A Forerunner to a Large Review of the Dispute Concerning Infant Baptism, Treatise · Section 12
SECT. XII. That Mr. B. unjustly chargeth me to be a Sect-Master.
TO his virulent and most unrighteous speech of me page 188. that he hath as good evidence that I am a Sect-Master, as that I am a Christian; I have replied before sect. 4. And now I say further, that my conscience acquits me from the guilt of making any Sect; and my proceedings at first with my brethren in the Ministery manifested in my Examen and Apology, in my applying my self to the Assemby and Mr. M. do fully clear my aime, to have been Reformation with peace and concurrence in the work of Christ with them: (which course Mr. B. approves pag. 246.) and if my writings had been fairely examined, it is very probable they had not bin printed. What I did, I was necessitated to, by their sleighting the thing, aed determining contrary to my positions, in a Magisterial manner, notwithstanding my writings; whereby it became poenal to hold my tenet; which enforced me to print. And yet neither then did I meddle with the practise till Mr. Baillee awakened me, by telling me, my infantbaptisme must be null, by my principles. Nor have I baptized (save one nearely related to me,) but where I was chosen a preacher; where I conceived my self bound to baptize (by Christs rule, Mat. 28. 19.) those disciples to whom I preached: nor did I joine any in communion, till I saw that those that did their duty in being baptized, were rejected and made odious, with Ministers and people, whereby they are necessitated to join in communion by themselves. And if any others do not joine with them, it is partly because notwithstanding I am for my own particular much inclined to unite in the communion, those that differ in judgement about infant-baptisme, according to my judgement expressed in my Apology sect. 12. and Mr. Jesseys determinations in his book intitled A store-house of provision to further resolution in sundry cases of conscience; yet because it is manifest from Acts 2. 41, 46. 1 Cor. 10. 1, 2, 3. & 12. 13. persons were baptized afore they brake bread together, and Justin. Martyr. Apolog. 2. ad Antoninum hath these words, foreign, that is, This food is with us called the Eucharist or thanksgiving: of which it is not allowed for any other to partake, but him that believeth those things to be true which are taught by us, and is washed with that washing which is for the forgivenesse of sins and unto new birth, and that lives so as Christ hath delivered, which passage is alleadged by Mr. B. page 156. though maimedly. And Augustin. tom. 7. de pecc. mer. et remiss. lib. 1. cap. 20. Adsacramentum mensae Domini nemo ritè nisi baptizatus accedit. And Lumb. sent. l. 4. dist. 8. Hoc coeleste manna non nisi renatis praestari debet. And the generality of Popish and Protestant Divines hold so. Mr. B. page 342. We have no warrant by word or example in all the New Testament, to admit any member into the Church, without baptisme; and therefore the taking any without baptisme to the Lords Supper, will but strengthen men in their opinion, that their infant-sprinkling is sufficient; and partly, because by Mr. Bs. book and other meanes men are so possessed with the restoring of baptisme, as if it were an error, schisme, a practise accursed by God, that consciencious timorous men do of themselves shunne us, and others furiously oppose us; therefore I see a necessity of desisting from that enterprise, yet resolved to join with other Christians of different judgement in what agreement & communion I can with a good conscience in prayer, preaching, disciplin, &c. And I speak unfeignedly notwithstanding all the injuries done me by Mr. M. Mr. Geree, Mr. Baillee, and now beyond all the rest by Mr. B. yet my heart is towards them to promote with them the work of Christ according to the solemn Covenant, & I think Mr. B. & others are not ignorant that I have as absolutely and diligently opposed, if not so happily, the Popish, Arminian, Antinomian, Familistical; Socinian errors now broached as other men. What I said in my Apology sect. 20. I say still, I seek unity with truth, and I am certain that Mr. B. hath most injuriously accused me as unpeaceable, whether it hath come from others suggestions or his own misconceits of me. To that which is from pag. 189. to 169. is answered before.