An Abstract of Baxters Plain Scripture Proof for Infants Baptism, Title page – To the reader
Much in a Little: OR, An Abſtract of Mr. Baxters plain Scripture-Proof for INFANTS Church-Memberſhip OR BAPTISM.
VVith a few Notes upon the Anti-queries of T. G. By the ſame hand that wrote the Fifty Queries.
LONDON. Printed for Tho. Parkhurſt at the Bible and three Crowns the lower end of Cheapſide near Mercers-Chappel. 1678.
Reader,
WHat Artifices and aſſaults the Devil hath made and uſed to ſupplant the weightieſt Principles, to darken the moſt clear and comfortable Truths, and to break the Peace and Concord of the Church, is grown too evident to require proof. And how he hath perplexed this preſent Doctrine of the Church-Memberſhip, and Baptiſm of Infants, with Controverſies, we need not now inſiſt upon. But ſurely, were not our little ones as well concerned and intereſted in the Covenant of Grace, as their Parents are, your ſtrange and deep compaſſions towards them (ſo rooted in Nature, and cultivated and enlarged by Grace) would become their dreadful torment and diſtreſs. And why Infants ſhould feel the ſmart … dreadful puniſhments of the violated Law … Covenant of innocent nature, (as is evident in their early diſeaſes, pains and death) and not be capable of redreſs and pardon by a gracious Covenant, I am yet to learn. And what their capacity ſhould be for, if not to be anſwerably treated and regarded, (ſuppoſing what God by his Son and in his Goſpel hath prepared and tendred to us) I cannot underſtand. All Laws conſider Infants at in their Parents, until maturity make them capable of chuſing and acting for themſelves. And why we ſhould exclude them from Covenant redreſſes, ſeeing God once took them in by an Act or Law of Grace not yet repealed, I am not able to conjecture▪ Were they excluded from Goſpel-Grace, their Parents would want, 1. That Cogent Argument which now they have to be devoted unto God themſelves, and to be true to ſuch a Dedication, as ever they regard the preſent and eternal welfare of their Infant-Seed. And 2. A Soveraign Antidote againſt their griefs and fears, when their children are removed in their Infancy. For if God hath no-where promiſed to ſave our little ones by his Son, to pardon them, and to adopt them into his Family, what can perſwade us, that they belong not to the Devil, and that they are not gone to dwell with him when they are dead? And then with what dejected hearts and looks muſt mournful Parents follow their deceaſed Infants to their Graves! But I ſhall (and need) not ſay any more, ſeeing this Abſtract of Mr. Baxters larger and elaborate Treatiſe, comes on this Errand to its Reader, who is deſired to take notice, that it was ready many Months agone, ſoon after the publication of the Anti-Queries, though its own publication hath been obſtructed until now. Peruſe, and judge impartially.