Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

THERE being divers Learned, Pious, and Peaceable Ministers, who not only judge it unlawful to Baptize Children, whose Parents both of them are Atheists, Infidels, Heretics, or Unbaptized, but also such whose Parents are Excommunicate Persons, Fornicators, or otherwise notorious and scandalous Sinners; We desire they may not be enforced to Baptize the Children of such, until they have made due Profession of their Repentance. Before Baptism. Rubric. | Exception. Parents shall give notice over night, or in the morning. | We desire that more timely notice may be given. Rubric. | Exception. And the Godfathers, and the Godmothers, and the people with the Children, &c. | Here is no mention of the Parents, in whose right the Child is baptised, and who are fittest both to dedicate it unto God, and to covenant for it: We do not know that any Persons, except the Parents, or some others appointed by them, have any Power to consent for the Children, or to enter them into Covenant. We desire it may be left free to Parents, whether they will have Sureties to undertake for their Children in Baptism or no. Rubric. | Exception. Ready at the Font. | We desire it may be so placed as all the Congregation may best see and hear the whole Administration. In the first Prayer. | By the Baptism of thy Well-beloved Son, &c. didst sanctify the Flood Jordan, and all other waters to the Mystical washing away of Sin, &c. | It being doubtful whether either the Flood Jordan, or any other Waters were sanctified to a Sacramental Use, by Christ's being baptized, and not necessary to be asserted, we desire this may be otherwise expressed. The third Exhortation. | Do promise by you that be their Sureties. | We know not by what right the Sureties do promise and answer in the Name of the Infant: it seemeth to us also to countenance the Anabaptistical Opinion of the necessity of an actual Profession of Faith and Repentance in Order to Baptism. That such a Profession may be required of Parents in their own Name, and now solemnly renewed when they present their Children to Baptism, we willingly grant: but the asking of one for another is a Practice whose warrant we doubt of;

THERE being divers Learned, Pious, and Peaceable Ministers, who not only judge it unlawful to Baptize Children, whose Parents both of them are Atheists, Infidels, Hereticks, or Unbaptised, but also such whose Parents are Excommunicate Persons, Fornicators, or otherwise notorious and scandalous Sinners; We desire they may not be enforced to Baptize the Children of such, until they have made due Profession of their Repentance. Before Baptism. Rubrick. | Exception. Parents shall give notice over night, or in the morning. | We desire that more timely notice may be given. Rubrick. | Exception. And the Godfathers, and the Godmothers, and the people with the Children, &c. | Here is no mention of the Parents, in whose right the Child is baptised, and who are fittest both to dedicate it unto God, and to covenant for it: We do not know that any Persons, except the Parents, or some others appointed by them, have any Power to consent for the Children, or to enter them into Covenant. We desire it may be left free to Parents, whether they will have Sureties to undertake for their Children in Baptism or no. Rubrick. | Exception. Ready at the Font. | We desire it may be so placed as all the Congregation may best see and hear the whole Administration. In the first Prayer. | By the Baptism of thy Welbeloved Son, &c. didst sanctifie the Flood Jordan, and all other waters to the Mystical washing away of Sin, &c. | It being doubtful whether either the Flood Iordan, or any other Waters were sanctified to a Sacamental Use, by Christ's being baptized, and not necessary to be asserted, we desire this may be otherwise expressed. The third Exhortation. | Do promise by you that be their Sureties. | We know not by what right the Sureties do promise and answer in the Name of the Infant: it seemeth to us also to countenance the Anabaptistical Opinion of the necessity of an actual Profession of Faith and Repentance in Order to Baptism. That such a Profession may be required of Parents in their own Name, and now solemnly renewed when they present their Children to Baptism, we willingly grant: but the asking of one for another is a Practice whose warrant we doubt of;