A Body of Practical Divinity

4th Arg. From the Opinion of the Fathers, and the Practice of the Church, (1.) The Ancient Fathers were strong Assertors of Infant-Baptism, Irenaus, Basil, Lactantius, Cyprian, and Austin. (2.) It was the Practice of the Greek Church to baptize her Infants. Erasmus saith, That Infant-Baptism hath been used in the Church of God for above Fourteen Hundred Years. And St. Austin, in his Book against Pelagius, affirms, That it hath been the Custom of the Church in all Ages to Baptize Infants: Yea, it was an Apostolical Practice. St. Paul affirms, that he Baptized the whole House of Stephanus, 1 Cor. 1.16.

And as you have seen Scripture Arguments for Infant-Baptism, so let us consider whether the Practice of those who delay the Baptizing of Children till Riper Years, be warrantable—For my part, I cannot gather it from Scripture: For tho' we read of Persons Adult and grown up to Years of Discretion in the Apostles times Baptized, yet those were such as were converted from Heathenish Idolatry to the True Orthodox Faith. But that in a Christian Church the Children of Believers should be kept unbaptized several Years, I know neither Precept nor Example for it in Scripture, but it is wholly Apocryphal. The Baptizing of Persons grown up ⟨p. 411⟩to Maturity, we may argue against ab effectu, from the Ill Consequences of it. They dip the Persons they baptize over Head and Ears in cold Water, and naked, which as it is Indecent, so it is Dangerous, and hath been often times the occasion of Chronic Diseases, yea, Death it self, and so is a plain Breach of the Sixth Commandment. And how far God hath given up many Persons, who are for the deferring of Baptism, to other vile Opinions and vicious Practices, is evident, if we consult with History: Especially if we read over the Actings of the Anabaptists in Germany.

And as you have seen Scripture Arguments for Infant-Baptism, so let us consider whether the Practice of those who delay the Baptizing of Children till Riper Years, be warrantable—For my part, I cannot gather it from Scripture: For tho' we read of Persons Adult and grown up to Years of Discretion in the Apostles times Baptized, yet those were such as were converted from Heathenish Idolatry to the True Orthodox Faith. But that in a Christian Church the Children of Believers should be kept unbaptized several Years, I know neither Precept nor Example for it in Scripture, but it is wholly Apocryphal. The Baptizing of Persons grown up