A very plain and well ground treatise concerning baptism. Wherein yt is very clearly showen,& out of good growndes demonstrated that baptism was instituted& ordained by the lord Christ for thoese that believe and repent, and was so taught and used by his Apostells& observed and followed by the primitive church. As also how that in process of time the baptism of Children in steede of true baptism was brought in and received and by divers Cownsells Popes, and Emperors commanded to be observed. mark 16. 26. He that shall believe and be baptized shalbe saved. But he that will not believe shalbe damned. Printed in the year of our lord and saviour IESVS CHRIST, 1618. To the impertiall and wellmeaninge READER. FOr as much as impertial Reader, it is not unknown unto us that the Lord Christ geve unto& left with his Apostells a Comanndemente and ordinance to be observed which is baptism to those that believe, as appeareth Math. 28. Where he saith. go and teach al nations Baptisinge them in the name of the Father te son and the holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things what soever I have comannded you. And mark, 16. go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every Creature, he that shal be believe and be baptized shalbe saved. The which Comanndement they obsenrved used and taught as appeareth Act. 2. 8 9. 10, 16. 19. 22. Rom. 6. Gal. 3. And was by the Anncient Fathers in the primitive Church for a time vnviolablye kept and used, as the writings of divers both of the Anncyent& latter teachers alleged in this treatise do manifestly schowe. We will therefore first show by testimonies out of holy Scripture that Christ comannded his Apostells and Servantes of the holy Ghost first of all to preach the gospel and make disciples, and then afterwards to baptize those that wear instructed in the faith in calling vpon and confessing the name of God. The which we will illustrate and confirm by the witness of the Anncyent and latter teachers. Secondlie shal be proved out of holy Scripture that the A●ostells and servantes of the holy Ghost have according to and Comanndement of the lord Iesus Christ, first of all ●ught and afterwards Bapiised those that wear instructed in he mysteries of the Kingdom of God, vpon the Confession ●f their faith the which also is Confirmed and illustrated by and testimony of the Anncyent and latter teachers, hereunto ●nexed. thirdly in this treatise it is suffyc●entlie shewed and proved that after the Apostells time by the primitive Church& Anncyent Fathers who observed& followed the ordinance of Christ and Example of the Apostells, the people wear commonly first instructed in the mysteries of faith, and after that they wear taught they wear baptized vpon Confession of the same. Fow●thlye it is proved that in the primitive Church the Children both of the faithful& others wear comonlye first instructed in the faith and afterwards vpon acknowledging and Confession of the same they wear baptized. fiftly it is in brief demonstrated by testimonies out of the holy Scripture that according to the institution of the lord Christ and the Apostells and Anncyent Fathers right use. The teachers required faith with baptism and that he that was baptized must himself aclowledge and confess the same and call vpon the name of the lord with both the Anncyent and latter writers approbation& Confirmation of the said testimony. joy it is proved out of their own writings, whith use Childrens baptism, that Christ neither gave Comanndement for baptism of young Children, nor instituted the same and that the Apostells never baptized any infantes. Seventlye it is proved out of the writings both of the Anncyent and latter teachers that the baptism of infantes is an ordinance of man& à self received opinion, brought into the Church by teachers after the Apostells and instituted and comannded by counsels Popes and Emperors. Eyghtlie and lastelie, it is both proved by scripture, and ou● of the writings of the Anncyent and latter teachers which have and at this time do use Childrens baptism, tha● young Children or infantes ought not to be baptized, an● that none ought to be brought drawn or compelled thereto. Thus hast thou wellmeaninge and impert●all Reader in this small treatise briefly set down the right Comanndement and ordinance of our lord Iesus Christ concerning baptism, as also the true use thereof by the holy Apostells& first Church after their death together which the Alteringe of the same Comanndemente of Christ& the right use thereof, by those that brought in and instituted Childrens baptism. desiring thee to accept and receive this our small work which a thankful mind and good will and with sober understanding and impartial heart earnestly& dilligentlie read, rightly understand duly Censure& make use of the same to thy fit benefit& betteringe. God the Father through his son Iesus Christ give thee& to all those that with their hartes desire and hunger and thirst thereafter, the right understanding and true use of his Comanndement that so they may distinguish betwixt the institution of Christ and the ordinance of men, to thintent that the latter being set aside and removed, the first as Christs institution may firmly and for ever remain and so whith him as whith our ownlie medyator may be partakers of everlasting life and joy eternal, Amen. read understand and Censure whith judgement. A mystery discovered, which is The Baptizing of Infants, instituted by the man of sin. In which is related, how the true baptism of IESVS CHRIST, was thrown down. And how, The baptism of Anti-christ, was set up in stead thereof, proved by scripture and by ancient and latter writers. 1. joh. 4. 1. Try the Spirits, whether they be God, &c. To al that longeth after the mystery of godliness. DIvers causes have moved us to seek aut and discover this Ancyent mystery of iniquity. As first, our longing after the salvation of our country and kindred in they flesh, who are drowned in deep security, with this accustomend practise, without any warrant at all from Gods word, 2. Because wee sie our testifieng against it, have been and are continually persecuted and afflicted, and that not a little as God knoweth, and all men that take notice of it though it may he some think they do God service therein hoping hereafter that for our weldoeing wee shall not so cruelly be handled, 3. Wee are disireuos Christ, ordinance and institution may be made known, and observed which is yet unknown and neglected, nameless the baptizing of those onely that confess their sins& faith. 4 And lastley. That the baptizing of innocent infantes may be avoided, by which the carnal seed is taken in and acknowledged, to be the true spiritual seed of Abraham, and so feigned christianity in show( or rather Anti-Christ.) Goeth currant in most mens account for true and unfeigned christianity: and by this wide door of▪ Pedo baptistry is let in, not onely such as des●re to have their inf●ntes made Christians as ehey suppose: but even hereby all are compelled they and their Children to be made Christians wether they will or no. Whereas faith, is the gift of God, without which no man can be engrafted into Christ, nor made a Christian indeed. These causes have moved us to manifest what wee can,& because in these dayes many men are as much if not more affencted whith human then whith divine antiquity, wee have thought first to declare the Anncyent and latter writers agreeing with Christs comannd and thappostles practise in this thing, as also how infantes baptism came in, in stead of true Baptisinge. As God hath brought it to our hands, translated out of the Dutch togue, sheweing also that Christ is the door, by whom all that believeth must enter into the kingdom of Heaven, onely by that way which is presoribed in his word. Beseeching all to try allthinges,& keep that which is good,& cast away that which is evil,& diligently to inquire for the old and good way and enter& walk therein unto the end:& they shall find roast unto their souls. Which the Lord grant unto all men even for his Christs seek, Amen. From them that wisheth good to all, and hurt to none. Falstly called Ana-Baptistes. That Christ commanded his Apostles& Servants of the holy Gho: first of all to preach the gospel and make Disciples and after wards to baptize those that wear instructed in the faith in calinge vpon and confessing the name of God. proofs out of the holy scriptures. CHrist with Math. 28. to his Disciples: go and Math. 28. 19. John. 4. {αβγδ}. Discipulos facere. {αβγδ} Actor. 22. {αβγδ}. mark. 16. 15. Luke, 24. 45. make Disciples all nations baptisinge them in the name of the Father, of the son and of the holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things what soever I have commanded you. And Marc. 16, he saith: go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every Creature, he that shall believe and be baptized shalbe saved, but he that will not believe shalbe damned. And Luke the 24. And thus yt behoved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the deade the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations begininge at jerusalem. Nowee ye are witnnisses of these things. The aforesaid proofs illustrated and confirmed by Anntient and latter teachers. HIeronimus sup. Math▪ The lord commanded his Apostells Primum docuerunt deinde fidei intingerent Sa●ramento. that they should first instruct and teach all nations and afterwards should baptize those that wear instructed in the mysteries of faith. For yt cannot be that the body should receive the sacrament of baptism, unless ●he soul have received before the true faith. Athanasius in Sermone. 3, contra Arianos: Our Saviour did not Primum dixit docete ac deinde bap●●sate. slightlie comannde to baptize. But first of all he said: teach, And then baptize that true faith might come by teaching and baptism be perfy●ed by faith. Haimo in Postilla: vpon the text, go& teach all nations, doctrine baptismum praecedere decet. Folio. 278. In this place is set down a rule rightly how to baptize that is that teaching should go before baptism, for he saith teach al nations& then he saith& baptize them, for he that is to be baptized must be before instructed that he james. 2. 26. Rom. 14. 24. first learn to believe that which in baptism he shal receive for as faith without works is deade, so works when they are not of faith, are nothing worth. Erasmus paraphraseth thus vpon these words of Math. 28. Sicredun● baptisate. When you have taught them the word of God, if they then believe you& receive it, if they begin to repent themselves of their former life and are ready and willing to embrace the Doctrine of the Gospel then let them be baptized, with water in the name of the Father the son& the holy Ghost, that they may be marked with this mark and written amongst the number of those whith trust that they are through the merits of my death freed and washed from their sins, and received to be Children of God. Idem in Annatationibus in Mar: The Apostells wear commanded Apostol● Iubentur prius docere postea bapti●are. first to teach and then to baptize. The Iewes wear brought by Ceremonies to the knowledge of the truth, but Christians must learn to know first. Bullinger in his how ●ebooke vpon the words of matthew {αβγδ} Discipulos facere. cap. 28. Docete omnes Gentes. The word used in the greek importeth as much as had he said, Make or Gather me Disciples. Besa in Annotationibus. baptize them in the name of the Father In nomine id est, invocato nomine▪ that is in calling vpon the name of the Father. Strigelius in 8. cap. Act: To be baptized in the name of Iesus. That is to be baptized in confessing and acknowledging the name of Iesus. Lutherus in Genes. Cap 48. Before we receive the Sacrament of baptism and the Lords supper we must have faith. Idem In his book entitled. The Growndworke and cause Tom. 1. For which cause saith he S. paul in Rom. 1. and Heb. 10 useth the saying of the Prophet Habbakuk, as a main Hab. 2. 4. Rom 1. 17 Heb. 10. 38 point in Christian Doctrine whereas he saith the righteous shall live by faith, he saith not the righteous man shall live by the Sacramentes but by faith for it is not the Sacrament but by faith in the Sacrament that vivifieth and justifieth for many receive the Sacrament which are not thereby quickened and bettered, but who so ever believeth is both vivified& bettered thereby and this doth the words of the lord Christ, mark the 16. confirm saying, he that shall believe and Marki. 16. 28. faith before baptism. be baptized shallbe saved. Where he placeth faith before baptism for where faith is not there helps not baptism as the following words in the same place do show saying: he that will not believe shalbe damned( al be it that he be baptized) for it is not baptism but faith in baptism that saveth as we read acts the 8. That Philip wowld not baptize the Eunuch Act. 8. 36. until he had first demanded of him whether he believed. Moreover S. paul saith Rom. 10. That it is requisite to salvation Rom. ●0. 10. that a man believe from his heart, he saith not it is requisite to salvation that a man receiveth the Sacraments, because that by faith whihout bodylie receivingè the Sacraments. If he contemn not the same, a man may be saved. But without faith the Sacraments profit nothing yea they are not only in vain but bring damnation also to the receivers. 2. That the Apostells and Servants of the holy Ghost have according to the commandment of the Lord Iesus Christ first of all taught and then afterwards those that wear instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom of God wear baptized vpon the Confession of their faith. proofs out of the holy Scripture. PAul writing to the Corinthians saith Christ sent him 1 Corrin. 1 15. preaching before baptism. 1 Corrin. 4 15. Begotte● by preaching and not by baptism. 1 Corrin. 3● 6. not to baptize but to preach the gospel. again he saith I have begotten you through the gospel. And I have planted and Apollos watered but God gave the increase. Heb. 6. He writing of the order in teaching which was observed in the apostolical Church saith. Therefore leavinge the Doctrine of the begininge of Christ let us be lead forward to perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance from deade works and faith towards God of the Doctrine of baptism and laying on of hands and of the resurrection from the deade and of eternal judgement. And 1. Repentance. 2. Faith. 3. baptism. Heb. 10. seeing we have an high priest which is over the house of God let us draw near whith a true heart in asurance of faith sprinkled in our hartes from a evil conscience and washed in our bodies whith pure water let us keep the Profession of our faith without waveringe. 1. Faith▪ 2. Pure water. acts. 2. 36. Peter lift up his voice and said to the Iewes let all the house of Israel knew for a surety that God hath made this Iesus whom you have crucified both lord and Christ. Now when they hard it they wear pricked in their hartes& said men and brethren what shal we do●. Then Peter said unto then. amend your lives and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus. Christ to the forgiveness Bapti 〈…〉 after repentance. Qui sermonem acceperunt sunt Baptisari. of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost then they that gladhe received his word wear baptized and they continued in the Apostells doctrine. Actor. 8. Philip. came into the Cyttie of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. And the people gave heed to those things which Philip▪ spake with one accord. And as soon as they believed Philip which preached unto them the things that concern the kingdom of God and the name Qui credidissent Baptisati sunt. of Iesus Christ, they wear baptized both men and women. And Simon himself. believed also and was baptized. Ibidem The angel of the lord spake unto Phillip saying. arise and go towards the sowth unto the way that Goeth down from jerusalem to Gaza. And he arose and went on,& behold à certain Funuch of Ethiopia Candaces the queen of Ethiopians chief governor who had the rule of all her treasure and came to jerusalem worship, And as he returned syttinge in his chariot he red the prophet esay. Then the spirit said unto Phillip. go near& join thyself to yonder Chariot and Phillip ran thether& hard him read the Prophet esay and he said. But understandest thou what thou readest and he said how can I except I had a guide, now the place of scripture which he red Esay, 43. 10 was this, he was lead as a sheep to the slaughter, &c. And thy Eunuch said unto Phillip I pray thee of whom speaketh the Prophet this of himself or of some other man. Then Phillip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture Phillip preached the gospel. and preached unto him the gospel of Iesus And as they went on their way they came unto a certain water,& the Eunuch said. See hear is water what doth let me to be baptized. The Eunuch believed and was baptized. And Phillip said unto him if thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest, and they went down both into them water and he baptized him. Actor. 10. Peter opened his mouth( before Cornelius and his friends) and said: To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name all that believe in him shall receive remission of sins. Whyles that yet Peter spake these words the holy Ghost fell on all them which hard the word, and they hard them speak all with tongues and magnified God. Ambrosi. lib. 2 de s. s. sine Spiritu Baptisma esse non potest. Then answered Peter can any man forbid water that those should not be baptized which have received the holy Ghost as well as we. So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the lord. Act. 16. 19. The keeper of the prison fell down before paul and Silas and said: Sirs what must I do to be saved, And they said believe in the lord Iesus Christ, and thou shall be saved Lutherus non vult Baptisare nisi credant. and thy howsehold. And they preached unto him the word of the lord and to all that wear in his house, And he was baptized with all that belonged unto him straightwaye& rejoiced that he and all his how sehold believed in God. Act. 18. At Corinth. The Spirit did drive forward. paul Audientes credebant& baptisabantur. to testify unto the Iewes, that Iesus is that Christ. And Chrispus the chief ruler of the Sinagogne believed in the lord with all his house and many of the Corinthians hearing it believed and wear baptized. The same illustrated and Confirmed by testimonies out of the ancient and latter teachers. Beda●super 19. Cap. Actor. All those that came to the Apostells to be baptized wear instructed& taught of them,& when they wear instructed and thought concerning the Sacrament baptism vpon faith. of baptism then they received the holy administration thereof. Augustinus ad Salcotinanum. A man must repent before baptism. As Peter in the acts of the Apostells speaking to the Iewes saith: repent and be baptized every one of you in Non vult baptisare nisi credant. the name of the lord Iesus Christ, Et citatur in Decret distinct. 4. de consecr. cap. Agant. Luther in Genes. Not Ba●tisme but fayt in baptism is that which saveth and therefore we read. Acts. 8. That Phillip. would not baptize the Eunuch till he had asked him before whether he believed or not. Melanthon vpon 1. Cor. 11. In times past those in the Church Qui penitentiam agebant baptisabantur. that had repented them wear baptized and was in steede of an Absolution wherefore Repentance must not be separate from baptism for baptism is a sacramental sign of repentance. Bullinger in his howsebooke, 48 sermo: vpon the words of paul, God hath not sent me to baptize but to preach the 1. Corrin. 1 15. Doctrina baptismum praecedet. gospel, saith:) This must not so slightlie be understood as wear he not sent to baptize, at all. But that teaching should go before baptism for the lord Comannded his Apostells both to preach and also to Administer the Sacraments. Idem Ibidem. baptism hath no prescribed time given by the lord and therefore it is left to the free choice of the faithful. Those that believed at the preaching of Peter vpon the day of Pentecost as also the Eunuch whom Phillip baptized. Cornelius the captain, paul the apostle at Damasko Lydia the seller of purple a Woman that feared God, the keeper of the prison at philippi and other more as well women as men so soon as they tasted the gifts of Christ and believed his word, presently desired to be baptized. 3. That after the Apostells time by the ancient Fathers in the primitive Church who observed and followed the ordinance of Christ and the Exempell of the Apostells the people wear commonly first instructed in the mysteries of faith& after that they wear taught they wear baptized vpon Confession of the same. proofs for the same out of the ancient& latter teachers. IVstin Martyr in oratione ad Anthonium Pium: I will declare Quicsique persuasi sic erint& crediderint in aqua lavantur, unto you. Howe we offer up ourselves to God after that we are renewed through Christ. Those amongst us that are instructed in the faith and believe that which we teach them is true, being willing to live according to the same, we do admonish to fast& to pray for the forgiveness of their sins,& we also fast and pray with them, And then they are brought by us to the water and there as we wear new born, are they also by new birth renewed. And then in calling vpon God the Father the lord Iesus Christ and the holy Ghost they are washed in water. Rabanus in decretis de consecrat. distinct 4. Cap. ante bap. The Ante baptismum Catechisandidebet hominem praevenire offitium. catechism which is the doctrine of faith must go before baptism. To thintent that he that is to be baptized( id est Catechumenus) may first learn the mysteries of faith. And further he saith: The lord Christ annoynted the eyes of him that was born blind with clay made of spittle, before he sent him to the water Siloah to signify that he that is to be baptized John. 9. 16. must first be instructed in the faith concerning the incarnation of Christ, and when he doth believe then is he to be Prius debet baptisandus fide instrue. admitted to baptism to thintente he may know, what that grace is which he receiveth in baptism and whom he afterwards in duty ought and is bound to serve. Basilius contra Eunomium lib. 3. Must the faithful be sealed with baptism, faith must needs preceede and go before. Credere prius oporter ac postea baptismate consignari. Eusebius lib. 6. Histor Ecclesi. Origen was appointed by Demetrius to be at Alexandria a Catechista that is a teacher of those that wear disciples and scholars in the faith which office before his time after the Apostells Plautinus& Clemens did execute, whose Disciples wear Plutarch Serenus, Heraclus& Heron. Origines Catechist● baptisandorum. And a woman who before she was baptized with water was as a martyr put to death& baptized with the fire for Christ his sake after Origen Heracles and after Heracles dionysius taught in the said school at Alexandria those that wear to be instructed in the faith before baptism. Erasmus& wicelius in vita Hieronimi ex ipsis scriptis collecta Anno etatis 30 vestem candidam assumpsit. Hieronimus born in the Cyttie Sydon, of Christia● parents, and brought up in the Christian religion, was baptized at Rome in the 30 year of his age. Paulinus de vita Ambrosij. Et Nauclerus Chron Gener. 13. Ambrosius In die baptisatus quo pastor ecclesiae ordinatus est. born of Christian Parents, his fathers name was Ambrosius, and his mothers name Marcelina, remained instructed in the faith vnbaptised, till he was Chosen Bishop in milan, at which time he received baptism of a catholic Priest. Ad fidem conversus baptisabatur cum Iam esset 30 annorum. Nauclerus Generat: 14. Anno dominij, 391. Augustinus the son of the virtuous Monica being instructed in the faith was baptized when he was about 30 yeares of age, at the Feast of Easter, and at the time of his baptism they both sang the hymn te Deum Laudamus. Idem Generat. 14. Constantinus the Emperour born of Helena Catechumenus jactus baptisatur. the Christian queen, was by Christian Priestes converted to the faith, and was baptized by Pope Silvester, in the last year of his life. Historia tripartita, lib▪ 1. Bibliorum de trinitate. Theodosius the Institutus in Catholica fide ab Acholio Baptlsatus est. Emperour born in spain, his Parents being both Christians, was even from his youth instructed and educated in the catholic faith, who falinge sick at Thessalonia, was by Achalio the Bishop of the Cyttie baptized and thereupon recovered Clodobeus being instructed in the faith was baptized in the 36 year of his age. 3000. privy-councillors instructed in the faith wear baptized. of his sickness. Helio tertia parte Eccless. Histor. Clodobeus king of Frannce instructed in the Christian faith by Remigius being clothed in a linen garment, and placing himself amongst the number of those that wear to be baptise●, received baptism in the 36. year of his age. At which time also, Remigius in a Sermon converted 3000. Soldiers who being instructed in the faith wear baptized whereby it appeareth that the rich together with the poor wear baptized in one water, which custom remained in use unto the time of Charles the great and Lodowich Augustus who ordained that the Priests should baptize none but at Easter and Pentecost, except they Baptisati inclinijs. wear extreme sick and in danger of death. And those that wear thus baptized in their beds, wear called Clinicos. Wicelius in Choro Sanctorum: Viriunus, Marcellinus, and justinus, Virianos Marcellinus and justinus wear vpon Confession of their faith baptized. All learned men, livinge in the time of Decius the Emperor. Had conference together about the Christian Religion, whereto they wear all well affencted, but for as much as they hard that those that believed in Christ wear also baptized they sent for à Priest name justine and desired they might receive of him baptism. Who much reioyed that so great learned men as they wear, would give themselves under the yoke of Christ. And after that he had catechized Baptisaint catechisa●os ad confessionem fidei. Quirinus the captain converted. them, caused water to be brought and baptized them vpon Confession of their faith. Idem Ibidem. Quirinus captain in Rome under Traianus the Emperor. took Alexander the Bishop, and the noble Hermes Prisoners, But Alexander spoke to him so much of Christ and his gospel, that the holy Ghost so wrought, espetiallie when as he saw that his sick Daughter miraculousely Catechisati in religione baptisabantur. received her health that they both believed and after they wear catechized& instructed in the Christian Religion they wear baptized. Item Hermingildus lived in spain An. Christ. 700. In the Conversus ad Catholi●am professionem baptisabatur. dayes of Tiberius the second, who by the preaching of Leander Bishop of Hispala, was Converted to the catholic Religion and was after the catholic manner afterwards baptized. Idem ex libris Alfridi Episcopi: Lutgerus born of Christian parents,( his Father was name Lutgerus and his mother Liburga) Lutgerus having embraced the Christian faith was baptized. embraced and learned the Christian faith in Frannce,& received afterwards the sacred baptism. Idem ex codice Mariano Torpes was Converted to the faith in the dayes of Nero the Emperor, and was baptized in Christ. Torpes believed and was baptized. Nemesius. Idem ex codem codice▪ Stephen the first being Pope in Rome under Valerian and Galli●n Emperors, catechized Nemesius together with others, and according to the custom of the Church after they had fasted, those that believed wear baptized. Credentes Baptisanit. Idem Basillica an honest and vertuos maid in Rome in the dayes of the Emperor Gallien, learned the Christian faith of Basillica instructed in the faith was baptized. Those in times past that wear baptized wear first instructed in the faith. eunuchs, Protus, and Hiacinthus and was baptized of Cornelius the Pope. Erasmus in annotationibus in Lucam: Those who in times past wear to be baptized wear first of all instructed in the mysteries of the Christian faith and wear called Catechumenos or such as wear scholars or disciples and their teachers wear called Catechiste susceptores and Campatres that is instructors susceptors and Godfathers. Polidor de inventoribu rerum. Lib▪ 4. Cap. 4. Yt was the custom in the old time, to baptize those for the most parte It was the custom to baptize at Easter and Pentecost. that wear come to there full growth, and after their baptism they wear apparaled in a white garment and this was done at Easter and Pentecost, and in the mean time before the feasts, they wear instructed in the mysteries of the faith and wear called ●atechumeni●, and when they had Apprehended the said mysteries they wear baptized and fed with milk and honey. Beatus Rhenanus in annot: supper tertul: Wryteth to the same Adultri lavacro regenerationis baptisabantur. commandment not to baptize but at Easter and Pentecost. effect. That the old custom was that those that wear come to their full groweth wear baptized with the bath of regeneration which custom was observed until the time of Charles the great and Lodowich Emperors,( as by the statutes by them established appeareth) who ordained and gave express Comanndement that the Priests should not baptize any but at the Feast of Easter and Pentecost, except in the exstremytie of sickness and danger of death. Beza in annatationibus supper Math. John taught those that Quum Sacramenta sint sphragides, recess● est vt praecedat doctrinam quam obsignent. wear to be baptized, and admitted none to baptism, but those that gave testimony that they believed, the forgiveness of their sins such Confession was also in the primitive Church required of the Catechumens before baptism. For in that the Sacraments are seals it is requisite that Doctrine or instruction should go before the use of those things by which the Doctrine itself is to be sealed. Luther in Chronica▪ Seba: frank. Mar. 16. 15. Idem in his book of worship Luther in his book of the civil Magistrate: The Sacraments neither can nor may be received without faith, but with great hurt. Wherefore we hold ourselves to the words of Christ he that believeth and is baptized, so that either before or else even then present when baptism is administered there must needs be faith or else there is a Contempt of the divine majesty. Who offers his present grace when thereis none to receive it. 4. That by the ancient Fathers in the primitive Church. The Children both of the faithful and else, wear commonly first instructed in the faith, and afterwards vpon acknowledging● and confessing of the same they wear baptized. proofs out of the ancient and latter Teachers. Pueros non tam cito baptisandos. Mat. 19▪ Mar. 10. Luke 18. Venean● cum ●do▪ lescu● TErtullian in libro de Baptismo writeth: That infantes or young Children should not so speedelie be baptized. And vpon the saying of the lord: suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not: he thus speaketh: Let them come when they are grown, and when they are able to be instructed. When they can learn to know Christ then may they be Christians for if that youth be not so hastelie to be put in trust with earthly goods. Why with Inuptis baptismum procrastinandum. the heavenly let them therefore first know how to desire that which is for their good. To thintent that it being desired it may be given them. In like manner Tertullian Counseleth that baptism should not be administered unto young unmarried Maidens, whiles they yet suffer temptation. In decretis de consecrat. Des●inct. 4. ex consilio, Gerundensi concerning Catechumeni baptized at the Feast of Easter and Pentecost. the Catechumenes or those that are instructed in the faith it is ordained that they should all come at Easter and Pentecost. Ibidem ex concilio Laodicensi. The Disciples or scholars in the Baptisandosoportet fidei symbolum discere& Episcopo reddere. faith who are to be baptized, must before learn the faith& then vpon thursdaye the last week in Lent must aclowledge the same before the Priest or Bishop. Ibidem ex Concilto Martini Papae: Those that are to be baptized must learn first the creed, the which vpon the fift day Qui baptisandisunt symbolum discunt& Episcopo reddunt. in the last week in lent they must rehearse, either before the Bishop or Priest. Ibidem ex Augustini sermone. Neophitos( id est Iuniores or youngmen before we dowched or dipped your body in the sacred water. We asked: believe you in God the Father almighty? baptism vpon faith according to the Comanndement of the Lord Ies. Christ. And you Answered I believe. Moreover we asked: believe you in Iesus Christ his sonne, which wat Conceived of the holy Ghost, and born of the virgin mary, to which you answered in like manner I believe. Item we asked you, believe you in the holy Ghost, unto which every one amongst you answered I ●●leeve, and this have we done according to the Comanndement of our lord and saviour Christ, who Mat. 28. 19 Comannded his Apostells to go and teach all nations bapsiginge them in the name of the Father of the son and the holy Ghost. Rupertus Tuitiensis lih. 4. de divinis officijs cap. 18. In former times the custom in the primitive Church was that they administered not the Sacrament of regeneration, but only at the feast of Easter and Pentecost, and all Cuncta ecclesiae proles, audience regulam fide● in solemnnitate baptisterij se● symbolum reddebat. the Children of the Church which through out the whole year, through the word wear moved when Easter came gave up their names,& wear the following dayes till Pentecost ●nstructed in the rules of faith, rehearsed the same by their baptism and dying thus with Christ roase again with him. Cassander in libello de infantium baptismo: It is certain that Certum estnonnulli fideles in liberis fuit baptisareaetatem paul provectiorem quam vtconque intelligere& meminisse posset expectasse. some believers in times past have with holden baptism from their children, until they wear grown grown and could understand and remember the mysteries of their faith, yea also Connseled not to administer baptism as by Tertullian and gregory Naziansene appeareth. Zwinglius in his book of articles Artic: 18. In the old time Children wear openly instructed. Who when they came to understanding wear called Catechumens. That is such as are instructed in the word of salvation. And when they had imprinted the faith in their hartes and made confession thereof with their mouths, they wear admitted to baptism. Beza. Vpon the words of the apostle. 1. Cor. 7. 14. But now In tota veteri ecclesia prius oportet catechumenum esse quam baptisare. your Children are holy. Out of this place Contradictors of the truth are reveyled, as first of all those that make baptism to be the first entrance to salvation. And secondlie those that permit all Children to be baptized, which was vnharde of in the primitive Church where as every one ought to be instructed in the faith before he wear admitted to baptism. Wicelius in Choro Sanctorum: dionysius travayled with Pancruts Catechisatos in fide Christiana baptisauit. ( the son of Clion à Christian) towards Rome, and as they went they came to the mountain Celius, unto Pope Cornelius who catechized and instructed them in the Christian Religion. And twenty dayes after, baptized them in Christ. Pancratius being then 15. yeares of age. Pontius the son of Markus à Christian, was catechized and instructed in the Christian Religion, and afterwards Pontus instructed& baptized by Pontiano. was baptized by Pontiano the Bishop. Item Nazarius the son of à Christian woman called Perpetua, Nazarius was instructed and baptized of Lino. embraced and followed his mothers Religion even from his tender age, who being catechized and instructed by Lino the Pope, received also baptism. Item Leounilla a Christian woman being Grandmother to three of her sons sons, name Sosippus, Cleosippus, and Sosippus Cleosippus Melosippus catechized and then baptized. Ann. 224. Melosippus, entreated Remigius that they might be catechized in the Christian Religion and then baptized which was also performed Anno. 224. Tecla and Erasma Daughters to Valentian a Christian of Aquilea, wear( in the dayes of Nero the Emperor) instructed Tecla& Erasma being Catechrsed wear baptized. in the faith by their Father and brought up in the fear of God, who being catechized by Harmagora wear baptized in a running water. Fusca a holy virgin while she was yet young in yeares had a desire to the Christian faith, the which desire of hers she Fusca. made known to Mauro a maid servante, who also was in wardlie moved to seek Christ, these both being instructed Mauro. in the Christian Religion by Hermolao the Priest at Rauenna wear then baptized. Honoratus a heithen. Honoratus born of Heathen parents learned the Evangeligue faith, of Caprasio the Hermit and being catechized was Rogatian instructed in the Christian Religion by his brother Donatian was behedded before baptism. neophyte ante Sacramentum decolatur. Euirentiana believed and was in suffering martirdom baptized in her own blood. baptized. Item Ragatianus an Italian was converted to the Christian faith by Donatian his brother, and whiles he was yet vnbaptised he was persecuted imprisoned together with his brother and being a neophyte or Catechumener vnbaptised, seeing he knew he must die, wished to himself the holy baptism but Donatian his brother besought God that his blood might be to him in steede of the Sacrament of baptism and so the day following they wear both beheaded. Item Euirentiana the holy and virtuous virgin, was a Catechumema and albeit she believed in Christ, yet was she vnbaptised, when as God called her to his kingdom through martyrdom where she was baptized in her own blood. 5. That according to the institution of the lord Christ and the Apostells and ancient Fathers right use, the teachers required faith with baptism, and that he that was baptized must himself aclowledge and confess the same and call vpon the name of the lord. proofs out of the holy Scripture. matthew. 28. Christ commanded his Apostells to make all nations to disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, of the son, and of the holy Ghost. mark, 16. he that believeth and is baptized, shalbe saved. acts the 8. Phillip opened his mouth and preached to the Ethiopian Eunuch the gospel of Iesus, And as they went on their way they came unto a water. And the Eunuch said behold hear is water what hindereth that I may not be baptized, Phillip answered and said, if thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest, And he said: I believe that Iesus Christ is the son of God. And they went down both into the water Phillip and the Eunuch and he baptized him. Actor. 22. saith paul, Annanias said son: The God of our Fathers hath appointed thee, that thou wouldest know his Baptisare invocato nomine Domini. will, and see that just one, and wouldest hear the vayce of his mouth. Now therefore why tarriest them, arise: and be baptized and wash away thy sins i● calling on the name of the lord. Acts. 19, paul said to certain disciples at Ephesus have you received the holy Ghost since you believed, and they said unto him we have not so much as hard whether there be an holy Ghost or not. And he said unto them unto what wear you then baptized? And they said unto Iohns baptism Thē said paul John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe in him that should come after him, that is in Christ, so when then hard that they wear baptized in the name of the lord Iesus, and when paul laid his hanndes on them they received the holy Ghost. 1. peter. 3. baptism saveth us, not that putting away of the filth of the flesh. An explanation and Confirmation of the said proofs of scripture out of the ancient and baptize in the name of the Father the son and the holy Ghost. Hilar. prayeth that he may always retain that which in the sacrament of regeneration he hath received. Through baptism wee must deny and forsake the devil with all his pōpe& Angells. latter teachers. hilarius lib. 2, de trinitate. The lord hath Comannded to baptize vpon the name or in the name of the Father, the son and the holy Ghost. That is vpon Confession of the beginners the only begotten and him that was given. Item 12. book de trinitate. Hilarius prayeth thus to God: O loving lord preserve my faith and the testimony of my conscience, so that I may always keep what I have confessed in the Sacrament of my regeneration when I was baptized in the name of the Father, the son, and the holy Ghost, namely that I may worship thee. O God our Father with thy son and stir up thy holy spirit in me which proceedeth or goeth out from the. Tertullian de corona militis when we come together to the water, and a little before then dowe promise there in the hand of the minister. That we will renounce the devil his pomp &c. and be douched 3 times& say no more thereto then what the lord Comaundes in the gospel. And as we go out of the water wherein we are baptized, we eat milk and honey together, and refrain the whole week from that day forward from washing and bathinge. Idem Ibidem: The soul is not cleansed with washing but with the testimony of a good conscience. Ambrosius de spiritu sancto lib. 2. In our Sacrament there is A three fold confession before baptism. three questions propounded, and three Confessions made wi●hout which three Confessions no man can be washed. In decretis distinct. 4. ex Augustino ad fortunatum when a Catechumenus is baptized he makes Confession of his faith, and gives answer to that which is asked. Idem ex laodicensi Bracharensi& Antersi Consilijs. Idem ex Martini& Nicolai Paparum Placites. The Catechumeni The creed must be rehearsed before baptism. shall learn first the creed, I believe in one God, &c. So that afterwards when they are to be baptized, they can repeat the same to the Bishop or Priest. Idem ex Concilio Carthaginensi. 4 Those that are to be baptized, He that is to be baptized must give up his name before baptism Mark: when baptism is to be administered. shall give up their names, and after that they are well examined. And with laying on of hands sufficyentlie proved. Let them be baptized Arnobius in psalm 146 Thou art not first baptized and then beginnest first to affect and embrace the faith, but when thou art to be baptized, thou signifiest unto the Priest what thy desire is, and makest thy Confession with thy own mouth. Lodo vicus vives in Augustinum de civitate Dei Lib 1. Cap. 26. No man in times past was brought to be baptized, but those that wear come to theirfull groweth who having learned what it concerned, of their own accord desired the same. Luther vpon the receivinge and givinge the Sacramen●e Tom. 3 fo● 168. In times past it was thus, That the Sacrament was administered to none except it swear to those that acknowledged and Confessed their faith and knew howe to rehearse the same, and this is very necessary to be done, because that the sacrament is instituted externally to be used, that the faith be confessed and made known to the church for by God it was sufficient that we believed the gospel but he would also that we should serve our bretheren vpon earth and manifest that our faith which we have in our hartes by external signs viz baptism and the lords supper, for with the mouth must we confess the gospel and receive the Sacrament for à witness or sign that the world may know that wear Christians, and thereby we are for our persons secured and asshured that we have a mereyfull God and have given also satisfaction unto the world. Bucerus in Annotationibus supper 4. johan. Anno. 28. published. So much as in the apostolical wrytinges are written of baptism, it is aparante that baptism was administered to none by the Apostells but to those of whom, they( concerning their regeneration) made no doubt. And therefore Phillip would not baptize the Eunuch until he had acknowledged that he believed in Christ. Ruffinus in expositione symboli wryteth: That those at Rome and Aqui●a that wear to be baptized must first aclowledge& confess the 12 Articles of the faith. Eusebius Eccless: Histor: lib. 7. Cap. 8. There was with us a brother which believed, who being present amongst those that wee are to be baptized,& hard howe they swear questioned and how they answered, he weeping came to me, and desired of me to be cleansed and washed by Christian baptism. Augustinus 8. Lib. confession: wryteth) of Victorino thus: An Orator is become a Child of Christ and a young man of the water( that is the baptism of Iesus) who when he was instructed in the first princyples of the mysteries of faith not long after he gave up his name, that he through baptism might. be ●egenerate, and as he came in the Church unto the place where he should make Confession of his faith. The Victorinus Confessed his faith freely and was there vpon baptized. Priest offered him to hear the some of his Confession in private, and in the still, as the custom was to those that wear bashefull, the which Victorinus refusing to do, openly acknowledged the true faith with great boldness and there vpon was baptized. Wicelius in Hagiologio. Aprouianus Alaylor to whose( costodye Aprouianus believed& desired to be baptized. Sisinnius the Deacon was committed) was enlightened and spake to Sisinnio, I conjure thee by Christ whom thou worshipest that thou saidest baptize me, who catechized him& afterward set him in the water and said to him. believest thou in God the Father, the son& the holy Ghost, he Answered I believe, then spake Sisinnius, Iesus Christ enlighten thee, and there with he lift him out of the water. Idem Ihidem Ciriacus Deacon to Pope Marcellus instructed Tobia the king of Persias daughter believed& was baptized. Tobiam the king of Persia his daughter, and as he was to baptize her in a silver font, he said unto her, Tobia believest thou in God the Father the son and the holy Ghost. Tobia Answered I believe. Ciriacus said believest thou also the Resurrection of the body? she Answered, I believe,& when as she being baptized was lifted out of the water she said Certeynlie Iesus whom Ciriacus preacheth is God. Idem ex Mariano codice: Gayus the Pope catechized Claudius Claudius ad his wife was commanded to fast before he was baptized. a roman and when as he and his wiffe desired to be baprised Gayus willed him to fast, and then being about to baptize him, he asked him whether he did from his heart believe the Articles of the Christian faith who answered I believe,& standing naked in a wodden vessel of water was asked the second time concerning the apostolic faith and as he answered I believe. Gayus cast three times water vpon him. After this, Gayus hard one by name called Maximus preach the worde of the lord who desired of him baptism, to whom Gayus said, dost thou from thy heart believe? forsakest and leavest thou the pride of his world the devil and his Angells? Maximus answered: I forsake the devil and all his works and will follow your example, and when Gabinus the Priest had catechized him openly in all the Sacraments, he was afterwards baptized by Gayus. 6. That Christ neither gave commandment for Baptisinge of Children, nor instituted the same and that the Apostells never baptized any Infants. proofs out of those teachers own writinges▪ which observe and use Childrens baptism. papists. ERasmus in his book of the union of the Church. Translated The Apostells baptized no Children. by Capitus: Yt is no where expressed in the apostolical writings that they baptized Childrens. Idem in annotationibus supra ●. Cap ad Romanos: Baptisinge of young Children was not as yet in use by S. Paules time. In Paules time Children wear not baptized. Roffensis Contra Cap. babylon. The first rulers in their Church have used such manner of baptism as Christ never used in his Church. Doctor Eck. Against the new Church orders in the vpper Marquesdome and territories of Normburgh writeth that the The institution of Childrens baptism is scripture less. ordinances concerning the baptism of Children is without Scripture, and is found to be only a custom of the Church. Item in Cinchiridi●n he writeth that the baptism of Children is not to be proved out of the holy Scriptures, and Concludes Childrens baptism the ordinance of man. thus against the Lutherians: What are you such fools to take on you the ordinances of man. johannes Fu●usius in Dialogue Dedycated to the honourable and noble friderick of wirtschbergk. Yf now baptism of Children should be objected to the Lutherians, what would they say The baptism of Children cannot be p●o●e● by the Scriptures. I●fants wear not baptized in the Apostells time. thereto, seeing● the same cannot by plain Scripture be shown. To which agreeth well that which O●igen ●ayth in lib. 6. in Rom: and Augustine of the Sacrifice of the. mass de fide ad Petrum. Cap▪ 19. Cohelens de baptismo parvulorum: Iesus took a Child and placed him in the midst of them. Now what child was it. I think not that it was a young or new born Child▪ and that the same was not baptized for Infants wear no● in those dayes baptized but such as being come to their full groweth confessed their sins. Staphilus in ●pitome. That young Children should be baptized is not expressed in the holy Scriptures. LVTHERIANS. luther in the epistle of Annabaptisme writeth: We can It cannot be proved by Scripture that Children believe. not prove by any place of Scripture, that Childten do believe. neither do the Scriptures cleerie o● plainly wi●h these or the like words say: baptize your Children for they believe: Wherefore we must needs yield to those that drive us thus to the letter because we find it no where written. For the space of 1200. yeares men have erred concerning Childrens baptism. Pomeranus in his book of Children unborn saith: That for the space of 1200 yeares men have erred concerning Children the which we cannot yet willingly would baptize. Melanthon. In his treatise concerning ●he Doctrine of the Annab: writeth there is no plain commandment in the holy Scriptures that Children should be baptized. Zwinglians& Calvenistes. ZWinglius in his book of the movers of sedytion: when we speak of Childrens baptism: So it is ha● there is no plain words in the Scripture, whereby the same is commanded. Idem de vera& falsa religione: He writeth that in former baptism administered in the extremity of sickness. times, m●nie wear baptized in the exstremytie of sickness. Idem Christ instituted not the manner of baptism as the learned in these our times do judge. Idem in his book of Articles. Article. 18 he saith: albeit I know that the ancient writers affirm that Children wear divers times baptized in the old time, yet was it not so common as now it is. But the Children wear always openly instructed. And when their faith had made impression in their hartes and they Confessed the same with their mouths, then wear they admitted to baptism,& this custom of teaching I wish wear in use in this our time. Bucerus in his book entitled the growndworke and Cause, &c. In the Congregation of God. Confession of sins is always Confession before baptism. the first, the which in time past went before baptism, for commonly Children wear baptized when they came to their understanding. And again in the begininge of the Church, no man was baptized and received into the Congregation, but those that through hearing the worde wholly gave over and submitted themselves to Christ. Idem supper Mat. Christ hath no where commanded to baptize Infantes. In the Vlmish catechism set forth by Oecolampadio, it standeth thus: concerning baptisinge of Children we have no other commandment of Christ then Love, which is the institution of Childrens baptism. Calvinus in Institutionibus lib. 4. Cap. 16. Confesseth that it is Not a childewas baptized by the Apostells hands. Dathenus of Childrens baptism. no where expreslye mentioned by the Evangelistes that any one Child was by the Apostells hands baptized. Dathenus in the franken dallische Colloquium fo. 549: We believe that Christian Children ought to be baptized, albeit it stand no where plainly with such words written: That Christian Children shall in the new Testament be baptized. And folio. 605: now we have plainly Confessed that we have no such express commandment that: you should baptize the Christians Children. And fol. 663. Also in Protocol. Printed in Ne●herlandishe, No example that the Apostells baptized Children. 274, 1. He confesseth that there is no evident example that the Apostels did baptize Children. 7. That the baptism of Infantes and sucklings is a ceremony and ordinance of Man brought into the Church by teachers after the Apostells time and instituted and commanded by counsels Popes and Emperors. proofs out of the ancient and latter tachers. Childrens baptism a tradition of the Church. Childrens bap: A common custom of the Church. Childrens baptism A tradition of the Fathers. ORigen Calleth baptism of Children a ceremony and ●radition of the Church. In levit. Ho. 8. In Epist. ad Rom. lib 5. Augustine Calleth it. A Common custom of the church. De baptismo contra dona: lib. 4. Cap. 23. Et de Genes●ad literam lib. 10. Cap. 23. Pope George the. 4 Calleth it a tradytion of the Fathers. In decretis distinct de consecrat. Erasmus lib. 4 de ration Concio. saith: that they are not to be condemned that Doubt whether Childrens baptism was o● deyned by the Apostells, and think that the same is to be received as the placita Scholastcorum theologicorum which cannot be proved by sacred scripture. Childrens bap: A commandment of man. Eckius Calleth it a commandment and ordinance of man. In Enchiridion. Luther in his book of Annabaptisme acknowledgeth that it cannot be proved by sacred Scripture, that Childrens baptism was instituted by Christ, or begun by the fi●st Christians after the Apostells. For 1000, yeares since it came to be in use in the church and was established by Pope Innocentius. Childrens baptism ordeinen by P. Innocentio. Childrens bap. 300. yeares after the Apostells time. Cassander in his book de infantium Baptismo saith That it came to be used by the Fathers which lived 300 yeares after the Apostells. Ciprianus lib. 3. Epistolarum. 8, epistle. Augustinus Epist 28 ad Hi●roni. Cassander de infantium baptismo. Bullinger in his howsebook. justus Menius of the Spirit of the Annab: Melanthon in his answer to the Annab: articles: About the year of our lord 248 and after the deperture of John the owldest apostle 158 yeares, lived a Priest called fidus, the same would that men should according to the manner of baptism vpon the 8. day. cyprian ordained children should be timely baptized. Childrens baptism instituted. circomsytion, baptize young children vpon the 8 day. Against whom Ciprianus with 66. bishops and elders more gathered together opposed themselves ordeyninge that every one without delay should receive baptism, and that the young Children should timelye be brought thereto. Bullingerus inex Augustino contra justorum lib 1. Cap. 2. The carthaginian counsel concludeth thus to Innocentium for as much as we believe that Christ the son of ●od was holylie born of the pure virgin mary, to fulfil and ratefie the promise of God which exclude●h not Children from salvation, but much rather comprehend ●s the same within the Covenant. We will therefore th●t ●hey be baptized. In ●omis Concylliorum& synodorum Ex concilio Carthag. 5. Cap 6 concerning Infants we will if there be no certain witness to testefie that they without all doubt are baptized, and that they of themselves are of no such yeares to give answer themselves as towchinge the Sacrament, that then they should be baptized. Item Georgeu quantus Pon●f●cio, Those young Children whose parents are absent or unknown, whether they be baptized or not, let them according to the tradition of the Fathers be baptized. Idem ex Epistola Concillij Carthaginensis ad Innocentium Papam: Those that will not that the Children for their salvation sake( which in Christ Iesus is given) should be baptized they kill the Children for ever with deadly doctrine, in that they promise them life everlasting without baptism. Ibidem: Who so ever denieth that young Children are not by baptism freed from damnation and thereby brought unto everlasting salvation let him be accursed. frank ex Historijs antiquis: The counsel holden in Affrica The african counsel condemneth all those that dislike of Childrens baptism. as the carthaginian Adrimetine where as Augustinus Atticus and Armelius wear the chiefest presydents, did ordain: that those that said that Children wear not to be baptized to the forgiveness of their sins because they have no sin, and that original sin defileth them not, let them be accursed And that the Children which wear baptized by the Donatists should nor be baptized again. If so be they came o● by their parents wear brought to the roman Church, And that the Children of whose baptism men stood in doubt should be baptized again. baptism ordained in the stead of Circumsytion. Innocentius 3 Papa Are Archi Episcopo: baptism is come in the steede of Circumsition. And therefore not alone the oulder sort but also the young Children which of themselves neither believe nor understand shal be baptized and in their baptism original sin shalbe forgiven them. without baptism Children cannot be saved. Haec citat in decretis distinct. 4. De consecra●. salvation de●ied ●o 〈…〉 en ●● cha●e ●o● bap●sed. Augustinus ad Hieronimum Epistola. 28. Therefore do men hasten so with the Children to baptism, because they believe they cannot otherways be made alive in Christ. Idem de Baptismo parvulorum: As those wear Circumcised that wear born of Circumcysed parentes, even so should they be baptized that are born of parents that are baptized. Idem in Enchiridio from the young to the old, no men shalbe denied baptism. For salvation is not promised to young Children but through baptism. And if so be that through the Sacrament they come not among the faithful, they must remain in everlasting darkness. Idem Augustinus& ceteri Episcopi mile tani Concilij ad Innoc●ntium. Those that affirm that young Children receive everlasting life albeit they be not by the Sacrament of Grace or baptism renewed they are in a wrong opinion. Ex Concilio Miletano cvi interfuit Augustinus& Anselmus Romae Those that will not consent that baptism of Childrens is a washing away of original sin are condemned. Ecclesiae legatus: It is also our will that all those that will not that Children which are new born from their mothers wobe should be baptized to the washing away of original sin, let them be excommucated. Idem lo Papa ad Episcopum Aquigelensem: let young Children be baptized because of original sin. Decretalium Epist. lib. 3. Tit. 43. Alexander 3. Papa If any one do dip or douche a Child 3. times in the water in the name of the Father the son and the holy Ghost: and saith not. I baptize thee in the name of the Father the son and the holy Ghost: That Child is not baptized. Ex tomis Conciliorum frank in Chronologia. In the second Anno, 610. was Childrens baptism ordained as a necessary thing. Bracharense counsel holden, 610. baptism of Children was adiudged and holden to be needful. justinus Imperator( sieve ut alij volunt justinianus) in Novellis constitutionibus. It seemeth good to vs. That when the Sama●tans that desire the unspotted baptism, that they for the space of 2 yeares together be instructed in the faith& the holy Scriptures,& thē vpon their repentance to be admitted thereto. But as concerning the Children which in regard of their yeares cannot receive doctrine, they shall without delay be made worthy( or partakers) of baptism. lo Imperator Constitutione, 17. concerning new born Children we ordain, that the grace of Illumination over them deferred till the 14 day,( so far forth as the same be not prejudicial) but will any that the sacred washing be performed vpon the 8. day. Let it be rather then that they should depart from hence without it. Tuicensis de Divinis officijs lib. 4. Cap. 18. In times past the Children in the Church wear throughout the whole year instructed in the word. And at the feast of Easter to rehearse the faith which they wear to make Confession of at their baptism. But that christendom might increase and befilled with the word of God. The Church hath thought good for mortallyties sake, that the Children of Christians should be timelie baptized. johannes Bohemius lib. 2. De Gentium moribus: In times past it mark The chainginge of baptism. was the custom to Administer baptism alone to those that wear instructed in the faith and seven times in the week before Easter and Pentecost catechized, or asked questions, and then vpon Confession of their faith they wear baptized. But afterwards when it was thought and adjudged needful to everlasting life to be baptized, it was ordained that new born Children should be baptized and that Godfathers, or shuertyes wear appointed who should make Confession of their faith. And renounce the devil in their behalf. Bilander de trinitate. justinianus the Emperor ordained Novella institutione. 144. That Children should be admitted to baptism,& those that are come to their full groweth should be taught before they wear baptized. 8. That young Children or Infants ought not to be baptized, and that none ought to be brought driven or compelled thereto. Proved by the holy Scriptures, and out of the writings of the ancient and latter teachers, who have and at shis time do use and maintain the baptisinge of Children. CHRIST commanded his Apostells first to teach& afterwards Mat. 28. 10 Mar. 16 15 to baptize those that wear taught and instructed in the faith. Mat. 28. go and make to disciples all nations and baptize them. Hicronimus in hunc locum. The lord commanded his Apostells First teach. And then baptize. that they first should teach all nations, and afterwards they should baptize those that wear instructed in the Sacrament or mystery of faith. Calvinus in institutionibus. The lord commanded his Apostells in their sending forth unto all nations, that they should first teach and afterwards baptize. The Infants and sucklings cannot be first taught in the faith. Luther in Postell. young Children hear not, nor understand Infants cannot be instructed in the faith. the word of God out of which faith Cometh, And therefore if so be the commandment of Christ be followed, Children ought not to be baptized. Dionisus in Ecclesiastica rarchia. It is( ridiculos) or to be esteemed as a lest. that the bath of regeneration should be commucated to young Children which neither understand nor can hea●e to learn the mysteries of God. Bucerus in matthew: Christ hath no where plainly commanded that Children should be baptized. conclusion. HOnest, loving, simplo, and Impertiall Reader hear have we shown and signified unto thee in brieffe both out of the holy Scriptures and old and new teachers, the principal ground and meaning of our lord Iesus Christ concerning baptism, and how his Apostells servantes and the first ancient Church after them have used the same, which is that thoase that wear baptized wear first taught and instructed in the faith, according to the commandment of the lord Christ. Now let the Impertiall Reader know, that we have made this treatise for no other cause, but that the truth might be brought to light which hath been so many yeares obscured by the destroyer. To thintent that they that are bound might be loosed, that the blind might be shown the right way, that the hongrye might be fed,& those that stray might be brought to the true shepharde Christ Iesus. That the name of God may be praised and exalted. Wherefore beloved Reader I pray thee, as thou lovest Christ Iesus and thine own salvation, that thou wouldest not despise this our labour, in that it opposeth itself against the learned men of the world, but prove it first duly, and examnie i● with the lord Christ& his Apostells own words. Whether it have not the right scence ground meaning and contents of the holy Scripture, as we have before shown. And if you find it to be right follow then that which agreeth with the Scriptures and regard not the Clamorose writings of the learned. follow Christ& his Apostells in the right use of the same, without respect of person, or long custom,( brought in by antichrist the Child of perdytion) the fear of tyrants, and the clamours of the learned. But let us look unto the almighty and everlasting God before whom every knee must bow, let us serve and be obedient unto him, and let us hearken unto the voice of that true shepherd Iesus Christ and follow him. And let thy heart be impartial and thy judgement upright and agreeable to truth. And God that merciful and gracious Father, through his beloved dear son Iesus Christ our lord vouchsafe you all the gifts and graces of his holy Spirit. That you may read this our small work and true service of our love, with such a heart that you may search after and believe with sober scence and earnest desire the pure and vnfalsifyed truth, and that it may bring much fruit in you and that the same your fruit may remaye to eternal life& to your everlasting saltion, Amen. Faults escaped in the translating and Printinge. page., 6. line, 21. reed namely for nameless. In 7. page. 3. line rede whether for wether, in the same page. line 14. read prescribed for presoribed. Line, 17. read rest for roast. Pag. 8. Faults in the greek translated and Printed. Pag 9 line 21. rede his for my. In the same pag. rede matheth usate for mathetheose. Pag. 10 line 24. read without for which out. Pag. 11. line 22. read with for which, also in 23. line read with for which. Pag. 12. line 17 read to worship, same page.. line 20. read the for thy. 27. line, the for theme. Pag. 13. line, 27 read taught for thought. Pag. 14. line. 1. red faith for fahte. Pag. 17. line, 11. read reioyced for reieyed. Pag. 20. line, 22. read was for wat. red page.. 8. in the Margeants. Actorum. 22. 16. Anastas baptisai cai opolousaistas amartiasou ecpicalesamenos to onomatou curiou.