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BUt to returne to our stories, wee know what Origen, and Austin have said, what was the use of the Churches from the Apostles time as well as what was done in their time; wherefore if wee had no instances of children baptized that would suffice; But story
will furnish us with instances of children baptized within the com∣passe of time wherein this Treatise presenteth us with instances.
Polydore Virgil in his second book of the History of England spea∣king of King Lucius, saith,
that he Anno salutis 182. regni vero 13. being moved out of a love of Religion, dealt with Eleutherius Bishop of Rome by letters, that hee would admit him and his people by baptisme unto the number of Christians. Upon which Fugatius and Damianus (men of eminent pietie) were sent into Britaine, who baptized the King with his house, and his whole people, and therefore the Brittish children too,un∣lesse no part of Lucius his people, which Johannes Balaeus more ful∣ly cleareth, in his booke of Brittish writers, Centuria prima cap. 27. where hee reciteth the occasion why Lucius sent Eluinus and Me∣duinus (two prime men) unto Eleutherius to bee this — * 1.1 And Lucius sent thither the more speedily, because hee heard that the name of Christians begun every where to be inlarged, and that many of the Nobilitie, (especially at Rome) together with their wives and children, had sworne unto that Christian faith (scil. were bapti∣zed;) for that was that hee writ about as before wee had it, that hee and his, might bee reckoned amongst the number of Christi∣ans; and baptisme is a solemne obligation of the party baptized unto the Christian faith.) Afterward when the Pagan Saxons had overrun Brittaine and Religion began to be worne out againe, Gre∣gory the first sent over Austin, Anno 596. where after he had preached amongst the heathen Saxons, hee baptized 1000. men, women and children in a River. History of Brittaine pag. 214. Inas also King of the West Saxons with his Counsell made Lawes touching the orderly living of Ministers and Infants being baptized within 30. dayes. * 1.2 Beza's hist. Dr. Ʋsher also in his booke of the Religion of the ancient Irish, cap. 5. saith that the Irish did baptize their In∣fants, without any consecrated Chrisme; and that corrupt use of Chrisme wee know was very ancient indeed. And before Clo∣dovius King of France was converted, whilst hee was yet Pagan, his gratious wife Cleotild daughter of the Duke of Burgoine, having a sonne by him, it was baptized by the same Remigius Bishop of Raines, (which afterward baptized him being converted as the Treatise saith) at which Pagan Clodovius was at first displeased. Afterward shee brought forth another sonne, which by the Kings consent was in like sort baptized; after which Pagan Clodovius being put to the worse by the Almaines, vowed, if hee got the
victory he would imbrace the Christian faith, to which his wife had so oft perswaded him, and proving conquerour did so, and was baptized by Remigius. Fabian, 1 par. of his History c. 97. the Centurie writers give other Instances Cent. 6. cap. 6. mentioning out of Gregorius Turocensis, the young sonne of Chilperick: also of Theodebert borne to King Childebert as baptized, as also Theodorick another child of his baptized, also of a young sonne to King Egilolph baptized; other instances might bee given out of Nau∣clerus, the authors of this Treatise mention Constantines baptisme, when so old; but why doe they not mention also his sonne Crispus too, which was baptized as well as hee by Sylvester Bishop of Rome saith Nicephorus hist. Eccles. l. 7. c. 23. the authors mention Clodo∣neus his Baptisme but not his children, and Constantius, but not his sons baptisme, doe either discover their ignorance or guile.
Anno 170. according to Balaeus, others say, Anno 173.
Beda hist. l. 3. c. 7.