[M2.140L] [M2.140] 140
Points for working out.
Do not argue this Avignon 31st March. I read to-day in Galignani part of an
It may be conjectured from Scripture that Baptism should acrimonious and of what I fear will become an indecent
be conceded to Infants. controversy between the Archp. of Canterbury and the Bp.
But Infant Baptism cannot convey this Blessing. of Exeter, respecting Infant Regeneration by Baptism.
Baptism cannot convey this Blessing. I am induced to set down what seems to me to be principles
But rather argue thus of right judgment in this case which a man of candour
It may be proved from Scripture that Baptism conveys this belonging by Education to neither party could hardly
blessing But this blessing cannot be conveyed to infants. fail to acknowledge.
Therefore, Infant Baptism is wrong. Much stress is laid by the Bp. of Exeter upon the words of
That is to say: rather take from Scripture what may be Christ, "Suffer little Children to come unto me". Let us
proved than what may be only conjectured. accept this text in its full - its literal meaning:
let us suppose - as we are merely also justified in
suffering - in earnestly believing, that Christ himself
Personally and actually stands beside the Baptismal
font; as personally as ever He stood "by the further side
of Jordan: and that his command is from thence to us
continually repeated; and his willingness to receive our
children and to take them in his arms and bless them,
evermore signified: or let us, if thereby we may
realise his presence more perfectly, suppose ourselves
among the crowd which waited on him by the coasts of Judea
Can we suppose that if then ot believing in efficacy
of his Blessing, nor yet desiring the spiritual height
and benefit of that blessing, even if we believed in its
power; that if in this apathy and infidelity; but in
the fear of men, and because we saw others whose good
opinion we desired, doing this with their children, we
[Version 0.05: May 2008]