A47591:1483
Light broke forth in Wales, expelling darkness, or, The Englishman's love to the ancient…Light broke forth in Wales, expelling darkness, or, The Englishman's love to the antient…
Light broke forth in Wales, expelling darkness, or, The Englishman's love to the ancient Britons [sic] being an answer to a book, intituled [sic] Children's baptism from Heaven, published in the Welsh tongue by Mr. James Owen / by Benjamin Keach.Light broke forth in Wales, expelling darkness, or, The Englishman's love to the antient Britains [sic] being an answer to a book, iutituled [sic] Children's baptism from Heaven, published in the Welsh tongue by Mr. James Owen / by Benjamin Keach.
London: printed by William Marshall, 1696
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.
4. That he doth it freely and voluntarily, and with his full liking, approbation and Consent, neither of which do, nor can do those poor Infants you force to enter into this Covenant. These things considered, it appears, as it is a sinful Act in you to bring them into this Covenant (since 'tis done without Command or Authority from God) so 'tis cruelty also towards your own Babes, by making them to become guilty of Perjury, and thereby damning (as Mr. Williams says) their own Souls.
4. That he doth it freely and voluntarily, and with his full liking, approbation and Consent, neither of which do, nor can do those poor Infants you force to enter into this Covenant. These things consider'd, it appears, as it is a sinful Act in you to bring them into this Covenant (since 'tis done without Command or Authority from God) so 'tis cruelty also towards your own Babes, by making them to become guilty of Perjury, and thereby damning (as Mr. Williams says) their own Souls.
5. Consider every true Believer that is listed under Christ's Banner, by entering into this Baptismal Covenant, is by Christ completely armed, i. e. he hath the Christian Armour put upon him, Ephes. 6. He hath the Brest-plate of Righteousness, the Shield of Faith, and for a Helmet, the hope of Salvation; and the Word of God, like a Sword in his Hand, to cut down all his Enemies. ⟨p. 270⟩Thus by the help of these Sacred Graces of the Spirit, he is enabled to fight against Sin, the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. But alas! you list your poor Babes into this War, and make them Covenant and Vow to forsake the Devil and all his Works, the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World, and all the sinful lusts of the Flesh, but Arm them not. Did Baptism confer Grace and Arm their Souls, it was something, but who dares assert that? Or if he does, who will or can believe him.