A sober reply to the sober answer of Reverend Mr. Cawdrey, to A serious…

Then you come to my first premise, which is, [The Infant abstracted from the Parent,¹ gives no reason why it should be baptized] this say you is otherwise propounded by Mr. Hooker [then its unlikely to be borrowed of him] then you tell me it is not rightly proposed: yes Sir; very right: it is ordinary with Divines to lay a proposition first further off,² then to come nearer; neither do I see that you have one whit censured it but yielded it: do you baptize any Child in your parish without considering it in relation to a Parent? do you consider it in it self abstracted from any other, and yet baptize it? I pray make an argument out of that Text in your Titlepage, Mar, 10.14. (which I presume you bring for Infants baptism) and consider the Infant alone as abstracted from the Parent: you say presently here, the Children of England are Christians borne, how? by reason of the house, soil, or the Parent? then its a Christian child, and in relation to such a one it is baptised. Thus you find fault with Mr. Hooker, but if you will cross him,³ or my self [who am not worthy to be named in the day with him] lay down this proposition, viz. The Infants of England quâ sic, considered as abstracted from any where, ought to be baptised; if you will maintain this, then I confess you may find fall.

Then you come to my first premise, which is, [The Infant abstracted from the Parens,¹ gives no reason why it should be baptized] this say you is otherwise propounded by Mr. Hooker [then its unlikely to be borrowed of him] then you tell me it is not rightly proposed: yes Sir; very right: it is ordinary with Divines to lay a proposition first further off,² then to come nearer; neither doe I see that you have one whit consured it but yeelded it: doe you baptize any Child in your parish without considering it in relation to a Parent? do you consider it in it selse abstracted from any other, and yet baptize it? I pray make an argument out of that Tex• in your Titlepage, Mar, 10.14. (which I preslime you bring for Infants baptisme) and consider the Infant alone as abstracted from the Parent: you say presently here, the Children of England are Christians borne, how? by reason of the house, soile, or the Parent? then its a Christian child, and in relation to such a one it is baptised. Thus you finde fault with Mr. Hooker, but if you will crosse him,