A discourse concerning the subject of baptism wherein the present controversies, that are agitated…A discourse concerning the subject of baptisme wherein the present controversies, that are agitated…

The Proposition is the great Convincing Argument whereby Antipaedo-Baptists have been confuted. It is abundantly proved by those that handle ^(a)that Controversy about Infant Baptism, yea, some Anabaptists confess it to be a truth, that such persons have right to Baptism, and it is cleared in the Synods first Proposition, which was unanimously consented to, yet let it be granted that it is not a mere standing or membership in the visible Church, but a regular standing therein that entitleth to Baptism, that is (in a word) when a man is according to Scripture Rule become a member of the visible Church, and there is no Rule in the word to cast him out of the Church, such a person is a proper adequate Subject of Baptism. The only doubt and difficulty will be about the Assumption. As in most Arguments (that is the part which needs to be strengthened) Now that is manifest, 1. From the definition of the visible Church. That so it may appear, that to administer Baptism according to this Proposition is no deviation from Congregational Principles, we shall not go to any other for a definition of the visible Church but to Congregational men. Now they in their ^[b]declaration of Faith at the Savoy meeting 1658. thus speak. The whole body of men say they, throughout the world professing the Faith of the Gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any Errors, and evening the Foundation or unholiness of Conversation, are, and may be called the visible Church of Christ. Now compare this definition with the persons described in the Proposition, and we shall find, that all the particulars therein expressed, do agree unto them. Also Doctor Owen [who was a great part of that Assembly at the Savoy] doth give the like description of the Catholic visible Church in his Book of ^[c]Schism, where he thus writeth. The universality of men professing the doctrine of the Gospel, and obedience to God in Christ, according to it throughout ⟨p. 9⟩the world is that which is commonly called the Catholic Church All Professors of the Gospel throughout the world, called to the knowledge of Christ by the word do make up and constitute his visible Kingdom by their professed subjection to him,