Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 2 · Section 18
18. Paſſages deleted againſt Superstitious, Popiſh Ceremonies, and the abolition of them.
IN Maſter Wards Comentary upon Matthew, page 212. this clauſe is obliteraned: Adde nothing unto the Word of God; neither firſt, the chaffe of Superſtition, with the Papiſts, neither ſecondly, Machiavillianiſme and unwarrantable policy, with ſome ſtatiſts; neither thirdly, new opinions.
Secondly, indeed if any ceremony which our Church uſeth, ſhould be abuſed unto Superſtition, or ſuperſtitionſly uſed, and ſo become offenſive unto the beſt and deareſt members of the church, it were then much better to relinquiſh then to retaine them, to aboliſh then to uphold them, as Hezekiah did with the brazen Serpent, when it was abuſed unto idolatry; I ſay, it were better in this eaſe to deſtroy then to enforce them, if authority were ſo pleaſed, &c.
Ibidem page 210. this clauſe is deleated; A man may cenſure his brother for doing that which is indifferent, for in evill intent: as for example; if a Miniſter ſhould wear the Surplice, not for decency, or for obedience to authority, but onelyonly to vex o… aſſend ſome who are weake or ſerupulous thereof, he deſerves to be cenſured and blamed, becauſe as much as in us lyes, we muſt offend none.
Ibidem page 267. this paſſage is croſſed out; Queſt. 2. What ſuperſtitious rites are to be aboliſhed in Baptiſme?
Anſw. Thoſe rites which are uſed at this day by the Papiſts, contrary to the inſtitution of Chriſt, and practice of the Apoſtles: Now theſe rites are either before the adminiſtration of the Sacrament, or in the time of the celebration of the Sacrament, or after the celebration thereof.
Firſt, before the celebration of the Sacrament they have theſe ceremonies: firſt, the Prieſt breathes in the child's face, that he may receive the holy Ghoſt; ſecondly, they have their exorciſmes, adjurations, or conjurations, whereby the devill is conjured, adjured, and commanded to depart from the ſoule of the Infant to be baptized, and to give way unto the holy Ghoſt, who now is at hand: thirdly, then the Prieſt reads certaine prayers belonging to this adi…ration; and then fourthly, he ſolemnly conſecrates the Font, wherein the water of Baptiſme is.
Secondly, the rites uſed by the Papiſts in the adminiſtration of the Sacrament, are many: Firſt, the Prieſt takes the child by the ſhoulders, and turning his head towards the eaſt, dips his face once in the water, with theſe words; I baptize thee in the name of the Father; Then he turnes the Infants head towards the north, dipping him againe with theſe words? And in the name of the Sonne; laſtly, he bends his head unto the ſouth, dipping him the third time, with theſe words; And the name of the Holy ghoſt: And thus by this threefold turning of the child, is formed or made the croſſe of Chriſt (into whoſe death the Infant is baptized) after the manner in the margent. Secondly, TSouth. North.beſides the Symboll of water in baptiſme, the Papiſts uſe ſalt, which is put into the mouth of the child baptized, which ſignifies wiſdome and prudence of ſpeech, according to the advice of the Apoſſle, Let all your words be ſeaſoned with ſalt, i. e. of divine wiſdome. Thirdly, they then uſe ſpittle, wherewith firſt, the eares are touched, which ſignifies, that he that is baptized, ought to have his eares open to heare the word of God, and the the principles of Religion: And ſecondly, therewith alſo the mouth is touched, together with the word Eph…ta, ſignifying, that he ſhould be alwayes prompt and ready to ſpeak of Religion and the word of God. Fourthly, then they make the ſigne of the croſſe, whereof they have a manifold uſe, viz. firſt, they make a croſſe upon the childs breſt, ſignifying thereby, that he ought to have and receive the faith of Chriſt crucified in his heart, according to that of the Apoſtle, With the heart man beleeeves unto righteouſneſſe: Secondly, they make a croſſe upon the childs forehead, which ſignifies, that he muſt not be aſhamed to confeſſe Chriſt, becauſe bluſhing appeares in the forehead, according to that of the Apoſtle, With the mouth confeſſion in made unto ſalvation; now this croſſe is made with the Prieſts thumb: Thirdly, they make a croſſe upon the eares of the Infant, and this croſſe is made with ſpittle, ſignifying that the eares of his heart ſhould be alwayes ſhut againſt the ſuggeſtions and temptations of Satan: Fourthly, they make a croſſe upon the Infants mouth, and this is made with ſpittle alſo, ſignifying, that the child ſhould have his mouth alwayes ſhut, leaſt he ſhould ſpeak evill words: Fifthly, they make a croſſe with ſpittle upon his noſe alſo, ſignifying thereby, firſt, that he ſhould ſend forth a good ſmell and ſavour of Chriſt in his life and converſation; and ſecondly, that he ſhould frequently offer unto God the fumes and incenſe of devout and holy prayers, by which the devill may be ſmoked out of doors, as Tobie did the evill ſpirit, chap. 6. ver. 16, 17: Sixthly, they make a croſſe upon the childs breſt and ſhoulder blades, with their conjuring oyle, ſignifying thereby, that the party baptized ſhould be ſtrong and couragious in the reſiſting of Satan, and reſolute in bringing forth the fruits of repentance.
Thirdly, after the Sacrament of baptiſme is adminiſtred, the Prieſt doth theſe things unto the party baptized (viz.) firſt, he anoynts him with chryme, or conſecrated oyle, which ſignifies the vertue or grace of the ſpirit of God, which they have received by, and in baptiſme: Secondly, he then gives unto him a white garment, which ſignifies a Sacramentall or Baptiſmall innocency, or that, how he is made pure, innocent and immaculate, both from the guilt and ſtaine of ſinne: Thirdly, he puts into his hand a wax taper, lighted, which ſignifies, firſt, the light of faith, which is given in Baptiſme; and ſecondly, that now he is tranſlated out of the kingdome of darkneſſe into the kingdome of light: Fourthly, ſometimes they give unto ſome milke and honey to taſte, whereby it ſignified, a right or title to eternall life, a figure whereof was the Land of Canaan, which flowed with milk and honey. All theſe and divers other ſuperſtitious rites the Papiſts ſuperſtitiouſly obſerve in the celebration of this Sacrament of Baptiſme, contrary to Chriſts inſtitution and the Apoſtles practice, and therefore there is great reaſon that they ſhould be aboliſhed. If any think I falſifie the Papiſts by what I have ſaid, or deſire to be more throughly informed concerning their practices, additions and ſuperſtitions, ceremonies in this Sacrament of Baptiſme, then let him well conſider theſe Authors and teſtimonies which follow, and he ſhall find all and a great deal more then I have ſet down, Manipulus curatorum de Baptiſme, cap. 8. fol. 14. 15. Pupilla Oculi de Baptiſmo, cap. 7. fol. 8. 9. Tertul. fol. 329. D. 335. D. G. 336. A. B. C. D. 337. A. 341. D. 342. C. E.