Lastly, there is one thing alleged out of the context, which may seem pertinent to the purpose, if it were fitly applied. You truly allege that in Acts 2.41. It is said, As many as gladly received his word (or as you call it, glad tidings) they were baptized, or as you say, the same was sealed and confirmed unto them by baptism. But this will not prove that which you allege it for, that therefore it is manifest, that by the promise (Acts 2.39.) is meant the sending of the Messiah. For the text will every way as fitly (and more fitly) carry it to be meant of the promise of remission of sins, and of receiving the gift of the holy Ghost; so the words run directly; Repent ye (saith he) and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost, for the promise is to you and to your children: What promise? Here is no promise mentioned before, but the remission of sins, and gift of the Holy Ghost: And the gift of the Holy Ghost is called a promise, verse 33. & Acts 1.4, 5. But it is not material to the purpose, whether by the promise you understand the coming of Christ, or the gift of the Holy Ghost, or remission of sins purchased by the one, and sealed by the other. For all these promises are given by one and the same Covenant of grace. And if any one of these promises belonged to them, the whole Covenant of grace belonged to them also. But to deal ingenuously and faithfully with you, the Text which you quote (out of Acts 2.41.) might hold forth a just colour of an Objection (if you had so applied it) against the argument gathered out of verse 38, 39. for the baptism of infants. For if they who were baptized were such as gladly received his word (verse 41.) then it doth not appear out of this place, that infants were at that time baptized with the rest: because they could not receive the word, ⟨p. 36⟩much less gladly, least of all express their gladness by any visible profession. This objection (I confess) would have prevailed with me to have forborne any proof of the Baptism of infants out of this place; were it not partly for the Reasons which have been alleged above (from the words of verse 39.)
Lastly, there is one thing alledged out of the context, which may seeme pertinent to the purpose, if it were fitly applyed. You truly alledge that in Acts 2.41. It is said, As many as gladly received his word (or as you call it, glad tydings) they were baptized, or as you say, the same was sealed and confirmed unto them by baptisme. But this will not prove that which you alledge it for, that therefore it is manifest, that by the promise (Acts 2.39.) is meant the sending of the Messias. For the text will every way as fitly (and more fitly) carry it to be meant of the promise of remission of sins, and of receiving the gift of the holy Ghost; so the words run directly; Repent ye (saith he) and bee baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost, for the promise is to you and to your children: What promise? Here is no promise mentioned before, but the remission of sins, and gift of the Holy Ghost: And the gift of the Holy Ghost is called a promise, verse 33. & Acts 1.4, 5. But it is not materiall to the purpose, whether by the promise you understand the comming of Christ, or the gift of the Holy Ghost, or remission of sinnes purchased by the one, and sealed by the other. For all these promises are given by one and the same Covenant of grace. And if any one of these promises belonged to them, the whole Covenant of grace belonged to them also. But to deale ingenuously and faithfully with you, the Text which you quote (out of Acts 2.41.) might hold forth a just colour of an Objection (if you had so applyed it) against the argument gathered out of verse 38, 39. for the baptisme of infants. For if they who were baptized were such as gladly received his word (verse 41.) then it doth not appeare out of this place, that infants were at that time baptized with the rest: because they could not receive the word, ⟨p. 36⟩much lesse gladly, least of all expresse their gladnesse by any visible profession. This objection (I confesse) would have prevailed with me to have forborn any proof of the Baptisme of infants out of this place; were it not partly for the Reasons which have been alledged above (from the words of verse 39.)
