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…

First •o the instance of Johns Baptising. 1. The text sayeth. They were baptised of John in Jordan confessing their sins. Whence it is manifest that John was satisfied concerning their fitness to be baptised, before he admitted them. And that is all that I require. 2. How will it appear that so many were baptised of him at once? I rather am of opinion, that those places do contain the story of the whole time of Johns Ministry, so far as concerneth his baptism, in which time multitudes might be baptised by him, and yet he sufficiently informed concerning their fitness to partake of it.

First •o the instance of Iohns Baptising. 1. The text sayeth. They were baptised of Iohn in Iordan confessing theyr sinnes. Whence it is manifest that Iohn was satisfyed concerning theyre fitnes to be baptised, before he admitted them. And that is all that I require. 2. How will it appeare that so many were baptised of him at once? I rather am of opinion, that those places doe contayne the story of the wholl time of Iohns Ministry, so farr as concerneth his baptisme, in which time multitudes might be baptised by him, and yet he sufficiently informed concerning their fitnes to partake of it.

¹Secondly, To the instance of 3000 souls baptised by Peter in on• ••ay, I answered, that I desire no better satisfaction concerning men, in this case, then Peter had concerning those 3000. souls. For. 1. Their very joining to the Church, by public profession, in those times of persecution, was a better sign of faith and repentance, then some public confession in words is now, in time of peace. For, then it was a reproach, now it is an honour to profess Christianity. 2. The text sayeth. They were pricked in their hearts, ²and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren what shall we do? Thereupon Peter preached unto them the doctrine of faith, and repentance, and new obedience, and after this, observed what fruit the word brought forth, and accordingly dispensed the Sacrament. For the text faith.³ Then they that gladly received his word were baptised. Where the particle [[Greek or Hebrew], they] is diacritical, and restrictive, and serveth, both to distinguish between them, and others, that did not so receive the word, and to limit the dispensation of baptism by the Apostles, at that time, to those only.

¹Secondly, To the instance of 3000 soules baptised by Peter in on• ••ay, I answered, that I desire no better satisfaction concerning men, in this case, then Peter had concerning those 3000. soules. For. 1. Their very joyning to the Church, by publick profession, in those times of persecution, was a better signe of fayth and repentance, then some publick confession in words is now, in time of peace. For, then it was a reproach, now it is an honour to professe Christianity. 2. The text sayeth. They were pricked in theyr hearts, ²and faid vnto Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren what shall we doe? Thereupon Peter preached unto them the doctrine of fayth, and repentance, and new obedience, and after this, observed what fruit the word brought forth, and accordingly dispensed the Sacrament. For the text fayth.³ Then they that gladly received his word were baptised. Where the particle [〈non-Latin alphabet〉, they] is diacriticall, and restrictive, and serveth, both to distinguish betweene them, and others, that did not so receive the word, and to limit the dispensation of baptisme by the Apostles, at that time, to those only.

1. 12. To Act. 2.
2. 2Act. 2.37.
3. 3Vers. 41.

Whereas he saith. By conference of other Scriptures, their confession of their sins, and profession of faith were rather to be conceived some solemn and public testification of their consent unto the doctrine that was preached unto them &c.

Whereas he sayth. By conference of other Scriptures, theyre confession of their sinnes, and profession of fayth were rather to be conceived some solemne and publick testification of t•eyre consent unto the doctrine that was preached unto them &c.

Now, seeing the Answerer used no other Arguments, in conference, then these, the wise hearted Reader, I think, will not wonder that by such private conferences he prevailed nothing with me, in this point.

Now, seing the Answerer used no other Arguments, in conference, then these, the wise hearted Reader, I thinck, will not wonder that by such private conferences he prevayled nothing with me, in this point.

As for the third particular observable in this Section, viz, his pretended answers to some passages in my third writing.

As for the third particular observeable in this Section, viz, his pretended answers to some passages in my third wrighting.

First, About the report of my refusing to dispute or confer about this point, when he desired it, seeing he denieth that he so reported, and confesseth the contrary, I am satisfied.

First, About the report of my refusing to dispute or conferr about this point, when he desired it, seing he denyeth that he so reported, and confesseth the contrary, I am satisfyed.

Secondly, About his desire of having the question in writing discussed between us, seeing J have said some thing in answer to the third Section I will say no more, but this, the motion was not equal, nor did any propound it to me.

Secondly, About his desire of having the question in wrighting discussed betweene us, seing J have sayd some thing in answer to the third Section I wil say no more, but this, the motion was not aequall, nor did any propound it to me.

Thirdly, where as he saith, that he remembereth not that ever I propounded any Argument, in maintenance of mine opinion, the Reader may see how little his memory is to be trusted in these reports, unless the profaning of Gods ordinance, and the encouragement of Libertines, be not unlawful, which I showed to be inseparably joined with this promiscuous baptising.

Thirdly, where as he sayth, that he remembreth not that ever I propounded any Argument, in maintenance of myne opinion, the Reader may see how litle his memory is to be trusted in these reports, unles the profaning of Gods ordinance, and the incouragement of Libertines, be not unlawfull, which I shewed to be inseperably joyned with this promiscuous baptising.

Fourthly, Whereas he loadeth me with reproaches, for ⟨p. 124⟩writing down, when I came home to my lodging, the speeches between us, without his knowledge, I am so far from conceiving my self to be guilty of any fault therein, that I wish heartily he had taken the same course, and then, I hope, the Reader should not have been abused with so many misreports, as now he is, by the fault of his memory. As for me; foreseeing to what issue things might come, and distrusting my memory, that I might be able to report the truth, I wrote down passages, as I could remember, whilst things were yet fresh in memory, and kept the writing, to this day, secret, having never shown it to any man, nor have, at this time, related some things which, I think, the Answerer would be loath to hear of in print, and those which he compelleth me to utter, I report sparingly. Let the Godly Reader judge what offence I have committed herein, or what injury he hath done in such expressions, as he useth upon this occasion, yea, whether it be not plain railing.

Fourthly, Whereas he loadeth me with reproaches, for ⟨p. 124⟩wrighting downe, when I came home to my lodging, the speaches betweene us, without his knowledge, I am so farr from conceiving my selfe to be guilty of any fault therein, that I wish heartily he had taken the same course, and then, I hope, the Reader should not have bene abused with so many misreports, as now he is, by the fault of his memory. As for me; foreseing to what issue things might come, and distrusting my memory, that I might be able to report the truth, I wrote downe passages, as I could remember, whilest things were yet fresh in memory, and kept the wrighting, to this day, secret, having never shewen it to any man, nor have, at this time, related some things which, I thinck, the Answerer would be loath to heare of in print, and those which he compelleth me to utter, I report sparingly. Let the Godly Reader judge what offence I have committed herein, or what injury he hath done in such expressions, as he useth upon this occasion, yea, whether it be not plaine rayling.

Fifthly, He pretendeth that, in my first writing to the Classis, J offend, both in excess, and in defect. This is a mere cavil: which will appear, if all that he saith be granted, against which nevertheless▪ I have just exception. But be it, that his question was, as he saith: What measure of knowledge I would, in my examination, require of parents for the baptising of their children. Yet 1. Was this the only question? was not that question, which is mentioned in my letter to the Classis, put by him? yea, was not that the principal question? Else, it was not to the purpose. Was nothing else propounded by me to be considered, in this case, but such a degree of knowledge? If so; why did I except against professed Libertines, who may have more knowledge then some members of the Church?

Fifthly, He pretendeth that, in my first wrighting to the Classis, J offend, both in excesse, and in defect. This is a mere cavill: which will appeare, if all that he sayth be granted, against which nevertheles▪ I have just exception. But be it, that his question was, as he sayth: What measure of knowledge I would, in my examination, require of parents for the baptising of their children. Yet 1. Was this the only question? was not that question, which is mentioned in my letter to the Classis, put by him? yea, was not that the principall question? Else, it was not to the purpose. Was nothing else propounded by me to be considered, in this case, but such a degree of knowledge? If so; why did I except against professed Libertines, who may have more knowledge then some members of the Church?

As for my answer to it, that the measure of knowledge could not be declared, till the time of examining the persons; Let the Reader judge, whether a more satisfactory answer could be given to that question, and whether it be from the point, about which his question was.

As for my answer to it, that the measure of knowledg could not be declared, till the time of examining the persons; Let the Reader judge, whether a more satisfactory answer could be given to that question, and whether it be from the point, about which his question was.

Sixthly, His answer to what J wrote of my not ceasing, till he gave over, of leaving it to the Dutch preachers, and of his saying, that he would speak no more with me alone, is a plain concession ⟨p. 125⟩that •ll I say concerning that is true. Only, he saith, he did not say it then, whereas the time, when he said it, is not mentioned in my writing, wherein I say only that I ceased not, till he said so, and against that he saith nothing.

Sixtly, His answer to what J wrote of my not ceasing, till he gave over, of leaving it to the Dutch preachers, and of his saying, that he would speake no more with me alone, is a plaine concession ⟨p. 125⟩that •ll I say concerning that is true. Only, he sayth, he did not say it then, whereas the time, when he said it, is not mentioned in my wrighting, wherein I say only that I ceased not, till he said so, and against that he sayth nothing.

His Answer to the 12. Sect. examined, containing the counsel of the five Dutch ministers for my accommodation.

His Answer to the 12. Sect. examined, contayning the counsail of the five Dutch ministers for my accōmodation.

IN this Section the Answerer doth, in his policy, so express the ways of accommodation propounded by others, as may best conduce to the justifying of his way, and to the reflecting of some suspicion of obstinacy upon me, for not yielding thereunto, but how truly let the Reader judge, upon the examination of particulars.

IN this Section the Answerer doth, in his policy, so expresse the wayes of accommodation propounded by others, as may best conduce to the justifying of his way, and to the reflecting of some suspicion of obstinacy upon me, for not yeelding thereunto, but how truely let the Reader judge, upon the examination of particulars.

Ans. First, He intimateth that Mr. Pots had long joined with him, in that order of administration of Baptism, which he required me to observe.] Reply. Ans: Mr. Pot was a man unknown to me, in his life time. Since his death, some things which are reported of him, and, of his sufferings in that place (both by Dutch and English, by whom he was generally beloved and pitied) do give me much assurance of his faithfulness. How this good man approved of their manner of baptising (in the case now questioned) appeareth by his own expressions to some members of that Church, who are yet alive, to whom he declared that he accounted it a grievance, and that he had a purpose to seek redress of it, at the Synod. Whether he did so, or not, the Answerer knoweth best, and with what success. But this showeth, with what affection this good man joined with him therein, and how far he was from approving this custom.

Ans. First, He intimateth that Mr. Pots had long joyned with him, in that order of administration of Baptisme, which he required me to observe.] Reply. Ans: Mr. Pot was a man unknowne to me, in his life time. Since his death, some things which are reported of him, and, of his sufferings in that place (both by Dutch and English, by whom he was generally beloved and pittyed) doe give me much assurance of his faythfullnes. How this good man approved of their manner of baptising (in the case now questioned) appeareth by his owne expressions to some members of that Church, who are yet alive, to whom he declared that he accounted it a greivance, and that he had a purpose to seeke redresse of it, at the Synod. Whether he did so, or not, the Answerer knoweth best, and with what successe. But this sheweth, with what affection this good man joyned with him therein, and how farr he was from approving this custom.