A19884:139
An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…
An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of VV.B. Also an answer to Mr. I.D. touching his report of some passages. His allegation of Scriptures against the baptising of some kind of infants. His protestation about the publishing of his writings. By John Davenport BD.An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of VV.B. Also an answer to Mr. I.D. touching his report of some passages. His allegation of Scriptures against the baptising of some kind of infants. His protestation about the publishing of his wrightings. By Iohn Davenporte BD.
Rotterdam: printed by Isaac van Waesberghe, 1636Rotterdam: printed by Isaack van Waesberghe, 1636
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.
Thirdly, Whereas he saith, that coming nearer to the Brownists in this question about Baptism, then to us, it is therefore the less marvel &c. I answer. 1. Himself, in diverse places of his book, freeth me from any such affection to the Brownists, ⟨p. 10⟩as might cause me to wright against him, in favour of them. Therefore herein he contradicteth himself. 2. Nearness to, or distance from the Brownists is but a false rule whereby to try trueth or error. If the Brownists be nearer to the trueth, in this matter, then this Answerer why should not I come nearer to them then to him? Is it not safe to come nearer to the Brownists in holding a truth, then to the Libertines, in a dangerous error? Will he say, the Brownists hold no trueth? or, that we may not lawfully hold the trueth with them, that it may appear we differ from them? or, that no man can wright in defence of any trueth which they hold, without siding against him? 3. It would be known whom he meaneth by [us] when he saith, nearer to the Brownists then to us? 1. If he mean the Elders of his Church; his own words will contradict himself. For of them he saith; these three have diverse times professed themselves to be of the same opinion with Mr. D. touching the Baptism of infants. 1If he mean the subscribers, which, with the Elders, are the best part of his Church; their complaint against him, for this difference, showeth how far they differ from him herein. 3. If he mean the Classis; the writing of the five Dutch Preachers, which, he saith, was by all the Ministers of the Classis, 2with one consent, afterwards approved and confirmed, will witness against him. For there they thus express themselves. We do greatly approve of his good Zeal and care of having some precedent private examination of the parents and sureties of these Children in the Christian religion. 3And a little after. We do so judge that this fore said examination be ordained, so far as may stand with the edification of the English Church. Thus far they agree wholly with me; how soever in the words following (being abused by causeless jealousies and suspicions suggested by the Answerer,) they concluded, according to his mind.