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CHAP. 5 Wherein the Baptism of Believers is proved to be the only Baptism from the New-Testament-Dispensation, so differing from that of the Old.
The Old-Testament-Church, we find, was National, consisting of the Natural and Fleshly Seed of Abraham: Therefore were Infants, by the Ordinance of Circumcision added thereto: wherein they had a worldly Sanctuary, Carnal Ordinances, a Temporary Priesthood, and multitudes of Ceremonies.
The New-Testament-Church was by Christ's appointment to be a separated people out of the Nations consisting only of the Spiritual Seed of Abraham; and therefore Believers upon profession of Faith by the Ordinance of Baptism, were added thereto, Acts 2.41. 1 Cor. 12, 13.
Wherein, as in the Spiritual House, the true Tabernacle, they partake of Spiritual Ordinances in Communion with Spiritual Members; And by an unchangeable Priesthood do offer Spiritual Sacrifices, and worship God, as true Worshippers, in Spirit and Truth, John 4.23, 24.
And therefore upon this change, you have John Baptist discharging that Priviledge [sic] (of Abraham's
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natural Seed) that admitted into the old Church, from any such Rite in the New, Mat[thew]. 3.9, &c. telling them in express terms, that now in Gospel-dayes, they must not say within themselves, that they have Abraham for their Father, viz. That they are the Children of a godly Parent: No, that which might have served turn under Moses, will not avail, nor must be admitted now under Christ. Nothing now but fruits meet for Repentance, gives right to the Baptism for Repentance, and nothing short of the Spiritual Birth can orderly admit to water-birth and Spiritual Ordinances. And the genuine Reason Christ himself gave to that Doctor in Israel (though yet it seems, ignorant of the Mystery of the New Birth, which only gives the right of admission into the New-Testament-Church) Because (saith he) that which is born of thy flesh is but flesh; Regeneration being not entailed to Generation.To which purpose therefore Dr. Owen very excellently in his Catechism about Government, p. 106. Our Lord Jesus Christ hath laid down (saith he) as an Everlasting Rule, that unless a man be born again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, John 3.3. Requiring Regeneration as an indispensable condition in a Member of his Church, a Subject of his Kingdom: for his Temple is now to be built of Living Stones, 1 Pet. 2.5. Men spiritually and savingly quickened from their death in sin, and by the Holy Ghost (whereof they are partakers) made a meet habitation for God, Eph. 2.21, 22. 1 Cor. 3.16. 2. Cor. 6.16. Which receiving
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Vital supplies from Christ its Head, encreaseth in Faith and Holiness, edifying it self in Love.Under the Law, Ceremony, Shadow, Letter, and carnal Seed suited to Carnal Ordinances: But when the Substance and Spirit was come (under the Gospel) then only a Spiritual Seed, as most meet and sutable [sic], must attend the Spiritual Worship and Spiritual Ordinance.
And herein doth Dr. Taylor very well accommodate this Truth, p. 242. They (saith he) that baptize Children, make Baptism to be wholly an outward Duty, a Work of the Law, a Carnal Ordinance; it makes us adhere to the Letter without regard of the Spirit, to be satisfied with Shadows, to return to Bondage, to relinquish the mysteriousness, the substance and spirituality of the Gospel; which Argument is of so much the more consideration, because under the spiritual Covenant, or the Gospel of Grace, if the Mystery goes not before the Symbol; (which it does, when the Symbols are configurations of Grace, as the Sacraments are) yet it alwaies accompanies it, but never follows in order of time. And this is clear in the perpetual Analogy of Holy Scripture.
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