Theophilus. Let us not doubt, that from the time of Saint Augustine, but that there be many found, more negligent, then they ought to he, touching the sacraments: the which thing hath compelled the ancients to magnify ⟨p. 239⟩them so much. And therefore those which are come after them, not considering the causes wherefore they did the same, have taken the words rawly, without a fit interpretation, and without taking beede to their manner of speaking rhetorically and figuratively, which hath been the cause that they have made Idols, as though the virtue of Jesus Christ, and of the Christian religion were in those visible signs. We cannot deny, but that in the time of those good ancient fathers, many after that they had known the Gospel, tarried not long time to cause 1themselves to be baptised: yea, often times until the latter end of their life. Now they did the same, some through negligence others, because of the opinion that they had, that thorough the baptism, all the sins that might be in man, were defaced and put out. For that reason they tarried as long as they could, for to depart out of this world more purer and clean from their sins. But which is worse, some under that hope, did take the greater holdnesse to sin. Whom Chrysostom rebuketh, showing unto them, that peradventure God will not give 2them the grace, to have space to be baptised, if they did tarry until the hour of their death, and if they did abuse so the baptism, as he hath seen that it hath happened unto many, who thorough that vain hope & trust, have been deceived. In like manner also hath Basil the great made a sermon expressing that matter and rebuketh very sharply those which do so. Even as then the great and old ones have delayed their baptism, it is not to be doubted, but that for these same reasons, they have done the like towards their children. And therefore we must not be abashed, if saint Augustine hath written and spoken after such sort of baptism, for to correct such faults, negligences and opinions, and the better to incytate and stir up the Christians to give their endeavours in that, as well for them as for their little children. For that 3cause it was anciently established in the Church, that they should baptise twice in a year. That is to say, at ⟨image 246⟩Easter and at Whitsuntide • although that the baptism 4was permitted at all t••e in case of […].
Theophilus. Let vs not doubt, that from the time of Saint Augustine, but that there be many founde, more negligent, then they ought to he, touching the sacramēts: the which thing hath cōpelled the aun•ients to magnifie ⟨p. 239⟩them so much. And therefore those which are come after them, not considering the causes wherefore they did ye same, haue taken the wordes rawly, without a fit interpretation, and without taking beede to their manner of speaking rethorically and figuratiuely, which hath beene the cause that they haue made Idols, as though the vertue of Iesus Christ, and of the Christian religion were in those visible signes. Wée cannot deny, but that in the time of those good auncient fathers, many after that they had knowen the Gospell, tarryed not long time to cause 1themselues to be baptised: yea, often times vntill the latter end of their life. Nowe they did the same, some through negligence others, bicause of the opinion that they had, that thorough the baptisme, all the sinnes that might be in man, were defaced and put out. For that reason they tarryed as long as they could, for to depart out of this world more purer and cleane from their sinnes. But which is worse, some vnder that hope, did take the greater holdnesse to sinne. Whome Chrisostome rebuketh, shewing vnto them, that peraduenture God wil not giue 2them the grace, to haue space to be baptised, if they did tarrie vntill the houre of their death, and if they did abuse so the baptisme, as he hath séene that it hath happened vnto many, who thorough that vaine hope & trust, haue béene deceiued. In like manner also hath Basill the great made a sermon expressing that matter and rebuketh very sharpely those which do so. Euen as then the greate and old ones haue delayed their baptisme, it is not to be doubted, but that for these same reasons, they haue done the like towardes their children. And therefore we must not be abashed, if saint Augustine hath written and spoken after such sort of baptisme, for to correct such faultes, negligences and opinions, and the better to incytate and stirre vp the Christians to giue their indeuours in that, as well for them as for their little children. For that 3cause it was auncyently established in the Church, that they shoulde baptise twise in a yeare. That is to say, at ⟨image 246⟩Easter and at Whits••tyde although that the baptisme
- 1Baptism delayedBaptism delaied
- 2Chris•. in epist. ad Hebr. De cons. dist. 4. ca. quando
- 3To baptise twice in a year.To baptise twice in a yere.
- 4De cons. dist. 4.
