Commissioners Petitioning for Review of Book of Common Prayer, Commentary 2 · Topic 6
Of the CATECHISM.
[Though divers have of late been baptized without Godfathers,§ 31 p. 56. An. 3. yet many have been baptized with them, and those may answer the Question, as they are, the rest must answer according to truth: But there's no reason to alter the rule of the Catechism for some mens irregularities.
Rep. If you will have a Catechism proper to those that had Godfathers, give leave to others to use one that will teach them (as you say) to answer according to truth: And let us in the same have that liberty of leaving out the doubtful opinion of Godfathers and Godmothers, and that which we think too childish a beginning, What is your Name? and let us use one that speaks more of the necessary Doctrines of Salvation, and nothing but necessaries.
[We conceive this expression as safe as that which they desire, and more fully exrressing the efficacy of the Sacrament,§ 22▪ p. 2. according to St. Paul, the 26. and 27. Gal. 3. where St. Paul proves them all to be Children of God, because they were baptized, and in their Baptism had put on Christ; If children, then heirs, or which is all one, Inheritors, Rom. 8. 17.
Rep. By Baptism Paul means not the carkase of Baptism, but the baptismal dedication and covenanting with God: They that do this by themselves, if at age, or by Parents or Pro-parents authorized (if Infants) sincerely, are truly members of Christ, and children of God, and Heirs of Heaven: They that do this but hypocritically and verbally, as Simon Magus did, are visibly such as the others ate really; But really are still in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity, and have no part or lot in this business, their hearts being not right in the sight of God. This is that truth which we are ready to make good.
[We conceive the present Translation to be agreeable to many ancient Copies, § 3 p▪ 26. 10 Com.therefore the change to be needless▪]
Rep. What ancient copy hath (the seventh day) in the end of the 4th. Commandment, instead of the Sabbath-day? Did King James cause the Bible to be new translated to so little purpose: We must bear you witness, that in some cases you are not given to change.
[My duty towards God, &c.] It is not true that there is nothing in that Answer which refers to the 4th. Commandment,Excep. § 4. for the last words of the answer do orderly relate to the last Commandment of the first Table, which is the fourth.
Rep. And think you indeed, that the fourth commandment obligeth you no more to one day in seven, than equally (to all the dayes of your life) this Exposition may make us think that some are more serious then else we could have imagined, in praying after that commandment, Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts to keep this Law.
[Two onelyonly as generally necessary to salvation, Excep. § 5.&c.) These words are a Reason of the Answer that there are two only, & therefore not to be left out.
Rep. The words seem to imply by distinction, that there may be others not so necessary, and the Lords Supper was not by the Ancients taken to be necessary to the salvation of all.
[We desire that the entring of Infants, &c.] The effect of childrens Baptism depends neither upon their own present actual Faith and Repentance, which the Catechism saith expresly they cannot perform; nor upon the Faith and Repentance of their natural Parents, or Pro-parents, or of their Godfathers or Godmothers, but upon the Ordinance & Institution of Christ; but it is requisite that when they come to age they should perform these conditions of faith and repentance, for which also their Godfathers & Godmothers charitably undertook on their behalf. And what they do for the Infant in this case, the Infant himself is truly said to do, as in the Courts of this Kingdom daily the Infant does answer by his Guardian; and it is usual to do homage by proxy, and for Princes to marry by proxy; for the further justification of this answer, see St. Aug. Ep. …1. ad Bonif. Nihil aliud credere quam fidem habere ac per hoc cum respondetur parvulum credere qui fidei nondum habet effectum, respondetur fidem habere propter fidei Sacramentum & convertere se ad Deum, propter Conversionis Sacramentum quia & ipsa responsio, ad celebrationem pertinet Sacramenti itaque parvulum, & si nondum fides illa, que in credentium voluntate consister, tamen ipsius fidei Sacramentum
Repl. 1. You remove not at all the inconvenience of the words that seemeth to import what you your selves disclaim. 2. We know that the effects of Baptism, do depend on all the necess…ry con-causes on Gods mercy, or Christ's merits, on the Institution, and on Baptism it self according to its use, as a delivering investing Sign and Seal, and they depend upon the promise sealed by Baptism, and the promise supposeth the qualified sub…ect, or requisite Condition in him that shall have the benefit of it; to tell us therefore of a common Cause on which the ef…ect depends, v…z. the Institution or Baptism it self, when we are inquiring after the special condition that proveth the person to be the due subject, to whom both promise and Baptism doth belong: This is but to seem to make an Answer; Either all baptized absolutely are …ustified and saved, or not: If yea, then Christianity is another kind of thing than Peter or Paul understood, that thought it was not the washing of water, but the answer of a good Conscience to God: Then let us catch Heathens, and dip them, and save them in dispite of them: But if any condition be requisite (as we are sure there is) our question is, what it is, and you tell us of Baptism it self; did ever Augu…t. jure vel …, was to be esteemed a believer; we grant with Austin, that Infants of believers, propter Sacramentum fid…i, are visibly and professedly to be numbred with believers; but neither Austin nor we wil ever grant you that this is true, of all that you can catch; and use this form of Bapt…sm ever, the seal wil no… save them that have no part in the promise.
[The Catechism is not intended as a whole body of Divinity,Sect. 7. Page 28. but as a Comprehension of the Articles of Faith, and other Doctrines most necessary to salvation; and being short, is fittest for Children and common people; and as it was thought sufficient upon mature deliberation, and so is by us▪]
Rep. The Creed, the Decalogue, and the Lords Prayer, contain all that is absolutely necessary to salvation at least: If you intended no more, what need you make a Catechism? If you intend more, why have you no more. But except in the very words of the Creed, the essentials of Christianity are left out; if no explication be necessary, trouble them with no more then the Text of the Creed, &c. If explication be necessary, let them have it; at least in a larger Catechism, fitter for the riper.