Works, Part 4 · Religious instruction · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. Of Baptisme.
BAptisme is a pledge of our washing in Christs blood, Act. 2. 30. of ourBaptisme, how effectuall in the faithfull. iustification, Gal. 3. 27. of our ingrafting into Christs body, Ephe. 4. 16. of our dying to sinne, Rom. 6. 3. of our resurrection, 1. Cor. 15. 26. of our vnitie of spirit with our brethren, Ephe. 44. of not seeking our owne, 1. Cor. 10. 1. 2. 24.
2 Of Baptisme in Papistry this we may say, for as much as theyBaptisme in Poperie. euer kept the foundation, & the substance of the institution of Christ, that Sacrament was effectuall: for more preuaileth the institution of Christ vntounto good, than the corruption of man vntounto euill.
3 The example of Zipphorah cannot be followed amongst vsus, that women should baptize; Baptisme of women vnlawfull. 2. Cor. 5. 18. 19. 20.though Papists abuse that example to proue it: for the ministration of the Sacrament is ioyned to the ministerie of the word, which office none can take, except he be called as Aaron was: and it is a most waightie and most honourable office, to hauehave the word and seales of our reconciliation committed vntounto vsus.
4 It is obiected, that it is a dangerous matter to want Baptisme, it causeth death. I answere: The child (saith the story) was not punished, but Moses, through whom that contempt came: for when as it is said, Gen. 17. that the man not circumcised shall be cut off, the reason is this, because he despiseth the couenant of the Lord. Now a child cānot so do,Contempt of Baptisme, dangerous: not the omission. therefore the negligent father is punished: and if the child come to yeeres, & continue in his fathers steps, he is in the same state of rebellion & contempt against God; and so it is in our Baptisme. Againe, this popish opinion of the necessitie of Baptisme, is confuted by the Lords institution of Circumcision the eight day; for if this necessitie had been in Circumcision, which they affirme to be in Baptisme, all that dyed before the eight day were condemned. The Lords meaning was in appointing this conuenient time, to prouide that the child might hauehave more strength to beare the wound: and this regard of time is fit to be obserued also with vsus, that this holy worke might be done on the Sabbath day in the congregation, because it is a publike action by diuine institution.
5 Concerning promises in Baptisme, and the office of the witnesses, which be calledGodfathers in Baptisme. Godfathers and Godmothers, looke in what things the Scripture giueth general rules, the Church may vse the particulars, so all be done decently and to edification: the law giueth this generall instruction to a man in authoritie, to defend the good, and to offend the euill: he may to this end take some godly man to him for an assistant. The law commanding generally to distribute to the poore, a man is not able to helpe all particularly, therefore he endeuoureth the relieuing of some speciall persons. The law commanding generally to helpe one another with godly instructions, and no greater need to any, than to a father, in helping him for the education of children, surely this dutie of louelove to be an assistant in Baptisme may not be denied. Againe, to professe ourselues enemies. to Arrianisme, we vse, Glorie be to the Father, and to the Son, &c. all one with that so often in the Psalmes, Praise yee the Lord: So may we in like manner to auoid Anabaptisme, hauehave witnesses to testifie to the Church that we are Christianly baptized. And as we are to renounce all friuolous ceremonies, so to keepe the peace of the Church, we may not refuse such orders as tend to edification, to louelove, and comelinesse in the Church.
6 It is good to teach children while they be young, that whereas they hauehave been baptized,Catechising. and blessed in the name of the Trinitie, they should be taught forthwith some questions concerning their creation, redemption and sanctification.