A17726:31
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…
A short instruction for to arm all good Christian people against the pestiferous errors of the common sect of Anabaptists. Compiled by master John CalvinA short instruction for to arme all good Christian people agaynst the pestiferous errours of the common secte of Anabaptistes. Compiled by mayster Iohn Caluine
London: printed by John Daye, 1549London: printed by Ihon Daye, 1549
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Otherwise it should be in vain, that saint Paul sayeth. That a child having father or mother faithful is sanctified which should be unclean, if he were begotten and descended of infidels. Seeing now that the holy ghost, author and fountain of all sanctification, doth testify that the children of christen men are holy, may we exclude them from so great a benefit? Now if in them be the verity of baptism, how can we deprive them of the sign, which is less & inferior.
Otherwise it shoulde be in vayne, that saint Paule sayeth. That a chylde hauynge father or mother fayethfull is sanctified whyche should be vncleane, if he were begotten and discended of infidels. Seynge nowe that the holye goste, authore and fountayne of all sanctification, doth testifie that the child•en of christen mē are holy, may we exclude them from so great a benefite? Now if in them be the verity of baptisme, howe can we depryue them of the sygne, whyche is lesse & inferiour.
But they reply, that the custom and practise of the Apostles is contrary. For it is said that Paul and Silas preached the word of the Lord, unto the gealer, or keeper of the prison, and to his household, before that they baptised them. I have already given solution unto this, when I showed how that to a man which is a stranger from the church, the doctrine ought to precede the sacrament: but after that God hath received him into the communion of his faithful the promise of life is made unto him as well for his children, as for him self.
But they reply, that the custome and practyse of the Apostles is contrarie. For it is sayed that Paule and Silas preached the worde of the Lorde, vnto the gealer, or keper of the pryson, and to hys housholde, before that they baptysed them. I haue already geuen solution vnto this, whē I shewed howe that to a man whyche is a straunger frome the church, the doctrine ought to precede the sacrament: but after that God hath receiued hym into the communion of hys fayethfull the promise of lyfe is made vnto hym as wel for hys chyldren, as for hym selfe.