Innocency and Truth Vindicated

p. 1CHAP. I. The Baptisme of Believers, with the Authorities urged for the necessity of Confession of Faith before it; is defended and the Quotations out of the Magdeburg's, vindicated from Mr. Wills's charge of Prev◊rication and Falshood.

THe Method I shall observe he ein, shall be to give you a briefe account of the Antiquities, and Authorities brought by me, to prove the necessity of Faith before Baptisme; and then his Exception against them, and my Reply thereto: whereby the Reader may be able to make an easie, and speedy judgement, at whose door the Prevarications and Falshoods lye.

Having, as you'l find, in the 6. first Chapters by 6. Arguments from posi◊ve scripture proved: That Believers upon Profession of Faith, p. 2are the only Subjects of Baptesme; did in my 7. Chapter (by way of Illustration only) confirm the same, from the eminent Testimony that had been born thereto, throughout all ages. Firmly witnessing, That Confession and Profession of Faith. with frée choice, was necessary before Baptisme; And which evidence, as I have given it you, through all the Centuries, you may gather up under 2. Heads: [All the Authorities under 2. Heads.] First, What hath been said thereto by the Ancients themselves, in the first four Centuries, before Infants Baptisme was enjoyn'd (and how confirm'd by our moderne Writers); And secondly, what witness of that kind hath been born thereto, after Infants Baptisme was imposed, as well by those that deny'd Infants Baptisme, as those that own'd, and practised it; not only of the Romish Church, but others through all the rest of the Centuries.

[Mr. Wills charge for Prevarication and Falshood.] To which Testimonies Mr. Wills makes his Exceptions, charging me with Prevarication, in relating somethings partially, others falsly, and for the most part contrary to the intention of the Writers; and to that degree, that except only two: viz. Boemus and Strabo. That I have perverted the sayings of all the Authors throughout the Centuries.

But how he makes this charge appear, is now to be the Question. And therefore in order to the due Examination thereof, we shall join issue with him, and put it to the tryall, how and in what particulars he will make good, either the Prevarications, or falshoods, suggested by him.

p. 3First as to the Prevarications.

The Prevarications he mentions, must appear, [1. Prevarications.] either in the Authorities produced before▪ or since Infants Baptisme was enjoyn'd.

First, as to those produced by me, before Infants Baptisme was imposed: viz. from the four first Centuries, It is manifest, that as to all the Testimonies I bring in the three first Centuries, so positively affirming, that Profession of Faith was to procede Baptisme: He gives no materiall Exception, only saith this of Tertulian, pag. 6. second part: That the Magdeburgs tell us indeed, that Tertullian in this age, opposed himself to some that Asserted Infants Baptisme, affirming that the Adult were the only proper Subjects. But how weakly he doth it, may be seen afterwards, when we come to examine the witness◊s, of which Tertulian is the Van.

So that I hope, it will be acknowledged, [None in the 3. first Cent.] that here is no Prevarication, or perverting evidence, in these my first Testimonies in the three first Centuries; and where you will find there is more then seven times two. Boemus and Strabo being none of their number, so that if we should go no further, my first Proposition stands firme, that Beleevers Baptisme was the only Baptisme for near 300. years.)

But to proceed, I perceive his great cry against me, is for the Authorities I produce out of the fourth Century; but how justly, will speedily appear.

I do indeed say, that it is manifest to me, p. 4from the Evidence the Magdeburg's give us herein: [That Adult Baptisme only practised in the 4. Cent. appears.] That it was the approved and universall practice of this Age, as well in the Eastern, as Western Churches, to Baptise upon Profession of Faith.

And which is made good by a threefold evidence. [1. From the sayings of the Fathers.] First, from the sayings of the Fathers, and greatest men of this Century, both in Africa, Asia▪ and Europa.

[2. Decrees of Councels.] Secondly, from the positive Decrees of three Eminent Councells in this Age.

p. 4Thirdly, from th◊ pregnant instances of ten of the most eminent Men, [3. From the Children of Christians not Baptised till aged.] that were not Baptised till aged, though the Children of Christian Parents, in this Century.

First, from the sayings of the Fathers, both in the East and West.

First, that it doth not appear, that any other then Adult Baptisme was practised in the Churches of Africa, [Affrica.] [1. Athanasius.] is manifest by the sayings of Athanasius, and Arnobius, [2. Arnobius.] two of the most eminent in those Parts, in this Age: Who do positively affirm, as appears by their saying, at large p. 55, 56. That Teaching, Faith, and Desire should, according to Christ's Commission, precede Baptisme. And to which we may add, what we have from Optatus Milevitanus [3. Optatus Milev.] an othe◊ Person of great Name in this Church, in this Age; who tell us in his 4. Book, as say the Magdeburg's, Century 4. pag. 237. That none denyes; but that every Man by nature, though born of Christian Parents, is unclean, and that without the Spirit he is not cleansed, and that there is a necessity of the Spirits cleasing before p. 5Baptisme: So that the house must be trim'd, and fitted for the Lord (viz as he saith, the Soul of the Believer is) that God may enter and dwell in it; according to the saying of the Apostle: You are the Temple of God, and he dwells in you.

Secondly, that is was the Faith, and Practice of the Churches of Asia, [Asia.] appears by the like sayings, of Bazil. Greg. Nazienzen, Ephrim. Syrus, Epiphanius, &c. as at large you have them p. 55, 56, 57.