The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n]…The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n]…

But what time thinkest thou the fittest to administer Baptism?

But what tyme thinkest thou the fittest to administer Baptisme?

Answer. Here in a manner it is incredible to be spoken, how great confusion was brought into the Churches under the show of order, and specially into the Greek Churches. For it is certain, by the Acts of the Apostles, that at the beginning, baptism was ministered as occasion was offered: they for the most part which came unto Baptism being rather endued with Faith in Christ by miracle, then by any order of the institution. Afterwards as it specially appeareth by the second Defensory oration of Justinus, the holy Ghost beginning to work by little and little by ordinary means, when the congregations were gathered together, baptism was ministered. Afterwards that all things might be done in order, instructors being ordained, two days were at the first by a certain custom, then by law, and at length as it were by a certain superstition appointed for the baptizing of those that were so instructed. Now at the length, it was brought to this pass, that it was in a manner counted ⟨image 106⟩a great trespass to baptize at any other time then at Easter and at Whitsuntide. Further under the colour of this order appointed, to the end that they that were catechized (such as were in the beginning all those that were to be baptised as well of the Jews as of the Gentiles) should not be called every day, nor before a lawful profession: it is in a manner incredible to think what confusions were pulled into the church especially, for that cause because that whereas baptism in those same that were of the years of discretion, was the first entrance into the congregation of the Church, they could not precisely wait for the set time of Easter and Whitsuntide, but they must think themselves after a sort condemned, who in the mean season fell into the danger of death. And hereupon that, also ensued that they were bound too discharge an infinite number from those Laws, who also pretended other things. So crept in that same error to the absolute necessity of baptism, which opinion when it seemed