A04463:504
Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls crossCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse
Certain sermons preached before the Queens Majesty, and at Pauls cross, by the reverend father John Jewel late Bishop of Salisbury. Whereunto is added a short treatise of the sacraments, gathered out of other his sermons, made upon that matter, in his cathedral church at SalisburyCertaine sermons preached before the Queenes Maiestie, and at Paules crosse, by the reuerend father Iohn Ievvel late Bishop of Salisburie. Whereunto is added a short treatise of the sacraments, gathered out of other his sermons, made vpon that matter, in his cathedrall church at Salisburie
London: printed by Christopher Barker, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Yet, if any would fain be resolved: he may thus safely reason. It is true, that children are borne in sin, and that by the sin of one man death hath entered into the world, and that the ⟨image 143⟩reward of sin is death: but who knoweth if God have forgiven them their sin? Who is his Counsellor, who knoweth his meaning? Our children are the children of God. He is our God, and the God of our seed. They be under the covenant with us. The soberest way is to speak least, and to leave them to the judgement and mercy of God.
Yet, if any would faine bee resolued: hee may thus safely reason. It is true, that children are borne in sinne, and that by the sinne of one man death hath entred into the worlde, and that the ⟨image 143⟩reward of sinne is death: but who knoweth if God haue forgiuen them their sinne? Who is his Counsailour, who knoweth his meaning? Our children are the children of God. Hee is our God, and the God of our seede. They bee vnder the couenant with vs. The sobrest waye is to speake least, and to leaue them to the iudgement and mercie of God.
Howbeit, if any should despise, and of wilfulness refuse this holy ordinance, so that they would in no case be baptized, or suffer their children to be baptized: that were damnable. Otherwise the grace of God is not tied so to the ministration of the sacrament, that if any be prevented by death, so that he cannot be received to the fellowship thereof, he should therefore be thought to be damned. For many have suffered death for Gods cause, for their Faith in Christ, who never were baptized: yet are they reckoned, and are indeed blessed Martyrs. So Valentinianus a Christian Emperor died without baptism: yet doeth Ambrose commend him, and nothing doubteth, but that he 1is saved. He saith, Audivi vos dolere, quod non acceperit &c. I have heard that you are grieved, because he took not the Sacrament of baptism. Tell me, what other thing is there in us, but our will, & our desire? Again, He which was endued with thy spirit, O God,