Præcursor, or, A forerunner to a large review of the dispute concerning infant-baptism wherein many things both doctrinall and personal are cleared, about which Mr. Richard Baxter, in a book mock-titled Plain Scripture-proof of infants church-membership and baptism hath darkned the truth / by John Tomes.

Mr. Richard BAXTER in the 2. Edition of THE SAINTS EVERLASTING REST, part. 1. chap. 8. sect. 5. pag. 1795. in the margin, hath these words.

ANd in the primitive times none were baptized without an expresse Covenanting, wherein they renounced the World, Flesh and De∣vil; and engaged themselves to Christ, and promised to obey him; as you may see in Tertul. Origer, Cyprian, and others at large. I will cite but one for all, who was before the rest, and that is Justin Martyr; speaking of the way of baptizing the aged, saith, How we are dedicated to God, we will now open to you. As many as being penswaded do be∣lieve these things to be true which we teach, and do promise to live ac∣cording to them, they first learn by prayer and fasting to beg pardon of God for their former sins; our selves joining also our prayer and fasting. Then they are brought to the water, and are born again (or baptized) in the same way as we our selves were born again. For they are washed with water in the name of the Father, the Lord and God of all; and of our Saviour Jesus Christ; and of the Holy Ghost—Then we bring the person thus washed and instructed, to the Brethren, as they are cal∣led, where the Assemblies are; that we may pray both for our selves and the new illuminated person, that we may be found by true doctrine and by good works, worthy observers and keepers of the Command∣ments, and that we may attain eternal salvation. Then there is brought to the chief Brother, (so they called the chief Minister) Bread, and a Cup of Wine (washed;) which taking, he offereth praise and thanks∣giving to the Father by the name of the Son and Holy Ghost. And so a while he celebrateth thanksgiving. After prayers and thanksgiving, the whole Assembly saith Amen. Thanksgiving being ended by the President (or chief guide) & the consent of the whole people, the Deacons as we call them, do give to every one present, part of the Bread and Wine, over which thanks was given; and they also suffer them to bring it to the absent. This food we call the Eucharist, to which no man is to be ad∣mitted but onely he that believeth the truth of our doctrine, being washed in the Laver of Regeneration for Remission of sin; and so liveth as Christ hath taught: Apol. 2. This then is no new overstrict way you see.