Calebs Inheritance in Canaan, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. His ſecond Eſſential, relating to the manner of Baptiſme by Dipping, anſwered.
THe ſecond Eſſential he ſo calls in this Doctrine of Baptiſmes, is the manner thereof, by Dipping, not ſprinkling. To prove which, though he ſay the word is rendred to Dip, Dous, Drown, or Plunge, in this he ſpeaketh with a hood-wink'd underſtanding, and muſt ſhake hands with the Roman Tribe, that acts from an implicite faith, believing as learned men tels him; though yet he can hardly afford them a good word, or charitable cenſure. As for the place he brings, 2 Kings 5.14. where the Prophet bids Naaman go waſh in Jordan ſeven times, and he dipt himſelf. Anſwer, Though waſhing is ſometimes by dipping; yet not alwaies, yea but ſeldom. A man may properly be ſaid to waſh himſelf in a River, though he only dips in his hand, and caſts water about him, which is moſt frequent and uſual, both in our practice, and acceptation of the word, either in our vulgar, or in Scripture dialect: Were a man to waſh his face or head, muſt he needs dip it; and ſo of any other part, or the whole body: But let us ſearch the Scriptures, Mark 7.4. Except they waſh they eat not; and Luke 11.30. They marvail at Chriſt, that he had not firſt waſht before dinner: Is any man ſo void of reaſon to think, that before the Phariſees ſate down, they plunged themſelves: And Chriſt, who well knew what the word to baptize, or waſh, ſignified, gives them ſuch an anſwer as relates to the powring out of water, ſo waſhing onelyonly the outſide of things, verſe 39.
Had their cups and platters, tables and beds, been dipt, and ſo waſht, then had inſide, outſide, and every ſide, been waſht. The word then hath a promiſcuous acceptation, ſome times taken one way, ſome times another; as Sidnam clears this, Budeus, Scapula, Paſor, Grotius, do give the ſenſe of the word: Therefore to no purpoſe is this unlearned Authors Appeal to the Greek, Latin, and Engliſh Churches: Though yet, 'tis conſiderable, that he ſhould acknowledge ſuch as Churches, whom his words and practice do ſo much cry down; therefore I doubt his charity is much of the ſame nature with thoſe of the late fifth Monarchy; who though they would uſe the word of Proteſtant Churches, yet they did look upon them but as the outworks of Anti-Chriſt, which were firſt to be ſtorm'd: For there is ſcarce a Book extant of the Anabaptiſts, but hath a touch thereof; ſuch is that Peece called The Storming of Antichriſt, which came out long ſince, and others of the like ſtuffe.
Secondly, he tells us that the phraſe in which Baptiſm is rendered, doth uſually, and neceſſarily import ſuch a thing, And therefore when mention is made of Baptizing, 'tis commonly tranſlated, in, or into, and therefore ſuits moſt with dipping, and not that prepoſition [with] which ſuits moſt with ſprinkling; and when our tranſlation tells us that Iohn Baptized with water, he would correct it within water; and inſtead of ye ſhall be baptized with the holy Ghoſt and with fire, it ſhould be rendred in the holy ſpirit and in fire.
Anſw: W… may ſee to what height ignorance is mounted, when he that knows not what a prepoſition is, ſhall undertake to mend tranſlations: what property of ſpeech can there be in that phraſe, Mark 1.8. to ſay hee ſhall baptize you in the holy Ghoſt, and in fire, when the word is, with: is it poſſible for a man to be dowſt, drown'd or plung'd into the holy Ghoſt, methinks he might bluſh to ſhew his ignorance.
But to make this clear, let's view and compare the place with Acts. 1.5. For Iohn truely baptized with water, ſo Mark 1.8. I have baptized you with water, and Math. 11. I indeed baptiſe you with water but ye ſhall be baptized with the holy Ghoſt, and with fire, would it not be ſtrange to read it into fire, conſidering alſo, that theſe words relate to the pouring out the holy Ghoſt, ſpoken of Acts 2.3. and there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like unto fire, and it ſat upon each of them, they did not ſit in the fire, but the holy Ghoſt like fire ſate upon them; and then in verſe. …7. the Apoſtle Peter, who very well knew what was meant by the word Baptize, interprets it, by Ioell 2.31 to be the powring out of the ſpirit propheſied of. And thus when Chriſts tells them of their being Baptized with the ſpirit, it appears to be meant of the ſpirits pouring out, ſo that from hence its evident, that Iohns Baptiſm was by pouring out water, and not plunging into water, or elſe it would not have been ſo conjunctively plac'd with the the manner of the ſpirits Baptiſm: Iohn truely Baptized with water, but ye ſhall be Baptized with the holy Ghoſt. For as the pouring out the holy Ghoſt was the true Baptiſm of the Spirit, ſo Iohn truely Baptizing with water, was by powreing it out alſo; let but any Engliſhman reade it that knowes but how to make ſence of what he reads, & it muſt of neceſſitie gives a daſh to all their plunging; Let therefore ſuch as have been deluded into ſo groundleſs a practice conſider it and repent thereof.
A ſecond paralell inſtance to confute this practice of dipping, is that of Iſraels being Baptized in the clouds & in the Sea 1 Cor 10. which by Paul the Apoſtle of the Gentiles, as before Peter was of the Iews, is called a Baptiſm: and by what principle of reaſon or conſcience, can any man think that Iſrael was plung'd into either cloud or ſea, when the word of God tels us they marcht through the ſea upon drie land: Exo: 14: 22. the waters being divided, yea Davids relating to this very march of Iſrael Pſalm the 77.15.17. tells us that this Baptiſm (which Paul ſo calls, in which beleevers and their ſeed were Baptized) was by pouring out water, and not plunging into water: For thus the word runs, the clouds poured out water.
If men therfore will not harden their hearts againſt the truth and blind their owne eyes, here is light enough to ſhew us what is meant by this word Baptize; the Authoritie of Peter and Paul both eminent Apoſtles bearing witneſs to this truth: & yet wee muſt be deluded from the truth by ignorant men, againſt not onelyonly the very light of nature, but of Scriptures alſo. As for that other Prepoſition example, which he brings in that page of baptizing in the Wilderneſs, and in Jordan, he tels us it would be improper to render it, with the Wilderneſs and with Jordan, and therfore would urge it to be as improper in that other place.
I anſwer, the Reader may from hence alſo gather how ſadly fit this man is for a miniſter, who to make our practice ſpeake nonſence, doth not himſelfe know what belongs to a ſenſe. For becauſe the prepoſition [with] is by us maintained proper, when it relates to the matter, or manner, therefore he would have it alſo as proper when it relates to the place: as if I ſhould ſay, Maſter Patient hath baptized with the milpool with Dublin, for in the milpool in Dublin.
4. In Pag. 9. his next place he brings to maintain his dipping is that of Paul. 1 Cor 10. already touched on, they were all Baptized to Moſes in the Cloud, and in the ſea, not with the clouds and with the ſea.
Anſw: Which is moſt proper to ſay, Iſrael were Baptized by pouring out water from the cloud, and by ſprinkling from the ſea, or to ſay, Iſrael was Baptized by plunging into the cloud, and into the ſea, for then they muſt be all over-whelmed with both. And David in the place before-quoted tells us it was done by pouring out water; was it improper to ſay, Iſrael was Baptized in the ſea, when they were in the ſea? for though God wrought a miracle to divide the waters, that Iſrael might march upon dry ground, yet was it in the Sea. As when a man hath been in a ſhoure of raine, Is it improper to ſay he hath been in the rain, becauſe it is not proper to ſay he hath been dipt into a cloud? I ſhall therefore refer this to the conſideration of the moſt judicious of that Judgment (of which, there are many.) What ground of Reaſon there can be for ſuch a conſtruction as is made of that place, by this Author, and ſhall alſo leave that place, Exod. 15.4, 5. to be thought of as an example, That when the Egyptians marched into the Sea, they were baptized in his ſence, i. e. Dipt, dowſt, and drowned, but not Gods Iſrael; take heed therefore of your too eager purſuit of Abrahams Seed; who as they were then, ſo ſtill are baptized by pouring or ſprinkling.
Fifthly, In Page 10. the next place he brings for dipping, is in Acts 8.38, 39. Philip baptized the Eunuch, they being both in the water, he dipt the Eunuch, as John did Jeſus, Matth. 3.16.
Anſw. And much at one, that is, the Eunuch was as much plunged as Chriſt was plunged; for they were neither of them ſo baptized. It hath been already proved, that Johns manner of baptizing, was not by plunging, but pouring out water; and therefore that Text, Matth. 3.6. ſtands for a cypher in this particular. A man may as properly be ſaid to go downe into the water, and come up out of the water, though not wet-ſhod, as if he had been dipt all over: So was Iſrael in the Sea properly, and yet not dipt; beſides, Philip was as much in the Water as the Eunuch, and in that conſtruction they muſt be both plunged; but not a word is here of the mode of Baptiſm, onelyonly he baptized him, the manner muſt be pickt out of other Scriptures, which may be eaſily gathered from what hath been already ſpoken: There may be other Reaſons alſo given, why it could not be by dipping, as that the Eunuch was upon a journey travelling homeward; and therefore neither he, nor Philip, provided with garments ſuitable for ſuch a work, it being accidental to them both: For if it be a Goſpel Ordinance, it muſt not be done, they being both naked; for ſo it would have been an action of no good report, contrary to Pauls rule. And indeed, take it in the moſt ſerious manner, as now practiſed yet there is no ſhew of carriage or deportment ſuitable to the Majeſty of the Goſpel of Chriſt, which may eaſily appear to any ſober Chriſtian, whoſe eyes are not darkned by ignorance or blinde zeal: For what gravity can there be for a Miniſter, who is Gods Ambaſſador to the World, 2 Cor. 5.20. to put off his ſhooe's and ſtockings, and to lead a Gentlewoman by the hand into a River, and throw her on her back? Is this a deportment fit for Ambaſſadors that come from God? whoſe holineſs is ſuch, that will not permit a Woman to be uncovered or unvailed in the Church, and ſhall we think then he will own ſuch inhumanities? Methinks the very naming hereof ſhould be a ſufficient confutation, which is enough to make a modeſt face to bluſh. Alſo conſidering, that either Subject or Adminiſtrator, and perhaps both, may be of ſo tender, weak, and feeble conſtitution, as they are not able to undergo the cold. Many ſuch conſiderations falls in, that were it practiſed amongſt Heathens, that do by nature the things contained in the Law; that very light amongſt them would condemn it.
Sixthly, He argues in Page 10. from Johns Baptiſm, his work being to Baptize, he remained near Jordan, and afterwards at Enon near Salem, becauſe there was much Water in that place. Ergo, He baptized by dipping.
Anſw. It hath been already proved from Mark 18. with Acts 1.3. and Chap. 2.17. which relates to Joel the ſecond, That Johns Baptiſm was not by dipping, but pouring out Water; and therefore this cannot be the reaſon why he choſe that place, namely, Becauſe there were many Waters to dip. Other Reaſons muſt be therefore given, as, That becauſe the work of baptiſing a whole Region was very great; and John not onelyonly baptiſing himſelf, but very likely, having made Diſciples which he taught more immediately, Luke 11.1, 2. John 4.1, 2. Matth. 11.2, 3. Luke 7.18. as Chriſt did his Diſciples: He alſo might ordain and appoint them to the work, that ſo when the whole multitude of people came together, they might have each a ſhare of the work, and conveniency of place accordingly, becauſe there were many waters, when other parts of the Country were very ſcarce thereof; as not onelyonly Hiſtory, but Scripture mention; track Iſraels march from Egypt.
Surely, had this Author of the Doctrine of Baptiſms lived in Spain, or in many parts of Zona-torida, where they ſell Water as we do Beer, not having enough to drown a man in a Country; he would have been of a more ſober judgment. Adding this alſo thereto, That when John baptized a whole Region, both men and women, rich and poor; either, he muſt ſend out O…ders to all the Country, …o bring ſuitable Garments, which the poor, it is likely, could not do or elſe promiſcuouſly he muſt dip them naked, or, in ſuch G…ments as they wear; the unworthineſs of which practice is already ſhewn: Therefore it is much to think, that a perſon who pre…ends to Preach the Goſpel, as this man doth, ſhould be ſo purbſinde, having his eyes ſhut againſt the truth. But that God deals ſo by men in a way of Juſtice, when they ſet up idols in their hearts, he anſwers them according to their idol…, Ezek. 14.1, 3, 4, 5. a place by himſelf afterwards quoted, though falſly applied.
Page the eleventh and twelfth, contains his ſeventh, eighth, and ninth Arguments, which may be all put together, becauſe all alike, and the confutation of one anſwers the reſt; where he tells us, That Baptiſm ought to be by dipping, is proved from the nature of the Ordinance; and from the Analogy, it hath with the Death, Burial, and Reſurrection of Chriſt, many places he brings, but to every little purpoſe. And therefore I anſwer with Mr. Sidenham
1. That plunging cannot repreſent it, is moſt clear; for when Chriſt was buried, he was not plunged into the Earth, but laid in Joſephs Sepulchre cut out of a Rock, Matth. 27.6. which was the manner of burials amongſt the Jews; and if covering all over, though in a Rock, was ſufficient, to cauſe ſuch a reſemblance by dipping, then had Chriſt been covered in a Houſe or Coffin for three days; it muſt alſo have been ſo reſembled.
2. Neither doth it anſwer to the mode of burying amongſt Chriſtians in Europe, or elſwhere: For the Earth, by which the perſon is covered, is applied to the ſubject, and caſt upon him; ſo that the applying of water to the ſubject in Baptiſm, as John did, in thoſe places before quoted, [I indeed baptize you with water, &c.] doth more lively repreſent Chriſts burial, then dipping can. To what purpoſe therefore is it for a man to heap up a multitude of Scriptures, as this Author hear doth, to make all ſure, when he is wholly miſtaken in the thing, and manner thereof▪ and not one of thoſe Texts proves, that ever Chriſt was ſo buried?
Seventhly. Page 13. he comes to his tenth Argument to prove Baptiſm by dipping, namely, becauſe it holds forth a conformity to Chriſt in his ſufferings. So ſaith Chriſt, I have a Baptiſm, meaning his death, and can ye be baptized with the Baptiſm wherewith I am baptized; meaning his afflictions. And this is ſet forth by dipping into water, becauſe when the Saints in the Scripture expreſs their afflictions, they ſet them forth by being in the depths, Pſal. 130. Out of the depths have I cried And Iſa. 43.2. When thou paſſeſt through the waters, they ſhall not overflow thee: Therefore Believers are to be dipt all over into the water; and as he is raiſed up again by the hand of the Miniſter, it holds forth, that ſo ſuch ſouls, ſhall be ſaved from all their affl…ctio s by Chriſt. Pſal. 24.17. Many are the afflictions of the righteous▪ but God delivereth them out of all: And that this doth ſignifie our Salvation doth further appear, 1 Pet. 3 …1 Alike figure whereunto Baptiſm even ſ…ves us: A…d Mark 6 16. He that believes, and …s baptized, or dipt, ſhall be ſaved.
Anſw. What ſtrange Hieroglyphicks doth this Author make in the Water, by dipping? What ſtretcht inferences to make the Scripture anſwer his fancy? let's try the places. If Chriſt calls his afflictions a Baptiſm, doth it therefore follow, That all Believers ſhould repreſent it by plunging? We know that many Chriſtians never meet with ſuch afflictions; and ſuch a practice to be ſo plunged, would be a greater affliction then ever befel them; and the place implies this, to be in deep waters, is an affliction; or, would this new Doctor have Believers do themſelves a miſchief, to repreſent Chriſts afflictions: Which of neceſſity, thouſands muſt do by this practice of dipping. It is no hard matter to give ſeveral inſtances hereof.
Secondly, What ſhould ſuch do to repreſent thoſe afflictions of Chriſt, that have not water enough in a Country, except they ſhould make deep Ponds or Veſſels of purpoſe. Did ever the Martyrs in Queen Maries days, or the Primitive perſecutions, take that courſe, and yet no doubt but they were as much baptized into Chriſts death and afflictions, as ever this Author could be, though with his practice he ſhould give his body to be burnt, to juſtifie the ſame. Therefore, let the judicious but impartially judge what ſtrange doctrines this Laborer, for dowſing, brings. What though David cried to the Lord out of the depths; yet his head ſtil kept above water: unleſs he will affirms, that the promiſe in the place, by himſelf quoted Iſai. 43.2. was not made good unto him, [When thou paſſeſt through the water, it ſhall not overflow thee.] And though afflictions ſhall never quite overflow a childe of God, yet by this doctrine the body muſt be dipt all over: A ſtrange reſemblance!
The like we may ſay to that of 1 Pet. 3.21. by which he would prove, That Baptiſm is a figure of Salvation, though yet, it cannot be by dipping under water, becauſe the Apoſtle calls it a like figure to the Ark: But the Ark was never under water, but always floating, and ſo the perſons that were in the Ark; therefore if Baptiſm be a like figure, then it needs no going under water for a ſignification: For had the Ark been dowſt under water, the ſignification had been loſt, or at leaſt not ſo clear. By this therefore, we may take the hint of an other Argument, to prove dipping under water, not to be the Scripture way of baptiſing. Thus we may ſee how fully and apparently even his own Scriptures, makes againſt both his Book and practice.
As to that other place, Matth. 16.16. it is quite beſides the buſineſs; for it doth not prove Baptiſm to be a figure of Salvation: onelyonly he that believes and is baptized, i. e. obeys the Goſpel, ſhall be ſaved. Thus then his ſecond Eſſentiall of dipping hath been examined with all his ten arguments: upon which this Author of the doctrine of Baptiſmes doth build the whole ſtreſs and fabrick of dipping-grown perſons with ſoe much heat and confidence, and ſuch ſlighting contempt of his oppoſers, and upon the whole reſult it appears but as a bubble quickly broken, Ergo dipping is no Eſſentiall.