Answ. 1. On the grounds we now go on, it it a contradiction to baptize a Heathen, that by a present profession is such. For Baptizing essentially containeth the persons external Covenant, or Profession of Believing in, and Dedication to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If there be not by the person and Minister such a Dedication, it is not Baptism: for if the bare external Washing were Baptism, then we were every day baptized. Now he that is Baptized into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, doth thereby renounce Heathenism so far: Though whether his Profession shall be credited, dependeth on the probability of its verity or falsity. But on the first mentioned Definition of Baptism, it will be granted you, that Baptizing a Heathen is not a Nullity, as to the outward Baptism, though it be unprofitable and sinful. But to go on former grounds, I further answer, 2. It is one thing for a Judge to mis-judge a Cause that belongeth to his Judgement; and another to mis-judge a cause that is wholly exempted from his Judgement, and belongeth not to him. In the former, his Judgement may stand, in divers cases, because he was made Judge. In the later it is wholly Null, for he is but a Private man, and hath nothing to do in the business: and therefore whether he judge right or wrong, it is Null; As if a Judge go to another Bench, or into another Circuit, which is out of his Commission: So here, where a man layeth claim to Baptism, and professeth himself a Christian the Minister is to judge whether he do it truly, or falsely; and therefore though he mistake, the Baptism is not Null; For though the man be notoriously ungodly yet it is supposed that the Notoriousness is not absolutely unquestionable, and that the person doth not profess it when he comes to Baptism, but deny it, by professing Faith and Repentance; and so though the Church have sufficient ground to discredit that profession, by reason of h•s contradicting Life, yet a Controversy ⟨p. 320⟩it is, while the person claims a Right in Baptism for his child; and being a Controversy, the Pastor is judge. But if he baptize a Heathen that makes No Profession of Christianity, true or false, then he meddleth in a matter exempted from his Power, and out of his Commission, and contrary to it, and that which can be no Controversy fit for his determination: and therefore it is Null, and indeed no Baptism.
Answ. 1. On the grounds we now go on, it it a contradiction to baptize a Heathen, that by a present profession is such. For Baptizing essentially containeth the persons external Covenant, or Profession of Believing in, and Dedication to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. If there be not by the person and Minister such a Dedication, it is not Baptism: for if the bare external Washing were Baptism, then we were every day baptized. Now he that is Baptized into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, doth thereby renounce Heathenism so far: Though whether his Profession shall be credited, dependeth on the probability of its verity or falsity. But on the first mentioned Definition of Baptism, it will be granted you, that Baptizing a Heathen is not a Nullity, as to the outward Baptism, though it be unprofitable and sinful. But to go on former grounds, I further answer, 2. It is one thing for a Judge to mis-judge a Cause that belongeth to his Judgement; and another to mis-judge a cause that is wholly exempted from his Judgement, and belongeth not to him. In the former, his Judgement may stand, in divers cases, because he was made Judge. In the later it is wholly Null, for he is but a Private man, and hath nothing to do in the business: and therefore whether he judge right or wrong, it is Null; As if a Judge go to another Bench, or into another Circuit, which is out of his Commission: So here, where a man layeth claim to Baptism, and professeth himself a Christian the Minister is to judge whether he do it truly, or falsly; and therefore though he mistake, the Baptism is not Null; For though the man be notoriously ungodly yet it is supposed that the Notoriousness is not absolutely unquestionable, and that the person doth not profess it when he comes to Baptism, but deny it, by professing Faith and Repentance; and so though the Church have sufficient ground to discredit that profession, by reason of h•s contradicting Life, yet a Controversie ⟨p. 320⟩it is, while the person claims a Right in Baptism for his child; and being a Controversie, the Pastor is judge. But if he baptize a Heathen that makes No Profession of Christianity, true or false, then he medleth in a matter exempted from his Power, and out of his Commission, and contrary to it, and that which can be no Controversie fit for his determination: and therefore it is Null, and indeed no Baptism.
