A41334:90
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.
Now Sir, I apply this: you say all these are Church-Members tolerated, they can therefore challenge Baptism, and because their Toleration give them a Right, Therefore the word binds me to Baptize their Children. But Sir, may I not better put these off for a time until by Catechizing of them, they come to understand Sin, Christ, and the Covenant of Grace? the word saith, Teach and Baptize, yea say you, at the first constitution; but if we find such persons as you call Members, continued in constituted Churches that are ignorant in the knowledge of Sin, Covenant of Grace, yea and of Christ [save only they have taken up such a Name that there is one Christ, and the Nation receives him] as ⟨p. 13⟩are the very Heathen, (nay for sin, the Heathen know more) is there not as much and more reason to Teach these before I will Baptize by virtue of them, let the Reader judge.
Now Sir, I apply this: you say all these are Church-Members tolerated, they can therefore challenge Baptisme, and because their Toleration give them a Right, Therefore the word bindes me to Baptize their Childen. But Sir, may I not better put these off for a time untill by Catechizing of them, they come to understand Sinne, Christ, and the Covenant of Grace? the word saith, Teach and Baptize, yea say you, at the first constitution; but if we finde such persons as you call Members, continued in constituted Churches that are ignorant in the knowledge of Sin, Covenant of Grace, yea and of Christ [save onely they have taken up such a Name that there is one Christ, and the Nation receives him] as ⟨p. 13⟩are the very Heathen, (nay for sin, the Heathen know more) is there not as much and more reason to Teach these before I will Baptize by vertue of them, let the Reader judge.
Am I bound to Baptize a Child presently so soon as it is brought? They make nothing to keep Children a fortnight, a month, yea more (according as their occasions are) before they will offer them to Baptism, may not I thn, finding the Parents unfit, delay if it be two months, till they are taught before I will Baptize? What is the danger, where is the Rule broken, where am I tied to Baptize one so soon as offered, though never so unfit? the eight day that was set for Circumcision, concerns not us, we can Baptize before if we will.