The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians: who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their savior, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon)
History
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians: who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their savior, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660
Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon)
Anabaptists -- Europe -- Biography; Christian martyrs -- Biography; Persecution
Finally, having declared, with what heart and purpose we must go to
baptism, namely not with a doubting heart, he says: “You who thus
receive baptism that you may serve God.” These are certainly plain
words, which prove manifestly, that the baptism of which he speaks is
far different from the baptism of infants, since these are incapable,
not only of going to baptism with an undoubting or assured heart, but
also of going there at all; not less incapable are they of receiving
baptism with the purpose of serving God. Compare this with the words of
Chrysostom, and you will find that they are as different from infant
baptism as heaven is from the earth.
_Bapt. Hist., page 461._ Palladius, in the _Life of Chrysostom_, speaks
of an uproar which the Emperor Theophilus[107] raised against bishop
Chrysostom, persecuting him; which occurred shortly before Easter.
There was no other alternative for those who sided with the bishop,
and fasted with him, than to go to the Emperor and the Empress, in
the week of confession, and to entreat them with tears, that they
would spare the church of Christ, especially on account of the feast,
and for the sake of those who were to be baptized, having received
sufficient instruction for this purpose; therefore, they should
release their bishop.
[107] It is evident here that either the author is mistaken in the
name, or that a typographical error occurred. Theophilus was the
name of the Patriarch of Alexandria, through whose instigation, with
that of the Empress Eudoxia, the Emperor in question, whose name was
Arcadius, was induced to persecute Chrysostom.--_Translator._
Here again are several items from which we may perceive that in
the church of which Chrysostom was bishop or teacher, baptism was
administered after previous instruction, and upon faith. For, in the
first place, mention is made of the time in which this took place,
namely, shortly before Easter, in the week of confession. Any one who
has but a little experience, will find that that was the time and week
in which it was customary to instruct the candidates before baptism,
hear the confession of their faith, and properly examine them, in order
to baptize them on the following Easter days. In the second place,
mention is made of those who were to be baptized, and had received
sufficient instruction for it; which so plainly illustrates what we
have aimed to show, namely, that baptism at that time was administered
after previous instruction, that we deem it unnecessary to add anything
further with regard to it, and, hence, let it suffice.
OF THE BENEFIT, VIRTUE AND OPERATION OF BAPTISM.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account