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…

¹That which hath not authority from the Scripture is as easily despised as received.

1. 1Hieron. in Math. 23.

Seventh pretence. It is the custom of these Churches, which all, ¹that are admitted by the Classis, do promise to observe.

Seaventh pretence. It is the custom of these Churches, which all, ¹that are admitted by the Classis, doe promise to observe.

1. 17. Pretence.

This pretence the Answerer insinuateth in that which he said about the form of Mr. B. calling, Ans. which was to minister the word, and the dependences thereof, according to the order of these Reformed Churches, and especially with these which are combined with the Classis of Amsterdam, Concerning that expression some thing more may be noted, in the examination of the seventeenth Section, and when we come to the eight and twentieth Section.

This pretence the Answerer insinuateth in that which he sayd about the forme of Mr. B. calling, Ans. which was to minister the word, and the dependances thereof, according to the order of these Reformed Churches, and especially with these which are combined with the Classis of Amsterdam, Concerning that expression some thing more may be noated, in the examination of the seventeenth Section, and when we come to the eight and twentith Section.

First, oppose the Confessions of the Reformed Churches to this custom,¹ and it will be found that they cannot stand together, for, when they described, qui sunt baptisandi, who are to be baptised, speaking of infants; they say, they must be the children of persons that are in the Covenant ^(a)of the people of God ^(b)of holy parents^(c), of those to whom the promises belong^(d), who are inserted into the Church, and only them^(e), the true children of Abraham ^(f)such as are in alike condition as they were who had right to Circumcision amongst the Jews. Now compare, with this doctrine of the Reformed Churches, the practise of that place, as it hath been declared, and it will appear that their own Confessions plead against this custom. And, how can that be called the order of these Reformed Churches, which agreeth not with the doctrine of these reformed Churches?

First, oppose the Confessions of the Reformed Churches to this custom,¹ and it will be found that they cannot stand together, for, when they described, qui sunt baptisandi, who are to be baptised, speaking of infants; they say, they must be the children of persons that are in the Covenant ^(a)of the people of God ^(b)of holy parents^(c), of those to whom the promises belong

Secondly, oppose the Canons of the Synods of these countries to this custom, and the thing will be manifested. In a ⟨p. 176⟩Synod held at Dort in the year 1578. Art. 59. It was referred to the judgment of the Ministers and Elders, whether there be any lawful cause brought by any, why the child to be baptised should be deferred from Baptism: and in Art. 61. It was ordered, that the fathers, before they bring their children to baptism, shall go to the Minister, or an Elder, that the Church may have notice of the parties that are to be baptised. And in Art. 62. They are appointed to acquaint the Minister what name they will give the child, and to show him how they will educate the child in that Religion.

Secondly, oppose the Canons of the Synods of these countryes to this custom, and the thing will be manifested. In a ⟨p. 176⟩Synod held at Dort in the yeare 1578. Art. 59. It was referred to the judgment of the Ministers and Elders, whether there be any lawfull cause brought by any, why the child to be baptised should be deferred from Baptisme: and in Art. 61. It was ordered, that the fathers, before they bring their children to baptisme, shall goe to the Minister, or an Elder, that the Church may have notice of the partyes that are to be baptised. And in Art. 62. They are appoynted to acquaint the Minister what name they will give the child, and to shew him how they will educate the child in that Religion.

In a Synod held at Middleborough in the year 1581. the 22. question. It is demanded, whether the parents of children do go first to the Minister, or Elders, and certify them, that they desire to have their children baptised before, to see whether they judge it meet to receive such witnesses or not? In Art. 75. It is questioned, whether the Minister should be rebuked, when he baptiseth children, whose parents appoint witnesses, which stand not for religion? Ans. The parents shall be wonted, as much as is possible, that they first speak with the Ministers before they present their children to baptism, &c.

In a Synod held at Middleborough in the yeare 1581. the 22. question. It is demanded, whether the parents of children doe goe first to the Minister, or Elders, and certify them, that they desire to have their children baptised before, to see whether they judge it meet to receive such witnesses or not? In Art. 75. It is questioned, whether the Minister should be rebuked, when he baptiseth children, whose parents appoynt witnesses, which stand not for religion? Ans. The parents shall be wonted, as much as is possible, that they first speake with the Ministers before they present their children to baptisme, &c.

In a Synod held at Utrecht, in the year 1590. Art 1. It is decreed, that Baptism is to be administered, according to the ordinance of Christ, without Godfathers to bind themselves, only the father and mother to promise to train it up in the Religion.

In a Synod held at Vtricht, in the yeare 1590. Art 1. It is decreed, that Baptisme is to be administred, according to the ordinance of Christ, without Godfathers to bind themselves, only the father and mother to promise to trayne it up in the Religion.

Now, compare the Canons of these Synods with the custom of that place, and they will be found so far to vary from it, that it will appear not to be the order of these reformed Churches, but a disorder crept in, as we have said before.

Now, compare the Canons of these Synods with the custom of that place, and they will be found so farr to varye from it, that it will appeare not to be the order of these reformed Churches, but a disorder crept in, as we have said before.

I will conclude this examination of pretences used in defence of this unwarrantable custom with the judicious censure of Dr. Ames, who knew well the miscarriage of this disorder, in these countryes.¹ Incuria illa idcirco neutiquam potest excusari, quâ promiscuè, & sine disermine, admittuntur quicunque, et a quibuscunque offeruntur. Therefore that carelessness can by no means be excused, whereby all, promiscuously, and without difference, are admitted to baptism, by whomsoever they are presented. And so much shall suffice for the examination of the twelfth Section, and for declaration of the grounds, whereupon I durst not bind my self, by promise, or otherwise, to rest in the judgment of those ⟨p. 177⟩five Ministers, that is, to conform to the custom of this place in administering Baptism promiscuously to all that are presented, and by whomsoever.

I will conclude this examination of pretences used in defence of this unwarrantable custom with the judicious censure of Dr. Ames, who knew well the miscarriage of this disorder, in these countryes.¹ Incuria illa idcirco neutiquam potest excusari, quâ promiscuè, & sine disermine, admittuntur quicunque, et a quibuscunque offeruntur. Therefore that carelesnes can by no means be excused, whereby all, promiscuously, and without difference, are admitted to baptisme, by whomsoever they are presented. And so much shall suffice for the examination of the twelfth Section, and for declaration of the grounds, whereupon I durst not bind my selfe, by promise, or otherwise, to rest in the judgment of those ⟨p. 177⟩five Ministers, that is, to conforme to the custom of this place in administring Baptisme promiscuously to all that are presensed, and by whomsoever.

1. 1De conscientia. Cap. 27.4

The Answer to the 13. Section examined. Of the order agreed upon in the Consistory.

That which here, he calleth an order, will, upon examination, be found very far from accommodating me. I will wright it down as I received it from the Elders, out of the note, which I have in keeping. Jan. 19. 1634. The Consistory being gathered, Elders, and Deacons together, it was demanded, whether that all persons being no members should be sent unto Mr. D. to desire the baptism of their children, and to make confession to him, for his satisfaction in his administration of that Sacrament? The answer was by all voices, yea, if Mr. D. can be persuaded thereunto. And for the better, and more convenient bringing of the parents or presenters of the children to the Minister, it is agreed, by most voices in Consistory, that Th: A. the Coster shall bring or direct the parties to the Ministers house. Afterward, this question was propounded by the Answerer, & written down in these words. Whether, if persons ignorant, being willing to receive instruction, although not presently able to render a reason, shall be sent away by him, or admitted, to wit, they approving of the doctrine of baptism taught in these Churches, and as by us usually is propounded? A Copy of this pretended order, with the questionw, as brought to me by some of the Elders to see what answer J would make to them both. Which when I had considered, I found the order too short, and the question captious.

THat which here, he calleth an order, will, upon examination, be found very farr from accommodating me. I will wright it downe as I received it from the Elders, out of the noate, which I have in keeping. Ian. 19. 1634. The Consistory being gathered, Elders, and Deacons together, it was demanded, whether that all persons being no members should be sent unto Mr. D. to desire the baptisme of their children, and to make confession to him, for his satisfaction in his administration of that Sacrament? The answer was by all voyces, yea, if Mr. D. can be persuaded thereunto. And for the better, and more convenient bringing of the parents or presenters of the children to the Minister, it is agreed, by most voyces in Consistory, that Th: A. the Coster shall bring or direct the partyes to the Ministers house. Afterward, this question was propounded by the Answerer, & written downe in these words. Whether, if persons ignorant, being willing to receive instruction, allthough not presently able to render a reason, shall be sent away by him, or admitted, to witt, they approving of the doctrine of baptisme taught in these Churches, and as by us usually is propounded? A Copy of this pretended order, with the questionw, as brought to me by some of the Elders to see what answer J would make to them boath. Which when I had considered, I found the order too short, and the question captious.

First for the order J let these five things be duly weighed.

First for the order J let these five things be duely weighed.

1. The Answerer dateth this order Jan. 15. which the Elders ⟨p. 178⟩date Jan: 19. as he dated the ministers writing to me Jan: 28. which themselves, in their latin copy to me, dated Jan: 20. which difference is not of much consequence, only it showeth that it is not safe for the Reader to be too confident of the Answerers memory.

1. The Answerer dateth this order Ian. 15. which the Elders ⟨p. 178⟩date Ian: 19. as he dated the ministers wrighting to me Ian: 28. which themselves, in their latine copy to me, dated Ian: 20. which difference is not of much consequence, only it sheweth that it is not safe for the Reader to be too confident of the Answerers memory.

2. Where as I propounded three ways of accommodation (as the eleventh Section showeth) here is but one of them propounded in the Consistory.

2. Where as I propounded three wayes of accommodation (as the eleventh Section sheweth) here is but one of them propounded in the Consistory.

3. That one is otherwise propounded then I expressed it. For I did not desire that all, whose children should be presented to baptism, should be sent to me, but only that it should be so, when it fell into my course to administer that Sacrament (my motion being that we might not perform it jointly, but severally, and alternis vicibus) neither did I require that they should make confession to me, but that I might speak with them, before they presented them in public, that I might have some knowledge of them, by private conference with them, to prevent public disturbance.

3. That one is otherwise propounded then I expressed it. For I did not desire that all, whose children should be presented to baptisme, should be sent to me, but only that it should be so, when it fell into my course to administer that Sacrament (my motion being that we might not performe it joyntly, but severally, and alternis vicibus) neither did I require that they should make confession to me, but that I might speake with them, before they presented them in publick, that I might have some knowledge of them, by private conference with them, to prevent publick disturbance.