Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And we at this day have so good reason as the Jews had. For as soon as our children be born, they be carried to baptism. And there God doth show that he hath already chosen them, and that his will is that they should be as of his household. Therefore when an infant is thus declared to be a member of our Lord Jesus Christ, before he doth understand what the grace of God or religion or any thing else is: should he not when he cometh to age of understanding, endeavour to learn that he was created of God: who having created him after his own image, hath vouchsafed also to choose him to be of the number and company of his people: and hath placed him in the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the end he should be partaker of the inheritance of salvation? Considering so many and so inestimable benefits received at Gods hand, ought he not (say I) to give himself wholly to him and to his service? And if they do it not, do they not show themselves too much unthankful in disappointing the grace which was then given unto them? Also our Lord showeth the zeal that ought to be in them which be taught by his word: namely, that so much as in them lieth, they must not suffer any despisers of religion to dwell amongest them: but rather take pains to win the poor ignorant sort, and every man reach his hand to him that goeth astray, so as it may not be long of us, that all men be not brought into the way of salvation, and that all of us live not with one accord as we ought to do.

And wee at this day haue so good reason as the Iewes had. For as soone as our children be born, they be caried to baptisme. And there God doth shewe that hee hath already chosen them, and that his will is that they should bee as of his housholde. Therefore when an infant is thus declared to bee a member of our Lorde Iesus Christ, before he doth vnderstand what ye grace of God or religion or any thing else is: should he not when he commeth to age of vnderstanding, indeuour to learne yt he was created of God: who hauing created him after his owne image, hath vouchsafed also to choose him to be of the number and company of his people: and hath placed him in the body of our Lord Iesus Christ, to the end he should be partaker of the inheritance of saluation? Considering so many and so inestimable benefites receiued at Gods hand, ought he not (say I) to giue himselfe wholie to him and to his seruice? And if they doe it not, doe they not shewe themselues too much vnthankfull in disappoynting the grace which was then giuen vnto them? Also our Lord sheweth the zeale that ought to bee in them which bee taught by his word: namely, that so much as in them lyeth, they must not suffer any despisers of religion to dwell amongest them: but rather take paines to winne the poore ignoraunt sort, and euery man reache his hand to him that goeth astray, so as it may not bee long of vs, that all men bee not brought into the way of saluation, and that all of vs liue not with one accorde as wee ought to doe.