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…

To administer baptism to the infants of those who belong not to Christ, who are convicted & judged by the Church to be swine and dogs, who obstinately persist in their Apostasy, who slight and refuse all communion with all visible Churches of Christ, who are strangers, and without, In a word, who have no communion with Christ, nor fellowship with the Church and people of God, is to profane it, according to the judgement of Whittaker, Beza, Cartwright, I: del'Espine, I. A Lasco, Chrysostom, Tertullian, Calvin, Alstedius, Chamier, Dr. Ames, &c.

To administer baptisme to the infants of those who belong not to Christ, who are convicted & judged by the Church to be swine and doggs, who obstinately persist in their Apostasy, who slight and refuse all communion with all visible Churches of Christ, who are strangers, and without, In a word, who have no communion with Christ, nor fellowship with the Church and people of God, is to profane it, according to the judgement of Whittaker, Beza, Cartwright, I: del'Espine, I. A Lasco, Chrysostom, Tertullian, Calvin, Alstedius, Chamier, Dr. Ames, &c.

But to administer baptism in Amsterdam thus promiscuously, ⟨p. 143⟩as that writing requireth, is to administer it to many such.

But to administer baptisme in Amsterdam thus promiscuously, ⟨p. 143⟩as that wrighting requireth, is to administer it to many such.

Therefore to administer it, as that writing requireth, is to profane the Sacrament.

Therefore to administer it, as that wrighting requireth, is to profane the Sacrament.

To clear this, I am to declare two things, 1. that it is a sin to give offence. 2, that this practise doth give offence (or scandal) to many.

To cleare this, I am to declare two things, 1. that it is a sinne to give offence. 2, that this practise doth give offence (or scandall) to many.

First. That it is a sin to give offence,¹ will appear by Scripture light, which forbideth it, & describeth it to be a putting an occasion to fall, or laying a stumbling block before a brother, a making him weak, a giving him cause to speak evil, or to think hardly of us, a pleasing our selves, with neglect of our brother, and it proceedeth from a despising and light regard of others in our hearts, and it tendeth to the destroying of him. And, to conclude, it is to sin against our brother, and to sin against Christ.

First. That it is a sinne to give offence,¹ will appeare by Scripture light, which forbideth it, & describeth it to be a putting an occasion to fall, or laying a stumbling block before a brother, a making him weake, a giving him cause to speake evill, or to thinck hardly of us, a pleasing our selves, with neglect of our brother, and it propceedeth from a dispising and light regard of others in our hearts, and it tendeth to the destroying of him. And, to conclude, it is to sinne against our brother, and to sinne against Christ.

1. 1Cor. 10.2. Rom. 14.13.21.16 15. Ezek: 13.22. Rom: 14.3 10. Mat: 18.10. Rom: 14.15.20. 1 Cor. 8.12.

Secondly. That this practise doth give scandal to many. This we will declare by induction, and instances.

Secondly. That this practise doth give scandall to many. This we will declare by induction, and instances.

First. To the Jews it is an offence that we affirm our baptism to be in stead of their circumcision, and of the same use and worth, and yet we communicate it to those who are not in the Covenant, so much as visibly and outwardly: which they know to be contrary to the law given to their fathers concerning circumcision.

First. To the Iewes it is an offence that we affirme our baptisme to be in stead of their circumcision, and of the same use and worth, and yet we communicate it to those who are not in the Covenant, so much as visibly and outwardly: which they know to be contrary to the law given to their fathers concerning circumsion.

Secondly. To the Papists it is an offence that we,¹ professing reformation, do admit those to baptism whom they would refuse (though they err grossly in many points about baptisme, & de suscipientibus baptismum also) for they hold it unlawful to baptise the infants or infidels that are brought, without their parents consent: but such cases may often fall out, in that place, by this course, and the minister and Church be ignorant of it. Dr. Whittaker addeth, that they do absurdly, who baptise the children of unbelievers, though the parents should desire it, as if (saith he) the Church might give baptism to whom they please. For then they might be baptised, even without the parents consent.

Secondly. To the Papists it is an offence that we,¹ professing reformation, doe admit those to baptisme whom they would refuse (though they erre grosly in many points about baptisme, & de suscipientibus baptismum also) for they hold it unlawfull to baptise the infants or infidells that are brought, without theyre parents consent: but such cases may often fall out, in that place, by this course, and the minister and Church be ignorant of it. Dr. Whittaker addeth, that they doe absurdly, who baptise the children of unbeleivers, though the parents should desire it, as if (sayth he) the Church might give baptisme to whom they please. For then they might be baptised, even without the parents consent.

1. 1Tho: Aq: pars 3. quest: 68. Idem. second. secundae quest: 10. art: 12. & alibi. Whit: prelect. de Sacram: P. 291. 292.Tho: Aq: pars 3. quest: 68. Idem. secund. secundae quest: 10. art: 12. & alibi. Whitt: prelect. de Sacram: P. 291. 292.

Thirdly. To the Anabaptists it is an offence, who, because the Scripture requireth faith to baptism (not only unjustly, against the Scripture, dislike the baptising of the infants of believers, but also) complain, and that justly, of the promiscuous administering of baptism, even to those whose parents cannot be numbered amongst believers. As appeareth in their private discourses, public disputes and printed books.

Thirdly. To the Anabaptists it is an offence, who, because the Scripture requireth fayth to baptisme (not only unjustly, against the Scripture, dislike the baptising of the infants of beleivers, but also) complaine, and that justly, of the promiscuous administring of baptisme, even to those whose parents cannot be numbred amongst beleivers. As appeareth in their private discourses, publick disputes and printed bookes.

Fourthly. To Libertines and Familists it giveth offence and hardeneth them in their disorderly course, seeing they can partake of the outward privileges of the Church as well as the members of it, without submission to the order & government thereof, whereunto the members are subject. The same may be affirmed of all disorderly persons that are obstinate in evil courses.

Fourthly. To Libertines and Familists it giveth offence and hardneth them in their disorderly course, seing they can partake of the outward priviledges of the Church as well as the members of it, without submission to the order & government thereof, whereunto the members are subject. The same may be affirmed of all disorderly persons that are obstinate in evill courses.

¹Fifthly. Ignorant and superstitious persons are strengthened in a slight esteem of Baptism, and an Idolizing of the Lords supper, when they see that any, without difference, are admitted to that, but care is taken that only those that are approved are admitted to this; as if a fitness were not as well required, in him that would partake of the blood of Christ, and of remission of sins by it, in baptism, as in the Lords supper. For the same remission of sins is alike propounded in them both.

¹Fifthly. Ignorant and superstitious persons are strengthened in a slight esteeme of Baptisme, and an Idolizing of the Lords supper, when they see that any, without difference, are admitted to that, but care is taken that only those that are approved are admitted to this; as if a fitnes were not as well required, in him that would partake of the blood of Christ, and of remission of sinnes by it, in baptisme, as in the Lords supper. For the same remission of sinnes is alike propounded in them boath.

1. 1Anonym: in thes: de rit: gub: Christi eccles: Anno 1595. impres: & ad Illustr: Ampl. ord. in Geld: Holland: Zealand: Fris: adscript. thes. 155. ad thes. 168. See Rob: Apol. Chap. 2. Idem ibid preface. p. 9.Anonym: in thes: de rit: gub: Christi eccles: Anno 1595. impres: & ad Illustr: Ampl. ord. in Geld: Holland: Zeland: Fris: adscript. thes. 155. ad thes. 168. See Robb: Apol. Chap. 2. Idem ibid praeface. p. 9.

Sixthly. To those of the Separation it giveth no small offence, who, for this cause, complain of the Dutch reformed Churches, as neither so true to their own grounds as they aught (their practise being compared with their profession) nor so well providing for the dignity of the thing, whilst they administer the Sacrament of Baptism to the infants of such as are not within the Covenant, nor have either parent a member of any Church. Though the more moderate of them do profess, that, notwithstanding this, they do account them the true Churches of Christ, and both profess, and practise communion with them in the holy things of God, what in them lieth; their sermons, such of them frequent, as understand the Dutch tongue, and the Sacraments they do administer to their known members, if, by occasion, any of them be present with, them, &c.

Sixthly. To those of the Separation it giveth no small offence, who, for this cause, complaine of the Dutch reformed Churches, as neither so true to their owne grounds as they aught (their practise being compared with their profession) nor so well providing for the dignity of the thing, whilest they administer the Sacrament of Baptisme to the infants of such as are not within the Covenant, nor have either parent a member of any Church. Though the more moderate of them doe professe, that, notwithstanding this, they doe account them the true Churches of Christ, and both professe, and practise communion with them in the holy things of God, what in them lyeth; their sermons, such of them frequent, as understand the Dutch tongue, and the Sacraments they doe administer to their knowne members, if, by occasion, any of them be present with, them, &c.

Seventhly, To diverse others who fear God, & heartily desire to see the ordinances of Christ established in their purity and beauty & are unfeignedly grieved that any blemish should be found in the reformed Churches, and truly wish for the prosperity & perfection of them, & have witnessed against this disorder in this place, as Dr. A. Mr. F. Mr. H. Mr. B. Mr. R. amongst whom I, being called thereunto, do not only reckon my unworthy self, but also can number others, not only English and French, but even of the Dutch also, who have ingenuously professed their dislike of it, upon occasion of conference, which I have had with some of them. To wind up all in one bottom.

Seventhly, To diverse others who feare God, & heartily desire to see the ordinances of Christ established in their purity and beauty & are unfeignedly greived that any blemish should be found in the reformed Churches, and truely wish for the prosperity & perfection of them, & have witnessed against this disorder in this place, as Dr. A. Mr. F. Mr. H. Mr. B. Mr. R. amongst whom I, being called thereunto, doe not only reckon my unworthy selfe, but also can number others, not only English and French, but even of the Dutch also, who have ingenuously professed their dislike of it, upon occasion of conference, which I have had with some of them. To winde up all in one bottome.

That which giveth offence to Jews, Papists, Anabaptists, Familists; Libertines, obstinate sinners, ignorant and superstitious persons Separatists, and to diverse others that fear God, is a sin.

That which giveth offence to Iewes, Papists, Anabaptists, Familists; Libertines, obstinate sinners, ignorant and superstitious persons Seperatists, and to diverse others that feare God, is a sinne.

But to administer baptism so promiscuously, as that writing requireth, giveth offence to all these.

But to administer baptisme so promiscuously, as that wrighting requireth, giveth offence to all these.