Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 8.

Obj. HOw can you be assured who hath true faith, seeing the Apostles themselves were deceived, as in Simon Magus, Annanias, Saphira? &c.

Ans. Therefore ought we to be more cautelous whom we re∣ceive, and to require as great a testimony of their faith as possi∣ble may be before we admit of them to the Sacrament of Bap∣tisme, in regard that the more there is so admitted into that sacred Society, the more it will be polluted, and made a scandall by the enemies thereof; and the plaine truth is, out of a care∣lesse neglect of so doing▪ as also out of a too indulgent charity, that Children have the seeds of faith, and so are included in the covenant of grace and salvation, Religion is made abominably scandalous, by making such of the number of the faithfull, as yet never attained to the measure, or proportion of the faith of

Devils, yea by this meanes such a people is admitted as Christi∣ans, as is too apparent (if possible) would tread both Christ and his members under foot, yea by this meanes as aforesaid, what a company of debauched Water-rats, and Mault-wormes, &c. I meane Drunkards, Whore-masters, Sabboth-breakers, and what not, have we now in this Common-wealth, under the notion of Christians and Protestants, yea such, who if they, who are most invetterately bitter against this Method (which I, or rather Christ himselfe, and his Apostles hath prescribed) were now to Baptize such, they could not with modesty, without repentance, and a promise of new obedience went before.

Notes

• We ough•• to be mo•••• Wa•••• se••••••g the A∣post••es were mistaken.
• The fruit of baptizing Infants.