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Avignon 31st March. I send to-day in Galignani part of an
acrimonious and of what I fear will become an indecent
controversy between the Archp. of Canterbury and the Bp.
Points for working out. of Exeter, respecting Infant Regeneration by Baptism.
I am induced to set down what seems to me to be principles
Do not argue this of right judgment in this case which a man of candour
It may be conjectural from Scripture that Baptism should belonging b[t]y Education to neither party could hardly
be conceded to Infants. fail to acknowledge.
But Infant Baptism cannot convey this Blessing. Much stress is laid by the Bp. of Exeter upon the words of
Baptism cannot convey this Blessing. Christ, "Suffer little Chhildren to come unto me". Let us
But rather argue thus accept this text in its full - its literal meaning:
It may be proved from Scripture that Baptism conveys this let us suppose - as we are merely also justified in
blessing But this blessing cannot be conveyed to infants. suffering - in earnestly believing, that Christ himself
Therefore, Infant Baptism is wrong. Personally and actually stands beside the Baptismal
That is to say: rather take from Scripture what may be font; as personally as ever He stood "by the further side
proved than what may be only conjectured. of Jordan: and that his command is from thence to us con-
tinually 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 Juda[e]ae
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 bel[-]ieved in its
power; that if in this apathy and infidelity; but in
the fear of men, ahd because we saw others whose good
opinion we desired, doing this with their children, we
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