268 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. A. If I had a child dying without baptism, I should be doubtful of its salvation. U. We think, my lord, that it is not the want of baptism, but the contempt of it, and that not of his friends, but the person himself, that cloth condemn. Yet we believe and teach the lawfulness and necessity of childrens' baptism, and that it ought to be performed by ministers. A. The book cloth not speak of women ; and it is called private because of the place, not the persons. U. The circumstances of it can admit of noother sense. For it may be administered when there is not time to say the Lord's prayer. A. There may not be so much time after the minister is come. - U. We know that the baptism of a certain nobleman by themidwife was allowed and defended by the Book of Common Prayer. A. You should have complained of this abuse, that the parties might have been punished. U. Your lordship knoweth the opinion of most persons upon this point, and that they practise accordingly. A. It is not the fault of the book, if in this case it be misunderstood. U. The practice was condemned in the convocation, when your lordship was prolocutor. A. True : and you are to take away the superstition attached to it, by preachingagainst it.-Haveyou anyother thing to mention ? U. We object against private communion. A. Strange, indeed ! Do you not think it lawful for two to communicate alone ? If there were only two persons together in time of persecution, or in a wilderness, or in the world, would you have them not to communicate ? U. Such communion, if the church were there, would not be private. But we live in a time of gospel light and peace ; therefore, the communion which your lordship defendeth, savours too much of the popish housel. A. The minister is not compelled to do it, but only suffered if he will. U. But if we subscribe, we must subscribe unto this as a convenient order appointed by the book. We have many other things ; but we fear to be tedious. There are many others who are suspended, and are waiting your lordship's pleasure. A. Why did they not all come ? I would have endea-
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