Baptism and Daily Provision

There is a further dutie to be performed of parents to their children euen in their infancy, and that is in regard of their spirituall good, which is this,

Parents ought to procure that their children be rightly baptized in due season.

This is indeed a common dutie appertaining to both parents, but most principally to the father, and that for two reasons.

1.The father is the chiefe and principall Gouernour, and hath the greatest charge: accordingly he ought to haue the greatest care euen in such matters as are common to both.#

2.The mother at that time by reason of her trauell and deliuery is weake, and not in case to haue her head much troubled with many cares; much lesse able her selfe to take order for such weighty matters. Only the husband is to make knowne to his wife (if she be not extraordinarily weake) what his purpose is concerning the place, time, manner, and other like circumstances of baptizing the childe, and to aduise with her about the name, witnesses, and such like points. And if the husband be too backward and negligent, the wife ought so farre as she is able to put him in minde of his dutie therein, and to stirre him vp by her selfe or some other to performe it.#

That parents are bound to procure Baptisme for their children these reasons declare.

1.The commandement of God concerning circumcising [Note 1] ⟦G1⟧hildren: in the roome whereof Baptisme succeedeth now ⟦G2⟧nder the Gospell (Col. 2. 11, 12.) Gods commandement to ⟦G3⟧his dutie was first giuen to Abraham: and that for himselfe ⟦G4⟧nd all his posterity to obserue (Gen. 17. 10.) After this it was ⟦G5⟧n the law laid downe as a positiue statute, Leu.#

12.3.#

2.The practise of the Iewes in a faithfull and constant ob ⟦G6⟧ruance of this ordinance: as of Abraham; of Zachary and ⟦G7⟧lizabeth: of Ioseph and Mary, and many others.#

Obiect. The children which were borne in the wildernesse were not circumcised. Answ. They had no abiding place in the wildernesse, but were euer and anon remouing: so as it would haue beene dangerous for the children to haue beene circumcised: in that extraordinary case this rule tooke place, I will haue mercy and [Note 2] not sacrifice.

3.The practise of Christians, who beleeuing were themselues [Note 3] and their whole houshold baptized. Vnder whole houshold children must needs be comprised.#

4.Christs embracing and blessing such children as were [Note 4] brought to him: and rebuking those that would haue kept them from him.#

5.The promise of God made to them: for seeing God is so [Note 5] gratious as to extend his promise to our children: our care must be to procure the seale which God offereth for the confirmation of that promise.#

6.The right they haue to Gods Kingdome. Baptisme is an [Note 6] euidence of that their right. It is parents duty to get them that euidence. If children haue iust title to any lands and reuenues, or to any earthly honours and dignities, parents will doe what they can to make that title sure vnto them euen in their infancy: much more carefull should they be to make that rich and glorious inheritance, which is in heauen reserued for them, as sure vnto them as they can: now no better meanes for the effecting of this then Baptisme.#

7.Their conception and birth in sinne. Children drew contagion [Note 7] from their parents: therefore great reason it is that their parents should see them washed with the water of regeneration.#

8.The comfort which from the performance of this dutie will arise to Christian parents, yea and to the children also themselues when they come to the age of vnderstanding. When parents behold the couenant of God surely sealed and confirmed to their children, they cannot (if at least they beare any loue to their children) but much reioyce therein. And it must needs also much comfort the childe when (being of vnderstanding) he shall know that from his infancy he hath caried the seale and pledge of his regeneration.#

9.The constant continued custome of the true catholicke [Note 8] Church, which euer since the Apostles time hath afforded the [Note 9] sacrament of baptisme to children.#

There being such forceable motiues to stirre vp parents to performe the dutie, (which motiues shew it to be a weightie dutie) I will further shew how this dutie ought to be performed.

Two things in childrens baptisme ought to be obserued.

1.That it be rightly done.;#

2.That it be seasonably done.#

In the right performance thereof, some things are necessarie, and some expedient.

Things of necessitie are these especially:

1.That the childe be baptized by a Minister of the word. [Note 10]#

2.That it be baptized with the element of water: the only element sanctified to this purpose.#

3.That the forme prescribed by Christ (Matth.#

28.19.) be [Note 11] vsed, In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost: whereby the vnitie of the Godhead, and trinitie of Persons is plainly set forth.#

4.That the proper rite be vsed of applying the water to the bodie of the childe, so as at least the face of the childe may be sprinkled therewith.#

Things of expediencie are,

1.That the childe be baptized in a publike place, where Gods people ordinarily meet together, being set apart for the worship and seruice of God.#

2.That such a time be chosen out, as an assembly of Saints may be there present.#

These two circumstances are the rather to be obserued, because Baptisme is one of the solemne parts of Gods publike worship; a pledge of our incorporation into the bodie of Christ, and communion of his Saints, and therefore with the more solemnitie, (as a matter of great moment) before many witnesses, with the assistance of the faithfull prayers of an assembly of Saints, to be performed.

A third matter of great expediencie about a childs baptisme, is, that Parents be carefull in giuing a fit name.

It belongeth to Parents to giue the name to their childe: for so [Note 12] holy parents (whose patterne in Scripture is in this respect commended vnto vs) haue done from time to time: and for their warrant to doe it, it is worthy to be noted, that when God was pleased to appoint a name to a childe, he gaue in charge to the Parent so to name him, saying to him, [Note 13] Thou shalt call his name thus and thus.

It is also euident, that the time of Baptisme is the fittest time for giuing the name. [Note 14] Vnder the Law, childrens names were giuen at their Circumcision: and so vnder the Gospell it hath in all ages beene vsed: and that for these reasons.

1.That their names may be a testimonie of their baptisme. [Note 15];#

2.That so oft as they heare their names, they may be put in minde of their baptisme.;#

3.That they might know how by name they are giuen to Christ to be his souldiers, and therefore there must be no starting from him.;#

4.That they may also be assured, that being baptized with water and the spirit, by name they are registred in heauen.#

Now because names are so solemnly giuen, and of so good vse, [Note 16] most meet it is that fit names should be giuen to children. And for proofe hereof, let the names which in Scripture are recorded to be giuen by God himselfe, and by such holy men and women as were guided by his spirit, be obserued; and we shall finde them to be holy, sober, and fit names.

For direction to parents in this dutie, I will set downe some sorts and kinds of names as be fit, and beseeming Christians.

1.Names which haue some good signification: and among them such as are warranted by the Scripture, as Iohn (the grace of God) Ionathan (the gift of God) Andrew (manly) Clement (meeke) Simeon (obedient) Hannah (gratious) Prudens (wise) and such like: that thus their name may stirre them vp to labour after the vertue signified thereby.#

2.Names which haue in times before vs beene giuen to persons of good note, whose life is worthy our imitation, as Isaak, Dauid, Peter, Marie, Elizabeth, and such like: that the names may moue them to imitate those worthies.#

3.Names of our owne ancestors and predecessors, to preserue a memorie of the familie: which appeareth to haue beene an ancient practise euen among Gods people, in that the friends would haue had Zachariahs sonne named Zachariah; and when the [Note 17] mother had iust cause to name him Iohn, they answer, none of thy kindred is called by this name.#

4.Vsuall names of the country, which custome hath made familiar, as Henry, Edward, Robert, William, and such like among vs.#

Though Christians are not so strictly tied to a set day, as the Iewes were to the eight day; yet from that strict direction giuen to the Iewes, we may well gather, that it is not meet for Christians to defer the baptizing of their children beyond eight dayes: for a young childe of that age may with more ease, and lesse danger, be baptized, then circumcised.

The most seasonable time I take to be the day whereon Gods [Note 18] people vse in the place where the childe is borne, publikely to assemble together to worship God next after the birth of the child, if at least it fall not out within two or three dayes after, which is somewhat with the soonest both for mother and childe.

Whether we respect the honour of God (the riches of whose mercy is liuely set forth in the sacrament of baptisme) or the good of our childe (which in that sacrament receiueth a pledge and seale of that rich mercy of God) Baptisme is of great consequence: and therefore the first season of performing it to be taken. For parents by their diligence and due speed therein, giue euidence both of their zeale to Gods glory, and also of their earnest desire of the childs spirituall good.

Contrary to the forenamed dutie of Parents about well baptizing their children, are many aberrations, as

1.The corrupt opinion of Anabaptists, who denie the lawfulnesse of baptizing children. The arguments before noted are sufficient to stop their mouthes.#

2.The practise of Separatists (comming too neere to Anabaptisme) who excepting against the ministerie and orders of our Church, doe what they can to keepe their children from that Sacrament. And to that end carry their wiues ready to be deliuered vnto a strange place, where they are not knowne, and anon after they are deliuered, priuily conuey wife, childe, and all away, that so the Magistrate may not, against their will, cause their childe to be baptized: and hauing no ministerie of their owne, nor meanes to conuey the childe ouer sea, keepe it many yeeres vnbaptized. Where is the euidence of their faith in Gods promise, of their [Note 19] respect to Gods ordinance, and of their desire of their childs spirituall good? Though it be a great wrong to children to be kept from baptisme, yet the sinne lieth on such parents as procure not baptisme for their children: especially at that age when their children cannot gainsay it.#

3.The peruerse opinion and practise of certaine ancient heretikes, who in stead of baptizing children with water, had them branded with an hot iron. They grounded their error on a false interpretation of this phrase (he shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.) [Note 20]#

Answ.

1.They erre in taking this word (fire) literally and properly, which was meant mystically and metaphorically.#

2.They erre in applying that to the outward action of a Minister, which was meant of the inward operation of Christ. By this their misinterpretation they thwart the maine scope of him who first vsed that phrase, which was to manifest the difference betwixt [Note 21] all other Ministers and Christ Iesus.#

4.The opinion and practise of those, who vse other formes of Baptisme, besides this, (In the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost.) Their opinion and practise is grounded on certaine concise phrases vsed by the Apostles: such as these, Baptized in the name of Iesus Christ: In the name of the Lord: In [Note 22] the name of the Lord Iesus, &c.#

Answ. Those phrases rather set forth the very substance and inward matter of Baptisme, then the forme thereof.

5.Their opinion and practise, who care not by whom their children are baptized, whether heretiques, idolaters, laicks, or women: Little doe they regard the comfort of conscience, and strength of faith, that ariseth from this; that a lawfull Minister in Gods roome and name, as Gods ambassador, putteth the seale of God to his couenant.#

6.The practise of those as (I know not vpon what nicenesse or state) must haue their children baptized at home in their priuate house. This manner of baptising taketh away much from the honour of that high ordinance, which ought to be done with all the seemly solemnitie that may be.#

7.Their practise who bring their childe to Church to be baptised, accompanied only with the Midwife, and three witnesses. It were almost as good be baptised in a priuate house: for it is not the walls of the Church, but the assembly of Saints, that addeth to the honour of the Sacrament, and is most of all to be respected.#

8.Their practise who vpon state, or for great witnesses, or such by-respects put off the baptising of their children longer then is meet, some, two or three weekes, some, two or three moneths, some longer: whereby they shew too light esteeme of this Sacrament, in that they preferre meere complementall circumstances before a matter of so great moment. God oft sheweth his iust indignation against such, in taking away their ⟦G9⟧hildren vnbaptised before the time set downe by them for baptisme be come.#

9.Their practise who care not what heathenish, idolatrous, [Note 23] ⟦G10⟧idiculous names they giue to their children. What respect ⟦G11⟧oe they shew either to God in whose name their childe is ⟦G12⟧aptised, or to the holy Sacrament it selfe, or to the congrega ⟦G13⟧ion of Saints before whom the name is giuen, or to the childe ⟦G14⟧ selfe who all his life is to carrie that name?#

Hitherto of the duties of parents respecting their childrens Infancie. Such as respect their childhood follow.

The childhood of a childe is ⟦G15⟧eckoned from the time that it ⟦G16⟧eginneth to be of any discretion and vnderstanding till it be ⟦G17⟧t to be placed forth: euen so Many distinguish the whole course of a mans life into foure parts.

1.Childhood;#

2.Youth.;#

3.Man-age;#

4.Old-age. long as ordinarily it liueth vnder the parents gouernment.#

The duties which parents for this time must performe to their children may be drawne to these two heads.

1.Care to bring them vp.;#

2.Care to place them forth.#

For their well training vp, respect must be had both to their temporall and also to their spirituall good.

Two things are required of parents, in regard of the temporall good of their children.

1.To nourish them well.;#

2.To nurture them well.#

Children must be well Fed.; Taught.

Child-hood from his birth to

14.yeeres.#

Youth from 14 to 25.

Man-age from

25.to 50.#

Old age from thence to his death.

But for better distinguishing the duties which parents are to performe, I follow not so accurate a diuision, but rather distinguish the degrees of age according to the times wherein new duties are to be performed: and therefore I make a distinction betwixt infancie and childhood.

Feed them in discipline, saith the Apostle.

Vnder nourishment are comprised all needfull things for [Note 24] health and life: which parents ought to prouide for their children, as

1.Food, which Christ taketh for a ruled case. Whence he draweth his argument to shew that God will prouide for his children. What father (saith he) if his sonne aske him bread would giue him a stone, &c. Mat.#

7.9, 10, 11.#

2.Apparell, for it is expresly noted, that Israel made his son a coat, (Gen. 37. 3.)#

3.Recreation, which in young children especially is needfull for their health. In that Zachary chap.#

8.vers. 5. told the Iewes, and that in way of blessing, that boyes and girles should be playing in the streets, he implieth that it is a lawfull and meet thing, which parents should permit vnto their children. But yet the time, and measure, and kinde of recreation must be well ordered.#

4.Meanes for recouery of health when they are sicke: for this end was it, that [Note 25] Ieroboam sent his wife to the Prophet, in behalfe of his sonne who was sicke: that [Note 26] the Ruler came to Christ for his sonne also who was at point of death; and that many others came to him for their sonnes and daughters being ill.#

Whatsoeuer other things are needfull, parents to their power [Note 27] must prouide for their children: else the Apostle counteth them worse then Infidels.

Both equitie and necessitie require thus much of parents.

Equitie, in that children owe all their paines and seruice to their parents while they are vnder them, and are wholly at their command, and in that regard haue no meanes to prouide needfull things but by their parents helpe. Parents therefore in all right must herein be helpfull to them.

Necessitie, in that, if the life and health of children be not well prouided for, no dutie, no seruice can be expected at their hands.

There are two extremes contrary to the forenamed prouident [Note 28] care of parents for their childrens good:

In the defect, Couetousnesse.

In the excesse, Lauishnesse.

Some parents so farre faile in the defect, as they almost starue their children through want of necessaries: not affording them sufficient wholesome food, nor meet and comely appa ⟦G19⟧ell, but suffer them to goe tagged and ragged like beggars ⟦G20⟧rats: if they be sicke, God may recouer them if he please, but the parents will vse no meanes when they are well, they afford them no time of refreshing themselues by any recreation, but ⟦G21⟧uer-strictly hold them in. There is not only want of charity, ⟦G22⟧ut plaine vnnaturalnesse in such parents: euen more then in ⟦G23⟧e most cruell beasts. For the wilde beasts doe with much ten ⟦G24⟧ernesse prouide for their young ones.

Others surpasse as much in the excesse, feeding them too ⟦G25⟧intily: attiring them too garishly: tending them too cockeringly: and letting them spend too much time in sport and play. Many and great are the mischiefes that follow thereupon: as

1.They who are in their childhood daintily fed, and too much pampered, besides that for the most part they are most sickly, they will in time grow so squeamish, and choice of meats, as their parents shall not know what to prouide for them, or when to giue it them: The full soule loatheth an hony [Note 29] combe: yea if a stranger commeth to the table, where such a childe sitteth, he may soone obserue that he hath beene too daintily fed. If at first children be fed with ordinary moderate diet, they will afterwards both be in better health and liking, and also more contentedly, and thankfully accept whatsoeuer shall be prouided for them. But excesse breedeth diseases both in body and minde.#

2.Vanity in apparell doth also much corrupt young children: for there is in them euen from the cradle a naturall disposition to outward brauery: now for parents to pranke them vp, what is it but to blow vp the fire of that vanity, and make it arise into such a flame as in time may much scorch the parents themselues, and vtterly consume the children: and yet how vsuall a fault is this? how monstrously doe many parents offend therein? what foolish fashion is vsed of the greatest swaggerers, and lightest strumpets, which they will not bring their children vnto, and that when their children are not able to discerne betwixt stuffes or colours? what can this proclaime but parents pride and folly? Proud maids are many times the instruments of pranking vp children (especially when they are little ones) more then is meet: but yet the blame lieth on parents for suffering it.#

3.Tending children too cockishly maketh them too long children, and too tender: and oft altereth a good constitution of body. Some are so ouer-much tender of their children, as if a childe neuer so little complaine, or refuse the meate (though for daintinesse or fulnesse) the Physician must presently be sent for, and the Apothecary sent vnto, and the childe with supposed and apish kindnesse made much worse.#

4.Too much sport maketh them wilde, rude, vnfit to be trained vp to any good calling, and spendeth their spirits, and wasteth their strength too much. Yet many parents care not how much time their children spend in sport, and how little in learning: they thinke it duls their children too much to be held to schoole, or to any learning: whereas indeed too much play infatuates them more, and learning would much sharpen their wits.#