A26959:708
More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…
More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second defence of our infant rights and mercies in three parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for N. Simmons and J. Robinson, 1675
Chapter 4: Of Mr. Danvers's his Witnesses against Infant-Baptism.
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.
Answ. Some will laugh at these things, but I had rather mourn for the poor peoples snares. 1. It's false that Constance was a Christian, at least when Constantine was young. No regardable history maketh him any better than a moderate favourer of the Christians. 2. It is not provable that Helena was one in Constantine's Infancy. 3. There is no probability that he was born in England, as many Learned men have proved. 4. It is certain he was educated and lived in other Lands. 5. He was no Christian in his youth himself, nor professed it till after he was Emperor: The sign of a Cross appearing in the skies and his victory thereupon is said to be the means. 6. He lived long at Rome, and Constantinople, and elsewhere before he was Baptized. And was that a certain proof that none of those Countries were for Infant-Baptism, no nor for Baptism at Conversion neither, because Constantine was not Baptized! 7. He kept in with the Philosophers (having one at his Table familiar with him) to hold all parties to him. 8. And many in those times thought that all sin being pardoned at Baptism, they must live much strictlier after they were Baptized, and were in much more danger by their sin, and therefore would not be Baptized till old, as Constantine when he was like to die. And now where is this mans clear proof that the Britons were Anabaptists?
Answ. Some will laugh at these things, but I had rather mourn for the poor peoples snares. 1. It's false that Constance was a Christian, at least when Constantine was young. No regardable history maketh him any better than a moderate favourer of the Christians. 2. It is not proveable that Helena was one in Constantines Infancy. 3. There is no probability that he was born in England, as many Learned men have proved. 4. It is certain he was educated and lived in other Lands. 5. He was no Christian in his youth himself, nor professed it till after he was Emperor: The sign of a Cross appearing in the skies and his victory thereupon is said to be the means. 6. He lived long at Rome, and Constantinople, and elsewhere before he was Baptized. And was that a certain proof that none of those Countreys were for Infant-Baptism, no nor for Baptism at Conversion neither, because Constantine was not Baptized! 7. He kept in with the Philosophers (having one at his Table familiar with him) to hold all parties to him. 8. And many in those times thought that all sin being pardoned at Baptism, they must live much strictlier after they were Baptized, and were in much more danger by their sin, and therefore would not be Baptized till old, as Constantine when he was like to die. And now where is this mans clear proof that the Britains were Anabaptists?