Chap. 5. the. 13. Diuision.
And yet this is not to tye necessitie of saluation to the sacraments, nor to nousell men vp in that opinion. This is agreable with the scriptures, and therefore when they bring the baptised chylde they are receyued with this speciall commendation: I certifie you that you haue done well and according to due order. &c.
But nowe we speake in good earnest, when they answere this, let them tell vs howe this geare agreeth wyth the scriptures, and whether it be not repugnant or agaynst the worde of God?
And yet (you say) thys is not to tye necessitie of saluation to the sacramentes, nor to nousell men vp in that opinion. &c. No surely, no more than it is to teach, that children ought to be baptized, and not to tarry vntill suche time as they be able to answere for themselues.
Now in the. 187. page, M. Doctor answereth heerevnto, that this implyeth no more, that the saluation is tyed to the sacraments, than when it is taught that Infants must be baptised, and not tarry vntyll they come to the age of discretion. The which how truely it is spoken, when as the one hath grounde of the scripture, the other hath none, the one approued by the continuall, and almost the generall practise of the Church, the other vsed onely in the corrupt and rotten estate thereof, let all men iudge.
This verifieth my saying, for if baptisme of children be grounded vpon the scrip∣tures, as it is, then is the necessitie of baptising them, the more: so that if not for feare of damnation, yet bicause of Gods commaundement and institution, children are of necessitie to be baptized: and this is a receyued opinion in the Church, euen from the beginning, & therfore lay men in the time of necessitie, from the beginning haue béene permitted to baptise, as may appeare by the authors before alleaged.