A19884:634
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.
Ans. 1. The customary use of sureties in baptising infants, though it seem ancient by the mention that is made of them, in the Synod of Ments,1 under the name of Compatres spirituals, spiritual fathers and mothers, and, before that, in Augustine, under the name of Sponsors, and fidejussores, sureties, and before him, in Tertullian, under the name of offerentes, presenters: yet it is not from the Ancient of days, it was not from the beginning, neither in the first institution of baptism, nor the practise of the primitive Churches, in the first Century. The first original of this custom seemeth to be this, that they that took the child from the minister when it was baptised should be called spiritual fathers and mothers, that the difference between the first and second birth of the child might be signified, it being absurd (as they thought) that the same man should be the father of the child, both in respect of generation and of regeneration. Hence the Papists drew a spiritual kindred, and multiplied absurd inventions about it. Which very original and abuse, it being not of Apostolical institution, should make the Reformed Churches suspect it, especially seeing it is not of necessary use, the charge of educating the child lying upon the parents, and the whole Church being witnesses.
Ans. 1. The customary use of suretyes in baptising infants, though it seeme ancient by the mention that is made of them, in the Synod of Ments,1 under the name of Compatres spirituales, spirituall fathers and mothers, and, before that, in Augustine, under the name of Sponsores, and fidejussores, suretyes, and before him, in Tertullian, under the name of offerentes, presenters: yet it is not from the Ancient of dayes, it was not from the beginning, neither in the first institution of baptisme, nor the practise of the primitive Churches, in the first Century. The first originall of this custom seemeth to be this, that they that tooke the child from the minister when it was baptised should be called spirituall fathers and mothers, that the difference betweene the first and second birth of the child might be signifyed, it being absurd (as they thought) that the same man should be the father of the child, both in respect of generation and of regeneration. Hence the Papists drew a spirituall kindred, and multiplyed absurd inventions about it. Which very originall and abuse, it being not of Apostolicall institution, should make the Reformed Churches suspect it, especially seing it is not of necessary use, the charge of educating the child lying upon the parents, and the wholl Church being witnesses.