The truth of Christian religion in six books / written in Latine by Hugo Grotius ; and now translated into English, with the addition of a seventh book, by Symon Patrick ...

SECT. III. As appears even in the Roman Church, which hath given the greatest scandal.

THE Church of Rome it self, which now makes the greatest differences in the Christian World, requires nothing more at this day to be believed by those, that are by Baptism received into the Church of Christ; but only those things which are contained in the Creed, commonly called the Apostles. This Creed is recited there by the Priest, and this alone, when he comes to the Font; and he interrogates the Persons to be baptized (if they be adult) or their undertakers (if they be Infants) about no other belief. Upon the pro∣fession of which, he bids them enter into the holy Church of God, that they may receive the Celestial blessing from the Lord Jesus Christ, and have a part with Him and with his Saints: And having again examined adult Persons, asking them, Do ye believe in God the Father Almighty, &c. and mentioning no other Articles of Faith, he baptizes them; and declares them to be regenerate, and to have remission of all sins. And so do we do here; nor is there any different practice in any other part of the Christian World; but

every where it is sufficient to consent to this Creed: which is nothing but a brief explica∣tion, what we are to believe concerning the Father, the Son, and the Holy-Ghost, in whose Name we are baptized.

If there were any thing beyond this, which we are necessarily bound to believe, it should have been then propounded when we were admitted into the state of Christianity. For Baptism gives us a right and title to Salvation (if we do not forfeit it afterward by Apo∣stasie, or by a wicked life) and this Faith (with a promise to live according to it) gives us a right to Baptism.

Herein indeed the Roman Church contra∣dicts it self, in decreeing many other Articles of belief, without which it declares Men can∣not be saved; and yet receiving Men at Bap∣tism into a state of Salvation, without demand∣ing their consent to any such Articles. But so they do in many other things, and cannot avoid it: while they forsake the ancient Universal Rule; and set up their own private Autho∣rity, to impose what they please, under pain of Damnation.