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…

¹Although Baptism succeedeth Circumcision, yet the difference is great, both in matter and manner, in persons and things. Circumcision sealeth to things temporal and carnal, as well as spiritual: and so were the subjects and things to come, as under types and shadows, and so in a cloud and darkness: whereas Baptism hath for its subjects, children of the light, in the clear evidence of the Spirit, with the face open, and confirms faith in things come and already done. For Baptism sealeth only to faith in Christ, and grace in the new Birth, which cannot be where there is not first a begetting by the immortal seed of the Word of Life; for which end God hath ordained in the Gospel, faith and believing to go before Baptizing, as Mat. 28.19. with Mark. 16.15, 16. And that way and order, which hath not God for its Author, and found in the Records of Christ, with his Image and superscription upon it, let us say, as sometimes he did, Give to Caesar, that which is Caesars, and to God, that which is Gods. So say I, give to Antichrist, his baptizing of Infants: and to Christ, his baptizing of Believers. What advantage will it be to Infants, to come before they be called? to have a name to live, and yet dead for ought any one knows? and to come to the Marriage Supper without a wedding garment? Shall the holy things of God be forced upon such, as neither believe, know, or once desire them? Will men set a seal to a blank? Are Children capable to receive meat before they be born? Except we make Baptism the womb of Regeneration, as many do, who teach that Infants are regenerated and born again of the Spirit of Grace in Baptism: Whose Doctrine is of the same stamp and authority, as he that sent them so to Preach; What can be more natural then the begetting or bringing forth of the Infant, before feeding of it at the Mothers breasts? Is it not sacrilege to press such upon the Wife of Christ, the Church, for her Paps, with whom she never travelled, nor bare of her body? Christ will deny himself to be food ⟨p. 141⟩and nourishment to any, where he hath not been first seed to beget? Let men take heed how they impute such folly to the wisdom of God, as to give the milk of his breasts unto any that are still-born; or to set dead twigs in his heavenly and divine stock, or natural branches into his holy and spiritual Vine.