A41334:15
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
To the reader: TO THE COURTEOUS READER.To the reader: TO THE COƲRTEOƲS READER.
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.
I was somewhat ashamed to see so holy and able a mans as Mr. Hooker, to be joined with me by Mr. Cawdrey: if the nearness of a holy man will shame one, what will the nearness of a holy God do? But since Providence hath done it, I did a little more seriously consider of Mr. Hookers question, though different from mine, and I hope […] have so cleared Mr. Hooker out of himself, that it will give content to the Reader. If I write against the Truth, Christ will, and I desire he would blast it.
I was somewhat ashamed to see so holy and able a mans as Mr. Hooker, to be joyned with me by Mr. Cawdrey: if the neereness of a holy man will shame one, what will the neerenesse of a holy God doe? But since Providence hath done it, I did a little more seriously consider of Mr. Hookers question, though different from mine, and I hope 〈…〉 have so cleared Mr. Hooker out of himselfe, that it will give content to the Reader. If I write against the Truth, Christ will, and I desire he would blast it.
The Reader may perceive by the mentioning of that eminent man of God Mr. Daniel Roger•, of Wetherfield, that this Treatise was finished before his Death, and I sent this Reply to him to view over; he sent me them back with this Letter.
Dear Cousin Firmin, I have sent you both your Books again, I have read them over and see nothing wherein you fail in answer to Mr. Cawdrey: But I confess my thoughts are not so throughly heat, as yours are, to weigh all circumstances, and passages of difference between you and him: its only the concernment of such as are [Greek or Hebrew]. But as for further following Mr. Cawdrey, you do well to tell him you will henceforth manum de tabula, and I pray hold your mind: if of reading Books, then surely of writing such as these, there will be no end. I suppose your hast of printing hath made you think long; I doubt not but you have sufficiently proved, that your Arguments are not so weak, as your adversary in his disdainful conceit hath imputed to you.