150 140 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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