A vindication of that part of Spira's despair revived which is challenged by the Anabaptists, and shamefully callumniated by John Wells, a Baptist preacher : wherein also some things are handled relating to infant baptism and dipping in baptism : particularly it is evinced that dipping is not essential to the sacrament of baptism / by Thomas James, author of Spira's despair revived.

A VINDICATION, &c.

ON May 21. I received a Letter with a printed Book inclo∣sed, being entituled, A Reply to that part of Spira's Despair Revived, in which the Baptists in general are concerned; but more especially those at Ashford in Kent. &c. Upon read∣ing of the same, I find it such as may, if unanswer'd, turn to my great Disgrace and Contempt; yea, and not only so, but it may be a means to invalidate that Evidence which I have brought in that Spira revived for the Truths of the blessed Gospel, witnessing against the Atheistical Principles of this Age: And yet further, this shameful Reply (for so it shall quickly be detected) is dedicated to the Honou∣rable Lord Wharton, seeking Patronage from so great and worthy a Person, and so abusing of his Name. These things have such weight with them, besides what else I shall offer toward the Conclu∣sion, that though some are for my silence altogether (it being hard∣ly worth while to answer such ignorant and clamorous Per∣sons, my own integrity, through the Grace of God, being well known, and no ways obnoxious to their Slanders, being not likely, I mean, to suffer any dimution in my Credit and Reputation here upon) yet I cannot forbear, being so nearly concerned, and especi∣ally for the Truth's sake, to write a few Lines, and publish a short An∣swer in order to so just and necessary a Vindication. Now, that I may not be tedious, being indeed under a Temptation thereto, writing in so just a Cause, in defence of the Truth and my Credit, which are ex∣posed in a shameful manner by that Reply, I will confine my Pen with in these narrow Bounds, to write but of three things; one concern∣ing the Person who makes the Reply, and the manner of it; th•••• next concerning the Charge which is brought against what I for∣merly published in that Spira, so far as it respected the Anabaptists which consists of two parts; one concerning the poor Melancholy

distracted Man, R. M. and his tragical end; which gave me occasi∣on to reflect on the Anabaptists, as those that did him some wrong, troubling him with their Notions about the necessity of Rebap∣••••zation (or being Dipped) which prov'd injurious to him in his weakness and strange confusion of Mind: The other concerning what I have written of their practising the like upon many others in much like Cases, troubling the weak and unsetled Christians, eagerly urging them to be dipt, and, as I said, making it a Salve for every Sore. In doing this I will consider the most material Passages in that Piece, laying open the Ignorance and Injustice of the Publisher, the seve∣ral Slanders, Falshoods, and such other things as make it appear to the World, that what I wrote of the Anabaptists, so far as I had knowledge of them, was true and sincere; and that their Reply is a mere Slander, and bold and impudent Denial and Contradiction; whereas they have nothing to object in Truth and Sobriety. The first thing which I consider, and is very material, is the Person who makes the Reply, and goes about to lay grievous Matters to my Charge, as though I had wickedly forged all I have written against the Anabaptists. In the Conclusion (p. 23.) he writes thus of himself and the Matter: Sir, I am a Stranger to you, N. B. and to the whole Matter, any otherwise than as I meet it in your Book (and some Friends ••ear you gives some Account) which hath loaded us with a greater weight ••han is fit to be born. Now surely this is a strange thing, and most un∣righteous, unjust, and, it may be, unparalell'd, for a Person who owns himself a perfect Stranger to me (as indeed he was, and is) up∣on the reporting a Matter to him, to Write and Print at ••his rate a∣gainst me. What, a Stranger to the whole Matter, and yet to Print at this confident rate, aspersing, and slandring me for what I have written; and yet he knows not but it may be all true; as indeed it is, and will be made appear? But Mr. Wells, (for I think he that is a Preacher, and is entrusted to Print on the behalf of his Brethren, may deserve this Title; though what he is, or his Quality or Calling I know not) was told what I had written was all false; and of this some Friends gave him an account: What then, is Mr. Wells's Pen be∣come Mercenary? And will he be a Champion for his Friends, right or wrong, though perchance he fight against the Truth? How is it otherwise than so, seeing he knew not the contrary, never hear∣ing but one side? but surely Charity should have believed better, and ••oped better of a Man of whom he knew nothing; and I have rea∣son to think that no Crime was laid to my Charge by his Friends

(and mine Adversaries) save only, I charged them thus and thus; and I cannot else imagine how he comes to give me that honest Ti∣tle of Worthy Sir. Strange, that he should Print against me, and de∣clare peremptorily to the World, that I was guilty of all the Evil he says of me, and not first vouchsafe to send a few Lines, and enquire whether I could make any defence for my self, or had any thing to say before he pass'd Sentence, and openly condemn'd me: What, did he think I had nothing indeed to say, not one Word; no Evi∣dences to be produced, nor any Proofs of what I had alledged? That good old Sentence, Audi alteram partem, which was ever e∣steemed so necessary a Rule in Judgment, is quite laid aside, and not at all regarded; it seems Mr. Wells never thought of it, and, to speak the truth, I vehemently suspect he never knew it. Should a Judge sentence a Man upon report only of his Accusers, never examining him, nor hearing what he had to say for himself, it would, no doubt, be construed the greatest piece of Injustice and Cruelty: Such as that of King James the First; who coming out of Scotland to London to take the Crown of England, first discover'd his Dispo∣sition to Arbitrary Government, saith my Author at Newark; for being told that one had cut a Purse in Newark, the King, without any legal Process, or the defence of the Party, signed a Warrant to the Sheriff of Lincolnshire to hang him, which was executed ac∣cordingly: And this, saith he, was a Blot in the Scutcheon of King James the First. The Romans were so just as never to put any Man to death in this manner. This is indeed against the ve∣ry Light of Nature, to judge and condemn upon meer Reports, without hearing the other side. Not only Life, but a good Name are too precious to be cast away at this rate. One would think that Mr. Well's never went to a Latin School, or was read in such Authors, or how could he but have called to mind that Golden Sen∣tence of Seneca, Qui statuit aliquid parte inaudita altera, Aequam li∣cet statuerit, haud aequus fuerit? Had his Sentence been just, yet without hearing first what I had to say for my self, it had been un∣just from him. But still they were some Friends gave him this Ac∣count. Were his Friends therefore Infallible? Could they not pos∣sibly misinform him? What an implicite Faith was this? How just like the Proceedings of the Spanish Inquisition? The Tribunal e∣rected de propaganda fide! wherein the Accusers are examined in secret; and the poor Prisoner is a Stranger to all that passeth, till they begin to thunder against him, and proceed to torture,

and Sentence, and Execution. But might not these Men, my Accusers to Mr. Wells, after so many Months running to and fro, and stirring in the matter, at last give in some false Evi∣dence? I am sure they did, and that notoriously, as I will evince by and by; and I will perswade my self, having so much Cha∣rity for him, that Mr. Wells will own it. Had but the Letter he had sent me with his Book, been sent but some Months before, his pains and trouble might have been spared, and his Credit saved; whereas now, he hath brought himself into a Snare, to gratifie his Friends, who impos'd upon his Credulity, so that he Prints gross Falsehoods, never seeking to clear the matters to himself, before he set Pen to Paper. How vain was it for him to write thus to me in his private Letter; Worthy Sir, Its very un∣pleasant to me to be troublesome to any, but I cannot well a∣void giving you the trouble of these Lines. Alas! the trouble of read∣ing a Letter is not much; but surely it would trouble any Chri∣stian to be thus slandered in Print; especially when writing a few Lines a little sooner, and taking that small trouble, might have prevented so great Calumnies: What was this but to shoot se∣cretly at me, and also to wound me openly, and then to desire me not to be troubled, because he is so kind to tell me what he hath done? Like those rude Persons, who cry, By your leave, Sir, when they have first shewed you some Incivility, or done a Man some diskindness. But then he desires me not to take unkindly what he hath Printed; for, saith he, I have been as tender of you as the matter will bear; but if you suppose▪ me to be mistaken, as∣sign wherein, and I shall, God, willing, labour to give you satisfacti∣on, &c. Great Tenderness indeed! and a wonderful Care not to grieve me with what was Printed: But wherein doth it appear? Resolved, it seems, he was, or his Friends rather (for he saith in his Reply, p. last, He was sure he did it unwillingly) or both were so re∣solv'd and eager to expose me in Print. But what satisfaction shall I now have? Will Mr. Wells confess his Fault as publick∣ly, and declare himself in an Errour? yea, that he hath wrong∣ed an innocent Person, and a Stranger? That he hath traduced me in a very shameful manner? That he hath acted most unadvised∣ly, Hand, over Head, as we say) and very Unchristianly, not seeking out the Truth, as he ought, and easily might, before he past Sentence, and condemned me openly? Truly, at the first of my Books coming forth, and the Noise and Speeches of the

Anabaptists about me, threatning grievously, I did expect some∣thing in Print (for what do they not dare to do of this nature, yea and delight in it also?) but when it had lain by so many Months, I was a little surprized to find it done; but especially to be managed by a Stranger, whose Name I know not, I ever heard before, I read it in his Letters; Nay, I find, by their own Confession, he is a Stranger to those very Men (some at least, by the Confession of one of them to me) who set him on Work (i. e) him, or any body else could be procured. If my Neighbours could not write themselves (and yet three of them are Teachers, and one hath been offering at it, scribling out many Sheets in the point of Contro∣versie) nor find a Man nearer than London, yet surely he should have considered better with himself, and not have been so hardy, as to have written in a Case wherein he knew not one thing or o∣ther; not the Person accused, nor what defence he could make, and how he could justifie himself, and make good his Charge, on∣ly being informed by those whose Interest it was to blast what I had written. When the Apostle Paul had heard of the Disorders in the Church of Corinth, How doth he write to them about it 〈…〉〈…〉 Why thus; When ye come together in the Church, I hear that there b•• divisions among you; and I partly believe it: He partly believed what he only heard by report; but Mr. Wells roundly takes up the mat∣ter reported to him by his Friends against me, and believes every Word which the wise Man brands for Simplicity: The Simple, saith he, believes every Word. Ah! Mr. Wells, had you acted mor•• charitably, and cautiously, you had not discover'd your self so fa〈…〉〈…〉 nor done me this wrong; your Folly had not been manifested nor had I suffered so much as this groundless Suspicion of evil do∣ing, which you prompt the World to, as you have represented m••▪ But I hope Mr. Wells will pardon me that I bear so hard upon him For my Vindication doth not a little depend upon it, though yet have clear Proofs to produce also. It was not only Folly and In∣justice in Mr. Wells to do thus; but it may be a sufficient Argumen•• to the World, that what he hath written against me is of n•• value; for they were my Adversaries who gave him Instruction•• (surely it was so, and he did not write of himself) and he Prin•• only upon hear-say from such as bestirr'd themselves to throw o•••• the Charge was laid against them. But now if Mr. Wells thin•• or pretend that I have done him wrong in all this, as though he ha•• only written to enquire into the truth, as he saith in his Preface▪

His great end is to find out the Offenders, and that this is his great Enquiry, let him know that therein he doth abuse his Readers, and suggest Falsehoods in so saying: For his very Title confutes him; it is this? A brief Reply, &c. wherein the unjust Charge of Mr. Tho∣mas James against them (i. e. the Baptists) is removed: N. B. is remo∣ved: What doth this imply, but that he hath clear'd the matter fully? proved his Party innocent; convincing me of Falshood in all I have written; making me a Slanderer, a Lyar, and what not? But more fully yet, after the Preface to the Reader, in the Title again, A Brief Reply, &c. wherein he hath falsely charged them, N. B. as will appear in the following Discourse. I pray in what Page or Line is this Appearance found? Where are the Proofs? Is there any thing shewed, but only confidently said, and a gainsaying of what I had written? Let impartial Readers judge if Mr. Wells's Book do not center in this, and all he brings be only a contra∣dicting the matters I published, and averring that I wrote not a Word of Truth. If his Title had run after this manner, (and he had kept to it) A Challenge to Mr. J. to prove what he hath Printed against the Anabaptists about Ashford, it had been tolerable; but to talk of making all appear, is like the rest of his Piece. Thus he stumbles in the Threshold, and that is very ominous for him; for he falls worse and worse ever after (beginning with a very Foul Lye, as I shall shew by and by, and ending with a Passage that overthrows all he writes.) Just so it is with his dealing with the Text of Scripture; a Text in the very next place, which he ••ets before the main Work (I hope he handles his Texts to more purpose before his Congregation,) Prov. 18. 17. He that is first in his own Cause, seemeth just; but his Neighbour cometh and search∣••th him. A mighty search! and because my Neighbours gave him ••ome Account, very pat to the case in hand no doubt: But for the ••earch, if Mr. Wells had come to Ashford, he might have searched ••ut somewhat, enough I am sure to have stopp'd his hand; but ••o search this matter at London was ridiculous. He search'd, it ••eems, with his Friend's Eyes, and Ears; and so he finds just as ••uch as they of the matter, (i. e.) whatever they would have. What, a stranger to the whole matter, and yet search it out! For ••ame, Mr. Wells write to be believed; I thought hearing a Re∣••ort was not searching: At this rate we may search out many things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these times of War, with a great deal of ease, what is done in ••landers, France, Spain, Turkey, and where not? But if you trust

Reports, you may be miserably deceived, though the News be told as confidently as your Friends could tell you this matter: One cries Victory, and makes Bonfires, and sings Te Deum; and yet it may be comes off with the loss: Another saith nothing was done; and it may be it was a great Action: I think when we search to know the truth, we do more than hear what Parties in the Case say, and interested Persons say of it: Not that I think it is impossible to know the truth by one Party, and ex∣amining Witnesses on one side; but when Life or Credit are at Stake, it is highly unjust to go this way, to believe all that is said, and then boldly tell the World in Print, I have searched out the whole matter, and he is a Slanderer, &c. There is one thing further concerning Mr. Wells's Carriage, which I observe, and then dismiss this Head (sc.) how unchristianly, how uncharita∣bly he carried it. Why should he, being a stranger to me, and the whole matter, believe his Ashford Friends against me altoge∣ther, when he saw my Design in writing that little Piece was good; and that wherein I reflected on their Carriage, it was done so candidly, as though I were unwilling to say what I said out of a respect to them? Let the Reader consider it, if I did not write candidly, and express'd the matter with moderation. These are the Words I began the Reflection with; 'Tis beside my purpose to make Reflections upon Persons of any Opinion or Persuasion in Reli∣gion, besides Atheists, who are its avowed Enemies. The Anabap∣tists (or Baptists, as they rather chuse to call themselves) are Men to whom I bear no such Grudge, or Envy, as to bring up any evil Re∣port upon them, as a Calumny or unjust Accusation: God forbid, that while I am writing for Christianity, I should act so contrary to one of its Principles, as to do thus: They are Christians, and will, I doubt not, e∣spouse this Cause of our Lord with my self; and there are some of them my worthy good Friends, pious, judicious Persons; but this I must pub∣lish upon this sad occasion; and I pray God the Guilty would consider it, &c. If this were not Courteous, Candid, Charitable, what is? Yea, Mr. Wells doth own it sometimes, though he forgets what he writ at other times; for he calls it Flattery, and a meer Pretence, p. 16, 17. which shews what he could not but think of it, that it was very fair, only he judges my Heart, and acts uncharitably, rendring me Evil for Good: For I seriously protest, I wrote this out of good Will, and not fawningly. But because this is the proper place, I cannot but take notice of his Ignorance also, in

quarrelling, and thinking to fasten a Reproach upon me for pre∣tending Christian Friendship to the Anabaptists, and stiling them my pious and judicious Friends, and yet at the same time pub∣lishing such matters against them; this he observes, p. 16, 17. once and again. Now this, I say, is gross Ignorance in Mr. Wells, or worse, that he could not, or would not distinguish and see the difference I made between some and others of the Anabaptists, be∣tween the Innocent and Guilty, and those who were my Friends and others. I said plainly thus, They are Christians, &c. and then I declare of some of them thus; And there are some of them my worthy good Friends, pious, and judicious Persons then; and I pray God the guilty would consider it: Now all this he jumbles together, and makes all the Anabaptists my worthy, pious, and judicious Friends; and then Wonders that I dealt so by them, as to accuse them thus; and is not this tragical, saith he, to cut the Throat of your Friends Reputation? But surely Mr. Wells is no Logician, or the meanest e∣ver known, who cannot distinguish, nor perceive a difference in so plain a Case, not to apprehend that some hath others for its op∣posite; yea, that some imports a few out of many in such Senten∣ces as these: But whether he knew it or no, he hath hapned upon an unlucky Fallacy in Logick (which is his natural Logick it seems, and I would not have him proud of it) to compound what should be divided, to huddle all together, and so to impose a wrong Sense; whereas it is true taken distinctly and apart as it ••ought: And what is more common than to speak of a Multitude, and not to mean every individual of them. What will he think of St. Paul when he affirmed that to be true of the Cretians, which one of their own Poets had written of them: The Cretians are always Lyars, evil Beasts, slow Bellies (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Epimenides.) This Witness is true, saith he. What, every Man, Wo∣man and Child in Crete Lyars, beastly, and slothful, Pagans and Christians too? No sure, but it was vitium gentis, an Epidemical Evil, a Fault they were too much guilty of: As if I should say, The Patriarchs were guilty of Poligamy; yet not all therefore, not Isaac, &c. But what would Mr. Wells think at this rate of that place were it is said, the Disciples had indignation at the Ointment pour∣••d on Christ's Head? Would he condemn them all for Judas, of whom it is written? and calumniate the Holy Text, as Je∣〈…〉〈…〉me tells us some did in his Days (Nescientes tropum qui vocatur 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quo & pro uno omnes, & pro multis unus appellari soleat)

not knowing it was a figurative Expression. However, to satisfie him and his Friends, I will explain my self, and declare my own Sense, though it be plain enough I called all of them Christians, and some my Friends, and some guilty; I count the Anabaptists in general Christians, but some few of them I called my Friends, pi∣ous and judicious Persons; But I will assure him, those whose Practices I have known about Ashford, and written against, I ac∣count none of this sort; and whoever acts in like manner, as far as I have Knowledge thereof, shall for ever be discharged by me of that Character, pious and judicious. But it is time to leave Mr. Wells himself. Come we now to the matters of Fact: And here he urgeth wonderfully, to assign the Person or Persons guilty of what I charge the Baptists with: Thus in the Epistle Dedicato∣ry, in the Letter to me Printed before the Body of the Reply, and in the Reply it self, at every turn he urgeth this; and if I should fail herein he commends it to my Lord Wharton to see that publick satisfaction be given; and to my Church to take a Course with me. But now, what if the Case do not require all this? what if it be not necessary or convenient? What, must a Mini∣ster tell the Anabaptists, and all the World, what every one in trou∣ble discover'd to him? Must he publish the Names of every one concerned? It may be an Husband or Wife is concerned, Pa∣rents and Children, Masters and Servants, and the Circumstan∣ces are such that it is no ways fit or meet to name or assign Per∣sons; possibly it may breed Variance and Strife, and promote great Disorders in Families, and in the Neighbourhood: It may be some Nabals are concerned, some Shimei's, who would trouble their own Houses, and fill the Town with Raillery. May not a Minister spare Names in such a Case, but he must be cryed down for one that spreads Slanders? But it seems Mr. Wells and his Friends care not what becomes of any Person, nor consider what is meet and fit, what mischief they pull down upon others Heads, so they may but salve their own Credit, as they would perswade themselves: But, I doubt not, the World will judge this an extravagant Re∣quest, to urge the Printing the Names of private Persons: And indeed I cannot conceive what good it will do those who know not these Parts, to read the Names of strange Places and Persons, which will sound as harsh as Greek and Hebrew per∣chance to Mr. Wells. As for those of their own Party who did these evil things, I am sensible they have their Evasions to cast off

the Reproach, (and it is likely they lie upon the catch) such an one is none of them; such an one they own not; though it may be a Teacher, or an old Anabaptist, Persons certainly dip∣ped, and Baptists, or nothing. But so it is, many times they shift the matter off thus; and, as the Historian said of some Ene∣mies, Difficilius est invenies quàm vincere. But is not this crying out for assigning Persons a mere Artifice, to be so impatient of this kind of proof, and so long a time laps'd since the matter was first published; and since 〈◊〉〈◊〉 concerned to give their Testimo∣ny are their own Friends? And who will doubt but that by this time they are taught their Lesson, to speak but sparingly, not the whole Truth, or so fully as to prejudice their own Cause? But I do but shew how vain it is for Mr. Wells to urge this assigning Persons; they need not encourage themselves to hope to escape by this Stra∣tagem: Proofs I have to produce sufficient and abundant, and yet will be sparing of Names, even of the most Criminal.

First, As for the Case of that poor melancholy Man, R. M. who made that Tragical Exit. The Case, as far as I am con∣scerned, was this: One of the same Name, and of his Kindred, desired me to go and visit him upon the account of his deplorable Condition; and he importuned me not a little, using this as a spe∣cial Argument, That he was continually assaulted by the Ana∣baptists, who in this weakness of Body and Mind were like to work their Will upon him. Upon this I went once (and never more) and my Carriage was as I Printed in the Narrative of his Condi∣tion; and in discoursing with me, he did declare himself in such a manner, tht I was satisfied that the Opinion of the Anabaptists about Rebaptization was a great trouble and vexation to him. It is now several Years since my being with him at that time (about five Years since, his Death was about four Years and an half, and his Trouble lasted about three quarters of a Year, as I have learnt from his Sister, a Baptist, who lived all the time with him;) and so I think no wise Man will expect I should be positive as to the Words of our Discourse; truly my Memory is not so happy; yea, I am sorry the matter is so far gone from me; for I am sure he spake so much as made that clear to me, which was a Motive to carry me to him. (sc.) that he was troubled about the Anabap∣tists Doctrine of Dipping; and that his Infant Baptism was null; and that he must be rebaptized. Now, what if I could not find out one Baptist had been with him? Can it be thought when his

Sister who kept his House was one of them, that in all his Trouble none came near him? No, not when he had follow'd them formerly, and now in his Trouble return'd to hear them again, as Mr. Wells tells us, p. 15. and his own Sisters owned to me. Surely what I learn'd from himself was a thousand Wit∣nesses to me, and what was clear enough by other Circumstan∣ces. But see how it pleaseth God to put them to shame, and to condemn them out of their own Mouth. One of their Teachers (one of the three who was with me upon the Account of my Book, did own to us, that he was with him the same Day, or the very next, after my being there, and that he discoursed with him of these matters, and that he urged Believers Baptism to him (mean∣ing Dipping upon Profession of Faith.) Now supposing no more Evidence could be produced; yet upon this alone, how shame∣ful was it for Mr. Wells to publish thus, p. 11. First, We observe, that you were the only Man that visited, discoursed, and advised this poor Man in his deplorable Estate; and p. 11. Mr. James was the Man chiefly concerned with him in his Hurry and Trouble of Mind; but to the end he may not be thought remiss, and the better to seem clear, he finds out some to be mentioned, that, he says, did so much wrong. O shameful! Was ever any matter turned so fouly against another? What, when I was desired to visit him by one of his Kindred, pi∣tying his Condition; when a Minister was carried to visit a poor disturbed Man, must he therefore suffer in his Reputation; and have the Odium of all cast upon him? But, alas! 'tis too plain for them, that he was wounded by the Anabaptists; and I found him with an Arrow shot in, sticking fast, and tormenting him; and to keep him in their Bonds, one of their Teachers, as him∣self owned, and is certain, is with him the same Day (for so the Woman, his Baptist Sister is positive, though he were not) urg∣ing Believers Baptism: whether he were there accidentally or not, or upon design, I know not; but there he was, and discoursed; and advised him. Yea, further, at another time, as the Wo∣man confessed to me in presence of a Gentleman who accom∣panied me to her House, June 12. there was one F—another Teacher among them, who visited him, and had pri∣vate Discourse with him about an hour which F—;saith another Sister, he was carried to hear preach, and shewed some uneasiness as he went, and, as she judged, she was dissatisfied; but one of the Neighbours, a Baptist, and his Sister, she found go∣ing

along with him; which Neighbour had been at the House, and, she doubts not, brought him thither; and out of pity to him in his condition she went along with him also, and heard the same Man. Yet Mr. Wells saith, We observe, that you were the only Man that visited, discoursed, and advised this poor Man in his deplorable Estate: What will the World think of this? What can they? To begin his Reply thus, First, We observe: Truly, if you ob∣serve at this rate, you may observe First, Secondly, Thirdly, and infinitely, even as far as you please, or can invent. But, Mr. Wells, did you observe this at London by your selfe, or did your Ashford Friends give you these Instructions? If you did it alone, it was a wonderful Observation indeed; you had better Eyes than Lynceus, and more surely than Argus; but if your Friends gave you this Instruction, it was so much the worse: For one of them, (as another confest to me) whose Hand was to the Let∣ter to get a Reply set forth, was one who confest that he was with the Man in his Trouble, and discoursed, and advised him: So then here are two of your Teachers found to be with him; and who will not think but there were others also of your opinion in the space of about nine Months of his illness? But, again, I pray, Mr. Wells, how was I conversant with him, as you write, p. 14. when I never spake to him but that one time in my life? Ne∣ver but once in his Company, so as to be able to discourse with him? I had thought, to be conversant, had implied a Familiarity and frequenting a Persons Company; so that this is no good Eng∣lish, and that is the best Interpretation of it, or I know not how to excuse the same from a Falshood.

But I begin to grow weary of tracing our these Slanders, and Untruths; I will take notice only of one thing more (about the Case of this R. M.) and dismiss this Head: And really it is a sad thing, to consider how these Men strive and struggle, and are restless till they entangle themselves, and Write and Print at that rate that doth ill become Christians, whom I was willing, and de∣sire yet to own as such. Pray, Reader, now observe what fol∣lows in these Words, p. 15. Mr. James bestirs himself to persuade him, that his Infant Baptism was true Baptism, N. B. and to go to Town to board, and make use of a Physician of his own way, and to bear him; which was done: But the poor Man grew weary, not liking the means that was used. And it seems, and as he told his Sister, that they were in a consult what to do about him (one

day) and, unexpected to them, he over-heard them; and one said, he was in love; and another said, he had not a Dram of true Grace; but he, hearing this, it made an addition to his weak disturbed Head, N. B. and gets away, and relates the matter to his Sister, and so waxes worse and worse, till at last he ends his Life. For my part, when I read and consider this I am amazed; so many Lyes in one Story! Such Falshoods sent forth so bare-fac'd! If my Neigh∣bours gave these Instructions to their Brother Wells, they are what I never took them to be; if he Printed it of himself, it is little better in him. Did I design a large Answer, here is a large Field for it, and matter enough for one of no great Parts to work upon, enough to wind and toss, and for ever shame Mr. Wells, and all his Friends who have acted in this Business: Sure∣ly some body owed them an ill turn, and secretly wrought it this way. But however it were, and though my Neighbours might deserve most, yet I must keep to Mr. Wells only; and truly he hath discovered himself all along to be an unaccoun∣table Writer: Once before, he observed that I was the only Man was with R. M. during his trouble of mind; this he saw, it seems, at London; there he could tell who went in and out, and discoursed him; and here he saw him at Board at Ash∣ford; which no Creature in Ashford ever saw, no, not any of his Anabaptist Friends; since Mr. Wells sent out this strange Relation, we have ask'd his Friends here, and they are ignorant of the matter: When I discoursed his Sister, the Baptist, who was his House-keeper, she only said, she thinks he was one Night at Ashford at his Cousins, R. M. (the Person who carried me o∣ver to visit him) and her Son who went with him, will say, he was: But the Family deny it, and all say it was no such thing, and are certain he never lodged there one Night, he dined indeed one Day there (as they tell me) and went up into a Chamber, and lay down on a Bed to refresh him; but never lay one Night in their House. But suppose it, that he were one Night in Town; What is this to Boarding, and being there a time, consisting of some Days at least; and getting away from thence, as though he were under some Confinement in the use of Means for his Recovery? Well, it seems Mr. Wells is good at In∣vention, and that is a notable part of an Orator; but it is just as his natural Logick I observed before: I dare say, no Master of Rhetorick did ever teach him to invent after this manner: A∣ristotle,

Cicero, Quintilian, &c▪ would have been ashamed of it, though they were Heathens: And though we may sometimes con∣ceal Truth, and this we have Presidents in Scripture for, yet neither the Light of Nature, nor the written Word, will allow us to forge after this manner. But who made this Officious Lye I know not, only this I observe, that because they would Print somewhat, and had little to go upon (nothing in truth) there∣fore they have set up all this Sail, and run themselves a ground. Mr. James bestirs himself, saith he; strange, that one Visit, and but a very short one, should be a bestirring a Man's self, when it was but a few Miles off, and the Man lay so long in trouble, that I might have been there many scores of times for one, or as oft as some of my Adversaries take occasion to talk with those they hope to bring over to their Opinion. But what did I persuade him him to? Why, to go to Town to board: Just as much as to go to London (or elsewhere) to be dipt by Mr. Wells; of whose Name, at that time, I know not that I had ever heard: And, how should any know that I perswaded him to such a thing as this? My Friend with me, who heard all our Discourse, is a perfect Stranger to it; and his Sister declares, she heard nothing of all we said. But now, least I do them wrong, and give not the true sense and meaning of the Words; and to do Mr. Wells wrong, (though indeed it would prove well for him if he had only written false English, and mistook in the Sense) I appeal to all Englishmen, and desire every Reader to say, if this be not the true meaning of the Words, That I perswaded the Man (R. M) to go to Town to Board, and make use of a Phy∣sician of my own way, which was done (i. e. the Man took my Counsel, and came to Ashford to board) and while he was here, after sometime (longer or shorter it matters not, so it be allow∣ed to be but some Days, for so he writes, of one Day) while they were consulting together (surely he means the Physician and my self; for he mentioned no other before, and his Sense carries it this way) he heard them say thus and thus; and so he gets away. Now if I have given his Sense right, and under∣stand his English; which surely is even so, if Mr. Wells write intelligibly, then here is a wild Romance, and a Tale told, and a foul pack of Lyes, and all to make me ridiculous. But I would fain know, who of all Ashford Town can say, that e∣ver R. M. was here at Board, during his Melancholy? What

Anabaptist can stand forth, and help Mr. Wells, or his Friends, out of this Mire? In whose House did he board or lodge? As for my own part, I protest I do not know, nor can I call to mind that ever I saw that poor Man but once at his own House, and once or twice while I was in the Pulpit: But that the Doctor and my self should ever discourse of him thus, and he near enough to over-hear us, is too like some other Passages in the Reply. Yea, if they would turn it upon his Cousin R. M. and his Wife, that they said so, and talked so foolishly (as I find they harp upon it) yet that will not serve their turn; for they not only deny it, but Mr. Wells hath written and Printed it (as I think I have shewed) quite otherwise. Well; upon this wonderful Relation, he gravely proceeds: Now if this be so, then all this stirr to bespatter the Baptists, is to clear your self: But you are the more intangled, and are taken in the Snare you laid; and I could wish there had been no occasion to discover it. Discover it! A wonderful discovery indeed. I am perswaded when this Vindication comes forth, Mr. Wells will wish indeed, with all his Heart, there had not one been Word written by him, and that his Friends had been tongue-tied when they told him such a Story. Are these the Bonds and Fetters Mr. Wells and his Friends have put upon me? And do they think to bring me forth and expose me thus to make them Sport? Alas! I can as easily break them as Sampson did his Withs and Cords; and I am certain they themselves have pull'd down an House upon their Heads. For shame let Mr. Wells write a Retractation, though it be but for the sake of this single Story; and seeing it is resolved, that he or some other shall answer again, write what I will, as one of them told me (it seems they are greatly in love with Printing, and are proud of appearing such able Persons) by all means let them clear this foul matter, but let them take care least their stirring too far make it worse.

But it is high time to come to other things; and that, in the last place, to answer the Accusations brought against me, as though I had slandered the Baptists, in representing them as Persons wh•• are industrious to make Proselytes, and in urging Dipping, so a•• to make it a Salve for every Sore. 'Tis needless to set down th•• Reply made to this Charge; and I am really afraid I shall tire m•• Reader in leading him up and down after Mr. Wells's defence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Friends and Party: Though for brevity I repeat not his Word••

yet I will do him no wrong (if I should it would appear, and not be to my advantage;) but I propound the Case plainly, and an∣swer it home. These are the things then he quarrels with me for, ha∣ving reflected on the Anabaptists as industrious to make Proselytes; and urging Dipping, as though all Religion did consist in going down into the Water; and, in short, he challenges me to assign the guilty, or else, he saith, p. 21. It must be concluded, you cannot? and then in what a shameful Case will you appear? Now, as to my assigning the Criminals, I have already said a little in answer there∣to; it is not always fit and meet, nor is it material: Cui bono? To what good would it be? I have named some to their Teachers, and instead of taking a course with them, they thought to take a course with me, and promised one Mr. Wells to print against me for justifying my Charge, and to tell the World confidently all was a Slander. What should I name any Persons to the World, when they have been named publickly enough, and they take no no∣tice, (not at least to be openly known of) but shut their Eyes, and stop their Ears, and run upon me, and cry out, That I will give no Proofs or Satisfaction? I appeal to those few present at that time, when they attended me (to use Mr. Well's own Words, (p. 9.) after the publishing my Book, I appeal, I say, to the Conscien∣ces of their Three Teachers, whether I did not name several guil∣ty of the things I laid to their Charge. But to clear all at once, and to satisfie their longing desires (so far as is any ways meet and ••it) of assigning Persons, both those who were troubled and al∣most distracted by the Anabaptists urging it upon them to be Dipp'd, as ever they hoped to go to Heaven, and be saved; and those who did trouble them, laying this mighty stress up∣on Dipping. I say, to put an end to all, that I may clear my self, and shew how able I am every way to vindicate my self from the foul Slanders cast on me, and to make my Charge good to a tittle; let Mr. Wells know that I have several Depositions of Persons by me, which fully prove the matter in Hand, subscribed freely, and which will be readi∣••y attested, and solemnly, upon just occasion. Behold one in Form, ••s I have it by me with so me others.

I, N. N. do own and testifie, That N. N. hath divers times, and to my great Vexation and disquietude, urged me to be Dipped; set∣ting forth the absolute necessity thereof to Salvation; inveighing against those who practised Infant Baptism, as Antichristian, and urging me to be Dipped, as ever I expected to enter into the Kingdom of God.

Witness my Hand,

N. N.

But, alas! should I go about to lay open the Practises of the Anabaptists (about us) and reveal what many poor weak Chri∣stians have told me, with great bitterness of Spirit, how burthensome their very Life was to them by reason of their importunate Sollicitations to bring them to be dipped, and their Desperate Speeches striking an Horrour into their Minds, vexing their Souls continually, it would, I doubt, sound very strange to many Readers: But so it is in truth; and yet, forsooth, these Persons would fain be counted innocent, and cry out of the wrong I have done them. One instance I cannot but pro∣duce, and that a little largely, it being so material; and I am glad (as the Case is) to take the opportunity to let the World know it, and judge thereof. And because Mr. Wells hath sprinkled here and there a little of the point of Controversie, and his Ashford Friends make advantage of his Reply (such as it is) to scatter their Books among us (and surely the like was never known: for to this Book of his they have tack'd a∣nother (stitch'd them together) yea, and more than so, at the end of his Reply there are these few Lines Printed to couple them together; And, as to the point of Baptism, we refer that to the following Treatise, formerly written by another Hand, inti∣tuled, The Reason why, &c. Good Mr. Wells, why did you not send me a perfect Copy? But I suppose you thought I should hardly be caught with your Chaff, and therefore a few Books were provided for my self, and such as could better judge what was written; Truly this was civilly done, not to trou∣ble me with any more Books than your own; and now it

seems I have nothing to do to answer any thing but your Reply; this is a kindness I acknowledge (I say) because Mr. Wells hath scattered up and down somewhat of Controversie, I think it convenient to give a touch or two to the same, to prevent Mistakes and Error, and to send forth an Antidote for o∣thers, as well as a Vindication for my self. The instance by which I take occasion to write this, was this: A Woman aged near Forty Years came to me to be baptized: Upon instructing her in the Principles of Christian Religion, and her answering to such Questions about the same, as seemed to me necessary, (first having consulted the Practice of other Churches in like Cases) and professing her Faith and Repentance, I baptized her on a Lord's Day in the Evening before the Communicants: Now, quickly upon her being so baptized, the matter being noised abroad, she was set upon by the Anabaptists, even as I have represented the too common Practice of some of them; and one of them in their Communion (which they cannot dis∣own) did exceedingly perplex this poor Woman with Que∣stions and Cavillings, asking her what Faith she had in what was done, and speaking against it as no Baptism, seeing she was not dipped: This really disturbed her, so that she lamented it to me; not that she was unsetled, or believed them, but be∣cause they followed her with such Discourses, giving her no rest: Yea, at the very time of writing this (which is now about two Years since her being so baptized) the Design is carried on very busily to proselite her: She declares to me, how she is con∣tinually disquieted by that Party; she now tells it me with Tears, that she is wearied by them, and hath desired them to let her rest, being well satisfied in her Baptism. But that which is yet more considerable, is this: At the time when those three Teach∣ers were with me about about my Book, among others whom they press'd me to name, and instance in, I named this Wo∣man, and represented the Evil of this Practice, in going a∣bout thus to disquiet a poor weak Woman, who was bap∣tized so authentickly (as one would think all Christians should allow) being an adult Person, having profess'd her Faith and Repentance before the Administration of the Sacrament. Here∣upon one of them had the confidence to tell me, it was indeed no Baptism. Monstrous Doctrine! What will become of Chri∣stians at this rate? and what hope can Millions have, to whom

it hath been applied in any other way than that of the Baptists? What, can a Mode destroy the Essence of the Ordinance? and shall the Application of Water in a less quantity render it altoge∣ther ineffectual, and destroy its end and efficacy? When the Name of the true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is put upon the Person; and the true Element of Water is used; and the principal end of its application signified, which is wash∣ing the Soul with Christ's Blood, and purifying it by the bles∣sed Spirit; and all is done by a Minister ordained to that Of∣fice: Is not this Baptism? O, but she was not dipped, and that is Baptism, and that only. Poor, ignorant, confident Men, thus to cavil! The Word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, chosen by Christ, and the Holy Ghost, doth signifie to wash, as well as to dip; it signifies a washing with Water, not only a total immersion, but a par∣tial; not only a Dipping, but other applications of Water to wash: Yea, it is certain, that some of those diverse Washings under the Law, spoken of by the Apostle, Heb. 9. 10. (which he cal∣leth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.) were not total immersions, but partial, of one par•• of the Body, and another; and even Sprinklings, as at the Con∣secration of the Levites, Numb. 8. 5, 6, 7. and at the cleansing o•• a Leprous Person, Levit. 14. 7. From the Apostle I will lear•• the meaning of this Word, rather than from any Baptist. But Mr. Wells, with his Learning would teach us thus, p. 12. You cannot be ignorant but that Baptiso is to dip, and is allowed, and approved to be so by the Lexicons, Dictionaries, and all approved Au∣thors that are Orthodox; ('Tis well he did not say only to Dip for then I know what he had said,) and 'tis rare to find a Schola•• so weak as not for to allow it. Truly 'tis rare to find a Baptist though he cannot read one Word of Greek, or understand La∣tin, and yet not to talk and write of the Sense of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as though they had consulted Lexicons, Dictionaries, and wha•• not? But is not this a fine begging of the Question? Wh•• ever denied Dipping to be Baptizing? But Mr. Wells's Friend•• at Ashford might be ashamed to say, that no other application o•• Water is Baptizing; and that this Woman was not Baptised For, I pray, what learned Man ever rendred the Word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 only to Dip, exclusively to all other significations? I have no•• search'd (as before-times) Lexicons and Dictionaries, and fin•• the Word rendred indeed to Dip, but also to Wash, yea, an•• to Sprinkle; there comes in an Item, làvo, abluo: And surely 〈◊〉〈◊〉

is a significant Word, as well as Imprimis: Every Tradesman knows this. Indeed at the rate some Baptists writ and report the Words of the Learned, they would perswade silly People all the learned Men were almost Anabaptists; yea, and (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) Self-condemned, being as they are in Opinion, though of a contrary Practice. They make some speak a few Words, and say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is to Dip, to plunge in Water; but then, as it were, stop their Mouths, and cry hold; whereas good Men, might they go on, they would add, to Wash, to pour on Water, to Sprinkle: And their Quotations are much of this kind, very deceitful, per saltum, and keeping back a material part, and so making them to speak very favourably for them; the very thing we are upon proves this, Mr. Wells saith, Baptiso is to Dip, as Lexicons, &c. say, as though that were all, and it is need∣less to make a Digression to shew it by their Quotations of Zan∣chy, Piscater, Calvin, Poole, &c. But I would fain know, who can prove our Lord Jesus Christ himself was Dipped, or Plun∣ged in his Baptism; or that any of those Baptized ones spoken of in the New Testament, were so Dipped or Plunged? Not a Word that ever I yet read did prove, I say, soundly prove it: Probability is no proof of this Degree; Opinion is not Faith. An immersion there might be, and yet not a total one; or, it may be some other application, as by pouring on of Water. That Baptism was oft performed of old by Dipping, I gainsay not; but that there were other ways, is certain also. Pray let Mr. Wells construe these Words. Fundere aquam, infundere, and sometimes Javare, abluere, found oftentimes in the Writings of the Antients; yea, and sometimes Aspergere, for Baptizing? Also let him un∣riddle, how they Baptized some in Prisons, and in their Beds, sick of Feavours, in Sweats, &c. as Augustine tells us at large of a Friend of his? If this were not done by some other way than by Dipping the whole Body, let Mr. Wells declare how that could be. But shall we call in question at this day the Baptism of all those in former Ages who were not Dipp'd? and strike so many Saints and Martyrs out of the Roll of the Baptized, who are now in Heaven? An horrible boldness to speak at this rate! But let them take heed; for how, as I said, can they prove our Lord himself was so Dipped? I am sure one anci∣ent Writer was of another mind, (and surely he was not alone) even Aurelius Prudentius, who sings thus of it (being a fa∣mous

Christian Poet flourishing about thirteen hundred Years since)

Perfundit fluvio pastus Baptista locustis.

i. e. John the Baptist poured some of the Water of the River on him; our Baptist would teach him to say, Immergit fluvio, &c. but it seems he knew better, or at least thought otherwise: And Bernard (a later Writer by far, and yet not very late neither, for he lived about five hundred Years ago; and hath the Ho∣nour, if I mistake not, to be called by some, the last of the Fathers) hath this notable Expression, Infundit aquam capiti creato∣ris creatura-nobilior, & Dei verticem mortalis dextra contrectat & contingit; i. e. John the Baptist, that noble Creature, poured Water on the Head of the Creator, and the Right Hand of a Man touched and handled the Head of God. I do not produce these Testimonies, as though I would maintain that our Lord Jesus was not Dipped but only to shew the boldness of those Persons, who cavil at the Baptism of all such as are not plunged in Water, and do, by crying up Dipp'd or Damn'd, trouble the weak, and drive them into a dangerous Melancholy. Yea, what if the Eunuch went down into the Water, Acts 8. 38. or Christ came up out of the Water, Matth. 3. 16, Mark. 1. 10. (though by the way 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is only, he came up from the Water, not out of it) What doth this prove? Dipping a total immersion? Surely they that say this may say any thing. But now we are speak∣ing of Baptism, I cannot but take notice of Mr. Wells's Con∣fidence, to call Infant Baptism a Scriptureless Notion, p. 14. and p. 13, 14. he saith, Sprinkling of Infants is a new Doctrine, a Scrip∣tueless thing, that is not to be found from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelations: What, a new Doctrine? Let the famous Calvin, be heard, whom I chuse to quote, because I have see•• him quoted in their Books as one that wrote for their Opinion 'Tis in that Chapter, which he calls his Appendix to the forme of Baptism, written on purpose against the Anabaptists, as the Ti∣tle and the first Words declare: The Title this, Poedobaptismum cu•• Christi institutione, & signi natura optimè congruere (i. e.) Infan•• Baptism's agreement with Christ's Institution, and the nature of the Sign. The first Words are these, Quoniam autem hoc s••¦culo phrenetici quidum Spiritus ob Poedobaptismum graves excitarunt i••

Ecclesia turbas, &c. (i. e.) Whereas in this Age some phrensical (or enthusiastical) Persons have raised great stirs in the Church a∣bout Infant Baptism, and do not cease at this day to cause the same Tumults, I cannot but subjoin this Appendix to restrain their Fury. Now the Passage I would quote out of this notable Chapter, is this: Quod autem apud simplicem vulgum disseminaret, longam annorum seriem post Christi resurrectionem praeteriisse, quibus in∣cognitus erat Poedobaptismus; in eo Foedissimè Mentiuntur: Siquidem nullus est scriptor tam vetustus, qui non ejus originem ad Apostolorum seculum pro certo referat (i. e.) Whereas they talk up and down among the silly people, that it was many Ages after Christ's Resurrection before Infant Baptism was known, in that they tell a most foul Lye; forasmuch as there is no Writer so ancient, who doth not for certain refer the Original thereof to the Apostles Age. But why doth Mr. Wells tell us of Genesis, and the Old Testament? Who thinks Baptism was the Sacrament then in use? But verily he hath laid himselfe open by this unwary Expression: For I can tell him of a multitude of Children Baptized within that time (and that by Sprinkling also, through the dropping of the Cloud and the dashing of the Waters, as many Learned doubt not) and prove it out of Holy Scripture. Let him read 1 Cor. 10. 2. and see if the Apostle do not say, That all the Congregation of Israel which passed through the Red-Sea, were baptized unto Moses in the Cloud, and in the Sea; the word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which I leave to Mr. Wells to in∣terpret. Were there not many Children, thousands of them, when the Men alone were above six hundred thousand? Chil∣dren of all Ages undoubtedly? Though Paul calls them all Fa∣thers in the first Verse, yet I suppose that must be taken in this Sense, that as the Children came to Age, they also were all Fa∣thers in Israel, their Fore-fathers: Yea, and this was typical in some Sense of our Sacrament of Baptism, as he sheweth in the next Verses, that their drinking of the Water of the Rock, was of the Lord's Supper: But why is Mr. Wells so over-confident? It is a dangerous case, sure, to declare against Infant Baptism at this ••ate, as a new Doctrine, when Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, and those Ancients who lived in the very next Age to the Apostles, speak plainly of it, as a Practice in their Days, and write of it as no other than Apostolical: Or why is he so confi∣dent to call it a Scriptureless thing; when several Households are said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Scripture to be Baptized; and all the strength of the Ana∣baptists

can never make it clear there were no Children in them? But surely if Families might be without them, yet there must be Children in Nations, and they were to be made Disciples and Baptized by Christ's Commission to his Gospel Ministry: But we do not lay our stress on these things, and build only on Pro∣babilities. No, but we are sure, that Infants are the Subjects of Baptism, because they were of old of Circumcision; the Church of the Old and the New Testament being one, only the Seals of the Covenant altered; washing being a more gentle way of ini∣tiating, than cutting of the Flesh: If we had not this Priviledge under the Gospel to have our Children visibly entred and taken into God's Church, the Jews were really in a far better State than we, unless we will despise God's Sacraments and Ordinances, and care not whither our Children partake of them, or go without them: Yea, 'tis certain, we are concerned in God's Covenant, which he made with Abraham and his Seed, as the Holy Ghost witnesses in divers places, and have the same Spiritual Priviledges: Nisi fortè arbitramur, Christum suo adventu Patris gratiam imminuisse aut decurtasse, quod ex ecrabili blasphemia non vacat; as saith Calvin in the former place; (i. e.) unless we think that Christ by his co∣ming cut short his Father's Love and Grace, which thought can∣not be excused from Blasphemy it self. But where is the Re∣peal of that Priviledge? Where is it said, I did indeed receive their Children, but as for yours I will not be so gracious to them? Alas! Christ declares quite the contrary: He shewed his Love to little Children both by Words and Actions: And that good Shepherd who marked his Lambs of old as well as his Sheep, would have them now washed alike in the Laver of Regenera∣tion. But I must remember I write a Vindication, and it is not my work to meddle with the Questions in debate between us; only I have touched at these things, being led to them by Mr. Wells, and to shew the Vanity and strange Confidence of these Men in these matters; it being that whereby they take the un∣wary and undiscerning Souls.

But I grow weary of writing; and indeed this is the great Mis∣chief Mr. Wells hath done me; he hath created me some Trouble, and many Thoughts, whereas my Hands are full enough of Work, the Work of my Ministry; not being so happy as many of them, to mind a Flock, and a Family, and a Trade also, and yet find time for Disputing, Printing, and what not, upon every little pre∣tence?

Were it not that I were afraid least I should betray the Truth, and the Souls of some poor People, who, it may be, ex∣pect this, as well as stand in need of it, I could be very well content to be silent; but forasmuch as I am set for a defence of the Gospel, I cannot let such matters pass without taking some pains, in a case where so many round me are so deeply concerned: Not so much that I need to fear my self as others; I think nothing hath befallen me, but what hath happened to o∣ther Ministers of the Gospel far above me. I did but touch them, and they have kicked against me, and made a sad noise. But, thanks be to God, they have prevailed but little hitherto, in those endeavours they have used to make Proselytes; of which I had reason to complain, and did seriously warn them. In six Years I have lost but one of my Flock, and that a young Man, who was but a little while under my Care, and so suddenly gone, that I was scarce aware of it before his Departure: It was but once I had opportunity to speak to him before his being Dipped, and then he utterly refused my Offer to Discourse with those Anabaptists in his presence for his sake, who had perverted him; nay, nor would he be brought to read a little Piece I would have put into his Hands, but rashly he would be Dipped, and renounce his first Baptism: And who could have stopped so resolute a Per∣son? Misguided Zeal did strangely transport him, and since his Dipping he hath done me some wrong by misrepresenting some things I had said of Baptism; but I forgive him. Surely Mr. Wells hath lost his Wit (and that is pity indeed, he sheweth so little all along) in that Expression, p. 17. Alas! 'tis to be sup∣posed you have lost some of your Disciples (which) makes you so peevish, pettish, froward, and unkind to your Friends. No, Mr. Wells, not some, but one; and my place is not thinn'd, but much other∣wise; yea, rather than fail, your Friends (it seems) have a strong desire of doing me that Honour to be my Hearers: One of them who lived and dyed of your Communion, a zealous Person in your way, hath oft spoke to me and others of being my Hearer most gladly, but refrain'd lest it should give Offence: And another, who it seems (as one of your Teachers told me) had been inclined to your Opinion many Years, yet having been my Hearer for some time, after her being Dipp'd lamented it with Tears, that she must leave such Preaching. Truly in this I am become a Fool, in glorying, but ye have compelled me.

One thing more, and I conclude: Whereas Mr. Wells makes a Challenge to dispute with me, in his Reply, especially in his private Letter, I am afraid it would be but a spending time idly, to argue with that Man, who knows not how to put the Questions fairly he would dispute upon: His second Offer is this, Second∣ly, We are ready to try the Cause, whether Dipping or Sprinkling be most ancient? But what, I pray, would this come to? Who speaks against the Antiquity of Dipping? But was it a total immersion, a Dipping the whole Person, certainly, infallibly, without Guesses, Conjectures, and Probabilities? Yea, but what if so? If Christ give his Churches liberty to Baptize by pouring on Water, or o∣ther Application (as the Word will bear, as Mr. Wells may see in Lexicons, if he can read and understand them) then this Question is meerly trifling. Dipping there might be in Christ's time, yea, and that the best way of Baptizing, but yet not the on∣ly necessary way; not absolutely so; if in case of Necessity and Mercy Men might break the Sabbath,* 1.1 and be blameless; or on the same Account they might eat the Passover on another Month and Day then God instituted it; surely then, in case Dipping were used of old, yet it is not of that absolute necessity as our Bap∣tists pretend, but in Case of Weakness, &c. may be dispenc'd with; and where we have our Liberty, why should we not make use of it? But then his fourth Assertion is more frivolous: Fourthly, We are ready to prove, That Dipping is Baptizing, and that it is accord∣ing to Christ's Institution. This indeed will require no great proof, and Mr. Wells may manage it, no doubt; but the Question is, whether a total immersion, Dipping all the Body, be the only Bap∣tism of Christ, and nothing less, nothing else; whither it be ex∣clusive of any other Application of Water; and this we deny; let who can prove it. Only the third Question is of any Moment, Thirdly, Whether the Sprinkling of Infants be the Baptism of Christ? this he roundly denies; and this comprehends both the Subject and manner of Application of the Water; so that it is all in one, and must be divided to be rightly handled. But I think it will not be worth while to dispute with Mr. Wells, of whom I do not know, nor doth he make it appear, that he hath the least Learning that might be a means to keep him in Order, and repress Cla∣morousness and Confidence. But if Mr. Wells have so much lei∣sure, and his Zeal be so great as to bring him to Ashford, and my Circumstances fairly permit it, I will not say but I may meet him

upon this Score; I do not think to hide my Head, but to give him an Answer: But still I must profess, I am yet afraid of this, and cannot but perswade my self, that if it should come to a Tryal, Mr. Wells would argue much after the same manner he writes (i. e.) poorly, and foully; not handsomly nor honestly, being over-con∣fident of what he hath no ground for; and so he would create a∣bundance of trouble to me, and perplex the matter he takes in hand.

Upon the whole, I do forgive Mr. Wells the wrong he hath done me, only desiring him, not to act so rashly for the future, judging in a Cause, and condemning a Person he is wholly a stranger to. As for my Neighbours, who stirred him up, and were so eager for some body to Print against me, and gave such false Witness, I freely forgive them also; only desiring them to mind their own Business and to be quiet; above all, to beware how they be con∣cerned in Printing, least they prejudice their own Cause, and bring Shame and Disgrace upon themselves and their Brethren also.

Notes

• * 1.1

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