A Golden Chain

For he would rather reason contrarily thus: I indeed am baptized, yet for all that I believe not, and therefore my Baptism is not available, I must needs be condemned. For the saying of August. in his treatise upon Joh. 6. is very true, who speaking of Simon Magus, saith, What good did it to him to be baptized? brag not therefore, ⟨p. 181⟩saith he, that thou art baptized, as though that were sufficient for thee, to inherit the kingdom of heaven. As for the place of Paul, Gal. 3. I showed plainly before, how D. Andreas did violently wrest it to his purpose.

For hee would rather reason contrarily thus: I indeede am baptized, yet for al that I beleeue not, and therefore my Baptisme is not auaileable, I must needes be condemned. For the saying of August. in his treatise vpon Ioh. 6. is verie true, who speaking of Simon Magus, saith, What good did it to him to be baptized? bragge not therefore, ⟨p. 181⟩saith he, that thou art baptized, as though that were sufficient for thee, to inherit the kingdome of heauen. As for the place of Paul, Gal. 3. I shewed plainely before, how D. Andreas did violently wrest it to his purpose.

Neither are his reasons taken from the absurdity that would follow, of more force then the former, albeit he maketh them especial pillars to underprop the truth of his cause. For, I pray you, is God of less truth, because his truth is neglected, and derided of them that contemn it? Is the ceremony of Baptism therefore in vain, because some refuse the grace offered in Baptism: others (if we may believe D. Andreas) reject that grace when they have received it? What? Is not the Gospel therefore the power of God to salvation, because it is to such as believe not, the savour of death to eternal death? May not the Supper of the Lord, be a pledge of Gods covenant, because so may abuse these holy signs, or, (as D. Andreas is of opinion) the very body and blood of our Saviour Christ? And, that I may reason from that which is true in the experience of every child, can the Sun be said to be without light, because they which are blind, and asleep, have no benefit by the light thereof, neither such as shut their eyes so close, that they will not enjoy the comfort of the light? But amongst all, this one is most childish, that D Andreas will make this his principal argument, namely, that in vain did men, thus tempted, fly at all unto Baptism, unless we conclude with him, that all such as are baptized, are in Baptism adopted the sons of God. For first, if this were a good consequent from baptism, it were in vain, for such an afflicted conscience, to gather unto himself a testimony from the word of God, and the other Sacrament of the Lords Supper, unless we make all those to be in like sort regenerate and adopted, unto whom the word of God is preached, and the Lords supper administered, either of which, for D. Andreas to affirm, is a bold untruth.