The Cross in Baptism, Title page – Proof texts
A SHORTE TREATISE, OF the croſſe in Baptiſme contracted into this ſyllogiſme.
No humane ordinance becomming an Idoll, may lawfully be vſed in the ſeruice of God.
But the ſigne of the croſſe being a humane ordinance is become an Idoll:
ergo. The ſigne of the croſſe may not lawfully be vſed in the ſeruice of God.
Amſterdam Printed by I. H. 1604.
The latine avthorities Engliſhed.
1 They which will treat of all ſortes of Idolatrie, muſt needes take the name of an Idoll in a larger ſignification. By the name therefore of an Idoll is vnderſtood: whatſoeuer beſides the true God a man doth propoſe or frame to himſelfe to be worſhipped, either ſimplie, or in ſome reſpect.
2 For Idolls or images hauehave greater power to corrupt a ſilly ſoule, in that they hauehave a mouth, eyes, eares, noſe, handes, feete, then to correct it, in that they neyther heare, ſmell &c.
3 The ſigne of the Croſſe which is made in the forehead, or in the ayre, is ſacred and venerable.
4 We adore the ſigne of the Croſſe, by which we hauehave receaued the Sacrament of ſaluation.
5 The chriſtians from Chriſts time hithervnto hauehave worſhipped with the higheſt louelove, both the woode of the Lords croſſe, & the ſigne of the croſſe: with which they dayly fence themfelues.
6 Defend me Ieſu, from all euill vices paſt, preſent: and to come, by the ſigne of holy croſſe: and by the in eſtimable price of thy iuſt and precious bloud.
7 If thou ſeeke any law for this in ſcripture, thou ſhalt find none. Tradition is avouched to be the author, cuſtome the confirmer, and faith the obſeruer.
8 At eueryevery paſſage, at eueryevery ſetting forward, at eueryevery cominge in and goeing out, at putting on of our clothes, ſhoes, &c. We stampe our forhead with the ſigne of the croſſe.
9 And with often croſſinge guard thy for head, that the deſtroyer of Egipt find no place in thee.
10 Chriſts followers doe by the ſigne of the Croſſe, ſhut out the vncleane ſpirites.
11 The Croſſe guardeth the minde, it taketh revenge on the deuill, it cureth the deſeaſes of the ſoule &c.
12 Whoſe vertue, perfecteth all ſacramentes: without which ſigne nothing is holy, nor any conſecration tak…th effect, and whoſoeuer are the Miniſters of the Sacramentes, whatſoeuer hands doe dypp or annoynt the comers to Baptiſme, out of whatſoeuer mouth the ſacreed word doe proceed, the authoritie of operation doth by the ſigne of the Croſſe, make effectuallall Sacraments.