The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wiseThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise

For if in y• ••uile administration order be required, & that it is not lawful to exercise y• offices, but to the officers, d• we think y• Jesus Christ requireth less in the ecclesiastical policy? and that he will suffer, that the same that he hath set should be overthrown? Those then that will allow the baptism of women, ought first to show in what place God hath ordained it: what witness or example of the Scripture they have. If that is wanting them, as I am well assured that it is, they shall be constrained to confess, that that baptism is given without faith, and that it is builded but upon mans opinion. For faith cometh by the hearing of the word of ¹God. If then it have not the word of God, it can have no faith. If it have no faith, it is then sin. For all that ⟨p. 242⟩²which is done without faith is sin. We may then ³ask them, even as Jesus Christ asked the Pharisees, touching the baptism of John. Baptist: to wit, whether it were from heaven or of men. Also in like manner that baptism of women, whether it be of God or of men? If they answer y• it •• […] God, where are the witnesses of the Scripture. I• they answer it is of men, as they shall […] constrayne• to say, they shall be compelled to confess, that it is the proceeded from an other author contrary unto God: ••th that Jesus Christ directeth men unto heaven and unto God, declaring thereby that that which is not of the one, is of his contrary. I cannot then conclude but that that baptism is proceeded of any other, but of the adversary of God, which would advance, women unto the ministry and ecclesiastical offices, from which God would draw and pull them from it, for to declare themselves in all things contrary unto GOD. Even so hath he done