Chapter II.
CENTURY VI
The Council of Gerunden in Spain, held about 520, Ordained.That young Children from their Mothers womb be baptized.
The Council of Bracarense, 572, and the Council of Vivense ordained the very same. Tollius de Bapt. p. 179.
The Council of Marisconenses, held 580. Ordained,
That the Baptism of Children should be at Easter, except necessity hindred. Magd. cent. 5. p. 613.Pope Greg. The Great, Lib. 1. Ep. 4. Ad Boniface, dist. 4. De Consec. Let all young
Children be baptized as they ought to be according to the Tradition of the Fathers.Who gave Instruction to his Legat Austin, to give Coristendem to Children, when he sent him to Britain; which you may read at large in the book of Martyrs, mentioned hereafter.
Justinian the Emperor, who reigned 530. Ordained, that Children should be admitted to Baptism, and that those that were come to their full growth, shall be taught before they be baptized. Novel Institut. 444.
Justinus the Emperor, who reigned 570. Ordained, that it seemed him good, that when the Samaritans that desire the unspotted Baptism, that they for the space of two years together be Instructed in the Faith and the Holy Scriptures, and that upon their Repentance they be admitted thereto. But as concerning the Children which in regard to their years, cannot receive Divine Doctrine, they shall without delay be made worthy or partaker of Baptism.
That Gossips were appointed to all that were baptized, as saith Paulus Diaconus, Lib. 16. in Justiniano.
And that it was the custom when the Children of Princes and Potentates were baptized, that Bishops should be the Gossips, Magd. Cent. 6. p. 333.
Maxentius saith, That Children are not only adopted into a State of son-ship, but have the Remission of all Sin by Baptism. Cent. 6. p. 227.
Some Decrees made in these times against the Anabaptists. In the 4th Later. Connc. Canons were made to banish the Anabaptists for Hereticks.
Twisk Chron. p. 164. Felix, the 50th Bishop of Rome, Ordained, That those that were baptized by the Hereticks, should not be received into any spiritual Office; and that they should be handled with all severity that were Re-baptized.
Twisk Chron. p. 164. Ex Platina, fol. 91. Fascic. Temp. fol. 112. Theodosius and Honorius made and published the following Edict, in the year 413. Viz.
That the Person Rebaptized, as well as the Administrator, should be punished with death.
Sabast. Frank. fol. 136. Col. 3. Baronius Annals, p. 413. numb. 6. Albanus, a zealous Minister, eleven years after, was put to death with others, upon the said Edict for Baptizing of persons.
Twisk Chron. l. 5. p. 149. The Anabaptists, or Waldensian Sect, enreasing [arising] in France and Spain, King Theodoricus in his fifteenth year, called a Synod at Rerdon in Spain; Decreeing by many Popish Bishops, thus, viz.
Canon 6. That those that have fallen by Anabaptism, the Orders of the Nicean Synod should be imposed upon them, viz. that
they should pray seven years among the Catachumens, and after that, two years amongst the Catholicks before they be admitted to the Eucharist.And Canon 14. That none should so much as eat with the Anabaptists. Magd. cent. 6. P. 468.
One John Woutersz being accused for an Anabaptist, viz. one that was baptized again, denied the same; saying, he was never baptized but once, when he was baptized after his profession of Faith; that they called the Baptism of Children, being a Nullity, and no Baptism.
Dutch Martyrolog. lib. 2. P. 15. Horn beck. Sum Controv. p.
All the forementioned Superstitions of the Romish Baptismal Rites were in use in this Age, with this addition;
That lighted Tapers were to be put into the hands of the Baptized, p. 332.
The Temples or Churches, Altars and Reliques in their Dedications were Christened by sprinkling the Water of conjuration upon them, p. 369.
In this Century we meet with a dreadful piece of Infants-Baptism, viz. the Heads of 6000 Infants that had been murdered, and buried in a Warren [?] near a Monastery; as testified by Udulricus to P. Nicholas, Cent. 6. p. 338.
CENTURY VII The Council of Toletanus instituted, That Infants without natural capacity, should be baptized, and that none deny Baptism to them, at their peril.
The Council of Constance Ordained the same. Magd. Cent. 7. P. 146.
Isadorus saith, That if Children were not baptized, and so thereby renewed, and Original sin washed away, they were in a state of damnation, p. 98.
To the former ridiculous Ceremonies now in use, were added, That the Names of Saints departed, or relations, should be given to the Baptized at their Baptism.
That none should be admitted to be Gossips without rehearsing the Lord's Prayer and the Creed.
And that none of the Gossips might marry together, because of the spiritual Affinity and Relation they had contracted at the Font. p. 147.
At the Consecration and Dedication of Temples, the Names of some Angel or Saint departed was to be given to them.
A Child that died unbaptized this Age was taken up and Christened, and had his Father's Name given him, Magd. Cent. 7. p.
CENTURY VIII
Carolus Magnus declares, That Baptism should be administered to Infants as well as to the Adult. Cent. 8. p. 219.Daniel, in his Epistle to Boniface, concludes, That Infants should be baptized. p. 347.
Bede also concludes for the baptizing of Infants. p. 218.
To all the former continued Superstitions, there were added,
1. That the Administration be in the Latin tongue, p. 384.
2. That Salt be used in Baptism. Aponius, l. 1. P. 349.
3. That the Hair of the Baptized be cut. p. 350.
4. That some Gift was to be given in Baptism, which was to be called Deodans. p. 349.
5. That Temples should be consecrated in the Name of the Trinity, p. 336.
6. Bells were posted in Temples in this Age, p. 342.
CENTURY IX Servitius at large demonstrates, that according to the Custom of the Church, little ignorant Babes should be baptized; For which he cites the Decrees of the African Council, by Pope Innocent; another of Pope Leo's; and another of Pope Gregory's at large. Cent. 9. p. 140, 141.
Gizelbert saith, That after Baptism neither Original nor Actual Sin remaineth. Who also calleth Marriage a Sacrament. p. 171.To the former filthy Customs this Age added, That of Exorcism; and that the Head, Ears, and Nose should be salted and anointed before Baptism, p. 235.
To the former Christening of Temples, they added the pouring of Oyl, and anointing with holy chrism, singing Jacob's words, This is no other than the House of God; how dreadful is this place? According to the 24th Canon of __?uensis, Cent. 9. p. 229.
CENTURY X Maragdus saith, That little Infants are to be baptized, because it is said, Suffer little Children to come unto me, and forbid them not,
Hence (saith he) the Holy Mother the Church doth beget the Innocent Infant into a ___ and pure state by the Grace of Baptism. Cent. 10. P. 188.
Zonaras saith, That the Infants, as well as the Adults, were to be baptized, p. 292.
To the former wicked Customs, they now added,
1. That the Water of Baptism should on Easter-day, be consecrated after this manner;The Priest’s hand should be stretched over the water, as Moses, his hand was over the Sea.
2. That he should blow upon it. 3. Hold a burning Taper over it, to answer the Type of the Fiery Pillar; 4. That as they entered the Red
Sea by Night; so should Baptism be administered in the evening, p. 239.The Gossips were to put on White Garments, as well as the Priests, and the Baptized, p. 299.
And as a further addition to Church-Christening, the Bishop was, before the Water was brought to him, to strike the Earth, and then to poure [sic] down a great deal of Water, and then to name the Church.
And further; It was in this Age that Bells began also to be Christened; which, from henceforward was most religiously observed.
Pope John the 14th was the first that baptized Bells; who Christened the great Bell of the Church of Lateran, calling it John; which was done to drive away evil spirits, and to prevent any ill accident that might happen by Lightning and Tempest. Magd. cent. 10. p. 295.
Vossius, in his Book De Bapt. p. 158. tells us, That though the more prudent did call this Baptizing or Christening of Bells Consecration, yet that they had most of the Baptismal Rites and Ceremonies, both Godfathers and Godmothers, sprinkling, anointing, giving of Names, and great Donations; and that the silly women used to bring Presents of Coral, Linnen, [sic] and other things; and that they had a Superstitious Conceit, that the sprinkling of that Baptismal Water procured Health to the Sick.
Vossius also informeth us in the said Book; from good Authority, that from Austin, till Bernard’s time, seven or eight hundred years, the Custom was to baptize naked both Men, Women,
and Children, with the Reasons usually given by the Ancients for the same, viz. That they might therein be as in the state of Innocency; and be as naked in their second, as in their first Birth; And as they expected to be in Heaven, and therein no otherwise than Christ was upon the Cross; which you may read at large, in page 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. Quoting these several Authorities to justifie it, viz. Cyri, Heir, Cat.Mystag. Tom. 6. c. 11. Elias Cretensis in Orat. 4. Naz. Zena Varonensis, Anselm on Matthew 3. Ambros. Serm. 10. Bernard Serm. 46. De Paupere. Greg. Mag. Tom. 2. col. 269.Aleuinus in Divin. Off. cap. 19. Chrys. Ep. Ad. Innocent, &c.So, just was it with God to leave men that went a whoring after their own Inventions forsaking the Word of god, to embrace the [Traditions of man] to such unseemly and unnatural practices.
Yet is not Mr. Baxter ashamed to fix such an abominable slander upon the Baptists of this our Age, of baptizing naked (which it seems was so long the real practice of the Paedobaptists) and about which he spends three whole Pages on his Scripture-proof, viz. 136, 137, 138. to aggravate the bainousness of that their custom (which he is pleased to father upon them). And though I am perswaded he cannot but be convinced that the thing is most notoriously false, and brought forth by him out of prejudice (not to say malice) rather than any proof or good testimony he ever received thereof. Yet have I never heard that he hath done himself, his injured
Neighbours, and the abused world that right, as to own his great weakness, and sinful shortness therein, in any of the many Editions of that Piece; which I humbly conceive, as well deserved a Recantation, as some other things he has judged worthy thereof.
CENTURY XI Anselm asserts, That Children should be baptized; and these Reasons,
1. That the Devil by the Faith of the Parents, may be cast out of the Children in Baptism; as the Woman of Canaan in Matthew 15.21. had the Devil cast out of her Daughter. p. 171.
2. That they may thereby be freed from Original Sin, and be rendered Saints and holy ones by Baptism, as they are owned to be, I Corinthians 7. p. 171.
3. That they may die to sin; for they that are baptized into Christ, are so; being baptized into his Death; which he says is without exception; for whosoever is baptized into Christ, is baptized into his Death.
Meginhardus saith, If little Infants, or weak ones be brought to Baptism, let them answer for them, that bring them; and then let hands be laid upon them with holy Chrysme; and so let the Eucharist be communicated to them. p. 168.
Ivo saith, that the Infants, as well as the Adult, are to be baptized, because of the Faith of the Sacrament; p. 260.
The Latines in this Age did rebaptize the Greeks who disowned their Baptism. p. 263. And
the Greeks did excommunicate the Latines for renouncing theirs. p. 401.To the former Superstitious Rites, they added, that Salt should be put into the mouth of the Baptized. p. 261.
And to the Christening of Churches, that Salt should also be mixed with the Water of Execration.
The Waldenses did appear this Age to witness against the Romish Superstititions; and amongst the rest, that of the Real Presence in the Eucharist, and baptizing of Infants: which you have at large hereafter; with the opposition and persecution they met with for the same. They were called Beringarians, from Beringarius, one of the chief Leaders.
CENTURY XII Peter Lombard saith, That to the baptizing the Adults, their proper Faith is required; but to the baptizing an Infant, the Faith of others sufficeth. Cent. 12. p. 418.
And again, Children are to be baptized, because they are thereby cleansed from Original sin. p. 596.
Bernard saith, That without Baptism, Children cannot be saved. p. 604.
And again, As Children of old were circumcised without, or against their wills, for their Salvation; so may they now be baptized, p. 599.
Peter Cluniacensis, writing against Peter Bruis, one of the Waldensian Barbs, who denied Infants-Baptism, saith Lib.. 1. Eph. 2. They
who are not baptized with Christ’s Baptism, cannot be Christians; And shall the Children of the Jews be saved with the Sacrament of Circumcision, and shall not the Children of Christians be saved with the Sacrament of Baptism? p. 599.Heldigard saith, That as our little Children, that are not capable to feed themselves, have others to feed them, to keep them from temporal death; so is it with them in Baptism, who being neither capable to believe or profess, have spiritual helps provided for them, that they may not want that spiritual food that may preserve them from eternal death. p. 602.
Alexander the third, in his Decretals, Lib. 3. Tit. 40. c. 2. saith, They who have any doubt concerning their Baptism, may be baptized with these words; If thou art baptized, I do not baptize thee; but if thou beest not, I do baptize thee in the Name of, &c.
The former ridiculous Rites were this Age observed with this addition;
Bernard saith, To the Dedication or right-Christening of Church, there must be Aspersion, Injunction, Illumination, Benediction, and Nomination, p. 861.
And that if the Temple should come to be polluted by the Priests committing Adultery in it, the sprinkling it afresh with Holy Water, cleanseth it again. Alex. L. 3. Decret. 5.
The certain times wherein Marriages were prohibited, were from Spetuagesima till Easter, from Rogation till Whitsontide, and from Advent to Epiphany: Which were done by the Edict of Pope Clement; as saith Gilgas. p. 919.
The Waldenses were, in this Age, great Witnesses to the baptizing of Believes, abd as great opposers of Infants-Baptism, called by the name of Petro-Brusians, Apostolici & Henerici; and for which they were great Sufferers; as hereafter. Magd. p. 844, 845, 846.
CENTURY XIII Thomas Aquinas saith, Children are to be baptized not in their own proper Faith, but in the Faith of the Church. p. 419.
And again, That they may be freed from Original Sin and Condemnation. p. 422.
Alexander saith, Baptism confers Grace to little ones, not only purging them from Original Sin, but by the Merits of Christ’s Suffering, the Faith of the Surety, but by the virtue of the Sacrament. p. 426.
Bonaventure saith, If Children die that are baptized, before they come to years of discretion, they so receive grace by the faith of another, that by Christ’s merit they shall be saved; which, (he saith) is denied by certain cursed hereticks. p. 419.
Concurring hereto, are several other Doctors of this Age; as Hugo, p. 544. Gulielmo, pag. 419. Albert, and the Decree of the Neomansian Synod, 594. the Synod of Colonia, 938, 944. But let these already mentioned suffice.
Tho. Aquinas saith, Though a Priest be the proper Administrator of Baptism, yet, in case of necessity, not only a Deacon, but a Lay-person, yea a woman; nay an Heretick or Pagan, may baptize, so be it the true form of the Church be observed, and intend thereby what the Church intends. p. 149.
All the Abominable Rites before-mentioned, were in this Age observed, with this following Exposition upon them:Gulielm, saith, That the matter of the Sacrament of confirmation is Oyl-Olive mixed with Balsom, and incorporated upon the Fire, called Chryim, and which can only be done by the hands of a Bishop. The form of which Sacrament, he saith, is this, viz. I sign thee with the Sign of the Cross, and confirm thee with the Chryim of Salvation, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen. And which only a Bishop can administer. p. 417.
By Exorcism the Devil is blown away, Hugo Albertus saith, By blowing in Execration, the power of the Devil is expelled; and being signed upon the Breast and Forehead, with the Sign of the Cross, he is driven not only from the heart, but more vividly from the outward man. And that the Salt is to be put into the mouth, the better to endue with spiritual favour and wisdom; And that the Ears and Nose are to be anointed with Spittle, that Grace and Discretion from god may be conferred; which, because the Spittle descends from the Head that is thereby signified. And that the Breast must be anointed to prepare the Heart for God; and the Shoulders anointed to be enabled to bear God’s burden.
After Baptism, the Neck must be anointed with Chrism, that the mind may be better disposed for God and holy contemplation, which by Chrism is signified, being made of shining Oyl, and healing sovereign Balsom. They must be indued with white Garments, to hold forth that Innocency which is received in Baptism; as well
As the Glory which they are to partake of at the Resurrecction. And a burning Taper put into the hand, that the Word of God may be a light to his Feet.Gulielmus saith, That as to the form of Baptism, the Virgin Mary is to be added to the Father, son and Holy spirit, viz. I Baptize thee in the name of the Omnipotent, Father, Son and Holy spirit, and the blessed Virgin Mary, p. 419.
Thom. saith, There are seven sacraments; viz. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order and Matrimony. Two whereof, viz. Baptism and Eucharist were instituted by Christ, and the other five by the Apostles; as Alexander, p. 406.
Which seven sacraments were after confirmed by the Council of Trent, with Anathema to those who should deny them.
Pope Gregory X. was then first in Anno 1271. granted Tythes to the Churches. Those that opposed and witnessed against Infants-Baptism, and other Popish Superstitions in this Age, were the Albigenses & Ammonienses. Magd. Cent. 13. p. 554, &c.
XIV &c.
CENTURY XIV, &c. That the baptizing of Infants, with all the Rites and Ceremonies, still continued, especially in the Romish Church, we need not question, when we read the Canons of the Council of Trent, which was called on purpose, as to establish their old Superstitions and Idolatries, so to suppress the Light and Truth, that especially did shine in the Empire; In
which Council, which ended 1564. we have the following Canons.In the Fifth Session about Original sin, in the 4th Canon,
It is Decreed, that they who shall deny Baptism to young Children from their Mothers [sic] Womb, for the taking away Original Sin,Let them be accursed. Os. Cent. 16. C. 60. 380.
In the 7th session about Baptism, in the 13th Canon,
It was Decreed, that whosoever puts not young baptized Children amongst the faithful, or saith they must be re-baptized at the years of discretion, or that it is better to omit their Baptism till then,Let them be accursed. And in the 14th Canon, It was Decreed, that whosoever shall say, that baptized children, when they come to Age, ought not to be enjoyned to ratifie the promise made in their name, but to be left to their will if they refuse, not compelling them to Christian life, but denying them other Ordinances,
Let them be accursed. In the 3 Canons about Confirmation, It was Decreed, that whosoever said, It was an idle Ceremony, not a Sacrament properly; or that it was formerly used, that Children might give an account of their faith.
2. That to give Virtue to Chrism, was to wrong the holy Spirit.
3. That every simple Priest is the ordinary Minister for Confirmation, and not the Bishop only,
Let them be accursed. Os. Cent. 16. pag. 417. And as a standing Rule justifie themselves in their Determinations, they Conclude and Decree,
That their traditions should be observed Pari Pietatis affeciu; with the same pious affection with the Holy Scriptures,
In that Instrument called the Interim, That Decretal of Charles the Fifth, made till the Council's Canons could be perfected, it was determined,
That young Children by the Faith and Confession of the Sureties, should be baptized.
And that all ancient Ceremonies that pertained to the Sacrament of Baptism, should be continued, as Crosrcisme[?], Chrism, &c. Osiander, p. 482.
Among the many Antichristian Oppressions the Princes of Germany exhibited to the pope from their Convention of Norimberg, they complained of that of baptizing of Bells; wherein they say, The Suffragans have invented, That no other but only themselves, may baptize Bells for the Lay-people: Whereby the simple people, upon their affirmation, do believe, that such Bells so baptized, will drive away evil Spirits and Tempests; Whereupon, a great number of God-fathers are appointed; especially such as are rich; which at the time of baptizing, holding the Rope wherewithal the Bell is tied, the Suffragan speaking before them, as is accustomed in the baptizing of young Children, they all together do answer, and give the name to the
Bell; the Bell having a new garment put upon it, as is accustomed to be done to the Christians; after this, they go to sumptuous Feasts, whereunto also the gossips are bidden, that thereby they may give the greater reward to the Suffragans, their Chaplins and Ministers; whereby it happeneth oft-times, that even in a small Village an hundred Florins are consumed, in such Christenings; which is not only superstitious, but contrary to Christian Religion, a seducing of the simple people, and meer Extortion. Wherefore such wicked unlawful things are to be abolished. Fox's Acts and Monum. 990.Pius the Fifth baptized the Duke of Alva's Standard, and called it Margaret. Dr. MorisonDe Depra Be. p. 24.
The German Protestants about Infants-Baptism.
The Lutheran in their Augustan Confession, made 1530. do declare,
That Baptism is necessary to salvation. That God's grace is conferred thereby. That Children ought to be baptized who by Baptism are dedicated and received into the grace and favour of God: condemning the Anabaptists, who deny Baptism to Children, and who affirm that Children without Baptism may be saved, Osiander. Cent. 16. p. 153.
In the Smalkald Articles 1536. the Lutherans say,
Concerning Infants we teach, that they are to be baptized; for inasmuch as they do belong to the promised Redemption
made by Jesus Christ, the Church ought to baptize and to declare the promise to them. Osiander. Cent. 16. p. 278.In the Conference betwixt the Calvinists and Lutherans at Mumpelgartens. 1529.
It was agreed, that Baptism came in the room of Circumcision, and that the Children of the Christians are to be baptized. Osiander. Cent. 16. p. 1020.Though about the Ground of baptizing them they differed; The Lutherans affirming, that they had a proper and peculiar Faith to entitle them thereto. The Calvinists asserting, they had none, but ought to be baptized by virtue of the Faith of the Parents in Covenant.
On the Book of concord, 1580. by the Lutherans.
They agreed, that the Tenets of the Anabaptists are to be renounced, that say, Infants are not to be baptized, because they have no use of Reason. Osiander. Cent. 16. p. 254.The English Protestants about Infants-Baptism.
In the Reformation begun in Edward the Sixth's time about 1549, the Form of Worship and Administration of the Sacraments, with all their Rites and Ceremonies, were held forth in the English Liturgy, as it was translated out of the Latin Mass-Book, concerning which we have this account from Mr. Fox in his Martyrology, p. 1499.That in the rising in Devonshire, upon the translating the Latin Mass-Book into English,
the King, writes after this manner to quiet them, viz.As for the Service in the English Tongue, perhaps it seemeth to you as New-Service, when indeed it is no other but the Old; the selfsame words in English which were in Latin, saving a few things taken out, so sond [sic], that it hath been a shame to have heard them in English; as all they can judge that list to repeat the truth; And if it was good in Latin, it remaineth good in English; for nothing is altered; but to speak with knowledge what was spoken with ignorance, &c.
Wherein the Time, Order, Manner and Ceremony of baptizing of Infants is directed and enjoyned, with all the Rites appertaining thereto.
In the said Service-Book in the Rubrick before the Catechism, it is said, That Children being baptized, have all things necessary for their Salvation, and be undoubtedly saved. And therefore after Baptism, the Priest must say, We yield the hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy Spirit. And the Child is afterwards to be instructed, when he comes to understanding, to say, That therein he was made a Member of Christ, and a Child of God, and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just comporting length and breadth with Pope Innocent's first Canon.
In the 27th Article of the Church of England, it is said, That the Baptizing of young Children is in any wise to be restrained in the Church, as most agreeable to the Institution of Christ, Made in Q Elizabeth's time, 1562.
In the Scotch Service-Book, imposed in the beginning of the late War, it is said, That as oft as new Water is put into the Font, the Priest shall say, Sanctifie this Fountain of Baptism, Oh thou which art the Sanctifier of all things.The Directory, in the Parliament's time, leaves out Gossips, and signing with the Sign of the Cross; changes the Fonts into Basons. And the Parliament's Ordinance, May 2. 1648. made it imprisonment to affirm Infants-Baptism unlawful; and that such should be baptized again. Mr. Marshal informs us out of Phocius, p. 3334. That some of the Greek Churches have Laws, That whatsoever Baptized Persons refused to bring their Children, and Wives too, to be baptized, should be Anathematized, and punished also.
At Zurick, as Dr. Featly tells us out of Gassius, p. 68. The Senate made an Act, That if any presumed to Rebaptize, viz. to baptize any that had been baptized in their Infancy, that they should be drowned: and that at Vienna, many for baptizing such, were so tied together in Chains, that they drew the other after him in the River, wherein they were all drowned.
And that at Roplestein, the Lords of that place Decreed, that such should be burnt with a hot Iron, and bear the base Brands of those Lords, in whose Lands they so offended.
And p. 182. out of Ponton Catalog. through Germany, Alsatia, and Swedeland, many Thousands of this Sect, who defiled their first Baptism by a second, were baptized the third time in their own Blood.
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