A26924:275
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
Chapter 11: Point VIII. Of refusing to Baptize without such Godfathers.
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.
L. How prove you that you must put away all such.
M. 1. Did you ever know any baptized otherwise in the Church. 2. The words of the Rubric are [There shall be for every Male Child to be baptized, two Godfathers, and one Godmother; and for every Female one Godfather and two Godmothers.] 3. The Godfathers and Godmothers only are to speak and covenant; without which it is no Baptism: Mere washing without Covenanting is no Christian Baptism, so that the Church of England doth make Godfathers essential to it. And what it is to add to the Essentials of so great an Ordinance of God as was instituted by Christ's own mouth, for so high an use as our Espousal to himself; judge you. 4. The Canon to which all must subscribe, saith [that he himself will use the form in the said Book prescribed in public prayer and administration of the Sacrament, and no other. 5. The Act of Conventicles maketh it 20 l. the first time and, 40 l. every time after for above four to meet to worship God otherwise than according to the Liturgy, and practice of the Church of England. And to baptize without Godfathers is otherwise. 6. And then the Oxford Act banisheth them five miles from Corporations. Is not here sufficient proof.
M. 1. Did you ever know any baptized otherwise in the Church. 2. The words of the Rubrick are [There shall be for every Male Child to be baptized, two Godfathers, and one Godmother; and for every Female one Godfather and two Godmothers.] 3. The Godfathers and Godmothers only are to speak and covenant; without which it is no Baptism: Meer washing without Covenanting is no Christian Baptism, so that the Church of England doth make Godfathers essential to it. And what it is to add to the Essentials of so great an Ordinance of God as was instituted by Christ's own mouth, for so high an use as our Espousal to himself; judge you. 4. The Canon to which all must subscribe, saith [that he himself will use the form in the said Book prescribed in publick prayer and administration of the Sacrament, and no other. 5. The Act of Conventicles maketh it 20 l. the first time and, 40 l. every time after for above four to meet to worship God otherwise than according to the Liturgy, and practice of the Church of England. And to baptize without Godfathers is otherwise. 6. And then the Oxford Act banisheth them five miles from Corporations. Is not here sufficient proof.