The compiling of the ensuing discourse, and in this familiar style, was put upon me by a more then moral inevitable necessity. Paul acknowledgeth there is a constraining power in the love of Christ, 2 Cor. 5.14. And surely the love which through Christ I bare to some gracious Saints in Lincolnshire, (now with Christ) constrained me to reserve a tender affection to their surviving children. One of them being formerly well affected to the ways of Christ, and accordingly respected of the godly where he lived, He coming over into these parts, was received into fellowship in a Neighbour Church, and well approved. But falling into acquaintance with some who stood aloof to the Baptism of Children, and receiving some Books from them against the same, He withheld his child from Baptism (as others had done theirs) to the offence both of the Lord, and the Church, whereof he was a member. The Elders of that Church took much pains with him to convince him of the error of his way: and I suppose some ⟨image 3⟩of their learned and elaborate discourses are sent over by this Ship, for more public satisfaction. Withal they advised him to confer with other friends, and acquaintance in other Churches. To me therefore he came, and acquainting me with some of his Scruples, I thought what I said to him, might have satisfied; and so it seemed to me, it did for the present. But he told me, other scruples he had, which were all comprised in a printed book: the Author I forbear to name: but he was then reputed one of the chiefest note of that way, for moderation and freedom, from the leaven of other corrupt opinions, which are wont to accompany the denial of Infants Baptism. Since then other Books have been published, of the same argument, but with more learning and better method. But this Book which he brought me, containing all his scruples, he desired, that it might be answered, and he should so rest satisfied. I was then full of other business, and could not possibly (though I much desired it) gratify his desire. In this strait, a young Scholar, (but of pregnant gifts and parts) Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge, dwelling then in my house, seeing me solicitous for the young man, undertook the answer of the Book: which God helped him speedily and acutely to perform. But the young man took not that satisfaction from it he well might have done:
THe compiling of the ensuing discourse, and in this familiar style, was put upon mee by a more then morall inevitable necessity. Paul acknowledgeth there is a constraining power in the love of Christ, 2 Cor. 5.14. And surely the love which through Christ I bare to some gracious Saints in Lincolnshire, (now with Christ) constrained mee to reserve a tender affection to their surviving children. One of them being formerly well affected to the wayes of Christ, and accordingly respected of the godly where he lived, Hee comming over into these parts, was received into fellowship in a Neighbour Church, and well approved. But falling into acquaintance with some who stood aloofe to the Baptisme of Children, and receiving some Bookes from them against the same, He withheld his child from Baptisme (as others had done theirs) to the offence both of the Lord, and the Church, whereof he was a member. The Elders of that Church tooke much paines with him to convince him of the error of his way: and I suppose some ⟨image 3⟩of their learned and elaborate discourses are sent over by this Ship, for more publike satisfaction. Withall they advised him to conferre with other friends, and acquaintance in other Churches. To mee therefore he came, and acquainting me with some of his Scruples, I thought what I said to him, might have satisfied; and so it seemed to me, it did for the present. But he told me, other scruples he had, which were all comprised in a printed booke: the Author I forbeare to name: but he was then reputed one of the chiefest note of that way, for moderation and freedome, from the leaven of other corrupt opinions, which are wont to accompany the denyall of Infants Baptisme. Since then other Bookes have beene published, of the same argument, but with more learning and better method. But this Booke which hee brought me, containing all his scruples, he desired, that it might bee answered, and he should so rest satisfied. I was then full of other businesse, and could not possibly (though I much desired it) gratifie his desire. In this strait, a young Schollar, (but of pregnant gifts and parts) Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge, dwelling then in my house, seeing me solicitous for the young man, undertooke the answer of the Booke: which God helped him speedily and acutely to perform. But the young man tooke not that satisfaction from it he well might have done:
