by Robert Barclay

“ As for the latter part of the thesis, denying the use of infant-baptism, it necessarily follows from what is above said. For if water-baptism be ceased, then surely baptizing of infants is not warrantable. But those that take upon them to oppose us in this matter, will have more to do as to this latter part: for after they have done what they can to prove water-baptism, it remains for them to prove that infants ought to be baptized. ”

“ I answer, In that John's baptism was unto repentance, the difference lieth not there, because so is Christ's also; yea, our adversaries will not deny but that adult persons that are to be baptized ought, ere they are admitted to water-baptism, to repent, and confess their sins: and that infants also, with a respect to and consideration of their baptism, ought to repent and confess; so that the difference lieth not here, since this of repentance and confession agrees as well to Christ's as to John's baptism. But in this our adversaries are divided ”

“ Now, if the education of the apostles as Jews, and their propensity to adhere and stick to the Jewish religion, did so far influence them, that even after Christ's resurrection, and the pouring forth of the Spirit, they could not receive nor admit of the teaching of the Gentiles, though Christ, in his commission to them, commanded them to preach to them ”

“ For it is not outward [15] washing with water that maketh the heart clean, by which men are fitted for heaven: and as that which goeth into the mouth doth not defile a man, because it is put forth again, and so goeth to the dunghill; neither doth any thing which man eateth purify him, or fit him for heaven. What is said here in general may serve for an introduction, not only to this proposition, but also to the other concerning the supper. Of these sacraments (so called) baptism is always first numbered, which is the subject of the present proposition ”

“ But if they can by any means stretch any scripture practice, or conditional precept or permission, fitted to the weakness or capacity of some, or appropriate to some particular dispensation, to give some colour for any of these their inventions; they do then so tenaciously stick to them, and so obstinately and obstreperously plead for them, that they will not patiently hear the most solid Christian reasons against them. Which zeal, if they would but seriously examine it, they would find to be but the prejudice of education, and the love of self, more than that of God, or his pure worship. ”

“ And if they cannot do this, then if water-baptism was once a carnal ordinance, as the apostle positively affirms it to have been, it remains a carnal ordinance still; and if a carnal ordinance, then no necessary part of the gospel or new covenant dispensation; and if no necessary part of it, then not needful to continue, nor to be practised by such as live and walk under this dispensation. ”

“ But as to water-baptism, for that it was no standing ordinance of Christ, but only practised as in condescension to the Jews, and by some apostles to some Gentiles also, therefore, so soon as the apostle perceived the abuse of it, he let the Corinthians understand how little stress was to be laid upon it, by showing them that he was glad that he had administered this ceremony to so few of them ”

“ But in this, as in most other things, ac
cording as we have often observed our adversaries judaize, and renouncing the glorious and spiritual privileges of the new covenant, are sticking in and cleaving to the rudiments of the old, both in doctrine and worship, as being more suited and agreeable to their carnal apprehensions and natural senses. But we, on the contrary, travail above all to lay hold upon and cleave unto the Light of the glorious gospel revealed unto us. ”

“ Even as where Christ speaks of being baptized with fire, it is not to be understood of outward material fire, but only of purifying, by a metonymy; because to purify is a proper effect of fire, as to wash and make clean is of water ”

“ They object, That the baptism of water is a visible sign or badge to distinguish Christians from Infidels, even as circumcision did the Jews.
[127] I answer; This saith nothing at all, unless it be proved to be a necessary precept, or part of the new covenant dispensation; it not being lawful for us to impose outward ceremonies and rites, and say, they [128] will distinguish us from infidels. Circumcision was positively commanded, and said to be a seal of the first covenant ”

“ So that if our adversaries will stick to the word, they must alter their method of sprinkling.
[119] Fifthly, They object John iii. 5. Except a man, be born of water, and of the Spirit, &c. hence inferring the necessity of water-baptism, as well as of the Spirit.
But if this prove any thing, it will prove water- [120] baptism to be of absolute necessity; and therefore Protestants rightly affirm, when this is urged upon [121] them by Papists, to evince the absolute necessity of water-baptism, that [water] is not here understood of outward water ”

“ So is praying and preaching, and [14] doing of every good work. Seeing the partaking or performing of the one gives not to any a more certain title to heaven, yea, in some respect, not so much, there is no reason to call them so, more than the other. ”