A19884:1048
An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…
An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of VV.B. Also an answer to Mr. I.D. touching his report of some passages. His allegation of Scriptures against the baptising of some kind of infants. His protestation about the publishing of his writings. By John Davenport BD.An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of VV.B. Also an answer to Mr. I.D. touching his report of some passages. His allegation of Scriptures against the baptising of some kind of infants. His protestation about the publishing of his wrightings. By Iohn Davenporte BD.
Rotterdam: printed by Isaac van Waesberghe, 1636Rotterdam: printed by Isaack van Waesberghe, 1636
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
He saith, Abraham is there called the Father of them that believe, whether they were members of a visible Church or not. And, for aught we know, that were not of his family, nor under the government or guidance of any particular Church. If a son, or bondman of Ephron, or of any Amorite, or Canaanite were then brought unto the knowledge of the true God, why might not the infant of such an one have been circumcised, though not living in a visible Church?
He sayth, Abraham is there called the Father of them that beleive, whether they were members of a visible Church or not. And, for aught we know, that were not of his family, nor under the government or guidance of any particular Church. If a sonne, or bondman of Ephron, or of any Amorite, or Canaanite were then brought unto the knowledge of the true God, why might not the infant of such an one have bene circumcised, though not living in a visible Church?
Reply. 1. All these words are besides the matter: For, if all he saith were granted, yet it proveth not that all those may be called believers (and so Christians) whom they admit to Baptism, which he should have done, if he would have justified their custom of baptising their infants (under the name of Christians children) who can not be accounted believers, according to the sense of this text. 2. His whole answer is made of mere conjectures, which cannot establish the conscience of any man in a well grounded persuasion of the warrantableness of that action, concerning the lawfulness whereof it doubteth, that it may be done in faith. Which to me is a clear evidence of his want of a rule to bear him out therein, which if he could have found, his expressions would not have been so conjectural, and uncertain. 3. To the particular conjectures.
Reply. 1. All these words are besides the matter: For, if all he sayth were granted, yet it proveth not that all those may be called beleivers (and so Christians) whom they admitt to Baptisme, which he should have done, if he would have justified their custom of baptising their infants (under the name of Christians children) who can not be accounted beleivers, according to the sense of this text. 2. His wholl answer is made of mere conjectures, which cannot establish the conscience of any man in a well grounded persuasion of the warrantablenes of that action, concerning the lawfullnes whereof it doubteth, that it may be done in faith. Which to me is a cleare evidence of his want of a rule to beare him out therein, which if he could have found, his expressions would not have bene so conjecturall, and uncertaine. 3. To the particular conjectures.