Title:                 The Anabaptists ground-work for Reformation, or, New Planting of Churches, That no man, woman, nor child, may be baptized, but fuch as have juftifying Faith, and doe make profeffion therof, before, to the Baptizer, Found falje, with all things depending thereon.

Author:             John Etherington

Publisher:          M. Simmons

Origin:              London

Date:                1644

Description:      Pamphlet

Thomas Lamb was a soap boiler who turned into one of the most striking Baptist preachers of those times and became familiar with nearly every prison in London and its vicinity. John Etherington was an ex-boxmaker who also apparently published under the name Edmund Jessup. He regarded himself as a faithful member of the Church of England but was a familist who held several doctrines which were not accepted by the Church of England. Some of his ideas were close to separatists ideas; therefore, Peter Lake says that Etherington used his opposition to Anabaptism as a means of controlling the otherwise very radical consequences of his position.

The arrangement of this pamphlet is similar to that of a debate. Etherington’s arguments for infant baptism are given first. Thomas Lamb’s often brief answer is given to the argument. Finally, Etherington’s reply to Lamb’s answer is stated. Occasionally there is more than one exchange of answer and reply. In all, six arguments are debated, and then seven arguments of Etherington are “annexed” to the end. The seventh is particularly long, covering approximately twelve pages.

The library here at NOBTS is missing the first page which contains Lamb’s first argument and most of the discussion concerning it.

Developed from review by Trudy Penton.