A26964:78
The nonconformists advocate
The nonconformists advocate, or, A farther account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written principally in vindication of A letter from a minister to a person of quality, showing some reasons for his nonconformity, modesty answering the exceptions of two violent opposers of the said reasons.The nonconformists advocate, or, A farther account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written principally in vindication of A letter from a minister to a person of quality, shewing some reasons for his nonconformity, modesty answering the exceptions of two violent opposers of the said reasons.
London: printed for Thomas Simmons, 1680
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.
Thirdly, I objected, that Godfathers and Godmothers are generally brought to the Font to a vouch a great untruth, and make themselves obnoxious of lying and Perjury in the Face of God, and the Church.1 You say, If they be guilty of this, this is their abuse of what is well intended. I answer, Whatsoever is found by along Quotidian experience to be the occasion of much sin, (if it be not in it self absolutely necessary to be done and continued) in prudence and piety also it ought to be disused.
- 1p. 5 l. 51.
1But say you, The Child also may not answer the intents and purposes of that solemn Vow in Baptism, neither the Father make good his promise on the behalf of him; and therefore if Godfathers and Godmothers shall be detained from engaging, for fear and danger of falsifying their promises and engagements, with parity of reason the Child also upon the same account may be detained from being baptized, and the Father likewise from being a Surety for him. I answer, What God commands is one thing, and what Man commands is another: Whatsoever God commands to be observed, must be observed without regarding Consequences (and such I hope you apprehend at least the Ordinance of Infant-baptism, if not also of the Father his then being chief Sponsor;) but in all humane commands and appointments consequences are much to be weighed and considered, either as a Motive for them, or a Bar against them; and therefore such humane commands should not be imposed which are never likely to be performed, much less those which (as such, and such circumstances may and often do arise and occur) are tantum non, next to an impossibility; now of this nature are those duties required of Godfathers and Godmothers, with reference to their God-children, and of this kind is the task imposed upon them, which yet rashly and inconsiderately enough they undertake to make good and fulfil. You know the charge then given them by the Minister, and have given it your self, I suppose, many and many a time, in these words; Forasmuch as this Child hath promised by you, his Sureties, to renounce the Devil, and all his works,