The Argument (saith he) from Circumcision is invalid upon infinite Considerations, Figures and Types prove nothing, unless a Command go along with them, or some Express ⟨p. 10⟩to signify such to be their purpose. For the Deluge of Waters and Ark of Noah were Figures of Baptism, saith Peter. If therefore the Circumstances of the one be drawn to the other, we shall make Baptism a Prodigy rather than a Rite; The Paschal Lamb was a Figure of the Eucharist, which succeeds the other, as Baptism doth Circumcision: But because there was in the Mandu•ation of the Paschal Lamb •o Prescription of Sacramental Drink, shall we conclude from hence, the Eucharist is to be administered in one kind? To which let me add, Because Children, Servants, and all in the House *might eat of the Passover, must our Children and all in our Houses eat of the Eucharist, or Supper of the Lord? But, saith the Doctor, and in this very Instance of this Argument, suppose a Correspondency of the Analogy between Circumcision and Baptism, yet there is no Correspondency of Identity; for though it be granted, that both of them did consign the Covenant of Faith, yet there is nothing in the Circumstances of Children being circumcised, that so concerns that Mystery, but that it might well be given to Men of Reason, because Circumcision left a Character in the Flesh, which being imprinted upon the Infant, did its work to them when they came to Age; and such a Character was necessary, because there was no word added to the Sign: But Baptism imprints nothing that remains on the Body; and if it leaves a Character at all, it is upon the Soul, to which the Word is added, which is as much a part of the Sacrament as the Sign it self: for both which Reasons it is requisite, that the Party baptized should be capable of Reason, that they may be capable both of the Word and of the Sacrament, and the impress upon the ⟨p. 11⟩Spirit. Since therefore the Reason of the Parity does wholly fail, there is nothing left to infer a necessity of complying in the Circumstance of Age, any more than in the other Annexes of Types. The Infant must also precisely be baptized upon the eighth day, and Females must not be baptized at all, because not circumcised.
The Argument (saith he) from Circumcision is invalid upon infinite Considerations, Figures and Types prove nothing, unless a Command go along with them, or some Express ⟨p. 10⟩to signify such to be their purpose. For the Deluge of Waters and Ark of Noah were Figures of Baptism, saith Peter. If therefore the Circumstances of the one be drawn to the other, we shall make Baptism a Prodigy rather than a Rite; The Paschal Lamb was a Figure of the Eucharist, which succeeds the other, as Baptism doth Circumcision: But because there was in the Mandu•ation of the Paschal Lamb •o Prescription of Sacramental Drink, shall we conclude from hence, the Eucharist is to be administered in one kind? To which let me add, Because Children, Servants, and all in the House *might eat of the Passeover, must our Children and all in our Houses eat of the Eucharist, or Supper of the Lord? But, saith the Doctor, and in this very Instance of this Argument, suppose a Correspondency of the Analogy between Circumcision and Baptism, yet there is no Correspondency of Identity; for though it be granted, that both of them did consign the Covenant of Faith, yet there is nothing in the Circumstances of Children being circumcised, that so concerns that Mystery, but that it might well be given to Men of Reason, because Circumcision left a Character in the Flesh, which being imprinted upon the Infant, did its work to them when they came to Age; and such a Character was necessary, because there was no word added to the Sign: But Baptism imprints nothing that remains on the Body; and if it leaves a Character at all, it is upon the Soul, to which the Word is added, which is as much a part of the Sacrament as the Sign it self: for both which Reasons it is requisite, that the Party baptized should be capable of Reason, that they may be capable both of the Word and of the Sacrament, and the impress upon the ⟨p. 11⟩Spirit. Since therefore the Reason of the Parity does wholly fail, there is nothing left to infer a necessity of complying in the Circumstance of Age, any more than in the other Annexes of Types. The Infant must also precisely be baptized upon the eighth day, and Females must not be baptized at all, because not circumcised.
- *Exod. 12.3, 4. They were to take to them a Lamb, according to the number of Souls in the House.
