Scripture Warrant Sufficient Proof for Infant Baptism, Title page – To the reader 1
Scripture - Warrant SUFFICIENT PROOF FOR INFANT-BAPTISM: BEING A REPLY to Mr. Grantham's Presumption no Proof.
Wherein his pretended Answer to Two Questions propounded to the Anabaptists by G. F. is Examined, and found to be no Answer.
With a brief DISCOURSE upon INFANT-REGENERATION, Denyed by Anabaptists. BAPTISM without Dipping Valid.
By GILES FIRMIN.
That which is born of the Flesh, is Flesh. John 3.6.
Omnes enim venit per semetipsum salvare: omnes inquam qui per eum renascuntur in Deum, Infantes, & Parvulos, & Pueros, & Juvenes & Seniores. Ideò per omnem venit aetatem; & Infantibus Infaus factus sanctificans Infantes: in parvulis parvulus, sanctificans hanc ipsam habentes aetatem, &c. Irenaeus advers. Haeres. l. 2. c. 39.
London, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside, 1688.
TO THE READER.
I Did not know that the Question about the Conveniency or Inconveniency of Dissenters writing against Dissenters in this juncture of time, had been discussed by our Brethren; till having drawn up a few Arguments against Positions which some Anabaptists, coming down from London into these parts, had asserted, I sent them up to have them published: but Mr. Faldo, my worthy Friend (whom for his great pains in promoting Unity among Dissenters, I shall ever Honour) wrote me word, the Brethren there, had concluded, this was not a convenient time for Dissenters to write against Dissenters. I submitted to their judgment, and recalled my Copy.
When I had done this, word was brought me from a young furious Zealot against Infant Baptism, (calling it an Antichristian Cheat,) that there was an Answer printing to my two Questions, which I had propounded to the Anabaptists four years past; which proved true: for he sends me the Book, and gets the Books to be sold in our Town. So that now I hope my Brethren cannot blame me, that I endeavour to vindicate the Truth of God, and defend my self.
Before the Book was sent me, this young Teacher, tells in this, and other Towns, what this Authors Name was, what a great Writer he was, and that against Learned men, [that now I must expect a formidable Adversary to encounter withall,] and gave this description of him.
Mr. Grantham is a person descended from a worshipfull Family, but in the time of the Civil Wars his Parents suffered much loss for the King. Being brought low, his Father puts out this his Son to a Taylour; and observing his Son inclining to Fanaticism (as some call it) he chose such a Master for him, as he thought would stifle those Principles: but his Son continues sober, and helps to Reform those who wrought with him. His Apprentiship being out, he gave himself to study, and becomes a great Proficient in Learning: Disputed with the present Bishop of Norwich, before he was Bishop, at which Disputation, several Priests were got behind the Hangings; with other Circumstances he mentioned, but the issue was, he worsted the Doctor so, that he quitted the room.
If there be any Errour in this, let not Mr. Grantham blame me: for it came from one that is an Admirer of him. That he was a Taylour, I do not look at this, as being any real disparagement to him; it hath been the Case of others, that have descended from as good Families as his: But if Mr. Grantham will be dealing in Polemical Divinity, and there scoffe at his Opponent, use provoking terms, write in some places absurdly, (as he doth against me) he must expect to hear of it sometimes.
What the two Questions are I gave then to answer, the Reader will find them repeated in the following Discourse. I stated the Question firstly, with respect to the Jews, requiring him that answers, to set down the Scriptures, upon which he grounded his answer for the Negative, but he hath not named so much as One.
I will give him for the Affirmative, these, first, for the Jews: Acts 2.39. Acts 3.25. Rom. 11.15, 16, 28, 29. [Of the two last I make use.] I need not mention any for the Gentiles, yet I will give him these. Ephes. 2.12. & 19. compared. 1 Cor. 7.14. Gal. 3.14. By these I will defend my Question, yet he calls it an unlearned Question. What, when I have Scripture-grounds for it, and he cannot produce one for the contrary?
As for that Experience which I have given of the benefit of Improving Abrahams and our Infant Baptismal-Covenant, in my former little Treatise, which Learned and Godly Divines, say, cannot be without Grace, (and I will appeal to all the Learned and godly Divines in England, or elsewhere, that have experience of Gods work on their own hears,) this Mr. Grantham scoffs at. I shall meet with him in his place.
This onelyonly I will say as to his Book: If my two Questions meet with no Better Answer than Mr. Grantham hath given, I will go on to baptize the Infants of Believing Parents, without the Least Scruple.
6 Jan. 87. The Servant to the Seed of Believers, Giles Firmin.