Reply. 1. I grant that the children of known Turks, Jews, &c. are not admitted to Baptism, upon the parents saying yea, or nodding the head &c. nor do any people so grossly, throughout the Christian world; yet nevertheless I do justly call their ⟨p. 301⟩manner of administering this Sacrament, in that place, promiscuous baptising, for these Reasons. 1. Because, they profess to admit all that are brought: and who knoweth not that there are of all nations and Sects among them? 2. They take no course whereby it may appear that they make a difference of persons, either before the dispensing of the Sacrament, to know the parents, or in the time of administering, no other questions being put to unknown strangers, then are put to the known members of other Churches, or their own. 3. That, which with them passeth for a profession of Christianity, may be done by any Turk, Jew, or Infidel among them: for even they may nod their heads, or say yea, to they know not what, as well as others, if they have a mind so to do. 4. Though the infants of known Jews, or Infidels are not received, seeing no care is taken to know who they are, that are presented, before they be brought in public, it may easily come to pass that a nurse, or some other body (without the parents consent, or knowledge) may bring such infants (and their manner is to admit them, by whomsoever they are brought) and say yea, or nod the head, in testimony of her consent, out of a superstitious, and ignorant conceit, that, in so doing, she hath made a Christian 5. The Infants of many other persons are admitted to baptism, who have no right to that ordinance, who are no Jews, nor Turks, of whom we have spoken in the 12 Section, in respect of whom also it may fitly be called promiscuous baptising. 6. Whereas he saith, that, in a cause of apparent scruple I had liberty to take the advise of the Eldership, or Classis, about baptising, or refusing those that were brought. This doeth not at all salve the sore. For. 1. it is too late to take advise, when I am put upon the action in public, I being in the pulpit, as the manner is. 2. what cause of scruple can be apprehended to be in one stranger more then in an other, all being alike unknown, and one and the same form used to all, and all speaking the same word yea, or using the same gesture, as nodding the head?
Reply. 1. I grant that the children of knowne Turkes, Iewes, &c. are not admitted to Baptisme, upon the parents saying yea, or nodding the head &c. nor doe any people so grosly, throughout the Christian world; yet neverthelesse I doe justly call their ⟨p. 301⟩manner of administring this Sacrament, in that place, promiscuous baptising, for these Reasons. 1. Because, they professe to admit all that are brought: and who knoweth not that there are of all nations and Sects among them? 2. They take no course whereby it may appeare that they make a difference of persons, either before the dispensing of the Sacrament, to know the parents, or in the time of administring, no other questions being put to unknowne strangers, then are put to the knowne members of other Churches, or their owne. 3. That, which with them passeth for a profession of Christianity, may be done by any Turke, Iew, or Infidell among them: for even they may nodd their heads, or say yae, to they know not what, as well as others, if they have a mind so to doe. 4. Though the infants of knowne Iewes, or Infidells are not received, seing no care is taken to know who they are, that are presented, before they be brought in publick, it may easily come to passe that a nurse, or some other body (without the parents consent, or knowledge) may bring such infants (and their manner is to admit them, by whomsoever they are brought) and say yae, or nodd the head, in testimony of her consent, out of a superstitious, and ignorant conceit, that, in so doing, she hath made a Christian 5. The Infants of many other persons are admitted to baptisme, who have no right to that ordinance, who are no Iewes, nor Turkes, of whom we have spoken in the 12 Section, in respect of whom also it may fitly be called promiscuous baptising. 6. Whereas he sayth, that, in a cause of apparent scruple I had liberty to take the advise of the Eldership, or Classis, about baptising, or refusing those that were brought. This doeth not at all salve the sore. For. 1. it is too late to take advise, when I am put upon the action in publick, I being in the pulpit, as the manner is. 2. what cause of scruple can be apprehended to be in one stranger more then in an other, all being alike unknowne, and one and the same forme used to all, and all speaking the same word yae, or using the same gesture, as nodding the head?
