# Summary Of Baptism In The Sixth Century. · Page 7 of 9

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About A. D. 553.—When, as it appears, the good
old custom of renouncing and forsaking Satan, which
was wont to be done publicly at baptism, in connection
with the confession of faith, began to cease, or,
at least, fall into neglect, it was revived and again
brought to remembrance, by the teacher Vincent;[121](/en/stories/mm-footnotes/part-10/#Footnote_121)
concerning which the following observation is found
in Bapt. Hist., page 473, from Vinc., lib. 21, cap. 6:
“It was the custom, to renounce (that is, forsake),
before baptism, all pomp and the works of the devil,
which can certainly not be done by children.”

About A. D. 556.—At this time white robes were
put on the newly baptized, after baptism. Thus,
Gregory Turon (lib. 5, cap. 11), says—that at Avernio
five hundred Jews were baptized at once, and
then went their way, clothed in white robes.

Gifts were also presented to the baptized; thus,
Guentheramus gave presents to Clotharius, when
the latter had been baptized. Bapt. Hist., p. 484,
from Gregor. Turon., lib. 10, cap. 27.

This putting on of the white robes after baptism,
signified that the newly-baptized, having put off the
garment of sin, must henceforth be clothed in the
clean white robe of true righteousness and holiness;
to which applies Eccl. 9:8: “Let thy garments be
always white;” and Rev. 3:4: “They shall walk
in white;” also, Rev. 19:8: “And to her was
granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen,
clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness
of saints.”

As to the gifts presented to the newly-baptized,
this indicated that God thus imparts his heavenly
gifts and blessings to them; as Peter said to those
whom he exhorted to be baptized: “And ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38.

However, if it should be, that with this putting on
of white robes, and giving of presents, there was
coupled any superstition (of which, however, we are
not aware,), we would not commend, but rather
speak against it. What we have in view here, is
simply this, that such ceremonies were not, and
could not be, performed with infants, inasmuch as
the latter are too weak in understanding to comprehend,
as well as in ability to perform, the same.
Hence it follows, that such baptism, at that day,
was not administered to infants, but to adult, reasonable,
and believing persons.

About A. D. 560.—It is stated, from Adon.
Aetat. 4, and Turon., lib. 4, cap. 26, that Brunechildis,
the daughter of Arthanagild, had been baptized,
probably in her infancy, by the Arians, but
that subsequently, having been married to Sigibert,
she was rebaptized in the name of the Holy Trinity.
This is related more fully by J. Mehrning, in Bapt.
Hist., p. 475. But whether Brunechildis continued
in the true footsteps of the faith, after her rebaptism,
of this we have no account; it suffices us
to know that having been baptized, probably in
infancy, by the Arians, she was afterwards, in adult
age, rebaptized, or, at least, baptized aright, upon
confession of faith; the first baptism having no foundation.

About A. D. 562.—Joseph Vicecomes (lib. 5,
cap. 53), quotes Cyril Monachus, in the life of the
Patriarch, Enthymius as follows: “When he had entertained
for forty days, several persons that had been
baptized, had admonished, and diligently instructed
them in godliness, and inculcated in them, in various
ways, the things necessary to their salvation, he
let them depart in peace.” Bapt. Hist., page 484.

In what place and manner, and under what circumstances,
the aforementioned persons were baptized,
is not stated; hence we must be content with
what is shown, from which we can infer that those
persons were baptized upon faith, seeing they were
yet confirmed, after baptism, in the doctrine of faith
and godliness; and thus it follows that the custom of
baptizing upon faith was practiced at the place where
this occurred.

About A. D. 570.—Vicecomes (lib. 4, cap. 12),
quotes, from Severus Alexandrinus, a certain prayer,
which it was customary, at that time, for the teacher
to pronounce over those who were baptized: “O
God! take out from them the old man, which destroys
himself through the lusts of error, and clothe
them with the new man, which is daily renewed in
thy knowledge.”

Again (lib. 5, cap. 27): “O Lord God! who hast
imputed unto us redemption through Christ, and
through the water, in the Holy Ghost, hast given to
these thy servants, regeneration; thou, O Lord, who
lovest light, confirm and uphold them in holiness,
that they, illuminated by the light of thy grace, and
standing before thy table, may be made worthy of
thy eternal salvation.”

In chap. 38 he relates how the candidates, immediately
after baptism, were brought to the holy Supper,
and crowned with wreaths, and how the teacher then
201
addressed them, exhorting them to joy and holiness
of life, saying: “Dear brethren, sing a hymn of
praise unto the Son of the Lord over all, who has
crowned you with royal crowns. You have now, my
beloved, received unfading crowns from the waters of
Jordan, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Dear
brethren, ye have put on to-day the glory of the
baptism of the heavenly Adam.”



## Original source

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