A41334:100
A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious…
A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious question propounded viz. whether the ministers of England are bound by the word of God to baptise the children of all such parents, which say they believe in Jesus Christ, but are grossly ignorant, scandalous in their conversations, scoffers at godliness, and refuse to submit to church discipline ... : also, the question of Reverend Mr. Hooker concerning the baptism of infants : with a post-script to Reverend Mr. Blake / by G.I. Firmin ...A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious question propounded viz. whether the ministers of England are bound by the word of God to baptise the children of all such parents, which say they believe in Jesus Christ, but are grosly ignorant, scandalous in their conversations, scoffers at godliness, and refuse to submit to church dicipline ... : also, the question of Reverend Mr. Hooker concerning the baptisme of infants : with a post-script to Reverend Mr. Blake / by G.I. Firmin ...
London: printed by J.G., 1653
A SOBER REPLY TO A SOBER ANSWER, &c.A SOBER REPLY TO A SOBER ANSVVER, &c.
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.
By this time I hope I have cleared my self in the Judgement of an indifferent Reader from Self-confutation; I knew this Church-membership was the strongest Argument that could be brought, and therefore mentioned it; that Church-members might challenge any Ordinance, while let alone, I could not think otherwise, but that therefore I was bound to administer the Seals, as if their challenging, which comes only by reason of their Toleration in the Church, would make my Administration warrantable, though they are never so wicked, and tolerated sinfully, this I could not believe. So that my Self confutation ariseth from something, you put upon me, which I own not; the great strength then of your Book against me, I hope is weakened, and all those answers from hence, which you make great use of, are no answers.
By this time I hope I have cleared my selfe in the Judgement of an indifferent Reader from Selfe-confutation; I knew this Church-membership was the strongest Argument that could be brought, and therefore mentioned it; that Church-members might challenge any Ordinance, while let alone, I could not thinke otherwise, but that therefore I was bound to administer the Seals, as if their challenging, which comes onely by reason of their Toleration in the Church, would make my Administration warrantable, though they are never so wicked, and tolerated sinfully, this I could not believe. So that my Selfe confutation ariseth from something, you put upon mee, which I owne not; the great strength then of your Booke against me, I hope is weakned, and all those answers from hence, which you make great use of, are no answers.
Before I pass to a further examination of your Answer, let me propound one thing more, wherein I heartily desire satisfaction from you, being not clear in the thing my self, viz. Whether all the People in England (under which we comprehend Wales) be Members of true Churches? for if it can be proved that all the Congregations in England, are not true Churches, then I should have an Argument strong enough against you: but sir, I am not so satisfied to say they are not, nor yet so clear to say they are; Therefore I desire to learn.