H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years…H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares…

And thus much of the authority of the fathers: from whom, either in their assertions, or in their expositions of Scriptures, especially where they all, for the most part do agree, I dare not decline for my conscience sake, unless I be constrained by most apparent reasons. Thus I freely confess to the whole church of Christ.

And thus much of the authoritie of the fathers: from whome, either in their assertions, or in their expositions of Scriptures, especiallie where they all, for the most part doe agree, I dare not decline for my cōscience sake, vnlesse I be cōstrained by most apparant reasons. Thus I freelie cōfesse to the whole church of Christ.

The reason also, (besides the authority of the fathers) brought as we saw before, even by the fathers, out of the very text, confirmeth me in the same opinion. This reason is partly gathered out of those words, which these Ephesians, being asked by Paul, whether they had received the holy ghost, that is, the gifts of the holy ghost, answered, saying: that they had not so much as heard, whether there be, that is, whether that holy ghost be existent: whom Paul would have to be the author of those gifts: so far from them it was, that they should have received him and his gifts: and partly it is gathered out of the words, which Paul used concerning the doctrine and baptism of John, saying, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe in him, which should come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus: as if he had said, you have not rightly believed in Christ, such as ⟨p. 309⟩he is, the son of God, God: seeing ye know not his spirit. The conclusion followed: that therefore they, although they were baptised, by I know not whom, into Johns baptism, yet were not rightly baptized: seeing they were not instructed in the doctrine of the person of Christ, in whom they ought to believe, namely, that he was not only man and the Messiah, but also the son of God, God: from whom also & from the father proceedeth the holy ghost, and consequently not in the doctrine of god the father, the son, and the holy ghost, in the name of all which, baptism is to be given. And therefore that they ought to learn the true doctrine concerning the father, son, and holy ghost, and resting therein, to receive lawful baptism: that afterwards by laying on of hands, they might receive the gifts of this holy spirit: which Luke teacheth to be afterwards done, saying, but when they heard it, (namely, those twelve Ephesians:) what when they heard? even, when they perceived Pauls doctrine, concerning true faith in Christ the son of God, and so in his father, and the holy ghost: which faith John had also preached, and wherein they resting were baptized &c. This is the interpretation of the fathers: namely, that those twelve were not rightly instructed in the doctrine of god the father, the son & holy ghost, and so neither rightly baptized: