That Christ Comanded his Apostles & Servants of the holie Gho: first of all to preach the Gospell and make Disci­ples and after wards to Baptise those that weare instructed in the fayth in calinge vpon and Confessinge the name of God.
Proofes out of the Holye scriptures.

CHrist seyth Math. 28. to his Disciples: Goe andMath. 28. 19. Iohn. 4. [...]. Discipulos facere. [...] Actor. 22. [...]. Marke. 16. 15. Luke, 24. 45. make Disciples all nations baptisinge them in the name of rhe Father, of the Sonne and of the Holie Ghost, teachinge them to observe all thin­ges what soever I have Comanded you.

And Marc. 16, he sayth: Goe yee into all the world and preache the Gospell to everie Creature, he that shall beleeve and be baptised shalbe saved, but he that vvill not beleeve shalbe damned.

And Luke the 24. And thus yt behooved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the deade the thirde daye, and that re­pentance and remission of Sinnes should be preached in his name among all nations begininge at Ierusalem. Nowee yee are witnnisses of thease thinges.

2. That the Apostells and Servants of the holye Ghost have accordinge to the Comaundement of the Lord Iesus Christ first of all taught and then afterwards those that weare instructed in the mysteryes of the Kingedome of God weare Baptised vpon the Confession of their faythe.
Proofes out of the Holye Scripture.

PAul wrytinge to the Corinthians sayth Christ sent him1 Corrin. 1 15. Preachin­ge before baptisme. 1 Corrin. 4 15. Begotte [...] by prea­chinge and not by baptisme. 1 Corrin. 3 [...] 6. not to baptise but to preache the Gospell. Againe he sayth I have begotten you through the Gospell. And I have planted and Apollos watred but God gave the in­crease.

Heb. 6. He wrytinge of the order in teachinge which was observed in the Apostolicall Church sayth. Therefore leavin­ge the Doctrine of the begininge of Christ let vs be led for­warde to perfection not layinge againe the foundation of re­pentance from deade workes and fayth towardes God of the Doctrine of baptisme and layinge on of handes and of the re­surrection from the deade and of eternall Iudgemente. And1. Repen­tance. 2. Faith. 3. Baptis­me. Heb. 10. Seeinge we have an high priest which is over the howse of God let vs drawe neare whith a true harte in asuran­ce of fayth sprinckled in our hartes from a evill Conscyence and washed in our bodyes whith pure water let vs keepe the Profession of our fayth whithout waveringe.1. Faith▪ 2. Pure water.

Actes. 2. 36. Peter lift vp his voyce and sayd to the Iewes lett all the howse of Israel knewe for a suretye that God hath made this Iesus whom you have Crucyfied both Lorde and Christ. Now when they harde it they weare pricked in their hartes & sayd men and brethren what shal we do [...]. Then Pe­ter sayd vnto then. Amende your lives and be baptised every [Page] one of you in the name of Iesus. Christ to the forgivenesBapti [...] after repē­tance. Qui ser­monem acceperunt sunt Bapti­sari. of your sinnes, and you shall receive the gyft of the holie Ghost then they that gladhe received his worde weare bapti­sed and they continued in the Apostells doctrine.

Actor. 8. Philip. came into the Cyttie of Samaria and preached Christ vnto them. And the people gave heede to those thinges which Philip▪ spake with one accorde. And as soone as they beleeved Philip which preached vnto them the thinges that concerne the Kingdome of God and the na­meQui credi­dissent Baptisati sunt. of Iesus Christ, they weare baptised both men and wo­men. And Simon himselfe. beleeved also and was baptised.

Ibidem The Angell of the Lorde spake vnto Phillip sayin­ge. Aryse and goe towardes the sowth vnto the waye that Goeth downe from Ierusalem to Gaza. And he arose and wente on, & behold à Certayne Funuch of Ethiopia Canda­ces the Queene of Ethiopians Cheefe governor who had the rule of all her treasure and came to Ierusalem worship, And as he returned syttinge in his Chariote he redde the pro­phet Esaye. Then the spirit sayde vnto Phillip. Goe neare & joyne thy selfe to yonder Chariot and Phillip ran thether & harde him reade the Prophet Esaye and he sayde. But vnder­standest thou what thou readest and he sayde how can I ex­cept I had a guide, Nowe the place of scripture which he red­deEsay, 43. 10 was this, he was led as a sheepe to the slaughter, &c.

And thy Eunuch sayd vnto Phillip I praye the of whome speaketh the Prophet this of him selfe or of some other man. Then Phillip opened his mouth and began at the same scrip­turePhillip preached the Gos­pell. and preached vnto him the Gospell of Iesus And as they wente on their waye they came vnto a certayne water, & the Eunuch sayd. See heare is water what doth lett me to be bap­tised.The Eu­nuch bele­ved and was bapti­sed. And Phillip sayd vnto him if thou beleevest with all thy harte thou mayest, and they went downe both into them water and he baptised him.

Actor. 10. Peter opened his mouth (before Cornelius and [Page 13] his frindes) and sayd: To him give all the Prophets wittnes that through his name all that beleeve in him shall receive remission of sinnes. VVhyles that yet Peter spake these wordes the holye Ghost fell on all them which harde the worde, and they harde them speake all with tongues and magnified God.Ambrosi. lib. 2 de s. s. sine Spiritu Baptisma esse non potest. Then answered Peter can anie man forbid water that those should not be baptised which have received the holie Ghost as well as we. So he comanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lorde.

Act. 16. 19. The keeper of the prison fell downe before Pau­le and Silas and sayd: Sirs what must I do to be saved, And they sayd Beleeve in the Lorde Iesus Christ, and thou shall be sa­vedLutherus non vult Baptisare nisi credāt. and thy howsehold. And they preached vnto him the worde of the Lorde and to all that weare in his howse, And he was baptised with all that belonged vnto him straightwaye & rejoyced that he and all his how sehold beleeved in God.

Act. 18. At Corinth. The Spirit did drive forewarde. PauleAudientes credebant & baptisa­bantur. to testifie vnto the Iewes, that Iesus is that Christ. And Chris­pus the Chiefe ruler of the Sinagogne beleeved in the Lorde with all his howse and manie of the Corinthians hearinge it beleeved and weare baptised.

3. That after the Apostells time by the Auntient Fathers in the primative Church who observed and followed the ordinance of Christ and the Exempell of the Apo­stells the people weare cōmonlie first instructed in the mysteries of fayth & after that they weare taught they weare baptised vpon Confession of the same.
Proofes for the same out of the Auntient & lat­ter teachers.

IVstin Martyr in oratione ad Anthonium Pium: I will declareQuicsique persuasi sic erint & crediderint in aqua la­vantur, vnto you. Howe we offer vp our selves to God after that we are renewed through Christ. Those amongest vs that are in­structed in the fayth and beleeve that which we teache them is true, beinge willinge to live accordinge to the same, we do ad­monishe to fast & to praye for the forgivenes of their sinnes, & we also fast and praye with them, And then they are brought by vs to the water and there as we weare newe borne, are they also by newe birth renewed. And then in callinge vpon God the Father the Lorde Iesus Christ and the holie Ghost they are washed in water.

Rabanus in decretis de consecrat. distinct 4. Cap. ante bap. TheAnte bap­tismum Catechi­sandidebet hominem praevenire offitium. Catechisme which is the doctrine of fayth must goe before baptisme. To thintent that he that is to be baptised (id est Cate­chumenus) may first learne the misteries of fayth. And further he sayth: The Lorde Christ annoynted the eyes of him that was borne blinde with Claye made of spittel, before he sente him to the water Siloah to signifie that he that is to be baptisedIohn. 9. 16. must first be instructed in the fayth concerninge the incarna­tion of Christ, and when he doth beleeve then is he to bePrius debet baptisan­dus fide instrue. admitted to baptisme to thintente he maye knowe, what that grace is which he receiveth in baptisme and whom he after­wardes in dutye ought and is bounde to serve.

Basilius contra Eunomium lib. 3. Must the faythfull be sealed with Baptisme, fayth must needes preceede and goe before.Credere prius opor­ter ac po­stea baptis­mate con­signari.

Eusebius lib. 6. Histor Ecclesi. Origen was apointed by Deme­trius to be at Alexandria a Catechista that is a teacher of those that weare Discyples and scollers in the fayth which offyce be­fore his time after the Apostells Plautinus & Clemens did execu­te, whose Disciples weare Plutarch Serenus, Heraclus & Heron. Origines Catechist [...] baptisan­dorum. And a womā who before she was baptised with water was as a Marter put to death & baptised with the fyer for Christ his sake after Origen Heracles and after Heracles Dionisius taught in the sayd scoole at Alexandria those that weare to be instructed in [Page 16] the fayth before baptisme.

Erasmus & wicelius in vita Hieronimi ex ipsis scriptis collecta Anno eta­tis 30 vestē candidam assumpsit. Hieronimus borne in the Cyttie Sydon, of Christia [...] parents, and brought vp in the Christian religion, was baptised at Ro­me in the 30 yeare of his age.

Paulinus de vita Ambrosij. Et Nauclerus Chron Gener. 13. Am­brosius In die baptisatus quo pastor ecclesiae ordinatus est. borne of Christian Parents, his fathers name was Am­brosius, and his mothers name Marcelina, remayned instruc­ted in the fayth vnbaptised, Tyl he was Chosen Bishop in Millaine, at which time he received Baptisme of a Catholique Priest.Ad fidem conversus baptisaba­tur cum Iam esset 30 annorū.

Nauclerus Generat: 14. Anno dominij, 391. Augustinus the Sonne of the vertuous Monica beinge instructed in the fayth was baptised when he was about 30 yeares of age, at the Feast of Easter, and at the time of his baptisme they both sange the Hymne te Deum Laudamus.

Idem Generat. 14. Constantinus the Emperour borne of He­lenaCatechu­menus ja­ctus bapti­satur. the Christiā Queene, was by Christian Priestes converted to the fayth, and was Baptised by Pope Silvester, in the last yeare of his life.

Historia tripartita, lib▪ 1. Bibliorum de trinitate. Theodosius theInstitutus in Catholi­ca fide ab Acholio Baptlsatus est. Emperour borne in Spaine, his Parents beinge both Chri­stians, was even from his youth instructed and educated in the Catholique fayth, who falinge sicke at Thessalonia, was by Achalio the Bishop of the Cyttie baptised and therevpon re­coveredClodobeus beinge in­structed in the fayth was bapti­sed in the 36 yeare of his age. 3000. Sol­diors in­structed in the fayth weare bap­tised. of his sicknes.

Helio tertia parte Eccless. Histor. Clodobeus Kinge of Frannce instructed in the Christian fayth by Remigius beinge clothed in a linnen garment, and placinge him selfe amongst the nomber of those that weare to be baptise [...], received Baptisme in the 36. Yeare of his age. At which time also, Remigius in a Sermon converted 3000. Soldiers who beinge instructed in the fayth weare baptised whereby it apeareth that the riche together with the poore weare baptised in one water, which [Page 17] Costome remained in vse vnto the time of Charles the Grea­te and Lodowich Augustus who ordeyned that the Priests shold baptise none but at Easter and Pentecost, except theyBaptisati inclinijs. weare extreme sicke and in daunger of death. And those that weare thus Baptised in their beds, weare called Clinicos.

Wicelius in Choro Sanctorum: Viriunus, Marcellinus, and Iusti­nus, Virianos Marcelli­nus and Iustinus weare vpō Confessiō of their fayth baptised. All learned men, livinge in the time of Decius the Empe­ror. Had Conferrence together aboute the Christian Reli­gion, wherto they weare all well affected, but for as much as they harde that those that beleeved in Christ weare also Bapti­sed they sente for à Priest named Iustine and desyred they might receive of him baptisme. VVho much reioyed that so greate learned men as they weare, would give them selves vnder the yoake of Christ. And after that he had CatechisedBaptisaint catechisa­ [...]os ad con­fessionem fidei. Quirinus the captain converted. them, caused water to be brought and baptised them vpon Confession of their fayth.

Idem Ibidem. Quirinus Captaine in Rome vnder Traianus the Emperor. Tooke Alexander the Bishop, and the noble Hermes Prisoners, But Alexander spoak to him so much of Christ and his Gospell, that the holie Ghost so wrought, espe­tiallie when as he sawe that his sicke Daughter miraculouselyCatechisati in religio­ne baptisa­bantur. received her health that they both beleeved and after they weare Catechised & instructed in the Christian Religion they weare Baptised.

Item Hermingildus lived in Spaine An. Christ. 700. In theConversus ad Catho­li [...]am pro­fessionem baptisaba­tur. dayes of Tiberius the seconde, who by the preachinge of Lean­der Bishop of Hispala, was Converted to the Catholique Reli­gion and was after the Catholique manner afterwardes Bap­tised.

Idem ex libris Alfridi Episcopi: Lutgerus borne of Christian parents, (his Father was named Lutgerus and his mother Li­burga)Lutgerus havinge imbrased the Chri­stian fayth was bapti­sed. imbraced and learned the Christian fayth in Frannce, & received afterwardes the sacred Baptisme.

Idem ex codice Mariano Torpes was Converted to the fayth [Page 18] in the dayes of Nero the Emperor, and was baptised in Christ.Torpes be­leeved and was bapti­sed. Nemesius. Idem ex codem codice▪ Stephen the first beinge Pope in Ro­me vnder Valerian and Galli [...]n Emperors, Catechised Nemesius toge [...]her with others, and accordinge to the Costome of the Church after they had fasted, those that beleeved weare bap­tised.Credentes Baptisanit.

Idem Basillica an honest and vertuos mayde in Rome in the dayes of the Emperor Gallien, learned the Christian fayth ofBasillica instructed in the fayth was baptised. Those in times past that weare Baptised weare first instructed in the fayth. Eunuches, Protus, and Hiacinthus and was baptised of Cornelius the Pope.

Erasmus in annotationibus in Lucam: Those who in times past weare to be baptised weare first of all instructed in the miste­ries of the Christian fayth and weare caled Catechumenos or such as weare scollers or discyples and their teachers weare ca­led Catechiste susceptores and Campatres that is instructers su­sceptors and Godfathers.

Polidor de inventoribu rerum. Lib▪ 4. Cap. 4. Yt was the Co­stome in the owld time, to baptyse those for the most parteIt was the costome to baptise at Easter and Pentecost. that weare come to there full growth, and after their baptisme they weare apparaled in a whyte garmēte and this was done at Easter and Pentecost, and in the meane time before the Fea­stes, they weare instructed in the misteries of the fayth and weare caled [...]atechumeni [...], and when they had Apprehended the sayd misteries they weare baptised and fed with milke and honnie.

Beatus Rhenanus in annot: super tertull: VVryteth to the sameAdultri la­vacro re­generatio­nis bapti­sabantur. Comande­ment not to baptise but at Ea­ster and Pentecost. effect. That the owld costome was that those that weare come to their full groweth weare baptised with the bath of regenera­tion which Costome was observed vntill the time of Charles the greate and Lodowich Emperors, (as by the statutes by them established apeareth) who ordeyned and gave expresse Comanndement that the Priests showld not baptise anie but at the Feast of Easter and Pentecost, except in the exstremytie of sicknes and danger of death.

Beza in annatationibus super Math. Iohn taught those thatQuum Sa­cramenta sint sphra­gides, re­cess [...] est vt praecedat doctrinam quam ob­signent. weare to be baptised, and admitted none to baptisme, but those that gave testimonie that they beleeved, the forgivenes of the­ir sinnes such Confession was also in the primative Church required of the Catechumens before baptisme. For in that the Sacraments are seales it is requisyte that Doctrine or instru­ction showld goe before the vse of those thinges by which the Doctrine it selfe is to be sealed.Luther in Chronica▪ Seba: Franck. Mar. 16. 15. Idem in his booke of worship

Luther in his booke of the ciuil Magistrate: The Sacraments neyther canne nor maye be received without fayth, but with greate hurte. VVherefore we holde our selves to the wordes of Christ he that beleveth and is baptised, so that eyther before or elce even then presente when baptisme is administred there must needes be fayth or elce there is a Contempt of the devine maiestye. VVho offers his present grace when thereis none to receive it.

4. That by the Auncient Fathers in the prima­tive Church. The Children both of the faithfull and elce, weare comonlie first instructed in the fayth, and afterwards vpon acknowledging [...] and Confessinge of the same they weare baptised.
Proofes out of the Auncient and latter Teachers.

TErtullian in libro de Baptismo wryteth: That infantes or younge Children shold not so speedelie be baptised. And vpon the sayinge of the Lorde: suffer littell Chil­dren to come vnto me and forbidde them not: he thus spea­keth: Let them come when they are growen, and when they are able to be instructed. VVhen they can learne to knowe Christ then maye they be Christians for if that youth be not [Page 20] so hastelie to be put in trust with earthly goods. VVhy withInuptis baptismum procrasti­nandum. the heavenlie lett them therefore first knowe how to desyer that which is for their good. To thintent that it beinge desy­red it maye be given them. In like manner Tertullian Coun­seleth that Baptisme showld not be administred vnto younge vnmaried Maidens, Whyles they yet suffer temptation.

In decretis de consecrat. Des [...]inct. 4. ex consilio, Gerundensi Cō­cerningeCatechu­meni bap­tised at the Feast of Easter and Pentecost. the Catechumenes or those that are instructed in the fayth it is ordeyned that they showld all come at Easter and Pentecost.

Ibidem ex concilio Laodicensi. The Disciples or scollers in theBaptisan­dosoportet fidei sym­bolum dis­cere & Episcopo reddere. fayth who are to be baptised, must before learne the fayth & then vpon thursdaye the last weeke in Lent must acknow­ledge the same before the Priest or Bishop.

Ibidem ex Concilto Martini Papae: Those that are to be bap­tised must learne first the Creede, the which vpon the fift da­yeQui bap­tisandisunt symbolum discunt & Episcopo reddunt. in the last weeke in Lente they must rehearse, eyther befo­re the Bishop or Priest.

Ibidem ex Augustini sermone. Neophitos (id est Iuniores or yongmen before we dowched or dipped your bodye in the sa­cred water. VVe asked: beleeve you in God the Father Al­mightie?Baptisme vpon fayth accordin­ge to the Comann­dement of the Lord Ies. Christ. And you Answered I beleeve. Moreover we asked: beleeve you in Iesus Christ his son̄e, which wat Conceived of the holie Ghost, and borne of the virgin Marie, to which you answered in like manner I beleeve. Item we asked you, belee­ve you in the holie Ghost, vnto which everie one amongest you answered I [...]leeve, and this have we done accordinge to the Comanndement of our Lorde and saviour Christ, whoMat. 28. 19 Comannded his Apostells to goe and teache all nations bap­siginge them in the name of the Father of the Sonne and the holie Ghost.

Rupertus Tuitiensis lih. 4. de divinis officijs cap. 18.

In former times the Costome in the primative Church was that they Administred not the Sacrament of regenera­tion, [Page 21] but onlie at the feaste of Easter and Pentecost, and allCuncta ec­clesiae pro­les, audiens regulam fi­de [...] in solē­nitate bap­tisterij se [...] symbolum reddebat. the Children of the Church which through out the whole yeare, throughe the worde weare moved when Easter came gave vp their names, & weare the followinge dayes tyll Pentecost [...]nstructed in the rules of fayth, rehearsed the same by their baptisme and dyinge thus with Christ roase againe with him.

Cassander in libello de infantium baptismo: It is certayne thatCertum estnonnul­li fideles in liberis fuit bapti­sareaetatem Paule pro­vectiorem quam vt­conque in­telligere & meminisse possit ex­pectasse. some beleevers in times past have with holden Baptisme from their Child [...]en, vntill they weare growne growne and Cold vn­derstande and remember the misteries of their fayth, yea also Connseled not to administer baptisme as by Tertullian and Grego­rie Naziansene apeareth.

Zwinglius in his booke of articles Artic: 18. In the owld ti­me Children weare openlie instructed. VVho when they ca­me to vnderstandinge weare caled Catechumens. That is such as are instructed in the worde of salvation. And when they had imprinted the fayth in their hartes and made confession thereof with their mouthes, they weare admitted to bap­tisme.

Beza. Vpon the wordes of the Apostel. 1. Cor. 7. 14. But noweIn tota ve­teri eccle­sia prius oportet ca­techume­num esse quam bap­tisare. your Children are holie. Out of this place Contradictors of the truth are reveyled, as first of all those that make baptisme to be the first entrance to salvation. And secondlie those that permit all Children to be baptised, which was vnharde of in the primative Church wheare as everie one ought to be in­structed in the fayth before he weare admitted to baptisme.

Wicelius in Choro Sanctorum: Dionisius travayled with Pan­crutsCatechisa­tos in fide Christiana baptisauit. (the sonne of Clion à Christian) towardes Rome, and as they went they came to the mountayne Celius, vnto Pope Cornelius who Catechised and instructed them in the Chri­stian Religion. And twentie dayes after, baptised them in Christ. Pancratius beinge then 15. yeares of age.

Pontius the sonne of Markus à Christian, was Catechised [Page 22] and instructed in the Christian Religion, and afterwardesPontus in­structed & baptised by Pontiano. was Baptised by Pontiano the Bishop.

Item Nazarius the sonne of à Christian woman caled Perpe­tua, Nazarius was instru­cted and Baptised of Lino. imbrased and followed his mothers Religion even from his tender age, who beinge Catechised and instructed by Lino the Pope, received also baptisme.

Item Leounilla a Christian woman beinge Grandmother to three of her Sonns sonns, named Sosippus, Cleosippus, andSosippus Cleosippus Melosip­pus Cate­chised and then bap­tised. Ann. 224. Melosippus, intreated Remigius that they might be Catechised in the Christian Religion and then Baptised which was also performed Anno. 224.

Tecla and Erasma Daughters to Valentian a Christian of Aquilea, weare (in the dayes of Nero the Emperor) instructedTecla & Erasma be­inge Cate­chrsed wea­re baptised. in the fayth by their Father and brought vp in the feare of God, who beinge Catechised by Harmagora weare baptised in a runninge water.

Fusca a holie virgin whyle she was yet younge in yeares had a desyer to the Christian fayth, the which desyer of hers sheFusca. made knowne to Mauro a Mayde servante, who also was in wardlie moved to seeke Christ, thease both beinge instructedMauro. in the Christian Religion by Hermolao the Priest at Rauenna weare then Baptised.Honoratus a heithen.

Honoratus borne of Heathen parents learned the Evangeli­gue fayth, of Caprasio the Hermit and beinge Catechised wasRogatian instructed in the Christian Religion by his bro­ther Dona­tian was behedded before bap­tisme. Neophite ante Sacra­mentum decolatur. Euirentia­na beleeved and was in sufferinge martirdom baptised in her owne bloode. baptised.

Item Ragatianus an Italian was conuerted to the Christian fayth by Donatian his brother, and whyles he was yet vnbapti­sed he was persecuted imprisoned together with his brother and beinge a Neophite or Catechumener vnbaptised, seein­ge he knewe he must dye, wished to him selfe the holie bap­tisme but Donatian his brother besought God that his blood might be to him in steede of the Sacrament of Baptisme and so the daye followinge they weare both beheaded.

Item Euirentiana the holie and virtuous virgin, was a Ca­techu­mema [Page 23] and albeyt she beleeved in Christ, yet was she vn­baptised, when as God caled her to his Kingdome through martirdome wher she was baptised in her owne blood.

5. That accordinge to the institution of the Lorde Christ and the Apostells and Auncient Fathers right vse, the teachers required fayth with baptisme, and that he that was Baptised must him selfe acknowledge and confesse the same and call vpon the name of the Lorde.
Proofes out of the Holie Scripture.

MAthewe. 28. Christ comaunded his Apostells to ma­ke all nations to discyples and Baptise them in the name of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holie Ghost.

Marke, 16. Hee that beleeveth and is Baptised, shalbe saved.

Actes the 8. Phillip opened his mouth and preached to the Ethiopian Eunuch the Gospell of Iesus, And as they went on their waye they came vnto a vvater. And the Eunuch sayd behold heare is vvater what hindreth that I may not be bap­tised, Phillip answered and sayd, if thou beleevest with all thy harte thou mayest, And he sayd: I beleeve that Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God. And they wente downe both into the water Phillip and the Eunuch and he baptised him.

Actor. 22. Sayth Paule, Annanias sayde sonne: The God of our Fathers hath apointed thee, that thou sholdest knowe hisBaptisare invocato nomine Domini. will, and see that juste one, and sholdest heare the vayce of his mouth. Now therefore why tariest them, arise: and be bap­tised and washe awaye thye sinnes i [...] callinge on the name of the Lorde.

Acts. 19, Paule sayde to certayne Discyples at Ephesus ha­ve you received the Holie Ghost since you beleeved, and they sayd vnto him we have not so much as harde whether there be an Holie Ghost or not. And he sayd vnto them vnto what weare you then baptised? And they sayd vnto Iohns baptisme Thē sayd Paule Iohn verilye baptised with the Baptisme of re­pentance, sayinge vnto the people that they showld beleeve in him that showld come after him, that is in Christ, so when then hard that they weare baptised in the name of the Lorde Iesus, and when Paule layde his hanndes on them they received the holie Ghost.

1. Peeter. 3. Baptisme saveth vs, not that puttinge awaye of the filth of the flesh.

6. That Christ neither gave Comaundement for Baptisinge of Children, nor instituted the same and that the Apostells never Baptised anie Infants.
Proofes out of those teachers ovvne vvritinges▪ which observe and vse Childrens Baptisme.

7. That the Baptisme of Infantes and sucklings is a Ceremonie and ordinance of Man brought into the Church by teachers after the Apostells time and instituted and Comaunded by Counsells Popes and Emperors.
Proofes out of the Auncyent and latter tachers. Childrens baptisme a tradition of the Church. Childrens bap: A co­mon co­stome of the Church. Childrens baptisme A traditiō of the Fa­thers.

ORigen Calleth Baptisme of Children a Ceremonie and [...]radition of the Church. In leuit. Ho. 8. In Epist. ad Rom. lib 5.

Augustine Calleth it. A Common costome of the Churche. De baptismo contra dona: lib. 4. Cap. 23. Et de Genes [...]ad literam lib. 10. Cap. 23.

Pope George the. 4 Calleth it a tradytion of the Fathers. In de­cretis distinct de consecrat.

Erasmus lib. 4 de ration Concio. Sayth: that they are not to be condemned that Doubt whether Childrens baptisme was o [...] deyned by the Apostells, and thinke that the same is to be re­ceived as the placita Scholastcorum theologicorum which cannot be proved by sacred scripture.Childrēs bap: A Co­maunde­ment of man.

Eckius Calleth it a Comaundement and ordinance of man. In Enchiridion.

Luther in his booke of Annabaptisme acknowledgeth that it cannot be proved by sacred Scripture, that Childrens baptisme vvas instituted by Christ, or begonne by the fi [...]st Christians after the Apostells. For 1000, yeares since it came to be in vse [Page 32] in the Churche and vvas established by Pope Innocentius. Childrens baptisme ordeinen by P. Inno­centio. Childrens bap. 300. yeares after the Apo­stells time.

Cassander in his booke de infantium Baptismo sayeth That it came to be vsed by the Fathers which lived 300 yeares after the Apostells.

About the yeare of our Lorde 248 and after the deperture of Iohn the owldest Apostell 158 yeares, lived a Priest caled fidus, the same would that mē showld accordinge to the manner ofBaptisme vpon the 8. daye. Ciprian ordeined children showld be timely baptised. Childrens baptisme instituted. circomsytiō, baptise younge children vpon the 8 daye. Against whom Ciprianus with 66. Bishoppes and elders more gathe­red together opposed them selves ordeyninge that everie one vvithout delaye showld receive Baptisme, and that the younge Children showld timelye be brought thereto.

Bullingerus inex Augustino contra Iulianum lib 1. Cap. 2. The Carthagenian Counsell concludeth thus to Innocentium for as much as vve beleeve that Christ the Sonne of [...]od vvas holy­lie borne of the pure virgin Marie, to fulfill and ratefie the promise of God which exclude [...]h not Children from salvation, but much rather comprehend [...]s the same within the Cove­nant. VVe will therefore th [...]t [...]hey be baptised.

In [...]omis Concylliorum & synodorum Ex concilio Carthag. 5. Cap 6 Concerninge Infants we will if there be no certayne wittnes to testefie that they wi [...]hout all dowbt are baptised, and that they of them selves are of no such yeares to give answer them selves as towchinge the Sacrament, that then they showld be baptised.

Item Georgeu quantus Pon [...]f [...]cio, Those younge Children whose parents are absent or vnknowne, whether they be bapti­sed or not, let them accordinge to the tradition of the Fathers be baptised.

Idem ex Epistola Concillij Carthaginensis ad Innocentium Papam: Those that will not that the Children for their saluation sake (which in Christ Iesus is given) should be baptised they kill the Children for ever with deadlie doctrine, in that they pro­mise them life everlastinge without Baptisme.

Ibidem: VVho so ever denyeth that younge Children are not by baptisme freed from damnation and thereby brought vnto everlastinge salvation let him be accursed.

Franck ex Historijs antiquis: The Counsell holden in AffricaThe Affri­can coun­sell condē­neth all those that dislike of Childrens baptisme. as the Carthagenian Adrimetine where as Augustinus Atticus and Armelius weare the Cheefest presydents, did ordeyne: that tho­se that sayde that Children weare not to be baptised to the forgivenes of their sinnes because they have no sinne, and that originall sinne defyleth them not, let them be accursed And that the Children which weare baptised by the Donatists should nor be baptised againe. If so be they came o [...] by their parents weare brought to the Romane Church, And that the Children of whose Baptisme men stood in doubte should be baptised againe.Baptisme ordeined in the steed of Circum­sytion.

Innocentius 3 Papa Are Archi Episcopo: Baptisme is come in the steede of Circumsition. And therefore not alone the oul­der sorte but also the younge Children which of them selves neyther beleeve nor vnderstande shalbe baptised and in their Baptisme Originall sinne shalbe forgiven them.without Baptisme Children cannot be saved. Haec citat in decretis distinct. 4. De conse­cra [...]. salvation de [...]ied [...]o [...]en [...] cha [...]e [...]o [...] bap [...] ­sed.

Augustinus ad Hieronimum Epistola. 28. Therefore do men hasten so with the Children to baptisme, because they belee­ve they cannot otherwayes be made alive in Christ.

Idem de Baptismo parvulorum: As those weare Circumcised that weare borne of Circumcysed parentes, even so should they be baptised that are borne of parents that are baptised.

Idem in Enchiridio from the younge to the ould, no men shalbe denyed baptisme. For salvation is not promised to younge Children but through Baptisme. And if so be that throughe the Sacramēt they come not amonge the faythfull, [Page 34] they must remayne in everlastinge darkenes.

Idem Augustinus & ceteri Episcopi mile tani Concilij ad Innoc [...]n­tium. Those that affirme that younge Children receive everla­sting life albeyt they be not by the Sacrament of Grace or bap­tisme renewed they are in a wronge opinion.

Ex Concilio Miletano cui interfuit Augustinus & Anselmus Ro­mae Those that will not consent that Bap­tisme of Childrens is a wa­shing away of Origi­nall sinne are con­demned. Ecclesiae legatus: It is also our will that all those that will not that Children which are newe borne from their mothers wobe should be baptised to the washinge awaye of Originall sinne, let them be excommucated.

Idem leo Papa ad Episcopum Aquigelensem: Lett younge Chil­dren be baptised because of Originall sinne.

Decretalium Epist. lib. 3. tit. 43. Alexander 3. Papa If anie one do dippe or douche a Child 3. times in the water in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost: and sayth not. I Baptise thee in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost: That Child is not baptised.

Ex tomis Conciliorum Franck in Chronologia. In the secondeAnno, 610. was Chil­drens bap­tisme or­deined as a necessarie thinge. Bracharense Counsell holden, 610. Baptisme of Children was adiudged and holden to be needfull.

Iustinus Imperator (sive ut alij volunt Iustinianus) in Novellis constitutionibus. It seemeth good to vs. That whē the Sama [...]tās that desire the vnspotted baptisme, that they for the space of 2 yeares together be instructed in the fayth & the holie Scriptures, & thē vpon their repentaunce to be admitted therto. But as cō­cerninge the Children which in regarde of their yeares cannot receive doctrine, they shall without delaye be made worthie (or pertakers) of Baptisme.

Leo Imperator Constitutione, 17. Concerninge Newe borne Children we ordeyne, that the grace of Illumination over them deferred tyll the 14 daye, (so far forth as the same be not preiudiciall) but will anie that the sacred washinge be perfor­med vpon the 8. daye. Let it be rather then that they should departe from hence without it.

Tuicensis de Divinis officijs lib. 4. Cap. 18. In times past the Children in the Church weare throughout the whole yeare instructed in the worde. And at the feaste of Easter to rehearse the fayth which they weare to make Confession of at their baptisme. But that Christendome might increase and befilled with the worde of God. The Church hath thought good for mortallyties sake, that the Children of Christians should be ti­melie baptised.

Iohannes Bohemius lib. 2. De Gentium moribus: In times past itMarke The chain­ginge of Baptisme. was the Costome to Administer baptisme alone to those that weare instructed in the fayth and seven times in the weeke be­fore Easter and Pentecost Catechised, or asked questions, and then vpon Confession of their fayth they weare Baptised. But afterwardes when it was thought and adjudged needfull to everlastinge life to be baptised, it was ordeyned that newe bor­ne Children should be baptised and that Godfathers, or shuer­tyes weare apointed who should make Confession of their fayth. And renounce the Divill in their behalfe.

Bilander de trinitate. Iustinianus the Emperor ordeyned No­vella institutione. 144. That Children should be admitted to Baptisme, & those that are come to their full groweth should be taught before they weare Baptised.

8. That younge Children or Infants ought not to be baptised, and that none ought to be brought driuen or compelled therto.
Proved by the holie Scriptures, and out of the writings of the Auncyent and latter teachers, who have and at shis time do vse and maintayne the baptisinge of Children.

CHRIST comaunded his Apostells first to teache & af­terwardesMat. 28. 10 Mar. 16 15 to baptise those that weare taught and instru­cted in the fayth.

Mat. 28. Goe and make to Discyples all nations and baptise them.

Hicronimus in hunc locum. The Lorde comaunded his Apo­stellsFirst teach. And then baptise. that they first should teach all nations, and afterwardes they should baptise those that weare instructed in the Sacra­ment or misterie of fayth.

Calvinus in institutionibus. The Lorde Comaunded his Apo­stells in their sendinge forth vnto all nations, that they should first teache and afterwardes Baptise.

The Infants and Sucklinges cannot be first taught in the fayth.

Luther in Postell. Younge Children heare not, nor vnder­standInfants cannot be instructed in the fayth. the worde of God out of which fayth Cometh, And the­refore if so be the Comaundement of Christ be followed, Children ought not to be baptised.

Dionisus in Ecclesiastica rarchia. It is (ridiculos) or to be estee­med as a lest. that the bath of regeneration should be commu­cated to younge Children which neither vnderstande nor can hea [...]e to learne the misteries of God.

Bucerus in Mathew: Christ hath no where plainlie comaun­ded that Children should be baptised.