Discovery of the Unscripturalness of Anabaptism, Introduction
THE INTRODUCTION. An occaſional Diſcourſe between a Miniſter and a Church Member, concerning Infant-Baptiſm; wherein ſundry material Queſtions are put by the Church Member; and plainly and particularly Anſwered by the Miniſter, for the Information of the Ignorant, and the ſatisfaction of ſuch as are ſtaggering in their judgments, about the lawfulneſs of Infants-Baptiſm.
Miniſter.
Brother Edward, By what I have heard from ſome of my Neighbours, as alſo by the diſcourſe which paſt between you and me when laſt together, I ſuſpect that ſome have been tampering with you, to draw you away to Anabaptiſm; is it ſo or no? deal plainly, to the end I might addreſs my ſelf to my duty, in giving you ſatisfaction herein, from Gods Word.
Church Member.
I muſt ingeniouſly acknowledge Sir, that I am not without wavering, and doubtful thoughts in my Mind about Infant-Baptiſm, occaſioned partly, by diſcourſing with ſome of that way and perſwaſion; partly, by reading ſome Books which were put into my hand; which, to me ſeems full of clearneſs, that Infant-Baptiſm is no way warrantable or juſtifiable by the Goſpel of Chriſt.
Miniſt. I find then that I am not miſtaken in my apprehenſion of you in this matter: but for your encouragement, I muſt tell you, that you are but tryed herein by a temptation; for which I think never the worſe of your Souls ſtate, neither are my hopes and confidence of your integrity towards God, a jot or whit leſſened by the inclination in your Mind to favour that Opinion; for I have known ſome very Holy and upright Hearted Chriſtians, who in the ſimplicity of their Hearts have ſtrongly enclined to favour and eſpouſe that cauſe and principle, as the moſt plauſible and likely to agree with the Goſpel, there being no mention at all of Infant-Baptiſm in the Goſpel, neither in Precept, nor yet in Example, to recommend it; yea, I my ſelf have (in my firſt ſetting out in the ways of Chriſtianity) met with temptations to draw me to that Opinion; and that by the very ſame means which hath occaſioned your ſtaggering herein. And the main things which induced me to hanker after that Principle, were, (1.) The high and charitable opinion I had of ſome of that Party, being Men of high attainments in Grace and Goſpel Holineſs. (2.) There appearing to me no command for Infant-Baptiſm in all the Goſpel, nor yet any one inſtance where it is ſaid that ſuch were Baptized. (3.) The many Quotations of Learned Divines and Counſels, which the Anabaptiſts Books aſſured me were all of their Judgment and Perſwaſion herein; which much ſtartled, and ſway'd me to kind apprehenſions of their way. (4) Their Branding Infant-Baptiſm with the Black Brand of Will-worſhip and Popery; againſt both which I always had (ſince I knew Chriſt in the Goſpel of his Grace) and ever ſhall have (I humbly hope in Chriſt) a Mortal Diſlike, and rooted Hatred. By means of the 4 particulars now mentioned, I was drawn to the very verge or brink of Anabaptiſm, being juſt on the point of renouncing my Baptiſm (received in my Infant State) as being a meer Nullity or no Baptiſm at all. My roving Spirit thus fluctuating and toſſing between the Waves and Billows of doubtful and diſtracting Cogitations: what I had beſt to do in this Caſe? whether to offer my ſelf to be Dipt, yea, or not? or to addreſs my ſelf to Miniſters of the contrary Judgment for reſolution (in ſo weighty and material a point:) Matters being thus, I providentially and happily happened into the Company of ſome of the Congregational Perſwaſion, Men no whit inferiour to thoſe I ſo much admired, (for Piety) and Holineſs, and who (I very well knew) were able to inſtruct and teach the others for matter of Learning, and deep knowledge in the Myſteries of the Goſpel: Theſe debating ſundry points in Controverſy between the Anabaptiſts and the Orthodox, Proteſtant, Reformed Churches, concerning Infant-Baptiſm; I apprehended and ſaw ſo far into the Myſtery of Baptiſm, that I was at a ſtand, and began to queſtion whether I was not under a deluſion in diſliking my Infant-Baptiſm, received in Infancy; by means hereof I was ſtirred up to Pray earneſtly to God, that his good Spirit might teach and guide me in the way of Goſpel-Truth; which was ſeconded by a diligent ſearch into the Holy Scripture, and a careful reading and weighing the Arguments brought by both Parties, both for and againſt Infant-Baptiſm. And in a ſhort time (through the ſpecial aſſiſtance of the Spirit of Chriſt) I was enabled to ſee and underſtand that there was nothing of ſolid weight in the Reaſons brought againſt Infant-Baptiſm, but what are in reality repugnant, and contradictory to the Word of God: as will (I hope) in time, moſt plainly appear to your underſtanding. I have been the more prolix in ſpeaking my experience herein, that you might become ſenſible, that even Godly Men might be entangled in erronious Opinions. And to let you know what be the ordinary means to eſcape the Nets of Crafty Men, who lye in wait to enſnare poor, unſtable, (though Honeſt and well meaning) Souls. Now, as Chriſt (my Lord and Maſter) ſaid to Peter, after his recovery from his fall: When thou art Converted ſtrengthen thy Brethren, Luke 22. So, I am now come as my Duty binds me, to endeavour your recovery, and full ſatisfaction in theſe points, about Infant-Baptim, wherein you ſeem to ſtagger.
Church Memb.
I hope I can ſay (through ſpecial Grace) that I am no way fond of Errour: But what I do herein, I do it really from my Conſcience, according to the light thereof: I hope (Sir) you will not blame me for acting according thereto.
Miniſt.
I am far from arraigning your integrity to God, (being very ſenſible that herein you are but under a temptation, as ſtronger Chriſtians than you or I have been, and now are; neither ſhall I (in the leaſt) attempt to preſs you to act herein againſt your Conſcience: Conſcience (I am ſenſible) is a tender thing, which is to be informed, not violently impell'd or forced. I hope you have the ſame Charity for me, as to believe that what I do act in Baptizing the Infant-Seed of encovenanted Parents, and Pleading for ſuch; I do the ſame from my Conſcience, being fully perſwaded that what I do herein, is according to the Word of God: But though I do not take on me to force or Lord it over your Conſcience, I hope you will (without offence) give me leave to uſe the freedom of a Paſtor with you, in doing two things, in order to recover you. The firſt is, to reprove you for going out of the way of Duty, in expoſing your Conſcience to thoſe Soul deluding entanglements, which hath occaſioned your preſent diſturbance, and unſettledneſs in your Principles, by deluding entanglements; I mean your going out of the way of your Calling, to ſtare and gaze (out of curioſity) at the plunging of Perſons under the Water; which (albeit you and others may think may be done without either offence to your Brethren, or any kind of danger to your ſelf) hath in it an infatuating, charming Energie, to allure and draw into a liking of it. Your frequent diſcourſing with Men of that Principle, who (you very well know) glory not a little in Proſelyting People to that way: And your ſo much delighting to Read their Books, being not able to grapple with ſuch ſubtle Enemies; the Deceipt of whoſe Arguments lyes covered under a falſe Vizzard. By theſe your Practiſes you have filled the Eyes of your Conſcience ſo full of that duſt and ſmoak, which is always raiſed by doubtful Diſputations; that for want of your Monitor, (your Conſcience I mean) you are now at an apparent ſtand in thoſe ways of Truth wherein you ought to run ſwiftly; and well it were if you had been at a ſtand before you had ſo far advanced in theſe unſcriptural Tenents: But however, ſeeing you are not aſcended ſo high (in theſe Errors) as to be Seated in the Scorners-Chair, to laugh at and deride Baby-ſprinkling, as a piece of Will-worſhip and meer Popery; as the Anabaptiſts are well known to term and account Infant-Baptiſm: (Not for want of ignorance and prejudice, the Lord knows.) I ſhall now in the ſecond place endeavour to help you out of this Quagmire, into which your own incautelouſneſs and ſinful curioſity hath (by the Art of a ſubtle Adverſary) involved you: in order then to a ſpeedy helping you herein, I deſire you will reduce thoſe things wherein you deſire to be ſatisfied (about Infant-Baptiſm) to as few Heads, (and in as plain a method) as you poſſibly can; and then I ſhall endeavour to Anſwer your Objections; wherein (I faithfully promiſe you) I ſhall moſt freely refer my ſelf to the Word of God, and to the Writings of thoſe Divines now in Glory: At whoſe Writings the Wiſeſt of Anabaptiſts are glad to light their Candle, though in the point of Baptiſm they are accounted neither able nor worthy to teach them. And when you and I are come to Concluſion, You in Objecting, and I in Anſwering, it will then appear whether Infant-Baptiſm be any part of Will-worſhip or meer Popery, as it is repreſented by its Adverſarys.
Church Memb.
Sir! I like your Propoſal very well, and in complyance with your reaſonable Requeſt, as alſo in order to my own ſatisfaction, I ſhall reduce thoſe particulars wherein I deſire to be ſatisfied, to 3 General Heads; under each of which I hope you will give me liberty to Propoſe (by way of Objection,) what I think convenient and fit to ſtart.
Miniſt.
I like very well to hear you name but 3 General Heads; I hope you will obſerve Order and Method in what you intend to Object under thoſe 3 Heads.
Church Memb.
I will obſerve Order and Method as well as I can; and ſhall (I hope) with becoming Candor, weigh in the Ballance of an impartial and unprejudicate conſideration and judgment, what ſtrength appears to be in your Anſwer; and in caſe I find my Conſcience ſatisfied by the ſtrength of your Anſwer, I ſhall readily own it, and give Glory to God.
Miniſt.
I deſire you to name the 3 General Heads, for fear we ſhould forget them when we come to be earneſt in our Diſpute.
Church Memb.
The 3 General Heads which I propoſe to be ſatisfied in, are as follows, (1.) The Covenant which God made with Abraham, mentioned in Gen. 17.7. (2.) The Seal of that Covenant. And (3.) The Subjects who have a viſible Right to that Covenant and the Seal thereof. Under theſe 3 Heads (I ſuppoſe) may be brought in all that I need to ſay.
Miniſt.
As touching your firſt General Head, (viz.) The Covenant which God made with Abraham, What would you be at, about it.
Church Memb.
I would pray you to clear it up from the Word of God, that that Covenant is a Covenant of Grace, and not a Covenant of Works; for the apprehenſion I always had (till of late) that that Covenant was the Covenant of Grace, was the foundation whereon my former Principle, (viz.) Infant-Baptiſm was founded; but being informed and taught otherwiſe, both by Mens Preaching, and alſo by their Books. I am much in doubt as touching the lawfulneſs of Infant-Baptiſm.
Miniſt
I perceive then you apprehend that Infant-Baptiſm is like to ſtand or fall, as the Covenant of God with Abraham, is proved to be either a Covenant of Grace or otherwiſe; what if it be made good from the Word of God, that the Covenant of God with Abraham is a Covenant of meer Grace.
Church Memb.
Truly, to be plain and ingenious, I cannot ſee how Infant-Baptiſm can ſtand, if that Covenant be a Covenant of Works; as I am ſenſible the Baptiſts hold and teach it is; and which I am inclined (under my preſent light) to judge it muſt be as they ſay. But in caſe it be proved otherwiſe, I plainly ſee the Anabaptiſts are like to ſuffer a miſerable Shipwrack; for their holding and teaching that Gods Covenant with Abraham is a Covenant of Works, is the principal Pillar, on which almoſt all their Arguments againſt Infant-Baptiſm lean. If that Pillar then be ſhaken and overthrown by Scriptural Arguments, the whole ſtructure will tumble of courſe.
Miniſt.
I am very glad that You and I do (in any meaſure) agree in our Sentiments about this matter; To let you ſee then, how Sandy a foundation the Anabaptiſts Build on, I ſhall bgin to lay down ſome Scriptural Arguments, to prove them moſt heterodox and unſound in this point of Abraham's Covenant; wherein they do moſt evidently raſe the very foundation of Life and Salvation to Abraham himſelf, and all his Seed.