SIMON. In the last of Mark, Christ saith to his apostles go throughout all the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: He that believeth not, shall be condemned. Also in the last of Matthew it is written after this manner: Al power is given unto me in heaven, and in earth going therefore teach ye all nations, baptizing ⟨image 20⟩in the name of the father, of the son and of the holy ghost. By these it seemeth to follow, and that necessarily, that baptism ought only to be ministered unto them that can be taught and instructed. For he saith first, teach them, and then afterwards: baptise them, whereby it followeth also, that baptism is a sign of the faith that went before. For he saith: he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, Let us now add and join unto these, and ponder diligently both the examples and facts of John, and of the apostles, and that which I say shall be manifest and plain. For John did baptise them only, that did confess their sins.1 Acts .ii. Chap. Luke doth write after this manner: And they which received gladly the word, were baptized. Philip doth then at length baptise the steward of Queen Candace, after that he had declared unto him. the. liii. Chap. of Isaiah, & had questioned with him of his faith.2 Acts. viii. chapter. All the apostles after that they had preached the Gospel, and that the faith was received, did baptise the faithful. It followeth then, that baptism as a sign is due unto them ⟨image 20⟩that can both hear and receive the doctrine. Infants, because that they want the use of reason, can neither hear nor receive the doctrine, & therefore they have no faith. For Paul teacheth that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of god. Rom. x. Chap,3 Sith then that Children can neither hear, nor understand the word of god, they can not believe. Ergo baptism is not due unto them, which is a sign of the faith that goeth before. If thou canst,4 answer me to these: I will tell and set forth, mine other arguments hereafter.
SIMON. In the last of Marke, Christe sayth to hys apostles go throughout all the wholl worlde, and preach the gospell to euery creature. He that beleueth and is baptyzed, shall be saued: He that beleueth not, shall be condempned. Also in the laste of Mathewe it is wrytten after this maner: Al power is giuen vnto me in heauen, and in earth goyng therfore teache ye al nations, baptizing ⟨image 20⟩in the name of the father, of ye son and of the holy ghost. By these it semeth to folow, and that necessarely, that baptisme ought onely to be ministred vntoo them yt can be taught and instructed. For he sayth first, teache them, and then afterwardes: baptyse them, whereby it foloweth also, that baptisme is a signe of the faith that wente before. For he saithe: he that beleueth and is baptyzed shall be saued, Let vs nowe adde and ioyne vntoo these, and ponder dilygently both the examples and factes of Ihon, and of the apostles, and that whych I say shalbe manifeste and playne. For Ihon dyd baptise them onelye, that dyd confesse theyr sinnes.1 Actes .ii. Chap. Luke doth wryte after this maner: And they which receyued gladlye the worde, were baptyzed. Philip doth then at lengthe baptyse the stewarde of Quene Candace, after that he had declared vnto him. ye. liii. Chap. of Esay, & had questioned wyth him of his faith.2 Actes. viii. chapter. All the apostles after that they had preached the Gospell, and that the faith was receyued, did baptise the faithefull. It foloweth then, that baptysme as a signe is due vnto thē ⟨image 20⟩that can both heare and receyue the doctryne. Infantes, because that they want the vse of reason, can neyther heare nor receyue the doctryn, & therfore they haue no faythe. For Paule teacheth that faith commeth by hearynge, and hearyng by the word of god. Rom. x. Chap,3 Sith then that Children can neyther heare, nor vnderstande the worde of god, they can not beleue. Ergo baptisme is not due vntoo them, which is a signe of the faythe that goeth before. Yf thou canste,4 answere me to these: I wil tell and set forth, myne other argumentes hereafter.
- 1Acts .ii. Chapter.Actes .ii. Chapter.
- 2Acts. viii. Chapter.Actes. viii. Chapter.
- 3Roma .x.
- 4A solution to the arguments of the Anabaptists.A solution to the argumentes of the Anabaptistes.
