it was known then to mothers that their Infants were of Gods Kingdom, and then certainly they were Church members and known Difciples or Chriftians , for non ^ but Chriftjans arc A . known to be of Gods Kingdom. And all Chriftians are Difciples, A6I.1 1.16, and airV Difciples muft be baptized, Af lam not Igno- rant what your cited Authors fay againft the Epiftks (whcrher foJiJly ajainft all, as well as fomc, I judge not) and divers more Celpecially Blondcllui)ihit fay much more then Reynolds, Whether the Tradition that I alledge be currant, I leave men to judge as they fee caufc : But certainly ycu venture far to charge me wiih thcfe things concern- lag tht Epiftles. For what you liy about interpretation of Scripture , t eafier believe my ski! to be fmall, then yours to be great; at leaft where prejudice pervcrteth your under Ibnding. Let your next words ftand as witnefs, where you fo confidently li- mit fo many generals ; and think your poor reafons prove that Chrift there invites men to himonlx2^aJVfaite,(and confcqucntly only fuchas are jKfiarjLcLstheL Do- arine) alTa not thoTe"that ai:ewearx^oLiin i and teacheth them not meeknefs by his example, but only by his Dodrine : ^nd you thinli by preving one , you difprove tht ether, asif they were oppofue, ^. 4. The next defervcs no Reply, being fuch difcernabi'y grofs evafions j fpcclally that plain contradiaion about /4i^. If. I Q. For his zeal to promote hisopinion^ and Ms aftuall withdrawing men into other bodicj;, let his hearers, and all that know his way judge, None that know him I think virill believe what he faith of this, but his fol- lowers. §. T. I have thanked you for your exceptions againft fomc points in my Aphorifms j but you might have alfo acknowledged that you received a Reply 5 even 1 2 fheets to your one leaf and fide. It feem« to me an unworthy ad to publilh all thefe reproachfull ac- cufations againft matter JB/j/-^^o», who never medled with you in that way. Would it not fufiiciently eafe your ftoraack that you might have your fullftroakat me? Buc whoever ftands in your way muft tafte of your fpleen. Will any man think your accufation Ihould be received^ that hath not heard what he can fay for himfelf ? I think Jt needlefs to tell the world what I have heard him fay to thefe Charges of yours ; but this I will fay, that if by [temporizing with the Kings partie] you mean [flaying at home] fo didmoft of thegodlitft in Beyvdley,. and thanked God they might : But if you mean, either that he was for them, or did not in preaching rcpove them (which yet was then dangerous; imdex mllmffi Hopliins ^ now with God, did ferioufly to me profcfs the contrary, and vindicate him in both thefe particulars. The Magiftrate alfo muft be cenfured with the reft j yea, and the others that invited me ('though as eminent for parts and piety as any I know there^ muft be faidtobe [of fcmewhat a likeftampl whereby it appears of what validity are your Afculations, and how you will ftamp all that areagainftyour Anabaptifm. §. 6. 1 am the more obliged to oWerve what you fay in this Sedlon, bccaufe you fay It-Is fO the chief points in my B ook : And therefore I may perceive here what way you mean to go in your larger Anfwer : and perhaps the Reply to this may fufiicc to the fum of that. I,. You fay your con feftlon that all fliould be admitted Church- members by Bap» tlfm^was meant of fuch as by their profeflion are vifible, not of fuch as are vifibleia «nty way w ithouc pr ofcflion. ^eply . 377 Keply, But how cfr did you confcfs it of All in general.'* But I thought liow flfppery you were! And yet for all this you dare not fay 5fct thac Chrilt hath any Djiciplcs thac ' i^ ordinarily} ought not to be admitted by Baptifm. But the be(\ is, even chat which / you yielded was proved. Chrift will hav&4 H> Difo ple^ ep fer ac a py other door, ordi-/ nan ly ^Q o, Dijciple me all nations^ bapt^ing them . ') ~ " a. You fay, As yet you hnde no Law or Ordinance (forlnfams Vifiblc Churcli- * nicmberfhip)ravc what is enjoyncd concerning Circumciiion^J Kepljiy W !iat «ot yet? And yet date you boaft foconridently of your prepared con* futation.' Yet can yon findc naj^'^yv thsr iBa,^^g W omen Cnufchn aembgrsy nor the uncircumciled Males in tlie V^Tldcrnefs! O the power oi prcjudklf ! ' ' ' """ 5. Youuy,youanfwermy challenge by another challcigcj To fiicw what one Church had Infants Vifihle Churc h- members bcfidcs th e Jew«s. Heply, I. Tiie Church in Hi^rahams family, who wer^ no Jem. 2 My Books anfwcrs you asjo others, 3. And 1 aulweryour GhalleDge,with another Chalicnge.to /hew me / what one Vifible Church on earth bcfides the Hebrevps\wc have any fuch i/iftory of, / as from whence we may cxpcd any light concerning that Cafe? when even multitudci' ol Divines acknowledge not the being of any other viable Church 5 ycr confcquen- tial pr6ofs I have given him already. To my lecond demand [What one man dcnyed Infants ChurchMiiembcrlhip till within this two hundred years? ] He anfwers,nor by naming any one. But.i. he faith, Til! hbtihams time nothing is faid about any Church frame. Kjply^ But as God had his Church till then 5 fo have proved Gods love the fame to his Peoples feed, and that the fccond Gommandment as to its promifc was Moxil^ and that Infants Church. membcrfhip begun not with Circumcifion. The reft of his ^nfwcr / think not worih tfee taking notice of. He faith Infants are excluded from Saptifm by Mat, i.^, 19. M/>, i./cisa point beyond'controverfie in plain difcovery. Is thislo / 2. Take heed of equalling your own opinions to Gods clear Truths, g.'/r is a point of great neceiJity to be known,and tends to this .coojola t i onithat ( elfe n fants could not be faved by Chrift] which now they are ,Nextnc ialis on JllOtlltf! pafHlgc ul inillt:, cljar ["Tobevifibly inor ourofthe Ghurchjisalloncasvifibly ("or roour judgment^ to belong or not belong ro Chrift and Heaven. [This he denycs and doubts not to Oicw that this uiiftakt hath much milled mcj and faith, he can prove that Chrifl will favc his EU\&, though no ChriAians in appearance, nor Difciples by profeffion, nor vifible fubjefts of his Kingdom. Kqly^ I. Bat whars chat to the qucftion? Becaufe he will fave an un d i fee rnable Be- liever, thac dycih before he can make profeffion of R-ith^ doth it therefore follow Hiat he that is faved was vifibly a Church- member ? 01 that to be vifibly in or out of the Church, is not to be vifibly or probably in or our of Chrifts true Kingdom? Can you have any knowledge who they be whom Chrift will fave, that are vifibly Chur€h'members?2. /advife you ro rake heed ol alTerring the Salvation of any \ me frly a^ Rlec^. They rpM^ hf> in f:r>Y.gnanr or nnder th^ promife , as w ell as Eled W or elfe you know nothing of chcii' falvarion. And who are ulider lucTTa pron^if(^: be / fides ChjiftiajnL)L,orGhur£^^ ? The reft of'ihis ■Sceighbour you have will tell you that ycu need to fear me. 1 am loth to, talke of thefc matters. Where you lay I was unplundcred, I fay, Cantah'u viCnuSy /> had nothing tO' lofe,butBooksand a Horfe, which were lofl, but that part of my I books were prercrvedj& /never fought or rcceivtd repararicns,butfcrved the State ViiuclM)f my timcfor nothing. And where you ttll me of a good.eftare in Land that lam heir to, I muft tell you, 1 am never the richer for thar, nor defire ever to be. In- deed Sir,my \oo.\fer annum is much more Cfof all my very chargeable weaknefsjthen i knoY/ what to do with for my felf. And had / not better ways to cKccnd fome of it.; ^.i;^:»j;i ' ^'k! ' ■' " • '■ '• ■•"" I I- ■<^-rfif-^tiii^'r i tn?^^°?r*-'-W - i fiiculd dciirc to rid my hands of it well : but you iay [/t is f alfc and exceeding in* Various to you] that / lay Qou had fcur Market Towns on your /houidcrs] and yet complain, &c. Is this faife^i. You fay (There are no words that have a Ihew of complaint, but thofc m the clofc of your Kxamen and Apology.'] Kepiy. I. Two is enough. 2. Let the impartial Header perufe the Epiftle to your Antidote, and ^udge wlicthcr this be tiue.3. Even this book muit yetipeak the lan- guage of the reft, and in the Dedication complain of a Itorm from the vioiencc of men bene to bear down DilTcnccrs from tlic determinations of ilie AlTembiy &jc» the fru- ikation of your hopes by the States felling your lands, &c. But what need I look fur- ther then even here where you deny it, you fay ^7 cannot but be fcnfibic ot the great wrong /receive in my name, and perhaps in my cltate by Mr. B* nis calumnies, J / am lorry you cannot but be lenlible, even wlaen it is but a [perhaps : ] And iuch a [perhaps] as could be conceived by nothing but diflempercd jeaiouiie .-anci jcaloufic comes from too much love. Never fear it, Sir, / promifc you; / will not diannilh youreftatea farthmg, ifl can help it. This Terrene Melancholy makes you too fen- ? 4. Were nouaiithtfc Market Towns .^ $. Is there any doubt whether thc^ were all beneficial to you, except Lemp(ier^And 6. did you not long hold the title of that, to the keeping out of any other? And was it not all the Ecclefiaftical means yoii had hcrctofore.Yrhough /believe you received not much from the dellitute people. ) And did /not teii you that a reverend Miniftcr told me that they offered you 6c. 1. to quit your title, that they might put in another, and you would nor /and you did not deny it ? 7, Qughr you to take publique main- tenance for nothing? Or were you fufficient for ail rhelc places? 1 dare fay confident- ly that you have^as much to do at Lempffer as you & fuch another is able to do 8 Doth not thcHofpital at Ledbury bmd you to about four moncihs refidence yearly? -^nd caa you be four monethsconlcionablyabfent from jcur charge? But / doubt your cpi- __jaion will falve this, and you will take none but the Kebaj?ii2.ed for your propc-r charge. Where now is the un;ruth? ^nd how fer^ouflj have / heard you complairi againft that godlyKnighr,in the very words here^uftTby you pag.25.line lafirfo orcac wasche^niipathyot fome men againft me, that / could neither get renaratlonl for ray lofles nor allowance for building, nor aug,mcncation,&c.] / am forced to fpeak thcfeCotherwifc inconvenient} paflages,bccaufe you charge me with untruth As for ttfe ^flcmbly of Divines whom you mention, I thmk you- would not have had them difobey the Parliament that called them 10 thacfervict : nor yet to have forborn to - preach ordinarily in Loadon:(if they had, they might well have been accufcdO Nor 1 I yet to give up their Pifloral things in the Country, becaufe they were deraincd oti a I Uemporw^y fervicc^no more then Chaplains in the c^rmy Hiould give up their- '-" ' / -r But/niurt needs rcll you, tliac you go on in miftakcs, when you fay, thar^had yon been an Aflembly man, ycu miglir have been filled in my Books a Learned, Holy>Ex-, perim«ifal, judicious, Hnmble, Hcarc-pie.cing PreachcV. ] / bonrur your worth; but had yoa been an .4rchbifhop,or Cardinal, or had you been PrtfiJent of a Cb^ii- cell, /chink I fhould have given you no fuch ricles, without knowing more by you then yet /do. h fcems you think your fclf as worthy oi it, as thofc ro whom / gave «r; Buclconfcfs I never To thought. Mpd others prize you as higl'.ly as you prize your fclf? For ihc profane palTagcs you mention^ I fay, I never thought ChriO fpokc pro- phanely in faying, fhty ihit k%U you (1)211 think, they do God [erv.ce -.'^oi; to fell the Pharifes, Wo to yOu HypQC,hcs^(frc.Tcw Fathers killed the Frcph.ct^ andys buUti iheir 5ep«/c/;re.s ^c. Nor for the Propntt to tell men,T/7^t t/7e;pc'f/7a'^ fo the'irtrtn ncis', Nor for God to fay to the wicked-,7/;eM theughtejl Irvai'aftogeihtr fmh a, or.e as thy [elf. Or for E/i4J to fay. Cry akud fcr he is a Oodi eirhir he ^s talking hr pityfning, Br be is ina]nurney. Or for PaHtto iiy, ^wareef dogs ^bewafe «/ tkc Ccvajm; no nor Ba»«it* defcription of idols. Seft. 9. . For what is faid ofthe bufmefs of the Waldei-fesy I think it not worth the hbour to foy any more then is faid, or to difcover the additional flips of this Papery nsr yet a- bout his charge againft my Do<^rine ofJuAificarion, but only this let the Reader ob- icrvc.Mr. I. his ingenuous deahng. i. He chargeth me with thefe words in my book of Reft [Doubtlefs the Gofpc I tak€8 faith for all Gofpel prec^pis] and addcrhhis own Conimefltary in the fatnediflini^ charaftcr.as if they were ray words. 2. Thefe words he accufed in his ylnimadveriions 6n my /^phorifms ; to which I replied in thcfc words f/n that /)tf^. 1 1» /apprehended my (elf fo obvious ro mifconftrudion, that I have corrc^ed ir j^rLrhpfcron^ E d ition, which is now Printed ; Yet 1 . 1 fpcak POC nf Ruifh a<; inftifvino Knr av H->/» ranAJhnn r^f Vpli/jrinn^ whrh COnrdins more thca that which is the condition of our fifil Tiifiifi^yion 2. 7 never termed thofe LGofpcl precepts] which arc not in foriie way proper to the* (/ofpel.] Hereupon Mr. t. itnt to me for the fccond Edition of my book cf Rcfl,whcrcin all this was alrcfed : He never made me any Reply to this. Yer doth lie fo long after charge on me thcf- fame words which I told hjm I had rcvoked,&: that in rhe Icnfr ccnrrary ro the words thcmfclves, and my explication to him. He fpcaks here of fending bis txieprioas bu? cothing of his never returning any thing to my Xeply. in which Aeply f anfwercd the four exceptions here mentioned pag. 52, Nay whereas he maketh this my fourth Error [my making obedience to all Gofpel Precepts an cflential parr of JuHifying Faith j Let the Reader note, r. It i^ utterly untrue ; / never wrote fuch a word ; He puts in f Obedience") for | ;fubie<^int^ ^g Chrif^Jand Jjuflifvin^ Fairhl fcr favicg Faith. 2. Yea this fame thingTie charged on me in his AnimadverTions ana broug!ir many Arguments againft ii ; and /largely fhewed him his mif^akes; that by j]fub- jc<^ion to Chriu] / meant rh^rop pnanrinp r^p c onfenting to be at firft his fuKif iS-c - which flareth the relation,and isnotftriftly obedience to Chriff, butprcrcquiritci Even as contrading or confenting that fuch a nun be my ^overaign, my Maffer, Teacher, &c. noes before adually obeying him : and Bhe form of obedience prcfup- pofeth the faidiRclation. Yet doth Mr. T. after all this deliberately again charge mc with the fame words, which/ fhewed i. that / never wrote, 2. nor ever thought, nor intended his fcnfe. Other foul palTages here /will pafs. Scd. ic» 33 » s^a. Again, you go on in a very fainiood,in vindicating your Informersias \( I preach- ed the words which yen mention in wy book of i?e(t, againfl Anabaprifts -, which is untrue, Whether ycu forced me to difpute, fhali raore appptar by your Lecrcrs. Fag, 34. Mr. T. faith it is my fidion that ttlleth finncrs that rhey never finned agamlt their Baptifm and Engagement. Reply, i. i dcfire the Reader to perufemy words pag. 174. 2. tetany impartiall man judge, Whether that naan do not wholly excufe finners from being guilty of violating their baptifmall Engagement, (and lo teach \ them that they need not repenr of it, nor fcek to ChriA for pardon of it) -a ho teach- j cth them that they never were baptized, or by baptifm engaged to God? Can be L. break a Covenanc that was not bound h) Covenant, / To prove Mr. T! an accuferof his own children, f (htwtd pag. 17$. that there is a double accufatibn ; the one wheii men arc charged with the reatus culpa : the other when they arc charged with the reatuspcena^ or to be oi'ligati adpi^nam : And t fiicwed that this is Satans end rii charging the former : This is the principall Guilt intended by the Accufcr j and he therefore proveth us gnilty of the fin,that he may prove us obnoxious to the punUhment;isi therefore accufation is net only the charg- ing with afaulr,as Mr. 1*. imagined. Here he hath nothing to fay, burfuch words as/ am loth to give their due Epichitesto. He (aith / difcourle from the end of the Accufer and the oppofition of ]ufiiftcation to accufation and condemnation, Jand that by the fame reafon theaccufcrs accufation may be faid to be condemnation and execution too, for that is the end of the accuftr. ] Rtp^y-, Strange Law and Logick ! 1.411 fcigned^and made on your fingers ends. It was a a materia, and not afinv.and , the oppofition of jufiification to Condemnation, tlsac /argiicd. I defire the Reader to percfc the place. 2. Every word of illuftration in the whole page is nor parr of the Argumenr. 3. Doycu nor know that theend enters the Difinition of thefc Relative moral 1 AdioRfc? Yet you fay, [/had thought accufation noted the accusers aAccufatio appellatur, alijs v^o ASho^ (fy'c, Quamvis etiam h&c qtu* d^mtinm eft Accufatio. <^c. Et hm propria n:ta eft qua Aiimes ab Accufitienibus di' jiingiiuntur, quod in illis petiiur aliquid ab Agente.in his vera A^hrftbi nibtl poftulet/fed aut pcenam fifca aiplicari ant reoinfligi petat. And do not you deiirc the infliding of this fad exclufion from the vifiblc church Covenant, &c- yet ftill remember that ic is your intending the Poenall Matter only that /charged you with, and not the form ofa Pocnaity. - , - -.-noJ. toe his queftion about Janizaries or other infidels, baptized in /nfanciejDo^ff /need to tell him again, That Apoftatcs ccafctobc Church-members ? and that the / /nfant Title will not fcrve thofe that dilclaim Chrift whcu they come to Age /'and \ that the aged niuft have a ri ^on perfonal l Covenanting or Faith ? Fag.-^S. he affirmeth me toTay f that it Ts no more thanks to hina then to Sataa that he keeps God from making promifes to his children, t>. 178. j when there is neither the words nor fenfc therc.Only when he faith f/ did never difputc them out of the Covenant] / faid,no thanks to him i and/ faid, after, [Satan may dy the like, [/s this to fay,] /ts no more thanks to him, then Satan, that he keeps not God from, kc/] Yet doth he exclaim of this as beyond all moderarion,wheB he makcth it himfclf.Doch he think no man will try his accufacions by reviewing my words? F4g.3i6. hechargethmewith[;a moftfalfe fpcech] ashecallsit, «;;>. [Nor are they m Covenant becaufe eler fh\^ y^r^rAyi^ fl^ ir !«, caVs^j V'f^M'' ' Bui he^fh but leem {(^ua talis, to uTJto^bc of the myfTicall Church, or of the Church in the firf\ fcnfe. ("For mark that / divide not the ^ffikj into its j;eci^/,/e^f^Hii'OCMrw infua tcquivocata.J And / addcthat the reafon of the Appellation given to the Vifible body,i5 its feeming to be the fame with the myllicall ; or that the name is given fecondarily, borrowedly,from the myf^icall to the vifible. So that if you ask me whether it be certain or only probable, that /n* fan ts are members of the vifible Church ? /fa^^^^JIttUUk ^^ you ask me, What is it thit Dirf<*^ly or /mniediarply rnnfijnTregh r h^"^ fv f h members ? I anfwer. Their vi- iihle or audible, that is. their e:«etfiJoc/7e|j»a«zi"_vuibiej IS put ^br [knliBTci '} the moitnoblefeDfe,fof thercllrandits ob/edfor'theirs. 2; And then feniiblc is put for intelligibleme(iiffanre/ew/H. 4 He calls his ambiguous explication of an Adjcftivc ja Definition] and faith, [by rhis the oppofitc terras Vifiblc and invifibic, may be confounded.] Reply. If by [confufion] he raeans[a confiftcncic] in cencreto in attribution to the iJameiubjei^,/ fay, taking them as /have fully explained my meaning,^ eodem re- fpe^u, they are not confiftcnr. /nvifible and Vifiblc are attributions from diflrna reafons. The Church isinvifibleor myfticallin its/ntcrnallform, and fmcere co-"\ vcnaming with Chriit : and it is vifible in the matter and in the external Covenanc S ^ndprofedion. But in thefe various rcfpefts/ doubt not but the fame Church and J the fame member, is both vifible and myfticall. But if by [confufion] he mean, that" vifible and invifiblc,and difcernablc and undcfcernable(a$explained_)arc terms of the iamc fignvfication,or comcidcnt^I fhal more regard hisafhrnnation when it is wcl pro- ved,5.Wcrc it not that /affcft brcvitie,! could by a multitude of rcftimonics difprove his affii marion,that[/ ufe rhe termVifible contrary to the common ufc of Writers Jif he mean Protdtjifit Divines on this fubje^.if. He faith,[he doubts not to (hew that it it not true,^^he that is not of the vifibIcX:hurch,doth notfecmCas I rake the word fcem^to bcSw the Invifible.]^ You may fee by this what you muft next expcft from t^r. Tviz: to prove, rhar He (that doth notfeem to be of tlicinvifible Chur ch.dcthfeem to be of the invifible Church: ] that hedo:th,and he doth not. Or that [ht feemeth ("rl^iat isjis to be ei\ccnicd in probability upon Gods warrant and diiedionj to be of the lovifible Church,who neither by Govenanr,profeffion,nor any fign of Gods ordi* _ narii^ndorhraake hismemberfhipfceiHingor difcernabie;] /f I can underftand him, ^ this iyt that^he doubts not to prove. If he doth undertake to prove Heathens or any .»... -.^^^^u.a i...r..^ 1..: r.rr. . . : judge d by a fign of ToTSTiiitmSers of ^ ^ think mil eodsm cog- •BiTfiij prove thcni members of the vifibje Church. Ddd One ^8^- One word-more. He is offlndcd at the next palTagc, that he faith [he knows not whac CO conceive of ir,bur that cither by Gods judicial aft of leaving me to my f elf, or out of addiftedncfs to coluainiarc ^c] V Reply, And what are thcfe wofds?i?ead thenaptf^.i8<.[Bui Mr. T. will fay,! beliciri that ic IS better that /nfants were no Chriftians,thcn that they were.] Where i. ! fay not that he did fiyfo.2.Nor that he will (yet he vainly asks, [who can fay but God, that he will fay fo for time to come, feeing he may repent] I wifli he may repent. I only faid that I [believe this would be his anfwer. ] Now whether I had reafon to think fo, let the Reader judge. Mr. T. deny eth Infants to be Difciples,and vifiblc Church- members, /argued with him that if their Church member fhip be rcpealed,it li in mercie or judgment i he faid, /n mercy. /replyed, If in mercy, then either' to parents or children^ and of them, to the elcft or non eleft ; He anfwcreth. Both td ' ' parents awd children, to the elcft and non-eleft. I further proved that Church memi bers vifible, and Difciples are all one,aHd difciples and Chriftians all one, in the Ian- guage of the 5cripture.Havc/not reafon then to think that he that faid ChurcTi-mem- bcrfhip is revoked in mcrcie,and that it was better for them to be no Church mem- bcrs,would fay alfo that, /t is better for them to bcj^c^ChrifVians? fSut I am glad M.f. calls this[an /mpious Speech] which I defire hifikSl^mcmger and to think foilill. And then whereas he talks of fuch mtmberQiipas theJewshaiJ,/ hopein his next h? will tell the world fome Reafon of his opinion,if he think the Jews memberfhip was worfe then none : and he will tell us alfo. Whether it be in mercy or judgment, for ihe good or hurt of /nfants,that Chrift now denyeth them to be vifiblc Church- mcra- ^rj, or fuch as he difcovercth to us to be of his vifible Church. i M. i; confident words about Znfanc-holinefs in i Cor 7. 14. fliew mc that it wUl not be unmeet to add a few words of the fuHcr expiicaTtTmrffDiy n*eanlng,len: in his next book he run on in thedaikon miftakingfuppofitions. /defcribea^thc holincf*. mentioned in that text thusp^^. 80. [ A ftareof feparation to God, a? a }^er^^]\^^ p^^^ pie from the world, as the Church is fep'aratfdT^herein rne Covenant or Promife of ^ God being the chief ^SK'VTi is oft called [fcederali holinefs.] Now it fecms to me that Mr. T. thinks that by this holinefs,/ mean meer vifible Church memberfhip;and therefore concludes that vifible memberfhip cannot be conveyed to tfie chi ia by an hypocrite parent, becaufe / fav that holinefs cannot be fo conveyed % becaufe / yield that fuch are unholy, I muftlet him therefore underftand. 1 That /- take holinefs the re for much more then vifible memberfhip: G ods Fromifc or <:ovenan r, as /foid, IfTTfTc ground oi this hoJTneb : h u t nians Covenan rinfi nr Profeilion 's the Ground oTrhc visibility of this mtmberfhip. This hollncls is Relative, and confifteth in being tru ly Rclarive to Gcd, as a Ptcnlijr people ; an d truly fo accepted by him 5 and ha^ VTng right to his promiled favours in that uoircfiant, and the benefits that arifefrcm the mutual Relation. But a man may (being a grofs diffcmbler that creeps into the Cliurch to fpic out her liberties and to perfecute} be a vifible member. / confefs / have not fully exprcHed how far this relation and Covenant do h intcteft thenf^ m Chrift and his benefits ; whether it only giye them general! Grounds of Confidence .. inthofewords, [/willbe thy God and thou my People] or [He will have mercic on thouf2nds3&c]or,v^hctheritbefullRelativ(^ holinefs, wh;ch hath the inco*. mitant Right to pardon and falvation, (which [/will be thy God] fecmcth alfo to contain) I thought it not meet to be too peremptory or exprefsiti a Cafe fo much difputed among divines;'But/mufl;confefs / rather inclliifijLQ.jhjnk^ X call holinefs which is the new Nature, bu t) that Re lative Holinefs whjcins proper HN iJlHSirTTa kCconeilecnUf^, 4nd mm ttu Covenant a<^ually convey right to its ben«fttsi yet) as feeming Believers or Difciples are to be baptized, (^being truly Difciples only in the borrowed fenfe) fo/ fay of the feemingly holv, being indeed holy in the remote borrowed lenfc by reafon of their feeming to be fo in the firfl fenfe. And therefore though true Difciplefiiip and holinefs be the qualification which God looksat in conveying fujxliaLBifiIUbYbaptifm,or fealing ic to them cfr<:d:uaily i Yet it i^ the rifibility^of_Dilaiidl3ip^^ in 0" t''^ flrift fenfe) which is the qualification whioi rnen^raufUookj[fter,(in their external Covenants and profdfionj and on wlijch we muft BapciZclhenCi^nd fo /conclude, that though the /nfants of Hypocrites are not Difciples or holy in tt)ef^rid fenfe, yet iti« our duty to baptize tiiem as being vifibly fuch,as it was the ^poftles diity to baptize the 30C0. and SimoH 4^Mix i4nd Mr. T. cannot fay that Hipocrites convey not a vifible mei^iberfliiplRj^ their Infants, be caufe they convey not the true holinefs or Difciplefhip, And I defirc Mr. f .[when he anfwers me, to take my meaning as here opened to him. /f any one clfe ask me,What weflial fay of rhofe that have a common faith which is yctundifTcmbled though not (aving j/anfwer, All faith ijaiiavingi^ dcfe^iveeithcr .^;7f: " "*■ ■ — "~^ Dddi ■ ^^^^k'-^tryJ^^i ^i^^f _,-. ,,..^^ 9.^3 as CO theob^cil wct c Exccnfion.or a s ro the ifWve aariitahitml Intenfion, i.Somedo' fcriouOy believe lo 5liriU,ancl cmiTcnc coTtake Iiimas a Saviour ro pardon their fms by his blood and interccdioo, and to r4vetiicm from hell ac laft, and to comraand them To far as will ftand wicli fhcir ricfhly intcrcft. Thcfc men may bcfcrious in r hg Adi of ^flcuring and Conlcnringj bur it is not Chrirt as Chnll rhar rhcy receive \ not Chrift as a full Saviour and Sovcraign^ abfolutcly and uorcfervcdh Lto be obeyed, and th(:reforc chtir faith hath not the ob)e<^ of a Chrid a i faith ;Thefc men do not diffcmble in faying they beluvg jg Ciirift^buf rhcv diflc »ilh!<' ■" ^-^y'"ff ^^^y ^'fl'^Yf.in o r reccfvc Chrilt fully and liiicerelv a s he is oflgred them: and they dilknible orfpcak fallly in laying ihcy arc t.uc Cluillians. For indeed thcfe men are but xqtiivccaHy and in a borro Ncd finfe called Chriflians.Who wilcall a Turk a Chrifiian,^ hough he [belicvcin Chriflasa true and excellent i'rophecofGodjand chough the A4coran re- \^?ilc the Jews for reje^ing him.-? who will fay that he becorjits a fubjed who is con- tented to receive the King as his cqual.''a./4nd as for thcfc wiio doc profefs to receive CMilJAiilcly and in fovcraigntie^ and yet doe ind eed pf^fcrre fomt? fl efhiv intercft bctorchim, theyare hypocritical as to the arf ic fclf i So thac^ though fome diffcmblcgrofTeiy and kirt>wingly;irr*T5niers clofely, not difceroing it themfelvcs: Yet all of thcnn fcem to be what they arc not ; a«d fo all wicked men are properly Infidels <^rhnnp^h QfftLall in one decree /^ fome open infidels, and fome hypocritical oncsj And 10 in una Jcnlc none is af hrif\ian but the true Chriftian *, and orhers are only teeming Ghrirtiansryec called Chrifliansufually in the forefaid borrowed fenfc. ./ndccd there arc fome that God is drawing towards Chrirt,wbo doe not difTcmblc: for they profefs not yet to be his, Cor if they doe, but coimccrfeif.^ but thcfc arc n©c Chriftians indeed till ihcy come quite over to him, S. 12. The fummc of this Scdion,vf/underflaBdit,i8,as!f he faid[IamrefoIved togoe that way which mofk fucccflcfuliy may promote the fupprefiion of Infant baprifrnj If /finiflcrs will not hinder or crois me in that, but let me quietly carry it oi>,as Gods work, my heart is to have communion with themf and ic Oiaii not be faid unlawful! j bucbccaufe they rcfi(\ roc./ will fcparatc from them^and prove that none but the bap- tized fhould be admitted to communion :'\ fuppofing that they arc unbaptized pcr^ fons /do not intend to trouble this with an anlwer.Onlyl would ask Air:T.wherher he would not have taken it hainouily if one had told him,arter thewriring of hisihrce firil books againft baptifm that he would come to this now that he is at/ i4nd whc- I tiier on the fame grounds as he will exclude us from Communion, he mufi not deny lustobcChriltiansvifiblc/'and tohaveany thing lodo wirh any Chutch Ordinan- ces? whether he mml notaffirna that we arc no tvae J^imiiti^^^Sc that our Churches (are no true Churches? and that Chiift'hatl^l?ld"nomic Churches or J/iniflers on I earth but thofe '*:ry few that were baptized ar agc?fe that ail the ChriOians that have Sit&\ convertcd,confirmed and favcd by hearing Miniftcrs that were baptized only in Intancie, did Tin againit God in hearing them, and ©ught to have rcfaftrd it/ Yea. uiufi he not on thefc grounds ('if we are not Chriftians) deny to love us as Chrifiians or to do any work of charity to any fuch as Chriftians.*' Thcfc . Confcqucnccs pradifcd arc fuch a life as / would not wiQi Mr, t. to live. And for ought ifec,ihey are as neccfTary confcquents of his preiriififes as his own is. For if it be a good argument ['t is manifcft in Scripture thacpcrfoiii were baptized befora they break bread together &c. therefore I fee a nccefury ofdefiAing from uniting in Conmiuuion thcfc that differ in Judgmcni about /nfanc Bapt!fmj]thcn I would know wUcthcj. whether he can name any in Scripcurcj tiiat were true Chriftians, true Mlniftcrs of the V Gofpel, true Churches without baprifmi or that were to be heard, loved, converfcdy with, and rcfptdcd as fuch, without baptifm ? /f he can name fuch, / doubrno t buc it willbepioved that the fame men brake bread together without baptifm. /f he can name none fueh, dufc conrtqucncts will follow as much as the other. Or if Mr.l'.l.ay nottheftrtr5ofhisar?,umcncon thisScripture wet/JKm^buc on our oppofition to him (■for in fuch a conjundion of heterogeneous Mediiinis, /am not fure that /knew his mind, J yet I am fure this isa ufual way of others of that party. So Mr. Cox one of rheirPaflors mLondon difputed with me in wriiiogfwe maynot bt heard preach,be- caufeweareunbaptized.Jand /think Mr.t, heard Mr. Brown lately ac Wcr cejf er gcQ the fame way j maintaining his conim> nion with thofe that accufed the Scriptures of falfhcod', and that Paul might pray among the Corinthian', though fomc were drunk I at the Lords Supper,and fome cat things cflfcred to Idoh and DeviIs,andfome denytd f the Rcfarredion, &c. but that now they may not pray in our mixr Aircmblies, bccaufe / wcareunbaptized./sitnoc evident that Rcbaptizing is b ecome the great Ido l vvhich wen fet up inftead of Chri fj^ or a fouftd f aittV, or a holv lifei' Wove to them tha'rtlicre are in their own AlTemblies men that rep^(5^t^h or deiiie Scriptures, dcnie the immor- rality of the foul,denie Ghrifts Ordinances^ (and confequcntly have not C hnfl with- in them,) vet they may have communion with thcm,becaure they are in the or:lerof ' thcGo(pel(asthey call itj rhatit JsRebaptized and fcparaced: But wi?h lis Thev may ^ ' not communicate though never fo godly, becaufe we are unbaptizcd ! Was ever /n- fants-baptifm /dolizcd thus ,or abufed to this height,by any that pretend robe know- ing reformed Divines f s:i3. ■ - - To air the angry palTages here, I fay but i^i f./: dcfire nor to think Mr,T. me,7ns worfe then^he dorh. /f / miftook his meaning, I zm ferry that / fpoke To cfrenfiveH'"^ and repent the niihe will then make ufc of prudcnt,compafrionatc,hcalingin- lirumenrs. <^nd for the common-wcalch, Mr. T may fit in his chair and lalkc for titm, With lefs trouble, danger, charge, or Fain,whcn I have afted for ihcra,and yet pcihaps with more thanks. And feeing there is To much offence taken about the matrcrof wonderful provi- dences which I mentioned, I add this much more j I cannot bur with joy and reve- rence bok on the hand of God, againlt the erroneous ways of thefc times. Was it not the all difpofing Lover of Truth whochofe out thefc two leading women in NeT»- Enghndi the one to bring forth fuch a multitude of births at once,aad the other 1a birth with fuch various parts, fome of birds, fome of beads, fome of fifhes, and fome cfmani hereby to fhcw his teftimanic againft their various abominations/ Though Mfs. Hutdmfon faid, [God did it to harden us,] I think he did it to confirm his truth.Theremcmbrancc whereof makes mckope that the fame God will yet appear in Old E»^/(ani/,againfl the fame CaufCj and (Tome fayj the fame /Agents, ^nd in deed he doth appear, and hath already done: fuch wonders as aftonifh me to obferve them y giving up the minds of fomc,and tbt bodies alfo of otherst to(uch a power of the Devils, that^bme have fuch ftrange fhakings and trancesj and fuch a multitude in io many partsof the Land turn Uanters, Blafphemers, commonly unclean that feemed religious . yea, fome turn down-right /nfidels ;fo that nor only the Racovian Catechifmy but the moii helhfh book that ever/ heard of (called Tk three Grand Im- fn( }an^ thppght ro be written by £SgrnW/ntf« Ochirus J labouring to prove Chrift a Dec dver, j str anflatcd. ^n^ £r^inttd \i^ ondon. And kfj men fhould doubt of the troth bi thcic JUcliTlions, God permittetliirvrDman to run naked inro the /<(Temb!y, the men to goe about tiieftreetSjfaying they are Ghrin, and rhtir wickedn^ to Ipread far and near, fo that it is fomeiimes the matter of Weekly Pamphlets to procUim it befides others that publifh it for the >^arningof thcgodJy j as Juf^icc. 5roji^in his Wiltfbue^^m^ and orh.r like. Doubilefs God (hews himfelfagainft them apparently, and hath done very much hereby againfUhem already, ^rd I cannot hear of one among a multitude that comes to this fearful) pafs by another way, thenfirft turning UoAnabaptiflry and Separation, and the unfualiy to villificthe Miniftry, and fo to \i4nr^nomianilm, and then who knows whether?/ dare not fliut mine eyes sgainit Tuch providences, iij an age when io many call us to the ftudy of providence. .'-^•^ 8. 14- §91 S. 14. , .Inctd rofaybucthisj /cis particular men, arul not any fuppofcd (bcietie wbich confifteth nor of particulars, that are known by their fruits, though not every parti-. eular man. That no mans do^^ 67. /fay, He chofe thofe which in my jud^cnt were the weakeft AfgumcQts.Thar t^^rearning which he ca!s a tale- tellers fidi3tl, ^4^. 68. is in his own letters to nie though fince tiicn I could naa;e him men of note far and near, to whom he bath ufed againft me much more of that language. S. 17. I know nDt one word of Anfwer that this S. needs for him that will perufe any words. ' S. i3. Nor fliall/fay any thing to this, bar trouble the Reader with our Letters i» ^ecnd; / S. ,^ To the firfl error, / am gUd y ou Oicw your meaning to be better then your words whether, r4t52 f wriccher by explication or recantation. Where he ikith, [J. prcfume they that fit at thci;tcrii,dohwdc the Co called Anabaptilis as Uithfuli to the publick Caijfcas their Oppolircs.J/ will not deny it, till Um lo v\cll bkilic d in i^ojui cks, a s [ouRderf land i wiiatti^cpubiickCa ufc"! meansiand wiicthcr ^theTr'-rn Jfiguihts fiiCfigih or au- thf)7icic,and how urViiJleiRellld fUllTiiulnel's ma) conljli. ^ To the iecond,abouc Lay-raeiis baptifai he Uith nothing that / know thac needs any auTwcr. To the ^hird about Lay mens a dmin iflring the Lords Suppcr,hc contcuts hinifclf witharange AniwcrsM.HeplcadD ti.at /luLug i-idcis, and D^accns have Churdi ^dminiliracions. but he might know i That thequellion is ('»> "'Y meaning) of this Admimaration. 2. Thai Eiders and Deacons arc Chiifts Officers, and he doth^ ill tocall rhem [Lay.jOurqueltion isotn4embersnoc in office. 2. He ^ikipag, Bi. [how is it proved that Miniilers Ihouldonly rcprefcnt Chrifis perfon in breaking brcad,dchvcnng iz to all, biddings Take, Ear, Sec? Doth the Emballagc of Chrift, dilpenling of his myfteiics, befccchingin his ikad, confid in breakii;g bread,deltvcr- irg 1 1, bidding Take, Eat ? Reti). I Chrift did not perform thisatftion as a common perfon, but as Head j and therefore they only that arc commiilioned to fpeak in his name and Head, muft do it. Lee any other lliew their Commillion. 2. ThcEmbafiage to the Believers doth confili partly in this.Takc,Eaf,&c. He argues to the contrary thus, [/fit doc, then anon preaching MiniAer who doth thefe things,may yet be an EmbaHador ofGhrift.] Aep/y. ifby [preaching] you mean publifhing and teaching co men the doftrinc of Chrtft,! know no fuch thing as anon preaching Minifter. 2. What if ic be gran- ted. that he that is not fent on the Embailagc of pubiick proclaiming Chfift to the world,bc yet fent to bid the Believers of ^particular Chuch Take.and Eat? He adds [then breaking bread is a converting ordinance, as Mr. Frj/me held. J , Reply, If ycu mean, that i^ mjy convert^ wh o ever denyed ic? yea or it may be uruill to convert unfound Chnlitans to tmccnty. E uc if you mean, that this is the Jjed end co which it i s inft icuced, to convert men fro m infide lity, yea or from Hy^:* J^^,-||,^. I vnn .Tiny ^.My i|u Knmj llHt ^.1 1 y/^h ^1 Ul^ fHir tm fnMn^xr^^h7 l^nrT' Chrift (etid Minillcrs to do nothing but conveft?Hdve they no mcflage peculiar co Believers? Doth Chumier by [Jpfo figno'] ra^an the whole Sacrament. Bucpjg, 82. he faith [^Mt.B. faith fa, chat the Sacrament revealeth the myflcry of God to the eye, but not one text of Scripture faith fo, nor is it true; The rayftcry contains not only the thing doneby Chrift; but the end, ufe reafon of it; but this is vperceivable only hy the undcrftanding,& the Sacrament abftradivcly from that word declares it notj no not fo much as a pi^ure : and therefoe the Sacramental /^dions of the nifclvcj,are not the revelations of theciyfterics of Chrift, nor everTocallcd in theScnpHue. "^ Ke^'y. i.lf rlie r^ceivln^aiSiQn sdojiedarethe mvfterieso f the Gnfpfl, rhen fh<» ad 1)1- mitring /^flions do ; But the^ £££mnga d i on s. (Lcllx Ccr. i£. 26. Ai ojtasyeeat tWi> Ij'Cad ani drink.tbii cup^ye do fhew ^he Loxds death till he iome. Art not eating and drinking, adiORS'' and is not Chrifts death and commingpart of the Golpel myftc- rics, and was it not Chnfls death with its eiid,("the expiation of fin J and his coming W!ih the(nd,(rl.c gloiifymgand fully delivering- the 5aiuts) that is here meant? but only the mecr D-ith andComming, without the rcafon,ends, or gfe? And is not this rexr Scripture .''2 Do you think that the Sacrament confifteth only in aftion; diftinct from words / .4rc words no aftioni? or no parr ofjhe facramcnrall aftionf di nor fii^if.g, [Take, Eat, this is &c.]]a5 real] apart as breaking the bicad? 3, Dec noc 993 noc YOU therefore defcribc a Sacrament which Chrift never inftlcuted, if yoa fay* ic confjfteth of aftions without words? 4- We diftinguim between the words which axe part of this ordinance,[Take, Eac, thisis my body wjutJi is &c. J and the words oft Sermon, or other do^trTne nGteflentiilTto the Sacrament. The bacrament might fig- nific without one, thoi^gh not without the othcr.$. Did J/r 1*. thtnk that I make the vc an /ntcllca tofce Reafons,Endsand Ufes ? Or knew he not that I mean, [Jz fteweth by r heevetothe/nte lleaa 6.Doth he indeed think, that the Word reveal- iT^rnr ShiefetcI y to thgfirfctfca > Let him fpeak to the dcat and try? 7. Can he fo work in > Doth the Voice by any natural power of its own, acquaint the undcrftan- HinTwith truths? I chink it ^ork^MLfeanoditmj^^ And tTit it s not a natural f,gn(for7h^children wouiaipelkwithout teachingObuF^ y f„ fnmtu ed : when men by agreement doimpofefuch aicnle on fuch a word,and by A rSnSSnm) figniftc fuch a notion,then it is fit to reveal that notion by the ear to ^^^nulUa- And when they change the cuftome and ufe it to another fenfe, then ic fofeth it apt tude to the former; So that words are (under God )m mens one power roCifie wha^^^ pleafe.f And / think if all the learned men in the world that ufe nne Lan^^^^^^^^ the La tine) would in a Councel by their Delegates 5x.,ACflaimfii^ Tnfe of Suf^ful and controverted words, it would be a moft excellent work, and ^ !l;h^ft Diaionary that ever was reade) And may not God impofe a fcnfc upon an ^n« nf^hVSas^^^^^ Nay,hath he not done it/ Doth M. T St DippS nd wafting have no imp'ofed fignification? or that they figniie nnlv to the Tye, a^ not the intelUa? /s it not ufual for the dumb to d.fcom their SiVbyfi|ns?/n which way fo^ kSow ihou will needs look to the Nature of the thmg, without ^f^'^^'^^lJ"^' S.Whether the Sacramentall aftions be not more lignificant then the words? Lcc !wfr fpeak of Chrill crucified to an /ndian that never heard word of his language, and 1 'think he will make him underftand more by other figns then by words* Alfo i would know of him what he thinks of Scrii^turc^whteh is no joiisAutlBr,^ fihlc U K may it not teach the.Jtfyftcries of Chrift.^ and hath noTRTFhat made thofc word thefagnifyers of Kis myrteries,made the Sacramental Elements & aftions fo too? fevinc, [thifis mj bod) Mch is hr^Kenforyw4o this in rmeinbranceofme.^ Sure Afr. TJ ntcrprcts [this is my b^dyl as the Tlcformcd Divines doc.hy Vnis ft imfeth my b$dyj\ Jhope he doth. And whatlf / fay,that words arc the Primary lign fas the written iii:^ ftrument in Law cafes) and the Sacramental aaions the fecondary, ras the fcal an- tiexed ^it would not follow thatSacraraents declare not the myftericiThocgh indeed, as to the matter of fignification they both work in one kind of caufalityj though God havcinftituted oncinakindof(ubfcrviencietotheother. „ . . \, , /. And where Mr.T. addcs,that [he thinks to be Stewards of the 3/yfteries,i8 all one ) ' U as to preach the Gofpcl,] / woufd have him better confider two things. 1 . That pare of the Gofpel is proper to Selievers.2. That the very fubftanceof the Gofpel is more y dolely & exaaiy comprifcdIn^llie.^a£iaiae»ts then any vyhcr^elfc thaLlJnow^The / ^ extfyory^^^rn^^ die factificing aaions, and then follows / /. ^ th? fubflance of the Co venant it ftlf ,rTak e,Eat thisismy, & c JJlheGofceljs the/ ,_ i^TClItW-^n^-ctrer ^ artd h^sb ' fnehtg T WhithiUll he rcZone. If that bg Gofpel [Let hiw thit h thirjly cowe and drink, j^^Tc] then this is.Doubtlefs it is not the mcer bread that Chrift bids us Tjtke,bur Jiimfelf,vmhjpardon of fin,and right to fal- vation. i4nd Faul talks, of the Ga/4«Wni,ar[berore wJiogj^efus Chrrlt hath bceJi evidently fee forth crucified among them>or, only to their cars,buc theireycf.Thougii 394 1 deny norf bur as (rTorJHf) words may be ficrc chietly nwanc, yet / fee not but Sacra- ments and miracles mnft be here mclided. Ac Icaft Mr.T. will not deny but in i CoK II. 25. [ic'«?^ir«]i« a declarative adion. /conclude therefore that if it b€ t i ters.and Ghrif^s matters, and fin -.and fohe do not as I have known iome, ii^ whcn^tTTASlforlequcnMng all that kept not the appointed dayes of Humiliatioo . and Thankfgiving was out,andMiniflers durft not keep them bccaufe they underUood ' not State myfterics, and the caufe of the Scoitifh wars, they were blazed tobemcd-^ lers with State matters, when they were ^uoad /^^ern.fcqueftrcd for not medlmg with \ State matters, and that before they undcrOood them,, U that, in an extraordinary d«- / ^y to God. Eee 2 % 396 I rhink rhc minincrial Govtmmcnt, is not prep, r'.y aWcd juridicaU. And I doc, : uot much dilTcnt from what is here laid abour ttit preaching of chofc that sire ope i».w Office-, though /ftiould have fullycrcy.pl ained it. - '7r^>8 The 4. and s.Errors which Mr, t. purs by,I had raher have dealt with him aboW!^ then iny of the reft: But feeing he waves them now, I rauft follow him. To the 5. Error [that Magiftratcsarcnotunder Chntt as Mediator] I intreac the j^eader to fee how well he anfwereth what I have UidyHc whcihtr he doth notrepeac his words which I have already anfwered,withoiJC taking notice of their anfwer.i. I fhewcd him where Magiftrateshave a commiffion from Chril>.2. When he faith [then no /nfidel is a lawful Magif\ratc that denyes Chrift] He knew I anfwered this i but ihrufts hisrepitiiions on Icfs careful Readcrs.He ma; as wcl arguc[then nomagiftratc is from the true Go6^ who denyes the true God. J 3. He faith Lthcn a ^Ifagiflratc do- ing of'right to an infidel againft a Believer, or roonc Bclkveragainft another, as put- ting him to death, is an adforChrift as Mzdnzot.'] Rtply, I had hoped no fober Chriftian had dcnjed itj I fear this dodrine make? fo little done for Chrifl: But ifmen once ccafc to acknowledge their tcnuie from, and dcpcBdance on Chrift, and think it rh^rduty^toQpnH Key^rar^^ ^^r^cni h'm and Mahomet or /nfj ^eh, jf^r rhg^ p jgok to ^ hcif fUnding.&: wonder not if he be as little for them, yeaifhemanifeft his authority by judging and confuming thcm:Foigf hiswrarhbe5indled,yeaburaiittle .4.Headdsi [thena fathers pow« over his child>but fure that is by 2/arure.] Af^/y. Did not /already anfwef this? Nature itffclfis now committed to Chriil, for all things arc in his hands. The pillars of the earth ace born by him. He faith. He thinks /have not anfwered thefc. And /fay,tharsafhorE Reply. 5. Hcaddcs [then, if Chrift had not been .Wediaror, there had been no lawful! ^agifirate,] And why fo.'jtfay they not beJawfull under God Creator under the firft Covenant, fhougtt they be all under Ood Redeemer fmcc the Law of Grace? <5. He addej [thciiDiwi^ nlum fw ndatHTJ n Gratii.'] lCspryr~Mm~ccrt7i\n ; But, in OT Ati& Rcdemftmis (fy- univerfaU mou in Gtdti^ } aBSVe others. 7. He yet addes [iVay not Believers entitle themfches to all Power and all mens cftates ?] Re;/;. Believers have no power bur derived from Chrift, as they arc hein: but de- rivatively, and not as Chrift. And therefore how can they have that power or eftarc which Chrifl never gave them propriety in^yea^hath given ro othcrs,and forbid theJB to ufurp ? fomuch of that. S. 20. Thc/fncientstooklnfant-baptifm, asyou fay, for an Apoflolical Tradition, but not unwritten. The warrant t hev fuppqfe d written j but not the Hiftor y de fa So, You might have fpared all the 85. pa^. where you prove'thac tapiJU cake it for an un- written Tradition. We know they are dcfirous of any pretence to fet Tradition above Scripture. Yet you know Btltirmm & others commonly prove it by Scripture. TheWordsofBecrove infant- baptifm, and thats all that I defirc. /ihad thought that Cbtf ftiiers anfwer to this might have fatisfied you! ffyou have forgot jt, perufc it again, Tom. 7. Ii6. 9. c. 10. 5.40. ^c.^ Tgrn. 4./.$. f. 9. S. 51. Mt. R'ygers hath made you kiibw he is of another )adg(nenc«Mf.Bf^/9r^ rells me he huh corredcd his words in -~i-^-^^ ' ^ '. :^i im ! m a latter Edition. How could you allcdgc Dr. f:eld wiihcut ccpf dcrirg how jou ^ wronged yourfclC? /siiothiii ^ wiitrfn in Scripture hnr f^vprtfiy -«* Yea, if not that Scripture proof and plain probt, ^liich ihewesr lain ly/fom Scripture the Groundf> i Rcaf qns^ and Ciaufes of theNectiritie of thepfarticc? Dr. maeaux' ihcup.ht Jbgir. ' copacic provcable tronf Scripture : and tneitMf^H HiJ'^houghc rhat Infancbaptirm muO be proved the fame way, he is iurc againll you. Fcr Dr. ^Jgy/or^ if vo u have read all his Books, /hope you will no nmrf^ rfr|^/. rijiini among Proteftants .havinp h much of the Body of Popery in them. Mr . Jb» prnplg nh ru' them ? Can that Oand with the Peoples Governma..^ h itjb fmalia marrVc. m nr^b'* gate the Minilkrial Office? andfoWequently ddlVoy ir^'' Vbu' pronounced them even now accurfed as enemies to Chrill that go about to extirpate the Miniftry. The lord lieep you from drawing any of that curfe on your felfj But Jay alrogethcc and fee what ufe you leave for a Miniftry. [i. Others may baptize ; yea, there is a mcefJity (btcaufc the Minifter will nor rcbaptizc, &c. ) thai fome not ordained, ycc preachers, doir,2. Others may adminiflerchcSacrairient of theSupper. 3. Others may preach pubhekly. 4. And if the people may and ought to govern, what is a Mini* ftry to be upheld for ? Or at leaft how fair a way is here to their extirpation?Hc adds [The cxcommutii^atjon which the Scripture fpeaks of^ far as I difcern, is no where made a part of Ofernment, or of the Eiders office any more then the peoples.] Reply. The t«^. £xcommunicatioc, is not in the Scripture i but that which h zquipoUtnt if : iMp a man is obHinare in a hainous fin, after private admonition and pubiicMnoiS^ot the Minifter charge the people in Ghrifts name to avoid fa- ' miliar ccmmunioilpth them ? and is this no more a part of the Elders office then rhc ^ peoples? muii: noj^Ijc Miniftcrdo itasan authoiitat;ve aft ofan Officerof Chrift ' which clave mn emnfe the people are doubly bound to obey ? not only ratifne ma^ Jtrii", (as they muft from another) bur aKo by v/rtue of the $. Commandement and thatofChria, [Hethatdcfpirahyoudefpifcihrney] We aNowthe people jw^Ki^n difcietienis whether the Miniiht fpcak according to Scripture : and we allow theta\ aSfmlem exemtienem, by an obedient avoiding the communion of the parrie • BCic) have they alfo the authoxitativejud^ujfm^ '^^^p commixaipji^lj^^^jjnji^Chj^^ or have ^iniftcrTnoneifSh? Do you think yVinifters have any more povTerth^nTTrhcrs in preaching ? Jf th^ h^ve thca why not about this fubjed as well as oihcrs ? to apply the command fw*^ fuch no A not to eat] to parti^^uJar pei Ions, and charge rhc people to obey?what Is flSr govern- / iftg which even now you gave to ^iniflers ? /fit He not in authoritative guidance \ and chafgmg on men the duties prcfcnbed by Chrift,/ know not what it is: And/ how falls It out that it extcnderh not to the duty of avoiding communion wJtJi fuch |>crloji&,as well a^ to ociKr duties «? Airo, fhould not iWinitlcrs declare tp wicked 398 men chcir mifericand Gods wrath by a particular application ? iind is not thispai«^> of ic? May / not pronounce an obnidatcrmocr to be a child of the Devil, as I^Ak/^s did Elimai .«' or to be in the gall of bicrcrncfs, and bond or iniquirie, and have nof»r«ic or fellowfiiip^&c. as Feterr/4»,or any man worth the reading in alUntiqai;y»that the people had any more in excommunicating and abfolving, then to jud ge per judicium M uetionis, and toconfcnc to the Ufticers authoritative cenfure,and rfcdiently to execute ic by hold- ing communion, or avoiding it.-^ 4. Doc you not find it frequently in Cyprido that there is an Excommunication and Abfolution which arc parts of governmcnt,and bc» long more to the Officers then the People ? Yea, and fuch rigid cenfures (kcqpJng men fo long before he would rcfolve them after a fall, though they begged it in great poenitcncciand fharply taking up the very Confcffors that prcfumed to intercede for ihcir rcadmiffion) that were they now ufed, what Tyrants and Popes and Antiw chriftfi fhouid be called /who would have thought that Mr. t. that hath faid To much to the contrary, (hould fay fo much far Pepular Church- government ? He adds LNor is a perfon a Scparatift for that Tenet, but for dividing practices. J i. I had I- thought he had been a . Scparatiftin iud£menc, that doth not prar ::■'•■■ i' ""^ .-'■•^' - v'-' ', Bat ythaugh /dare not be fuddcnly ccKfidewr, yet) ire thinks, I new with glad- pldi ncfs^ fee my miftake about this ley r. /ind ic did lie in tlK mifunderfianding the woTd[^Pfeuclo Fropheta^iilk prcphcrji I tookL£f opher]tobe thefanre wnh^Tti dxcr'] and 2. I cook tlfaire3 to beipoken of hinn t ^ojetfTtrcnuiis dcCifin e, and not a <^gfe- £fu forma ^7 authQriiiite^v>i'i:h a prcte n rf r , f thf rnpfp i -y. r inc cniidcratclv judged as Fdreui in ioc* that Fropbeta efi V^^or Veritatis, Pfcudo-prcpkita Vclhr mndacji, and asF^mor, that thefefaKcFrophets were/a/// Volicus qi^i Ecclefid prcpmunt dogmata exttialii. So alfo Calvm &c. But /now think 1. that the word [^Prophet] is not taken for a Teacher as fuch 5 bur in the ftrid and isfual fenfe, for [one fent'of gfidjex- traordiaarily to lead men out of Errcur, or bring men to fome fpccTaTTRc^rmation, as receiving his Dodrinc, orhis Gorrmiflion,orboth,by an immediate /nfpiration or Revelation from Heaven.] 2. Thar they are called [falfej as we call the Papifts [Pfeudo ctthoticn] or others Ffeudo'ckrifii^ncs','] t hat is, they are counterfeit ^ro- phets ; they pre ^nd falfly to he fenr or intbircd by God ; and to be P rophets, when ^ they arc no Prophets. As if a man come to a City in the Kings name,ana^fay,Heis a Herald, Embtrfadour, or fptcial MelTenger rand another fay, Take heed of himj he is a counterfeit Mcfiengcr: the King fcnt him not. Now in this fenfe, it is plain that [hU Dntfrin e^ may he nnp cift\]^ f fpits we may know hm hy^and it is not idem per idewy as / faid,and as in the former fenfe it mult be. And 1 the rather now incline tb this Interpictaiion aifo, becaufc / refolve that /tujlins rule muH be followed, of in- terpreting Scripture in the moft ccmprehenfive fenfe,where there is no fpecial rcafon for a reftridion cr limitation flv tcsi^ov J^uyctiJ' ^v th 7rA«t^ ftenal Djcy of Difcipiing Nations,8c to w!iac wc fay from the Prophcfics that God Will de ju>uro Difcipj£Nations:as if i./t were not iWiniflers duty ro endeavor the Difcipiiiig of any whole Nition(^for then he mud cndtayour to Diiciple infants Jno|r Xparc of the work of that Commiflion.2.0r that Ghrift would ncsPi .accoQjjlliA-rt in ihis warld,[ when he hath promifed it fo oft j fee my Addition, pag. 559.^40.] As for what Ik faith o^Mojes and A/agiflrares,if you pcfufe what /havcfaid-to that already > /think it will appear that he is no where more vertiginous then in this.Hc concludes with a fflcighcing of my curfe, pag, 217.] wiiere I only defire rhc cure of his under- jRanding, ©r if he proceed to publifh errour, that it may not fuccted: and this he calls j a currc.] It is but (uch a curfe as I defire to myfelf,that the Lord would not fufler inc to be an Inftrnmenc of wronging his C lurch and TJuth by my miOakcs ; or if I have done it ignorantly in thisorany other writing, that he would forgiveir, and (liew me my error, and let me live to right the Ciiurch and truth fo wronged. This is my dayly nriyer to Godjefpecially as to thofe points where/ findc my dilTent to my brethren to ofFenfive.i4ndtne like forgiven^fs I defire ofMr.T.if I have any where un- advifcdly or ign^rantly wronged him: which f know my fttiil foul is fo prone to, that ■"^'''''SSJlS!* ^ism^^^'i*^:'^-'^^'^-^-'^ ic^ mod likely / have, though [ fhould not fee wherein; for /know my cor- rujjc narurc will (hew it fcif m all that I do, ) And 1 promifchimif God fhew me any weighty particulars of wrong, particularly to confcfs them; in the mean time / profcfs that the roughnefs that appears in my writings on this 5Kibjed, was provoked from the confideracion of the Caure,& efpecially ofrhe deep wound given to the Gof- pelby the Anabaptiftsof thisage^and the attempts in hand; and the fearful daager that the Miniftry and Churches ofChrift are now in by reafGnofthcmiBut when I think of my truly beloved Brother Mt. T. i c not only grieves me that he is fo deep in thfs Gaufe, but alfo that / am forced to fpeak fo harlhly to him,(which I knew would difpleafe hini^ for his Caufes fake. It hath coft me dearer to endeavour the Churches deliverance, and the refcuing of an endangered Miniftry and Gofpel, then it hath done Mr.T.^nd therefore let him not blame me,if /let not all go fo patiently as fome cxpcft./f /fooft ventured my litcagainft them that thrcatned ihefe heretofore; lee me be fuffered to fpeak a fharp word or two againft thofb thathave brought chem into as apparent hazzard ; (except / beaftraogcrto,or utterly miftaken in the com A picxions of the prcfent Agents and affairs,^ I am certain, have brought our facred/ ProfeWion under greater obloquy and contempt. i4nd let me adde f though I can- not make Mr* T. believe that! call him not a Hcretick, that / am fo far from ;he violence and Unpcaceablencfs that Aft, T. doth charge me with, that /am wholly of Mr. 3fdr/&d/i judgment ("in his late Sernvon for Unity^ that men for /nfant-baptifm,- andagainftir,(houldquietIy and lovingly live together in the fame Churchy ^nd / ftiould tenderly love fuch as differ from me in this, and have communion with them, if they were of my charge : fo be it when they have modeftly given a reafon of their 3udjmcnt,(if called thereto )they would defift from further foUici ting others to iheir w^y j (as /would doniyfelfon the contrary fide, if / were called to be a private Member of a Rebaptized Church, and iVr.r, were my Teacher J.Eii tJf they think thev are bound to take all feafons and af^vant ages, by fecret fQllicitatJoos and Pu b>_ "" tiqnp ^iOnrhing gnnrrarlia;nr|{,, f^ propa^arelheit opiniot^^^ and brin^ all others to them, as if Go ds Glory lay nprn r heir fo doin^, / know no vvjv of having peace witli_^ iuch men, we re the difference (mail er then this o f tnfanr.hapr ^fm^hur / fhinraT^ 5o3 cnnitians 1hT7crf4-tvoM il ieii Communion, as the fir ebrands, of the C hurch and g|emics of ItsTeacc rn»?'7, an^^ Pf PlpT^'*f y- " ""'^ " It fecms to mc God ordered Mr. t, to tranflate Cypri m Epift lc to the difgracc of his Caufe,with the Vulgar the^felvcs. For n©ne can be fo bhndls not to fee in it the Antijauiry of /nf a ntba ptifm, w ljich is all that we urge it for. Only obfervc for the rightunaciAa.idlDg of it, tfial the objcdion that the Councel argues againft, is/n* fants inca pacitie or undca nefs before the 8. day ; and th erefore the Arguments arc only to tfrf^ontutation onhTsTaTrai im rugiveyoa the Grounds that warrant bapri- zing /nfantsi for thofc arc fuppofed, the thing being unqueftioned. Here was none that raifed any doubt Whether Infants fhould be baptized ; but only whether before ^^ (Pi^htday. ^ ^^^ Letters? LETTERS That pafled between Mv. B J X r ER AND Mr, TOMBED Coiiectning the Difpute. London,, Printed in the Year 1 6$6. 404 IT goes a gainji my mind to trouble the Keader rptth the fe follow mg Letters bettvcen Mr. T. and me. But his Relations ha^e made it necejfary^ that it may ap' fear J Whether all by e^tdea^vonr was not to ktep off^ if \fojfibly I cotdd^ from appearing again^ him in this I Cfufe in writing'-) nor did I e*i/er defire the pifpnte but rieerly to fhift off writings when his followers dro*ve [Trie on to it t<^ had far rather have been ptiet fro^i both : hut it was beyond my power to attain it with-^ out the betraying the truth. For I difcerned a jirong \p)r0bdbilityofhisDeftgnwas to have got fomething 'fcpm me^ and then have pnblijhed his anfwer to it ('which he now deny es not ^ as fuperjiciaUy as he did by others 5 or elje have forced me to dtf claim the con-- teftj that fo it may be carryed abroad either that 1 was confuted^ or that I durft not difpute it. After his Fol- lowers had earnejily prejjedme to write myArgnmentSy and I to put it by^ had told them I thought verbal di' fpnting more co?ivenient^ if they mufi needs have onef this following 1 received from Mr. Tombes^ i>?t« For 46t Formy Reverend and much Honoured Brother' Mr. Ki chard Baxter 2XKiddermwfi€r^\htU, '^^^'"^''^' puting the po'mt in diference between me and you about Infant* \^i® ^^Ptff^infomeopenwayoffp2ech-,0ndto have me declare my ar~ X^ ^wmentj aga'jnj} it. Open di[pHte by vr&rds for a great number af ■^OB retfons faffeSf not : my affairs^ and the ftateofyQur body and b'ul *"* pnefs are likfly to mak^ it uncertain, and to protiap the timei\ my Arguments are tpb^feenin my writings. This is inefeSimy plea againj} itjpatjtu WjU.itvfirfhip.becaufe mt atpointedbv(hidj.\ ^mo(i expedite andfurefl way I conceive to bring the controverfje to an tffue^ is for you in d Syttdgifmoriwo written by you to froduce what Medi urn )0u have tsprtve a Divine ififtitktionoj Pedi'baptiftn^ which being writtgn may the letter be examined i verhll con^ prencein left deliberate^ and more unfatiifa^iry. If you cannot your [elf write^ II you fhcw' in a printed Author the beft Argumcnc you know for it, u mav j^^ ■ ^ r * - >: ^ Bewdley , Sepu 2. Your loving Brother and Fellow fervaht hi dhrifl; 1.649* JohnJombes, io nty Keverend artd much valued friend Mr, Tomfoesj Freachit pf, fbeGtffdatBt\^^dUy. SIR. T Hough your people my neighbours have much room in my afflfedions, & I heartily defire their unity & fled faftnefs:yet do not thinkrhat I have a mind to take upon me to be their Te^cheir, & to play the Bifhop in your Dioccfs, much Icfs to be fo rude as to challenge you to a E^fpure. But fomc of your people having been feverall rimes folliciting me to do fomecUing towards the determining of this controverfie^I ftil told them that I thought a difpjje the fiteft wayjbut they told me that you refufedit.The nrieffenger that came on Saturday, came on the like crraild, and before I undcrftood hat he came with youf confcnt and privity,! told him I would do nothing without a F f f 3 call 40 5 call from more of your people, and wichout your confenc The offer I made to him J no'V make again co you : tliic if to yoj or your people a debate fcem neccflary and dcfircablc, C^o' I or my people do not dcfirc it much, but affcft quictnefsj / fhall 0^ God enable me^ fpend a day or two in publick conference with you fas far as my llrength will bear J 2. Oi if you fo abfolurely refufc that, that there is no hopes of jc, / offer, and if you will pi each twoSermons againll it, and / two for it, and lo lee fall t'x debate, and leave ir to the pc op!c$)udgmenr, 1 fhall agree co it ^./f you abfolutc* ly refufc both thefc (^which feem to nie tlie only me^ns) it ycu can contrive how tq make a fhort difpaich, and give me fuificienc afiurancc of ir upon ctjuall terms bcfor« we begin, I Ihall confenr to write. But to wiire without fuch altoraiice I cannot for thefc reafons, i. I have ground enough ro be confident that it will never be cndccl while you Sc 1 both live, except either be convinced, which I difccrn to be unlikely J Though for my own pai r, i rcfolvc to yeeld to the moft difgraced truth, and to f:arch as impartially as / can } yet I am fomewhat confident that you ar^ in an crrour, and you arc more confident tkat you arc not, and fo we arc likely to remain. 2. If / fhould waftc fo much rime on fo fmall a thing fcompara- tivclyj icwould woundmyconfcieiice. g. Efpecially being ignorant info many far greater, which /am bound co ftudy in the firrt place. 4. / am engaged in more work already then / am able to goc through 5 having one Treatifc in the Prcfs,whercof parf is unfinifhcd, and another or two at Icaft under hand ; befides publique preaching which takes up all my time, favc one day in a week at beft 5 which one day / bcftow in the aforcfaid wnrings; and befides the pra(Jtic€ of phyfick for the poor, which their neccdity compels me to, and which taketh up very much timc,«;.The wcakncfl of «iy body is fuch, that / am able r 9 flpHy hnr o nc_ ?^ hours ip a day^ b efides my fick dayc$ when /can do nothing <5. 7 have fweeter and molt pleafmg work for mythoughi;j| / would nor fteep them in fo bitter a fubjed as this unplcahng coiuroverfic, and fo lofe thcreft of the comforts of my life for a world, 7. /fyou and /fhould write many tedious volums, the people would be no more able to difccrn the tiwth, then they are from what is already written. 8. 1 am afraid of giving my people fo ill a prcfidcnt ai to flrain at a Gnat and fwallow a Camel -, to wafte their precious time and rhoughti and fpeeches on fuch a 4ueflion,whiIc a loo^cach of incomparable gr eater momtnt,are unfludyed and unknown Now ro your Letter, Whereas you think cither writing, or referring ydu to fome printed book, will be the moft expedite and furc way, i wonder how you can force y our klf to think fo!/t i^ marty veari fwc* you begun your felf to write with Mr. ;W4 7,^:?//, Mr, B/4Jfe?,e>'c,and you have not yec cKpeditcd the bufmefs ; no man ycildcth, nor doe you fee me any nearer an end then when ycu begun, except wearinefs caufe any party to give over, 9, Befides, your body is healthfullcr,/ difccrn you can better fn at your ftudy g hour'!& then /can one, 20. And 1 perceive you content your felf more eafify rhcn your Kcada ; you marvel that your Books fatisfie nor, and I marvel you fhould think this fdujfaaory. 11 Ma- ny people wiljthink that when they can fay (you haveanfwcred it)th.uanarfiumcnc is overthrownrthc vulgar Chriftians in fo great a difficulty being llrrlc .iblc to difcer* the InfuflRcicncie or fallacies. 12, i4adlatiiy, I am like to live x)n earth buf a whHe, and therefore as / have more need of other thoughts* fo yoa arc like to have the lafl word, which with moft will give you r') - conqucf>. . But why you fhould wiRi me to refer you to a printed argument, I know not, they being all extanc in your hands alrcady,and you pretending to artfwcr to riic fubftaacc ot aimoll all. That you (hould deny an open verball difputc, /cannot but rtiuch won- der your affairs MrillAjrc give you more I cafure for aor J hourj difputc, then many months . — 4C7* months wriri«g»aiicl fo I am furc will the iiatc oi iriy bod), Iruly Sir, the diladvan- ti?ge on niv fide it (ugrtai, & the advantage o»i ycurs, thac i fhculd nci; venture on ir, bur af urged ov\ for the truths fake,}cu ktirg Barchclour of Diviniiic of fo long fiand- iug iiuQ ii aving ^fcafccly itnovm ar Ut'ivct fitie j )ou being f6 long l^udied and ver- fed in rli » CrTLr:r:.veri(iCj and have aJJ ai your fingers ends, and fo confident in yoor Caufe, that yc u n'3(it light of ali that n ay be itaid againll.you by all the Divines that are Jf iOjo'Un relukaco^iicfcnceonfuch advantages, / fhould think it wercainiof^ roytild my Caufeid^ught, 5ir,of my firfl three oflfert, if you pleafc to ycildj/fifidc the people like bcftci'pr€aching,wbich /leave to your choicc,and refl. An unfeigned lour of the Truth andyou» i^ichard BaKtcr* To thc^Reverend Mn Richard Baxter Preacher at KtddertMiPffiery thcfe prefent. [ SIR* SOmeoftMy Neighbours conceived it muldb^e their beg my to rejoke their doubts about baptijm to kjiov; vfhat aigumna ym would bring for Infant- baptiftp^ and cgainji their being b^ptized^ nomithftanditig the pretended baptifm they had in Infancies Whereupon with wyprimy came one to you, upon whcfe relation of y cur anfrter to hitr^ I wrote to you^ and a/fcfln veceit oi vcur letter tnBie I thittt ohn/i tn f*f tnu tit/i»,(i^*,A tU^,* rr',j . t ..**.^t.. managed vftth heat and mkltitu6eojvpordswjth Aniwers and Replies ^ not fo cfeli berate as were requifite to fettle any cnes ]udgi^.ent, ard ufuaVy mifappjehended by Akdmrs, who tomtnonly take Mm t6 have the better nhofpeahmff, ^^ding uftially in fome nrarglhe or' fotnetbingh^^ it, foUowed vpiih mifreports, MCcowpan^ed with dijorderly thromnii con- fufed noife, and many other inctnxeniencies; info much thai except in cafe of betrayini truth by decltmng it, J can hardly brjngmyfelffoyejldtoit.^nd whatever nu conceive ^fmyddvantageyyOHtnayifyouwiU, find perhaps doe kjiow that you have '''Ueh acdantaies in your ready wit and ^eech, and the favour and general! acclamation to any thing that is i fdtdforthefuperfiitiontfhfant-baptifm.astobring things foabeut that the (vent M be trvngdowmruth^anddifgraceofmy perfon. Kor have your difpar aging fpeeches of rnyWri* ttngs wjtf3'Xut\anmaaverfifns,on them communicatidto me, or your carriage at, or not im after receiving oj r^y Letter encouraged me to hope fir all candor from you in this matter. forpreadni^pthit belongs to yon tort dint ain the divine Uftitut ion of Infant -baptifw 1 fiall be wiUirg f txamtne what you fay, when you have jaid what ytu think good for Infant baptifm, iflmay obtain a copy of)our Sermon, which you ttill own, and if it Utisfie m€,/fl)aaconjijsifrjfnot,inaSermonin thefan.e place, or elfe where, J {taU g^ive a di- jftn^€»dpjai: arjwertojt, ' j 6 For wiyi' {which llikehefi^ I depre not to put you to any tedimor voluminous way, but that w the mo^ compendious way of SyBogifms, yea, if it may be in one Medium Vuput theftrtngtbofaU that you can fay. For flirt di^atch yon may being Vifpmatit or * Opponent opponent, <:j[ure your (tlfwy anfwer wjU be as fltort as your argument will permit, ami the tr.oie ju contraH li^efjpg to thi-pnnt, the wore j'dtisfa^ioTy inviH be. Ij yen concehe th'ii foint oj iejfe mcment, cthas cencehe cibertvife'- Though Jufji' fication, Redempthrf, <^c. t^e vf greater moment^ )et not all you dijcouyje about thepi- if it were, yet this being of ftequcnt pra^tce needs perhaps >cfo(ution before other pdintr that €:mc not into fo frequent ufe. Ton fay in your Aphonfms^ pag. 149, the negle3 of Sacrament is a brend) of the fecond Commandemetit. Iffo, hovo can a g^dly man [afely liv^ in negleSi oj Bapt'ijmi The enquiii'eAfteritis ill judged aflrakirgat a Gnat and fvpoU iorfing a Cimel^ as our Sai>iowr meant, Mat^ 23 . 24. la a r^ordy my declining open difputation doth net make me think, my Caufe naughty tut your fhurniKg to give us your arguments in rvriting^ nherehy nee might better judge of tkem then upon a vtrbiili canjeremey nikkes wtf imagine your Cauje is not goody efpeeiallf confiderrng your ufe of indiri'^ Arguments to create prejudicey and your not denyedprejudicet which how ii can juit wuh an impartiaJl examination oftrulb I do net fee. Other thin^ty in your Letter to me y I let pafsy^and am Bcwdlcy, Sept, 10. Yours as is meet 1649. John Tombest SIR. I Received yours, and therewith from five of yo\3r neighbours their defires of eni gaging me in rhis coatroverhc j you mention many inconveDicncics of verball dilpurc,mo(\ of which /acknowledge probable: but the inccnvcniencies of writing fargrcacer as I exprcflcd to you. /fit were among the rude Vulgar, much of that you fay might fall out.*but / have no fuch dcfirc to be publique» but that if you like it better, before a competent number of the intelligent, / am content; /f you think that I dcfirc the difgrace of your perfon,you are lefs free fr^m fmful fcuforioufnefs then 1 took you to be ; My difparaging fpeechcs of your writings being not particu- larly e:xprelTcd, / am uncapable of underftanding what you mean. / know not that ever I faid more againft them but that they were in many things to me unfatis- factory, and my reafons / was ready to produce : And J pray you how could I choofc but yield toyou,and beof yourjudgmcnt,if / thought your writings found in the m ain ? fo that you fecm cffendcd that/ do not believe as you, which / cannot yet help, my judgment being not wholly in the power of my will. That ycu fliould fo expert from me animadvcrfions on your writings, fccmeth to mc exceeding flrange: I have given you my reafons why I am loth by writixigi to engage in this controverfie at all ; much more to begin in a way of Animadverfions. What my carriage was that cflFcnded you as you cxprefs not, fo I know not, and therefore your reproof roufl nctds be vain: / asked your meflenger, who anfwtred that he fawno mifcarriagc except 409;^ except it wtrc ray revealing your Lcccer to three that were prcfcnr, which he con- feflcrh to be his own fauIc,who never told mc of any dcfircs of fecrecic : nor had / fcaibn to think of any, it being about lopublick a bufineflTe; and if that do difcoz/. rage your c>.pcd:acions of candor, your charity is not much ftrongcr then others, whatever your judgment may be. For my part, that no finittcr ends fhculd make me ditftr from you, you may conjcfture by thefc rtafons, i 1 am nearer of your judgmeiK, in moft other Controvcrfics, that / have fpokc with you abonr, then to moft mens I know, and therefore naturally fhould be more inclined to va^Iue yoursinrhiS' 2 I have voluntarily been more prodigal of my reputation in putting out that ParapKIccof Juf\ification, which I well know was like co blaft ntw re^pu'ta- tion with moft Divines, as containiifrg that which they jiidge a more dangerous errourthenAnti-paecio-baptirm, and the iffuc hath an> fwcred my cKp€d:ation : I am now fo ^ hiflcd at by * Ih'is was when my Aphe» th*:m» that I ted temptation enough to fchifm in my rifms cam m fitf, wh'en difcoritcnts 5 / am /as it wercj a dyittgtiian, and map) mgrymen were fierce if I fhculd refufe truth to prcfcrve my repfitatiob, / were ^gamjf tbem. But I mk^ utterly udeycufable. i^or the prcruofci; y©u men riow, //nee r///? / havf (01*14 ai I muft confcfs 1 havefomc, notagtinfl this only, but brotherly kvingdiaiingabm againft every thing ; judge to be an crrour. Nor doc them as I could defire^ and /know how any man can debate any point without more then I did expcS -^ atid Tome prejudice, except where his judgment doth that from the moft Divines wholly fufpend, or hangs in ^quilibrie, I perceive y cu that I have to do with. • jcildnottothat way of preaching, as I propounded; nor do you offer me a«y aflurancc ot a fhort conclufion in writing.but only that youc anfwcrfhall be as fhort as myargumcnts will permit; as if the Queftion were al- ready ftatcd betwiKt u$, and as if there wett but one Qpcftion to be debated, and I had nothing to objea againft your way, as wellasyou againft this, and you were rcfolvcd in all to do nothing but anfwcr. And why is not the bufmefs yet ended be- tween you and your Antagonifts, fo many years fince begun ? In a word Sir, no way plcafeth me fo well as writing,if you will find our a way of quick difpatch, and give meaflfurancc of it before we begiii,Which if youfcnd not in writing, if you plealc to appoint a time when 1 can, 1 wiJl come to you, that we may both agree of ;he wayj, and ftate the Queftion, Sir, Im an ntijeigned lover dftruxh^ Pea (e, and T6» KiddemScpx*u^ \F<^ikflOw itisfomeet) Rich,Baxtcr, egg 1f5j 4IO To my Reverend and very muih valued Friend and Brother^. Mr.Richard Baxter^ Preacher at Ktdannnftjhry thele prefcnt. SIR, O 1 E^J TO prevent unnecegatj gltercatUuSy t return only thit tiytur lafi Letter.tkire n^erefome d my Keigbbmsand Auditors that doubting rvhether by their Infant^Baptifm tbeydid tkt duty •/ biini btptized into the nme ofChrifl^ came to me for refolution ^ tnd betaufe of your knoifPn )uflifying pxdiy-Saftifm.your partsj and integrity, they ]udgedit meet before l^ey vt?ere ^affiled, to know your grounds jorPddo'baptJfm, left they jhould be ju^igedrdjiji p^ereupcn being inftrmed by me that my exception againftFdtdo'baptifm is, that it is WiH-w-fltipfif vfMt $f divine inftitution, the only way to fatisfie them was to prove a divine infruumof Fddo-baptifm, which might be befl done by a few Syttogifmsin wming j which if you pleafe io gratifie tfjem in^they will examine it tbanfifully ; ifnot^they willtak^ it as if it were granted tbatjon can [ay no more then other t have done in print for PadobajKifm^which will be taken to befufficientiy dnfwered till it be /hewed wherein the dnjwers to Xhim are dejehive. And this k propounded for the fhorteji way we can devife to come to refilution, I am very forry that you a rt fo ve%ed with mens frowardnefs upon your writing : it was my folly that in my own safe I laid tbeir opofition to me fo much to heart : If I may do any thing to afTift you for your cafe iiw what wc agree, I fball be ready as my time andbufmefs fhall permit, \n the mean titSr^ kivingyoM and your weyes to the /4lmighties guidance^ I remain j Bcwdlcy,$'hich is the Fddo-baptiits Aemiics^ ts oniti \ i xx>is f»;utng to mvue ytu to^ pe a bearery and if yeu judged it meet, to oppofe what yon jhould think gaod in a Ugick^ wuy n^ith^ut Rhetoritk, That your judgment fhoald be againfi difputingon the Urds day .fcemsjiiange^-whi (tfi Ihave been M) would ifinvited.come t9 preath about the Conirovcrjje.which [take tobe aS one with Difputing. that which concerns your iVeaknefs, isfufuient t& hinder you 1 mfejs, yet me thinkj ifym might do it on Munday,jon might Jo it almoj} with the iil^e Safety on the Lords day at Evening. Ikjiow not bow fit it w'ttbe to gather a Corgyegation ro hear us on a n>eelt day in publick-^ whereby pior people wiH be dtawn from their work\ and the BayUf being now veryfickJ deubt It wHf be very di[)rderly .tuefday being a Holiday as they cauat it. perhaps there wis be mtre of the ruder fort and diforderly, and it may carry a (hew cf celebrating it, thurfday I intend for Hcrcfordfliirc,herlji tjadkced you jrcm times in jmH^^, whereof three in Fulpity if no truth. After fo winy told meofyourbyflmgs at me,A wiS wifliri Mr, Davis /7;!>mW teil jiu no t)dth isfo to he upended a to be loft jor peace, Whtit J fihi about your tenet ccncerningMagifiratei in your Aphorifm pag, 275.1/ no traducing >(».<, if it is a truth. And I //;egeci to make k.f^'inmy cur arguments before I began m p^eaCh of the aigument^ which I thought in thamteyou would have done t9 prevent mj being ^tfleiytr m,^eading ethers, Per haps it was true wbkii wnt]aid,tbat yeu weald bide yimr weaf^ 912 tiffyou were to ufe it. But in thiiicafe it wat no gettd ruk virtus Ttn doloi? Jjg duflyou have raifd^I nothing doubt wiUbewipedaway.Whatfphityoun'erecdrryedwiih^appearshythe carrying of thtngs^better then by wOrds.My way of preaching^ owever you judge^ btjittsd a fiber f/iAn, !n h«indlitig the iui(fion as Iwa^ to io^ it was meet IJhould aUedgemem werdt and qHote the places^ their books being in print. It hid hen fcarce the part of a fober man to ircuble hm" felf^to fend privately to eveiypeyfmbtforelnamedthem.Ina w^rd 1 ackflowledged I ktve heard many frecious ti whs from you, and received [undry kindnejfes.for which I thankj >o«, I fray you takftt at an e^ce ojiovefrom me M leUyott, my fears are that you go in a (lippery path, if you doc as your friend* imagine, oppofc the prefent government, & dideniiug brethren, likely out of nasftakcn zeal>and others pravocacion who will abufe you for »!ieir oah ends. \am no further willing to word it with you about thofe perfonaU fae- te)ti$ni,ifl may have your Arguments furn your felf.vre fliali\ be the freer from miftaksi and truth wiU thefooner appear ^ wM ii tb€ endeavour of. Bewdlcy, Jan. p Your Friend and Brother in Chri/l; John tomhes: This Letter I did not, tor durft hotlcnfwcr.rartly becaufc it had in it (0 many un- truths thac 1 knew the very naming them wculdtend todiffenrion: And partly becaufc his fccret friendly threatningin rhc?end could not be aRiWercd without many incbn- vcniencies i Efpecially I felt my fpirit too prone to have.cxprcffed a contempt of his threamingj, that I thought it my ducv to rcprefs it. }\t feemcd a ftrange Diverfion to me to turn fromadifputeoflnfant-haptlfrnfofuddcnly toState matters 5 And to intimate my oppofing the prcfent Covernmcnt, becaufc my fricRds imagine itj and 415 jTo to joyn together the prefent Governmcnc 4nd PifTenting^Brethfcn, as if they were conjunft j and it were as dangerous to difputc againfk Anabaprifts, as to oppofc the Government / and to tell .ne of Hiy going in a flippery path,as if chrcatning muft be the Argument to take mc off when others failed! Perhaps he will fay, he meant in re- gard of diagcr from God immediatelyj but /di not think any impartial Reader will fo interpret his words, as to the immagiMary oppofing the prefcnc Government. After this,when all was calmed and /remember the weakncfs of his aofwers, i had ftrong hopes of winning him by a private Conference; Whereupon iwrote to him this folio wmg : but all proved vain. SIR, I Acknowledge it shard thing to deny felf fo much as to ycild to convincing argu- ments after fo deep CBgigement for crrour as yours. And I perceive in publfck your credit ftands in the way. /in treat you therefore to cond ifcend roafccrec con- ference between you and r^ie aloie, where we may take freed ome of fpecch. Which motion /therefore make,and if there be any hope.that you may be recovered to thar which I am now nwre confident then ever 5 it the truth, and to do the Church as much fervice as you do hurt,that your name may not be found hereafter anjong the dcfperate enemies of the truth and peace } how happy were I if / might fee you fo recovered :;Sir /pray deny not this motion f which / thought fit to propound before I reply to your laft Letters^ and which procecdeth only from a loiging dcfire after your own i^nd the Churches Welfare in ^ ' , ^wr/ in wifeiffied Chriflhn love^, Rich.Baxtcr» ^.T For Mr.Kkhard Bamter Preacher at Kidderfninjier ^t\xdc^ Mr.Baxcer ''F Imc^j obtain no nwre JYOmym, yet let me requeflyau to give me under ym own hand the I ^fff^nsyoHg^vcwby th€ Rxf^fttion given by me ^f i Cor. 7. 14, ctuinQt be righu t "^"^ Y>oursmtheLord, 'John Twf^^f- FINIS, ^^UM'^'^ ^^^^^ : : :: t ?r * rr I iW"*) fiO; 11 yw^** V' 3- -^ / ,, V,, „ ^< 'r*:-