Apology of Certain Christians, Chapter 2
CHAP. II. Of the administration of Baptism.
THE Dutch Reformed Churches (as is evident by their practise compared with then profession) are neither so true unto their own grounds,See I…arm. of C…nfess. Belg. & French, Calvin, Be…a. &c. as they ought, neither do they so well provide for the dignitie of the thing, whilst they administer the Sacrament of Baptism to the infants of such, as are not within the Covenant, nor have either parent a member of any Church, because
1. Baptism now (as circumcision of ould) is the seal of the covenant of God with the faythfull, and their seed,C…los. 2, 11, 12. I will be thy God and the God of thy seed. Genes. 17, 9. and the seal of the righteousnes of fayth. Rom. 4, 11. and is one, as there is one sayth, and one baptism. Ephes. 4, 4, 5. and therefore ought not to be administred to others, then those within the compasse of the same covenant: nor but upon fayth coming between, either of the partie to be baptized, or of one parent at the least. If any shall answer, that this gratious promise of God is not to be restreined to the next immediate children, but is extended euen to those, who follow a fa…r off, I grant it, except infidelitie, or other sin come between; by which the parents with themselvs break off their seed externally & actually from the cōmunion of the church, & holy things thereof. And if we be not to insist in the next, and immediate parent, why in the grand-father, or great-grand-father, and so for the rest, till we climbe up, as high, as to No…h himself? Whereupon it should follow, that not the Infants of Iewes, nor of Turks, no nor of Gentiles neither, should have baptism denyed them. Surely the grace of Christ must needs be universall, and wherein all have interest, if the seal thereof apperteyn unto all. Neither should the Church (amongst whose sacred furniture Baptism is) by this rule be any more the house of God, peculiar to his children and servants; but more like a common In, whose doore stands wide open to all that passe by the high way.
2. The Apostle 1 Corinth. 7, 14. upon this ground, that the one parent is a beleever, avoweth the childe holy: which otherwise he pronounceth impure, in respect of the Covenant, and holynes thereof (leaving unto God his secret judgments). Now what have the impure, and unhallowed to do with the holy things of God? And what hath the Pastour, and sheepheard in holy things to do with them, who are no portion of the Lords flock? What have I to doe (sayth the Apostle) to judg them that are without? Do not ye judg them that are within? 1 Cor. 5, 12.So (reverend brethren) what have you to do, to baptize them that are without? do you not baptize them that are within, and them alone? In the number of whom yet you reckon not those infants (though baptized by you) nor belonging to your charge. Whence also (God knoweth) it cometh to passe, for the most part, that they who are thus by you baptized into the name of the Lord, are by their godlesse parents education made the servants of Sathan.
3. The Baptism of Infants, in all soundnes of judgment, serveth, and that immediately for the comfort of their godly parents; whose hearts it filleth with no small joy, whilst they behould the gratious promise of God made to them and their seed, ratified and confirmed by this seal: even as of ould the circumcision of Isaak was granted, and injoyned by God unto Abraham his, and our father, first and immediately, for the confirmation of his fayth. Whence I conclude, that the seal of the righteousnes of faith (which baptism is) doth no more belong to the seed of godlesse parents, then doth the comfort flowing from the righteousnes of fayth unto the parents themselvs. Whom as it would effectually move to more serious, and sad thoughts of their own estate with God, if they beheld their infants (so dear unto them) excluded thorough their default from the comfortable …eal of Gods Covenant; so can they not but, by the undue administration of the same, take occasion of hardening themselvs in their accustomed perversnes. I conclude then with Tertullian speaking (as Iunius interprets him) of the children of such,T…tul of …ipt. ch. 18. Iu…us annot. in ide… cap. as were strangers from the covenant of God, Let them come, when they are grown to year…s; let them when they have learned, and are taught wherefore they come; let them then be made Christians, when they can know Christ.