In another place the Book blameth, at least seeketh to invalidate our doctrine of Infant Baptism, because we take it up & teach it, only upon consequence, though it's not so, for we plead positive Institution and Example. ⟨p. 19⟩But this point of dipping is taken up only by consequence, and that but probable consequence at the best, there is no proof that any in the times of Christ were baptized by dipping, nor that John nor Phillip baptized by dipping. Baptism is a sign, and a little of the sign is enough to signify great matters, a little bit of bread a little sip of wine is enough to signify wonderful great things, Joh. 13.9, 10. when Christ washed his Disciples feet, Peter said, thou shalt never wash my feet, but when he understood that it was for spiritual use and instruction, he would have more of the sign, not my feet only, but my hands and my head, but Christ saith, it is enough that the feet only be washed, he that is so washed is clean every whit. So it is with our brethren, they knowing that Baptism is of great signification and use, therefore they desire a great deal of the sign, they would be dipped quite under water, over head and ears in the sign. What need that be? a little of the sign is enough to lead up Faith unto its glorious Objects in Christ. The face is the most eminent and principal part of man, if therefore the face be baptized, the whole man is baptized. If the face be a little washed, buried, sprinkled, covered with water, it is enough to signify unto our faith all that is signified by Baptism. Baptism is sundry times set forth to signify our death, burying, and rising with Jesus Christ. It is sundry times set forth by sprinkling with the blood of Christ, it is sundry times set forth by washing, once by putting on Christ, if therefore Baptism be administered either by washing, or by sprinkling, or by dipping, our Faith must be raised unto all these significations of the Baptismal sign, & it is indifferent which of these ways be used, either pouring with the hands of the baptizer a convenient quantity of water upon the face, by way of sprinkling or washing, or by dipping the face, there is much exercise of divine knowledge and faith in that part of Gods worship in the administration of, and participating ⟨p. 20⟩in the Sacrament of Baptism more then can be expressed by the sign, though all is signified.
In another place the Book blameth, at least seeketh to invalidate our doctrine of Infant Baptisme, because we take it up & teach it, only upon consequence, though it's not so, for we plead positive Institution and Example. ⟨p. 19⟩But this point of dipping is taken up only by consequence, and that but probable consequence at the best, there is no proof that any in the times of Christ were baptized by dipping, nor that Iohn nor Phillip baptized by dipping. Baptisme is a signe, and a little of the signe is enough to signifie great matters, a little bit of bread a little sip of wine is enough to signifie wonderful great things, Ioh. 13.9, 10. when Christ washed his Disciples feet, Peter said, thou shalt never wash my feet, but when he understood that it was for spiritual use and instruction, he would have more of the signe, not my feet only, but my hands and my head, but Christ saith, it is enough that the feet only be washed, he that is so washed is clean every whit. So it is with our brethren, they knowing that Baptisme is of great signification and use, therefore they desire a great deal of the signe, they would be dipped quite under water, over head and ears in the signe. What need that be? a little of the signe is enough to lead up Faith unto its glorious Objects in Christ. The face is the most eminent and principal part of man, if therefore the face be baptized, the whole man is baptized. If the face be a little washed, buryed, sprinkled, covered with water, it is enough to signifie unto our faith all that is signified by Baptisme. Baptisme is sundry times set forth to signifie our death, burying, and rising with Jesus Christ. It is sundry times set forth by sprinkling with the blood of Christ, it is sundry times set forth by washing, once by putting on Christ, if therefore Baptisme be administred either by washing, or by sprinkling, or by dipping, our Faith must be raised unto all these significations of the Baptismal signe, & it is indifferent which of these wayes be used, either powring with the hands of the baptizer a convenient quantity of water upon the face, by way of sprinkling or washing, or by dipping the face, there is much exercise of divine knowledge and faith in that part of Gods worship in the administration of, and participating ⟨p. 20⟩in the Sacrament of Baptisme more then can be expressed by the signe, though all is signified.
