A true, modest, and iust defence of the petition for reformation, exhibited to the Kings most excellent Maiestie Containing an answere to the confutation published under the names of some of the Vniuersitie of Oxford. Together vvith a full declaration out of the Scriptures, and practise of the primitiue Church, of the severall points of the said petition.

Exception.

The book of common prayer doth not pre∣scribe that baptisme should be administred by women.

Answ. Yea but if the booke permit it though it do not prescribe it, it is more then true divinitie will warrant. Now whether the booke seeme not to encline that way let it be considered by these rea∣sons.

1. By the booke the Priests and Curats are commanded to warne the people, that without great necessity they baptize not children at home in their houses and when great need shall compell them so to doe, that then they minister it on this fa∣shion.

2. This same they (they that minister it) is a relatiue; therfore if they look back to to find the antecedent what will meete us, but (they) whom the Priests and Cu∣rats warned not to baptize their children at home: but they whom the Priests and Curats warned not to baptize their chil∣dren at home, were the people, yea the vulgar people, not ministers: and there∣fore they that be permitted by the booke to baptize, bee the people, yea the vulgar people.

3. If the chyld liue it is to be brought to the church by order of the booke and there the minister is to examine who bap∣tized it, which were a folly if the minister

had done it himselfe, and further with what words it was baptized, which were as fond if it were baptized by an ordi∣nary minister of our Church.

4. The booke prescribeth no more but that they that be present call uppon God and use the right forme N. I baptize thee &c. so that these two things bee obser∣ved by the midwife, or whosoeuer pre∣sent, the minister is to certifie them by order of the booke, that they haue done well and according to due order.

5. The child is supposed by the booke to be baptized by such as happily knew not what they did in that great feare and trouble of mind, but such as be so greatly feared and troubled at such times be not the ministers who haue nothing to do in those actions but the wiues and such as be present at such times: therefore they bee not ministers, but the people yea the very women that bee permitted to bap∣tise in such times of necessity.

VVherefore (most noble king.) Seeing the booke seemeth to carry this sense and to warrant that which the word of Christ never approved: VVe most humbly entreat that it may bee either quite remooved, or better explained.

Notes

• Answ. ibid.
• Math. 28. 9.