Anti-Paedobaptism Part 3, To the reader
TO The christian Reader.
THough all personal Pleas and Narrations are suspected to be partial, and are usually judged to have something of ostentation, or dissembling, o… some such inordinate affection which may abate their credit and esteem, yet the practises of opponents in Controversies, and the great prejudice to the Truth, and person opposed they create thereby, and the difficulty for persons who are not actors in such contentions to understand the truth without them make them necessary. Doubtless if such pleas were not necessary, the Apostle Paul would not have thought his course justifiable, who hath written one Epistle, to wit, the second to the Corinthians, almost wholly Apologetical for himself, that the misunderstanding of himself and wayes might not be advantage to Seducers for hindering the success of his preaching. It is true my credit and esteem is nothing comparable to the Apostles, the Church and Truth of God may stand, though I be buried in perpetual silence: yet sith I am a Preacher of the Gospel as Paul was (absit verbo invidia) and my labours therein as I hope not altogether without fruit, and sith the Lord seems to me to have set me, though in a lower Sphere, for defence of that One Baptism which Paul mentions Ephes. 4.5. as one of the chief points of Christianity, and Heb. 6.2. is counted as a foundation point. I assure my self Paul's practise doth justifie mine, and that I should be wanting not onelyonly to mine own credit, but also to that truth which is dearer then my credit, if I should pass by with silence those misrepresentations whereby both are abused, and the mindes of men alienated from them. Which is the more necessary, because of the great repute which my Antagonists have in this generation, and their confident speeches, and their incessant endeavours upon all occasions in Pulpits, Presses, Disputes, Conferences, to represent the way I avouch as dangerous, my self as instrumental to an evil designe of perverting and dividing the Churches of God, unto which the proneness of men to uphold an Errour inveterate, and speciously pretended to be approved and blessed by God, and the contrary opinion accursed, besides the advantages it hath for their carnal ease, and for the begetting of a favourable opinion of themselves and their children (which are more to most then demonstrations out of Gods word) do gain an easie assent. And though I am not out of hope that those who have opposed the truth I assert with impetuous zeal, will be (especially the most tender conscienced, who examine their wayes, and review their doctrines) awakened and see and confess their errour, yet I fear the obloquy, and perhaps detriment in repute and outward estate and peace, which m…n either are likely or doubt they may incur by owning the truth I hold forth, or the seeming inconsistency of the reformation I seek to promote, with the peace of the Churches of God, will divert the thoughts of many from an exact consideration, and an equall judgement of what I shall write, either of my self or the matter under debate. What was wont to be opposed against the reformation of Popish and Prelatical corruptions, shall we go against all antiquity? Be wiser then our Fathers? condemn all the Churches? make rents in the Church? and such like objections, though they be upon examination but vain, yet like Gorgons head they are apt to turn men into stones, and to make men not see what they do or might see, and to be insensible of the evil of that practise, which otherwise their Consciences would be affrighted with. And truely though it be the wise and just contrivance of Divine prov…dence, and congruous to his end, that the vanity of all things under the Sun might appear, yet is it an humane irregularity, that not onelyonly for evil labour, but also for all travel and every right work a man is envied, malign…d, or disliked of his neighbour, Eccl. 4.4. chiefly when it crosseth self ends and conceits. Nor is it incident onelyonly to the prophane and unbelievers, to dislike and oppose such acts as are rightly done, but also to the godly, until their mistakes are discovered to them. The building of the Altar of Ed, Josh. 22.12. was likely to have been an occasion of war beetween the rest of the Congregation of Israel and some Tribes▪ till the intention of the builders was cleared to Phinehas; and Peter's going in to Cornelius, Act. 11.2. occasioned contention with him, though it were from God, till his warrant was shewed. Paul knew that his promoting the collection for the poor Saints at Jerusalem might be distasted of the best, and therefore he prayes that his service which he had for Jerusalem might be accepted of the Saints, Rom. 15.31. Even holy upright men have their weaknesses, passions, mis-prisions, prejudices, which oft times hinder a right understanding of tenents and actions of Christian Brethren, and thereby no small contentions arise. God would have us discern thereby humane imperfection, and keep our spirits humble and heedfull how we manage the rightest actions. Surely no action is more necessary then the discovery of truth in the things of God, nor should any endeavours be more acceptable to holy persons, then such as tend thereto, yea though there should be imperfection in actings and defect in the success. Yet too much experience hath shewed that such attempts meet with much opposition, and are ill entertained even by those who are or seem friends to truth. It is unnecessary to give instances: in the Scripture Acts 15.2, &c. in the Ecclesiastical Story there are so many as verifie it beyond all contradiction. If there were no other example but what hath befaln me about the point in this writing discussed, yet it were sufficient to verifie what I said of the difficulty to gain entertainment of that truth against which men are prepossessed, and of the ill usage of them that in a due manner endeavour to cleer it. That Infant Baptism was not according to Gods will, I thought might be made manifest by the silence of it in Scripture, and the Writings of the two first Ages, and by shewing how it was counted but an Ecclesiastical humane tradition unwritten, induced upon such reasons by the Leaders of the Churches in after ages as are now judged erroneous; and how false and dangerous the grounds are on which it is made a Divine institution, to wit, an imagined Covenant of grace to a Believer and his seed natural, the nature of Sacraments to be seals of the Covenant of grace, the inference of duties about positive rites of the new Testament from analogy with abrogated Ceremonies of the old, the command of Circumcision to have been in the extent of it commensurate to and derived from the Covenant with Abraham Gen. 17. as the adequate reason, the succession of Baptism into the room and use of Circumcision; all which or most of them, are so contrary to the Scripture and Protestant doctrine, as that I presumed they would quickly have been discerned by those who are acquainted with the controversies of Divines, and sought reformation in Discipline, and removal of humane inventions in Gods worship, and had entered into a solemn oath and Covenant to that end. And for my way of manifesting my doubts first to the Ministers of London, and then to the Committee of the Assembly then sitting at Westminster, and after to a prime man in it in the years 1643, 1644. and what opposition I found is so manifest in my two Treatises and Apology published 1645, 1646. as that it were but actum agere to say any more thereof. Which I hoped would have taken off such prejudices, as my Antagonists writings had raised against my writings and person, that I might securely apply my self to review the Dispute, w…thout hearing of any more personal objections. But when I found the like usage continued by Mr. Robert Baily of Glasgow in Scotland, I published an Addition to the Apology 1652. though it were framed before, and sent in a letter Manuscript to him. Yet the hottest charge was behinde. After my necessitated removal from the Temple in London to Bewdley in Worcestershire, anno 1646. it happened that a publike Dispute was between Mr. Richard Baxter of Kidderminster near to Bewdley and my self, at Bewdley Jan. 1. 1649. which how it was occasioned, managed, injuriously divulged, may be perceived by the writings on both sides; his Epistle before the first Edition of the Saints Everlasting rest, his Book of Baptism, Praefestinantis Morator, and my Antidote printed 1650. and Pr…cursor, anno 1652. By Mr. Baxters book of Baptism, my self, doctrine, answers, practise have been so unwo…thily dealt with, as that they have been painted out in deformed shapes quite besides their true feature, and thereby exposed to the unrighteous censures and contempt of so many, that Mr. Blake in his Preface to his Vind. faederis thought he might without controul say, Mr. Tombes is generally lookt upon low enough under hatches. It is indeed too manifest that upon the publishing of Mr. Baxters Book of Baptism, which was often printed and very much dispersed, floods of reproaches were cast on me and those who are of my judgement in that point, triumphant boastings of that book as the Mawl of Anabaptism, a most excellent piece, a lasting monument, &c. which had laid me flat on my back, with many the like vaunts in print and colloquies. Nor did mens loose tongues and pens stay here, but many insolent speeches were vented, trampling upon me and the Cause with me as Captives subdued by that mighty hand; my actions were censured, my abilities disparaged, yea people possessed with conceits as if I and those of my judgement were accursed of God, left over to a spirit of delusion, a hardened heart; Magistrates were provoked to make Lawes against us, as intollerable authors and fomentors of the errors, heresies, and divisions now in the Land; the rage and violence of common people shewed it self against the practise of Baptism enjoyned by Christ, people were deterred from hearing us, Schollers from reading our Writings, ancient acquaintance alienated, liberty formerly allowed to preach in publike places restrained, those that by Baptism were added to Communion withdrawn from society, yea violent cours…s taken to hinder Wives, children, servants from associating with them that were baptized, and that which was in former ages the onelyonly Baptism, and highly honoured by the ancient Writers with titles of dignity exceedingly debased and derided, insomuch that in many parts of this Land, I have been taken at best for a self-conceited man, affecting novelty and singularity, of a dangerous spirit, a ring leader of a sect of giddy men adversaries to unity, discipline, opening a door to all fanatique conceits, whose end would prove wicked, with many more imputations, which neither my books nor known conversation afore and since the wars, my labours and imployment in places not obscure, the confessed holiness, orth…doxy, unblameableness of those Churches over which I had any inspection, or with whom I associated could so acquit us▪ but that either our wound is uncured or a skar rem…ins. Mr. Blake in his Preface to his Vind. faed. saith thus of me. And indeed I think it a special providence that he should thus appear with a shew of learning, a volumn of words, a rhapsody of Authors▪ getting a name to be the strongest sword and buckler that was ever left up in this Cause, to draw the eyes of his party towards him, and then fall so flat, able to make good nothing; so that men far from censorious vanity well able to judge (upon serious perusal of his works and converse with him) do conclude, that it is not possible but he goes against the dictates of his own conscience; so that these it seems count me for an autocri… or self-condemned heretick. What other imputations Mr. Blake casts on me, may be seen here Sect. 26. And what Mr. Firmin, Mr. Gattaker, and Mr. S…mon Ford, Sect. 53. Besides what Mr. John Goodwin, Mr. Wood, and many more have judged of mine and Mr. Baxters writings. After Mr. Baxter Mr. John Crag would needs take up the cudgels and play his part in this matter, which how he hath done may be seen by our writings, compared chiefly here sect. 87, &c. Books after books have been published from England and Scotland, by Dr. Hammond, Mr. Carter, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Fuller, Dr. Savage in Latin, and others for Infant-baptism; besides Sermons in the Pulpit, and determinations in the Universities at most solemn times. Yea upon occasion of a meer accident at Oxford in July 1652. I have been baited in the Weekly News…books, and I have just cause to conceive that by clancular Letters, conferences, consultations, not onelyonly my doctrine hath been decried, my writings vilified, my way represented as pernicious that people might not know the truth, but also my station undermined, and my silencing endeavoured; and which is of all other the most grievous to me, the fruit of my labours in the Gospel of Christ not a little hindered: so that whereas Mr. Baxter would have in his Gildas Silvianus all Ministers tied to confer with the people in private▪ by his misrepresenting of me, the people (whom I would gladly teach) are deterred from hearing me in publike, and conferring with me in private. Yea notwithstanding the Quakers have been so often opposed by me, and my doctrine as contrary to theirs as light to darkness, by reason of Mr. Baxters imputing the rise of Quakerism to Anabaptism, as he terms it (which how …ar he chargeth on me may be seen by his Questions to me set down here sect. 63.) one Blashfield a bookseller in Lempster hath openly reviled me at the close of my Sermon while I was in the Pulpit Decemb. 26. 1656. though I then refuted the Quakers, and told me, if there were no Anabaptist there would be no Quaker; and somewhat afore Mr. Farmer a preacher in Bristol making a relation of James Naylors riding into Bristol, prints a passage in a private letter, which he with much ado signifies to mee was written by Mr. Robert Breton of Pembridge in Herefordshire but four miles from me, in which I am charged to say, that in a Sermon which I disavow in my writings upon the report at table of a man of this Town, who (what ever his qualities be) being pressed twice by me, once before some of the most intelligent and indifferent men here, another time before all or the most part of the Governours of this Town, to deal plainly whether I did speak those words which Mr. Farmer hath printed doth refuse to do it, shuffles in his answers, and will neither affirm nor deny it. Such dealings as these from men reputed godly, preachers of the Gospel, some of them fellow-sufferers for the common cause of reformation, and by the same Covenant engaged to it, do make me amazed to see what strange courses the intemperate zeal of Paedobaptists carries them, discerning thereby what a malignity of spirit they have towards me, who have so far as I can remember done no such thing to them, nor have been wanting in any good office I could do for them with a good conscience, but willing to joyn with godly dissenters in the common Cause of Christ. Nor do I finde any relenting in Mr. Baxter, but as he shews his spirit in his letters printed here sect. 53, 63. so by his preaching at Bowdley May 4▪ 1656. in which he gave ten frivolous reasons for his practise of Infant-baptism, for the confirming of his party who opposed my preaching there at that time, and since, and by the late passages in most of his writings, and in his last book of Conversion p. 109. I finde him still the same he was. No doubt (saith he) but God doth pardon original sin to multitude of infants by the bloud of Christ, through the Covenant of grace which is made to the faithfull and their seed, and this pardon bestowed by the Covenant is sealed by baptism which more solemnly conferreth it. It is most probable that God doth also make some change on the hearts of infants, secretly giving some seed of inward grace before or in their baptism. And p. 299. he hath this fool…sh passage. Others withdraw upon pretence we are unbaptized, to which end they must coin a new baptism, or else they are at a loss. And their arguing with … will be much like the Papists, in the point of Transubstantiation, which requireth that men renounce their sense and say, that they see not that which they se…, and feel not or tast not that which indeed they feel and tast, and then they may come to be in the right; and so we must beleeve that we see none baptized in our Churches, nor hear it, nor know of any such thing, and then we may come to be a Church: As if the arguing were that there is nothing which Paedobaptists call baptism in their Churches, not, there is nothing that may bee truely called Christian baptism according to Christs institution, and then p. 300. after his fashion when he wants arguments, he adds. Oh if it were the will of God that we could have as clear light in some other weighty points as we have in Scripture for the baptism of the children of beleevers, how much would it do to quiet the understandings of many that are willing to know! I dare not say it is a wonder to me to finde such passages in Mr. Baxter, but having examined his book of baptism, his ten reasons for his practise of Infant baptism delivered in Bewdley Chappel May 4. 1656. His Letters to me 1655. set down here sect. 53, &c. I cannot but bemoan the sad condition, first of Ministers and people who are carried away with such shallow disputings, and confident speeches as Mr. Baxter hath used in these writings. 2. Of my self, and all who go about to cleer truth, that they be necessi…ated to stir up such a nest of Wasps and Hornets▪ as these have shewed themselves to be who have opposed me, if th…y do never so brotherly and fairly and regularly declare their judgments contrary to the common received tenents. Yet I must confess two things have somewhat refreshed mee against the hard censures of those whom Mr. Blake mentions and the rest, the one that His Highness, and Council and the Parliament since (as I am informed) confirming the Ordinance for approbation of publique Preachers seem to have better though…s of me in putting that trust on me, th… other that (to mention no other) two of the ablest acutest and well read Divines and accurate Dispu…an…s, which I have known the University of Oxford in my time to have bred, and who have been thought sit for the Divinity Chair, have had far other conceits of my writings then these have had, the one not long after the publishing of my Examen, expressing his rejoycing to see so accurate and scholastical a discussing of the point, which he found not in the Assembly, wishing he had known of it afore the publishing of it that he might have prefixed an Epistle, yet wishing it had been written in Latin, as foreseeing that the publishing it in English was likely to beget me more trouble, then it would have done if printed in Latin; the other who since that wrote thus to me. I am a friend to your person (whom I have known (though not known to you) this 31. years) and to your opinion too (as to the main of it) for I beleeve and know, that there is neither precept nor practise in Scripture for Paedobaptism▪ nor any just evidence for it for about two hundred years after Christ. The first who bears witness to Infant baptism prastised in the Church is Tertullian▪ but so as he expres…d slik…s and condemnes it as an unwarrantable and irrational custom…: and Naxianzen a good while after him (in his Oration foreign) dislikes it too, and would not have infants brought to baptism till they were of some age and able to answer for themselves. Sure I am that in the Primitive times they were first to be Catechumini, …f then foreign illuminati, or baptizati, and that not onelyonly children … Pagans▪ or Pagans converted, but children of Christian parents, Na…ianzen (though a Bishops son) being not baptized till he was about 30. years of age, as appears in his life, and the like is evident of some others· The truth is, I beleeve P…dobaptism did (how or by whom I know not) come in in the 2d. Century and in the 3d. and 4th. began to be practised (though not generally) and defended as lawfull from that text (grosly misunderstood) Jo. 3.5. VponUpon the like gross mistake of Jo. 6.53. they did for many Centuries (both in the Greek and Latin Church) communicate infants and give them the Lords Supper, and I confess they might do both as well as either: But although they baptized some infants and thought it lawfull so to do, yet Augustin was the first that ever said it was necessary inde durus pater infantum. I have read what my learned and worthy friend Dr. Hammond, Mr. Baxter and others say in defence of it, and (I confess) I wonder not a little that men of such great parts should say so much to so little purpose, for I have not yet seen any thing like an argument for it. Nor is it a small case to me that I finde after all Mr. Baxters shamefull and vain arguings against the truth, and injurious dealings with me and the baptized Christians, with whom I hold Communion, that yet at last, though quite besides his intentions, he hath so befriended our cause as to lend us twenty good arguments against Infant baptism, in his 2d. disputation of right to Sacraments, in the close of the 16th. saying thus p. 156. I conclude that all examples of baptism in Scripture do mention onelyonly the administration of it to the professors of saving faith: and the precepts give us no other direction. And I provoke Mr. Blake (as far as is seemly for me to do) to name one precept for baptizing any other, and make it good if he can. I know what he will pretend, that he intended th…s onelyonly against Mr. Blakes opinion of baptizing upon a dogmatical faith and he means what he argues onelyonly in the case of adult persons. But that doth not avoid his own arguments against himself, though he otherwise intended; nor will his evasion serve till he prove, that there is a different precept or example for baptizing Infants from that of baptizing adult persons, or that any are to be accounted beleevers or disciples by their parents o…, as his term is, proparents profession, which will never be done by him. I will not say as Mr. Blake saith some have said of me, that it is not possible but he goes against the dictates of his own conscience: But this I dare boldly say, that Mr. Baxter hath strongly disputed against Inf…nt Baptism in the place forenamed, pag. 53. asserting and proving Arg. 1. We must not baptize any who profess not true repentance, pag. 62. Arg. 2. We must baptize no man that first professeth not to bel…eve in God, …. 68. Argum. 3. It's the very nature or appointed use of the external part of Baptism it self (yea essential to it) to signifie and profess the saving faith and repentance of the baptized, pag. 710. arg. 4. we must baptize none that profess not their consent to enter themselves presently into the Covenant of grace with God in Christ, p. 79. arg. 5. we must not baptize any without the profession of that faith and repentance which are made the condition of remission of sins; the rest have speeches to like purpose, in which though he puts in sometimes [and their seed] yet his proofs do all overthrow that his own addition, and tear off his patch which he hath printed to his argumen…, and as fully militate against his book of baptism as Mr. Blakes tenet; so that to me it seems that by Divine providence without his intention, una eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit: Nor do I think but that if conscientious Christians chiefly Schollers, would read over that second disputation, they would be satisfied that infants ought not to be baptized but themselves, and that Mr. Baxter hath cheated the world by his book of baptism, and shewed himself therein an inconsiderate writer. But however this fall out, it is a great rejoycing to my soul, that God hath so long preserved my life and strength though now declining, to finish this part of the Review also, and to see that part of it printed which is in answer to Mr. Baxters second main argument in his book of baptism, about his pretended ordinance of infants visible Church-membership and its repeal, which some have given out as unanswerable, because this answer hath been so long in publishing; not considering that besides the not knowing of his minde about it till 1655. I have been necessitated to answer many others, and together with my constant labours, some other employments extraordinary with domestick distractions, necessity of respect to my bodily strength, want of help of books in some points, of learned men to whom I might have recourse, of an amanuensis, and chiefly the difficulty of getting it printed by reason of the great charge, which this book amounts to, and yet is not so readily put off as other smaller writings, and such as sute more with the minde of Readers, of whom few seem to search after truth impartially, especially in controversies of this kinde. In this which is done my witness is in heaven how faithfully and sincerely I have dealt, which makes me slight the unrighteous censures of those Mr. Blake mentions, of Mr. Baxter, Mr. Firmin Mr. Gattaker, Mr. Ford, Mr. Crag and the rest. And for Mr. John Goodwin who so much magnifies Mr. Baxters book, I wish he and Mr. Horn his second would read this writing, which I take to be a sufficient answer, with the two fore-parts of this Review, to what is said by Mr. Baxter and themselves in the point of Infant-baptism. As for the point of Schism or Separation which Mr. Baxter, and he charge Anabaptists with, I take my self no further concerned then mine own fact, which if they can prove to have been unbrotherly or unrighteous, I hope God wil so frame my heart as to testifie my repentance: if not, I advise them to take heed of rash judging, and all their followers of following them in that sin. If the objection be still set on foot, That those that are, as they term us, Anabaptists, do fall into many false opinions, prove Quake…s &c. I wish them better to examine reports of us, then Mr. Farmer, Mr. Breton, and others have done of me afore they spread them, and to look into the state of the societies of their own judgement, who if they be not guilty of such fallings, I shall rejoyce with them, and hope they will learn to pitty and endeavour to restore those who are fallen in the spirit of meekness; if they be, that they will remember that it should be no more objected to us then to themselves. For my own part, I hope I shall not abet any such errour, nor do I know of any such errours or miscarriages in the Churches to which I have associated which are not opposed and censured by us: Nor do I think it equal we should be charged with that errour or miscarriage which we condemn. And I make bold to admonish Paedobaptists in the Lord, that they take heed of those practises which tend to the disquieting, defaming, hindering their brethren in the work of Christ because of the supposed errour, as they term it, of Anabaptism, lest they happily fight against God, and wrong their brethren, remembring that he that doth wrong shall receive for, the wrong he hath done, and there is no respect of persons with God, Col. 3.25. And to the end they may search their own consciences, and rightly judge of themselves, I presume they may do well to lay to heart th…se following qu…stions. 1. Whether it be not a manifest perverting of the Gospel of Christ, to maintain that the Covenant of Gospel grace is made to each beleever and his seed. 2. Whether it be not against the Gospel to maintain, that the command of Circumcision Gen. 17. doth any way bind Christian beleevers now in their practise? 3. Whether it be nor against the Gospel to entitle p…rsons to the Church visible Christian by their natural generation of beleevers? 4. Whether it be not a manifest will-worship to practise the positive Rite of Infant-Baptism as Gods worship, which is confest to have neither precept nor example in the New Testament? 5. Whether it be not a profanation of Baptism to use it otherwise then Christ appointed? 6. Whether by justifying Infant Baptism, the relinquish…ng of many Popish and Prelatical ceremonies which have as much of reason, tradition, authority of the Church as it, be not condemned? 7. Whether it be not an oppression, and exercising of dominion over mens consciences, to tie them to acknowledge Sacraments to be in their nature seals of the Covenant of grace which the Scripture terms not so, nor can be proved plainly from it, and to impose on them the practise of Infant baptism under pain of guilt of sin which Christ never appo…nt…d? 8. Whether it be not manifest hypocrisie to oppose the Cross, Surplice, &c. and to be zealous for Infant baptism? 9. Whether they who justifie Infant baptism and oppose baptism of Believers at age confessed to be according to the institution of Christ and primitive practise, are not partial in Gods Law and may expect to be made contemptible before all the people? 10. Whether they who do so, do not break the solemn Covenant of endeavouring reformation according to Gods word? 11. How they that say they baptize infants into the Name of Christ, who sprinkle or powr onelyonly some water on them, without any profession of the infant can be acquitted from saying falsly? 12. By what rule those who are acknowledged visible Church-members in infancy c…n be denied the Lords Supper? 13. Whether it be not a signe that Paedobaptism is not according to rule, when there are so many differences about the title to it between Papists and Protestants, and the ablest Protestants themselves? 14. How they can make good the regularity of Church-consti…ution, and the ordination of Elders, who have no other baptism but that in infancy? 15. How they can be free from the guilt of hardening souls in deadly presumption, who avouch the Christianity of infants by natural birth, and Infant baptism which is the great plea of ignorant and profane persons on which they rest? 16. Whether it be not a signe of injustice and want of love to truth, or adherence to a party, in them that will read and hear what one party saith for Infant baptism, and refuse to read or he…r what the oppos…s say, though they bring the plain institution of Christ and his Apostles practise for them? 17. Whether it be not an unrighteous course to charge the miscariages of persons either dead or strangers, on that doctrine or practise which countenanceth not them, or to persons who are no way abettors of them becaus of agreement in one opinion? 18. Whether division or Schism is not chiefly to be imputed to those who violently oppose & inveigh against their Brethren for holding & practising that which they conceive themselves bound to do by the plain command of Christ which their opposites do acknowledge? 19. Whether such as impose Infan baptism on their Brethren who hold the faith and baptism confess…d to be from Christ, and deal rigorously with them for not owning i…, do not as the Papists, who impose with cruelty their own addi…ions o… those who otherwise are not denied to hold th… true faith a…d pract…s…? 20. Whether such pretenc…s as are made for Infant baptism, and the imagined evil of Anabaptism, can be a sufficient plea for baptism, and the imagined evil of Anabaptism can be a su…f…cient plea for any truly godly person to neglect that baptism which Christ hath so strictly commanded Mat. 28.19. Mar. 16.16. & the Apostles constantly practised? And sith Mr. Baxter hath with so much earnestness ministred so many interrogatories to me, I shall take the boldness to advise him to consider his own ways. 1. In giving such a title to his book of Pl…in Scripture proof of Infants baptism, when there is not one text in all his Book which speaks plainly or obscurely for it, yea it's confessed by himself, that it is not plainly determined in Scripture, p. 3. and is so dark in Scripture that the controversie is become hard p. 301. 2. In his abusing so many texts of Scripture as he ha…h done, chiefly the institution of Bap…ism Matth. 28 19. for infant Baptism, as if they were disciples appointed there to be baptized, which is sufficiently refuted by himself in many places of Baptism, p. 299, 300. of the right to Sacraments from p. 91, to 96. 3. In coyning a new title to Baptism by the profession of parents or pro parents, of which the Scripture is altogether silent. 4. In his devising …n ordinanc… of infants visible membership in the Christian Church, of which there is no foot step in all the Bible. 5. In his many years clamorous abuses, and some kind of violent persecutions of my self and others of my judgement for not acknowledging these figments of his, but promoting reformation of Baptism according to our duty. 6. In his unbrotherly printing my answers I made in the dispute at Bewdley Jan. 1. 1649. without so much as acquainting me with it though living near him. 7. In blazing it abroad that he had driven me to gross absurdities, which yet he hath not in his answer to the 17. sect. of of my praecursor or elsewhere shewed to be so. 8. In his light passing over my urging his own words against infant baptism, about Christs institution Mat. 28.19. in my praecurs. p. 66. in his Praefest. morat. sect. 16. which is noted in the 2d. Part of the Review, p. 66, 67. which sure being from Christs institution, deserved better consideration. 9. In condemning our rejection of infant Baptism, though but an humane tradition, on no better grounds then Papists build many of their ceremonies which he condemns, in asserting the Covenant of grace to the faithfull and their seed, which in disputes against Arminians is commonly denied by Contraremonstrants. 10▪ In his many false accusations of me as a sect master disturber of the Church, which he cannot prove, in his scornfull expressions in the dispute and his books, in his injurious insinuations of me, as if I were blinded or hardened, occasioned the rise of Quakerism and other errours, thereby indirectly creating odium to me and to the truth, and which is worst of all, weakning my hands in the work of Christ, and particularly in taking off my quondam hearers at Bewdley from hearing me, or permitting me there to preach in publike. None of which, nor any of the rest of his evil suggestions of me or the people baptized there or elsewhere, I pray God may be laid to his charge.
I have no more to add, but to commend the reading of this and the other parts of the Review to thy care, hoping that as the differences between the Cis-Jordan and Trans-Jordan Israelites, and Peter and the circumcised Christians were composed by right in…elligence of their actions, so it may be in this, and that God will awaken the eyes of those who have opposed the truth I assert, with devices of an anti-Evangelical Covenant of grace to Believers and their seed, a Law and Ord…nance of infants visible Church membership no where extant, of baptizing infants according to the Jewish pattern of baptizing Proselytes, of an additional promise of casting elect children on elect parents ordinarily, of a command in force now, Gen. 17.9. of Baptisms succession to Circumcision and fetching a rule from it, of baptisms confer…ing Grace, &c. will discern their errour, and embrace that light which they have hitherto shut out, and laying aside their vain disputes about the baptizing of Infants of not Churchmembers, profane, excommunicate parents, or proparents and such like, endeavour to restore that one Baptism which with that one faith once delivered to the Saints, may bring the Churches of God to a right constitution and holy unity and order, and without which a right reformation covenanted will not be, and that go…ly pa…ents of tender consciences will take heed of bringing infants to baptism whereby it is profaned, and discern that it is their own duty to be baptized in the name of Christ, and that the use of baptism is, as Mr. Baxter confesseth p. 68 Of right to Sacraments, yea essential to it to signifie and profess the saving faith and repentance of the baptized (which sh…ws infants are not baptized, sith th…y do not that which is essential to baptism and that which is essential must be in all) and not to look upon it as their childrens priviledge, but as it was by Christ appointed, by it engage themselves to follow the Lord JESUS; which is the prayer of
Thy loving Brother and real Servant in Christ; JOHN TOMBES.