The grounds and ends of the baptism of the children of the faithful. Opened…The grounds and ends of the baptisme of the children of the faithfull. Opened…

But you straiten and darken the counsel of God and commandment of Christ, when you limit his meaning to such disciples so taught, as to have understanding and faith in that which is taught. For though such a description do agree to the Parents (who are disciples and Scholars of a higher form:) yet when Christ receiveth the parents, who receive him by faith, he receiveth also their seed even from the least to the greatest, to be his disciples, and all his disciples to be baptized.

But you straiten and darken the counsell of God and commandement of Christ, when you limit his meaning to such disciples so taught, as to have understanding and faith in that which is taught. For though such a description doe agree to the Parents (who are disciples and Scholars of a higher forme:) yet when Christ receiveth the parents, who receive him by faith, hee receiveth also their seed even from the least to the greatest, to bee his disciples, and all his disciples to be baptized.

But that you may see you fight against God, in seeking to thrust out infants out of Christs school, and out of the number of Christs disciples. Observe (I pray you) how God leaveth you to such a forced mis-interpretation of the Text, and therein of the very form and essence of baptism, as utterly overthroweth the nature of it. Make disciples (say you) by teaching them; and such so taught them baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost; that is, into the true and orderly profession of that which they have been taught and believed. What? is it now come to this pass, That to be baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, is to be baptized into the true and orderly profession of that which they have been taught and believed? Why, the true and orderly profession of that which we have been taught and believed that is, of our faith, is but a work of our own, though wrought in us by Gods spirit. Faith it self is but a created gift, and so a creature: And the profession of it is but the exercise of faith. And are we now come to be baptized into the name of Creatures? It is easily granted, a man by his baptism may be engaged to the performance of this or that duty: but can it be given for the exposition of the form of baptism, to be baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, that is, into the true and orderly performance of this or that duty? But thus God taketh men in their own wiliness, whilst they go about to shoulder out infant from being disciples unto Christ, and so from baptism, they exclude themselves from the chief benefits of the baptism of Christ (which is to have God the Father, Son, and holy Ghost to be a God to themselves and to their seed:) and in stead of approving themselves to be the Disciples of Christ, they take out a wrong lesson from the words of institution, & turn the glorious name of the blessed Trinity into the weak performance