460 Wolf. 



accordynge to charite, we ever ought to hope of the better. 

 Act. vüj. As Peter did, when he baptised Simon the sorcerer, 

 by whome afterwarde the name of god was gretly blamed. We 

 lykewyse offende not in admittynge soche vnto vs vuknowyngly 

 and thorowe love, whyls they are yet yonge, for we knowe not 

 what goddes will and pleasure is to do with theym. but accord- 

 ynge to the ensanple of Christ must hoape well of theym, and 

 iudge theym heyres of the proraesed kyngdom. Which thynge 

 we witnes with oure outwarde baptem. Neverthelesse when 

 they com to discrecion, and shewe the contrary in their dedes, 

 we ought nothynge to ponder this exteriall baptem, but to ex- 

 j. Cor. V. clude theym oute of oure com- [fol. 36".] pany accord- 

 ynge to Christis doctryne. Though the churche of god shall 

 never vnto the daye of the lorde be withouten faulce dissem- 

 blers and hipocrites, yett shall abhominable and manifest synners 

 be expulsed there oute, which thynge cannot be, excepte before 

 they were admitted there vnto for rightous. Sonne. Compen- 

 diously of this mater I praye the teil me the effect. Fa. 1 

 knowe well that a manne ought to iudge and to hoape the 

 j. Co. xiij. best of every manne, tili the contrary playnly apere, 

 and therfore ought we to beleve that Christen mens children 

 Gen. xvij. arc bclongyngc vnto the bonde of mercy. Even as 

 were Abraams children. Nowe then seynge that baptem is no- 

 thynge but a begynnynge, or renewinge into the Company of 

 Christen men (which is fre, from all outwarde ceremonies) we 

 ought to deale with theym this token of oure fellisshippe. for as 

 moche as our lorde called theym vnto hym, layde his hondes 

 on theym, blest, and sayde to theym, the kyngdom of heaven 

 belongeth vnto soche. So. Herby then will 1 abyde, that mann< 

 consecrateth faythfull mens children vnto god, be they never 

 so yonge by baptem. Whereby the Company of chi'istis con- 

 gregacion is augmented, receavyng continually newe mern- 

 [fol. 36''.] bers in one body, whereof Christ is hed. Fa. Ye but 

 marke the chefe poynt. whiche is that spretuall birthe, and 

 death of the flesshe remayne in the. which are signified in 

 this baptem. Remember that thou arte the chyldc of god, and 

 that thy angell beholdeth the face of god continually, that 

 thou never schuldest offende thy neghboure, but as farre as 

 thou canst and mayst to further and healpe theym, puttynge 



