by Pastor Peter Edwards
INTRODUCTION
A FAIR STATEMENT OF THE INQUIRY.
THESIS I.
The only thing which, in any dispute, should engage our attention, is this: “What is truth?” And he who wishes to find it, will endeavor to adopt that plan which will bring him soonest to what he seeks. There are two things, in all matters of controversy, which greatly facilitate our search: First, that we set aside all those things about which we are agreed, and fix our attention to that only on which a difference of opinion may arise; and secondly, that this difference be stated in a manner the most plain and simple. To either of these, no person who seeks the truth can form the least objection.
THESIS II.
As this inquiry lies between those who pass under the denomination of Paedobaptists and Antipaedobaptists, it will be proper, in order to ascertain wherein they differ on the subject of baptism, to give the sentiments of each. Antipaedobaptists consider those persons as meet subjects of baptism, who are supposed to possess faith in Christ, and those only. Paedobaptists agree with them in this, that believers are proper subjects of baptism; but deny that such only are proper subjects. They think, that, together with such believing adults who have not yet been baptized, their infants have a right to baptism as well as their parents.
I have lately conversed with many Baptists, who knew so little of the sentiments of their brethren, that they supposed adult baptism was entirely rejected by Paedobaptists; and when I endeavoured from their confessions of fiath, &c. to convince my Baptist friends that they held adult baptism as well as themselves, some believed and marveled, but others remained in doubt.
THESIS III.
From this view of the sentiments of each, it appears that both parties are agreed on the article of adult baptism, which must therefore be set aside as a matter entirely out of dispute; for it can answer no good purpose for one to prove what the other will not deny. Now, seeing they are so far of one mind, (I speak of the subject, not of the mode,) the difference between them concerns infants only; and the simple question which remains to be decided, is this, Are infants fit subjects of baptism, or are they not? On this question the whole turns. The Paedobaptists affirm, and Antipaedobaptists deny.
THESIS IV.
The simple question being as I have no stated it, Are infants fit subjects of baptism, or are they not? it will clearly follow, that all those places which relate to believers’ baptism, can prove nothing on the side of Baptists; and the reason is, they have no relation to the question. To illustrate this, I ask a Baptist, Is an infant a fit subject of baptism? No, says he. Wherefore? Because the Scriptures say, Repent and be baptized – If thou believest, thou mayest – I interpose, and say, Your answer is not in point. I asked, Is an infant a fit subject of baptism? You answer by telling my that a penitent adult is such. But as I asked no question concerning an adult, the answer is nothing at all to the purpose. If I should ask whether an infant were a creature of the rational kind, would it be a good answer, if any person should say, that adults were of that description? No answer can be good, if it does not directly relate to the question proposed; for then, properly speaking, it is no answer to the question. And therefore, if I ask whether an infant is a proper subject of baptism, and another should bring twenty places to prove the propriety of baptizing adults; as all this would be nothing to the question, so nothing would be proved thereby, either for or against.
We may from hence estimate the strength of each party, as they respect one another. The Paedobaptist has just so much strength against a Baptist, as his arguments weigh on the affirmative, and no more; and the Baptist has no more strength against him, but as his arguments weigh on the negative. Whatever arguments a Baptist may bring, to evince infant baptism to be wrong, whether they be many or few, good or bad, it is all his strength; he has not a grain more on his side. For as it lies on neither of these to prove adult baptism, (it being a thing professed and used by both, and therefore being no subject of dispute) those arguments that prove it, can have no place here. This being carefully observed, we shall see which of these has the fairest pretensions to truth.
THESIS V.
Whatever may, in reality, be the force of argument on either side, respecting this question, there can be no doubt but that side is the true one, on which the arguments are found to preponderate. If the arguments for infant baptism are stronger than any that can be produced against it, then infant baptism must be right; and so the easy and sure way of coming to a decision is, to collect the arguments on both sides, try their validity, and compare them together. This, in the fear of God, I shall endeavour to do. First, I will set down the arguments against infant baptism, and examine them as I proceed; and then those which make for it; and after that, I will compare them together in opposite columns. By this process, which is the fairest I am acquainted with, we shall see whether Baptists or Paedobaptists have the truth on their side.
The whole import of these propositions is – that both parties agree about adult baptism – that when a Baptist has proved adult baptism, he has proved nothing against a Paedobaptist – that the only question being this, Are infants fit subjects of baptism, or are they not? it is evident that those passages of Scripture, which prove adult baptism, will not answer this question – and, that arguments for an against being compared, that side is the true one, on which they preponderate.
If any thing can make this matter plainer, and I wish it to be made plain, perhaps the introduction of a short familiar dialogue may do it. We will therefore suppose a conversation between a Baptist and a Paedobaptist; the Baptist speaking as follows:
Bap. I wonder very much you should not agree with me in sentiment, respecting the subjects of baptism.
Paedo. There is nothing in this to wonder at, since we all see but in part: it is our happiness to believe to the saving of the soul.
Bap. That which makes me wonder is this, that the sentiment I hold is so clearly revealed in Scripture.
Paedo. What sentiment is that you hold, and which you say is so clearly revealed in Scripture?
Bap. I hold what is commonly called believers’ baptism; or, if it is right to baptize a person professing faith in Christ.
Paedo. If that be your sentiment, I grant it is clearly revealed; but in this we are agreed, it is my sentiment as well as yours.
Bap. But this is not the whole of my sentiment. I meant to have said, that it is wrong to baptize infants.
Paedo. Then you and I differ only about infants?
Bap. If you grant adult baptism to be right, it is only about infants we differ.
Paedo. I do grant it. And then do you mean to say, that it is clearly revealed in Scripture, that it is wrong to baptize infants?
Bap. I do mean to say that.
Paedo. How do you prove it?
Bap. I prove it by Acts viii. 37. “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”
Paedo. You have indeed proved believers’ baptism to be right; but I asked you, how you proved infant baptism to be wrong?
Bap. Must not infant baptism be wrong, if believers’ baptism be right?
Paedo. No more than believers’ baptism must be wrong, if infant baptism be right. Would you think I had proved that infants would be lost, by proving that believing adults would be saved?
Bap. Certainly I should not.
Paedo. Why?
Bap. Because the question would be only about infants; and we cannot infer the loss of an infant from the salvation of a believing adult.
Paedo. Very true. Then that which proves infant baptism wrong, must not be the same that proves adult baptism to be right.
Bap. I grant it, and think there is sufficient proof against it beside.
Paedo. This is the very point. You produce your proof against it, and I will produce mine for it. If your proof be found stronger against, than mine for, you have the truth on your side; if not, the truth is on mine.
Bap. Nothing can be more fair; and I am willing to put it to the test.
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