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Anti-Pa^ ciG'JRantifm Defe?2ded:
R E P L Y
Mr. SAMUEL FINLEY\
Vindication of the Charitable Plea
for the SPEECHLESS.
WHEREIN
His Repeated Objections againft the Baptism
of Believers only, and the Mode of it by
IMMERSION, are again Examined and
Refuted.
By A*B E L ^ M O R G A N,
At Middletown, in Eafi-Jerjey.
And he /aid unto ihefn. Go ye into all the World, and preach
the Gojpel to enjery Creature. He that helienjeih, and is bap-
tized, ^all be fanned. Mark xvi. 15, 16.
Zuffer me a Utile, and I nvill Jheiv thee, that I have yet ta
/peak on God's Behalf. Job xxxvi. 2.
PHILADELPHIA:
Printed by B. Franklin, and D. KalLj"
in Markit-Jtrest, Mdcgl.
It .
[ i" ]
t H E
PREFACE.
1^^^^^^^^^ HB Piece which occafioned the followiffg
Wr^^i. A %^Wm Remarksy gives itfelf out in Name, to be
A particular Coniideration and Refu-
tation of the Objediions made againfl
Infant Baptifm: Let theReader^ after his
Perufal of this Reply, judge for himfelf^
if it has not quite failed in the Under-
taking, and tvas not at all able to perform what it freely
prom fed.
Mr. Finley begins his Preface hy faying, ** It is with
Relu6l:3nce that he is again innmerfed in this watery Con-
troverfy," So then, after all his RefieSiions on the Ana-
baptists, he is at length, tho' with Unwillingnefs, become
the Anabaptift in this Controverfy ; and, for my Part, he
is welcome to enjoy all the Benefits he thinks do belong to the
Name. But why dipped again in this Controverfy ? "Tis
like he, and Mr. * Flavell before him, do imagine this
Phraje beautifies their IntroduSiion \ tho' others think it is
Jpoken ifi Reference to Dipping (the fcriptural Mode of
Baptifm) by way of Derifion: Iffo, it cannot add any
great Lujire to their Entrance^
to divert the Readers.
' A 2
* Vindlclarum Vindc^i^
tho it may ferve perhaps
'Tii
[ iv ]
"Us no great Matter in which of the folhwing Ch[fes
he ranks us ; whether among the Slothful, who defpond of
ever finding Truth, hecavfe it lies deep ; or the Deceived,
who imagine thiy have jound it on the Surface ; or the Per-
verted, who having once made a confident Profejfion of Er-
ror, guard againji Convi£iion, and offcti InfaUihiliiy. — -
Since it appears that Believers Baptijm is a divine Truths
found in holy Scripture, held by us without Wavering, and
not to be furrenderd to any, Tjohat Name foever they bear ;
whilji he is bvftly employed in fe eking for Infant Sprinklings
hut cannot find' it to be the Truth of God, neither in thd
Deep, nor on the Surface \ and, iy this time, *■' He may
well be ready to conclude, agreeable to common Senfe,
that it is to be found no wheie in Scripture, tho', being
perverted by it, and having made a confident Profeflioii
of it, the Bent of his Heart, it fcems, m:ikes him ftand
on his Guard sgainfl Conviction, afFedting, as it were,
Infallibilitv and Unchangeablenefl."
He prejumesit xvill appear his Charitable Plea is not re-
futed: Let other s judge, when they have read the following
Pages, if that, ar.d his V\nd\czi\ou both, be not f'fftcient-
ly anfwerd.
Jphen he pretended to inform his Readers how Icr.g I was
about the former Treatife, lefl they fl.ould be at a Lofs to
know %vhy his Vindication took up jo jnuch Time, as from
OiSlober, 1747, to the Spring in 1749, before they could
get Sight of it ', he is pleafed to itfortn them, that he was
interrupted by his Employ, which otherwife is abundant ; as
if no Body elje met loiih any Evocations but himfelf, tho'
every One is not for making a plaufible Colour, to glofs the
P^ealify of Things from publick Notice.
With a Defgn to make good his Charge, 'that we were
the Aggreffors in this Controverfy, he fays, I introduced it
at FhiJadclphia, atid refers me to the Baptifts and ethers
there for Proof; and " appeals alfo to the People at
Cape- May, who he believes can ttflify, that fonie Ana-
baptiji Minifters, with feme of their unlearned Candi-
dates, introduced the Controverfy there." Reply. What
I fa id at Philadelphia, was no more than what was done
on both Sidesy " who all along, more or ki^^ pleaded for
their
[ V ]
their Principles and Fradices, as Occafion required."
The Account from Cape- May turns out againji him : In a
Letter from thence, figned in Behalf of the Churchy there
are thefe Words: *' In the Month of June, in the Year
I''4i, Mr. Finley came to our Shore, without any Invi-
tation from the Baptifrs, who neverthelefs heard him
gladly, while he preached the Dodrines of Free grace,
which he continued to do for about three Vifits, which <
he made that Year ; but the fecond Summer, in the Year
3742, he preached a Sermon at Coldfpring, in our Coun-
ty, on the Foint of Piedobaptifm, fome confiderable
time before any of our Minifters, or their unlearned
Candidates (he'fpeaks of) came zmong us."-- Jnd the
Letter adds, *' From the aforefaid Occafion private Dif-
putes were continued ;--for the P^o baptijis were often
reviving the Difcourfe ;" that is, about Infant Baptifm.
Hence it appears it was he himfelf introduced the Contra-
verfy at Cape- May, hoiv willing foever. he is to father tty
quite unjujOy, on others. i -n t - r
I find he does not contradicl any Ihing of the Relation J
have given of the Affair refpeSling our Dijpute at Cape-
May ; he fays, *' I am very punaUious in my Account,
luhich is fo far an Evidence of its being a true One. Does
he call it a preaching on the Controverfy, when he has not
proved that I touched any Thing in the leafl about Infant
Baptifm at the Time referred to ; but opend the Nature
and Dep.gn of Baptifm, for the Help and Benefit of ihofe
Perfons that xvere expeaed to fubfnit to tt floortly ? If he
does, he may call all Sermons preaching on Controverfes',
hccaufe there is no Truth, hut is oppofed by fomebody or ano-
ther. He labours to jujlify his Conduct, tn propofing tae
faid public k Difpute, by pretending he had a Rtght m the
People of C^^e-Mzv, tffc. which Right he thinks denv d
from his being an Injirument to awaken a Number of t hem:
Suppofe he was ', Does that give him, who was but an
itinerant, or' tranftent Preacher among them, a Right to
the People there, particularly to the Hapt.fts, and thcje
v^ho were inclined to them? Did they ever put themjelves
ttnder his Government, or were they ever related to h.m vi
evy Church Order ? Did his fuppofed Right to them, de-
■ A3 r^'^''
[ vi ]
prive them of their proper Right, to fend for a Mlni/ier
ef their own Perfwajion to preach the Word in their own
Meeting -Houfes, and adminijler the Sacraments among
them? What would he be at ; " Did his looking on
them as his People in a very peculiar Manner," take
away their Liberty of Confcience^ to look on him as nat
right in the Point ^Baptifm? Jgain ; Was it a f^iolatiou
cf his pretended Right, for any Baptift Mini/ier, on their
Requefi, to pay them a Vifit ? Was it any breaking in
upon his Labours, for any of us to anfwer their Requeji ?
If the Peopli there, were his People, and dearly related to
him, that he was careful, le/l they fhould be turned away
from him ; liozv came he to be fo careUfs of them, as to
turn away fro^n them, to dejert his FUck, and fettle elfe-
-where? Was not that fuffering them to be fcattered ? Was
his Difpofition fo arrogant and felfjh, that he would not
Jiay at the Capes, unlcfs he f})ould have all far his own,,
whether they could in Conjcience join with him, in thf
P««/ tf/ Infant Baptifm, or 7iot ? Truly, I fee no Re aj on.
to retract any thing I faid, in refpecf af his prcpofing the
public k Difpute.
*Tis obfervable (fays he) how rarely our Opponents
vifited Cape May, until the People were ftirrcd up to fo-
]emn Concern about the State of their Souls, then they
thought was a fit Seafon for them to put in for a Share j
then their Minifters, with their unlearned Candidates^
repair thither from various Parts." Anf Winn the Peo-
ple at the Capes Importuned us to vifit them, it tt^as furely
a fit Seafon for us to anfiver their Deflre ; tho'' it feems
neither their Requeft, nor our Compliance, tvas pleafmg to
Mr. F. But why unlearned Candidates ? Does he not here-
by labour d.fignedly to reproach us ? Why elfe does he go out
of his Way to ufe this Phrafe ? Is it any Part of our pre-
fnt Centroverfy^ whether Learning is effential to a Gofpel
Minijier ? Or, that the Wunt of fotne certain Degrees^
renders a Afan, by divine Authority, incapabfe of the mini-
flerial Funaion ? Whatever Learning our Candidates lack,
he does not fcem to have any great Stock to impart, when he
gives us a falfe Conflruaion of Ads ii. 39. He adds, " The
Water was moved and n^uddy, ao'd bcfgre it would fet-
tle.
[ vu ]
tie, was the Nick of Time to fifh for Profelytes to their
party." Pray what made it muddy ? Bis cajling in the
'Ruhhijh of Infant Sprinkling into the Stream ? In the afore-
faid Letter^ there is a ^ejlion propofcd, '' Who had the
inoft FiOiers for Profelytes at Cape-May ? We, whofe
Minifters and Attendance never exceeded the Number of
three at one Vifit ; or they, whofe Minifters and Atten-
dance fometimes amounted to the Number of Thirty ?"
' Says Mr. F. " Nor has this been their Conduft in one
Place, or one Age only j I find it to be the Complaint
Of eminent Divines in every Age {\nce Anabaptifm he-
gan, that by fuch Condua they have marred the Pro-
grefs of Religion, by turning the Exercifes of awaken'd
Souls into another Channel ; and have obfervedj that
from among thofe, who were l?rought under fpiritual
Concern by the Labours of other Minifters, the Jna^
haptijis have ordinarily had their Harveft." I have al-
ready Jhewn we had ajuji Right tovifit Cape-May, where
there were two Baptift Meeting- houfes, and a Churchy jet-
iled for many Tears pajl : (Vho then can ju/ily fay, we had
not an undoubted Right to preach to our own People at their
Requejl, in their own Meeting- houfes y and to as many as
/hould thini proper to come and hear ? Now, if the Com-
plaint of Divines againfi the Baptifts in dijiant Places and
Jges, is as groundlefs or unjiiji as Mr. Finley'j, 'tis no-
thing elfe in the one, or the other, but prejudicing the World
againfi a People, whofe Principles and Practices, by Argu^
menty they cannot refute. How can it tend to mar the Pro-
grefs of Religion, when People (fuitably qualified) are di-
reatd to obey the Ordinances of Religion, which Chriji hath
appointed ? Did Peter mar the Progref of Religion, or
turn the Exercifes of awaken'd Souls into another Channel,
when he fpake to awaken d Souls, Repent, and be bapti-
zed. Ads ii. 37. 38. What Religion then can be marr'd
by fuch Condu£f, urilef it be the Prefbyferian One, in this
Point ? It feems they are not for any Difpute about thefe
outward (or carnal) Things, becaufe it mars the Progrefs
of their Religion ; but the fcriptural Do^rine of Believers
Baptifm muji he advanced in its Place, come of their Re-
ligion what will, further, IVhen can the Crime be, if one
A 4 /^'"^^
[ viii ]
Jbouldfow, end another reap, now, as well as furmer^
L-mfelf to thofe who were baptized in Infancv, and (35 I
xvas cred.bly informed by thofe that heard him) he per-
fwaded them, on pain of Damnation, to be dipped,^ or
^?n n^'p r^"'r''"5 '" ^"^^ ^ Denounc.ation ' Now.
w. 1 ^ot Reafon fajs that it was necefTarv for me to dif!
putethe Cafe with h.m before the People?" Reply Jf this
was the Reofon of his propofir., the pullick Di/pJief hola
ZullJ ""' A '"''''''' \tmhisjorn.rPrence, whuh
-^pld be n,uch rnore to h:s Purpcfe than all he has fend
how could t,ts makertneceffary for him to dijpute the Cafe
before the People ? Why aoes his Informer, aid my Accufir,
frji pofmvely charge me with having Jatd >, and then fall
away to ^nyncertatnty, hy faying, - Or ufed Wc-^ds
equivalent?" rhn J}.ws, at frjl Sight, the Story hangs
oddly together. ^ Jgatn, Why are thofe Words, which are
Jam to be equivalent, not exprejfed m Print, that others
^^fn^dge whether they were jo or not ? Who is 'to blame,
7^^0'Jw J' '' ^;;\if'-^^-^ I^idMr. F. hear what
thofe Words were ? If he did, can he think it has the lea/}
^hew of Jufhce tn it to keep them to htmfelf unextreflX
M he pubUckly Jiabs One^s CharaHeruLr aprfvat,
hVn 1 'f '^S' ''' ^' '"'^'f"^ '« ^y ^''' Mormer, when '
he told him the Story, that he could not tell him what thofe
^guimlent Words zvereP Iff, what Credit could be given
to hts Information? Let this falfe Report lie between Mr.
^ .nley and his Informer, as becoming their Cavfe and Cha^
V r I a"^ A ^^''''^' ""^'^^y ' ^ «^^^^^ perfwadcdthe
Paedo-bapt.fts at Cape-May to be dipped, on pain of Dam^
nation; neither did J uf Words equivalent I 0 fuch a De-
r.ounciation: And in Confirmation of what I fay, I fl^all
fubjomthe Teflimony of the People at C^Y^^-Uty from un-
der thetr Hands, zvho were pre fnt at the Time referred
r r T^^^'^f ^^r.Finley, in his Preface to the J'indica-
ttoH of his Charitable Plea, Page 6. hath pretended, as a.
Realon
[ i^ 1
Rcafon for hh Dirpute about Pa:do baptifin, that he wzi
credibly informed that Mr. Morgan, in one of his firlt
Sermons at Cape-May, in the Year 1743, addrefilng
himfelf to the Pa:do baptijls, perfwaded them to be
dipped, on pain of Damnation, or ufed Words equiva-
lent to fuch a Denounciation : Concerning which Re^
port, we the Baptijl Society at Cape- May, have made
Enquiry among the moft fubftantial of the Prcfiytcrians
in the County, that were of Mr. Morgan's Auditory at
the Time pointed out by Mr. Finley ; and they, with one
Confent, declared ttey never heard of it, till it came
out in Mr. Finlefs Book : And fome of their Elders and
Deacons faid, they believed Mr. Morgan never faid any
fuch Thing , and Jome of them faid, it was a Pity the
faid Informer was not knov/n, that their Society might
pot he under the Reproach of it.
Nathaniel Jenkins, junior.
WiL*^LiAM Smith, in Benalf of the Society.*'
They propofe the followmg ^ery en the Occafton ; " Of
•what Weight can the Credit of his Informer be, when
Mr. Fs own People do not believe the faid Informer, but
think him a Reproach to their Society V
His faying that feveral Anabaptifts have leen convinced
by their Minijien, does not reach the Obfervation.'--Can
he produce any Injiances of Baptifts convinced they xvere
wrong by hearing their oivn Minijiers treat on the Ordi-
nance ?
He enquires, *' Whoever yet faw the Writings of an
Anabaptijl on the prefent Controverfy, without the Em-
hellifliments of angry, perfonal Reflexions ? Or without
a frequent begging the Queftion, and pofitive AfTertionS;,
unfupported by Argument?" JinJ, The moft favourable
ConJlru£iion I can put on thefe Words, is, that he is not ac-
quainted with the JVritings of our Authors : If he is, he
has no great Regard to his Words, -ivhen he fays thus of
them. I would not he afraid to compare the Writings of
Baptifl Authors, either as to Learning, good Language, or '
folid Arguments, with any he can produce on his Side, in
this Debate.
1 lOiJS
I
[ X ]
/ was aware before, when he would have his Argument
appear in their own Colour without Perverjion, that he had
prepared a Catholicon againjl all Maladies , now J find by
Experience I was not mijlaken in wy ConjeUure^ zuhen he
makes fuch an hideous Noife about his Arguments being con-
Jiantly perverted or evaded^ without Jhewing Grounds for
it, as he went along: He is far frorn having a Specimen
ef it in my Preface, when I not only mentioned fme of tht
Reafons of his former Publication, but plainly referred ta
all the reji, by faying, " Such (or like) pretended Rea-
fons ;"--• intimating that the others were of the like Weight
with thofe cited. - •'■ = os
How I have managed ihe Arguments in the following
Sheets, the Work f jail fp,ak for itfelf ; and /hall only addy
that I have, according to my f ma II Advantage and Abilities^
endeavour d to mninfain an Ordinance of Chriji, as it is
revealed in holy Hct ipture. If the Lord is pleafed to fa-
vour my weak /It tempts with his Blejftng,- it will fuffice :■
Unto him be Glory in the Church, by Chriji Jefus, tbtough'
out all Agesy World without End, Amen.
A. M.
Anti'
t " "i
Antl-Pczdo-Rantifm Defended^ &c.
|^^^:p^ HE Apoftle 7^^^ eichorts us to fowi'^wi
''"''""'""'"''"'^' earnejily for the Faith ^ woich was once de-
Uver'd to the Saints^ Verfe 3. of his Epi-
ftie. This Exhortation (in my Judg-
ment) leads us to obferve thefe following
^^ , ^ Particulars, I. The NeceiTiry of know-
ing and embracing the Truths of the Gofpel, as they
are deliver'd to us in holy Scriptures. 2. There will not
be wanting induftrious Oppofers, who will exert their ut-
rnoft Endeavours to force away this rich and valuable
"bepofitum from its PolTeirors, 3. 'Tis an incumbeni
E)uiy on thofe who have received the Doctrines of the
Gofpel, in Faichfulnefs to God, and Love to the Truth, ,
^ealoufly, firmly, and conftantly to defend them.
That Point of Scripture-truth, in particular, which,
in Compliance with this divine Exhortation, the Cir-
cumftances of Things making it neceflary for us to con-
tend earneftly for at prefent, is the DofStrine of Believers
Baptifm ; which is again attacked by an Undertaking to
vindicate Infants Right to this New-Teilament Ordi-
cance.
• Therefore, to prevent Objeflions, let it be obferved,
that we, who, in our Meafure, do endeavour to defend
this Part of divine Truth againft renewed Attempts, de-
figned to overthrow it, can't juftly be charged with be-
xm the Difturbers of the Church's Peace, or the Au- ■
thyrs.
[ 12 ]
ihors and Promoters of Divifions and Faflions therein;
for if we be, there is no Way to comply with this apo-
ilolical Injundion, and be innocent at the fame time.
Undoubtedly the Guilt of Difcord and Divifions in the
Church, will unavoidably devolve upon the Heads of the
Broachers and Upholders of falfe Doftrines, and errone-
ous Pradices, the very Source of Confufions among
Chriflians.
And tho' Peace amongft all owning the Name of Chrift
be a very valuable Blefling, and truly defirable ; yet we
muft not (according to the Teftimony of a * late Au-
thor) give up Truth and Holinefs for its Sake, or in
order to obtain it.
The Gofpel Truth, with refpeft to the Subjeds of
Baptifm, which, in my former Treatife, I endeavoured
to maintain, is this, ** 7 hat thofe Per/on s xuho profrfs
their Faith in Chri/I, and Repentance for their Sins, are
the only proper SubjeSfs of Baptifm.'^ In Confirmation
hereot, I cited feveral Texts ot holy Scripture, which
Mr. Finhy grants do prove, that fuch as were taught,
and profefTed their Faith, were baptized : *' He allowi
fuch Believers are proper Subje^s of this Ordinance.'*
£ut then, in order to have fome Pretence foV his Prac-
tice, he cavils with the exclufive Particle only, and afk?.
How tvill it fcUsiv therefore none elfe were baptized f —
jfnd feems to wonder how we can he Jo confident of a Con"
duficn, which is contained in no Premijcs we have ever
found." Reply. Mr. Finley freely acknowledges, that
profefiing Believers are proper Subje£ls of Baptifm ; now
if the Scripture fpeaks of any other meet SubjecS^s of this
Ordinance, or gives any Examples of any others bapti-
zed, who had not, or were not required to have the pre-
vious Qualifications of Faith and Repentance j why has
rot this Advocate for Infants Right to Baptifm, in the
Courfe of our Debate, favour'd us with fome Inflances
of fuch a Pradice before now ? Is it not becaufe he ha^
none to give? Undoubtedly it is io. Hence then it is
plain enough, that profefTing Believers are the only pro-
per Subjedts of Baptifm i tho' he would fain arnufe his
Readeis
* Mr, Tennenfi Ircnicum Ecdcfiaficum, Page 34.
[ 13 1 ♦
Readers with a groundlefs Objedion againft what we af-
fert, and charge us with begging the Queftion in De-
bate. Well, Mr. Finley takes it for granted, that Be-
lievers Infants were baptized in apoftolick Times, but
where has he proved it ? Truly no where : He has given
no Examples of Infants baptized, nor produced any
Text;, which require they fliould, who have not the
Pre-requifttes the Scripture every where calls for in the
Subjeas of Baptifm ; notwithftanding he urges on Peo-
ple his Opinion, unfupported by Scripture as it is, and
ftems difpleafed it Ihould not meet with univerfal Wel-
come ; tho' at the fame time he difcovers his Caule to be
indefenfible, when he charges us with begging the
Queftion, becaufe we ftridly adhere to exprefs Scripture
Dodrine and Teftimony, in the Caft before us.
Chrift commanded profeiTing Believers to be baptized,
Mark xvi. 15, 16. And it adds no fmall Confirmation
to the Point m hand, that the Apoftles underftood their
Lord's mind to be, that piofefling Believers only were
to be baptized, when, according to the concurring Te-
Itimony of holy Scriptures, in the whqle Courfe of their
Miniflry, they baptized only fuch as we have an Account
of. I fiill think, had it been the Will of God, that In-
fants fhould be baptized, he would have revealed it in
bis Word ; but feeing he has not, the Pradice of Infant
Baptifm depends only upon the Will of Mr. F. and other
mortal Men, like hi'm. No Article ought to be received
as a divine Truth, which wants a divine Revelation,
and fuch is Infant Baptifm.
'* Let them try (fays he) how this Mode of Reafonlng
will Juit in other Cafes. For Injlance^ Rom. x. 9. He
that confelfeth with his Mouth,— - Jliall be faved i-- there-
fore all dumb People are excluded from Salvation ; with the
Mouth confejfion is made unto Salvation ; therefore only fuch
as can confejs with the Mouth are capable of Salvation. —
Thefe are evidently falfe Arguments, but they are as good as
Mr. M'j. Ihey who profefs their Faith are to be bapti-zed,
therefore only fuch." Reply. In thefe Words of the Apo-
ille, Faith m Chrift, and Acknowledgment of him, arc
required,— And the Scripture faith, He that beliivcthnot,
' pall
[ H ]
Jhdl he damned, Mark xvi. i6. And he that den'ie'th Chriji
before Men, Jhall he denied before the Angeh of God, Luke
xii. 9. When God gives Laws and Rules to his Crea-
tures, they muft obferve them ; and It is finful to go out
of, or beyond thofe Bounds and Reftriaions. But does
he hereby bind hirnfelf ? Is he not fuvereign and free not-
ivithftanding to do whatfoever plieafeth him, even to fave
the Deaf and Dumb, if it feem him good, tho' they
never confefled Chrift ? But will thii diflblve the fixed
Obligation his Creatures are under to believe in Chrift,
and confefs him, in ordtr to Salvation ? No, in no wife.
Pray what fort of an Argument Would Mr. F. draw
from hence ? Is it becaufe God can difpenfe with his own
Inftitutions, Commands and Appointments ; or ad with-
out them, or above them, and fave one who cannot con-
fefs Chrift ; therefore Mr. F. may difpenfe with the Or-
der and Commands of God too, and baptize one with-
out the Pjofcffion of Faith and Repentance ? What
would the Man be at ? Hath he forgot the infinite Dif-
proportion between him and God ? Will he fay with
the proud Kmg ot Babylon, I will he like ibe Mofi High ?
\.tx. him fhew v/hether that which Gcd does in a fove-
reign Way, upknown to us, be in any Part the Rule of
our Obedience ; or his written Word, and nothing elfe,
that we are bound to adhere to, in all Matters of Faith
and Pra<f>ice ?
There appears nothing to the contrary in this Inftance,
but what our Mode of Reafoning fuits very well ; for as
it is the inftituted Way of God for Sinfters to believe in
Chrift, and confefs him, in order to Salvation, and on-
ly fuch fhall be faved, according to his ftated Order, and
cxprefs Inftitution, Tvlark xvi. 16. John iii. 36. So
aifo, according to his ftated and unvariable Appoint-
ment, revealed in holy Scripture, profefling Believers,
and none other, are the only proper bubjeds of Baptifm,
A£ii viii 37. xviii. 8. Matthew xxviii. 19. We readily
own God's free Sovereignty to do as he pleafeth ; but at the
fame time utterly deny Mr. /"s Right and Prerogative
to bring in any other Subjeas to this Ordinance, befides
thofe the Scripture exprefly mentions. The Reader may
obferve.
[ 15 ]
obferve the more our Author tries to vindicate his Caufe,
the more he involves himfelf in Abfurdities.
Says he, *' The Scriptures ko where fay ^ that only fuch,
(x. e. profejfmg Believers) and nme elfe, are fit Subje^s of
this Ordinance. Anf, But the tjcripturer, fa), that pro-
feffing Believers are fit Subjects of this Oidinarce ; what
divine Authority then is there to admit any others ? The
Scripture furely does not prove Contraries to be both
true, if it undeniably proves, that Repentance and Faith
were cohftantly required to precede the Reception of
Baptifm, ,in all the Inftances of it recorded therein, a-
greeable to the Words of Inflitution : But that it does
fo, can't be gainfaid ; then it necefTarily excludes all o-
thers, who have not fuch Qualifications from any Right
to this Ordinance. The Door whe^by Mr. F. uould
bring in Believers Infants to be fit Subjeils of Baptifm,
will admit a Number of other Abfurdities ; and he muft
have fome Skill, beyond what is common, if he can, by
the fame Rule, fhew the one to be lawful, and the other
not. For Inftance ; The Scriptures no where fay, that
Bread only is to be ufed in the Supper j therefore it is
lawful to adminifler Flefh alfo therein. Again ; The
Scriptures no where fay, that Wine only Is to be ufed in
that Ordinance ; therefore it is lawful to mix Water
therewith in that Sacrament (as fome of the Antients
did) or ufe any other Liquid, as Rum or Brandy, with
it, or inflead of it. By the fame Rule he may ufe the
Sign of the Crofs in Baptifm-'-Baptife Bells--- Preach to
Beafts and Birds, and what not ? Thefe, and a thoufand
more fuperftitious Fooleries, are equally warranted by
Mr. F's Rule, as that which he would prove thereby,
viz. That Infants are fit Subjeds of Baptifm. Well,
Men may pleafe themfelves with tlieir Fancy, and abufe
Scripture to ferve their Purpofe ; but God will not be
mocked. This Rule of Mr.' i^'s, had it been good, and
would have bore the Tefl-, would have been worth its
Weight in Gold ; and more alfo to Nadab and Abihuy
Lev. X. I, 2, 3. who offered Jirange Fire before the
Lord, which he commanded them not. Does the Scripture
any where fay, they fhould oiFcf Fire from Heaven onfyy
and
t i(S ]
and none elfe ? Therefore, according to Mr. fs cclebra*
ted Dodrine, and efpoufed Principle, they might offer
other Fire : But their doing fo, colt them very dear ;
for it was fo difpleafing to God, that there went out Fire
from him, which devoured them infiantly. And why
is this recorded, but to prevent alJ prcfumptuous Pradi-
ces of the like Nature for the future f And to admonfh
us ail in fucceeding Generations, that in God's Worflaip
God's Command, not Man's Wit or Will, muft be our
Rule, to which we muft adhere. Where the Scripture
hath no Mouth to fpeak, we fliould have no Eats to hearj
nor V/ill to obey. The Reader may obferve from this
Inftance of Nadab and Ji>ibu^ that Mr. F's Argument
here for his Practice of Infant's Baptifm, is built on a
very dangerous and God provoking Principle ; 'tis there-
fore unfafe for any once to prefume to be concerned in
it.
I obferved, that under the Name of controverting a-
bout Baptifm, the Debate is impertinently and ufelefly
carried off to another Subjedt, viz. Abraham's Cove-
uant. Mr. F. thinks this cafts fevere Rcfieaions on all
the learned Divines, who have defended Infant Baptifni
from Jhraham'a Covenant. As for his Part, he is fo fure
they were right in fo doing, that he would rather * die,
than acknowledge the contrary : But neither their Me-
thod, nor his extreme Confidence, removes the Diffi-
culty : For when we profeffedly undertake to debate a-
bout the Doctrine, and proper Subjeds of Baptifm, to
kave that, and fall on another Subjedi, that has not yec
been made appear to have any particular Relation to the
Cafe in hand, or to be of any real Service to them-
felves, is impertinent, and quite ufelefs. This Method
indeed ferves to amufe Mankind, and to continue the
unhappy Controvcrfy between us ; but hov/ fond foever
our Opponents may be of the Invention, yet their Con-
fequences from Abrahan'% Covenant, fo long before the
Inftitiition of Baptifm, arc too far fetched, to carry in
them any Evidence to prove that .there are fome fit Sub-
jedls of this Ordmance, befides thofg who are cxprtily
mentioned
. * Page 73.
[ 17 ]
iai^ntioned in the New-Teflament j our Author's firong
Copfidence, on the Occafion, does but expofe his Prin-
ciples to Contempt and Ridicule, when the one appears
(p very ill grounded, and the other maintained by fuch
indirect, inconclufive Arguments, which hitherto have
failed to fliew the Pradice of baptizing Infants to be the
Lord's Appointment.
. ** However, ('fays. he) / think it is the fafeji Courfe
ip draw Inferences from both Tejiamenis^ compared toge-
ther J nor .dare I venture to rejeSl a 'text from the Old
Xeftament, as impertinent to prove a New Teftament
DoSlrine, for therein I Jhoidd impioujly refleSf on Chri/i
himfelf and his blejcd Jpojiles" Reply. Could hf, or
zny other, but once make appear, that Infant Baptifm,
is a Do'flrine taught in the New Teftament^ how in-
vincible would fuch Reafonings be ! But feeing he has
not hitherto (hewn that this Do(Srine is once exprefTed,
br the leaft Hint of fuch Pradlice found therein, there
is nothing in thefe Obfervations which will ferve his
Purpofe : And inafmuch as this New Teftament Ordi-
nance was not inflituted in the Old Teftament Times,
nor once revealed to the Saints then, 'tis quite improba-
ble, there fhould be any Texts in the Old Teftament
pertinent to prove, who are the fit Subjeils of it; this is
Mr. Fs pre/Ting Difficulty ; herewith is he forely pinch-
ed, that he can't fhew us the Dodrine of Infant Bap-
tifm, to be taught either in the Old or New Teftament;
tho' he talks as if it was plentifully ejiprefs'd in both.
And tho' at one Turn, he would not, yet at another,
I think he does inipiouny refle(St on Chrift himfelf, and
his bleffed Apoftles, when he infifts that Infant Baptifm
is a Gofpel Ordinance, which Chrift never inftituted,
and his Apoftles never taught j what can this be, but an
impious Reflection, either on the Wifdom of Chrift,
that he did not fee meet to appoint it, or elfe on the
Faithfulnefs of the Evangelifts and Apoftles, that they
ciid not commit all Chrift's Appointments to Writing,
if Infant Baptifm be one of them ? But as the Cafe
now ftands, I judge 'tis the fafeft Courfe to reject his
Confequences from Abraha7n''i Covenant, in Defence of
B it,
- [ i8 ]
it, as impertinent and ufelefs ; which otherwife migh^
perhaps byafs one to join with him in the fame impious
Refledlon on Chrift, and his bleffed Apoftles.
Our chief Difagreement in what follows, will be about
the Application of it. " To take Scriptures out of their
proper Connexion (fays he) is the ever lofting Method of
Errorijls. There is doubtlefs one confiftent Chain from
the Beginning of Genefis, to the End of Revelations."
I am apt to think it is fo ; or elfe our Opponents would
not wrclt any Texts out of their proper Connexion,
■with a Defign to vindicate their Practice of Infant
Baptifm ; which Mr. F. knows is not once exprefled in
the BihUy from the Beginning of Genefs^ to the End of
Revelations ; or attempt to break the Chain of Scripture
Harmony refpefting that of Believers.
I need not enter on the Debate about Jbrahani's Co-
venant, in this Place, becaufe that will come in Courfe
hereafter ; I fliall offer a Remark, or two, and pafs on.
He argues, " That Abraham is the Prefident of our Pri-
viledges^ and how fiall we better know our Priviltdges and
Bljfings, than by looking to his?— Can the Heir know his
Patrimony^ and not know what his Father poffeffed ?" And
fays, *' Thus while Air. M. corrects our Divines^ he un-
atvares goes about to correSi the Apojiles : If we are herein
impertinent^ fo is infpir^d Pawl ; but we are in no Doubt^
whether vje floall follow Paul, or Mr. M." Reply. Had Mr.
F. made appear, that I oppofed the Apoftle Paul in
that, wherein I oppofe him ; and that the Apoftle in-
tends Infants Church memberfhip, by Abraham' sBkiTwgy
and referred to Abraham's Covenant for Proof of it s
this kind of Talk migl t do; but feeing he has not, his
Lines here are of no more Force, than if he had filled
them up with A, b, c. And for him to look to Abta-
ham., or the former Adminiftration for Infants Right to
a New-Teftament Ordinance, is as if an Heir Ihould
look to pofTefs his Father's Clothes, which were quite
wore out, before he became feized of his Edate.
I obferved, " that having Recoznfe to Abraham's Co-
venant., fuppofes that Chrijl^ together zvith the Injlituticn
of Baptijm^ has not given us full and fufficient Informa-
tion.
[ 19 ]
iioj:, who are the Subje^s of it." Ke replies, ** We
fay he has fully informed us, but where ? Is it not in the
Scriptures ? Or is the Old Tefiament no longer Scripture ?
JVas it written only for the Jews, and not far our LearU'
ing ?" Anf. Here are a Parcel of Queftions propofed ;
but how they ferve to remove the Abfurdity I charged
on my Opponent's Reafonings, I can't devife : Nay,
this round-about Way feems to befpeak, that Chrift has
not-- -there is a Defeil in the Directions! and fo the Ab-
surdity ftill remains, which is, that Chrift commanded
his Miniftcrs to baptize, but yet did not fully inform
them who ; and fo left them at an Uncertainty : He
neither told them they fhould baptize Infants, nor re-
ferred them \o Abrahams Covenant for Direction in the
Cafe ; and yet would have them baptized ; a Thing
quite unreafonable to be credited or fuppofed. And
tho' we do profeiTedly acknowledge the Old Teftament
to be Scripture, and that it was written for our Lcarn<-
Jng ; yet it does not teach us who are the Subjects of
Baptifm, becaufe this Ordinance is not at all revealed
therein : Will Mr. F. tell us, how we (hall learn that
from the Old Teftament, which it never taught ? One
would be ready to think, that when neither Old nor
New Teftament teaches that Infants are fit Subjedls of
this Ordinance, Mr. F. might very reafonably join with
us in difowning it to be a Scripture Dodlrine at all.
I obferved, that the Right and Title of any to Bap-
tifm, is of no older Date than the Inftitution of the
Ordinance itfelf- He anfwers, " Be it fo ; but what
■does this arguing reprove ? We don't fay any had a Right
to be baptized before Baptifn was injiituted. ; but when it
was infiituied, we fay Believers Infants had a Right to it^
which we prove from the Grant God has made of their
Church- memberfoip. Sic." Mr. i^. feems to allow, that
the Right of any to Baptifm is of no older Date than
the Inftitution of the Ordinance ; yet he will have it,
that fome have a Right to it, by Virtue of a former
Grant, long before the Inftitution of Baptifm ; what is
the Sum of his Talk here, but only this, that thofe who
are not commanded to be baotized, in the Inftitution of
B^2 this
[ 20 ]
this Ordinance, have notwithftanding, as goo4 a Rigf^t
to it, as fchofe that are, Markxvi. 15, 16? Is there any
Need of Arguments to refute fuch abfurd Reafoning,
with its (hocking Confcquences ? Which natively tends
jto lay afide the Wifdom and Authority of God, in his
Commands ; and leads People todifregard them, by fet"
ting up an Inftitution of their own, collateral with, or
in Oppofition to his. Hence it appears, my Obfervation
was JLift and proper ; Mr. F. indeed offers no Arguments
here, in favour of what he fays, only refers to his fol-
lowing Pages : But when he intimates, he (hall have
Recourfe to Abrahatri% Covenant, where there is no
Mention of Baptifm, no Command for it, no Account
who are the Subjedls of it, or who are to be the, Mem-
bers of the New Teftament Church ; all folid Grounds
of Expe«Slation to find any hereafter, are alfo entirely
cut off. . . , .
He fays, I am puzzled to know the Ufe of his Di-
fiin<Siohs of a twofold being in the Covenant, and two-
fold Way of fealing it.- --But can any Anfwer be more
pertinent, than what I urg'd before ? That confidering
he has not improved the faid Diftindlions to his prefent
Purpofe, by giving, us fome In fiances of the Apoftle's
baptizing the Infant Seed of Believers on the Account
of their being vilibly in the Covenant of Grace.---But
as this was not poffible for him to do, his Diftinction3
are ufelefs in this prefent Controverfy ; efpecially ob-
ferving that our Opponents themfelves don't keep to
thefe Di(tin<5tions, when they aflert, * " that Infants are
Believers in Chri/i." And put them on a § Par with
believing Women, without any Diftinci^ion or Limita-
tion : And why not wi h believing Men too? Tes^ fays
Mr. i^ f *'. IVe ought to hope equally charitably of Be-
lievers Infants, as of aSiual Profeffors." Hence it appears
thcfe Diltindions don't ferve even fo much as to cut off
our Obje<Stions ; much lefs to prove that Infants ought
^o be baptized ; Nay, our Objections are ftrengthened
by them, and their not keeping to them ; for if Belie-
vers Infants are Believers in Chrift, and are thus in
Covenant,
* Di'vine Right, Page 25. § Jb. 38. f Vind. Page 23.
[ 2.1 ]
Covenant, they are in it hv'w^ly^ and fJialJ all be Taved,;
iinlefs they will fay that fome who are * united to Chrift
by Faith, (hal! perifh notwithrtanding ; and fince tliey
have no vifible Signs whereby they can dillinguifh their
Infants, which is a Reliever, and which not ; they muft
jieceflarily hold (according to thefe AfTertions) that they
are all Believers in Chrift, and united to him by Faith,
and fo are al! favingly in the Covenant, which contra-
dicts the Diftinctlon, which lays they are not. And
till thefe Contradictions are reconciled, Mr. F. may
thank himfelf and his Brethren, if he finds J pay no
Regard to his Diftinctions, which appear to be of no
Manner of Service, but to fill up his Pages, and blind
his Readers. He is pleafed to cry out '' En Animum
et Mentetn ! I was, (fays he) for jhewing my Meaning
in fome Phrafes^ which I had frequent Occafion to ufe^
hut injlead of that^ I mufi, it fcems^ give li: fiances of
the Apofile\ haptizirig Infants.'' Reply. He might
{hew his Meaning in thofe Phrafes, as fully as he thought
proper: I did not requite Inftances instead of his
Meaning (as he very unjuflly infinuates) but aftfr,
he had ftiewn it ; which is plain enough, by faying he
bad not improved them to his prefeni Purpofe. But
when he full well kr\ew that he could not readily pro-
duce any Inftances of the Apoftle's baptizing Believers
Infants, it feems he is now under a NecefTity to give
my Reafoning thi,s Goby, and rather mifreprefent his
Opponent, than his Readers fhould think his Diftinctions
ufelefs in this Controverfy, or find that his Stir about
them is but an empty Amufement : Would it not be
ingenuous in Mr. E.. either to give them fome Examples
in the Cafe, if it could be done ; or elfe forbear to
detain them any longer from adhering to the expiefs
Scripture Account of the proper Subjects of Baptifm ?
Mr. F. has taken Pains to fliew, *' That I deny necef-
fary Confequences from Scripture to be the JVord of God >"
which he judges to be ** Avery corrupt Principle^ and of
dangerous Tendency •" and afTures us. Page 78. He would,
chufeDeath^ rather than fubfcribe this Article. ---Yon muft
B 3 know
f Divine Right, Page 33.
t 22 ]
Icnow by all this it is corrupt indeed ! May we not expe£i
then to find the Corruption and dangerous Tendency of
it plainly open'd, and foundly refuted ? But, far from
that, when he does not feem to dillinguifh betwixt Con-
fequences from Scripture, and the proper, exprefs Senfe
of the Scripture, fays he, " It has hecn^ and f. ill is ^ th&
known Refuge of Se^arians and Errorifis ; yea, hence Er-
rors ordinarily rife, by catching at fame Words of Scripture
"without the Sefife ; and it is too plain, that all contradi3ing
SeSfs plead Scripture as patronizi?!g their various inccnfjlcrit
Dotages.^' And in Page 32. Itake theSsnfe and Mcanivg of
Scripture to be God's tVord^ and not the Letters and Syllables^
^vithout the Confequence and Refultofthcm in their Connexi-^
en." Now whatfoever is the proper Senfc, and expiels
]\Ieaningof Scripture, cannot be a Confcquencej other,
wife there is nothing but Confequences, which cannot be.
Whoever they be that catch at Scripture Words, with-
out the Senfe, I am perfwaded the Baptijh are clear e-
iiough of this Charge, in the Cafe of Believers Baptifm ;
for we have both the Words and Senfe of them, through-
out the New-Teftament,' in one unbroken Chain, in our
Favour ; and indeed there is no other Water- baptifm men-
tion'd or acknowledged therein : And if Mr. F, and o-
ther Sectarians and Errorifts, do catch at Words, with-
out the Sen^e, to fejvc their Purpofe, let them look to ir^
how they will anfwer for fuch an Abufe of holy Scrip-
ture. Infant Sprinkling, I judge, may, without ai.y
Breach of Charity, be reckon'd for one, among thofe
various inconfiflent Dotages, tho' it comes much (hort of
many other Errors, in refpe<ft of Scripture Words, with-
out the Senfe to patronize it ; but is obliged to hold up its
Head, only by leaning on neceflary Confequcnces to be
the Word of God : W^hlch Bufition Mr. F. endeavours
to maintain, come of Scripture-Sufficiency what will.
It feems by him, there are but very few Things exprefly
taught and commanded in holy Scripture : The Mind
and Will of God, the great Teacher and Lawgiver of
his Church, for the mofl part, it feems, muft be learned
and proven by Confequences : It is like he thinks this
Reprefentation of Scripture ferves befl to exalt the Glo-
ry
[ 23 ]
ry of God's WifJom in revealing his Mind to us j^and
alfo fervea the beft to recommend the Sufnciency of God's
"Word to thofe who difparage it ; at leaft this Account
fLiits his Purpofe the beft to couch in his darling Tenet
of Infant Baptifm, amongft almoft all other Thi^ngs,
which, according to him, cannot be proved but by Con •
fequences : Accordingly, he proceeds to offer feme of h|S
Arguments againft the faid Principle ; and herein his
/irft Attempt againft the Sufficiency of Scripture, if Con-
fequences be rejected, refpeds the Refutation of Errors ;
fays he, " Jf we rejeSt nece/far^ ConfcquenceSy %ue /})aU be
greatly pinched to refute many Herefies" Say you (ol And
is the Scripture then lefs fufficient now for Reproof; i.e.
to convince and confute Hereticks, and repel their Er-
rors, than it was in Paul's Day, 2 Tim. in. i6,- 17. Qr,
are not the found Dodrines contained in the faithful
Word fufficient to make one able to convince Gainfay-
ers, and ftop their Mouths now, as well as formerly ?
Yea, faith ihe Holy Ghofl, without referring us to Con-
fequences, Tit. i. 9, 1 1. No, fays Mr. F. if we re-
jea necefTary Confequences, we fhall be greatly pinched
to * refute many Herefies. Give an Inftance ; Why,
■" Hoiu Jhould we refute ihe DoSirine of Tranfubjianiia-
tion^ if neceffary Confequences he rejeSled f " 'Tis more
than probable, his Confequences would be as ineffedual
to refute the Papifts, as this Inftance is invalid to confirm
his Argument : Nay, would they not rather rejoice at
this favourable Conceffion ? The like of which never,
perhaps, dropt from a Proteftant Pen before ; and inftead
of being refuted, be further eftablifhed in their grofs
Miftakes : If Air. F. thinks otherwife, let him make the
Experiment. But furely our Author is greatly pinched
B 4 fo"^
* Melchior Cams, a Popifli Author, writeth, that there is
more EfScacy for Confutation of Hereticks, in Tradition,
than in Scripture. So Mr. F. commends the EfHcacy of Con-
fequences, to refute Hereticks, for if Confequences be rejeft-
ed, the Scripture itfelf will leave one to great Pinches, i. e
'tis very incfFeaaal to refute Hereticks : Both agree in difpa
raging the Sufficiency of Scripture, tho' upon fomcwhat difFc
rent Grounds.
e.
[ 24 ]
for Inftances, when he is obliged to go along fuch a blind
Path alone to feek one ; contrary to the Body of Prote-'
ftant Divines, and- whole Churches, beyond Sea, who
unanimoufly afTert f " That theDo6irine of Tran/ubjiar^.
ttation IS repugnant to the plain PFords of Scripture "
Nay, had he gone no further than Philadelphia, an J
confulted X Mr. Tenneni, he would have told him, " That
the Apojile Paul calls that Bread five times over, which
Ghnft calls his Body." Can any Thing be more plain
and exprefs? Could he pofHbly have fixed on any Inftance
more remote from his Purpofe than this ? But feeing th-'s
erroneous Tenet is refuted \>y plain Words of Scripture^
ins Inftance leaves his firft Argument to fland upon the
bare Authority of his own Word, which I don't think
to be a fubftantial Evidence againfl the Sufficiency of"
Scripture for Refutation of Herefies, if his necelTary
Confequences be not allowed to be the Word of God.
2. H^s next Attempt, which bears hard upon the Suffici'*
cncy of Scripture, if Confequences be rejeaed, is with
refpea to Doariirss and Duties", or what we are to be'-
Jjeve and pradife : His Words are (hefe : " Hcvo f,vj
Truths and Duties could we prove a^ainfl Ophonents if
Confequences are denied r'- AuC r. InrUpe6t'of doctr.
nalTru'hs, Chrift aflured the Difciples, John xv. I.^
^// tha^t I have heard of my Father, Ihave made knowH
^■S^V^rf: n See alfo D^^,/. xviih i8. And was not the
tioly Ghoft as faithful to commit all to§ Writing ? Yc-<=
verily ; feeing tire Scriprure is fo fufEcient in refpect of
Doctrine, ^c. iTim. iii. i6, ,7. as to make the Man
f)t Crod perfect, throughly furnifhtd unto all'sood Works
Is not proving Truths againft Opponents a good Work i^'
i^oubtlefs It is J and here the Holy Ghofl teflifies the Sufi
ficiency
t Morning Exercife, Page 201,
X Sermons on Sacranier.lai Occafions, Page i 3 i
f.1 J^n A^"'^ ""'^T "'^">' ^^'^^^^ ^h^^ft ^^'•o^ght to con-
2 ..yet all the Doe.nnes he received topublilh to his Church.
xvhKh were fo confirmed, are written. To the fame I'ur-
pofe, fee Morning Exercife, Page 17-
[ 25 ]
£ciency of Scripture for it, without fo much as implying
that very few Points of Truths could be proven, unleis
Recourfe be had to Confequences. If the Cafe be as Mr;
F. fays, why did not he give us fome Inftances hereof,
at leaft one out of many ? What makes Errorifts of all
Sorts, and in ail Ages, decry the Sufficiency of Scripture
in fome Shape cr other, but a Deilgn to maintain and
propagate fome corrupt Notion ? And why fhould Mr. /!,
fymbolize with them herein, but becaufe he has the Cafe
©f Infant Sprinkling in hand, which obliges him to dif-
parage the Sufficiency of Scripture Doctrine, contrary tu
Scripture Teftimony ? To me it is a flrong Evidence,
that that Doctrine is not of God, which ^Or its Defence
necefTarily forces its Votaries on difparaging tl">e Word of
God ; as tho' it was fome how infufficient, without Re-
courfe had, either to oral Traditions, new Revelations,
or fome fuppofed necellary Confequences, to make a
compleat Rule of Faith and Practice. Alas ! no wonder
if our Opponents countenance the Introduction of un-
fcriptural Baptifm, when they have Foreheads hard e-
nough with fuch glaring Injuftice to miireprefent the
Scripture itfelf ; as tho' of all Truths and Duties, which
we are to prove, there are but very few exprefly revealed
therein j than vvliich, vihat can be more wicked and
falfe?
'■ 3. In refpect of Practice he fays, " How few Duties
could we prove againji Opponents^ if Confequences are de-
tifd ? Reply. But hath not the Lord (hewed in his
Word, whatfoever he requires of Man in Point of Obe-
dience? And it is Man's Duty to keep his Command-
ments, and- to fay unto Opponents as the Godly of old
did J ** Thus hath the Lord commanded us." ASis xiii.
46. Luke xxiv. 47. Mr. F. cannot fay to his Oppo-
nents, in favour of Infant Baptifm, " Ihus hath the
Lord commanded us.''* He gives us here two Examples,
'* JVomens receiving the Supper, and Change of the Sah-
hath." As to the tirft, I have before cited a Scripture
* Kiftoiy of it: It may fuffice in this Place, to obferve,
that the Word Jnthropos, uled by the Apoflle, i Cor. xi.
2%.
'^ Jnti. Pa^e 81.
C 26 ]
28. 13 of the Co7nmune Gender, and comprehends both
Sexes ; that is, *' Let a Mandr Woman,'* &c. which js
confiderably more exprefs than Mr. F. would infinuate.
As to the latter he fays, *' Nor is it near Jo eajy to •prove
the Change of the Sabbath from the feventh to the firjl
Day by Confequences, as to prove hifant Baptijm to be
light." Anf. This is not fo ; for there are apoflolical
, J^xamplcs for the Obfervation of the fiift Day of the
Week, which is exprefly called The Lord's Day ; but
there are none for Infant Baptifm, nor is it any where
called Ihe Lord's Ordinance.
His third Argument, defigned for the Refutation of
faid Principle, is thus : *' '2"u the Command of Chrijiy
in John v. 39. that xve fearch the Scriptures j hut if we
are not to regard neceffary Confequences., it is quite needlefs
to fearch ; for alt Things lie on the Surface." Anf. By
Things lying on the Surface, I underftand he means
Things that are plainly exprelTed. But to regard theho]y
Scriptures only as the Word of God, does not render
our Search needltfs ; for Chrift referred the unbelieving
yews to them : And becaufe the Scriptures contained
exprefs Teftimonies concerning himfelf, that he was the
Mejfiah, therefore he commanded the Jews to fearch
them (1 hope Mr. F. will not fay, there are not a Multi-
tude of exprefs Teftimonies concerning Chrift in the
Prophets) And. why will not the fame Reafon hold good
at this Day, that we fliould fearch the Scriptures, to
jcnow and believe their exprefs Teftimony concerninfT
the whole Will of God ? Mr. F. brings that as an Ar-
gument againft fearching the Scriptures, which Chrifl
brings for it. Chrift bids us fearch them, becaufe they
contain exprefs Teftimonies concerning himfelf j Mr. F.
teaches it is quite needlefs to fearch the Scriptures, when
Things are plainly exprefled, or lie on the Surface.
When his Dodrine ftands in Oppofition to Chrift's, the'
It may fuit him the beft to uphold an anti-fcriptural
Pradlice, we think it quite needlefs to regard it ; and
therefore reje(5l it with deferving Abhorrence. Hence it
appearr, we are under no Neceflity to regard Confequen-
ces as the Word of God, nor yet diminifh ought from
our
[ 27 ]
pur Obedience to thjs Command of fearching the Scrip*
^^^T' " On this Plan (fays he) 'tis an Impertinence far
Minl/Iers to pretend to explain Scripture ; for the DcSirmiS
drawn from it, by vecefary Confeauencc. are not ia oe e.
fteemedas the Mind of God" Anf. Having vitwcu.ch.s
Argument, with his Defign therein, ^ ^^ferve it r. la
Ihortof Stature, and has fuch a downward Calt of the
Eve that it will not look towards tiie Point m ^.and,
unlefs Mr. F. or fome other, will undertake to give it a
topping Lift, and place thole Explanatioiis and >«^''f ^
^rire^pon the high Afcent of infali^bihry Does^Mr.
F. call the Comments, Explanations or Gloiresot.-UY
f.€urs Henry, Flavcll, Sydenham.^ the Word of God.?- il
fo why does not he cite thtir Words in this LqntnM-ier-
f/, wherein he is fo pinchinoly ftranenM tor divine i.u.
■ thority, and fay, ", Thus fuV^ the Lord^" iN^aymorc,
if fo, why not his own Gloffes, his Arguments, U^
Charitable Plea and Vindication, all to be the Ward of
God, without Contradiction f If not, is it an imper-
tinence in him or them to pretend to explain Scriptuie
according to their Underftanding ? And alter all to lub-
; init their Explanations and Doctrines to the Determina-
' tion of the Supreme Judge, even tlie holy Scriptures i
Bv which all Doctrines advanced by Men aie to be exa-
mined, and religious Controverfies decided ^ and no
Doctrines are to be efleemed as the Mind of God, which
he hath not fpokeri in his Woid. The Doanneof Be-
lievers Baptifm isexpreffed in his Word, ana therefore I
can very confiftently believe it to be the Truth of God,
and at the fame time denv any others to be fit Subjects.- -
I think there is a large Field for Minifters to labour in,
without incurring the Chargeof Impertinence on the one
Hand, or prefuming, on the other, to put their unin-
fnired Comments and Explanations on an Equality with
the infpired Writings, and then call ih^m. The h or d of
God ; which to do, would be the highefl Act of Treafon
againft the King of Heaven, and thereby cxpofe them-
fdves to the moft awful Curfes denounced in the Booic
of God, Diut, iv. 2» Prov, xxx, 6. Rev, xxn. i8. And,
[ 28 ] .
m my Judgment, 'tis Honour fufficient to what you may
call neceirary Confequences, to fet them on an Equalitv
with the unmfpired Comments and Explanations of
Men without attributing to them the Name of the inr
wit'h thTm ''"^'' ""' ^^'^""'"S '^^^^ °f ^q^al Authority
/?w r ^n f' ^^^ ^^^'" ^^^ "^^ 'nujijay, Godwillnot
-frf, V ^ '^'' '''''^^"■^ C.«^^^.„.., ,/ hh Wordr Anf
well, If we fay fo, pray what Text of Scripture (hall
we contradict ? Yea, or what Scripture Article of Faith
Ihall we difannul, or make void ? Says he, " We dare
irujimne of them, if even the Jitongcfi Confequences are
no dtvtneAuthomyr Anf. By/ no Means'; feeing you
have nothmg elffe, when yourftrongeft Gonfequences for
inlant Sprinkling carry you to practife what is repugnant
to the Scripture Doctrine, and to all the Scriptur? Ex-
amples of Baptifm. Further he fays, -. If the necejary
^onfequenu of any Text can foffibly h falfe, the Text iL
M ts faf i for tt IS a fef evident Maxim, that nothing
but Truth can natively and regularly follow from Truths.
Doubtlefs every Word of God is perfect Truth ; but the
Uncertainty is in refpect of the Confequence ; for what
)s It but the Judgment of fallible Men, that this or that
Js natively deducible, or not deducible, from fuch a Text?
J^or Inftance, in the Cafe before us, what one Confe-
quence, which our Opponents bring for Infant Baptifm,
JS It that IS natively deduced from the Texts they cite ?
And yet thefe Mr. K will have to be the Word of God
Again; obferve, '' That God's knowing every pofible Con^
jequence ofzvbat he Ims revealed^ adds no Strength to
Air i' s Obfervation, neither carries any Weight in it
to ferve his Purpofe;--.for God equally knows all the
corrupt Glofles which would be made on his Word, and
■^W the finfu! Abufes of it ; are they therefore to be al-
iowed ;> Jn no wife : So neither is Mr. Fs Infinuation,
that Confequences are the Mind and Will of God, be-
caufe he knows them, or iox^{2,\v them.
Says he, " Mr. M. is obliged either 'to refute thefe Ar.
iume?its with others that may be urged, or no longer Jay,
^bat we have no divine JVarrant for our Pra^ice, if wc
have
[ 29 ]
have it by necejfary Conjequence" Anf. Whether I have
ref'uted thefe Arguments, the Reader may judge if he
pleafes : But I hope to be exculed for not refuting his o-
ther Arguments, which he fays might be urged, or fay
with Mr. * F. they are nothing to the Purpofe, before I
fee them. Perhaps they contain his Proof, which he
thought beft to leave to the f Poftfcript : However, he
is fo extremely confident that the Principle he oppofes is
corrupt, that when he hath no more Arguments to offer,
he declares he would J die, rather than fubfcribe it ;
but I don't know that our Controverfy is to be deter-
mined by fuch noify Pretences, and vain Declarations ;
which is the vulgar Pradice of profligate Perfons,
in confirming tfieir AfTertions j neither do I think
that his dying in the Cafe would be any Decifion
of the controverted Point,; or that his efi^ufed Blood
would give any divine Sandion to his Opinion, or
refute the Contrary: We look for his Arguments, or
Scripture Authorities ; and if they manifeflly fail him,
he may keep his Declarations about Dying, at Home.
Hence, it does not yet appear, that I am under anyNe-
ceflity of owning he has any divine Authority for his
Pradice : The Rule § of Faith ought to be certain,
clear and plain, prefcnbed by God alone ; received and
publick : But are Confequcnces fo ? If all Confequences,
however oppofiteone to the other, that Men of different
and contrary Judgments pretend to draw from Scripture
as neceflary and native, mufl be all effeemed the Word
of God j then it follows, the Word of God is contrary
toitfelf: But if only fome of them. Where has our
Author given us any certain Rule to know, what Con-
fequences do necelFarily and natively follow from Scrip-
ture ? What one thinks to be fo, another thinks not fo;
?nd is there any Man, or Sett of Men, deputed by an
higher Power, and placed above the Rtfl, to draw Con-
fequences infallibly, that all others muft fubmit to them,
on the Peril of rejeding the Word of God ? If there
be, we would know who they are, and alfo a full Proof
of
* VinJ. Page 112. f lb. Page 56. % lb. Page 78.
§ Vid, Mr. T?nnint''% T^'enty-three Sermons, Page 80, &c.
L 30 ]
of their being inverted with fuch a Truft : But if not;
then we may as juftly draw Confequences, and call them
native and tieceflary ; and urge them on our Opponents,
in dire{Si: Oppofition to their Confequences, to be re-
ceived and efteemed as the Word of God, as they do
on the contrary : And what a flrange Piece of Work
would it be, for every differing Sect, to have the Word
of God by Confequence fully on their Side, and "at the
fame Time fully contrary to itfelf ! But I think it is a
very furc and certain Rule, thofc Confequences, tho'
they be called neccffary and native, are not fo, nor in
the leaft to be efteemed the Word of God, or his Mind,
which tend to introduce any Dodlrine repugnant to the
Dodirins cxprefTed by Qod, in his VVofd j and fuch is
the Dc6lrinc of Infant-Baptifm, which fliews the Con-
fequences drawn in its Favour, are not genuine. Again ;
A neceflary Confequence (fo called) from Scrpture
to be the Word of God, feems to be a Contradiilion irl
Terms; for if it be the Word of God, God hach fpo-
kcn it, and 'tis no more a Confequence j it is either
Scripture, or not Scripture ; if it is Scripture, it is ex-
prefs'd by God, and cannot be a Confequence; if not
Scripture, it is not the Word of God. But further ;
Where does our Author find the pecuhar diftinguifh-
ing Properties of God's Word, any where attributed to
Confequences ? As i. That they are divinely infpircd :
To give the Name of the infpired Writings, to Confe-
quences drawn by Men, who are uninipired ; or to kt
uninfpired Confequences on a Par with the infpired
Writing?, muft be altogetl^er unwarrantable; 'tis to
make no Diftinftion where there is the greateft Diffe-
rence ; 'tis to fmk the proper and peculiar Dignity of
Holy Scripture : The Attempt is fu rely bold, and the
AiTertion dingerous ! 2. The Word cf God is certain
and infallible ; but to fay that Confequences drawn by
Men are infallible, is'to fay, that uninfpired Men can-
not be miftaken. Mr. F. indeed,- juft mentions that
Chrift proved the Refurre(5tioa by Confequence, Page
78. but it feems, the Inftance would not bear Iniprove-
ment by Application to the Cafe in Hand : The Doc-
t'ine
[ 31 ]
trine of the Refurre^tion is abundantly proved by expref?
Scriptures, which Infant Baptifm is not : What Chrift
faid, was the Word of God ; he was infalhble, and
could not be miflaken, but Mr. F. may ; for Men
have been miftaken in their Confequences from the Word
of God, and there is no Certainty but they may again.
* Auguftine^ one of the Fathers, inferred the Neceffi-
ty of communicating little Children from Johnv'i. 53;
and took his Confequence to be an evident Truth, as
our Opponents do theirs ; and imagined nothing but Ob •
ftinacy would refift it. Others again, have inferred
the abfolute Neceility of baptizing Infants, front
yohn iii. 5.^ Some of the Difciples concluded from the
Words of the Lord, in John xxi. 2i, 22, 23. that the
beloved Difciple flwuld not die : They were good Men,
gracious and Confcientious Men ; and what are our Op-
ponents more ? It appeared to them to be a necefiary
Confequence, native and regular, from the Word of the
Lord ; they underflood Chrift fhould have faid, the be-
loved Difciple fhould tarry till he came- --thence con-
cluded, it necefTarily and unavoidably followed that he
ftiould not die: Will it be faid, they mifapprehended
the Words of Chrift, and therefore their Confequence;
was wrong? Pray what Evidence can our Opponents
give us that theirs is not the fame Cafe ? But furely they
thought they did not, and that their Confequence was
necefTary and regular, or elfe it would never have paft
fo current among the Brethren for Divine Authority^ or
the Word of God, that the beloved Difciple fhould not
die : And what can our Opponents fay more .? Why,
indeed the Saying is gone abroad among the Brethren,
that Believers Infants ftiould be baptized ; but as ill-
grounded as the other : Nay, in this their Confequence
exceeded thofe of our Opponents, tho' it was contrary
to Scripture Teftimony in general, which inform'd them,
that all Men muft die, Pf. Ixxxix. 48. yet there were
two Examples to fupport it, of Men, who were the
fpecial Favourites of Heaven, that did not fee Death,
to wit, Enoch and Elijah. But the fuppofed native and
necefiary
* Vid. Monficur La Roque*i HiHory of Eucharifi, P. 128.
[ 32 3
receflary Gonfequences of our Opponents for Infant
Sprinkling, are not only contrary to the whole Account
of Scripture, in the Cafe of Baptifm ; but have no Ex-
ample at all therein for fuch a Pra(5tice to fupport them.
Now if Confequences l;iave fail'd once, they are not
to be depended upon as certain and infallible j they are
not a proper Foundation of Faith ; for furely, that can
never be the Ground of Faith, which in its Kind hath
failed opce : And if good and gracious Men have recei-
ved Confequence for the Word of the Lord, or divine
Authority, which was not fo, let us, being informed of
their Error, avoid falling into the like Miftake ; let us
cleave to the Scripture only, as that which is certain and
infallible, 2 Pet. i. 19. The Evangeiift obfefves, " Tet
Jefus [aid not unto him^ he fixtll not die-- -But ^ if I
will that he tarry till I conie^ So the Lord faid not that
the Infant Seed of Believers are vifibly in the Covenant
of Grace- — But, that the Bleffing of Abraham might
come on the Gentiles, thro' Jefus Chrift, &c. Uc.
On this Head, pur Author talks of Commands by
Confequence-— of Reading by unavoidable Confequence,
fomething that is not written, or exprefTed in the Book
which he reads. Tho' Mr. F. may pleafe himfelf with
the Conceit, that the People he oppoles, are a Company
of mere Ignaro's, fit to be entertained with any Tale
which comes to his Mind ; yet one might think, a due
Regard to his judicious Readers, would oblige him to
treat them with better 'i^n^t^ than this comes to ; and
in Honour to his Caufs fhevv them, tb?t he has furer
Grounds for his Principles, than unexpreffed Proofs,
and flronger Defence againft his Opponents than unwrit-
ten Texts! Who will fay, but this Art of Reading in.,
Scripture, what is not written in Scripture, is a rare
Art, much in Practice among thofe, whofe Principles
require a large Bible to fupport them ? I defire to be in-
formed, how we fliall know, whether the fubjed Mat-
ter thus read, be the Mind of the Author, or only the
Imagination of the Reader I i. e. Whether Mr. F. here-
by reads the Truths of God, or his own Dreams ? Jer,
xxiii. 26, 28, 31. It feems to me, this Reading of
his
[ 33 ]
his (like little Childrens reading white Paper) is not di-
feded by any Words of the Book read, but by the arbi-
trary Pleafure of the Reader's Mind, under the fair Pre-
tence of unavoidable Confequence : If ever there was
an Invention found out, more efFedtual, to make the
Scripture a leaden Rule, and a moveable Dial to fuit al!
Mens Meafures and Purpofes, than this, l&t the Wife
declare ? And upon this I would afk again, did the My-
ftery of Iniquity at any time ereft a more advantageous
Refuge for the Safety of Error, than this is ? For, by
readmg in Scripture what is not written in it, or by
taking up that out of it, which never was laid down iit
it. Men have found out Peter's, and his SuccefTors Pri-
macy---the'real Prefence-— the Prieft's Power to forgive
Sins-- -voluntary Poverty--- Pennance, ISc. if * Stories
are right. And by this fame profitable Invention Mr,
F. reads, " That Believers Infants are vifihly in the Co-
venant of. Grace —A divine Command for baptizing In-
fants— Their Right to a New-Tejiament Ordinance—^
And that Infants were Members in the -primitive Churches
planted by the Apr>Jiles" And who can tell, but Men of
long Heads, and fharp Eyes, by the Help of this fame
Art, will read in Scripture Ten Thoufand Things more,
which were never exprefTcd nor contained therein ? But
if, after all the Cry and Confidence, we deny Mr. Fs
Pofitions to be true, which he has advanced by this kind
of Reading, how will he help himfelf ? He can't dire£t
us to the Scriptures, and f*y of each, *' It is written"
No ; but only to his Confequences : If it be further de-
manded, whether his Confequences may be depended
upon for divine Authority ? He anfwers. Yes ; But there
is no divine Word produced by him, to prove his Afler-
tion : So then, when we come to the lafl of the Matter,
the Sum is this. Believers Infants are vifibly in Cove-
hant---have a Right to Baptifm---were Members of the
apoflolical Churches— -and commanded to be baptized 5
for which, inftead of Proof, . you have Mr, Fs bare
Word, if that will fatisfie you i but God's Word tells
C yovi
* Vid. Cartvjrigbt, on the New-Teftament, Pa^c 220.
[ 34 ]
ydti ho fuch Thing, therefore let your Principles be no
Jarger than your Bibles.
Mr. R comes at length to his firft Aflertion, which
is, " TJjot the Infant Seed of Church Members were once
by divine Appointment taken into Covenant with their Pa-
rents, had the then Seal of it apply^d to them^ and fo were
Members of the vifible Church'* In my former Publica-
tion, I {hew'd the Weaknefs and Inconclufivenefs of
the Argument from the Covenant, fuppofing (but not '
granting) the Cafe to be, even as our Opponents urge,
that Believers Infants were onee taken into Covenant
With their Parents} and to difcover the Invalidity of
their Argument thence, I obferved, " That there were
true Believers in Abraham'^ Days, viz. Shem, Melchi-
zedeck and Lot, yet they were not circumcifed ; and if
gracious Men, -who lived in the Days of Abraham were
not circumcifed, hecaufe God had not appointed or command-
ed them ; jHuch lefs then are the carnal Seed of Believers
now to he baptized without his Command or Appointment.
Hence we learn, it was not a being in the Covenant y
which gave any one a Warrant or Title to Ordinances^ hut
the exprefs Order and pofitive Command of God." Mr.
/l replies, " Here are a Parcel of InJlru£lions and
Obfervations, that feem to make for Mr. M'j Caufe (it
is well he grants fo rnuch) but fays, we.muji have a new
Bible to warrant our receiving them J* Anf. 1 readily
acknowledge our Opponents mull have a new Bible to
refute them ; for according -to our Bible, Lot had no
Command to be circumcifed, and for him to be cir-
cumcifed without God's Command, would be Will-
worftiip, as * before.
Says he, " May we not htre argue a fortiore ; if
righteous Lot, Abraham'^ KinJ?nan, -would have greatly
fmned, in being circumcifed, much more Pagan Profelytes. '*
Anf. I charg'd my Opponents before, with making
light of God's exprefs Order, as an indifferent Thing ;
here h further Ground for the fame Charge, and tliere-
fore have Occafion again to remind Mr. F. of his over-
looking God's Order and Commands : 'Twas lawful for
an
* A/iti, Page 20,
t 35 ]
an Edomlte^ or Egyptian^ who renounced his Idolatry,
to be circumcifed, and to enter into the Congregation ;
and why ? Becaufe the Lord ordered fo, Deut, xxiii.
But will this prove that it was lawful for Lot^ without
God's Command, to be circumcifed ? Very far from it.
Mr. F. Teems to have taken no Notice of God's Com-
mand, which makes fo great Difference in the Cafe, or
elfe he pays fo little Regard to it, that whether there be a
Command or not, the Difference, in his Judgment, is
not worth the minding : The Sum total of the Force of
his Argument a fortiore, juft amounts to this; that it
is as lawful for one good Man to do that without God's
Commands, as it is for another to do it with them ; if
this is a good Argument, let him inform his Readers
the next time what is not.
*' Circumcifton ('fays he) was a Seal of the Rights ouf-
nefs of Faith ; but Lot had Faith^ therefore it was lawful
for him to have the Seal of it." Anf. It was \o to Abra-
ham j but the Scriptures inform us o^ no other, who
received Circumcifton, a Seal of the Righteoufnefs of
Faith which he had yet being uncircumcifed, befides the
Father of the Faithful: It is inconclufive to argue from.
' a Particular to a General ; let Mr. F. prove, that all
who had Faith, had a Right to Circumcifion ; and to
do this, he mufl: fliew God's Command to circumcife
all Believers, when the Scriptures extend it no furthet
for Hundreds of Years, than to Abraham and his
Houfhold in their Generations, Gen. xvii. And if the
Lord did not give the Covenant of Circumcifion to Lot
(but to Abraham^ ASis vii. 8.) nor commanded him to
be circumcifed, it will follow, that it was not lawful
for him to be circumcifed, tho' he had Faith. T^er«
is nothingi^re which helps our Opponent's Caufe, unlefs
it be this Maxim, that it is lawful for a Believer to do
that which God commanded him not; and let him
make the beft Advantage he can hereof in Defence of
his Principles.
I faid God had not commanded Lot to be circumcifed ;
hereupon Mr. F. afks, " But how is this evident ? TVs
imU read, that he was commanded by Name,, neither it
C 2 Mr,
[ 3^ ]
Mr. M. coinmanded by Na7ne to be a Chrijhanin all the Bi-
ble ; is it therefore Will luorjhip and Prefumption in him to
he one?" Anf. Not at all ; and I wifh 1 was abetter
Chriftian than I am ; but I think this to be no parallel
Cafe: Compariions, they fay, don't run upon all-four--
ic is well if Mr. F\ Comparifon here can hop a little
upon one : Wherever the Gofpel is preached, God com-
mands all Perfons, capable of hearing, without Di-
ilin6tion, to be Chriftians, or to repent and believe the
Gofpel, which is the fame Thing ; but there was no
Command given to all in general to be circumcifed ;
there v/as that very great Man Melchi-zedec^ King of
Salem^ and Pri.yl of the mojl high God, Gen. xiv. i8.
greater than Abraham^ Heb. vii. 4, 7. and it is alfo very
reafonable to fuppofe there were at leaft fome, if not
■very many truly gracious Perfons at Salem., amoiigft
Vv^hom fo excellent a Man reigned and miniftered in his
Prieftly Office, yet the Command to circumcife was not
given in general to all Believers and their Seed (which if
it was, it would indeed have included holy MelchizedeCy
Lot., and oihers, even ail the Godly then in the Worldj
but in particular to Abraham., and his Seed, in their Ge-
nerations, to thofe born in his Houfe, and bought with hism
Money, Gen. xvii. 12, 13, 26, 27. Lot was not one
in Abraham's Family, Gen. xiii. 14. and fo coulS not
be circumcifed as one of thetn ;*and Mr. F. fays he- was
not commanded by Name : Nor have we any Account
that God give any Orders about Profelytes, till Ifrael\
Return oat of Egypt ; hen'ce it appears" on all Confide-
rations, that Lot was not commanded to be circumcifed.
" But fuppofe ('fays he) what Mr. M. fays, were true.,
how will the ArguTTlent ftand ? Not circumcijed, therefore
not in Abraham'^ Covenant j juji as if Circff^ifon was
the Covenant, and the Covenant nothing but Circumcifion;
whereas i^e are in Abraham'j Covenant, yet we are not
circumcifed." Anf. Well, let us fuppofe too, that it
was even fo that there were godly Perfons in Abraham'^
Covenant, and yet not circumcifed ; then it flill follows,
that being in Covenant does not entitle Perfons to an
Ordinance j elfe why were not thofe godly Men circum-
cifed t
[ 37 ]
died ? Let Mr. F. fpeak out, was it not becaufe they
were not commanded ? And if our Opponents be in A-
iraham's Covenant, yet it does not entitle their Infants
to Baptifm without a Command, as hereafter will ap-
pear.
Having gone thus far, Mr. F. fays, *' Now fince his
Foundation is rozV, the SuperftruBure cannot Ji and ^ he
has tio Argument now left to prove, that being in Cove-
nant gives no Title to Ordinances" Anf. But that is a
great Miftalce of his ; iiotwithftanding his leveral At-
tempts made againft it, my Foundation abides unfhaken,
which is, that there were Perfons in Abraham's Day in
the Covenant of Grace, and yet were not circurncifed,
becaufe not commanded ; and my Superftru£lure is well
fixed upon the Foundation, that being in Covenant does
not therefoYe entitle Perfons to Ordinances: Nor is thers
any Need I fhould offer further Arguments on this Head,
till what I have advanced be overthrown.
Page 9. Mr. F. proceeds, and afks feveral Queflions,
*' TVill he ajfert that fealing Ordinances are adminijiered
cut of the Covenant. If be own Baptifm is commanded to.
be difpenfed on a fpiritual Account, then I would know
whether fpiritual Favours come to us, otherwife than by.
way of Covenant ?' If he fay-— only by way of Covenant,
the Point is gaind \ and thence it will follow, that being
in covenant gives a Right to fealing Ordinances, and no-
thing beftdes can give it." Anf. I have already obferved
the Command to circumcife was not given in general to
all Believers and their Seed ; now the Queftion is, whe-
ther all that were in covenant, had a Right to Ordi-
nances without God's Command ? Pray, did fpiritual
Favours come to Lot, and the reft, otherwife than by-
Covenant ? And if only by way of Covenant, why was
not Lot, and all Believers, and their Seed, then circurn-
cifed ? If it gives a Right to fealing Ordinances at one
Time without a Command, why not at all Times ?
Why not to the Behevers of old, if to the unbelieving
Infants now ? Nay, on Mr. F's Plan, what Need is
there of a Command at all ? Our Author is as far as
ever from gaining the Point, unlets he had (hewn, that
G 3 beir^g
[ 38 ]
being in Covenant, entitles all Believers to Ordinances,
without God's Command : But he has not, and, I pre-
fume, never can {hew, that it ever entitled one to an
Ordinance, without God's exprefs Order.
'* But (fays he) what tho' Lot had neither been in
Abraham'j Covenant, nor yet had Right to Circunicifion ?
It would not hurt our Caufe^ who take Abraham for the
Prefident of our Privileges^ and not Lot." And then
with fufficient Warmth, he further adds, " So that his
Argument would have been equally good^ had he /aid Con-
itantine was not circumcifed, therefore Believers Infants
may not be baptized'^ Anf. If Lot^ being a gracious Man,
and yet had no Right to Circumcifion, then being in
Covenant does not entitle Perfons to Ordinances, yvhich
hurts their Caufe fo much, that it even overturns their
very Foundation of Infants Baptifm ; which is built up-
on the Notion of Believers Infants being in Covenant :
For if it once appears, as I think it does, that there
were any of pld in the Covenant of Grace, and yet not
-entitled to the Ordinance then being; it teaches us plain-
ly, that in our adminiftring and receiving of Ordinances,
we mufl: have God's exprefs Order, and pofitive Com-
mand, to give us a Warrant or Title to them refpedively,
and nothing elfe can give it ; otherwife to receive Or-
dinances, is neither a Priviledge nor Duty. And tho' our
Opponents take Abraham for the Prefident of their Pri-
viledges, their Difficulty is not one Whit rernoved, for
reither Abraham himfelf, nor his Infant Seed, had any
Right to Circumcifion, till he received the Command of
God for it ; and as our Opponents have not (hewn any
Command of God to baptize their Infants (on the.Sup-
pofition their Seed were in Covenant) yet without the
Order of God they have no more Right to Baptifm,
than Lot had to Circumcifion ; or Abraham before hd
was commanded. Mr. i^'s vaft Stretch in putting Con-
Jlantine on a Par with Lot here, muft furely be the
Fruit of fome over-heated Paffion, and not the Refult
of deliberate Judgment : For that old purblind Gentle-
man Common Sense, to whofe Judgment he fubmits
his Performance, will foon difcover his Error in this
Cafe,
[ 39 ]
Cafe, viz. That Circumcifion was in Force in Lst't
Day, but in the Time of Conjiantine it was abolifhed.
Having thus followed Mr. F, thro' ail he offers o\\
this Head with any Shew of Argument, i-can't but ob-
ferve on the whole, that he talks like one much at a
Lofs what to fay, and, trying to make good his Caufe,
he overlooks God's Commands, and fails into a great
Abfurdity in his Argument, in preferring the good
Qualifications of a Man as a better Topick to difcourfe
from, than divine Appointments. I have only now to
add his Declaration, Page 7&-. " T:hat he would chufe
Death rather than fubjcrile thefe Points ;" viz. That Lot
would have been guilty of Will-v/orfbip, had he been
circumcifed i and that being in Covenant gives no Ti-
tle to Ordinances. This Declaration it feems is intend-
ed to fupply his Want of Argument, and probably it
may do Wonders among thofe who implicitly believe all
he advances by his reading unwritten Things : But with
thofe, who are for feeing with their own Eyes in Mat-
ters of Religion, and are * not willing to give one De-
gree of AfTent to any Propofition beyond the Evidence
pf its Truth, a Declaration of this Kind, is but an In-
dication of a bad Caufe.
Thus I h^ve fliewn the Inconclufivenefs of their Ar-
gument from the Covenant, on the Suppofition the Cafe
was, as they urge j and I am fo far from being obliged
to unfay, what I h^ve before faid, as Mr. R fondly ima-
gines, that the Way is clear for me to fay again, ** That
their PraSiice of baptizing In/ants is unwarrantable, and
an Aa of Will-worjhip^ even when examined on tks
Grounds, whereby they would fain confirm it."
In order to obviate a common Objection of theirs,
which is, " That Infants were formerly circumcifed, and
they ought noiv to be baptized r I argued, " Ihe Cafes
are not parallel ; there was God's Command for the former ^
but not fo for the latter. -That Mr. F. makes light of God's
pofitive Commands and exprefs Order, as an indifferent
Thing, whetihe afferts, they ham as good Ground to bap-
me Infants, as Abraham had to circumcife them." To
C 4 wnicK
* Preface, Page 4.
[ 40 ]
which he brifkly reph^es, " If then we have the fame Co-
venant, have we not the fame Grounds P Let Common Senfc
witnefs whether this be a making Light of God's tofitive
Orders." Anf. All the fame ! Mraham had the (Jove'-
nant, at Jeaft Twenty-four Years, before he had any
Ground to circumcifc, Gen. xii. 2, 3, 4. Heb. xi. 8.
compared with Gen. xvii. i, 7. But what gave him
Ground to circumcife was God's pofitivc Command,
jvbich was inftitutive of that Ordinance of Circumci-
fion, Gen. xvii. 9. And when he, and all his, were cir-
cumcifed, it was by Virtue of, and in Compliance with
Gods Command, Gen. xvii. 23. Circumcifion dep?nd-
•ed on a divme Command ; upon this was it founded ;
ihis gave a Being to that Ordinance ; when Abraham re-
ceived the Command, then did his Right to Circumci-
ion commence; and by Virtue hereof was Circumci-
!on continued ; and when the Command was revoked, it
reafed : Had it been founded on the Covenant, or hid
"hat exclufive of, or antecedent to, a Command, beert
rnltitutive of this Ordinance, or given a Right to it,
why was not ^^r^A^/w circumcifed before he received the -
Command.? Did he difobey God all that while in this
Cafe r Did he Jive for fo long a Time in the Neglea of
his rightful Privilege? Surely No. Now if cur Oppo-
nents have the fame Covenant, yet having no pofitive
inftitution for baptizing Infants, their having the Co-
venant will give them no more Ground to baptize In-
fants,^ wi^thout the Inflitution of Infant-baptifm, or hav-
ing God's Command for it, than Abraha7n\ havino- the
Covenant Twenty- four Years, gave him Ground to
circumcife before he vi^as commanded. And, ifour Op-
ponents don't make light of God's Commands, what
makes them affert they fland on equal Ground with A-
braham? Their Argument from their having the fame
Covenant, you fee is altogether groundlefs and invalid •
Abraham had the Command of God to circumcifc In-
fants, and that only which gave any a Right to Circum-
cihon ; but our Opponents have none to baptize them,
and yet fay, they have as good Ground as he: To what
Jurpofc thenfervcs the Command of God? 'Tis evi-
dentlj
[ 41 ]
rientlyan indifferent Thing, if the Cafe be To, whether
there be a Command or not. Their Argument come*
juft to this, that the Covenant gives them as good Ground,
•wfthout any Command, to adminifter an uninftituted
Ceremony, even Infant- fprinkling, as Abraham^ when
commanded, had, to adminifter an inftituted Ordinance.
Does Mr. F. defign his Aflertion here, and his Talk
about it to be in Part, that plain Demonftration, he*
fpeaks of, which I fhould fubmit to? Truly, fhould I
yield to fuch groundlefs Affertions, and Anti^fcriptural
Pofitions, I might indeed be juftly charged to have at
once quitted my Claim to Honefty and Common Senfe.
Says he, " Is the Covenant of God nothing in Mr M'j
Ejieem ?" Yes, very much ; nor have I aflerted any thing
to the contrary : Why is this Qiieftion afk'd, but becaufe
I oppos'd his prefumptuous Abufe of the Covenant, to
countenance the Practice of an uncommanded Ceremo~
ny ? He adds, " Are his Commands to be conjidered as
having no Relation to his Covenant f Can we have his Co-
venant^ and not his Command? Don't Mr. M, knovj that
tue are fo far from difregarding God's Command., that., on
the contrary., we injiji it warrants our PraSiice ?" Anf*
I have Ihewn already, that Abraham had his Covenant
a long while before he had the Command to circumcife ;
and muft Mr. F. be told again, that if they have the
fame Covenant now, it is nothing to their Purpofe in
Dilpute, without an exprefs Command, And if Mr. F.
knows of any, let him (hew it ; for my Part, I know
of no divine Command they have to infift on, which
warrants their Pradice of Infant- baptifm : Their infift-
ing that the abrogated Command to circumcife Infants, is
any ways in Force now to baptife them, involves our
Opponents in a Labyrinth of inextricable Dif?iculties »
when they go about to fhew, how a Command, which,
when it was in Force, never required any to be baptized,
but now being wholly difanull'd, fhould neverthelefs be
fufficiently f valid to warrant their Practice, or in any
way authorize their baptizing of Infants, is fuch a labo-
rious
* Preface^ Page S. f Divine Right, Pa^e 20,
[ 42 ]
rious Tafk, they cannot go through with, at leaft they
have not let us know tHfey can.
Having taken a Review of the Ground of our Au-
thor's Pretences, we find him much where he was, re-
peating his Aflertion unfupported by Scripture, and un-
juftly advancing to an Equality with Abraham : I fhall
therefore put it to him again, as a Cafe of Confcience,
Is the exprefs Order of God nothing in his Efleem ? Does
the Command of God make no difFerence in the Cafe in
his Account ? Has he as good Ground to proceed with-
out it, as Abraham or others with it ? Let perpetual
Darknefs fully his prefumptuous Lines of infatuated Zeal— ,
I am ftill quite free to fay, my Opponent can never make
good his Aflertion, for there is an eternal Difference be-
twixt what God has commanded, and what he has not.
Moreover, in refpedi of the Covenant mentioned in
his firft Affertion, into which they fay Infants were ta-
ken with their Parents, I obferved, our Opponents run
themfelves far out of the way of Truth, in their afTert-
j'ng the Covenant of Grace to be made with Man, on
Behalf of others : .And inafmuch as the * Author of the
Whole Duty of Man, had been feverely cenfured by
them, as being very corrupt in his Notions concerning
the Covenant, I judg'd the moft probable Way to con-
vince them of their Abfurdity, and to correft their Ex-
travagancy, would be, to compare their Account of it and
his together, thereby to (hew their near Agreement; and
therefore obferved, there was but little Odds betwixt that
Author's faying the Covenant of Grace was made with
Adam, and their faying it was made with Abraham ; his
faying it was made with us in Adam, and their afferting it
was made on Behalf of Jews and Gentiles with Abraham ',
his requiring Duties on our Part, and their faying, that
Degeneracy breaks Perfons off from the fame Priviledges
which Abraham enjoy'd : But my doing fo, fecms to have
rouzed Mr. Fs Refentment to a very high Degree ; very
probable he is not well pleafed, the World fliould at all
be informed how near at Times their own Writings
agree with an Author, which, at another Turn, they To
publickly
* Confideration of the ^erijit, Page 24, &c.
[ 43 ]
publickly condemned : But for my Part I don*t fee any
Reafon to palliate the Unfoundnefs of their Ddftrine,
more than his. Mr. F. fays, " He may ivell know we
hold no fuch Principle" Anf. I well know they fhould
not ; * and therefore urged th«m to reconcile their Af-
fertion in this Debate, " That the Covenant of Grace
xuas made ivith Abraham, on Behalf of hitnfelf and all
his Seed" with that in their Larger Cgtechifm, " That
it was made with Chriji, and in him^ with all the Ele^,
as his Seed" Which Mr. F. has not thought proper to
attempt ; for I am apt to think it appeared to him, as
it does to me, to be an irreconcilable Contradidlion.
Mr. F. is pleafed to fay, that in making the above
Comparifon, " I have rent off his iFords from their Con-
i^exion, perverted their Meanings and violently tortured ,
them" &c. Thefe high Charges require, 1 fhould lay
before the Readers, the PafTaire referred to, at large,
which runs thus ; Charitable Plea, Page 45. " Abraham
tuas the Root from whence the jews fprang, and the firft
Fruits of the Nation to God, The Prcmifes of the Cove-
nant adminlfiered by the Ordinances of God's Houfe, were
the Fatnefs of which he partook, and which nourijhed his
Soul, as the Fatnefs of the Ground nourijhes an Olive-tree.
Novjas the Branches that grow upon the Root, do partake
of tie fame Juice and Fatnefs of which the Root or Stock
partakes^ while they are united, and not lopped off ; " then
come in the Words I quoted, '* £w« /o, Abraham's
Poflerity enjoy d the fame Priviledges, Liberties and Jm -
triunities in the Church as himfelf did, until by their De-
generacy fome of them were broken off" Let the Reader
judge if thefe Words, I cited, as they are ftridly con-
neded with what goes before, without any Violence or
Torture, do not plainly aflert, that Abraham'^ Pofleri-
ty enjoyed the fame Soul-nourifhment from the Promifes
of the Covenant, as he did, until by their Degeneracy
fome of them were broken ofF. For what is here faid
of Abraham, is affirmed of his Poflerity: Was he in the
^Church ? So were they. Did he partake of Soul-nou-
rilhment from the Promifes of the Covenant ? So did
they
* Anti, Pages 17, 18.
I 44 J
they until their Degeneracy ; or elfe the Connexion is
broken, which fays, *' Even fo they enjoy' d the Jams
Priviledges in the Church as he did." If Mr. F. in-
tends no more hereby, than that thofe degenerate
Branches once enjoy'd Church Ordinances, without any
Soul-nourifliment, then he breaks the Connexion of
his own Words himfelf j fuch a Meaning as he would
affign contradids them ; nor can his Affertion refpeding
the degenerate Pofterity of Abraham be true, neither is
there any Congruity in his Comparifon, of the Branches
partaking of the same Juice and Fatnefs of which
the Root partakes, while they are united, and not lopp'd
off, if this be defigned.
Pray, wherein then have I rent the Connexion, or
tortur'd his Words, by obrerving, that, for not doing
their Duty on their Part, they forfeited their Right in
the Covenant ? Does he affign any Thing elfe, as a Rea-
fon, why they were deprived of the fame Priviledges
which Abraham enjoy'd, but their Degeneracv, /. e. not
doing their Duty? And if he now diflikes 'the abfurd
Dodrine his Words contain, in their proper, natural,
and unwrefted Connexion, who' can he blame but him-
felf for writlng-fo? For him to make a Stir, and to
call me an uhc^ndid, unfair Opponent, "^and charge me
with Antimmianifm^ will not remove the Difficulty ; his
Bufinefs is to make good his Dodrine,' and fhew that
Works are the Condition of ftanding in the new Cove-
nant, and for want of them, that Perfons who were in
the Covenant of Grace, do forfeit their Right, and are
excluded: What is this but. Do and live?. Is there
any real Difference between him, and the Whole Duty
tf Man, in this Point ? Or elfe let him fay, that his
Meaning and the Words, in the cited Paragraph, look
contrary Ways.
On this Head, he refers us to Charitable Plea, Page
47. •' None, (fays he) can be broken off from true inherent.
HoUnefi\ nor from Elc£iion, nor from the invifihle Church.
But how does this help him ? The .Queflion is, are there
any others befides the Eka, and triily Holy, in the Co-
venanl of Grace ? If pot, how can any forfeit their
Right
[ 45 ]
Right in the Covenant, when none can be broken off
from true Holinefs ? But if there are fome in the Cove-
nant without true inherent Holinefs, and Soul, nourifh-
ment from the Promifes of it, then fuch don't enjoy th<j
fame Priviledges in the Church, until their Degenera-
cy, as jfbra ham did i which gainfays his Afiertion : But
it is no new Thing, for one, who is an Advocate for
Error, to contradict himfelf, and alfo to run into ma-
ny more in Defence of it.
Again, I obferved in the Dialogue^ this Pofition,
" That it was truly the Covenant of Grace^ made with
Abraham, on Behalf of himfelf^ and both his natural and
Jpiritual Seed, both Jews and Gentiles." Mr. F. would
glofs over this anti-fcriptural Pofition, and excufe the
Author, by faying, " He is fatisfied the Author meant na
more than he does." An ingenious Salvo ! Pray, does the
Author's Meaning point South, and his Words due
North ? What a Difficulty is it to deal with Men, who
fliift frcun the exprefs Meaning of their Words, to a
hidden, or unexprefs'd Meaning ! Why does Mr. F, con-
demn the * Moravians, for (hifcing, and being equivo-
cal ? When he flies here from the Author's exprefs
V/ords, and infmuatcs I miftake his Meaning : What
is this but to fay, that if Men's Words and Aflertions
be ever fo corrupt, yet ' their Meaning muft be account-
ed good and found ? Why then was the f Author of
the Whole Duty of Man condemned, as no Chrifiian ?
Might not he as well be excufed in the fame Manner ?
Is it becaufe he unhappily pitched on Adam, inftead of
Abraham, to be a publick Head in the Covenant of
Grace I Where elfe lies the Difference, between mak-
ing the Covenant with us in Adam, and making it on
our Behalf with Abraham? But till Mr. F. tcJls us how
we (hall judge of Peoples Meaning, but by their Words,
we will judge according to the latter : Now if he, and
the Author of the Dialogue, underftand by God's efta-
blifhing a Covenant with Abraham and his Seed, Gen.
xvii.
* Vid. his Preface to Satan firlpfd of his angelick Robe,
Pages 9, II.
•f Qonfideratiox of the ^erijis. Page 26.
[ 46 ]
XV ii. 7. life, that Abraham was a publick Perfon in th6
Covenant of Grace, according to this Aflertion, I don't
fcruple to fay that both their Meanings are very cor-
rupt, as well as their Words ; but if nor, their Words
in this Afiertion, and the Mind of God in thofe PlaceSj
are vaftly different. But is not Mr. F. fatisfied alio, that
my Remarks on what the Author of the Dialogue fays,
are juft and proper, when he has not offered to contra-
di6l them ? Now, if Mr. F. holds no fuch Principle, as
is afTerted in the Dialogue, where is his Regard for
Truth ? His Care for the Good of Souls ? Or his pro-
fefTed Efleem for the Covenant of Grace ? When he
hears fuch Dodlrine advanced, which dire£lly and na-
tively jufiles Chriflout of his mediatorial Dignity ? Sinks
the Glory of the new Covena'nt ; leads People away
from the Truth, and difhonours God ; without protefl-
ing againfl it, or fo much as acknowledging the Au-
thor's Words were very corrupt, let his unfeen Mean-
ing be what it will ? Muft a fundamental Error,.yea, an
Error of the firfl Magnitude, if it be found in an inge-
nious Dialogue (as he unjuftly calls it) if it feemingly
make for his Caufe, or in his Party-Fviend, be flily paft
over, and artfully excufed from the Notice of his Read-
ers ? Efpecially by a Man, who at other Times pro-
fefTes he would chufe Death, rather than fubfcribe that^
which is contray to his Opinion ? Intolerable Partiality
and Unfaithfulnefs I Is Infant-baptifm fo delightful to
our Opponents, that it muil be maintained at any Rate ?
Mufl efTential Truths be fupprelTed, and fundamental
Errors winked at, to make way for their darling Tenet ?
Is not this theexacSl Character of a deluded Confcience?
Mr. F. afks, " Who can think him fo ignorant as not
to know, that this is not the Matter in Difpute between
us ?" Anf. Every one, that knows any Thing of the
Matter, knows that we are led by our Opponents to
difpute about the Covenant, into which they plead In-
fants were taken ; And when we hear them fpeaking
their Minds about it, and afTerting that it was the Co-
venant of Grace made with Abraham on Behalf of all
his Seed, Jews and Gentiki : Common Senfe (Mr. F's
Judge
[ 47 ]
Judge in this Controverfy) teaches, that it becomes us.
to fpeak to the very Matter in Hand, or elfe we fliould
be chargeable with what Mr. F. (o unjuftly charges us,
that is, evading their Arguments. And when Jbraham is
reprefented to be a publick Head in the Covenant if
Grace,is it any Wonder at all that it ihould furprize cne7
Did I give fuch a Principle any other Names than what
it deferved ? I faid it was an abfurd Pofition, pregnant
with intolerable Falfhoods ; nor do I fee any Caufe as
yet to alter my Sentiments: And had not I good Reafon
to father it upon our Opponents ? When I cited their
Book and Page where it is found, which Mr. F. has not
been able to deny ; the' he feems defirous to excufc the
Author, if poffible, and willing enough to have no talk
made about it, by his objedling, that it is no Part of our
prefent Controverfy ; And I think I had juft Ground to
reafon laborioufly againft fuch Anti-chriftian Dodrine,
wherever it occurr'd, and fo fliould Mr. F. too, if his
efpoufed Caufe will permit him. Now if he will deal
fairly, and above-board, with his Readers, in this Point,
he will either vindicate, that Abraham was a publick
Head in the Covenant of Grace, and fo oblige himfelf
to anfwer my Arguments advanc'd againft it, in my for-
mer Treatife ; or elfe he will inform them to the con-
trary, by retracing thofe Paflages (I excepted againft)
which tend to carry them off from the Truth. But for
him to fay, they hold no fuch Principle, when fuch a
Principle is exprefs'd in their Writing, is to fay, that
they don't hold what they write, nor mean what they
fpeak, which is a great Inconfiftency in Gentlemen of
Senfe.
Our Author thinks proper further to fay, " Mr. M. has
Jhuffied in^ and infi/ied on this Argument ^ whether hhx^-
ham be Reprejentative in the Covenant of Grace ; and in
Page 24. calls it the Foundation of our whole Stru£fure,
whereas it does not fo much as enter into the Difpute about
Baptifm at all.'" Reply j But his charging me herewith
won't be believed by any, where the Truth is known :
The Author of the Dialogue introcluced it, before I put
Pen to Paper, and induftrioufly Jabout'd to poffefs his
Neighbour
[ 48 J
Neighbour with the Notion ; for, after he had reafoned
about the Covenant for three or four Pages, he thus
winds up his Argument, * " / hope, by this 1ime\ you
are convinced^ that this Covenant contains in it fomethir.g
more than temporal Mercies ; and that it was truly the
Covenant of Grace made with Abraham, on Behalf of hi??i~
felf and both his natural and fpiritual Seedy both Jews
and GentiJer,." Hence it plainly appears, the Author
endeavcuied to convince his Neighbour, amongft other-
Things, that this Covenant of Grace he had been fpeak-
ingof, w^as made with Abraham^ on Behalf of himfelf,
and all his Seed, notwithflanding Mr. F. has the Cou-
rage to charge me with Shuffling in this Argument ! Now
fmce our Opponents have fhuffled it in, let them make
the beft of it they can, in this Difpute, and take it out
again, when they have dojie with it. What .1 called
the Foundation of rheir whole Strudure, in Page 24.
is Abraham^ Covenant, they fpeak fo much of ;"and if
this does not fo much as enter into the Difpute about
Baptifm at all, why do oiir Opponents go out of their
Way to infiit on it .? Their Milbke in the Foundation
I nlentioned, is their reprefenting Abraham to be a publick
Head in the Covenant of Grace, as the Dialogue ex-
prefly teaches.
I obferved, " That the Covtnant of Grace zuas madi
iXjith ChriJi-'-That of all the Seed ^/Abraham, the Re-
generate only were in Covenant-— As for others who died
in their natural State^ that they were no further impri-
viledged at the ?nofi, but only to partake of Ordinances ap-
pointed of Gody during the Continuance of thai dark^ lie-
gal, and typical Difpenfation^ which is very different from
their being in the Covenant of Grace." To which Mr.
F. replies, " 'Tts different from being in it favingly : But
is it different from being in it in the Sight of th3 viflble
Church ? This is what he Jhould have affirmed, if he de-
figned to contradi£i me." Anf \i \ take Mr. F. right
in this Place, he grants and affirms, that partaking of
Ordinances in the Church, is not different from being
rifibly in Covenant j, /. e. it is one and the fame i then
I fay
* Divine Right, Page 16.
[ 49 1
I fay Believers Infants were taken with their Parents
into the Covenant itfelf, or only into the outward Ad-
miniftratiort of it ? If into the Covenant itfelf, then
there is a great deal more to be underftood by their being
vifibly in Covenant, than juft partaking of Ordinances^
even their receiving and enjoying fpiritual Blefiings, fronx
Chrift to their Souls; and fo Mr. F. tnuft recal hi*
Conce/Tion. But if they were admitted only into the
outward Adminiftration, then his firft Aflertion is falla-
cious, which afHrms, they were taken into Covenant^
which he interprets to be the pure Covenant of Grace*.
Why is the protcfTiag World thus impofed on by their
Doftrine ? For^, according to our Author in this Place,
Believers Infants were only admitted into the outward
Adminiftration to partake of Ordinances, and no more?
Why is not the Cafe fet forth in its clear and proper
Light, that People might not be led out of the Way of
Truth ? ^nd what fauftering feizes our Opponent, whem
he is about to vindicate his Allertion, that he fhould drop
through his high ExprelTions and lofty Terms ufed there-
in ; and can make nothing more of them, than what
we fay ! And tho' Mr. F. feems to grant, that partak-
ing of Ordinances, and being vifibly in Covenant,
is one and the fame Thing ; yet by his following Words,
it feems as if he intended fom.ething more hereby : Says
he, *' fFe dont pkad for the Continuance of the fame
Adminijiration^ hut of the fame Covenant ; and the ^^le-
flion is not whether thofe typical Ordinances are ahoUjhed ?
But^ whether the Covenant is aboUfied too f" Reply.
What Covenant? If he means that made with Chrift
ffom Everlafting, who ever queftioned, whether that is
abolifhed? ButTf he means any other, let him explain
himfelf. And what is it to his prcfent Purpofe, if that
Covenant of Grace continues the fame, when Infants
were never taken, together with their beheving Parents,
into the Covenant itfelf, made with Chrift, but only
formerly into the outward Adminiftration? Truly, no-
thing at all. Or does Mr. F. take the Covenant and the
Adminiftration of it, to be one and the fame Thing ? If
he does, how could the Adminiftration be aboliihed, and
D not
, L 50 ■ J
not the Covenant too ? Is not the Goven?int of Grace un-
changeable ? So muft the Adminiftration of it be alfo, if it
is one and the fame Thing. And it would hence further
follow, that thofe who were once vifibly in it (as our
Opponents phrafe it) could never fall away, which Mr.
F. dares not affirm. But he fays, " They don't plead for
the Continuance of the fame AdnuniftnQt'ton^ hut of the
fame Covenant'* Therefore the Adminiftration is one
Thing, and the Covenant another. Hence,
Mr. Ps Afiertion, and my Refutation ftand thus:
Affertion ; *' Believers Infants were once by divine Ap-
pointment taken into Covenant with their Parents" Refu-
tation ; Believers Infants, as fuch, were never taken
into Covenant with their Parents, but only under the
former Adminiftration, they were admitted to partake
of Ordinances by divine Appointment. And unlefs Mr.
F. will prove his Aflertion, pr make appear, that there
is more in being vifibly in Covenant, than being ad-
mitted into the outward Adminiftration ; his /^flertion,
■whether he acknowledges it, or not, will always ftand re-
futed, as now it does. As to thofe Texts he cited, with
a Defign to prove it, I obferved they refer to the fpiritual
Seed only : Nor has Mr. F. been able to (hew, that
thofe Places confirm what he propofed to prove by them 9
they prove indeed, the fpiritual Seied to be in Covenant^
but this was not the Thing he propofed. Mr. F. has
rot (hewn (and I believe never can fhew) that the Seed
of Believers were in the pure Covenant of Grace, an-
tecedent to their Vocation, Juftification, and Participa-
tion of the Holy Ghoft ; then what a mere Amufement
is it to talk of their being in Covenant, when all that
he can make out, is, that they were once taken into the
outward Adminiftration : If he calls this the Covenanto
it will not help his Caufe in the leaft, becaufe the for-
mer Adminiftration is abolifhed.
Further, our Concern is not (o much, how Abrahant
was to underftand the Promife : Certainly he could not
iihderftand that all his Seed were in the Covenant of
Grace, or any of them befides Ifaac^ Gen. xvii. 19.
?^xv» 2, tho*, scry like, he might be as unwilling to caft
out
[ 51 ]
OMt his Son IJhma elf Gen. xx'i: jo^ ir, I2. as our Oppo-
nents now are to acknowledge their Infants not to be ia
Covenant ; but in particular, how are we to underftand
it ? Now Mr. F. hath not been able hitherto to (hew
us, that any other but the Children of the Promife (/. g,
true Believers) are counted for the Seed, Rom. ix. 8.
Upon the whole, in anfwer to Mr. F'sJirA Aflertion^
I have particularly fliewn, i. The Inconclufivenefs of
their Argument from Jhrabam's Covenant, if the Cafe
was as they urge, 2. The effential Difference between
their Cafe, and Jhrabam's : That Jbraharn had the
Command of God for Circumcifion, but they have
none for Infants Baptifm : Moreover I have fhewn that
the Covenant did not give a Being to Circumcifion, but
the divine Command, becaufe Abraham had the Cove-
nant fo long before he was circumcifed. 3. The Abfur-
dities our Opponents fall into, by pleadmg for Infants
Right to Baptifm. 4. That Infants were never taken into
Covenant v/ith their believing Parents, unlefs our Op-
ponents mean the outward Adminiftration, by the Co-
venant of Grace ; and if fo, yet it will do their Caufe:
no Service. Laft3y, That the Scriptures Mr. F. pro-
duced, do riot ferve his Purpofe, And I fball now leave
it freely to the Determination of the judicious Reader^
■whether I have not only argued direcSlly againft his Af-~
fertion, but alfo really undermined and overturned the
very Foundation of Infant- baptifm ? ,
I {hall juft detain the Reader a little, while I ftep back
ts catch fome of Mr. F% commanding Officers, which
he has commiflioned out againft us, no doubt with a
Defigri to be the chief Engineers in this Engagement;
fuch as thefe, ** Here., if ever., Mr, M. Jhevoi his Ahili^
1y in Terglverfat'im—'Whilj} he makes a Shew of anfwer '
ing my Arguments., he only raifes Duji— -Hides himfelf
among an Heap oflthings quite foreign to the Point---1hat
vje retain not the fame Idea of the Covenant., is Mr. M'jr
tzvn FiSiion-'-He foars into Bomhad- --Behold the Tergi"
VirJation--lVbat ReferveS'-Rubbip" &c, Thefe Com-
pliments, as they are inconfiftent with the Truth of
Things on this Head, fo alfo with Mr. i^'s protefting
D 2 againft
t 5» ]
againft angry, perfonal Reflcdions, in religious Contro-
verfies; and quite contrary to his Profeflion of being an
Advocate for Meeknefsand Humility, in the Search after
Truth. Bat, leaving them bound and difarmed by the
Way, I pafs on to his fecond Head ; which is,
** Whether {he aforefald Appointment he repealed ?^^ I
anfwer again, Yes. For Infants Right to Circumcifiori
flood upon the Bafis of God's exprefs Command ; this
is that vi'hich gave a Being to that Appointment of In-
fant memberfhip, and Circumcifion, in the yewijl?
Church ; and by Virtue of the fame divine Authority
was it continued in fuccelfive Ages, till the Defign of
God therein was fulfilled ; and when the Command
which was inftitutive of that Ordinance, was difannull'd,
the Appointment ceafed with it, as I have already ob-
kxvedy or elfe an Appointment would {land without its
Foundation, which cannot be. Having the Covenant
(as we have feen) did not give a Being to this Appoint-
ment, for Abraham had the Covenant of Promife a long
Time before the Being of Circumcifion, or any Right
to it. Nor has Mr. F. as yet (hewn that Infants were
taken into the Covenant of Grace, but only admitted
formerly to the outward Adminiflration, which is now
aboliftied j fo that the plain State of the Qi^ieftion is,
whether Infants are to partake of Baptifm, under the
prefent Adminiflration, as they were circumcifed for-
merly ? If they are, there mufl: be the like Ground for
the one, as there was for the other, even God's exprefs
Command, but this can't be (hewn ; for at the very
Beginning of the Gofpel Difpenfation, a Profe/fion of
Faith and Repentance was always required by yohn^ the
Forerunner of Chrift, in order to Baptifm ; for which
I cited feveral * Texts of Holy Writ j which ftand fair
in Defence of this Truth,That fuch, and none elfe, were
baptized according to the Scripture. Mr. F. will have
it, that yohn's requiring a Profefiion of Faith from
grown Perfons, does not exclude Infants : But the Argu-
ment he pretends to frame for us, fhould be mended
thus f " Ue who conjiantly requirsi a Profejfion of Faith,
♦ Afiti, Page z-j.
L 53 ]
tic. from all that come to his Bapttfmy baptizes none with'
out fuch a ProfeJJion : But John con/lantly reqtnred Pro-^
fejjton of Faith ^ Sic. from all that came to his Baptifm'i
therefore John baptized none without Juch a ProfeJJion."
This Argument holds good, according to the Account
we find in Scripture of "John's Baptizing; and what
Room is there for Mr. F. to object, unlefs he has Re-
courfe to his Art of Reading what is not written : But
this he * profefTes to rejedl, and yet has he any other
Ground for his Conclufion, ** That there is no Room to
doubt, but John baptized Believers Infants " but this ?
He would do well to confider, that John did not baptize
Perfons by Virtue of the Command given to circumcife;
for that was not inftitutive of Bapttfm; and if not by
Virtue of it, then there is no Colour of Reafon to con-
clude, that he conformed to it, inadminiftering Baptifm,
which had no Dependance on it ; but was fent of God
immediately with divine Authority to baptize, John i. 33,
And before our Author can have any Room to imagine
that John bapti^/d Infants, he muft make appear, that
4he Order which God gave him, required him to bap-
tize them, which 1 believe is a Tailc too heavy for Mr.
F. to perform. John's baptizing none but ProfelTors,
according to the Scripture Account, very plainly be-
fpeaks that this was the Order he received immediately
from God, Neither did Chrift lay any Unfaithfulnefs
to his Charge j nor, indeed, can it rationally be fup-
pofed, that that holy and excellent Man, did not a6l in-
variably, and exadlly according to the divine Dire^ions
which he immediately received from God.
The Confideration, that John received the Command
to baptize immediately from God, futHciently refutes Mr.
F's " Pretences of the Right of Infants to Baptifm, tho*
grown wicked Perfons- had forfeited their Right, and were
rejeifed.'* Pray, what Right had Infants? Or, how
came they by it ? They had a Plight to Circumcifion,
becaufe God commanded fo ; if it were allowed they
were in Covenant, yet that would not do without a Com-
mand, as we have already feen. How does their Right
D 3 to
Find:, Page 15,
[ 54 ]
to Baptlfm appear, unlefs it appeared, that God com-
inande<i5^«;^« to baptize them ? Why, in no wife. And
when Mr. F. can produce the Command of God givea
to John to baptize Infants, we promife we will hear-
ien to him with both our Ears, pleading their Right to
Baptifm : But till he does that, I {hall pay no other Re-
gard to all he fays on this Head, than what falfe Doc-
trines and unfcriptural Principles do defer ve. As for
any Thing he has faid againft my Argument, I may
venture to refume it ; " The Cafe is ihts^ either it was
the Will and JppQintr.ifnt of God, that Johnjhould baptize
JSelievers Infants., or it was not F If any fay it was, they
make that holy Alan (who received hisMiffion immediately
from God) a vile Iranfgreffhr of the divine JVill and Ap-
'poinXment : But fuch an horrid Criine vjas never charged
an him, who was fa highly commended by Chrijl him f elf :
^Then it follows^ that it was not the F/ilt and Appointment
tf God, for him to baptize Infants.*' Now, unlefs it
could be made appear, that Jchn baptized Infants j or that
he (hould, but did not; neither of which hath ever been
proved, it remains undeniably evident,' maugre all Op*
jjoC'ion, and Error itfelf, that it was not the VViH, iiid
J^ppointment of God, they Ihould be baptized.
Mr. F, fays, " ^his Argmr,ent -makes a Rumbling like
BaraliptonJ* To be fure I You fee it made fuch a
Rumbling in his Ears, that he could not fland to refute
it ; but, at a DiflanceofF,cries out, *' 'Tis ridiculous--"Tis
41 bare-fac'd begging the ^uejiion in Difpute,*' without
Ihewing wherein, or how it i^s fo. And a(ks, *' Can it
he, that I expeSied a ferious Anfwer to this Argument?'*
Not reafonably, becaufe 1 might readily judge he had
Hone to give. However, inftead of ferious Anfwers, he
ixiufl fay fomething, if it is no more than charging
jne with begging the Queftion, and rehearfmg his for-
mer Talk : But he may know I am by this Time more
us'd to the Battle, than to be fcar'd with the Sound of
his Trumpet, or loud Huzza's : Are Things come to
that Pafs with Mr. F. that he calls my Adherence to
exprefs Scripture Teflimony in the Cafe of 'John, a
barefac'd begging the Queftign \ 'Tis furcly pinching
Times
I S5 1
Times with him ! The Point I obferved, and which the
Scriptures formerly quoted do prafe, That John bap-
tized none upon any other Confideration, but upon Pro-
feffion of Faith, and Confefiion of Sin, makes it appear
this was the Order he received from God ; and (hews
that Infants were not baptized fanlefs our Opponent
could fhew from Scripture, that he baptized fome with-
out thefe Quahfications, which if he could, doubtlefs he
would before now) and effectually refutes his Plea, that
Infants are not intended in thofe Texts; therefore
they were baptized upon fome other Confideration, let
that be (hewn. He fays (at leaft he would have hisRea-
ders believe fo) that John baptized Believers Infants;
Let him tell us, whether this does not more juftly deferve
the Name of barefac'd begging the Queftion inDifpute,
which has no Hint in Scripture to fupport it? But the
•Way he takes to efcape the Force of my Obfervations,
is thus, ^■^ There is no Ground to believe John did not bap-
tize Believers Infants', and (fays he) this is enough at
prefent until I come to advance pofitive Proof. ^' Reply.
Truly then this muft be, enough always; for he does not
come to advance pofitive Proof, that John baptized Be-
lievers Infants all thro*' his Pamphlet; I do therefore
publickly call orf him to produce a pofitivs Proof from
Scripture, x.\\d,tJohn ever baptized one Infant; or elfe
forbear to prejudice unwary- Souls j^ainft Gofpel
Truths : Whatan Impofition muft it be on his Pleaders,
that he (hould talk at this Rate, when he cannot but
know at the fame Time, there is no pofitive Proof for
it to be found in the Word of God! nor even fo hiuch
as a ]u&. Confequence to fupport the Infinuation ; fincc
yoZ'w baptized by Virtue of the Command he received
immediately from God, and not by that given to circum-
cife. Says he, " The Scriptures don't fay that John did
not baptize Infants on the fame Day with their Parents'*
And again, " The Scriptures don't fay he did not urge
the Parents to bring their Children to Baptijm." Reply.
The Scriptures don't fay, that John did not circumcife
all that came to him to be baptized. Again, The Scrip-
tures dbn't fay, he did not fign them all with the Sign
D4 «^
[ 56 ]
of the Crofs, whom he baptized in the Name of him that
was to come : But fiiall we believe he did, becaufe the
Scriptures don't fajfthe Contrary ? In no wife. And aie
Mr. F's trifling Obje(SHons, in favouT of his Opinion,
any better, or in the leaft to be regarded ? Not at all ;
neither indeed are they of any Ufe to his Gaufe, unlefs
it be to {hew us the Wcaknefs of it, and the Manner
whereby our Opponents labour to defend it ! After he
he has obferved, the Scriptures don't (ay Ais, nor don't
fay that, he appeals to his Reader's Judgment ; *' Read-
er (fays he) are thefe pertinent Topicks to prove a Repeal
of Abraham's Covenant F" Anf. If he xnear.s by jib? a ^
/^;«'s Covenant, that Covenant of Grace" made with
Chrift from Everjafting, in which all true Believers are
interefted, thefe Topicks were never defigned to prove
a Repeal of it ; nor does our Caufe require us to attempt
the leaft Thing of that Kind ; for Believers Infants, as
fuch, were never taken into it with their Parents : But
if he means hereby the outward Adminiftration, which
obtain'd under the Old Teftament, thefe * Obfervations
are pertinent to fhew that New Teftament Ordinances
are not founded on former Laws and Appointments i
when the Scripture gives us no Ground to believe that
yohn baptized any without the previous Qualifications
of Faith and Repentance, in all the Places which fpeak
of his adminiftering the Ordinance.
In Page i6. Mr. F. after his wonted Manner, would
make his Readers believe, that his Arguments from Heb.
viii. 7, 8. are untouched, and thinks his Caufe very
fafe ; and feems to admire, how I could fatisfy myfelf,
without anfwering his Argument ; as if I were obliged
to prove the Covenant of Grace made with Chrift from
Everlafting to be repealed ; or (hew, that it is not the
fame for ever ; or that it was not revealed to Abraham ;
or that true Believers were not in it formerly as well as
now: Are thefe Things the Points in Debate? No.
How then is Mr. Fs Judgment fo beclouded in the Mat-
ter ? Have we any Difpute at all about the fpiritual Seed ?
My proper Bufmefs was to refute his Flea for Infant-
member-
f Anti, Page 28. ^
[ 57 ]
memberfhip, and their Right to Ordinances In the Chri-
ftian Church, derived from a former Appointment?
And have I not done that already, beyond any jull Ex-
ception, by {hewing the former Adminiftration to be abo-
lilhed ? I iliall obferve,to him again. That that whereby
God took the Jew'ijh Nation and their Seed, as fuch, to
be his vifible Church, and was an Hulband to them,
Jer. xxxi. 32. Let Mr. F. call it, the Ceremonial IVor-
fl)ip, or Abrahams Covenant, or whatever other Name
he is pleafed to give it, this Paflage of Scripture, in Heb.
viii. undeniably proves it to be abolifhed : However I
call it the old Adminillration, v/ithout * " Fear of any
Oppofition^" and therefore fay, if no'thing ca'n be under-
itood or proved, by Infants being vifibly in Covenant,
further than that they were formerly taken with their
Jbrents into the outward Adminiftration, this Place of
Scripture is full to our Purpofe ; But if there is, let Mr*
F. make it appear, which hitherto he has not done. And
when did that Adrninillration begin, but in the Days of
Abraham ? Then was Circumcifion inftituted, and then
began the JewiJ}) GEconomy, which "was fully fet up at
Ijraers Return out of Ec:jpt : Now this Place evidently
proves a Repeal, or difannulling of that Adminiftration :
*' He hath made the FirJ} old,*' Verfe 13. Therefore to
iay, that the aforefaid Appointment of Infant-member-
fhip, and their Right to Ordinances, is not repealed,
when that fame divine Command which gave a Being
to it, and upon which it was founded, is now^ repealed,
as a Part of that old Covenant, or former Adminiftra-
tion, I profefs, is fuch a Myftery to me, which I have
not as yet feen unfolded, nor don't expeil I ever fhall :
Neither can I at prefent fee but two Things, which our
Opponents gan betake themfelves to, on this Head; and
feach hath its own Perplexity ; either, i.. To prove, that
there was much more in Believers Infants being vifibly
in Covenant, than their Admiffion to the outward Ad-
miniftration ; that is to fay, that they were all taken
into the Covenant of Grace itfelf : But to aflert this,
would indeed oblige our Opponents to encounter with
invinci-
• VirJ. Page 18,
[ 58 ]
invincible Difficulties, either to (hew, that there Is a
falling from a State of Grace j or elfe that all the.OfF-
fpring of Believers, how wicked foever, (hall notwith-
ftanding be all faved. Or, 2. To {hew a divine Com-
mand for this Appointment, under the new Covenant,
or Gofpel Adminiftration : But this Mr. R difclaims, as
none of his Bufinefsi It feems he is fo afraid to mimick
me (as his phrafe is) that he would not concern him-
felf with tiaat which judicious Readers judge to have
been his proper, peculiar Bufinefs, on this Head, had he
done any Thing to Purpofe in the Debate : And, for my
Part, I fee'no Reafon to think otherwifc ; but the Dif-
ficulty is, no fuch Command can be found. In a Word,
till Mr. F. can (hew that the aforefaitj Appointment
•was no Fart of the old Covenant, or former Admini-
fcration, or elfe that the new is according to it, in
this Particular j this Place of holy Scripture, whether
he owns it, or not, will always prove that Appoiatment
to be repealed. ' ' . ;; - ■ ..
On the whole, let Mr. F. (hew tjie leaft Ground, from
myArgument, for his Infinuatipn, ** That 1 leave the
Scripture in Contradiction to itfelf** When I affirm the
Covenant of Grace to be made with Chrift, and by
the old and new Covenam in Heb. viii. is to be un-
derftood the two Adminiftrations ; the one dark, legal,
and typical, the other clear and evangelical j the one
faulty, the other perfe<£l 5 the former took the Jewijh
Nation to be the vifibie Church, the latter Profefibrs
only, out of all Nations, to be the vifibie Church ; that
abolifhed, this fully eflablifhed : And this new Covenant
is not according to the old among otherThings, in this
Particular, that it does not admit Infants to a Gofpel Or-
dinance, as that did to a legal and typical one; Let Mr. F,
deny any of thefe Particulars, and prove the contrary,-if
he can J 'tis what we have long looked for, but hitherto
in vain. I argued from Rom. '\x. 7, 8. thus, " 'Tis evir
dent from thefe Words^ that none^ whether ^ews or Gentiles*
are counted the fpiritual Seedy but true Believers only : Now
fnethinks, all will grant ^that the Infant Seed of believingGen-^
iiksartinet Abt&hzwJsJleJbly Sud j andJldr, F. in his Di-
Jiinilisns,
[ 59 ]
JfinJiionSy Joes not undertake to firdu, that they are his
Jpiriiual Seed : Ihen it follows^ that the Infant Seed of
Gentile Believers^ as fuch, are not the Seed of Abraham
in any Refpe£i at all \ the Confequence then is unavoidabUy
that they are not ^ as fuch^ the SubjeSis of any Promife given
to the Seed of Abraham, becaufe they are not included in
it ; fo that irijhad of abufing this Scripture^ our Infe-
rences are natural and genuine^ and mufl continue foy un^
lefs Mr. F. can make appear.^ that the Infants of Gen-
tile Believers are Abraham'^ Seed^ in either of the tw»
forementicned RefpeSls., for in a ^Ihird they canU be. Thus
you fee., that if hzfants are to be baptized., it muji he bj
fame other Grant., than the Charter given to the Seed of
Abraham, for that does not reach ihetn 5 and we find ns
In/litution for it in the Gofpel : Therefore they are not
the Subje£is of Baptifm.'' Mr. F. here, inftead of (hew-
ing that the Seed of GentiU Believers are the Seed of
Abraham., in either of the two Refpeits mentioned, lays
hold on my faying, " He does not undertake in his Di-
flinSlions,'" Sec. and fo runs quite away from the Point in
Hand ; which was to fhev/, that the Seed of believing
Gentiles are in either Refpedl the Seed of Abraham.
The Blefliug of Abraham was not to ariy Seed but his
own, either after the Flelh or Spirit ; for our Opponents
then, to take it for granted, Hand over Head, that the
BleiTing of Abraham is come on their Seed, when they
don't fnew us, that they are Abraham^ Seed in any Re-
fpe<ft at all, has neither Scripture nor Reafon to fupport
it : Probably the Difficulty which Mr. F. faw in his
Way here to anfwer my Arguments fairly, made him
catch at fomething to make his Readers believe he is not
put to Silence ; when the plain, obvious Senfe of my
Words, which he makes fo great a Noife about, is, that
the natural Offspring of Gentile Believers, as fuch, are
not Abraham's fpiritual Seed. In like Manner, he makes
a Stir about my not overthrowing his Expofition of the
Place ; but is there any Thing therein, which proves
the Seed of Gentile Believers, as fuch, to be in any Re-
fpe£l the Seed of Abraham ? Not at all. Kow then can
Mr, F, imagine my Caufe required a Refutation of his
Expo-
[ eo ]
Expofition ? I can't readily think that, " Tf^at the Apa-
file fays here^ was applicable to the Old Te/tament Churchy
in any Period of it, as well as to the New." For the Chil -
dren of the FJefh, mentioned in this Text, had a Rioht
to, and accordingly did, under the former Adminiftra-
tion, partake of the Ordinances then being, for every
Man-child of Ahraha7rC% Seed was to be circumcifed at
eight Days old : IVIr. F. defires to know on what Ac-
count ? Anf. In Obedience to God's Command : A very
good Reafon too ; not as the fpiritual Seed, but as natu-
ral Defcendants from Abraham^ Gen. xvii. 12. The
Scripture informs us of no Qualification required to re-
ceive Circumcifion, but to be born of fewijh Parents,
or a Jineal Defcent from Abraham: Now if Mr. F. will
ihew us from Scripture, that a lineal Defcent, or being
born of believing Parents^ qualified any to be meet Sub-
je<Si:s of Baptifm, or that any were ordered by God to
be baptized on this Account, I promife to give him as
Jiumble a Bow, as he can defne, and Thanks withal ;
but in the mean Time, we maintain, that a Profeffion
of Faith is a necelTary Qualification, abfolutely required
in all the Subjects of this Gofpel Ordinance. Our Au-
thor fays. Page 20. " This Place does not fo much as
hint at the Grounds on which Ordinances are adminifier-d.'*
And yet he makes fome faint Ellays, Page 21. by way
of Enquiry, to ftiew that Believers Infants are the fpi-
ritual Seed, as well as adlual ProfeiTors : And for what
End ? Doubtlefs, that he might thence infer, agree-
able to the * Scope of his Performance, they ought to
be baptized , as well as to have Ground of Charity for
them. It feems he knows how to improve the Place to
his Purpofe, tho' he can't fee how we can to ours. He
allcs, *' But will this Scripture prove, that all vifible cre^
dible ProfeJJors are the fpiritual Seed, and none but fuch f*
Mr. Fs own Words, in his Expofition of this Place,
anfwer the Queflion, " Thefe only (f&ys he) are to be.
accounted the fpiritual Seed, and the Children of the PrO'
rnije, who have the real Blefftngs of the Covenant in their
Hearts, and not others, who have not, the' they bt under
thf
• Vind, Page 40.
[ 6i ]
ihe oUHvard D'tfpenfation^ and have a vifthle Right to the
Promife." Here he defcribes the fpiritual Seed pofitively
and negatively ; therefore a Profeflion with their Mouths
of thofe real Bleilings in their Hearts, accompanied with
Fruits of Righteoufnefs in their Lives, gives a rational
and folid Ground to judge charitably, that fuch are the
Spiritual Seed, and in the Covenant of Grace ; fuch are
the only proper -Subjedts of Baptifm : The Ends and De-
fign of this Ordinance are not anfwered in any at their
Reception of it, but in fuch ; thefe only are capable to
^nfwer a good Confcience towards God, when they fub-
mic to the Ordinance, i Pet. iii. 2i. And to give up them-
felves unto him therein, to live and walk in Newhefs
of Life : 'Tis to them that Baptifm is a Sign of their
Fellowfnip with Chrift in his Death and Refurre6lion ;
of RemifHon of their Sins, Regeneration, and Adoption.
According to Mr. F. here, we learn, that fuch as are
under the indefinite Promifes of Grace and Salvation,
or under the outward Difpenfation, are not therefore,
or merely on that Confideration, to be accounted the
fpiritual Seed, but thofe only who have the Bleflings of
the Covenant in their Hearts ; Pray, what are their In-
fanti at the moft, but under the outward Difpenfation,
according to his own Way of talking? Now when none
^re to be accounted the fpiritual Seed, tho' they be un-
der the outwatd Difpenfation, but thofe who have the
real BlelTmgs of the Covenant in their Hearts ; and
when there arc no more Signs of thofe Bleflings to be
feen in their Infants, than in the Infants of Infidels :
What Ground have they to judge, that they are the fpi-
ritual Seed, and fit Subjedls of Baptifm ? None at all !
Neither can they baptize them as fit Subjedls, unlefs
they judge that carnal Subjedis are fit for a Gofpel Ordi-
nance ! Dead Stones proper Materials to build z fpiritual
Houfe, I Pet. ii. 5. And fo mingle the New-Teftament
Church, and the World together, which Chrift defigncd
to be feparate.
Formerly, indeed, Jbraham*^ natural Offspring, as
fiich, had a Right to partake of carnal Ordinances, and
50 enter into a worldly San<auary i but iince Chrift came
to
[ ^2 ]
to fet up his New-Teftament Church, we don't find he
gave Diredions to admit any into it, but the fpiritual
Seed, or Beh'evers, on Profeflion of their Faith in him :
Let Mr. F, fee, by his admitting in the natural Seed,
whether he does not plainly, deviate from the Diredlions
which Chrift has given him in the Cafe ? The Law
which gave Ground for their Admittance into the yew*
ifli Church, is abolifhed, as a Part of the o'd Covenant,
as already obferved : Let him look for that Word of di-
vine Authority, which warrants his Admiffion of theni
Jiow, or elfe he won't be able to fay, when he gives ufj
his Account, " Lnrd^ It is done as thou hcji commanded^*
But fuppofe the Word of God bad taken EfFsiSt in feme
of their Infants, yet when there are no Fruits or Signs
of it rrianifeft, it requires in Mr. F. ** A 'Judgment^
not only of Charityy but Infallibility ^ to determine who of
them may he admitted to Baptifm^ and who not :" Or elfc
he mufl baptize them all as the fpiritual Seed, and there*
by (hew that he has no Ufe for his Diftindfions, *' Of a
twofold Way of being in Covenant " becaufe in the
Sight of the vjfiblc Church they arb all the fpiritual
Seed, if em is fo, and favingly in the Covenant of
Grace ; when yet, at the (lime t^me, there is no Ground
to judge rationally, that one of them is fo, any more
than the Infants of Non-mecnuers ; for the Rule is,
*' None are to be accounted thi fpiritual Secd^ tha^
ihey be under the cutvjard Difpenfation^ but fuch only,
who have the real Blefftngs of the Covenant in their Hearts,
6r in whom the Word of God has had its Effi^^" 'Th
like, if an Anabaptifi (houM talk at the Rate our Op-
ponents do, Mr. F. would readily call it * religious Gar-
bage, and Nonfenfe ; But irf the Phrafe does not pleafe
him, let it be failed unintelligible Divinity !
Mr. F. pleafes himfelf with the Fancy, that I am got
into fame Box with him ; but if I were, I (hould find an
open door to get out, and fhut him in where he is; for
he has no manifeft Evidence of the Word of God hav*
ing taken EfFed in the Hearts of any Infants, to judge
charitably by, that they are fpiritual Seed, and fhall be
faved,
♦ Find, Page 80.
L ^3 J
, faved, as I have in credible Profcflbrs : Then the Reader
may fee that his Judgment is without any rational Evi-
dence, and his Charity, in the Cafe of their Infants, but
felfifli Fondnefs.
In treating on Gal. iii. i6. Mr. F. very confidently
cafts the Heterodox upon me, for faying the Promifes
were made primarily to Ghrift perfonal : And indeed if
big Words, and noify Exclamations, will do for Proof,
he has enough of them at hand ; but one good Argu-
ment would be worth them all, either to convince or
refute me ; tho' among thofe, who take noify Outcries
for Arguments, they may pafs : But after all, if this is
fuch an Heterodox Principle, why did not he (hew the
Promifes were not firft made to Chrift perfonal ? And
that the Promifes of God were not firft in the Perfon
of Chriftj before they can be Yea and Amen to Be-
hevers ? However, to obviate Objedions, I (hall add the
Expreffiqns of fome learned Divines, which are expreffive
of the Defign of my Words; Mr. f Erjkine hysy " Not
only all Necefaries far Redemption^ but alfo all Ne-
cejfaries for the powerful and effectual application of thai
Redemption, are fir/i promifed in the Covenant to him
(i, e. Ghrift) and then to us in him, upon his fulfilling the
Csndition of perfect Obedience. Is Jujlif cation promised ?
It is fir/t^ to him, and then to us in him, Ifai. liii. ii. Is
SanSfification and the Spirit promifed ? It is fir/i to him^
and then to us in him, Ifai. xlii. i. Is Glorification pro-
mifed? his ftrjl to him, and then to us in him, Rom.
viii. 17. So is the Confiitution of the Covenant., the
Promifes are all made to him, and in the Application of it^
they are made to us in him ; primarily and mediately
they are made to him, fecondarily and immediately to us
in him.'*
Says Dr. ♦ Goodwin, " Js all Promifes are made in
him, fo all Promifes were fir fl made to him, and to us, as
»ne with him ; therefore fays the ApoflU, not to Seeds, as
tfmany, but to Seed, as of one, which is Chriji:* Our
Author, in his great Hurry and Throng of Bufincfs, has
herQ
f Serm. Vol. I. Pages 264., 26 f.
* V©1.1IL Part S.Page 28, '
[ 6.4 ]
here forae how quite miftaken the Matter, and imagin'd
that I aflerted the Covenant of Grace was made with
Chrift perfonally for himfelf only ; which is neither ex-
preffed nor implied in my Words: One would think he
might readily have difcover'd his Miftakc from my Re-
ferences, Ant'i. Page 33. unlefs he were prepofTeffed with
an unkind Defire of loading his Refpondent with ground-
lefs Clamours and Reproaches, where Arguments failed
him. Now, do the Promifes of the Covenant, made
primarily to Chrift, belong to any but Believers ? Or
have any others a Right to them ? No ; for as already
obferved. The Scripture hath concluded all under Sin, that
the Promife, by Faith of Jefus ChrijU rnight ie given to
them that believe^ Gal. iii. 22. *' The Promije was made to
Chriji, as Head of the vlfible Church j and then (fays he)
it will extend to Believers in him, and alfo to their Seed."
I fay again, one might think the very mentioning of this
Argument would be a fufficient Refutation of it ; for the
Promife of Juflification, Adoption, the Gift of the Ho-
ly Ghoft, and Salvation, in no Age of the Church, ex-
tended to Believers Seed as fuch ; /. e. That they were in-
titled to, and interefted in thefe Blefiings, on the Ac-
count of their Parents Faith : But if Mr. F. can make
out, that the Infants born of Believers are on that Ac-
count Believers, he will do fomething towards proving
them to be in Covenant, or that the Promife extends to
them alfo ; otherwife, whether he will or no, the Scrip-
tures have concluded them all under Sin, as well as other
Unbelievers : And to be under Sin^ and in the Cove-
nant of Grace, at the fame time, is a Contradiction too
great to be reconciled. Their being related to believing
Parents naturally, does not unite them to Chrifl fpiritu-
ally ; and without Union with him, there is no "Com-
munion in thefe fpiritual Bleflings, or the Promife does
not extend to them. It has never been (hewn, that na-
tural Relation to Believers is appointed to be a Conduit
Pipe, whereby the Promife of fpiritual BlelTings fhould
be conveyM from Chrift to their Offspring. People may
indeed be united to the Church of Chrift, and at the fame
time have no Union with Chrift, the Head of the
Church,
t 65 j
ibhurch, for want of Faith j then they have no Intereil
in the Promifes made to Chrift, or the Benefits prGmife4
to Believers. The Promife of thefe fpiritual Bleffings did
not extend to the Offspring of Abraham himfelf ac-
cording to the FJefli, in that Confideration, Rom. iv.
J2, 13, 16, And how is it po/Tible it can extend to
the Seed of Gentile Believers as fuch \ Wherein then,
was it amifs to obferve that Mr. 'P. ufes a wild Way of
'arguing on this Head, when he talks, as tho' Church
xnemberfliip entitled Infants to the Promife, wiiich was
made primarily to Chrift, and in him to true Believers
only? I requir'd him to fhew, where God has pro-
mis'd thefe fpiritual Bleffings ftiould be entail'd on an/
fle(hlv Line? He pretends *' nothing is eafier,** and
cites Exod. XX. 6. with that Defign •.—^''He willjhevi
Mercy to a thoufand Generations of them that love him^
and keep his Commandments :" And then vain gloriouily
afks, " Is not a thoufand Generations a long Line f But
will Mr. F. {land to it, that thefe fpiritual Bleffings
are certainly entail'd on Believers Seed to a thoufand
Generations? No, " He does not conceive that all the
Seed of all Believers zbill be converted.''* But the Quefti-
bn is, if the Promife of Juftificatiori and Salvation is
entail'd, why not to one, as well as the other ? Why
not all converted, as well ai fome ; when it is
affirmed that the Promife is entailed on all Believers,
and their flefhiy Seed, to a thoufand Generations ? Fur-
ther, will our Author fay that the Parents Works of O7
bedience to the moral Law entails the Promife on their
Seed, when the Parents theiiifelves are not entitled toi
the Promife of Juftification, Adoption, and Salvation,
by all the Works of the Law they Can poffibly do, as
the Apoflje teftifies, Rom. iv. 14. '"'• If they which are
of the Law be Heirs^ Faith is made void., and the Pro*
mife of none EffeSf." Hence it may be obferved again,
that to be born of godly Parents, does not entitle any
to thefe fpiritual Bleffings, nor bring any nearer to God
in a fpiritual Relation, nor have fuch any thing to
boaft of above others on this Account : If any, the
Seed oi Abraham^ according to the Flelh, But a na-
E tural
[ 65 ]
fural Defcerit from Abraham avails nothing in th^s
Cafe, Rom. ix. 7, 8. Adoption does not come this
Way: Men don't commence Children of God by
their flefhly Defcent, they are not born of Blood,-
John i. 13. but of God, who are the Sons of God.
None are Heirs to thefe promifed fpiritual Bleffings
but Believers, Gal. iii. 29. And there can't be an
entail of the Promife on their natural Offspring, un-
lefs Mr. F. will fliew that their Infant Seed are Be-
lievers alfo, which he has not yet done ; or (hew that
the Promife of fpiritual Bleflingi is entailed by virtue
of, and connected with the Works of the Law, and
fo make Faith void, and th? Promife of none Effect.
Another Scripture Mr. F. cites with a Defign to
prove that fpiritual BlefTmgs are entailed on a fiefhly
Line, is Ifa. 59. 21. God will give his Spirit to hrs
People, and their Seed, and Seeds Seed, from henceforth,
and for ever. And then vauntingly afks, *' /j not for ^
tver a long Line P Let Mr, M. /peak, and fay, is it not
very long f" But the Words ot the Text, which he
quotes, and miferably perverts, are thefe, " Js for me^
this is my Covenant with them, faith the Lord, my Spirit
that is upon thee, and my Words, which I have put in thy
Mouth, flmll not depart out of thy Mouth, nor out of the
. Mouth of thy Seed, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed's
'Seed, faith the Lord, from henceforth, and for ever" Mr,
F. underftands and argues, that fpiritual Bleffings are
here promifed to, and entailed on the Church, and her
Offspring, according to the FleOi (as fuch) but without
the Jeaft Foundation in the Text. 'Tis no unufual
Thing in Scripture to call Believers the Children of
Zion, Ifa. Ixvi, 8. Pfal. cxlix. 2. And that by Seed
here is meant Believers, is manifeft from the Words*
themfelves : 'Tis to Believers, this Seed of Zion, the
Continuance of the XVord and Spirit of God is promi-
fed ; with the fpiritual Seed (let them be of what Nati-
on foever) do thefe fpiritual Bleffings abide, in all fuc-
ceeding Ages : Not as Mr. F. dreams, that the Word
and Spirit of God are with the Infant Offspring of
Believers, Is the Word of God in the Mouth of all
Infants,
[ 6? ]
Infants, or in the Mouth of any one of them ? This
abfolute Promife cannot intend any other Kind, but
that Seed, to every Individual, whereof it is, and fhall
be infallibly fulfilled, which is true only refpedling the
fpiritual Seed. But I rather think, Chrift is mure efpe-
cial intended, and not the Church, by the Pronoun
(thee) in the Text,, and Co 'tis to be underftood of the
Promife which God the Father made to Chrifl: (who
is mentioned in the former Vcrfe) and hi^ Seed, evert
true Believ'eis in general ; Prophets, Apoftles, and Mi -
nifters in particular ; that the Spirit he received with-,
out Meafure, 7i?^» iii. 34. • And the Words put in his
Mouth, John xii. 49, fhould , not depart from himfelf
and Seed for ever, Ifa. Jiii. 10. Pfal Ixxii. 17. But:
whether it be meant of Chrift, or the Church, it leaves
not the leaft Ground for Mr. F's Pretence to prove
from this Place a flefhly Entail of the Promife j when
by the Seed fucceffively, can't rationally be underftood
any other, confillent with the Text, and general Scope
of holy Scripture, but true Believers only in all Ages,
with whpm the Word and Spirit of God do infeparably
abide. Now it remains to iie obferved again, that it is
really marvellous our Opponents will wreft Texts of
Scripture, which (peak particularly, and only of the fpi-
ritual Seed } or true Believers to countenance their Fan-t
cies about the Right of their Infant Seed to Churc/l
Mimberfhipand Baptifm 1 If they do thus through Ig-
norance, and for want of knowing better, they &te
much to be pitied, and ought to be timely inftruded t
But if wilfully, againft Light and Knowledge, to ferve
their Turn, they muft be very unfit Men to handle
the Word of God, 2 Cor. ii, 17. jv. 2. Hence it
appears, .how little Reafon Mr, F. has to put Believ-
ers Infants on a Par with actual Profeflors, at the Clofe
of this Paragraph 1 And alfo how groundlefs it is to ad-
minifter Baptifm to Infants, without any Autht)rity
from God, on a vain Suppofition that fpiritual Blef-
ijngs are entailed on a flefhly Line, which needs Proof,
before it can be received for Trutih ! . ,
£ a I r««
[ 6S ]
I requfred our Opponents to (hew us from Scfipture,
that Infants were taken into the Gofpel Church : But
Mr. F. in Page 23, inftead of giving us ^any New Tc-
ftanient Proof hetecf, as was demariied, recurs to the
'Jeiinjh Church, and fays to thi> Purpofe : " T^hey were
Memben of the Jtwifh Church- now if it was- • the
fame inSuh/idnce u,ith the Chrijliafl- -it ivill foilav that
the Materials of the Church ore JUII the fame. Hence tf
Infants were once Alaie^ials of it, they arefo/iill." Re-
ply. In the Jewrjh vUible Church, Infant, who de-
fcended from Abraham, were Materials ; tfie natural
Seed had a Right (founded on a pofitive Command) ift
that Houfe, which continued 'till the End of the for-
mer Adminiftration, when the Jewifh Church State
was abohfhed ; and the Ri ht of the natural Seed end-
ed with it : And when the Gofpel Church was fet up*,
jirofefTing Believers, and none elfe, were the Materials,
of it. I fhall offer an Argument or two in Favour of'
•what I fay, and then conlider Mr. Fs on '.he contra-
ry.
1. There is a maiiifeft, real Difference, between thie
Conftitution of one, and of the other ; the Jewifh vi-
fible Church neither was, nor could be' built on the
Foundation of the Apoftlts ; /. e. the Apoftles Doc-
trine of Chrift exhibited in the Flcfii, or aheady come,
as the new Teflament Church is, Eph. ii. 20. But, at
the moft, only on the Promife of Chrill to co#ie.
Hence it appears, that was not the fame with this ;
and if not the fame, then the new 'leflament Church
is a new conftituted Church ; and in this new Formati-
on we find no other Materials, but profcfling Believers ;
nor any other among the Multitudes added to it, but
fuch, Aas'u 15. ii. 4ii 42-^ 43' 44- 47-
2. That Covenant Adminiftration, whereby God
took the Jewifh Nation to be his vifible Church, is abo-
lifhed, Deut. xxvi. 16,17, 18, 19. 7^r.xxxi. 31,32.
Heb. viii. 8, 9, lO, 13. Therefore their viiible Church
State ceafed with it. "And the new Covenant, as 1 have
obferved ahead , is not accoiding to that: This admits
^ Rone intq a vifible Church Suie but pi oleiring Believers,
[ 69 ]
fisall the Places in the New Teftament, which fpeafc
of the Admiffion of Members into the Gofpel Churcn
do teltify, J^ls. iv. 4. v. 13, 14. But,
I proceed to confider Mi. F's Arguments for the
Samenefs of the Church under both Dfpenrations.
I. Sivs he, '' //" t/je Jewifh and Chrt/iian Church be dif-
ferent in Subjiance, th^y had one Way to Heaven^ arid we
another y Anf. Thib Argument ma\ do fumtthing to-
wards proving the ^amenefs of the invifible Chuich in
all Ages, if any deny it ; for AbeU Enochs and Noah^
had the fame Way to Heaven, before the Conftitution
of the Gufpel Church, or Jeivip) either, as all the
Saved fince, have': And wht ox that? But how
this Inference pjoves the vifiblc Church to be the fame
in the Senfe we fpeak of, does not yet appear ! 2. " It
would follow, that Ab'aham could not be the Father both
of the circumcifei^ and uncircumcifed." Anf. Abraham
was a Pattern of Faith to Believers, •', hether circumci-
fed or uncircumcifvid : But the Queftion is not about
the Exefcifesof Faith. 3. Says he, " It would follow ^
that the Jews did not ^at the fame fph itual Meat., nor
drink the jame fpiritual Drink^ as Chriflians do." Anf.
Who doubts but true Bclieveis among the 'Jews fed
by Faith on Chrift promifed, as we do on Chnft ex-
hibited, which was typify 'd unto them by the Manna
from Heaven, and Water out of the Rock ? But what
is this to the Point in Hand ? 4. " It would follow, that
the Jews could not be Exsmplss and Patterns of Faith to
Chrijiians.'* Anf. This does not militate againft us,
unlefs we faid, there were no Briievers in the Jewijh
Church, which we never did: What we fay, is, that
the Jewifb national Church State, wherein Infants were
Materials, is now ab )li(hefJ. 5. Says he, " .// would
follow, that the Je vs and Chriflians are not made one
Church, nor the middle IVall of Partition broken down for
that Purpofe." Aif Mr. F. * " Readily Grants., fhat
Chriflians are not grafted into the Jewifli Church, as it
flood under the Laio." How then ? As it flood under
the Gofpel.? Why then it was a number of Jews, f
F 3 pro-
* Vind. Page 43. f Charit. Plea Page 65.
C 7° ]
profelyted to Ciiriflia#iity by the preaching of i^e Go-
fpel, who profefled their Faith in Chrift crucified, and
thereupon were baptized : A Church gathered and
formed from among thofe . other jfezvs^ who were yet
ignorant of Chriftianity : .This is the New Tefta-
ment vifible Church we contend for, with which the
believing Gentiles were united in one Body. For by
one Spirit are zve all baptized into one Body, vuhether we
^^ Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and
have been all Tnade to drink into one Spirit^ I Cor. xiiw
13. What Church is that wherein Jeu/i and Gentiles
^re made one ? The 'fewi/h vifible Church ? No fure-
]y ! For the Ordinance of Baptifm was never an Ordi-
nance gf Entrance into the y^w;/}^ Church, properly fo
called j bit into the New Telfament vifible Church :■
Here Jews and Gentiles are made one Body, and the
middle Wall of Partition broken down for that Pur-,
pofe. Now let Mr. F. Ihcw that this Church, thus ga-
thered and formed from :<mono;ft other Jews, be (till the
fame Church, refpeding its Form and Conftitution,
vith that under the Law : Let him run the Parallel,
and prove it if he can, that Infants were ever the Ma-
terials of this vifible Church, whereinto believing y^ft:;;
and Gentiles were admitted by Baptifm ; this would end
the Difpute* ' ! .;
6. Sa\'s he, " Thg?: the Chrt/lian Church is not built.
9n the Foundation of the Prophets, but only the ApO'
files." Well, Mr. ,^. judges if the New Tellament
Church was built on the Foundation of .the Apoftles on-
ly, it would make a fubftantial Difference between this
and that. .Why then won't the Argument hold on the
other Hand, firxe it ismanifeft the Jewifo Church was
built on the Foundation of the Prophets only ; /. e.
the Promifeof Chrift tocome? (Certainly it does, if
M. F's Way of arguing be right : < And till he can
imake appear that the Jewijh vifible Church was built
qn the Foundation of the Apoftles,: Chrift exhibited,
in the Flefli, as well as promifed, even as the Nev/.
Teftament Church is, whether he will own it, or not,
there will always appear fuch a DifFerence between that
and
[ 7' ]
and this, that it cannot be the fame, in the Senfe coij-
troverted. However, it hence appears, there muft at
leaft be a new Conilitution of the Church, before it
can be faid to be built on the Foundation of the Apoflles,
as already explain'd : Neither does the former Confti-
tution enter, much lefs continue in the Gofpel Church,
but is wholly aboliOied, or at an End ; for it is no Part
of theChriflian Faith in the New Teflament Church,
to believe Chrift yet to come in the FleOi, as it was
an Article of Faith in the Jewijhy before hs came ;
though we do indeed believe the Promifes of his Exhi-
bition in the Flefb, fpoken by the Prophets, yet now no
othervvife, but as already fulfilled. Now it was m that
Church Infants were Members, the natural Seed Ma-
terials ; and that Church State, on folid Grounds, we fay
is at an End: Then it unavoidably follows, that Infants
Church memberfhip in the Jew'ijh Church is ended alfo.
Now it ftill lies at the Door of our Opponents to ihew
us if they can, that Infants were taken into the Gof-
pel vifible Church, and not put us off with .what was
done under the legal Adminiftration ; for the Jewijh
CEconomy is long^fince aboliflied, and we expert New
Teftament Proof, for ;what pertains to a NewTefta-
ment vifible Church. But if they can't, their Say-fo
will not do. ■
And laftly, fays he, " If the Jewifli and Chnjitatz
Church be differ ent in Suhjiance, it would follow that it is a
falfe and deceiving Method of proceedings to exprefs what
pertains to the New Teftament Church and TVorJhtp, hy the
fame Words which were ufed to exprefs what pertained
to the Church and Worjhip of the Old Tejiament." Anf.
To be fure ! The Church is the fame in Subftance, in
the Senfe we fpeak of ; /. e. that Infants are Materials
of it in all Ages ; becaufe New Teftament Writers
make ufcof the fame Words whereby the Types were
called, to exprefs the Antitypes ! To ufe fome of Mr.
Fs Language, " A famous Confequence this f f Had
he cafi Lots what to fay, might he not hit the Purpofe full
fswellf" Why does not he alfg fay, the Types and
E 4 Anti-
■f Vind. Page 22.
[ 7^ ]
Antitypes are materlaHy the fame ? And (o (I dread to
ipeak itj Chrift and the pafchal Lamb are materially the
fame ? The heavenly San(^uary and earthly the fame in
Subftance, &c. as well as the Church ! And if ufing
the fame Words don't prove the Types and Antitypes to
be materially the fame, much lefs will it prove the vi-
fible Church, under both Difpenfations, to be fo. I muft
think Mr F. Jook'd more to the Number of his Argu-
ments here, than their Solidity : But what could he do ?
The Point itfelf is unfcriptural, then his Arguments muft
needs be ineflFeaual. In Page 25, and 26^ Mr. F. dif-
courfes about the Pale of the Church : He imagines, " /.
Jay great Strefs on the Obfervation ; cvd fugge/is, that I am
afraid oftheJ*ower of the? ale : But he is fo kind, as to
ajfure me, he had no Defignagainfi me by that Word" Well,
for my Part he is welcome to ufe it, if he has amind, by
that Note, or any other, to diftinguifh his Church from
the truly Jewijh, and purely Chriftian, to be a Third,
compounded of both, in taking Infant- memberfhip
from the one, and nominal Ordinances from the other,
furrounded with a Pale of an outlandifh Form, to in-
clude Infant Semi- members fome how dtftin<5l both from
the Church and the World.
In reply to Mr. F'i repeated AlTertion, That Abra-
liam*$ BlefT-ng is come on believing Gentiles^ and their
Seed, I obfbrve again, that Abraham was a Father in
a two fold Refpedt ; accordingly he had a two fold Seed,
fpiritual and natural, John viii. 37, 39. The Blefling
of Abraham, which the Nfew Teftament afierts to have
come on G^«///<r Believers, is Juftification, Rom. iv. ir.
The Gift of the Holy Ghoft, Gal. iii. 14. Adoption,
&c. Gal. iii. 26. This Bkffing did not come on -^/Jra-
ham^ Offspring, as his natural Seed, or becaufe they
fprang from him by natural Generation : But on the
Regenerate among them, Rom. iv. 12. This was the
Seed the Promife definitely refpeded, Rom. ix. 8.
jv. 16. Now if this Bleffing did not extgnd to
Abraham^ own natural Seed, as fuch, fo neither does it
eJctend to the believing Gentiles, and their natural OfF-
fpring, as fuch ; And therefore, unlefs Mr. F, can make
appear.
[ n ]
appear, that the natural Offspring of Gentile Believers
have fomcihing more in them than Nature, they are
not that Seed of Abrahamtht Prt nuCe referred to. How-
ever, Mr. F. will hive it, '* That Ahrah<«m'j BlrJJing
comes on Gentile Believers^ and on their Seed inrtefinite-
ly.*^ Reply, But was it fo ro Abraharnsowu iiiinjt-diate
Seed? VJtxc IJbmatl^ Zirrt'^am, Jock/han M<dan^ Mi"
dian^ Jfhbak and Shuah^ Gen. xxv. 2. under ^r^y Tuch in-
definite FromiTc? No , tor the fromile was expicfl/
limited to Ifaac, Gen. xvii. ig. The Lord indeed
promifed to blcfs Ijhmael with earthly Favours, but
makes an Exception with refpedt to the Prumife of fpi-
fitual Bleflings, Gen. xvii. 21. This was in particular
to Ifaac^ who is faid to be born a'ter tlie Spific, and was
a Type or Figure of the fpiritual Seed, whethc;r Jews or
QentiUs, under the Gofpel Difpenfati .n, whom the Pro-
mife definitely refpeded. Now if Abrahams own im-
mediate Seed were not under any fuch indefinite pro-
mifed Bleiflng, as our Opponents talk of, how came
theirs to be fo ? And thence imagine they have a
Right to'Baptifm, when Abraham's were not fo, nor
were circumcifed on that Account. For Inftance, IJh'
mael, whom Abraham could not but know before he cir-
cumcifed him, was under no fuch indefinite Promife,
Gen. xvii. 19,- --23. Therefore he mufl have been cir-
cumcifed on fome other Account, and that was in Com-
pliance with God's Command, as I have already obferv-
cd. Hence then it appears, that the Blefling of Abra-
ham^ which the Scriptures fpeak of, cannot confiflentiy
come indefinitely on all the Seed of Genlile Believers,
becaufe it was not fo to Abraham's own Seed ; nor on any
of them, unlefs they be the Children of the Promife, as
Ifaac was ; and if they be, 'tis by Grace, not by Na-
ture. How then my Argument proves either too httle,
or too much, as Mr. F. unjuflly infinuates ; or contra-
dicts Scripture, as much as my Opponents, does not yet
appear : Nay, the Guilt of falfe Conclufions lies at his
own Door, when he infers, contrary to Scripture, that
AbrahanC^ Bleffing is come on the Seed of Gentile Be-
lievers, as fuch, indefinitely 3 when the Scripture leaches
[ 74 ]
It was to Ifaacy and the Children of the Promife, as he
was definitely.
But for him to imagine that Church memberfhip in
the fleOily Line, is what the ApoftlCjGfl/. iii. intends by
Abraham % Bleffing, in Whole, or in Part, not only hath
not yet been fhewn, but it is inconfiftent with the very
Scope of his Epiftle and Defign therein, which was to
reclaim the Galat'iam from Judaifm ; and in doing of
this, among other Things, plainly ftiews what Abra-
hams Blefling is, and who are his Seed, to whom the
Promifes pertained, diftinft froqi the other, who are
faid to be in Bondage.
** Why then ffays he, Page 47) it feems Church-mem'
berjhtp is no Blejfing jjcw^ though it was in Abraham*ir
Days : Was it a temporal Ihing, or xvas it a Blejfing to be
in the Jewifli Churchy and is it a Blejfing to he out of the
Chrijiian ? &c. What Paradoxes are thefe f" 'Tis not
unknown, that, our Opponents have Recourfe to this
Argument, as one of their main Fortrefles, in favour*
of their Principle, and urge it on People with feeming
great Plaufibility. To which I anfwer, we afRrm botH
together, that Church-meniberfhip was a Blefling, and
is fo, with this Limitation, that it be according to di-
vine Inftitution ; otherwife, for any to be Church-
members, is not a Blefling to them, nor the Way to
bring a Blefling on them, but a CurTe. People can't
reafcnably expe£t a Blefling but in God's Way, and ac-
cording to his Appointments ; and for any to partake
t)f that which does not belong to them, is no Blefl^ing,
It was no Blefling to the Men of Shechem to be circum-
cifed, for all their Hafl:e and Contrivance to make a
numerous Church, Gen. xxxiv. 21 — 25. though it wa^
to the Seed of Jacob ; neither was it juftifiable in the
Sons of Jacob, to abufe the Ordinance of Circumci*
fion, Verfes 15, 16. any more than it is in our Oppo-
nents to adminifl:er Baptifm, not according to God's cx-
prefs Directions. It was no Blefling to the Philijiines to
have the Ark of God among them, i Sam. v. 6. iJc,
though it was to Ifrael. Nor was it any Blefling to the
Men of Beth-Jkcmejb, or to U^za, to come fo near the
Ark,
[ 75 ]
Ark, I Sam. vi. 19. i Chro. xiii. 9. tho' it was ta
the Priefts and Levites. So neither is it any Blefling td
Infants to be Church- members now, whatever it wasoC
©Id, unlefs there be God's Inftitution for it now, as
there was then ; which we have often defired our Op-
ponents to {hew, but in vain ! I think I have already
proved the Jewijh Church State itfelf to have been
temporal ; that is, it continued no longer than till
/Chrift came to fet up the Gofpel Church ; then it ne-
ccfTarily follows, that Infants Alemberfhip in the "Jewish
Church (founded on a divine Command, which is now
abrogated) was temporal alfo ; as feveral other Things
were, 1 formerly * mentioned, which were peculiar ta
Abraham and his Seed. It was a Bleffing to be in the
yevjiffj Church j but it is a greater Biefling that the JeW'
i/h CEcoromy is abolifhed, and the Gofpel Difpenfati-
6n eftablifhed ; as much as the Miniftration of the Spi-
rit an^ of Righteoufnefs excels the contrary, 2 Cor. iii.
6-- II. Therefore, the Seed or 05springof Believers,
enjoy a greater Bleffing now, tho' they are not Mem-
bers, in having the' Advantage to behold the unvail'd
GiOry of tlie Lord fliinning full upon them, by the
Beams of an unma/k'd Gofpel, whereby they are chang-
ed into the fame Image, 2 'Cor. iii. 18. and fo fitted
ftjr Communion in the Gofpel Church, than the 'Jew-
;^ Offspring had, tho' they were Members of that na-_
tional Church ; who neverthelefs were all their Life-
time under a Vail, and fubje<3: to an intollerable Yoke
of Bondage, Gal. v. .1. A£ls xv. lo. This View of
the Care,'^fufficiently unfolds Mr. i^'s Riddles, to the
full Satisfadlion of an unprejudiced Mind ; tho' perhaps
he may (in Defence of his received Principle) think
proper to keep on ftill, in drawing his Line of Parodox-
es J and alFerting, contrary to Evidence, that I have no
Medium at all to prove the forefaid Appointment to
be repeal'd. In Pages 28, 29. Mr, F. treats on what
he calls the Devices of the Anahaptijis^ to prove the
Repeal of the faid Appointment of Infant- member-*
(hip, and their Right to Ordinances : But for my Partj
I judge-
* Anti. Page 36, &c.
[ 7.6 ]
2 judge 'tis already fufEciently proved to be repealed j
there is therefore no need to dwell on the Devices he
mentions at all : Yet I may make a remark or two,
on what he fays, and proceed. He endeavours to infet
from my Words, *' T'bat we mufi be under both Cove^
nantSy of Works and Grace at once." And then n(ks,
*' is not this a Depth unfathomable f" Yes, as much fo,
as to find the Reafon of his Inference from my Obfer-
vation, when I fay, " The Law (as a rigorous Covenant
cf IVorks) is fubfervient to the Gcfpel^ by convincing Men
cf Sin^ and condemning for Sin:" That is, tbat the Law,
without the leaft Abatement, on pain of Damnation,
lequires an exadi:, full and conftant Conformity, to all
its Precepts, at the Hand of every one that is under it.
Gal. hi. 10. Which when the Tranfgreflbr is convin-
ced of by the Law, Rom. iii. 2o. Gal. u. 19. he can
have no Hope left to be juftified by it ; but is through
Grace brought to embrace the Righteoufnefs of ^hriil,
which the Gofpel propofes ; and thus delivered from the
Curfeofthe Law, and no more under it, as a Covenant
cf Works, but under Grace ; though 'tis to the Belie*
ver a perfect Rule of Holinefs. Does not' this fubfervc
the Gofpel ? But how this tends to infer, that we are
under both Covenants at once, when I exprefly argue
the contrary, 1 can't devife. Does Mr. F. mean that
Law and Grace make up one Covenant, when he
fays, by way of Oppofition, *' The Law is fubfervient
to the Gofpel F' If fo, the pure Covenant of Grace he
fpeaks of, is a mix'd Covenant with a Witnefs 1 He
denies the Law in its rigorous Exaction, or as a Cove-
nant of Works, to be fubfervient to the Gofpel : How
then as relax'd and lenify'd to the Sinner under its
Power ? Let that be {hewn confiftent with their con-
demning the f Author of the whole Duty of Man. Or
is it no Subferviency to the Gofpel, that the Law (hould
convince the Sinner of his Guiltinefs, condemn him
without Mercy, and kill his Hope and Expectation of
Life and Juflification that Way he once look'd for
tliefe Things .?
In
•[ CQnfidcratlon of theQuerifts, Page 27.
[ 77 ]
in r>eut. iv. 13. Exod. xxxiv, 28. the Law is calW
a Covenant : What Covenant? Of Grace or Works ?
If of Grace, how then does the Ap^ftle fay, that ly
the Deeds of the Law, Jhall no Flejh be jujiified ? But if
a Covenant of Works, it is then demanded, whether it
was fubfervient to the Gofpel or not ? This he isdefired
to an fwer. Says he, Page 29, " Had it been a Cove'-
nant of IVorks^ it could not have led to Chrifi^ but fromy
him." I hen it muft be a Covenant of Grace ; and fo
verily Righteoufnefs is by the Law ! Farewel then all
Diftindtions between Law and Gofpel, Works and
Grace ! We have no need of you ! The Law is a
Covenant of Grace, and the Gofpel a Covenant of
Grace : The one fully condemns all that are undei it,
without Favour to the Offender ; and the other fully
juftifies all under it, without Merit in the Sinner ; and
yet, at the fjme time, both one and the fame Covenant of
Grace too ! For, fays he, *' The Sinai Covenant {and
there the Law was given) was really a Covenant of
Grace, and the fame in Sub/lance with that in Heb. viii.**
According to Mr. FlaveWs and Mr. Finlefs Ballance,
what anexa(5l Poife muft we then be in, " To be fully
jujiified, and fully condemned at the fame lime. Sec''*
Who knows but thefe areftimeof Mr F's plain Demon-
ftra'iors I (hould yield to ? Well, I yield to him, they
are plain Demonftrations that his Talk on this Head rs
involved in much Confufion. I obferv'd, that kis Argu-
ment feems to turn out thus, That the Law was given
to be a Covenant of Grace. He anfwers, / think the
Caje feems to turn out thus. That Mr. M. is not fufficient'
ly apprehenfive of the Force of an Argument, to undertake
the Refutation of my Book." 'Tis no woiider at all, if
one that has not * Senfe, fhould be at a lofs to appre-
hend the invifible Force of an Argument of them that
have ! But 'tis' pleafant to fee him bring out the
Force of his own Argument thus, *' They who fought
yujiification by the Law, thought it was defigned for a
Covenant of Works: But they who j ought J ujlif cation
hy it^ mifhok its Defign^ therefore it was not given- to be
if €»"
♦V,ind. Page 52.
■ [ 7S ]
ii Covenant of JVorks.''* What then ? to be a Covenant
of Grace ? (for the Law is called a Covenant) If fo,
they virere furely in the right to feek Juftification by it,
tho* as many as are of the Works of the Law, be un-
der the Curfe. A forcible Argument.
In the following Pages, our Author having feme Lei-
fure, and Freedom from his * abundant Hurry, and hap-
pening to be in a v6ry good Humour,' *' or utmoU
Colmnefs," diverts himfelf and his Readers for a while,,
with an imaginary Profped of" rny Shifting and ^uib-
lling, Dijhonejly end Secrecy, Sculking and Hidings Non-
fenje and Heterodoxy.^* Good Evidences of a calm Tern--
per I But as long as the Truth is fafe, I fhall leave him
to rejoice in his fanciful Entertainment, ai^d pafs on ;
tho' 1 might have obfcrv'd by the Way, how willing
he is to prefs me to labour in his Stead.. 'Tis himfelf
that argues from what he calls Abrahafri% Covenant :
And if he does not like the Name, or is at a lofs tq, know
^.^ what kind of Covenant it was," why does he argue
from it ? Let him define it, if he thinks proper : Let
him give it what Name fuits him ; 'tis enough for mc
to call it by^ that Name which he gives it, whilft I am
jliewing that his Arguments therefrom, are intirely in-
conclufive in the Cafe of Infant Baptifm. •
What he offers in Page 31, has been fubftantialljr
confidered and refuted already. We have exprefs Scrip-
ture in our Favour, thzt Ifrael ^nd Judah on their
breaking the Covenant were difregarded, and the Co-
venant itfelf made old, or aboliihed, Jer. xxxi. 32.
fleb. viii. 9. 13. Now unlefs he could produce Scrip-
ture which foretels, and declares, that on Peoples coun-
teracting their baptifmal Engagements, the Covenant
they are now under is aboli{hed,,and that another fhall
be made different from it, his Difcourfe is nothing to
the Matter : My Argument proves juft enough, that
the old Covenant is aboliftied, as was foretold, becanfe
they continued not in it \ and all the Appointments un-
der it (not excepting Infant memberfhip in that national
Church) which were pecuhar £o it, aieaboliihed with it»
ta
• Preface, Page 4,
^ 79 1 . „^,
In Page 32. fays he, " Mr. M. often requires us ii.
give exprefs Proofs in fo many Words^ that Infants are
Members in the New Teflament Church ; we require an eX'.
prefs Repeal of their Church- inemberjijip. Lei us fee once
for all^ vjhich df us have befi Reafon for our rejpe£tive De^,
hands. Methinks it is a felf-'cvident Truth, that an
Ordinance onte enjoined^ or a competent Authority, muji needs-
be in force, until it be repealed by the fame Authority,"
&c. Anf. I am not unwilling to come to the Trial of
our refpeilive Demands, hoping it may have fome good
EfFe£t, and bring Things to a defirable IfTue. 'Tis
granted on both Sides, that the fame Authority which
appoints, can difannul.-— Then we'll proceed: The Pro-
inifes made to Abraham, Gen. xii. 2, 3. he had Twen*
ty-four Years before he was circumcifed ; hence it ap-
pears, that it was not the Promife, but the exprefs Com-
inand of God, that was inftitutive of that Ordinance of
Circumcifion, and gave him, and his Seed, a Warrant
Jo be circumcifed. Now that Law, which gave a Being
to Infant-memberfliip and Circumcifion is abolifhed by
<iivine Authority, as a Part of the former Admiftiftra-
tion ; this muft be granted, or eife Circumcifion is yet
m force. Now methinks it is a felf-evident Truth,
that when a Law, which gives Being to any Ordinance
or Appointment, is abrogated, that Ordinance or Ap-
pointment is repealed. Again, that very Covenant Ad-
miniftration, whereby the Jewi/h Nation was taken in-
to a vifible Church-ftate, is now waxed old, and vanifli-
cd, as before fhewn. And further, That Church-ftate,
whereinto Infants were admitted as Members and Mate
rials, is now abolifhed, as already obferved ; fince the
Cafe is thus, that we make appear from Scripture, that
the fame divine Authority, v/hich gave a Being to every
Particular, which our Opponents infift on in Defence of
their Principles, the fame divine Authority hath nov7
difannull'd "every of them. It remains therefore, that
we have jufl Grounds to require them to produce us ex-
prefs Scriptures to prove that Infants are the Subjeds of
JBaptifm, and Members in the New Teftament Church;
©therwife they have no Right there, by Virtue of any
former
, [ So ]
Ibririer Appointmfnt. But this has never been done,
Sind I prefume never will ; and t'll this is done, the Read^
er may fee there is no Reafon I {hould renounce my
favourite Principles, as Mr. F. calls them : Seeing they
are unmoveably founded on Holy Scripture, even that
J)rofefring Btlieveis are the only proper Subjedts of Bap-
tifm ; let all Men therefore jud^e betwixt us, which of
us have the befj Reafon for our refpe6l^ive Demands.
Mr. F. " New comes to his t'.ird AJfcrUon^ viz. That
God has aBually renewed and confirmed the afore/aid Ap~
fointmem under the New Te/Iament D'ljpmjation : This^
(fays he) /■» the very Propcfal, Jheivs the Falfity oj Mr. M'j
Affertion^ that I bring no Scripture to prove the Right- of
infants to Baptifm j or that thiy are vifibly in the Co^
venant of Grace." Reply. If AiTertions propofed will
{hew the contrary to be falfe, I grant Mr. F. is like to
do fumething in this Controverfy, for he has enough of
them. If the Cafe be thus, then he, who can pile up the
greateft Heap of Aflertions, will carry the Caufe : VV hat
Need then is there of Argument or Proof at all ^. But
how his AfTertion in the very Propofal (hews the Falfity
of mine, which is, that they bring no Scripture to prove
the Right of Infants to Bapfifm, when neither in the
Propofal itfelf, nor afterwards, any Scripture Proofs ara
produced, is very dark, and wants fi/rther Illuftration. 1
have already traced the former Appointment from the Be-
ginning to the End, and fhewn that tlie Laws whereupoA
it depended is abrogated, and the Church ftate in which it
was in Force, is ended alfo. Mr. F's proper Province is'i
to (hew the inftitution of Infantb Baptifm, or elfe we
will ftill plead that none hut profefTing BeHevers are to
be baptized according to Chrift's Inftitution, and always
fay, as we now do, that he has not the leafl: divine Au-
thority for his Piadlicc. Our Author repeatedly refers
to thofe Scriptures, which, he fays, " Prove Abraham's
Covenant to be the pure Covenant of Grace ^ and therefore
confequently is confirmed" If he means by Abraham^ Co-
venant, that Covenant of Grace made with Chrift Jcfus,
were Believer's Infants, as fuch, ever taken with their
Parents into that ? Or if he intends the Covenant Pro-
mifes
: : . [ 8l ]
rtiifes publiihed to Abraham^ which he embraced by FaitHi
Infants are not interefted in them unlets they are Be--
lievcrs, and fo the fpiritual Seed j nor was the Promife
of Grace and Salvation indefinite to Ai^raham' sow a Sced^
as we have already feen. All that Mr. F. has as yet
made appear is, that Parents and Children under the
former Adminiftration were admitted to partake of Or-
dinances j and what is that to his Purpofc ? Truly no*
thing at all, fince that Adminiftration with its Appointr
ments are long fmce abolifhed. We arc now looleing for
the exprefs Inftitution of Infants Baptifm,. and i( he-
can't produce any, let him no longer impofef the Prac*
tice of it on the World. What can he bring from Jhra*
ham's Covenant, in favour of his Principle, when he
pleads. Page. 33, ** The NeceJ/ity of Faith to intereji: ut
a£luall\ in the Covenant of Grace j and that God requires
our Cqnfent to his Terms, and confirms the Covenant t»
us on Condition of believing^ this is a making the Covenant
with Many Well, then, according to his own Way
of talking, the Terms mufl necefTarily be propofed to
each in particular, and their Confent obtained, or elfe
they are not adtually in the Covenant of Grace. Hence
it follows, that Infants are not adually in the Covenant
of Grace they fpeak of, for they are not capable of con-
fidering the Terms propofed, nor of giving their Confent
to them, nor of believing the Faithfulnefs of him who
propofes them: Hence it will further follow, that Abra-^
ham's Covenant is confirm'd to none elle but Believers,
which is ftill far from the iVIatter in Hand. To fay,
that Believers Infants are in Covenant in the Sight of
the vifible Church, when yet, at the fame time, they
^e actually out of Covenant in the Sight of the vifible
Church, becaufe they have never confented to the Terms
propjfed, is another Myftery of their ProfefTion, who
arc Advocates for Infants Right to Baptifm. But if he
ays, the Confent of the Parents to ihefe Terms brings
''eir Infant Seed alfo with them into Covenant Rektion
> God, then it gives room to reply, that Mr, F. repre-
nts not only Abraham to be a publick Head in the Co-
Ik nant of Grace, but alfo every Head. of a Family in his
F Meafurc
[ 82 ]
Meafure to be fo ; and (o the Covenant of Grace is
znade or confirmed with an infinite Number of publick
Heads, on behalf of their Seed, * who are not capable,
perfonally and explicitly, to covenant for themftlves.
Who then can blame the Author of the IVhole Duty of
Jldan^ tor his Prudence in contriving a pi.blick Head,
as early as the Being of the firft Family on Earth ?
- I can't fee, that it is any Reproach to my Judgment,
flill to fay, " That Gal. iii, 8. is as remote from his
Buftnefsy as any he had cited before.'" This Text (hews,
the Gofpel was preached to Abraham^ which we never
gaiiifaid. Abraham was in the Covenant of Grace, and
io are all his (piritual Seed, whether fevos or Gentiles^ in
all At'cs : But what is this to the Cafe in Hand, when he
lias not fhewn that Infants were taken into it with their be-
lieving Parents ; or that the Covenant was ever confirm-
ed to any but true Believers, as the Text itfelf (hews. But
fuppofmg the contrary, it would not do, as already ap-
pears, without the Inftitution of Infant^ Baptilm, which
^Nc are now looking for, but have not yet Jpund it.
However, if his Aflertion is not proved, it is not for
>vant of repeating the fame groundiefs Arguments over
and over ; m Page 34. he again fays, " The Bleffing of
Abraham is come on the Gentiles, and their Seed" &c.
This has been confidcred already. " He wonders hy
what Rule we are to judge that this or thtit particular In-
fant is not the Jpiritual Seed, feeing the Proviije is indefi'
nite 3 zvere Ahi^hzm's Seed excluded from the Churchy be-
taufe it could not be infallibly known, which was the fpirt-
tual ^eedF Anf. By his own Rule, f^ind. Page 19. which
is thus : " Thefe only are to be accounted the fpiriiual Seed
and Children of the Prorhije, who have the real Bliffings
of the Covenant in their tnearts^ and not others^ who have
not, rho' they be under the outward Difpenjation, and have
it vifible Right to the Promije" Here is the Ruie ; where
sire his diftin^uifhing fvlaiks whereby tlie fpiritual Seed
ihav be known from other Inrants, e'llher oi Chrijiians
or Pagans P Has he any outward Evidences ot the real
Bleiiin^s of the Covenant in the Hearts of Believers
Intants ?
* Divine Right, Page 39.
I ^3 ]
thfsR iT '^""'^ 'I' ^P'^^'^"^^ S^^^' according to
tha'.U ^K "°."' 'u^ '° be accounted the fpi?itual S?ed,'
;tno they be under the outward Difpenfation, but thofe
only who have the real «]effings of the Covenant in
It In ri p"^ ''^^ "°' "j '^' ^P'^'^"^J Seed, then not
at , all for the Promife to Mraham and his Seed does not
,0dude them when they are not the Seed oi Abraham
n any Refpecl. .. But for him to fay, that Behe vers In-
tent beed, are now to be baptized, as Abraham's were
vncible Difficulty of producing the exprefs Command
a e nf n ^'' r' >"^ inconfequential Confequences,
dolJ K T"^.^'' ^'^'^ °"^>' ^''^ 'hem, who^refo?
doing what God commanded them not. Infants were
once commanded to be circumcifed j What then? That
Ter Th K a''^'"'"'^' ^"^^^''' Command, and ano-
ther Church flate, different from what we are now con-
cerned with ; and therefore no Proof can be brought
trom an abrogated Law, and abolifhed Church-ftatc, to
Ihew who are the Subjeas of a Gofpel Ordinance, and
Members of a New Teftament conftftuted Church.
TnfJn; ^- h^^/^gg^ft^'^ more than once, that I called
rZ. t!fff'^ ? V^" y^"^'^ Church an infipid
1 hing; but I cfeny the Charge ; what I called fo. Page
43. IS their Infants Church -memberfhip, /. e. the Mem-
benh.p of our Opponents Infants in the Prejlyterian
Church is an infipid Thing. To ufe Mr. F\ Words.
^ lis no more to be relljhed than the White of an Egg J*
becaufe it^has no divine Inflitution to fupport it: Nor
Will my Words in their true grammatical Conflruaion,
and bcope, bear another Senfe. But he muft fay fome!
tning, m order to charge me with « Wickednejs;' that
he m.ght make his Readers believe, « I boldly LtradiSi
f^prefs Scripture,'' when in the mean while it is not fo.
i he hrfi 1 ext Mr. F. ch.efly inf.fts on, is J^s ii. 30.
IJ^el^romiJe IS to you, and to your Children, and to all
\ ,f ^^7 ''^'";^ ^-^^ ^'"^^ '^^ '"'^"y ^' ^^' Lord our God /ball
^^il. in anfww to his Plea for Infants Right to Baptifnx
^ 2 ffojn
■ f «4 ]
from this Place, I obferved, i. " Tloe Promife is'ihe
fame both to the Parents and Children ; if it is the Promife
of Pardon of Sins and Gift of the HolyGhofl to Parents^ Uts
fo to the Children : 'Tis Jironze that Mr. ¥. who charges
us with curtailing Abraham'5 Blcffvg^fjould himielf cut tail
this Promife, that the Parents were to have Remrffiorl of
Sins^ hut all that is pL-aded for their Infants, is that they
were to enjoy outzvard Priviledges-- to be. -baptized -Does
the Apo file make any fuch Difference ^'^ He fays, No, nei-
ther does he : Does not he, when he pleads, that Parents
• have prefent Forgivenefs of Sins, a:.d Children but out-
ward Privrledees? Thofe have the Application of Chrift's
Blood by Faith, and the San£l:ification of the Spirit;
Thefe not : Believing Parents have the prefent, actual
Efficacy of the i-*romife in their Hearts, but Infants only
a prefent Right : Thofe are in a State of Peace with
God : T htTe Children of Wrath. And yet he makes no
Difference f *Tis true, the Apoftle makes no fuch Di-
itinition, nor h there any Ground for it in the Text ;
tho' our Opponents would willingly flrain it to fer^ye their
favourite Principle of Infant-baptifm, and curta 1 this
Promife to Children, and fufpend them from the Bleffings
of the Promife, who, they lay, have a Right to the Pro-
mifr, without the leaft Foundation in the Words to
giatify their Defigns. Sa\s he, '*' What we fay is plain
enough, viz. That God has engd^ed himf elf by Promife to
Believers and their Seid ; hence the Parent's Faith is the
Condition of the Childrens Right to the Promife, for the
Seed of the Righteous .fkall be bleffed. Reply; Inlttad.df
being plain enough, this makes triC'Carc'llri'll darker : To
fay thar tiie Parent's Faith is th^- Conditron oF the Chil-
drens Right to the Fromife, is a Point of Divitiny, that
needs ftnther Pi oof than Mr. /^s bare faying, *' It Was
good in Anrahani'x, and in Petet'j Day" F(»r it is Faith,
and not naiur li Butnright, that is appointed to interefl
us in the Promifci^ Heb. xi 33 Have the Children on
this Condition a Right to the BlefTings ot the Promife,
or only to die Pnunife without the Bleilings oi it? If to
t-he BifcfTings pioniis'd, then kc him fhew, that the Chil-
<k-6ii uf Bclieveis^ as fuch, have any more Right to the
Pardon
[ 85 ]
Pardon of Sin, than the Children of Unbelievers, Galf
iii. 22. Epb. ii. 3. Ezek. xviii. 20. unlefs they are borij
Belidveis ; other wify to fay, that Unbelievers upon any
Condition have a Right to Jullificaaon, Adoption and
Salvation, is too grofs an Error in Divinity once to b?
alloA-ed ; for none has, nor ever had any Right to Hea-
ven but re2;enerate Souls, John iii. 3. It does not
appear, that any have a Right to thefe promifed Bkflings,
tut ih )fc who by Faith do lay hold on the Promife : I
am not necefTitated to argue againft Abrahan^% Covenant,
as he fuggells, when I argue againft his Mifjeprefenta-
tions oi it ; for none of the Seed of Abraham had a
Right to the Pardon of Sin and Salvation, becaufe they
were the Seed of Abraham according to the Fiefh, as
thefe Scnptuies teftify, Rom. iv. i6 ix. 7, 8. Gal. iii- 7,
9, 10. Hut if Children, on the Condition of their Pa-
rent's Faith, have only a Right to the Promife, and no
Intereft m the Bleflinga promifed, where is there any
Ground for this Diftindlion, in the Text under Confi-
deiation ? Let it be made appear, that any have an Inte-
xell: ill the Promife of Pa. don of Sin, Juftification and
eternal Life, who have not at the fame time, the Bene-
fits promifed, John iii. 36. Says he, " The Seed of the
Righteous Jhall be bUffed." What then? Chrift is given
for a Lighc to thcGcntiUs^ that he might be the Lord's
Salvation unto the End of the Earth ; and fo there is a
Promife, That in him Jhall all Nations be hleffcd. Let us
compare both together, according to our Opponents
Way of arguing: Are Believers Infants vifibly in Cove-
nant ? So are all the unbelieving Nations, as much as they.
Shall they be blelTed .? So fhall all Nations, Are they
under indefinite Promifes? So are all Nations as much.
Has God declared it to be his Pleafurc to give Salvation,
with all its Pre-requifites, to Believers Seed ? So has he
alfo to all Nations, or elfe they can't be blefTed, A good-
ly Argument to prove the Inftitution of Infant baptifm !
You fee Mr. F's Proof from this Text, for Infants Right
to this New Teflament Ordinance is full ftrong, whea
•it proves fo much, that all Nations may be baptized by
Virtue of the Promife to them, as well as Infants ! For
F 3 their
[ 86 ]
their unbelieving Infants, and the unbelieving Nations,
have juft a like vifible Right to the Promifes , both are
deftitute of the prefent Efficacy of them : And if one Par-
ty has thereby a prefent Right to Baptifm, fo has the other. '
But the Truth is, before either one or the other pofTefs
any Part of the Eflate (as he words it) or enjoy Church
Priviledges, they muft, in the firft Place, give in Evi-
dence, according to Law, of their being proper Heirs,
even a ProfefTion of their Faith and Repentance, other-
wife their PofTeffion is illegal, according to the New Te-
itamcnt Laws. Says he, *' Js the Parents were baptized,
lecaufe the Promife belonged to them, fo alfo the Children."
Does he mean the Children were alfo baptized ? We have
only Mr. /"share Word for this : The divine Hiftorian
informs us of no fuch Thing ; *tis therefore a bold Im-
pofition on his Readers, to affirm they were : f judge,
this Article of his Faith needs the Confirmation of new
Miracles, before it can be received as one of the Truths
of God, who hath not written to us, that any Infants
ever were, or fhould be baptized j and had not our Au-
thor been ftrongly biafi'd with Error, he would not
have once prefum'd to infinuate, much lefs afTert, the
Children were baptized, in the Manner he has done.
2. To (hew the Inconclufivenefs of his Argument
from this Text, I further obferv'd, *' The Go/pel is not
preached to Infants, neither do the Precepts of it enjoin
Jlepentanee on Infants as a Duty in that Capacity ; and
ftnce Repentance always precedes Baptifm., J deftrd him ta
Jhecv the fcriptural Grsunds of his Practice, cr even the reO'
foHablenefs of his Opinion, that Infants are capable of
giving Obedience to God in Baptifm, when they are inca-
pablt to repent " &c. He anfwers, *'. This Argument is
to be Jpoken to afterwards in courfe." And again refers
Us to Circumcilion ; an aboliflied Rite, and an abro-
gated Command it feems is the Ground he has for In-
fant Baptifm ; But when he fo often refers to that
Cuftom, 'tis reafonable he fhould give us Scripture
Authority, which requires our adminiflering Baptifm,
conformable to the Law and Cuftom of Circumcifion,
which be has not yet done. Sa^-s he, " /; would have
y. : . ' dotJi
[ 87 ]
4one equal Execution among Ahc^ham's Infants^ whower$
as- uncapable to believe and repent^ as ours." Repl^,
There was the exprefs Command of God, to circum-
cife AbraharrC^ Infants ; and by that Command, thofe
were required to be circumcifed, who at the time v.ere
incapable to repent. But Baptifm is another Ordinance,
founded on another Command, which every where re-
quires Repentance to precede the Reception of this Ordi-
nance, in hII the Subjects uf it : Let him ihew us the
exprefs Command which warrants the baptizing of In-
fants, who are incapable to repent, and it will end the
Difpute ; otherwife this Argument will do Execution in
theprefent Cafe, and not touch Abraham'^ Infants, He
a{ks, " Mujl every Thing that is required of grown
Perfons, be required of Infants ?" Anf. No; by Rea-
fon of their Incapacit)^, 'tis not required of them to re-
pent, and. if not to repent, neither is it required they
fhould fubmit to BaptiTm ; for that Duty is always re-
quired toforegothis, according to the Scriptures : Unlefshe'
ftill reads the Scriptures backward, be baptized, and repent.
Says our Author, " I fuppofe he thinks it much to his
Purpofe^ to obferve^ that it is certain a Promife can never
make that to be a Duty, which is not commanded." Anf.
Yes, very much. Ada/n, Jbel, Seth and Enochs had
the Promife : But the Pron^ife did not make it a Duty
to them to be circumcifed, or baptized, as we have an
Account of. Abraham h2Ld the Promife Twenty- four
^ Years, before it was his Duty to be circumcifed. There*
.fore it is not the Promife that- is inflitutive of an Ordi-
nance, or warrants one to partake of it, as our Oppo-
nents fondly imagine ; but the Command of God. Now
if they had the fame Promife, they may have it to the
End of Time, before it will give them Ground to bap-
tize their Infants, without the Inftitution of Infant Bap-
tifm, or having the exprefs Command of God for it :
And therefore I ftill fay for them to urge the baptizing
of Infants from this Place, is a fad Abufe of this Pro-
mife.
3. I obferv'd, that by [Children] here we are to un-
deriiand not Infants, but Children grown to iuch Years
F 4 pf
. [ S8 ]
of Maturity, as to be capable of receiving the Holy
Ghoft, by hearing the Gofpel ; and for this Purpole, f
compared this 39th Verfe with the 17th of the fame
Chapter. He abfks, *' H'ho told me that the fame are
fpoken in both Places f" Anf. If no Body had told me,
the Truth is ftill the fame. To compare Scripture with
itfelf, Mr. F. allows to be a good Way todetccl Errors ;
and fo by looking to Verfe 17, where thoie, who are
here called Children, are there *' Sons and Da'ttphterx
frepbefying.^* Confidering alfo, what the Promife is, we
are enabled to difcover his Error in this Cafe; when he
"Would have it, that Infants arc here intended, and that
the Promife was to them, and to the Infants of tbofe
mentioned in Verfe 17. But the Children in Verfe the
J7th, to whom the Promife belonged, were grown capable
to receive the Holy Ghoft by hearing, and to prophe-
fy^ and there are no other Children mentioned there :
Such then muft be underftood by Children in the 39th
Verfe, where there is a Reference to the fame Proniife.
He proceeds with a View to prove that Infants are
meant in this Text, and hopes to do it unanfwerably ;
accordingly he gees about to fhape fomething, which he
calls unanfwerable Arguments. The firft is taken from
/the Apoftle^s changing the Perfons : Says he, " If grown
I^erfsns^ capable' ef hearing the Werd^ he meant ^ why
does the yfpojile change the Perjsns ? They were grown Per-
fons he/poke to ; that is granted : But who are the Perjons
hefpskeef? He calk them Children : If they were growKy
capable of hearing, why does he not /peak to them F Why
net fay, the Prrmife is to you Parents, and you Children j
and fa make them o different Divifion by themj elves? hlav-
ing fs-id, the Pramife li to you ; why Jbould he fay, and
yoitr Children, unlefs he meant theit Infants F" Anf.
The Apofile fpake w^ith Regard to the Promife in Jsel
ii. 28. whofe Wards he recites, j£is ii. 17. jfnd it ft.alt
(om» to pafs in the^ la^ Days {faith God) I will pour gut of
my Spir ii upon till Fltjh^ and your Som, and your Daugh-
1(grs Jball p^ophefy, and your youvg men fnall Jse fifiens^
4md your old Men fhall dream Dreami. Now, here ob-
fcrvcj according to Mr. /"s own. Rule, and by the Force
of
[ 89 ]
of the fame Argument, thefe Si)ns and Daufrhfers, young
Men and old Men, are all Infan's, becaul'e they ate
fpoken of, and not fpoken to ; for why Ihould he fay,
and your Sons, and your Daujirhters, and your young
Men, and vour old Men, unltfs hi- triKant their infanta?
This is one of Mr. F's unanfwcrable Ai^umenis, to
prove that Infants are ineanr in this Text, l>v the VVord
Children. iA goodly one indee-i ! Is it po/Iibie to con-
trive any Thing more rrdiculous an<i incc'iu tuSive ? And
what Dependance is to be made on his Judjiment, when
he looks on this to be an unanfvverabie Argument, is foon
difcerned. He muft ntceHdrily fav, thefe vtiung Men,
a'nd old Men, are all Infants, according to his Way of
arguing, or elfe own (which he is verv unwilling to do^
that the Apoftle's Words are agreeable to the univerfal
Form of fpeakmg among Men ; and fo are very intelli-
gible, tho* Iniants are not to be undeiftood by this Word
Children. •
':- 2. He argues from the Apoftle's Defign in the Words,
which '* IVas (fays he) to encourage ihe Jews to embrace
ChriRianity," <ije. Anf. That the Apoftie hereby de-
j&gned to encourage thofe of the yezvs, who were prick'd
in their Hearty to look unto Ghrift, for Relief from
their prefent.Diftrefs, iis granted : But that he deligned
hereby to inform them that their Infants had a Right to
Baptifm, is deny'd, for it does not appear from this
Place, or eitewhera ; neither could the y^tyj, who were
imder an awakening Seryfe of tlieir Guilt, be fo mifta-
ken, as to think their infants had a Right to the Pardon
of Sin and Salvation, by their Faith : And tho' the un-
believing y^u*j indeed, were very tenacious of their Birth
Priviledges, and valu'd themfeWes highly above others,
en the Account of their being the Off; priBg of godly
Anceftois j but thefe who weve under fuch folemn Im-
preiiions, were Perfons of a different Character. Our
Author is at a Lofs to know how thefe fewi did at
once become Jmi-p^diybapttjis', but why is not he at \
greater Lofs, to know how they did at once become
ChriJIiam, who a little before crucified Chrift: But that
frtflic divine Power which effedsd ths greatef^*was f'ft-
.. ,1 . ... cicat
[ 9° ]
clent alfo to efFeft the lefler ; /. e. to inform them of the
Nature and Order of the Gofpel Church,
3. Says he, " T.h'ts Prc7nife is the fame in Subjiance
ruitb Abraham's Covenant; but his Covenant comprehended
his Infant Seed ; therefore the Infants of Believers an in-
tended in this Promife." Anf. This is a I'n mife of the
Outpouring of the Spirit, J£is ii. 17. And in«in ordinary
Way, theSpiritand the Word go together, Ifai. lix. 21.
And according to God's flated Order, is poured out bv tHe
Miniftry of the Word, j^^s x. 44. Therefore this Pro-
mife intends Children capable of hearing the Word, and
iiot in their Infant-ftate, which does not ferve Mr. F^*
Purpofe, if he means by Abraham's Covenant, the for-
mer Appointment of Infant memberlhip in the Jewijh
Church, for that is Ihevvn to be abolished ; and it yet
remains to prove it was ever renewed in the Gofpel-
Church, which this Promife is not hkely to do ; not
only becaufe it does not appear that Infants arc intended
in it, but alfo, becaufe a Promife is not inflitutiveof an
Ordinance, but the Command of God.
To obviate a Cavil of theirs, which is, that ^^^e caft
away Infants utterly j I obferved, we are not fpeaking
of what God does with Infants, but of his Order in the
Gofpel with thofe come to Years of Underftanding.
Mr. F. in Page 39. thinks this to be a fufficient Ground
for the Charge j ** Jnd if we a5i according to our Prin-
ciples (fays he) we never' plead for the Salvation of a dy-
ing Child:' Anf. Why ail this Noife ? Mr. F. their
Advocate, who charitably pleads the Infant Caufe, has
not made appear, they ever were in the Covenant of
Grace; 'twill be time enough to charge us with carting
them out, when he makes good his Afiertion : And as
to our praying for them, I fhall make bold to afk him
a Queftion on this Occafion, Vv^hat does he make of the
Apoftles Words, " I exhort, that Prayers be made far
all Alenf* Does Mr. F. pray for all Men, or not? If
for all Men, what Ground has he to go upon, when
he pieads there is no Promife to thofe who are out
of Covena*nt ? Are all Men vifibly in the Cove-
rant v^ But if he prays- only for fomc Men, how does
L 9' ]
he obey this Precept ? Were there any Kings In the
viflble Church in Paul's Time ? And if we are not to
pray for any out of the viable Church, how came Paul
to be fo miftaken, as to exhort Timothy to pray for thofe
out of the viflble Church, if the Cafe be as Mr. F.
teaches ? Nay, how came Paul to forget himfclf, when
he pray'd for King Jgrippa and Fe/ius, and the reft of
them, JSfs xxvi. 29, xxv. 23. were they vifibly in the
Covenant ^ If not, how came Paul to defire they might
fhare the fame fpiritua! Bleflings with himfclf? Did
Paul know of any fuch Covenant as our Opponents talk
of? Or did he then pray without a Promife ? Again,
does Mr. F. ever pray for the Heathen^ that God would
give them Salvation, with all its Pre-requ«fitcs ? Jf he
does, what Ground has he to pray for thofe who are
out of Covenant, and.to whom there is no Promife ac-
cording to his * Principles ? If not, then he never fays
the LordU Prayer. More might be added, but this fuf-
fices to detedt the Folly of his V/ay of talking on this
Head, when his own Principles involve him in the fame
Inconfiftency which he endeavours fo faften on us.
4. I obferved, '* That the Promife runs exactly the
fame to the unconverted Gentiles, in the Prefent Tenfe^ as
it does to toe Children^ and if Children were in Covenant^
in the Manner our Opponents plead for, by Virtue of this
Promife^ fo were the unconverted Gentiles." Mr. F. an-
fwers, ''^ He may^ with equal Power of Logick, fay, if
the unconverted Gentiles had no Right in this Promife^
neither had the Parents.-- -Thus he has found out a Way
to prove, that the Promife was at prefent either to ally or'
to none at all.'* Reply j ' Tis true, I have found* out a
Way to fhew the Invalidity of his Argument from this
Text, in Favour of his Pradlice. But he might have
known, had he pleas'd, that I deny'd either Parents,
Children or Gentiles, to have any Right in this Promife,
but according to the Order of the Gofpel, A^s xx. 21,
And tho' the Promife is exprefled in the Prefent Tenfe,
yet that does not prove the prefent Right of any to it,
but thofe who do by Faith embrace it 3 whether they ht
Parents,
* Vind. Page -^6.
I 9^ ]
Parents, Children, or Gentiles. Where then can the
gVeat Abfurdity be? Truly it lies on his Side, in fjying
the Promife fhall be to the Gentiles, contrary to the
grammatical Confl:ru£^ion of the Words. '* New, fays
he, let him try, whether he can avoid, either to Jay, the
laji Claufe of the Verfe limits the former, or elfe to own, that
tny Conftru£iion is jujl and grammatical? Or laflly,* fay,
that the unconverted Gentiles had a Right in the Promife ?"
Anf. 'Tis true, he fays, I quit the old Refuge of ih?
Jnabapti/ls, " That the laji Claufe of this Verfe is a Li-
mitation of the former." He (hews \xi, he is veiy wil-
ling to receive ; furely my faying that it i3 not our
main Strength, does not infer it is none at all. I '■'• pro-
fefs every where to deny'* that any have a Right to, or
Jntereft in, the Promife, but called Ones, or thofe who
do by Faith embrace it, and vet at the h^me time fav,
the Promife is exprefs'd in the Prefent Terfe to'the Gen^
tiles : And if this is a plain Contradiction, as hc.fuggefts,
"tis fucha Contradidibn which iMr. F. himfelf ^muil fall
into ; or elfe, let him do his pofTibles, yea, tho' he fay
he will * rather die than own the Conclufion, he can't
avoid it, which is, that the unconverted Gentiles have
as much Right in the Promife, as uriconverted Chil-
dren ; for the Promife is exprefs'd in the Prefent Tenfe^
and runs exactly the fame to one, full as much as the
other: For him to fay, *' f // is to the Gentiles when-
ever they fkall le. called," does but give us Room to fay,
it is to the Children, whenever they fhall be called.
But if Children have a vifible Right in the Promife, and
are therefore to be baptized,- b^caufe it is to them at
prefent; the fame AgUment with equal Force does
prove fhe Gentiles have a vifible Right in the Promife,
iind muft therefore be baptized, becaufe it is to them at
prefent alfo : And if thofe afar off are not uader the
Call of the Gofpel, neither are Infants. Mr. Fi Aigu-
ment from this Text, unhappily proves a great deal too
much for him, and therefore nothing at all to his hurpofe.
How well he underftands Grammar, I am not concerned ;
but
• Vind. Page 78. f Charitable Pica, Page 43. •
[ 93 ]
but he is far from obliging me to acknowledge his Cow-'
ftrucSlion of the Words to be juft and grammatical.
5. And laftly, *' That which fully overthrows all thai ^
our Opponents have rois'd from this Scripture in Favour of
their Practice, and which will fur ever render all thAr fw
ture Endeavours ufelefs and invalid on this Head^ ts the
Jc.ount which the Scripture gives us of this /Affair, AOis ii.
41, 42. Then they that gladly received his Word were bap~
iized ; and the fame Day there were added unto them about
Three Thoujand Souls. And they continued Jiedfajily in the
Jpofiles DoSfrine and Fellowjhip., and in breaking of Breads
and in Prayers. Here is no Mention of any baptized., but
thofe who received the Gcfpel gladly : Not a Word of any
Infants baptized" Sec In anfwer, Mr. F. fays, " Here-
en he breaks out into a Catara^ of Pity for us---We would
have the Matter proven., not taken for granted---! would
ofk., were they not baptized who had an Interefl in the
Promife ? Yes doubtlefs., for the Promife is mentioned as
the Ground of their Engagement to be baptized." Reply ;
The Matter is proven already, beyond any juft Excep-
tion, when the Scripture mentions none that were bap-
tized, but thofe who received the Word gladly. Our
Opponent certainly forgets himfelf, when he requires us
to prove that Infants were not baptized : He affirms
they were ; we deny ; 'tis his Place to prove what he
affiims: But where is his Proof ? What Scripture fays
they were? None at all : Yet he concludes confidently,
*tis " Yes., doubtlefs" with him, without the leaft Scrip-
ture Hiftory to teftify in favour of it. He does not
know there was one Infant baptized for all his Confi-
dence, much lefs hath he proven from Scripture there
were. *' His Principles feems to admit of no Probabilities,'*
tho' attended with the utmoft Uncertainty. He can tell
his Readers of dying, and what not, rather than owning
the contrary ; all Confidence, and no Proof. This Place
laft cited, very evidently (hews who they were, which
had an Inteieft in the Promife, even thofe who gladly
receiyed it. Here is not a Word that the Infants had ara
Interefl in the Promife, on the Account of their Parents
F*iith ; According to thefe Vcrfes, that Intereft in the
Promifea
: ; ,[ 94 ]
Promife, which qualified any for Baptifm, was obtained
by receiving the Word of Promife publlflied, which In-
fants were incapable of, therefore they were not bap-
tized. It is Mr. Ps own * Rule, and it is a colden One
too, the bcft I find in his Book, " J^haf God hath not
Jaid, he don't require us to believe." God hath not faid
that the Jnfant.s of the Thiee Thoufand wcie baptized
or that any others fliould ; thercfoi-e he doth not require
us to beheve it : And how Mr. F. dares ' to impofe it
on the World, as ati Article of Faith, X^hen God dbfs
not require it ftiould be believed, he wdUlfl^ do well to
confider. r.nVr j. »■ ,
There is nothing now in the Way to hinder^'my ob'-
ferving again, that our Opponents may as well fay, and
with as much Truth, that Infants received the Lord'*
Supper, as to fay they were baptized j for the Scripture
does not give the leali Ground to believe the one, more
than the other. 'Tis a pitiful Cafe, that he fliould be
confident, even unto Death, of a Point for which he
hath not (hewn us one Command, Example, or Hint
in the Word of Gi.d. ^ ' • •'
In Page 40, Mr. F. comes to treat on Rom. xi. i6'
17. which he reckons clear to his Purpofe, and unan^
fwerable: And hence infifts, that the loederal Holinefsof
Believers Children is here afTerted, and that the grafting
Jn, is juft anfwerable to the breaking off. I have already
Ihewn the Inconclufivenefs of his Arguments, for Infant-
memberfhip, and their Right to Baplifm from this Text
He imagines *' I amfenfehly perplexed b^ thU Place, when
all my Force confijh in begging the ^uejVton- That my IVords
are like the I'l/ords of one who would fay Jonuthmg, but
knows not ivhat ;" wiih a deal mure oi fucli neediefs, as
well as groundlefs Chmours. I obfcrv'd the Gentiles '
were not grafted into the Jm^/; Church, as it ftuod un-
der the Law, which Mr. F readilv grants. Then they
muft have been grafted into the Ne'vv Feitament Church -
A vifible Church, quite different in its Ccnftitution froni
thcjewtjh : A Church made- up of profefling Believers,
and none clie, that we can find : Tho' Mr.>. inccnll-
derately
* Vinda Page 76,
t 9S J
derately affirms, " That the Jewsjood no more (i. c. in
the former Church) by fosderal Hol'tnefi^ and <vithout Faith
in the Mejfiah, than Chri/iians do." For which Furpofe,
he cites three Places of Scripture, Exod. xii. 15. xxii.
20. xxiii. 20, 21. and ttlls us, he might quote Three
Hundred to prove it, I do not know of any Body that
quellioiis but he might, and all as far from the Purpofe,
as the three he cites. I did not argue in Oppofition to
thefe Quotations, that fcederal Holinefs would fecure Per-
fons from utter Deftrudion, who were found guilty of fla-
gitious Crimes, or open Violation of God's Commands,
any more than a bare ProfefTion of Faith will now ; but
that the Terms of ftanding in the Jiwijh and Chriftian
Church, are different. Thofe who were Defcendents
from Abraham, had a Right to be in the Jewljh Church,
and partake ot its Priviledges, according to, and by vir-
tue of, divine Appointment ; even tho' they had no
Faith in the Mefliah. This methinks Mr. F. himfeif
can't deny ; for it will be hard for him to fhew, either,
I. That the Millions of Infants of Abraham's Line, at
eight Days old, had Faith in Chrift, or that it was* re-
quired they fhould : Or, 2. That they had no Right
to ftand iH the Jewijh Church. This is the Cafe, let him
take his Choice, and as he fayselfewhere, anfwer for it.
Again, when Chrift was upon Earth, and whilft the
Jewijh Church State was not yetabolifhed, grown wick-
ed People, who, I believe Mr. F. himfeif wiU hardly
fay, they had any Faith in Chrift, when they affirmed
that Chrift was poireffed with the Devil, John vii. 20.
Yet^thofe very People had a Right to ftand in the Jew',
ijh Church, and to hkve their Children circumcifed, ac-
cording to the Law of God, Verfes 22, 23. andean
Mr. F. affign any other Reafon for their ftanding there,
bu: becaufe they were Abraham's Seed, or as he words
it, fcederally Holy? (Could he once {hew, that Infants
had a Standing in the Gofpel Church, it would end the
Difputq) And thus it continued, till the Time fully
came, ^when the Jewijh Nation was broken ofF from
their Church Relation to God : The Charter, or Co-
venant Adminiftraaon, whereby he took that Nation in-
t«
. ■ ■ I 96 1
JO a vifible Cluirch Sfate, and was an Hufband un(6
them, he himfelf hath made old, and regards them no
more as h<s Church, on ihe Account of it, Jer. j^xxi.
32. Heh. viii. 9 --IS" Then the old Koufe was demo-
JUhed, Circumcifion, Infant- niemberfhip, and what cur
Opponents call foederal Hdinefs, ended wi'hit, as to any
1 »fing that yet appears to the contrary. Then ti e new
Covenant tobk Place, ?.nd the New Teflament Church
was gloriouily eftabliflied. And thofe jfews who were
admitted into it, were not admitte'd on the Terms of
their ftanding, in the former Church j i.e. becaufc they
were the Chiltjren of j^brahaniy wliich is intimated at tlie
very Dawn c)f ihe Golpel Difpefifation, Mat. iii. 8. 9.
but on the Ter.ftis of the New Teftament Church ; /. e,
receiving the Word of Promife gladly, even believing
in Chnft exhibited ancl crucified, A^s ii. 41. But we
have no Mention made here, nor elfewhere, that their In-
fants were admitted with theni into the Gofpel Church,
on the Account of any foederal Holinefs. This is a Point
which highly concerns Mr. F. to proye, if it could.be
done J or elfe throw up his d^vhng TcneC of Ihta,ht Bap-
tifm, which he is very unwilling to do ; But inftead ov
proving it, he takes it for granted, and it is fo clear to
him, that he thinics it is mere Obfiinacv in us not to fee
it ; " JVe fljut our Eyes^ and it is hard for hi?n to give Uf
Light." What is the Light he has to give ? .VV^hy,
^' The believing Jews zoere not broken cff. and confequent-
ly were continued in the Pojfrjjion of their former Priv'ilcdgeit
which extended aljo to their Children." hut did tliey con-
tinue in the former Church ? No, they were added to
the New Teftament vifibie Church, Jt^s W. 41. which
was made up at firft of a Number of 'Jews profelyted
to Chiiftianity. Now. unlefs Mr. R could (liew, that
their Infants were added with them, he is but jurt where
he was ; and as ciofe as he imagines our Eyes to be, we
can fee well enough that he tries to build up his Princi-
ple, without any real Foundation in Scripture,
And as inconclufive is his Reafoning, from the Man-
ner of conveying ftederal Holinefs, and niakiiig as ma-
ny RoQt* as Branches. This lays him under t,he DifK-
culty
culty of ftiewing, that any Infants were ^ver takenr witfa
their Parents into the Gofpel Church. The old Co-
venant, which took the Jewijh Nation into a vifible
Church, as we have feen, is abolifhed : And the new Co-
venant is not according to it. Let Mr. F. fhew, that
any now are taken into a vifiblc Church, but Believ-
ers, out of all Nations } this would finifh our Contro-
Verfy.
Our Author indeed fays,' " That the Grafting in, zOat
anfwerable to the Breaking off \^' i. e: that as Unbelievers
and their Seed were broken oiF; fo Believers and their
Seed were grafted in. This he looks on to be ** an e-
vident Truth ;" but fo far otherwifc, that it feems to be-
tiothing but a Conjedlure " of his own, fram'd to give
fame agreeable Colour to his Prz6li.ce, which can no
wife be admitted for Truth ; becaufe it is inconfiftent
vl^ith the Scripture Account of.the Nev?' Teftament
Church : Neither indeed is it reafonable to fuCpofe, that
tjie Infants of Gentiles were grafted into the New Tefta-
rhent Church, together with their believing Parents,
when the Jewijh Infants were not, as hath ever yet
been made appear. If the Cafe be thus, Mr. F. thinks
** Abraham is no Prejident of our Previle^ges, but ijue
mufi feek for another Father." Truly, Lcan't fay, but
if our Opponents fought lefs to Abrahani, and more to
Chrift, they would fee the Order of the Gofpel Church
much better than they do. But why all this ? Is Abra-
ham no Prefident of our Priviledges, if Infant-mem-
berfliip be abolifhed ? How does this ftrange Confequenc«
follow? Let it, be confidered in what Circumftances
Abraham is propofed as the Prefident of our Priviled-
ges, and it will appear it was before the Conftitutionof the.
Jewijh Church, or the Inftitution of Infant-memberfhip
therein j even whilft he was in Uncircumcifion, Rom.
iv. 9, fo II. Gen. xv. 6/. Therefore, nothing hind-
ers but he may be the Prefident of our Priviledges after
t"he Jewijh Church is at an End, and Infant-member-
fhip abolifhed, as he was propofed before the Being of
either. I may here argue again by Suppofition, as I did
before : Now fuppofe the Cafe was as he urges ; yet
G tiii
[ 98 ]
his Argument would be ftill inconclufive : For it is not
foederal Holinefs, but the Command of God, that is
inftitutive of an Ordinance. Abraham was foederally Ho-
ly Twenty-four Years before he had any Right to Cir-
cumcifion. Had Foederal Holinefs been inftitutive of
Circumcifion, or given y^/rrt^^/n a Right to it, without
God's exprefs Command, why was he not circumcifed
all that While? And if our Opponents Infants were
fcsderally holy, yet that is not inftitutive of their Bap-
tifm, without the exprefs Command of God to baptize
them y this is the great Thing neceflary for our Oppo-
nents in the Controverfy, but it can't be met with,
that Infants Baptifm is God's Ordinance, founded on his
Command j therefore, at the beft, they are doing that
which God has not commanded them : Tfcey may call
this what they pleafe, but I make free to call it Will-
•worfhip. I fee no Reafon as yet to correct my former
Conclufion, *' Ihat Infant 7nemberflnpy under the New
Tejiament Difpenfation, is an AJfertion without Proofs
not worth any one's Notice or Regard. The Sum is juji
ihist That believing Jews and Gentiles were united toge-
ther in one Body, in the New Tejlamcnt Church ; and fo
were Partakers together of the precious and nourifhing Be-
nefits of the GofpelofChriJir
The Reverend. Mr f Gill expounds the Text contro-
verted thus, *' For if the fir/l Fruits be holy, he- By them
are intended the firfl Converts among the Jews, under the
.Gofpel Difpenfation ', it being ufual ivith the Jpojile to call
ihofe Perfons that were fir/i converted in any Place, the
fir ft Fruits of it : See Rom. xvi 5. I Cor. xvi, 15.
Thefe were they, who received the fir ft Fruits of the Spi-
rit in Judea ; and who firjl among the Jews hoped and be-
lieved in Chrift ', thefe were but few in Number, as the
firfi Fruit is but fmall in Cornparifon of the Lump, and
mean, abjeif, and dejpicable, as the Root under, and in a
dry Ground, is ; but yet were Pledges and Prefages of a
larger Number of Souls among that People, to be converted
in the latter Day. Now the ApoJiW s Argument is, if the
firji Fruit be holy, the Lump is alfo holy^ and if the Root
bt
. f Expofition of the New Tcftament.
I 99 1
be holy, Jo are the Branches ; that is, that whereas ihofe
Per Jons who were converted among the Jews, however few
in Number^ and defpicahle in appearance they might he ^
yet were truly fan£iified by the Spirit of God ; and as they
were^ Jo Jhould the whole Body of that People be in the laji
Days^ when Holinefs fhall be upon the Horfes Bellsy and eve-
ry Pot in Judea, and Jeiu(akm,Jhall be Holinefs unto ths
Lord of Ho/is y Zech. xiv. 20, 21. By which metapho-
rical Expreffions is meant ^ that Holinefs Jhould be common
to the whole Nation^ and all the Inhabitants of it^ of which
the Call of fame few among them^ was a Pledge and Pre^
fage. The Allufion in the former Claufe, is to the holy of-
fering of the firji Fruits to the Lordy the two wave Loaves^
Lev. xxiii. 14, 17. whereby the whole Lump wasfanSii-^
fed for after Ufe, throughout the Tear following ; ii>nd that
in the latter Claufe, to the Holinefs of Trees j that is^ to
Trees devoted to facredUfe, or that were planted in a Field
appropriated thereunto."
Verfe 17. " Jnd if fome of the Branches be broken of^
Sec. This is to be underjiood^ not of the Exclufion of the
Jews, from their national Church j for the Perfons defign-
ed by the Branches ^ were the principle Members of it, as
the Civil and Ecclefiajiical Rulers, the Priejls, Scribes and
P bar i fees, and the far greater Part of the People : And on.
the other Hand, the Apoftles and Followers of Chriji, were
■put out of their Synagogues, and deemed by them Hereticks
and Apojlates : Nor of the DeJlruSlion of the Jewilh Na-
tion, City^ and Temple j for as yet they exifled as m NatU
on, their City <?/" Jerufalcm was in Being, and their Tem-
ple /landing : But of their being left out of the Gofpel
Church, gathered among them^ they not believing in the Mef-
ftahy but rejeSfsd and crucified him ; and tho' afterwards
the Gofpel was preached to them, they defpifed, contradi^-
ed, and blafphemed it ; fo that it pleafed God to take it
wholly away from them, when they might be truly faid i9
be as Branches broken off :-~- And with thempartakeji of the
Root and Fatnefs of the Olive Tree ; the Gofpel Church
is fo called, for its Excellency.— -Now /-6<' Gentiles being
grafted into a Gofpel Church State with the believing Jews,
partook of the fame Root and Fatnejs, ai they did." &c.
G 2 Sayi
[ 100 ] .
Says Mr. F! in Page 43, " He feemi defirom to dim't-
fiijh the E(leem ofexternalOrdtnances^ and qua ics what Fat-
vrfs is there in external Privi ledges /imply conftdered ? Anf.
Their Hearts have Reafonto meditateTerror, who never find
ih'etr Souls filled with Marrow and Fatnefs^ while they
vuait upon God in the Way of his Ordinances." Reply.
And have not their Hearts as much, if not more Reafori
to meditateTerror, who abufe God's facred Ordinance,
bv pretending to adminifter it to Infants, who were ne-
ver appointed by God to be the Subjects of it, as they
can {hew ; and who are utterly incapable to wait on him
therein, and therefore can receive no Soul Nourifhment
thereby ; unlefs Mr. F, means, that the bare outward
/ia" confers Grace ; or expels a BlciTing without any
Promife, for there is none annexed to Infants Baptifm.
I will not fay, that Obedience to God's Order is a
mighty Nothing ; but I- will fay again, that Infant Bap-
tifm is a mighty Nothing; becaufe it is not God's Or-
der : And Obedience thereto, is.b-Jt Obedience to Man's
Order, as for any Thing Mr. F. has yet difcovered to
the contrary.
In Page 44, He undertakes to (hew us, the Good and
Benefit there is in Infants Baptifm ; and fays, '* there is
as much Profit every IVay of Infant Baptifm, as of In-
fant Ctrcumcifion." Had Mr. F. produced a Command
of God for the one, as there was for the other, he might
fay this with the better Grace : Or had he {hewn thar
it fervestoas good Purpofes, and that it is as lawful for
him to adminifter Baptifm to Infants without a Coni-
inand, as it was to Abraham to circumcife them, when
commanded, it would alter the Cafe : But as he has done
neither, he hath left us Room to fay, that ht fets up art
Appointment of Man, or a mere human Invention, on
an Equality with the Ordinance of God ; and cites a'
Number of Scriptures, which fpeak nothing to the Point
in Hand ; for in none of them is there the leaft Men-
tion of any Advantage or Benefit in Baptifm to Infants;
and yet he pretends to tell us feveral, which is jufl as
forcible, as to hear a Papijl telling the Advantage and
Benefit of k s CrolTes, Mafl'es, of any other fuperftitiou*
Foolery i
J. J^.^ ]
Foolery ; jpr.as to any Thing that has yet appesre^J, la-
/ant Baptifm is as Scripturelef's as any of them' : If I may
iife Mr. F's Words, without offending my Readers Chi-
ftity, I would fay, f '* Had he retairid fome Tendetnefs of
£onfcience, and had his Judgment ndt been debauched with
Error y'^ he would not have once dar'd to fet a mere In-
vention of Man, on a Level with God's Inftitution. And
.further, in his polifhed Language (for probably he under-
flands that beft) J " Jlas ! what horrendous Precipices
are in the JVays of Error ! And what a lamentable Caufe is
■.it that requires fuch Defences I What (hoc king and defperat?
things will fame Perfons fay-, in Defence of a Party Prin-
ciple /" In a Word, I deny that Iijfant Baptifm ferve?
'for any of thefc Purpofes he has rnentiojied : Let him
therefore prove that there is any more Grace, any more
Relation to Qod, any more Promifes of Mercy, any
more Motives or Encouragements to fofake Sin, any more
Hope of Salvation, any more Caufe of Joy and Wonder,
any more Ground of Thankfulnefs, &c. in Infant Bap-
tifm, than without it ; when it doth not appear that
God hath inftituted it. Let Mr. F. fhew the Inftituti-
on of Infants Baptifm in Scripture, or no longer urge the
Advantage and Benefit of it.
In Page 45. he comes to the third Scripture he ad.-
vanced, i Cor, vii, 14. f^r the unbelieving Hujband'i$
fanSfifed }>y the IVife., and the unbelieving Wife is faniii-
fied by the Hnftand^ elfs luere your Children unclean^ but
now are they holy. Here I obferved, " That all that Mr.
F. advances from this Scripture., tq ferve his Purpofe., is
eafily refuted., by obferving the Occafion of the Words, and
Scope of the Apojile in them., which was to rejolve the Co-
rinthians in a Cafe of Conscience, refpeSiing Divorcement^
Verfes 1 2, 13. For if the Jews of old were firiSily for^
bid to marry with other Nations., t)eut. vii. 3, 4. and
' thofe who did, were feverely punijhedy Neh. xiii. 23, 25.
and were taught by Ezra, what was the Will of God in
that Cafy Separate yourf elves from the People of the
Land, and from the Jlrange Wives, Ezra x. 10, il. /
<}bferved, 'tis not improbable, the Scruple of the Corlnthi-
G 3 ana
t Vind. Page 78. % lb. Page 51, '
[ 102 ]
ans arofe upon the Covftderation of GoeTs former Appoint *
went among the Jews, and fo thought them/elves polluted By
dwelling with Infidels^ and that it was difpleaftng to God.
Hence their ^uefiion feeni'd to be whether their Marriage
vjas dijfolved on one^s e?nbracing Chrijlianity, and the other
net— 'Or whether on this Account the unbelieving Party
was to be put away ? The Apojlle refolves the Cafe, That
the unbelieving Party is by no Means to be put away by the
Believing— -Tour Marriage is not dlJfolvcd— -The conjugal
Soci?ty of the Unbelieving is fanciified [i. e. fays Mr. Cra-
dock, made lawful and allowed) to the believing Party. I
rather think {fays Poolej it (\. e. ths Word fan£iifiid) fig-
fiifies, hrought into fuch a State.; that the Believer^
without Offence to the Law of God, may continue in a
married State with fuch a Yoke-fellow ; and the State of
Marriage is an holy State^ notwithjianding the Difpariiy
with Reference to Religion;*' elfe were your Children'
unclean, that is, illegitimate j but now are they holy, born
in lawful Wedlock, or legitimate Children. This ap-
pears to be the genuine Senfe of the Place. In Oppoli-
tion to what we urge, Mr. F. fays, " That unclean is the
ufual Scripture Chara6ier of thofe ivho live without the
Pale of the vifible Church, A£ls x. 14, i^.--And they
who are Church members, are called holy^ Anf. That
Uncleanenefs fpokeri of in Ails x. is ceremonial ; Peter^
who was a few, had hitherto obferved the ceremonial
Law i he had never eaten any Thing that is common or
unclean : He had not a(iied contrary to the ceremonial
Law, Lev. xi. whis;h is now abolifhed by Chrifl: God
here teaches him, that there was an End put to it ;
Diftindlions of fewszwA Gentiles on that Account were
now laid afide ; the Gofpel Difpenfation was now taking
Place; What God hath cleanfed, that call not thou common.
And forour Opponents to bring mjudaifm into the Gofpel
Difpenfation, under any Colour, or in any Shape what-
foevei-, is diredly contrary to its Defign ; as they do
when they labour to uphold a Diftindion between the
Infant Offspring of Church-members, and Children of
Non-members, as if thcfe were born within the Church,
clean or holy, and the other without, unclean : But our
Opponents
[ 103 3
Opponents would do welf to prove that this ceremoniai
Diftindion remains in Gofpel Times, before they urge
it (o confidently as an Article of the Ghriftian Faith.
Another Objection is, *' T^at holy in Scripture^ always
denotes the Separation of a Per/on or Thing to God, —either
immediately, or fecondarily : Believers and their Seed, are
immediately fepar at ed unto him-* Reply j That Believers
are feparated to God, I grant, becauie they are called
out of the World by his Grace ; but that their Infant
Offspring are on that Account holy (in Mr. F% Senfe of
the Place) that is, Members of the New-Teftament
Church, and the Subjects of Baptifm, I deny ; becaufe
fuch a Principle appears to have no Foundation in the
Text, nor any wife confiftent with the Scope of the
Apoftle in this Place, nor acknowledged by the Gofpel
Difpenfation. If Mr. F's * Teftimony be right, 'tis the
Way of Errorifts to catch at fome Words of Scripture,
without the Senfe, to countenance their Opinions ;
what Ground is there to imagine, that Infants are holy
to God immediately, any more than the Infidel Party,
which is faid to be fandified ? Is not the Holinefs of
one, and of the other, of the fame kind ? yet he does
noc pretend that fuch are immediatly feparated to God,
Members of the Church, and Subje£ls of Baptifm ; we
have therefore a Right to demand fome convincing Proof,
why one is to be baptized any more than the other, e-
fpecially confidering there is no Ground for, nor Exam-
ple of, baptizing Believers Infants, any more than In-
fidels. But, we may look unto other Places of Scripture,
which help to confirm the Senfe given of this Text be-
fore us, in I T^hef. iv. -^, 4. San£lification fignifies Cha-
ftity, contrary to Uncleannefs, and fo fandified here
fignifies, that fuch Perfons did not live in Uncleannefs,
but in Chaftity ; and therefore their Children were not
the Produdl of an unclean, but chafte Bed, that is, not
bafe, but born of lawful Marriage. In i Tim. iv. 3, 4,
5. The Apoftle reprehends Seducers, who forbad lawful
Marriage, and made Diftindion of Meats ; which Di-
ilin(5tion of Meats the Apoftle utterly difapprwes, and
G 4 ftiews
• yind. Page 6,
[ I04 ]
ftiews there is no Prohibition of any now under this
evangelical Difpenfation ; fo that every Creature of God
is good, and nothing to be refufed, but all kind of Meat
fandified ; that is, may be lawfully ufed, or eaten \^y
believing Chriftians. The Word Unclean is alfo pu,t
for Whoredoms, in feveral other Scriptures, as Rom. i.
24. vi. 19. £pij. V. 3. Cg/. iii. 5. Thus we may difcern
the trueSenfe and Meaning of thefe VVords, Sandified,
Unclean, and Holy, in the Text before us. Says he, in
favour of his Argument, " Out of the Church nothing is
holy." Then let the Qiicftion be, whether the Infidel
Hufband, or Wife, who is faid to be fandified, or mads
holy, be in the Chuicb, or not? -If in the G.h"-rchi
then they are the-Subje^s of Baptifmj according to his
own * Way of talking ; if not, then there is fomething
out of the Church fanaified-, or made holy. But fur-
ther, will our Author fay, that grown Perfons, v. ho
were never Church members, are not holy, when renews.
«d by the Spirit of God, before they are received into
Church Feliowfliip? Does he not expe£l f Signs anji
Pruits of Holinefs in fuch, before he would willingly re-
ceive them into the vifibie Church ? Then this Rule ojc
his needs Amendment ; as Things appear at prefent, ic
will not in any. w-ife hinder my faying confiftently, That
Infants are holy, in the Senfe of this Text, and yet at
tiie Tame Time out of the Church, and if out of the
Church, Baptii'm is not to be adminiflered to them, tiU
they profefs ibeir Faith in Chrift, and Obedience to.
him, which is what we plead for. . ,
Says he, " How. can zve think that God has given up
his Right in his People's Offspring f He ufed formerly tp
call them his Children^ Eztk. xvi. 21." Mr. /'. may fuU
as well afk, how can we think he has given up his Right
in his People Ifrael and Judahf He ufed formerly to cal.l
them his People. It fcepis our .Author is dcfjrous to fr^mc
a Gofpel Church, after the Pattern of the, J ezvijh r.^r
tional Church ; Here is the Difference between us ; he
is for a Gofpel Church, after xhejetvifo Model, and fo
^ar gives into Judaifm -, I am for a Gofpel Church, \U
\ti the Ncw-Teflament Model, and fhall pay no Regard
to
• Charitable Plea, Vn^fi ^6. f Ibid, Pages 64, 65,
[ 105 ]
to his Plan, till he makes appear the Jew'ijl] QEconomy
is not yet abolifhed, or (hews, that Infants were Mem-
bers in the Apoftolical Church, which laft he has not
yet done, and very probable never can. Poole obferves
on the Place, " My Children ('Heb. Sons) fays he^ Sons
here are firji horny which peculiarly were devoted to God,
he referved a fpecial Right in thefe" Hence Mr. F. may
as w^;ll aflc, hath God giver, up his fpecial Right in the
Firft-born? But of this enough, feeing it proves nothing
who are Members of the New Teftament Church, and
the fit Subjedsof Baptifm ; or, in other Words, it doeij
not prove the Inftitution of Infant-baptifm.
• Says he, according to us, *' It will follow ^ that the
unbelieving IVife is fanRified by the unbelieving Hufband^
es well as by the Believing^ which is dire£fly oppofite it
the Apoflle\s Scope in this Place and to the Ufage
df Scripture A Thing muji he lawful^ before it
uin be fanSiified" Anf. VVhat is the manifeft Scope of
the Apoftle here but this? To inform the Corinthians,
that Marriages already contradled in Unbelief, were not
difannuil'd, tho' one of the Parties afterwards embraced
Chri/iianity ; the Chrijlian Law did not oblige to pui
away the other, who did not believe, whatever the
Jewi/I) Order of old recjuired : Therefore he exhorts the
believing Party, not to put away, or depart from the
Unbeliever. Mr. F. might have alfo obferved, that i^
i:j contrary to the Ufage of Scripture to afcribe the
Sanctifying of an Unbeliever to a Wornan, which is
ufually afcnbed to God j therefore this Word here mufl
needs be underftood in fome other Senfe, than what it
generally is, as Mr. Poole on the Place obferves, " San^i-
fying in holy Writings generally ftgnifieth the Separation^
er Jetting apart of a P erf on or Ihing^ from a common ^ to^
and for y an holy Ufe^ whether it be by fome external Rites
and Ceremonies, or by the infufmg of fome inward jpiri"
tuol Habits. In this Place it feems to have a different
Senfe from^ what it ufually hath in holy Writ j for it can
neither fignify the SanSlification of the Perfon^ by infufed
Habits of Grace ; for neither is the unbelieving Hufband,^
thus fan£tified by the bdisving JViffy ndtbfr is the unht"
• ' \ lievi'ng
[ io6 ]
lieving TVife thus fanaifitd by the believhrg Hufband. Nor
are either of them thus fet apart for the Service of God,
fy any legal Rites, which hath made a great Difference
in ike Notions of Interpreters, how the unbelieving Huf-
band is fanaified by the believing Wife, or the unbelieving
Wife by the believing Hufband." Now if fanaified in
this Place, has a different Senfe from what it ufually
hath in Scripture, let Mr. F. fhew that it means fomc-
thing more in this Text, than the Meaning we affign,
before he urge his Conclufions, or fay that the Children
of Unbelievers are Baftards, when no body queflions the
Validity of their Marriages.
He feems apprehenfive, that I will urge he ftated the
Queftfon the fame Way himfelf; but to prevent any
Advantage that Way, he charges me with perverting
hisSenfe—However, now he gives us his Meaning (which
could not readily be difcerned before^ " That he did not
vnderjiand Lawful /« Oppofition to Fornication, but to Irre-
ligion and Impiety — And fays, if our Glofs be true^ the
Jpofile does not refolve their Scruple ; they queried whether
their continued Cohabitation was ftnful? He anfwers, it is
mi Fornication ; but they might urge, iho' it be not Forni-
cation, may it not be irreligious and difpleafing to God?
May it not provoke him to withhold his Blefftng from us f
And Jhall not our Children be reckoned unclean, and ex-
cluded from the Church ? Can we expeSi the Priviledges
'of thofe who are married to Believers ?'* Reply j When
Mr. F. talks at this Rate, it is very obfervable, that he
takes it for granted, that the Children, whofe Parents
were both Believers, were Church- members : Had he
any where proven this Point, he might go on better with
thefe fuppofititious Queries, in favour of his Notion, that
the Children who h^d but one believing Parent were
Members : Or is he fo taken up in charging his Oppo-
rients with begging the Queftion, that he has no Time
to prove his Part ? 'Tis furely enough, if the Apoftle re-
loWes the Queftion propofed; muft our Glofs be falfe,
becaufc he does not refolve all the invented Scruples and
Cpnjed^ures oi the Padobapti/ls, in favour of their Prin-
ciples, which were never propofed by the Corinthians to
the
[ 107 J
the Apoftle ? Had the Apoftles, and firft Planters Sf
Chrijlianity, conftantly taught, that the Infants of be-
lieving Parents were to be baptized, and that the In-
fants of Parents, when one Party only was a BeHever,
were foederally holy, and the Subjects of Baptilm, as
well as when both were Believers ; and had it al-
ways been a Cuftom from the Beginning of Chrijiianity,
to baptize fuch Infants, there does not appear the leaft
Ground for this Scruple to rife at all j whether it was
lawful for a Believer and Unbeliever to dwell toge-
ther, in the Light Mr. F. reprefents it ? Could they
forget what they heard ? If the Cafe were fo, might
they not know, that their Infants were not excluded,
if they were baptized along with the believing Parent I
Did, they not dailv fee that their Children enjoyed the
fame Priviledges as others, and therefore had no Reafon to
imagine their Cohabitation was irreligious, and dif-
pleafing to God ? On this Suppofition, pray where coulcS,
their Doubt proceed from ? What Colour of Reafon can
be fuppofed for the Rife of their Scruple ? In a Word,
our Author muft needs own, there were no Infants bap-
tized at the firft Plantation of Chrijiianity in Cbrinth\
or elfe allow the Scruples he mentions, are but ground*
lefs Conje£lures of his own, and not thofe which can be
rationally thought to have been propofed by the Corin"
thian Church. He would argue from the Word Holy^
that Infants are Church -members ; beffdes the Argu-'
ments formerly us'd, which ftiew the Abfurdity of hi?
Reafoning, I may add. Church-members are faid to be"
fanilified ; fome Infidels are faid to be fandlified, there-
fore fome Infidels are Church -members. This Argu-
ment is as good as Mr. F'Sy to prove Infants to be
Church -members, becaufe they are called holy.
His having Recourfe to the former Difpenfation, is no
Refutation of my Arguments, to prove that Infants are
not Members of the Gofpel Church j unlefs he had {hewn
that the New-Teftament Church is not a new confti--
tuted Church, or that Infants were ever in it by divine
Appointment. He need not infinuate that I cannot, or will,
not underftand what foed«ral Holinefs is j I think I un-
dcrftand
,[ io8 J
derftand it (o well, that I obferve he is altogether a,t pi
Xofs, to find any Ground for it in the New-Teftament
Times.
He imagines, if the Cafe be as I fay, *' 7^^ Generali-
ty of the Pagans may be called an holy People— -But this is
contrary to Scripture---Such a Senfe cannot obtain amon^
Mankind^ no not among the Anabaptifts," Anf. The
Baptijis are not alone m their Judgment of the Place;
as Mr. Gill obferves, the Sen fe they give," *' « agreea-
ble to the Mind of fever al Interpreters^ ancient and mO'
dern^ as Jerom, Ambrofe, Erafmus, Camerarlus,'"Muf-
culus, ^V. which laji Writer, niakes this ingenuous Con-
fcjjion ; Formerly, Jays he, I have abufed this Place againji
'the Anabaptifts, thinking the Meaning was, that the Chil-
dren were holy for the Parents Faith, which, tho* true, the
'pre/ent Place makes nothing for the Purpoje." Hence then
it feems, others are under the like NecefTity of calling
the Pagans an holy People, befides the Baptijfs, if this
Interpretation of the Text lays any under that Neceffi-
'ty. Marriage being God's Ordinance, is honourable in
all, 'tis not contiary to the whole Scripture, to diftiri-
^uifh between thofe who live and a6l according to his
*Ojdinance, and thofe who do not.
Now after all that hath been faid, it may be juftly ob-
ferved, that Mr. F. hath not produced any Inftitution of
TJnfant-baptifm : His Conclufion therefore, " That adu(/
"Baptifm evidently depends upon the Perverjion of Scripture^
'end Contradifiion to Common Senfe," is like the Principle
^he contends for, without Proof. I don't know of one
"of our Number, " TVho afferts, that our Opponents do not
'advance Scripture." I think, what is generally faid,' is,
• ihat the Scriptures advanced by them, don't prove what
"they bring them for, and in the Way he goes on, he is
pot likely to hinder our faying fo.
In' Page 48. Mr. F. comes to the laft Scripture, which
jie advanced with a Defign, to prove Infants Memberfliip,
'and their Right to Baptifm, Mark x.,i3, 14. Tho' I
"have before fufficiently (hewn the Inconclufivenefs of his
"Arguments from this Text, in favour of his Practice,
'by obfcrving that thpfe Infants brought to Chrift were
' ' ' - ~ not
not baptized, nor brought to him with that I^efign, &c.
yet he makes a Stir, as tho' I had mifs'd the Point,
overlook'd his Arguments, or chofe to miftalce them.
Error it feems, is attended with Ncife, and defended by
Clamour. He now tells us what he fixed on, as follows;.
*' Suffer little Children to come unto me^ and forbid thnn
not \ and the Reafon he gives is fuch as will hold good at
this Dayy as well as that ; for of fuch is the Kingdom of
Heaven j now whether we underjland by the Kingdom of
Heaven^ the Kingdom of Grace ^ or the Kingdom of Glory,
it makes all one to our prefent Purpofe, for vifibly to belong
to the Kingdom of Glory, is nothing mere than to be a visi-
ble Member of the Kingdom of Grace ; fo then our Lord's
own Words do Jl:ew that he would have Believers Infants
io be received as Members of the vifible Church.'^ Reply ;
This Mr, Z". calls his only Argument from the Text,
and truly it is nothing at all to his Purpofe. He pleads
thefe were the Children of believing Parents; this needs
Proof i but fuppofe they were. What of that? His Ar-
gument for Infants Baptifm is flill inconclufive, when'
thofe very Children brought to Ghrift were not baptized,
not by Chrift himfelf, for he baptized none ; not by
"John, for he does not think it worth his While, to dif-
pute the Point with me, that they were baptized by him,
nor do we find that Chrift commanded his Difciples to
baptize them. What (hall we then conclude, but this ?
That thofe young Children brought to Chrift were not
baptized ; and if fo, then the Difficulty is, if fome
Believers Children are to be baptized, why not all of
them ? Why not thofe brought to Chrift, as well as the
Infants of cur Opponents ? If Chrift did not fee mee^
to order them little Children to be baptifed, how comes
it to pafs that Mr. F. without his Command, or Exam-
ple, Orders they (hould be now ? Is the Servant vvifeil
than the Mafter ? And if Chrift did not require thofe lit-
tle Ones to be received as Members of the vtfible Church,
by ordering Baptifm to be adminiftred to them, how cati
his Words be rationally underftood, to intend that others
fhould be thus received ? Not at all- Could Mr. F. give
as an Account that the little Ones brought to Chrift
[ no ]
were baptized, his Argument might do; but till this be
done, his ConciufiOn is of no Force in the prefent Con-
troverfy. Let us fuppofe again, the Cafe to be as our
Opponents urge j yet the Argument concludes not, f for
Abraham vifibly belonged to the Kingdom of Glory
Twenty-four YeaVs before he had any Right to Cir-
cumcifion. Had his vifibie Relation to the Kingdom of
Glory exclufive of, or antecedent to a Command, been
inftitutive of Circy/ncifion, why was not Abraham cir-
cumcifed ail that While ? And if Believers Infants do
vifibly belong to the Kingdom of Glory, yet that is not
inftitutive of Infant Baptifm, without the exprefs Corii-
jnand of God to baptize them, which is the great Thing
wanting, but it can be no where found : For the Law
of Circumcifion is aboliftied j and Chrift's Commiffion
requires none to be baptized, but thofe it requires to be
firft taught, as ever yet appeared. Hence we are ftill
kft to conclude, that Infants have no Right to Baptifm,
btcaufe Infant Baptifm is not yet inftituted : But fup-
pofing further, that Infants areto be received as Members
of thevi/ible Church ; how blame-worthy then muft
our Opponents be, in withholdmg them from the Pri-
viledge:- of Church- members ? I mean, from the Lord's
Supper ! Has Chrift any where debarred a great Num-
ber of Church- members from his holy Supper? Or has
he any where faid, that fuch only, who can examine
themfelves, and none elfe, are to receive this Sacrament ?
If not, then our Opponents ought certainly to admit
them to it, on the fame Pica, as th'ey do to Saptifm, when
they aflert it to be the Lord's Will theyfhould be receiv-
ed as Members of his vilible Church ; or eifefhew us, that
fome by divine Appointment, are fit to be received as
Members of the Gofpel Church ; who, at the fame time,
are not fit to enjoy the Priviledges of the Church.
Our Author will have it, that we are fome how-
chargeable with forbidding Children to come to Chrifl.
I obferv'd he intimated, that thofe Children were
brought to Chrifl with a Defign to have their baptized,
"when he tells us, " The Dijciplci forbad the Children to he
brought
■\ Heb. xi. 8. Gen. .xii, 4. xvll. i.
[in 3
brought to ChrtJ}, as the Anabaptifts now do." Anc^ a-
gain, " The Anabaptijis cannot prove that thofe Children
were not baptized before by John." But inftead of an-
fwering what I remark'd, he labours to faften an Incon-
fiftency on my Words, though he has not (hewn where-
in : Pray is it the leaft Inconfiftency, to fay that he in-
timates that one while, which he does not at another
turn urge or dwell upon ? But he muft fay fomething,
if it could be, to evade the Force of my Arguments ; and
as groundlefs is the Charge, when he fays, ** I put a Gl^fi
en his Words., contrary to the Words themselves ;" what
are his Words but thefe ? *' The Anabaptifts ffay^ he^
cannot prove that thofe Children were not baptised before.,
by John the Bapti/i^ which feems the more probable., in thai
Chriji laid his Hands on them, which was an extraordina^
ry Ordinance then in ufe, and always adminiflred after
Baptifm." What Glofs did I put on his Words, but on-
ly this natural One ? " That if thofe Children were bap-
tized before by John (as Mr. F. thinks it to be the more
probable Opinion) certainly then they were not brought t9
Chri/i with any View to have them baptized, unlefs their
Parents (or whoever brought them) were for having their
Children twice baptized, which is not very likely." Can
any One, exerciftng Common Senfe, fee this Glofs to be
contrary to the Words themfelves ? He tells us, " We
are chargeable with a ftmilar Crime to that of the Dif-
ciples." I would fain know wherein ? For if it feems
the more probable that thofe Children were baptized be-
fore by John, it is nof»likely they were brought to Chrift
with any Defign to have them baptized ; there can't there-
fore be any Refemblance between the Difciples and us in
this Cafe ; and Mr. F. does not plead they have any
Right to that extraordinary Ordinance- -Can we then
be faid to forbid them to come, which no body offers to
bring ? In no wife : He calls this '* a trifling Evafion /"
Why fo ? Is it becaufe it ferves in its Place to difcover
his Charge to be groundlefs, which he is unwilling to
have in any Meafure difcovered ? " But (fays he) the
Anabaptifts miijl be told, that they are chargeable with
forbidding Children to be brought to Chriji^ when they for-
bid
hid them to he admitted into the Churchy and csfl them out
as unclean" Wei), here is the Charge ; but before it
can be made good, Mr. F. \% obliged to ftiew that thofe
Children were brought to Chrift with a View to be ad-;
mitted into the Church, and that the Difciples forbad
them that brought them on that Account : Were not
they jeivi/h Children ? If fo, they were in that national
Church before; and alfo, he is to fhew it to be the
Will of Chrift, that Infants fhould be admitted into the
Church by Baptifm, otherwife his charging us with a
Cmilar Crime to that of the Difciples, falls, to the
Ground of itfelf, and all his. Noife about it, whereby
he would amufe the World, dies with it.
He proceeds, and heaps up a deal of his. clamorous
Expreflions, becaufe I obfervcd, *' // feems here is a
new modelld Argument^ which. Mr. F, would frame from
thtfe Words ^ viz.. Chrijl laid his Hands on them Children
as baptized Perfons., iherefore Children are to be baptized."
J^ow follows his fcurrilous Language, " .This Condu£l
(fays he) ynay fuit Mr. M'j Caufe^ but I heartily blefs my-
f elf from Juch a Caufe^ as not only drives one., in Defence
of it., to the manifold Perverfion of Scripture., but aljo ta
ihe Jhamelcfs falfifying if his Opponent's Arguments., and
endeavouring to imfoje on Common Senfe. I deny there is
any fuch Argument as the abovefaid in all my Bo$k, and
Mr. M . is obliged io Jhew it., or elfe lie under the Scandal
ifbafe ConduSi., to fay no worfe.--But he, without Truth ^
fays., I affirm it., and argiie from it ; and js his Confidence
is flrengthencd." Reply ; But what can be the Reafon'
of all this Uproar, which Mr. F. mc:kes .? The' Truth
Xieeds not the Defence of corrupt and fenfelefs Paffions,'
yet it feems Error does,' why clfe is it thus defended ?'
He faid, *' The Anabaptifts cannot prove that thofe Chil-
dren were not baptized before by Js hn the Baptifi., which
' feems the more probable, ih that Chrift laid his Hands on
them, which was an extraordinary Ordinance then in Vfe.,
and always adminijiercd after Baptifm." Hence 1 faid,
ft feems here is a new modell'd Argument, which Mr.
F. would frame from thefe Words.-- Obfcrve, I did not
fay, he had framed it, and that he argued from it, a«
he
lie unjuftly affirms. ^ What is more common In Writing,
than to obviate Obje£tjons which feem to arife? Whcd
he thinks proper to difcover fo much of his uncurb'd
Temper, he is unavoidably obliged to fliew any other
Argument he can model from thefe Words of his,
which will ferve his prcfent Purpofe ; this would be
much more convincing, than his hearty Bleffing him-
felf, -prophane like, or all his empty PufFs befides. Now
if Mr. F, would not have it believed thofe Children
ivere baptized by Jehn, why does he fay it is probable.^
And if he would not have it received as a Truth, that
Chrift laid his Hands upon them as baptized Perfonsj
■why does he mention Impofition of Hands as an Ordi-
nance then in Ufe^ and always adrtiiniflered after Bap-
tifm? Again, if he did not defign hereby, at leaft ia
Part, to infer the Lawfulnefs of Infant- baptifm, why-
did he mention any thing about this at all? The Reader
will fee, I did neither exceed the Bounds of Truth, nor
have charged him wrongfully ; and if for fome Reafons,
beft known to himfelf, he does not like to fee his own
Words made ufe of, let him blame himfelf, and not
^ifgorge his Gall and Bitternefs on one without Gaufe,
in the Manner he has done.
In anfwer to a Citation out of BKhop Taylor y which
^ews the Inconclufivenefs of his Argument, from 'this
Text, Mr. F. fays, *'. He needs not urge Bijhop Tay-
lor'j Judgment^ for 1 am taught not to call any Man
Majier^ if the Cafe depends on Argument" Reply ; Me-
thinks one that is careful not to call any Man Mafter,
fhould be as careful to cut off all Occafion of being fo
called by others. Is it not full enoitgh for the Servant
to require and expedt A/Tent to the Dodrines he brings,
when he fhews the Seal of his Lord to them? Now if
Mr. F. does not defire to be called Mafter by others,
the* he is not willing to call another fo, why does he
fet his human Confcquences on a Par with the infpircd
VVritmgs ? Did not the Pharifees fo, with their corrupt
Glcffes on Scripture ' Why (hould he fay. Page 36.
That the Children of the Three Thoufand were bap-
fiz«d, which the Lord has no where faid ? Further, if
H he
lis 13 not for being called Mailer, how came he, in Ps^ge
44. to fct a Tradition of Men, on a Level with God's
Inftitution ; as did the Pharifees of old, which Chrift
condemned, Mark vii. 7---13. If Mr. F's Pradlice is
jiot contrary to Chrilt's Charge in Matt, xxiii. 8. I
would willingly know what is ?
I think, I have already fhewn his Argument from this
Place in favour of Infant- baptifm, to be invalid, there
is therefore no Neceflity of writing the fame Things
over agahi, to manifeft the Inconclufivenefs of his Con-
iequence, n\ Oppolition to Bifhop 'Taylor's jufl; Obfer-
vaiions.
In Page 50. fays Mr. F. *' His Reafonings abcut Im»
fofttion of Hands 1 /hall not tr$uhle myfelf ivith at prefent,
as being impertinent to our Bvfmejs ; otherwife it were
eofy to Jhew their Fanity : In particular., what can be more
unjcriptural than his Obfervation^ that the Scripture Ac^
count of Impofition of Hands does not well fuit with lay-
ing on of Hands on Officers in the Church ? Let fober
Chri/iians judge y whether fuch Pofitions are more to be la^
merited^ condemned, or fobcrly reafoned againji.'* Anf.
If this Point is impertinent to our Bufinefs, who intro-
duced it, but he himfcJI? Who affirmed that Impofrtion
of Hands waj an extraordinary Ordinance, and always
adminill:ered after Baptifm in the primitive Times .^
Was it not Mr. F? And to prove that it was fo, he cited
jtSIs xVk. 5, 6. And fince he has brought it into the Con-
troverfy, he ftiould firfl have try'd to refute my Reafon-
ings for the Continuance of laying on of Hands on bap-
tized Perfons in the Church, before he publifhed his vain
Afiertion, that it were eafy to (hew their Vanity. Let
Mr. F. Ihew any fuch Obfervation in my Book, which
be is pleafcd to charge me with, viz. That the Scripture
Account of Impofition of Hands, does not well fuit with
laying on of Hands on Officers in the Church : Where
do I deny the Ordination of Officers \ Or the Impofition
of Hands on them to be fcriptural ? What I faid, is, that
the Account we have of this Ordinance in A^s xix. 5.
6. viii. 14-- 17. and Heb. vi. 2. does not well fuit with
lading on of Hands gn Officers, becaufe it was admini-
ilere4
t "5 ]
ftered to baptized Believers as fuch. Men and Women,
'Tis not a Jittle ftrange and furf^rifing, that Mr. F.
abo-.'c any Man, whofe Tongue and Pen is fo full of
Clamours againft others, fhould himfelf be guilty of
(uch open Falfification, and manifert Perverfion of
Words fo plain and innocent, which notwithftanding h*
himfelf muft necefTarily own to be true, or elfe pray for
what Reafon did he quote A^s xix. 5, 6 ? Was it to
prove the Ordination of Officers? Is that an extraordi-
nary Ordinance ? Is not that afed now as well as then ?
Were all thofe Officers in the Church, to whom
this extraordinary Ordinance was always adminiftered
after Baptifm ? Let him anfwer us. But it is very plain
he did not intend that, but Impofition of Hands on bap-
tized Perfons ; an Ordinance which he calls extraordi-
nary, and proved it to be formerly ufed ; which we plead
is yet in Force, and ought now to be always adminiftered
after Baptifm, as it was in apoftolic Times : How un-
fair then has he aded, in mifreprefenting the Cafe ! Is
a fcriptural Point unfcriptural, becaufe it is not intended
in every Scripture ? Should I fay that the Account we
have of the Dead rifing In John v. 25. Col iii. I — -3.
does not well fuit with the Doftrine of the Refurreaicii
of dead Bodies, according to Mr. /"s Charge, I {hould
deny the Refurreftion of the Dead to be fcriptural ;
•when, at the fame time, I had faid nothing agamft it.
What a manifeft Piece of Injuftice muft it be in him,
firft to charge me falfly, and then gravely fubmit his
forged Pofiticns to the Judgment of fober Chriftians ?
What could his Drift be in fuch Sophiftry, whether he
calls it thick or * thin ? Unlefs he defigned hereby to
blind the Eyes of his Readers from obferving that the
Prejbyterians have loft the Order and Beauty of the Go-
fpel Church, among the Rubbifli of Error : For this Or-
dinance (which Mr. F. fays was then in Ufe, and always
adminiftered after Baptifm) is quite loft among them, and
Baptifm, for the moft Part, is gone to the very Name.
But to return: He charges us with holding thofe
Children were only propofed as Emblems of Humility,
H 2 But
* Vind, Page 12,
[ ir6 J
Bat as he has cited no Ba*uji Author who argues in the
Klanner he talks, I may with very good Face, and have
'1 ruth on my Side, Hill fay, thofeofour Authors I had
confulted on the Place, do not argue fo ; where he got this
from, I am not concerned : His Reafonings are (hewn
to be inconclufive without the Help of this Argument ;
rievertherlefs it may ftill be obferved, that fome of the
Fcsdobapt'ijh themfelvesdo not difcountenance this Argu-
ment, as appears by the Paflagcs I quoted.
in Page 51. he endeavours to fllew the Promifes are
to Believers, and their Seed, " Tmt there ari no Promifes
in the Bible to Infidels^ and their Seed^ whilji fuch^ he.
Anf. Mr. F. fhould have remembered, there is a Pro-
Biife to them afar off, ^^s ii, 39.. And were not they
Infidels, when that Promife was given ? A Promife that
in thee J}:all all Nations be bleffed. Gal. iii. And were
not the greateft Part of all Nations Infidels, when that
Promife was fpoken ? A Promife of Light to the blind
Gentiles, Jjci, xlix. 6. xlii. 6. I think it were dif-
ficult to diftingulfli between blind Gentiles and
Infidels; what are Infidels but blind GentiUi ? Yet
here is a Promife of Salvation with all its Pre-re-
quifites to them : But it feems, what Mr. F. would-
be at (or at leaft {hould be at) is to (hew that Unbe-
lievers, whilft fuch, have not an adual Jntereft in the'
Promife, becaufe they have not received it ; which we
do not gainfay ; but this is a quite different Point ; for
the Promulgation of the Promife is one Thing, and the
Keception, or Application of it, another.' And fo I flill
fay, their unbelieving Children, and the unbelieving Gen-
tiles, arejuft on a Par : Mr. F. may have equal Ground"
of Charity for one, as well as the other, till the vifible
Fruits of the Promife taking hold of one, diftinguilhes
him from another. Further, in anfvver to what he would
urge from his Quotations, Who denies that the Promifes'
were made to Chrif}, and to the Eled in him, fcattercd
abroad among all Nationsof the World .? Thefe are they
Jo whom he will give Life eternal ) who were purchafed
with his own Blood, whom in Time he wafliesand fanc-
ftifirs, and will at laft prefent without Spot or Wrin-
hk ; Bui who they are in particular, is a Secret hid in-
God.
[ i'7 3
iGod. When he fays, that *' The Promifes of Salvation
are rejiri5ied to the Church ; " if he means Jiereby the vi-
sible Church, what is it but to fay, that Church Coni-
fnunion is eflential to Salvation ? That if any of the fi-
le*!^ are converted, and die before they are joined to the
vilible Church, yet there are no Promifes of Salvation
to them ; and confeqaently cannot be faved ! What
vaft Abfurdities are thefe I Again, if the Cafe be fo,
that there are no Promifes '* to anywho are out of the
(vifible) Church " how is it pofiible, that any out of the
Church fhould believe, if there is no Promiie to them
to lay hold on ? Or does Mr. F. defign that thofe v.'ho
are grown up, out of the vifible Church, muft be adfnit-
ted into it in the State of Unbelief ? Why then is a Pro-
feilion of Faith always required from fuch, according to
the Scriptures, before they may be admitted ? It does
not in the leafl furprife me, whether he accounts me
" fit to he difputed with as a Chrijitan,'" or not, becaufe
I oppofehis abfurd Notions ; nor do I think his bring-
ing in Believers Infants into the Church, ^without God's
Order, gives any more Ground to hope the better of
their Salvation, or that Chrift receives them only, and
none others, than without it ; unlefs it could be thought
that Will-worfhip pleafes God, or that the Performance
of an uncommanded Ceremony furthers the Salvation cf
dying Infants.
His AlTertion, that Chrifl gave Orders to treat the
Children of Believers as Members of his Church, hath
been confidered already. Says he, *' /f Mr. M./i devot"
ed to Words of Scripture^ as not to take the Anions of Chrijf
for Proof without them r"' Anf Yes ; for many of the
AiSlions of Chrift arc not recorded for our Imitation,
(^. g.) his anointing the Eyes of the Blind w th Clay— t
raifing the Dead---walking on the Sea --But for the
Confirmation of the Principles of the Gofpel, which wc
are to believe and pra6lice ; and according to f Cart-
^iright already cited, the Adlions of Chrift refpe£ting the
Children brought to him, were peculiar to himfclf, and
H 3 were
f Anti. Page 62,
[ ii8 ]
xvcre not imitated by his Difciples or Apoflles, before or
after his Afcenfion.
I obferv'd, that it is a bold Encroachment on Chrift's
kinp^ly Prerogative, to enjoin the baptizing of Infants,
which the Lord Jefus hath no where commanded : And
cited a PafTage from the Apology of the Brunfwick Pref-
bytery, againft making new religious Laws in the
Church ; And argued, that no Law given by Ghrilf for
baptizing Infants, can be found any where Vegiflred in
the Rolls of divine Laws ; therefore it muft be done
without Law, or elfe by a Law of Mens making, which
is attended with all the dreadiul Confequences of fuch a
Pradfice, as expre{r<;d in the cited Paragraph. In Anfwer
hereto, the Fruits of Mr. Fs good Temper plentifully
appear again : He fays, " Does he not .know that we at
Icaji pretend to warrant our Pra£lice from Chriji's own
Laws already made P Hew ridiculous is it, thus to beg the
^UfJIion, and triumph ? Any Man of Senfe would be ajtatn-
ed to do fo : Hs is Jo big with Confidence, as to tell us ve-
7y often, that Chriji has given no Law for Infant Baptifm.'*
Keply. What is the Matter with Mr./" ? Is he con-
fcicus tohimfelf, that there is no divine Law for it, when
i)c fcemsfo much difturbed in the AfFar? By this Time
I judge we have a pretty good Proof, that no Law for In-
fant Baptifm canatallbe found in the Rolls of divineLaws j
therefore it cannot be any longer call'd a beggi-ng the
Queflion ; for if there were, it is highly probable, the
Straits and Pinches Mr. F. is preffed with, in defending
his Opinion, would have, long before now, obliged him
to diredus the Flacc, and fay j '' Thus it is written:*
One would be apt to think, that when he pretends to
warrant his Pradice by divine Laws already made, and
jet can never produce thole Laws fo much talked of,
in favour of his Pradice, he might indeed well be afham-
edofhis Pietences, and forbear giving that Honour or
Regard to his fallible Confequences, which is due to
Chi ift's Laws alone ; left he be found commencing King
in his Kingdom, or rather fetting up a Kingdom of his
o^vn, in Oppolition to his.
Mr.
[ "9 ]
Mr. F. pretends hinifcif ignorant of any inconfiflicuf
cy, in his arguing that Baptifm is an initiating Ordi-
nance, whereby Perfons are received into the Church;
and again, that * Church-members ought to be baptized.
Let the Reader judge, if both can be affirmed together,
for if any are Church-members before Baptifm, then
Baptifm is not an initiating Ordiisance : But if Baptifm
be an initiating Ordinance, then none are Church Mem-
bers before they are baptized ; and fo I am not obliged to
ftiew that there are fomc Church-members who ought not
to be baptized : Says he, " Believers Infants, or adult
Pro/cJJorSy are virtually Church-members before Baptifm."
Reply J virtually, but not fvifibly Members! 'Tis hard
to find whereabouts their Infants are fituated ! By Mr.
i^'s Way of Talking, it feems Infants are a<Stually Non-
members ; and if (o^ let him (hew that any, who are
out of the vifible Church, are to be admitted without %
Profe/Tion of Faith, confiftent with the Affembly's Ca-
techifm. His Comparifon here, is of little Weight :
What though an Heir to the Crown be a King when
proclaimed ? But their Infants have not been proclaim-
ed to have a Right to Church- memberfhip ; they are
therefore not (o much as virtually Members of the New
Teftament vifible Church.
In Page 53. Mr. F. is furpriz'd, .that I fhould give
the World a Tafle of the Manner how Infant Baptifm
is fupported : The Account is not pleafing to him ; and
no wonder, for Error loves not the Light. He calls my
juft Obfervations " pajftonate InveSiives^ prooflefs Ajfer-
tions, and falfe Defamations" 'Tis very obfervable,
that Glamours, and the Charge of begging the Queftion,
gre two of Mr. Fs main Helps in this Controverfy ; to
thefe he frequently betakes himfelf in pinching Dif-
ficulties. Did I fay the Minifler declares he is fatisfied
Infant Baptifm is right ? This I had from Mr. F. § him-
felf. And if this is not improved in various Shapes, to bear
down the poor Enquirer, why did the Author of the Di-
alogue infifl on it, in Defence of Infant Baptifm ? Page
H 4 ' 5. " -C^*
* Charit. Plea, Page 56. f Divine Right, Page 30.
^ Charit. Plea, Page 57.
[ 120 ]
f "r^'i ^^" ^^"^^ *^^ Minljier is in the wrong ? Is he un-
bapttfed? Not in Covenant tvith God P No Minifttr?
No v'.jible ChrijUan r With much more of the like Na^
-ture Again, in Pages 6, 7.--thereare fumm'd up the
Conrequence.of rejea.ng Infant Baptifm : 'Tis, fays the
Author, To rejea all puhlick Ordinances— Tg cali Con^
iempt on Chriji -.To of end againji God' s Children— To
reprejentthe whole Church Jor Hundreds of Tears, to be in
^J^tate of Heathemfm-.-'Tis to provoke God, and offer In^
dtgmy to the ble/Jld Spirit, &c." If thefc artful inlinuati-
onsana detcftable Methods do not furprize and perplex
the hnqu.rer, inftead of fhewing him a divine Inflituti-
onfor Infant liaptifm, let the Dialogue relohe the
Jj^ueltion. The Author informs us, what EfFed thefe
i iiings had on his Neighbour ; his Words are thefe, Page
y ■ ; • ^' ^^^ ^^^^ Converfation ferves but to iticreafe my
r^rplextty, and to thy ow new Difficulties in my Way, but
in no wife releajes my Mind and Confcience from the DUirefi
liuas under Hefore-.-lhis does not Jhew m( a divine Injlitu^
pon J or hfant Baptifm:' This Account comes up full/
lo what 1 fa,d. Nuw unlefs Mr. F. will prove the Au-
thor s ^arratlve to be falfe, and not at all to be credited,
h^ cann-ot with any Judice charge me with proofiefs Af-
icrt.ons, and fa fe Defamations : U it be faid the Dialoaue
isonfy afie,gned Difourfe, this helps not the Matter;
tor then the. Author mull forefee the native Tendency
i?'s Arguments had to perplex and confound, but not to
Satisfy tender Enquirers. Jv^or is there any Reafon to
qucfhon, but oun Opponents pradife what the Dialogue
teaches; and thus with their Noife about Antiq-^ity,
i>ucceirion, In/ailibihty, Univerfality, &c. Popijh hke,
t^ey keep the People jn Awe, and terrify thofe among
them who at any time queilions the Vahdityof Infant
iJaptiim ; and hereby keep them in perpetual Fetters of
human Invention, put on them whilit Infants, fiom giv-
ing due Obedience to the Lord Jefus, according to his
Appointment : This well known Pradiceof theirs can-
jnot be deny'd, unlefs Mr. F, will refute the Dialogue,
>yh!ch is a flanding Evidence to vindicate the Truth of
What I have faid j he will prpbabJy underhand what
*' Litira
[ 121 1
f* Litera Scripta manet" fignifies. I defired Proof, that
rejtdiing Infant Baptifm is attended with allthefe frightful
Confequences. Says our Author, '* If he wants Proof that
the aforefaid Confequences follow, after reading the Dia-
logue, I judge himincapalle of receiving ANY ; for it is e-
vident they do follow, and mufl we have Light to fee the
Sun f" No ; we can fee the Sun by its own Light ; but
we want Light to fee the Juftnefs of thefe Confequences,
v/hich we are not hke to get from Mr. F. All that he
is pleafed to favour us with, is his ""^ pojitive Affertiony
unfupported by Argument ;" 'tis evident, ^c. and hi»
Refledlion on my Capacity. But in Oppofition to him,
I fay. It is not evident, nor ever will be fo, that thefc
Confequences follow the rejedling of Infant Baptifm ;
iinlefs he could fliew, that it was Chrift's Inftitution,
which he is far enough from doing as yet. Let our Op-
ponents foberly cnnfider, whether thofe who Counte-
nance an Abufe of Chrifl's Ordinance, and continue in
it, both in refpe(5t of the Subjeds and Mode ; or thofe
who reje£t the Abufe, and fubmit to it, according to hia
Inftitution, be moft Blame- worthy ? "Mufl People bred
up in Error, always continue in it ? Why then was there
any Reformation ever attempted, fince the Tntrodudtion
of Error into the Church ? Chrifl: has undoubtedly
made good his Promifes to his People in all Ages, whe-
ther miny or few in Number, and whether more or lefs
vifible. •■'
' In Page 53, Mr. i\ comes to his fourth Aflertion,
which is, that Infants are capable Subjects of Baptifm ;
tind in Page 54. he fays, '* 'Tis his Bufinefs here to Jhew
their Incapacity^ if he would difpute again/i me, but far
from that, he offers not one Argument againji what I maiti'
tain, yet pretends to be refuting me." Anf. I offered an
Argument againfl what he maintains, which fhcws his
Argument proves a great deal too much for him ; and fo
nothing at ^11 to his Purpofe, "jiz. ''^ If a Capacity t»
receive an Ordinance be fufficitnt te entitle Perfons to the
Reception of it, it would folloiv, that all the Male Infants
qf the Heathen Nations, had as good a Right to be circum^
sifid^ as the Sad ^Abraham had ; for §nc was ms capable
to he theSuhje^ .of Circumcifton as the other. If he fays they
had not, hecaufe there was no Command of God for it ; fo
fay we, there is none for baptizing any Infants." This Ar-
gument Mr /^ has not refuted. And further, heconfef-
fes, *• That one Infant is not naturally tnore capable of the
Things i fald to be) ftgnlfied by Baptlfm than another-:' Not
naturally; Queftion, How then ? The anfwer to this
Qlieftion in Mr. Fs Book, is a Blank. He afc, " What
tuouldl have more /"' Anf, Da, mces etto. 'Tis pretty well
Mr. F. is forc'd to confefs fo much ; But I would have
this more, a fpeedy Retradion of his Aflertion, '* That
be hath given up nothing he faid.'* Again, I would have
an ingenuous Acknowledgment, that no Argument can
he formed from the Capacity of fome Infants more than
others, to prove their Right to Baptifm. And further, I
would have Mr. F. confefs, that he is guilty of crimi-
nal Partiahty, in not baptizmg the Infants of Non-mem-
bers, feeing they are capable of every great Thing figni-
fied by Baptifm, as much as the Infants of Church mem-
bers ; fince his Argument equally proves the Right of
both to the Ordinance alike, efpccially when there is no
Scripture Warrant for doing of either. But he fays, I
miftock him ; for " He intended to obviate Objections from
their Incapacity, and not to prove their Title from their Ca^
pacity." Yes, to befure, when he pjopofed this 4th Head
to fhew the Truth of his firfl general AfTertion, which
is, that Believers Infants have a Right to the Ordinance
of Baptifm: Now if this 4th Particular was not intend-
ed to fhew Infants Right to Baptifm, why was it pro-
pofed amongft the reft for that Erid ? And if he did not
intend^ by obviating Objedtions, to prove Infants Right
to Baptifm, it was entirely ufelefs for him to argue they
were capable of fpiritual BleiTmgs, in order to fhew they
ought to be baptized. What Soldier, ' us'd to the War,
is there, who cannot diftindly tell the firing of a routed
Enemy ? When Mr. F. thus fhifts and declines, it fiiews
us this Argument of his, with all his Stir about it, is now
fufEciently baffled. I likewife obferved, that Infants are
mcapable of profefling their Aflentto the Dodrinesof the
Gofjpel i incapable of Repentance, and faith, and of an-
fwering
[ "3 ] ■
fwcring a good Confcience, which are neceflary Qiialifi-
cations in all the Subjeds of Kaptifm, Heb. xi. 6. Mark
xvi. 1 6- I Pet. iii. 21. Yet he fays I have not offer-
ed one Argument againfl Infants Capacity ; who can
help his faying fo, if he has no better to fay ? (But he
(hould have looked in Cat. iii. 9. firftj and no other Re-
fuge to fly to, but faying, I beg the Queftion ? Begging
the Q^ieftiorj, in JV'Ir. F's Language, leems to imply, in
plain Engiifh, an Imperfection or Shortnefs in the Scrip-
ture Account of the Affair; as much as to fay, there
were Infants baptized on the Account of their Parents
Faith, and by their Parents were dedicated to God
tliercby, tho' the Scripture does not mention it. He may,
if he thinks proper, call my Adherence to Scripture^
a begging the Queftion ; yet his doing fo, is far from
proving that Parents can dedicate their Children to God
bv Baptifm, with Acceptance ; or *' That Circum-
afton required Faith in the Subjiii, as much as Baptifm^"
when the Law of Circumcifion required Infants to be
circumcifed at eight Days old : But the Inftitution of
Baptifm requires none to be baptized before they arc firft
taught, Mark xvi. 16. I obferved alfo, the Sinfulnefj
there is in the PraiSlice of Infant Baptifm, which re-
mains unanfwer'd.
In Page 54. Mr. F. advances feveral Arguments, with
a Defign to fhew, that the Blood of Chrift is fignified
by Baptifm ; but his Arguments amount no higher than
the Conclufion I cited from Mr. Mede^ which is, *' T^hat
the Blood of Ckriji concurs in the Myjiery of Baptifm^ b}
Way of Efficacy and Merits but not as the Thing there
figured^ which the Scripture tells us not to be the Blood of
ChriJ}^ but the Spirit"
He pretends, " It is eafy to manifefl the Tnconclw
Jtvenefs of my Reafonings againji the Dialogue in this Place^
but he promifes that will be fubfiantially done^ when he
comes to his laft Jffertion." But he does neither in this
Place, nor there, vindicate the Dialogue refpe(5ling the
grofs Expofition of Mat. xviii. 4, 5, 6. which the Au-
thor is guilty of, with a Defign to (hew that Infants are
^Jievers in Chrift, and fit Subjects of Baptifro 5 t^ia
Mr,
[ 124 ]
Mr. F. fhould have done, were it pofTible, before he
^nt his 79th Page; or elfe it will ftill follow, the faid
Author IS ju% chargeable with horrid Impieties in a-
Jbuhng Scripture (o wretchedly, in order to impofe hij
i^rrors on the World, under the CoJour of Scripture
txpreflions. ^
He endeavours to fhew, that Infants are capable, and
ought to be admitted to Baptifm, but not to the Supper,
and fays, the one- Sacrament is an initiating, the other
a confirming Seal of the Covenant. Reply ; Baptifm is
properly admmiftered to thofe who profefs their Faith in
't^a [vn.^"'^ *° ""Z"^ ""^^^'^ ^"^ 't^e Supper for their
Jiftabhfhment «n Faith ; the one is rightly adminiftered
.to profefljng D.fciples, the other to baptized Difcip'es-
.Says he, ** The Scripture does not fay Difdple ^ and z'lvt
them the Supperr Anf. Neither does the Scriprure (ay,
difciple all Nations, baptizing them, and withhold them
from the Lord's Supper. All thofe who were baptized,
received the Sacrament, A^s ii. 42. 7he Prejhyteriam
have no Precedent in Scripture for their Pradice of keeping
back any meet Subjeds of 'Baptifm, when baptized," from
the Lord's Table, whofe Lives are unftained with adual
bins. Their adminiftring the one Sacrament (in Pre^
tence) to Subjeds unfit for the other, is Man's Device, not
the Lord's Appo/ntment. Says he, '' The firfl^ hfanis
ars naturally capable of, for they can be wajhed." So they
are as much naturally capable of the other, for they
can fwallow, or elfe how did Cyprian and Augujline give
^hem the Sacrament of the Supper I «' In the fir Ji, fays
he, Perfons are pajfive Recipients, in the other Agents "
Anf. Perfons are aglive in the iirft, as in repenting, be-
Jieving, profefTing, anfwering a good Confcience, com-
ing to, be baptized, and going down into the Water, b'f.
as well as in the Supper, in examining, commemorating,
eatmg and drinking : Hence it ftill follows unavoidably,
that if Infants are capable, and ought to be admitted tci
Baptifm, they ought alfo to be admitted to the Sacra--
ment of the Supper : Nor is there any more Scripture to
Ihew that " the Supper is refiriaed to thofe only who
tan examine themjehcs;* than that Baptifm is to thofg
who
[ 125 ]
^ho do aftually believe and repent ; for the Scripture
does not fay ONLY thofe who examine themfelves, arc
to communicate, and none elfe ; therefore according tor
Mr. * F's own Rule in the Cafe of Baptifm, there is as
much Room to admit Infants to the Lord's Table, as to'
Baptifm, fince the exclufivc Particle only is not found
in all thofe Texts, which fpeak of the Subje£ts of this
Sacrament of the Supper. But as there is no Command
jior example for the one, neither is there for the other.
Our Opponents indeed, are funk fo deep in the Notioa
and Cuftom of baptizing Infants, that they cannot tell
how to lay it afide, tho' it be every Way as unfcriptural
as to admit them to the Supper of the Lord.
As an Anfwer to my Obfervation, that all the Mem-
bers in the apoftolical Churches were taught before they
were admitted, he fays, " If Difciples are Church-
members^ and if Infants were accounted Difciples in the
Apoflles Days^ it will follow^ that they were, and Jlill
tught to be Church members \ but Infants were accounted
Difciples by the Apojiles (that is a grand Miflakej and
therefore ought to be admitted into Chriffs School; the Ali-
nor is proven from A6ts xv. lo. Why tempt ye God to pit
a Yoke on the Necks of the Difciples ? This Take was Cir-
cumcifon." Anf. Thofe who were accounted Difciples,
and fo called by the Apoftle, were fuch as were capable
of being taught by the judaizing Teachers, as is plain,
ASIs XV. I. They were fuch who might be fubverted with
falfe DoiSlrine, Verfe 24. They were fuch who were
capable of rejoicing for the Confolation, Verfe 31. which
Chara<Sters do not a^ree to Infants ; therefore Infants are
not intended by Difciples in the Text. In the Words of
an ingenious f Author, 1 fay, " It is a great DifJoonour
and Differ vice to Religion, that any who are Teachers of
it, and appointed to guide the People, foould endeavour to
fupport their Fancies and Opinions by a Fallacy. Nothing
I think can bemore difingenuoufly urged, or be a more palpa'
hie Affront t$ the common Senje of Mankind, than to affirm
Mathetees may be applied to Infants and Perfons not capa^
Ue of being taught i for every Body conjiantly ufes the
Wsrdt
* Vind. Page 2, f Dr, Gale ;Let. 8.
L 125 j
tP^ard^ and always under/lands it to mean one that is taught
0r learns. John ix. 27. Says the Man who was born blind,
wherefore would you hear it again P Will ye alfo be his
Difciples? i.e. IP ill ye oljo believe in him, and fuhmit
yourjelves to his Injlruaions^ and bemne his Followers ?
Again, Aas xviii. 23. He went over all the Country of
Galatia and Phrygia in order, Jlrengthening all the
Dijciples : Douhtlefs all the Difciples then were capable of
ieing confirmed in the Faith, they had all received; for it
IS plain, no other are acknowledged for Difciples, but fuch
as believed, for all the Difciples were fir engthened" Luke
Xiv. 27. IFhsfoever doth not hear his Crofs, and cofne after,
me, cannot be 7ny Difciple. Therefore on the Whole, In-
fants are not Chrift's Difciples j they are not capable of
fo much, as to be entered in the Church, in order to
Jearn ; when none but Proficients are to be entered into
the Church, and when all the Members in the apoflolic
Churches were taught before they were admitted, which
he has not refuted, by giving Inftances of the contrary,
therefore my Obfervation does fully reach the Point in
Hand.^ Lev. xxv. 41, 42. does not appear " Parallel
hereto." He fhould have explained in what Senfe the
Children there are called God's Servants. Let him {hew
that the Term [Servants of God] is always equipollent
to [a Difciple of ChriftJ before he tells \x^ " We may
call thofe Difciples, who are not taught," or capable of
being taught, as their Infants are.
Mr. F. in the Preface to his Charitable Plea, charged
us with arguing fomething they never faid, inftead of
anfwering their Arguments, and Infianccs, in the Cafe
o^f fcederal Holinefs. To difcover the Falfity of his
Charge, I fhewed him we do not ; for the Dialogue
afierts over and over, that Infants are Believers in Chrift,
and if fo, they are really holy, and fets them on a Par
with believing Women, without any Diftin^ion or Li-
mitation: Therefore I obferved, if Church members and
their Seed, are thus in Covenant, they {hall all ba faved.
Now Mr. F. fhould either have reconciled their Incon-
fiflencics, or elfe retraced his Charge againfl us in his
former Preface i but inllead of that, he endeavours to
hide
[ 127 ]
hide their own Confufion and jarring AfTertlons, by ac-
cufing mc falfly, " That 1 regard not the Scope of thi
Argument in the Diahgue.'* Having foJongAccjuain-
tance with our Author's Condu6t, had I wrong'd the
Dialogue, 1 have no Rcafon to think, but he would
foon make Noife enough about it j my Judgment, Grace,
and Good Manners, would all have been called in Que-
ftion. I have now in Juftice a Right to demand he
fhould reconcile thofe Contradictions I mentioned, yfntt.
Pages 78, 79. or elfe publickly acknowledge, he has
charged us wrongfully. In anfwer to what he further
urges. Page 57. I fay the Infants of Unbelievers are as
capable of being fandified in the Womb, as the Infants
of Believers ; and one is as capable of the Habits of
Faith, they fpeak of, let it be what it will, as the other.
I am at no Lofs at all, to fay what Infants are Unbe-
lievers, as he fuggefts, when Mr. F. himfelf teaches,
that none are to be accounted the fpiritual Seed, but
thofe only in whofe Hearts the Word of God has taken
EfFe£t. Now unlefs out Opponents mean fome other
Word, befides the Gofpel, and fome other kind of
Faith, befides that which the Gofpel preached does pro-
duce; I do not fcruple to fay, that all their Infants are
vifible Unbelievers, Children of Wrath by Nature, even
as others ; and none of them fit SubjeC^o of Baptifm,
But if they do mean any other, they fhould tell us what
kind of Faith it is ? And how Infants come by it ? And
by what Rule they know them Infants from others ? Mr.
F. difclaims *' Their baptizing Infants on the Account of
knowing their Faith, and ajferts, that I argue againji what
they do not fey, in/iead of anfujcring their Arguments.^*
Reply; Why then do our Opponents argue that Believers
Infants have a Right to Baptifm, on the Account of
their Faith ? As the * Author of the Dialogue exprefly
does. Says he, " If Infants have (tho but) the Princi-
ples and Habits of Faith, they have a Right to the Seal of
the Righteoufnefs of Faith." That Author pleads that
the Infants of believing Parents, are Believers in Chriff,
and. therefore have a " righteous Claim to Baptifm." So
then,
* Divine Right, Pages 33, 34. See alfo Pages 25, 26.
f i2S ]
then, according to Mr. F. our Opponents do not baptize
Infants, as knowing they are Believers in Chrift, an<i
therefore have a Right to Baptifm ; but yet according to
^ the Dialogue they know they are Believers in Chrift, and
have a Right to Baptifm, therefore they baptize them.
"When the Matter is thus Yea and Nay among them-
felves, hovif fliall we know what they fix on, as the
Foundation of their fcripturelefs Practice ? This Talk
of theirs, war, it rendered in Mr. F's Language, would
properly be called, " § Religious Garbage and Nonfenfe.'"
But Difficulties increafing, and coming hard upon Mr.
F. he feems willing to quit the Author of the Dialogue,
and to leave him to (hift for himfelf, according to the
Proverb, Evet^y Man fcr kiinfelf; and thu> fays° " But
en Suppofttion that the Author of the Dialogue meant as
Mr. M. fays., how does it follow that I am inconfijlent in.
my Di/iin£iion of a two-fold being in the Covenant ^ Muft I
needs be inconfijlent with fnyfelf becaufe 1 am fo with ano-
ther Man f" An{. I think I have already fufficiently {hewn
his Inconfircency, when he publickly undertook to charge
U3 with' arguing againft what they (Plurally, not on-
ly he Singularlyj never faid ; but now he cannot make
good his Charge, when the Dialogue pleads that Infants
are Believers in Chrift; if fo, they muft be really holy,
and favingly in the Covenant of Grace.
As to the Inconfiftency he would charge on me, Pages
57, 58. I muft needs fay, I do not underftand what he
would be at, nor fee nothing in what he fays to the
Purpofe.
, -^"J^^g^ 58- i^'^r. F. enters upon his 5th AfTertion, which
is. That Baptifm fucceeds in the Room of Circumcifion,
and cites Col. ii. 11, 12. with a Defign to prove it. The
Words arc, '* In whom aifo ye are circumcifed with the
Circumcifion made without Hands., in putting off the Bo-
dy of the Sins of the Fh/h^ by the Circumcifion of Chrifi^
buried with him in Baptifm." I obferved, this Text does
not prove what it is brought for ; " Becaufe it is fnani-
fefi., iheApofile means by [Circumcifion ot Chrift] the
Renovation of the Soul, fpiritual Operation en the Hearty
iii
J Vind. Page So.
/>? mrtifying the Body of Sin, and implanting in the Soul A
Principle of divine Life--faid therefore to be done without
Hands, in Oppofition to Circurhcifton in the Fle/h, done by
Hands :" And not as Mr. * F. aflerts, that Baptifm is
here called by the Apoftle, the Circumcifion of Chrift;
for if fo, then i. It would follov/, that Baptifm is ab-
folutely necefTary to Salvation ; for fo is the Circumcifion
here mentioned. 2. That Baptifm takes away Sins, or
at leafl, that there is fome Virtue in it co-operating with
the Grace of the Spirit, in putting off the Body of Sin :
Hence we fee, the Apoftle does not intend Baptifm by
the Circumcifion of Chrift. Why has not Mr. F. vin-
dicated his Affertion, and fhewn, that thefe Obfervations
are not natively deduced from it ? But as they are, what
greater Corruption, in the Cafe of Baptifm, has ever
been vented from Rome, than what is included in this
Affertion of his?
Says he, " Syntsephentes, a Participle of the firfl Aorifi
(rfthe fecond Aou^ pajfive) refers directly to the fame
Perfons, zuho are faid to be cir'cumcifed \ and fo the Words
will run thus. Being buried with Chriji in Baptifm, ye are
therein circumcifed with the Ciraoncifton of Chrijl.--Tbe
'Apoftle mentions Circumcifion without Hands, and the Cir-
cumcifion of Chrifl alfo. " Anf. What of that ? Is the
Circumcifion without Hands, and Baptifm, one and the
fame? If fo, then it ftill follows, that Baptifm takes
away Sins, and is abfolutely neccflary to Salvation, but
as thefe. Confequences are Abfurdities too great to be al-^..
lowed, it is evident that Baptifm, and the Circum-
cifion without Hands, is not one and the fame Thing :
Nor does the Apoftle here call Baptifm the Circumcifion
of Chrift, as Mr. F. has injudicioufly affirmed. The
Conftrudlion of the Words, according to him, leads to
unfufferable Inconfifteneies, in afcribing that to Baptifm,
or affirming that to be done therein, which the Apoftle
docs not. The Circumcifion without Hands, which the
Colojftan Believers were Partakers of, preceded their Re-
ception of Baptifm, and was neither done therein, nor
any Part of it ; f Mr. F, himfelf does allow that a Pro-
I feiHo^
^ Char. Plea, Pa|^ 61. ■\ Ibid, Page 67.
[ I30 j
I'eilion of Faith is neceflarily required from adult Per-
fons, brought up in SuperlHtioa and Heathenifm, as
thofe Coloffians were, before they be admitted to Baptifm :
Then if thofe Colojfians were Believers in Ghrifl:, and had
received Chrift, Col. ii. 6. and were, in him, Verfe ii,
and made a Profeflion thereof too, before, they were bap-
tized, it follows they were circumcifed with the Cir-
cumcifion without Hands beforfe they were baptized ; it
is therefore quite unintelligible to tell them, they were
therein (t. e. in B:>-ptifm) circumcifed with the Circum-
cifion of Chrift, which they had received, and made a
Profeflion of alfo, before they were baptized : Now fince
Mr. F% Connexion is broken, or rather hereby is fhewn
tiierc is no fuch Connexion at all, as he would infmuatCj.
it appears, the Apoftle does not affert the Coloffians were
in iiStCt circumcifed, becaufe baptized, as our Author
urges ; nor indeed is it evident from this Text, that the
Apoftle afTerts the Identity of Circumcifion and Eaptifm,
or that the latter fucceeds the former in the Manner ont
Opponents plead for, when the judaizing Teachers were
fufficiently refuted, without aflerting any fuch Thing,
as I have in my former Treatife unanfwerably fhewn.-
Mr. F. wil! have it, *' That the Sign is here put for the
Thing fignifu'd ;" I fee no Reafon to grant this ; but if fo,-
it wcuid not ferve his prefent Purpofe, becaufe the Sign
was not adminiftred to any, but to thofe who profe/Ved
thieir dying to Sin, and were capable of exercifing
(fijFaith, in rifing with Chrift to Newnefs of Life, when:
l)aptized, Verfe I2. which we all know Infants are in-
capable of ; and therefore what Agreement foever may
be fijppofed by our Opponents, to be between Circum-
cifion and Baptifm in their Nature, Ufe and End,
yet their Argument therefrom for the Adminiftration
of the latter to Infants, is quite inconclufive, when
the Apoftle mentions none other who were bap-
tized, but thofe who were renewed by Grace, and
believed in Chrift, by hearing the Gofpel, Col. ii.
21, 12. i. 23. And as Infants cannot believe in Chrift,
by hearing the Gofpel, there does not appear any War-
rant nor Example to baptize them, according to the
Order
[ 13' 1
Order of God refpeding this Ncw-Tefiament Ordi-
nance.
I obferved, thofe legal Teachers v/ere as clofely at-
tached to other Alofaic Ceremonies, as th^y were (or
could bej to Circumcifion, and (according to our
Opponent's Talk) could not be refuted, unlefs the Apo-
ftle had (hewn there were fome Ordinances which an-
fwered to each of them, -and fucceeded them. Mr. F.
afks, " Have tue not Chrlji, and New Tcjlament Worjln^,
anjuoertng to the Types^ and Temple-Services, zvhich zvere
cnly the Patterns of heavenly Things f" Anf. That the
formerTypes pre- figured Chrifr, and were fulfilled in him,
is granted ; but if wc have Ordinances now anfwering
diftindly to each of the jezviJJy OfFerings, Sacrifices, Pu-
rifications, &c, and fuccced them in the fame Manner
as Baptifm is faid to anfwfr and fucceed Circumclfion,
and to be performed by Virtue of, or at leafl, in Con-
formity to^ the abrogated Laws, which required th-?
Obfervance of thofe yeihifn Ordinances, without anj
Command for them in Gofpel Times, v.'hich is the very-
Cafe of our Opponents in urging Jnfant-baptifm from
the Pradicc of Circumcifionj Mr. F. is flrongly obliged
to tell us what thofe Ordinances are, and likewife fliew
us that the yezvifh abrogated Laws are yet in Force, and
bind us to the Obfervance of any thing as a Part of
New Tcftament Worfliip, which is not inftituted in
New Teftament Times : But as this cannot be done,
however willing he is to countenance his received arul
darling Tenetof Infant Baptifm, he is at a Lofs to prefcribe
any other Refutation of thejudaizing Teachers, than
what I mentioned ; viz. To (hew them that all the yeiv^
ijh Ordinances, Circumcifion not excepted, were whol-
ly abolifhed fince the Antitype is exhibited, and thereby-
leading them to Chrift, and to the Obfervance of New
Teftament Ordinances, which depend not on any abro-
gated Laws, but on new Commands and Inftitutions,
particularly Baptifm, which was to be adminiflred to
none other, but to thofe who profefTed their Faith in
Chrift, and to have put oft the Body of the Sins of th«
Flefli, as this Place under Cgnfiderarion tciiifies.
la I fur-
[ 132 1
I further argued againft his Notion, from ASis xr*
and could his Opinion be found any where, that Bap-
tifm anfwers to Circumcifion, andfucceedsit in the Man-
lier he pleads for, this Place is the moft likely, where
PW and other Apoftles, withtheElders, Were conveen'd
in Council on the Occafion, purpofely to withftand and
refute the judaizing Teachers, who earneflly endeavour-
ed to introduce Circumcifion into the Chriftian Churches
among the Gentiles^ and fo vehemently urg'd the Necef-
iity ofit :- Had there been fuch a Thing then known, how
fairvvas the Opportunity to obferve. That Circumcifi-
on is indeed abolifhed ; but we have another Ordinance,
even Baptifm, which every Way ai>fwers to Circumci-
fion, and fucceeds it.— Nay, if the judaizing Teachers
could not be refuted without aflerting it, as our Oppo-
nents fuggeft, there appears the greater Neceflity they
Ihould embrace the Opportunity fo to do ; but of this
there is not a Word mentioned in tl>c Conclufions fent
to the Churches perplexed with thofe judaizing Teach-
ers. Infant Baptifm was not then known, and there-
fore thofe Inventions, contrived fince to countenance it,
were then unknown alfo. And happy would it be for
the Church, if this grufs Abufe of a Gofpel Ordinanc*
had been always unknown. Mr. F. is fo much at a Lofs
to anfwer my Arguments from this Place, that he fpends
much Labour in cavilling with my ExpreiTions ; the
common Path of a baffled Adverfary. He fays, I fpeak
as if I knew all they faid, and all they thought i that the
Point is clear to me, whether it be written or not,
wiih much more of fuch like : Then fubmits his
groundlefs Cavils to the Judgment of his Readers, and
fays, " How firmly hejiands to the Scriptures, let others
judge." To be fure very fi/mly, when h« has not given
his Readers the leaft Proof of my fwerVing from the
Scriptures I But he muft make a Sound to divert h\s
headers, left they ftiould obferve I had proven the Point
ixom that which is written, far beyond his Power to
refute. At length, he fays thus, *' // is not aferted in
Ads XV. therefore it is abfurd to fuppofe that it is a/ferted
*n Qq\, ii, A faiJiQiis Argument ! Hereby one may prove
[ 133 3
eny Thing j e. g, Jujiijicatioa by Faith is not afferted in
Gen. i. I. therefore not in Rom. iv. See how con/iantly
they run into Abfurdities^ who Reafon againji the truth.'^
Anf. Not fo faft j Juftification by Faith is not treated
of in Gen. i. as Circumcifion is purpofely and defign-
edly in AHs xv. That Eaptifm anfwers to Circumcifion,
and fucceeds it in the Manner they fay, is not afferted
in Col. ii. as Juftification is in Rom. iv. The Cafes arc
not parallel ; therefore without running into any Abfur-
<3ities, I may ftill argue for the Truth in my former
Words, from ASfs xv. " Can any Reafon be thought of,
tuhy the Apojiles and Elders made no Mention of any fuch
Things as our Opponents urge^ neither in their Debates in
this Council^ nor in their Letters fent to the Churches, but
only this, that they received no fuch DoSfrine from Chriji i
and therefore tranfmitted no fuch Cujiom to be obferved by
the Churches of Chriji P And how any Man can think
ctherwife, and not reflet great Imprudence and Unfaithful- *
nefs upon the ApojU.es (if the Cafe he as our Opponents fay)
1 cannot imagine.'^ Mr F. has not attempted to remove
this Difficulty out of his Way, the' his Gaufe much re-
quired it.
He pleafes himfelf with the Fancy of my being en-
gaged in the Difpute with the judaizing Teachers.—
Well, had I been in the Apoflles Gafe, I fhould have
argued jufl as they did, and if Mr. F. cannot make good
his Principles from the Apoflles Argument, neither could
he from mine, had I been in their Gafc.
Says he " Whatever Difference there is between Baptifm
end Circumcifion, they are allowed to agree in this, that
both are Ordinances of Initiation." Are they fo .? Then
?iccording to Mr. /'s Opinion of the vifible Church's
being the fame in all Ages, it follows, that Time hath
been, the vifible Church had two initiating Ordinances
in Force at the fame time ; when fohn and Ghrifl bap-
tized, fohn iii. 22, 23. Circumcifion was in Force,
"John vii. 22 23. and an Ordinance of Initiation to
the Jewijh Ghurch, as much as ever it was ; and how
Baptifm was then aifo an initiating Ordinance into the
fewifh Church unto them, who were vifibly and
jiftually in the Jewip Church before, is left to Mr. F. tq
T »> iinfnin •
[ ^34 ]
ttnfold : However this ferves further to fliew the Invalidi-
ty of our Opponents Plea, that Baptifm fucceeds Cir-
cumcifion in tlie Manner they plead for, when both wers
in Force at the fame time. o
' _ But the Sum of the Whole, which Mr. F. feems to
aim at, is to introduce this Argument of his, namely^
'-'Infants were circuincifed, Bapttfm comes in the Room of
Circumcifion ; there fere Infants are to be baptised.'" Thi$
Confequence is flill to be rejeded, becaufe it is not con^
firmed with " Thus faith the Lord." Nor is it a jufl
Confequence from his Word ; for as the Lord's Supper
does not come in the Room of the PalTover, as d e-
PENDING on the fame Inflitution ; fo neither does
Eaptifmcomeia the Room of Circumcifion as depend-
ing on the famelnftitutioH, but is founded on the ex-
prefs Command of God in the New Teflament, which
is inftitutive of it j and therefore to be adminiflred to nd
ether Subjeds, but according to the Order of the Infli-
tution : Tho' Mr. F. without any Authority from
Chrift, and without due Regard had to the different Dif-
penlations. Laws and Order of God refpeding each of
thefe Ordinances, of his own Head concludes° that W
fants are to be baptized. Says he, «' Baptifn depends on
ihe fame Inf'ittitvM^ and is to be adminiflred to the f ami
Bubjeds in kind., that Circumcifon was adminijired to.'*
Anf. Mr. F. tells us,' That *' Any one can foftively
iiffcrt a Thing ; but it is the Property of a manly ^ and fair
Difputant, to prove vjhat he fays.". ^Doubtlefs it is fo,
for he has not cited any Text to prove this AfTertion ;
neither can he, for it is indeed prooflefs ; nay, it is fuch
an Impofuion on common Senfe, and luch a bold con-
fronting of div:ne Truih, that Error itfelf might well
biufh to affirm it. . ,
The Inflitution of Circumcifion W8 find in Gen. xvli.
which was in Force during the Continuance of the le-
gal Adminiflraticn, and was abolifhed with it. The In-
flitution of Baptifm in y<;/;/2 i. 33. Mat. xxviii. Now
keing the Cafe is thus, Mr. F. may know the Reafon
^h^^ I take fo little Notice of his Argument from their
funpofed Agreement 'ii\ feme Things ; for it concludes
not
[ 135 ]
not, as long as thefe two Ordinances depend on t5^q
diftinil Commands, and Diredions given who are the
proper Subjects of each. His arguing from an abrogate^
Law, to prove that any are the Subjeas of Baptifm (which
docs' not depend in Whole, or in Part, on that Law) who
are not mentioned in the Inftitution of Baptifm, does
not carry in it the leaft Convidion, nor any Shew of
Reafon with it. Could he fhew us one Gofpel Precept
for, or Example of, fuchkind of Baptifm as he pleads
for, it were fomething he fliould make fuch a Stir about
it J but as he has not, can he imagine we will receive
the Doarine he brings, which God does no where re-
quire us to believe ?
I obferved from Mr. Hutchinfon^ that were the Cafe
as they urge, yet the Countermand to circumcife Infants,
is a confequential and virtual Countermand to baptize
them. Mr. F. fays, " I cofifefs he has other fort of Lo-
g'lck than /, who can fee this to be an Argument ad Ho-
minem, unhfs he could aljo prove^ that zfje owned Infants
Church -memberpnp to be aboli/hed with Circumcifion ; but
this we never did:* It is obfervable, he has not refuted
Mr. Hutchinjon's Argument ; then if their Infants be as
they plead, yet there is not fo much as a confequential
Command to baptize them : " For if Infant Baptifm
was commanded in the Command for Circumcifion of Infants y
then by Analogy {for Contrariorum, Contraria eft ratio^
Jnfant Baptifm mufi needs be abrogated and remanded^ in
the Abrogation and Remanding of Circumcifion" Mr,
Hutchinfon further juftly obferves, that Infants Church-
memberflbip is repealed, becaufe the fame Law that gave
Being to it, is repealed. The Sum of the Whole is, our
Opponents fancy (without Scripture Evidence) that
their Infants are Church-members, and then with-
out any Command from the Law or Gofpel (as they
have yet fhewn) proceed to baptize them : Thus one
Error of theirs is produdive of many more. May the
Time be haftened, wherein they fhall be freed from the
Fetters of Tradition, to embrace the Gofpel Truthg
they now vehemently oppofe and rejedl.
Here I would a(k Mr. F. why he did not juftify the
Author ©f the Diilogue, according t9 bis Promife. Page
I 4 55'
t i3» ]
55. from the Abfurdity I charged on his Argumpnt*
1 hat th6 fame Medium, whereby that Author would
prove the Baptifm of Infants, ferves to as good Purpofb
to prove the Communion of Infants ^Ifo.
I obferved, among other Particulars, that Infants are
no ways capable of Baptifm, as they were of Circum-
cihon^j that left a Sign in the FJefh, this does not. He
Jays, «' This Argument Socinus ufed long ago."— But ii
Jt is a good Argument, it may not be rejeaed becaufe
Aocwus ufed It : Had it been otherwife, probably Mr, F
vrould^have fomething better to objcd, than his Quefti-
tion, " Jre Infants more capable to be cut with a Knift.
than wajhedwith Water f" A Cut with a Knife, left a
b.gn in the Flefh, which is the Thing affirmed ; but
Water does not :- -Therefore, he that is wafhed in hi*
infancy knows nothing of it, but by Hear- fay, and that'
Js uncertam, and cannot ia Faith in the adorable Tri-
^'^^ which is conftantly required in all the Subjefls of
this Ordinance, at their Reception of it : But in the
former it was not. ~ ' -
We have now followed him to the End of the Argu-
ments he propofed : Then he proceeds to make feveral
^Attempts, but in vain, to anfwer ours for Believers
liaptifm, deduced from thofe Places of Scripture which
defignedly fpeakof the Ordinance, i. Says he, ''Our
Opponents themfehes mujiown that thofe Scriptures (name-
ly Matt. 111. 6. Matt, xxviii. 19. Mark xvi. 16. &c )
they fo much urge, are addrefed only to grown Perfons, and
not to hfantsr I anfwered, this we do own, and there-
^re obferved, that that Baptifm which does not require
laith and Repentance to precede it, is not a fcriptural
i^aptifm ; and fuch is theirs. I further enquired what
IS It that bhnds their Eyes, that they fhould think In'-
fant Baptifm to be right, when they themfelves can't
find any fuch kind of Baptifm in the whole Word of
God ? Again I obferved, That Mr. F. according to his
own Way of Reafoning, has no Authority from Chrifl'
to baptize Infants ; for in the Commiffion Teaching is
/et before Baptizing, and this is one of the Places he
pleads refers to grown Perfons, and not to Infants. Who
thejn
[ ^Vl ]
^ben can forbear pitying them, who endeavour to vinr
dicate fuch a Caufe, which pleads Scripture Authority in
|ts Favour, and yet no Precept nor Example can be
whence produced to juftify it : My Obfervations here
feem'd not at all pleafing to Mr. F, and fince he could
|iot refute them, he turns himfelf about, and fays, " Ihat
1 have urged his Repetition of this ObjeSiioriy as a ConceJJion
in our Favour J" Anf. Had he but that Meafure of Can-
dour ahd Judgment, which he is willing his Readers *
fhould believe he has, he would not once infinuate,
much lefs affirm this, fo contrary to Truth, in Vindica-
tion of his former Anfwers ; and then as invidiouflyas
groundlefly infmaate, that in this my prefent Anfwer, I
will prove he hath yielded the Caufe, from his repeating
my A/Tertions in his Vindication. Now the Reafon of
all this is, becaufe I urg'dhis answer to our Objection
(which he would have us own) as a Conceffion in our
Favour. Can any thing be more unfairly and unjuftly
reprefented, than he does the Cafe here ? His own
Words are quite apt on this Occafion ; *' It is a fad
EvidencBy that Humour fways one more than Confcience or
Judgment, when he grows peevif) becaufe the Reafoning is
unanfwerable." And further, in his own Words, fuitably
improved, '' IVe have Right to demand —that he would ei-
ther give up his Caufe, or folidly refute the Arguments offer-
id againji it.— But if he fiill intends to carry the Point by
Clamour, perfonal RefieSiions, and magijlerial JJfertions,
I then befeech Chrijlians, both Prefbyterians and others, by
oil that Love they profefs to God, and to his holy Word^
that they reje£l fuch fcripturelefs, and therefore indefenfi^
tie Principles, with Detejiation" Let them fearch for
Truth, and receive it in the Love thereof, as it is re-
vealed in the Gofpel.
I reply 'd to the fecond Branch of his Anfwer, that
thofe Scriptures {Mat. iii. 3-—) contained an Addrefs to
the Pharifees and Sadducees, who were then in Abraham^
Covenant, and had a Right to have their Children cir-
cumcifed ; and obferved the ill Teridency of our Oppo-
nents Opinion : Mr. F. fays, all this is becaufe I do not
Knderftand the Ufe of }iis Diftin6ijon— of a two-fol4
kcin^
[ 138 ]
being in the Covenant. But can it be of any Ufe to
him, had I put in the Word Vifihle P and fay, thofe
grown wicked Perforis were vifibiy in the Covenant of
Grace, and yet at the fame Time vifibJy Unbelievers ;
for he fays they were not Chriliians^ and ranks them
with PaganSy which he every where fays, are out of the
Covenant of Grace: Ho\y little does he mend the Mat-
ter by this Obfervation f ' '
In my Reply to the thircj Part of his Anfwer, I (hew-
ed what it is to gather a Gofpel vifible Church, and
who are Members of it, even thofe who are inftru£ted
by the Minjftry of the Word, and are baptized on Pro-
feffion of their Faith, ^c. in Proof hereof, I cited fe-*
vera! Scriptures, and gave divers Reafons why Infants
cannot be Members in the Gofpel Church : Mr. F. af-
ter his ufual Manner, inftead of refuting my Remarks,
charges me with begging the Queftion :" When I meet
with this Charge fo often, ' I look upon it only as a
mean Shift he makes ufe of, to evade the Force of my
Arguments, and a Sign they are unanfwerable ; How-
ever, fince I have fhewn the New-Teftament Church
was made up of profeffing Believers, and none elfe that
we can find, it becomes him, in Vindication of his
Pradice, to fliew that there were Infants baptized, and
admitted Members of the apoftolical Churches, and fo
oblige himfelf to anfwer my Remarks j or elfe let him
ceafe from making an empty Noife to evade the Force
of our Arguments ; for here, once for all, I declare my
felf not offended with keen argumentative Reafonings,
but with groundlefs Charges, mean Shifts, and clamo-
rous Outcries, wherewith his Performance does beyond
Meafure abound ; I expecSl fomething more than his
bare Aflertion, that the Jewl/h Church was every Way
parallel to the Defcription I have given of the Chrijiian
Church, before I {hail think it worth while to confute
fuch a felf evident Abfurdity,
In reply to the fourth Part of his Anfwer, which was,
** That there is a I^fference between the fir ft Inftitution
tf an Ordinance^ and the continued Adminijiration of it
afttrvMrds'* He inftances in the Cafe of Circum-
cifion
L ^39 1
cifion---! obfervcd, " That this is not a ■parallel Cafi,
'for the Circumcifton of Infants was exprefly commanded ai
the firjl InjJitution of that Ordinance^ and agreeable
thereto^ Abraham and all his HoiiJJiold were circurncifed
the f elf 'fame Day^ according to God's Order : But there
%va% no fuch Things either in the firjl Injirtution of Bap-
tifmy or in the continued Jdmiyiiji ration of it aftenvards.'*
He pretends, " He is not looking for an Injlitution of
Infant- Baptifm here " and tells us, " He has Jhewn
that already." But I am very free to fay, he has not
fhewn it in any Part of his Writings, which I have feen,
nor direded us to any Place of Scripture where it may
be found ; it is therefore an unwarrantable Impofition oii
his Readers, for him to affirm it j and an infufFerablc
Abufe of holy Scripture, to father his Opinion of Infant-
baptifm upon it, which it does no where own, nor in any
Place (hew a divine Inflitution for it. Says he, ** JVIH
it follow^ that this is a good Argument, viz. Parents mujf
firfl be initiated^ therefore their Children are excluded ?'*
Anf. We do not fay, that the Initiation of the Parents
is the Caufe of their Childrens Exclufion :• --But we
fay, Abraham's Children were circumcifed by Virtue of
(jod's Commandj and had there been no Command for
it, they would not have been circumcifed, tho' Abraham
tvas initiated, unlefs it could be fuppofed, that Abraham
paid fo little Regard to God's Commands, that he would
do what was right in his own Eyes, whether he was
commanded or not. And as there is no Command of
God, for baptizing Infants, they are not to be baptized,
tho' their Parents be, until they grow up, and are capa-
ble of profcifing their Faith alfo ; unlefs we fhould a<5t
without any divine Order, and plead in our own De-
fence, that we have as good Ground, without a Com-
mand, to baptize them, as Abraham^ when commanded,
had to circumcife them. But fince Circumcifton and
Baptifm do not depend on the fame Command, as al-
ready obferved, this Argument then, and not Mr. F's,
concludes univerfally, that in religious Worfhip, Man-
kind at all Times, and on all Occafions, are to obferve
and follow God's Order and Cotnniands, and not their
[ 140 ]
own Appointments ; for nothing pleafes him, but what
he hath commaaded in his Woid. His groundlefs In-
finuation at the End of this Paragraph, I rank among
nis frequent Shifts to help on his Caufe.
He proceeds to his Argument, to which he fays thefe
foregoing Obfervations were preparatory j and it runs
thus, Page 64. " Now it is a plain Way of Reajonin^,
that which would be the mojl proper Addrefs, even tho' In-
fants were defigned to he included, cannot pojjibly prove
ihemto be excluded-, but to require Profejfton of Faith from
the Parents in order to Baptifm, was the moji proper, even
tho their Infants were defigned to be included, therefore;'
&c in order to (hew tl>e Invalidity of this Argument,
lobferved, it does with greater Force of Reafon and
Scripture turn in our Favour, fince it cannot be made
appear, that another Kind of Addrefs could have been
more properly ufed, than that which was ufed when In-
fants were defigned to be excluded from Baptifm, and
chiefly infifted on the CommifTion : Hence I required
him to fhew, that the Order of the CdmmifTion, where-
in Teaching is fet before Baptizing, is to be obferved only
Xi^ith regard to unchriftianiz'd Jews^nA Pagans? Which
he has not done. Pray, is there one Commiffion for
baptizing the adult Jews and Pagans, and another for
baptizing Infants? I urged him to fliew, what Ground
he has to lay afide the Order of the CommifTion, when
he is concerned with adminiflring Baptifm to the nu-
merous Offspring of Believers ? But I have received no-
thing like an Anfwer : I infifled, that the CommifTion
IS the flated unvariable Rule to Miniflers in the Execu-
tion of their Truft, throughout all Ages -, which he has
not refuted, and yet pretends his Argument is very forci-
ble and unanfwerable ; and charges me, after his ufual
Civility and Candour, with Nonfenfe and Contradidion,
Shifting and Sculking : But if I do fhift and fculk, it
jn"''^^?.""'^^'' ^^^ Covert of Truth, which feems to
dilturb him pretty much, becaufe he cannot readily get
at me ; by fhewing that the CommifTion requires fome
to be baptized, before they are firfl taughf, or capable
pi being taught: Now, unlefs he could do this, his
Areu-
[ HI ]
Argument falls to Pieces with its own Weight. Hovr>
ever at length he comes to his ufual Way of Refutation,
and charges me with begging the Quedion j his Ex-
preflions are thefe, *' PFhat he fays en Mat. xxviii. ig.
wh;re Teaching is fet before Baptizing^ is only a begging
the ^ejiion in Debate: I could argue for Infant- baptifm
from the fame Text^ but he has not anfwered zvhat is offer ^
edfrom ity in the Dialogue., which he pretends to refute**
To this I reply, when Mr. F. charges me here with
begging the Queftion, he is certainly obliged to make
appear that the Commiffion requires fome to be baptized
who are not iirft taught the Dodrines of the Gofpel,
ilor capable of being taught, which he has not yet done,
or elfe my Adherence to the Order of the Commiffion
refpecling all the Subjedls of Baptifm, cannot in Juftice
be called a begging the Queftion. He tells us indeed he
can argue for infant- baptifm from this Text : Very like
he can, for he does not feem fo much at a Lofs to raife
Arguments, as he is to find a good one ; all that I have
yet feen of them in favour of his Pradice, prove either
too much or too little, and fo nothing to his Purpofe :
But he ought to remember * he would have us own, that
Mat, xxviii. 19, 20. refers to grown Perfons, and not
to Infants ; it is therefore not very probable, he can ar-
gue from the Commiffion in favour of his Pradice, con-
fiftent with what he has urged before ; however when he
does, we (hall fee whether his Arguments will be an/
better than the fenfelefs Affertions in the f Dialogue,
that the Word Matheteufate does not fignify to teach.—
" This Commijfton Jhould be underjfood, as requiring the
Minijlers of the Gofpel to make all Nations Difciples, by
baptizing thefn'* But how any One can be a Difciple of
Chrift, who is not capable of being inflruded by the
Doarines of Chrift 3 or, that Baptifm is the Mean
Ivhereby all Nations, whether unbelieving Jews or Pa-
gans, without previous Inftru£lions, are to be made the
Difciples of Chrift, neither the Author of the Dialogue,
nor Mr. F. hath as yet made appear. Indeed if the Cafe
* Charit. Plea, Page 64, &c;
t Divine Right, Pages 29, jo.
, L 142 J
lic thus, there is no Need to teach or difciple any uy
the Miniftry of the Gofpel, before Baptifni at all > nay,
it were wrong to do it ; cur Opponents may go forth-
with, and baptize all the Pagans they can find : If they
lay there is, I afk, Why fo ? When that Author affirms,
the Word Mathetetifate , does not fignify to teach ; and
that the Commiffion requires all Nations to be difcipled
by Baptifm. But if the Canimiffion requires fome to
be taught previous to.Baptifm, as Mr. F. at Times
fcems to grant, why not ail ? Is there any fuch Diffe-
rence in the Words of the Commiffion ? Is it a mere
leaden Rule, and a moveable Dial, that may be bent and
turn'd which Way they pleafe ? Does the Commiffion
fay. Teach the Pleathens before they are baptized, but,
baptize Infants before they are taught? There is no fuch
Difference therein,' ,• But as it prefcribss teaching before
baptizing, or to difciple by teaching; the Argurnent
therefore corxludes fully, 5?,1I that the Commiffion re-
quires to be baptized/ it requires them to be firll taught,
Mark xvi. 15, 16. Seeing it is the ftated invariable Rule
given by Chrift to his MInifters, in the Execution of
their Office throughout all Ages 5 which Mr. F. has not
deny'd, and yet pretends, to be adminiflring Baptifni,
contrary to the Order of this flated unvariable Rule.
He is therefore obliged to (hew his divine Authority iot
laying afide the Order of this Cpmmiffion in the Cafe
of Infant- baptifm ; or eife produce another from Chrifl
for his Pradice : But if he does neither^' I Ihall fiill
affirm, the Commiffion is fitted for every Age of the
Church, to the End of Time, and the Order therein
defigned by our Lord to be obfcrved in Refjpeft' of Be-
lievers Offi;pring, as much as in gathering Churches froni!
amongftunchriitianiz'd Jews zw^Fagans; and further, un--
lefs he does one of thefe, I fliall not fcruple always to calf
this aforefaid Argument of his, a mere Jingle of Words;,
nor fhall have any Reafon to alter my prefent Sentiment,'
that he has no Authority from God to baptize Believer*
Infants ; and for him to abufea Gofpel Ordinance, is a
Crime not to be winked at; efpecially when there-
by he ufech the facred Name of the glorious Trini-
ty,
t 143 ]
ty, in a Way not appointed in the Word of God, which
can be nothing ftiort of taking his holy Name in vain.
In Page 65. he charges my Argument to be fallaci-
ous ; bt:t llnce he has already urged, that thofe Places
of Scripture which require a Profeffion of Repentance
and Faith, are addrefs'd to grown Perfons, and not to
Infai^s ; and feeing he has not given us any Inflances of
Perfons baptized without thefe Qualifications, or flievvn
from Scripture that any fhould ; he cannot juftly fay my
Argument is but the old Fallacy, a dl&o fecundum quid,
ad diJium fimpliciter ; nor cite Scripture with that
Defign. It is not faid in 2 Thef. iii. 10. he that cannot,
but if any ivould not wori^ neither JJ)ould he eat, which
is nothing to his Purpofe, Rom. x, 9. hath been conii*
dered already, and turned againft him. ' "
Mr. F. imagines, *' He can preach all the fame Doc-
trines the Apoftlei preached^ when gathering Churches^ per-
fectly confifimt with his Principle of Infant Baptijm ;" i. e.
* were he to preach among the Pagans But the
Queftion is, can he preach all the fame Dodrines the A-
portles did, perfedlly confiftent with his Principle of In-
fant Baptifm among the Offspring of Churches gather-
ed ? Can he fay to the Offspring of his Church-mem-
bers, Repent, and be baptized ? &c. If not, i defire to
know, had the Apoftles two Sorts of Do£lrine, and two
different Commii^ions, refpedting the Subjects of Bap-
Jifm ? One to fuit the gathering of Churches, and tba
other to fuit the Infant Offspring of Churches gathered :
The one for baptizing converted Gentiles on Profeffion
6f Faith, the other for baptizing Infants without any
J)revious Qualification ? For my Part, I know of no
?uch Diverlity of Dodlrinesand CommilBons once men-
tioned in holy Scripture. 'Tis beyond Doubt, there is
t\o Confiftency between his Principle and the Do6lrine
of the Apoftles : Their Doilrine conftantly requires
Previous Qualifications in all the Subjefis of Baptifm.
His Principle requires many to be baptized without thofe
Qualifications. Hence it is very plain, that the apofto-
.hcal Baptifm, and the Pre/bytsrian Baptifm, do effentialiy
differ
* Charit. Plea, Page 69,
[ 144 ]
fl.ffer. Now fince his Employ (as to the Adminiftrati-
en of the Ordinance) is chiefly among the Offspring of
ProfefTors, he is obhged to produce this unknown Com-
m./Tion for his Pradice j or no longer put us ofF with
this mean Shift of his, - 7hat were hi to preach among the
pagans, he does not fee how he could amid [peaking to them
in the Strain of the above quoted Scriptures j" as if the
fame Dodrine and Com miffion were calculated and fit-
ted only for the gathering ofChurches from among the
pagans ; but muft be inverted, and differently under-
Itood, to anfwer the Circumftanccs of Believers Offspring
r>u ' n '^/^'''^ently appears, the fame were defigned by
Chrift to fland invariably in Force in all Ages, and on
aJl Lonfiderations ; and thofe Principles which lead to a
^radtice inconfiflent with the Order of his CommifTion
do certainly deviate from the Gofpel of Chrif!. Such
kind of Resfoning which Mr. F. ufes here, does not de-
ferve the leaft Remark by way of Refutation ; I fliould
therefore have pafTed it by with the fame Difregard as be-
fore, had he not triumphed in it as an unanfwerable
Argument.
^ It is fcarcely worth while I fhould flay to deaf
" the Honour of my UnderJJanding," from the trifling A f-
perfion Mr. F. endeavours to cafl upon it in the next
Paragraph, " Ihat it cannot dijiinguijl) between an Objc£tioh
and a Medium, to prove an Argument :" What I called an
Objeaion, was in Imitation of Mr. F. who very like
can readily diftinguifh the one from the other. But had
It Anted him, he might find fomething in this fame Pa-
ragraph which more particularly called for his Attention
than what he noticed, which is as follows ; " // may bi
ebferyed, that it is not unfafe nor dijhonourable to imitate
Chrijl, the great Captain of our Salvation, viz. That one
come to years of Vnderflandingjhould be the SubjeSi of this
facred Ordinance, which accords very well with his Ex-
ample, and is petfeiJly agreeable to his revealed Mind and
^^ili:' I can't make any thing of his infinuating it to
be a Maxim of mine, *' Throw a great deal of Dirt
endfo7ne of it will flick ," but that be is a doing by this!
the }fery Thing he would expgfe.
I biv?
. f 145 1
. I have followed him again to the End, of the/e Argu-
ments, which he pretends to deduce from Scripture, in
Oppofition to ours, to favour his Practice, and think I
may venture \ery freely to fay, they do not conclude for
him : Nor has he in the whole Gourfe of this Debate,
produced any Inftitution of Infant-baptifm ; therefore it
is but juft whgre it was; a Principle not fhewn to be
founded on divine Authority, and, as fuch, not worthy
of any Regard.
He next proceeds to Antiquity, and profefles himfelf
to be very ignorant of the Reafon why I remark'd, that
\yhilrf our Opponents endeavour to (hun one Extream,
they fall into another : But it requires no profound Pe-
netration to obferve, that whilft, on the one Hand, they
would avoid building Matters of Faith on the Tefii-
mony of the Fathers, they run, on the other, to father
their Opinions on the Scripture, which it does not
own. . • ''y.- ,...• ' ,, . . _ . .,.
- Our Author fays, " His Vnhappinefs in dealing xmth
me^ isy that he cannot have all his Arguments every
ivhere." This 1 dilTent from, and think his Unhappi-
iiefs is, that he cannot have bis Arguments pertinent to
the Matter in difpute any .where. Says he. Page 66.
*f If the Church immediately after the ApojUes baptized
InfantSy I think.it amounts to Proofs that they learned it
from the. Apofiles. ,,A general Defeliion never came ia
piifs at once." . Anf. Suppofe the Church immediately
after the Apofcles had done fo, yet it would be but a
very flender Proof, that the Dodrine of Infant baptifm.
was learjned from theApoftles; efpecially confidering
what Mr. F. himfelf affirms. Find. Page ico, which ia
very argumentative, and full to the prefent Purpofe^
viz. *' That there were many Abominations in the primi^
tive Church, notwithjldinding their Opportunity to knozu
the ApclUes Do5irine and Praaice."* This Charader
which he gives of the primitive Church, befpeaks, that
in many Cafes, the Dodrine and Practice of the Apo-
itles were not enquired after, or if tney were known,
yet they were not received and pradifed : Now if this
Account b? true, it follows, the Pradice of the primi-
K tive
L i4f> J
tive Church is not to be depended on In any Vartlciiht
as apoflolical, unlefs that Particular be taught in the
Scriptures, which Infant- baptifm we find is not; we are
therefore laid under a Neceflity of ranking Infant- bap-
tifm fon the Suppofition they held itj among other Abo-
minations of thofe early Times, according to our Au-
thor's own Way of Talking, nothwithftanding the Op-
portunity they had to know the Apoftles Do^rine and
fraftice of Believers Baptifm. But pafTing this Suppo-
fition, it is obfervable, from the ConcefTions of the Pa-
dobaptijis thtmfelves, that there are no Footfteps of In-
fant-baptifm to be found in the two firft Centuries after
Chrifl ; this Mr.. * Baxter himfelf, who was, in his Day,
t warm Defender of Infant -baptifm, it feems, could not
gainfay. , Inflead of many more Searches into Antiquity
that might be mentioned, I fhall cite the Words of Cur-
eellaus^ a French Proteftant Divine ; Says he, f " The
Baptifm of Infants was hot known in the World the tW9
firjl Ages after Chriji j in the third and fourth^ it wat
approved by a ftw\ at length in the fifth ^ and following
Jiges^ it began to obtain in divers Places \ and therefore
tue obferve this Rite indeed as an ancient Cujiom, hut not
as an apoflflical Tradition.^' And further, as this learned
Author quotes him, *' That the Cuflom of baptizing In-
fants did not " begin before the third Age after ChriJl^ and
that there appears not the lea ft Footjlef of it in the two
firfl Centuries." But Mr. F. makes ufe of a rare In,-
vcntion to obviate the Force of this Argument, which
is. That the Silence of the firft Centuries, is a Proof
that Tnfant-baptifm was not then fo much as queftioned,
but taken for granted. But how does he know it was
then in Being, when there is no Mention made of it in
Scripture, nor in the Hiftory of the Church of the
firft Centuries.^ This is a fingular Kind of Proof indeed!
By this fame Rule he may prove any fuperftitious Practice
in after Ages to be apoftolical ; for inftance. Infants
Communion ; for if it is not mentioned in the firft Cen-
turies, it follows, according to him, it was then in Be-
ing
* Anti. Page loo.
f Se^ Mr. Stennet's Anfwer to RulTen, Page Sy.
■ [ 147 ]
ing, and not fo much as queftioned : Is this the Rcafoa
why he does fo often, in the Courfe of our Debate,
charge me with begging the Queftion ? He well knows
that I deny there were any Infants baptized in the Apo-
ftles Days, or for a confiderable Time afterwards : He
ought therefore, in favour of his Pradice^ to have fhewn
there were ; or elfe this kind of Talk of his will be
judged to be, as indeed it is, a begging the Queftion ;
and will belook'd on by judicious, impartial Readers, a
very plain Evidence, -that his Principles are indefenfible.
Says he, '■^ A general DefeSfion, never came to pafs at
ence.''* I do not know that I have any where faid, that
a Defe6t ion from the apoftolical Baptifm did generally
obtain at once ; but fuppofe it had, we know from Scrip-
ture, that a very general Defeilion from the Truth hath
happened in lefs than Two or Three Hundred Years »
witnefs the Cafe of Jlraelyfudg.n. lo-- 13. The fi-
ling Generation after '/o/?;?^^, and the Elders of Ifrael„
iorfook the Lord, and ferved Baal and AflHaroth. This
is a fad Inftance of a very general and fudden Defection*
Yea, more,, we have another Inftance of a general De-
feftion in much (horter TimC;, and more furprizing than
the former, which came to pafs in the Congregation of
JfraeU within the Compafs of Forty Days ; where event
Aaron himfelf, that holy Man, was perfonally prefent,
and active therein alfo, Exod. xxiv. 18. xxxii. 2-— 5.— -
And what are, Forty Days, in Comparifon of Hundreds
<bf Years ? Now. if fo general n DefetSlion overfpread the
Church, of IfrasU who had the Promife of God to be
with them,' Gen, xlvi. 3, 4. is it impoflible or unlikely,
that in the Space of Two or Three Hundred Years,
Menfliould deviate from the original Inftitution of Bap-
tifm, or that the Innovation of Infant baptifm fhould
creep into the Church ? Not at all. Again, I might
inftance another Defe£lion which happened in the
Churches of Galatia, even in PauVs Time; that he
marvels they were fo foon removed from him, that cal-
led them into the Grace of Chrift, unto another Go-
fpel : Therefore the Promife of Chrift, that he will be
"W'ith his Peopk always, cannot be uoderftood, as in-
K 2 sending
[ 143 ]
lending the Security of Profeffors from every Defe(SioTi ;
for iffo, then the Galatian Churches would not have fal-
len } much lefs does this Promife ferve our Opponents to
prove that Infant Baptifm is an Ordinance of Chrift ;
or elfe he muft be impeached by them of Unfaithfulnefs,
in not being as good as his Promife :. But dare any one
fay, that his Prefence is promifed to his Minilters or Peo-
ple, any further than they adt according to his Com-
mand j* Now fmce Infant Baptifm is not yet (hewn to be
commanded hy him, he fulfils his Promife without pro-
ving it to be right. Thd Manner of arguing from this
Promife, Mat. xxviii. 2o. which our Opponents make
ufeof, to prove Infant Baptifm, is the fame that f Papijis
ufe, in favour of their Church, to be the only true, in-
fallible, and apoftolical Church,
, ^ And as we have fo many Jnftances of fudden and ge-
neral Defections from the Truth, it appears there is no
Weight at all in Mr. jPs Argument : For in the Space
of Hundreds of Years, a very great Defedion from the
Apoftolical Pra<Slice, in adminiiiring Baptifm, might ob-
tain, unlefs Mr. F. will fhew the Church was vefted
with Infallibility. " Thi Faithful and fVife," (as he
words it) are not to be imitated in that, wherein it is
manifeft thev don't follow Chrift: King Joftah was far
from following Solomon, tho* ever fo wife, when he de-
filed the high Places that were before yerufaUm^ which
Solomon had built, 2 Kings xxrii. 13. Nor is the Con-
fcnt of a Number of liiem, a good prefumptive Proof,
that our Opponents underftand the Sciiptuies aright in
the Cafe before us, when it does not appear from facred
Truth that they muft be fo underftood. or that the a-
poftoiical Churches pra6)-ifed Infaiit Baptifm.
In Page 71. he thin ics, we " are jorely ftr aliened for
Argument^ when wefuppofe the whole Church to he ajleep
for Hundreds of Tears " What we fay, is plain enough, ac-
cordiiig to rhe Scripture, That Errors are generally intro-
duced mto tJje Church privily under a Cloak of feign-
ed Words : The Enemv takes the Advantage to fow
his Tares, while Men fleep, 2 Pet. ii. i, 2, 3. Mat.
xiii,
t Vt. WbUii Reply to Fifitrt Page 94, &c.
C 149 1
xiii. 25. Will Mr. F. have it, That the primitive
Church embraced ''^ many /Abominations " by Day lightp
with their Eyes open ? 1 his would be a ftrange Turn ot
Thought indeed, to imagine they received Errors when
they knew them to be fo ! I judge our Way of account-
ing for the Introdudion of Errors, is the moft agree-
able to Truth ; tho' he is willing to contradift, where
there does not feem the leaft Room for it. And when
Errors are once brought in, it is not eafy to get thenu
out, tho' many in the Church fhouldbe ever fo mucha-
"wake ; for if nothing elfe can jbe pleaocd in their De-
fence, Antiquity, and the Cuftom of the Faithful and
Wife in preceding Ages, will at length ht brought in
their Favour.
Says he, Page 66- " In fame Cafes the Cujlom of the
Church will afford an Argument^ I Cor xi. 16." Will
it fo ? But there are two Queftions which do hence na-
turally arife, i. What Church ? And, 2. In what
Cafes? which call on Mr F. for Solution. If even the
Cuftom of the primitive Church (wherein, as he fays,
there were many Abominations) affords an Argument
to warrant the Reception of any Article or Pradlice in
Religion, which is not taught in Scripture; then, O
brave Papijis I they are certainly in the right, to cry
up the Cuftom of the Church, and urge the necefTary
Qbfervation of their unwritten Traditions; and it a.ull
be Self- willed nefs or Obftinacy in Mr. F. to withftand
them, if the Cafe be thus: If not, then the Cuftom.
of Infant Baptifm muft be rejeded alfo, on the fame
Ground whereon' other unfcriptu^al Cuftomsare rejedted.
He refers us to Epiji. ad Ro?n. and the 14th Homi-
ly on Luke, for Proof of his Aftertion, thzt Ireneus fays,
'* The Church learned from the Apodles te baptize Chil*
dren.'*' But this does notanfwer what was demanded ; the
Queftion yet remains, are thefe Pieces reputed genuine I
He has not (hewn they are ; nor removed thofe juft
Grounds which give Room to conclude, that Ireneus \%
abufed ; for had there been fuch PafTages, Mr. WaU
would not have neglefled them, " in his ColleSiion of.
A.Lhfuch Parages in the Writers of the four firji Cen-
K 3 turi^Ss
[ 15^ ]
turies, as do make for Infant Baptlfm:* which would hav«
•been much more to his Purpofe than any Thing he ha?
c.ted from Ireneu^, But fince he has, if ther? be any
Wn?t .S ^"^'" \^V-^d, let Mr. iT. produce fuch
l:^ht±'''''l ! ^^ ""'. °^ ^ny .Writers that
im-.!^^ ft/r .• r I ' ■'^ • '•"'■c's tnat ever
make Mention of them or have ever cited any Paffa^e
froni them, but himfelf ; and not give us what is found
in Ongen, ^a Jater Writer, Com. on Rom. Ghap.
Fnl ?; ^' F u '7?- ?"^ ^" the 14th Homily on Luke,
¥o\ 100. for Proof of ^his abovefaid AfTertion, inftead
or Ireneus,ij>\i'iy- -.i ■ - .•! ; ,•
That Citation out of* /ri«mr which ?Jr.>. fays is
plain to his Purpofe, appears nothing fo ; not only be-
came the Part oi the Chapter whence it is taken, h
judged t fpunous ; but becaufe it is only a Suppofition
that Baptum is meant by Regeneration in the PJace re-
Jerred to,^wh.chis far from being an Evidence that In-
fants were then, bapdzed.u But in order, to make this
S^uppofition pafs with better Face, he fays, '' The tri,
mttve Fathers by Regeneration ufually mean Baptlfmr
Dr. G^/.obferves on the hkeOccafion, ♦' 'Tis, I think,
one of the mojl groundlefs Ajfertiom lever met wi;h j for\
on the contrary, ^ mihhg^^ is more common than to take this
fHrd (regenerate) -in a quite different Senfe, and I don't
believe It ts ever fa much as once ufed in the antieniejl Ttmes
JorBapfm, at leaji not till their Zeal for Infant Bap.
trr'^,''^ /;,,, a.at Abfrdity, which was not near
thu Time of St. Ireneus." ~ ., % »• .
Jtl^fTT '^ ^^'' Citations, he fays, " Bylraditi-
ontheAnUents meant the Word of God itfef -/fa the A-
tojtle calls It. 2 Thef ii tc " R..^ ..,\. j l
hv ir ? Tc .1. I. ^- ^"t what does he mean
by It ? Is there a Part ef the Word of God unwrit-
ten concerning any Article of Faith, or Point of O-
Sl "to 'r'r.'^"'^ '^ ^^""'^ '' ^^-^'^ ^-- the A.
poftcstothe Church to be obferved in after Ages?
Will he, ,n Favour of Infant Baptifm, gratify the pL/ls
[^e'ef; "rf ^'"^ ^"^'1'"^ ^'"'^ thisVext', as t^^f;
t^^ere is ? If not, to what Purpofe does he tell us how
* Lib. 2. Chap 39. a- D,. Ga/e.Ut. 12. ^ ^
[ '5' ]
the Antients called itj if they meant no other by Tra-
dition than the written Word, when the Point in Con-
troverfy cannot be found m the apoftoHcal Writings, nor
any where elfe in the written Word of God ? Muft h?
be told again, Jhat we pay little Regard to any Praaice
handed down ^under the fpecious Title of Tradition A-
poflolical, which is not mentioned or exprefTed in holy
Scripture ? And for this Reafon' W5 difregard Infant
Baptifm, whatever elfe may be pretended in its Favour.
He cites PafTages out of Cyprian and Jugujiine :—
But it muft be obfervcd, that it very mu^h leffens the
£fteem of their Teftimonies in Favour of Infant Bap-
tifm, when it is confidered, they were alfo for f Infants
Communion, and accordingly admitted Infants to the
Sacrament of the Supper. Nay, Jugujiine -drgned thzi
Infants could not have Salvation without it, abufing
John vi. 35. to that Purpofe. And according to Biftio^
■f Taylor, " Call' d the communicating of Infants^ an apo*
Jiolical Tradition." Pray what Credit is to be given to
the Teftimony of fuch Men, or what Dependance cari
we make on their Judgment, " WIjo held many fuch ri-
diculous Opinions, zvhichasMr.^ Dickinfon/^yx, would
no%v expofe a Man to tht Contempt and Scorn of the World^
ifhejhould make a Prefejfmi of them f" If our Opponents
are for aguing from the Teftimony of the Fathers in the
one Cafe, why not in the other? Why don't they be-
lieve them to have been right in communicating Infants,
as well as in baptizing them ? Or can it be fuppofed,
they were not as well acquainted with Church Hiftory
in refpedof one Sacrament, as of the other ? Methinks
it might be a fufHcient Reafon to raife Sufpicion in our
Opponents themfelves, that the Fathers might be wrong
With refpedl of Infant Baptifm, when they can't be
dear'd of countenancing the Introdudlion of fuch aa
erroneous Praftice, refpeding the Sacrament of the Sup-
per. Further, why has not Mr. F. freed his Argument
from the Abfurdity I charged on it. That by the fame
K4 Rule,
*Monf. LaRoque's Hift. of theEuchariit,Pagcs X27, J2S<:
•f Lib of Prophefy, Page 119.
§ Doftiine of Keffcn, Vind. Page 56;
[ 152 Jl
Rule, jvhereby he would prove Infant Baptifm dl4 nqt
lln.r" ' ^P°«^^\^-y^' one migh?as well prove
Infants Communion to be a Relift of Chr.ft.anity too,
as old as the Apoftles ? - For [in his o^n Words) Vadt
begun ftnce.jtuh a grand Innovation and Schifm would cer.
tajnly l^ve been taken notice of, and the Htjlories of that
Jge wherein tt began, would have been full of it • We
ttif T' r^^^/J-'- ^^^^« it h-fpened would have
h.entn our chronological Tables-: We would have had th,
nectftons of Councils again/lit, and might have readVo^-
iumesofDijpute upon it." But we have fuffic.ent Ground
^ udge, that Infants Baptifm, and their Communion, are
both wrong whe,. there are no Foot-fteps of either to
be found tnfacredH.ftory; therefore the/n.uft h ve b !
ieem to have been born much about the -fame Tiaie 5
Iho one happens to be longer liv'd than the other. .
*.. r' ^;? ^^P ''' ", *^'^'^>* P'^'^'^P^' ^^thers could
not be mijlaken about the Prance of the Church for .n
l^undred and fifty Years before them, which will reach t.
the immediate Succeffors of the Jpo/iles." An{ What-
toThfp'ir r^l the Praaice'of the Church, is Ik le
to the Purpofe unlefs he could fhew they d.d .nvariably
follow the Praa,ce of the Church in the precedin<. A<>es •
for he himfelf allows, there were manv A Ur mi •
♦fif. r^r.-nr,;..- /^u ' ^^ ^^^'^^ *^3ny Abommations in
r,;^/ I '^^r^' notwithftandine their Opportu-
J.ty to know the Apoftks, Dodrine and P.-adlice
Moreover, he quotes Or;:^.« with, a Defign. fo' prove
i We ; """ ^^- baptized 5 but I thm\ to no grm
the ^Latm Tranflations of Qrigen are very - corrupt ;
therefore no A r(T„m^r.^ o.„ k„ A , , •'1 . .. PI '
adcl.s, TheJameOnoen, ,„ Comment, on Matt, xvi.i
oVThtn.I n '^' ^"Sels begin their Guardian/kip
iZn-^^ ^Z' "" '^''' ^'^'f'^ <"■ Baptifm?''
infants m Age, by lutle Ones, but Men of humble Dif-
[ 153 ]
pofition?, or fuch as believe in Chilft. The QiieftioA
^ as Mr. f Wall renders itj is thus ; ** Then again, one
may enquire when it is^ that the Angels here fpoken of^ are
Jet over thofe little Ones^ foewed by our Saviour ? IVheihet
they take the Care and Management of them, from the Time
when they by the Wajhing of Regeneration, whereby they
were netu born^ doy as new born Babes, defire the fmcere
Milk of the Word, and are no longer fubjcii to any evil
Power ? Or from their Birth, according to the Fore know ^
ledge of God, td'c." Can any one imagine from hence,
that Origen intended Infants, by little Ones ? Are
they, when a Week or a Month old, capable of defiring
the fincere Milk of the Word ? Is it jufi: then in Mr.
■F. to force an Author to fpeak costrary to his Meaning ?
Should a Baptijl do fo, no Appellation would be too bad
for him j.-he would readily be called a miferable Pcrverter
of Authors, a Forger of Quotations, and what not ;
yet perhaps thofe, who are willing to (hew the leaft Fa-
vour to others, do yet expecEi the moft themfelvec. ■ I
bbferve Mr. i^. prefTeth in Tertullian alfo into his Service,
as holding Infant Baptifm ; and fays, he reafoned for
the Detay oi . Baptifm very weakly. But not fo weakl/
as Mr. K , would infinuate, when he excepts againft
baptizing of Infants, becaufe they are not capable of In-
ftruftions previous to Baptifm, nor of knowing Chrifl,
and defiring Salvation. Says he, " Let them come when
they are grown up ; let them come when they underjland ;
when they are inJlruSied whither it is that they come ; let
them be made Chrijiians, when they can know Chri/lJ'*
Why may not Mr. i^. as well fay, that I deny not the
Lawfulnefsof Infant Baptifm, when I require previous
Qiialifications in the Subjedls of this Ordinance, as to
fay, that Tertullian A\A not ? Neither is it reafonable to
to fuppofe that Tertullian was for Infant Baptifm, when
he cxprefly argues, that Infants (hould be grown up, and
inftrud^ed, betore they are baptized. Dr. Gale did not
fay, that Infant Baptifm began at the Council of Car-
thage, as Mr. F. infinuates; nor does my Quotation from
the Doftor, give any Ground for this Remark, to pre-
judice
I Ilifl. of Inf. Bapt. Page 33,
r 154 J
judice his Readers againft that learned Authpr. His
WorcJsare thefe, * -Thefirji Memlon we have of Infant
Bapujm, IS from thefe Cznh'^a;,n\^n Fathers, which makes
U very probable that it began firj} at Carthage ; it was
attempted tn Tertullur.'. Ttme, and he oppojed it Jirenu,
i>ufy. But notwithfianding, it took Footing there fiorth
^fter andwasvery common in St. CyprianV Time', and
^/. Auftin thought It an apofiolical Ir adit ion "
In Page 70. Mr. R feems difpleafed, that I fliould en-
praaned before Popery, and tells us, a very moderate
Judgment might difcern his Meaning. But I think a ve-
ry moderate Judgment may fee, that he was at a Lofs to
anfwer my Remark, which is, " If he means before ?o^^.
jy began to work, it is falfe, for the M^fery of Iniquity
began to work in Paul'. 7;;^., ^ Jhef/ii. 7. And nol
<an pretend to fhew any hjances of Infants baptized in
raui s lime. But if he means it was praSiifed before Pope-
^y came to its Height, fo were many other Errors alfo ',
er elje howjhould Popery come to its Height n--4nd what
o great Step towards the advancing of Popery in tht
fVorld, wastt, to hold, that to fuff^er the hfani to die un^
baptized was to endar.ger its Salvation.'^' ^Any'ond may
ice why he IS fo out of Humour j for fhould he fay,
infants Baptifm was pradifed before the Myftefy of Ini
quity began to work, he was obliged to (hew Inftances
of Infants baptized in PauPs Day, which he knew he
could not do : But if it was pradifed before Popery came
to Its Height, it would not fuit his Purpofe, nor free the
fw k7' \'T "^ '^"^^"^ ^"'^"g ^^he*- Corruptions
that helped Popery to its Height Therefore, without any
i>htvi; oi Reafon, when he could not turn himfelf to any
Advantage, he unjufiJy charges me, with " a Defire of
turning his IP or ds;" becaufe he could make nothing of
them to h.s Purpofe. Afrer all, there is Room to infer,
that I^ifant Baptifm is a Relid of Popery, and the chief
L.mb of that Man of Sin, that is retained among Pro-
teltants -, which loudly calls for a Reformation.
m. r Again,
* Letter ik. *' ^
!
'[ 155 ]
Again, he feems not at all pleafed, that we derive ouf
Onginal from Scripture, and deny them the Beginning
iof their Pradice therefrom— But as long as he has not
-ihewn, that we deviate from the Do6trineand Practice
'■of the Apoftles in the Cafe before us ; we have juft
-Ground to claim it as our Right, to be efteemed the
proper SuccefTors of the Apoftles, who hold the fame
X)o(Slrine as they did, ' and pra6tife accordingly.
« He is welcome to prove the Prejbyterian Sedl began
before the 15th Century, if he thinks proper.
He concludes, that no Society in the Church deny'd
Infant Baptifm, until within thefe lift Thiee Hundred
"Years. But he did not think proper to anfwer what was
obferved in the Appendix, *' That we have an undoubted
Account ef Debate made about Infant Baptifm in the Tear
1025. by Gundulphus and his Followers in Italy, tffc,
•which was at leaft Thres Hundred Tears before the Infuv
region of Munfter." ; ■
1 I might add, *^ The Tejlimony of Chaflanion, in his
Hi/lory of the Albigeois, as he is iranfated and cited^ by
the learned and worthy * Mr. Stennet." Says the Author,
-.— " The Truth is^ they (the Albegeois) didnot reje£i this
Sacrament^ or fay it was ufelefs ; but only counted it un~
neceffary to Infant s, hecauje they are not of Age to believe^
or capable of giving Evidence of their Faith. - That which
induced them (as I fuppofe) to entertain this Opinion, is
what our Lordfayst Thatheikd^X. believeth, and is baptized,
fhall be faved ; but he that believeth not, fhall be dam-
ned." Mr. f 5,'^««(?/ obfervcs,- * Whoever will take the
Fains to perufe the learned Dr. Allix, his Remarks on the
anticnt Church /j/Piedmont^ vjill find divers Paffages that
may confirm what has been faid, and make appear that In'
font J^aptifn was oppofcd by perhaps the pureji Churches
that were then in the IVorld^ fome Hundreds of Tears before
the Time Mr. R, (or Mr. Finley either) ajfignsfor thefirji
Rife of the A.i\2ih2igi\iis. §
Hence
* Anfwer to Rujen, Pages 81, 82. f lb. Page 84.
^ Whoever has a mind to fee this Argument handled at
large, let him read Mr, Stennet's Anfwer to Rujfen ; Mr
Du'vye's Baptifm of adult Believers vindicated ; and Ur-
I ^56 ]
• K^""^^^'5,^eryobrervablehow]ittIe Force there h
- Mr Fs Defiance, - To^w any Perfins^ UTZJd
damned by the Church." How fmall a Matter is it to be
trom fcnptural Bapt.fm crept into the Church : when
cul "r"h'^ '".' r''^'"' ^°^-^' wh.ch always re"
quire. F.,th and Repentance in Perfons, in order to
Bapt.fm, does, from the Beginning, reali; and aaJal v
. °PPf and exclude the concfarv Doarine,^which Teach!
es that Perfons may be baptized, who do neither epcnt
nor beheve, as m the Cafe of Infants. ^ ^
Heimagmej, '\That I amunavoidally reduced to ac
knowledge either that Chriji had no vifihl Church at all
Lfp A ("" T' '^^"'^ "^^"^^f'^d Years, or elf ol
m de^ufe^ofT^^'^r'^^^'r ^^^^^^^^^ than he has
Tetalksof T n 'V'7 •''^"'■^'^ ^" ^° ^^'^ ' Choice as
fte talks of. t Dr. Goodwm .n the Place already referred
to, fpeak.ng of the Gofpel's being hid from Les and
9^''''''^% «bferves. - This Do^nne Tf thfhoZ^
r« thegreateji Glory ^ and the Riches oftheSereuTt
tvas objcured for more than a Thou/and Tears a fom
the very Apojlles Ttme. a Myjlery cf InZiyhUnZ
JVorld'' ^^^'^'':'\^^l[^ £^^^^brtjtianifm overfpread the
fcur'd'for f^r ^^!^^"^-"^^of the Gofpel wereob-
Icur d for fo long a 7 ,me, who can doubt but the Or-
tTT""1."Y ^""^^'^ werecorupted alfo, during the
tyrannical Ufurpat.on of Antichriftianity, ;hen all he'
World wondered after the Beaft.^ And I think it is far
Exa^.nr^f^HT""""'" '" ^'' ^'' Caufe, to plead the
±.xampleof thufe corrupt T.mes in favour of a Praaice
wh.chdefpa.rs of scripture Teft.mony to fupport ; or
^ .mpofe on the Credulous, by urging the p'rom-fes* of
ehr.lt, to prove either he had no vifiblc Church on^ 4
Prat' "'^'' '^'' '^^^ ^'^"^^^^ -^-^^ Doarine and 1
true vmbirrrP K^"'"^ 1° ^'^ Inftitutions, was the only
true viiible Church, and her Praaice warrantable. But
t Ami. Page 6^. "*
[ ^S1 ]
M that dark Time Chrift had his Witnefles, tho* few, and
clothed in Sackcloth, Rev. xi. 3. 1 fee no Reafon as
yet to wifh my Phrafes on this Head had been more mo-
deft, as Mr. F- infinuates ; but muft needs thmk, that the
Body of the Proteftant World, who plead for Infant Bap-
tifm, are ftrangely infatuated with it, when they profefs
to take the Scripture for their Guide in all Matters of
Faith and Obedience ; and yet embrace Infant Baptifm,
which is not once mentioned, nor fhewn to be intended
iny where therein. Now fuppofe we knew of none, in
the preceding Ages, who withftood the Corruption of
the Times in which they liv'd, which cannot be granted,
for I have given Inftanccs of the contrary already, and
more might be produced) it would not follow, that Chrift
did not make good his Promifes ; but had a Church oa
Earth, and was prefent with his People, tho' they were
ever fo obfcure, hid in Caves, i Kings xviii. 13. or fled
into the Wildernefs, Rev. xii. 14. and unobferved by
the World : And tho' we knew no more of them, nor
their Names, than Elijah did of the Seven Thoufand in
Jfrael, who had not bowed their Knee to Baal^ I Kings
xix. 14. Yet it no wife injures the Truth we profefs,
fmce it is undeniably revealed in holy Scripture ; any
more than Elijah's Unacquaintance with the Seven
Thoufand, proved Baal's Worftiippers to be right, or
elfe God's Promifes had failed to Ifrael. So that I may
Hill fay, that our reje<Sting Infant Baptifm, as a Corrup-
tion of the facred Ordinance of Jefus Chrift, does not
afford Mr F. thofe Abfurdities he would throw upon us ;
but only befpeaks, that we believe the^ Communities
of our Opponents to be far lefs pure, and unlike the a-
poftolick Churches, than our own ; which none can
juftly blame us for, until they rationally convince us of
the contrary,
Mr, F. m his Charitable Plea^ would have it, that the
Body of eminent Chriftians, Minifters, Reformers and
Martyrs, are on hib bide of the Queftion. But I obferv-
ed, that a Truth is not to be decided by Votes ; and {hew-
ed him, that we are before Hand with our Opponents in
the Cafe of Maxtyrs (if there is any 1 hing in that to the
prefent
L 15S ]
refent Purpofej they can fhew none who fuffered
Death for holding Infant Baptifm, as we can for denvintr
Jt. Mr._ FsNoife about this (like other Things) comet
to nothing j and does as good as telJ us, he can give no
Inftances iq the Cafe ; but fays, « // h not Death, but
theCauje of Death, that makes a Martyr,'' which he
would have uiobferve. . Well, this we have obferved ;
and when he cannot ihcw any one who fufFered Death
for the Caufe of Infant Baptifm, after all his Vaunts a-
bout his couragious Martyrs, he has not one Martyr on
his Side of the Queftion in Difpute •, whatever they
profefTed who were martyr'd, yet this was no Caufe of
their Martyrdom.—Hence By the Way it • appears,
whatever elfe may be laid to the Charge of the Anahap-
tijis, the PadobaptiJIs cannot charge them with ufing
the forcible Arguments of Fire and Sword to convince
them, as their Oppofers, on the other Hand, have done
with them.
Mr. F. is yet very unwilling to give up the Charge,'
That the Anabaptifts wert the wotjl Dregs of the Re-
farmation, the greatejl Reproach of it, and Impediment to
Its Progrefs ; and that not only in fome, but every Place
where they got Footing:' Reply. One might think I
had cited fufficient Evidence to (hew the Falfity of this
Charge before : For what if fome called by that Name
were guilty of grofs Enormities, whum I don't pretend
to vindicate ; yet it is unjufl to condemn the Innocent
with the Guilty : The whole Body ought not to be
charged with the Faults of fomc. I obferved out of a
faithful Hiftorian cited by Mr. Rees, Five Hundred
and Seventy odd Perfons (all Anahaptijls) who were
put to Death merely on the Account of Religion, ex-
clufive of, and in Contradiftinflion to, any who fuffer-
ed as chargeable with Treafon, Rebelhon, Sedition, &c.
Alfo the barbarous and inhuman Treatment Falix Mans
met with from Zuinglius, a profefs'd Proteftant Minifter,
for denying Infant Baptifm ; and the cruel Edids pub-
Jilhed againfl them. Likewife I obferved the Conflan-
cy of Mind, Traces of a good Spirit, divine Tranf-
ports, and foJid AfTurances, which attended their Suffer-
ing9.
I ^59 i
ings. Neverthelefs, with Might and Main, in the Face
of fuch inconteftible Evidence, Mr. F. condemns all
the foreign Jnabaptijis in the Lump ; being, it feems,
as unwiHing todo Jurtice to the Memory of the inno-
cent Dead, as their Perfecutors were cruel in putting
them to Death ; and cites PafTages out of Melchior Ada-
mus, BuUinger and Calvin^ with a View to make good
his AfTertion : But it muft be obferved, the heavy Charges
brought againft them, come originally from the Pens
of their profefled Adverfaries : And if Mr. Finley\ Te-
ftimony be true, f " Ihat the greatejl Reformers^ the
moft learned and holy Divines, were Ji ill the principal Hands
ihat fuppre [fed them" it fmks the Credit of their Te-
ftimony againft the Anahabaptijls very much ; for if
thofc Reformers and holy Divines were no better prin-
cipled than to fupprefs thofe who differed from them in
Judgment, with the cruel Inftruments of Death, on the
Account of Religion, it is very rational to fuppofc, they
would aggravate the real, or imaginary Crimes, alledg-
ed againft the Sufferers, to that Degree, which might
give fome plaufible Colour to their unlawful Proceedings.
How little Dependance is to be made on incenfed Ad-
verfaries in relating Matters of Fa6l, Mr. F. himfdf
is a ftanding and fufEcient Inftance, who charges me
with perfwading the Ftsdohapttjls (in my Sermons at
Cape-May) to be dipt on Pain of Damnation ; which is
entirely falfe ; yet this Charge of his, may be tranfmit-
ted to future Ages, and received by them as an undoubt-
ed Truth, efpecialiy coming attefted by the great Name
of a good Man, and a Gofpel Minifter too ; and yet at
the fame time void of Truth, as very probable many of
the Charges handed down to us, by great Names, from
former Ages, be. (The Authority is equal J And who
knows, but in the next Reply from my Opponent, this
my neceflary andjuft Vindication, will be charged back
on me, *' tVith Lying and Foaming againji my Antago-
fiijls, ivith Blafphemies and Reproaches " with the like
Truth, as I am at prefent charged by Mr. F. as the
foreign Anahaptijh were bv thcii;' Adverfaries,
The
f Vind. Page 74,
[ 1^0 ]
The Expreffions of Mr. * Cotton Mather are pertine it
here ; « All the World knows (fay i he) that the mofi emi-
nent Reformers writing againji the Anabaptifts, have not
been able to forbear making their Treafifes like what Je-'-m'
fays ^/'TertullianV polemical Ireatifes, Quot Verba, t6t
Fulmtna ;" /. e. every Word a Thunder-bolt : With
which, the Quotatims Mr. F. brings agree very well j
there is fuch an Appearance of Heat and Prejudice in
them, as plainly befpeaks no Good-will intended to the
Anabaptifls ; and juilly renders them very fufpicious of.
having aegravated Things, far beyond what they m
Keahty were ; that it is no Wonder Ruffen fhould fay of
one o^ thefe Authors Mr. F. cites, even Bullinger (^to
his Commendation as he thought) that he wrote bitter-
ly againft the Anabapti(h. But to take off the Edge of^
Mr. F^ Citations, and to fet the Cafe in a truer Lif^ht
than he reprefents it, 1 fhall tranfcr/be a Paffage from
f Mr. Brandt, as follows ; fays he," Thus inthe apprehend-,
tng and condemning the People of this Sc£i, there was little
Notice ^ taken, whether thofe whom they put to Death were ill
any wife guilty of the above mentioned Riots and Mutinies .'
But the Severity of the Govermnent -was extended againji alt,
tfloem, without making any Dijiinaion hardly between the
mofi Simple and Innocent, and the mojl Criminal 7hus the
Jr.iJiory cfthe kn^b-A^ui\ Martyrs relates, that they beheaded
at Amiic'.lam, one Peter, a Sexton of Sardam, as guilty
of the late hfur region, tho' he being a Teacher among a
better Sort of iXuaba^uHi, had ufedhis utmofi Endeavours
to hinder it."
Moreover, I think it is no Credit, in the leaft, to the
Reformers, if they were guilty of perfecuting thofe who
differed from them, and were flill the principal Hands
ihat fupprdied the Anabaptijis, as Mr. F. teftifies, which
wasnoiefs than by Death, feeing we have not the leaft'
Hint in Scripture, that Chrift v. ill have his holy ReJigi-
on propagated by Blood (hed and Death : Nay, his Pre-
cepts teach us quite the reverfe, who rebuked his Difci>
pies
• See Mr. Crofbf% Hift. of Englifh Bapt Vol. I. Page 112.
t tjee Mr. /?f.'/s Infant Baptifm no Inllitution of Chrift, -
Page 204. *
[ i6i ]
pies fo fharply, for the very Motion that "Wzy. f Luli
ix. 54, 55. " li is not the ff^i/l of God (faith Poole oh
. she Place) that we fiou Id approve of any con- upt Worfhipy
ayvl join with thofe that ufe it ; hut neither is it his Will
ihat we Jhould hy Fire and Sword go about tofupprefs Ity and
bring Men off from it." 'Tis a difmal Brand fet on the
Whore of Bcbylon^ that fhe hath (hed the Blood of Saints.
*Tis lamentable, Mr, F. fliould once imagine, thaC
mentioning the fhedding of Blood on a religious Account
(witnefs Zwinglius, pronouncing Sentence againft Fceiix
Mans) would tend to add any Luftre to the Charaders
of the wife Reformers ; which is juftly accounted the
eternal Shame and Reproach of the Papal Church and
her Sons : And a Pity that he (hould give the World any
Reafon to fufpedt that he who juftifies that in another,
would be guilty of it himfelf, if Opportunity offered.
Again, on the other Hand, he feems equally - mifla-
hen in his Inference, when he concludes, that it fullies
theGhara£ler and Credit of the Sufferers, becaufethey
^ere principally fupprefled by the Hands of holy Divines.
They might be innocent, and their Gaufe good, for ai!
that. Vv^ill Mr. F. think it is far from being credi-
L table
f Excellently M. Tennentthus; " Retnmber the jujl Re-
puke vjhich the meek and lo<vuig Jefus ga've to his Difciples
James ««i/ John, for their fiery furious Zeal againft the Sama-
rhans, for treating their Maftir ill : Te knozv not, faith Chrift,
fwhat manner of Spirit ye are of ; as if he had pzid, yen are not
fenfible ivhat Wickednsfs is in your Diffofition and Temper ^
hjiv much Pridet Peevipnefs, Pajjjon, Prejudice, and, ferfonal
Revenge y is covered under, and mixed =with your real hcneft Zeal
for your Ma ft. er'' s Honour I The Son of Man is not come to de-
fray Mens Lives, but to fave them : My Religion is to be pro-
pagated by Leve and Condefcenflon, by Gentlenefs and Sv^eetnefs^
and all the amiable Methods cf Endearment-, not by Force and
Bilternejsi, by Fire, Fury, and Blood; I came to flay all
Enmities of every Kind and Form, not to animate and encreafe
them under an^ Pretext 'Lvhatfocver.'''' Iren, Ecclef. Page 85,
Let Mr. F. confider this, and fee if he can juiiify the Re-
ftJrmers in fuppreffing the Jnabaptifls, according ^0 his own
Tcilimor.y, in the Manner they did.
[ l62 ]
fable to Vt:taht becaufe holy David was the principal
Hand that fupp relied him ? But,
If therewas aNumber of the foreigny^nabapti/Is^thafwerc
a peaceable, gcodj andharmlefs People, free from Luxury
and Debauchery, vho fuffered Death for their rehgious
Principles, and not for Treafon, Rebellion, or Sedition,
as Gerrard Brandt and the Authors cited by f Mr.
Stennet do teftify : What intolerable Supercilioufnefs
jrxuft it then be in Mr F. to pour out his Contempt with
fuch an Air of Difdain upon Mr. Rees hisjuftCommen-
datian of their Charafters, who fuffered Death for the
fake of Religion ? Is it not becaufe the Account does not
ferve his prefent Purpofe of defaming all the foreign A'
nabaptijis in the Lump ; and confequently, all others^
who are called by that Name ? He is therefore very
unwilling to hear any Good fpoken of any of them ;
but rather inclined the World fliould, without queftion,
believe, they were all guilty of whatever their Adverfa-
ries are, or were ple^fed to lay to their Charge. Yet
his Argument here is no better, than that of the Pa-
gans of Old ; 'ui%. becaufe the Gnojiicks affumed the
Name of Chrifiians, the Infidels imputed unto the
whole Chriflian Church thofe horrible impieties the
Gnojiicks were guilty of.
" He thinks I would do beji not to mention my Anabap-
tifl Martyrs^ nor engage in their Caufe any further ." Why
fo ? when they were good Men, and fuffered for Chrifl's
Sake, as for any thing he has fliewn to the contrary.
And I muft needs tell him, I think he would do bell not
to mention his great Reformers and holy Divines, nor
engage in their Caufe any further, if he has nothing bet-
ter to fpeak in their Commendation, than that they were
the principal Hands that fupprefled Chrifiians, by Fury,
Eloodfl^ied and Death ; which Proceedings cannot be
reconciled with the Laws of Chrift, or with the Nature
of true Chriftiaraty. One would be willing to find the
renowned RefcJrmers to have been Men of a different
Chara^er, from what Mr. F. here reprefents them,,
But leaving thofe foreign Lands, let us follow Mr.- Fu ■
over
t Anf. to Tiujen^ Chap. 1 1 ,
[ 1^3 ]
over to E^glandy where he labours to rake together what
Filth he could find, to caft on the fcandaious Rout (as
he calls his Opponents) and fixes on the Proceedings of
one " Mr. Copipe and Company;" but left this Inlfance
ftiould notanfwcr his Defign, he carefully conceals from
his Readers, that this Coppe fell away from the Bapti/is
into the Errors and vile Practices of the Ranters^ and
how the Baptifts were grieved for his Sins, proceeded
againft him according to Gofpel Order and Difciplin/e,
and took Occafion therefrom, ferioufiy to warn others of
Danger, &c. With what Injuftice then does Mr.
F. infert this Story, doubtlefs to Prejudice his Readers
againft a Caufe, which by Arguments he cannot refute?
Are the Englijh Baptifts chargeable with tiie Faults of
Apoftates, whufe Principles and Praitices they 'teftify a-
gainft, and fuitably deal with Delinquents ? Or can they
be charged with the Ways of the Ranters, or with the;
Vices of any that turned to them ? ^Does Mr. F. think
that the Sins of Backfliders are to be charged on the
Truth they once profefled to embrace, as the Caufe of
them ? If fo, he will be put to it to clear the Dodrines
of the Gofpel from being produdive of vicious Pradi-
ces J as in the QziQoi Hymen eus and Phtletus^ with ma-
ny others. Is it a new Thing for ProfefTurs to depart
from the Truth ? Or would he hereby prove, that the
Promifes of Chrift, and the Secrets of the Lord, do not
belong to, nor can be found with the Englijh Baptiji;^
becaufe he can mention one or more, who turned from
them to a Courfe of Sin ? Or does this Inftance prove
his Principles about Infant Baptifm to be right, and ours
wrong ? Whatever he defigns hereby, he might well
know, were I difpofed to carry en a Commerce'^of this
Kind, I could eaiily ballance Accounts with him, and go
no further than his ov/n Party neither : How readiljr
might I bring Mr. 7. Crofs, a Prejlyterian MhuCter %t
Bafkim-idge^ in the Jerfeys^ for an Inftance ; f who, not
many Years ago, was efteemed a very eminent andfuc-
cefsful Minifter among them : But afterwards was found
L 2 guilty
f Mr. WhUefir'^-^ ^'.-. .; Vol II. Page 139^
[ ,^4 ]
guilty t)f f abominable Lewdnefs, and aftonifhlng per-
verfe Doings, after all his vaunting Boafts of Sandtity,
hishafdCenfuresof others, and the high Encomiutps
given him by Men of Renown, and accordingly was
dgfervedly filenced. Now would Mr. F. think it a juft
Confequence, (bould I hence infer, that he, and all his
/llTociates, are wrong, becaufe of the abominable Pradices
of their Brother ? Would they take it well to be called
a fcandalous Rout, becaufe one'of their Number turned
out to be a fcandalous Inftance of Immorality ? Or that
the Secrets of the Lord are not therefore with them ?
I believe not: And why (hould Mr. F. imagine that In-
itances of this Nature militate againft us, any more
than againft them ? If mentioning of this will difpleafe
Jiim, who can be blame but himfelf ? Who gave the
Occafion ? Who began to « blend CharaSiers with the
Controverfy;' but himfelf, when he led us away to Ger-
many to hear our Rife and Charaaer ? He may therefore'
thank himlelf for any Return of this Kind, and may
know 1 fliould not have cited this Paffage, were it not
to fhew the Unjuftnefs of his Inferences. For my Part,
I think God fufK;rs fuch lamentable Inftances to happen,
for the humbling of fume, and probably for the harden-
ing of others : But it is quite inconclufive, to make u(b
Of thofe Inftances as Mediums, in order to prove any
Number of Chrifiians to be wrong, whofe .profeflfed
Principles difallowall immoral Praftices.
Is it any Difficulty to difcover Mr. Fs Defign in tra-
telJing over Ger?nany and England, to heap up Filth on
us ? Would he not by fo doing prejudice his Readers a-
gamfi our Principles, and perfwade them to believe that
we are indeed, what he reprefentsVus to be, fprung up
but-Yefferday from a bafe Extra^ion, when his Argu-
ments fail him to overthrow our Claim to a noble Ori-
ginal and to Principles contained in the Word of God ?
Direaiy upan this, he profeflesa Deal of Rei^ard for
t's, and thinks 'tis a full Proof of my Bitternefs, to re-
quire
T Examination of Mr. Tennent's Remarks, Page lo, by
J-'me of the Members of the Synod at Philadelphia, per
Order.
[ '% ]
quire greater Evidences of it, than has yet apprarM h}
his Writings : Ke would have us, it feems, to be of J.
tnaja's Difpofition and Condu^, who believed all the
Prufeflions of Regard and Efteem, exprefTed to him by
Joab^ to be fincere, without any further Evidence, or
taking any Heed to the bloody Inihument of Death in
his Hand, 2 Sam. xx. 9. 10. Mr, F. furely could not
rcafonably expe^ any other Reply on the Occafion, but
fomething of that Krnd, efpecially when he was about tq
wound our Charaders to Death, if poffible : But when
his ProfeiTion of Regard comes well attefted with cor-
refponding Evidences, he may introduce his Compliments
with Accept ince ; 'til then, we are willing to keep our
proper Diltance from KilTcs, which may be deceitful
now, as well as formerly.
He thinks «' / oddly ouinm myfelf,'' in faying, it h
but Three or Four Years ago, there was a mighty Noife
of Peoples being carnal, if they contended about thefe
outward Things 3' which was occafioned by his faying.
That Infant Baptifm was worthy to be contended for.
Where is the Contradiaion ? when by this Phrafe Iplain-
ly referred to the* amicable Times he fpake oi^ wnere-
in this Artifice, as is well known, was much in Ufe a-
inong them ; defigned it feems to lull People afleep m
their received Opinion of Infant Bapjtifm : f A Contro^ ,
vcrfy^ introduced about Baptifm, this facred Ordinance
of Chrift, is -very grievous to them, for it tends tn turn
People awajfrom them ; tho' not from the Truth.
What follows, is what he pretends to deduce from
our Principles: But fince his Arguments are fulHciently
ihewn to be inconclufive, there is no Need to write the
fame Things over again in this Place ; his Ar^iJnient
from the Covenant of Grace, being difpenfed by Old Te-
ftament Ordinances, is already fhewn to be infignificant,
and little to his Purpofe, when that Adminiftracion is a-
bolifhed, and he has not {hewn that Infants of Believers,
^^s fuch, were ever taken with their Parents into the Co-
venant of Grace : Our Caufe furely is not given up as
L 3 y?tj
* Preface to Charit. Plea, Page 3 ,
t Preface to Find, Page c.
[ i66 ]
yet, how willing foever he may be to take Poffeffion of
it.
I have already jfhewn to whom the Promifes belong :
He hath given us no Inftances to prove his Charge, which
he groundlefly repeats, that we repeal a great Part of
God's Word which he hath not repealedj and yet fays, he
can agree with us in Eflenti^ls : Now, with a View to
help himfelf out of this Inconfiftency, he recurs for
Relief to an old Popijh Calumny, « That Luther reje^-
^^/^^ Epiftle of James.'* But is it not a great eflential
Part of Religion, to beheve and retain the Scripture
intire ? And can he agree with us in Efientials, whom
he accufes of diminifliing therefrom, without contra-
il iding himfelf ? Here he reprefents the Scripture fo full
and fufficient, that if a great Psrt of it be diminiflied
or rejeded, the Eflentials of Religion are to be found
in the other Scriptures : Yet on another Occafion he
would have the whole Scripture fo infufficient, that few
7 ruths could be proved thereby, without the Help of
Confequences : His Defign, it feems, is not fo much to
give us a juft Account of the Scripture, as to fupport
his darling Oppinion.
He tries to extricate himfelf out of an Abfurdity I
charged on his Pra6tice of Infant Baptifm, by faying,
" I baptize fame vifible improper Subjeils of Baptifm."
Grantmg that fome grown Perfons when baptized are
Hypocrites ; yet when their Hypocrify at the Time is
covered over with a Mafk of Religion from the Eyes of
^11 Mortals, they are not vifible improper Subjects, the'
they be fo invifibly, or in their Hearts. Here Mr. ^;
fiiot quite befide the Mark: How any one grown Perfon
can be a whitcd Sepulchre, and at the fame time a Sepul-
chre without any White ; a deceitful Hypocrite, and yet
fo well known, that none are deceived in him, is a My-
f^cry of Contradiaicns ; and unlefs this could be recon-
ciled, *tis nothing to his Purpofe, whofe conftant Prac-
tice (in f'retencej is to baptize vifible improper Subjcif^S'
of Baptifm. And till he can fliew, that to be vilibly
under ^in, is lefs than to be vihbly in aStateof Damnati-
on i to be vifibly Enemies to God, is far fbort of vifiblv
belon^ini
[ i<57 3
belonging to the Devil : What do we fay hnt what
the Scripture fays, that zve are by Nature Children of
Wratby U'c. Further,
Agreeable to the reft of his Condu£l, he fays, " /pro-
ceed in a Parcel of random Strokes to reproach his JJncha-
ritablenefs to the Infants of Nan fnembers, andfalfly Jay^ he
afferts the Impoffibility of their Salvation" Page 76. Anf,
Yet he fays in the following Lines, and elfewhere, that
they are out of the Covenant of Grace--- that there is no
Promife to theni,---that he muft fufpend his Belief of
their Salvation, --Nor has he any Ground to believe thev
are faved, for God has told him nothing of it— And
that it is already proved from many Scriptures, Out of the
Church is no Salvation. Is it then any Reproach to his
Charity, or any falfe Charge, to affert that his own
Words affirm the impoffibility of Salvation to the Infants
of Non- members, dying in their Infancy ? Not at ail.
If the Cafe be thus, I have yet more to fay, than calling
this a new Edition of the old Story j that is, that he
holds Church- memberfhip abfolutely and eflentially ne-
ceflary to Salvation, contrary to Scripture and f Prote-
ftani Doftrine ; for if fo, v/hat then became of Mel-
chizedecy Shem^ Lot, Job, and others, when it cannot
be (hewn, that they ever were Members in the Jeivi/J)
Church.: Nay I have Room again to turn the J Key-
on him, " They could neither bejujlified nor condemned
in this Life" he.
Notwithftanding what" has been already obferv*d, he
fays our Principles derogate from Chrift when he was an
Infant. Reply. Not to remark on all exceptionable
Expreffions, obferve whatever we fay of the Promifes
to Infants, of Circumcifion, and the Jewijl) Church,
our Principles exprefly teach, that all the Promises of
the Covenant were made to Chrift : *Tis therefore
ftrange our Principles Ihould exprefs this, and the con-
\ L 4 trary
f Says the Affembly of Divines, <' Tho' the Pofterit/
of Abraham were God's vifible Church, there were feme
without it, who were not without the Knowledge and Wor-
. Ihip of the true God/' Annot. Gen. xiv. 18.
X Anti. Page i8. '
[ 1^8 3
ferarytOQ Buthe muft fayfomething to blacken us,
tiio ever fo Icnfelefs in itfelf, •
^ As for his accufing us of wrefting Scriptures Iri
Defence of our Principles, this appears to have no
I-oundation to ftand en, unlefs it be in his Judgment,
when yet he cannot make it appear by Argument ;
therefore worthy of no Regard. Indeed by all that has
yet appeared, he is deeply guilty of the Crime, whereof
he aecufetn us, when there is not one Place of Scripture
that teacheth his Dodrine of Infant Baptifm.
The 78th and following Pages, are cramm'd up with
the fruits c^f his Indignation, which in Page 79 th he
calls juft Verily, had his Writing in the foregoing
Sheets afforded as evident Proofs of his Principles, a1
thefe Pages do, of his Indignation, or angry Refent-
jnents, no Body would have any Room to queftion the
1 ruth and Reality of the one, more than of the other.
Had he fliewn my Pofitions, Tenets and GIo/Tes, as they are
m my Book, to have been Anti-fcriptural and abfurd,
he might with better Appearance have warned his Read-
ers of their Danger, ?,nd profefTed his WiHingnefs to
die, rather than fubfcribe them : But fince it is quite
totherwife, I fee no Reafon to retradi my Phrafes (which
he calls modeft) nor am inclined to confirm any Gofpel
Iruth by fwearingto it, as he groundlelly infinuates ;
tho 1 am for the Liberty to affirra it modeftlv, and
would have it received, when it is proven clearly/ Had
he freed himfelf from the Gharge of making light of
Godspofitive Commands, and cleared the Dialogue of
holding Abraham to be a publick Head in the Covenant
of Grace, how much better could he fay, that I pervert-
ed his Arguments, and bore falfe Witnefs againft my
Ne^hbour. Had he difcovered that my Inlmuations.
Rt^eclion. and Epithets, in the Places, and on the Oc-
cahcns 1 ufcd them, were not juft and proper, he might
reject them as mvidiouj and indecent. Had he in the
UJurle of this Debate made appear, tiwtl had been guilty
ofaconftantLvafionofhis Arguments, he mi^ht well
enomre how fuch a Praaice can be reconciled with Ho-
^Etty. Had his Spirit been unbeclouded in this Contro-
vcifj'i
C 1^9 ]
verfy, he might have more clearly difcerned the conftant
Gloom which covers his Performance. Had he duly
r.oticed my Book, he would have no juft Ground to fajr
that all is Certainty with me without Evidence, that I
am confident without Argument, and convinced v/ith-
out Demonftration ; or, that I de4l much in Superla-
tives, when there is fcarcely an Inftance to be found,
where I have made ufe of the fuperlative Degree in my
Aflertions. Had his Mind been fuitably impre/Ted with
a Senfe of Religion, he would have guarded againft
Pailion, which fo plentifully appears through his Per-
formance, particularly in thefe Pages. And had his
abundant Hurry permitted him to review his Vindicati^
on impartially, he might readily have (ttn a much near-
er Refem^Iance of the Popijh Difputants, than my Jn-
iifadorantifm : Therein he might have fcen the fuifici-
ency of the Scripture difparaged : A Principle of Religi-
on aflerted, and pleaded for, which is not taught in ho-
ly Scripture : Antiqyiity, even Apoftolical, PopiJ/j-hke,
urg'd ill Favour of that, which hath not apofl:olical
Teftimony to fupport it : The Promifes of Chrift in-
fifted on for its Defence, in the fame Manner as Popijb
Difputants do in Behalf of their Church and Principles:
The Baptijh reprefented to be a new Upftart Seft, juft
as the r.api/is deal with the Proteftants, notwitftand-
ing our Principles are undeniably proven to be Scriptu-
ral, he. &c.
But fince he failed in each of the abovefaid Particu-
lars, thefe Pages juft ferve to (hev/ his Wiilingncfs to
carry the Caufe by Clamour, which he was not able to
do by Arguments.
In Page 79. he propofes a Query, " If he is con*
vinced, how is it that he dares mi P Does not this fay, that
he is convinced, and yet not convinced, at the fame time?'*
Anf. No : It lays no fuch Thing. I told him the Rea-
fon before; " y/ Prefbyterian, ivho is convinced by Scrip-
ture that his Infant jpr inkling is wrong, hut dares not for'
fake it, hecaufe of the Firebrands and Death caji in his
Way." Had he refuted the Reafon given, which is
grounded on the Places referred to, inftead of propofing
this
[ lyo ]
this groundlefs Query, he would have a£led much more
Difputant-like. Is it any Difficulty to account why
he dares not ? That is, becaufe he 13 deterr'd * by the
frightful Difcouragements, that fuch as the Author of
the Dialogue, and others do caft in iiis Way, from pro-
ceeding according to Light received ; when he is told,
t that it were better for him that a Millftone were hang-
ed about his Neck, and that he were drowned in the
Depth of the Sea, than he fhould deny Infants Right to
Baptifm, or rejea his Infant- baptifm. Thefe, and fuch
like thundering Threats, they know, take great Im~
preflion on a tender Confcience, who at the fame time
cannot find any Inftitution of Infant- baptifm, nor can
they fhew him any, and yet he dares not forfake'ir, be-
caufe of thefe Obftruaions he meets with from them.
On the whole, the Reader may obferve, that Mr. F^
Charitable Plea, is fully refuted, and his Objcaions in
his /^indication fufficiently enervated : The Gofpel
Truth, which teaches profeiEng Believers to be the only
proper Subjeds of Baptifm, ftill fhines in its divine
Beauty, far beyond the unfuccefsful Attempts made to
obfcure it : Therefore let all the Lovers of Truth walk
in the Light thereof.
^ Divine Right, Pages 6, 7. f Ibid. Page 28.
IN
[ 17' ]
*^ *4» 't* ti* *^ tji ti« »-i* ij* -f* ^s' . - >i '12* it^ »$» tjT
IN Page 8 1. Mr. F. proceeds to the Vindication of
his fecond general AfTertion, " That Bapiifm is
rightly admini/ired by fprinkling or pouring of PVater on
the Perfon baptized." Which he endeavours to prove,
I, *' By Jhewirtg that there is nothing in the Word of
God contraditiory , to it j or that the Anabapti^s ArgU'
ments againjl it, do not overthrow it."
Before he comes to his Arguments, he makes his Re-
marks on what I faid, and feems offended with me,
and charges me with Evafion, becaufe I have not allcrt-
^d as much as he would have me afl'ert: Well, would
it not have difturbed him as much, if not more, had I
faid, *' Cbri/i has no vifble Church on Earth but our--
felves ? Doubtiefs it would. But if I can pleafc him, I
fhall now make free to tell him, that I look on th^
Prejhyterian Church not to be fram'd and regulated ac-
cording to the Order of the Gofpel, becaufe it does not
adminifter Baptifm according to Chrift's Inftitution,
when Infants are fprinkled therein. Let him draw as
many Confequences from this, as he thinks proper, the
Cafe will be the fatpe, without he could fhew a divine
Command for Iwant fpfinkling.
I argued, that fmall Communities have had the Truth
on their Side before now, when the Crouds embrac'd
Error. This Mr. F. has not refuted, but argues, as tho*
I had made it a general Rule, without any Exceptions;
when all my Caufe required, was to fhew it is no Evi-
dence that we are in the Wrong, tho' we were a very
fmall Community, but rather for us, efpecially when
the Declarations of God's Will, and Scripture Exam-
ples, appear on our Side ; therefore he can get no Argu-
ment from it againft us, tho' he would bear the Read-
er in Hand, as if a great Number was an evident Proof
for him, and againfl us j and an infeparable Mark that
Pado-
[ 172 ]
Padohapujis are right, and we In the Wron?. If the
Multitude be a Note of the true Church, or of theTruth
then the Pap'tjis bid very fair to be in the Right, and
^e hke to carry away this Mark from iMr. F. himfelf ^
I ho It may be obferv'd, that he does not do us, nor the
Iruth Juftice, when he fays, *' // appears to ihi Qe^
ncralify, that the Anabaptifts are in theJVtongr For
the Generality of Writers, confefs Dipping to have been
the ancient Mode of Baptizing, and of them a Num-
Der of the Prejbyterians themfelves; witnefs, the Mem-
bly of Divines, on Rom. ^^\. ^. «« The Apojlle feems to
II *V ' "'''"''* Manner of Baptifm, which was, to
dtp the Parties baptized," &c. By the Way, I wouJd
tain know, by what Authority that ancient Manner i$
changed into Sprinkling? He afks, '^ m^o can more ve-
hemently reproach and feoff the Protiflant Churches than
the Anabaptifts have done, and JiiU do ?'' Anf What
becaufe they all along teftify that Infant-fprinkling is un'
icrjptural? Does he call this vehement Repioachin^ and
hcoffing? If fo, he muft e'en put up with it; iZx we
mult fay fo, or betray the Truth : But what is that tg
the Reproaches, Barbarities, and Death, the Baptifls
have endured from others, in the Caufe of God and
iiis I ruth ?
In anfwer to his Suggeftion, that we unchurch all the
Proteftant World, I obferved, " // it be the Truth
which we hold, and if it is by praSiiftng ii^e unchurch all
the Frotejlant World, no Matter how foonJt is unchurched
o'^^f'' II " "'^ P'-ff"^^' ^^ -^^^""^^ <^o it—unlefs the
Protejiant World unchurch itfelf by embracing our Pr in-
ciples He anfwers, " Whatever Principle unchurches
the . roieffant World, cannot be true according to the Pro-
nnfe of God." Reply : Well, if a Number of the Pro-
teftant World are excluded from the Church, it is the
Principle of Infant-fprinkling, and not we, that ex-.
dudes them : For if there is Exclufion at all in the
Matter, that is the Caufe of it in Faft j we can do it
only doafinally, according to Mr. Fs own Way of
argumg: How dreadfully evil then muft that Principle
9t iDfant-fprijikling be, that it fhould tend to exclude
Peopl(j
[ '73 ]
People from the Prefence of God on Earth I Surely that
Principle canaot be true, which, in FaiS, has fuch ill
Nature and Tendency !
I (hall now take a View of what he has to fay in Op-
pofition to the Arguments made ufe of, from the Ety-
mology of the Word Baptizo^ Scripture Examples, and
Scriptare Allufions, in Vindication of Immerfion, to be
the only feripturai Mode of Baptifm.
I have * already (he 'A'n, from Leigh's Crltica Sacra^
that the native and proper Signification of the Word
Baptizo^ is to dip into Water, or to plunge under Wa-
ter, John iii. 22, 23. Mat. iii. 16. J£fs viii. 38.
which is confirmed by the concurring Teftimony of a
.great Number of Padobaptijis themfelves: This Mr. F.
has not difprov'd, nor given us any convincing Reafons
why we muft not underftand the Word in the feveral
Places of Scripture, which fpeak of the Ordinance, ac-
cording to the allowed native and proper Signification of
it. In Charitable Plea^ Pages 81, 82. he does not de-
ny the Word fignifies Dipping, tbo' not only, and al-
ways fo ; and tells us, thzt Schrevelius tranflates Baptizo,
Lavo (to wafh) as well as Tingo^ which fignifies to dip ;
and intimates, that there are Inftances of Authors who
render Baptixo^ Immergo^ Ini'ingo^ Submergo, Obruo^ to
overwhelm, dip, or plunge ; or elle he would not fup-
pofe we could produce them : But in his Vindication^
Page 87. he feems to deny it, and pretends he has re-
futed, that Bapti%o fignifies to dip: One while, left he
Ihould be under a NeceiTity of afi'erting Baptifm to be a
Nullity, if not performed by Pouring or Sprinkling, he
won't deny the Word fignifies Dipping; but then again,
left his general Afl'ertion fhould be overthrown, he
would have us believe, he has already refuted, that Baptizo
fignifies to dip or plunge, it feems he has ftudied more
how to oppofc us, than to be confiftent with himfelf.
Mr. F. thinks, I go too faft, to fay, that we are on
a Par with him in this Point, on the very firft Onfet,
becaufe he allows Baptifm is not a Nullity, if perform'd
by Dippiilg J but what is that to the Cafe in Hand ? For
if
* Jnti^ Page 1 1 6.
[ ^74 3
if Baptlzo fignifies XVafhing, and if that may be done
by Dipping, our Mode is certainly right, according to
his own Way of Reafoning : We have as much Gro'und
to fay, that Baptifm is rightly adininiftred by Dipping, as
he hath to the contrary j uniefs he will fay, that WaOi-
ing cannot be done by Dipping : Hence then, he cart
get no certain and infallible Argument from the Mean-
ing of the Word, in favour of his Opinion and Pradice j
confequently the very Foundation of his Afiertion for
Principle) is as effedtually raz'd hereby on the one Hand,
as he imagines ours to be on the other. But,
I obferved, ** IVhen we come to the Pujh, Mr. F.
fails in the Undertakings for he has not cited us one In-
Jiance from Lexico-graphers, xbhere the Word is render'd^
or fignifies to pour or fprinkle— ^«/ labours to fupply his vuide
Defect— by a frc'd Confequence^ He replies. Page 83.
If Baptize fignify to wajh.—and if WafJAng can be
performed by pomi7}g on of Water ^ then Baptizing can be
perform' d by Pouring or Sprinkling. There is no ima-
ginable Way to prove this'Confequence for/d^ but by tr»v-
ing that Pouring is no Mode of Wajhing.** And in Page
85. " Is it not plain., fays he, that Lavo, Abluo, com-
prehendPeriiindo, Afpergo ; as the General comprehends
every particular Species, or Sort ? Anfc The Queftion is
not which Way, or how many Ways Wafhing may be
performed; but what is the proper Meaning of the
Word Baptizof Whether it means every different Sort
or Kind of Wafliing ? Which f Lexicograpl:ers unani-
moufly render by Mergo, Immergo. to plunge or dip into;
whereby is intended, a particular Mod* or Sort of Wafh-
ing, viz. ^bv Dipping. For Mr. F. therefore to infer, that
the fame Word which primarily and properly fignifies one
particular Mode or Sort of Waflimg, does alfo. fignify a-
nother.particular different Mode of Wafliing, is fo plainly
a forc'd Confequcnce, as can be mentioned, and the At-
tempt very unreafon^ble. Words certainly have pro-
per determinate Notions annexed to them. Suppofe the
Word had been rendered by Perfundo, ^fpergo., Lavo.,
would Mr. F. judge it a naiive Confequence, or proper
Reafon-
, \ Anti. Pa?e 117.
[ '75 ]
Reafoning for us to favi therefore it fignifies Dipping,
becaufe Wafhing can be done by Dipping ? I believe
not. His Argument, which he was fo willing to fubr
mit to Trial, is caft ; and it may juftly be objefled a-
gainft, *' IVithout guarding againjl Commtn Senfe, or
proving our Caufe to be defperate^* as he infinuates.
In anfwer to Dr. Gale, who challenges any Man, to'
fhew a fingle Inftance, wherein the Word Baptize ^ fig-
mfies to pour or fprinkle, or any thing lefs than Dipping,
except in fome ecclefiaftical Writers of the latter cor-
rupt Times ; Mr. F. undertakes to cite fome Inftances,
but yet fails to anfwer the Dod:or's Dernand : His firft
is out of Plutarch^ in Vita Thefei, who recites a Verfe,
that Sybilla gave out over the City of Athensy *' AJkosy
haptizee dunai de toi ou themis tjli : Which Mr. F. renr
ders. Baptize or tuajl) him as a Bottle, but do not over-
whelm him." But more llgnificantly thus. Baptize, or
plunge it {viz. th? City of Athens, in Wars and Per-
plexities) as a Bottle, but it is not lawful to fink, or de-
itroy it ; agreeaWe to the Anfwer brought to Thefeus, at
the Beginning or the Fate of this City, from the Oracle
of Apollo. * The Words of Cafaubon, in his Note on
Mat. iii. 6. arc very exprefe and pertinent here ; " For
the Manner of baptizing ffays he) was to plunge or dip
them into the Water, as even tht Word Baptizein itfelf
plainly enough /hews ; which as it does not jignify Dunein,
to Jink down and peri/h^ neither certainly does it Jignify Epi-
polazein, tofivim or float atop ; thefe three Words^ Epipo-
lazein, Baptizein, Dunein, being very different." Hence
then Baptizo^ to dip or plunge, may very properly be
diftinguiflicd from f Duno, to go under, fink down —
without any Neceflity to conclude, or acknowledge Mr.
F's Inference to be juft, *' That to baptize, is not to
plunge."
Hit
* Cited by Dr. Gale, Let. 4.
f cPu:«. Jjfy, vcl J^i/'//;, Subeo, ingredior, occido, induo.
Schrevel. Lex.
Beza, on Mat. iii. 13. obferves, " Significat autem to hap-
iizein tingere, ^uum para to baptein dicatur, et quum tingtndtx.
mergantur.
t 175 ]
His next Inftance out of Plutarch ; " Of a Romaii
General, who wrote an Infcription before he died^ Bapti-
zas, having baptized his Hand with Blood, viz. which
fprung from his IVcund. Hence his Hand could only he
baptized by Effufion, the Blood gujhing out upon it." Re-
ply ; The Hilbrian does not i\\v the Blood guflied out
upon his Hand, but, Kai eis to aima teen cheira baptifaSy
— haying dipp'd his Hand in Blood, he wrote this In-
fcription.—Another Inftance Mr. F. brings out of Ho-
mer., ** 'Ebapteto d'amati limnee porphur^eon^ i. e. The
Lake zuas flained or fprinkUd with purple Blood. ' Bui
to fay, the Lake was plung'd or dipp'd in Blood, Jhocks all
eommon Senfe : Nor can there be any Allufton here to dip-
ping Things in Dye ; for what Parity is there bettveen fuch
Dipping, and Blood running into a Lake ? Now if Bap-
too, the Primitive, is ufed to fignify lifs than Plunging^
much more the Derivative^ Baptizo." Dr. GW^ uhich
Mr. F pretends to be refuting, has largely anfwered the
Ubjeaion here; I {hall cite a PaiTage from his learned
Letters. Says he, * " ^4}e Phrafe, wt^muji confider, is
borrowed from the Dyers, who colour Thirgs by dipping
them in their Dye ; and to this the Poet plainly alludes, not
that the Lake was adually dipfd in Blood, but fo deeply
Jiatn'd, that to heighten our Idea, he exprejfes it, with the
ujual Liberty of Poets, by a Word, which fignifles more
than what is flri£ily true, which is the Nature of all
Hyperboles. Thus the literal Senfe is, the Lake was dip-
ped
•
fnerganttir, madefacere et mergere ; et a njerho dunai differt '
quod profundum fetere et fubmergere, dedarat, ut ex lllo I'e-
tens oraculi -verftculo conjiet ; afkos baptixie, dunai de tot m
themis eftt, tn quo, h^c duo cpponuntuf-r Which is thus ren-
dered by a learned Author ; the Word Baptize fignifies to
tinge or dye, fince it comes from Bapto, and feeing Things
that are to be dyed, are dipped, it fignifies to maiie wet. and
plunge, and differs from^the Word Dunai, which firrufies to
go unto the Bottom, and fink, as is plain from th.t Ve-fe of
the old Oracle, Let the Bottle be dipped, but it is not i awful"
to fink It; in which thefe two V/ords are opro'cd t..>-,,M!
another. '■^
* Letter 3. *
[ '77 ]
pi^d in Bloody but the Figure only meanst it was colouv'd
Ms highly as ar.y Thing that is dipped in Blood." At
]eni£th he obferves, '' That the Senfe of B:'.pto, eve^
tn this Place y is to dip, and nothing elfe.'"
His laJl Inftance is out of Ecclefiafiicus xxxiv. 2g;
Baptizomeiiosi l^c. And fays, ** The Baptifm here refer-
red t9^ is defer ibed at large in Num. xix. which was en-
tirely by Sprinkling." Dr. Gale has alfo examined thi«
InfLnce, and Ihewn the Invalidity of it. Among other
Remarks upon it, hath the following Words, which are
a pertinent Reply to Mr. F. who argues, " That it was
not the Perfon who was unclean by touching the Deady who
was thus to wafh and bathe, hut the clean Perfon, who
fprinkled the JVater on him \ who by that very Sprinkling
of the other, had contrasted Uncleannefs." Savs the Doc-
tor, *' Some indeed are plea fed to fancy, the Words zvhicb
command Bathings are not fpoken of th? unclean Perfon^
who had touched the Dead, iut of the Prieji officiatir.g i
and they fortify this Surmize by , the yh and %th Verfcs
preceding, wher0he Priefi is exprefly commanded to wap>
his Clothes, and bathe himfelf in Water : But it does not
follow^ becaufe this Place relates to the Priefi, that the c-
ther (viz. Verfe ig.) does fo too; nay, rather it is abfurd
it fhould, for, it interrupts and confounds the Senfe of
the Place : Beftdes in the very next Verfe but ene^ viz,
21. Uis ordered, .that he who fpr inkles the Water of Sepa-_
ration, f})all wafh his Clothes^ l^c. plainly intimating, that
was not the Defign of the Words almoji immediately forego '
Ing. BefideSy ii cannot be t eafonably imagined, that the
priefi, by barely purifying the Unclean, fhould need fo much
greater a Wafhing and Purification than the Unclean him,'
felf." And in another Place, the DoiSlor remarks,^
V T!:e d filed Perfon was to be fprinkled with the holy
iVater on the third, and on the Jeventh Day, only as pre-
paratory to the great Purification, ivbich was to be by Wafo-
ing tbr Body and Clothes on the feventh Day, with which
the Unchanmfi ended." And alter much more Reafoning
I uon it, too long to be here tranfcribed, he infers, " 'Tis
'isry plain, Syracides, by Baptizomenos, in that Place^
means batlfd^ dipfd^ and waflid j for you fee the Law re-
M quired
[ '78 1
quired no hfs, and no left was praSiifed ly the ]tws^ in
Cafe offuch Pollution by the Dead." On the W hole that
Mr. F. has prcductd, v.hatever he niay have in Storey
it does not appear ftrange Dr. Gale never found Baptizo to
iignifv lefs than Dipping.
What Mr. /: cites cut of Leigh's Ciitica Sacra, and-
he from Dr. Featly againft tlic Jnabapti/ls, That Bapti-
to is taken for Wafhing, where there is no Dipping :
On this Occafion I already obferved, f " That as it^ is
TiOt true in itfdf, fo neither does it agree vAth what is ac-
hmvledged itJ the Critica Sacra, juji before" even by Dr.
Featly himfelf ; which is, '* Ihoi Baprizo is derived from
Bapto, Tingo, to dip or plunge into the Watery and fgni-
fieth primarily fuch a kind of IVaflAng as is ufed in Bucks,'
where Linntn is flung d and dipt." New what fignifies
it for Mr. F. co repeat ihe fame Thing over and oter,
lincc he has not removed the Inconhiiencv I chaiged oa
his AfTertion, unlefs he thinks his fiequent Repetition,
will at Length pafs into an ui.doubicd Aurhority ? He
may know, that we pav no more Regard ro Dr. Featly's
bold Aflcj tions, in his Warmth agaiiift the Bapti/ls, than
we do to h Assayings, unfuppoited by Authority. I think
EfquireX^^:^ gives it as his o-wn Judgment, *^7hat
ihe native and proper Signification of Baptizo, // to dip
into Water ^ or to plunge under Water" To the fame
Purpofe j)e cites Cafaubon, Buchanus, BuU>7ger, and Zart-
£hius. Now unlef* Mr. F.h^.d refuted thii aljowed na-
tive and proper Signification of the Word, there is no
Room for him to impofe a Tafk on me which is done
already : But ir highly concerns him to fiiew the Word
fignifies to pour or fprinkJe, or elfe his Fradf ice will al-
ways appear un war rar, table. Ihe Obfervarions of the
the Reverend Mr. Gill, and Mr. Rees, appear to be
juft, viz. that Baptizo fj;ininc£ to w^fh onlv by Con-
fequencei (but fo iikewife it does to wet, colour, dye,
diown-- ) becaufe there cannot be dipping in fair Wa-
ter without wafhing ; which the Jnibnces produced b^
Mr. F.irr.m Homer ^ Plutarch^ Sec. do not oveithiow.
Says be. Page 85. " Otig may dip his Foot in Mud, and
ya
t Aati. P.-^ge 11 6c
y:t net he ovirtuhelmtd either Foot or B^Jy." Bat if the
Foot be dipt m Mud, it is certainly diptsc which is the
Thing A4r. Refs aflerted, that Baptize iigmBe<i to dip in-
to any Matter absolutely, without regarding Water, or
ary other Liquid. I fee nothing of Argument in what
Mr. F. fays about Mr. Rees his Obfcrvations on Dr,
Owen's pofthumous Works, uniefs what he caJls pka-
fanr Wittictfms (hould be thought of fomc Forces
%vhich may perhap» divert bis Readers whilft the Paint
which needed handling is pafled by, that is, to fliew tha€
Baptizt iignifiesto wafli fimply, without having reg:ard tot
Dipping. But inftead hereof, his Charader muft be re-
pn-ached by a groundiefs infinuation, in the following
Wyrdb, " ^uery. Does Mr. Recs, in theje odd Ohfava-
, i^pns^ [peak like an boneji Man, who vnderjiandt the Greek
Tongue?''
here I would afk Mr. F. why he did not Vindicate fais
Quotation from the Affcmbly of Divines, whofe Autho-
rity he made fuch a Stir about in his former Piece fas
that they were Men of Learning, and under foleraa
Obligation to declare fsnccrcly their Judgments^ al being
in h«s Favour { Is it becaufe their ConceiTions in their
Annotations invalidate what they fay in their Cace-
chiims ?
Says be. Page 86, *' tfecondly proved our Senfe of ibi
t'Vord to f)e jufij from the life of it in the New Te/lament j
herg I alkdged M&rk. vii. 4, When they come from ths
Market, except they wajh they eat not ; in tht Greeks
txcen thty be haptixfA j now can we imagine the Jewis
plunged their zvhole Body in Water ^ every time they cam6
from Market^ and every time they eat? No, for Verfe Ja
tciXi m they only wajhed their Hands. To this Mr. M. op-
pjjes Btza himfelf., Mr. Leigh, and Mr. Q,\\\, Mr,
f.eighpy,?i-&-j the different Criticifms of Authors. The
■hers I look en to be mijlaken.^^ Anf. I grant, this is ast
y and {bort Way of Refutation, if it willdojbufe
^■•re we can allow thofe gr.^at Men to have been mi-
•n, Mr. F. should have (hewn they were fo ; Bezx
"liger ftiou'd h3%'e been refuted j he fliould have
- efcat imjiie*fion of the whole Body w2s not ifi
M2 f!-f.:w«;t
[ i8o J
frequent Ufe among the Jnus ; arid that Nipfontal m
Verfe 3, and Ba'ptlfontai in Vcrfe 4, are of ihe fame
Import, andCignify one, and ihe fame A a, or kind of
Wafhing : But fince he has done neither of thefe i'arti-
culars, and feeing the Phrale is changed as he ackn.w-
Udgts, it gives Ground to our Argument, that the for-
mer IS particularly to be underftnod of the waftiing of
Hands, but the latter *' Ximplieth the waJJ/ing (or im-
merfing) of their whole Body." Befides, to underlbnd
n thus, better cxprefTcs the outward affcded San^ity of
the more fuperftitious Part of the People, as Mr Gill
had obferved : This Mr F. fhould have refuted befo.e
he fo uncivilly charged Mr. Gill with rontradiding the
Scripture. If the Evangelift does not fpeak of the more
fuperftitious Part in this Place, I would a(k, who d.es
he fpeak of? Who were fo tenacious of the Traditions
of the Elders, if not the more Superftitiuus ? 'Tis plain
enough from Scripture, that there was a Part or Scft
among the Jeivs more fuperftitious than others : The
Pharifees were a Sed i>f precife, vain-glorious Separatilis,
that defpifed others, Luke xviii. full of Self conceit of
their own Holinefs, and lo(ked upon the ccmmon Peo-
ple, or thofe who did not join with them, to be accurfed,
John !x. who when they came from Market, or from
any Court of Judicature, immerfed themfdves all over
in Water. § Mr. Gill proves from the Je-Mijh Writers,
that if the Pnarifees touched but the Garments of the
common People, they were defiled all one as if they
had touched a prcfluvious Perfon, and needed Immcifi-
on, and were Oblged to it. Hence, Luke xi. ^8. may
properly b^..unds^ritood, to intend this total Abiution,
or Immerfion of the whole Body ; for Chrift had been
in a Croud of People that Dav, V ^r'iz 29. And accord-
ing to the Pharifees N-.tion needed Imme.fion : T^i^xf:^
fore there is nothinir appears as yet from rhefe Words
to favour Mr. F\ Opmion ; for tr-e Jetvs v. ere
not faid to be baptized, .Afien their Hands only
were waflicd, or waf.i:ng of Hands is not heie called
X Leigh. § Expof. Mark vii. 4.
( i8i )
baptizing them. His Conclufion then is truly and jufi-
ly rejVded, as having no Foundation in the Text.
As to what he urges from the Inftance of Chrifl's
Wa(hing his Difciples Feet, John xiti. it is not worth
a:u' Notice: He may as well argue, that the myftical
U^atcr of Baptifm (as he calls it) is abfolutely necefla-
ry t.) Salvation, becaufe that myftical Wafhing (fa
called) WIS (o, *' If I xvafh thee not, thou hafl no Part
in me'' If he thinks this i^ulLgc affords him a Rule of
Diredlmn huw Baptifm ought to be adniiniflred, he
Ihouid wafh the Feet, and nnt thg Face, of thofc he pre-
tends to baprjze j and (hould alfo have Lme total Ablu-
tion to precede his Sprinkling, in order to have fom«
Colour tor his Pradice anfwerabje to the Text,
He that is %ijajhedy ncedeih noty fave only to ivafh his
Feet ;" which is expreiiive of wfsat I faid, without any
Glofs on It at all : B.iides Chrirt was not here about
to inltitute tJie Oidinanceof Baptifm, or to inform his
Difciples in what Manner it ought to be adminiilred.
Nothing but extream Scarcity of Argument could pof-
fiblv force Mr. F. to urge this Place in Favour of his
Pr^dice, which hath iro Manner of Relation to the
Pomt in Hand ; nor has he fliewn us »ny divine Rule,
which direds turn to fprinkle the Face, more than any
othc;r Part ; bat ,onIy his own Fancy leads him to this
Device, to p^ur W^ter on the Face, " Becaufe his
the principal Part of Man's Body.- Nut that Chr;fl or-
dcred h m to dufo, or that he has any Example of ths
Admin. ftration of Bapiifm in this Manner, in the
Word of God ; but of this enough, unlefs it had been
to the Matter in Hand.
Inanfvver to his fuller Argument from Mark vii. 4.
I obferved, *' JVlmt may be the prefent Cujiom of wajliing
Tables {or Beds) is nothing to the Purpofe ; he ought to
havefbewn how the Jews wajhid them^ before his Argu-
ment will be of any Force in this Centroverfy." He thinks
there is no Difficulty in this at all, unkf* it be fuppofcd
the Jews were fume diftra£Ved fort of Perfons j and
imagines I might '* as xvell require him is prove, that
ihf Jews walked en thdr Feet, and did ntt creep on all
M 3 Feur:\
( IS2 )
^^«r."— And fays, «* Mr. KttsJhouIJ have Jhewn that
the TradtUom (cfiht Elders) required Plmrghg," Well
then, if it can he fliewn, that thofe Traditions did re-
quire the Immcrfion or Dipping of Tables or Beds it
wtUfufHcientiy er^ervate Mr. Fs Argument, and fulJy
ftievv theEvar^gdift u(^d the Word Baptijmos in its pro-
per s)rd native Senfe, which we contend for : And to
this Purpofe, take an Inftance or two out of in^ny
ivhich Mr. Gill has cited in his learned Expofitioft on
the Place ; after he hath fhcwn the Traditions ot the Eld-
ers required the Immerrion of Cups, Pots and brazen
VeiTeis, obferves, from the Jevjiih VV, itings, " That
fviry yejfel of Wood that is divided into two Parts is clean,
(xcepttng a double Table, &c. i. e. a 7 able which covji/i/d
cf various Parts, and were folded together -when it ivas\e-
Tncvtd i and thefe were wafied by covering them in Water,
£r,d very nice they ivere in wajlnng them, that' the Water
Tnight reach evtry Part, and that they might be covered all
ever J that there might be nothing which might fepar ate be-
tween them, and the Water, and hinder its coming t9
them*' Again, v. hen he has mentioned the divers Ways
whereby Beds were defiled, obferves, " Ihe Jcwilh
Canons run thus, a Bed that is wholly defiled, if he dips it
Fart by Pari, it is purer Again, - If he dtps the Bed
tn it (the Pool of Water) although its Feet are plunged in-
/J the UHck Clay [at the Bottom of the Pool) it is clean "
Further, '^ APilloiv, or a Bolfier of Skin, when a Man
:-fis tip the Ends, ^ or Mouths of them out cf the Wa-
Ur,^ the Water which is within them will be drawn, what
pall he dor Hemufi dip them, and lift them i,p by theit
Fringes,"- In f]?ort, it is a Rule with the Jews, that ivhere-
foevcr tn^ the Law waflAng of the Fujh or if Clothes is mtn-
Honed, -tt means nothing elfe than the dipping of the Whole
in Water;-- far if any Manwafhhimfdfallover, except
ne Top cfhis little Finger, he is Jlill in his Uncleannefs.
bo toat the Evangelifi ufes the Words Rjpdzo and Bapia'-
mo%mofi propel ly, without dcpartirg from their primary
and literal Senfe ; nor could he have ufed Words more ap-
pcftte and fit. Hence it appears, with what little Shew
e/Reafin, and what a vaf» Furptft this Paffage is fo often
(ippeaUd ■
( iS3 )
^ippeahd t»^ to hjfen the Senfe of the TVord Baptizo ; as If
it did not f.gnify to dip^ but a jort of Wafinngjhort of Dip^
ping i tho" what that (Vajhing is, is not eafy to Jay^ ftnce
Veffih and Clothes are in csmtmn zvajhed i>y putti-g them
itiro fVater, ortd covering them with it. This Paffage
therefore is of no Service to thoje who plead for fprinklingy
cr pc.-ing l^'^uin- in Baptifttty in Oppofiiion to hnmerfion ;
nor of any Dijfervice^ but of real Uje to thoje who prac-
life bn tiler fi'fi^ and muji confirm them in it" On the
Wh.iit:, t'.t Reader m^iy fee, Mr. F. had no jufc Ground
to fav, that I might as v/ell require him to prove the
yews vaiked on their Feet, as how they wa/hed
th: ir Tables or Beds ; nor to fugg'.^fl, that iVIr. Reeszmi
I a(e iiithoncft and unfaithful to the C^aufe of Truth :
I would knowofh^m, what were the Traditions of the
Elders originally, but the ab'ifing of fomc Precept, or
«not.')er, before he fays, " He has (ut the Sinews of
cf our laborious Shift J*
In Page 89. he proceeds to Heb. ix. 10. and fays,
** The ApolVie here refers to all the ceremonial Purifi-
cations without Limitation ; and tells uSy in Verfe igth, he
calls forne of thefe Baptijtm Sor inklings." But Mr F. well
r knew that f deny'd his aboveiaid Aflertion : It therefore
■ highlv became him to (hew, that all the ceremcnial Puri-
fications were included in this Term, Divers Wafftngs j
before he talks, *■■ That we are fadly at a Lnfs for Jrgu^
ments ; and that tve bring Kothinjr but lamentable StuJ^
in Oppofition to his." The Sprinkling mentioned iti
Veife iQfh, feems much rather to be included in the A-
poftlc's Phrafe, *' Carnal Ordinances" than the forego-
ing, " Divers IVnJhings.''* *' Carnal Ordinances (fays
the A-ffemhly of Divines or Jujifications of the Flejhy bt-
caufe they didfon^lify only to the purifying of the Hejh, Perfe
13." -f Cradu'i notes, " Dikaioomata, Jujiificatieni i
hecanfe they reprefentcd the Way of obtaining Jufiification.'*
And for this Lnd the Apoftle mcniions the Sprinkling
©f Blood in the following Verfes ; as being typical of
the Blood of Chrili, whereby a Sinner is juftified and
clcanfid from the Guilt or Sin. Now if the Qz^Q be
M 4 thus,
I Apefi. Hift. Page 480,
( i84 )
thus, as nothing appears to the contrary ; Sprinkling in
t3'J- "''^ comprehended under the Expreffion, Di~
vers JVaMp ; nor does there appear anv Room for
thcConclufion he would hence infer, «' That fome of
ihefeBapufrm are Sprinkling,:- This may alfo ferve to
leilen h,s Aniazement, by {hewing that the J-ift-ficationi
or R.ghteoufneiTes, in the fcveral Scriptures he has cited,
are referable to carnal Ordinances, and none of them
intended by Divers IVaftAngs; and fo there appears not
the Jeaft Contradidion t© Scripture, in faying the cere-
mon.al Wafhingsthe ApoHle had in Viev., ftJod not in
^P'Vj ''"2'' ^'t'^er generally or particularly ; efpecially
the VVord Ranttfe made ufe of j M'hich does not fignify
to wafh, tho he fecms willing to force it, contrary to
Its Meaning, to do fo, when he without any Evidence
lays, the Apollle calls icme of thefe Baptifms Sprink-
Jings, which yet the Apoftle does not, tho' indeed he, by
u r ' ^''''"^'^ ^^'" "'^^^ ^^'"^ ^Pea^ ^^- ' Further, en
the ame miftaken Suppofition of the Apoflle's referring
to all the cereir.onial Purifications without Limitation?
1)= goes on to fay. That wecxprefly contradia the Apo-
IJe, and Scnptuie, when we fay, the f Apoftle calls
1^ K 1^'^."^""'^^^^^"''°"^ (which were always perform-
ed by bathmg or d.pping in Water) divers, or different
beca^fe of the different Perfons or l^hings. theifubjeas
thereof. "^ et it io gbfervable, at the fame time he would
make his Glofs pafs for Truth, the ApoPJe does not fav,
as he would have it, that thofe Wafhings were divers,
as to tne Mode of their Adminiftrations j. as fom« by dip-
P^nglome by pouring, and ethers by putting on with
thei-jngcri nor indeed is it reafonable to fuppofe the
.. t ^r''7'' ^^0"^ a'i allow to be a Man of Learning, notesf
"'^rias Lotiones nominal, quia lotio alia erat Sacerdotufn,
iixod. xxix. 4. alia Lefitarum, Num. viii. 7. alia Ifraeli-
tarumpcji irr.puritaUm aliquam contradam. Lev. xv. 8, 16.
i /7'A^^i'; ^5- ^'xii- 6. Num. xix. 19." That is,
*e (the Apcitie) fpeaks of divers Wafnings, becaufc there was
one W afhing of the PrieHs, another of the Levites, and ano-
<r\ the lOaelites, after foms Defilement contraded. To
fhs fame Purpofe EJlius alfo gpmmei^ts on the Place,
( 185 )
Apoftle intended all the ceremonial Purifications herebf,
v.'hen he immediately fubjoins, " And carnal Ordi'
nances ;" under which, fo great a Part of tlie ceremoni-
al Worfliip is included. Hence it does not appear, there
is any Thing in this Place which favours hii Sprinkling,
or gives any Umbrage to his Pradice ; or any Ground
for his noify Exclamations againft us.
In Page 90. Mr, F. again lays, the Word Baptize d^ni'
fiestofprinkle, not to dip, inMaft. iii. ir. M^rk i S.Lfh
iii. 16. He fhall baptize you with the Holy Ghoft^ and with
Fire. In f Charitable Plea^ he undertook to tell us,
** What it is to be baptized with the Holy Gho/i, and how
^erforfned :'* And fays, *' The Scripura every where ex'
'^refs this^ by pouring forth hi^ Injltunces.'^ I dtiired him
to try how the Verfion would run, to fay, he (hall pour
you with (or in) the Holy Ghoft ; whether this would
not be as (hocking to him, as that which he rejedls ?
But this he has paiTcd over in Silence. Any one may fee,
that the Expreffions whereby the Spirit's Influences are
fet forth, are very infufHcient to fix and determine the
Senfe o.f the Word Baptize^ becaufe we read of fendmg
the Spirit, and giving the Spirit, as I already rbferved.
I noticed, ** The Places, wherein the IFord Baprizo //
tifed in a proper and literal Senfe^ conjlantly make for us: —
But in thefe Texts {and fame others) it is manifedh ufed
in a figurative Senfe ; and therefore to infer from the me-
taphorical Ufe of the Jf'ord, a Meaning different from its
allowed native and proper Signification^ is unreafonable,
and a falfelVay of arguing.'^ Now what Ground he has
to Imagine he oppofes me on this Head, I cannot devife ;
for if any one, it is he himfelf (and not I) who infinu-
ates a Metaphor to be without a Refcmblance : I hinted
nothing that Way, when I faid, that the native Signifi-
cation of the Word is to dip, plunge, or overwhelm ;
and therefore argued to this Purpofe, that the metaphorical
Ufe of Baptize inthcfe Texts before us (after I had fhewn
from Asis ii. 2. that the Difciples were furrounded,
overwhelmed, and covered with the Holy Ghofl on the
pay oiPentecoft) carries in it a beautiful (Refemblancc^
( i86 )
Of) Allufion to the Admiiilftrarion of BaptiYm by Ini-
inerfion only, and no orher Wav. Byt according to
hitii:) there isno Refcaiblance atajl in the Cafe, unlefs he
had fhewn that Baptize iiat)veiy Signifies to pour or
fprinkle, or that Baptifm was fo adminiilred in the pri«
fnitive Times, which he has not done ; and yet would
fain perfwade his Readers to believe, without the leaft
Ground for it, that I anj guilty of all that I-norance,
and Contradictions he is pltafcd to charge me with. I
Wjfhhe would look more to the univcrfally acknowledg-
ed t Laws of Difputation, he is fo very willing other*
fhould follow, or e!fe not pretend to difpute at all.
Further, he thinks it overthrows my Argument, that
this extraordinary Donation, is exprefled by Pouring in
yfJisii. 17, 18, 33. Anf. Not at all ; for therein the
Apoflle recites the Prophefy long before, or fpeaks in
Relation to it, wherein the VVord pour is exprefled : But
when the Prophecy was near accomphCbing, as in thefc
Texts under Coniideration, it is not ftrange another
Word fhould be ufed, as being more expreinve of the
Glory and Gicatnefs of that Difpenfatiim ; beiides the
Accomplifbment of it to the Difc'iples, JjJs ii. 2. wjiere
ivehave an Account in what Manner they were bapti-
zed, with the Holy Qhoff, fufficiently refutes Mr. Fs
FUa, that Baptifm is rightly performed by Pouring : I
may therefore again obferve. to baptize in the Holy Ghoft,
does not fecm fo very ftrange and difagreeable, for the
Difciples were aa if they had been dipped or plunged all
over therein. .He fay^, ** Tbefe Exprejfiom Jhock hinty
however gratrful ihey are to Plungers.^' But why is he
jiot fhockcd likewife with other Scripture Exprcffions,
of being in theSpirjt, i^^z;. i. jo. Living and Walkmg
in the Spirit, Cal, v. 25 ? But it ktms Expreffions,
much of the fame Import, hav;; not been very unpleaf/ng
to fome Sprinklers J for Inftance Cafauhon,'^^ % AUha*
{Joys he) I do not d'lfapprove of the Wcrd B.iptizare being
retained here, that the Amithefis inay befulh yet I am of
Opimon., that R.tgard is had in this Place to its proper S'tg-*
nijicaticn^ for Baptizsin is to immerfcy fo as to tinge or
dip,
+ Preface to his Find. Page 7. % Antient M«df, Page *2„
[ iS7 ]
dip, and In this Sen ft ihe ApoJlUi are truly f aid to he haf-
tizedi for ihe Houfe in winch this was done, was filhd with
the Holy Ghojl, fo that the Apa files feemed to bt plungtd in--
to it, as into a Fijh-pool.'* Now it may be yiiWy obferv-
ed, our Author has not made appear from theie Texts,
that Baptizo fignifies to Sprinkle.
The iiext PJace of Scripture, which he cites as full
to his Purpofe, is i Cor. x. 1, *' The Ihztihcs were all
iaptized iwtoMofcfy in the Cloud., and in the Sea : And
fays, we are told hozv this Baptijm %vas performed in Pfalm
Ixviii. 7, 8, 9. Now (fays he) if Baptizing here fgnifies
Plunging, we miiji underjfand, that the Ifraelifes were lift-
id up^ and doufed down into the Cloud, and the Sea, which
is dire£ilj contrary to Scripture. The Rain was poured
iipon them from the Cloud, and thereby they were baptized.'*
Anf, If we underftand Baptizing to fignify Plunging,
I cannot fee the ftrong Neceffity to conclude that the If-
raelites were lifted up, and doufed down into the Cloud
and Sea ; for we may readily apprehend the Apoftlc
(peaks thus, with Rtgtjrd to the very great Rtfemblance
between that Pafiage of theirs through the Sea, and
Baptifm, when performed hy Immeriion, without fup-
pofing them to be doufed into the VVaters of the Sea.
But why are thefe Phrafes, *' Li/ting up, and douftng
down into the Cloud and Sea, made ufe of> but with Al-
iufion to Kaptifm when adminiitied by Immerfion,
thereby to render it contemptible, and the Subjedt (i
Plverfion to his Readers ? When as for any Thmg Mr.
F. has fliewn, it was by Immcriion Chrift himfelf was
baptized ; and however free he may make with us, it fure-
ly does not become him, as a profeflcd Minilier of Chrift,
to banter his facred inftjtution with his comical Phrafes,
in Alluiion to that Mode, which he cannot difprove to
be the only fcriptural and proper One. But I think
this Place in the 68th Pfalm is fo far from fliewing hovf
the Baptifm of the Ifraeliies was performed, that it has
no Relation at all to it ; for there is no Mention of -^
r^/r/'s Journeying through the Red Sea in the whole Paf-
iage ; but of their Matching through the Wildernefs.—
B&iides, to imagine there was a pkntiful Rain poured
down
down on the Camp of Jfrad in the Time when they
went thro' the Sdo, does not agree with what the cJivine
Hiftorian tells us, in Exvd. X'v. 29. But the Children
of\Uzt\xoalkedu^on dy Land in the viidft cf the Sea^
and the IVaters were a IFall unto the^i on t.^eir right Hand
pndcn their Left. Mr. F. will hardly fay, that he- wa.'kj
on dry Land m a Day of plentiful Rain. Anv one may
fee how much he is at a Lofs, to prove that Bapt\%o fig-
nifies to fprinkle, when he refers to this Hace with
that Defign, which fpeaks nothing about it ; nor cari
he, altera!.!, fl:dw from Scripture, that one Drop of Rain
from the Cloud, was poyred on the Armies of Ifrael, or
the lead Spray of the Sea fprjnkled them, all the While
they were paffing thro' it. Surely we are in no D^^nger
of lofing our Argument, by fuch trill, ng, infigmficant
Keafonings, as thtfe. I fhall fubjoin the Judgment of
fome learned Divines, and pafs on. ^i he Continu-
cr.s of Pcclti Annotations on the Place, having men-
tioned divers Opinions, obferve, " Others mcjl trohably
think, that the Apojiie ufrth this Term, in Regard of the
great Analogy betwixt Baptifm (as it was then ufcd) the
Perfons going doW7} into the Waters, and being dipped in
them ; and the Ifraehte.? going down into the Sea, the
great Receptacle of Waters, though the Waters at that
lime were gathefTd on Heaps, on either Side of them j yit
thgyfeemed buried in the Waters, as Perfons in that Age
were, when they were baptized:' Here it is very obfer-
vable, that thcfe learned Divines ^o freely acknowledge
Dipping in Water, and Burying therein, to have been
the primitive Praaice of Baptizing; which is a great
Deal from them who praaifed Sprinkling, Thev after-
wards fay, «' There is a great Probability that the Cloud did
fiower down Rain." But that which is brought to fupport
ir, out oiPfalm ixviii. is already {}iewn to b'e infufficicnt.
Hence, the Reader may fee this Place, which A4r. F,
imagines is full to hisPurpofe, is not at all fo. On the
Whole it may be obferved, our Author fails to produce
cne Indance, where the V/ord Baptizo prrp;rly fignifies,
oris rendered to pour or fp? inkle : Therefore there
needs no long Remarks on the following Part of his
Vindication j particularly ths Examples of Baptifm
i
[ i89 ]
tiwhich he comes next to confiderj recorded in holy
Sciipture, are veiy fui! and plain in our Favour. Thero
we iind, that Chrift was baptized (dipt) of John in Jor-
dan, Mark. i. 9. 10. 7'hat Multitudes were baptized
( :.pt) in the Rivtr of Jordan, confefling their ims,
Mark i. 5. See alfo John i. 23. Ails viii. 38.
To die Example:, we bring from Scripture in favour of
I nmerlion, he oppofcs the Meaning of the Word Bap-
tizo ; tho' many Padobaptijis allow it natively fignifies
to dipor plunge ; yet he would have me confider, " Ideal
with one, who grants no fuch Thing." Well, I krsow I
have to deal with fuch an One, and therefore I bring
the ConcefTions of Padobaptijis againfl him j who can-
rot be fufpeded of Partiality in the Cafe, for no doubt
they were as tenacious of Sprinkling as he j and (I fup-
pole he will not deny) were by far his Superiors in Learn-
ing, and Judgment ; fo that in refuting us, he muft
refute his learned Brethren. But he^ fays, " He is not
ivillhig jurare in verba Magijlri" Very like j but cart
he imagine we'll pin our Belief on his Slee/e, when he
has given us no Proof that thofe great Men were mifta-
Jcen, only his Supp. fition they were fo ; and, " Thai their
Mijlake proceeded from their confounding Bjpto w///j Bap-
tizo ; ana not obferving how conjlantly the Holy Gboji has
dijiinguij])ed them in the New Tejiament:' Here the learn-
cd World may fee the Original of their Grey-headed
Miftake ! But can Mr. F. pofTibly imagine there is any
Weight at all in thefe Obfervations ? Or that he has
made any new Difcoveries in the Cafe ? Further, the
Holy Ghofl may make ufe of what Words hepleafes with-
out dettroying the Senfeof any. The conflantUie of the
Word Baptizo, wherever the Adminiftation of the Or-
dinance is mentioned in Scripture, makes for us ; which
(hews it was adminiftred alwavs in the fame Manner,-
Does Mr. F. not fee, that his Talk here m-kes much
more a.^ainft himfelf, than againft uj ? For Inftance,
^.Raptizo <3«r/ Rantizo *ztvr^ Terms fymnimous, they
Would both have been njed indifferently to exprefs the Or-
dinance of Baptifm. But contrariwifc, Baptizo /; always
ujcdxvhen Menxion is made of f aid Ordinance, andV^znxx^
10 not fa much at once. Hence it follows ^ if Ran tizo'
nativelj
f '90 ]
natively Jignifies to Sprtnkle, Baptizo daes nat ftgntfy
the fame ; far I hope Mr. F. w'lU not venture to affirm^
that the Holy Spirit JiudiouJJy and conjlnntly keeps up a
i>i/lin£iion without a Difference ; and if not., then to
baptize is not tt fprinkU^ in StriSfnefs of Speech.'' The
fame may be faid of Pouring. Mr. F. may fee this Ar-
gument of his. Page 91, as it now ftands, is of no Ad-
vantage to his Caufe.
He thinks the Examples of John'i Baptizing in Jar-
dan ^nd /Enon are no Evidence that he dipt the People ;
unlefs we had fliewn, that none could baptize where
there is much Water, any other Way than by Plunging.
Anf. If Baptizo natively fignifies to d;p or plunge, as I
have ihewn, there needs no further Evidence, that John
dipt thofe whom he dipt in Jordan.
Another of Mr. Ps Reafons f if it may be called foj*
againft what we urge, is <* The Multitudes John baptized^
required a large ^antity^ tho* he had ufed but a litle to each
Perfc:i." Reply ; not fo large, as it fliould need to be
called much Water: Everyone knoAS a very fmall
Quantity of Water would go a great Ways, by Drops
fprinkled from his Fingers-ends, or at the mufl, what
he could take up in his Hand. Another of Mr. Fs De-
vices, whereby he would fain pe^fv^'ade the World to
believe, why John baptized where there was much Wa-
ter, is, " that the People ajid their Horfes might drink:*
When our Author is fo carefully employed in his Ima-
gination to accommodate Man and Beai!t with Drink,
how is it he forgets to make fome Provifjon for them to
eat too ? and (b inform the World, that John had need
to make Choice of fuch Places, where theie wa* good
Store of Viduals and Provender for Men and HoSes :
'Tis a pitiful Caufe, that forces our Opponents, who
ire otherwife Men of Learning and judgment, to
make fuch trifling Conjeaures. John was not fent to
water Peoples Horfes and Camels ; nor do we find
any Ground in Scripture to "think he made Choice of
much Water with the Deftgn to accommodate Man and
Beaft with Drink ; bis Concern was to admfnifrer Bap-
tifm, and therefore chofe PLices where there was much
Water, as being convenient for that Purpof-. I i>ial!
liV
[ «9i J
hf before him again, what he has not refuted, which
is as follows : '* It is worthy to be obfervedj that the Holy
Ghdji gives us the Ilea f on why John baptized in ffLnon^
viz. becauje there -was much Water there ; novj it is plain
that the lUodc of Bap'ixing by Itnmerjion is the only Mode
which requires much iTatery in the Adminijtration of this
Ordinance i all other pretended Modes by Pouring and Sprink-
ling require but very little j a Bafon full carried into a
Meeting houfe^ or elfewhen, would go a great If ays. If
it bt fuppojed that Relation is herein had to fome thing elfe,
and not to juch a Mode of Baptifm^ which requires much
f Pater tn the Adminijiratlon of //, the Rcajon here giveit
by the Holy Ghojl would not at all be expreffive or illufira-
tive, why John baptized where there was much IVater^
any more than elfnuhere." Further, Mr. F. cannot
puH-e there was one Horfe there, where yo/^-i baptifed,
only by aSuppofitlon of his, he would fain elude the
Senfe of the Words by his ridiculous G)ofs on the Text ;
and as trifling is his Remark on my Anfwer to h.m when
he afks, *^^ Would a Eajon full go a great Ways to fupply
many thoufand People and Horfes with Drink" when he
knew 1 fpalce about the Adminiftration of Baptifm, if it
were done by Sprinkling, and not about Watering of
Horfes ? Surely fuch ShuiHmgand Evafion, is no Credit
to his Cdufe.
Another Imagtriaticn of Mr. F\ why John bap-
tized where there was much VVa^:^^, becaufe it wouH
be ofFenrive to the Jews, to uft Uie fame Water twice ;
1 think one muft have a very piercing Eye, to fee any-
thing in this to his Purpofej for every one knows if the
Ofdinance was perform'd by Pouring or Sprinkling, 16
was not poffibie to ufe the wqie Water twice, for tiiac
xvhich was poured or fprmklea, ccu!d not be gathered
up again ; and if they thought John's Hdnd polimed it,
by taking it up, it would do it the firft Time, as well
as the fccond. Hence jt M\ follows, a fmail (^iantity
of Water would be fuiScient to fprinkle many Thou-
fand Pefjple.
But Mr. Ps grand Objeaion agatnfl Inimcrfion h^
*' Conjidering how immodefi it would have been for Malet
and Fimales to Jlrip before Juch Crouds ; tuhgre had the^
iigitrt*
[ 192 ]
Retirements, in which to drefs or undrejs? And in Page
94. he is (() perplex'd about this Matter, that he cannot
divine, how Males and Females could itrip before a
Multitude, and yet prcferve the Rules of Decency and[
Modcftv. Anf. Seeing this affords fo much Uneafinefs
to his labouring Mind, he may be pleas'd to confider,
there were in the VVildernefs of Judea, fix Cities,
with their Villages, in the Days of Jo/hua, Chap xv.
61. which {hews us the Place was habitable, and if fo,
it might be inhabited in the Days of John too, which
Suppofition is not unlikely to be true, for Jchn
preached in the Wjldernefs of Judta^ Mat. iii. I. Luke
iii. 3. /. e. to the Inhabitants there, it feems before o-
thers came to hear him from diftant Parts, Mat. iii. 5.
Mark i. 4, 5. 1 hope Mr. F. won't fay, that John
preach'd in the Wildernefs to Trees, and wild Beafts,
as he infmuates, he made Choice of Places to adminifter
Baptifm in, where Water was plentyi to accommodate
tame Jleafts, /. e. Horfes. Now if the VVildernefs of
Judea had been inhabited with Cities and Villages for-
merly, and probably was fo in John's Time, where he
iirft entred on his publick Miniury ; who knows but
this Confideration may, in fome Meafure, relieve Mr, F.
from his perpleKing Difficulty, how the People might
^refs or undrefs, and yet prcferve the Rules of Decen-
cy and Mcdefty: But if it does not, the Mode of Im-
nierfion is not difprov'd, becaufe the Objection itfelf is
but -a mere Cavjj, and hath no more Weight in it to
overthrow the Truth of Scripture, thaii if fome other
Caviller fhould objed againft ibe Truth of the Hiftory
of Sa?npfons catching 1 hree Hundred Foxes, becaufe he
could not divine., how it might Idc done.
Deut. viii, 7. without any Glofs on it, exprefly
fliews, there was no fiich Scaicity of V\''ater in the Land
of Canaan, a's our Opponents vainly fuggeft. VViat
Scriptures I fet together by the Ears, as he miinuates, I
know not, nor has he fhewn them j tho' he, to preju-
dice his Readers againft the Truth, unjufiiy fays, it is
my ^Vay : Surely it is not to leave Sciipiures in Con-
tiadi<3;iort
[ I9S ]
tradi(?tIon, when I cite exprefs Scripture to contradi5fc
his Glofles.
I have given * Inftances that the Phrafe Hudata Polla^
fignifies much Water, or abundance of Water, which
Mr. F. has not been able to refute, and inflead of pro-
ducing Inflances, that many Springs, Rivulets, or fe-
veral fmall Streams, are hereby intended, he falls a
tranflating of the Words Palia, and Hudata^ and tells
us they Hgnify many Waters : Who of us ever queftion-
cd that ? But we fay, they do not fignify little Streams
or Rivulets, which he fhould have fhewn, had he made
good his Aflertion, or refuted us. He does not deny
that rquch Water is meant by this Phrafe elfewhere in
Scripture ; there is therefore no need to doubt but it fig-
nifies much Water, mjohnm. 23. as well as elfewhere,
fufficient for Johjz to immerfe the People in, who cam©
to him to be baptized. The Teftimony of Travellers
Cwhich he fpeaks of, but has not yet produced any in
his Favour) is no Proof againfl exprefs Scripture Tefti-
mony.
We argue from the Examples of ChrifPs Baptifm,
and the £unuch's, Mat. iii. 16. J^s viii. 38, 39. that
Baptifm was, and ought to be, adminiftred by Immer-
fton. Mr. F. imagines the Strength of our Argument
depends on the Prepofitions ?«/o, and out of: " They
went into, and put of the Water, therefore they were
plung' d under it." I defired him to produce the Baptiji
Author, that argues after the Manner he talks, which he
has not done, but thinks I argue fo : Suppofe i did, yet my
Antipado7-antifm, which he had not feen, when he wrote
hii Charitable Plea, could not afford him Ground for his
Surmife : But had he done Juftice to my Words, when
he pretended to put them in Form, his Defign to make
good hisabovefaid Aflertion would be entirely fruftrated.
Now if it be fo as he fays, " That I will not venture mf
Caufe on this Argiimenl" How is it, " that the whole
Force of my Argument depends on the Prepofitions into,
and out of, to prove the7n to have been dipt ? He feems wil-
ling to rcprefcnt me as inconfiftent with myfelf, as his
N Writing
* Anti. Page 129.
. , t 194 ]
tVriting is : One While this muft be the wliole Force,'
and vet not mv w hole Force ! Says he, '* Ihe Matter^
is thus^ thefe hoajied Clrcumjiances will do nothing of them-
felves, but prove they were in the IVater." Pray who
ever required them to do any more? Is not this enough
to prove, that Philip and the Eunuch went down both
into the Water, the one in order to adminifter the Or-
dinance by Dipping (as the Word natively ftgnifies) and
the other to fubmit to it ; and when the Ordinance was
thus adminiftred, they came up out of the Water ; So
that inftead of having nothing left us, as he fuppofes,
we have the apoftolical Example in its full Luftre lefd
lis, to warrant our P/a6}iceof Imtncrfion, as ^r any
thing he has faid agatnft it.
I afk'd, for whit Reafon did the Holy Ghoft pen the
Account io particular, if not for our Learning and \m\f
tation ? Which M.i. F. has nut thought proper to an-
fwer.
JBecaufe I /aid he miv go into the Water, and come
out of it an Hundied Times, without being plung'd un-
der it—-*' He leatns, that going into the TVater^ does not
Jlgnify to go under in general-, but only whin a Perfon is
to be baptized. And thus it is a full and accomplijl^ed beg-
ging of the ^uejtion in Debate." But where have i taught
him, or given him the leaft Occafion, to fay it fignlfies
going under it with their whole Bodies, either in gene-/
ral or particdlur ? I know not. What I fay, ia plain
enough, that when Philip and the Eunuch were both in
the Water, as thefe Ciicumftances prove that he im-
liierfed the Eunuch in that- Water, according to the na-«
tive Senfe of the Word Baptize., which I don't leave
behind, as he fuggtfts, but carry along with me, in the
Courfe of this Debate. He indeed muft fay fomething
againft thefe Scripture Examples of Immerilon, in Fa-
vour of his Sprinkling, if it is but his ufual charging
ttie with beggm? the Qiieftion,
He fays, *' ]\/Jy Reply (to his Remark on Pfalm cvii.
23J is calculated for a Storm, and wJll be of r,o Service
to wy Caufe in a Calm.'' But he flluuld have obferved,
tiie PafTage itfelf is calculated for a Storm i therefore the
iSea
Sea niuft be free from Storms, muft ceafe from Its work-
ino-, and be at reft, before this Inftance will fuit hifi
Caufe.
, " 1/ the Pbrafes (fays he, Page 96) xvili not prove
that Phihp ivas plungd^ neither -will they prove that the
Eanuch xvas" But the Phrafes pfrove what we urge^
that both PhlUp and the Eunuch were in the Water, and
the Text aflures us, that jP/?/7/]^ baptized him there. Dr:
Ridgl/s is an odd Notion, for when one is raifed upon
his Feet, he hath the perfcdt U^c of his Underftanding
to go up out of the Water, as Mr. Recs has pertinent:
\y obferved. . ,
. Mr. F, brings in Jerom and Eufehius^ with a Dcfign
to prove it " was ohly a Spring of IVater^ where the Eu-
nuch was baptized^ and the diminutive Expreffion^ a cer-
tain Water ^ feems to intimate fo much." And he adds,
** This Mr. M. has thought fit to pafs ever.'* Anf, It is
true, I did fo; bccaufe I look'd on it fo infignificant,
as, not worthy of any Remark, as I have done, and do
up.on fomc other Obfervations in his Writings- --But
now he lays it before me again, therefore it muft be
9onfidered, for v/ho knows but this is one Particular,
included in tliat Charge, * that I ncglecfted the ftrongeft
of his Arguments, and was forced to pafs over them in
Silence. Certain Water then, it feems, fignifies little
Water, or fomie fmall Quantity of Water, for he calls
it a diminutive Expreflion: By this Way of interpret-
ing Scripture, we muft fay a certain City, Luke v. 12.
was {oiv.Q very fmall City: A certain Pharifee, Luke xi,
37. was fom.e little Body, that fcarcely deferved to be
called a Man: A certain Sedition, Luke xxiii. 19. was
but fome fmall Difcord or Variance, when yet the Text
and Context -fliew the contrary. Who would not fee
fuch Gloftes as thefe to be ridiculous, as Mr. Finley\
Glofs on the Place under Confideration is? I dcfire to
know bv what Rule he calls a certain Water, a dimi-
nutive Expreffion? Mr. Gill obferves Uom BorcharduSy
*' That it zvas a River, in which Philip baptized the Eu-
nuch of ^leen Candace, not far from Sicelech."
N 2 Anothei:
* Find. Page 79,
I i§6 ]
Another of his Arguments, that Immerfioh was no*
tbe iVlode of Baptifm, is, that the Apoftles had not Con-
venience every where to plunge their Converts ; this he
accounts a felf-evident Aflertion. Reply ; But we do
not find they were at any Lofs about Convcniencies for
this Puipofe, nor has Mr. F. (hewn us they were: —
Only he is pleafed to entertain us with his Suppohtions,
as if he thought we paid the fame Regard to them, zi
he does himfelf. As to the reft of his Exceptions aL^ainft
the Mode of Immerfiun, fuch as, that the Publican*
and Harlots were fcant of Raiment, and the hke, I
mufl needs fay, they are fuch, that, to (peak after his
Mariner, I may venture the Reader to remark on
them.
*' Bui if our Tranjlation (fays hfe, Page 97) provei
them to have bten in the IVater^ the Greek FropoJitionI
ivili not prove even that much." No ; Why then has
Mr. F. not refuted me, in defending Matt, iii, 16. a-
gainft his bold Charge, of its being a corrupt Tranfla-
tion ? I gave him * feveral Inftances, where the Prepo-
fition JpOy does ftridlly and properly fignify out of^
which he has not been able to deny, and obferved, it
fignifies fo in Matt. iii. i6. becaufe Chriff was not bap-
tized on the Banks of the River, but in Jordan^ Mark
i. 9, then all know he muft come up out of the Waters
of Jordan. What is now become of Mr. /^'s toweringf
Confidence, that our Tranflation is corrupt in this Par-
ticular---his appealing to the Learned on the Occafion,
and what' not? Why, it is fufficiently baffled, and the
high Swell of empty Say- foes, is fallen almoft to Low-
Water Mark j for inftead of Jiri£ily and properly.^ wc
hear him now faying, " That , Apo commonly fignifies
from." Which may, perhaps, admit of further A-
jnendment ; for I have notic'd, in the Gofpel of Luke
only, by curH^ry Obfervation, § Seventeen Places where
Apo is tranflated out of., which plainly (hews how ill-read^
and poorly vers'd Mr. F, was in the Affair, when he
undertook
* Anti. Vage 133. f Charitable Plea, Page 96.
% Luke IV. 35, 41. Chap. V. 2, 36. Chap. vi. 17.
Oiap. viii. 46, &c.
r 197 1
undertook to write his Charitable Plea, that he did nqi
remember one Piace in all the Bihle (o rendered, (ave
MaM. iii. i6. However I think, I have clearly made
appear, that the Noife of our Opponents about this Pre-
pofition is groundlefs and empty.
Our Author feems quite difturbcd, that I fhould
prove Eh and Ek, fignify into, and out of, from his
own Obfervation, and aflcs, '* Is this Mr. M ?" I an-
fwer. Yes: It is the fame; and I would know of him,
Vv^as what he obferved from our Tranflation, Charitable
Plea, Page 93. *' contrary to the Tenour of his Reafon-
ing r' If fo, let him blame himfelf for being incon-
fiilent; and not me, for advancing what be obferved in
one Place to Icffen the Force of his AlTerticn in another.'
But he may be convinced, that I am not at fach a
Lofs for Argument to prove that faid Prepofitions figni-
fy into and out of, in the controverted Place, as he
imagines ; for in J^s viii. 36. we read, Js ?h\\>p and
the Eunuch went on their JVay, they came Epi ti hudor,
unto a certain IVater, and m Veiie 38. they both went
down, Eis to hudor, into the IVater, which muft necefla-
rily mean fomething mj.e than their coming to it;
which further confirms what we plead for, over and
above the Confirmation it received from Mr. Fs Ob.
feryations. ' Hence nothing appears to the contrary, but
Chrift and the Eunuch were in the Water, when the
one was baptized by John in Jordan, and the other by
Philip in a 'certain Water. But of this enough ; pro-
ceed we to Scripture Allufions, which Mr. F. calls
pur third Topick, or Head of Difcourfe.
* I obferved from i?(?w. vi. 3, 4, 5- and C;?/. ii. 12.
That Baptifm reprcfents the Death, Burial and Refurrec-
tion of Jefus Chrift, and our dying to Sin, and riling
to walk in Ne.'.nefs of Life ; and cited the ConcefTions
of feveral PaMapiiJls in our Favour, that the Apoftle
alludes to the Mode of Immerfion in thefe Phrafes, being
buried with him by Baptifm, &c. He labours to leffcn
the Foice of what I quoted from the Affembly's Notes
on Rom. vi. Says he, " Thefe IVords, In the Likenefs of
his Death, are not yet explained in this Note.** But had
N 3 h»
[ 198 ]
Jie cited their Note wholly xvhich I f quoted, inftcad of
laying,^ " What folktvs in the Quotation is to thefan\e
Purpofe^" he would have no Room for his Cavil : Be-
fides what I cited from the AfTjmbly, m^nti. Page 138,
was not to explain, " InthelikcmfsofhisDeath," but
this Phrafe, «' Buried with him in Baptifm"; whs r eon
they aiHrm, theantient Manner of Bapi.Tm, was to dip
the Parties bapcized, and that the Apoltle in this Phrafe
feems to allude to it ; hereby to fhew, how much their
Telhmony was in our Favour, and againft our Op-
ponent. . .. , .
» But how Difingenunus is it in Mr. F to leave out that
very Part of the A/Tembly's Note, which was pertinent
to the Matter for which 1 cited it, Jnti. Page 143, even
to refute his Sneers, when he afks---*' Afi^l we be fixed
en a Crofs when baptized, that Jo there may be a natural
Refemblance r^ The Aflembly fay,—" And we alfo,
•when we are baptized, are buried as it were in fVnter for a
Time, but after, are raijed up to Ncvmefs of Life :" Here-
by they aptly explain the Phrafe, " Planted together in
the Likenefs of his Death -;[ of which Baptifm is a live-
Jy Reprelentation, when performed by Jmmerfion, or being
buned in Water, as they exprefs ^t ; wherein the Be-
Jicver ads Faith on a crucified Chrifl, partakes of the
Benefits of his Death, and profeifeth to di;: to Sin, and
to rife with Chriftto Newncfs of Life. '
My next Citation is from Poc!eOi\ Rom. vi. 4. Mr.
F. nettled to be at this Place "a good VVhile ago, and
could not forbear aHcing in Page 79, " IVculdhe have me
to believe, that hisjudg/nent and CcnJ'cience led him to give
us a fa If e Quotation from Pooled Annotations r"^ And
here, jn ^Piige 99,'he hys, '' ' I miferably pervert Mr.
Poole'j Notes, by quoting only an Opinion which is re-
jected;--- and ajks^ what will not Mr. M dare for his
Caufe, when he can venture to forge a flotation ; can tell
us, the Continucrs of Poole'j Notes affert the very Thing
they contradia f" I anfwer, here are dreadful Charges
indeed \ How blark muftmy Charadter appear to thofe,
who take all for granted to be true vvliich he fays, with-
out
f Jntl, Page 1/3.
[ 199 3
«ut further Enquiry ! Yea, how willing does Mr. R
fcem to be I fhould be accounted daring enough to at-
tenipt any Thing, tho' ever fo defperate, in Defence of
piy Caufc. But is he fure, I am guihy of all this ? I
think it is now high Time that Innocence fnould appear in
its proper Coloms ; I do hereby therefore pubhckly deny
the Whole of Mr. Fs Charge on this Head ; and pofi-
tively aifirm, if I can believe mine own Eyes, or fhall
be believed in what I fay, That the Paflage in Poole's
Jnnotationsy in thatEdition which I made ufe of, is as I
quoted it, and not as Mr. F. alledges ; there are no fuch
ExprefTions [fame thuik---hut othei s think iv'uh greater
Reafou] in the Notes on the Text.' How then Mr. F,
came to charge me fo wrongfully, I cannot readily de-
vife : I would fain force m} f^lf to believe, he is better
principled than to do it wilfully and defignedly ; but
how he came to be miftaken I cannot imigine, unlefs it
be he made ufe of fome other Edition of Poole's Annotati-
ons^ and that (hould differ from the one ! have, which
v/as printed at London 1688. wherein tlie Words are
as I cited them : And if any fcruple it, let them con-
fult that Edition, and fatisfy diemfelves, that I have not
perverted Mr. Poole's Words, which are pertinent to our
Purpufe. But which Way foever Mr. F. came to be
miftaken, I do hereby call upon him the next Time he
writes, to acquit. me publickly of thefe unjult Charges,
and acknowledge that by fome Means or other, he has
wronged me beforct he World : And this he will alfo do,
if he'll follow the golden Precept, of doing unto others,
as he vC'ould be done bv.
Says Mr. F. " His next! ejiimony is from Dr. Tower-
fon, who only offers the fame Anabaptijiical Arguments^
which J have been, and am refuting." Anf. Very well ;
this is what I cited the Dodor for, to (hew that his Te-
flimony is in our Favour: Thisfhews the Anabaptiili-
cal Arguments are very found and good, when great
Men, and 1-arned Divines, of a contrary Praftice infift
on them, and allow that Immcrfion is the on.y legiti-
mate Rite of Baptifm j becaufe the only one that can
anfwer the Ends of its Iriftitution, and thofe Things
N ^ which
[ 200 ]
^hich were to be fignified by it, which cannot be repre-
fehted by Pouring or Sprinkhng, or at leaft, but vetV
miperfeaiy— as Dr. Tower/on obferves : Which Modd
of Immerfion Mr. F. is far enough as yet from refuting-
tho IvviII grant, he oppoferh it ftrenuouflv. ' •• :
In Page loo. He undertakes to oppofe 'Dr. lVhitby\
laying that Immerfion was religioufly obferved by all
i^hn(tians for Thirteen Centuries:: But it can't b^
thought the Dr. had not read what Mr. F. ureesagainft
him, when he wrote his Commentary on the New Te-
Itament ; and muft have looked on what Mr~ F, calls
indubitable Tejiimor.y, quite infignificant, or ' el'fe he
^ould not have intimated, that Chriftiaas in general
!l o'^''""'^'^" ^^^ ^'^ ^°"g a Time ; nor wiflied that
this Cuftom might be again of general Ufe, and Afper*
Jion only permitted as of Old, m Cafe Of the C//Wa.
or in prefent Danger of Death, The Inftance Mr K
cues from ^-^//^^i^'j, of a young Man feemingly bap-
tized with Tears,' which he thinks to be a very evident
Proof, that-Baptifm in the earlv Age of the Church
Vjas performed by Sprinkling J I confcfs, is to me a very-
plain Evidence of his want of Proof in th- Cafe li
he relates the PafTage exadly, how natural is it to un."
derftand, by this iixpreffion ^baptized wici/Tears)---
the Condition the young Man was in, even as we ufu-
alJy fay, in a Flood of Tears. ' • '
His next indubiiable Tejiimony is from Cyprian's Let>
tcr to Magnus. 'But thvs Infhnce carries its full Flefu-
tation in its own Bofom : Forif Puuring or Sprinkling
had been the received, ccmmon,' and proper Mode of
admimftr.ng Baptifm in Cyprians Day j it cannot rea--
fonably be fuppofed, that f Magnus would have quefti-
oned the Lawtulnefs of it, or fcrupled, *' Whether they
are to be accounted right Chrijiians who had not been
waJJoed with the faluttferous Water, but only have had it
'•'■ ■■ '■ ' •• • . poured
t ^t'^Mi etiamf rater charijme qiadmihi de illis -videatur,
qui tn tnjirmitate et languore gratiam Dei confequuntur, an ha^
bendtfuni legitimi Chriftiani eo quod aqua falutari non hti fint-,
>//tf//*//.?i:yp. Epill. adMag. ■ ^ ,
[ 201 ]
poured upon them ?" And Cyprian's Anfwer to A:fyg-
Kus, alfo very clearly (Lews, that Sprinkling was not iH«
Mode, whereby Baptifm was commonly adminiftred,
or clfe he would never have anfwered in the Manner he
did, that his § Modelty would not allow him to pre-
poflcfs the Minds of others with his Sentiments j and
fay, *' Let every one rather think and judge as he pleafcSy
and a£i accordingly" Are thefe like the Words of one,
that believed Ferfufion to be the only warrantable and
■ proper Mode of Baptifm, commanded by Chrift, prac-
tifed by his Apoftles, and known to be received in the
Church ? Certainly very far from it. Nay, Cyprian
docs not undertake to (hew Sprinkling or Perfufion to be
the proper Mode of adminiftring Baptifm, but excufeth
it, by the Plea, ^''* of urgent Necejftty, and God granting
his Indulgence." Which very ExprelTions carry m them
an Evidence, that Perfufion was not then accounted the
inftituted Mode of Baptifm ; for if it were, what Need
of thefe Excufes? And when he endeavours to make the
Afperfion of CUnicks [i. e. Bed- ridden Perfons) pafs for
Baptifm, he does not in the leaft pretend that this Mode
Was pradifed by the Apoftles ; but mentions the Sprink-
ling of Water on fome Occafions under the ceremonial
Law, a-nd that metaphorical Sprinkling fpoken of by the
Prophet, £'z^i/V/ xxxvi. '
And it may be further obferved, that in the Qiieftion
propofed by Magnus^ and alfo towards the f Ciofe of
this Letter, Pouring of Water is fct in Oppofition to,
or diftingiiifhed from, Wafliing: So that it feems in
Cyprian's I ime, it was thought a Perfon could not be
faid to be washed in the baptifmal Water, unlcfs he were
immerfed in it. On the v/holej it appears, how little
to
4 ^a in parte nemini 'verecundia et modejiia nojlra praju-
dicat, qua minus, unufquifque quod 'vAuerit, fentiat, et quod
fen/erity faciat. Ibid.
* In facramentis falutarihus necejjitate cogente, et Deo in-
didgentiam fuam largictite totum oedentibus confer unt divinx.
compendia. Ibid.
t -- — Utrumni loti fint^ an perfuf. Ibid.
( 202 )
to the Purpofe, our Opponents cite Cyprian^ as an in-
dubitable Teftimony in their Favour, which makes fp
much againft them.
In Pag:e 98. Mr. F. " utterly denies ^ and that with
the Conjent of all the learned Men he ever read^ tha^
there is always a Refcmblance between the Signs and the
^hing fignified.'* What learned Authors he reads, I can-
not iay ; he has not favour'd us with the Judgment of
any on the Point. But not to go far about, 1 think he
bimfelf comes pretty nigh to allow v,'hat I faid, when
he * tells us, " The Water ufed in Baptifm reprefents the
Blood of Chriji, whereby the Guilt of Sin is removed —
4ind aljo the gracious Influences of the Holy Ghefiy ivhere-f
by the Soul is fan^ifed." What DifFercnce is there be-
tween the Senfe of the Word, reprefent, as he ufes it,
and the Word repmble, in the Senfe I ufed it ? h not
the fame Thing intended by one, and the other I
Wherein does the Water ufed in Baptifm reprefent the
Blood of Chrift, and the Grace of the Spirit, according
to him, if not in this ; that as there is a purifying Pro-
perty and Virtu-r in Water, to cleanfe away Filth, fo
the Blood of Chrift, and the Grace of the Spirit, are
efficacious to cleanfe the Soul from the Guilt and Pollu-
tion of Sin, and therefore reprefented by the Water
ufed in Baptifm? If Mr. F. intends otherwife by thefe
faid Expreflions, let him explain himfejf. Truly f he
ieems to be io much for a Refcmblance between the Sign
and the Thing fignified, that he makes an Argument of
it in Favour of his Mode of Baptifm, to be moft
fuitable and ilgnificant, and afc us, *' Cannot Sprinkling
reprefent Sprinkling f And cannot pouring Water fignipy
the pouring out of the Spirit's Irfluences /"' Hence con-
cludes, " His Mode is moji fgnificant, and mofi agree'
able to the Nature and InJlruSlivenefs of the 0)dinance.''\
But here he feems willing to keep all the Refcmblance to
himfelr, by utterly denying me any Share therein to
favour my Argument ; and cannot endure to hear
us arguing that our Mode of Baptifm, by Immerfion,
beft reprefents the Things defigned thereby : Witnefs,
his
* Charit able Plea, Page 58. \ Ibid. Pages 107, loi.
I 2P3 1
his fnecring Taunt, on the Occafion ; * " Chrljt died.
hanging on the Crofs^ muj} we therefore be fixed to a Crofs
tohen baptized^" Sec. whicli does not very well becom^
aCientleman, who affixes an V. D. M. to his Name.
But it feems harder at Times, to find whereabouts
Mr. F. is, than to give him Battle : I cannot but ac-
knowledge I am again at a Lofs, to know the Ground
of his (Dbfervation, at the Clofe of this Paragraph ;
" // is (fays he) hard to difpute with one who knows not
the Meaning of IVords in common Uft " when he
has not given his Reader the leaft Evidence of my being
fuch, unlcfs his doubled Repetition of my Words be in-
tended for this Purpofe, without the leaft Difcovery
which Word it was, 1 knew not the Meaning of.- —
Bur I look on him, as vindicating a baffled Caufe, and
can therefore more patiently bear with his groundlef?
Infinuations.
* In the Courfe of this Debate, Mr. F. has often (and
I think quite unjuftly) charged me with begging the
^uejiion ;' fomctimes, it is a barefacd beggings foroe-
times Jhamefui begging., other times, a full and accom-
plijhed begging : But in Page loi. 1 am charged with
poor begging the ^le/Jim^ becaufe I endeavoured to refcue
the Mode of Immerfion from his cruel Attempt to hnfc
it down on a Level with the O'yniiick Games. Now he
thinks,' " It is ea'Jy to retort" and afks, *' Was Jmnur-
fion ordained of God V Anf. Moft certainly, or elfc
ffohn would not have baptized {i. e. dippedj the Multi-
tudes in the River of Jordan^ Mark i. 5. Savs he,
♦' Did Chriji authorife it?'' Yes, both by his Word,
and Example ; when he himfelf was baptized in Jordan
(or as it may be rendered, dipped into Jordan) Mark i. 9.
and afterwards commanded his Difciples to baptize [i. <f.
dip) Believers, Matt, xxviii, 19. He afks, " Does the
Apofile fayy that himjelf and other Chrifiians were
plunged?" Anf. The Apoftle lays, that he, and other
Chriftians were buried with Chrift, in, or by Baptifm,
Rom. vi. 4. Col. ii. 12. Mr. F. himfelf is obliged to
•wn that Water Baptifm is intended in CoL ii, 12. be-
caufa
• Find. Page 93.
C 204 )
eaufe he brings it to prove that Baptifm Aiccecds Gr-
Gumcihon. ' But how \.hQ Colojftans could be buried in
VVater Bciptifm, without being dipt, or plunged in the
Water, when baptized, does not jet appear. Again,
he afks, " Was Plunging deftgned to reprefent a Death
to SinP &c. Ani: Bapti<m, in the Reception where-
of the Roman znA Coloffian Believers were buried, is dc-
iign'd to reprefent a Death to Sin, &c. becaufe the Apo-
iVle argues from it to that ?nx^ok, Rom. vi. Indeed, I
Jcnow of no other Mode of Baptifm, that will afford
fuch an Argument for the Mo; tification of bin, and
Obiigation to live in Newnefs ot Life, as Immerfion
does: I am well perfuaded Pouring or Sprinkling does
not, for it has not been as j^et made appear, that it ever
-was ordained of G.>d to be ufed in adminifiring this
holy Ordinance : Nay, even Mr. F, himfelt, does not
pretend to fay it was, when he * afTcrtd that a peculiar
Mode is not eilential to the Ordinance, and charges us
with Fondnefs, for imagining the contrary. "
In Charitable Plea^ Page 10 ?. he affirmed, '* That
the PraSlice of Dipping is as much without ProoJ\ as
fixing to a Crofs in Baptijrn" He now puns on my
Remarks on hii AfTtrtion, thus, *' J hn baptized in
Jordan, therefore the Apajile in Rom. vi. alludes to Plung-
ing. Our Bibles are very fignifcant to usy therefore Rom,
vi. alludes to Plunging. H^^uzo ftgrjfies to plUnge^ there-
fore Plunging is alluded io in Rom. vi. famous Arguments
thefe ! and unanfwerable to he fare I ' Reply; Can Mr.
F. imagine he has made gpod his abovefaid Aflcrtion in
Charitable Plea, by all this? Has he produced any Gir-
cumftances of Baptifm, recorded in Scripture, which
afford, even if it were no more than a prefumptive
Proof, that People were faftened to a Crofs when bap-
tized, as I have given, that they w^ere dipped ? No, he
knows of none : Huw then can t*he " one Pra£iice be
without Proof as jnuch as the other.,'" as he in a warm
Fit of Oppofition, ijijudicioufly alSrmed ; certainly it
is not : Thefe Mediums I made ufe of, ferve to iljev<r
the Falfenefs of his abovefaid AlTertion. Now when
hi
* Charitable Pica, Page i o5.
t 205 ]
he could no ways vindicate it, he thinks proper t6 api-
plv thcfc; Mediums 10 that, which they weie not defign*
ed ror ; that whilft he endeavours to render my Reafon-
ings ridiculous, he might at the fame time diveit hi»
Readers from obferving that he cannot, in any wife
make good his daring Aflertion. This is the Author
that has i> much to fay about Evafions and Perverfions I
As for any thmg that has as yet appeared to the con-
trary, the Apoftle has a Regard to the Mode of Bap-
tifm, when he fays of himfelf and others, that they
were buried therein j tho' Mr. F. can neither own it,
nor refute it.
If the Cafe be, as he aflerts, I queried, ** How cami
fuch a great Body of eminent Divines to be fo miftaken in this
A^atter ? Reafon tells us, that there muji be not only a
mere Probability, but fame very great Certainty in the
Cafe, before thofe uiho pra£lifed Sprinkling, would cenfefs
that Dipping was the ancient Mode of Baptizing, contra-
ry to their own Pra^ice" He anfwers, ** / will tell
him, when he tells me, how they came to be mijlaken [in
his fudgment) about his Principle." But he need not
to have made this Excufe, for I had told him ; by*
obferving to him '* the Prevalency of Education or Cu-
Jlom." But it cannot be fuppofcd this ftiould be the
Reafon of their Conceffions in our Favour, contrary to
their own Pra6lice. The fufpending Condition being
removed, his Anfwcr is expe<Sted, according to his
Fromife.
Our Author informed us. Charitable Plea, Page io2.
how he could account for thefe figurative Expreffions u-
fed by the Apoftle, without fuppofing any Allufion to
the Mode of Baptifm. And now {Find. Page 102.) he
feems to declare himfelf difappointed in his Expeftation,
that *' Injlead of refuting his Argument, I go on with
trine own Story." I add, very juftly too, when it is
moft agreeable to Truth, and ferves to fliew his Me-
thod of accounting for the Apoftle's Expreffions, to be
not right. If he would have us believe tHe Apoftle al-
ludes to the Death, Burial and Refurreclion of Chrift,
in
• Juti. Page 94;
C 206 )
in thefe Phrafes, without any Reference to Baptifitri^
■why dees he own that Water-Bsptifm is intended in
thefe Places at all ? As he does, by infifling on Coi. ii.
12. elfewhcre to this Purpofe ; confequently the paral-
lel Text, Rom. vi. 4. intend Water Baptifm alfo.
Then if the Ordinance of Baptifm be here meant, it
will follow, that the Nature, Ufe and End of it, ai'c
here cxprefled ; it is a Burial, manifeftly referring to the
Adminiftration of it, in particular to the Roman and
Colcjfian Believers, whom the Apoftle puts in Mind,
were buried therein, which cannot be done but by Im-
merfion. , 'Tis a Burial with Chrift, reprefenting hit
Death and Burial ; and a . Token of our Death to Sin,
reprefenting his Refurre(5^ion from the Dead, and our
rifing to walk in Newncfs of Life, which is much more
agreeable to thefe Texts, than the Way whereby Mr.
i^ would account for thefe Phrafes : According to him,
the Senfe muft run thus, We are buried with Chrift re-
prefentatively in the Grave, and rifen reprefcntatively
therefrom 3 which GlofTes are inconfiftent with the ex^
prefs Words sf the Apoftle, that we are buried with
him, in or by Baptifm : It feems, by all that be can
contrive, he cannot evade the Force of thefe Words
of the Apoftle, which hold forth a baptifmal Burial and
baptifmal Rifing,. which Cannot be done witham^ im-
merfing or covering the Body in Water., But he thinks
our Glofs makes the Apoftle's Argument weak and tri-
fling. Anf. Why fo? When the Apoftle urges Chri'
-ftians to be holy, from the very Confideration of their
baptifmal Burial and Rifing, whereby is fo clearly re-
prefented the Burial and Rcfurreilion of Chrift, and
which affords fuch flrong and powerful Motives to ad-
vance in Conformity to him; that as a Perfon when
dead and buried, has finifhcd his former Courfe of liv-
ing, fo they, who were dead to Sin (at leaft by ProfefH-
6n) and in Token thereof, buried with Chrift by Bap-
tifm into Death, fhould now live a new Life, upon
which they had entred, fignifled by their rifing out of
the baptifmal Water ; therefore it is moft abfurd and
Anreafonable they (hould live any longer in Sin.— The
Argu-
[ 207 ]
Argument is ftrong and convincing, and leads them tft
make a proper Ufe of their B-tptifin at an Excitement
to a becoming Progrefs in HoliMef;, for whicfi End the
Apoftle tells them, they were buried with Chr'tjl by Bap-
ttfm^ &c. Now for Mr. F. to call it weak an.d trifling,
docs not make it foj'nor does his faying, " The Apo/ile
argues not from the Mode of Baptifm, but from Baptifm
itfelf" overthrow our Argument ; when the Apoitle
argues from Baptifm, wherein the Chriflians were bu-
ried, which cann#t be faid of any other Mode, but Im-
merfion, in which the Party baptized is put in the Wa-
ter, covered with it, and raifed out again, which may
be aptly exprefled by burying ; and by all that yet ap-
pears, this is the only Mode which can lay any Claim
to a divine Original in Defence of it, which Mr. i^. hi-
therto, we find, has not been able to refute.
In Page 103. we come to Mr. Fs fecond Aflertion,
** That the Scriptures afford clearer Grounds to us in fa-
vour of our Modiy than to our Opponents againji it.'* And,
fays he, *' i. // feems to be prophefyd of in Ifai. lii. 15.
he /hall fprinkle many Nations" I oblerve, the Chief
Mr. F. has to fay on this Head, is a Rehearfal of whac
lie writ before r I argued, this Place has no Relation to
the Mode of Baptifm, which he has^ not refuted, by
fhewing that the Mode of Baptifm n intended in this
Place. I intimafed, the Text does not carry in it any
Evidence, that Sprinkling is the proper Mode of Bap-
tifm, and that none will think fo, unlefs they be fully
prepofTefs'd with theOpmion, and are willing to believe
any thing, if they think it favours their received Opi-
nion, tho' ever fo groundlefs. Our Author furely muft
be very fond of his Sentiments, when he would croud
them on his Readers, unfupported by Evidence, as cer-
tainly this Text afFords him none, in the Cafe he cites
ir for. He charges me with Railing and unmannerly
Language: What is the Reafon ? Why, becaufe I en-
deavoured to deteft his Folly, in abufing Scripture to
mifguide the common People, and fays, "" / bring in
Mr. Gill; without Argument," But it is not fo ; far
Mr. Gill argued, that iuch Proofs as thefe, fetch'd out
^<»
•f the Old Te lament, are not demonftrative of the
true Mode of baptizing under the New ; which Mr. F*
has not refuted. Sa)S he, " This Prcphefy feems evident^
ly to have had its Accomplipment in the Apcjlles Execution
tf their Commijfton, Alatt. xxvWx. Anf. Before he in-
sinuates it was by Sprinkling, he (hould do two Things,
1. Prove that the Mode of Baptifm is intended in the
faid Prophefy, otherwife the Prophefy may have had its
Accomphfhment then, and fincej but not in the leaft Part
by Sprinkling the Nations with Wat&r, in Baptifm, as
he would perfwade the Credulous to oelieve. And, 2.
fhew that the Apoftles adminiftred Baptifm by Sprink-
ling ; or elfe it will be only to take for granted, what
(hould be proven. At length he fays, " Now while
Baptifm is adminijlred by Sprinklrng^ among fo man)
Chrijiian Nations^ he need not ajk where this Prophefy ii
fulfilled." No, to be fu re the Matter is cut of Doubt!
But have the Chriftian Nations God's Word to warrant
their Mode ? This Mr. F. has not yet fhew.n. I may
therefore as well, if not better, reply, when the Sub-
jedl and Mode of Baptifm are changed from the firll
Inftitution, among fo many Chriftian Nations, he need
not afk, where the Prophefy of the Purpofe to change *
Divine Laws, is fulfilled ? We fee his firft Teftimony
whereby he wouTd prove his Aflertfon is altogether bc-
fides the Matter. Let us now look to his fecond, which
he calls Examples, namely, the Three Thoufand, yf^i
ii. 41. Cornelius and his Company, J£is x. 47. Paul^
ASis ix. 18, 19. The Goaler and his Houfe, A£is xvi.
33. For two Reafons, I need not dwell long on his Ex-
amples, I. Becaufe he argues only from Circumftanccs.
2. His free Conceflion, ** // is true^ we are not exprejly
told, that thefe Per Jons were baptized by Pouring or Sprink-
ling." As to. his firft Inftance of the Three Thoufand, the
chief Objedion infifted on, in his former Piece, againft
their being immerfed, was the fuppofed Fewnefs of Ad-
miniftrators : But I obferved, for any thing that ap-
pears, the Seventy Difciples were together with the Apo-
ftles i fo that Cavil feems removed : Now the Queftion
. * '*'
* Daniel vii. 25,
C 2b() )
il. Where ha^ they all Convenie.ncj'es to plunge ? Wei?,
if this be anfwered, who can teli what the next will be t
It fufficiently rcfolves this imaginary Difficulty, thai
there was at (or in) 'Jerufalem, a Pool (a * Wafliing or
Swimming Place) by the Sheep Market, John v. 2. be-
(rdes other Waters and plentiful f Conveniencies for
Bathing.' •
' He makes Dependance on th^ Words of Peter,
** PFho can forbid lVater?"—~to afford hini a good Ar-
gument, *' That JVater was to be brought,'" &c. But I
think the Intent of the Words is, who can forbid
thefe Perfons the Ordinance of Baptifm, or deny the
Adminiftration of it to them? Here is no Intimation,
that VVater was to be brought, and feme body was about
to forbid it, according to his own Way of Reafoning :
1 may as well argue, who can forbid the Ufe of his Ri-
ver, or Bath', or any other Goftveniencies he might <
have for baptizing ?
Mr. F. obferved, " That all Circumjlances concur
to Jheiv, that Paul ivas not plunged.^' I fhewed him the
contrary, for he arofe and was baptized. He fays-, *' /
lay the Strefs on his rifmg, to prove that he itas plunged.''*
Which is very falfe; I laid the Strefs on his riling, to
refute his Affertion, that all Gircumftarices concurred
in his Favour. Why has he not fhewn, the Neceflity
of Paul's rifing or moving from the Place where he was,
if Sprinkling would have done ? I laid the Strefs of my
Argument on Paul's own Words, who puts himfelf in
with others, who are butiedzvith Chrijl by Baptifm, Rom,
vi. 4. v/hich Mr. F. has thought prfper to overlook.
Xb which I m'ay add the Words of Ananias, J£fs xxii,
16. Arijcy and be baptized, and wa/h aiuay thy Sins.
Now if the Word Baptize, be rendered, Pour or Sprin-
kle, how ddd, and indeed fenlelefs, would the Verfion
h'i—'Arife, and be poured or fprinkled, and zva/lo away
thy 5i«i.---But quite fmoorh and fignlficant, to fay^
Arife, and be d\p[>(:(\, avd zva/h away thy Sins.
In refpe^Il of the Jaylor and his Houftiold, he fays,
' The Cafe may be rightly apprehended thuSy he firji
O brought
* Pool in John v. 2.
t See Mr, Qill\ Expof on Aiis ii. 41.
t 2IO ]
brought them out of the inner Prifon, er Dungeon, into a
more comfortable Room, where he and his Family being
gathered, were baptized. Afterwards he brought them into
his own Houfe, his Dining room, and fet Meat before them^
Verfe 34." Anf. 1 judge this Reprefentation of the Cafe
does not near fo well agree with the Hiftory, as what I
have obferved. It feems much, more natural to under-
fland, the Jaylor brought Paul and Silas out of Prifon,
and took them with him into his H^ufe, when it is faid^
They f pake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all
that were in his Houfey Adts xvi. 30, 32. than to ima-
gine he only brought them out of the Dungeon to fome
better Apartment in the Prifon j--- and that his Fami-
ly were gathered together ii^ the Prifon : If fo, thert
the Senfe mufl: be, they fpake the Word to him, and
to all of his Family, that were gathered with him in the
Prifon ; which is an obvious Departure from the Letter
of the Hiftory. Further, when the Jaylor and his Houf-
hold were inftruded, 'tis reafonable to underftand they
went out either to the River not far off, A£fs xvi. 13. or
to feme other Receptacle of Water, and were baptized
by Paul, or Silas, for afterwards it is exprefly faid.
He brought them into his Houfe, Verfe ^4. But we have
done with Mr F\ Proofs, which he brings from Circum-
ftances, to make good his Aflertion. Now if thefe Cir-
fcumftances be compared with thofe I brought for Im-
nierfion, viz. going down into the Water, being in it,
and coming up out of it, b^c. which attended the Admi-
hiftration of the Ordinance ; I judge it will appear to
all, we Xiave by far the beft Proof, from Circumilances ;
cfpecially confidering there is nothing in what Mr, F»
offers, that turns outagainft us. I (hould indeed be quite
at a Lofs to imagine how Mr. i^. could fay, " That the
Scriptures afford clearer Grounds to him in favour of his
Jldode, than to us againft him ; and thai he outdoes us in
Scripture Examples :" were it nut he now tells me, f
He can find SatisfaSiion, where one of my Principles
iannot" 1 am very apt to think it is fo ; or elfe
certamly he would be very uncafy about his Mode, when
he
-f Find. Page 52.
t 211 ]
lie has neither Command, nor Example, nor fo much at
a good Circumftance, to favour it : Nay, indeed thefe
very Examples he has cited, in his own Judgment, fcem
To infufRcient to determine the Ccntroverfy, that he
himfelf is not certain the Perfons referred to, were fpr ink-
led ; only, *' // is much more probable they were fpr inkled^
than dipped*' But I muft needs fay, I fee not the leaft
Ground for this Conclufion, as already obferved. He
feems pretty much difturbed on this Occafion, and aflcs^
Page 105, " Did I fay ^ that if thefe Circumjlances make
It not certain^ I can prove it by no other Argument ?" —
Does he think lam overcome^ if I do not draw certain Con-
cluftons from probable Premifes ? Or are his Argument t
ionvincing, hecaufe he is abfolutely confident of their Truth ?
'-'Did he not flinch from his Confidence in thefe Injiances,
when he was oblig'd direiily to confront my Arguments ?**
Reply J what his other Arguments may do, does not as
yet appear : 'Tis fufficient in this Place to obferve, that
the Scripture Examples of Baptifm do not make good
his AfTertion, nor afford him a certain Ground for his
Pradice j then it follows, he cinnot urge the Obfer-
yance of Sprinkling on others, as afcripturalTruth, for he
is not certain that any Inftance of Baptifm in Scripture
will bear him out in it. So far mcthinks he cannot but
acknowledge he is overcome in this Controvtrfy. My
Arguments are fo far convincing, that I am not fufpici-
ous of their Truth myfelf ; and therefore cart more con-
fiftently propofe them to others, than if I were uncer-
tain of their Truth, and yet urge them as a Certainty
on others. Neither can I be juflly charged with " Stri-
ving to carry the Point by tlamour" when I ftedfaftly con-
front his Arguments with folid Reafonings, from the
allowed Senfe of the Word Baptizo, the Scripture Ex-
amples of Baptifm, and concurring Circumftances j all
which harmonize in favour of Immerfion, tho* eve-
ry now and then he calls them baffled Arguments j here-
by he manifefls his WilJingnefs they fhould be thought
fo, whilft his Ability it feems is infufficient to (hew them
to be fo.
O 2 In
C
[ 212 ]
In Page 103, Mr. F. gives us his Judgment of the
Mode ot Haptifm, and the Reafon of his vindicating
SprinkHng. Says he, 1/ the Scripture /peaks le/s exprejly
ef this Pointy it is to teach us, that a peculiar Mode is
hot effential to the Ordinance.''* 1 hen it natively follows,
according to Mr. i^'s Principles, that Pourirfg or Sprink-
ling is not appointed of God, elfe it would be effenti-
al to the Ordinance : Then to what little Purpofe is it,
for him to contend for a mere human Invention, ac-
cording to his own Affertion. Could he fay but fo
much (whether he was able to prove it or not) that he
believed it was of divine Inftitution, and the only Mode
of adminiftring Baptifm appointed of God ; his zea-
lous P'indication of it would carry a much better Face
with it, than now it does. Could I once be perfvvaded
there was no peculiar Mode effejitial to Baptifm, I
would immediately lay down my Pen, and let every one
do that which feemeth him beft in his own Eyes in the
Cafe, without the leafl Controvcrfy about it. I would
no more objc£t againft Mr. F's Sprinkling, than I would
againft what fafljion'd Coat lie wore j with the provifo
he would allow me the like Liberty, to do as I ftiould
think heft : But as I firmly believe otherwife, I muft
yet fpeak in Vindication of what I believe to be a divine
Truth ; and therefore fiiy, That Water cannot be ufed
in Baptifm, without fotne Mode of Adminiftration,
then it follows there muft be feme Mode effential to the
Ordir ance. Further, I cannot think there are two or
more difTerenf, contrary Modes of adminiftring one
and the fame Ordinance ; this would beabfurd in itfelf ;
befides it would be repugnant (^ the very Intent of the
whole Adminiftration of the Gofpel, which is to bring
all God's People together in Unity : 'Tis therefore
quite unreafonab'e to f ppofe that any Part of the Gof-
pel Adminiftration fliould have a Tendency to fruftratc
the Defign of the Whole, by dividing his People in this
Cafe, inflead of uniting them. And as far am J from
thinking that God inftituted an Ordinance, and left
it wholl;/ at our Di^'pofdi to chufe in what Manner it
faould be performed, as one 91: th'e other might happen
to
[ 213 0
to think beft. This is a Thought altogether unworthy
of God, and his Service j and is indeed attended with
vaft Abfurdities, fome of which I mentioned before, •
which Mr. F. has not thought proper to remove out of
his Way, tho' his Caufe extremely needed hefhould, had
it been pofTible ; I fl:iall therefore lay them before him
again: For if fo, then i. It would follow, thit God
inftituted Baptifmto be adminillred, without informing
u& in what Manner he would have it adminiftred.
2. It would follow that Mens changeable Fancies
and different Notions, muft be the Rule of Dire<Sti-
bn, in the Adminiftration of this Part of Divine VVor-
(hip.
3. This would natively tend to open a Door to end-
lefs Difcords arid Gonfufions among God's People.
4. Having no divine Rule, or Standard to go to, as
their Controveifies would be unavoidable, io their Dif-
ferences would be remedilefs.
• 5. God is not ihn Author of Confujion, hut of Peace, as
in a/l the Churches af the Saints, 1 Cor. xiv. 33. But
this Principle natively tends to make him the Author of
Confufion in all the Churches, in that he has command-
ed an Ordinance to be adminiftred, but appointed not
the Mode how it fhoald be adminiftred, if this Doc-
trine of Mr. Finlefs be right : But as this Principle car-
ries in its Bofom fuch monftrous Abfurdities, it undeni-
ably follows, on the Whole, that fome peculiar Mode is «
efTential to Baptifm 5 and by all that hath asyet appeared,
that Mode is Immerfion, or burying the Party bapti-
zed in Water. Again, Mr. F. gives us the Reafonsof
his Pradlice, that " If a peculiar Mode is not effentlaU
then is Sprinkling as good as any ether." Reply : His
imbibing this abfurd Principle, we fee is the very Ground
of perfifting in the Praftice of Afperfion : But I judge
it will appear, I have fhewn fome peculiar Mode is ef-
fential to Baptifm, and muft continue in my prefent
Way of thinking, till I fee theabovefaid Remarks fair-
ly anfwered. Therefore Sprinkling is not as good as any
other, nor at all to be praftifed, unlefs h^ can make it
appear to be the only Mode inftituted by Chrift. Fui>
O 3 ther-r
. . .. V..£t-"''
[ 214 ]
ther, be tells us the Reafons why he vindicates it, vi%.
it fhfkfM^' Anabaptifts oppofe it ; andbecaufc he judges
tj the beJifFay Page losr Reply: Not becaufe he
Z °"k','° ^^ ^ ^^'' ^^ '"«'^"^^'l Worftiip ; for he
tioes not believe any peculiar Mode efTential to the Ordi-
,,c"vf : r^^^'r. ^"fonabiyexpeaany thing elfe from
^'aI xxP^^."" ^" ^^^t which is introduced into
Ood s Worfh.p, that by his own Way of talking, is not
God s Appointment f Well, according to his Principles,
i^nn^/^K ^uH'^S^^^bert Way, and I judge Immer-
iZ ? t"" u'^' ""^ '' '^' Difference : Now can
itbefupposd by any thinking Being, that the all-wife
and fore-knowing God hath not provided a certain Rule.
Whereby our refpeftive Judgments fhould be try'd, in
fw l 'u '^"'°''^ ^^^ Difference? Well affmed lam
Wat he has ; and our Difference does not arife, becaufe
InTf 11 "°^^ ^^^'^ ^"^^' ^"' ^^^^^^^^ " 's not obferved
and followed j nor is it likely it will be, as long as Mr.
/'.entertains this Opinion, " That a peculiar Mode is
^°t eJerit:aI.'\..His Judgment muft be theRuleof his
practice J and he will always prefer his received Way
(which he himfelf cannot find fealed with a divine Im-
pre^) before the Lord's Way, which at prefent he fees
nojjeauty in. 4 r
He would fain excufe his bafe Infinuations, that Im-
roerlion is immodeft, indecent, and tends to Murder and
Adultery, by telling us '« Be did mt call it (i.e. which
i^ay Baptrfrn ts adminijred) fo very indifferent."— "Bnt.
1 tnink fhJl, according to his Principles, ,t is an ind.ffe-
rent 1 hing, which Way the Ordinance is adminiftred.
It there IS no Mode appointed of God : Therefore he
Has no Caufe to caft his Refleaions on us. Now, fhould
we leave the Mode of Immerfion, and embrace his
^prinkiing, we fhould according to him in this Place,
JJUt exchange one human Invention for another j and
would he or we be the better for that ? He informs us,
ibe mo (i favourable Judgment he has ever formed of
iiaptijrn by Immerfton, is, that it is not a Nullity,'* and
that the Anabaptiji^ are baptized Perfons. Favourable
Judgment ! and y^hy fo? Becaufe he can't help himfelf: .
His
t 215 ]
His own Principles force him to acknowledge Immerfi-
on to be Baptifm ; we are not therefore in the leaft obli-
ged to him for this Kindnefs, as he calls it. Indeed it
would be a ftrange Thing, if the Anabapiijis (hould not
be baptized Perfons ; when the Name he gives us fug-
gefts, that we are twice baptized. But he fays, '* He
is convh:ced we err in the Made:' This is a furprizing
Thing ! Pray, by what Rule is he convinced of that,
when no peculiar Mode is eflential to the Ordinance?
How can we err in the Mode, if there is no Mode in-
ilituted ? What we judge to be the beft, is fo to us,
as what he judges beft is to him, if the Cafe be as he fays.
Would he have his Judgment to be a certain Rule or
Standard, to try and determine the Cafes of others by?
And if their Praftices differ from his Judgment, he is
convinced they err. But let him firft (hew from Scrip-
ture, that Chrift ordained Sprinkling to be the only
Mode of 3aptifm, before he talks, that he is convinced
we err about it ; or charges us with unwarrantable
Additions in the Mode ; or with intermixing Error with
Truth, and fuch like rumbling StufF. Nay, accord m§
to his Principle, there cannot poffihly beany Certainty
which is the right Way of adminiftring the Ordinance ;
therefore he has not the leaft Ground to charge my Ob-
fcrvation with invidious Falfliood, when I fay he infmu-
ates the Cafe to be doubtful : Can any Body fee, there
is a Certainty in the Cafe, when Mr. F. himfelf affirms,
there is no peculiar Mode eflential to Baptifm ? No
furely. He fuggefted f a proper Subjed is cfTential to
Baptifm, whereon I afked, why (hould it be urged that
7^ proper Subjedl is eflential to Baptifm, but a proper, pe-
culiar Mode, not eflential ? He anfwers, " It is a
fufficient Reply, that a proper Subje£i is not ejfential to the
Mode : For the SubjeSi is one Thing, and the Mode ano-
ther." How Mr. F. thinks this to be a fufficient Reply,
which is no Reply at all, I can't imagine. Did I afk
whether a proper Subjed is eflential to the Mode ? No, I
aflc'd, Why is not a proper peculiar Modeeflential to Bap-
tifm, as well as a proper Subjcdl I The Ttuth is, this
O 4 Reply
f Charit. Plta, Page 107
£ 2i5 '•}
?.epiy of his does no more anfwer the QiieiliDfi, than
if he had wrote by * Chance. The Queihon is yet ai-
togethcr unanfwered.
_ In Pase io6, he comes to his third AfTertion, uhich
Js, ' Tlat our Mode arfwers the Ends of'Baptifm, and,
t^mojl fuitable and fignificant. On this Head, he wcnild
iam make his Readers beiieve, that " lamjenfihle he has
proven this Jjferuon --for I turn my Back on his Argu-
7nenis-.-can7iotfiand before them --and beg the 9ite/iion."
^ut wherhcr the Cafe be thus, muit be conlldeied : He
fays, " Ifijatever is mojl fuitable^ w? are fur e is order-
ed of God." { fuppole this is one f of his Confidera-
Jions, whereby he would prove the aforeiaid Inflances of
iiaptifm, were bv Pouring or SprinlcHng. His Argu-
ment may be gathered thus ; That Mode which is mwft
iuitabJe, he is fure is ordered of "God ; Pouring or
^prmkhng IS moft fuitable,, therefore he is fure it is or.
rfered of God.. But is he fure that God hath ordered
and § appointed this Mode, and yet affirms there is no
peculiar Mode efTentiai to Baptifm ? Hath God appoint^
ed It, and yet it is not effenrial ?; VVhijt then fignifies
God's Appointments ? By .the fame Rule, he may fay,
God hath appointed who are the proper Subj'as of Bap-
tifm, and yet a proper Subjed is. not efential. to it.'
VVater is appointed to be uied, and yet it is not elTential
to the Ordinance to ufe it.. If divine Aopointments arc
rot eilential to.an Ordinance^ I would ^willingly know
^vhat IS? How fliall we take him here? h\ Sprinkling is
appointed of God, to be the Mode of Baptifm, then
fome peculiar Mode is efTentiai to the Ordinance, and
none are baptized,, but thofe who are. fprinkled ; for
any Tradi.tion put- in the Room of God's Appointments
IS a making h^s Word of none EfFc^, and'layinP afidc
his Commandment, Mark vii. 8, 13. then the Batti/is
are unbaptized Perfons,. and he is ob'heed to free himfelf
from the confequent Abfurdities. . Bu"t if, on the other
Hand, no peculiar Mode is efTentiai to the Ordinance, thei^"
God has not ordered and appointed Pouri.og or Sprink-
* ^/W. Page 2S. f Ibid, Page 105.
5 Charitable ?ha, Page 109.
[ 2.7 ]
ling ; and fo he cannot be fure this Mode is right. Buf
leavin<r Mr. F. in a Labyrinth of Confufion, warmly
engaged in oppofing himfelf, let us proceed to whaf
follows ; ** Baptifm, (fays he) fignifies the Dedtcation of
the baptized P erf on to Gad ; and does not a little Water
mfiver this End, as well as an Ocean of it? -It fignt-
fies the Soul's Jujiification h; Chrlji's. Blood, and Sanflt-
fication by his Spirit : Jnd are hot theje Benefits Jtgnified
by pouring a little Water on the Perfon F-.-J^nd cannot
Sprinkling reprefent Sprinkling?" &c. Anf. You fee
Mr. F. is for arguing from the Refemblance betwixt the
Sign, and the Thing (fuppofed to be) fignified, tho' clfe-
where he utterly denies there is a Refemblance between
them. 1 think I have already {hewn Immerfion to be
the fcriptural Mode of Baptifm, therefore none can de-
dicate themfelves therein by any other Mode ; unlefs it
had been fhewn, that another Mode was appointed of
God, which Mr. F. is far enough from doing, when he
brings no Texts with this Defign, but one from the
Old Teftament, which has no Relation to the Cafe,
and argues from Circumftances, which he himfelf ac-
knowledges are not exprefs in his Favour. 'Tis not be-
caufc we think the true Properties of Water are not '
to be found in a Drop, or Handful, as well as in a Ri-
ver or Ocean, that we objcdt againft Sprinkling ; but
becaufe we do not find this Mode appointed of God ;
and therefore to ufe it under the Pretence that it will
do, or it may ferve to anfwer the Ends of Baptifm, is
fully refuted, by the Inftance of Uzza, i Chron. xv. 13.
which (liews the dreadful Confequences of a Departure
from, or Non-obfervance of, the due Order, and pro-
per Mode, God will have us regard and keep, in our
Obedience to his Commandments. I judge enough was
faid, not only to (atisfy my Admirers (\i there be any
fuch) but his alfo, that his Pradice of Sprinkling is not
to be countenanced, unlefs he had' (hewn them, that it
is the only Mode appointed of God, whereby he would
have Baptifm adminiftred ; which Mr. F. could not
do without contradiaing himfelf, as before obferved :
For him therefore to argue, that Sprinkling anfwers the
Ends
( 2l8 ) ]
Ends of Baptifm; is juft as forcible, as if they of old
Ihould have argued in their Favour, when they carried
the Ark on a Cart, that it anfwered the End as well
s»s to bring It on the Shoulders of the Priefts and Lc-
vites.
His next Plea m Favour of the Mode, «' ^e Judges
heft. and agamft Ifnmerfion, is, that his SprinkJins
can be pramfed without Danger of Health, in any
Tme of the Tear," &c. and fuggefts that Immerfion is
dangerous, immodeft and indecent. I urged him to pro-
duce Inftances of Perfons, whofe Healths had been in-
jured by it Heanfwers, '* There may have been Hun-
dreds who have contraaed deadly Diforders by it, tho' I
*now them not: Tea, many have been hurt thereby, who did
not look upon that as the Caufe.** Reply j It is very re-
inarkable here, how willing Mr, F. is, the Mode of
Immerfion fhould be evil thought of: He judges it is
fturttui, but he cannot give one Inftance of any One's
being hurt thereby j this I was perfwaded of before
and am now confirmed in my former Perfwafion • Yet
he infinuates, there may have been Hundreds hurt there-
by, tho' he does not know them. Let us try the
Strength of his Reafoning here, applied to other Cafes -
1 here may have been Hundreds, by following Hufban-
dry and Handicrafts, who have contraded deadly Dif-
orders, therefore, according to his Way of talking,
Hufbandry and Handicrafts mufl be laid afide ; where
then will Mr. F. get his Bread and his Clothes ? Again,
there may have been Hundreds of Miniflers, who by
their Studymg or Preaching, have contraded deadly
Wprd?rs, tho' they did not look upon that as the Caufe,
what follows ? Is Studying and Preaching not of God's Ap-
pomtment^ Further, there may have been Hundreds of
Hearers, by being thoroughly wet in coming to, or going
from Divine Service, or fitting in the Pl^ce of Worftiip
an Hour or two in cold Winter Weather, who have
contraaed deadly Diforders, tho' they did not look up-
on that as the Caufe: What then? Does Mr. F. dif-
fwade People from Divine Service in wet or cold Wea-
ther, and IS he for Publick Worfhip, only when it is
fair
[ 2^9 ]
fair and warm ? I might add Inftances in abundance, to
expofe his fenfelefsj inconclufive Talk in thefe Infinua-
tions. But will he fay thefe aforefaid Exercifes have no
fuch Tendency : I anfwer, as much as Immerfion hath j
and if his Iniinuation does not (hew thefe Exercifes not
to be appointed of God, neither does it prove, that
Immerfion is not appointed of him.
Whatever Tendency bathing in cold Water may have
to hurt Perfons in the Bloody Flux, the Adminiftratiou
of Baptifm by Immerfion has no fuch Tendency, when
of the many Thoufands that have been immerfed, and
fome of them aged, fome weak and feeble, yet out Op-
ponents are not able to produce an Inftance of one, that
hath been hurt thereby, tho' they are fo very willing to
do it, were it Roflible. Methinks there is therefore
JTufficient Evidence, that their Inftnuations are ground-
lefs : Had there been as many Inftances of baching in
cold Water, when in the bloody Flux, without any
Difadvantage, as there are of Perfons immers'd without
any Hurt, that could not be fuppofed injurious, any more
than this. God hath been pleafed at all Times to guard
the Adminiftration of his own Ordinance, that thofe
who have waited for an Occafion of Reproach, have
been always difappointed, and have nothing to obje<a,
only the vain Imaginations of their own Brain, and invi-
dious Inftnuations of their prejudiced Minds". BlefTed be
his Name, that he honours his own Truths before the
Faces of Oppofers. Says he, " What he quotes— from
Sir John Floyer, about' the Benefit and Healthfulnefs of
cold Baths, is nothing to the Purpofe." But it is quite to
the Purpofe, for if cold Bathing is ufeful to the Sick in
various Difeafes ; Immerfion is not hurtful to thofe who
are able to walk abroad, and come to be baptized, John
iii. 23.
He tells us, " 'Tis fuch a Blunder to fay that the Jf-
femhly of Divines fir ft introduc'd Sprinkling in 1643,
as Ignorance itfelf can hardly excufe, being direSlly a-
gainft the Credit of all Hijiory, as we have feen already'*
But Mr. F. has cited us no Hiflory to (hew the contra-
ry, but what Sprinkling was introduced in England by
the
1
[ 220 ]
fhe AjfemUy of Divines ^ fn 1643, by a Vote of 25 i-
gainft 24, and cftablifhed by an- Ordinance of Parlia-^
jnent in 1644, tho' he is very unwilling his Readers
ftiould think his Praaice of Sprinkling obtained in
general but of late in the Englijh Nation, left they
^ould fufpea its being, as indeed it is, an human In-
vention, and a grand Innovation. ' j
Mr. Wall * obferves, that *' England, which is one of
the coldeji (Climates) was one of the lateft that admitted
this Alteration of the ordinary Way." i. e. Sprinkling in
Jlead of Dipping. It will be time enough for us to ac-
knowledge Ignorance and Blunder, when he fliews us
from approved Hiftory, that Sprinkling was eftabli{he4
by Authority, in England, earlier than the Date aflign-
ed for it by Sir John Floyer. Our Author's Pretences
to Hiftory have been examined already, and the Cafe
turned againft him ; it will not prove Perfufion to have
been the Praaice of the Church in Cyprian's Day, be-
caufe he endeavoured to make it pafs for Baptifm, in
the Cafe of languifhing. Bed-ridden Perfons.
_ We are now come (Page 108) to Mr. P^ laft AfTer-
tion, which is, «' That the Mode which our Opponenti
contend for, is loaded with Inconveniencies, and charge*
able with Abfurdities." I muft dcfire my chafte Readers
not to be offended, when Neceflity obliges me on this
Head, inVindication of an Ordinance of Chrift, to trouble
them with a Recital of fome of Mr. Fs Balderdafti, in or-
der to refute it, which otherwifelfhould not have burden-
ed them with ; but fhould have left it wrapp'd up in the
Sheets of Shame, with its invidious Author.
I obferv'd, that the Ordinance of Baptifm is perform-
ed v/ith all Modefty and Decency becoming the So-
lemnity, and urged him to prove the contrary ; but in-
flead of Proofs, he entertains us with his Sentiments,
I miijl alter my Judgment (fays he) of Female Mode-
Jly^ if it is modeji for a Maid or Matron to allow her-
filf to be handled by a Man, either naked, or in a tran-
Jfarent Garment, before a mixed Affembly of both Sexes- -
And I appeal to every impartial Perfon^ whether 'it is
not.
* Hill. /»/. Bap. Page 467.
[ 221 ]
\kfit more defiling to aSi itnmodejily, than to /peak with
ijbhorrence of immodeji ASiions ?" To this Heap of Stuff,
I reply, if Mr. F. knows of any Perfon or Sett of Peo-
ple, who are guilty of what be here fuggefts, let him
name them, and inform the World who, and where
they be, that they may be defervedly treated accord mg
to their Demerit ; but if he means to make the Appli-
cation to the Baptijis, I deny them to be guilty of the
Crimes here fuggefted, when celebrating the Ordinance
of Baptifm ; and challenge him to produce an Inftance
of a Maid or Matron handled naked, or in tranfparent
Garments, amongft us, at the Adminiftration of faid
Ordinance, or of any immodeft Ad committed on the
Occafion ; which I am fully perfuaded he cannot do,
betaufe his Manner of Writing fhews his Willingnefs to
have done it already, if it could be done. Now when
i/h. F. defignedly labours to ftander and reproach a
Number of Chriftians by his mean Infinuations on the
Account of a Mode, which for any thing he has made
appear to the contrary, is the very Mode that Chrift
fubmitted to, and appointed : He would do well to con-
fidcr whether this bis Conduct merits any Honour to his
Performance now, or will yield him a pleafing Reflec-
tion, when he fobcrly thinks of giving up his Account
to him that is ready to judge the Quick and the Dead.
Further, he holds, that '' the Water of Baptifm ought
to be dire£lly apply d to the Body, and not firjl to the
Clothes i" and adds his Reafon, *' Baptifm, fays he,
fignifies our being purged and cleanfed ; and is it the bejl
Way of cleanfing a folid Body, jirjl to cover, and then
apply Water to it? Anf. I think his Opinion and Rea-
fon may well go together, as for any Weight there is
in either, in the prefent Cafe : The Defign of Bapttfm
is not to wafli and cleanfe the Body of the Party bap-
tized ; if it is, our Opponents are quite out of the Way
in not ufing more Water, than a few Drops, or an
Handful, on the Occafion j none furely can think
Sprinkling the l^ft Way of cleanfing a folid Body. But
if it fignifies the Purging of the Soul, that can be fig-
'riiiicantly done by immcrfing the. Body, tho' cloth'd,
unlcu
t 222 ]
unlefs Mr. P. is fo much for a Refemblarice hetweti
the Sign, and the Thing fignified, that it muft not on
ly regard the material Part, but muft alfo reach to ever
minute Circumftance, fo that there may be a full Re
femblance between them, tho' elfewhere his Humou
leads him to deny the whole utterly. Now, I mui
needs tell him again (tho' it may be fomewha
grating to his Mind, to fee fo little Regard paid to thu
Product of his fertile Invention) that we do not in the
leaft feel the Force of his fuppofed Inconveniency or Ab-
furdity pinching us.
^ In Page 109, Mr. P. alks, " Hoiu does he Hoiv that
Philip dipp'd the Eunuch wholly ?" Anf. By the Scripture,
^vhich tells me, that Philip and the Eunnch went down
both into the Water, and that he baptized him there ;
and if he baptized him, I know he dipp'd him wholly,
becaufe nothing lefs than a total Immerfion can be a
baptifmal Burial, which was the Way the Ordinance
was anciently adminiftrcd, and no other, as we read
of : This Inftance therefore fufficiently turns afide the
fuppofed Tendency of his Argument to ftiew the con-
trary j and ferves to quell his Noife about a Race of
Giants to be Minifters, and what not ?
His third. Inconvenience is to this Purpofe, that if
Baptifm is deny'd to a fick Perfon, who makes a fatis-
faaory Profeffion, God is difobey'd ; if he be plung'd,
he will be killed. On this Head, I infifled to know,
why one Sacrament is more neceflary to fick Perfons,
than the other.? This Mr. F. has not anfwered, and left
me to conclude that there is no more Neceffity of ad-
miniftring Baptifm to a fick Perfon, who defires it, than
the Lord's Supper. Our Author fays, he hath proven
that Baptifm ought not to be delay'd— There is a Pre-
cept and Example for the one, and neither for the
other. He may know, that I am not for the Delay of
Baptifm to a proper- Subjed, when with Conveniency it
may be enjoyed : But what I plead is, that deferring of
Baptifm in thofe Circumftances (he metitions) is neither ,
Difobedience to God, nor injurious to the fick Perfon ;
this is what he has not refuted j for he has not cited op.e
Precept j
L 223 ]
Precept nor Example, that Baptifm is to be adminiftred
to fick Perfons on their Beds, any more than to Babes
in the Cradle : He can bring Proofs for what I allow^
but what I denyi he is at a Lofs to prove : Hence
I ftill fay in my former Words, if one Sacrament may
be deferred till convenient Time, fo may the other.
The Service of God is a reafonable Service, and he that
commanded Immerfion, hath not (hewn that he requires
Perfons fick a-bed in the Pleurify, Flux, or Small Pox,
to be baptized -, much lefs hath he any where in his
Word fliewn us, there is any Liberty for ua to alter his
Appointment, under the Pretence of fome fuppofed ur-
gent Neceffity of adminiftring the Ordinance to the
Weak and Infirm, on their Beds. What can it be but
a Spirit of Delufion, which * hurries Perfons on irra-
tionally, and pleads the Neceffity of obeying a Gofpel
Precept, when Perfons thro* Infirmity are incapable of
fubmitting to it confiftent with Scripture or Reafon ;
or elfe charges the Precept itfelf with Inconveniency,
as our Author in the Cafe before us? He feems much
difturbed that Popery fhould here be infinuated : The Pa--
pijis we know, hold Baptifm abfolutely neceflary to Salva-
tion; and he queries, " ff^hat if the ftck Per/on recovers not?
Here is no Provijion made for him. He may die without
the Ordinance" Reply j What if he does, will his be-
ing unbaptiz'd hinder his Salvation ? Let him fpeak
out, and not mince the Matter : Does he not look up-
on all §T*>Ton members to be Aliens from the Covenant
of Grace, and fufpends his Belief of their Salvation ?
He would do well to clear himfelf in this Cafe, before!
he charges me with Rancour, Outrage, Impatience and
Tergiverfation j when his own Words give Ground of
Sufpicion, that his Judgment is not clear in the Point*
Now fince there is no Command nor Example to ad-»
minifter the Ordinance to Perfons in thofe aforefaid
Circumftances j nor any Neceffity requiring one Sacra-
ment to be adminiftred to the Sick, more than the o-
ther i it evidently appears, there is nothing in Mr. F's
Stir
* See Mr. Finlefs Satun Jiritfd^ Page 10.
i Vind, Page -j^i.
[ 274 J
^tlr on this Mead, that ftiews Immerfion not to be
the only fcriptural Mode of Baptifm.
All that he fays to my Reply to his 4th Cha/ge of
Abfurdities is, ** Mr. M's Anjvjer to this, is only a Re-
petition of his pofitive AffertionSy which have been alreu'
dy refuted" But as he is far from refuting my AfTer-
tions, as we have fecn, they flaod in Force againft his
Charge of Abfurdities. . -
■ His laft Head of Inconveniencing and Abfurdities, is,
** It feems to me, fays he, no fmall Abfurdity, to exclude
and unchrijlian oil the other Prote/iant Churches on Ac-
count'of this Mode." ---AnA now fays, " Mr^ M. an-
fwers this with a Parcel of Eva/ions, and fame Readers
will, perhaps, call fome of them filly Ones." Reply ;
Are not filly Evafions as good Return, as a hlly Charge of
Abfurdities can look for, or deferve ? As that Weunchri-
ftian all the Proteftant Churches, &c. when weprofefled-
\y require Signs of Chriftianity in all the Subjects of Bap«
tifm, which fhews, we look on Perfons to be Chriftians,
before they are baptized- --Indeed if all the Chriflianity
of the other Proteftant Churches, confifts in Infant-
Sprinkling, no Wonder he charges us at this Rate.
But if Infant Sprinkling be no Part of the Chriftian
Religion, as I think I have fuiliciently fhewn, how is
it poifible wc (hould unchriftian the Proieflant Churches,
when we are for removing only that away which is no
Part of Chnftianity ? It is not therefore very^, likely
he can eveh by Confequence itfelf, prove that I fhould
have faid, there are no Chriftians in other Denomina-
tions.
He confcfTes, that we do Hot exclude other Churches
by pleading for, and ufing this Mode of Immetfion ;
why then is he (o difturbed ? If the Scripture proves
his Mode of Sprinkling to be valid, he is fafe :
But if not, it is a Nullity in itfelf; not becaufe I fay
{o, but becaufe it wants Scripture Authority: When
he was about it, why did not he fhew it was fcriptural,
if fuch a Thing could be done I Or is he confcious to
himfelf, of its being a Nullity, and therefore unwil-
ling to hear it mentioned, left others (hou'd fufpe«5l ft
toor
[ 225 ]
ioo? Will he have us follow the Cuftom of other
Churches implicitly, without any Evidence that it is
warranted by divine Authority ? Let him firft prove the
Cuftom.of Sprinkling fcriptural, before he charges us
with Schifm, Uncharitablencfs and Biggotry, in order
to make it pafs for Baptifm in the World, the more
Current and unfufpe<Sled. He runs a Parallel between
the Prejbyterians and Anabaptijis^ and obferves, ** Ihe
Prefbyterians do not count all Adm'inijlrations null
and void ^ that are different from their own Mode, if the
Subjiance is retained." Anf. No Thanks to them for
that, when they have imbibed fuch an abfurd Principle,
'* That a peculiar Mode is not effentialto the Ordinance,"
if they be all of Mr. Fs Mind ; and that " f It is
enough, that it be done with Water to a proper Subje£f, in
the Name of the Trinity, by a lawful MinifierJ* Then if
Water is ufed at all, in the aforefaid Manner, tho' it
ihould be apply*d by Sprinkling on the Hands, Back, or
Feet, according tp them the Subftance is retained ; they
have therefore no jufl Room to objedl againft Immerfion.
Here is their great Charity they boaft fo much of ; and
whence does it fpring, but from this Principle, that
there is no inflituted Mode of Baptifm ? Says he, '* The
FTeibytcnzns e/ieem pveral Societies with whom they can-
not hold Communion in Ordinances, to be never thelejs
Churches of Chriji : Ihe Anabaptifts do not!' Anf. If
ih^ Prejbyterians do not unchriftian thofe with whom they
cannot hold Qommunionj becaufe they look upon themi
to be in grievous Errors j no more do we unchrifliati
thofe, with whom we cannot hold Communion, be-
caufe we look on their Pradices erroneous.
He charged us with " impofmg Terms of CommuntoH^
not of Chriji' s making;*-'-v/h\ch I deny'd ; and infiff
on him again to prove his Charge. To admit none in-
to our Conimunion, but thofe who are regularly bap-
tized according to the Order of the Gofpel, is not mak-
ing new Terms of Communion. This he (hould haVe
refuted, was it poflible to do. He fays. That " / only
play on ihe IVord im^oic— That I denounce Terrors to thofe^
p who
t Chatits PUa, Page 107.
( 226 )
who comply not with my Notions. - .That as far as my Powir
reaches, 1 do oinder others from CommunUn in their refpec-
tive Socielus." But he fhouJd firft have anfwered mv
Queftion, which is, *' Have we attempted any Thing in
any Way, but what the Scripture direSls and allows, viz
lo convince them that differ from us, hy fcriptural Argu^
ments f Now fincehe has not anfwered it, by {hew-
ing we have aded contrary to Scripture Diredion, it
gives Ground to conclude we have not j and is urging
of fcriptural Arguments any Impofition on others ? Does
this make the Apoftle's * Words Nonfenfe ? Is this a
denouncing of Terrors ? Is this an hindering of others
trom Communion in their refpeaive Societies ? What
Wd he be at ? L he for the Community of Goods ?
Does he want the Key of his own Door and ours too ?
Have not we the undoubted Command of our Doors,
to fhut them againft thofe we judge not proper to ad-
jnit 5 and can this be an OfFence to any, unlefs they be
fome impudent Intruders, whofe finifter Ends are here-
by fru'ftrated ? And as we are for keeping the Key of
our own Door, fo we plead it is the f undoubted Pri-
yiledge of others, to have the full Command of theirs ;
tho' he invidioufly infinuates the contrary. Mr. P. fur-
ther fays, " You have far exceeded what the. generality of
/. f yl*'J^''''^'Pk' ^kht, who allow that other Societies,
iho differing in Circumjlantials, are a Part ofChrifl's
vifible Church:' Anf. We are not here fpeakin^ what
one thinks of another 3 but of the Terms of Com-
iftiunion, and the Right of each in Admiffion of Mem-
bers to their refpedive Societies j and wherein have we
exceeded the Bounds of what ispradical in other Socie-
ties on this Account does notyej appear: He has not
fhewn that we make any new Ferms of Communion ;
now to infift, that thofe who have a mind to be admitted
to our Church, muft come up to the Terms which Chrifl
hath already made, is cur proper and bounden Duty ;
and if any quarrel with thofe Terms, Jet them ftay out
of Doors, or keep in iheirown Houfes peaceably, and
not berate us with the opprobious Names of Schif-
^■^'S-^ #v Mc maticks,
^ 1.,^ ' Viz. A€i XV. 10. f Anti. Page 159.
[ 227 ].
inaticks, Bigots, and what not, without any juft Caufe,
as Mr. F. does ; Yea, when he has not been able to
Ihew, that we deviate from the Order and Appoint-
ments of the King of Zion, either in Refpe<Sl of the
Mode, or Subjeft of B ptifm.
I obferved, hf.w unfit a Perfon Mr. F. is to charge us
with Schifm, when 1t#, and his Aflbciates, hold the
famef ConfefTion of Faith, Catechifms and Diredlory, as
the Synod does, and yet maintain feparate Communion
from their Brethren of the fame Faith and Pra6lice ; I
defired to know what that is but Schifm ? Mr. F. in-
ftead of clearmg up the Point, exprefles a deal of Dii-
pleafure on the Occafmn ; it is like he thought he might
call us bv any Name, tho' ever fo unjuft, but when
the Cafe becomes his own, it feems the Property is al-
tered. He fanties in fome of his Dreams, my Defign
herein wa?, *' To tell how many Sorts of Prejbyterians there
i^re-- and to infmuate that the new Synod is the worjl Sort
of Prcfb/lerians, and he hlmjelf the worji of the new Syr
nod." ' L('t that be as it will, my mahiteft Defign was to
obtain a Difcbarge from himfelf, who had accufed us of
Schifm, or eifc oblige him to expofe his Partiality
in the AfFtir, when he would not allow us the fame Li-
berty he takes himfelf: For if he, and his Brethren,
have fufficient Grounds, in their Apprehehfion, tojuftify
themfelves in their prefent Situation, without being
chargeable with Schifm ; what is the Matter he \\\\\ not
allow us the like Liberty without the Charge of Schifm,
when we j idi^e we have as juft Grounds to maintain fe-
parate Communion, as he judges they have. " Mr. F.
h fo raifed pn the Occafion, that he puts me on the Proof
of faid Charge, or elfe be juflly efteem'd a Slanderer ;
but there is no need of Proof, for he has not deny'd the
Matter of Fad : Befides, 'tis fo well nkown, that all the
Country knows it ; and Meeting-houfe hard by Meet-
ing-houfe, is a ftanding Evidence of Schifm among
them, unlefs they have been taken down very late. But
then he requires me *' to prove that he and his Jffociates
P 2 are
f Mr. B/air''s Akimad'vcrftons on Mr. Craighead'% Re-
ceding, &c. Page 13.
[ 228 ]
are the Maker i of it." I have nothing to do with that ;
Jet him look to the § Synod's Writings : My Bufinefs is
to follow him up on this Point. He fecms to infmuate
the Synod was in Fault j that he, and his Aflbciates had
juft Reafons to withdraw from it ; therefore he is not
guilty of Schifm, tho' he and they maintain feparate
Communion from it, when, a{ the fame time, both
they and the Synod are of the fame Faith and Praftice.
Weil, we look on other Churches to be in Fault in
theGafe before us, in not ading uprightly according to
Chrift's Inftitution, in refpcd both of the Mode and
Subjefls of Baptifm ; therefore whilft they cannot fee as
Ive do, nor we as they, we maintain feparate Communi-
on from them. And if We are chargeable with Schifm
in fo doin|, fo is Mr. F. and if he is not, neither
are we : And if he, and his Affociatesarc not the Ma-
kers of Schifm in their Cafe, neither are we, in ours.
Hence it flill follows, that it was intolerable Partiality
and Injuftice in him, to call us Schifmaticks.
He fays,^^' I am deeply in the Darky refpeSfing the Na-
ture of Schifm." Let that be as it will, it is very pleafant to
hear him define it in the following Words, " Ihert
may be feparate Communion without Schi/m, and Schifm
among thofe who meet together." I fuppofe he intends the
Benefit of this Obfervatio/i chiefly for himfelf and Aflb-
ciates : But the Benefits of it are fo diffufive, that we
can take up our Share of them too ; for if when be and
the Synod are difunitcd, he can, notwichftanding, main-
tain feparate Communion from it without Schifm ; by
the fame Rule when we, and other Churches, don't fee
alike, we can hold our Communion feparate from them
without Schifm alfo.
Says our Author, " He mufi be told that it is a more
aggravated Crime to exclude and unchrifiian all the Prote-
ftant Worldy than to deny communicating with a particular
Church." ^y his ufing the comparative Degree, it
feems he looks on denying to communicate with a par-
ticular Church to be an aggravated Crime : Then let
him
§ Examination and Refutation of Mr. Gilbert Ttnvent'%
Remark!, Page 48. Alfo the ^erijis, fart 3,
;[ 229 1
him not perfift in his feparate Communion any longer :
But if he cannot unite with a particular Church till the
Obftrudlions are removed; neither can we throw up
facred Truths, for the Sake of Communion with thofc
who differ from us, tho' we fhould always bear his un-
juft Reproaches on the Account, as we now do»
Says our Author, *■ / have now at length got to the
End of Mr. M'j Performance^ and I prefume he will
CWM I have not negleSfed his principal Argument s.'* Well,
I keep Pace with him, and am got within Sight of his
Finis too ; and can freely own, that Mr. F. hath made
Noife enough about my Arguments: But muft needs
tell him, whatever he prefumes, they remain yet in full
Force, as to any Thing he hath (hewn to the contrary:
My Confidence is ilill further ftrengthened, that there
is no Inftitut^on of Infant Sprinkling to be found in
holy Scripture, when Mr. F. has gone twice profefledly
in Search of it, but cannot find it j and tho' he has
dug * deep after it, he brings nothing up, but the Rub-
bifh of human Confequence, which he falfly calls the
Word of God, yet would fain make the World believe
it is good Ore : But when it comes to be weighed in the
Ballance of the Sanctuary, it is found lighter than a An-
gle Grain of Truth. Thus we are left to conclude the
Doctrine of Infant Sprinkling is nothing elfe but a mere
human Invention, crept into the Church, without the
leafl Print of a divine Seal to be found upon it. It is
therefore juftly to be rejected as an horrid Abufe of
Chrifl's facred Inftitution.
He informs his Readers, from what he .faw in the
Gazette^ that he expefts a. Reply ; but does not think
proper to tell them, that fhortly after the Publication of
my former Treatife, he advertifed his Purpofe of an
Anfwer, before he wrote it, inflead of publifhing an
Anfwer, which gave Occafion of a publick Remark on
his faid publifh'd Purpofe. He fuggefts, my Honour
(not the Love of Truth, or Honour of Chrift) will be
the Motive of writing an Anfwer, and when done, it
will be nothing to the Purpofe. This indeed is an
artful
* Preface to Vind. Page 3.
r 230 1
ertftjl Way te prepoffefs the Credulous betimes, that our
Arguments iarc nothing to the Purpofe, when in the
mean Time he cannot refute them ; witnefs my former
Treatlfe. He obferves alfo, the Number of Pages and
Aflertions my Book contains ; and that I was more
than a Year about it : But this Miftake I impute to
fome Mif-infoAnation he got fomewhere : He feems
very unhappy in being fo impofed on by ill Informers.
At length, he hopes to be excufed for not anfwering me
every time I deny'd his Principle, and afferted mine,
becaufe it would have been an infupportable Toil. No
doubt, any judicious Reader would have readily excufed
him, had he refuted me but once, where I aflerted my
Principle, and deny'd his. But as the Cafe now ftands,
the Reader need to have a vaft Stock of Charity and
Candour, to excufe all his Clamour aijd Defamation,
ufed inftead of fober Refutation and folid Argument.
Mr. F. comes to the Clofe, and wifhes for the Time,
** lf7}en Truth may he fpolen without Oppofttion.'* I can
freely join with him in the fame Defife ; but do not ex-
ped that wifli'd-for Time will ever come, as long as
Infant Sprinkling is embraced and maintained, which
is diredly oppofite to the Scripture Doctrine of Belie-
vers Baptifm ; and as long as the Bible is in being, (o
long will there be an Oppofition made to his darling
Opinion and Praflice j till that, as well as all other Er-
rors, fhall be purged away by Him, whofe Fan is in his
Hand^ and who will one Day throughly purge his Floor.
In the mean Time, we fhall endeavour to vindicate the
Faith once delivered to thp Saints : Come War, come
Peace, I fhall for the prefent take my Leave of him
in the. Words of holy Job-, Teach me ^ and 1 will hold
7ny Tongue^ and make me to underjiand, wherein 1 have
erred: How forcible are right Words, but what doth your
arguing reprove ?
?i J S.
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