This they were able to prove, since, by a solemn oath, he had sworn to the two popes, Zacharias I and Gregory II: That he would bring all the persons whom he should draw to him, also into obedience to the Roman see. These things were known from documents written by himself and transmitted to said popes.
They also censured him for his evil practices in the administration of baptism (that is, infant baptism), consisting in the saying of certain words, by way of exorcism. In this several questions were generally put to the unintelligent infants, namely, "Believest thou?" etc., whereupon the sponsors, in the child's name, answered, "Yea, I believe," etc.; which things certainly deserved no little censure, though without them, infant baptism had but little virtue or respectability.
They were also greatly offended, because he would forbid them to marry, as contrary to the institution of God, Gen. 1:27, 28, yea, as being a doctrine of devils, I Tim. 4:1-3. Finally it is stated, that said persons, and others, unable, in Germany as well as in France, to bring about any improvement with their doctrine, were greatly oppressed, partly through the tyranny of the popes of Rome, and partly through the authority of the kings of France, yea, were condemned in open synods, deposed from their ministry, and shut up in prisons and dungeons, and thus closely guarded that they might not escape. But as to what finally became of these persons, and others of like belief, A. Mellinus states, that the papistic historians are ashamed to tell. Compare Aventin. 3, Annal. Centur. Balaei., 14, cap. 31, and in Append., Tom. 2. Concil. in Deeret. Greg. 2, EQist. Bonifae. ad Zachar. Citante Balaeo. Hist. Boj., lib. 3, with A. Mell., 2d book, fol. 329, eol. 1, 2.
