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.

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.

M. Tell me the first.

P. It is that forsomuch as there is faithful surety, the minister ⟨p. 390⟩who is to administer the Baptism, hath already a good foundation. For such surety is in place of the Parents, provided that they do not mislike of it, but have given them charge to do what they do.

P. It is that forsomuch as there is faithfull suretie, the minister ⟨p. 390⟩who is to administer the Baptisme, hath alredy a good foundatiō. For such suretie is in place of the Parentes, prouided that they do not mislike of it, but haue giuen thē charge to do what they do.

M. Which is the other reason?

P. It is that when God made the alliance with his people, he did not only promise to show favour and mercy to the parents and children,¹ even to the second and third generation, but even to a thousand generations. Wherefore, albeit that the nearest parents of the child were infidels, yet notwithstanding their infidelity may not shut their child from his right, that he may have in the alliance of God, by the mean of his ancient fathers and predecessors.

P. It is that when God made the aliance with his people, he did not only promise to shew fauour and mercie to the parents and children,¹ euen to the seconde and thirde generation, but euen to a thousand generations. Wherefore, albeit that the néerest parents of the childe were infidels, yet notwithstanding their infidelitie may not shut their childe from his righte, that he may haue in the aliance of God, by the meane of his auncient fathers and predecessors.

1. 1Exod. 20. a. Deut. 5. a.

M. But seeing it is so, according to the true discipline of the church, none may then receive a man to present a child to Baptism, if that he himself be not received into the company of the faithful, and be not sufficient to be pledge for the child which he presenteth, & to fulfil the promise which he maketh for him.

M. But seing it is so, according to the true discipline of the church, none may thē receiue a man to presente a childe to Baptisme, if that he himselfe be not receiued into the companie of the faithfull, and be not sufficient to be pledge for the childe which he presenteth, & to fulfill the promise whiche he maketh for him.

P. It should be to mock God and his Church, who so should do otherwise. ⟨p. 391⟩For men have not accustomed in matter of much less importance to receive a pledge, if he be not of such quality as is required.

P. It shuld be to mock God and his Church, who so should do otherwise. ⟨p. 391⟩For mē haue not accustomed in mater of much lesse importāce to receiue a pledge, if he be not of such qualitie as is required.

M. That is an ordinary matter.

M. That is an ordinarie mater.

P. What reason should there be then to receive in matter of so great importance, any other pledge than such an one as were meet, in the which matter there is a very solemn obligation, & as it were a solemn oath before god & his Church?

P. What reason shuld there be thē to receiue in mater of so great importāce, any other pledge thā such an one as wer méet, in ye which mater ther is a very solemne obligation, & as it were a solemne oth before god & his Church?

M. Is there the like reason for those which be excommunicate, as there is for those which are as yet holden for infidels, or at the least have made no profession of the christian doctrine?

M. Is there ye like reason for those which be excōmunicate, as there is for those which are as yet holden for infidells, or at the least haue made no professiō of the christiā doctrine?