Synopsis papismi, that is, A generall viewe of papistry wherein the whole mysterie of iniquitie, and summe of antichristian doctrine is set downe, which is maintained this day by the Synagogue of Rome, against the Church of Christ, together with an antithesis of the true Christian faith, and an antidotum or counterpoyson out of the Scriptures, against the whore of Babylons filthy cuppe of abominations: deuided into three bookes or centuries, that is, so many hundreds of popish heresies and errors. Collected by Andrew Willet Bachelor of Diuinity.

THE FOVRTH QVESTION, WHETHER women and Lay-men ought to baptize.

The Papists.

[error 103] THey hold, that not onely Lay men, but Pagans: that are not baptized them∣selues, yea and women also, may be ministers of Baptisme, in a case of ne∣cessitie, eBllarm. cap. 7.

Argum. Exod. 4. Zipporah circumcised her sonne, and the Lord was pleased therewith, and went away from Moses, whom hee came against to haue slaine him. Ergo women may as well now minister Baptisme.

Ans. First, there is not the like strict necessitie of Baptisme, as there was then of Circumcision: for if euery man childe were not circumcised the eight day, the Lord threatned to cut him off from among the people, Genes. 17.14. But Baptisme is not tied or limited to any such time or number of dayes. Se∣condly, there was great necessitie, which enforced Zipporah to circumcise her childe: for they had neglected the time, and passed the stint of dayes: where∣fore the Lord strooke Moses with sicknes: and being not able himselfe to per∣forme that duetie, his wife in great haste taketh the childe and cutteth him, to saue her husbands life: but shee in great indignation cast away the fore-skin from her, knowing that shee was constrained to commit an vnwomanly act. There cannot bee any such necessitie of Baptisme, as there was then of Cir∣cumcision; which was to be done within a certaine compas of dayes. Third∣ly, you may as well proue by this example, that a woman may baptize, the Bishop, Priest, or Deacon standing by (which notwithstanding you hold vtter∣ly vnlawfull) as that it is lawfull for her to baptize: For Zipporah did it in the presence of Moses.

The Protestants.

NEither lay men, of what calling soeuer, nor yet Midwiues, or any other women, ought to bee suffered in a wel reformed Church to baptize infants: neither are they authorized so to doe amongst vs.

Argum. 1. The commission and charge to baptize, was giuen onely by our sauiour Christ to his Apostles, and all lawfull Ministers their successors, Matth. 28.19. Ergo, Lay men and women, in baptizing, goe beyond the com∣mission of Christ.

Argum. 2. The preaching of the word, and administration of the Sacra∣ments, are and ought alwaies to be ioyned together. And the care and charge of both is committed to Pastors and Ministers lawfully ordained: Goe, saith our Sauiour, and teach all nations, baptizing them, Matth. 28.19. But it is not lawfull for women to preach the word, 1. Corinth. 14. vers. 35. Ergo not to baptize.

Argum. 3 If it be lawfull for such to baptize, it is onely in the time of neces∣sitie: but there is no such necessitie, as we haue shewed of Baptisme. Ergo, it is not at all lawfull for them.

Augustines iudgement is this: if a Lay man doe giue Baptisme: Ne∣scio an piè quis dixerit esse repetendum: I cannot tell, whether it may well bee iterated or repeated. Hee dooth not allowe Lay men to baptize: but is of opinion, that they are not to bee baptized againe, that receiue Baptisme at their handes. Yet hee speaketh vncertainelie, (I cannot tell

saith he) and so we will conclude with Augustine, Si Laicus baptismum dederit, nulla cogente necessitate, alieni muneris vsurpatio est. If a Lay man doe baptize, where there is no necessitie, it is an vsurping of another mans office. But there is no such necessitie to cause him so to doe: Ergo.

Notes

• Lib. 2 cont. Parmen. cap. 13.