These words contain several dissuasions against baptizing too early. The first reason is based on the unprofitableness of hastening with it, and is contained in these words: “It is more profitable to defer baptism, according to the condition, circumstances, and age of each particular individual, than to hasten it.” The second reason is founded on the import of the words of Christ: “Forbid them not to come unto me;” with reference to which he says: “Let them come then, when they increase in years.” The third reason he bases on the innocence or simplicity of those children, saying: “Why hasten ye the innocent youths?” The fourth reason he founds on the imprudence manifested thereby, saying: “We should exercise more prudence in temporal matters than to trust with divine things those to whom we do not entrust earthly things.” The fifth reason, finally, he bases on the desire for salvation which the candidate for baptism must have, saying: “That they may know to desire salvation, in order that it may appear, that it was given to him who desired it.”
It appears therefore throughout these words of Tertullian, how greatly he was opposed to having baptism administered too hastily to ignorant and inexperienced young persons; and, on the other hand, how gratifying would it have been to him, if, having reached the years of maturity, and been instructed and taught, they would have been baptized upon their own desire to be saved.
This manner of baptizing he mentions in another place, stating at the same time, how this baptism was administered by him and his own people. He says: “When we go to the water, and first begin with baptism, we confess there, even as we did before in the church, under the hand of the overseer,[93] that we renounce the devil with all his adherents and angels; after which we are dipped three times, which answers more than the Lord has laid down in the Gospel.”[94] In _lib. de Corona Militis, cap. 3 and 4_. Also, _H. Mont. Nietigheyd, page 16_.
[93] The leader, or minister or bishop.--_Publishers._
[94] The above quotations from Tertullian, are given by Van Braght to show that he in no wise sanctioned infant baptism and from the remark at the close of the paragraph, “_which answers (says) more than the Lord has laid down in the Gospel_,” it appears that even Tertullian himself, though, as it appears, he practiced it, does not claim gospel authority for it.--_The Publishers._
He states it still more clearly in _Lib. de Spectaculis, cap. 4_: “When we, having gone into the water, confess the Christian faith upon the words of his law, we testify with our mouth, that we have renounced the devil, his pomp, and his angels.”
And that this may be practiced and maintained in truth, he gives, to the candidates for baptism this instruction (_Lib. de Baptismo, cap. 20_): “Those who are to be baptized, must supplicate with much praying, fasting, bending of the knee, and watching, confessing all their former sins, so that they may show forth John’s baptism.” “They were baptized,” says he, “confessing their sins.” Matt. 3:6.
Then he shows what baptism is, and what it signifies; from which we can clearly see that at least in his estimation infant-baptism was not authorized. He says: “The washing of water is a seal of the faith; which faith begins with, and is known by the penitence of the believer. We are not washed, in order that we may cease to sin; but because we have ceased, and are washed in heart, for this is the first immersion of him that hears.”[95] _Lib. de Pœnitentia, cap. 6._ Also, _J. du Bois, Seckerheyd van, etc._, printed A. D. 1648, _page 47_.
[95] Tertullian here speaks of repentance and regeneration, showing how that the heart must be changed and cleansed with the “_washing of water by the word_,” and then says: “for this is the first immersion (_indoopinge_) of him that hears,” by which he evidently means to show that this spiritual change of the heart is _first_ in importance. Karl Tauchnitz in his Dutch--German Dictionary gives the definition of _Indoopen: Einweihen_, to consecrate or initiate, of which baptism is also a signification. In this sense we might say: This is the first baptism, or the first consecration, or the most important work of him that hears, or of him that would be saved.--_The Publishers._