Philadelphia: or, XL. queries peaceably and inoffensively propounded for the discovery of truth in this question, or case of conscience; whether persons baptized (as themselves call baptism) after a profession of faith, may, or may not, lawfully, and with good conscience, hold communion with such churches, who judg themselves truly baptized, though in infancy, and before such a profession? Together with some few brief touches about infant, and after-baptism. By J.G. a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

XXIII.

Whether ought not the Law of Edification [1 Cor. 14. 26.] to over-rule all Laws and Precepts concerning spiritual and Church-administrations, as the Law of Salus Populi ought to umpire and over-rule all politique Laws and Constitutions, in their respective Executions? If so, ought not the Administration of Baptism to be rather appropriated unto Infants, then unto others, considering, 1. That God himself adjudged the Administration of the Ordinance of Circumcision (an Ordinance the same with Baptism, though not in the shape and form of the letter, yet in strength and substance of the Spirit, as evidently appeareth from Rom. 4. 11. well understood, and diligently compared with Mark 1. 4. Luk. 3. 3, &c.) unto Infants, to be most edifying in the Church of the Jews; otherwise it must be said that he ordered the Administration of it to the spiritual detriment and loss of those, to whom he gave it; And, 2. That there can no reason, nor colour of reason be given, why, or how, the Administration of Baptism unto Infants in Christian Churches, should not as well be more edifying unto these, then an after-Administration of it would be,

as the like Administration of Circumcision was unto the Jews; 3. (And lastly) That whatsoever the wisdom of men may pre∣tend * 1.1 and plead colourably and plausibly to the contrary, ought to give place to the determination and resolution of God himself? Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord, Zech. 2. 13. The Lord is in his holy Temple; let all the Earth keep silence before him, Habak. 2. 20. although it be demonstrable enough, even by clear grounds and principles in reason, that to Baptize in Infancy, must needs be more edifying to the Church, then to transfer the Admi∣nistration to maturity of years.

Notes

• * 1.1

  u••de multi post Baptismum pro∣ficientes, & maxime qui In∣fantes vel pueri baptizati sunt, &c. Aug. de Baptismo con∣tra Donatistas lib. 4. c. 14.