I Received yours on Lords-day Evening , and now heartily thank you for it : Though I have been exercised with Infirmities , and have much Work on my Hands this Week , yet I have taken what time I could spare to Consider of and to Answer your Letter to me . I hope what you have written is in the Uprightness and Integrity of your Hearts , and that you have not first resolved what to do , and then desire to be advised : If you have done so , it is not Ingenious , and I can expect no great Fruit as to what I write to you ; however I 'll perform my Duty , and clear my Conscience in this Matter to you , and what I shall Communicate I profess in the Presence of God is the Truth as it is in Jesus . That I may not be Confused in this Reply to what you write , I shall perform these four things :

1. Prove to you by Scripture that the Baptizing of Infants born in the Christian Church is a New-Testament Ordinance .

2. That the Baptizing of Infants in the Church , or the admitting of the Adult into it by Baptism , was not only , if at all , in Scripture-times by Dipping .

3. That the Re-baptizing of such Believers as were Baptized in their Infancy , is unwarrantable .

4. That whatever sweet Refreshments from the Holy Spirit , and Spiritual Graces you can expect to enjoy by being Re-baptised , you have no ground for it , and you may obtain them by renewed Acts of Faith on your Infant-Baptism .

In your reading of all I suggest to you on these Heads , I humbly request you to lay aside all Prejudice , and to do as the Bareans did , Acts 17.11 . take your Bibles and Search the Scriptures daily , whether these things are not so as they are here quoted , and represented to you , and the Father of Lights give you a sound Understanding in this and in all other Truths .

First , That Infant-Baptism is a Gospel-Ordinance , or that Infants born in the Christian Church ought to be Baptized . This Truth is to be evinced from Scripture-Precept , Scripture-Example , and Scripture-Reason .

1. Scripture-Precept for Infant-Baptism is laid down in Matthew 28.18 , 19. Jesus spake unto them , All Power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth , going therefore , Disciple ye all Nations , Baptizing them into the Name of the Father , of the Son , and of the Holy Spirit . These Nations , the Subject of this Ordinance , did consist of Humane Persons of both Sexes , and of all Ages , that is , of Men , Women and Children , which not only Scripture , as Isaiah 9.3 . but the Common Language of all Nations testifie . These are the Subjects of all God's Commands , Exod . 20. v. 1 , to 18. Deuteronomy 4.34 , 40. and Ch. 5. v. 2 , 3. and Ch. 29. v. 1 , 10 , 11 , to 16. Of all God's Promises , Gen. 22.18 . Psal . 67.2 . & 82.8 . Isaiah 2.2 . Of all God's Threatnings , Psal . 9.17 . our Lord useth the same word of Nations here , in the same Sense and Meaning as Moses and all the Prophets had done before him . These Nations must be Discipled by the Apostles , according to Christ's Precept , and they must make them Disciples after that Pattern that God had set them , in his discipling Abraham , and his House and Nation before , as that of all Believers from Adam down along before him ; which was done by God's revealing to these Persons his Covenant , and teaching them his Will , which they believed and consented to , as Abraham , Gen. 12. v. 1 , 2. & ch. 15. v. 1 , 6. & ch. 17. v. 1.10 , to 15. He discipled Abraham's House , Male-Children , Infants and Servants , by Circumcision , Ver . 24 , 25 , 26 , 27. by which Sign and Seal of the Covenant he engageth them to himself , and their Parents to nurture them up in the Knowledge of it , Chap. 17.10 . and Chap. 18.19 . So were the Apostles to Preach the Gospel , and to offer Gods Covenant , the good Tidings of Grace and Salvation , to all Nations , to every rational Creature of them , Mark 16.15 . Man , Woman and Child , the Understanding part of them received it not only for their Persons , but being Parents for the Use and Benefit of their Seed , Infants and Children . So Paul and Barnabas Evangelized the City of Derbo , and Discipled many , Acts 14. v. 21. The Fathers and Adult by Instruction , and their Infants by implicit Engagement . For as God offered himself to be a God to them and their Seed , not any that received him to be their own God , but consented and received him to be the God of their Children , Acts 2.39 . Infants therefore being thus discipled must be baptized . Parents were not discipled in those Nations alone , but with their Infant Seed , whom they did virtually in themselves , actually and sacramentally in their Persons with themselves , dedicate and devote them unto God by Baptism ; and without them Nations are not discipled . The Apostles were to go instantly about this Work , according to their Commission , and not to tarry till the Infants in all Nations were grown up . They are likewise as capable of being initiated and entred into all the Good of the Name of the Father , of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , as any of the Adult were , and by this Comand of Christ ought to be so initiated into it by Baptism . That they are so capable , is evident by the Fathers putting his own Name on them , as Jacob did on the Sons of Joseph , Genesis Ch. 48. v. 16. compared with Numb . Ch. 6. v. 27. by the Sons owning of them as Subjects to be blessed by him and his own Brethren , Psalm 22. v. 22. Isaiah Ch. 8. v. 18. Mark Ch. 10. v. 16. Hebrews Ch. 2. v. 12. by the Holy Ghost owning of them , and sanctifiying some of them in the Womb , Jeremiah Ch. 1. v. 5. and Luke Ch. 1. v. 15 , 41. Galatians Ch. 1. v. 15.

2. Scripture-Example evinceth , that Infants in the Christian Church have been Baptized . Tho' I premise , that if there were no Infants Baptized in the Scripture Times , yet it followeth not thence that Infants ought not to be Baptized ; the Omission of the Practice of it cannot null the Law for it , no more than the Omission of Circumcision by Israel for forty Years in the Wilderness disanulled that Law ; or because that the Name of Infants Baptized is not written in so many Letters , that therefore they were not Baptized , for by the same Reason no Woman must receive the Lords Supper , because we read not in so many Syllables that any did . It is evident then from Scripture that as our Lord commanded , the Apostles discipled and baptized Nations , and in them Children , who were as capable of Discipling as the Elder Persons . This is Positively confirmed in their baptizing Housholds or Families , for where they baptized Parents , there they baptized their Houses or Housholds , and not one of these were baptized without a Parent , Acts 16.14 , 15. So was baptized Lydia and her Houshold ; the Jailor and his House ; He and all his , Ver . 31 , 32 , 33. Crispus with all his House , Acts 18.8 . the Houshold of Stephanus , as 1 Cor . 1.16 . Houshold or Family , His and House when spoken of Persons is an Hehrew Term , to set out the Children or Seed of the House , whether Infants or Adult Children . So is it said to Noah , Come thou and all thy House , Himself , Wife and Children , Gen. 7.1 , 7. I shall be destroyed , saith Jacob , and my House , Gen. 34.30 . Joseph said to his Brethren , and to his Fathers House , Gen. 46.31 . Them and their Houses were swallowed up , Numb . 16.27 , 32. Jerubbaal and his House , Judg . 9.16 . and so concerning Eli's House , 1 Sam . 3.12 , 13 , 14. Scriptures multiply , wherein House , Houshold or Family , did signifie Children . If now Infants were not baptized in these Houses or Housholds instanced in to be baptized , it must be , either because they had no such Infants in them , which can never be proved by Scripture , or that they were not Subjects capable to be baptized , which hath been already proved by Scripture that they were . Parents and their Houses or Housholds do include Infants , the Adult being for the most part at their own dispose , whilst Infants are at their Parents dispose . Amongst both Jews and Gentiles , where Parents were Converted and Baptized , they brought over their Children with them , as being one Person in Law-sense with themselves , and so covenanting in and with them . Therefore mark it , an Husband might believe and not the Wife , the Wife might believe and not the Husband , yet is it not said to either of these Relations , believe thou Husband and thou shalt save thy Wife , believe thou Wife and thou shalt save thy Husband ; but to Parents it is said , believe thou , and thou shalt be saved and thy House , Acts 16.31 . which imports in it , the enjoyment of the outward means of Salvation , which to those who die in their Infancy may Seal to them their Eternal Salvation ; and will so to those who survive it , if they neglect not so great Salvation . That Infants of believing Parents are chiefly concerned in this , is evident , because the Adult in every Family believing should be saved , tho' their Parents did not believe , compare Asts 11.14 . with Luke 19.9 . And in the very Commission it self for baptizing , the Lord mentioneth as much Infants , as he doth either Man , Woman , or Adult .

3. From Scripture-Reason it is evident , that Infants in the Church have right to be , and were baptized . For , all such who have due qualifications for Baptism ought to be baptized , but all the Infants of believing Parents have such qualifications , and therefore they ought to be baptized . All that qualifieth for this Ordinance must refer either to Gods allowance of it , or the Persons capacity for it . 1. As to Gods allowance of it , I argue thus , all such with whom God hath made his Covenant , and never reversed it , are qualified for Baptism , and must be admitted thereunto , but God hath made his Covenant with the Infants of Believers , and never reversed it , therefore they are qualified for Baptism , and must be admitted to it . The Truth of this appears from the Connection there is between Gods Covenant and the initial Seal of it . Whoever by Covenant are taken into Gods Church must be initiated thereinto by the Seal of it , now there is no other initiating Seal but Baptism , Circumcision that was setled for a time a Seal of the Covenant is abrogated long since . Gods Covenant was setled with Parents and Children in the Church from the fall of Adam , as appears by Sacrifice , Gen. 4.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. compared with Ver . 25.26 . and chap. 6.2 . This was made more plainly known to Abraham , with an additional Seal to it , Gen. 17.10 . This Covenant is still in force with Believers and with their seed . The Redeemer hath under the Gospel altered the Seal , but not the Subjects of it , who are now to be baptized , as they were under the Old Testament Administration to be circumcised . This Covenant can never be disannulled , Gal. 3.15 , 16 , 17. Those that are Subjects of it , both Parents and Children , are to be baptized , Acts 2.38 , 39. As God hath made this Covenant with them , so Christ hath executed it to the Infants of believing Jews and Gentiles , John 17.2 . He hath finished the Work God hath given him to do , which was to fulfil the Promise confirmed to Abraham , and to the Churches Infants , the Seed of Believers . The Apostle asserts it to the Gentiles , Rom. 15.8 , 9. In the Translation of the Church of God from the Jews unto the Gentiles , into which Church he hath received Believers and their Seed , as he hath rejected those Unbelievers and their Seed , Mat . 21.13 . compare Rom. 11.11 , 12 , 13. And as God allowed this admittance of Church Infants to Baptism , by translating his Kingdom to the believing Gentiles , so Christ proselited or gathered these little ones into his Church or Kingdom , Mar. 19.13 , 14 , 15. Mark 10.13 , 14 , 15. Luke 18.15 , 16 , 17. as they were Members of it , and therefore ought to be baptized . By the Redeemers appointment Infants were initiated into his Church under the Old Testament by the Sign and Seal of his Covenant , Circumcision , Gen. 17.10 . but now under the Gospel are they to be entred into it by Baptism , which succeedeth by his appointment in the room of the other , Col. 2.11 , 12. Now if God hath ordered it to be done , and it was done , as is testified by the Spirit in 1 Cor . 10.1 , 2. and this was never reversed by him , then God alloweth it to his Church at this day . 2. As to Infants capacity for Baptism , I argue thus , All who are Subjects capable of Baptism are to be baptized , but Infants born in the Church are capable of Baptism . This is evident by Scripture instance , for they have a Covenant-capacity for it which was never reversed , Gen. 17.10 , 11 , 12. compare Acts 2.39 . Christ was the Mediator of the Covenant to Israelitish Parents and Children , and so he is to believing Gentiles and their Infant-Seed , Isa . 49.6 , 8. compare Rom. 15.8 , 9. They have a capacity to be Gods Children , and are so owned by him , Isa . 8.18 . Ezek . 16.20 , 21. Rom. 9.4 . Heb . 2.13 . They are Christs Disciples , Asts 15.10 . and to be received in Christs Name as such , Mat . 18.5 . Mark 9.41 . Luke 9.47 , 48. They are Christs Servants , Lev . 25.54 , 55. Subjects of his Kingdom , Mat . 19.14 . Mark 10.14 . Luke 18.16 . The Infant Children of Believers being all these , are capable , or qualified Subjects for Baptism . They are also Church-Members , so setled in the Covenant of Grace from the first grant of it , and so continued throughout the times of Abraham , Moses , and all the Prophets , and were never since excluded from being so . In all the changes in the Israelitish Church , the Essentials did always abide , the material part , of which were their Members . As Infants are Church-members , and so invited to Baptism , they have also endowments fit for it . They are Believers in Christs own account , Mat . 18.5 , 6. Mark 9.36 , 37. and made Patterns by him to Elder Persons , Mat . 18.2 , 3 , 4. Are to be received in his Name , and therefore have relation to , and an Interest in him . They are included in Believing Parents , and are said to do what they profess , Deut. 29.10 , 11 , 12. They are Relative Believers , born in , and belong unto the Houshold of Faith , Psal . 22.30 . and are called such as the Israelites were . How many of them are of Gods Elect , and so have the Spirit of Grace and Faith in them ; and whether not so many as of the Adult , is a secret to us , which Heaven only can reveal , Luke 1.15 . Lastly , Infants in the Church are in the account of God the Spirit , Holy , as well as Believers , Exod . 19.6 . Deut . 7.6 . and Chap. 14.2 , 21. Rom. 11.16 . and 2 Cor . 7.14 . Some of them positively by the Infusion of Holiness into their Spirits , Jer . 1.5 . External positive Sanctification or Consecration is by Covenant-constitution on all Church-Infants , Exod . 13.2 . Whence God calls them His , Rom. 11.16 . And so all the branches are Relatively Holy . Infants in the Church being thus Believers , and Holy , they have a right to , and ought to be baptized . In the close , I adde this , that there is not one Word in Scripture , forbidding the baptizing of the Infants of Believers ; and if the Name of Infants is not exprest in the Commission for baptizing , no more are the Names of Men or Women , which shews , that it was so known and unquestionable Truth among the Jews , and in Scripture-times , as well as with all Conversant with their Customs , that there was no need to read it more expresly . No Person can be any more secure , that the Adult shall not Apostatize after Baptism , than Believers can that their Infant Seed shall not .

2. That the Baptizing of Infants in the Christian Church , or the admitting of the Adult into it by Baptism in Scripture times , was neither only , nor mostly , if at all , by Plunging the Person into the Water . As to what is pleaded for this from that Word the Commission Baptizing , Mat . 28.19 . It can no where in the New Testament be clearly proved to signifie Dipping or Plunging the whole Person under the Water . The Word properly signifying Diping in the New Testament is another Word , and so truly translated in Mat . 26.23 . Mark 14.20 . John 13.26 . And the known use of this Word Baptize among Greek Authors themselves , who best understood their own Language , doth confirm it to signifie washing . Baptizing is a general Word for Washing , by applying Water several ways , either to Persons or things , as by Effusion of it on them , Exod . 30.18 , 19. 2 King . 3.11 . Luke 11.38 . or sprinkling of them with them , Mark 7.4 . The Application of the Element of Water to the Flesh of the Person is the thing that the Injunction of Christ doth inforce in Baptizing , 1 Pet . 3.20 . Not only the Propriety of the Word Baptizing doth evacuate this work of Dipping , but from the presumed instances given of it , it can never be proved that those who were baptized by John the Baptist , or by Christs Disciples were so dipped . Thô it is said , that Jesus when baptized , went up straight-way out of the Water , it doth not appear that he was dipped or plunged into it , Mat . 3.13 . It was not unlikely that he had water poured or sprinkled on him in it , for as soon as he came out of the Water he betook himself to Prayer , Luke 3.21 . Which Work , if his Garments that covered him had been all wet , as they must have been by his plunging in the Water , would have been inconvenient , till they were shifted or dried , for Christ did not carry a Ward-robe with him . That he was baptized Naked can never be proved . He who dried his Disciples Feet , after he had washed them , John 13.4 , 5. before he instructed them in their Duty , would have taken some care of his own Person after such a dipping before he went to Prayer . Neither the places where John or they did Baptize , did necessitate their dipping in them , as is surmised . As those who were baptized by John in Jordan , their going down into , and coming out of the Water , importing no more then their standing at the brink of the Water on dry ground , as the Priests that bare the Ark of the Lord before Israel in their passage over Jordan , when they came to the brink of the water of Jordan , did stand still in Jordan , Joshua 3.13 , 15 , 17. from whence the Waters had retired . This is much more probable , then his standing in the River and plunging so continually Multitudes in it as the History declares , Mat . 3.5 , 6. Neither doth Johns Baptizing in Aenon countenance his Dipping , because there was much Water there . The Words are , many Waters , and such as were uncapable of immersion or plunging into them . Whether Aenon were the Name of a Town or Village , or plain Land , I shall not determine . It seems to be scituated in the South of Judah , which for the most part was a dry and barren Land , where were few or no Springs , as appears by the Daughters of Calebs request , Judg . 1.15 . In this plain of Aenon there were many Springs of Water , from which Fountains might run many Streams or Rivulets of Water , for the accommodation of the Inhabitants about it , but not of such depth as to serve for this pretended use , as hath been testified by Persons that have seen them . Alike Fountain or Spring to which was that where Philip baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch , in Acts 8.36 , 38. Yet were they never so capable , can it be demonstrated that the baptized Persons were dipped in them . Neither do the Allusions which the Holy Spirit useth in asserting the effects of Baptism , any way Countenance this Dipping , as in Rom. 6.4 . Being buried with him by Baptism , and Col. 2.12 . which signifieth no more than our having Communion with him in his Burial , as well as in his Death , as to the Death of Sin in us , by Baptism . It is evident in the General Custom of most Nations , that burying of Persons is not by dipping them into the Earth , but by pouring on , or casting Earth upon them , and until that be cast on them , they remain unburied . So that whatever force these expressions have , of going down into , or coming up out of the Water , or burying by Baptism , it was impossible for Persons to be baptized by Dipping or Plunging them under the Water in many places , for neither were the three thousand Converts by dipping in one day , Acts 2.41 . nor the Samaritan Believers , Acts 8.12 , 13. nor Paul in the House of Judas , Acts 9.18 . nor the Jailor and his House in the Prison , Acts 16.33 . nor those baptized on the Graves of the Martyrs , 1 Cor . 15.29 . nor the sick or diseased that were baptized in their beds . The Lords own Act in the baptizing of Israel , might satisfie any as to the manner or mode of this Work , and which by the Spirit is charged on all Christians , that they remain not ignorant of , but know and remember it for their own Imitation , in 1 Cor . 10.1 , 2. That the Lord did baptize Israel by pouring down , or showring Water out of the Clouds upon them , when they were passing on dry ground thorough the Red Sea , see Psal . 77.11 . and 68.7 , 9. This way of Effusion and Sprinkling with Water the baptized , is best resembling and signally exhibiting what was intended by our Lord in this Ordinance , both as to what was foretold of it by the Prophets in Prov. 1.23 . and Isa . 44.1 , 3. and Zach. 12.10 . compare Mat . 3.11 . Acts 2.1 , 2 , 3. Concerning the Effusion of his Spirit on them , and the sprinkling of them with his Blood , Isa . 52.15 . and Ezek . 36.24 , 25 , 26 , 27. Fulfilled under the Gospel , in Heb . 9.14 , 19 , 23. and Chap. 12.24 . compare Eph. 5.26 , 27. Rev. 1.5 . The pouring of this Water in Baptism on the Face of the Person baptized , is most proper , as a part symbolically sufficient to represent the whole Person , as well as the Feet , in John 13.10 . As Christ taught there his Disciples . And by Face in Scripture is usually set out and exprest the whole Person , and one Person is distinguished from another , read Gen. 48.11 . Ecles . 8.1 . Gal. 1.22 . A Seal Confirming the last Will and Testament of any Person , is not done by applying the Testament to the Seal , but the Seal to the Testament , and to one part of it . And Baptism on the Face is the proper badge of those who are sealed his , and have his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads ; by which the open Profession of being his Members and Servants is held out unto the sinful World , Rev. 7.3 . Chap. 14.1 .

3. That the Rebaptizing of such who are born in the Christian Church , and have been baptized in their Infancy , is unwarrantable .

This appeareth to be an unwarrantable Practise in some Christians , because there is no Precept for it , no Promise made to it , nor Example of it in all the Scripture . The initiating Sign and Seal of the Covenant , is but once to be applied to its proper Subject , and no more by Christs Institution , and there is a total Silence about any reversing it . Those Adult Persons Recorded in Scripture were Converts , either from Judaism or Gentilism to Christianity , and were no Members of the Christian Church before they were baptized , and by Baptism they were initiated into it , as appears Acts 2.41 . and Chap. 8.12 , 13. and Chap. 10.48 . and Chap. 16.31 , 33. To such Adult strangers the rule was , to teach them first , and on their Profession of Repentance towards God , and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ , to baptize them . But no such Rule was for them born in the Church of Christ , they were discipled by baptizing in their Infancy , and where they were really and certainly so , Baptism was not to be repeated to them ; if there were any Defect in the Essentials of Baptism ( which is not to be judged by Mens Fancies , but by the Word ) then that might be supplied by the just and regular Administration of it .

4. That whatsoever sweet Refreshments by the Holy Spirit and spiritual Graces you can expect to enjoy by being re-baptized , you have no Ground for it , and you may obtain them by renewed Acts of Faith on your Infant-Baptism .

I suppose you do not intend by those Enjoyments and Refreshments , the Effusion of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost , especially that of Tongues , which were to fit for Preachingwork the Persons who enjoyed them , as they were dispensed in the Primitive Times . These were given sometimes before Baptism , Acts Ch. 10. v. 45 , 47 , 48. and after Baptism by imposition of Hands , Acts Ch. 8. v. 15 , 16 , 17. Ch. 19. v. 6. But never in or by Baptism , as the Scripture testifieth : You must mean therefore by sweet Enjoyments of the Holy Ghost , and spiritual Refreshments which rebaptized Persons have felt , such spiritual Blessings as Peace , Joy , Righteousness , and the Love of God shed abroad in your Hearts by the Holy Spirit , as Romans Ch. 15. v. 13 , 14. and Ch. 5. v. 1 , 5. and Ch. 14. v. 17. and 1 Peter Ch. 1. v. 8 , 9. Now you expect those to be wrought in you , or the sense of them , either by the work of Rebapzing , for which you have no promise in Gods Word ; or you expect them as they are Covenant Blessings , which the Ordinance of Baptism being a Sign or Seal of it may Seal to you . This is already done for you in your Infant Baptism , you have had therein the Sign and Seal of the Covenant as fully as you can have by repeating it : Your Duty and Work therefore is not to repeat it , but to draw forth the Virtue of it by Faith for your own Comfort as all the Power in Heaven and Earth by the Institutor hath made it effectual thereunto . For instance , if

1. You are in Doubt of your Relation to God , or his to you , look to your Baptism as God sealing that Relation in his to you , Galatians Ch. 3. v. 27.

2. In Case of want of greater Measure of Sanctification , look to this Seal of it to you , Colossians 2.12 .

THE General Consent , and almost Universal Practice , not only of all Christendom , but all the World , Jews , Gentiles , Mahometans , Christians of all Sects , Protestants , Papists , Greeks , Armenians , Muscovites , Mengrelians , Indians of St. Thomas , Abissines , &c. in using , time out of mind , for hundreds of years , in places distant thousands of miles , some solemn initiating Ceremony at the first admission of Children ( not adult ) into the Society and Communion of their Religion , which intimateth this to be at first of divine Institution .