Baptism, Part 2 · Chapter 7

Baptism · Part 2 · Chapter 7

p. 269CHAP. VII. Wherein there is an account of ſome eminent witneſs that hath been born againſt Infants Baptiſme from firſt to laſt.

THe firſt we ſhall mention is that excellent Teſtimony Tertullian bore againſt it, Tertul.upon the firſt appearance of it in the 3. Century, in his Book de Baptiſme Cap. 18. Wherein he diſſwades from the practice by ſuch like Arguments as theſe, viz.

Firſt, From the mistake of the Scripture uſually brought to enforce it, which was afterwards called the Scripture Canon for Baptiſme, viz. Mat. 19.14. Suffer little Children to come to me, and forbid them not, for of ſuch is the Kingdom of Heaven, &c.

It is true ſaith he, the Lord ſaith, D… not forbid them to come to me. Let them come therefore when they grow Elder, when they learn, when they are taught p. 270why they come; let them be made Chriſtians when they can know Chriſt.

Secondly, From the weightineſs of the Ordinance which ought not to be trifled with: For, ſaith he, they that do underſtand the weight of Baptiſme, will rather fear the attaining it, then the deferring it.

Thirdly, From the ſinfulneſs of ſuch a Practice: So raſhly, ſaith he, to give ſuch Holy things to Dogs, and to caſt ſuch Pearls before Swine, and ſo headily to partake of other mens ſins.

Fourthly, From the abſurdity of it, To refuſe to commit Earthly and Secular things to their truſt by reaſon of their incapacity, and yet to commit to, and intruſt them with Heavenly and Spiritual things.

Fifthly, From the folly of expoſing of Witneſſes, Who by death may not only fruſtrate their Promiſes but be diſappointed through the evil diſpoſition of them they ſo largely undertake for, Mag. Cen. 3. c 6. 125.

Sixthly, From the conſideration that the Adult were the only proper Subjects of Baptiſme; becauſe, ſaith he, Faſting, Confeſſion, Prayer, Profeſſion, Renouncing the Devill and … p. 271Works is called for from them. Coron. Mil. 124.

The Witneſs Born by the Donatists.

THe ſecond we ſhall mention is the Witneſs that the Novations and Donatiſts gave againſt it,2. Novations & Donatiſts Auſtin. as Auſtins 3. and 4. Books againſt the Donatiſts doth demonſtrate, wherein he manageth the Argument for Infants Baptiſme againſt them with great zeal, enforcing it by ſeveral Arguments, but eſpecially from Apoſtolical Tradition, and curſing with great bitterneſs they that ſhould not embrace it.

And therefore Oſiander Oſianderin his Epit. Gen. 16. P. 175. ſaith, That our modern Anabaptiſts were the ſame with the Donatists of old.

And Fuller Fuller.in his Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory, l. 5. p. 229. ſaith, That the Anabaptiſts are the Donatiſts new dipt.

And in farther Confirmation thereof, Pope Innocent I. the firſt Inſtitutor and Impoſer of Infants Baptiſme, did p. 272baniſh th… People (called Cath…ri) out of Rome, as Socrates Socrates.l. 7. c. 9. We put the Donatiſts and Novations together, becauſe they did ſo well agree in Principle, Cryſpin.as Cryſpins French Hiſt. P. 17. [out of Albaſpinaus upon Optat. Milevitanus Obſervat. 20.] telleth us, ſaying, That they hold together in the following things, viz.

Firſt, For purity of Church Members, by offering, that … ought to be admitted into Churches, but ſuch as were viſibly true Believers, and re… Saints.

Secondly, For the purity of Church-Diſcipline, as the Application of Church Cenſures, and keeping out ſuch as had Apoſtatiſed or ſcandalouſly ſinned.

Thirdly, They both agreed in aſſerting the Power, Rights and Priviledges of particular Churches, againſt Antichriſtian incroachments of Presbiters, Biſhops and Synods.

Fourthly, That they baptized again thoſe whoſe firſt Baptiſme they had ground to doubt.

Eckbert.Eckbertus and Emericus, two great oppoſers of the Waldenſes, for denying Baptiſme to Children, (as afterwards you'l find) do aſſert, That the new Cathari p. 273or Puritans, (which they called the Waldenſes) do conform to the Doctrine and manners of the old Cathari, viz. the N…vations.

And Paul Perin Perin.in h…s Hiſtory of the Waldenſes, tells us, That the Fratricelli, or little Brethren, another name given to the Waldenſes, were time out of mind in Italy and Dalmatia, and were the Offspring of the Novations perſecuted and driven from Rome about 400. and why for their purity in Communion, were alſo called Cathari.

And as for Caſſanders Reaſon in his Epiſtle to the D. of Cleve, why the Donatiſts did not diſown Infants Baptiſme, mentioned alſo by Mr. G…bb…t, I conceive hath no weight at all in it, viz. becauſe the 6 Council of Carthage decreed, That all that returned from the D…nat…s, ſhould be received …to the Catholick Church without Rebaptiſation, th…gh …aptized in Infancy; which is b… … ſuppoſition at …ſt that they might be baptized in Infancy, o… they might not, and c… ſignifie nothing againſt all the former Evide….

…bje…s. But the N…vations and Do…iſ…s, were by Popes and Councels p. 274adjudged and dealt with as Hereticks.

Anſw. So were the Waldenſes, as you'l hear none more, and ſo have …een the Chriſtians in all a…es, therefore all that have heen ſo Cenſured, ought not ſo to be eſteemed, Paul himſelf tells us, That in the way they called Hereſie, ſo worſhiped be the God of his Fathers. And indeed what part of the pureſt Goſpel way and worſhip has eſcaped this Cenſure.

Neither doth is follow, if Chriſtians ſhould erre, or miſtake themſelves in ſome things, that therefore they muſt be rejected as Hereticks in others.

I could enumerate ſeveral groſs errors and miſtakes of Auſtin himſelf, (their great oppoſer) as they are … corded amongſt his Navi, m…ſt be therefore be eſteemed … Heretick.

But as to the Nova…us and D…natiſts, (ſo much one in principle and pra…ti…e) however adjudged by Popes and Councils, I … find they … other then a very Holy Peopl…, … cially the Novations, whoſe great Crime was, that they preſt after purity in worſhip, and to ſeparate, … you p. 275have heard, from Antichriſtian defilement, & therefore called Puritans or Cathari, concerning whom Socrates, Scholaſtious ſpeaks ſo honourably, and ſo largely vindicates from the Calumnies caſt upon them, defending them to be a holy, zealous, ſincere, faithfull People.

The Witneſs born by the Ancient Britains.

THe next we ſhall mention,3. Britains. is that witneſs we find born by the Old Britains, (of whoſe Antiquity and Purity in Chriſtianity, you have a more particular account in the following Hiſtory) who having as you will find, received the Chriſtian Doctrine and Worſhip from the Apoſtles time, did entirely keep thereto, cleaving to the Scriptures, utterly renouncing all Romiſh Traditions, and Superſtitions, eſpecially the Remains of them, that after the Roman and Saxon invaſions, inhabited Wales; to whom Auſtin the Monk, the …gate of Pope Gregory about the year 604. did addreſs in two Aſſemblies, p. 276that he procured upon the Borders of Wales, to engage them as he had done many of the Saxons, to embrace the Romiſh Rites, eſpecially in Chriſtening Children, and keeping Eaſter. But in as much as they utterly refuſed to be ſeduced by him therein; he not only threatned their ruine, but accompliſhed the ſame in a ſhort time after.

Concerning which Mr. Fox Fox:in his Martyrology, P. 153, 154. 1. Part, tells us, That Auſtin having charged them to Preach with him to the Engliſh, and that they ſhould among themſelves form certain Rites and Ʋſages in theer Church, eſpecially for keeping their Eaſter-Tide, and Baptizing after the manner of Rome, and for which he quotes Bede, Polichron, Huntingdon, Jornalenſes, and Jeff Monmouth, and Fabian,Fabian. 5. Part Ch. 119. &c. Fabian expreſſeth himſelf thus, Fol. 125. Part 5. viz. Then he ſaid to them, ſince you will not aſſent to my Hosts generally, aſſent you to me, eſpecially in that things. The firſt is, that you keep Eaſter i… d… form and time as it is Ordained. The ſecond, that you give Chriſtendome t… Children. And the third, that you p. 277Preach to the Saxons, as I have i… h… ed you: And all the other debate I ſhall ſ…ffer you to amend, and reform amongſt your ſelves; but ſaith he they would not thereof. To whom then Auſtin ſpake and ſaid, That if they would not take Peace with their Brethren, they ſhould receive War with their Enemies: And if they diſdained to Preach with them the way of Life to the Engliſh Nation, they ſhould ſuffer by their hands the revenge of Death; and which Auſtin accompliſheth accordingly, by bringing the Saxons upon them to their utter ruine, as you will hear afterwards at large. And thereupon ſaith Fabian, That Faith that had endured in Britain for near 400 years, became near e…ti… through all the Land.

And that the Churches in Britain did oppoſe the baptizing of Infants, and aſſert and practice that of Believers, is farther manifeſt by theſe following Arguments.

1. Becauſe as you'l find in the Hiſtor… that they received the Scriptures, th… C…iſtia… Faith, Doctrine and Diſcipline from the Apoſtles and A…tick Churches, who had no ſuch thinges p. 278the baptizing of Infants amongſt them, as you have largely heard.

2. Becauſe it appears they ſo fully pr…ed, and faithfully adhered to the Scriptures both for Doctrine and Diſcipline, wherein no ſuch thing is to be found, as alſo you have underſtood, and as is confeſt.

3. Becauſe they did ſo vehemently reject Humane Traditions in the Worſhip of God, eſpecially all Romiſh Innovations, Rites and Ceremonies, this … before undeniably appearing to cou…e from Romes Ordination and Impoſition.

4. Becauſe Conſtantine the Great, the Son of Conſtance, and the famous Helena, (both eminent Chriſtians) born in Britain in the year 305. was not baptized till he was aged, as before, a clear proof, that the Chriſtians in Britain in thoſe days did not baptize their Children.

5. Becauſe of the Correſpondency and Ʋnity that were betwixt the French Chriſtians, after called the Waldenſes, and them, who had Colledges like them, communicated in the Miniſtry with them, both in preaching and baptizing, viz. Germanus and Lupu…, two famous p. 279French Men, ſent for to help againſt the Pelagian Heriſie, who were not only uſefull and ſerviceable to ſuppreſs that error, but were Inſtrumental to convert many, and did Bapti…e great Multitudes amongſt them upon confeſſion of Faith in the River Allin near Cheſter.

And laſtly, another Argument why they did not baptize Children in Britain, becauſe Auſtin himſelf, the Romiſh Emiſſary, was himſelf ſo raw and ignorant in the Rite, when he came beſt into Britain, as appears by that Queſtion, which he amongſt others writ from thence to Pope Gregory to be reſolved in, viz. how long the baptizing of a Child might be deferr'd (there being no danger of death) in his 10th. Interogatory, Ex decreto Greg. 1. Lib. Concil. Th…. 2.

p. 280The Witneſs born by the Waldenſes.

4. Waldenſes.THe next we ſhall produce, is the moſt eminent Teſtimony that was born by the Waldenſes, thoſe French Chriſtians, who are ſo very famous in Story, for the defence of the Goſpel againſt Antichriſtian Uſurpations, that the learned Ʋſher in his Book of the ſtate and ſucceſſion of the Chriſti… Church, doth trace its ſucceſſion through them in a diſtinction from, and oppoſition to that of the Papacy, the Romiſh Church, and who amongſt other of Chriſts Ordinances, (that they defended and witneſſed too, to death, and baniſhment, and bonds) that of Baptizing Believers in oppoſition to that of Infants, was you'l find by plentifull Evidence none of the leaſt.

Leaving the Hiſtory of this famous People, as to the Names they are known by in Story, their Original, Growth, Excellency, and Suffering, till the Concluſion, we proceed to demonſtrate to you what witneſs p. 281they gave unto this great truth, in the …articulars following, viz.

1. In their publick Confeſſion of …aith.

2. In the particular Witneſs that ſome of their principal men bare thereto.

3. In the more general Witneſs born by the Body of the People, as appears by Decrees of Councils, the Decretal P…ſtl…, and General Edicts given forth againſt the whole Party for the ….

4. In the Footſteps that we find thereof in the ſeveral Countries, where they have heretofore Imprinted the ſame.

p. 282The firſt is the Witneſs we find hereof in their publick Confeſſions of Faith, viz.

1. In their Confeſſions of Faith. P. PerinIN their Ancient Confeſſion of Faith bearing Date 1120. Article 1… They ſay we acknowledge no other Sacraments but Baptiſme, and the Supper of the Lord, P. Perin 87.

And in Article 28. of another Confeſſion. That God doth not only inſtru… us by his word, but has alſo Ordaine… certain Sacraments to be joyned with it; as a means to unite us unto, and to make us partakers of his benefits, and that there are only two of them belonging in Common to all the Members of the Chu…ch under the New Teſtament, viz. Baptiſme and the Supper of the Lord, Morland. 1. B. Ch. 4. 67. And in another very Ancient Confeſſion of Faith,

Article 7. We do believe that in the Sacrament of Baptiſme, Water is the Viſible and External Sign which repr… ſents unto us that (which by the Inviſible p. 283virtue of God operating) is within … viz. The Renovation of the Spirit, … the mortification of our Members in … Chriſt, by which alſo we are received into the holy Congregation of the … of God, there proteſting and declaring openly our Faith and amendment … Life, P. Perin P. 89.

VignierVignier. in his Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory; … They expreſl… declare to receive … Canon of the Old and New Teſta…ent, and to reject all Doctrines which …re not their foundations in it, or are … any thing contrary unto it. Therefore all the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church of Rome they condemn and abo…inate, ſaying ſhe is a Den of Thieves, …d the Apocaliptical Harlot, Uſher P. 374.

And in their Ancient Confeſſion, Article 11d We eſteem for an abomination, and as Antichriſtian all Humane Inventions, as a trouble and prejudice to the liberty of the Spirit; and in their Ancient Catechiſme you have theſe further Principles about Tradition and Humane Inventions, as you find them in P. Perin de Doct. de Vaud. Liv. 1. 168, 169. When Humane Traditions are obſerved for Gods Ordinances, then is he p. 284worſhiped in vain, as the Prophet … affirmeth, Ch. 19. And our Savi… himſelf alledgeth, Mat. 19. And whi… done when Grace is attributed on the B… …al Ceremonies, and Perſons enjoyned to partake of Sacraments with… Faith and Truth.

But the Lord chargeth his to take he… of ſuch falſe Prophets, to ſeparate, avoid and withdraw from them, Mat. 16.… to the 23. Pſal. 26.5. 2 Cor. 6.1… 2 Theſ. Rev. 18. And—

In their Ancient Treatiſe concern… Antichriſt, Writ 1120. They ſay th… … attributes the Regeneration of the … Spirit unto the …ad outward w… Baptizing Children into their Faith, … teaching that thereby Baptiſme and R… generation must be had, grounding the… in all his Chriſtianity, which is again… the Holy Spirit, P. Perin Lib. 3. 267.

p. 285…he ſecond is the Witneſs we find born hereto by ſeveral of their moſt eminent leading men.2. By their leading Men.

THe firſt we begin with is the famous Beringarius1. Beringarius. of Turain in …n…n, one of their Barbes, as M…r….

Who in the 11. Century did ſo emi…ly and learnedly oppoſe Tranſub…tiation, and other Popiſh Innova…, and for which he was perſecuted … above 30. years, by no leſs then … Popes, viz. Leo the IX. Nic. II. …x. II. Greg. VII. and proſecuted by … deſperate perſecuters, viz. Gui… …d, Algerius, F…lbertus, Heldibrand, after Greg. VII. and Lunifrank Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and Sentenced in no leſs then four Councils, as the Magd…burgs tell us, viz. The 1ſt. Lateran, the Vercellans, the Thureus, and 2d. Lateran, as Cen. 12. P. 454, 456, 457.

p. 286Who with his Witneſs againſt the r… …al preſence doth alſo teſtifie againſt t… other of Baptizing of Children.

The Magdiburg Cent. 11. C…. 15. 1. 240. tell us, That Beringarius did i… the time of Leo the IX about the ye… 1049. publickly maintain his Hereſies, which they ſet down to be denying Tra… ſubſtantiation, and Baptiſme to litt… ones, under five Heads, which La… franck Archbiſhop of Canterbury, … his Book called Scintillaris anſwer… large; and as to that of his denying i… fants Baptiſme, he anſwers by ſay… he doth thereby oppoſe the general Doctr… and Ʋniverſal conſent of the Church, P. 243.

CaſſanderCaſſand. in his Epiſtle to the D… of Cl…, ſaith, That Guitmund Bl… of Averſe doth affirm, that with the … preſence in the Euchariſt, he did … Baptiſme to little ones, though not … latter ſo publickly as the former, kn… (as he ſaith) that the Ears of the … of men would not brook that blaſph….

In the Bibliotheca Patrum, P… at Paris,Durand. Epiſtle to H. 1. P. 43. It is Recorded, T… Durandus Biſhop of Leodienſes, hear… that Henry I. King of France, had called a Council to ſuppreſs the Hereſies o… p. 287Brow… Biſhop of Auſten, and Berringari… of T…rionenſes writes a large Epiſtle …o him to this purpoſe; firſt to applaud …is wiſdom in the calling of that Coun… to ſuppreſs thoſe pernicious Doctrines of the old Hereſies now modernly revived, which had filled all Ears through France and Germany.

Then Secondly, mentions the ſame to be, firſt, the affirming the Eucharist …o be not the real Body, but a Shadow …d Figure rather of the Body of Chriſt; …d Secondly, the denying, and as much … in them lay the deſtroying the Bap…ſme of Infants.

Then Thirdly, ſhews the neceſſity of the Councils ſeverity againſt them, …ſpecially againſt the Biſhop of Bruno, …hoſe influence in his Capacity might be of ſo evil Conſequence, and therefore adviſeth, that they ſhould not be ſuffered ſo much as to ſpeak in the Council; And laſtly, endeavours to confute the ſaid opinions, viz. the firſt from ſeveral. Authorities of the Ancients, as Leo, Ambroſe, Hillary, Cyril, Baſil; and the ſecond concerning Infants Baptiſme. From a ſingle quotation out of Au… againſt the Donatiſts, Lib. 4. which Epiſtle you have at large in the ſaid …ib. Pat.

p. 288Mr. ClarkM. Clark in his Mar…rology, t… …, That God raiſed up Beringari… who boldly and faithfully Preached, and witneſſed to the Truth againſt the Romiſh Errors; whereupon the Gospelers w… called Berringari… for about 100 years after.

Math. Paris ſaith, That Berringarius had drawn all France, Italy and England to his opinion, 1087.

Dr. ƲſherD. Ʋſher tells in in the Succeſſion of the Church, P. 252. out of Thun… That Bruno Archbiſhop of Tryer… did expel ſeveral of the Berringarian Sect, that had ſpread his Doctrine in ſeveral of thoſe Belgick Countries, and that ſeveral of them upon Examination did ſay, That Baptiſme did not profit Children to Salvation, … (ſaith h…) the Auth… of the Acts of Bruno (found in the Lord C…e… Library of Clapton) doth … ſtifi….

But … to B…rin…ri…, it is objected … ſaid, Th…t …e did recant and re…oke hi… opinio…, a… appea… by th… R…tation it ſelf Recorded by Gr… ….

To which I …ſwer in the words of a learned Man …preſt in CriſpiusCriſpin. French Hiſtory, fol. …1. That if he did throug… p. 289frailty recant and deny the truth, it was … other then Peter did before him, who …it repented of that evil, and ſo did Ber…garius too.

And write againſt his own Rec… … ſo viola…ly extorted from him; for moſt conclude he lived ſome time after, and dyed in his former profeſſion, a man of great worth and goodneſs, as his Epilaph by his Scholar Heldebert Biſhop of Tryers diſcovers, mentioned by Malmſ…ry. P. 1. 14.

Vir v…re ſapiens & parte beat… ab omni,

Qui C…lo… anima corpore ditat hu…um.

Poſt obitum vivam ſicum, ſicum qui…ſcum.

Nec ſciat melior ſors mea ſorte ſua.

He was a Man was bleſt on every part.

The Earth hath his Body the Heavens his Heart.

My wiſh ſhall be that at that my end.

My Soul may reſt with this my Friend.

p. 290The ſecond eminent Witneſs we meet with amongſt the Waldenſes, w… t… famo… Peter Bruis of Tholo…ſ…,P. Bruis another of their renowned Barbes, who pu…lickly and moſt ſucceſsfully Preached the Goſpel in that City, and the Provinces round about it for about 20. years, wi… for his oppoſing the Doctrines of the Church of Rome, was apprehended, impriſ…ed, and b…rnt in the Fields of Sir Giles near Tholo…e, about the year 1136. whoſe Doctrin… and Poſitions, for which he ſuffered, we have Recorded by the Magdib. C…t. 12. 843. and L. OſianderOſiander. Cent. 12. 262. And amongſt which we find theſe about Baptiſme; Firſt, That Infants are mith… to be ſword, nor to be baptized by the Faith of another, all being to be bapti…ed, and expect to be ſaved by their own proper faith.

Secondly, That Baptiſme without proper faith ſaves not.

Thoſe two Poſitions, ſaith Oſiander (the Lutheran) have no Error in them, the Papists being rather to be condemn…d, who deny Infants to have proper faith.

Thirdly, That little Children that are under age, and without underſtanding, p. 291that are brought to Baptiſme, are not ſaved thereby.

Fourthly, That thoſe that are Baptized in their Infancy, after they are come to understanding, are to be Baptized again, and which is not to be eſteemed Rebaptiſation, but right Baptiſme.

Theſe two ſaith Oſiander are Heretical & Anabaptiſtical. Cen. 12. l. 3. p. 262.

All which, with his aſſertions about Tranſubſtantiation, worſhiping of Images, Purgatory, &c. are diſtinctly and at large anſwered, by Peter Clunienſos,Peter Clunienſ. whereof the Magdiburgs do give a particular account: And alſo you have the ſaid Peter (writing to three Biſhops in France about this time) ſaying, That neither Temples nor Alt…rs are made by theſe People, neither are Croſſes worſhipped, but rather broken, and trodden underfoot; the Maſs is eſteemed an abomination, and that the benefits of the living did not profit the dead, &c. And that this Hereſie of the Pe…ro Bruſians was received in the Gali… Norbonc…ſ…, complaining that the People were Rebaptized, the Churches, Altars and Croſſes prophain'd, …le… … in Lent, y… upon Good Friday it ſelf.

p. 292This Peter Bruis was ſuppoſed to have written the Treatiſe of Antichriſt, whereof you have ſome account in the Hiſtory, and ſo eminent and worthy a Perſon, that for many years the Waldenſes were called Petro Bruſ…ians.

The next we ſhall mention is the famous Arnoldus,Arnold. or rather the Arnoldeſes, there being three of that name.

PridieuxThe firſt, viz. Arnoldus of Bri…ia, was in the ſecond, Lateran Council with Peter Bruis Cenſured for the Hereſie of rejecting Infants Baptiſme, Church-buildings, and the Adoration of the Croſs. Prid. Introduct. to H…ſt Latin Councils, P. 23.

The ſaid Arnoldus was in the year 1155. as ſaith ƲſherƲſher. out of Gerhohus, at Rome put to death, being firſt hanged, then his Body burnt, and his Aſhes flung into Tyber, leaſt the People of Rome following his Doctrine, ſhould adore him.

Another eminent Man of this name, (and one of the Waldenſian Barbes alſo) whom Eckber…, a… Ʋſher tells us, P. 292. calls the Arch-Catheri or Puritans was with two of his Aſſociates, v…z. Mar…llyus and Theodoricus, who with p. 293him managed a publick dispute at Cologne, againſt one Eckberius, were burnt, Arnold, and Eight more of his Diſciples at Cologne, Auguſt 2. 1163. And Theodoricus and Marſellyus afterwards at Bunnae near Cologne. Eckbertus ſaith, That the Principal Argument they brought againſt Infants Baptiſme, was Chriſts Commiſſion, Mat. 28 19. Mark 16.15, 16.

We read alſo of another Arnold, who in the time of Honorius II. 1124. was burnt at Rome for witneſſiing againſt the Pride, Pomp, and Luxury of the Prieſts, as Prid. in his Introduction, and Baronius in his Anals 1124. Balaeus ſaith he was an Engliſh Man.

The Waldenſian Sect were alſo called Arnoldiſts, as Biſhop Ʋſher and P. Perin tells us after their names,

Another eminent Perſon we meet with, witneſſing to this great Truth, Heneric.was one Henricus, a great Friend and Collegue of P. Bruis 's, whoſe Doctrines and Poſitions are alſo recorded by the Magdiburgs, under 11. Heads; the firſt whereof was den…ing Baptiſme to Children, Cent 12. 843. which BernardBernard. at large endeavours to anſwer, and confute, telling us, That Infants p. 294are to be baptized upon the Faith of the Church.

The ſame Bernard in his Epiſtle to Heldeſ…nſ…s, Earl of St. Giles, ſaith, The Henerici (for ſo they called his followers) did deny Holy days, Sacraments, Churches and Prieſts, complaining that the Children of Chriſtians were excluded the Life of Chriſt, whilst they denyed them the Grace of Baptiſme, and not ſuffered them to partake of Gra…e and Salvation thereby.

CaſſanderCaſſand. in his Epiſtle before his Book of Baptiſme, ſaith, that Peter Bruis, and Henry his Diſciple and Colegue, were great Propagators of the Error of denying Baptiſme to little ones, affirming that it did only belong to the Adult.

p. 295Thirdly,By the People themſelves ſuffering for the ſame. in the Witneſs born not only by ſome particular men, but by the Body of the people, as appeareth by Decrees of Councils, decretal Epistles, and Edicts given forth againſt them, as well as the Teſtimony of many learned Writers.

DR. ƲſherDr. Ʋſh. out of the Fragments of the Hiſtory of Acquitane, written by P. Pithao, P. 81, 82. tells us, That in the time of Robert King of France, that they of Acquitaine and Tholouſe, (principal places of the Waldenſes) did deny Baptiſme (for ſo they called denying Baptiſme to little ones) the Sign of the Croſs, the real preſence in the Euchariſt, and other Rites of the Church, and that many of them were Sentenced by Council and burnt.

Dr. Ʋſher alſo tells us out of Papir Maſſon in his French Annals, That p. 29614. Citizens of Orleans in the Reign of King Robert, were convicted of the ſame Hereſie, for denying baptiſmal Grace, and the real preſence, and were all burnt alive, and that the names of three of the chief of them were Herbert, …iſius and Stephen.

Dr. Ʋſher tells us, That in the time of the Emperour Henry II. 1017. many of this Sect were about Mediolanenſes fined and baniſhed as he tells us, Antonius in his Hiſtory, 2. Tit. 15. Chap. 23. informeth.

And alſo out of Radulp. Ard Homil. tells us, That in Germany, under the Reign of Henry IV. about 1054 ſeveral of this People, whom they called the Manchean Sect, and the Reaſon of it you will underſtand afterwards, did inhabit the Countrey of Aganenſes, who denyed Baptiſme, and the Sacrament of the Altar.

P. Leo IXPope Leo the IX. in his Decretal Epiſtle to the Biſhop of Acquitaine, (a Principal, Place of their abode) about the year 1050. Commandeth; that Young Children ſhould be Baptized, becauſe of Original ſin.

p. 297Pope Gregory VII. decreed 1070. That th…e young Children whoſe …o…t… are abſent or unknown, ſhould according to the Tradition of the …ers be Baptized.

BernardBernard. Abhor of Clara…el, in the 12 Century, in his 66. Sermon in C…itio… complained, That the Cathari did deride them, becauſe they baptized …s, and pray'd for the dead, and …ſſerted …urgatory; and that the Soul as ſo… as it departed out of the Body, went to Salvation or Damnation.

Eckbertus a great Dr. about the ſame time, Eckber.in his Sermon againſt the Cathari, ſaith, That they ſay concerning the baptizing of Children, that through their incapacity it nothing profited them the Salvation, and that Baptiſme ought to be deferred till they come to years of diſcretion, and that then only they ought to be baptized, when they can with their own months make a profeſſion of Faith, and deſire it, and which he largely endeavo…ds, to confute in that Sermon, Bib. P…t. 2. To…. fol. 99. 106.

Erbrardus another great Dr. of this time, ſaith, ErbrardThat the Cathari do deny Baptiſme to Children, becauſe they want underſtanding; and therefore p. 298ſpends his 6. Chapter to confute them; the Title of which is, Children which cannot ſpeak ought to be Baptized; and concludes thus: By this therefore we find that we ought to call little ones to faith by Baptiſme. Bib. Pat. Tom. 4. P. 1108.

Ermengendus.Ermengendus. another great writer of this Age, in his Book contra Waldenſes, proves Infants Baptiſme (which he ſaith they deny) by two Scriptures, namely Mat. 19.14. Suffer little Children to come to me, &c. And 1 Cor. 15. Baptized for the dead; whence he thus reaſons. If they of old baptized the Living for the Dead, for their Eternal Salvation, though they neither received it, nor were capable thereof; how much more doth the faith of the Goſſips avail for Spiritual Grace and Salvation, in the baptizing the perſons of the little o…s themſelves Bib. Pat. Tom 4.

Dr. ƲſhDr. Ʋſher in his foreſaid Book of the S…cceſſion of the Church, P. 292. tells us out of Decretal, Lib. 5. Tit. 6 c. 10. That Pope Alexander the III. in the Turonenſi…n Synod, held 1163. touching the Albigenſes, made the following Canon, viz.

p. 299To damn that Hereſie,Alex III Turonenſian Canon. that had ſo infected as a Canker, all thoſe parts about Gaſcogne, requiring the Clergy of every ſort to give their utmoſt diligence to detect and ſuppreſs it, and to require all upon penalty of Excommunication, not only to refuſe harbouring of them, but to avoid all civil Communion and Converſe with them; and if taken by any Catholick Princes, that they be Impriſoned, and their Goods and Eſtates confiſcated

And in as much as multitudes under pre…ence of ſojourning together in one Manſion houſe, (which was very much the Cuſtom of the Waldenſes to do) do under that Colour carry on their Errors in ſuch Cohabitations, that all ſuch Conventicles ſhould deligently be ſearched out; and if found, to be proceeded with by Canonical ſeverity.

And further the ſaid Dr. Ʋſher tells us out of Hovedens Annals, fol. 319. Hoved.That the ſaid Pope Alexander III. did … the year 1176. The better to extirpate the Albigenſes, ſend a Cardinal and three Biſhops, as Commiſſioned Inquiſitors againſt them, under the names of the Cridentes, Lyoniſts, Patrinos, Bonhomes, or Manichees, (of the Reaſon of p. 300which names you will underſtand afterwards) with a Creed to put to them for the better diſcovering of them, in which theſe following are ſome of the Articles,Inquiſitors Creed. viz. We believe we cannot be ſaved except we eat the body of Chriſt, and which is not ſo, except Conſecrated in a Church by a Prieſt: We believe that none are ſaved, except they are baptized; and that Children are ſaved by Baptiſme, and that Baptiſme is to be performed by a Prieſt in the Church, Hovend. Annals 319. 6.

In the ſame year Pope Alexander, calls another Gallican Council, to convince and condemn the Albigenſian Hereſie.

Alex. III his Canon in the Galican. Council.In the Third Canon, whereof they ſay they do convince and judge them of Hereſie for denying Baptiſme to Children, or that they are to be ſaved thereby, urging Arguments from Chriſts d…ing for all, and from the Circumciſing of Infants of old; for their baptizing, and affirming, that the Faith of the Goſſips is ſufficient to baptize upon, &c. which you have at large in the Book of Decretals.

p. 301Two years after, as ſaith Mat. Paris,Mat. Paris. viz. 1178. Cardinal Chryſoginus, i… ſent Inquiſitor to ſuppreſs the Hereticke about Tholouſe, that had evil Sentiments about the Sacraments, in which Inquiſition many of them were perſecuted, and amongſt the rest Roger …es.

Alſo the ſame Pope Alexander III. Alex. III his Canon in the Lateran Councel.in the year 1179. In the general Lateran Council condemns the Waldenſian or Catharian Hereſie; and in the 27. Canon Anatham…tiſeth the Cathari, &c. dwelling in Gaſcogne, Albi, and other Parts about Tholouſe, and amongſt the reſt of their Hereſies, for denying Baptiſme to Children, and or their contempt of all the Sacraments, Decret.

Favin,Favin. in his Hiſtory of Navarre, P. 2…0. ſaith, That the Albego…s do eſteem the baptizing of Infants ſuperstitious.

In the year 1181. P Lucius his Canon in the Verone Council.P. Lucius held his general Council at Verone in the time of Fred. I. Wherein the Albigenſian Sect. and Hereſie were damned, and Anatha…atized under the names of Cathari, Patrini, Humiliati, poor people of Lyons, Arnoldiſts, for during to Preach without Apoſtolical Approbation, or miſſion publickly or privately, and for teaching p. 302otherwiſe about the Euchariſt, Baptiſme, Confeſſion, Marriage, and other Sacraments of the Church, then the Church of Rome Preacheth and obſerveth, Decret. Lib. 5. Tit. 6. de Heret. c. 11. 126. confirmed by Urban the III. 1185. Coeleſtin. 3. 1192. In 3. 1200. as Favin Hiſt. P. 290.

P. Innocent III. his Decretal Ep.Pope Innocent the III. about the year 1199. writes his Decretal Epiſtle to the Biſhop of Aries, (the principal City in Provence) reſpecting the Albigenſian Sect, to which Barronius in his Annals writes this Preamble; and which is alſo expreſt by Spondanus in his Epitome, 981. 1199. viz. Amongſt the Arlatenſes were Hereticks, (ſaith he) who excluded Infants from Baptiſme, counting them uncapable of that Heavenly Priviledge: Therefore did Innocent write this excellent Epiſtle to the Arch Biſhop of Arles, to confute and confound them; which he recites at large (as it is alſo found both in Gratian, and the Book of the Decretals.

Wherein having given many Arguments to inforce the baptizing of Infants, he makes this Decree, viz. That ſince Baptiſme is come in the room of Circumciſion; therefore no… p. 303alone the Elder, but alſo the young Children, which of themſelves nei-neither believe nor underſtond, ſhall be Baptized, and in their Baptiſme Original ſin ſhall be forgiven them.

And then after the Epiſtle, BaroniusBaronius adds, This Innocent writ in a time of great Immergenſy concerning the Sacrament of Baptiſme, which, ſaith he, the poor People of Lyons, thoſe Albigenſian Anabaptiſts did deny.

After this he ſent a great number of Fryars in imitation of the Albigenſian Barbes to go up and down thoſe Countries to preach and diſpute amongſt them; Dominicus, Benedict, and Francis being in the Head of them. Then after them many Legates, and Inquiſitors upon Inquiſitors; after them a Cruſado of Armed Men, which he ſupplyed from time to time from all Parts, and continued a bloody War againſt them all his dayes; but yet could neither vanquiſh nor ſuppreſs them; who by the help of ſtrong Allies, the Kings of England and Spain, Earl of Tholouſe and F…ix, were enabled in a defenſive way to maintain the War againſt his mighty Armies that came againſt p. 304them, a Hundred Thouſand at a time; and by which me…n… as Dr. UſherƲſher. obſerves, P. 266. That as the perſecution about Stephen by that diſperſion proved much for the furtherance of the Gospel in other Parts of the world, ſo was i… here; for thoſe that were not ſo fit for the War, went up and down with more freedom into moſt Parts of Europe. …nſomuch that Aeneas, Silvas,Aeneus, Silvas. afterward Pope Pius the II. in his 16. Chap. confeſſeth in theſe words. Nec ull…s vel Romanorum, Pontificium Decret…, vel Christianarum armis deleri potuiſſ…. That neither the Decrees of Popes, nor Armies of Chriſtians could exterpate.

Having produced to you ſo much Evidence to this Point, I conceive it not unſeaſonable before I proceed farther, to preſent to you what I meet with from Mr. BaxierMr. Bax. upon it, who

In his plain Scripture Proof, p. 157. is pleaſed to tell us, That for his pa… he cannot find in his ſmall Read…ng, that any one Divine, or party of m…n, did certainly oppoſe or deny Infant… Baptiſme, for many Hundred years after Chriſt.

p. 305And again, p. 261. That the World may now ſee what a Cauſe you put ſuch a face upon, when you cannot bring the least proof ſo much as of one Man, (much leſs Societies, and leaſt of all godly Societies) that did once oppoſe or deny Infants Baptiſme from the Apoſtles dayes, till about Luthers time.

And yet farther, p 266. I am fully ſatisfied, that you cannot ſhew me any Society (I think not one man) that ever opened their mouth againſt Baptiſm of Infants till about 200. years ago, or thereabouts, which confirms me m…ch that it is from the Apoſtles time, or elſe ſome one would have been found as an oppoſer of it.

Though with what Evidence and Truth theſe confident aſſertions, and ſevere reflections are made, (in reſpect to what hath, and is farther to be ſaid hereto) is recommended to his own, and the conſideration of the impartial Reader.

And Mr. Cobbet in, P. 200. ſaith, That the Doctrine of Paedobaptiſme was never ex profeſſo, oppoſed by any Orthodox Church or Chriſtian in time of old as far as I can learn.

p. 306By their Diſciples in ſeveral Countries.Laſtly from the footſteps we find of this Truth in the ſeveral Countries and Places, where the Waldenſes had heretofore Imprinted it, as appeareth by the following Inſtances.

1. Germany.1. FRom what we find hereof in Germany, where (by what you will find hereafter) the Waldenſes were ſo converſant, that their itinerant Miniſters could Travel through the whole Empire, and lie every night at a friends Houſe. Du Pleſſis D… leſſisin his Myſtery of Iniquity, P. 403. ſaith, They are ſpread abroad in Germany and France, as that their footſteps are to be diſcerned throughout the courſe of Hiſtory.

In which Countrey we find, yea and and in moſt parts thereof, Multitude… of this perſwaſion down to the 16. Century; as may appear not only by the oppoſitions made againſt thoſe perſwaſions, by the Popiſh Party, but by p. 307the Proteſtants alſo; witneſs not only …he writings of Bar…nius, Caſſander, Eckius, Greſ… in contradiction and …ty thereto; but the ſeveral Canons of the Council of Trent, and the Catechiſme of Pope Pius Quin…us, reſpecting that of Infants Baptiſme, print…d and annexed with the ſame Decretals to be read in every Pariſh (by the Popiſh.]

But by the ſeveral diſputations,Anabaptists in all parts in Germany. writings, and oppoſition made by the Proteſtant party alſo; yea, and that from thoſe that were called chief of the … formation, viz. by Regius at Ausburg about 1516. Luther in Saxony 1522. Micarius in Thuringia 1525. Zwingli… i… Zwitzerland 1529. Brentius in S…via 1530 Calvin at Geneva 1537. J…nius about Limburg and Heidlburg 1570. and Multitude of Anabaptists in Baſil, Ʋlme, Ausburg, againſt whom O…l…mpagius diſputed, 1527. 29. As Clark in his Lives, and their reſpective works manifeſt.

Whereby it is evident they had a being in thoſe parts before Luthers time; for it cannot rationally be ſuppoſed, that they ſhould all of a ſudden be ſo ſpread over ſo great a Territory p. 308as the upper Germany; and therefore cannot be concluded to be other then the Remain… and Offspring of thoſe that the Waldenſes had inſtructed in thoſe times.

But in the next place we do not only find them in the upper,2. Hollan. but lower Germany, being ſpread all over the L…w-Countries.

Caſſand. rep…rts well of Anabaptiſts.Caſſander in his Epiſtle to the Duke of Cleve, tells us, That the Anabaptiſts of the Belgick and lower Germany, are followers of Menno Simonis, and ſince of Theodoricus, in both whom were Tokens of a godly mind, and whoſe Diſciples ſeem to err more out of ignorance then malice, and therefore, ſaith he, are more worthy an amendment, then perſecution and perdition.

Anab. cald Menniſts from Menno. Cloppenb.From the ſaid Menno the Anabaptiſts in Holland are called Menniſts to this day.

Cloppenburg in his Epiſtle to his Gangrea…e, ſaith, The Troops of Anabaptiſts that dwell in Friezland, although they trouble not the Common Wealth, yet they ſuffer not the pure reformed Churches to be edified without daily conflicts.

p. 309Beza in his Epiſtle to the Gallabelgick Churches at Embden, ſaith,Beza's honourable Teſtimony of Anabt. Many of the Anabaptiſts are good men, Servants of God, Martyrs of Chriſt, and our moſt dear Brethren. Hornbeck p 364.

Voſſius in his Book de Baptiſmo, The learned Zwingerius writ for Anab.fol. 175. tells us, That the learned Zwingerius in his Book de Baptiſme, fol. 63. did maintain, that Children were uncapable of Baptiſme through unbelief, and that it did only belong to the Adult.

He alſo tells us,Eraſmus a favourer of Anabapt. That Eraſmus of …tterdam himſelf ſeemed not much to differ from him, who would have all Parents either to baptize in Infancy, or to defer it till they were of years, provided that they did carefully educate, them in the Doctrine of Faith, and train them up in good Manners.

Therefore Bell…rmine ſaith of him,3. Bohemia and M…rav. That he was not only a friend to them, but had ſowed the Seeds of Anabaptiſme.

In the next place we find, that as P. Perin tells us, That the Waldenſes of old were diſperſed, and their Doctrines taught in Bohemia, Moravia, and Auſtria; ſo there alſo till they were expelled by the Emperour about 50 years p. 310ſince were ſeveral Anabaptiſt Churches to be found.

Scultet.Scultetus in his Annals upon 1528. tells us, That the Brethren in Bohemi…, and many godly Men in that time were Rebaptized, not that they did favour the many Errors …harged upon the Anabaptiſts; Anabab. a nick name.but they ſaw not (they ſay) how otherwiſe to ſeperate themſelves from the pollutions of the world, not owning a Rebaptiſation, becauſe they eſteemed the former a meer nullity, and unlawfull

And farther tells us, That their Martrology mentions, That one of their ſufferers in the year 1553. being asked whether he was Rebaptized, anſwered, That he knew no Anabaptiſt; for being …nce baptized, was as much as the Word of God required.

Baltazar Hu…bmer a Dr. in Waldſhu…t, a great preacher of this way in Bohemia and Moravia,Dr. Hubmer and Wife Mart. whom Oſiander calls a Phanatick, and groſs Anabaptiſt, was taken Priſoner with his Wife, by the Emperours command, who was himſelf burnt at Vienna in Auſtria, and his Wife drowned, for Hereticks in the year 1528.

p. 311But that which is moſt conſiderable in the Account we have to give of Bohemi…, is what we meet with in the Hiſtory of Bohemia, writ by Commenius, p. …4.Comenius Hiſt. of the Anabapt. of Morav. who giving an account of the diſtreſſes that befell them upon the deſeat of Frederick by the Emperours Forces at Prag…, tell us, That when the Enemy reſolved to exerciſe their cru…lty againſt us, they began the year after the victory with the Anabaptiſts in Moravia, who poſſeſſing about 45.Lived in Colledges Houſes or Colledges, (many Families dwelling together in them) having all things managed in partnerſhip, in a publick, Stock or in common, according to their Cuſtom, lived peaceably under their own Diſcipline, troubleſome or grievous to none, but beneficial to all by their Trades and Callings.

They baniſhed, ſaith he, theſe firſt in the year 1622. about Autumn, being forced to leave their Houſes, Lands and Vineyards, though the time of Vintage was at hand, and carrying the weaker fort with them in ſome Hundreds of Carts, went in great Troops into the neighbouring Countries of Hungaria and T…nſilyania, where he ſaith they could find fit, Seats for themſelves, and whereby p. 312they avoided th…ſe evils that were afte… to be ſuffered by … that were left behind And that …b…ſe were of the Stock that had been inſtructed by the Waldenſes of old, may appear by this Cuſtom of living together in Houſes or Colledges, which w… their Cuſtom, as Biſhop UſherƲſher. in the ſtate of the Church tells us, p. 292. maintaining themſelves by their Manufactures. And living ſo together, not only for the benefit & comfort of their …o… having the better opportunity for Religious ſervice,4. Hung. eying alſo that primitive pattern, Act. 4. But to free themſelves more from obſervation and perſecution which flocking together from ſeveral parts might occaſion.

In which way upon good information I find they continue together in H… garia, Tranſilvania, Poland, and ſome parts of Germany to this day.

Concerning whom a Hungarian Scholar, that about 5, or 6. years ſince came from thoſe parts, and had lived … mongſt them, gave the within a f… dayes this particular account; That he himſelf knew four Colledges of them in thoſe Parts, viz. two in the lower Hungary, one at a place called Coſo…, …nd another at Turk…s Hida, and in the p. 313upper Hungary another famous Colledge in a place called Saras Patack, in which Town he himſelf lived, (as he told me) and knew the People very well, and that there were near 100. Families in that Colledge, who are reputed a very Holy, Harmleſs, Innocent People, and that they do ſupport themſelves by their Manufactures, brought into one Joynt-ſtock, Eat altogether in one great Hall, Worſhip God together twice a day, each ſeveral Manufacture, being rainged together both as to their Work-Rooms, Lodging…, and Table in the common Hall, having p…blick Officers to manage all their Affairs, and Schools for their Children.

In Tranſilvania he ſaith he knows another, at a place called Alvinez. 5. Tranſilvania.All which, as he ſaith, are the remains of thoſe that came out of Moravia and Bohemia about 50. years ſince. I underſtand that near Heidlberg in the Palatinate, there is another great Colledge, conſiſting of near 100. Families, and that in Pruſia there are others of them alſo.

V…ſſius in his Book de Baptiſmo, P. 177. tell… us, That the Miniſters in Tranſilvania p. 314do reject Infants Baptiſme, and Baptize only upon profeſſion; but he withall ſaith, That many of them are infected with Socinianiſme; though this Hungarian Gentleman tells me, That the Colledges are very free from that infection.

6. PolandAnd farther, That this Truth was ſpread in Poland (where the Wald… ſes as you'l afterwards find had much to do) appears from what we find out of John a Laſco, the Polonian Baron, in his Book de Sacramentis, where he tells, That the Anabaptiſts do refuſe to Baptize their Chldren, becauſe they neither do believe nor underſtand the Spiritual Myſtery thereof, and ſay there is no ground from Circumciſing Children under the Law, to Baptize them under the Goſpel; becauſe ſay they there is a Command for the one, and none for the other; and that God had other wayes to ſave the Children that dyed in their Infancy, then by ſuch external Ceremonies: And that neither by Circumciſion were Children to …e ſaved of old; for then would the … mules as well as the Males have been enjoyned the fame, and that it was God… Covenant of Grace, and no onward Rite p. 315or Ceremony that were to be leaned …on to effect the ſame, to all which as an …my to their perſwaſion, he largely replye… in the ſaid Book. He alſo in his Theologia Muſcovitica, P. 157. … us, That the Miniſters of theſe fraternities in Poland, do for the moſt part live ſingle lives, though under no publick vows or conſtraint, admitting Marriage to any that deſire the ſame, and that they live very pious lives, as Dr. Ʋſher, P. 363.

A farther and mo…e particular account of the ſtate of theſe Churches in all theſe parts, I doubt not ſhortly to give you, having lately written into Germany to a learned and very intelligent perſon, now (as I hear) writing a Hiſtory of them.

And laſtly in England it ſelf,7. Engl. where ſeveral of the Waldenſes (and then Diſciples out of France, Germany and Holland had recourſe, and) have left us ſome Prints of their footſteps, viz Rainard L…ard, a famous Waldenſian Barbe, was an Evangeliſt ſent into England, as P. Perin and Morland, P. 184. and whoſe Diſciples were called Lo…ards, and impriſoned in that Towre in Pauls Church, known by the name of Lollards p. 316Towre to this day, and which was a Sect. ſo hated by the Popiſh Rulers both in Church and State, that they put a Clauſe into the Oaths of all Magiſtrates, eſpecially Sheriffs and Parliament Men, utterly to exterpate and root them up, and which form of Oath continued till King James's time.

In Henry II. Time, there were 30. of the Walde…ſian Sect taken at Oxford, and marked with a Key in their Foreheads, and every one forbidden to relieve them, whereby they periſhed for want of Suſtenance, as Hollingſhead in his Cron, and Biſhop Ʋſher in his State of the Church.

In Henry VIII. Time in the year 1528. Seven Dutch Anabaptiſts that came over with Anne a Cleve, were apprehended and impriſoned, of whom five bore the Faggot and recanted, and two of them, a Man and a Woman, were burnt in Smithfield. Stows Cron. 576.

And again in Henry VIII. Time 1535. Twenty Two Anabaptiſts were apprehended, and Ten of them put to Death, F… Act. Mon. V. 2. P. 315.

p. 317In Queen Mary's Time, about the Year 1…57. we find Anabaptiſts Impriſoned, giving the following grounds againſt Infants Baptiſme, viz. 1. Becauſe Antiſcriptural. 2. Becauſe commanded by the Pope. 3. Becauſe Chriſt commanded teaching …o go before Baptiſme, Pox's Acts Mon. V. 3. P. 606.

In Queen Elizabeth's time, in the Year 1575. A Congregation of Anabaptiſts were taken at their Meeting within Allgate, Twenty Seven of whom were Impriſoned, and of them Four recanted, Two were burut in Smithfield, and the reſt were baniſhed, Stows Cron. 676.

In the 16 Year of King James 1618. That excellent Dutch Piece called a very plain and well grounded Treatiſe concerning Baptiſme, that with ſo much Authority both from Scripture and Antiquity, proves the Baptizing of Believers, and diſproves that of Infants, was printed in Engliſh.

Since when (eſpecially in the laſt 30. or 40. years) many have been the Conferences, that have paſt, and many the Treatiſes that have been written Pro and …on upon that Subject, and many have been the Sufferings both in p. 318old and new Englands that people of that perſwaſion have undergone, whereby ſo much Light hath broken forth therein, that not only very many learned men have been convinced thereof, but very many Congregations of Baptiſts have been, and are dally gathered in that good old way of the Lord, that hath ſo long lain under ſo much obloquy and reproach, and been buried under ſo much Antichriſtian Rubbiſh in theſe Nations.

There are two material Objections that I conceive it will be neceſſary to obviate, viz. Firſt, That Concerning the German Anabaptiſts. T…e miſcarriages of the German Anabapt. examined and the reproach from thence reflected upon the way removed.And Secondly, Concerning ſome of the Waldenſian Confeſſion, th… … ſeem to own the Baptizing of Infants.

To the firſt, What has been more frequent in theſe latter Times then to reflect ſome groſ… miſcarriages of ſome that went under the name of Anabaptiſts in Luthers days, upon the whole profeſſion ever ſince.

To which I would (ſay theſe few things, That take it for granted that things were ſo … mat… of Fact, that many Anabaptiſt did prove fo… horribly wicked, a… Sp…hanti…s, Sl…den. p. 319Oſiander and others do report; yet how unreaſonable and uncharitable would it be to render all the people either in thoſe times or ſince to be ſuch Perſons alſo, and to judge an Error in the Principle from the Error in Converſation of ſome that have profeſt it; for by the ſame Rule may not the pureſt State of the Church both in the Old and New Teſtament be ſenſured and judged, who had their Chora's, Judaſes, and Diatrophes amongſt them: But that others that owned that Principle were Men of another Spirit, both in that as well as former and latter times you have moſt ample and authentick Teſtimony from their greateſt Enemies; witneſs that honourable Caracter that Rainerius the bloody Inquiſitor gives of them in thoſe days, P. 14. of thoſe in France, Caſſander, Bellarmine, Anabaptiſts well reported. of.and Baronius, P. 22. of thoſe in Germany Mr. Baxter himſelf, one of their ſevereſt Enemies in theſe Nations, yet hath done himſelf and his oppoſites that Right as to witneſs to the Innocency of their converſation; which you may pleaſe to read in his own words, in his Book called the Defence of the Prin. of Love, P. 7 viz. That Anabaptists are Godly p. 320Men that differ from us in a Point ſo difficult, that many of the Papiſts and Prelatiſts have maintained, that it is not determined in Scripture, but dependeth upon the Tradition of the Church. And I know as good and ſober men of that mind, as of theirs that are moſt againſt them, and that he once motioned Tearms of Concord to the Anabaptiſts, and was in as hopefull a way for peace with them, as with moſt others. And in his late large Book called a Chriſtian Directory, he is pleaſed to ſay P. 827. That Anabaptiſts may not only be admitted to Church Communion, but may be tollerated in their practice alſo. 1. Becauſe they agree with us in all Points abſolutely neceſſary to Communion, 2. That the Ancient Chriſtians had liberty either to Baptize, on to let them ſtay till Age, as they thought beſt. And therefore Tertullian and Nazianzen ſpeak againſt haſt: And Auguſtine, and many Children of Chriſtian Parents were baptized at Age, [and if ſo, what greater Argument againſt Apoſtolical Tradition.] And 3. That the Controverſie is of ſo great difficulty, that is in all ſuch Caſes none that differ be tollerated, we may not p. 321live together in the World or Church but endleſly excommunicate or perſecute one another.

But in the next place I think it will not be unneceſſary, being upon this Point, to give you ſome account from the beſt Authors of the matter of fact it ſelf, that has occaſioned ſo much blunder in the world;The Ruſticks War. concerning which you muſt underſtand there are two things eſpecially reflected upon, viz. Firſt thoſe many inſurrections and diſturbances that happened in Iſuria and Swe…ia by times for the ſpace of 22. y…rs, viz. from 1502. to 1525 called the Clowns or Ruſticks War, wherein Munzer and ſeveral other Anabaptiſts were concerned in Luthers time.

And the other, thoſe horrible thing; that are ſpoken of to have been in the City of Munſter in Weſtphalia, from the years 1532. to 1536. by J…. a Layden, Mathias, Gniperdoling, &c.

As to that of the Clowns War, BaroniusI find in Baronius's Annals, that in the year 1502. there was a Conſpiracy of Huſbandmen againſt the Biſhops and Canons, which was called the Ruſtick League, which began from two Ruſticks, of which Conſpiracy the principal p. 322Article was, That they ſhould ſhak… off every Yo…e, and in imitation of the Helvetians ſhould recover their liberty. Which beginning ſ…ith Oſia…der, Cent. 16. P. …4. were the …ludi…m of that great ſedition of the Ruſtick… which was in its vigour, 1525.

Gnodol.Gnodoliu… …n his Hiſtory of the Ruſticks in Germany in the year 1525. Lib. 1. ſaith, That in Swe…, where they firſt began, they did openly ſignifie, that they were not Goſpellers, nor did flow together for the Goſpels ſake, Ʋpon the account of Civil and Religious Liberty.but becauſe of Exactions. The firſt Boars that roſe were againſt Count Ly…ſi…, to whom after an infinite number of Ruſticks did joyn themſelves, crying up Gospel-Liberty after, as well as Civil, in both which they were ſo oppreſt, by their Lords and Biſhops (which Spanhemius himſelf, in his Diatro…e Miſteria, refer… to Luthers Book of Chriſtian Liberty, as the occaſion taken by them.)

Biſh JewBiſhop Jewel in Defence of the Apology of the Church of England, Part 4. Chap 1. Divi…n… to Harding to his upbraiding the reformation, ſaying, What became of the Hundred Thouſand Boares of Germany, conſumed by p. 323by the Sword of the Nobility for that their Sedition and Rebellion? anſwers him thus. The Boares of Germany, of whom you ſpeak, for the greateſt part, were Adverſaries unto Luther, and underſtood no part of the Goſpel, but conſpired together, as they ſaid againſt the cruelty and tyranny of their Lords, as they had done 22. years before in the Conſpiracy called Liga Sotularia; the partners of which Conſpiracy had for their word the Vergin Mary, and in honour of her were bound to ſay five Ave Maries every day,Papiſts as well as Protestants ingaged in the Ruſtick War and touching thoſe latter Rebels, Luther writ againſt them. It is true, Munzer was a buſie man in Thu…ingia, and ſtir'd up the People diſpoſed to tumults by reaſon of oppreſſion.

Oſiander Oſiander.gives us in the 16 Century P. 36, 37, &c. the Twelve Demands of the Ruſticks comprehending their Civil and Spiritual Liberties, wherein people of all perſwaſions concerned themſelves; which was no other then their Neighbours the Switzers had ſucceſſively undertaken before them: And had Geneva, where they did the like, or any of the famous Men amongſt the Cantons miſcarryed in their attempt, p. 324they and their Religion too might have fallen under as much obloquy, as the chiefeſt of thoſe people did in their defeat, which the Papaſts you find nevertheleſs do reflect upon the whole Reformation, and that upon as good grounds as the Proteſtants have ſince reflected upon the Anabaptiſts; becauſe there were ſome of their perſwaſion concerned in that attempt for freedom.

The firſt riſe of the troubles in Munſter.And as to the oth…r at Munſter in 1532. &c. It is manifeſt both by Spanhaemius and Oſiander, that the firſt ſtirs in that City was about the Proteſtant Reformation, the Synod ſiding with Mr. Rotomon, and others of the Miniſters againſt the Papiſts, and their Biſhop and Canons that oppoſed them to Arms, and this before the coming in of Jo, Mathias, and Jo. Becold of Leyden: In the latter part of the Siege (as they ſay) monſtrous wickedneſs and villany by horrid Pride,Good ground to queſtion the Munſter Stories. Tyranny, and Luxury in their Communities, was perpetrated by them.

Though I muſt needs ſay as to the truth thereof there is good ground to doubt.

p. 325Firſt,Written either by inveterate Papists. Becauſe the things are either written by the malicious Papiſts, their Morat… old Enemies, and who have ſaid as bad things of Luther and Calvin themſelves, repreſenting them no leſs Monſters and Devils then theſe poor People, juſt as they uſed to deal with the Waldenſes of old, whereof Dr. Ʋſher gives us a large account in …he State of the Church, or elſe by ſome of their moſt inveterate Enemies the Proteſtants,Or envious Proteſtants. who were willing to take up and improve ſuch reprorts, to blaſt not only the whole party of the Anabaptiſt, but their Principles alſo; againſt whom they ſo vehemently contended: And alas! how far good men may be tranſported by prejudice or malice in this kind, we need not go far for Inſtances: For if Mr. Edwards in his Gangrea… be to be believed (which it may be other Nations do that have got it) what Monſters of Men hath he repreſented the Independents and Anabaptiſt to be: Or Mr. Baxter himſelf to be credited in that horrid Calumney of the Anabaptiſts, Baptizing naked in theſe Countries, mentioned P. 134. What unnatural Brutes would they be eſteemed; by which we may gueſs, if p. 326matter of fact cannot better be told amongſt our ſelves at home, what may we expect of it abroad at ſuch a diſtance.

Becauſe of the Community of Goods that they always held.And beſides, there was ſecondly another thing by which people in all Ages took an occaſion to miſ repreſent this people, which was found amongſt them at Munſter, and that was that Community of Goods, caſting their Eſtates into one common Stock; which ſaith Hornbeck in his Summa Contraverſiarum, P. 334. was the firſt thing that Becaldus and Gerardus endeavoured amongſt them in the year 1533. and was the ſame thing that Oſiander tells us Munzerius did in Mulhuſium in Thuringia in the Ruſtick Tumults 1524. and no other then the Waldenſes did ſo much practice of old in their Communities, and their Diſciples do to this day both in Poland, Hungaria, Tranſilvania, and many parts in Germany living in Colledges in that very way, as you have heard, and will underſtand more thereof in the Hiſtorical part, and which Cuſtom they obſerved partly out of conveniency, and partly out of Conſcience, reſpecting the Example, Acts 4.34. And from hence they took occaſion to reproch the Waldenſes p. 327of old, as though with their Stocks and Food they had their Women in common too, and from hence alſo I perſwade my ſelf much of this Clamou… of the Munſter buſineſs did ariſe.

But though if it ſhould be taken for granted that ſome Anabaptiſts in Germany did turn Ranters, and were given up to ſuch deſperate Courſe… as reported of them, can that juſtly be reflected upon the Principle, and upon the Innocent in other parts of the world, that hate and abhor all ſuch ways and courſes.

The other Objection as to the Waldenſia… confeſſion in favour for Infants Baptiſme:The other Objection concerning the Waldendenſians anſwer'd It is very true that Mr. Baxter, Mr. Marſhal, and others beat themſelves high againſt thoſe that aſſert the Waldenſians, were againſt Infants Baptiſme from two paſſages.

The firſt is in that confeſſion that was preſented to Ladiſlaus King of Bohemia 1508. by his Subjects. and afterwards preſented to Ferdinand 1535.The Confeſſion to K Ladiſlaus, not by the Waldenſ. Wherein in the 12. Article they ſay that they teach, That Children are to be baptized unto Salvation, and to the conſecrated to Chriſt according to hia word ſuffer little Children, &c. In anſwer whereto we need to ſay nothing p. 328but what is contained in the very Title it ſelf; ſaying that they were falſly called Waldenſes juſtifying themſelves from that aſperſion, being not of their Tenents, which you may take in their own words, viz. Lo petit tropel de le Chriſtians appella per falce nom falſae ment pani…r… Ovaldes. Oſiander tells us, That the profeſſors there were a mixt People, ſome that only ſeperated from Rome in the buſineſs of the Cup, called the Calextines. The other the Huſſites that went farther then they, and the Thabarites that were more thorow for Reformation, & more eſpecially did comprehend thoſe they called the Brethren or Picards, Three ſorts of profeſſors in Bohemi….many of whom did oppoſe the Baptiſme of Infants; but the other two, and the greateſt part of the profeſſors in that Nation did own it, as appears by this their profeſſion, which doth not at all weaken our aſſertion for I preſume it will not be denyed, that all the 45. Colledges belonging to Bohemia and Moravia, containing many Thouſands, were of another perſwaſion, this being of ſo late a Date as the 16. Century.

The other is a paſſage in that piece called the Spiritual Almanack, owning that they did Baptize their Children, p. 329which was written, as ſuppoſed, by George Moril about 1530. one of the Miniſters ſent by the Waldenſes of Provence to Occolompadius, Bucer and Capito, to adviſe with them, being at that time in a very declining Condition, and to that degree ſo, that very many of them could ſatisfie themſelves with going to Maſs, and other their Antichriſtian A…ominations to ſave themſelves provid…d they kept their Hearts right with God: For which provarication Oecolampadius in his Letter Dated 1530. and ſent them back by George Morel, (recorded at large by P. Perin) ſharply rebukes and condemns them, and for which they promiſed reformation, and to ſuite themſelves according to the Documents they received from them, which for the moſt part ſince they have done, there being little or no difference between the French and German Proteſtants,The Waldenſes in France much declined from their Priſtine purity. eſpecially thoſe that own Calvins way, being moſt of them ſhrunk up, (more is the pity) into little more then a bare form; little of the old purity, or power being to be found amongſt them, which I conceive cannot at all weaken or enervate their old Confeſſion, practice and witneſs, confirmed with ſo p. 330great Authority, and for ſo many Ages together. Neither would I be thought to aſſert ſuch a univerſal Harmony; but that 'tis poſſible there might be ſome difference amongſt ſome of them, even in this particular, as there were many differences betwixt the Calviniſts and Luthera…s; but I profeſs to you ingeniouſly amongſt all my ſearch, excepting theſe two paſſages of ſo late a date, I find none.

And I muſt confeſs I cannot think it reaſonable, that any of them that lived up to their Principles could embrace ſuch a thing; for they were ſo zealouſly exact, none more for the Letter of the Scriptures, founding all thereon, and rejecting whatever they found not contained therein, whereas this practiſe by Confeſſion of all ſides is not to be found in the Letter of Scripture, and none more ſevere rejecters of Traditions, and Popiſh Traditions alſo, whereof this is ſuch a principal one Thus have we gone through the Waldenſian Story, and witneſs, evidencing a concurring Teſtimony to this great Truth from firſt to laſt.

By all which you ſee by plentiful Evidence, that Chriſt hath not been without p. 331his witneſſes in every Age, not only to defend and aſſert the true, but to impugn, and to reject (yea even to death it ſelf) the falſe Baptiſme.The ſucceſſion of Believers Baptiſme Inſomuch that we are not left without good Teſtimony of a Series of ſucceſſion, that by Gods Providence hath been kept a foot of this Great Ordinance of Believers Baptiſme even ſince the firſt times.

And in as much as the Ancient Britains, and the Waldenſes have ſo large a ſhare in this witneſs, we think it not inconvenient to joyn the Hiſtory of the Antiquity and Purity of their Chriſtianity hereto.

FINIS.