An ansvvere to a certen libel intituled, An admonition to the Parliament, by Iohn VVhitgifte, D. of Diuinitie

Fol. 4.

All this is added in the seuenth reason: But some will say that the baptisme of women is not cōmaunded by law, if it be not, why do you suffer it, & wherefore are the children so baptized ac∣cordingly? cōmon experience teacheth that it is vsed almost in all places, and few speake a∣gainst it: & this I am sure of, that when it was put in the booke, that was the meaning of the most part, that were thē present, & so it was to be vnderstand, as common practise without cō∣trolement doth playnely declare. All these be but coniectures. Diuers things he suffered & in many places vsed without controlement, which notwithstanding by

no law be cōmaunded. What the meaning was of those that penned the booke, I know not, neither as I thinke do you. And surely for cōmon practise I can say little, but for mine owne experience this I dare affirme, that I haue not knowne one child so baptised in places where I haue had to do, no not synce y^e beginning of the Quenes Maie∣sties reigne. I speake not of the thing it selfe, but onely of your coniectures: I thinke if the circumstances of y^e booke be well considered, it will appeare y^t the meaning is, that priuate baptisme is rather to be ministred by some mi∣nister (which in y^e time of necessitie may soonest be come by) than by any woman. But in this point I submit my iudgement to suche as better knowe the meaning of the booke (being penners thereof) than I do.

In the same leafe and nynth reason speaking of certen things vsed aboute mariage, they adde these woordes: With diuers other heathenishe toyes, in sundry cuntryes, as carying of wheat sheafes on their heads, & casting of corne, with a number of such like, whereby they make rather a maygame of mariage, than a holie institution of God. These be but toyes in déede, vsed I know not where, not contey∣ned in any part of y^e booke of cōmon prayers, & therefore without my compas of defence. They lacke matter when they stuffe their booke w^t such vayne & friuolous trifles.