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Balthasar Hübmaier
[1524
Old Testament. But if they are God's children, who shall forbid their baptism? Circumcision in the old covenant was the sign that baptism is to us. As that was given to children, so should baptism also be given to children. (3) Anabaptism has neither teaching, example, nor witness from God's word. They who rebaptise crucify Christ afresh, either from selfishness or seeking after novelty.
Hübmaier was not the man to let such an opportunity for debate pass unimproved, and he accordingly prepared an answer under the title of The Christian Baptism of Believers, which he seems to have finished July 11th.[1]
This work consists of an introduction and seven chapters. In the introduction the author sets forth his purpose to defend himself and his followers from the imputation that they are schismatics and subverters of government. He is not an Anabaptist, because he was never before baptised—infant baptism is no baptism at all. As to government, he believes that it should bear the sword, and he will obey it in all that is not against God.
In the first chapter he treats of many kinds of bap-
- ↑ Hoschek is clearly wrong in making June 6th the date of publication for this book, for Hübmaier himself announces its coming appearance in a letter to the Zürich council, dated June 10th, in which he begs that Zwingli will consent to debate the question with him. "If I err," he says, "I will gladly retract. If master Ulrich errs, he should not be ashamed to forsake his error, for the truth will ultimately conquer him."
