A brief answer to a small book writtenA brief ansvver to a small book written

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, 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