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WHen I consider the many worthy works which had their first being within the bounds of this our Parish, I may justly be ashamed, that my weak
endeavours should be borne in the same place.
For first, the book of Mr. Cranmer (afterwards Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and Martyr) containing the Rea∣sons against King Henry the 8th his Marriage with Queen Ka∣tharine Dowager, was compiled in our* 1.1 Pa∣rish, whilest the said Cranmer retired hither (in the time of a Plague at Cam∣bridge) to teach his Pupils. Thus did Waltham give Rome the first deadly blow in En∣gland, occasioning the Popes
primacy to totter therein, till it tumbled down at last.
The large and learned works of the no lesse Religious then In∣dustrious Mr. Fox in his book of Martyrs was penned here, leaving his posterity a consider∣able estate at this day possessed by them in this Parish.
What shall I speak of the no lesse pleasant then profitable pains of Reverend Bishop Hall (predecessor in my place) the main body of whose Books bears date from Waltham.
And shall my unworthy pam∣phlet presume to follow such able
works from the same place? However seeing my publike pro∣mise is solemnly past to you, to Print the same (hoping some profit may thence arise to you and others) let it as a Page at due distance wait upon the works of those most eminent Authors.
Some will say this your In∣fants Advocate hath almost been as long in the breeding, and birth, as Infants use to lye in their Mothers womb; so many moneths hath past betwixt the promise and performance there∣of. But let none grudge the time if it appear at last in its
perfect shape, coming forth soon enough for those who will reap benefit thereby; Too soon for such who will take causless offence thereat.
Some perchance will take ex∣ception at the plainness thereof which by me was purposely af∣fected herein. It is a good leslon which may be learned from the mouth of a bad master, even Rayling* 1.2 Rabshakeh, not to deliver a message of publick concernment, in a language which a few Courtiers only do understand, but in a tongue whereby all the people
on the wall may partake there∣of. And seeing the generali∣ty of our opposers are unlearned, I conceived it my duty to decline all difficult words and phrases, that all might more easily and perfectly perceive the truth ther∣in.
Some perchance might expect a confutation of their practice which are Re-baptized; a task needless for me to perform. For such repetition of Baptism will follow of course to be vain, if not wicked, unneedful if not unlaw∣ful; where the lawfulness and needfulness of Infants Baptism
hath formerly been proved. Bap∣tism once wel done on Infants, I may say, is twice done, which twice done is once ill done, namely when it is iterated the se∣cond time without any just rea∣son for the same.
What remains (dear Pari∣shioners) but that I pray that my weak Preaching may be powerful and profitable unto you, that you may do and suf∣fer cheerfully according to the will of God; Remember the ad∣dition of the name of your Pa∣rish, HOLY CROSSE: It mat∣ters not though Crosse be the
sur-name, if Holy be the Chri∣stian name of our sufferings: whilest that God who sendeth them sanctifieth them unto us, which is the daily prayer of
Your unworthy Pastor in Jesus Christ, THO. FULLER.
Fox Acts and Monu∣ments, page 1860.
2 Kings 18. 27.