The Plea for Infants and Elder People Concerning their Baptism, Part 1 · Argument 1

The Plea for Infants and Elder People Concerning their Baptism · Part 1 · Argument 1

p. 9Rich: Clifton.

Argument I.

Gen. 17. 10. God made his covenant to Abraham and to his ſeed: from whence I reaſon thus.

That covenant which God made with Abraham he commaunded p. 10to be ſealed to him and to all his ſeede, yea even to infants.

But the covenant that we vnderunder the goſpel doe receive is the very ſame that was made to Abraham, &c.

Therfore that is commanded to be ſealed to vsus & to our ſeed, yea even to our infants, for ſo was that to Abrhams.

The Major can not be denyed, ſee Gen. 17. 10. 11. 12.

The Minor is likewiſe as true, for the Apoſtle ſpeaking of this covenant, Act. 2. 39 ſayth, the promiſe is made to you and to your children, and to all that are a farre off, as many as the Lord our God ſhall call. In which words it plainly appeareth that this is the very ſame covenant and promiſe that was made to Abraham, which they that were a far of, that is the Gentiles beleeving, doe receive and were baptiſed into. And therfore is Abraham called the Father of many nations, Gen. 17. 4. alſo Gal. 3. 13. 14. Chriſt is ſayd to redeme vsus from the curſe of the Law, that the bleſſing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Ieſus Chriſt, that we might receive the promiſe of the Spirit, ſee verſ. 8. 9. Now then if we be partakers of the ſame covenant, (for otherwiſe ABRAHAMS covenaunt ſhould not be an everlaſting covenant, Gen. 17. 7. ſeing his poſterity after the fleſh is cut off for a tyme, Rom. 11. 15. 17. 20.) it muſt follow that the ſame muſt be ſealed to vsus, and to our infants, (els it is not the ſame) & that by the cōmandement of God. For the aboliſhing of circūciſiō, & the bringing in of baptiſme vnderunder the goſpell, doth not abrogate or diſannul the commaundement of ſealing the covenaunt to the beleeving parents with their infants, which was once commaunded to Abraham, but onelyonly sheweth a changing of the outward ſigne. And therefore as the covenant belōgs to the Gentiles beleeving, ſo doth the ſeale thereof to them & p. 11to their ſeede, as it did to Abraham & to his ſeed: The outward ceremony onelyonly changed.

Mr Smyth.

To this Argument I make anſwer thus: firſt diſtinguiſhing the two cove…nts or teſtaments (for a covenant & teſtament is all one in the originals though …he Engliſh words are two): one covenant was made with Abraham and his car…al ſeed and of that covenāt was circūciſiō a ſeale: another covenāt made with Abrahā and his Spirituall ſeed, and of that covenant the holy ſpirit of promiſe is the ſeale: for …he carnall covenant had a carnal ſeale vponupon the carnall ſeed: the Spirituall covenant had a Spirituall ſeale vponupon the Spirituall ſeed. For things muſt be made proportionable, & circumciſion which was a carnall ſeale, could not ſeale vp the Spirituall covenant to the Spirituall ſeed, for to ſay ſo, is to leap over the hedge, and to make a diſproportion betwixt the type and the truth. &c.

Rich: Clifton.

Here you ſay that two covenants were made with Abraham, a carnall & a ſpirituall, the one with Abraham and his carnall ſeed, the other with him and his ſpirituall ſeed: I anſwer, firſt, that God made with Abraham but one covenaunt of ſalvation, which is, That God would be his God, and the God of his ſeed. Gen. 17. 7. Luk. 1. 72. And this covenant was **Gen. 17. 10. 11. R… 4. 11.Gen 17:10Gen 17:11ſealed with circumciſion, and it is the ſame covenant that is eſtabliſhed by the ††2 Cor. 16 Heb. 8. 10 12.Heb 8:10bloud of Chriſt vntounto all the faithfull ſeed ſealed vnderunder the Goſpell **Mat. 19.Matt 19by baptiſme in ſtead of circumciſion. Other covenant that was given for ſalvation to Abraham and his ſeed, the ſcripture knoweth none. In this covenant is promiſed through Ieſus Chriſt, remiſſion of ſinnes, iuſtification, life everlaſting with all ſaving graces to all that ††Heb. 8. … Ier. 31. 34. Act. 13. 38. 39. Heb. 9. 15. 1 Cor. 1 30. Rom. 4. 11.Heb 8Jer 31:34Acts 13:38Acts 13:39Heb 9:151 Cor 1:30Rom 4:11beleeve. And that this is ſo, the Apoſtle doth witneſſe, ſaying, **Gal. 3. 17Gal 3:17and this I ſay that the covenant which was confirmed afore of God in respect of Chriſt, the law which was 430 yere after cannot diſannull. Where it is to be noted, 1. that this covenant that was given to Abraham was but one: 2. that it was in reſpect of Chriſt, & therefore was that ſpirituall covenant 3. that it was confirmed vntounto him, which is more then a bare offer.

p. 12Secondly, I deny that God ever made any carnal covenant, eyther with Abraham, or with the Iſraelites, ſeing he made but two teſtament… all with his people, and both of them ſpirituall, the new Teſtament yo… graunt to be ſpirituall, and that the old is ſo, the Apoſtle doth witneſſe, c… ling the law (which is a part of the old Teſtament) both † holy and ſpirit… Rom. 7. …. 14.Rom 7all. This law covenant or old Teſtament God gave to Iſrael and they di… * promiſe to keepe it, and ſo were bound to the obſervation of a ſpiritua… Exod. 19. ….Exod 19and not of a carnal covenant. Beſides this firſt Teſtament was not made with Abraham, ſeing it can not be ſhewed that he or the fathers did vndertake the keeping thereof vnderunder penaltie of the curſe, as † Iſrael did.Deut. 27. …5-26.Deut 27:5–26 And as for the promiſe of Canaan, which Abraham beleeved that his ſeed ſhould inherite, it was annexed vntounto that covenant made with him in Chriſt as ſaith the Apoſtle. that † Godlynes hath the promiſe of the life preſent, and of … Tim. 4.that which is to come: And therefore can no more be called a carnall covenant, or be ſaid to be ſealed with circumciſion then the promiſe of the life preſent vntounto vsus, may be called carnall, or to be ſealed with baptiſme And that circumciſion was not given as a ſeale to confirme vntounto Abraham and his ſeed onelyonly the land of Canaan, (as you affirme in your anſwere to my ſecond argument, Reaſon, 1.) but to ſeale vntounto him and to his ſeed the covenant of ſalvatiô; as may be gathered from that very place of Gen. 17. 8. 9. Where Moſes having ſet downe the ſume of the covenaunt that concernes Abraham and his ſeed, ver. 7. in verſ. 8. repeates that promiſe of Canaan before made vntounto him, Gen. 13. 15. and with all ſayth, I will be their God, which is that ſpirituall covenaunt here againe purpoſely repeated; becauſe he would ſhewe that the commaundement of circumciſion, which followes in the next verſ. was given for a ſeale thereof, ver. 11. And that it is ſo to be vnderſtood, the ſpirit, (who knoweth the minde of the Lord) ſo expoundeth it; Rom. 4. 11. ſaying, after he received the ſigne of circumciſion the ſeale of the righteouſnes of fayth, &c. by which place it is evident that circumciſion was a ſigne of the ſpirituall covenant made with Abraham, and not of an other different from this, called by you a carnall covenant. The covenaunt in Chriſt made to Abraham, was confirmed vntounto him: Gal. 3. 17. and there is no mention of any other ſigne given vntounto him but of circumciſion. ergo.

p. 13Againe if God gave circumciſion to be a ſeale to Abraham and his car… ſeed, as you affirme, what had the Proſelites to do with this ſigne? …y were they to be circumciſed, ſeing they were not of Abrahams carnal …d? this ſigne could not ſeale vntounto them the land of Canaan, who had … promiſe thereof; yet were they circumciſed, Exod. 12. 48, there…e they were partakers of that covenant wherof circumciſiō was a ſigne: …t concerning Canaan it was promiſed onelyonly to Abrahams ſeed after the …ſh, and ſo you ſay, then muſt it needs follow that the Proſelites were …artakers of the ſpirituall covenant, and ſo received circumciſion as a ſeal thereof. And thus it is manifeſt that circumciſion was no ſigne of any …carnall covenant made to Abraham as you affirme.

Alſo that to Abraham was made but one covenant, the very phraſe of the holy Ghoſt intimates ſo much, for in ſpeaking thereof the ſcripture uſeth the **Gen. 17. 4. 7. Gal. 17.Gen 17:4Gen 17:7ſingular number; neyther do we read of any moe teſtaments or covenants but two, the old & the new, the former given vntounto Iſrael in the wildernes a long time after that God had made his covenant with Abraham in the Meſſiah to come.

Further you ſay, that circumciſion being a carnall ſeale, could not ſeale a spirituall covenant but the ſeale therof muſt be the ſpirit. &c. I require of you what you meane by a carnal ſeale, if you mind that circumciſion is carnall, becauſe of the cutting of the foreſkinne, I graunt that there was a cutting of the fleſh; or if you mean carnal becauſe it was an external ſigne, who wil deny it. But what is this to the purpoſe, for the fleſh of Chriſt was lanched & perſed with nailes, yet for all that it was a ſpirituall ſacrifice; and the ſacraments of the new teſtament, be outward and viſible thinges, yet are they ſignes of ſpirituall things: and ſo circumciſion though it was externall & by inciſion of the fleſh, yet was it a viſible ſigne of an inviſible grace, & of that ſpirituall covenaunt made with Abraham. Againe, concerning your deviſed carnall covenant with circumciſion, which you ſay, is a type of the ſpirituall covenant and spirit; I anſwer, that circumciſion and Canaan, typed out ſpirituall things promiſed, but were not a carnal covenaunt to type out the ſpirituall, which was already made with Abraham: neither doth the ſcripture teach us that God did make a carnal covenant with him and his ſeed, thereby to accept them to be his people, for that could not be by any other covenant, then onelyonly by that in Chriſt, there being no reconci…ation to God ††2 Cor. 5. 19.2 Cor 5:19but in him. And although the ſpirrit be the **Rō. 8. 15. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 22. & 5 5. Gal. 4. 6 Ephe. 1. 14.2 Cor 1:222 Cor 5:5Gal 4:6Eph 1:14earneſt or p. 14pledge of Gods promiſes in our harts, yet for the further ſtrength… … and confirming of our weak faith, the Lord both before the Law to A… ham, and ſo vnderunder the Law, and likewiſe vnderunder the goſpel hath to his … venant annexed certayne outward ſignes as ſeales thereof.

And thus you having ſet downe your diſtinction of two covena… Wiſh that they may be remembred and orderly applyed, and the argument ſay y… will appeare of no valew &c.

There can be no orderly applying of diſorderly things, your diſtin… on brings all out of order, and therefore this double covenaunt being denied and not by you proved, my argument ſtands firme in all the parts thereof. And the maior vnderſtood of that ſpirituall covenant of God made with Abraham and his ſeed, the Minor is truly aſſumed out of the Maior, and ſo is no ſophiſme.

Furthermore the croſſe of Chriſt hath not aboliſhed the covenant made vntounto Abraham but cōfirmed it, nor yet abrogated the ſealing thereof ſave onelyonly changed the outward ſigne that therby he might put ſome differēce externally betweene the times of Chriſt promiſed to come, and his manifeſtation in the fleſh, and accompliſhment of his promiſe. And as * we have30. …. 8. 11—…4. Rō. 10. …. 7. 8. …er. 4. 4. Eſay 51. 1 - …. 1 Cor. 10 …. 4. Gal. 3 4. 16. 22. …k. 1. 74.Isa 51:11 Cor 10:4Gal 3:4Gal 3:16Gal 3:22 the ſpirituall covenant and ſpirit, ſo had the faithfull vnderunder the law, and therefore it is falſe to ſay, that they had the carnall covenant and wee the ſpirituall, typed by the carnall: for although vnderunder the Law the Lord did traine vp his people vnderunder many ceremonies which were types of things to come, yet did he never ordeyne any carnall covenant with a ſeale therof as you deviſe. But let vsus ſee your proofes for all theſe particulars.

Firſt, that there are two Teſtaments made with Abraham, you alledge, Gal. 4 - 24. ſaying, Agar, that is the old Testament, and Sara that is the new, both married to Abraham. 2. There are two ſeeds, Iſmael of Abraham and Hagar, who typed the carnall ſeed, and Iſaac of Abraham and▪ Sarah who typed the spirituall ſeed. ver. 23. 3. There are two ſeales circumciſion a ſeale of the carnall covenant, vponupon the carnall children, Gen. 17. 11. and the holy ſpirit of promiſe a ſeale of the spirituall covenant vponupon the ſpirituall ſeed, 2 Cor. 1. 22. Ephe. 1. 13. &c. Firſt, for the place of the Gal. 4. whereon you build your carnall covenant, that nothing fits your purpoſe; for there the Apoſtle had to deal with the falſe Apoſtles, who vrged the works of the law for iuſtification and taught the people that vnleſſe they wer circumciſed Chriſt could not profit them, whom after he had confuted with divers reaſons, he inferreth to the ſame p. 15… …egorie of Abraham and his two wives, ſhadowing out there… …at there can be no agreement betweene the law and the goſpel in …atter of iuſtification, the law ingendring bondage & requiring ſtrict …dience, without which is no ſalvation; but the goſpel freeth from* Deut. 2… 26.Deut 2:26 …egall bondage, and requireth to ††Rō. 10. 6… 11. Rom. … 16. 17.Rom 16:17beleeve and ſo promiſeth ſalvation; …o Paul ſpeaking to them that would be vnderunder the law, doth ſhew them … fooliſh they are, which by the goſpel are ſet **Act. 13. 38.Acts 13:38free from the curſe of …w and legall ceremonies; do fruſtrate that freedome, by ſubiecting …mſelves againe to the law, which could never make them ††Act. 13. 39.Acts 13:39righteous; …d ſo become like vntounto Iſmael ſonnes of the bond woman; whereas all …hey that are vnderunder the goſpel are free from all that bondage of the law & …eas Iſaac ſonnes by promiſe of Sarah the free woman. Now this being …he purpoſe or ſcope of the Apoſtle, this allegorie ſetting downe the di…rs ſtates of them that be vnderunder the law or old teſtament, & vnderunder the goſpel or new teſtament, concerning iuſtification and ſalvation, doth …either prove that theſe two covenaunts or Teſtaments were made to Abraham, or yet that the Iewes were ſo vnderunder the lawe, that alſo they were …ot free by faith in Chriſt, for if we conſider the times wherein the law was given, 430 yeres after the promiſe; it will appeare that the law or old teſtament was not given to Abraham, or yet that it did **Gal. 3, 1…Gal 3:1diſannull the covenāt to diſpoſſeſſe his ſeed of that eſtate which they obtayned, by that promiſe made vntounto him. And it is to be noted, that aſwell vnderunder the …ew teſtament as vnderunder the old, all they are in bondage with Hagars ſonns that ſeek by the workes of the law to be iuſtified.

2. I anſwer more particularly to your proofes whereof the two former are drawen from this place of the Galathians chap. 4. 24. the first, becauſe the Apoſtle calls Hagar & Sarah the two teſtaments, verſ. 24. and both …re married to Abraham, therefore to Abraham were made two testaments. True it is that Hagar and Sarah were types of the two teſtaments, the one of the old, the other of the new. But the Apoſtle applyes them, to ſet out thereby the different eſtate of them that be vnderunder grace from ſuch as be vnderunder the lawe of works: Now to Abraham was not the lawe given (whereof Hagar is made a type) and therefore could not have, that co…nant of the lawe ſealed vp vntounto him by circumciſion, for ſure I am moe p. 16covenaunts or Teſtaments the ſcripture ſ…s not of, but … Heb. 8. …3.Heb 8:3& new; the one abrogated by Chriſt his comming, the other co… And that the Apoſtle meaneth of theſe two teſtaments, it may be ſ… playnely out of the text it ſelf, for ſpeaking of the lawe, he ſaith thu… one which is Hagar of mount Sina which gendereth vntounto bondage, making … tion purpoſely of Sinai, becauſe that covenant of works or law was … in that mountaine, whereof Hagar was a ſhadow, ver. 25. And … king of the other teſtament or covenant of grace, ſayth, but Jeruſalem … is above, is free. &c. ver. 26.—28. meaning that ſuch as were children … of were free after the manner of Iſaac. But here it is well to be minded if theſe two Teſtaments be not one and the ſame, & be ſayd to be two in reſpect of the tymes and diverſe adminiſtration thereof, and then your carnall covenant cannot ſtand.

Certaynly the Lord made one eternal & vnchangable covenant to his Church, inſtructing and diſpenſing his benefites otherwiſe in the time of the Law, then now he doth under the Goſpel. And in this reſpect, the Scripture ſpeaking of one and the ſame covenant ot Teſtament, may well ſpeak in regard of the diſpenſation therof, as of two. And ſo underſtand by the old Teſtament, that ſpiritual doctrine of grace delivered by Moſes & the Prophets to the Fathers promiſing eternal life, openly under condition of perfect obedience of the Law, & threatning of the curſe if they did not perform it; together with that intollerable burden of legal rites, & yoke of Moſes politie: and covertly, under condition of repentance & fayth in the Mesſiah to come, prefigured under types, ſhadowes, & ceremonies: that by this meanes the Iewes as by a Schoolmaſter might be lead unto Chriſt. And by the new Teſtament underſtād the ſame ſpiritual doctrine of grace now revealed by Chriſt & his Apoſtles, manifeſtly, without ſhadowes and legal rites, promiſing righteouſnes & life to al, both Iewes & Gentils that ſhal beleeve in Chriſt already come.

And this being the meaning of the Apoſtle in ſpeaking of two Teſtaments in this place, this ſcripture ſerves nothing for your carnal covenāt, ſeing both theſe Teſtamēts are ſpiritual; & though ſome carnal things wer commaunded in the old teſtament: Yet thoſe makes it no more a carnall covenant, then water in Baptiſme, & bread & wine in the Lords ſupper, & the receiving of them (which al are carnal things) do make the new Teſtament carnall, they being given to ſignifie vntounto us ſpiritual things as were p. 17… carnall things vnderunder the lawe ordeyned to like vſe, vntounto the Iewes. …m this placeis, that there are two ſeeds Iſmaell of Abra… carnall ſeed: and Iſaac of Abraham and Sarah, … ſeed.

… this type th… that Hagar & Iſmael did ſhadow … lawe with her children, … bondage, and Sarah & …, Ieruſalem, and her children, which … and ſonnes by promiſe, …nding hereby, not onelyonly Abrahams … ſeed …e vnderunder bondage, … through the obſervation of the law looked for …tion, But all o…s whatſoever▪ that by pretending to obſerve the law, …pe thereby to be inſtified, as by applying this doctrine to the Galathians …ppeareth. But you ſay, Hagar and Iſmael typed the carnall ſeed after the fleſh … All that the Apoſtle ſayth is this, that he that was borne of the ſervant …e after the …, meaning thereby that he was not born… by promiſe … mother that was free, as Iſaac was, and ſo did typ… …t (as afore … the ſtate and condition of them that ſeek iuſtification by the works of … what you affirme more then this you muſt prove.

3. You ſay, there are two ſeales, circumciſion a ſeale of the carnall … … carnall children; Gen. 17. 11. and the holy ſpirit of promiſe a … ſpirituall covenant vponupon the spirituall ſeed, Ephe. 1. 13.

Firſt, I deny that circumciſion is the ſeale of any other covenant▪ … …. … Gal. … Gen. …of that † one covenaunt made with Abraham … of Chriſt, w… was confirmed vntounto * him and to his ſeed therby; a… ſpirit calleth circumciſion a ‡‡Gal. 4.Gal 4ſeale of the righteouſnes of faith.

And laſtly, becauſe Iſaac that was borne by **Gal. 4.Gal 4promiſe, was circumciſed, who was partaker of the covenaunt of grace, and of the righteouſnes which is by faith, therefore circumciſion was a ſigne and ſeale thereof.

But you will obiect, that Iſaac was of Abrahams carnall ſeed and in that reſpect received circumciſion, as a ſeale of the carnall covenant, which he alſo had. It is true that Iſaac was borne to Abraham after the cōmon courſe of nature, and therefore had he thereby this prerogative to be circumciſed, which no other children had but Abrahams, vntil they or their Parents were by faith partakers of the ſame covenaunt made with Abrahā: but it is not true that he received this ſigne of circumciſion, as the ſeale of a carnall covenaunt or of the promiſe of Canaan onelyonly: or that it was a p. 18ſeale vponupon the carnal children of Abrahams onelyonly, ſeing … Exod. 12.Exod 12the beleeving Gentiles (as before was obſerved) … and Iſmael alſo was circumciſed that had no righ… And … all ſuch as beleeve & have received the goſpel are ſealed … rit of promiſe, is true; but as the ſpirit doth not onelyonly … promiſe of God in the hatte… of …, but externally … the … cheth the ſame. Heb. 8. … Mat. 28. 15. ſo doth he both inwardly … outwardly ſeale the ſ…me promiſe to them vntounto whom it belongs. T… * ſpirit and circ…on are ſeales of the ſame covenaunt of grace & righteouſnes… Gor. 1. …. 21. 22. …he. 1. 13. …erd with …om. 4. 11. of faith.

And thus may you ſee, that your diſtinction of two ſeales, of two ſeverall covenants, a carnal, and a ſpiritual, is but a deviſe of your owne invention which wil fall to the ground, when Poedobaptiſtry ſhall ſtand firm againſt … ſtrongeſt reaſons, though you hold it to have a ſandy foundati… ▪

… next place you anſwer to the ſcriptures by me alleadged, to prove … of my argument and firſt to that of Gen. 17. 10. 11. 12. you ſay, … proveth that circumciſion was a ſeale of the carnall covenaunt made with …all ſeed, and not a ſeale of the ſpirituall covenaunt made with the faithful, for …it is the ſeale thereof.

… anſwered you before, that circumciſion was a ſeale of the ſpirituall covenaunt made with Abraham, and have proved the ſame by thoſe places of Rom. 4. 11. and Gen. 17. 7-12. although you labour to infringe the the teſtimony of the Apoſtle; ſaying, that it is not the ſcope of the place, but this, viz. that circumciſion had one specialitie in Abraham differring from all other, that by circumciſion he was ſealed vp to be the father of all the faithful, as concerning the matter of their iuſtification, &c.

The words of the Apoſtle are ſo playne, as you cannot ſhift them off, for Paul proving that Abraham was iuſtified by faith, and that faith was imputed vntounto him for righteouſnes when he was vncircumciſed, ſayth, after he received the ſigne of circumciſion as the ſeale of the righteouſnes of faith which he had when he was vncircumciſed, Ram. 4. 9. 10. 11. Doth not the Apoſtle plainely affirme that circumciſion was a ſeale of the righteouſnes of faith? which… Cor. 1. 30. Act. 13. 39. 2 Cor. 5. 21.Acts 13:392 Cor 5:21 righteouſnes, what is it elſe, but the matter of Gods ſpirituall covenaunt made to Abraham? for Chriſt the ſubſtance of this covenaunt, is this righteouſnes by which Abraham and all the faithfull ‡ are iuſtified; And you confeſſe that by circumciſion Abraham was ſealed vp to be the father of the faithful p. 19…ning the matter of their iuſtification. Now if it did ſeale to Abraham the …uall covenaunt, then is circumciſion a ſeale of the covenannt of ſalva…, and not of a carnall covenaunt, as you affirme. And if circumciſi… a …, Abraham of this heavenly promiſe, then is it ſo to all his … God put no difference in commaunding him and his ſeed to …cumciſed, as to ſay to Abraham▪ that this ſacrament, ſhould ſeale vn… …im the covenaunt of grace, and to his ſeed a carnall covenaunt, but …d thus to Abraham, ††Gen. 17. 9. 10.Gen 17:9Gen 17:10thou alſo ſhalt keep my co… thou and thy ſeed af… thee in their generations. But ſay you, he was ſealed vp to… the father of the faith…l, that as he was iuſtified by faith, ſo ſhould they be, and th… …ltie had circumciſion in Abraham differing from all other.

That Abraham had this prerogative above others to be …e father of the faithful, is not denyed, but to affirme that circumciſion …s not a ſeale of the ſpirituall covenant, is falſe: and you anſwer not the Apoſtle, but ſhift it off with ſaying, this specialtie had circumciſion in Abrahan differing frō …ther, which is no conſcionable dealing, ſeing you cannot but …, that Paul having affirmed that Abrahams faith was imputed to him … … ouſnes when he was vncircumciſed, doth prevent this obiection, … Abraham was iustified being vncircumciſed, to what end was he then cir… ciſed? to which the Apoſtle anſwers, that his circumciſion was not i… vayne, but was given of God, and by him received as a ſeale of the righ… … ouſnes of his faith, ſo ſetting downe the vſe of circumciſion, not limitting the ſame as a ſpecialty to Abrahams fatherhood, but as the proper end or vſe of the ſacrament it ſelf belonging to all others that were circumciſed, as well as to him.

The next ſcripture is Act. 2. 39. whereto you anſwer, that the promiſe is Act. 2. 3Acts 2:3…ffred to the impenitent Iewes, and to their poſteritie, and to the Gentiles a farre off, and that was exhibited onelyonly to ſo many as yeelded obedience to the faith, charging me with adding to the text, &c.

Firſt, I confeſſe the word (made) is not in that place, but added by the tranſlater to make the ſenſe more plaine, the text may thus be read, for … you is the promiſe, and to your children, yet the word (made) added in the tranſlation, is no adding to the ſenſe, as may be proved, Gen. 17. 2. 7. where in the ſecond verſe, the Lord vſeth this word, (give) ſaying, & I will give my covenaunt between me and thee, p. 20and in the 7. verſe, I will make or establiſh my covenaunt, the … alſo in verſ. 21. in the giving of the covenaunt. This word (…) word equivalent vntounto it, is vſed in Deut. 29. 14. I will make or cut o… covenaunt with you, vſing a borrowed ſpeach which ſignifies … … naunt, becauſe in old times covenants were * confirmed by … Gen. 15. …. Ier. 34.Gen 15Jer 34of living beaſts and fowles. The ſame word is likewiſe in Gen. 15. …. …. ſo Act. 13. 32. the words are, that touching the promiſe made to the fathers … which place the word (made) is expreſſed; ſo is it in Act. 26. 6. & Ac… 25. & Gal. 3. 17. And therefore though the Apoſtle leave it out in rehea… ſing the covena… yet finding it in the originall graunt, and in other places, there is no …dding to the word, if we expreſſe the ſame in our owne tongue. All …hich frees me from your ſclaunder, of adding to the text. But if the reader … minde your writing, this imputation of adding will more iuſtly be …turned vponupon your owne head, for you ſay, the promiſe is offred to the impenitent Iewes. I deſire it may be ſhewed where this word offred, is in the text, and why you call thoſe Iewes impenitent, which the holy Ghoſt wit… to be penitent.

Secondly, you not being able to anſwer this place of the Actes, poſt it …ver with a diſtinction of offring and exhibiting, thereby to deceive the ſim…le in putting the thing promiſed, (which is offred to many by the prea…ing of the Goſpell, but exhibited to the beleevers) for the covenaunt orGen. 17. 7 …eut. 29. …—15. Gē. 17. 1.Gen 17:7 promiſe it ſelf, which was once † made to Abraham and his ſeed; now Peters reaſon was to perſwade them to repentance and baptiſme, becauſe the Lord had made his promiſe to them and to their children: and they likewiſe had entred covenant with him to ‡ walk in his wayes, therefore they ſhould amend and be baptiſed, & the Lord would pardon their tranſgreſſions. And note that ſalvation is offred by the preaching of … Chriſt, continually to them that are within the covenaunt, as wel as to others.

But let me ask you whether that covenaunt which God made to Abraham was but onelyonly offred, or that Abraham received it alſo, & ſo God both entred covenaunt with him and he with God? is it not apparāt that Abraham received the covenant, in that he beleeved, and was circū ciſed?Rom. 4. 3. …1.Rom 4:3Rom 4:1 and did he not receive it as wel for his * ſeed, as for himſelf & beleeved that God would be the God of his ſeed? how can you ſay then, it was but an offer onelyonly. And if it was not made with the Iſraelites, how p. 21…l they be blamed for the **Hoſ. 2. 2… & 4. 1. 3. 2 Chro 24. 18. 19 & 30. 6-…Hos 2:2Hos 4:1Hos 4:32 Chr 24:182 Chr 24:192 Chr 30:6breach thereof? they might have bene re…ed for refuſing to have received Gods covenant being offred vntounto … but not for their adulterie, never being maryed vntounto the Lord. Iſraell …he **Hoſ. 2. …Hos 2Lords wife, & he her huſband, could this be by an offer, and not …ring the contract? read Luke, 1. 68. - 74. but if it pleaſe you to read …. 29. 10-15. where the covenant was renued with Iſrael, that the …, women, and children and ſtraunger with them, entred into the cove…t and othe of the Lord, which he made with them; it will appeare that …is was more then a bare offer, for hereby God did eſtabliſh them a people for him ſelf.

But, ſay you, it was exhibited onelyonly to ſo many as yelded obedience to the fayth. I anſwere, theſe Iewes whom you call impenitent, many of them did ‡‡Act. 2. 4…Acts 2:4repent and had received the covenant in Abraham their father, were circumciſed and had right to the **Rō. 9. 4…promiſes, were to be eſteemed ††Act. 3. 25.Acts 3:25children of the covenant, vntil by ‡‡Act. 13. 45. 46. & 18. 6. Rom. 11. 2Acts 13:45Acts 13:46Acts 18:6Rom 11:2infidelitie and impenitency they were cut off. And herein you are deceived, that becauſe many of the Iewes through infidelitie fell away, that therfore the covenant was not made with them, it is true, that it did not profite the ††Heb. 4. …Heb 4vnbeleevers, & that was their own fault (no more doth it now profite hypocrites in the Church,) yet was it made with thē, & they externally received it, in that they did partake of the ſignes therof, and profeſſed to be Abrahams ſonnes, Joh. 8. 33. The Lords ſupper offred, & externally received of the vnworthy, profits them not, yet they partaking but in the outward ſignes are held **1 Cor. 1… 27.1 Cor 1:27guiltie of the body and bloud of Chriſt.

Further you ſay, Whereas you ſeeming to aſsume that the covenaunt was made to Abraham and his infants, it is therefore made to vsus and our infants, I deny that ever the covenaunt spirituall was made that is conferd to all Abrahams Infants according to the fleſh, &c.

Firſt, you deny that the ſpirituall covenaunt was made, that is conferd to all Abrahams infants. But I ask you whether was it given to any of them or no? becauſe you ſay, it was not conferd to all, if to none, I pray you tell me how any of them, ſo dying infants were ſaved? ſo alſo you ſay, neither is it conferd to all our infants, can you ſhew me which of our infants are except, if it be not conferred vntounto all. That it was conferred or made on the Lords behalf, cannot be denied: but that every one to whome it is conefrred doth effectually receive it, who doth ſo affirme? you runne here p. 22to the ſecrete counſel of God, where in, all are not † … …om: 9. 7 …. 8 44.becauſe they are the ſeed of Abraham, the which is not denyed, but … the poſterity of Abraham after the fleſh, many were not of the * elec… …om: 11.but this is not to the purpoſe, for we do not hold that every one of A… hams naturall ſeed is ſaved, nor all the poſterity of beleeving paren… in the electiō: but this we beleeve, that God of his free grace gave his … venant to Abraham and to his ſeed, and he by fayth received the ſame him ſelf and his ſeed indefinitely, as we alſo doo beleeve that God will … our God, and the God of our ſeed, becauſe he hath ſo promiſed, and therefore doo we in aſſurance hereof cauſe our Infants to be baptiſed according to the * cōmandement of Chriſt: if any of them cōming to yeres do manifeſtMat: 28. by their vnbeleef, that they are reprobate, then are we to take notice that they ‡ were not of vsus, but till then we are to account them as childrenIo: 2. 19. of the Covenant, as well as we do thoſe that being hypocrites, do outwardlyAct. 8. 13.Acts 8:13 profeſſe the fayth & ſo are baptiſed, as Symō Magus.

Secondly, you ſay, The spirituall covenant was offerred to all Abrahams ſeed vnderunder the carnall &c.

How Gods covenant was geven to Abraham and his ſeed, & not barely offerred, I have ſhewed before, ſo alſo have I anſwered to your carnal covenant and confeſſe, that the Lord vnderunder types & figures did teach and ſhadow forth vntounto Iſraell diverſe particulars of the Meſſiah as of his † ſacrificing,Heb. 8. 5. & 9. 8. 9. …c. & 10. … &c. Col. … 17. Heb. …—9. & … chap. … Cor. 10. 1.—6.Heb 8:5Heb 9:8Heb 9:9 death, reſurrection, Preiſthood and ſuch like, and of good things to come to his Church vnderunder the Gopell, and of the Kingdome of heaven, but that there was a carnal covenant or Teſtament made with Abraham over & beſides the covenant of grace, ſealed vntounto him and his carnal ſeed by circumciſion all your learning can never prove it.

You cōclude That as it was offred to Abrahās ſeed, ſo to ours. This I hope thē if it be proved that the spirituall covenant was not onelyonly offerred, but gevē to Abrahās carnall ſeed (I meane the Iſraelites) that the ſame covenāt is givē to our childrē, vnleſſe the grace of God be leſſened vnderunder the goſpel. to prove the former, viz: that the ſpiritual covenāt was givē to the Iſraelites beſydes that which hath bene formerly obſerved I will add ſome ſew reaſons moe to confirme the ſame.

1. Deu: 29. 10-15. Moſes ſpeaking vntounto all Iſrael, ſayth, ye ſtand p. 23…y every one of you before the Lord your God, your heads of your tribes, your … and your officers,▪ all the men of Iſraell, your children, your wives &c. that …houldest paſse into the covenaunt of the Lord thy God, and into his othe … he maketh with thee this day, &c. neither make I this covenaunt with you … but with him that ſtandeth here with vsus this day, as with him that is not here … vsus this day, &c. Which covenaunt is the ††Deut. 2 13. conf… with Gen 17. 1. 2. 7 19. & 2… 3.Deut 2:13Gen 17:1Gen 17:2Gen 17:7ſame that was made to …raham, and renued both on Gods behalfe and the peoples. Now that …venant that God confirmed to Abraham, with an othe is the covenant … grace, as Luke, 1. 72. 75. conferd with Gen. 22. 16. Heb. 6. 13. 14. And his covenaunt that was made to Abraham, is the very ſame that Iſra…l renued with the Lord, for themſelves and their poſterity. Deut. 19. 13. …4. 15. which was not barely offred, but confirmed vntounto Abraham & his …ed by the Lords oth. Yea in verſe 10. 12. it is ſayd, ye stand this day to paſse …r… the covenant of the Lord, and into his oth which he maketh with thee this day, for … eſtabliſh thee this day, a people unto himſelf, and that he may be unto thee a God as …e hath ſayd vntounto thee, and hath ſworne vntounto thy fathers, Abraham, Iſaac and Ia…ob. And this to be their God, & they to be his people, & their poſteritie, was no carnall covenaunt, but the very ‡‡2 Cor. 6. 16.2 Cor 6:16ſame that is made with vsus vnderunder the Goſpel.

2. That the Lord made with Iſrael his ſpirituall covenaunt, may alſo be proved, Deut. 10. 16. where Moſes exhorts them to circumciſe the foreskinne of their hart, and by all theſe exhortations of the Prophets, to repentance. Ier. 3. 14. & 4. 1. 4. & 7. 3. Hoſea 10. 12. and 14. 1-7. Ioel 2. 12. 13. Amos 5. 4. 6. Zepha. 2. 1. 2. (which are the conditions of that ſpirituall covenant that the Lord requires on our part therein) & the promiſes of pardon annexed therevnto. (which is the other part of the covenant on Gods behalfe.) Now the covenaunt of the law admits of no repentance, nor promiſeth any pardon, onelyonly the covenaunt of grace, admits thereof. If therefore they had not had the ſpirituall covenaunt given vntounto them, wherevpon could the Prophets have grounded their exhortations, or with ſuch reaſons have perſwaded them to repentaunce? This was the ground of Peters exhortation of the Iewes to amendement of life, as before is obſerved out of Act. 2. 38. 39.

p. 24And by the Lords requyring of repentance at the hands of the Iſ… it is moſt cleere, that God required then the ſame thing, that now … † goſpel is required of vsus: Ergo they were intereſſed in the ſame cove… Mar. 1. … 15.Mark 1:15that we have: And therfore not onelyonly the outward obſervation of ce… nies was required of the Iewes, by their covenant, but alſo the obſ… of the conditions of the covenant of grace, as to walke before God an… be vpright: Gen: 17. 1. to beleeve and repent: And it is a notable err… hold the contrarie.

3. Iſrael were held to be the people of God, and the Lord to be their God, and ſo God did ‡ account of them. Now I would know if they could…r. 23. 2. …ay 5. 7. …icah. 2. 8. … Hoſ. 11. …. Deut. …. 8. Gen. …. 8. Ehe. 2. …. …. Cor. 6. …. 17. A… c. 18. 4.Hos 11 be ſayd to be his people, and not to be within his covenant of grace; doth God accept of any, by a carnal covenant to be his people, and not in Chriſt? do not both Iewes & Gētiles become Gods people through Chriſt? and all that are not within his covenant, are ſayd to be * far of and without God. But the offring onelyonly of the Goſpel or covenant, makes not a people to be Gods people, for the Goſpel may be preached to them; that are without, but then are they ſayd to be Gods people, when they imbrace his covenant and not before, and ſuch as do receive it are commanded † to ſeparate themſelves from the prophane, which wil not have the Lord to be their God: which ſeparation, argues a difference between a people to whome the promiſes are offred, and ſuch as have received them for that Goſpell that converted ſome in a falſe Church, was offerred to moe yet is it received onelyonly of the faithfull, in which reſpect they are ſayd to be the people and Church of God. This reſteth then for you to ſhew that God intituleth any to be his people, which have not eyther themſelves or…om. 9. 4. …. 2. 39. …eut. 29. their forefathers received the covenant of grace. And as Iſrael was called the people of God, becauſe the ‡ covenant belonged vntounto them, and they had † paſſed into that, & received the ſeale thereof wherehy they teſtifyed themſelves and were acknowledged to be Gods people and ſheep of his paſture: ſo are we become the people and Church of God, not becauſe…. Rom. 11. …6.Rom 11:6 the goſpel is preached vntounto vsus, but becauſe we have received the promiſe of God, and entred covenant with him for our ſelves and alſo for our children, for if the ‡ firſt fruicts be holy, ſo is the whole lumpe, and if the roote be holy, ſo are the branches.

4. The Apoſtle ſayth, that the branches; vz. the Iewes were **Rom. 11. …7. 20.Rom 11:7Rom 11:20broken of frō the roote and fatnes of the olive through vnbeleefe meaning by the roote, Abraham p. 25…ſaac and Iacob their forefathers who for themſelves and their ſeed … received the covenant: Now it muſt neceſſarily follow vponupon the Apo… wordes, that they were before, of the olive, or els could they not be …d to be broken of: And this breaking of, was not a ceaſing to be their …turall ſeede, (for ſo continew they ſtil) but they were broken of from the …enant of grace made to Abraham and his ſeed, as it is apparant by this, … they were broken of through vnbeleef, which hath relation to that co…enant, and not to the covenant of works. Yea and they are ſayd to be **Rom. … 19. 20.broken of from that, wherevnto we are graffed by faith, and into which they may alſo be ††verſ. 23.graffed in agayne, if they continew not in vnbelief. Now we are graffed into no other covenant but that of grace: And as for the Iewes they cannot againe be graffed into ſuch a carnal covenant as you imagine, ſeing by your owne doctrine it is diſannulled: And if they be to be graffed into an other covenant and not the ſame that they were in before, how can it be called a graffing in agayne? for this phraſe importeth a covenant whereof they had bene formerly partakers.

But it wil be objected, that they which are once in Chriſt and holy, can not be broken of, and therefore ſuch of the Iewes as fell away cannot be ſayd to be holy and of the ſpiritual covenant.

I Anſwer firſt, it is trew that they that are graffed in Chriſt, and perſonally holy ““Joh. 10. … 27. 28.John 10:27John 10:28cannot be broken of: ſecondly, the Apoſtle ſpeaking of holynes and ſaying if the root be holy ſo are the branches, meaneth not of any perſonal holynes, but of that right of the covenant whereby they became Gods people, which he calleth holynes that deſcends from Abrahā to all his ſeed, as the ſap or fatnes of the olive doth from the root aſcend to all the branches; And this holynes, or right to the ſpiritual covenant had all the Iewes, in regard whereof they were ſeparate from all other nations, and called a holy nation. And in this reſpect are the children of thoſe parents (whereof the one of them beleeveth) called holy. 1. Cor: 7. 14. not that perſonall holines deſcendeth from the parent to the childe (for that cannot paſſe from one to an other) but becauſe through the fayth of the father beleeving that the promiſe of ſalvation is made to him and his ſeed, the children have now tytle and right to the ſame covenant by the free and large promiſe of the grace of God, and ſo many as are elected are ſaved (though dying in theire infancy,) by the ſame covenant.

5. The Apoſtle affirmeth Act. 15. 11. that both the fathers under p. 26the law, as well as we that are under the goſpel, are under the ſame j… ing and ſanctifying grace of Chriſt, ſaying, wee beleeve through the grace o… Lord Jeſus Chriſt to be ſaved as they, meaning their fathers, verſ. 10. where… on I conclude, that their fathers being under the ſame grace, were und… the ſame covenant with us, although this grace was not ſo fully revealed and fulfilled as it is now * to us; for there is no partitipation of the gra… Jo. 7. 39.John 7:39of juſtification and regeneration, but in this ſpiritual covenant; therefore to them was given this ſpirituall covenaunt, and they did receive it as well as we, though amongſt them ſome particular perſons did by their perſonal vnbeleif, cut themſelves of from the grace of God, as now ſome do with us, which neyther then, nor now, can make the covenant given to ourExod. 20. Pſ. 89. 28 …. Gen. 3. 15 … 4. 4. 26. … 6. 5. & …eb. 11. 4. &c. Heb. 11. …. … Heb. 11. …. 14. 15. ….Exod 20Ps 89:28Gen 3:15Heb 11 forefathers, to be † void to their poſteritie.

6. The ſpiritual covenant that was given to Abraham and his ſeed, was before given to “Adam, and the fathers to the time of Abraham; & they received it by faith, (for there is but one covenant of ſalvation both before & after Chriſt, & one maner of receiving it, which is by faith:) & Abraham to whom was promiſed the land of Canaan, did notwithſtanding look for a * citie having a foundation whoſe builder and maker is God. And of theſe fathers before Abraham his time, doth the Apoſtle witneſſe that they all died in faith, ‘* ſaw the promiſes (that is the things promiſed) a farr off, (though they received them not as then fulfilled,) and beleeved and received thankefully and confeſsed that they were ſtangers and pilgrimes on the earth, for they that ſay ſuch things declare plainly that thoy ſeek a country, that is an heavenly. And in the firſt epiſtle to the Corinthes chap. 10. 1. &c. the Apoſtle ſpeaking of the fathers which were of Abrahams ſeed, ſayth, I would not have you ignorant, that all our fathers were under the clowd, were all baptized unto Moſes, did all eat the ſame spiritual meat and did all drink the ſame spirituall drink, for they drunk of the ſpiritual rock that followed, & the rock was Chriſt. By which ſcriptures it appeares that the ſpiritual covenant was given unto them, & that they received it by faith.Heb. 11. …. Mat. 17. …. 2 Cor. …. 19. Rev. 1 … & 8. 3. Heb. 13. 15 … 1 Tim. 2. …. Heb. 13. … Eph. 2. ….Heb 11Matt 17Rev 1Heb 13:151 Tim 2Heb 13Eph 2

7. If the fathers under the law had not bene within the covenant of grace, all their worſhip offered unto God could not have been acceptable, ſeing out of Chriſt, * God is not pleaſed with any perſon, or with any worſhip; therfore is he ſayd to be the Lamb ſlayn from the begining of the world, & the onelyonly “Mediator between God and man, by whom we have acceſſe unto the Father, and † through whom all our ſacrifices and worſhip are pleaſing unto God.

Laſtly, it muſt needs be that the Iewes had the covenant of grace, ſeing the Apoſtle ſayth †‘ that the Gētiles ſhalbe coinheritors (meaning with the Iewes) p. 27… of the ſame body, and partakrrs of the promiſes in Chriſt by the Goſpel: for if the …wes had not formerly bene a body & inheritors of the promiſes in Chriſt, …ow could the Gentiles be ſayd to be coinheritors with them and of the …ame body, ſee alſo Epheſ. 2. 12. 13. 14. Add hereunto that the Iewes were called the **Mat. 8▪ 12.Matt 8:12children of the kingdome, and of of the ““Act. 3. 25.Acts 3:25covenant, and unto whom the ††Act. … 32.promiſe was made.

And now it being proved that this ſpirituall covenant apperteyned to the Iſraelites, and the conditions therof required at their hands, I hope you will grant as much to the faythfull and their ſeed under the Goſpel, or els ſhew vsus where and when the hand of Gods grace was ſhortened, but that I am ſure you cannot prove God to be leſſe bountiful now, then he was to the Iewes: and therefore as the chidren of Abraham Iſaac and Iacob were holy and had right to the covenant and were ſealed with circumciſion: ſo are the children now that deſcends from beleeving parents **1 Cor. 7. 14.1 Cor 7:14holy, and have right to the covenant ““Mat. 19▪ 14.Matt 19:14and kingdome of God, and conſequently to baptiſme the ſeal thereof.

But you ſay, Infants wanting actuall faith, cannot truely be ſayd the children of Abraham.

I anſwer, that actuall faith is required of ſuch of Abrahams children, asHere no… that actua… faith in al… this treatiſ… is put for t… actual uſ… faith. are grown to yeares. And therfore you muſt proove that infants wanting actuall faith cannot be the children of Abraham, and then muſt you prove that they are not Chriſts, for if they be Chriſts they are Abrahams ſeed Gal. 3. 29.

But are that they are, in ſecret to the Lord; whatſoever they are.

Chriſt hath ſayd playnely, ““Mar. … 14.Mark 14that of ſuch is the Kingdome of God. And the promiſe is **Act. 2. 3.Acts 2:3made to the beleevers and their ſeede. And you leave them in ſecrete to the Lord, thus ſhutting your eies againſt the cleare light of the truth.

The Scriptures following, (viz: Gal. 3. 13. 4. 8. 9. compared with Gē. 17. 7. Rom. 11. 15. 17. 20. which ſerve moſt playnly to prove that the covenant that we have is the ſame that was made to Abraham,) you leave vnanſwered.

Next folow your reaſons againſt poedobaptiſtrie, the firſt wherof is this. As it was with Abraham the father of the faithful, ſo muſt it be with the children of Abraham, Rom. 4. 11. But Abraham firſt beleeved actually, and being ſealed with the ſpirit of promiſe, afterward received the ſigne of circumciſion: Ergo the childrē of Abraham, the beleeving Gentiles muſt first beleeve actually and be ſealed with the spirit of promiſe, and then receive the baptiſme of water.

p. 28This Argument which you alledge againſt Paedobaptiſtrie the very … ſerves to confirm it, for thus we reaſon for it obſerving your termes.

As it was with Abraham the father of the faythful, ſo muſt it be with th… children of Abraham.

But Abraham firſt beleeved and being ſealed with the ſpirit of promiſe, afterward received the ſigne of circumciſion, he and his children.

Ergo, the children of Abraham the beleeving Gentiles muſt firſt beleeve… and be ſealed with the ſpirit of promiſe, and then receive baptiſme of water, they and their children.

Here let the reader conſider, yf you by this your owne Argument have not yeelded the cauſe; for this is that which we ſtand for, viz: that, As it was with Abraham the father of the faithful ſo muſt it be with his children the beleeving Gentiles. Now Abraham beleeved that God would be his God and the God of his ſeed. Gen. 17. 7. received circumciſion the † ſeale thereof, he himſelf, and all his males, yea Iſaac of eight dayes old.…om. 4. 3 … Gen. 17. …—14. …—27. … 21. 4.Gen 17 Ergo the children of Abraham the beleeving Gentiles muſt firſt beleeeve, and then receive the ſeale thereof which is Baptiſme, themſelves and their children. But if your meaning be this, that as Abraham beleeved firſt & after was circumciſed; ſo every one of Abrahams ſeed muſt firſt actually beleeve and then be baptiſed, then I muſt intreat you to ſhew me when and where this difference was put between the ſeed of Abrahā which deſcended from him by the courſe of nature, & his ſeed that are of the Gentiles, that the former being infants, might notwithſtāding firſt receive the ſeal before they did actually beleeve: And that the other, viz: the infants of the Gentiles muſt firſt beleeve and after receive the ſigne: ſurely before the comming of Chriſt the Lord put no ſuch difference, but that ſuch of the Gentiles as did turne to the faith, “their infants were circumciſed, as well as…xod. 12. the infants of the Iewes. After Chriſts comming the Apoſtle witneſſeth, that there is no difference between the Gentiles and the Iewes, for he ſaythEphe. 3. 6Eph 3:6 * the Gentiles are coinheritors alſo (meaning with the Iewes) and of the ſame body and partakers of his promiſe in Chriſt by the Goſpel. And therefore the Apoſtle did not doubt to “baptiſe the houſeholds with the beleeving parents.Act. 16. …. 33. Act. 10. ….Acts 16Acts 10 I wil anſwer you therefore with the words of the Angel unto Peter, * The things that God hath cleanſed pollute thou not. God hath purifyed the Gentiles, and our ſeed in accepting us into the ſame covenant with Abraham, therfore p. 29yt is an iniury offered, to pollute, that is, to reject from the cove…ant, our children, whom the Lord hath received. Your ſecond …s this.

As in the old teſtament the carnal children were carnally circumciſed and ſo admit…d into the Church of the old teſtament: ſo in the new testament, the ſpirituall children …uſt be spiritually circumciſed, and then be admitted by baptiſme into the Church …f the new testament. But the first was ſignified by the type, Ergo the ſecond is …rified in the truth.

Firſt, If this Argument ſhould hold proportion, then it would folow, that as circumciſion was a ſeale of the covenant, ſo ſhould baptiſme be a …eale likewiſe, for it is brought in here to anſwer circumciſion, as the dore into the Church: But you deny **Chara… pag. 9Baptiſme to be a ſeale of the covenant.

2. I anſwere that the carnall children of the Iſraelites were not admitted to be members of the Church of the old teſtament, by circumciſion: for they were borne in the Church and ſo were of it before the eight day, & ““Gen. 17Gen 17the covenant apperteyned unto them, and therfore were they circumciſed, for none might be circumciſed to whom the covenant did not belong.

Alſo to the Majors conſequent, I anſwer, that they which enter into the Lords covenant be they beleevers or their Infants, we are to hold them ††1 Cor. 7. 14. Luk … 15. Ier. 1. …1 Cor 7:14Luke 15Jer 1ſpiritually circumciſed, and therefore to be partakers of baptiſme.

Concerning your aſſumption, as **Mat. 3. 8. Act. … 12. 37.Matt 3:8Acts 12:37repentance and profeſſion of faith is required of them that are to be adjoyned to the Church of the new Teſtament: ſo was it of ““Gen. 17 … Eſra. 6. …Gen 17Ezra 6Abraham, and of them that were Gentiles, and to be adioyned to the Church, of the old Teſtament, And therefore this manner of admitting members into the Church being morall vnderunder the law ſo continueth to be vnderunder the Goſpell. And the † “Deut. 1… 4. …. 6. Ier … Deut. 30. 6.Deut 1:4Deut 1:6Deut 30:6Circumciſion of the hart was commanded and promiſed then to the Iſraelites and their ſeed as wel as now it is to us, and not onelyonly to them that adjoyned to the Church but continually to all the members of the ſame. And therfore it is no… true that theirs was the type onelyonly and ours the truth: ſeeing the things ſignifyed by Circumciſion were required of the circumciſed; as the thing ſignified by baptiſme is alſo required of vsus; and a like enterance into the Church vnderunder both Teſtaments.

The third is this; As in the old Testament carnal infants were carnally beg…tten and borne by the mortall ſeed of generation by their carnal parents, and then …ere carnally circūciſed, & received into the carnal covenant: ſo in the new Teſtament p. 30spiritual Infants new borne babes in Chriſt muſt be spiritually begotten and … the immortall ſeed of regeneration by spirituall parents, and then being spirit… circumciſed, they ſhal by baptiſme with water be received into the new Testament▪ But the first was ſignified by type, Ergo the ſecond was verified in the truth.

This reaſon is a like to the former and hath anſwer already. This I add further that circumciſion though it was a cuttyng of the foreſkinne of the fleſh, yet was it an holy action † ſealing vntounto the beleevers and theireRō. 4. 11. ſeed, the righteouſnes of faith.

2 I deny that the ſeed of Abraham after the fleſh was by circumciſion received into a carnall covenant; the covenant is ſpiritual vntounto whichGen. 17. 7 … Act. 7. 8. …. 4. 11.Gen 17:7Acts 7:8Acts 7:4Acts 7:11 they were ſealed * by circumciſion, as before I have proved: for had they bene received into a carnall covenant; then ſhould the Church of the old Teſtament be alſo carnall: for according to the nature of the covenant ſo muſt the Church be; and GOD muſt be a carnall GOD, and delited with carnall things, contrary to Pſal. 50. 8. 13. Eſay. 1. 13. 14. But the Lord required of his people the Iſraelites more then outward or carnal ſervice and that which ſtood in ceremonies types and ſhadowes;Lev. 19. 2Lev 19:2 even † holynes, the circumciſion of the hart, * repentance, ““Deut. 10.Deut 10the ſervice of the hart and ſoule. And that the Lord did principally require …6. Jer. 4. 4. … Hoſ. 14. 2 …el 2. 12. …3. Pſ. 4. 4 … Deut. 10. …. 6. 4. 5. …ſa. 1. 11▪ … & 58. 2 …4. 5. Pſ. …0. 8.—13.Jer 4:4Hos 14:2Ps 4:4Deut 10ſpirituall worſhip of them, appears by his † rejection of their ceremoniall worſhip when it was offerred vp without the ſpirituall, and by exhorting to the ſpiritual; as Pſal. 50. 14. 15. to offer praiſe and to call vponupon him. and Pſal. 4. 5. to offer the ſacrifice of righteouſnes, and in Hoſeah. 14. 2. to pray for pardon, and to render vp the calves of their lips, And conſequently faith in Chriſt; without **Heb. 11. 6Heb 11:6which, all their worſhip was vnſavory to God. the Pſal. diſcribeth the true members of the Church and dwellers in the Lords ††Pſ. 15. 1. …2. 3. &c. & Pſ. 24. 3. 4. ….Ps 15:1Ps 15:2Ps 15:3Ps 24:3Ps 24:4Tabernacle not by an outward obſervacion of legall ceremonies, but of their ſpirituall obedience. The Lord ſayth ““Prov. 23 …. … Eſa. 29. …3.Prov 23Isa 29:3my ſonn give me thy hart, and reproveth † hipocriſie. By all which teſtimonies it is manifeſt, that the members of the old Church were received into a further covenant with the Lord, then into a bare carnal covenant which hath carnal conditions onelyonly, as before is proved.

The fourth is this, If the carnal infants in the old Teſtament were circumciſed then the carnal infants in the new Testament must not be baptiſed, becauſe that as circumciſion is aboliſhed which was the ſinge or ſeal; ſo the infant is aboliſhed which is the ſubiect of the ſigne or ſeal. And a proportionable infant introduced, which is one regenerate by the spirit and by the word: But the carnal infāts in the old Teſtamēt were circumciſed: Ergo the carnal infants are not now in the new Teſtament to be baptiſed.

The conſequent of the major wil not follow, the reaſon proves it not: For although circumciſion be aboliſhed in that there was ſomewhat … p. 31…t was typical, as the circumciſing of the males onelyonly, whereby they were directed vntounto Chriſt by whom our corrupt nature is clenſed: yet was …t not aboliſhed as it was a ſeale of the covenant, but the outward ceremo…ie onelyonly changed: no more is the carnal infant of the beleeving parents aboliſhed or made vncaple of the ſeal of Gods covenant: for the children of Chriſtians ††Gal. 3. 29Gal 3:29are Abrahams ſeed, I ſay, not in reſpect of the fleſh, but by grace of the covenant comprehending the whole ſeed of the faithful; and therefore have right as well to the ſigne of the covenant as had the carnall ſede of Abraham.

Towching your proportionable infant (as you term him) it is to be obſer…ed that in the old Church it was required of al that were to be adioyned thervnto that they ſhould **Exod. 12 48. Ezr. 6 21.Exod 12:48Ezra 6:21ſeparate from the filthines of the heathē to ſeek the Lord as now it is vnderunder the goſpel. And therefore it wil not follow that circumciſion was a type onelyonly of the time to come? the fift is this.

As in the old Teſtament when the male appeared the eight day their was a paynful circumciſing and mortifying of the foreskin when the party was received into the covenant actually: ſo in the new teſtament when the Lord Ieſus Christ (typed by the male) appointeth that when there is a painful circumciſing & mortifying of the ſuperfluous fore …kin of the hart, the party ſo qualifyed ſhould be received into the new teſtament actually: But the first was ſignifyed by the type: Ergo, the ſecond is verified in the truth.

Firſt, the covenant to the infants of the Iewes was actually ſealed by circūciſiō, but this cānot properly be ſaid a receiving into the covenāt, (wherin they were before comprehended with their fathers,) but a confirming therof to the parties circumciſed. And this appeareth to be ſo by the Lords threatning to **Gen. 1… 14.Gen 1:14cut of from his people the vncircumciſed malechild. Can he be cut of that was not of his people, or for the refuſing circumciſion to be be ſayd to have broken the Lords covenant?

2. Your ſimile holds not proportion, for you ſay, the party circumciſed was by circumciſion actually received into the covenant, then by your reaſon (if you will make it proportionable) the parties that are to be received into the new Teſtament, muſt be received therin by the mortifying of the ſuperfluous forſkinne of his hart; or els you muſt ſhew ſome ceremony folowing circumciſion, by which the Iewiſh children were received into the covenant that muſt type out baptiſme by which, ſay you, the partie ſo qualified ſhould be received into the new Testament actually, or els ſhew a reaſon why this ceremonie of baptiſme is added to the truth (as you expound it) and nothing added to the type to ſhadowe out baptiſme? this is not proportioable that there muſt be a ceremonie added to the truth in receving in of members, into the Church now ſince the cōming of Chriſt, and not any to the type in receiving in of members into the Church before his coming.

p. 32Laſtly if you wil keep proportion, you muſt compare together circumciſion and baptiſme, both which do lead to the circumciſion of the hart, & are the ſeales of one and the ſame covenant, the one appointed for the old Church before Chriſt, the other for the Church under the Goſpel, & then wil your Argument fall out againſt your ſelf. And thus I have ſhewed both the weaknes of your anſwer, & of your reaſons grounded therevpon.