Either Baptism produces spirituall effects, or it produces them not: If it produces not any, why is such contention about it, what are we the nearer heaven if we are baptized? and if it be neglected, what are we the farther off? But if (as without all peradventure all the Paedo-baptists will say) Baptism does doe a work upon the soule, producing spirituall benefits and advantages, these advantages are produc'd by the externall work of the Sa∣crament alone, or by that as it is help'd by the co-operation and predispositions of the suscipient.
If by the externall work of the Sacrament alone, how does this differ from the opus operatum of the Papists, save that it is worse? for they say the Sacrament does not produce its effect but in a suscipient disposed by all requisites and due preparatives of piety, faith, and repentance; though in a subject so dispo∣sed, they say the Sacrament by its own vertue does it; but this opinion sayes it does it of it selfe without the help, or so much as the coexistence of any condition but the meare reception.
But if the Sacrament does not doe its work alone, but per modum recipientis according to the predispositions of the susci∣pient, then because Infants can neither hinder it, nor doe any thing to further it, it does them no benefit at all. And if any man runs for succour to that exploded 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that In∣fants have Faith, or any other inspir'd habite of I know not what or how, we desire no more advantage in the world, then that they are constrained to an answer without Revelation, a∣gainst reason, common sense, and all the experience in the world.
The summe of the Argument in short, is this though under another representment.
Either Baptism is a meare Ceremony, or it implyes a Duty on our part. If it be a Ceremony only, how does it sanctifie us, or make the commers therunto perfect? If it implyes a Duty on our part, how then can Children receive it, who cannot doe duty at all?
And indeed, this way of Ministration makes Baptism to be wholly an outward duty, a work of the Law, a carnall Ordi∣nance, it makes us adhere to the letter, without regard of the Spirit, to be satisfied with shadowes, to return to bondage,