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…

CHAP. VI.

The fifth Argument touched, viz. because those Arguments which prove […] Baptism in the General, do for the most part prove it according to that Latitude which is by the Controverted Proposition asserted. And the Objections against this Extent of Baptism do many of them strike at PaedoBaptism evinced by many Instances.

THe fifth Argument touched, viz. because those Arguments which prove 〈…〉 Baptisme in the General, do for the most part prove it according to that Latitude which is by the Con•roverted Proposition asserted. And the Objections against this Extent of Baptisme do many of them strike at PaedoBaptisme evinced by many Instances.

Thus for the fourth Argument. In the fifth place, it is a Consideration not to be slighted, that the usual Arguments whereby Paedo-Baptism in the general is proved, may truly be applied to those concerning whom our present dispute is. Also the Objections against this extent of Baptism are such, as Antipaedo-Baptists are wont to make use of to serve their turn. And that this may not seem to be words only, without proof, let there Instance be given to Confirm what hath been said. Now the Arguments commonly produced to prove Infant Baptism are those which have been insisted on, They that are of Gods Church; that are in-covenanted; Believers; disciples; Children of Abraham; Children of the Kingdom; that are Christs; holy Persons; the heritage of ⟨p. 35⟩the Lord; […] of Salvation; Subjects of the Special Blessings of Christ &c. are to be Baptized. But all this is true concerning some Children, Ergo, some children are to be Baptized. Yea, and all those Arguments which demonstrate the just Divinum of Paedobaptism in general, may be applied to those concerning whom the question speaketh. On the other hand, the ordinary Objections against all Infant Baptism are such as these, viz. that thereby we shall come to have a Carnal Generation of Church members, and that Church membership is not propagated by Generation under the new Testament, as it was under the old, that Infants do not hold forth Faith and Repentance, and are not fit to partake at the Lords Table, that there is neither Precept nor Example in Scripture to warrant such Baptism, that it upholds the state of Anti Christ, setteth the Seal to a blank, &c. Such Reasons as these now mentioned, Anabaptists make use of, to serve their turns? as in their printed Pamphlets may be seen, & what have the Brethren of the Antisynodalian persuasion, more to say then these things? Also some that are great sticklers against the Synod Book, raze Foundation-Pillar-Principles in the doctrine of PaedoBaptism, for they reject the distinction of Baptisms being a Seal of Initiation, and the Lords Supper of Confirmation. They own not an holiness of Consecration or dedication to the Lord, as the ground of Baptism; but maintain, that all Holiness is either Imputed, or else qualitative, viz. in respect of an holy frame of heart in Regeneration, which is the Anabaptists very distinction, see Mr. Hooker of the Covenant p. 43. Mr.