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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A26267	An epitomy, shewing when the Protestant religion began, why so call'd, the parts thereof the three creeds, and wherefore people stand when one is said : how and when infant baptism came to be used ... : also the Presbyterians, and what they hold and what Scriptures they produce, and the Independants, and the Baptists, what Scriptures they produce, the Quakers, somewhat of their principles and what Scriptures they produce / by John Axford.	Axford, John.	1700 (1700)	Wing A4280; ESTC R11103	8,487	20

AN EPITOMY SHEWING When the Protestant Religion began why so call'd the parts thereof The Three Creeds and wherefore People stand up when one is said How and when Infant-Baptism came to be used and when and wherefore God-Fathers and God-Mothers so call'd came to be ordain'd and the Sign of the Cross to be used and when and how Sprinkling came to be used instead of Baptism ALSO The Presbyterians and what they hold and what Scriptures they produce And the Independents and the Baptists what Scriptures they produce The Quakers somewhat of their Principles and what Scriptures they produce By John Axford London Printed for the Author 1700. The Protestant Religion how it came to be call'd so and when and what it is IN the Year 1517. Martin Luther Published against the Pope and Popish Religion those Princes and People that joyned with Luther were call'd Lutherans 1529. The Name of Protestants began upon the Protesting of the Elector and Landtgrave of Hessen against a Popish Edict it is composed of the Book of Common-Prayer and five Homilies for Ministers that could not Preach to be Read by them at certain times for the People when assembled at their Parish Churches In the Reign of King James the First there were added 39 Articles in which are reckoned the Errors of the Popish Religion and many others which are all Protested against by the Protestants And in the Book of Common-Prayer are Three Creeds the Athanasian the Apostle's and the Nicene when the Apostle's Creed is said the People stand up not knowing the reason for I have in my time asked of many but never any of them could tell me It is Recorded in History That when the Apostles were assembled at Jerusalem after the Ascension of our Saviour Matthias being chosen in the room of Judas every one made his Article being Twelve Peter made the first I Believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth so when every one had made his Article they all stood up and agreed They could suffer Death or any Punishment rather than deny it So it is said the Church did ordain When it was said or read to the Congregation they should all stand up It 's reported That in Poland when it is said to the Congregation they all stand up as the Protestants do and the Gentry draw their Swords and hold them up while the Creed is said Pope Hyginus ordain'd Infant-Baptism above Twelve Hundred Years past that was the cause that Fonts are in all Parish Churches so called for they being fill'd with Water the Infants were put under the Water all over and this way so continued above 900 Years There being a general Council of Bishops in Germany the Northern Bishops complained That many Children did die presently or in a little time after so desired that Sprinkling might serve instead of Dipping which was granted to the Cold Countries but to the Hot Dipping to continue For the Papists believe That if Infants die before their Christendom they go to a place call'd Limbus Infantum where they remain without Joy or Sorrow until the Day of Judgment so when a Child was like to die they made what haste they could to Baptize it for Sprinkling was granted by Popish Bishops and confirmed by the Pope And when Sprinkling was ordain'd to be used here in England in the place of Dipping there were about Forty Thousand Cornish Men rais'd to oppose Sprinkling so the Bishop of London and some others and the Bishop of Exeter pacify'd them that they agreed for the Sprinkling to be used in the place of Baptizing How the Sign of the Cross came to be used An Emperor of Rome call'd Constantine the Great born at York his Father was a Heathen his Mother a Christian who educated him to be a Christian there were two Co-Partners with him in the Empire who were Heathens and as Constantine marched with his Army in the Night against them he saw in the Element a Cross of Stars and on the left side Hoc on the right side Vinces which signified to him By this thou shalt overcome So he caused the Sign of the Cross and the Words to be put in all his Banners so he overcame both the others and was only Emperor himself So it was ordain'd When any were Baptized they should be signed with the Sign of the Cross which was not long after the Constitution of Infant-Baptism How them they call God-fathers and God-mothers came in Use Constantine having overcome the Heathen being then Emperor of the known World He did not cause any of the Heathen to become Christians by force they had Liberty but did ordain their Children to be Baptized so they were to have two Men and two Woman to be Pledges or Sureties to see and take Care they should be Educated in the Christian Religion and be kept at the Christian Schools and when they were fit for Trades to place them with Christians They had Power to take them from their Heathen Parents if they were Rich to make them pay if Poor to be paid out of the publick Fund or Stock but if their Parents suffered them to go to Christian Schools they bred them up As its made use of and has been many Years it 's superfluous for they Promise that they never mean to Perform for Themselves and Child And the Priest saith He does Baptize when he does but Sprinkle Water on the Child's Face and saith The Child is Regenerated They say several Words one to another that is not true as may be seen or read in the Order of Baptism in the Book of Common-Prayer so in their Catechism the Child is asked Who gave him his Name He Answers My God-fathers and God-mothers in my Baptism wherein I was made a Member of Christ a Child of god and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven Whether this be true let People judge Also the Priest saith to the Congregation I pray and beseech you as many as be here present to accompany me with a pure Heart and humble Voice saying after me Almighty and most merciful Father we have erred and strayed from thy Ways like lost Sheep and there is no Health in us Where is the pure Heart Many others may be seen besides vain Repetitions which People are Ignorant of The Presbytery is alledged from the Pattern or Eldership and Presbytery of the Apostles and Elders of the first Churches of the Gospel and Primitive Times which they endeavour to prove from these Scriptures Acts 15.4 6 17 20. 1 Cor. 3.5 Ephes 3.7 Colos 1.25 1 Tim. 1.3 18. 4.6 5.1 17. 6.13 14 Titus 1.5 1 Pet. 5.1 Their Churches are Parochial or Parishes as they were divided at first by the Romish Prelates or Statute Laws of the State or Kingdom and are made Christians by Baptizing or Sprinkling Infants and are of a strict Reforming Government as to the outward Man where they have a Power The Parishes or Congregations that are under them are

Classical where the Offender or Scandalous is first to appear where so many as are of the Classis doth appoint in some Town most for conveniency where they meet once a Month next to the Provincial Synod once a Quarter and to the National Synod once a Year so if there be not a Reformation or manifest Repentance they are cited from one to the next the last Determines or Judgeth according to the Offence It 's reported that in Geneva a strong City where they are Calvinists that is Presbyteries there is neither Drunkard Curser or Swearer known in any Parish They exercise a Church Power which they call The Power of the Keys Before the Toleration they had some private Meetings but went also to the Publick They have since great Meetings and Houses to meet in they Sprinkle Infants of those they account Members of their Church the stricter sort have no Witnesses as some have They break Bread at sometimes appointed to those accounted Members There is a great difference between the Primitive Presbytery and that which hath been since and is in this Age. They did not force nor Persecute others as they have where they have had Power nor Dip or Sprinkle their Infants They differ much from the Primitive they are more Authoritative and seek to the Magistrate Acts 14.23 15.22 29. 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Tim. 6.3 4. Matth. 20.25 26 27. Luke 22.25 26 27. John 16.13 Gal. 1.12 1 Pet. 5.3 The Independants count themselves a Church or People of God when called by the Word or Spirit into a Consent or Covenant and so Saints by Profession not to Force or Compel any to be of their Way or Opinion But they have a free Government among themselves They are made Christians at first by being Baptized or Sprinkled when Infants with Water and after by the Word and Covenant Holiness and then they may injoy or partake of the Ordinances of breaking Bread and to drink Wine They alledge these Scriptures Acts 2.41 42. 1 Cor. 1.2 9. 2 Cor. 6.16 17. Colos 1.2 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 1.1 Rom. 11.16 They have no such Power as the Apostles to make or gather Churches Churches did not gather them The Apostles had a Power to act the Members of their Churches were Baptized or Sprinkled under Prelacy are no right Baptized Members of true Churches that of Covenant Holiness in 1 Cor. 7.14 is to answer a scruple consequences drawn from Circumcision are of no force the Baptizing of Infants cannot have such a Church as were the Believers in the Apostles Days These Scriptures are against the Independants Acts 2.39 42. 14.21 22 23. 1 Cor. 14.22 1 Tim. 3.15 4.14 Matth. 3.6 9. 1 John 3. Rom. 4.16 Gal. 3.16 1 Cor. 10.1 Acts 2.41 42. Matth. 28.20 Anabaptism what it is and what they hold That they are a Church of Christ being a Company of Baptized Believers Assembled together in his Name to hear the Gospel or Word Preached and any one of them that is so able or gifted may Teach Preach or Baptize That none are to be Baptized but such as are Believers and are able to give a Reason of their Faith That none are to be called Brethren or Sisters but such as are Baptized Believers Those commonly called Pastors Ministers Church-Officers are such as the Baptized Believers hath no need of or may be without That none ought to Communicate or Partake of the Ordinances of Christ till they are Baptized as the Supper Bread and Wine so their Government and Discipline is amongst themselves The Scriptures which they bring for Proof are Matth. 3.6 16. 28.19 Mark 16.16 John 4.1 8 31. 15.10 Acts 2.41 9.18 10.48 Isaiah 1.16 8.16 Heb. 12.22 Rom. 6.3 4. Acts 8.38 16.33 19.4.5 20.7 Rom. 6.3 4. John 15.14 In some of these Scriptures there 's no mention the Apostles used in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost nor Water There is a Baptism of Gifts of Suffering and for the Dead Miracles and of the Spirit The People called Quakers what they hold A Freedom from Sin and a perfect state to be witnessed in this Life or on this side the Grave and that the Light within is sufficient to Save for that which reproved Adam and Eve after they had eaten the Forbidden Fruit is the same that hath reproved Sinners ever since and that which hath guided or lead Adam and Eve out of the Fall or Transgression into the happy and blessed State is the same that hath guided or lead all ever since that hath been truly convinced and repented and yielded true obedience to the Light within the holy Spirit of Truth as their Guide Leader and Conductor they have all witnessed the Restauration out of the Fall and Transgression into the happy and blessed Estate before they departed out of this Temporal Life so all the Saints mentioned in the holy Scriptures never committed the same Sin more than once as Adam and Eve witnessed so Abel Seth Enoch Noah his Wife and his Sons Shem Ham and Japhet and their Wives and Ham though his Father cursed him so all the Fathers of the Line of Christ before the Flood and after to Abram his Wife and Family Isaac and his Wife Gen. 20. Abimelech said Lord wilt thou slay a Righteous Nation Jacob his Family Moses Aaron Eleazer Joshua Caleb and the seven Thousand that did not Bow their Knees to Baal 1 Kings 18. And all the holy Prophets and righteous People Isaiah 65.1 I was found of them that sought me not and have been made manifest to them that asked not after me Jer. 31.31 32 33 34. Rom 11.26 27. Heb. 11. Where a part is put for the whole where their Faith is mentioned by which the Elders obtained a good Report Thus I have proved how the Restauration was witnessed before the Coming of Christ in the Flesh Luke 1.6 Zacharias and his Wife Elizabeth were just before God and walked in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 2.25 There was a Man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon this Man was Just and feared God and waited for the Consolation of Israel and the holy Spirit was upon him and a Revelation was given him of the holy Spirit John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and that Word was God Vers 2. The same was in the beginning with God Vers 3. All things were made by it and without it was nothing made that was made Vers 4. In it was Life and the Life was the Light of Men. Vers 5. And the Light shineth in the Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not Vers 6. There was a Man sent from God whose Name was John Vers 7. The same came for a Witness to bear Witness of the Light that all Men through him might believe Vers 8. He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of the Light Vers 9. That was the true Light which lighteth every Man

that cometh into the World Unto which Light whosoever shall give diligent heed and obedience this Light is sufficient to Lead or Guide out of all Sin to a perfect State in this Life or on this side the Grave even to such a State as was in the World before Sin was in the World and not mutable or changeable as that was Luke 2.17 to 31. It was revealed to Simeon by the holy Spirit he should not see Death before he had seen the Lord's Christ And in the Temple he took him in his Armes and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace according to thy Word For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People A Light to enlighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel This Light is within Rom. 1.19 For that which may be known of God is manifest in Man c. 1 John 1.5 God is Light Rom. 2.15 Which shew the effect of the Law written in their Hearts their Conscience also bearing witness and their thoughts accusing or excusing one another Heb. 8.10 to the end the Lord's Promise is to put his Law in their Minds and write them in their Hearts and he will be their God and they shall be his People 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart good Conscience and unfeigned Faith 2 Cor. 14.5 Search try examine your selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates Here 's Searching Trying Examining where should this be but within by the true Light Christ Jesus For tho' He be ascended far above all Heavens yet he hath given Gifts to Men Ephes 4.10 That he might fill all things vers 11 12. Gal. 2.19 20. I am crucified with Christ thus I live yet not I now but Christ liveth in me And the life that I now live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who hath loved me and given himself for me Rom. 8.9 10. Now ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit because the Spirit of God dwelleth in you But if any Man hath not the Spirit of Christ the same is not his And if Christ be in you the Body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is Life for Righteousness sake For as Ephes 5.8 ye were once Darkness but are now Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light Col. 1.16 to the end Which Riches is Christ in you the Hope of Glory The Apostle did preach and admonish That he might present every Man perfect in Christ Here was the Work of a true Minister of Christ to preach Perfection For the Light Christ within doth convince of all Sins any one hath committed John 4.29 Come see a Man which told me all things that ever I did Is not he the Christ Vers 39. to 42. Eph. 5.12 13. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of some in secret But all things when they are reproved of the Light are manifest Concerning Light read John 3.19 8.12 9.5 12.46 1 John 4.16 God is Love he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 Cor. 3.16 for Christ Jesus is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him Acts 4.12 Neither is there Salvation in any other For among Men there is given none other Name under Heaven whereby we must he saved Now to those that believe this is precious See what high Titles the Apostle Peter gives them 1 Pet. 2.9.10 A Chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood an Holy Nation a peculiar People that ye should shew forth the Praises of him in well doing who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvellous Light Which were not a People yet are now the People of God which in time past were not under Mercy but now have obtained Mercy Surely these People did witness a Freedom from Sin and a Perfect State for they were Elect Royal Holy Peculiar and the People of God and had obtained Mercy yet Strangers scattered thro' divers Countries as in 1 Pet. 1. Acts 26.18 Paul a true Minister of Jesus Christ was to turn People from Darkness to Light from the Power of Satan unto God that they might receive forgiveness of Sins and an Inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith in me What he witnessed himself he preached to others Rom. 1.7 To all you that be at Rome beloved of God called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1.2 Vnto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus Saints by calling Eph. 1.1 Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the Will of God to the Saints which are at Ephesus and to the Faithful in Christ Jesus Phil. 1.1 To all the Saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the Bishops and Deacons Colos 1.1 2. Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the Will of God and Timotheus our Brother To them which are at Colosse Saints and Faithful Brethren in Christ Vers 4. Since we heard of your Faith in Christ Jesus and of your Love towards all Saints 1 Thes 1.1 Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ Paul a Prisoner of Jesus Christ and Timotheus our Brother unto Philemon our dear Friend and Fellow-helper and to our dear Sister Apphia and to Archippus our fellow-Soldier and to the Church which is in thy House Vers 5. When I hear of thy Love and Faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus and towards all Saints All afore-mentioned witnessed the Restauration and a freedom from Sin So the Twelve Apostles assembled Acts 2.41 And the Three Thousand Converted by Peter so divers named in Rom. 16. 1 Cor. 16.19 Col. 4. 2 Tim. 7.8 Paul said He had fought a good Fight had finished his Course and kept the Faith Concerning Perfection Matth. 5.48 1 Cor. 1.10 Col. 1.28 Heb. 6.8 2 Cor. 13.11 Brethren fare ye well be Perfect be of good Courage be of good Comfort he of one Mind live in Peace and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you Rom. 15.9 to 12 Heb. 13.21 1 John 5.20 They use no Water-Baptism Sprinkling Infants or the Supper Col. 2.20 21 22. They use no Swearing Matth. 5.34 to 37. James 5.12 Nor give Flattering Titles nor respect Persons as Majesty Worship Excellency Job 32.21 22. James 2.3 9. Also they use the True Language according to the holy Scriptures as Thee and Thou speaking to one Person Ye and You speaking to many or more than one and not You to one which is false Their True Belief There is One only Almighty true God Creator Gen. 1. John 4.24 17.3 Mark 12.29 1 Cor. 8.6 Ephes 4.6 5.1 2. Acts 17.28 Rom. 1.19 Three Persons is not mentioned in the holy Scriptures nor Trinity therein our Lord Jesus Christ