An apology or plea for the Two treatises, and appendix to them concerning infant-baptisme; published Decemb. 15. 1645. Against the unjust charges, complaints, and censures of Doctor Nathanael Homes, Mr Iohn Geree, Mr Stephen Marshall, Mr John Ley, and Mr William Hussey; together with a postscript by way of reply to Mr Blakes answer to Mr Tombes his letter, and Mr Edmund Calamy, and Mr Richard Vines preface to it. Wherein the principall heads of the dispute concerning infant-baptism are handled, and the insufficiency of the writings opposed to the two treatises manifested. / By Iohn Tombes, B.D.

To the right worshipfull my much ho∣noured Auditors, members of the Ho∣nourable, House of COMMONS, and Societies of the Temple.

AFter other meanes duly but without successe tried, for the publique good, to wit the vin∣dicating of truth, and consequently for the preventing of the establishment of an errour and corruption of the most solemn sacred rite of the Christian profession, and the op∣pression of them that oppose it, I consented to the publishing of two treatises in December last about Infant-baptisme. It seemed good to sundry persons of note presently to cry downe my assertions, and to load me with unjust ac∣cusations, which I take to be rather a baffeling of the Author, then an answering of his writing. Yet the truth hath gotten so much ground (however some eminent men pretend otherwise) that the Doctrine of the Directory is disavowed by two of the most eminent of my An∣tagonists, as is shewed § 9. pag. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. of this Apology, the chiefe argument of my prime Antagonist, is proved to be either nugatory or fallacious, §. 10. pag. 44. 45 46. 47. 48. of this Apolo∣gy, sundry confessions are drawne from my Antagonists, which in my judgement, and I thinke in the judgement of any that knowes what belongs to disputes, do yeeld the cause, as those that I mention §. 18. pag 97. 98. 100. 101. 102. & §. 5. page 28. of this Apology. And as for the accusations against my selfe, I should sleight them, were it not they had a great influence upon the cause, and therefore have been necessitated to vindicate my selfe; and therewith the truth in

some measure by this Apology. The great prejudice against me in Point of antiquity, I have also in this Apology endeavoured to dis∣pell, specially that from the testimony of Augustin, Serm. 10. de ver∣bis Apostoli, tom. 10. which upon examination I find not to be an historicall narration from good records, but a meer hyperbolicall speech, Rhetorically asserting a thing by conjecture from present use in a Sermon to the people, §. 15. pag. 81. 82. 83. 84. of this Apo∣logy. And for the testimony of Tertullian concerning federall holi∣nesse, it is shewed to be impertinent, §. 15. pag. 84. 85. That the present Synod or reformed Churches are against me should be no more prejudice against me, then it is against the Synod, and refor∣med Churches that they oppose the Doctrine of Infant-baptisme, as it was taught by Cyprian, and his councill of 66. Bishops, Augustin, and many Synods, and Churches all along till the fifteenth century, and the Augustan confession art 9.

The danger of troubles upon a reformation of this corruption should make men wary how they introduce them; I thinke they that are bound by Covenant to reforme, yet are not bound to do it with procipitation, and without prudence. But however men must take heed how they establish an errour and corruption by a Law, and oppresse men for holding a truth, lest they kicke against the Pricke.

As for my owne particular, the hard dealing I have fo••nd doth not alienate me from my brethren, nor I hope shall make a schism be∣tween us; if it must happen, my indeavour is, that it may be neces∣sary, not voluntary on my part. What hath happened I looke upon it, however meant by men, yet as ordered by God for good, to wit the clearing of the truth, the trying and humbling of my selfe. That I suffer in the repute of men, or my outward peace moves me not. It's not to be expected children should be born without travail, nor truth without suffering; yet to leave so intelligent an Auditory, with so much advantage of the fruite of my labours, is no small grievance. However I have chosen you for depositaries, in whose hands I may leave this Apology; that you may not be strangers to this businesse, nor forget him who is

Your reall servant in
the things of Christ,
JOHN TOMBES.

From my study at the Temple in London, August 20. 1646.