Investigation of Truth on Baptism and Consociation of Churches, Preface

Investigation of Truth on Baptism and Consociation of Churches · Preface

AN APOLOGETICAL PREFACE TO THE READER.

IT was an Obſervation (or an Inspiration rather) of h lyaaCle…em a … …tu…o … Bright. in Apoc. 17.….Rev 17 Brightman'…, That ſome faithf lones in a Wilde… neſs ſhould have the moſt clear Diſcoveries of the Abominations of the Man of Sin: which Prophetick paſſage of that Reverend and Learned Writer, ſome have applied unto thoſe worthy Conf…ſſors in New-England, who forſook the…r Count…y and Fathers houſes, and left a pleaſant Land, farre dearer to them then their lives, for the Teſtimony of Jeſus; and upon no other account, but onelyonly that ſo they might ſee the Lord in his Sanctuary, and Worſhip him whom their Souls love, in the Beauties of Holineſs; where indeed they have ſeen him walking in the midſt of his golden Candleſticks. So much the more ſad it is to conſider, that there ſhould be any Declenſions or Contentions amongst a People for whom the Lord hath done ſuch wondrous things. We hope that none will be ſo injurious and unreaſonable, as to impute it unto any defect in the Way (even The good Old Congregational-Way) of Government, which theſe Churches have hitherto Profeſſed, that there ſhould ſuch Differences in judgement ariſe about things of a leſſer moment. Do we not know, that even in the Churches Planted by the Apoſtles themſelves, there aroſe no ſmall diſſention? Acts 15.2. Yea, that there was a**foreign Act. ….39. Paroxyſm between a Paul and a Barnabas? Let Rome glory in her Peace againſt all Reformed Churches, ſhall we therefore think that all our Foundations are out of courſe? True it is, our hearts cannot b…t mourn and bleed, that ever it ſhould be told in Gath, or publiſhed in the ſtreets of Askelon, that there are any different Apprehenſions amongst us: And in that reſpect we could gladly have forbo…n the Publication of the enſuing Eſſay. Yet, when we remember, thatbbOpinionum v… rie…as … o…inant…u… …ntas, non ſunt foreign. Variety of Judgements may ſtand with Unity of Affections, and tha… Disputation is the way to finde out Trut…, Ex colliſione ingeniorum fit ſcintilla veritati; and, thatdd…ui ſtatuit al… p…e … ſt…tu … …erit. S…n. T…g. He that judgeth a Cauſe before he hath heard both parties ſpeaking, although he ſhould judge rightly, is not a righteous Judge, We are willing that the World ſhould ſee what is here preſen…ed. Bu… eſpecially, being perſwa…e… that t…e Honour of God, and of his Truth, require this as a duty at our hands, We durſt not hinder what is here maintai…ed f…om coming into light, l…ſt we ſhould one day have it laid unto ou… Charge, that we did withhold the Truth in unrighteouſneſs. A…d, in very deed, our Opinion of wh…t is here by the Reverend Author aſſ…rted, is ſuch, as that we do believe it will tend to our rejoycing in the day of the Lord Jeſus, that ever we were made inſtrumental to bring the Truth into publick view, whereby the World might fare the better for it. We are to follow Peace, but not with the loſs of Truth: But when Truth m…y be diſcovered without any hazard unto Peace, and oneneſs of Affection, (is we hope the caſe is ſo in the publication of this Elaborate Eſſay) we ſh…uld be very injurious indeed, if we did not what in us lay to forward it. Moreover, what is here held forth, ought to be regarded upon more accounts th…n one. Salvian his Obſervation is too often found true, that Men in reading Books look more at ee…alv…n. de A…cr…. l. 1.Quis, then Quid ſcripſit; who hath written, then what he hath written. If we reſpect either of theſe, the following Diſcourſe may be commended to the Reader: The Author is a Commendation of the thing Written; and the thing Written is a Commendation of the Author. As for the Author, His praiſe is in the Goſpel throughout all the Churches; and indeed, His Works praiſe him in the Gates. Well did M…. Cotton give this Teſtimony concerning him, that He is a ffPavent…rtus, Judici…, …d…tione, … ſ…gul…ri …ru…ntia Cott…n. …. Apol. ad …o…t…n. R…ip. Apollon.Man mighty in Judgement, and Learning, and Singular Prudence. And we d ubt not but thoſe that love and honour him farre leſs then we do, yet w…ll ſay, that He is one of a thouſand. It is indeed an evil under the Sun, to have men's perſons in admiration, ſo as to take any man's foreign for a demonſtration: yet there are ſome Writings which are the more to be reſpected, becauſe of the Writer. Logicians know, that Teſtimonies are to be more or leſs valued, according to the perſon Teſtifying. And truly, if there be any man amongst us, whoſe words d…ſ…rve regarding for his ſake that ſpeaks them, th…n ſo do the words of this Judiciou…, Learned, and Holy man. Furthermore, if we conſider the Thing written, it calls for due respect and reverence. As that for-ever famous Dr.ggA…eſ. ad …. in Tw…ſſ▪ … c. contra Ar…n. Ames ſaid of the moſt Scholaſtically-Learned D…. Twiſſe, ſo may we much more ſay, that We are not amongſt the number of thoſe who can adde any thing by our Teſtimony, unto the eſteem of what is here maintained. Nevertheleſs, having diligently p…ruſed this Eſſay, we hold it our duty to declare unto the World, That we fully concurre (as to the Summe and Subſtance thereof) with what is here maintained and managed with great Wiſdome and Piety, and irrefragable Strength and Solidity. We ſhall ſay no more to Apologize for our Publiſhing of this Reply: But having this opportunity of speaking unto the World, we deem it meet to adde ſomething, in the behalf of thoſe who went under the Notion of Diſſenting Brethren, in the late Synod held at Boſton. We perceive, that there are many things Objected againſt them; and therefore, that ſo their Cauſe may not thereby be prejudiced, it is needful that ſomething ſhould be ſaid for the removal thereof.

Firſt, it is Objected, That there were but a few in compariſon, who Diſſented from the major part of the Aſſembly.

Anſw. Suppoſe it were ſo; Is Truth bound up to Number? It was, indeed, a ſore Temptation to Luther, when it was Objected to him, Tune ſolus ſapis? Is there never a wiſe man in the world but you? It may be the ſame thing hath been as great a Temptation to ſome of us. In the Council of Conſtance, one of the Prelates ſaid un…o that bleſſed Martyr John Huſſe, hhHi…tor John Hu…e, fol. ….That he ſhould never ſhew himſelf ſo Arrogant, as to preferre his own Opinion above the Judgement of the whole Council. Yet the whole C…uncil (though it were an Ʋniverſal Council) erred, and this one good man held the Truth againſt ſo many. Which we do not mention, as though we would prefer our own Judgements above others; ſuch a thought we abhor. Neither is it in our intention…, any wayes to reflect upon thoſe Honoured and Reverend Perſons from whom we Diſſented; nay, we look upon them as far better then our ſelves: onelyonly by this I… ſtance given, we may ſee, that in a Council (nay, an Oecomenical Council) a few (nay one) may diſſent from all the reſt, and yet neither Ignorance nor Arrogance (but Truth and Conſcience) be the gr und of it. I… the Nicen Council there was but oneiiSc…. l. 1. c. 23. M g… … cont. 4. l. 7. p…g. 86. Paphnutius, who opp…ſed all the reſt of the Synod, that had concluded upon a groſs Err…ur.

And if we look into our own Nation, there were but FivekkMr. Tho: G…dwyn, Mr. Ny…, Mr Symp…on, Mr Bu…ugh, Mr. Bri…g…. Diſſenting Brethren who maintained the Truth (as we cannot but be perſwaded) about Church-Government, againſt Seventy perſons, who were alſo wo…thy of Reſpect and Honour. N…w though our Aſſ…mbly was not ſo Numerous as that, yet there were more then Five twice told, who could not ſee ſufficient Reaſon to apprehend as others did. And that we are not ſingular in our apprehenſions about theſe matters of Controverſie now in agitation, appears from theſe following Witneſſes. Bleſſed Mr. Cotton hath theſe very words:llMr. Cotton's Way of the Churches …e…ſured i… the G…lden Re… of the Sanctuary, pag. 81. Infants cannot claim right to Baptiſm, but in the right of one of their Parents or both: where neither of the Parents cannot claim right to the Lords Supper, there their Infants cannot claim right to Baptiſm. That Learned man, and Renowned Sufferer for Chriſt under thoſe Bloody Fathers (as they would needs be ſtyled) the Prelates, even Mr. Burton, writes after this manner:mmBurton vind…c. of I…dependent Churches, p. 62. It is not now under the Goſpel, as it was from Abraham unto Chriſt. The Covenant was made with Abraham and his ſeed, ſo as by virtue hereof all the Male-infants of believing Abraham were and ought to be Circumciſed: But now, under the Goſpel, thoſe onelyonly are accounted Abrahams ſeed, who profeſs the Faith of Abraham; ſo as that the Covenant is Entailed onelyonly to Believers now, and ſo to their children, Acts 2.39. If then the Parents refuſe Chriſt, they cut themſelves off from the Covenant, and therewith cut off their children. And Mr. Beverly (a late ingenious Writer) speaking the judgement of the Congregational-men in England, as farre as he had knowledge thereof, hath ſuch paſſages as theſe:nnBeverly againſt Timſon, p. 173, 174. Let me beſeech my Presbyterian Brethren to conſider, what ſad advantage you give to bold Intrenchments upon the Lords Supper, by your too looſe Adminiſtring Baptiſm; me-thinks you do but contradict your ſelves, when you ſuſpend from one Ordinance Signal, and yet allow the other Ordinance of Baptiſm, which is as Signal, &c. Nor was there ever any ſuch inlargement of Baptiſm, as is here pleaded for, practiſed in any gathered Churches in England, that ever we knew, or could hear of.

Secondly, it is Objected, That we deny all Church-memberſhip unto Infants, which is a Principle of Anabaptiſm.

Anſw. Mr. Rutherfurd in his Reply to Mr. Hooker, chargeth him with Principles of Anabaptiſm; yet Mr. Hooker was never guilty of any ſuch Opinions. So are we charged with laying Cornerſtones of Anabaptiſm; but this is injuriouſly la…d unto …ur cha…ge: Yet let us not for fear of Anabaptiſm, do worſe, even Defile our ſelves with Antichriſtianiſm. We are willing to profeſ…, that we look upon it as great a ſin to baptize all Children, (for that is no leſs thenooDu… Sacra… …n…ur, … …unt …. …l…c…un. …n Mal. 1.Mal 1 a violating of God, as Jerome speak) as to baptize no Children; though both Opinions, we think, are ſinful. Neither c…n we plead Guilty unto that Charge, That we deny all Church-memberſhip unto any Infants; we onelyonly deny that they are perſonal and immediate Members. Indeed, as perſonal Memberſhip is taken ſubjectively, ſo we ſay it is in Infants, i. e. their pe…ſons are Recipients of the Adjunct of Church-memberſhip: But as perſonal Memberſhip is taken formally, i. e. for ſuch as have by themſelves in their own perſons entred into Covenant with God and his People, ſo Infants are not capable of perſonal Church-memberſhip. I…'s ſtrange to us to conceive, that they ſhould have this perſonal formal Memberſhip, and yet that they ſhould not be ſubjects capable of formal perſonal Cenſures. We neither do, nor ever did deny, That the perſons of Infants of Believing Confederate Parents are brought under the Covenant; onelyonly we conceive, that their Memberſhip is ppSee the firſt Eſſay o… this Rev…rend Author i… Manuſcript.Conjunct with, and Dependent upon the Memberſhip and Covenant of their Parents, ſo as to live and die therewith. Hence Mr. Cotton hath theſe words;qqMr. Cotton… Hol…neſs of Church-members, p. 63. The Memberſhip of Children (I mean Infants) is founded in the Faith and Profeſſion of their Parents. Hence the Childes Memberſhip may continue after the Parents deceaſe, becauſe his Parents Faith and Covenant may live, though himſelf be dead; as 'tis ſaid, Abel being dead, yet ſpeaketh. So the Covenant, and Faith, and Prayers of a godly man, who is dead, yet live. Hence alſo, when the Parents are Excommunicated, the Memberſhip of the Infant-childe is cut off, becauſe Excommunication puts an end to the Outward Covenant, (which Death it ſelf doth not do;) and if the Root be deſtroyed, the Branches cannot live. True it is, that we have made much uſe of that diſtinction of Immediate, and Mediate Members, which ſeems, to us, to carry a mighty and conſtraining Evidence of Scripture-light along with it, yea, and ſo as to ſ…lve (if rightly underſtood and managed) the ſtrongeſt Obj…ct…ons that are brought againſt the Cauſe and Truth we plead for. And let it be conſidered, that Church-members have been commonly diſtinguiſhed into Compleat, and Incompleat: And Authors who have been Stars of the firſt Magnitude, if ever there have been ſuch upon Earth, ha…e made uſe thereof. We might inſtance in that Incomparable Champion for the Truth, and for the Non-Conformiſts, againſt Prelacy, Mr. Robert rrP…rker de …l. E leſ.Parker: ſo likewiſeſſAmeſ. M…d. T…e…l. l. 1. c. 32. Ti…. 13 Ames, Voetius, ttH rn…e… Ep…t. ad Duraeum. p. 356.Hornbeck, Dr.uuDr. Winter on Act ….3… p 9…. Winter, Mr.wwMr. H…nmer, Exercit. …bout Con…irmati…n in Poſt…r. S…cond Edit. Hanmer, &c. make uſe of the ſame diſtinction: and the D…ſſenters have proved it in their Antiſynodalia.

Thirdly, it is Objected againſt us, That we maintain a ſtrange Opinion, namely, That a perſon who is a Church-member, may become no Member, by an act (or a defect rather, which may be called an act, as Sins of Omiſſion are termed Actual Sins) of his own, without any Church-act in Cenſuring of him.

Anſw. Moſt true it is, that we do Maintain this, and muſt do ſo, till we ſee the contrary proved. Neither do we know that this Opinion contains any thing in it diſſentany from Scripture or good R…ſon: Nor ſee we how ſome Arguments for the Affirmative can fai…ly be anſwered. Suppoſe we an Engliſh Fugitive that is become a Prieſt in Antwerp, or a Cardinal at Rome: Or ſuppoſe we a Turk who is an Engliſh-man by Birth; this Turk was baptized a Member of ſome Pariſh-Church (which thoſe that we dispute againſt maintain to be true Churches, and we are farre from denying of it univerſally) and he was neve… Cenſured by any Church for his Apoſtacy: n…w we dem…nd, Whet…er this Turk be a Member of the Church of Chriſt yea or no? To affirm it, would be groſs; To ſay that Turks are Members of the Church of Chriſt, is …n truth to speak Dagg…rs. When the Arch-Flamin Whitgift ſaid, that Papiſts and Atheiſts might ſtill remain Members of the viſible Church: M…. Parker xxDe P …. l …. c. …6tells him, That even a Vorſtius would condemn him. An… it is no n…w Doctrine in the Schools, to ſay, thatyyM rt…. A…. …tho. pa…. 1. l. 1. c. 3. An Heretical Apoſtate is no more a Member of the Church of Chriſt, then a Wound, a So…e, or a Brand, is a men her of a man; which none …gine. The t…uth of this none can doubt of, that is mediocritèr doctus n Schol…ſ…i… l Divini…y. Ther…fore we conclude, that Church-members may become no Members by their own defection. And we humbly conceive (though with ſubmiſſion, as is fit, to better judgements) That thus much is held forth by theſe Scriptures, Hebr. 10.25. 1 Joh. 2 19. Jude ver. 19. Again, how came Eſau to loſe his Memberſhip? We reade not that he was Excommunicate: Therefore it remains, that he diſ-Covenanted, and ſo diſ-Membered himſelf. And how came the Children of Abraham by Keturah to loſe their Memberſhip? i… was not by Cenſure. In like ſort, when perſons under the Goſpel, do not come up to the terms of the Covenant, to ſhew themſelves to be Abrahams Children, by holding forth his Faith, and walking before the Lord in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, we ſuppoſe that they are juſtly deemed Breakers of the Covenant, and have juſtly put themſelves out of that Covenant which their Parents (becauſe of their then perſonal incapacity to act for themſelves) made for them. Alas! that any ſhould look upon us as Maintaining dangerous Opinions, becauſe of this! Wherefore, that all may know, that there is neither Danger nor Singularity in this our Aſſertion, That a Church-member may poſſibly become no Member, without any act of the Church in formal Cenſuring of him, give us leave to produce ſome Teſtimonies to prove it. Judicious and bleſſed Dr. Ames zzCaſ. Conſ…. l. 5. c. 12. in Reſp. ad Quaeſt. 4. Th. 8.ſaith, That in caſe of pertinacious Separation, ſuch perſons, though they may be of the inviſible, yet they are not to be accounted Members of the viſible Church: Which words of the Learned Doctors do make the more for our purpoſe, for that they are Cited and Approved of by The aaAnſw. to queſt. 4. p 17.Anſwer to the XXXII. Queſtions. Our Congregational bbPreface to the Declaration of Faith & Order, at the Savoy.Brethren in England, do with one voyce ſay, That ſome Church-members may be felones de ſe, ſuch as may deſtroy their own Memberſhip. Yea, and this was once ſound Doctrine in New-England. Bleſſed Mr. Cotton (whoſe Name is and will be precious, ſo long as the Earth ſhall endur…) maintains it for a Truth, That ccWay of Churches, p. 9.many in Churches have cut themſelves off. Another Teſtimony which we would produce, is them Diſcourſe of the Church-Covenant, (of which the Reverend Mr.ddSee Preface to the Anſwer to 21 Queſtions. Richard Mather was the ſole Author) and the words are theſe following:eeDiſcourſe of Church-Covenant, Printed An. 1639. p. 17. That if men had not promiſed, and alſo performed in ſome meaſure of truth, the duties of Faith and Obedience unto God, they had not taken hold of the Covenant, but had DISCOVENANTED THEMSELVES, notwithſtanding all the Promiſes of God unto their Fathers or others. Thus though God prom…ſed Abraham to be a God unto him and his ſeed, in their generations, Gen. 17.7. yet the Iſhmaelites and Edomites deſcending from Abraham, were diſcovenanted, by not promiſing nor performing thoſe duties of Faith and Obedience, which God required on the peoples part. And the ſame Truth is held forth by the ſame Author, in The Anſwer to the XXXII. Queſt…ons bef rementioned. This is …he main thing wh…rein we Diſſent from the major part of the Synod. Now, if this were Truth in the Year 1639. (as it then had the Approbation of the Elders hereabout…) w… ſee no reaſon why it ſhould not be Truth in the Year 1662. For, Veritas in omnem partem ſui ſemper eadem eſt. Either this was a Miſtake then, or elſe it is a Truth at this day. Here let us adde the words of Mr. Cotton, in his Excellent Treatiſe of The Holineſs of Church-members, which are theſe following:ffMr Cotton, H… …ne… … Chur h-members, p. 19. …. 41. Such as are Born and Baptized Members of the Church, are not orderly Continued and Confirmed Members, unleſs when they grow up to years, they do, before the Lord and his People, profeſs their Repentance and Faith in Jeſus Chriſt. To ſay no more of this; Renowned Parker, ſpeaking of the Interpretation of thoſe words [Laying on of Hands] in Heb. 6.2. cites many judicious Writers, whoſe judgem…nts he expreſſeth, in words to this purpoſe:ggP…rker. …e P…, F …leſ in …ap …e … E leſia …. Se…. 9. …. 13. That they who were baptized in their minority, when they are grown up, after that the Church had approved their Faith by the Symbol of Impoſition of Hands, they were admitted Members of the Church. This was according to ſound Doctrine in the Primitive times (as Parker ſaith.) Now we demand, How they can be admitted as Members, who are already as compleat and perfect Members as any in the Church? But the ancient Doctrine w…s, (hhTertullian. Antiquiſſimum u…iſſimum) That Children who were baptized in their minority, after they ſhall come to profeſs their Faith, ſo as to be accepted of the Church, may be admitted as Members. Theref…re, according to the ancient D…ctrine, Such children are not as compleat and perfect Members as any in the Church. Yea, therefore it follows, That when they are Adult, in caſe they do not, by holding forth Faith and Repentance, joyn unto the Church, that then they …o not retain their Membe ſhip whic… t…ey had in minority.

Fourthly, it hath be…n Ob… cted, That we will not ſuffer Children to come under the Watch and Care of the Church.

Anſw. We are ſo farre from being of that Op…nion, a… th…t we verily fear there is great guilt lies upon th… Churches, …c…uſe …hey have neglected their duty towards the Children in queſti…n. I… is as clear to us as the Light at Noon, or (to uſe Tertullians p…r ſ…) as if it were written with the Beams of the Sun, Th… … special Care (even Church-care) and Inspection is due, over thoſ Children that are Born within the Gates of Zion. H…ppy …ight it be for us all, if the iſſue of theſe troubleſome Controverſies might be onelyonly to awaken Churches to ſtricter Watch and Diligence, in Overſeeing thoſe Children that are in minority: OnelyOnly we conceive, that the Watch over them is to be Mediate, according to the ſtate of their Memberſhip. The Church is to ſee that the Parents do their duty toward their Children, in bringing them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. ii….And if when they ſhall be adult, they do not bring forth fruits of Repentance and Faith, then (as the Fig-tree which did not bear fruit, was to be cut down) the Church is to diſown them, as having no part in the Lord, and to declare, that they by their unbelief have Diſcovenanted themſelves. But we ſee not ſufficient warrant from the Word of God, to proceed to a formal Excommunication of the Children in queſtion, becauſe that is applicable unto none but thoſe who have been in full Communion. Now if this be all that is ſtriven after, That Church-children might be brought under Church-watch, why ſ…ould the Contentions of Brethren be like the bars of a Caſtle, that cannot yield?

Laſtly, it hath been Objected, That the reaſon of our Diſſenting from the major part of the Synod, was Weakneſs and Ignorance, and meer Wilfulneſs, in that we could bring no Arguments, but what were ſufficiently refuted.

Anſw. The very ſame thing hath been ſaid of thoſe Worthy Champions, who ſtood up for the Congregational-Way, in oppoſition to the Aſſembly at Weſtminſter, thatkkSee t…eſ… word… in The … a…inſt … P. p 21, …. Their Arguments were weak and ridiculous, and had been Confuted, and ſufficiently duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page anſwered, and that themſelves were Self-conceited, and Obſtinate. But theſe Criminations were unworthy Calumniations. It was a common Reproach caſt upon the Chriſtians of old, That they were all weak and unlearned men: which made Jerome write that Book De viris Illuſtribus. So Stapleton makes no bones to call Whitaker, An Aſſe, and A Fool. And the ſame hiſſing of the Serpent have we ſeen in the Prelates againſt the Renowned Non-Conformiſts. But, we ſuppoſe, their ſaying ſo, did not prove it was ſo. Nevertheleſs, we are content to accept of the Charge, when we are charged with Weakneſs and Folly: Let us be fools for Chriſts ſake, or for his Truth; Let us fall, ſo the Truth may riſe; let us ſit in the duſt, ſo that Truth may ſit in the Throne. We deſerve not to be otherwiſe eſteemed, then as Weakneſs and Ignorance it ſelf: Yet let us not be reputed Obſtinate, and ſuch as are and will be blinde, becauſe we dare not betray the Truth, and ſin againſt our Conſciences. For, our weightieſt Reaſons never were Anſwered unto any tolerable ſatisfaction, even to this day. If it be demanded here, What our Reaſons were, why we accorded not with the major part of the Synod? We ſhall by the help of Chriſt, and in the fear of God, declare what our chief Reaſons were, which cauſed our Diſſent; which when they are Anſwered, we ſhall lay down our Opinion, as knowing that it is Nullus pudor ad meliora tranſire.

1. The Synod did acknowledge, That there ought to be true ſaving Faith in the Parent, according to the judgement of rational charity, or elſe the childe ought not to be baptized. We intreated, and urged again & again, that this, which they themſelves acknowledged was a Principle of Truth, might be ſet down for a Concluſion, and then we ſhould all agree. But thoſe Reverend Perſons against whom we placidly disputed, would not conſent to this, though our Unity lay at the Stake for it.

2. We have not Warrant in all the Scripture, to apply the Seal of Baptiſm unto thoſe Children, whoſe Parents are in a ſtate of unfitneſs for the Lords Supper. Thoſe, Acts 2.41. who were Baptized, continued breaking Bread alſo, ver. 42. 'Tis granted, That thoſe Children were Circumciſed amongst the Jews, whoſe Parents were for a time debarred from the Paſſeover, but that was onelyonly upon accident of Ceremonial Uncleanneſs, which alters not the caſe; for, Unleſs the father were in a ſtate of fitneſs for the Paſſeover, he was not fit to have his childe circumciſed. The like may be ſaid concerning the Goſpel-Paſſeover, and the Goſpel-Circumciſion. Neither do we reade, that in the Primitive times Baptiſm was of a greater latitude, as to the Subject thereof, then the Lords Supper: but the contrary. ThellCatechun eni ad Baptiſterium nunquam admittendi ſunt. Concil. Arauſ. c. 19. Catechumeni were not to be Baptized, before they were fit for the Lords Supper. And thence, when through the darkneſs of the times, the Lords Supper was not adminiſtred except at Eaſter, (as 'tis called) themmConcil. Gern. diſt. 4. Baptiſm of the Catechumeni was deferred until then alſo. In the Dawnings of Reformation in England, our Juell could plead againſt Harding, thatnnJuels Reply to Harding. p. 553. Baptiſm was as much to be reverenced, as the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Chriſt. Nay, in former Ages, ſome Churches have been ſo far from extending Baptiſm, further then the Lords Supper, as that they have committed a grievous Errour, in adminiſtring the Lords Supper unto Infants. So it hath been in the Churches ofooDav. Chytra Bohemia, and inppPaul. Od…rbor. de relig. Ruſſor. Ruſſia: And this was maintained by Auſtin, and Innocentius, andqqSee Fulk. Annot. on Joh. 3.5.John 3:5 all the Churches in their time. Which Teſtimonies we produce, to ſhew, that former Ages have been farre from looking upon the Lords Supper, as being of a more ſacred nature then the other Ordinance of Baptiſm. Indeed of l…te there have been thoſe who have made Baptiſm of a far larger extent then the Lords Supper. This hath been one practical Difference between Congregational-men and Presbyterians (whom the Lord unite in the Truth) in th…t the Congregational-men would baptize the Children of none but ſuch, whoſe Parents were fit for the Lords Supper: when-as the Presbyterians would Baptize the Children of ſuch, whoſe Parents were not fit for the Lords Supper; and their promiſcuous Adminiſtration of that Ordinance, was very grievous unto their Congregational Brethren. See Beverly againſt Timſon.

3. The Parents of the children in queſtion, are not Members of any inſtituted Church, according to Goſpel-Rules, becauſe they were never under any explicite and perſonal Covenant. To prove which, we reaſon thus: If this ſecond Generation do retain their Memberſhip by virtue of their Parents Covenant made for them in minority; then, in caſe all the pro-Parents were dead, this ſecond Generation would be a true Church of Chriſt, without any further Act or Covenanting. But this ſecond Generation are not a true Church of Chriſt without ſome further Act. Ergo, they do not retain their Memberſhip. If they are a true Church of Chriſt, then they have Power to Vote in Church-affairs, as to chuſe Officers, and to caſt out Offenders, and the like; becauſe every true Church hath this power given to them by the Lord Jeſus, who is the onelyonly Head of his Church. But they have no ſuch Power (ſay the Synod, who do expreſlyrrSee the Anſw. to 21 Queſtions. exclude the perſons in queſtion from the Lords Supper and Voting:) Therefore we conclude that they are no true Church of Chriſt. Therefore the perſons in queſtion do not retain their Memberſhip; therefore their children ought not to be Baptized.

4. It is not Meer Memberſhip, (as the Synod speaks) but qualified Memberſhip that gives right unto Baptiſm. For the evincing whereof, we argue thus: John's Baptiſm was Chriſtian Baptiſm, (as all our Divines maintain againſt the Papiſts) John's Baptiſm might not be applied unto ſome, who were ſtanding Members of the viſible Church, becauſe they were not qualified with Repentance, Luke 3.8. & 7.30. Therefore Chriſtian Baptiſm is not to be applied unto ſuch as ſtand Members in the viſible Church, if they be not qualified with fruits of Repentance. This ſeems to us to cut the Sinews of the ſtrongeſt Arguments which are brought by the Synod for the Enlargement of Baptiſm: for, their ſtrongeſt Argument, is the Memberſhip of the Children in Controverſie; when-as it ſeems to us, that the Scripture doth not acknowledge any ſuch Meer Memberſhip as they speak …f. And beſides that, the caſe is clear in our apprehenſion, from the Inſtance given, That 'tis not Meer Memberſhip, but qualified Memberſhip, that gives right unto this Divine and Sacred Ordinance.

5. That which will not make a man capable of receiving Baptiſm himſelf, in caſe he were unbaptized, doth not make him capable of tranſmitting right of Baptiſm unto his childe. It is a Ruled caſe,ſſMr. Hooker, Survey, pa…t. 3. p. 17. That he that hath not Title himſelf unto any Priviledge, cannot entitle another. The Lawyer ſaith, Acts (à non habente poteſtatem) are invalid. But all that the Synod hath ſaid, will not give a man right to Bap…iſm himſelf, in caſe he were unbaptized; for a man may be an unbeliever, and yet come up to all that the Synod hath ſaid in their fifth Propoſition, and more too. Ergo, all that the Synod hath ſaid, is not enough to make a man capable of tranſmitting right of Baptiſm unto his childe. The judg… ment of that famous Martin Bucer, alledged and approved by Parker, is worthy our conſideration, who maintained, thatttBucer de regno Chriſti, in cap. de Confirmatione. Parker ubi ſupra. None ought to be confirmed Members of the Church, beſides thoſe who do hold forth not onelyonly verbal Profeſſion of Faith, but apparent Signs of Regeneration. Nay, theſe great Divines ſay, Th…t if there be not tam neceſſaria ſigna fidei quam publica & ſolennis Profeſſio, as well ſuch ſigns and outward appearances of Faith, as ſhall neceſſarily argue (…s farre as men can judge) that there is truth in the heart, as a publick ſolemn Profeſſion, the Church ought not to accept of the Profeſſions of ſuch perſons, ſo as to confirm them in their Memberſhip. If the Synod would but have expreſſed as much as this, there had been no Diſſenting on our parts. Here alſo we cannot but take notice, that the judgement of that worthy and for-ever famous Mr. Cotton was as ours is; for his words are theſe:uuHolineſs of Church-members, p. 93. I conceive more poſitive fruits of Regeneration are required in the Church-members of the New Teſtament, then of the Old.

6. The Application of the Seal of Baptiſm unto thoſe who are not true Believers (we mean viſibly, for de occultis non judicat Eccleſiâ) is a Profanation thereof, and as dreadful a ſin, as if a man ſhould adminiſter the Lords Supper unto unworthy receivers; which is (aswwInſtit. l. 4. c. 12. Calvin ſaith) as ſacrilegious impiety, as if a man ſhould take the Blood or Body of Chriſt, and proſtitute it to dogs. We marvel that any ſhould think, that the Blood of Chriſt is not as much profaned and vilified by undue Adminiſtration of Baptiſm, as by undue Adminiſtration of the Lords Supper. Yea, that ſaying of Auſtin's is ſolemn and ſerious,xxAuguſt. co. Fulgent. c. 6. Qui indignè accipit Baptiſma, judicium accipit non ſalutem. He who receives Baptiſm, either for himſelf or his childe, unworthily, is guilty of the Blood of Jeſus, as well as he who receives the Lords Supper unworthily. And the ſame Auſtin in his Book de Fide & operibus, pleads for ſtrictneſs in the Adminiſtration of Baptiſm: and ſo did Tertullian before him.

7. It hath in it a natural tendency to the hardening of unregenerate creatures in their ſinful natural condition, when Life is not onelyonly Promiſed, but Sealed to them by the precious Blood of Jeſus Chriſt. yyBaptiſma totum foedus gratiae obſignat fidelibus. Ameſ. Med. l. 1. c. 40. Theſ. 6.Baptiſm is a Seal of the whole Covenant of Grace, as well as the Lords Supper; and therefore thoſe that are not intereſted in this Covenant by Faith, ought not to have the Seal thereof applied to them. Thus have we given an Account of the principal Reaſons which cauſed our Diſſent from the major part of the Reverend Aſſembly. We might adde to all this, That there is danger of great Corruption and Pollution creeping into the Churches, by the Enlargement of the Subject of Baptiſm. They are the words of a good man, and faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel now in Europe, in a Letter ſent unto one in America: I hope (ſaith he) ſome in New-England will with clear light ſtand up againſt the Enlarging of Baptiſm to any, but thoſe whoſe Parents are admitted unto the Lords Supper. If ever it be paſſant Doctrine in the Churches, that others have a right to it, Farewell to New-England 's Peculiar Glory of undefiled Adminiſtrations of holy things. Theſe things are Diſcouragements with me, from haſtening to New-England. Thus he. It may be ſome will think that we do (as it is in the Adagy) Nodum in ſcirpo quaerere, make ſcruples to our ſelves, and fear where there is no fear: Well it will be for us, and for the Churches, if in the end it prove ſo.

Now the Lord grant, that his People may have one heart and one way (and that it may be the right way, even the way which is called Holy) to ſerve him, for the good of them, and of their Children after them. And the God of Truth and Peace, lead us by his Spirit into all Truth, through him who is made unto us of God, the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.