Baptism, Part 2 · Chapter 2

Baptism · Part 2 · Chapter 2

p. 107CHAP. II. Wherein by an Hiſtorical Account of Infants Baptiſm in its Riſe and Eſtabliſhment, viz. when, by whom, and to what ends inſtituted, it doth appear, that there was no authentick Practice thereof for 300, nor any humane A… thority enjoyning it till 400 years after Chriſt. Together with an account alſo of its growth, and how, and by what lying Authorities it was; with many ſuperſtitious Rites, founded upon Apoſtolical Tradition; with the impious and ridiculous fooleries added to it in every Age.

FRom the learned Authorities before given, we have gained thus much; That as there was no Precept in Scripture for the baptizing of Infants, ſo neither was there the leaſt Practice to be p. 108found thereof in the Apoſtl's dayes, as was ſo ingenuouſly before confeſſed by the Magdiburgenſes, Luther, Calvin, Eraſmus, Rogers, &c.

Secondly, That the approved Practice, and known Cuſtom of the Primitive Church was to baptize the Adult, as all Ages acknowledge, and only they (at leaſt) for the firſt Ages, as ſo fully atteſted by Euſebius, Beatus Rhenanus, Lud. Vives, Bullinger, Haimo, the Neocaeſarian Councel, &c.

Thirdly, That not only the Children of Pagans were as the Catachumens, to be inſtructed and taught in the Faith, in order to their Baptiſm; but the Children of the Chriſtians alſo, as thoſe famous Inſtances given from the Fourth Century, by Field, Naucler, Daille, Grotius, Walafrid Strabo, Taylor, and others.

Fourthly, The next thing we ſhall make appear is, that as there was no Scripture-Authority to inforce it, ſo there was no Humane-Authority to enjoyn it till above 400 years after Chriſt, though to juſtifie that injunction, Apoſtolical-Tradition, to ſupply the want of Scripture-Inſtitution was pretended; whereof you have by the way this p. 109following account out of the three firſt Centuries.

CENT. I.

The firſt and moſt antient pretended Authority that hath been urged to prove Infants Baptiſm to be an Apoſtoſtolical Tradition,The firſt pretended prooff for Apoſtolical Tradition, is Dioniſius the Areopagite. is that of Dionyſius the Areopagite, Paul's Convert at Athens, who flouriſhed, as is ſuppoſed, about the 70th year of this Century: Who (as the Story tells us) after his converſe with Paul, was ſent by Clement, Biſhop of Rome, to preach the Goſpel in the Weſt with Saturninus, Lucianus, Ruſticus, and others; and that his Lot was to go into France, where he Preach't, and wrought many Miracles, and was afterwards martyr'd at Paris; And that he wrote a multitude of Books, as enumerated by Suidas and others, and amongſt them, that famous Piece, called his Eccleſiaſtical Hierarchy, which tells us of the ſeveral Orders and Dignities of the Clergy; Rites, Services, and Sacraments of the Church; and among them, acquaints us of the baptizing of Infants, which he tells us he received from his Prefectors, p. 110as an Ancient Apoſtolical Tradition; with the additional Rites belonging thereto of Conſecration, Conſignation, Confirmation, Chryſme, Exorciſm, which he affirms were all in uſe in the Apoſtl's time: As Magdiburg. Cent. 1. p. 625. which was, they tell us, alſo learnedly refuted by Eraſmus, &c. eſpecially by Laurentius Valla, who obſerveth, that none of either the Greek or Latin Fathers, or Church-Hiſtorians do ſo much as mention him, or any of his Works. Neither Euſebius, Origen, Chryſoſtom, Epiphanius, or Gregory. Nor that Jerom, who gave a Catalogue of all the eminent Writers, takes the leaſt notice of him; and how ridiculous and contradictious his lying Stories are about Monkery and the Clergy, and all the Romiſh Ceremonies about Baptiſm, that had no footing in the World, for ſeveral Ages after, and that the Learned in his dayes ſuppoſed theſe Books fathered upon Dionyſius in this Age, were done by one Apollinarius, ſeveral Ages after, as the Magdib. Cent. 1. p. 616.

p. 111CENT. II.

As a further proof of Infants Baptiſm, and the ſeveral Rites annexed thereto, we have more Authorities fathered upon, and pretended to be fetcht from this ſecond Century, of which the Magdiburg. do give us the account, viz.

Firſt, The ſecond proof is from Juſt. Martyr's ReſponſesThe Reſponſes fathered upon Juſtin Martyr, the 56 whereof, propounds the different condition of thoſe Children who die baptized and unbaptized, and in others, affirm that Goſſips, Oyl, and Conſignation, were then uſed in Baptiſm, which they renounce as ſpurious, upon many conſiderations, Cent. 2. p. 111.

Secondly, Third P. Clement.That of Pope Clements appointing Oyl in Baptiſm, and alſo that he in his fourth Decretal Epiſtle affirms, that after Baptiſm there ſhould be Conſignation, viz. a ſigning with the ſign of the Croſs, and Confirmation, viz. a laying on of hands for the ſeven-fold Spirit.

A third is that of Pope Hyginus his appointing of Goſſips, or Sureties,Fourth P Hyginus both in Baptiſm and Conſecration; which p. 112Decree of Pope Hyginus, we have word for word out of Gratian L. Oſiander, Cent. 2. Lib. 2. cap. 5. viz. In Catechiſm, Baptiſm, and Confirmation, let there be a Goſſip if neceſſity require.

5th P. Victor.A fourth is that of Pope Victor, who is ſaid to confine the Catholick celebration of Baptiſm to Eaſter, except ſome urgent neceſſity intervene; and that they ſhould baptize in Fonts as well as Rivers.

6th P. Pius.A fifth is that of Pope Pius (who was much about Juſtin's time) his Conſecrating Baptiſterions, or Fonts to baptiſe in.

But how feigned and fabulous theſe are, you have at large hereafter.

CENT. III.

In this Century we have two other famous Teſtimonies, that are much lean'd upon by all ſorts to prove Infants Baptiſm to be an Apoſtolical Tradition.

7 Origen.The firſt is that of Origen, who in his Homelies upon Levit. and the Romans, is ſaid to affirm, That the baptizing of Infants was a Tradition of the Apoſtles, and according to the p. 113uſage of the Church, Century 3. p. 124.

The ſecond is that of Cyprian, 8 Cyprianin an Epiſtle ſaid to be writ to one Fidus a Prieſt, who herein is ſuppoſed to deliver it to be his, and the Opinion of 66 Biſhops, that Children ſhould be baptized at any time in oppoſition to Fidus his confining it to the eighth day, after the manner of Circumciſion; both which Authorities you have at large examined afterwards.

Tertullian in this Century, gave ſeveral Arguments againſt Infants Baptiſm, whereof you have a particular …ccount hereafter.

Many were the corruptions about Baptiſm,The Corruptions about Baptiſm creeping in in this Age. that in this Age were creeping in, as the confining Baptiſm ordinarily to be performed by a Biſhop, Mag. Cent. 3. p. 123. Limiting the time to Eaſter and Whitſontide 129. altering the Form from Dipping to Sprinkling; and the place from Rivers and Fountains, to Baptiſterious; with divers ſuperſtitious Rites, as p. 125, 126. Though they tell us with all, p. 125. That they do not find, by any Authentick Teſtimony, that any one perſon was actually baptized in this manner and form p. 114this Age, whereby it may be conjectured that their corruptions were more in the Notion than Practice, which though afterwards c…me all of them to be in uſe.

CENT. IV.

By the Decrees that paſs'd in ſeveral Councils in this Age, viz. that of Carthage, Neocaſaria, Laodicea, &c. holding out the neceſſity of Confeſſion and Profeſſion before Baptiſm, already in the former Hiſtory mentioned; As alſo by thoſe famous Inſtances of ſo many of the eminent Perſons of this Century, born of Chriſtian Parents, that were not baptized till aged, before expreſſed; It doth manifeſtly appear, that Infants Baptiſm was neither eſteemed an Apoſtolical Tradition, nor ſo much as in uſe the greateſt part of this Century, either in the Latin or Greek Church.

In the latter end of the fourth Century, Infants Baptiſm practiſed.It is true, towards the latter end of this Century, it is ſaid, That in ſome parts of Africa they did baptize Children, as Magdiburg. Cent. 4. p. 415.

And that ſome of the Greek Church did begin to approve it alſo.

Greg. Nazianzen (who by Perkins is placed 380.) is ſaid, in his fortieth p. 115Oration, to admit Infants to be baptized in caſe of neceſſity, being in danger of death, that they may not miſs, as he ſayes, of the common Grace; but gives his Opinion of others, that they ſhould ſtay longer that they might be inſtructed, and ſo their Minds and Bodies might be ſanctified.

Jerom that by Helvicus is placed ten years after him 390, is ſaid to incline to it alſo after Origen and Cyprian.

Many are the corruptions fetch'd from this and that former Age,Lying forgeries about the baptiſm of Conſtantine by the Papiſts. and not a few of them fathered upon Conſtantine in his Baptiſm, which they ſay was done at Rome, in a Baptiſterion, by P. Silveſter, and adminiſtred with all the Romiſh Rites of Conſecration, Conſignation, Chryſm, Exorciſm, Albes, Ringes, Donation, &c. how Conſtantine was firſt miraculouſly cured thereby of his Leproſie, and the great Donation he gave the See Apoſtolick, and the acknowledgment to their Univerſal Biſhoprick; all held forth in an Edict, ſaid to be writ with Conſtantine's own hand, and fairly kept in the Vatican Library, writ in Letters of Gold, as ſaith Du Pleſſis, in his Myſtery of Iniquity; p. 116yet all a notorious forgery and cheat, Conſtantine being Baptized at Nicomedia, and not at Rome, and not by P. Silveſter, who was dead fifteen years before; neither had Conſtantine any ſuch Leproſie, or miraculous Cure, nor gave any ſuch Donation or Acknowledgment to the Romiſh See, as you have at large evidenced by the Magdiburg. Cent. 4. p. 568.

And concerning which Oſiander ſaith, Cent. 4. c. 38. Which fooliſh and impudent Fable is by many Learned Men refuted, viz. Marſilius, Patavinus, La…r. Valla, Cardinal Caſanus, and Aeneas Sylvius, after Pope Pius the Second.

The working of the Myſtery of Iniquity, did, as the Magdiburgenſes tell us, ſtrongly begin to act in many Particulars, viz. Not onelyonly in the corrupting the Rites and true form of Baptiſm, but by thoſe ſuperſtitious and ſumptuous Ceremonies that were uſed in the Dedication, Bapt. of Churches.Conſecration, or Baptizing of Churches, viz. either ſuch Idol-Temples that were given by the Emperors to Chriſtian Service, or ſuch new ones that were now erected, as Cent. 4. p. 76, 497, 499, 520.

p. 117The ſuperſtitious Collection and Expoſure of the ReliquesReliques. of Saints for Adoration, p. 499.

The inclination to prohibit Marriage,Prieſts Marriage. as appeared by the Council of Nice, where it was only checkt by the famous Paphnutius, p. 1088.

The diſtinction in point of Sanctification,Diſtinction betwixt Lay-men and Clergy began. now made betwixt Lay-men and Clergy-men, the one reputed Spiritual, the other Carnal.

And it was in this Age, as appears by the Decrees of P. Silverſter, Julius, and Sericius, Prieſts appointed to Marry folks.that all Marriages muſt paſs the Benediction of a Prieſt, and to be eſteemed little leſs than Sacriledge to omit it; of which, in the former Centuries no mention is made, Magd. Cent. 4. c. 6. p. 482.— and for which they quote Gigas and Luitpraud.

CENT. V.

This was the Age wherein Infants Baptiſm did receive its Sanction by the Decrees of Popes and Councils, Infants Baptiſm firſt enjoyned in the Militan Council.and as abſolutely neceſſary was enjoyned and impoſed by Anathemas, never till then, concerning which, Dr. Taylor in his Lib. o Prophecy, p. 237. gives us a p. 118true, brief, & notable account, which you may pleaſe to receive in his own words; And the truth of the buſineſs is, (ſaith he) as there was no command of Scripture to oblige Children to the ſuſception of it, ſo the neceſſity of Paedobaptiſm was not determined in the Church till the Canon that was made in the Milevitan Council, a Provincial in Africa, Never till then. I grant, ſaith he, it was practiſed in Africa before that time, and they, or ſome of them, thought well of it; and though that is no argument for us to think ſo, yet none of them did ever pretend it to be neceſſary, none to have been a Precept of the Goſpel. Auſtin the firſt that ever preacht it neceſſary. ☞St. Auſtin was the firſt that ever preach't it to be neceſſary, and it was in his heat and anger againſt Pelagius, who had ſo warmed and chafed him, that made him innovate herein.

This Milevitan or Militan Council, was celebrated by 92 Biſhops, Anſelm the Pop's Legate, and Auſtin preſiding in the fifth year of Arcadius, and firſt of Pope Innocentius, in the year 402, as Magdiburg. Cent. 5. p. 835.

The occaſion of the Council, is expreſt to be about the difference that had hapned betwixt Pelagius and Coeleſtius, Auſtin and others, reſpecting Original p. 119ſin, baptizing of Children, &c.

The Conſtitutions and Decrees of the ſaid Council are at large expreſt by the Magdiburg. out of the Book of Decretals, and among other Canons, made in this Council, we find this, viz.

That it is Our Will, The Canon of the Milevitan Council about Infants Baptiſm.That all that affirm that Young Children receive everlaſting Life, albeit they be not by the Sacrament of Grace or Baptiſm renewed; And that will not that young Children, which are new born from their Mothers Womb, ſhall be baptiſed to the taking away Original Sin.

That they be Anathematiſed.

Which with the reſt of the Decrees was tranſmitted to Rome to Pope Innocentius for his Apoſtolick confirmation in their large Letters, p. 841.P Innocent the firſt ratifies it.

And which with a ready mind he performs accordingly by his Decretal Epiſtle, expreſt at large p. 845.

Afterwards the fifth General Council at Carthage, in the year 416, did Decree to the ſame purpoſe in theſe words.

p. 120The Canon of the 5th Council of Carthage.We will, That whoever denies that little Children by Baptiſm are freed from Perdition, and eternally ſaved,

That they be accurſed.

Which was alſo by Auſtin, and ſeventy Biſhops in their Letter, tranſmitted to the ſame Pope Innocent for his further ratification,Confirmed by Pope Innocent. and accordingly received the ſame in his Decretal Epiſtle at large, p. 822, 825. Inſcribing their Letters thus, The Fathers of the Council to Innocent the Pope and High Prieſt, ſtiling him Moſt Holy Father —

And that Pope Innocentius in theſe African Councils, was the firſt that ever enjoyned the neceſſity of this practice is further confirmed to us;

By Wilfrid Strabo, Wilfrid Strabo.as before, who tells us, That Children were baptized, according to the Decree of the Council of Carthage, for the taking away of original ſin, which aforetime was not practiſed.

Luther Luther.ſaith, It was not determined till Pope Innocentius.

And Grotius Grotius.in his Annotations, p. 121Mat. 19. ſaith, It was not enjoyned till before that Council of Carthage.

Which Canons of Pope Innocentius were afterwards confirmed by Pope Zoſimus his Succeſſor, and afterwards by Pope Boniface that ſucceeded Zoſimus, as appears in Cod. Can. cap. 110. Aff. cap. 77. & de Conſecrat. diſtinct.

The Opinions of the Doctors of this Age, in confirmation hereof, The Doct. of this Age approving Infants Baptiſm.we find to be as followeth.

Chryſoſtome ſaith,Chryſoſt. That Infants ought to be baptized, as univerſally received by the Catholick Church to take away Original Sin.

And again, that which the Holy Church throughout the World, unanimouſly teacheth and practiſeth about the baptizing of Children, ought not careleſly to be ſlighted, Mag. Cent. 5. p. 375.

Auſtin Auſtin.was as a great Patron, ſo a great Defender of Infants Baptiſm, in his conteſts both againſt the Donatiſts, and the Pelagians, and the Coeleſtians, whereof you have ſome Inſtances.

In his Sermon, De Baptiſmo Parvulorum, p. 122againſt the Pelagians, chap. 14. ſaith, That Children ſhould be baptized, becauſe of Original Sin, and that without which they could never be regenerated or ſaved, Mag. Cent. 5, 377, 378, 379.

And in his third Book of Free-Will, Cap. 23. ſaith, Infants may be baptized by the Faith of another, and that the Faith of the Party that offers and dedicates the Child to Baptiſm, profits the Child therein, as the Church (he ſaith) wholſomly appoints: For if the Faith of the Widow profited to the raiſing of the dead Child, much more may the Faith of another profit the young Child, p. 516.

And again, in his Fourth Book againſt the Donatiſts, Cap. 23. Infants, ſaith he, are to be baptized, who can neither believe with their Hearts to Juſtification, nor confeſs with their Mouths to Salvation, p. 516.

This Controverſie he managed with much furious Zeal againſt the Pelagians in the African Councils; And ſo inordinate was he herein, that in his 23d Epiſt. to Boniface, he holds forth ſuch a certainty of Regeneration by it, that he not onelyonly puts Regeneration for p. 123Baptiſm, but alſo makes no Queſtion of the Regeneration of Infants, Baptiſm to cure Diſeaſes.though they that brought them, did not bring them with that Faith that they might be regenerated, but only to procure health to their Bodies; a cuſtom, it ſeems, they had to bring perſons to be baptized for Cure.

Juſtifying thereby ſuch a prophane Uſe thereof, as that of Athanaſius, A Schoolboy baptized in ſport, confirmed by a Biſhop.who baptized a Boy in ſport, (playing the Biſhop amongſt his School-fellows) which was confirmed notwithſtanding to be good Baptiſm by the Biſhop of Alexandria.

And again, in his 7^th Tom. Lib. 1. c. 27. aſſerts to the ſame purpoſe, That all baptized Infants are Believers, and that the unbaptized are Unbelievers, ſaying, Who knows not that to Infants to believe, is to be baptized, not to believe is not to be baptized.

All the fooliſh ridiculous Ceremonies, called the Romiſh Baptiſmal Rites, before mentioned, were owned and practiſed by Auſtin and others in this Century, with this addition, viz.

That the Lord's Supper was given to the baptized Infants,Lord's Supper given to Infants. as Auſtin in his 107 Epiſtle ſaith, where he holds a like p. 124neceſſity of their receiving that Sacrament with that of Baptiſm from Joh. 6.53. wherein he was alſo ſo earneſt, that he boldly ſaith, in vain do we promiſe Infants Salvation without it. Thus far Auſtin.

In the next place before we leave this Century,The Character of Pope Innocent 1. I think it will not be amiſs to give ſome little account of this Pope Innocenitus (our firſt confirmer and impoſer of Infants Baptiſm) of whom it may ſ… truly be ſaid that he was one that changed Times and Laws, and that ſate himſelf in the Temple of God as God. As we find it recorded by the Magdiburg: Cen. 5. page. 1228. viz.

He ſet up the Ʋniverſal Biſhoprick.That he moſt ſtrenuouſly laboured for the Univerſal Biſhoprick and Supremacy over all Churches, as appears (ſay they) in all his Epiſtles deſigning to bring the Determiation of all Principal Eccleſiaſtical Cauſes into that See, eſpecially in his Epiſtle to Victoricum and Decentium whereby ſay they it was manifeſt that the miſtery of Iniquity 2 Theſ. 2. did gradually get Ground and increaſe.

Who was (ſay they) a great Eſtabliſher of humane Traditions, Gave Divine honour to the Popedome.and who blaſphemouſly attribu…ed divine Honour to the P…pedom, as appears in that Epiſtle to Victoricum.

p. 125It was he that made Con…irmation a Sacrament, made Confirm. a Sacrament.and confined it only to the Biſhops to lay hands on Baptiſed Infants 1230.

It was he alſo forbad Prieſts Marriages 1231.Forbad Marriage. and Damned the Nunnes if they married; That alſo forbad Marriage to any that by due Divorce put away their Wives; that alſo inſtituted many of the Jewiſh and Pagan Laws, as appears ſay they in his Book de Pontiff.

And it was he that to witneſs his Supremacy did excommunicate the Emperour Arcadius and the Empreſs Eudoxia and all his Eccleſiaſticks that had their hands in the Baniſhing of John Chryſoſtom 662. 663.Excommunicated the Emp. Arcadius, &c.

It was he that firſt appointed that the Euchariſt ſhould be given to Young Children ſo ſoon as they were baptiſed; Ordained the Euchariſt to Children after Bapt.a Cuſt…m that continued ſeveral Hundred Years after

And as head of the Anti-Chriſtian race was the firſt ſayth Socrates Lib. 7.19.Expelled the Novatians. That expell'd the Novations from Rome that famous worthy Church and People. Concerning whom we ſhall conclude with what the Magdiburgs ſay in their Epiſtle to this 5. Cent. To Ericus King of Sweden.

p. 126That it might then be underſtood that Rome that had heretofore Governed the world, was now made the very Seat of Antichriſt. And again that the Spirit of Antichriſt did then man…feſtly begin to ſpread it ſelf by the Biſhop of Rome lifting up himſelf in Supremacy above all other B…ſhops and Churches.

And this was that Innocent who was the firſt great Patron and Impoſer of this Innovation: and was it not excellent Service think you, for Auſtin to play the Game into the hand of ſuch a vile Wretch.

CENT. VI.

The Councel of Gerunden in Spain held about 520. Ordained,

Gerunden Canon.That young Children from their Mothers womb be baptiſed.

The Councel of Bracarenſe 572, and the Council of Vivenſe ordained the very ſame, Voſſus de Bapt. 179.

Tee Maris Canon.The Councel of Mariſconenſes held 580. Ordained.

That the Baptiſm of Ehildren ſhould be at Eaſter except necesſity hindred. Magd. Cent. 6. 613.

P. Greg. D…cretal.Pope Greg. the Great, Lib 3. Ep. 4. ad Boniface-diſt. 4 de Conſec. Let all p. 127young Children be Baptiſed as they ought to be according to the Tradition of the Fathers.

Who gave Inſtruction to his Legat Auſtin to give Chriſtendom to Children when he ſent him into Britain which you may Read at large in the Book of Martyrs.

Justinian the Emperor, who reigned 530, Ordained,The Decree of the Emperor Juſtinion. That Children ſhould be admitted to Baptiſm, and y^t thoſe that were come to their full growth ſhal be taught before they be baptiſed. Novel Inſtitute. 444.

Juſtinus the Emperor who Reigned 570. Ordained, That it ſéemed him good, that when the Samaritans that deſire the unſpotted Baptiſm, that they for the ſpace of two years together be Inſtructed in the Faith and the holy Scriptures and that upon their Repentance they be admitted thereto. But as concerning the Children which in regard of their years cannot Receive Divine Doctrine, they ſhall without delay be made worthy, or pertakers of Baptiſm.

That Goſſips were appointed to all that were Baptiſed, as ſaith Paulus Diaconus. Lib. 16 in Juſtiniano.

p. 128And that it was the Cuſtom when the Children of Princes and Potentates were Baptiſed, that Biſhops ſhould be the Goſſips. Magd. Cent. 6. 332.

Maxentius Maxentius.ſaith, that Children are not only adopted into a State of Sonſhip, but have the Remiſſion of all Sin by Baptiſm. Cent. 6. p. 227.

All the forementioned Superſtitions of the Romiſh Baptiſmal Rites were in uſe in this Age, with this addition.

Ri…iculous Ceremo…ies.That l…ghted Tapors were to be put into the hands of the Baptiſed p. 332.

The Temples or Churches, Altars and Reliques in their Dedications were Chriſtined by Sprinkling the Water of Conjuration upon them. p. 369.

The Ʋncleanneſs and Murders found in Monaſtries.In this Cent we meet with a dreadful piece of Infants Baptiſm viz. the Heads of 6000 Infants that had been murdered and buried in a Warren near a Monaſtry, as Teſt…fied by Udulricus to P. Nicolas, Cent. 6. p. 388.

CENT. 7.

Canon of Toletan.The Councel of Toletanus inſti…uted, That Infants without natural capacity ſhould be baptiſed, and that none ſhould deny Baptiſm to them at their peril.

p. 129The Council of Conſtance Ordained the ſame. Mag. Cent. 7. p. 146.Canon of Conſt.

IſidorusIſidorus. ſaith, That if Children were not baptized, and ſo thereby renewed, and Original Sin waſhed away, they were in a ſtate of damnation. p. 98.

To the former, ridiculous Ceremonies now in uſe, were added, That the names of Saints departed, or Relations, ſhould be given to the Baptized at their Baptiſm.

That none ſhould be admitted to be Goſſips without rehearſing the Lords-Prayer and the Creed.

And that none of the Goſſips might marry together,Goſſips muſt not marry together. becauſe of the ſpiritual Affinity and Relation they had contracted at the Font. p. 147.

At the Conſecration and Dedication of Temples, the names of ſome Angel or Saint departed was to be given to them.

A Childe that died unbaptized this Age, was taken up and Christened,A dead child chriſtened. and had his Fathers name given him. Magd. cent. 7. p.

CENT. 8.

Carolus Magnus declares,Decree of the Emp. Charles the Great. Daniel. That Baptiſm ſhould be adminiſtred to Infants as well as to the Adult. Cent. 8. p. 219.

Daniel in his Epiſtle to Boniface concludes, that Infants ſhould be baptized. p. 347.

p. 130Bede alſo concludes for the baptizing of Infants. p. 218.

To all the former continued Superſtitions there were added,

Superſtitious rites1. That the Adminiſtration be in the Latine tounge. p. 384.

2. That Salt be uſed in Baptiſm. Aponius, lib. 1. p. 349.

3. That the Hair of the Baptized be cut. p. 350.

4. That ſome Gift was to be given in Baptiſm, which was to be called Deodans. p. 349.

Temples baptizd in the name of the Trinity.5. That Temples ſhould be conſecrated in the name of the Trinity. p. 336.

Bells were poſited in Temples in this Age. p. 342.

CENT. 9.

Sericius Sericius.at large demonſtrates, That according to the Cuſtom of the Church little ignorant Babes ſhould be baptized: for which he cites the Decrees of the African Council by Pope Innocent; another of Pope Leo's; and another of Pope Gregories at large. Cent. 9. p. 140, 141.

Gizelbert Gizelbert.ſaith, That after Baptiſm neither Original nor Actual Sin Remaineth. Who alſo calleth Marriage a Sacrament. p. 171.

p. 131To the former filthy Cuſtoms this Age added, That in Exorciſm the Head,Impious Cuſtoms. Ears, and Noſe ſhould be ſalted and anointed before Baptiſm. p. 235.

To the former chriſtening of Temples, they added the pouring out of Oyl, and anointing with holy Chriſm, ſinging Jacobs words, This is no other than the Houſe of God; how dreadful is this place! according to the 24th Canon of Aquenſis. Cent. 9. p. 229.

CENT. 10.

Smaragdus Smaragdus.ſaith, That little Infants are to be baptized, becauſe it is ſaid, Suffer little Children to come unto me, and forbid them not, &c. Hence (ſaith he) the Holy Mother the Church doth beget the Innocent Infant into a holy and pure ſtate by the grace of Baptiſm. Cent. 10. p. 188.

Zonaras ſaith, That the Infants as well as the Adult were to be baptized. p. 292.

To the former wicked Cuſtoms they now added,

1.Wicked Additions That the Water of Baptiſm ſhould on Eaſter-day be conſecrated after this manner; viz. The Prieſts hand ſhould be ſtretched over the Water, as Moſes his hand was over the Sea. 2. That he p. 132ſhould blow upon it. 3. Hold a burning Taper over it, to anſwer the Type of the fiery Pillar. 4. That as they entred the Red-Sea by Night; ſo ſhould Baptiſm be adminiſtred in the Evening. p. 239.

The Goſſips were to put on White Garments as well as the Prieſts and the Baptized. p. 299.

And as a further addition to Church-Chriſtening, the Biſhop was before the Water was brought to him to ſtrike the Earth, and then to pour down a great deal of Water, and then to name the Church.

And further; It was in this Age that Bells began alſo to be Chriſtened, which from henceforward was moſt religiouſly obſerved.

Bells firſt baptized by P. JohnPope John the 14th was the firſt that baptized Bells, who chriſtned the great Bell of the Church of Lateran, calling it John: which was done to drive away evil Spirits, and to prevent any ill accident that might happen by Lightning and Tempeſt. Magd. cent. 10. p. 295.

Voſſius Voſſius.in his Book de Bapt. p. 158. tells us, That though the more prudent did call this Baptizing or Christning of Bells Conſecration, yet that they had most of the Baptiſmal Rites and Ceremonies, p. 133both Godfathers and Godmothers, ſprinkling, Anointing, giving of Names, and great Donations; and that the ſilly Women uſed to bring Preſents of Coral, Linen, and other things; and that they had a Superstitious Conceit, that the ſprinkling of that Baptiſmal Water procured Health to the Sick.

Voſſius alſo informeth us in the ſaid Book from good Authority,The abominable cuſtom to baptize naked for 7 or 800 years. That from Auſtin till Bernard's time, ſeven or eight hundred years, the cuſtom was to baptize naked both Men, Women, and Children, with the Reaſons uſually given by the Ancients for the ſame, viz. That they might therein be as in the ſtate of Innocency; and be as naked in their ſecond, as in their firſt birth; And as they expected to be in Heaven and therein no otherwiſe then Chriſt was upon the Croſs, which you may reade at large in page 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. quoting theſe ſeveral Authorities to juſtifie it, viz. Cyril Heir. Cat. Myſtag. 11. Amphilochius in vita St. Baſil, Chryſoſt. Tom. 6. c. 11. Elias Cretenſes in Orat. 4. Naz. Zeno Varonenſes, Anſelm on Mat. 3. Ambroſ. Serm. 10. Bernard. Serm. 46. de Pauper. Greg. Mag. tom. 2. col. 269. Alcuinus in divin. off. cap. 19. Chryſ. ep. ad Innocent, &c.

p. 134So, juſt was it was it with God to leave men that went a whoring after their own Inventions [forſaking the Word of God, to imbrace the Traditions of man] to ſuch unſeemly and unnatural practices.

Mr. Baxter ſh…meful ſsander fixt upon the Anabaptiſts.Yet is not Mr. Baxter aſhamed to fix ſuch an abominable ſlander upon the Baptiſts of this our Age of baptizing naked (which it ſeems was ſo long the real practice of the Pedobaptists) and about which he ſpends three whole pages in his Scripture-proof, viz. 136, 137, 138. to aggravate the heinouſneſs of that their cuſtom (which he is pleaſed to father upon them). And though I am perſwaded he cannot but be convinced that the thing is moſt notoriouſly falſe, and brought forth by him rather out of prejudice (not to ſay malice) rather than any proof or good teſtimony he ever received thereof. Yet have I never heard that he hath done himſelf his injured neighbours, and the abuſed world that right, as to own his great weakneſs & ſinful ſhortnes therein, in any of the many Editions of that Piece, which I humbly conceive as well deſerved a Recantation as ſome other things he has judged worthy thereof.

p. 135CENT II.

AnſelmAnſelm. aſſerts that Children ſhould be Baptiſed, and gives theſe Reaſons:

1ſt. That the Devil by the faith of the Parent may be caſt out of the Children in Baptiſm; as the Woman of Canaan in the 15. Mat. v. 21. had the Devil caſt out of her Daughter. p. 171.

2ly. That they may thereby be freed from Original ſin, and be rendred Saints and holy ones by Baptiſm as they are owned to be, 1 Cor. 7. p. 171.

3ly. That they may die to ſin: for they that are Baptiſed into Chriſt are ſo, being Baptiſed into his Death; which he ſays is without exception: for whoſoever is Baptiſed into Chriſt, is Baptiſed into his Death.

MeginhardusMeginhardus. ſaith, if little Infants or weak ones be brought to Baptiſm, let them anſwer for them that bring them, and then let hands be laid upon them with holy Chryſme;☜ and ſo let the Euchariſt be Communicated to them. p. 168.

Ivo ſaith, that the Infants as well as the Adult are to be Baptiſed, becauſe of the Faith of the Sacrament; p. 260.

The Latins in this age did Rebaptiſe the Greeks who dsſowned their Baptiſm. p. 136p. 263. And the Greeks did excommunicate the Latines for renouncing theirs. p. 401.

To the former Superſtitious Rites, they added, That Salt ſhould be put into the mouth of the Baptized. p. 261.

And to the Chriſtning of Churches, that Salt ſhould alſo be mixed with the Water of Execration.

Waldenſes witneſs againſt Infant Bapt.The Waldenſes did appear this Age to witneſs againſt the Romiſh Superſtitions, and amongſt the reſt that of the Real Preſence in the Euchariſt, and Baptizing of Infants: which you have at large hereafter, with the oppoſition and perſecution they met with for the ſame. They were called B…ringarians, from Beringarius one of their chief Leaders.

CENT. 12.

Peter LombardPeter Lombard. ſaith, That to the baptizing the Adult, their proper faith is required; but to the baptizing an Infant the faith of others ſufficeth. Cent. 12. p. 418.

And] again, Children are to be baptized, becauſe they are thereby clenſed from original ſin. p. 596.

BernardBernard. ſaith, That without Baptiſm Children cannot be ſaved. p. 604.

p. 137And again, As Children of old were circumciſed without or againſt their wills for their Salvation; ſo may they now be baptized. p. 599.

Peter CluniacenſesPeter Cluniacenſes. writing againſt Peter Bruis, one of the Waldenſian Barbes who denied Infants Baptiſm, ſaith, Lib. 1. Ep. 2. They who are not baptized with Christs Baptiſm, cannot be Christians: And ſhall the Children of the Jews be ſaved with the Sacrament of Circumciſion, and ſhall not the Children of Christians be ſaved with the Sacrament of Baptiſm? p. 599.

HeldigardHeldigard ſaith, That as our little Children that are not capable to feed themſelves, have others to feed them to keep them from temporal death; So is it with them in Baptiſm, who being neither capable to believe or profeſs, have spiritual helps provided for them, that they may not want that ſpiritual food that may preſerve them from eternal death. p. 602.

AlexanderAlexand. the 3d, in his Decretals, L. 3. Tit. 40. c. 2. ſaith, They who have any doubt concerning their Baptiſm, may be baptized with theſe words, [If thou art baptized, I do not baptize thee; but if thou beeſt not, I do baptize thee in the Name of &c.

p. 138The former ridiculous Rites were this Age obſerved with this Addition.

Bernard ſaith, To the Dedication or right-Chriſtning of Churches, there muſt be Aſperſion, Inunction, Illumination,☞ Benediction, & Nomination. p. 861.

And that if the Temple ſhould come to be polluted by the Prieſts committing Adultery in it, The ſprinkling it afreſh with Holy-Water cleanſeth it again. Alex. 3. L. 5. Decret.

When Marriage prohibited.The certain times wherein Marriages were prohibited was from Septuageſima to Eaſter, from R…gation to Whitſ…ntide, from Advent to Epiphany: Which were done by the Edict of Pope Clement, as ſaith Gigas. p. 919.

The Waldenſes were in this Age great Witneſſes to the baptizing of Believers,Petro Bruſians writ againſt Infants Baptiſm. and as great oppoſers of Infants Baptiſm, called by the name of Petro-Bruſians, Apoſtolici & Henerici; and for which they were great Sufferers, is hereafter. p. 844, 845, 846.

CENT. 13.

Thomas AquinasTho. Aqui. ſaith, Children are to be baptized not in their own proper faith, but in the faith of the Church. p. 419.

p. 139And again, That they may be freed from Original Sin and Condemnation. p. 422.

Alexander ſaith, Baptiſm conferrs grace to little ones, not only purging them from Original Sin, but by the Merits of Christs Suffering, the faith of the Surety, but by the vertue of the Sacrament. p. 426.

BonaventureBonavent. ſaith, If Children dye that are baptized before they come to years of diſcretion, they ſo receive grace by the faith of another, that by Christs merit they ſhall be ſaved, which (he ſaith) is denied by certain curſed Hereticks. p. 419.

Concurring hereto are ſeveral other Doctors of this Age, as Hugo, p. 544. Gulielmo, p. 419. Albert, and the Decree of the Neomanſian Synod, 594. the Synod of Coloniae, 938, 944. but let theſe already mentioned ſuffice.

Tho. Aquinas ſaith, Though a Priest be the proper Adminiſtrator of Baptiſm, yet, in caſe of neceſſity, not only a Deacon, but a Lay perſon, yea a Woman; nay, an Heretick or Pagan may baptiſe, ſo be it the true form of the Church be obſerved, and intend thereby what the Church intends. p. 419.

p. 140An Expoſition of many of their ridiculous Cuſtoms. Gulielm.All the Abominable Rites beforementioned, were in this Age obſerved with this following Expoſition upon them:

Gulielm. ſaith, That the matter of the Sacrament of Confirmation is Oyl-Olive mixed with Balſom, and incorporated upon the fire, called Chryſm, and which can only be done by the hands of a Biſhop. The form of which Sacrament, he ſaith, is this, viz. I ſign thee with the ſign of the Croſs, & confirm thee with the Cryſm of Salvation in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen. And which only a Biſhop can adminiſter. p. 417.

By Ex…rciſm the Devil is blown away. Hugo.

AlbertusAlbertus. ſaith, By blowing in Execration the power of the Devil is expelled; and being ſigned upon the breast and forehead with the ſign of the Croſs, he is driven not only from the heart, but more viſibly from the outward man. And that the Salt is to be put into the mouth, the better to endue with ſpiritual ſavour and wiſdom; And that the ears and noſe is to be anointed with ſpittle, that grace and diſcretion from God may be conferred, which becauſe the ſpittle deſcends from the Head that is thereby ſignified. And that p. 141the Breaſt muſt be anoynted to prepare the Heart for God; and the Shoulders anointed to be inabled to bear God's burden.

After Baptiſm the Neck muſt be anoynted with Chriſme, that the mind may be better diſpoſed for God and holy contemplation, which by Chriſm is ſignified being made of ſhining Oile and healing ſovereign Balſome. They muſt be endewed with white Garments, to hold forth that Innocency which is received in Baptiſm; as well as the Glory which they are to pertake of at the Reſurrection. And a burning Taper put into the hand that the Word of God may be a light to his Feet.

Gulielmus ſaith, That as to the form of Baptiſm the Ʋirgin Mary, A blaſphemous addition.is to be added to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, viz. I Baptize thee in the name of the Omnipotent, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the bleſſed Virgin Mary, 419.

Thom. ſaith there are ſeven Sacraments; 7 Sacraments.viz. Baptiſm, Confirmation, Euchariſt, Penance, Extream-Ʋnction, Order, and Matrimony. Two whereof, viz. Baptiſm, and the Euchariſt were inſtituted by Chriſt, and the other five by the Apoſtles, as Alexander. 406.

p. 142Which ſeven Sacraments were after confirmed by the Councel of Trent, with Anathema to thoſe who ſhould deny them.

When and by whom Tyths firſt granted.Pope Gregory X. was the firſt in Anno 1271. granted Tythes to the Churches. Thoſe that oppoſed and witneſſed againſt Infants Baptiſm and other Popiſh Superſtitions in this Age, were the Albigenſes and Aumionenſes, Magdeburg. Cent. 13. P. 554, &c.

CENT. 14, 15, 16, 17.

That the Baptizing of Infants, with all the Rites and Ceremonies, ſtill continued, eſpecially in the Romiſh Church, we need not queſtion, when we read the Canons of the Council of Trent, which was called on purpoſe as to eſtabliſh their old Superſtitions and Idolatries, ſo to ſuppreſs the Light and Truth that eſpecially did ſhine in the Empire: In which Council, which ended 1564. we have the following Canons.The Canons of the Council of Trent about Inf. Bapt.

In the 5th Seſſion about Original Sin in the 4^th Canon,

It was Decreed, That they who ſhall deny Baptiſme to young Children p. 143from their Mothers Womb, for the taking away Original Sin.

Let them be accurſed. Oſ. 16 Cent. c. 60, 380.

In the 7th Seſſion about Baptiſm, in the 13 Canon,

It was Decreed, That whoſoever puts not young baptiſed Children amongſt the faithful, or ſaith they muſt be re-baptiſed at the years of diſcretion, or that it is better to omit their vaptiſm till then,

Let them be accurſed.

And in the 14 Canon It was decreed, That whoſoever ſhall ſay, that baptiſed Children, when they come to Age, ought not to be enjoyned to ratifie the promiſe made in their name, but to be left to their will if they refuſe, Not compelling them to Chriſtian life, but denying them other Ordinances,

Let them be accurſed.

In the 3 Canons about Confirmation, it was Decreed,

That whoſoever ſaid, It was an idle Ceremony not a Sacrament properly, or that it was formerly uſed, that Children might give an account of their faith. 2. That to p. 144give vertue to Chryſome, was t… wrong the Holy Spirit. 3. Tha… every ſimple Prieſt is the ordinary Miniſter for confirmation and not th… Biſhop only.

Let them be accurſed. Oſ. 16 Cent. pag. 417.

And as a ſtanding Rule to juſtifie themſelves in their Determinations they conclude and Decree,

A blaſphemous Decree.That their Traditions ſhould b… obſerved Pari Pietatis affectu, with the ſame pious affection with the Holy Scriptures.

Charl. V. his Interim.In that Inſtrument, called the Interim, That Decretal of Charles the Fifth, made till the Councels Canon… could be perfected, it was determined,

That young Children by the faith and confeſſion of the Sureties, ſhould be Baptiſed.

And that all Ancient Ceremonies that pertained to the Sacrament … Baptiſme, ſhould be continued, as Exorciſme, Chryſme, &c. Oſiander p. 482.

Among the many A…chriſtian oppreſſions the Princes of Germany exhibited to the Pope from their Convention of Norimberg, they complained o… p. 145that of baptizing Bells, wherein they ſay, The Suffragans have invented, Baptizing of Bells complained of by the Princes of Germanythat no other but only themſelves, may Baptize Bells for the Lay-people, Whereby the ſimple people, upon their affirmation, do believe, That ſuch Bells ſo baptized, will drive away evil Spirits and Tempeſts: Whereupon a great number of God-fathers are appointed, especially ſuch as are rich, which at the time of the baptizing holding the Rope wherewithal the Bell is tyed, the Suffragan speaking before them, as is accuſtomed in the baptizing of young Children, they altogether do anſwer, and give the name to the Bell; the Bell having a new name put upon it, as is accuſtomed to be done to the Chriſtians, after this they go to ſumptuous Feaſts, whereunto alſo the Goſſips are bidden, that thereby they may give the greater reward to the Suffragans, their Chaplins and Mi…ſters; whereby it happeneth oft-times, that even in a ſmall Village an hundred Florins are conſumed, in ſuch Criſtenings; which is not only ſuperſtitious, but contrary to Chriſtian Religion, a ſeducing of the ſimple People, and meer Extortion. Wherefore ſuch wicked unlawful things are to be aboliſhed. Fox's p. 146Acts and Monum. 990. Pius the Fifth baptized the Duke of Alva's Standard; Standard Baptized.and called it Margaret. Dr. Moriſon de Depra. Bel. p. 24.

The German Proteſtants about Infants-Baptiſm.

Luther Auguſt. Confeſſ…ō.The Lutherans in their Auguſtan Confeſſion made 1530. do declare,

That Baptiſm is neceſſary to Salvation. That Gods Grace is conferred thereby. That Children ought to be baptiſed, who by Baptiſm are dedicated and received into the grace and favour of God: condemning the Anabaptiſts, who deny Baptiſm to Children, and who affirm that Children without Baptiſm may be ſaved, Oſiand. 16 Cent. p. 153.

In the Smalkald Articles 1536. the Lutherans ſay,

In the Smalkald Articles.Concerning Infants we teach, that they are to be baptized; For inaſmuch as they do belong to the promiſed Redemption made by Ieſus Ehriſt, the Church ought to baptize and to declare the promiſe to them. Oſiand. Cent. 16. p. 278.

p. 147In the Conference betwixt the Calviniſts and Lutherans at Mumpelgartenſ. 1529.In the Conference at Mumpelgart.

It was agreed, that Baptiſme came in the room of Circumciſion, and that the Children of the Chriſtians are to be Baptized. Oſiand. Cent. 16. 1020.

Though about the Ground of Baptizing them they differed; The Lutherans affirming, that they had a proper and peculiar Faith to intitle them thereto. The Calviniſts aſſerting they had none, but ought to be baptized by vertue of the Faith of the Parent in Covenant.

In the Book of Concord, In the Book of Concord.1580. by the Lutherans.

They agree that the Tenets of the Anabaptiſts are to be renounced, that ſay, Infants are not to be baptized, becauſe they have no uſe of reaſon. Oſiand. 16 Cent. p. 254.

The Engliſh Proteſtants about Infants Baptiſm.

In the Reformation begun in Edward the Sixth time,In the E… gliſh Liturgy. about 1549 the Form of Worſhip and Adminiſtration of the Sacraments, with all their Rites and Ceremonies, were held forth in the Engliſh Liturgy, as it was tranſlated p. 148out of the Latin Maſs-Book, concerning which we have this account from Mr. Fox in his Martyrology, p. 1499.

That in the Riſing in Devonſhire, upon the tranſlating the Latin Maſs-Book into Engliſh, the King writes after this manner to quiet them, viz.

The Engliſh Service tranſlated out of the Latin Maſs-Book.As for the Service in the Engliſh Tongue, perhaps it ſeemeth to you as New Service, when indeed it is no other but the Old; the ſelf ſame words in Engliſh which were in Latin, ſaving a few things taken out, ſo fond, that it hath been a ſhame to have heard them in Engliſh; as all they can judg that liſt to repeat the truth: And if it was good in Latin, it remaineth good in Engliſh, for nothing is altered, but to ſpeak with knowledg what was ſpoken with ignorance, &c.

Wherein the Time, Order, Manner and Ceremony of Baptizing of Infants, is directed and enjoyned, with all the Rites appertaining thereto.

In the ſaid Service-Book in the Rubrick before the Catechiſm it is ſaid, That Children being baptized, have all things neceſſ ry for their Salvation, and be undoubtedly ſaved. And therefore after Baptiſm the Prieſt muſt ſay, We p. 149yeeld thee hearty thanks, that it hath pleaſed thee to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy Spirit. And the Child is afterwards to be inſtructed, when he comes to underſtanding, to ſay, That therein he was made a Member of Chriſt, and a Child of God, and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven. Juſt comporting length and breadth with Pope Innocents firſt Canons.

In the 27th. Article of the Church of England, 27. Article of the Chu…ch … England.it is ſaid, That the Baptizing of young Children, is in any wiſe to be retained in the Church, as moſt agreeable to the Inſtitution of Chriſt, made in Q. Eliz. time, 1562.

In the Scotch Service-Book,Scotch Service-Book. impoſed in the begining of the late War, it is ſaid, That as oft as new Water is put into the Font, the Prieſt ſhall ſay, Sanctifie this Fountain of Baptiſm, Oh thou which art the Sanctifier of all things.

The Directory, Directoryin the Parliamen…s time, leaves out Goſſips, and ſigning with the Sign of the Croſs, changes the Fonts into Baſons. And the Parliaments Ordinance May 2. 1648. made it Impriſonment to affirm, Infants Baptiſm unlawful, and that ſuch ſhould p. 150be Baptized again. Mr. Marſhal informes us, out of Phocius, p. 3334 That ſome of the Greek Churches have Laws, That whatſoever baptized Perſon refuſed to bring their Children, and Wives too, to be baptized, ſhould be Anathamatiſed, and puniſhed alſo.

The wicked Decree of Zurick.At Zurick, as Dr. Featly tells us out of Gaſſius, p. 68. The Senate made an Act, That if any preſumed to Rebaptize viz. to baptiſe any that had been baptiſed in their Infancy, That they ſhould be drowned; and that at Vienna, many for Baptizing ſuch were ſo tyed together in Chains, that they drew the other after him in the River, wherein they were all drowned.

And that at Ropleſtein, the Lords of that place Decreed, that ſuch ſhould be burnt with a hot Iron, and bear the baſe Brands of thoſe Lords, in whoſe Lands they had ſo offended.

And p. 182. out of Ponton Catalog. through Germany, Alſatia, and Swedeland many Thouſands of this Sect, who defiled their firſt Baptiſme by a ſecond, were baptiſed the third time in their wn Blood.