Infant-Baptism ASSERTED & VINDICATED By SCRIPTURE And ANTIQUITY : IN ANSWER To a Treatise of Baptism lately published by Mr. HENRY DANVERS : Together with a full Detection of his Misrepresentations of divers Councils and Authors , both Ancient and Modern . WITH A Just Censure of his Essay to Palliate the horrid Actings of the Anabaptists in Germany . AS ALSO A Perswasive to Unity among all Christians , though of Different Judgments about Baptism .

By OBED WILLS , M. A.

LONDON , Printed for Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-yard , 1674.

THere is a New Treatise come forth concerning Baptism ; the Design whereof is to prove the Baptism of Believers , and to disprove that of Infants . There is great Cracking about it , and some cry it up for a None-such ; that it is unanswerable , and as I hear the Author himself , Ixion-like , falls in love with his own shadow , and being Philautia nimis inflatus , puffed up with the excellency of his performance , glories much , and pretends that he hath not only proselyted many of the Vulgar sort , but some also of the Ministry . And it is very certain , that at its first appearance last Summer , divers persons were Dipped in these parts , and as I have been informed , 7 or 8 in a day in the City of Bristol ; and in all likelyhood we may hear of many more this Summer : for those who are inclinable to the Way , are now grown so politick as not to profess their Faith till warm Weather . This I do assure the Reader , that the Book ( as to any thing material in it ) hath been many times answered before ever it came forth , and that 's the reason belike we have heard of no Reply since it hath seen the light , which is now about twelve Months . All the Mediums he useth to maintain his Opinion , are such trite and out-worn things , that they have been in effect trampled upon , and confuted again and again . Nevertheless such is the Clamorousness of some men , that they affect to have the last word , when in modesty they ought to be silent , and consider , that it is their duty to unlearn a darling Errour , and no dishonour to strike sail to convincing Reason . Great Endeavours have been used to undeceive the Antipaedobaptists ; and 't is the unhappiness of many Godly and Learned Divines , instead of meeting with answerable success , to have their Pains contemned , and their Persons loaded with Aspersions . The Author of the Treatise I am to examine , hath only affixt H. D. to the Title-page , that is , as appears by a Second Edition lately come forth . Henry Danvers ; although in regard of the principal Materials , the Book hath more reason to pretend to J. T. that is , John Tombes , for its Author . For although H D. hath for some years lived a solitary contemplative Life , and hath had opportunity for study , yet owneth he not so much Scholarship ( if they say true that know him ) as to compose such a Piece ; nor is he so well acquainted with Fathers , Councils , Schoolmen , had not most of it been prepared to his hand . Indeed I find he is somewhat vers'd in the Magdiburgensian History , though he hath made very ill use of it ; But for the Argumentative part , especially the Opposition made against Infant-Baptism , both the Method and Matter of his Treatise declares where he hath been fishing ; for I find very little in it , besides what is borrowed from Mr. Tombes his Exercitation and Examen , long since answered by M. Marshal , Dr. Homes , Mr. Gerce , Mr. Blake , Mr. Baxter . But forasmuch as the Contest hath taken a Nap for about 20 years , it was thought fit to give it one lusty jog more , and awaken it again . And in regard those Polemical Discourses are rarely found in Vulgar hands , but are thrown aside into Corners , and lie solitary , as neglected things , in Studies , and Booksellers Shops ; the Author , and his Coniederates ( out of their dear love to their Darling Opinion ) thought meet to make some good improvement of the late Liberty granted by his Majesty's gracious Declaration , and to take up the Gantlet again , and fall to the old Trade of Wrangling . For some men are of a restless Spirit , and if their Hands be tied up from fighting , they will do it with their Tongues and Pens . The Preface is made up of Invectives against the Assertors of Infant Baptism , but mostly against Mr. Baxter , by reason of some Passages of his in a late Book called The Christian Directory , against which he seems to have a very great zeal , but I fear his envy against his Person doth exceed it . For do but compare the Preface , with the Epilogue of our Authors Treatise , , and you will find he seems to entertain a better opinion of John of Leyden , then of him . I understand Mr. Baxter will speedily write something for his own Vindication , and I long to see it , that so nothing that he hath said in his Christian Directory may prove a Stumbling-block to the Weak , and more confirm the Antipaedobaptists in their Errour . The truth is , those people are very sensible how much he hath wounded their Cause , and are glad with an occasion of wounding his Reputation . But I profess , I could not but smile , to observe how he seems to bewail the Indiscretion of Mr. Baxter , and rebukes him for Printing his Judgement in some Points that refer to Baptism , and other things , at such an unseasonable time ; as if he had hit upon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the fittest opportunity to declaim against Infant Baptism . But doth he take this to be a fit time of the day ( to use his own Phrase ) to widen Differences , and set us at farther distances , when we are almost sinking under fears and daily expectations of troubles ? Is it a fit season for us to be wrangling , when Gods Rod is shaking over all our Heads ? Must he at such a time enter upon the old Obfolete Controversie , and inveigh against Childrens Baptism , which evermore hath occasioned heart-burnings and fruitless contendings , especially when 't is disputed against with a lofty , bitter and disdainful Spirit , of which we perceive too much in this last attempt . Ah! what a restless Genius is there attending some Opinions , and how careless of the Churches Peace are the Abettors of them ? What the Author himself speaks , pag. 308. from Clopenburg's Epistle , of the Anabaptists , heretofore in Germany is too true of some of those in England , viz. That they suffer not the pure Reformed Churches to be edified without daily conflicts . For not only heretofore in times of Liberty , but even now under restraint , some hot-spirited Persons , publish their Tenents , with such a rigid and condemning Spirit , that it proves the greatest hinderance of Union and Conjunction amongst us in this Nation . The Opinion of Antipaedobaptism , having been ( as Mr. Sydenham observes ) always Ominous , and of a wonderous strange influence to destroy Vnity , and Peace amongst Christians , accompanied also with the most Retinue of Errors , since the first Embrio of it was brought forth ; Whether by a secret Judgement of God , or from the natural and secret Connexion with other Principles of Darkness , I will not , saith he , determine : Only God hath shewed some black Characters of it in every Nation where it hath prevailed ; though we cannot but say many Saints are under the power of it . Yea , and I do also farther attest , that there are some very worthy Persons , and eminent Christians of that way , whom I exceedingly honour for their Gifts and Graces , Moderation and sweetness of Spirit , and Liberality towards all Christians ; such as these I prize as much as any Christians in England that are Paedobaptists , and could as willingly imbrace them and entertain Christian Fellowship with them , as with any that are of my own Judgement in the point of Baptism . We ought to put a difference between humble and heady Men , between factious Persons that affect Singularity , and decline Communion with us , because we differ from them in some Circumstances about an External Administration ; and such as disown Infant-baptism out of simple Perswasion , looking on it as a Corruption , and without Scripture ground , Mr. Gerce Vind. Paedobaptismi . and so cannot submit unto it , lest thereby they defile their Consciences ( as they conceive ) with Will-worship : when notwithstanding , if other Christians be of another mind , they can own them as Brethren , and not divide in regard of Christian Affection and Communion . Some such there are , though few : and such a frame of spirit was there in that Man of God ( Mr. Jessey ) as may be seen in his Book intituled A Store-house of Provision in sundry Cases of Conscience . He , to my knowledge , was an Antipaedobaptist of long standing , as holy , I conceive , as any of that Judgement , of good Learning , and of a very tender Conscience , and of so healing and uniting a Spirit , that he esteemed it his Duty ( and press'd others to it ) to keep up Christian Communion with those that feared God though they differed about Baptism : We have his Arguments for the same published in Print , and grounded upon Rom. 14.1 . which are so clear , and have in them such strength of Evidence , that I never yet could hear them answered , nor do ever expect it . I wish there were more such Antipaedobaptis as he , and have good ground to believe many of them would come off from their Rigidness ( were they not afraid of offending their weak Brethren , and fettered with some engagements at first entrance into their Churches ) and would readily afford us the right hand of Felloship . I know what a dangerous thing it is to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an accuser of the Brethren , and whence that Spirit comes , and can appeal to Heaven that I now appear in the defence of what I conceive to be the Truth , without a malevolent mind against any of our Dissenters . I have had an intimate and friendly Correspondency with many Antipaedobaptists , both in this place where I now inhabit and elsewhere ; by reason of which some have thought I comported with them in their Opinions : But this is a mistake : I own what I see of God in them , and in all Professors of Religion whatsoever , and would have none to engross Religion to themselves . And if I know my own heart , where ever I see aliquid Christi , any thing of Christ , it attracts my Affection ; God's People being all alike equally dear to me , as they are his , and have a Conversation becoming the Gospel . My Love is not confined to a Party , but extensive to all Saints . And though some may count me an enemy for telling them the truth , and withdraw their Affection , it is no more than I expect , and shall encourage my self with what I long since learned from a Heathen , viz. Amicus Plato , amicus Socrates ; sed magis amica Veritas . I foresee how likely I am to purchase the displeasure and dispraise of those that cannot endure to have their Opinion spoken against ; at which I hope to be no more dejected , than elated , if others shall own my poor performance under the Notion of Approbation : well knowing that all Polemical and Controversial Discourses carry a face like that of a Picture , suitable to the situation and light the Beholders stand in , or are guided by .

Nor do I so much as hope to reduce any of our Opposites : for the men of their Way are inflexible , and seem to be as much assured the Truth is on their side , as they are of the divine Athority of the Scriptures . I have heard of some Quakers that have been turned , but could never yet hear of one of them that changed his Opinion , unless he happened to fall into some worse Errour .

And certainly it is a strange Presumption , no less Vnchristian than Prodigious , for men to assume a Prerogative of judging those to be in the dark ( as is the common humour of our Opposites ) that differ from them in this point of Baptism , when they cannot but confess , that in other things they are of more clarified Intellectuals than themselves , and have a deeper inspection into Scripture : And yet their Vnderstandings at least must be condemned , whilst they impose the scanty Measure of their own , as an unquestionable Standard , for others to submit to . Forgetting in the mean while , that many who were of their own Judgment , have ( at the long run ) espoused some gross Errors , and renounced Water-baptism , as a low , contemptible Ceremony , and owned no other Baptism but that of the Spirit . It was long since observed that some of the hottest Zealots against Infant-baptism , have grown so cold , as to turn Seekers , and to deny the lawful Administration of Ordinances . So common is it for men to run from one Extreme to another .

But though I despair of gaining over to us any of those who are so rivetted in their Opinions ( considering withal how succesless politer Pens have been ) yet do I hope , by what shall follow , to put some Remora and stop to weak and wavering Souls , that they be not over-hasty in coming over to the Tents of our Opposites : and to establish and confirm others that are at present satisfied in the practice of Infant Baptism .

And because some of both Parties may take offence at what I have done ; for as Aristotle saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . It is difficult , if not impossible , to please all , I am obliged to signifie some Reasons amongst others that moved me to enter the Lists of a publick Dispute .

1. Because the Pompous Treatise of my Antagonist being put into my hand , by one of his Judgment , and cried up for an incomparable and unanswerable Piece . I read some part of it cursorily , and confess I was amuzed at the Multitude of Quotations , from Fathers , Councils , ancient Doctors of the Church , School-men , besides Modern Writers ; together with the Testimonies of Waldenses and Old Britains ; and all against Infant-baptism , and being shortly after upon some occasion at Oxford , I took the opportunity to examine his Quotatitions in the Publick Library , and upon searching found it so fallacious a Piece , that I thought my self bound in Conscience , for the honour of Truth , and Love to my Country , to make discovery thereof , that the Credulity of illiterate and well-meaning Persons might not be imposed upon by such Forgery .

2. I have been somewhat provoked to bear Testimomony to the Lawfulness of Baptizing the Children of Believers , by the Audacity of one , that sometimes preacheth amongst the Antipedobaptists who told me to my Face , that I could say nothing for Infant Baptism , to whom I said but little , as judging him uncapable of understanding the strength of an Argument .

3. After I had communicated a few Sheets to some Learned Men , they did album calculum addere , and incired me to proceed .

4. Because no body else had published any thing to confront this daring Champion ; and I see no cause to repent of my Undertaking , unless it be that I have not defended the Truth as it ought to be .

I was never before engaged in these Olympian Games , nor do I delight in such Exercises , and do find by experience that these Polemical Contests are but barren things , and cannot but much approve of the Saying of Zuarez , who ( though a Jesuite ) professed he found more benefit in that time which he did every day set apart for the examining the State of his Soul , than in all the Voluminous Books of Controversies which he had written .

I would now advertise the Reader , that my Answer refers to Mr. Danvers his First Book , it being in the Press before his 2d . Edition came to hand ; in which I find no Retracting or Rectifying Mistakes , but in stead thereof a numerous Addition of more : some of which , I have taken notice of in the Recapitulation of the Magdeburgensian History , concerning Infant Baptism , affixt to my Answer .

There are many egregious Faults I charge Mr. Danvers with , which are made good in the Answer . For I quote the Chapter and Page of the Authors that he abuseth ; that so those who are Scholars , if they please , may see whether I wrong him . The Books are extant , and we have no Index Expurgatorius here in England to relieve him .

1. He hath much injured that famous History of the Magdiburgenses in very many places , by misrepresenting what they say ; as that they tell us that in the first Century , the Apostles baptized Only the Aged , which is false ; for he hath himself added the Word [ Only ] as is shewn Capt. 7. Part. 1. pag. 2. of our Answer . Then he saith they tell us that the Custom of Dipping the whole Body into water was changed into Sprinkling in the 3. Cent. See this pag. 113. and cites the Magdeburgenses for it , Cent. 3. pag. 125 , 126. where they say no such thing , but the contrary , and gives Cyprian's Testimony for it ( who is calculated to live in the days of those that saw the Apostles ) that Baptism is valid whether it be by Immersion or Sprinkling Cent. 3. c. 4. and Chap. 7. part. 1. pag. 8. of the Answer . Look the Examination of the Magdiburgensiam History and there you have the rest of his Misrepresentations .

2. After the same manner hath he serv'd the Fathers both of the Greek and Latino Churches ; Quoting some Passages out of them as if they had been for Believers Baptism , in opposition to that of Infants , when not one of them was so , no not Tertullian or Nazianzen absolutely , but both for it in case of danger of death ; yea , the latter without respect to that . See Chap. 7. Part. 1. pag. 13. of the Answer , and the 3. Century in the Recapitulation at the end of the Answer .

There be two ways he takes to blind the Reader with respect to the Fathers .

1. By Traducing that which is spoken in reference to Pagans , and misapplying of it against Infant Baptism : thus he serves Chrysostom and Austin , p. 76. of his Treatise , whom he brings for his eminent Witnesses for Believers Baptism ; and then again the same men to be for Infant Baptism , pag. 121. of his Treatise . See how this Contradiction is reconciled in our Answer to his 2d . Chap. part . 2. About Infants Baptism . 2. By curtailing and leaving out part of the Sentence , as pag. 65. where he cites these words of Bazil ; Must the faithful be sealed with Baptism ? — Faith must precede and go before . There Mr Danvers stops whereas he should have gone on with what follows , Quid de infantibus ais ? — num & illos baptizemus ? Maximè — These are the next Lines to what we have above . — What say you to Infants which know nor good nor evil , must we baptize them ? Yea , &c. See Chap. 7. part. 1. p. 13. of the Answer .

3. The Councils have no better measure from him ; for he quotes those 3. the Bracaren , that of Constantinople , ( he writes it Constance ) and that of Toletan . All which , he produceth for Believers Baptism in opposition to that of Infants , p. 78. of his Treatise , and quotes the Magdiburgenses for it , Cent. 7. p. 146. Whereas they give us to understand that they were for Infant Baptism , Chap. 7. part. 1 pag. 29 , 30. of our Answer . See this more fully in the Recapitulation affixt to the Answer , under Century 7.

4. He brings in the Doctors of the Romish Church very ridiculously , as eminent Witnesses for Believers baptism , that is , in opposition to Infant Baptism , or else he says nothing ; As for Instance , Haimo , Rabanus , an Abbot , Remigius a Monk , Smarugdus , &c. See how little truth there is in this , Chap. 7. part. 1. p. 33. of the Answer , and much more fully in the Recapitulation at the end of the Answer , under Century 8 , 9 , 10. Here our Author hath used his wonted subtilty in quoting some passages out of these Popish Doctors for Believers Baptism , meant by them only in respect of Pagans .

5. By the same Artifice are ignorant persons deluded with the sayings of the Schoolmen , which were so great and stiff assertors of Infant-baptism , that they ascrib'd too much to it . See how we have discovered the Authors Sophistry , Chap. 7. part. 1. pag. 34. of our Answer : But more fully this is spoken to , in the Recapitulation under the 12th Cent.

6. His great Witnesses against Infant-baptism , namely Waldenses , Novatians , and Donatists , and Ancient Britains fail him .

1. For the Waldenses , he hath brought 4 Confessions , as against it , when they have not a word of that import , as any ordinary Reader may perceive . See pag. 282 , 283. of his Treatise ; and how fully we have made it appear by other Confessions that they were expresly for it : See Chap. 7. part. 2. of the Answer .

2. Neither were the Novatians for it , though they denyed Original Sin , and were for Rebaptization of such as were baptized by Hereticks ( though there were few greater than themselves ; ) and therefore Novatus the Head of them was condemned by 66. wishops , in the year 255. Fox , Act. Monum . vol. 1. So the Magdiburgenses speak of his being condemned by a Council at Rome for his Heresies , Cent. 3. c. 9. p. 193. They write of his Heresies , and among others , that he did de Deo prophanissimam doctrinam subintroducere , introduce most prophane Doctrines concerning God ; but not a word of his denying Infant Baptism , Cent. 3. cap. 5. p. 99. De Haeress Novatiorum . Neither doth Danaeus , in Austin's Catalogue of Heresies , make mention of any such thing , Danaei Opusc . p. 678.

Nor did the Donatists deny Infant Baptism , as appears from the Magdiburgs , Cent. 4. cap. 5. p. 375. De Donatistarum haerefi ; though they were for Rebaptization of such as were baptized by Hereticks , yet there is not the least hint of their being against Infant-baptism .

3. The Ancient Britains were not against it ; and the Mistake of the Author is grounded upon Fabian's paraphrastical Translation of Bede , as is shewn in our Examination of the History of the Britains .

7. He hath manifest Contradictions to himself ; first shewing such persons to be for Believers Baptism , and then afterward citing the same men for Infant-baptism : thus we have him mentioning Bede Pro and Con p. 7. and p. 78. of the first part of of his Treatise compared with p. 130. Thus he serv'd Austin and Chrysostom , as was noted before . And so he leaves them to clash , and his Reader , in the dark ; whereas the Distinction of Ecclesia Collecta and Colligenda would reconcile all very well . In the same manner hath he dealt with many of our Modern Divines , as Calvin , Piscator , Perkins , Paraeus , &c. as we have shewn Chap. 1. part. 1. p. 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. of the Answer .

8. Notorious Plagiarism ; for I have noted him borrowing from Mr. Tombes his 2 Books , Exercitation and Examen in no less than 49 places , and all the while concealing his Name , contrary to the Laws of Ingenuity . But that which is most prodigious , and for which he deserves to carry away the Bell from all Plagiaries , is ( as we have noted , p. 154. of the 2. Part. of our Answer Chap. 2. beginning at his Exceptions against our Argument from Federal Holiness ) that for 43 pages together he hath taken the Substance of it all out of Mr. Tombes his Exercitation and Examen , excepting what he quotes from Dr. Owen and Dr. Taylor . And I must acquaint thee , Reader , that he hath serv'd others in the same manner , transcribing out of their Books very la6rgely , without taking the least notice of their names : for I have met lately with a Terra incognita , since part of my Answer was printed ; one Book put out by William Allen called Some Baptismal Abuses newly discovered , and the other by Henry Haggar , named The Foundation of the Font : but I must spare him for the present , or my Preface will be too large . I see if every Bird had his own Feathers , Mr. Danvers would be left naked .

9. Shameful Oscitancy , such I think as the like was never known : We have it p. 209. of his Treatise , where he brings Calvin , upon Gen. 17.7 . interpreting the Seed to whom the Promise was made , to be the Spiritual , and not Carnal ; when he speaks no such word , but all along to the contrary ; as , Clara est Pauli doctrina de naturalibus Abrahae filiis — St. Paul 's doctrine , Rom. 11.16 . is evidently to be understood of the Natural sons of Abraham : and again ; Nihil certius est , quàm Deus foedus suum pacisci cum filiis Abrahae , qui naturaliter ex eo gignendi , Nothing is more sertain , than that God's Covenant was made with the Natural Off-spring of Abraham . And indeed the words which he fathers upon Calvin , are Estius the Jesuite's , spoken against the Interpretation of Calvin upon Gen. I have shewed how Mr. Danvers came to be guilty of the mistake , pag. 196. of the 2d part of my Answer .

10. He doth vilifie and contemn all that stand in his way , Episcoparians , Presbyterians and Independents , yea fearfully reproaching those who are Antipaedobaptists that are come off from their former Rigidness , and for a large Communion with all Believers as Believers . As appears by his dealing with Mr. Bunion , Mr. Allen and Mr. Lamb in his Postscript .

Notwithstanding all these Piacula , and more that may be named , the Credulous Party will believe nothing against the supposed Incomparable and most Authentick Piece of Mr. Danvers : I must prepare for their Censures , and begin to hear already the insultings of some of them over me , that I should dare presume to encounter such a Goliah ; they are many of them illiterate , and incapable of examining the things written in the Latin Tongue , and it cannot be expected they should believe me before such an Antesignanus . But since it cannot be remedied , I shall leave them to their Credulity , to be edified by his Melody . I know the Learned , upon search ; will acquit me from Slander , and for the rest I am of Austin's Mind , Non curo Ceusores , qui vel non intelligendo reprehendunt , vel reprehendendo non intelligunt . Reader , I have only two things more to advise thee of .

1. That having received some Sheets , I find the Printers Errata are many , which I hope thou wilt 〈◊〉 charity correct , some of which thou wilt find taken notice of . I hope thou art not of Mr. Danvers ●is mind , who taking the Printers Errata to be Mr. Baxter's , and not taking notice that Mr. Baxter desired the Reader to correct them , reflects odium upon him , and makes this ingenious Apology for himself being told of it , viz. That no man is bound by any Law that he knows , to read and study Errata's ; you have it ●n his 2d . Edition , pag. 383. I shall therefore be beforehand with him ; ( for I hope he will read my Preface if he makes a Reply ) and do hereby signifie that ●here is a great Error pag. 7. of the first Chapter of my Answer , where the word [ only ] is wanting ; for it ●hould be thus — It can never be proved that this was the Only manner of the Jews Baptizing . This by the way ●o prevent Carping . Likewise the Sheets are not rightly paged , ocasioned by being Printed at two Houses .

2. That notwithstanding all the Flourishes Mr. Dan●ers makes , and the numerous Quotations he hath ●etched from the Magdiburgensian History , Chapt. 7. From the first Century to the end of the 12th , there are but two Persons to be found against Infant-baptism , Adrianus and Hincmarus ; the latter appears to have recanted , and was again restored to his Bishoprick : ●nd for the understanding of Church-history about infant-baptism , I refer thee to the Recapitulation at ●●e end of the Answer , which contains some things ●●at were omitted in the Answer , and I assure thee is ●●ithfully collected .