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…

And indeed they countenance both alike, that is, neither of ⟨p. 157⟩them at all, being considered in Cyprian's intendment, in that epistle, which was, to answer Fidus who held that infants of two or three days old ought not to be baptised, arguing from Circumcision, which was not administered till the eight day, and from the bodily uncleanness of infants at that age. Cyprian, in answer to his first Argument, showeth him that Circumcision was a shadow, which is now vanished, and, in answer to the second, used those words, Acts 10.15. and concludeth thus. Si etiam gravissimis delictoribus &c. If remission of sins be given to the most grievous sinners, when they afterwards believe, and, repent, and baptism is not denied to them, how much more ought it not to be denied such infants. They that know how strait Cyprian was in nullifying the baptism of those who had been baptised by heretics, and such as were out of the Church, cannot imagine that any help may be expected from him, for warranting the administering of baptism to their infants, who are out of the Covenant.

And indeed they countenance boath alike, that is, neither of ⟨p. 157⟩them at all, being considered in Cyprians intendment, in that epistle, which was, to answer Fidus who held that infants of two or three dayes old ought not to be baptised, arguing from Circumcision, which was not administred till the eight day, and from the bodily uncleanenes of infants at that age. Cyprian, in answer to his first Argument, sheweth him that Circumcision was a shadow, which is now vanished, and, in answer to the second, used those words, Acts 10.15. and concludeth thus. Si etiam gravissimis delictoribus &c. If remission of sinnes be given to the most greivous sinners, when they afterwards beleive, and, repent, and baptisme is not denyed to them, how much more ought it not to be denyed such infants. They that know how streight Cyprian was in nullifying the baptisme of those who had bene baptised by haereticks, and such as were out of the Church, cannot imagine that any helpe may be expected from him, for warranting the administring of baptisme to their infants, who are out of the Covenant.

Now if any think that there is some colour for the justifying of this course to be found in the capitulation of Charles King of Sicily, with the Saracens,¹ at the siege of Tunis in Africa, the third Article whereof was that such as were willing might freely receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Let him understand that that agreement was only to establish the free exercise of Christian Religion, not to warrant promiscuous baptising, which was not, at all, in question at that time. Thus the records of ancient times are against this disorderly custom, and concerning the judgment of later times, since the reformation, if enough have not been said already, more shall be added, in answer to the seventh pretence.

Now if any thinck that there is some colour for the justifying of this course to be found in the capitulation of Charles King of Sycily, with the Sarazens,¹ at the seidge of Tunis in Africa, the third Article whereof was that such as were willing might freely receive the Sacrament of Baptisme. Let him understand that that agreement was only to establish the free excercise of Christian Religion, not to warrant promiscuous baptising, which was not, at all, in question at that time. Thus the records of ancient times are against this disorderly custom, and concerning the judgment of later times, since the reformation, if enough have not bene said already, more shall be added, in answeare to the seventh pretence.

1. 1Speed. Chron: lib. 9. cap. 10. in the life of Edw. 1.

Only that I may omit nothing, that I meet with in my reading, which may seem to carry any colour of favouring that custom, though but in the letter, I have produced those two instances of former times, and will now add to them two or three of latter times. In whom I purpose not to examine or censure their expressions, but only to show that this evil custom is not maintained, nor to be defended by what they have written.

Only that I may omitt nothing, that I meet with in my reading, which may seeme to carry any colour of favouring that custom, though but in the letter, I have produced those two instances of former times, and will now add to them two or three of latter times. In whom I purpose not to examine or censure their expressions, but onely to shew that this evill custom is not maintained, nor to be defended by what they have written.

1. 1Beza epist. 9.

The Ministers of that Classis declared their judgment, which they sent in a letter to Beza, thus, we are of opinion that the infant being borne of such desperate parents, is not included in the promise of blessing, and therefore should not be baptised till it come to that age, wherein it may make profession of its own faith, unless the parents, returning again to God by true repentance, be again received into the bosom of the Church, or it be presented by certain godly persons, who will bind themselves by promise to perform the duty of parents to the child. Unless perhaps, because it is borne within the Church, it should be baptised for the faith of the Church. Thus they.

The Ministers of that Classis declared their judgment, which they sent in a letter to Beza, thus, we are of opinion that the infant being borne of such desperate parents, is not included in the promise of blessing, and therefore should not be baptised till it come to that age, wherein it may make profession of its owne fayth, unlesse the parents, returning againe to God by true repentance, be againe received into the bosome of the Church, or it be presented by certaine godly persons, who will bind themselves by promise to performe the duety of parents to the child. Vnlesse perhaps, because it is borne within the Church, it should be baptised for the fayth of the Church. Thus they.

¹Beza, writing to them his judgment in this matter, distributeth those who are not to be accounted members of the Church into four sorts far different one from another. To omit the former three, as being not in question, the fourth sort is of those, who being elect of God, and ingrafted into Christ, yet falling through infirmity, and giving offence unto others, are delivered unto Satan, that godly sorrow may work in them repentance. Of this last sort, saith he, is the question: Concerning whom he first supposeth diverse things.

¹Beza, wrighting to them his judgment in this matter, distributeth those who are not to be accounted members of the Church into fowre sorts farr different one from another. To omit the former three, as being not in question, the fourth sort is of those, who being elect of God, and ingrafted into Christ, yet falling through infirmity, and giving offence unto others, are delivered unto Sathan, that godly sorrow may worke in them repentance. Of this last sort, sayth he, is the question: Concerning whom he first supposeth diverse things.

1. 1Epist: 10.

1. That they are such of whom we may judge in charity, that their estate is not desperate.

2. That though they are great sinners, yet they are not Apostates which forsake the Church, nor join themselves with adversaries in persecuting the truth.

2. That though they are great sinners, yet they are not Apostates which forsake the Church, nor joyne themselves with adversaryes in persecuting the truth.

3. That some difference is to be made between Turks and excommunicate Christians, or Papists.

3. That some difference is to be made betweene Turkes and excommunicate Christians, or Papists.

4. It is hard to judge, whether infants belong to the Covenant, in respect of their first parents profession, or not.

Secondly. Upon these suppositions he concludeth that the ⟨p. 159⟩infants of excommunicates that remain in the Church may not lawfully be denied baptism. But this he delivereth with two provisos, or caveats. 1. That, a fit surety bind himself to the Church for the holy education of the child. 2. That, upon this occasion, the Minister do, at that time, seriously exhort the father, being present, to repentance, in the presence of the Church, before he baptise the child, Which he saith was frequently done in their Churches, viz, in Geneva. Thus he. Concerning whose answer I will propound two or three considerations.

Secondly. Vpon these suppositions he concludeth that the ⟨p. 159⟩infants of excummunicates that remaine in the Church may not lawfully be denied baptisme. But this he delivereth with two provisoes, or caveats. 1. That, a fit surety bind himselfe to the Church for the holy education of the child. 2. That, upon this occasion, the Minister doe, at that time, seriously exhort the father, being present, to repentance, in the presence of the Church, before he baptise the child, Which he sayth was frequently done in their Churches, viz, in Geneva. Thus he. Concerning whose answer I will propound two or three considerations.

First. Though Beza was a very Reverend & judicious Divine, yet, in matters of faith, it is not safe, ullius jurare in verba magistri, to rest upon the authority of any man, without a warrant from the Scripture.

First. Though Beza was a very Reverend & judicious Divine, yet, in matters of faith, it is not safe, vllius jurare in verba magistri, to rest upon the authority of any man, without a warrant from the Scripture.

Secondly. Compare what was alleged out of Beza himself in my 1. Reason, in this Section, with this passage, and what Mr Cartwright answereth to some part of this, in the same Section, & the Reader will see that it may easily be declared that this sentence will not help the Advocates for promiscuous baptizing.

Secondly. Compare what was alleadged out of Beza himselfe in my 1. Reason, in this Section, with this passage, and what Mr Cartwright answereth to some part of this, in the same Section, & the Reader will see that it may easily be declared that this sentence will not helpe the Advocates for promiscuous baptizing.

Thirdly. Consider the state of the question, as Beza maketh it, and it will appear that the infants, for whose Baptism he pleadeth, are of such as we may rationally judge to be ingrafted into Christ, and elect of God, only being fallen by infirmity, are delivered unto Satan, that godly sorrow may work in them repentance.

Thirdly. Consider the state of the question, as Beza maketh it, and it will appeare that the infants, for whose Baptisme he pleadeth, are of such as we may rationally judge to be ingrafted into Christ, and elect of God, only being fallen by infirmity, are delivered unto Sathan, that godly sorrow may worke in them repentance.

But what is this for the justifying of a promiscuous administration of Baptism to all that are offered, in such a place as Amsterdam, concerning many of whom we can not rationally have any such persuasion?

But what is this for the justifying of a promiscuous administration of Baptisme to all that are offered, in such a place as Amsterdam, concerning many of whom we can not rationally have any such persuasion?

Fourthly. The four things supposed by Beza, as cases, wherein he dare not give liberty of baptising, serve to discover the evil of this custom, whereunto that writing would have bound me. For, if all that are presented, though they refuse to make known before, who, or what they are, must be received, may not the infants of many, whose case is desperate in the judgment of the Church, who are, not only Apostates from it, but persecutors: yea even the children of Jews, Mores, and others, such like, without the parents consent be offered to baptism, ⟨p. 160⟩and so be baptised, which were to profane the Sacrament, 2. Observe how timerously Beza expresseth himself about the parents, on whom the right of the infant to baptism dependeth, in this case, whereby it may seem that he was not fully clear in it himself.

Fourthly. The foure things supposed by Beza, as cases, wherein he dare not give liberty of baptising, serve to discover the evill of this custom, whereunto that wrighting would have bound me. For, if all that are presented, though they refuse to make knowne before, who, or what they are, must be received, may not the infāts of many, whose case is desperate in the judgment of the Church, who are, not only Apostates from it, but persecutors: yea even the children of Iewes, Mores, and others, such like, without the parents consent be offered to baptisme, ⟨p. 160⟩and so be baptised, which were to profane the Sacrament, 2. Observe how timerously Beza expresseth himselfe about the parents, on whom the right of the infant to baptisme dependeth, in this case, whereby it may seeme that he was not fully cleare in it himselfe.