A short instruction for to arm all good Christian people against the pestiferous errors…A short instruction for to arme all good Christian people agaynst the pestiferous errours…

¶ That is their saying. But first I Answer, that the Baptising of young children is not a thing newly brought up, neither a thing which toke his beginning in the Papacy. For I say that it hath been a holy ordinance kept always in the Christian church. And that this is true, there is no doctor so ancient, which doeth not confess, that it hath been always used from the time of the Apostles. I thought it good to say this much by the way, and for none other cause, but to inform the simple, that it is an impudent slander of these fantastical men, which would make men believe that this ancient observation is a superstition newly forged: and that is come from the pope: where as in deed the whole church used it before there was any Pope, or that any man heard speak of the pope. Besides this I will not that the auntientie thereof shall help us any thing to the probation thereof ⟨image 8⟩except it be tounde grounded in the word of God. I know that as the custom of men giveth not authority unto the sacraments: even so to use them well, we ought not to take our rule according to the same. Let us come then unto the true rule of God which we have spoken of: that is to say, unto his word which only here ought to take place. Their intent is, that baptism should not be communicate but to him that asketh it, making profession of faith and repentance. And therefore the baptism of little children is an invention of man against the word of god.

¶ That is theyr sayinge. But fyrste I Aunswere, that the Baptisinge of yong chyldren is not a thynge newlye brought vp, neyther a thynge whyche toke hys begynnyng in the Papasie. For I say that it hath bene a holy ordinaunce kepte alwayes in the Christian churche. And that thys is true, there is no doctour so auncient, whyche doeth not confesse, that it hathe bene alwayes vsed frō the tyme of the Apostles. I thought it good to saye thys much by the waye, and for none other cause, but to infourme the simple, that it is an impudent sclaunder of these phantasticall men, whiche woulde make men beleue that this auncient obseruation is a superstion newlye forged: and that is come from the pope: wher as in dede the whole church vsed it before there was any Pope, or that anye man hearde speake of the pope. Besides this I wyll not that the auntientie thereof shal helpe vs any thynge to the probation therof