The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

§ 44. Having oft said that we desire Christian Kingdoms as the great blessing of the world, we mean not either that 1. All in a Kingdom should be forced to be baptized, or profess themselves ⟨p. 300⟩Christians, whether they are so or not: For lying will not save men, nor please God; and even the Papists are against this: 2. Nor that all should be supposed to be Christians that are in the Kingdom. But that the Kings be Christians, and the Laws countenance Christianity, and the most or ruling part of the Kingdom be Christians, and all just endeavours used to make all the rest so: The Ancient Churches continued them Catechumens till they were fit for Baptism; and though they were for Infant-Baptism, they compelled none to be baptized in Infancy, or at Age, but left it to free choice. They baptized but twice a year ordinarily. They kept many offenders many years from communion. And if Crabs Roman Council sub silvest be true, they at Rome admitted not penitents till forty years (understand it as you see cause:) The true Elibertine Canons kept many out so many years, and many till death, and many absolutely, as showed that they were far from taking all the Nation into the Church. And the Christian Emperors compelled none. It was long before the greatest part of the Empire were Christians. In the days of Valens, the Bishops were some of them banished into places that had few Christians, if any. In France it self, even in St. Martin's days, the Christians of his flock were not the most, but he wrought miracles to convince the Heathens that raged against Christianity, where he dwelt, &c.

§ 44. Having oft said that we desire Christian Kingdoms as the great blessing of the world, we mean not either that 1. All in a Kingdom should be forced to be baptized, or profess themselves ⟨p. 300⟩Christians, whether they are so or not: For lying will not save men, nor please God; and even the Papists are against this: 2. Nor that all should be supposed to be Christians that are in the Kingdom. But that the Kings be Christians, and the Laws countenance Christianity, and the most or ruling part of the Kingdom be Christians, and all just endeavours used to make all the rest so: The Ancient Churches continued them Catechumens till they were fit for Baptism; and though they were for Infant-Baptism, they compelled none to be baptized in Infancy, or at Age, but left it to free choice. They baptized but twice a year ordinarily. They kept many offenders many years from communion. And if Crabs Roman Council sub silvest be true, they at Rome admitted not penitents till fourty years (understand it as you see cause:) The true Elibertine Canons kept many out so many years, and many till death, and many absolutely, as shewed that they were far from taking all the Nation into the Church. And the Christian Emperours compelled none. It was long before the greatest part of the Empire were Christians. In the daies of Valens, the Bishops were some of them banished into places that had few Christians, if any. In France it self, even in St. Martin's daies, the Christians of his flock were not the most, but he wrought miracles to convince the Heathens that raged against Christianity, where he dwelt, &c.