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VII. VVHat is said against our way of Crossing, as a dedicating Sign, and Badge of Christianity, if not a Humane Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace, I have said before, and must not repeat: And also what it is for Mi∣nisters
to Assent and Consent to reject all from Baptism that are not submitted to it.
I am now only to tell you that this Submission is a part of the Lay-conformit, for want of which they are punished with the denial of Baptism.
But they that are against it may yet let the Minister use it on their Children: That's his act, and not theirs: and they cannot hinder him: They send their Children to be Baptized, and not to be Cross'd.
But we have many Antipadobaptists, and converted Iews to be Baptized at Age.
2. And tho' I am much of your mind in this, yet all wiser Men are not; and the case is very difficult as to Infants: If one knew beforehand that the Priest would use Oil, and Spittle, and Ex∣orcism, and invocate Saints and Angels over the baptized Child, it were hard to say, I send him only to be Baptized] when he knew how sinfully it will be done. The truth is, I can justifie no Man that will submit his Child to such a crossing at Baptism, that can caeteris paribus have it by another better done, tho' Pro∣hibited by Man: We must not be guilty of other Mens Sins, nor of Church Corruptions.
Christ that will have mercy and not sacrifice, would not have men refuse Christendom for fear of a Cross.
Christ who would have Teachers learn that Lesson, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, would have no Minister deny Chri∣stendom to such as think their crossing sinful: And yet he would have no Man commit any Sin, to gain Baptism: but will save the unbaptized that desired it, so they might have had it with∣out; and will himself shew Mercy to such as consent not to a polluted Sacrifice. And would have us prefer a lawful way when we can have it. Baptism is our Renunciation of Sin.