A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

But now thirdly whereas tis stood upon that the Original of Baptism was derived from the Baptism used among the Jews in the admission of Proselytes, first it must be proved by these who are of this opinion, that the Jewish custom of baptizing ⟨p. 216⟩with water the Proselytes whom they received, is older then John Baptist, which I find supposed, yet not proved. Mr. Ainsworth on Gen: 17. 12. is indeed of that opinion that the custom of baptizing Proselytes, is older then John Baptist, but he •rings no Testimony for this, older then Moses Maimonides. Mr Marshall in his defence of Infant baptism pag. 170. yieldeth to Mr. Tombs, that Baptism was a known rite among the Jews at their admitting of Proselytes, long before it begun to be a Sacrament of Divine Institution. And so from Mr. Tombs his own supposition, he argueth for Infant-baptism, which he had reason to do. Nevertheless I have never yet read any proof or. Testimony brought to prove the Baptism of Proselytes, which is not far short of John Baptist or Christs days. The Scripture mentions no sign or seal or ceremony of the initiation of Proselytes, but circumcision, after profession of their faith and desire to worship the true God and to be of his people. The baptizing of Proselytes was one of the Jewish traditions and inventions in their later and declining times. When it began I have not yet found, neither have I yet seen any proof which can make that custom older then John Baptist, or as old as Christs baptism. Next let it be proved to be as old as it can, yet the greatest searchers of the Jewish Antiquities have observed that the Baptism of Proselytes was administered¹ not only to those who were grown up and of age, but to children also under age. So Dr Buxtorf. and Mr Selden.

But now thirdly whereas tis stood upon that the Originall of Baptisme was derived from the Baptisme used among the Jews in the admission of Proselytes, first it must be proved by these who are of this opinion, that the Jewish custome of baptizing ⟨p. 216⟩with water the Proselytes whom they received, is older then Iohn Baptist, which I finde supposed, yet not proved. Mr. Ainsworth on Gen: 17. 12. is indeed of that opinion that the custome of baptizing Proselytes, is older then Iohn Baptist, but he rings no Testimony for this, older then Moses Maimonides. Mr Marshall in his defence of Infant baptisme pag. 170. yeeldeth to Mr. Tombes, that Baptisme was a knowne rite among the Jews at their admitting of Proselytes, long before it begun to be a Sacrament of Divine Institution. And so from Mr. Tombes his own supposition, he argueth for Infant-baptisme, which he had reason to doe. Neverthelesse I have never yet read any proofor. Testimony brought to prove the Baptisme of Proselytes, which is not far short of Iohn Baptist or Christs dayes. The Scripture mentions no signe or seal or ceremony of the initiation of Proselytes, but circumcision, after profession of their faith and desire to worship the true God and to be of his people. The baptizing of Proselytes was one of the Jewish traditions and inventions in their later and declining times. When it began I have not yet found, neither have I yet seen any proof which can make that custome older then Iohn Baptist, or as old as Christs baptisme. Next let it be proved to be as old as it can, yet the greatest searchers of the Jewish Antiquities have observed that the Baptisme of Proselytes was administred