The Virtue and Value of Baptism, Catechism
A Short CATECHISM, Briefly propounding, and plainly ſhewing the vertue and value of BAPTISM.
Q. WHat is your name?
Anſ. M.
Q. Who gave you this name?
A. My Parents, the natural Authors of my being, and Inſtruments of my Intereſt in the Covenant of God.
Q. When did they give you this name?
A. In my Baptiſm, when I was dedicated to God, and by the waſhing of my body in pure water fitted for approach to him.
Q. What is Baptiſm?
A. It is a ſolemn and Religious application of water by the hand of a lawfull Miniſter to fit ſubjects to ſignifie the blood of Chriſt, and Seal the …ovenant of Grace.
Q. What is the outward ſign in Baptiſm?
A. Water, in oppoſition to all other elements; and pure water without any mixture or compoſition; for ſo Chriſt did appoint, and his appointment doth ſtamp dignity on that deſpicable Element.
Q. What is the inward Grace in Baptiſm?
A. The blood of Jeſus Chriſt with its properties and effects, the remiſsion of ſin, and regeneration of the ſoul.
Q. Is Baptiſm only a ſign to repreſent theſe things to our minde?
A. No, but alſo a ſeal to ratifie them to our ſoul; and therefore a right unto the Promiſe is the ground of Baptiſm, and Baptiſm a reaſon of our Faith in the Promiſe to be pleaded in Prayer for obtainment.
Q. What is the form of Baptiſm?
A. The Application of water, by Dipping, or Sprinkling; for the manner is of no moment, ſo it be done ſolemnly and religiouſly, as a ſacred Ordinance by Divine Inſtitution, with Prayer to God, and a Dedication of the perſon baptized, unto the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt.
Q. Who is to adminiſter Baptiſm?
A. A lawful, and none but a lawful Miniſter; for Baptiſm is an act of Office and argument of Faith; therefore to be applyed by authority; and then the Baptiſm of women, and private men is void and null.
Q. Who are fit ſubjects to be baptized?
A. Such, all ſuch, and only ſuch as are in Covenant with God; for the qualification that muſt guide the Church in applying Baptiſm, muſt be Intereſt in the Covenant; and theſe are two ſorts. 1. Infidels converted to the Faith. 2. The Infants of one or both Chriſtian Parents.
Q. By what muſt Infidels converted to the Faith be judged, within the Covenant, and fit ſubjects to be baptized.
A. By making a profeſsion of ſaving faith, which may be done by men in the gall of bitterneſs, and bond of iniquity, not ſaving profeſſion of faith, importing ſincerity of grace, nor by a well ordered converſation; for Gods Miniſters muſt judge by a preſen… viſible ſign, and they cannot ſearch the heart: And Plants are to be ſet in the Church before we look for fruit; Baptiſm is a Bond unto amendment of life.
Q. How can it be proved that the infants of Chriſtian Parents are with in the Covenant and to be baptized?
A. During the adminiſtration of Covenant in the times of the Old Teſtament, the natural iſſue of Gods people, before they acted their faith, even as ſoon as they were born, were within the Covenant. The form of the Promiſe is, I will be thy God, and the God of thy ſeed: Circumciſion the Seal of the righteouſneſs of faith, was ſet in their fleſh at eight days old. God claims the natural iſſue of his Covenant-people as his own, when he calls them out of Egyyt, Exod. 5.1. chargeth them with duty, Deut. 14.2. complaineth of Idolatay, Epheſ. 16.21. Chaſtiſeth their ſin, Amos 3.2. And Chriſt calls the Jews natural, the children of his Kingdom, and placeth in them the Right to the mercies he brought, whilſt the Gentiles were Dogs licking up the crums.
Q. But what is the intereſt of Infants in the Old Teſtament to us under the new?
A. Very much; for whilſt we ſee they have been in Covenant, it will direct us to ſee a very clear reverſal and plain limitation of the Covenant before we part with ſuch a birth-right and priviledge; for common Juſtice will not ſuffer us without good warrant to change a Fee-farm to our ſelves and heirs, for a Leaſe for term of Life; and we need a clear reaſon to convert the Jews from the old Covenant, whereby they begot an holy ſeed to God, unto a ſtraiter Covenant, that provides for the Parent, but leaves the child prophane, and eſtranged to God. The enemies of our Baptiſm, cry for an expreſs command to baptize Infants; but inſtead of ſhewing any, we think we have good reaſon to ſay, we as ſuch infants, have by a long Tenure an intereſt in the Covenant; ſhew us a clear Goſpel Writ of Ejection, if you think now to diſpoſſeſs us.
Q. But have you any good ground in the New Teſtament on which infants, as the natural iſſue of believing Parents may claim an intereſt in the Covenant?
A. Yes, very much, when we conſider little ſucking Babes brought in arms to be received by the Lord Jeſus to be bleſſed by him, to be declared members of the Kingdom of heaven, propounded as ſuch who ought to be received in his name, as his diſciples, and not to be offended; all which are the bleſsings of the Covenant: and that the Apoſtle affirms of the Gentiles ingrafted in, as well as the Jews cut off, in Rom. 9. That if the firſt-fruits, then the whole lump is holy; if the root, then the branches are holy; and the branches do partake of the fatneſs of the olive: we muſt caſt away our reaſons if we ſee not Infants intereſt in the Covenant.
Q. But have you not yet ſome plai…er Scriptures to prove their title?
A. Yes, the Apoſtle doth expreſly ſay the Infants of one Chriſtian Parent is holy, 1 Cor 7.14. of real holineſs none underſtand it; natural holin…ſs taking away the blot of baſtardy, ſuppoſing Faith eſſential to Marriage is too ridiculous to be received, and then it muſt needs mean a foederal holineſs by the extent of the Covenant, and in the eſteem of the Church. And in Acts 2.38. the Apoſtle ſaith expreſly, The promiſe is to you, and to your children: This promiſe cannot be of extraordinary-Gifts, becauſe it is extended to all that ſhall be called; nor is it to children when culled, for that were not to them as children: the Holy Ghoſt doth not uſe to ſpeak non-ſenſe, and expreſs perſonal qualifications by terms of relation, but tels the believer, his children as his children have a priviledge in the Covenant above other mens children; ſo that it is plain ſuch Infants are within the Covenant, and according to their capacity to enjoy the Seals and Priviledges thereof.
Q. But they are not capable of being baptized, becauſe they can act nothing in the Ordi…ance, nor can they make a profeſsion of Faith, and Repentance.
A. Nor is ſuch capacity needfull; for profeſsion gives no right to Baptiſm, but as an evidence of Covenant Intereſt: and their right to the Covenant, manifeſted by their deſcent from ſuch Parents is as good a reaſon for their Baptiſm: and the ſubjects of the initiating Seal do not act any thing, as if God would thereby dictate, inability to action ſhall be no bar to Baptiſm.
Q. But thoſe we read of in Scripture that were baptized were at grown years.
A. So were thoſe who were firſt circumciſed; but that was occaſional and circumſtancial: The Church is founded in grown Trees, but is to be edified by infant branches.
Q. But there is no inſtitution for infant Baptiſm.
A. That Baptiſm is inſtituted, cannot be denied. Age or Infancy are only directions to whom to apply it, and therein the qualification of Covenant Intereſt is according to Scripture the clear direction. Moreover Infants may be Diſciples, bearing on them the name of Chriſt, and are Members of Nations, and ſo the Inſtitution, directing the baptizing of Diſcipled Nations, is to them extended.
Q. But all you urge for infants baptiſm, is by way of inference and conſequence.
A. Scripture-Inference is Gods word, binding mans conſcience: it was the way of Chriſt his convincing the Sadduces of the Reſurrection, and of Pauls preaching at Athens, and is your only way to warrant womens Communion at the Lords Table, and ſhall it not be of force to Infants Baptiſm?
Q. What benefit do you receive by your Baptiſm?
A. Much, as I am baptized, and enjoy that Ordinance of God; and much as I was baptized in Infancy by the early enjoyment of it.
Q. What is your benefit received by the Ordinance it ſelf?
A. A fit qualification to draw nigh to God with confidence.
Q. What do you mean by drawing nigh to God?
A. Not only the poſſ…ſſion of heavenly Glory when I die, which I deny not, but ſuch may enjoy whom the providence of God cuts off before they can be baptized: Nor only the private and perſonal acts of the ſoul, which may be preſented (though not with much confidence) acceptably to God before a man can be baptized after his Converſion, he not living in contempt or wilful neglect of Baptiſm; but I mean an approach to God in the Aſſemblies of his people, to worſhip before him, as a Member of his Church, and one of his peculiar people, to bear his name in the world, and of his Royal Prieſthood, to offer up acceptable Sacrifice, and enjoying all his Ordinances; all which I do in aſſurance, having my body waſhed with pure water.
Q. Is then Baptiſm the neceſſary qualification for approach to God?
A. Yes, it is ſo neceſſary that the unbaptized, may not appear in the Aſſemblies of his people. The way of Chriſt his appearance in his Church as the Meſsiah was prepared by Baptiſm; therefore John the promiſed Elias, is called John the Baptiſt. Baptiſm prepared Chriſt for his work of Mediatorſhip; he neither prayed (that we read of) nor was tempted, nor preached, nor received the Teſtimony from heaven till he was baptized; and if the head were thus ſanctified, much more muſt the members: moreover Circumciſion did ſanctifie ſuch as might come nigh to the Sanctuary, and Baptiſm hath ſucceeded in the room, ſignifies and ſeals the ſame Grace, and in all things ſerve to the ſame end in the Chriſtian Church, that Circumciſion did to the Jews.
Q. What is the uſe of Baptiſm, that it ſhould ſo qualifie with confidence in acceſs to God?
A. By Baptiſm I am viſibly intereſted in Jeſus Chriſt, Gal. 3.27. incorporated into his Church 1 Cor. 12.13. made a member of the houſhold of Faith, and Common…ealth of Iſrael, conſecrated unto God, Eph. 5.26. having holineſs ſtamped on my fleſh, being ſanctified by the waſhing of water by the word: And in Covenant with God, having the ſeal of the promiſe, whereby God is become mine, and I am dedicated to be his in faith and obedience, to God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt: All which are clear grounds of Faith, to be improved unto my encouragement in approach unto God.
Q. Are all that are baptized partakers of theſe priviledges?
A. All that are baptized enjoy theſe Priviledges Viſibly and Sacramentally in the judgement of the Church, by whoſe juſt cenſure they may be deprived of them, but not Savingly and Sincerely; for to ſome the inward Grace is withheld from Gods outward Ordinance according to Gods holy purpoſe: And many not acting Faith to claim, loſe the Priviledges ſealed. Baptiſm is in its nature and efficacy the ſame to all, but by reaſon of the incapacity of ſome it is not always a like effectual.
Q. What principles or practices are to be condemned as contrary to this uſe of Baptiſm?
A. Many, as 1. Such as dictate to the unbaptized a liberty of acceſs to God; teaching that Baptiſm is not the ground of Communion with the Church viſible, but real Grace, the anſwer of a good conſcience, and thereon do tender all the Ordinances to the unbaptized, which is directly oppoſite to this uſe of the Ordinance, and inverts the Ordinance of the Goſpel, giving God cauſe to complain, as once in Iſrael, Ezek. 44.7. Ye have defiled my Sanctuary by admitting into my Sanctuary the unbaptized in fleſh and in ſpirit.
Q. Who are further to be condemned as contrary to this conſecrating nature of Baptiſm?
A. Such as diſown their Baptiſm, in drawing nigh to God, as do ſome Familiſts, who deny all outward Ordinances and pretend to ſerve God altogether in Spirit, as if divided man could draw nigh to God; or the Lord would not be adored by the body he hath redeemed, or true Grace could admit a contempt of any divine Ordinance: Or the Anaebaptiſts who are ſo irrational as to renounce their Baptiſm, becauſe received in Infancy, as if a corruption in circumſtance (if this were one) had deſtroyed the eſſence of the Ordinance; but indeed they do it out of ignorance, or obſtinacy, de…ming Gods Inſtitution Superſtition, and ſo run into the ſin of Sacriledge.
Q. Is the denial of Infants Baptiſm the ſin of Sacriledge?
A. Whilſt it robs God of the children to him begotten, the Church of Members to her born, believing Parents of a ground of Faith, and reaſon of hope, and the Infants of their undoubted Intereſt in the Covenant, I cannot but deem it ſacriledg.
Q. Who elſe are to be blamed as repugnant to this conſecrating nature of Baptiſm?
A. Such as diſregard Baptiſm in its application to others, as do Parents, who paſs over their childrens Baptiſm as a Civil Complement, and meer Formality to pleaſe Friends, but never compoſe themſelves to it as an act of Religion, and Ordinance of God; pray not for a bleſsing on it, nor praiſe God for the bleſsing of it; nor inſtruct their baptized children in the benefit and uſe of it: and people who attend with ſome ſhew of reverence on other Ordinances, but rudely ruſh out of the Congregation when Baptiſm is adminiſtred, as if it were ſome idle action; and as if the ſanctifying of a ſoul to God, the ſealing of the Covenant, and admiſſion of a Member into the Church were of no uſe to them, nor worth their attendance.
Q. Who elſe are to be blamed, as contrary to the nature of Bapiiſm?
A. Such as diſeſteem their own Baptiſm, neither improving it againſt ſin, nor arguing to themſelves the duty or dignity of their Baptiſm, ſo as to make Baptiſm an Engagement againſt ſin to holineſs and encouragement of their Spirits in holy duties.
Q. Who alſo are to be blamed as contrary to the conſecrating nature of Baptiſm?
A. Such as deny the Baptized the liberty of acceſs to God in the Aſſemblies of his people, as do the Independents who gather Churches out of Churches rightly conſtituted, and call the Baptized into Church way, as if they were out, and preſcribe a Covenant of their own, whereby to admit Church members, & affect to diſtinguiſh themſelves from others Baptized, by the term of Saints, Brethren, Church, and the like, and deny to communicate with them, as if Baptiſm did not incorporate into Chriſt his Body, and prepare for communion with him in his Ordinances.
Q. To what courſe of life doth your Baptiſm bind you?
A. To depart from all iniquity, to devote my ſelf wholly to the Faith and Service of one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, to whom I am dedicated, and all my days to demean my ſelf as a member of Chriſt his Church, one in Covenant with God, on whom holineſs is ſtamped, and that is ſanctified for approaches to him.
Q. You ſpake of ſome benefit you reaped by your being Baptized in Infancy; Is the early enjoyment of this Ordinance of any advantage?
A. Yes, ve…y much in many things to be preferred before Baptiſm of grown perſons wherein it is more profitable.
Q. What is the firſt benefit of Infant Baptiſm?
A. Infant Baptiſm expreſſeth clearly the ſin of nature, and engageth againſt it: in that we are waſhed, it is evident we are unclean, but being ſo ſoon baptized, doth witneſs our very nature is defiled; for infancy did never admit us to be ſtained with perſonal guilt as are men at years; and ſo Infant Baptiſm is an unanſwerable argument of our inbred corruption againſt which we are bound to fight, being baptized before it had ſpread it ſelf into actual ſin.
Q. What is the ſecond benefit of Infant Baptiſm?
A. It explaineth the method, and order of tranſmitting the Covenant, and affecteth us with the benefit of Relation to a believing Parent. That we are baptized ſpeaks us in Covenant; but that we are ſo ſoon baptized before we have in our ſelves any qualification for it, ſhews us as branches, we partake of the fatneſs of the olive, and are of the ſame kinde with our Parents: God hath graciouſly become the God of the Believer and his Seed, and made grace to run through natures channel, otherwiſe we had never enjoyed this Priviledge.
Q. What is a third benefit of Infant Baptiſm?
A. It enlargeth the bounds, and eſtabliſheth the being of the Church. Baptiſm is the band of union, and Ordinance of ingrafting into the Church: But Infant Baptiſm doth ſcatter the holy ſeed, and ſend forth ſprouting branches, which ſucceeding into the room of old periſhing ſtocks, doth not only increaſe the number of the Churches Members, but defend it from the waſting annihilating breaches of time.
Q. What is the fourth benefit of Baptiſm?
A. It exciteth Repentance, repreſenting ſin in its Root and Original, the pravity of nature; and its gracious object, the God of our Fathers, and the God of our youth, againſt whom we have offended.
Q. What is the fifth benefit of Infant Baptiſm?
A. It enforceth Faith, not only in the ſealing, but alſo the extending of the Covenant to the ſeed of Believers, a ground of Parental Prayer for Poſterity, and an early ſeizure of our ſouls, before Satan could poſſeſs us, or our own corrupt nature could betray us unto him.
Q. What is the ſixth benefit of Infant Baptiſm?
A. It engageth duty; Parents to Chriſtian education and inſtruction of thoſe, who by their Authority are dedicated to the ſervice of the true God, children to the obedience of the God of their Father, and of their youth, who extended to them the Covenant, and ſo ſoon ſet the ſeal of it in their fleſh.
Q. What is the ſeventh benefit of Infant Baptiſm?
A. It encourageth under death; the knowledge of the Covenant, extended unto Believers and their ſeed, hath prepared young children unto Martyrdom, and intereſt in the Covenant can be the only ground of hope to the Parents under the death of their Infants, who are born the children of wrath, but by Baptiſm are put into the ark of ſalvation; ſuch as let go this muſt chear themſelves by a dream of childrens immunity from all guilt, and ſo cannot be damned: Or a Popiſh Limbus Infantum, or ſome unuſual way of comfort the Scripture doth not warrant.
Q. May not theſe benefits redound to ſuch as are baptized in grown years?
A. No, in no wiſe, for ſuch ſee not the extent of the Covenant to Believers and their ſeed, nor the ſerviceableneſs of Relation natural in buſineſſes of ſalvation, nor do they enjoy the ſame; and therefore it is our great happineſs, that we are not only Baptized, but Baptized in Infancy, under all the advantages that either Ordinance or ſeaſon can afford us.
FINIS