YOur seemingly serious reflections upon that part of my plain-hearted Con­fession of Faith, which rendreth a Reason of my freedom to Commu­nicate with those of the Saints and Faithful, who differ from me about Water-Baptism, I have read, and considered, and have weighed them so well as my rank and abilities will ad­mit me to do. But finding yours (if I mi­stake not) far short of a candid Replication; I thought convenient, not only to tell you of those impertinencies everywhere scattered up and down in your Book; but also, that in my simple opinion, your rigid and Church­disquieting-Principles are not fit for any Age and state of the Church.

But before I enter the body of your Book, give me leave a little to discourse you about your Preamble to the same, wherein are two miscarriages unworthy your pretended serious­ness, because void of love, and humility.

The first is, In that you closely disdain my Person, because of my low descent among men, stigmatizing me for a Person of THAT Rank, that need not to be heeded, or attended unto, Page 1.

Answ. What it is that gives a man reve­rence with you, I know not; but for certain, He that despiseth the Poor, reproacheth his Maker: yet a poor man is better than a lyar. To have gay-cloathing, or gold-rings, or the Persons that wear them in admiration; or to be partial in your judgment, or respects, for the sake, or upon the account of flesh and blood, doubtless convicteth you to be of the Law a transgressor, and not without partiali­ty, &c. in the midst of your seeming sancti­ty.

Again you say: I had not medled with the Controversie at all, had I found any of parts that would divert themselves to take notice of YOU. pag. 2.

A. What need you, before you have shew­ed one syllable of a reasonable Argument in opposition to what I Assert, thus trample my Person, my Gifts, and Grace (have I any) so disdainfully under your feet? What a kind of a YOU am I? And why is MY Read Psal. 1. 1, 2 Rank so mean, that the most gracious and godly among you, may not duly and soberly consider of what I have said? Was it not the art of the false Apostles of old to say thus? to bespatter a man, that his Doctrine might be disregarded. Is not this the Car­penter? 1 Cor. 10. 10. and, His bodily presence is weak and [Page 7] contemptible, did not use to be in the months of the Saints; for they knew the Wind blew Joh. 3. 8. where it listed. Neither is it high birth, worldly breeding, or wealth; but electing Jam. 3. 17. love, grace, and the wisdom that comes from Heaven, that those who strive for strictness of order in the things, and Kingdom of Christ, should have in regard, and esteem. Need I reade you a Lecture? Hath not God chosen 1 Cor. 1. 27, 28. the foolish, the weak, the base, yea and even things that are not, to bring to nought things that are? Why then do you despise my rank, my state, and quality in the World?

As for my Confession of Faith, which you also secretly despise, pag. 1. If it be good, and godly, why may it not be accepted? If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me? If you, and the Brethren of your way, did think it conveni­ent to shew to the World what you held; if perhaps by that means you might escape the Prison: why might not I, after above 11 years indurance there, give the World a view of my Faith and Practice; if peradventure, wrong Thoughts, and false Judgments of me, might by that means be abated, and removed.

But you suggest; I did it, because I was so willing to be known in the World by my SIN­GULAR Faith, and Practice.

How singular my Faith and Practice is, may be better known to you hereafter: but that I did it for a popular applause and fame, as your words seem to bear (for they proceed from a taunting Spirit) that will be known [Page 8] to you better in the day of God, when your evil surmizes of your Brother, and my de­signs in writing my Book, will be published Luk. 12. 1, 2, 3, 4. upon the house-tops.

And even now, before I go any further, I will give you aetouch of the Reason of my publishing that part thereof which you so hotly oppose.

It was because of those continual Assaults that the rigid Brethren of your way, made, not only upon this Congregation, to rent it; but also upon many others about us: if per­adventure they might break us in pieces, and draw from us Disciples after them.

Assaults (I say) upon this Congregation by times, for no less than these sixteen or eighteen years: Yea, my self they have sent for, and endeavoured to perswade me to break Communion with my Brethren; also with many others they have often tampered, if haply their seeds of Division might take. Neither did they altogether fail of their pur­pose, for some they did rent and dismember from us; but none but those, of whom now they begin to be ashamed. The Judgment of God so following their design, that the Persons which then they prevailed upon, are now a stink, and reproach to Religion. Nei­ther were these Spirits content with that dis­cord they did sow among us, but they pro­ceeded to seize upon others. But to pass these: The wild, and unsound Positions they have urged to maintain their Practice, would be too large here to insert.

[Page 9]Now, Sir, to settle the Brethren (the Bre­thren of our Community) and to prevent such disorders among others, was the cause of my publishing my Papers: and considering my Concern in the House of God, I could do no less than to give them warning, That every man might deliver his Soul.

You proceed, saying, It is my liberty, as well as others into whose hands it falls, to weigh what you have said in Truths ballance, and if it be found too light, to reject it whether you will or no.

Answ. Do but grant me, without mocking of me, the liberty you desire to take, and God helping me, I desire no more to shift for my self among you.

As to your saying, that I proudly and im­periously insult, because I say they are Babes and Carnal, that attempt to break the Peace and Communion of Churches, though upon bet­ter pretences than Water. You must know I am still of that mind, and shall be so long as I see the Effects that follow, viz. The breach of Love, taking off Christians from the more weighty things of God; and to make them quarrel and have heart-burnings one against another.

Where you are pleased to charge me with Raging, for laying those Eighteen particular Crimes to the charge of SUCH who exclude Christians from Church-Communion, and debar them their Heaven-born Priviledges, for the want of that, which yet God never made, the Wall of Division between us. (pag. 116.)

[Page 10]I say, when you can prove, That God hath made Water-Baptism that Wall, and that the stress of the after Eighteen Charges lye whol­ly and only in that; then you may time e­nough call my language such as wanteth Charity: but I question though that was granted, whether your saying, I RAGE, will be justified in the day of Judgment.

My great noise (as you call it) about an initiating Ordinance, you say, you shall take no notice of. pag. 3.

Answ. 1. Although you do not, I must: For if Baptism be not that, but another; and if visible Saints may enter into Fellow­ship by that other, and are no where for­bidden so to do, because they have not light into Water-Baptism: it is of weight to be considered by me; yea, and of others too who are unprejudiced.

2. How ignorant you are of such as hold it the initiating Ordinance I know not: nor how long you have been of that perswasion I know not. This I know, that men of your own Party, as serious, godly, and it may be more learned than your self, have within less than this twelve-month urged it. Mr. D. in my hearing, did from Rom. 6. 1, 2. in the Meeting in Lothbury affirm it: Also my much esteemed Friend Mr. D. A. did twice in a Conference with me Assert it.

3. But whatever you say, whether for, or against, 'tls no matter; for while you deny it to be the entering Ordinance, you account it the Wall, Bar, Bolt, and Door; even that [Page 11] which must separate between the righteous and the righteous; nay, you make want of Light therein, a ground to exclude the most Godly your Communion, when every Novice in Religion shall be received into your bosom, and be of esteem with you because he hath (and from what ground God knows) sub­mitted to Water-Baptism.

I am glad that in page 4. you conclude with me what is the initiating Ordinance: but withal, give me leave to correct, as I think, one extravagant expression of yours.

You say, 'Tis CONSENT on all hands and NOTHING else, that makes them Members of particular Churches, and not Faith and Baptism. pag. 4.

You might have stopped at [and nothing else] you need not in particular have rejected Faith: your first Error was bad enough, what? NOTHING else but Consent? What? not so much as a respect to the matter or end? Why then are not all the Communities of all the High-way-men in the Land, truly Con­stituted Churches of Christ; unless you can prove that they hold together, but not by con­sent.

What? Consent and nothing else? But why do YOU throw out FAITH? why, I throw out Baptism; which because you can­not as to the case in hand fetch in again, therefore OUT must Faith go too. Your action is much like that Harlots, that stood to 1 King. 3. be judged by Solomon, who because her own Child was dead, would have her Neighbours [Page 12] killed also. Faith (Sir) both in the Pro­fession and Confession of it, is of immediate and also absolute concern, even in the very act of the Churches reception, of this or ano­ther Member. Throw out Faith, and there is no such thing as a Christian, neither visible nor invisible: You ought to receive no man, but upon a comfortable satisfaction to the Church, that you are now receiving a Belie­ver. Faith, whether it be savingly there or no, is the great Argument with the Church in receiving any: we receive not men as men, but the man immediately under that supposi­tion; He hath Faith, he is a Christian. Sir, Consent, simply without Faith, makes no man a Member of the Church of God; be­cause then would a Church not cease to be a Church, whoever they received among them. Yea, by this Assertion you have justified the Church of Rome it self, to be to this day both good, and godly, unless you can prove that they did at first, and do now receive their unbelieving Members, without their own Con­sent.

The Church hath no such Liberty to re­ceive men without respect to Faith; yea Faith and Holiness, must be the Essentials, or Basis, upon, and for the sake of which you receive them: Hoiness (I say) yet not such as is circumstantial, but that which is such in the very heart of it: Pray you in your next therefore word it better, lest while you slight and trample upon me, you stand before all blame-worthy your self.

[Page 13]The Scriptures you speak of, I did not in my first ( pag. 68.) produce to shew persons unbaptized might hold Communion with the Church (though I am fully convinced they may) but to shew, that knowledge of those Persons, of their Faith and Holiness in general, ought first to be shewed to the Church, before she can lawfully receive them, Acts 9. 25, 26, 27. 1 Cor. 16. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 23.

As to my Answer to a Question ( pag. 70.) which you have at pag. 5. of yours corrupted, and then abused: I tell you again, That a discovery of the Faith and Holiness, and a Declaration of the willingness of a Person to subject himself to the Laws and Government of Christ in his Church, is a ground suffici­ent to receive such a Member.

But you descant; Is Baptism none of the Laws of Christ?

Answ. It is none of those Laws, neither any part of them, that the Church, as a Church, should shew her Obedience by. For albeit that Baptism be given by Christ our Lord to the Church, yet not for them to wor­ship him by as a Church. Shew me what Church-Ordinance it is; and when, or where the Church, as a Church is to practise it, as one of those Laws and Appointments that he hath commanded his Church to shew to him her Obedience by.

Again, That submitting to Water-Baptism, is a sign or note, that was ever required by any of the Primitive Churches, of him that would hold Fellowship with them; or that [Page 14] it infuseth such Grace and Holiness into those that submit thereto, as to capacitate them for such a Priviledge; or that they did acknow­ledge it a sign thereof, I find not in all the Bible.

I find not (as I told you in my first) that Baptism is a sign to any, but the Person that is baptized. The Church hath her satisfaction of the Person, from better proof, Col. 2. 12. Rom. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 15. 29. Acts 2. 38. & 22. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 21.

I told you also, That Baptism makes thee no Member of the Church, neither doth it make thee a visible Saint; It giveth thee, therefore, neither right to, nor being of Mem­bership at all. Why, Sir, did you not Answer these things? but slip them with others, as if you were unconcerned; troubling your Rea­der with such kind of insinuations, as must needs be unsavoury to godly ears.

You make the Moral Law none of Christs, but Moses's; not the Sons, but the Servants: and tell me, because I plead for Faith, and Holiness, according to Moral Duties Gospel­lized (they are my words, pag. 79.) where­by we ought to judge of the fitness of Mem­bers; that therefore Moses is more beholding to me than Christ. pag. 6.

Sir, Know you not yet, that a difference is to be put betwixt those Rules that discover the Essentials of Holiness, and those that in themselves are not such; and that that of Faith and the Moral Law is the one, and Baptism, &c. the other?

[Page 15]Is not Love to God, abhorrence of Idols, to forbear Blaspheming, to honour our Pa­rents, to do no Murther, to forbear Theft, not to bear False witness, nor Covet, &c. are not (I say) these the Precepts of the Lord Jesus, because delivered by Moses? Or, are these such as may better be broken, than for want of light to forbear Baptism with Water? Or, doth a man while he liveth in the neglect of these, and in the mean time bustle about those you call Gospel-Commands, most honour Christ, or best fit himself for Fellowship with the Saints? Need I tell you, That the Faith of Christ, with the Ten Command­ments, are as much now Gospel-Commands as Baptism; and ought to be in as much, and far more respect with the holy ones than that, or other the like.

Yea, shall I tell you; That Baptism will neither admit a man into Fellowship, nor keep him there, if he be a transgressor of a Moral Precept; and that a man who believeth in Jesus, and fulfilleth the Royal Law, doth more glorifie God, and honour Religion in the World, than he that keepeth (if there were so many) ten thousand figurative Laws.

As to those Commands that respect God's Instituted Worship in a Church, as a Church, I have told you that Baptism is none of them, and you have been driven to confess it: The Pag. 40. of your Book. Church then must first look to Faith, then to good Living according to the Ten Command­ments; after that she must respect those Ap­pointments of our Lord Jesus, that respects [Page 16] her outward order and discipline, and then she walks as becomes her, sinning if she neg­lecteth either; sinning if she over-valueth either.

But why did you not Answer those Texts I produced for the strengthening of my Ar­gument, viz. Rom. 14. 18. Deut. 23. 47. Jam. 2. 8. - 12. 1 Cor. 9. 21. & 5. 9, 10, 11. Gal. 6. 15, 16. Phil. 3. 1 Tim. 1. 9, 10, 11. Acts 20. 28, 32. Rom. 13. 13. Jam. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 5. 12.

Deal fairly; Answer those Texts, with the Argument made upon them; and when you have after a godly manner done that, you may the more boldly condemn.

You tell me, That in page 93 of mine, I say, None ever received Baptism without light therein.

What if I did? (as I did not but you grant it; And now I will ask you, [...]nd pray deal fairly in your Answer, May man be a visible Saint without light therein; May he have a good Conscience without light therein? And seeing that Baptism is none of the worship that Christ Instituted in his Church for them to practise as a Church, must he be kept dark about all other things concerning the Worship of God in his Church, until he receive light therein?

You have answered already, pag. 7. That they ought to be ashamed, and to repent of that abomination (their sprinkling) BEFORE they come to have a sight of the pattern of the House of God, the goings in and the comings [...]n there­of, Ezek. 43. 10, 11.

[Page 17]But, Sir, where do you find that want of Light in Water-Baptism, or because a man hath been Sprinkled, that he is to be kept dark in all other Temple-Institutions, till he be ashamed and repent of that? Pray produce the Texts, for Ezekiel helps you nothing: He speaks only of the Pattern of the HOUSE, the goings out, and comings in thereof. As for the coming IN, you have already con­fessed, That Baptism is not the entring. Ordi­nance. And as for the Worship that Christ hath Instituted in his Church, as a Church, I say (and you also have said it page 40) Bap­tism is none of the Forms thereof, none of the Ordinances thereof, none of the Laws thereof: for Baptism is, as to the Pra­ctice of it, that which is without the Church, without the House of God: Then by your own Text, if a man do repent him of his Christening in his Childhood, he may be re­ceived into Fellowship without submitting to Baptism: but I will not strain you too far.

You add, Is it a Persons Light that giveth being to a Precept?

Answ. Who said it? Yet it's his Light and Faith about it, that can make him to do it acceptably.

You ask again, Suppose men plead want of Light in other Commands?

Answ. If they be not such, the forbear­ance of which, discapaciates him of Member­ship, he may yet be received to Fellow­ship.

But what if a man want Light in the Sup­per? pag. 7.

Answ. There is more to be said in that case than in the other; for that is a part of that Worship which Christ hath Instituted for his Church, to be Conversant in as a Church; presenting them as such, with their Commu­nion with their Head, and with one another as Members of him. The Cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? The Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ? For we being many are one Bread, and one Body; for we are all partakers of that one Bread, 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17. Wherefore this being a Duty incumbent on the Church, as a Church; and on every Member of that Body as such, they are obliged in that case more closely to deal with the Members, than in that wherein they are not SO concerned; and with which as such, they have NO­THING to do. No man baptizeth by vir­tue of his Office in the Church; no man is baptized by virtue of his Membership there.

But what if a man want Light in his Duty to the Poor? pag. 8.

Answ. If he doth, God must give it him; I mean to know his Duty as a Church-Member. Now I will add, But what if he that can give a shilling, giveth nothing? I suppose all that the Church can do in that case, is but to warn, to exhort, and charge him, and to shew him his Duty; and if he neglect, to shew him, That he that soweth [Page 19] sparingly, shall not reap plentifully, 1 Cor. 9. 6. But to cut a man off for this, as you for­wardly urge, pag. 8. would argue that Church (at least I think so) a little too bold with so high and weighty a censure. I plead not here for the Churle, but seek to allay your heat: And should it be granted that such de­serve as you would have it, this makes no matter to the case in hand.

Now whereas you suggest, That Moral Evils are but sins against men, pag. 8. You are too much unadvised; The Moral Evil (as you call it) whether you respect the breach of the first or second Table, is first and im­mediately a sin against God; and more in­sufferable, yea and damnable, than for a man for want of Light to forbear either Baptism or the Lord's Supper.

But say you, We have now found an Ad­vocate for Sin against GOD, in the breach of one of HIS holy Commands?

Answ. As if none of the Moral Precepts were HIS. But, Sir, who have I pleaded for, in the denyal of any one Ordinance of God? Yea, or for their neglect of it either? What I say, is but that men must have Light, that they may not do in darkness, or Papist­like, live by an implicite Faith.

But I see you put no difference, between an open breach of the Law, and a forbearing that which to him is doubtful. But I will suppose a case; There is a man wants Light in Baptism, yet by his Neighbour is pressed to it: he saith he seeth it not to be his Duty; [Page 20] the other saith, he sins if he doth it not: Now seeing whatsoever is not of Faith, is Sin; Rom. 14. what should this man do? If you say, Let him use the means: I say so too. But what, if when he hath used it, he still continueth dark about it; what will you advise him now? If you bid him wait, do you not encourage him to live in sin, as much as I do? Nay, and seeing you will not let him for want of Light in that, obey God in other his Insti­tutions, what is it, but to say, Seeing you live for want of Light in the neglect of Baptism, we will make you, while you continue so, live (though quite against your Light) in the breach of all the rest; And where you are Commanded thus, you may shew the place when you find it.

Now where you urge, that you are one of them that say, The Epistles were writ to par­ticular-Churches, and so serve nothing at all for our kind of Communion: Urging further, That it will be difficult for me to prove, that Pag 9. they were also directed to particular Saints.

Answ. I wish there were nothing harder that were good for me to do.

But what should be the reason that our Author, with others of his Opinion, should stickle so hard to prove all the Epistles were wrote to particular Churches? Why, because those Members were, as they think, every one baptized; and so the Epistles from which we fetch our Arguments for the Love and Con­cord of Saints, to be only proper to them­selves. But if this be true, there is virtue [Page 21] indeed, and more than ever I dreamed of, in partaking of Water-Baptism: For if that shall take away the Epistles, and consequent­ly the whole Bible, from all that are not baptized; then are the other Churches, and also particular Saints, in a very deplorable condition. For he asketh me very devoutly, Whether any unbaptized Persons were concern­ed in these Epistles? pag. 9. But why would they take from us the Holy Scriptures? Ve­rily, that we might have nought to justifie our practice withal: For if the Scriptures belong only to baptized Believers, they then belong not to the rest; and in truth, if they could perswade us to yield them this grant, we should but sorrily justifie our practice. But I would ask these men, If the Word of God came out from them? or if Joh 17. 14 1 Cor. 14. 36. it came to them only? Or, whether Christ hath not given his whole Word to every one that believeth, whether they be baptized, or in, or out of Church-Fellowship? Joh. 17. Or, whether every Saint in some sort, hath not the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven, which are the Scriptures and their Power?

Would to God they had learnt more mo­desty, than thus to take from all others, and appropriate to themselves, and that for the sake of their observing a Circumstance in Re­ligion, so high, and glorious a Priviledge.

But we will come a little to proof: What Church will this Author find in Rome, that time the Epistle was sent to the Brethren there, Rom. 16. 5, &c. besides that Church that was in Aquila's [Page 22] house, although many more Saints were then in the City? Yea, the Apostle in his salu­tation at the beginning, imbraceth them only as Brethren, without the least intimation of their being gathered into Fellowship; To all that be at Rome, beloved of God, called to be Saints, Grace to you, &c. Chap. 1. 7. To all there, to all in that City, beloved of God, and that are Converted to the Lord Jesus Christ. A Church there was in Aquila's house, and that there were many more Saints besides is (and that by the Text) as manifest. Besides, considering the Rules that are given them in the 14 and 15 Chapters about their receiving one another, doth yet strongly sug­gest to me, that they were not yet in fellow­ship, but as it were now about it, when Paul wrote his Epistle to them.

The first Epistle written to Corinth, was also wrote to all them that in every place called upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Chap. 1. 2. But it will be hard work for our Author to make it manifest, that none in those dayes did call on the Name of our Lord, but those that were first baptized.

The second Epistle also, was, not only written to the Church at Corinth, but also to all the Saints which were in all Achaia. To 2 Cor. 1. 1. the Galatians and Thessalonians indeed, his salutation was only to the Churches there: but the three Epistles before were as well to all other; as also that to the Ephesians, Philip­pians, and Colossians, in which the Faithful, and Saints in Christ Jesus were also every one [Page 23] comprehended. Besides, To what particular Church was the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote? or the Epistle of James? both those of Peter, and the first of John? Nay, that of John was wrote to some at that time out of Fellow­ship, that they might have fellowship with the Church, Chap. 1. 1, 2, 3, 4. So that these Brethren must not have all the Scriptures: we have then a like priviledge with all Saints, to use the Scriptures for our godly edifying, and to defend our selves thereby, from the assaults of those that would make spoyl of us. But to pass this, and come to the next.

You object for that I said, If Water-Baptism (as the Circumstances with which the Church was pestred of old) trouble the Peace, and wound the Consciences of the Godly, dis­member and break their Fellowships; it is, al­though an Ordinance, for the present prudently to be shunned. (pag. 86.)

At this (as I said) you object ( pag. 10, 11.) and say, Did I ever find Baptism a Pest or Plague to Churches? And did ever God send an Ordinance to be a Pest and Plague to his People?

I Answer; I said not that God did send it for any such end at all: God's Ordinances are none of this, in themselves; nor if used as, and for the end for which God sent them. But yet both Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord, have (by being wrested out of their place) been a great affliction to the Godly both in this and other Ages. What say you to breaking of Bread, which the Devil, by [Page 24] abusing, made an Engine in the hand of Pa­pists to burn, starve, hang-and-draw thou­sands? What say you to John of Leyden? What work did he make by the abuse of the Ordinance of Water-Baptism? And I wish this Age had not given cause, through the Church-renting-Spirits that some are possessed with, to make complaint of this matter; who have also had for their Engine the Baptism with Water: Yea, your self Sir, so far as I can perceive, could you get but the oppor­tunity; your self (I say) under pretence of this innocent Ordinance, as you term it, would not stick to make in-roads, and out­roads too, in all the Churches, that suit not your fancy, in the Land. For you have al­ready been bold to affirm, That all those that have baptized Infants, ought to be ashamed and repent, before they be shewed the Pattern of the House: And what is this but to threaten, that could you have your will of them, you would quickly take from them their present Church-priviledges, and let them see nothing thereof, till those qualifica­tions, especially subjection to Water-Baptism, was found to attend each of them.

As to the Persons you speak of, Who have rent Churches in pieces, by making Preaching by Method, Doctrine, Reason and Use, to be Antichristian; Or, because they could not have other Ministrations performed after their fancies ( pag. 11, 12.) the imprudence of such with your selves, hath been heart-break­ing to many a gracious Soul; an high occasion [Page 25] of stumbling to the weak, and a reproach to the wayes of the Lord. That it may be pru­dently shunned, I referred you then for proof, to what should be offered after: but at this you cry out, and so pass it.

And now Reader, although this Author hath thus objected against some passages in this my first Argument for Communion with Per­sons unbaptized; yet the body of my Argu­ment he misseth, and passeth over, as a thing not worth the Answering; whether because he forgot; or because he was conscious to himself, that he knew not what to do there­with, I will not now determine.

• 1. I effectually prove, That Baptism is not the initiating Ordinance. pag. 71. - 75.
• 2. I prove, That though it was, yet the case may so fall out, that Members might be received without it. pag. 82, 83.
• 3. I prove, That Baptism makes no man a visible Saint, nor giveth any a right to Church-Fellowship. pag. 76.
• 4. I prove, That Faith, and a Life becom­ing the Law of the Ten Commandments, should be the chief and most solid Argument with true Churches to receive Saints to Fellowship.
• 5. I prove, That Circumcision in the Flesh, which was the entring Ordinance of old, was a Type of Circumcision in the heart, &c. p. 79, 80.

These things, with others, our Author let­teth pass; although in the proof of them a­bideth the strength of this first Argument; to which I must intreat him in his next, to cast his eye, and give fair Answer; as also to the [Page 26] Scriptures on which each are built, or he must suffer me to say, I am abused. Further, I make a question upon three Scriptures, Whe­ther all the Saints, even in the Primitive times, were baptized with Water? to which also he answereth nothing; whereas he ought to have done it, if he will take in hand to Con­fute. (The Scriptures are, 1 Cor. 1. 14, 15, 16. Rom. 6. 3. Gal. 3. 27.) Yet were they effectually answered, my Argument is No­thing weakened.

You come to my second Argument, drawn from Eph. 4. 4, 5, 6. Upon which a little more now to inlarge, and then to take notice of your Objection.

The Apostle then in that Fourth of the Ephesians, exhorteth the Church there with all lowliness, and meekness, with long-suffering, and forbearing one another, to ENDEAVOUR to keep the Unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of PEACE, vers. 2, 3. This done, he pre­sents them with such Arguments, as might fasten his Exhortation to purpose upon them.

The first is, Because the Body is ONE; There is one Body; therefore they should not 1 Cor. 12. 22, 23, 24. 25, 26. divide: For if the Church of Christ be a Body, there ought not to be a rent or Schism among them.

2. His second Argument is, There is one Spirit, or one quickning Principle by which the Body is made to live: for having Asserted before that Christ hath indeed a Body, it was meet that he shewed also, that this Body hath life, and motion. Now that life, being none [Page 27] other, than that nourishment, or Spirit of life, from which the whole Body fuly joyned together, and compact, by that which every joynt supply­eth, according to the effectual working of the measure in every part, maketh increase of the body, to the edifying of it self in love, Eph. 4. 16. Now this Spirit, being first, and chiefly, in the Head, therefore none other but those that hold the Head can have this nourishment ministred to them: Besides, This is the Spirit that knits the Body together, & makes it increase with the in­crease of God, Col. 2. 16. This is the Unity of the Spirit which he before exhorts them to keep.

3. The third Argument is, Because their Hope is also but one. Even as you are called (saith he) in one Hope of your calling: As who should say, My Brethren, if you are called with one calling, if your Hope, both as to the Grace of Hope, and also the Object, be but one: if you hope for one Heaven, and for one Eternal Life; then maintain that Unity of the Spirit, and Hope, while here, in love, and the bond of peace.

4. The fourth Argument is, There is one Lord, or Husband, or Prince, to whom this Church belongs: Therefore if we have Hus­bands but one, Lord, and Prince but one, let us not rent into many Parties, as if we had many Husbands, Lords, and Princes, to go­vern us, as his Wife, his House, and King­dom. Is Christ divided? 1 Cor. 1.

5. The fifth Argument is, There is one Faith, by which we all stand justified by one Lord Jesus Christ; one Faith by which we [Page 28] escape the Wrath of God; one Faith by which only they that have it are blessed; yea, seeing there is but one Faith, by which we are all put into one way of Salvation, let us hold to­gether as such.

6. The sixth Argument, There is one Bap­tism.

Now we are come to the pinch, viz. Whether it be that of Water, or no? which I must positively deny.

1. Because Water-Baptism hath nothing to do in a Church, as a Church; it neither bringeth us into the Church, nor is any part of our Worship when we come there; how then can the Peace and Unity of the Church depend upon Water-Baptism? Besides, he saith expresly, It is the Unity of the Spirit, (not Water), that is here intended: and the Arguments brought to inforce it, are such as wholly and immediately relate to the Duty of the Church, as a Church.

2. Further, That other Text, that treateth of our being baptized into a body, saith ex­presly it is done by the Spirit; For by one 1 Cor. 12. 13. Spirit we are all baptized into one body, 1 Cor. 12. 16. Here is the Church presented as un­der the notion of a Body; here is a Baptism mentioned, by which they are brought, or ini­tiated into this Body: Now that this is the Baptism of Water, is utterly against the words of the Text; For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body: besides, if the Baptism here be of Water, then is it the ini­tiating Ordinance; but the contrary I have [Page 29] proved, and this Author stands by my Do­ctrine. So then, the Baptism here, respecting the Church as a Body, and Water having nothing to do to enter men into the Church, nor to command them to practise it as a Church, in order to their Peace, or Commu­nion, or respecting the Worship of God as such: And (I say again) the Baptism in the sixth Argument, being urged precisely for no other purpose, but with respect to the Churches peace as a Body; it must needs be THAT Baptism, by virtue of which, they were initiated, and joyned together in one: and that Baptism being only that which the Spirit executeth; this therefore is that one Baptism.

7. The other Argument is also effectual; There is one God and Father of all, who is a­bove Vers. 6. all, and through all, and in you all. If we are one Body; if to it there be but one Spi­rit; if we have but one Hope, one Faith, and be all baptized by one Spirit into that one Bo­dy; and if we have but one Lord, one God, and he in every one of us; let us be also one: and let them that are thus qualified, both joyn together, and hold in one.

But our Author against this, objecteth, That, now I imploy my Pen against every man; and give the lye to all Expositors, for they hold this one Baptism, to be none other than that of Water. pag. 13.

Answ. What if I should also send you to Answer those Expositors that expound certain Scriptures for Infant-Baptism, and that by [Page 30] them brand us for Anabaptists; must this drive you from your belief of the Truth? Expositors I reverence, but must live by mine own Faith: God hath no where bound him­self Hab. 2. 4. to them more than to others, with respect to the revelation of his Mind in his Word.

But it becomes not you to run thus to Ex­positors, who are, as to your notions in many things, but of yesterday: To the Law, and Isa. 8. 20. Psal. 8. 2. to the Testimony: For out of the mouth of Babes the Lord hath ordained strength.

But you bid me tell you, What I mean by Spirit-Baptism?

Answ. Sir, you mistake me, I treat not here of our being baptized with the Spirit, with respect to its coming from Heaven into us; but of that act of the Spirit, when come, which baptizeth us into a Body, or Church: It is one thing to be baptized with the Spirit in the first sense; and another to be baptized by it in the sense I treat of: for the Spirit to come upon me, is one thing; and for that when come, to implant, imbody, or baptize me into the body of Christ, is another.

Your Question therefore is grounded on a a mistake, both of my Judgment, and the words of the Apostle. Wherefore thus I soon put an end to your Objections ( pag. 14.) For the Spirit to come down upon me is one thing; and for the Spirit to baptize, or im­plant me into the Church, is another: for to be possessed with the Spirit, is one thing; and to be led by that Spirit, is another. I con­clude then; Seeing the Argument taken from [Page 31] that one Baptism, respecteth Church-Fellow­ship properly; and seeing Water-Baptism medleth not with it as such; it is the other, even, that in 1 Cor. 12. 16. that is here in­tended, and no other.

But you add, If nothing but extraordinary Gifts are called the baptism of the Spirit in a strict sense; then that baptism, 1 Cor. 12. must be Water-baptism, as well as that in the Ephesians.

Hold: You make your Conclusions before you have cause; First prove that in the Ephe­sians to be meant of Water-baptism, and that the Baptism in 1 Cor. 12. 16. is the Baptism you would have it; and then conclude my Argument void.

That it is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost according to the common notion, I say not; for you to assert it is the Baptism of Water, gives the lye to the Text: But that it is an act of the Holy Ghost, baptizing the Saints into a Body, or Church, you will hardly be able to make the contrary appear to be truth.

But behold, while here you would have this to be Baptism with Water, how you con­tradict and condemn your own Notion: You say Water-baptism is not the entering Ordi­nance; yet the Baptism here is such as bapti­zeth us into a Body: Wherefore before you say next time that this in 1 Cor. 12. 16. is meant of Water-baptism; affirm, that Water­baptism is the initiating or entering Ordinance, that your Opinion and Doctrine may hang better together.

We come to my third Argument; Which is to prove, It is lawful to hold Church-Commu­nion with the godly sincere Believer, though he hath not been baptized with Water, because he hath the DOCTRINE of Baptisms, Heb. 6. Which Doctrine I distinguish from the Pra­ctice of it; the Doctrine being that which by the outward-sign is presented to us; or which by the outward-circumstance of the act is preached to the Believer, viz. the Death of Christ, my death with Christ; also his Re­surrection from the dead, and mine with him to newness of life. This our Author calleth one of the strangest Paradoxes that he hath LIGHTLY observed.

Answ. How light he is in his Observation of things, I know not: This I am sure, the Apostle makes mention of the Doctrine of Baptism; Now that the Doctrine of a man, or Ordinance, is the signification of what is Preached, is apparent to very sense. What is Christ's Doctrine, Paul's Doctrine, Scripture-Doctrine, but the Truth couched under the words that are spoken? So the Doctrine of Baptism, yea and the Doctrine of the Lord's Supper, are those Truths or Mysteries that such Ordinances preach unto ns. And that the Doctrine of Baptism in this sense, is the great end for which that, and the Lord's Supper was instituted, is apparent from all the Scriptures: it is that which the Apostle seeketh for in that eminent sixth of the Ro­mans, Know you not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into [Page 33] his Death? Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism, that like as Christ was raised from the Dead by the Glory of the Father; so we should walk in newness of Life. For if we have been planted together in the like­ness of his Death, we shall be also in the like­ness of his Resurrection, Rom. 6. 3, 4, 5. What is here discoursed, but the Doctrine of, or that which Baptism teacheth; with an intimati­on, that that was the chief, for the sake of which that Shadow was Instituted; as also that they that have the Doctrine, or that which is signified thereby, they only must reign with Christ.

Again, This is that which he seeketh for among the Corinthians; If the dead rise not at all, saith he, why then were you baptized for the dead? 1. Cor. 15. 22. Why then were you baptized? what did Baptism teach you? What Doctrine did it preach to you? Fur­ther, Baried with him in Baptism, wherein also you are risen again with him, through the Faith of the operation of God, who raised him from the dead. What is here in chief asserted, but the Doctrine only which Water-baptism preacheth? with an intimation, that they, and they only, are the saved of the Lord, that have heard, received, and that live in this Doctrine, Col. 2. 12, 13.

The same may be said of the Lord's Supper, it also hath its Doctrine. But against this our Author objecteth, saying, That this is called the Doctrine of Baptism, I am yet to learn.

[Page 34] Answ. Your ignorance of the Truth makes it not an Error: But I pray you, what is the Doctrine of Baptism, if not that which Baptism teacheth, even that which is signifi­ed thereby? As that is the Doctrine of Christ, and the Scriptures; which he and they teach as the mind of God.

But you say, I took the Doctrine of Baptism to be the Command that a Believer should be baptised, for such ends as the Gospel expres­seth.

Answ. To assert that a figurative Ordi­nance of God, is one thing; but the Do­ctrinal signification of that Ordinance is ano­ther: A man may preach the Command, yet none of the Doctrine which Baptism preach­eth. The Doctrine lyeth not in the Com­mand, but the mystery discovered to Faith, by the act.

You object, If the Resurrection be the Do­ctrine of Baptism, why doth the Apostle make that, and the Doctrine of Baptism, things di­stinct, in Heb. 6.

Answ. The Resurrection simply consi­dered, is not the Doctrine of Baptism, but Christ's, and mine by him. Besides, there is more in it than the Mystery of this Resur­rection; there is my death first, and then my rising with him.

But you add, Under the Law, all the Sa­crifices of that Dispensation, with their Sab­baths, were Types of that Christ, who was the substance of all those Ceremonies. If any of them then that professed Faith in the Messias [Page 35] to come, should upon scruples, or want of pre­tended Light, neglect the whole, or part of that Typical Worship; why may not a man say of them, as this Advocate of the Practice under Debate, they had the richer aud better Sacri­fice.

Answ. First, That the Brethren which re­fuse to be baptized, as you and I would have them, refuse it for want of pretended Light, becomes you not to imagine, unless your boldness will lead you to judge, that all men want sincerity, that come not up to our judg­ment. Their Conscience may be better than either yours or mine; yet God, for purposes best known to himself, may forbear to give them conviction of their Duty in this parti­cular. But what? Because they are not bap­tized; have they not Jesus Christ? Or, must we now be afraid to say Christ is better than Water-baptism? Yea, God himself for the sake of this better thing, hath suffered in his Church a suspension of some of his Ordi­nances, yet owned them for his truly Con­stituted Congregation. What say you to the Church in the Wilderness? I touched you with it in my first, but perceive you listed not to meddle therewith. That Church received Members, the way which was not prescribed by, but directly against the revealed Mind of God; yet stood a true Church, their Members true Members; also that Church in that state, was such before whom, among whom, and to whom God continually made known himself [Page 36] to be their God, and owned them for his peculiar treasure.

And now I am faln upon it, let me a little inlarge: This Church, according to the then Instituted Worship of God, had Circumci­sion for their entering-Ordinance, Gen. 17. 13, 14. without which it was unlawful to receive any into Fellowship with them: yea, he that without it was received, was to be cut off, and cast out again. Further; As to the Passeover, the Uncircumcized was utterly forbidden to eate it, Exod. 12. Now if our Brethren had as express prohibition to justifie their ground­less Opinion, as here is to exclude the Uncir­cumcised from the Communion of the Church and the Passeover; (I say) if they could find it written, No Unbaptized Person shall enter, no Unbaptized Person shall eat of the Supper; what a noise would they make about it? But yet let the Reader observe, that although Circumcision was the entering-Ordinance, and our Author saith Baptism is not; yea, though this Church was expresly forbidden to receive the Uncircumcised (and we have not a syllable now to forbid the Unbaptized) yet this Church received Members without, and otherwise than by this entering-Ordi­nance. They also admitted them to the Passe­over; yea, entertained, retained, and held Communion with them so long as forty years without it. I say, again, That the number of this sort of Communicants was not so few as six hundred thousand. Moreover, to these Uncircumcised was the Land of Canaan given, [Page 37] yea, a possession of part thereof before they were Circumcised; but the old Circumcised ones might not enter therein. I am the larger in this, because our Author hath over-look'd my first mention thereof. And now I ask, What was the reason that God continued his Presence with this Church notwithstanding this transgression? Was it not because they had that richer and better thing, the Lord Jesus Christ? For they did all eat of that spi­ritual Bread, and drank of that spiritual Rock which followed them, and that Rock was Christ, 1 Cor. 10. I confess I find them under rebukes and judgments in the Wilder­ness, and that they were many times threatned to be destroyed; but yet I find not so much as one check for their receiving of Members Uncircumcised. Further, In the New Te­stament where we have a Catalogue of their sins; and also of their punishment for them; we find not a word about Circumcision, nor the smallest intimation of the least rebuke for neglecting the entering-Ordinance, 1 Cor. 10. 5, 10. I will therefore say of them, as I have also said of my Brethren, They had the richer and better thing.

But you object, That this putteth the whole of God's Instituted Worship both under the Law and Gospel, to the highest uncertainties, p. 17.

Answ. This putteth our Opposers out of their road, and quencheth the flame of their unwarrantable zeal. For if the entering-Or­dinance, if the Ordinance without which no man might be added to the Church, was [Page 38] laid aside for forty years; yea, if more than six hundred thousand did Communicate with them without it: I say again, If they did it, and held Communion with God, that not­withstanding; yea, and had not (that we read of) all that time, one small check for so doing; why may not we now, enter Commu­nion, hold Communion, maintain Communi­on, Church-Communion, without being judged, and condemned by you? because we cannot for want of Light be all baptized be­fore; especially considering Baptism makes no man a Saint, is not the entering-Ordinance, is no part of the Worship of God injoyned the Church as a Church. To conclude, Al­though we receive Members unbaptized, we leave not God's Instituted Worship at uncer­tainties, especially what he hath commanded us as his Church; we only profess our want of Light in some things; but see no Word to warrant the forbearance of our Duty in all, for want of perswasion in one.

You object, I call Baptism a Circumstance, a shew, an outward-shew, I NICK-NAME it.

Answ. Deep reproof! But why did you not shew me my evil in thus calling it, when opposed to the Substance, and the thing sig­nified? Is it the Substance, is it the thing signified? And why may not I give it the Name of a Shew; when you call it a symbole, and compare it to a Gentleman's Livery? pag. 52.

But you say, I call it an OUTWARD shew.

Answ. Is it an Inward one? What is it?

It is a Command?

Answ. But doth that install it in that place and dignity, that was never intended for it?

You object further, They cannot have the Doctrine of Baptism that understand not our way of administring it. pag. 18.

This is your mistake, both of the Doctrin and Thing it self. But if you will not SCORN to take NOTICE of me, I ad­vise you again to consider, That a man may find Baptism to be Commanded, may be in­formed who ought to administer it: may al­so know the proper Subject: and that the manner of baptizing is Dipping; and may desire to practise it because it is Commanded, and yet know nothing of what Water-baptism preacheth; or of the Mystery baptism shew­eth to Faith. But that the Doctrine of Baptism is not the Practice of it, not the outward act, but the thing signified; and that every Belie­ver hath that, must argue you more than too bold to deny it.

But say you, Who taught you to divide be­twixt Christ and his Precepts, that you word it at such a rate? That he that hath the one, &c.

Answ. To say nothing of Faith, and the Word: verily Reason it self teacheth it. For if Christ be my Righteousness, and not Wa­ter; [Page 40] if Christ be my Advocate, and not Wa­ter; if there be that good and blessedness in Christ, that is not in Water; then is Jesus Christ better than Water; and also in these to be eternally divided from Water; unless we will make them Co-Saviours, Co-Advo­cates, and such as are equally good, and pro­fitable to men.

But say you, I thought that he that hath Christ, had an orderly right to all Christ's Pro­mises and Precepts; and that the Precepts of Christ, are part of the riches that a Believer hath in and by Christ.

Answ. A Believer hath more in Christ, then either Promise or Precept; but all Be­lievers know not all things, that of God are given to them by Christ. But must not they use, and enjoy what they know, because they know not all? Or must they neglect the weightier matters, because they want Mint, and Annise, and Commin? Your pretended orderly right is your fancy; there is not a syllable in the whole Bible, that bids a Chri­stian to forbear his Duty in other things, be­cause he wanteth (as you term it) the sym­bole, or Water-baptism.

But say you, He that despiseth his Birth­right of Ordinances, our Church-priviledges, will be found to be a prophane Person, as Esau, in God's account.

Baptism is not the Priviledge of a Church, as such. But what? are they all ESAU'S indeed? Must we go to Hell, and be dam­ned for want of Faith in Water-baptism? [Page 41] And take notice, I do not plead for a despising of Baptism, but a bearing with our Brother, that cannot do it for want of Light. The best of Baptism he hath, viz. the signification thereof; he wanteth only the outward shew, which if he had, would not prove him a truly visible Saint; it would not tell me he had the Grace of God in his heart; it is no Characte­ristical note to another of my Sonship with God.

But why did you not Answer these parts of my Argument? Why did you only cavil at words? which if they had been left out, the Argument yet stands good. He that is not baptized, if yet a true Believer, hath the Doctrine of Baptism; yea, he ought to have it before he be Convicted, it is his duty to be baptized, or else he playeth the Hypocrite. There is therefore no difference between that Believer that is, and he that is not yet baptized with Water; but only his going down into the Water, there to perform an outward Ceremony of the Substance which he hath already; which yet he is not Commanded to do with respect to Membership with the Church; but to obtain by that further understanding of his Priviledge by Christ, which before he made Profession of, and that as a visible Believer.

But to come to my fourth Argument, which you so tenderly touch as if it burnt your fingers: I am bold (say I) to have Commu­nion with visible Saints as before, because God hath Communion with them, whose example in the case we are strictly commanded to follow. [Page 42] Receive ye one another, as Christ Jesus hath re­ceived Rom. 15. 7 you, to the glory of God. Yea, though they be Saints in Opinion contrary to you, or I. We that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities Rom. 15. 1. of the weak, and not to please our selves. In­firmities that are Sinful: for they that are Natural, are incident to all. Infirmities there­fore they are, that for want of Light, cause a Man to err in Circumstantials: And the reason upon which Paul groundeth this ad­monition is; For Christ pleased not himself, Vers. 3. but as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

You say to this, pag. 20. That it is Paul's direction to the Church at Rome how to receive their Brethren Church-Members, pag. 20.

I answer.

1. What? are not the poor Saints now in this City? are not they concerned in these instructions? or is not the Church by these words at all directed how to carry it to those that were not yet in fellowship? A bold As­sertion! but grounded upon nothing, but that you would have it so.

2. But how will you prove that there was a Church, a rightly constituted Church at Rome, besides that in Aquila's house? Chap. 16. Neither doth this Epistle, nor any other in the whole Book of God affirm it. Besides, since Paul in this last Chapter saluteth the Church, as in this Mans house, but the o­ther only as particular Saints, it giveth far­ther ground of Conviction to you, that [Page 43] those others were not as yet imbodyed in such a fellowship.

3. But suppose there was another Church besides; it doth not therefore follow, that the Apostle exhorteth them only to receive persons already in fellowship; but him, even Rom. 14. 1 every him, that there was weak in the Faith, but not to doubtful disputations.

4. Suppose again, The receiving here ex­horted to, be such as you would have it; yet the Rule by which they are directed to do it, is that by which we perceive that Christ hath received them: But Christ did not receive them by Baptism, but as given to him by the Father: Him therefore concern­ing whom we are convinced, that he by the Father is given to Christ, Him should we receive.

5. But what need I grant you that which cannot be proved? yet if you could prove it, it availeth nothing at all; because you may not, cannot, ought not to dare to limit the Exhortation to receiving of one another into each others affections only; and not also re­ceiving Saints into Communion.

But you object: To make God's receiving the Rule of our receiving, in all cases will not hold. pag. 21.

Answ. Keep to the thing Man: If it hold in the case in hand, it is enough, the which you have not denyed. And that it holds thus, is plain, because commanded. But let the Reader know, that your putting in that way of his receiving which is invisible to [Page 44] us, is but an unhandsome stradling over my Argument, which treateth only of a visible receiving; such as is manifest to the Church: This you knew, but sought by evading, to turn the Reader from considering the strength of this my Argument. The recei­ving then (said I, p. 29.) because it is set an example to the Church, is such as must needs be visible unto them; and is best discovered by that word that describeth the visible Saint: Whoso then you can judg a visible Saint, one that walk­eth with God, you may, nay ought to judg by the same Word, God hath received him. Now him that God receiveth, him should you receive. But will any object; they cannot believe that God receiveth the unbaptized Saints? I will not suppose you so much stupified, and there­fore shall make no answer. But you seem to be much offended, because I said, Vain Man! Think not by the straightness of thine Order in outward, and bodily conformity to outward and shadowish Circumstances, that thy peace is maintained with God?

But why so much offended at this?

Because, you intend by this the Brethren of the Baptized way.

A. If they be vain Men, and set up their OWN Order; how straight soever they make it, they are worthy to be reproved: If Jer. 8. 9. they have rejected the Word of the Lord, what wisdom is in them. And as you suggest the first, I affirm the second. But if you would be justified in excluding those, with whom yet you see God hath Communion, because they [Page 45] yet see not a shadow with you; produce the Scripture for such Order, that we may be­lieve it is the Order of God: But deal fair­ly, left we shew your nakedness, and others see your shame.

You tell me of the Order of the Colossians, Chap. 2. 5. but if you can prove that that Church refused to hold Communion with that Saint whom they knew to be received by Christ, and held Communion with him, or that none but those that are baptized are re­ceived by, and hold Communion with him, then you justifie your Order. In the mean while the whole of mine Argument stands firm against you; You must have Communion with visible Saints, because God hath Commu­nion with them, whose Example in the Case we are strictly Commanded to follow.

But you ask me, If outward and bodily Con­formity be become a crime? pag. 23.

Answ. I no where said it: But know that to glorifie God with our bodies, respect­eth chiefly far higher and more weighty things than that of Water-baptism, Whatsoever is Rom. 14. not of Faith is sin; and to set up an Ordi­nance, though an Ordinance of God, that by it the Churches may be pull'd in pieces, or the truly visible Saints excluded Communion with their Brethren; I say again, To make Water-baptism a bar and division betwixt Saint and Saint, every-whit otherwise gra­cious and holy alike: This is like fasting for strife, and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; and is not to be found within [Page 46] the whole Bible, but is wholly an order of your own devising. As to the Peace you make an Objection about ( pag. 23.) you have granted me what I intended; and now I add further, That for Church-peace to be Eph. 4. 31, 32. founded in Baptism, or any other external Rite, not having to do with the Church as a Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3. Church, is poor Peace indeed: Church­peace is founded in blood; and love to each other for Jesus sake; bearing with, and for­bearing one another, in all things Circum­stantial, that concern not Church-worship as such: And in my other I have proved that Baptism is not such, and therefore ought not to be urged to make rents and divisions a­mong Brethren.

But you ask, Is my peace maintained in a way of disobedience? and conclude if it be, you fear it is false. pag. 24.

A. If the first were true, you need not to doubt of the second; but it may be thought he hath little to say in the Controversie, who is forced to stuff out his Papers, with such need­less prattles as these.

My fifth Argument is, That a failure in such a Circumstance as Water-baptism, doth not un-Christian us; This you are compelled to grant, pag. 25. And I conclude with your words, Persons ought to be Christians be­fore, visible Christians; such as any Congre­gation in the Land may receive to Communi­on with themselves, because God hath shewed us that he hath received them. Receive him to the Glory of God: [To the Glory of God] [Page 47] is put in on purpose, to shew what dishonour they bring to him, who despise to have Com­munion with such, whom they know do maintain Communion with God. I say again, How doth this Man, or that Church glorifie God, or count the Wisdom and Holiness of Heaven beyond them, when they refuse Com­munion with them, concerning whom yet they are convinced, that they have Commu­nion with God.

But my Argument you have not denied; nor medled with the Conclusion at all; which is, That therefore, even because a failure here, doth not un-Christian us, doth not make us in­sincere; and I add, Doth not lay us open to a­ny revealed judgment or displeasure of God; (if it doth, shew where) therefore it should not, it ought not to make us obnoxious to the displea­sure of the Church of God.

But you say, I rank Gospel-Precepts, with Old-Testament abrogated Ceremonies. pag. 25.

Answ. You should have given your Rea­der my words, that he might have judged from my own mouth: I said then (speaking before of Christianity it self, pag. 94.) that thousands of thousands that could not Consent to Water, as we, are now with the innumerable company of Angels, and the Spirits of just men made perfect. What was said of Eating, or the contrary, may as to this be said of Water­baptism; Neither if I be baptized, am I the better? neither if I be not, am I the worse? not the better before God, not the worse be­fore Men; still meaning as Paul, Provided I [Page 48] walk according to my Light with God; o­therwise 'tis false. For if a man that seeth it to be his Duty, shall despisingly neglect it; or if he that hath not Faith about it, shall foolishly take it up: both these, are for this the worse; I mean, as to their own sense, be­ing convicted in themselves, as transgressors. He therefore that doth it according to his Light, doth well; and he that doth it not, for want of Light, doth not ill; for he ap­proveth his heart to be sincere with God, even by that his forbearance. And I tell you a­gain, It is no where recorded, that this man is under any revealed threatning of God, for his not being baptized with Water, he not having Light therein, but is admitted through his Grace to as many Promises as you. If therefore he be not a partaker of that Circum­stance, yet he is of that Liberty, and Mercy, by which you stand with God.

But that I practise Instituted Worship, up­on the same account as Paul did Circumcisi­on, and shaving, is too bold for you to pre­sume to imagine. What? Because I will not suffer Water to carry away the Epistles from the Christians; and because I will not let Wa­ter-baptism be the Rule, the Door, the Bolt, the Bar, the Wall of Division between the Righteous, & the Righteous; must I therefore be judged to be a Man without Conscience to the Worship of Jesus Christ? The Lord de­liver me from Superstitious, and Idolatrous thoughts about any the Ordinances of Christ, and of God. But my fifth Argument [Page 49] standeth against you untouched; you have not denyed, much less confuted the least syllable thereof.

You tell me my sixth Argument is, Edifica­tion.

A. If it be, why is it not imbraced? But my own words are these;

I am for holding Communion thus; be­cause the Edification of Souls in the Faith, and holiness of the Gospel is of greater concern than an agreement in outward things; I say, 'tis of greater concern with us, and of far more profit to Brother, than our agreeing in, or contessing for Water-baptism, Joh. 16. 13. 1 Cor. 14. 12. 2 Cor. 10. 8. Chap. 12. 19. Ephes. 4. 12. 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2. Chap. 8. 1. Now why did you not take this Argument in pieces, and answer those Scriptures, on which the strength thereof depends; But if to con­test, and fall out about Water-baptism, be better than to edifie the House of God, pro­duce the Texts, that we may be informed. You say; Edification is the end of all Com­munion, but all things must be done in Order, orderly, pag. 26.

Answ. When you have proved that there is no such thing as an orderly edifying of the Church without Water-baptism, precede, then it will be time enough to think you have said something.

You add; Edification as to Church-fellow­ship being a building up, doth suppose the being of a Church; but pray you shew us a Chuh without Baptism. p. 26.

[Page 50] A. See here the spirit of these Men, who for the want of Water-baptism, have at once un-Churched all such Congregations of God in the World; but against this I have, and do urge, That Water-baptism giveth neither being, nor well-being to a Church, neither is any part of that Instituted Worship of God, that the Church, as such, should be found in the Practice of. Therefore her Edi­fication as a Church may, yea and ought to be attained unto without it.

But you say, Shew us a New-Testament-Church without Baptism. pag. 26.

A. What say you to the Church all a-long the Revelation quite through the Reign of Antichrist? Was that a New-Testament-Church, or no?

Again, If Baptism be without the Church, as a Church, if it hath nothing to do in the Constituting of a Church; if it be not the door of entrance into the Church, if it be no part of Church-worship as such; then, although all the Members of that Church were baptized, yet the Church is a Church without Water-baptism. But all the Churches in the New-Testament were such: There­fore, &c.

Again, If Baptism respect Believers, as particular Persons only; if it respects their own Conscience only; if it make aman no vi­sible Believer to me, then it hath nothing to do with Church-membership: Because, that which respects my own Person only, my own Conscience only: that which is no Character [Page 51] of my visible Saintship to the Church, can­not be an Argument unto them to receive me into fellowship with themselves. But this is true, Therefore, &c.

You proceed, If by Edification, be meant the private increase of Grace, in one another, in the use of private means, as private Christians in meeting together; how doth the Principle you oppose hinder that? Endeavour to make men as holy as you can, that they may be futed for Church-fellowship, when God shall shew them the orderly way to it. pag. 26.

Answ. What a many private things have we now brought out to publick view? Pri­vate Christians, private Means, and a private increase of Grace. But, Sir, Are none but those of your way the publick Christians? Or, ought none but them that are baptized to have the publick means of Grace? Or, must their Graces be increased by none but private means? Was you awake now? Or, are you become so high in your own phantasies, that none have, or are to have but private means of Grace? And, are there no publick Christians, or publick Christian-Meetings, but them of your way? I did not think that all but Baptists, should only abide in holes.

But you find fault because I said, Edification is greater than contesting about Water-baptism. pag. 27.

A. If it be not, confute me; if it be, forbear to cavil. Water-baptism, and all God's Ordinances, are to be used to Edification; [Page 52] not to beget heats and contentions among the Godly, wherefore Edification is best.

Object. I had thought that the Preaching, and opening Baptism, might have been reckoned a part of our Edification.

Answ. The act of Water-baptism hath not place in Church-worship, neither in whole nor in part; wherefore pressing it upon the Church is to no purpose at all.

Object. Why may you not as well say that Edification is greater than breaking of Bread. pag. 27.

Answ. So it is, else that should never have been Instituted to edifie withal; that which serveth, is not greater than he that is served thereby. Baptism and the Lord's-Supper both, were made for us, not we for them; wherefore both were made for our Edificati­tion, but no one for our destruction.

But again, The Lord's-Supper, not Bap­tism, is for the Church, as a Church; there­fore as we will maintain the Church's edify­ing, that must be maintained in it; yea, used oft, to shew the Lord's Death till he come, 1 Cor. 11. 22, 26.

Besides, because it is a great part of Church-worship, as such, therefore it is pro­nounced blessed, the Lord did openly bless it before he gave it; yea and we ought to bless it also; (The Cup of blessing which we bless) not to say more, Therefore your reasoning from the one to the other will not hold.

Object. How comes contesting for Water­baptism to be so much against you?

[Page 53] Answ. First, because weak Brethren can­not bear it; whom yet we are commanded to receive but not to doubtful disputation; doubtful to them, therefore for their sakes, I must forbear it. Rom. 14. 1.

Secondly, Because I have not seen any good effect, but the contrary, where-ever such hot Spirits have gone before me: For where Envie and Strife is, there is Con­fusion (or Tumults) and every Evil-work. Jam. 3. 16, 17.

Thirdly, Because by the Example of the Lord, and Paul, we must consider the present state of the Church, and not trouble them with what they cannot bear. Joh. 16. 13. 1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3.

I conclude then, Edification in the Church is to be preferred above what the Church, as a Church, hath nothing to do withal. All things (dearly beloved) are for our Edify­ing. 1 Cor. 14. 5. & 12. 26. 2 Cor. 12. 19. Epq. 4. 26. Rom. 15. 2. 1 Cor. 14. 3. 2. Cor. 10. 8. & 13. 10. Rom. 14. 19. Before I wind up this Argument, I present you with several Instances, shewing that some of the brecah of God's Precepts have been born with, when they come in competition with Edification. As First, That of Aaron, who let the Offering for Sin be burnt, that should have indeed been eaten, Levit. 10. Yet be­cause he could not do it to his Edification, Moses was content. But the Law was there­by transgressed, Chap. 6. 26. The Priest that offereth it for Sin, shall eat it.

To this you Reply, That was not a constant, continued, forbearing of God's Worship, but a suspending of it for a season.

Answ. We also suspend it but for a season; when Persons can be baptized to their Edifi­cation, they have the liberty.

But secondly, This was not a bare suspen­sion, but a flat transgression of the Law: Ye should indeed have eaten it: Yet Moses was content. Levit. 10. 16. - 20.

But say you, Perhaps it was suspended upon just and legal grounds, though not expressed.

Answ. The express Rule was against it; Ye should indeed (said Moses) have eaten it in the Holy place, as I commanded, vers. 18. But good Sir, are you now for unwritten veri­ties? for legal grounds, though not expressed? I will not drive you further, here is Rome enough.

As for Eldad and Medad, it cannot be de­nyed, but that their edifying of the People, was preferred before their conforming to every Circumstance. Numb. 11. 16. - 26.

You add, That Paul for a seeming low thing did withstand Peter.

Sir, If you make but a seeming low thing of Dissembling, and teaching others so to do (especially where the Doctrine of Justificati­on Gal. 2. 11, 12, 13. is endangered) I cannot expect much good Conscience from you.

As for your Answer to the case of Heze­kiah, it is faulty in two respects:

1. For that you make the Passeover a Type of the Lord's Supper, when it was only a [Page 55] Type of the Body and Blood of the Lord: For even Christ our Passeover is Sacrifice for us. 1 Cor. 5. 7.

2. In that you make it an Example to you to admit Persons unprepared to the Lord's-Supper. pag. 29.

Answ. May you indeed receive Persons in­to the Church unprepared for the Lord's-Sup­per; yea, unprepared for that, with other so­lemn Appointments? For so you word it, page 29. O what an Engine have you made of Water-baptism.

Thus, gentle Reader, while this Author teareth us in pieces for not making Baptism the orderly Rule for receiving the Godly, and Conscientious into Communion; he can re­ceive Persons if baptized, though unprepared for the Supper, and other solemn Appoint­ments? I would have thee consult the place, and see if it countenanceth such an act, That a man who pleadeth for Water-baptism above the Peace and Edification of the Church, ought to be received (although unprepared) into the Church to the Lord's-Supper, and o­ther solemn Appointments, especially consider­ing the Nature or right Church-Constitution, and the severity of God towards those that came unprepared to his Table of old. 1 Cor. 11. 28, 29, 30. A Riddle indeed. That the Lord should, without a word, so severely command, that all which want Light in Bap­tism, be excluded Church-priviledges; and yet against his Word, admit of Persons un­prepared, [Page 56] to the Lord's Table, and other so­lemn Appointments.

But good Sir, why so short-winded? why could not you make the same work with the other Scriptures, as you did with these? I must leave them upon you unanswered; and standing by my Argument conclude, That if Laws and Ordinances of old have been broken, and the breach of them born with (when yet the Observation of outward things was more strictly Commanded than now) if the Profit and Edification of the Church come in competition; how much more, may not we have Communion, Church-Commu­nion, when no Law of God is transgressed thereby. And note, That all this while I plead not (as you) for Persons unprepared, but godly, and such as walk with God.

We come now to my seventh Argument, for Communion with the Godly, though un­baptized Persons; which you say is Love. pag. 29.

My Argument is this; Therefore I am for Communion thus; because Love, which above all things we are Commanded to put on, is of much more worth than to break about Baptism. And let the Reader note, That of this Argu­ment you deny not so much as one syllable, but run to another story; but I will follow you.

I add further, That Love is more discover­ed when we receive for the sake of Christ, than when we refuse his Children for want of Water: And tell you again, That this [Page 57] Exhortation to Love is grounded not upon Baptism, but the putting on of the new Crea­ture, which hath swallowed up all distincti­ons. Col. 3. 9.-14. Yea, there are ten Ar­guments in this one, which you have not so much as touched; but thus object, That man that makes Affection the Rule of his walking, rather than judgment, it is no wonder if he go out of the way.

Answ. Love to them we are perswaded that God hath received, is Love that is guided by Judgment; and to receive them that are such, because God hath bidden us ( Rom. 14.) is Judgment guided by Rule. My Argu­ment therefore hath forestalled all your noise, and standeth still on its legs against you.

As to the Duties of Piety, and Charity you boast of, pag. 30. found not a Trumpet, tell not your left hand of it; we are talking now of Communion of Saints, Church-Communion, and I plead that to Love, and hold together as such, is better than to break in pieces for want of Water-baptism. My Reason is, because we are exhorted in all things to put on Love; the Love of Church-Communion: contrariwise you oppose, A­bove all things put on Water. For the best Saint under Heaven that hath not that, with him you refuse Communion. Thus you make Baptism, though no Church-Ordinance, a bar to shut out the Godly, and a Trap-door to let the unprepared into Churches, to the Lord's-Supper, and other solemn Appoint­ments. pag. 29.

But you object, Must our Love to the un­baptized indulge them in an act of disobedi­ence? Cannot we love their Persons, Parts, Graces, but we must love their Sins? pag. 30.

Answ. We plead not for indulging. But are there not with you, even with you sins against the Lord your God? 2 Chron. 28. 10. But why can you indulge the Baptists in many acts of disobedience? For to come unpre­pared into the Church, is an act of disobe­dience: To come unprepared to the Supper is an act of disobedience; and to come so al­so to other solemn Appointments, are acts of disobedience.

But for these things, you say, you do not cast, nor keep any out of the Church.

Answ. But what acts of disobedience do we indulge them in?

In the Sin of Infant-baptism.

Answ. We indulge them not; but being Commanded to bear with the Infirmities of each other, suffer it; it being indeed in our eyes such; but in theirs they say a duty, till God shall otherwise perswade them. If you be without infirmity, do you first throw a stone at them: They keep their Faith in that to themselves, and trouble not their Brethren therewith: we believe that God hath received them; they do not want to us a proof of their Sonship with God; neither, hath he made Water a Wall of Division between us, and therefore we do receive them.

Obj. I take it to be the highest act of friendship to be faithful to these Professors, and to tell them [Page 59] they want this one thing in Gospel-order, which ought not to be left undon. pag 30.

Answ. If it be the highest piece of Friend­ship, to preach Water-baptism to unbaptized Believers, the lowest act thereof must needs be very low. But contrariwise, I count it so far off from being any act of Friendship, to press Baptism in our Notion on those that cannot bear it; that it is a great abuse of the Peace of my Brother, the Law of Love, the Law of Christ, or the Society of the Faith­ful. Love suffereth long, and is kind, is not easily provoked: Let us therefore follow af­ter the things that make for Peace, and things wherewith one may edifie another: Let every one of us please his Neighbour, for his good to Edification: Bear you one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ. 1 Cor. 13. Rom. 14. 19. Chap. 15. 2. Gal. 6. 2.

But say you, I doubt when this comes to be weighed in God's ballance, it will be found no less than flattery, for which you will be re­proved. pag. 31.

Answ. It seems you do but doubt it, where­fore the Principle from which you doubt it, of that methinks you should not be certain; but this is of little weight to me; for he that will presume to appropriate the Epistles to himself and fellows for the sake of Baptism, and that will condemn all the Churches of Christ in the Land for want of Baptism and that will account his Brother as prophane Esau ( pag. 20.) and rejected, as Idolatrous [Page 60] Ephraim (pag. 32.) because he wanteth his way of Water-baptism; he acts out of his wonted way of rigidness, when he doth but doubt, and not affirm his Brother to be a flatterer. I leave therefore this your Doubt to be resolved at the Day of Judgment, and in the mean time trample upon your harsh, and unchristian surmises.

As to our Love to Christians in other cases, I hope we shall also endeavour to follow the Law of the Lord; but because it respects not the matter in hand, it concerns us not now to treat thereof.

My Argument treateth of Church-Com­munion; in the prosecution of which I prove,

1. That Love is grounded upon the new Creature, Col. 3. 9, &c.

2. Upon our fellowship with the Father and Son, 1 Joh. 1. 2, 3.

3. That with respect to this, it is the fulfilling of the Royal Law, Jam. 4. 11. Rom. 14. 21.

4. That it shews it self in acts of forbear­ing, rather than in publishing some Truths: Communicating only what is profitable, for­bearing to publishing what cannot be born, 1 Cor. 3. 1, 2. Acts 20. 18, 19, 20. Joh. 16. 17.

5. I shew further, That to have fellowship for, to make that the ground of, or to re­ceive one another chiefly upon the account of an outward Circumstance; to make Baptism the including, and excluding Charter; the [Page 61] Bounds, Bar, & Rule of Communion, when by the Word of the everlasting. Testament, there is no Word for it; (to speak charitably) if it be not for want of Love, it is for want of light in the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Christ. Strange! Take two Christians e­qual in all Points but this; nay, let one go beyond the other in Grace and Goodness, as far as a Man is beyond a Babe, yet Water shall turn the Scale, shall open the Door of Communion to the less; and command the other to stand back: Yet is no proof to the Church of this Babes Faith and Hope, hath nothing to do with his entering into fellow­ship, is no part of the Worship of the Church. These things should have been answered, see­ing you will take upon you so roundly to condemn our practice.

You come now to my eighth Argument; which you do not only render falsly, but by so doing abuse your Reader. I said not that the Church of Corinth did shut each other out of Communion; but, For God's People to divide into Parties, or to shut each other from Church-Communion, though for greater Points, and upon higher Pretences, than that of Water-baptism, hath heretofore been counted carnal, and the actors therein Babish-Christians; and then bring in the Factions, that was in the Church at Corinth. But what▪ May not the evil of denying Church-Communion now, if proved naught by a less crime in the Church at Corinth, be counted Carnal and Babish; but the breach of [Page 62] Communion must be charged upon them at Corinth also?

That my Argument is good you grant, pag. 32. saying, The Divisions at the Church at Corinth were about the highest Fundamen­tal Principles, for which they are often called carnal; yet you cavil at it. But if they were to be blamed for dividing, though for the highest Points: Are not you much more for condemning your Brethren to perpetual ba­nishment from Church-Communion, though sound in all the great Points of the Gospel, and right in all Church-Ordinances also, because for want of Light they fail only in the Point of Baptism?

As to your quibble about Paul and Apollo, whether they, or others, were the Persons (though I am satisfied you are out) yet it weakeneth not my Argument; For if they were blame-worthy for dividing, though a­bout the highest Fundamental Principles (as you say) how ought you to blush for carry­ing it as you do to Persons, perhaps, more godly than our selves, because they jump not with you in a Circumstance?

That the divisions at Corinth were helped on by the abuse of Baptism, to me is evident, from Paul's so oft suggesting it; Were you baptized in the Name of Paul? I thank God I baptized none of you, lest any should say, I had baptized in my own Name.

I do not say, that they who baptized them designed this, or that Baptism in it self effected it; nor yet (though our Author seigns it) [Page 63] that they were most of them baptized by their Factious Leaders, pag. 55. But that they had their Factious Leaders, is evident; and that these Leaders made use of the Names of Paul, Apollo, and Christ, is as evident; for by these Names they were beguiled by the help of abused Baptism.

But say you, Wherein lies the force of this man's Argument against Baptism as to its place, worth, and continuance?

I answer; I have no Argument against its place, worth, or continuance, although thus you seek to scandalize me. But this kind of sincerity of yours, will never make me one of your Disciples.

Have not I told you even in this Argument, That I speak not as I do, to perswade or teach men to break the least of God's Commandments; but that my Brethren of the Baptized-way may not hold too much THEREUPON, may not make it an Essential of the Gospel, nor yet of the Commu­nion of Saints. Yet he feigns that I urge two Ar­guments against it, p. 36. & 38. But Reader, thou mayst know I have no such reason in my Book. Besides, I should be a Fool indeed, were I against it, should I make use of such weak Arguments. My words then are these;

I thank God (said Paul) that I baptized none of you but Crispus, &c. Not but that then it was an Ordinance, but they abused it in ma­king Parties thereby, as they abused also Paul, and Cephas. Besides (said he) I know not whether I baptized any other. By this negli­gent relating who were baptized by him; he [Page 64] sheweth that he made no such matter thereof, as some in these dayes do. Nay, that he made no matter at all thereof with respect to a Church-Communion. For if he did not heed who him­self had baptized, much less did he heed who were baptized by others? But if Baptism had been the initiating-Ordinance, (and I now add) Essential to Church-Communion; then no doubt he had made more Conscience of it, than thus lightly to pass it by.

I add further, where he saith, He was not sent to baptize; that he spake with an holy Indignation against those that had abused that Ordinance. Baptism is an Holy Ordinance, but when Satan abuseth it, and wrencheth it out of its place, making that which is Ordained of God, for the Edification of Believers, the only Weapon to break in pieces the Love, Unity, and Concord of the Saints; than as Paul 1 Cor. 3. 5, 6, 7▪ said of himself, and fellows, What is Baptism? Neither is Baptism any thing? This is no new Doctrine, for God by the mouth of the Prophet Isa. 1. 11, 12▪ 13▪ 14, 15. of old, cryed out against his own Appointments, when abused by his own People, because they used them for strife, and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness. But to forbear, to Isa. 58. 4. take notice thus of these things, my Argu­ment stands firm against you: For if they at Corinth were blame-worthy for dividing, though their divisions were (if you say true) about the highest Fundamentals, you ought to be ashamed, thus to banish your Brethren from the Priviledges of Church-Communion for ever, for the want of so low a thing as Water­baptism. [Page 65] I call it not low, with respect to Gods appointment, though so, it is far from the highest place, but in comparison of those Fundamentals, about which, you say, the Corinthians made their divisions.

You come next to my ninth Argument, and serve it as Hanun served David's Servants, 2 Sam. 10. 4. you have cut off one half of its Beard, and its Garments to its Buttocks, thinking to send it home with shame. You state it thus;

That by denying communion with unbaptized▪ Believers, you take from them their Privi­ledges to which they are born, pag. 40.

Answ. Have I such an Argument in all my little Book? Are not my words verbatim these? If we shall reject visible Saints by cal­ling, Saints that have communion with God; that have received the Law at the hand of Christ; that are of an holy conversation a­mong men, they desiring to have communion with us; as much as in us lyeth, we take from them their very priviledges, and the blessings to which they were born of God.

This is mine Argument: now confute it.

Paul saith, (1 Cor. 1. 1, 2. & 3. 22.) not only to the Gathered Church at Corinth, but to all scattered Saints, that in every place call upon the Name of the Lord, that Jesus Christ is theirs; that Paul, and Apollo, and Cephas▪ and the World, and all things else was theirs.

But you answer▪ We take from them no­thing, but we keep them from a disorderly pra­ctice of Gospel-Ordinances, we offer them [Page 66] their priviledges, in the way of Gospel-Or­der.

Answ. Where have you one word of God, that forbiddeth a person, so qualified, as is signified in mine Argument, the best Com­munion of Saints for want of Water? There is not a syllable for this in all the Book of God. So then, you in this your plausible defence, do make your Scriptureless Light, which in very deed is darkness, ( Isa. 8. 20, 21.) the Rule of your Brothers Faith; and how well you will come off for this in the Day of God, you might, were you not wed­ded to your wordless Opinion, soon begin to conceive.

I know your Reply, New-Testament Saints were all baptized first.

Answ Suppose it granted; Were they bap­tized, that thereby they might be qualified for their right to communion of Saints, so that without their submitting to Water, they were to be denyed the other? Further, Suppose I should grant this groundless Notion, Were not the Jews in Old Testament times to enter the Church by Circumcision? For that, Gen. 17. though Water is not, was the very entering-Ordinance. Exod. 12. Besides, as I said before, there was a full forbidding all that were not circum­cised from entering into fellowship, with a threatning to cut them off from the Church if they entered in without it: Yet more than six hundred thousand entred that Church without it. But how now, if such an one as you had then stood up and objected, Sir [Page 67] Moses, What is the reason that you transgress the Order of God, to receive Members with­out Circumcision? Is not that the very en­tring-Ordinance? Are not you commanded to keep out of the Church all that are not cir­cumcised? Yea, and for all those that you thus received, are you not commanded to cast them out again, to cut them off from a­mong this people? ( Gen. 17. 13, 14. Exod. 12. 24, 25, 26.)

I say, Would not this man have had a far better Argument to have resisted Moses, than you in your wordless Notion have to shut out men from the Church, more holy than many of our selves? But do you think that Moses and Joshua, and all the Elders of Israel, would have thanked this Fellow, or have concluded that he spake on God's behalf? Or, that they should then, for the sake of a better than what you call Order, have set to the work that you would be doing, even to break the Church in pieces for this?

But say you, If any will find or force ano­ther way into the Sheep-fold, than by the foot­steps of the Flock, we have no such custom, nor the Churches of God, pag. 41.

Answ. What was done of old, I have shewed you, that Christ, not Baptism, is the way to the Sheep-fold, is apparent: and that the person, in mine Argument, is intituled to all these, to wit, Christ, Grace, and all the things of the Kingdom of Christ in the Church, is, upon the Scriptures urged, as evident.

But you add, That according to mine old confidence, I affirm, That drink ye all of this, is intailed to Faith, not Baptism: A thing, say you, soon said, but yet never proved.

Answ. 1. That it is intailed to Faith, must be confessed of all hands. 2. That it is the priviledge of him that discerneth the Lord's 1 Cor. 11. 29. Body, and that no man is to deny him it, is also by the Text as evident, (and so let him eat) because he is worthy. Wherefore he, and he only that discerneth the Lord's Body, he is the worthy Receiver, the worthy Re­ceiver in God's estimation; but that none dis­cern the Lord's Body but the Baptized, is both fond and ridiculous once to surmise.

Wherefore to exclude Christians, and to debar them their Heaven-born Priviledges, for want of that which yet God never made the Wall of Division betwixt us: This looks too like a Spirit of Persecution, ( Job 19. 25, 26, 27, 28, &c.) and carrieth in it those eighteen absurdities which you have so hotly cryed out against. And I do still add, Is it not that which greatly prevailed with God to bring down those Judgments, which at present we (the People of God) groan under, I will dare to say, it was And so it was in my first Copy, but for a, the Prin­ter put in the. A cause thereof: Yea, I will yet pro­ceed; I fear, I strongly fear, that the Rod of God is not yet to be taken from us; for what more provoking sin among Christians, than to deny one another their Rights and Priviledges to which they are born of God? and then to Father these their doings upon God, when yet he hath not commanded it, neither in the New Testament nor the Old?

But, I may not lightly pass this by, for be­cause I have gathered eighteen absurdities from this abuse of God's Ordinances, or from the sin of binding the Brethren to observe Order, not founded on the Command of God; (and I am sure you have none to shut out men as good, as holy, and as sound in Faith as our selves, from Communion). Therefore you call my Conclusion devilish, (pag. 43.) Top-ful of ignorance, and prejudice, (p. 41.) and me, one of Machiavels Scholars, (p. 42.) also proud, presumptious, impeaching the Judgment of God.

Answ. But what is there in my Propositi­on, that men, considerate, can be offended at? These are my words; But to exclude Christi­ans from Church-Communion, and to debar them their Heaven-born Priviledges, for the want of that which yet God never made a wall of division between us: This looks too like a Spirit of Persecution: This respecteth more the form, than the spirit and power of Godliness, &c. Shall I add, Is it not that which greatly prevailed to bring down those Judgments which at present we feel and groan under? I will dare to say, it was a cause thereof. (p. 116, 117.) A, was in my Copy, instead whereof the Printer put in the; for this, although I speak only the truth; I will not beg of you belief; besides, the Bookseller desired me, because of the Printers haste, to leave the last sheet to be over-looked by him, which was the cause it was not among the Errata's.

But, I say, wherein is the Proposition [Page 70] offensive? Is it not a wicked thing to make bars to Communion, where God hath made none? Is it not a wickedness, to make that a Wall of Division betwixt us, which God never commanded to be so. If it be not, justifie your practice; if it be, take shame. Besides, the Proposition is universal, why then should you be the chief intended? But you have in this, done like to the Lawyers of old, who when Christ reproved the Pharisees of wickedness before them, said, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also, Luk. 11. 45.

But you feign, and would also that the World should believe, that the Eighteen Ab­surdities which naturally flow from the Pro­position, I make to be the Effects of Baptism, saying to me, None but your self could find an innocent Truth big with so many monstrous Ab­surdities. pag. 42.

I Answer; This is but speaking wickedly for God, or rather to justifie your wordless Practice. I say not that Baptism hath any Absurdity in it, though your abusing it, hath them all, and many more, while you make it, without warrant from the Word, as the flaming Sword, to keep the Brotherhood out of Communion, because they after your man­ner cannot consent thereto.

And let no man be offended, for that I sug­gest that Baptism may be abused to the breed­ing such monstrous Absurdities, for greater Truths than that have been as much abused. What say you to, This is my Body? To in­stance no more, although I could instance [Page 71] many, are not they the words of our Lord? are not they part of the Scriptures of Truth? and yet behold, even with those words, the Devil by abusing them, made an Engine to let out the heart-blood of thousands. Baptism also may be abused, and is, when more is laid upon it by us, than is Commanded by God. And that you do so, is manifest by what I have said already, and shall yet say to your Fourteen Arguments.

My last Argument, you say is this;

The World may wonder at your carriage to those Unbaptized Persons, in keeping them out of Communion?

Ans. You will yet set up your own words, and then fight against them: but my words are these, What greater contempt can be thrown upon the Saints, than for their Brethren to cut them off from, or to debar them Church-Communion!

And now I add, Is not this to deliver them to the Devil, 1 Cor. 5. or to put them to shame before all that see your acts? There is but one thing can hinder this, and that is, by-standers see, that these your Brethren, that you thus abuse, are as holy men as our selves. Do you more to the open Prophane, yea, to all Wizards and Witches in the Land? For all you can do to them (I speak now as to Church-acts) is no other than debar them the Communion of Saints.

And now I say again, The World may well wonder, when they see you deny holy-men of God that liberty of the Communion of [Page 72] Saints which you Monopolize to your selves. And though they do not understand the grounds of Profession, or Communion; yet they can both see, and say, these Holy-men of God, in all visible acts of Holiness, are not one inch behind you. Yea, I will put it to your selves, If those many, yea very many, who thus severely (but with how little ground, is seen by men of God) you deny Commu­nion with, are not of as good, as holy, as unblameable in life, and as sound, if not sounder in the Faith than many among our selves: Here only they make the stop, they cannot, without Light, be driven into Wa­ter-baptism, I mean after our Notion of it: but what if they were, 'twould be little sign to me that they were sincere with God.

To conclude this; when you have proved that Water-baptism (which you your self have said is not a Church-Ordinance, p. 40.) is Es­sential to Church-Communion, and that the Church may, by the Word of God, bolt, bar, and for ever shut out those, far better than our selves, that have not, according to our Noti­on, been baptized with Water; then 'twill be time enough, to talk of ground for so do­ing. In the mean time I must take leave to tell you, There is not in all the Bible one syllable for such a Practice, wherefore your great cry about your Order is wordless, and therefore faithless, and is a meer Humane Invention.