Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

Is there any allowance of womans baptising in the Church?

No doubtlesse: For you shal not find in all the story of baptisme one title therof: but that vse was brought in by the heretick Mar∣cion, as Epiphanius witnesseth. Againe, wheras it is the same mens dutie to preach the Gospell who are to baptisea. And seeing the office of preaching is not permitted to women, as neither the ad∣ministration of the Lords Supper: Why should they take vpon them to baptise? Also the ancient Church appointed that bap∣tisme should onely be celebrated in the Church, or congregation of the faithfull, in which place the Apostle plainly chargeth wo∣men to be altogither silent, much lesse then would he that they should administer the Sacraments. Therfore do they twise offend when they administer baptisme in that feined case of necessitie: in that they baptise without any commandement, nay against the commandement of God, and besides they tye to the exter∣nall action eternall saluation, which is to be sought in the death of Christ, & that couenant of his grace onely. As for that example of Zephora, who circumcised her sonne, it is eyther to be held as a rash & vnlawful act of a foolish and angry woman, or as a singular action not to be followed. For the Angell was well pleased that the child was circumcised, & not because she did circumcise him.

The same may be iudged, if any priuate or lay man (as they call it) should take to himselfe the administration of Baptisme Heb. 5.4. No man taketh that honour vpon him, but hee that is called of God, as Aaron was. Neither doe wee admit that case of ne∣cessitie (if it compell vs to violate the orders prescribed of God) For wee hold this Theoreme. Not the priuation, but the contempt of Baptisme doth condemne. Besides the baptisme of weomen was not long since absolutely condemned in the fourth Councill of Carthage, Can. 100. Neither is Augustine to bee allowed in his writing, that; If a Lay man vpon vrgent necessitie, do baptise, it is ei∣ther no sinne at all, or a veniall sin.

No doubt but care should bee had, that the Infant may bee baptized by the lawfull and fit Minister; but if that may not bee obtained, it is to be commended to God, that he may Baptise it with the baptisme of his spirit. For wee must beleeue that the childrē of faithful Parents be alreadie baptized with the baptisme of the✿ spirit, being within the Couenant.

Notes

• In Panar.
• a

  Mat. 28.19
• Diuers diui••∣nes are of an other iudgment Tryal things & kepe that which is good 1 Thess. 5.21 1 Cor. 14.34
• ✿

  Flaminis,