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M. Bucer in his censure vpon the Communion booke, speaking of* 1.1 the order appointed in the same for priuate Baptisme, writeth thus. In this constitution all things are godly appoynted, I vvoulde to God they* 1.2 vvere so obserued, and especially this that the baptisme of infants be not dif∣ferred,
for therby is a dore opened vnto the Deuill, to bring in a contempt of baptisme, and so of our whole redemption, and cōmunion of Christ which thorough the sect of Anabaptistes, hath to much preuayled vvith many.
In the 153. page, M. Bucers censure vpon the cōmunion booke is cited, for the allowaunce of that it hath touching priuate baptisme, and consequently of the baptisme by women. It may be, that as M. Bucer although otherwise very learned hath (*) 1.3 other grosse absurdities, so he may haue that. But it had bene for the credite of your cause, if you had shewed that out of those wri∣tings, which are published & knowne to be his, & not out of those, wherof men may doubt, whether euer he wrote any such or no: And if he wrote, whether they be corrupted by those into whose hands they came. And if you would take any aduauntage of M. Bucers testimonie, considering that a witnesse is a publike person, you should haue brought him out of your studie into the statio∣ners shop, where he mought haue bene common to others, as well as to you, whereby his stile and manner of writing as it were by his gestures, and countenaunces, and by those things that go be∣fore, and come after, as it were by his head, and by his fecte, we might the better know whether it were the true Bucer or no.
It is very grosse courtesie that you shewe to so worthie and learned a man: mo∣destie* 1.4 and charitie would not haue bene so rashe as to answere that whiche he well speaketh, in opprobriously obiecting vnto him his other errours, which you call grosse absurdities. But this is the reuerence that you giue to all learning, and learned men, that are contrary to your opinions. I haue sometimes heard a Papiste burst out in∣to this rage, against M. Bucer beyng pressed with his authoritie: But you are the first professour of the Gospell, that euer I hearde so churlishly to vse so reuerent, so learned, so paynefull, so sounde a father, being also an earnest and zelous professour. It causeth me the lesse to regarde what you speake of me, when I heare such bitter∣nesse agaynst all other, be they neuer so zealous and excellent. Well Bucers reasons (which touch the quicke) would haue bene reasonablie answered without spyte: and you should rather haue considered them, than the authour. There is nothing in these woordes by him affirmed, which is not in as playne termes auouched by Zuinglius, in the woordes before recited. The booke of M. Bucers is forth cōming to be shewed, and he affirmeth nothing therein contrary to his bookes published: he had more spe∣ciall occasion here offred to speake both of this and other matters now in controuer∣sie, and therefore the more he is to be credited.
Bucer.
Differring of baptisme not expedient.
This is but grosse courtesie.
The reuerēce which T. C. giueth to lear∣ned men.