The English Nonconformity Under King Charles II and James II, Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. Point X. Of denying Baptism to them that refuse the Cross.
M.
BUT the practice of Crossing is disputable, and I lay not so sharp a censure on them that differ from us in it: But what excuse can be made by a man of Christian charity, and consideration for denying Baptism to all that refuse this crossing, I confess I cannot imagine, nor could ever hear.
L.
Their excuse is, that Crossing being lawful, the Refusers are disorderly Schismaticks, and they and their Children (as theirs) uncapable of Baptism. They say it is not they, but you that are the Refusers. They offer to baptize you or your Child, and you refuse it.
M.
1. They know that it is not Baptism but Crossing that is refused: And if they will not administer one without the other, they are the refusers. If one refuse the Papists Exorcism, Salt, Spittle, &c. and they will not baptize without it, do they not deny to Baptize, unless one will receive all these? If God will justifie them for rejecting all that think it a sin to receive their Crossing, then it is not them to whom it is to be imputed. But can that be true?
1. Christ that instituted Baptism, ordained the conditions of it, and the qualifications of such as shall be baptized, Mat. 28. and Mark 16. 16. He that believed was to be Baptized. Act. 28. If thou believe with all thy heart thou mayest: No, saith the Canon you shall not, though you repent and believe, unless also you will take the covenanting Badge of the Cross. Is not this to alter the terms of Christ's Covenant and Sacrament, and directly to contradict his very fundamental Law of Christianity? Baptize all that are made disciples, saith Christ, and all that repent and believe: No saith our Convocation, baptize none of them that will not take the transient Image of a Cross, for their farther obligation.
2. Do you that think it is necessary to Christianity and Salvation know that this Federal Crossing is lawful? if you affirm it, you must say the same of all ceremonies of the same importance, and so must make a hundred new Articles of Faith, even of Ceremonies and such little things, and make them all necessary to Christianity and Salvation? And is not this to make a new Gospel, Christianity, and Church, and to turn Christ's easie Yoke into a worse than the slavery of Pharisaical Traditions? And is not this to shut all, or almost all men out of Heaven? No one on earth doth know that this, and all such ceremonies, and inventions of men are lawful: And must every one know it that will be a Christian, or have his child made one? Or must we all (as necessary to Christianity) believe all such things lawful if the Clergy do but say they are? And what if the Clergy in one Land say it is, and in another, say it is not: Must both be believed? Have wise Bishops no fitter penalty to enforce their usurping Canons by, than denying Christendom and Salvation? One would think it should be enough for the Preachers of humility to say, [We are so wise that he that differeth practically from us in that which we call an indifferent ceremony, and he calls a sinful corruption of baptism, shall be punished as much as Swearers, Drunkards and Fornicators be, or shall be made a slave with his Children] without denying them Christianity and Salvation. But the best is, all cannot keep men out of Heaven that boast of the power of the Keys; and there is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy.
L.
You make a heinous cruelty of it, as if it were oppression and tyranny to souls, and they say that they impose nothing on you but things indifferent.
M.
Must their indifferent things be enforced with so great penalty as damnation? If every one cannot love every Dish that they love, or get down every Pill that they give him, but he be famish'd therefore, or have his thro at cut wider? I had rather live and die a Chimney-sweeper, or a Channel cleanser, or a Keeper of Swine, than a Bishop that should put Christ's Disciples and their seed, whom he commandeth them to baptize, Mat. 28. 19. from his Covenant and Church, and specially when themselves make Baptism more necessary and certainly saving, than it is.
L.
But you may venture to baptize such if you will.
M.
What, when I have covenanted Assent and Consent to all things in their Book, and subscribed to use no other form in baptizing; and also must be cast out for it?