N00206:60
A brief answer to a small book writtenA brief ansvver to a small book written
A brief answer to a small book written by John Norcot against infant-baptism. This answer is written by John Eliot for the sake of some of the flock of Jesus Christ who are ready to be staggered in point of infant-baptism by reading his book.A brief ansvver to a small book written by John Norcot against infant-baptisme. This answer is written by John Eliot for the sake of some of the flock of Jesus Christ who are ready to be staggered in point of infant-baptisme by reading his book.
Boston: printed by John Foster, 1679
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. IV.
Here the book proceedeth by digressing into another litigious point, viz. whether Baptism is to be administered by dipping, or as we do by washing▪ or sprinkling. Which manner of administration, though the holy Scriptures have left it indifferent, either way may be lawful, yet this treatise fixeth a necessity upon dipping, yea such, as to nullify that Baptism that is not so administered.
HEre the book proceedeth by digressing into another litigious point, viz. whether Baptisme is to be administred by dipping, or as we do by washing▪ or sprinkling. Which manner of administration, though the holy Scriptures have left it indifferent, either way may be lawful, yet this treatise fixeth a necessity upon dipping, yea such, as to nullifie that Baptisme that is not so administred.
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,