THE ANABAPTISTS CATECHISM:  
WITH All their Practices, Meetings and Exercises:  
The names of their Pastors, their trades, and places of meeting, their Doctrine and Discipline; a Catalogue of such dishes as they usually make choice of at their Feasts: How, and by whom they are dipped: and all other things belonging to their Society and Brotherhood.  
☾ A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r r s s t v u w x y z &.  
Published according to Order of their Conventicles.  
Printed for R. A. 1645.   

THE ANABAPTISTS CATECHISM.  
Question. WHat is your name?  
Answer. Anabaptist.  
Q. Who gave you that name?  
A. The priestly Fathers, and learned Scholars of the world, who study the profane tongues of Greek and Lataine, and still retain the superstitious Ceremony of the Hebrew, and use all the languages of the beast.  
Q. Why are you called Anabaptists?  
A. Because we went naked into the pure water, and were dipped in the holy streams, where we cleansed our bodies (from the corruption that was before upon us) in the presence of the Brethren, and the Sisters of the Congregation.  
Q. Why was the Congregation present at that time?  
A. To be witnesses of the promises which the Dippers than caused me to make.  
Q. What were the promises that were made between you and the Congregation?  
A. First, that I should forsake all the learned, and renounce the wise, and men of understanding, to follow the Communion of Fools, and simple people, and that all things may be common among us.  
Secondly, that I should believe a sister, and take her word, and she mine, without the abominable ceremony of Marriage.  
Thirdly, that I should keep the secrets of all the Brethren, and Sisters, and walk in the same all the days of my life.  
Q. Dost thou not think that thou art bound to all that thou hast promised?  
A. Yes truly, and (had I nothing else to bind me) it is tye enough to keep the favours of our loving company.  
Q. Which is the way to keep still in favour with them?  
A. To be constant (against all reason) in the maintenance and defence of their opinions.  
Q. What be the opinions of the Anabaptists?  
A. The Anabaptists are of opinion that they may do what they will if conscience moves them to it, and they are of opinion that infants are not fit to be baptised, nor received into the Communion and brotherly fellowship, till they be of bigness fit to accompany with; And that men and women have no souls more than their life blood. Also that what the conscience approves of, cannot be ill, and that all men and women who are not of this mind, are the profane of the world, who have not any power at all to command us to any thing against our consciences.  
Q. Are all Independants of your opinion?  
A. No, none but only Anabaptists.  
Q. Why, are not you Independants?  
A. Yes, but Independants differ in judgement.  
Q. What is the main thing that you and Independants d●ffer in?  
A. We differ very much from them, for though you call them Independants (a name too honourable for them, yet) they are none, for they do allow of laws, and orders, and blacke-coats, and profane learning, and superstitious preaching in Pulpits, and many such things the Independants approve of, but we dare not allow of any such things.  
Q. If you cast off all order, by what Discipline do you walk?  
A. Discipline I do you talk to us of Discipline? what do you think we cannot walk without Discipline: alas! alas! we have a liberty (which the rest of the world are ignorant of) there is never a one of us but may follow what Discipline he thinks in his own conscience is best and that's a pleasant Discipline.  
Q. How can you agree together, and continue your meeting, without some manner of Order, or Discipline, to do it by?  
A. Why, let me tell you, there is so much correspondency in affection amongst us, that all the Brethren, and the Sisters, will agree, they are resolved upon that, so soon as they are made Anabaptists. After which they will not in any case offend the consciences of the weak, in any thing tending to the further kindling of the love of one to another.  
Q. What Customs have you in your meetings? have you no laws?  
A. Customs, oh fie upon them, they are Popish, we hate the very name of superstitious Customs and laws are a burden that we cannot bear.  
Q. What then is the rule by which you walk?  
A. We are a freeborn people, and have privileges above all rule.  
Q. How many privileges have you?  
A. Ten.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. 

1. That all the goods, husband, wife, and all things whatsoever, any of the Congregation have is in common to all.  
2. That we are free from bowing down under the yoke of man's Law, and Rule, and all obedience, and subjection whatsoever.  
3. That we are free from all oaths and covenants, either with the King, Parliament, or People, so we keep promise amongst ourselves.  
4. We are privileged from the burden of the Sabbath, and are not strict in observing of it, every man is left to himself, to keep it, or not to keep it, as he will himself.  
5. We give no honour, nor respect to one more than to another; but are (without all difference of persons) hale fellow, well met, when we are together.  
6. We are free from bloodshed, and will not kill, no not a Louse; nor do we hold it fit that any should be punished for his infirmities.  
7. No man is to lie with his brother's wife, whilst her husband is in presence, except he be fast asleep, or dead drunk.  
8. Whosoever desires to live without taking pains, to get his living by his trade and calling, he may go from house to house, to be relieved with all that he can get.  
9 None of the fellowship dare presume to disclose the secrets of our Conventicles to the profane, lest the world render us more odious than they do already.  
10. None of the Fellowship is to keep his house, his table, his wife, his servant, his estate, or any thing he hath, for himself; but is to let any member of the Congregation partake with him of all things in common.    
Q. What use do you make of these privileges?  
A. We have two special benefits by them; first, in having a share in the brethren's goods; and secondly, in having a right in the Sister's affections.  
Q. How do you do to get to share with the brethren in their goods?  
A. We go to the Pastor, and he procures any thing for us that we want.  
Q. In what way do you address yourselves to the Sisters?  
A. We put off our hats, and make them a leg, look devoutly upon them smiling, with our sparkling eyes, enough to enamour a Lady.  
Q. Who are your Preachers, and what are they?  
A. There are divers: viz. Mr. Patience, an honest Glover; Mr. Griffin, a reverend Tailor; Mr. Knowles, a learned Scholar; Mr. Spilsbey, a renowned Cobbler; Mr. Barber, a Button-maker, and divers others, most gallant Teachers, well grounded in their opinions.  
Q. Where are your places of meeting?  
A. We have many places, and are glad when we can meet quietly in any of them.  
Q. But have you not some jovial meetings, where you use to be merry sometimes?  
A. Yes, that we have.  
Q. Where is that?  
A. At Westminster.  
Q. Where there?  
A. We have met at several places; we met often at a great house in the new Palace by Westminster-Hall; but when we asked the name of the place, they said it was Hell; O than we hated that profane place, and would never come in it after: and they say there is a place called Heaven in the Old Palace; but we could never find that place out, and so we dined since at Adam and Eve.  
Q. What had you to dinner?  
A. Thus is the List of our Mess: 

1 Imprimis. The mumping Crust of an hot loaf boiled with a Calf's head and Bacon.  
2 Item. The neck of a young Coney boiled to a jelly.  
3 Item. The shoulder of a grave, long-bearded Goat, stewed between two dishes, stuffed with Cock's combs, & larded with Goose grease.  
4 Item. The breast of a fat Capon well soaked in white broth, stuffed with Daisies and Cowstips.  
5 Item. A loin of young Mutton well carbonadoed, with a plump kidney, as round as an apple.  
6 Item. The rump of a Woodcock baked with a pair of Goose gibblets.  
7 Item. A Leg of Lamb larded with Trotters, and roasted till it be as brown as a Berry.  
8 Item. A well made and neatly dressed Neats-foot Pie, full of plums and spices.  
9 Item. A dish a Pig's petty-toes stewed in plumb-broth.  
10 Item. A dish of fresh Lobsters soaked all night in vinegar.  
11 Item. A sheep's head boiled with wool and horns, for a standing dish for the brethren.  
12 Item. An Humble Pie for the sisters, after the brethren are risen.    
Q. What Officers have you in your Church discipline?  
A. We have first the Pastor, secondly the Deacon, and thirdly the Congregation, and none else at all.  
Q. What is the office of the Pastor?  
A, He teacheth and instructeth the Congregation; and when any are received into the fellowship of the Church to walk with him; he examines them, and if they be found right, than he dips them.  
Q. In what manner doth he teach you?  
A. We meet in some convenient house, and he making choice of the privatest place that he can in the house, he (after the Deacon hath prayed with the Congregation, and exhorted them) prays, and then preacheth an hour or two, or sometimes three, more or less, as he finds his guests straitened or enlarged.  
Q. Do none come to hear him preach, but only those who are in Church-fellowship?  
A. Yes, if they be brought in by some friend, that we may be sure they come not to spy us, they may come to heat, or join with us in the Church contribution, but can partake with us no further.  
Q. Must the people do whatsoever he binds them to observe?  
A. There is an oath, which is administered to all before they be received into Church-fellowship with us.  
Q. Do you swear all before you receive them into communion with you?  
A. Yes, else they are not admitted.  
Q. Do other Independants do so?  
A. No they have not that policy.  
Q. What is it that you make them swear before you admit them to be dipped?  
A. 

1 We promise and swear to walk with our Brethren and Sisters (in the Congregation we are received into) with all watchfulness, and tenderness, avoiding all jealousies, censurings, and provokings.  
2 To do nothing against the Members.  
3 Not publicly to discover the failings of our Brethren or Sisters, but attend an orderly call thereunto.    
Q. Hath the Pastor power to receive whom he will into the Congregation?  
A. Yes except the Congregation allege something against the person presented.  
Q. In what manner are they dipped when they are received into Church-fellowship?  
A. After the persons to be dipped are exaamined and have declared a sufficient testimony before the Congregation, and taken the Oath, the Pastor, that is the Dipper, taketh the person that is to be dipped, and goeth with him or her whether it be man or woman into the water, and there setting one hand upon the back, and the other upon the head, dips the said person quite over head and ears, and then leadeth him or her so dipped by the arm out of the water, and presenteth them to the Congregation, who receive them as Members of their Congregation.  
Q. What is the Deacons office amongst the Anabaptists?  
A. To gather the Contributions of the Church, and take care to see the Congregation provided for, and if any person of the Congregation be in trouble, to labour and use all the means he can to get him free.  
Q. What is it that is in the power of the Congregation?  
A. Whatsoever is done, is confirmed by the approbation of them, for against their consent the Pastor and Deacon hath not power to do any thing.  
Q. In whose power then is the Ordinance of marriage?  
A. There are many things required in the order of marriage before it be done.  
Q. What are those things that are required?  
A. 

1 That both parties be Anabaptists.  
2 That both parties be agreed.  
3 That they have the consent of the Church.  
And fourthly, that they be married according to the way of the Church with which they walk.    
Q. Why must both parties be Anabaptists?  
A. Because the one being so, it would be of evil consequence to be yoked with the wicked that have not been rebaptised.  
Q. How fare must the parties (to be married) be agreed?  
A. To their well liking one of the other without forcing either of them by violence to marry one that he or she cannot love.  
Q. Which is the way of marriage in the Anabaptists Church?  
A. Both parties coming before the Congregation they join hands and taking each other for man and wife, promising to live and die together, and so kiss and are made man and wife.  
Q. And what is your order of burial for the dead?  
A. When any person is dead, we invite our neighbours, and friends, and having served them with wine and biscuit, or diet-bread or sugar-plums as all others do, we go together and when we come to the grave the bearers put the corpses into the grave and so we part without any more Ceremony or trouble.   

A brief Discourse between an Independent and an Anabaptist.  Independent. 
Of what religion are you?  Anabaptist. 
I am one of those commonly called Anabaptists. I pray you what religion are you of?  Indep. 
I am one of those called Independents.  Anab. 
I am very glad I have so seasonably met with you brother, we should rejoice in one another; for you know we suffer, and are reproached by the wicked.  Indep. 
But it is long of you Anabaptists, that we suffer so as we do, under many honest meaning men, who know not the difference between us and you.  Anab. 
Why, both you and we are Independents, and we desire the liberty of conscience as you do, though we differ in some things.  Indep. 
We deny to be Independents, though they call us so, because you and other factious people are so; common people not knowing the difference; we do not desire any liberty of conscience further than God's word will bear, abhorring that false doctrine which you do daily broach among you. There is more difference between us and you, than between you and the Papists.  Anab. 
But I pray you tell me why you do charge us so high, for what cause do you do it?  Indep. 
You do not only teach to your own disciples, but print, and publish blasphemies, and profane, scurrilous, and naughty things, and the generality of the people take us and you to be all one, and so we are hardly thought on for your sakes, though we abhor, and do utterly disclaim your wretched and horrible impiety therein,  Anab. 
Why, but you know that the common people envy you as much as us; and in that relation you stand in opposition to them just as we do: and therefore why should there be any difference between us amongst ourselves?  Indep. 
I tell you, it is your unjust ways, your blasphemous tenets, and base libels, that have given just offence, and most people believe we are such as you, they not knowing the difference between us, you calling yourselves Independants, as they call us: and I tell you, we do protest as much against you, as ever we did against the Bishops; and therefore I will leave you, and desire to have nothing to do with you, and so adieu.   
FINIS.