Gold refined, or, Baptism in its primitive purity proving baptism in water an holy…Gold refin'd, or, Baptism in its primitive purity proving baptism in water an holy…

But suppose the Munster-Story as to matter of Fact were true, and that some of those Anabaptists were very ill Men, and guilty of several immoral Actions, and held great Errors, yet how unreasonable and uncharitable a thing is it to render all those People of that Persuasion in those times, and also since to be as bad and as like guilty? especially considering that the Principle and Practice of baptizing believing Men and Women in it self is so harmless a thing, and no ways tends to lead Persons to such Evils? For by the same Rule might not the best and most holy Church and People in the World, or ever were in the World, be censured and reproached, and neither the Church of the Jews, nor the Gospel-Church in the Apostles days escape, sith in the first there were very ill Persons, as Chora, Dathan, and Abiram, and many others, and in the last a Judas, a Diatrophes, an incestuous Person^*, who was guilty of worse or more shameful Fornication then what was amongst the Gentiles, as the Apostle affirms? Besides, as Mr. Danvers observes, those of the same Opinion in former times are acknowledged to be godly and good Men, or have an honourable Character given them, and this too by the ample and authentic Testimony from their greatest Enemies; he cites Rai•trus, the ⟨p. 160⟩Bloody Inquisitor of those in France, and Baronius, and Cassander of those in Germany; nay, and Mr. Baxter himself, who, though he has been found free enough in his Reproaches, yet to give him his due, is pleased to witness to our Innocency in this Nation, take his own words: saith he,² That Anabaptists are godly Men that differ from us in a Point so difficult, that many of the Papists and Prelatists have maintained, that it is not determined in the Scripture, but dependeth upon Tradition of the Church: And I know as good and sober Men of that Mind, as of theirs who are most against them, &c. And again he saith, that Augustin, and many Children of Christians were baptized at Age; and that the Controversy is of so great difficulty, that if in all such cases none that differ be tolerated, we may not live together in the World or Church, but endlessly excommunicate or prosecute one another.

But suppose the Munster-Story as to matter of Fact were true, and that some of those Anabaptists were very ill Men, and guilty of several immoral Actions, and held great Errors, yet how unreasonable and uncharitable a thing is it to render all those People of that Perswasion in those times, and also since to be as bad and as like guilty? especially considering that the Principle and Practice of baptizing believing Men and Women in it self is so harmless a thing, and no ways tends to lead Persons to such Evils? For by the same Rule might not the best and most holy Church and People in the World, or ever were in the World, be censured and reproached, and neither the Church of the Jews, nor the Gospel-Church in the Apostles days escape, sith in the first there were very ill Persons, as Chora, Dathan, and Abiram, and many others, and in the last a Judas, a Diatrophes, an incestuous Person