Discourse Proving Baptism in Defection to Antichrist to be of Jesus Christ, Title page – To the reader
A DISCOURSE TENDING TO PROVE THE BAPTISME IN, OR UNDER The Defection of ANTICHRIST to be the Ordinance of Jeſus Christ.
AS ALSO That the Baptiſme of Infants or Children is warrantable, and agreeable to the word of GOD.
Where the perpetuity of the eſtate of Chriſts Church in the world, and the everlaſtingneſſe of the Covenant of Almighty GOD to Abraham are ſet forth as maine Grounds, and ſundry other particular things are controverted and diſcuſſed.
By P. B.
Stand in the way, aske for the old way which is the good way, walke therein, and you ſhall finde reſt to your Soules. Jer. 6. 16.
If it be of God, yee cannot deſtroy it, leſt you become fighters againſt God. Acts 5. 38.
Stand faſt Brethren, and keepe the Ordinances or Traditions you have bin taught by word or by Epiſtle. 2 Theſ. 2. 15.
LONDON, Printed by R Oulton & G. Dexter, and are to be ſold by Benjamine Allen over againſt the ſigne of the Angell in Popes-head Ally, 1642.
The Epiſtle to the READER,
Courteous READER,
IT ſeemeth to be the worke of this preſent age, to be upon the meaſuring of the Temple, the Altar, and them that worſhip Rev. 11. 1.therin; about the meaſuring of which things, though the truth and true meaſure be but one, yet the perſons meaſuring, are very various, and much differing, not only concerning the right underſtanding of the meaſure, but alſo concerning the things meaſured: hence it is that diverſitie of opinions and practiſes are found amongſt perſons concerning matt…s of Religion and Godlineſſe, amongſt which, the matter of this Diſcourſe is not the leaſt, but rather ou… of the greateſt differences in outward Religion, ſo as it, both on the one ſide and on the other, is as a Foundation to be built upon, in regard of many things, which muſt needs follow, according as perſons ſhall hold and beleeve one way or other; and ſo great a difference and diſtance doth it lead men into, that it admitteth of no healing, for till men be agreed about the matter of a thing (that being firſt eſſentiall) how ſhould they …oſsibly agree about the thing it ſelfe. The things held forth and maintained, to wit, the Baptiſme under the defection to be the Ordinance of Chriſt, and the Baptiſme of the ſeed of Beleevers to be Gods will and appointment, as alſo the things oppoſed, namely rebaptizing, or the new way of Baptiſme taken up by ſome, and the refuſing, or denying the Baptiſme of Infants, are in this Diſcourſe argued and diſcuſſed, not by way of Schoole learning, but by plaine inferences, and ſuch neceſſary conſequences as are not to be denyed. The oppoſite part, in regard of this Diſcourſe, are commonly called, by a Nic-name put upon them, An…baptiſts, ſome of which, are my loving friends and acquaintance, whom I would not diſpleaſe, but rather pleaſe, whom I envy not, but love, but the truth is to be loved above all, being moſt deare and precious. Indeed theſe ſeeme to have the zeale of GOD, if it were according to right knowledge: they ſeeke after truth, and thinke they have found it, when they imbrace an error, which the further they goe on in, the further out of the way, which appeareth in that ſumme, they miſſe it only in the point of Baptiſme, &c. whereas others, (as by an Honourable Perſon was lately obſerved) erre in points of an higher Nature, as namely in holding Free-will, fall…ng from Grace, conditionall Election, and denying Originall ſinne, opinions accounted as deſtructive to the truth by the Godly. Indeed I have had great reaſoning within me, whether I ſhould conceale this Diſcourſe, and keepe it for private uſe, or make it publike, but minding what great diſtraction of minde, and unſetledneſſe doe attend not a few about this matter, and minding that ſome of the learned doe give in no further concerning Baptiſme of Infants or Children, then as a Tradition of long and ancient uſe, whereby many take occaſion to ſtrengthen themſelves, and to confirme others againſt the Baptizing of Children: I have adventured for the truths ſake, to make this common, hoping it may tend to ſome ſatisfaction and ſtay of mens mindes in this matter, and the truth and true ground of things may be the better wayed, and the truth ſome way furthered, and ſome perſons kept from ſuch wonderfull changes and rechanges as are found with them. Ʋnitie or oneneſſe of minde among the Godly is an excellent thing, and greatly to be deſired, ſo it be in the truth, but GOD that of his Infinite wiſdome cauſeth good to come out of evill, cauſeth much profit to attend the variations of his Servants, the truth is the more ſought into and diſcovered, and cometh to ſhine forth more fully afterward, The Children of the truth come to be approved, 1 Co. 11. 19.ſo as the matter being ſo unavoydable, in aſmuch as the Scripture muſt needs be true, and every part thereof fulfilled. It were much to be deſired, that perſons would not be ſo much offended about the differences and variation that are in the matters of Religion and the ſervice of GOD, if they would conſider, that great darkneſſe had for a long time attended the world, by the prevailing of the man of ſinne, ſo as men coming out into the light, ſee men like trees as the Proverb is: And againe would minde, how great oneneſſe and agreement there is in thoſe that d…ffer, agreeing in the maine points of Beliefe of one GOD, one Lord Ieſus Chriſt, touching his Natures and Offices; as alſo in the Doctrine of Iuſtification, Redemption, Sanctification, in the Doctrine of Free-grace, and perſeverance therein and many more, too large to be rehearſed here: And then on the otherſide would conſider, how that the differences among the Godly, are of inferior kinde, being only for the moſt part about outward worſhip, and the right way of ſerving GOD, wherein if any doe erre, he falleth to his own Maſter, and his error cannot reach an other Ro 14 4.in way of prejudice or hurt, every one being to give an account unto GOD for himſelfe: I ſay if perſons did but minde ſuch like things, it would greatly abate of the prejudice that many have in their mindes, touching this matter, and it would take-off the offence of others, which without ca…ſe they have taken againſt ſuch as ſeeke after the truth by reaſon … this; for indeed it muſt needs be a great weakneſſe of minde and want of judgement …o be ſo highly diſpleaſed, as ſom are, with varietie of judgements among men, in matters of Religion: And however it is moſt certaine, that it is better there ſhould be differences among men, then that groſſe ignorance ſhould take place, or Papa…l Tyranny beare ſway and rule as it hath done, and yet doth too much in the world, and the ſame perſons that are ſo offended about differences of opinions, take little or noe offence at the ſame. In reading of this following Diſcourſe I ſhal deſire of thee Courteous Reader, who ever thou be, that thou wouldeſt not gather any ſuch concluſion, as if I held the Church of Rome a tru Church, for indeed I am farre from any ſuch thoughts, holding that State to be the Mother of Fornications, the great where Sodom & Egypt ſpiritually, according to the account of the Scripture. Now for this Diſcourſe ſent forth, if it ſhall come into the hands of the Learned, I deſire they would take no exception at any Tottologie or want of Art they ſhall finde in it, for the Author profeſſeth it not, and did applie himſelfe to weaker capacities, and ſo went over things the ofter that they might the leſſe miſtake or miſ-conſtrue his meaning. If it ſhall come into the hands of thoſe that minde the things as truths, which this Diſcourſe oppoſeth, I pray them to conſider the whole, and one thing with another, before they give judgement; and if it ſhall pleaſe any to make Anſwere, (whereat I ſhall be nothing offended) I deſire they would pleaſe to meaſure ſuch meaſure as I have meaſured to them, whom I truſt I have not in the leaſt wronged; And if in Anſwere they can diſcover any error, I ſhall be content to loſe, ſo the truth may gaine. If any ſhall meet with this that are like to Gallio, I only counſell them not to increaſe their bonds by mocking; Act. 18. 17.and if they will not be warned, let them mock on. If any moderate and indifferent affected ſhall read this Diſcourſe, and gaine any knowledge by it, let them give the praiſe to God. And ſo forbearing to trouble thee Courteous Reader, with any thing further, I leave thee to the peruſing of it, (and the bleſsing of God to cauſe thee to profit) and reſt,
Thine in the ſervice of Love, P. B.