Constantinus the great, was the first Christian Emperor: yet was not baptized until the time of his death. Qui, cum Nicomediae ageret, 1(saith Theodoretus) languore gravatus, nec ignorans vitae huius incertum, gratiam baptismatis est adeptus. Who, when he was at Nicomedia, being grievously sick, and knowing the uncertainty of this life, was baptised. The thief upon the cross, was not baptized: Yet Christ said unto him, this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. The Prophet Jeremiah, and John Bapt. were sanctified in their mothers wombs. By these few it may appear, that the sacrament maketh not a Christian, but is a seal & assurance unto all that receive it of the grace of God, unless they make themselves unworthy thereof: And that no man may despise this holy ordinance, & keep back his infants from baptism, for in so doing he procureth his own damnation. In time ⟨image 144⟩of ignorance many could see this, and acknowledge it, that the outward baptism by water was not necessary unto salvation, so that the children or others that died without it, were for lack thereof damned. The church hath always received three sorts of Baptism: the Baptism of the spirit, or of blood, or of water, If any were prevented by death, or hindered by cruelty or persecution, so that they could not receive the sacrament of Baptism at the hands of the minister, yet having the sanctification of the holy Ghost, or making their faith known by their suffering, they were borne a new, and baptized. God hath his purpose in us and our children. Before we be borne, when we had done neither good nor evil, he hath mercy and compassion on us. Judgement appertaineth unto God. He knoweth who are his. No man knoweth the things of God, but the sprite of God only. And thus much of the Sacrament of Baptism, which is the badge and cognisance of every Christian. If any be not baptised, but lacketh the mark of Gods fold, we cannot discern him to be one of the flock. If any take not the seal of regeneration, we cannot say, he is borne the child of God. This is the ordinary way, let us use it, let us not despise, nor foreslow to receive the Sacraments: they are the means by which God maketh sure his good will towards us.
Constantinus the great, was the first Christian Emperour: yet was not baptized vntill the time of his death. Qui, cum Nicomediae ageret, 1(saith Theodoretus) lāguore grauatus, nec ignorans vitae huius incertum, gratiam baptismatis est adeptus. Who, when he was at Nicomedia, being grieuously sick, and knowing the vncerteinty of this life, was baptised. The theef vpon the crosse, was not baptized: Yet Christe saide vnto him, this day thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise. The Prophete Ieremie, and Iohn Bapt. were sanctified in their mothers wombes. By these fewe it may appeare, that the sacrament maketh not a Christian, but is a seale & assurāce vnto all yt receiue it of the grace of God, vnlesse they make themselues vnworthy thereof: And yt no man may despise this holy ordinance, & keepe backe his infants frō baptisme, for in so doing he procureth his own dānation. In time ⟨image 144⟩of ignorance manie could see this, and acknowledge it, that the outwarde baptisme by water was not necessarie vnto saluation, so that the children or others that died without it, were for lacke thereof damned. The church hath alwayes receiued three sortes of Baptisme: the Baptisme of the spirit, or of blood, or of water, If any were preuented by death, or hindered by crueltie or persecution, so that they coulde not receiue the sacrament of Baptisme at the hands of the minister, yet haueing the sanctification of the holie Ghost, or making their faith knowne by their suffering, they were borne a newe, and baptized. God hath his purpose in vs and our children. Before we be borne, when we had dōe neither good nor euil, he hath mercie and compassion on vs. Iudgement appertaineth vnto God. He knoweth who are his. No man knoweth the thinges of God, but the sprite of God onely. And thus much of the Sacrament of Baptisme, which is the badge and cognisance of euery Christian. If any bee not baptised, but lacketh the marke of Gods folde, wee cannot discerne him to be one of the flocke. If anie take not the seale of regeneration, we cannot say, he is borne the childe of God. This is the ordinarie way, let vs vse it, let vs not despise, nor foreslow to receiue the Sacraments: they are the meanes by which God maketh sure his good will towardes vs.
- 1Hist. tripart. lib. 3, cap. 12.
