[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
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