OF the like stampe is the signe of the Crosse which they use in* 1.1 Baptisme, being no more practised by the Apostles then the former, for if they had, without doubt they would have left some president for it in their writings, which is not in the least to be found as mentioned to any such purpose, as their Orthodoxall men very well know. Historians say, that this Ceremony of making* 1.2 Crosses tooke its rise in the Primative times upon this occasion, viz. The Pagans having the predominant power over Christians, did in derision of Christ (whom the Christians adored) erected Crosses, because he was hanged upon such an one; hereupon the Christians to shew themselves not ashamed of such a God, (as did not despise so ignominious a death for the love he had to his elect) did also make Crosses themselves, in signification that they wil∣lingly owned that God, whom the Pagans so much derided.
Now there being no such cause for the continuance of such Ceremonies, (viz. no people so shamelesly impudent) why should not the effect cease, viz. materiall Crosses; for otherwise it was