Of the principal foundation of the Baptism of little children, and of the virtue of the alliance whereupon it is grounded.

Of the principall foundation of the Baptisme of litle children, and of the vertue of the aliance vvhervppon it is grounded.

M. I Understand by that which thou hast heretofore said, that none can well prove and examine himself, to communicate worthily at the supper, except that first he understand what mysteries and secretes this Sacrament containeth, and for what cause it was ordained. But forsomuch as Baptism is also a seal of the doctrine, the which it doth confirm, is it not therefore also needful that he which should be baptised, be first instructed in the doctrine whereof it is a Sacrament, and that he may yield reason of it?

M. I Vnderstand by that which thou hast heretofore saide, that none can well proue and examine himselfe, to communicate worthily at the supper, except that first he vnderstand what misteries and secretes this Sacramente conteyneth, and for what cause it was ordeyned. But forsomuch as Baptisme is also a seale of the doctrine, the which it doth confirme, is it not therefore also néedefull that he which shuld be baptised, be first instructed in the doctrine whereof it is a Sacrament, and that he may yeld reason of it?

P. If the person be of that age, that it be capable of the doctrine, that which thou sayest is required. But there is other consideration in the person of little children, borne of faithful parents, which are already received into the Church.

P. If the person be of that age, that it be capable of the doctrine, that whiche thou saist is required. But there is other consideration in the person of litle children, borne of faithfull parents, which are alredy receiued into ye Church.

P. If the children of the faithful were no more capable, than those of the infidels, there were reason in that which thou sayest.

P. If the children of the faithfull were no more capable, than those of the infidells, there were reason in that which thou saist.

M. I see not wherein the one sort are more capable than the others, unless thou show it me more plainly.

M. I sée not wherein the one sorte are more capable thā the others, vnlesse thou shew it me more plainly.

P. Thou must understand that the promise which God hath made in Baptism,¹ containeth the promise of the alliance, the which God hath made with his people, in the which he comprehendeth not only the faithful which thorough faith are admitted into this alliance, but also their children and the children of their children.

P. Thou must vnderstād that ye promise which God hath made in Baptisme,¹ conteyneth the promise of the aliance, ye which God hath made with his people, in the which he comprehēdeth not only the faithfull whiche thorough faith are admitted into this aliance, but also their childrē and the children of their children.

1. 1This saying is of great quantity.This saying is of great quantitie.

M. Wilt thou then say, that the baptism of children which have faithful parents, is founded upon that alliance, and upon the faith of their parents?

M. Wilt thou then say, that the baptisme of children which haue faithfull parēts, is founded vpon that aliance, and vpon the faith of their parents?

P. Seeing that the promise is made, not only to the faithful parents, but also to their children, the Parents have just occasion to present their children to Baptism, to the end they may have thereby confirmation of the promise which is made as well to their children as to themselves, to the end that both they & their children may be the ⟨p. 388⟩more assured and comforted.

P. Seing that the promis is made, not onely to the faithful parents, but also to their childrē, the Parentes haue iust occasion to present their children to Baptisme, to the end they may haue thereby confirmation of the promise whiche is made as well to their childrē as to themselues, to ye end that both they & their children may be the ⟨p. 388⟩more assured and comforted.

M. This Baptism serveth then better for them than for their children, forasmuch as the children know not yet what it is.

M. Thys Baptisme serueth then better for them than for their children, forsomuche as the children knowe not yet what it is.

P. It serveth the one and the others. For albeit the children be not able as yet to understand what Baptism is, because of their age, yet are they capable (notwithstanding) already thorough the good pleasure of God, of the alliance whereof it is a Sacrament, and on the other side besides that which God worketh by his holy Spirit, as it pleaseth him, as well in little children as in the great, there is also prayer made in Baptism for the little children founded upon the same alliance, which is not vain, but bringeth forth his fruit in his time.

P. It serueth the one and the others. For albeit the children be not able as yet to vnderstande what Baptisme is, bycause of their age, yet are they capable (notwithstanding) already thorough the good pleasure of God, of the aliance wherof it is a Sacramente, and on the other side besides that whiche God worketh by hys holy Spirite, as it pleaseth him, as well in litle children as in the greate, there is also prayer made in Baptisme for the litle children founded vppon the same aliance, whiche is not vayne, but bringeth foorth his frute in his time.

If it be lawful to Baptise the children of infidels, and what conditions are required in them which do present them.

If it be lavvfull to Baptise the children of infidels, and what conditions are required in them vvhich do present them.

M. Seeing then that Baptism of children is founded upon that alliance, it is not lawful to baptise a child, if he ⟨p. 389⟩be not borne of faithful Parents.

M. SEing then that Baptisme of children is founded vppon that aliance, it is not lawfull to baptise a childe, if he ⟨p. 389⟩be not borne of faithfull Parentes.

Pet. Thou hast herein to consider, that there must be heed taken not only to the Parents of the children: but also to those which present them to Baptism. For albeit that a child be borne of faithful Parents, yet should it not be lawful to receive him to Baptism, if he were not presented by faithful men, which mought be bound for them, unto that whereunto Baptism bindeth the faithful, and that they should be sufficient to accomplish the promise whereby they bind themselves to the Church concerning the children.

Pet. Thou hast herein to consider, that there must be héede taken not only to the Parentes of the children: but also to those which presente them to Baptisme. For albeit that a childe be borne of faithfull Parentes, yet shoulde it not be lawfull to receyue hym to Baptisme, if he were not presented by faythfull men, whyche moughte be bound for them, vnto that wherevnto Baptisme bindeth the faithfull, and that they shoulde be sufficiente to accomplish the promise whereby they binde themselues to the Churche concerning the children.

M. And if that faithful men should present the Children of Infidels, and that they should bind them selves for them, taking upon them to instruct them in the Christian religion, as if they themselves were their very Parents, should it be lawful to baptise such children?

M. And if that faithfull men should presente the Children of Infidells, and that they should binde them selues for them, taking vppon them to instruct them in the Christian religion, as if they themselues were their very Parents, shoulde it be lawfull to baptise such children?

P. I would make no difficulty therein, provided that the Parents did agree thereunto, chiefly for two causes.

P. I wold make no difficultie therein, prouided that the Parents did agre therevnto, chiefly for two causes.