The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n]…The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n]…

Question. But why doest thou add in those that are of the years of discretion?

Question. But why doest thou adde in those that are of the yeares of discretion?

Answer. Because there is another respect of children dying before they are taught, for as much as Faith after the ordinary manner, is by hearing: and extraordinarily by the only inward motion of the holy Ghost, of which the one cannot agree unto infants by no place of scripture, neither canst thou gather it by any little conjecture. For faith (whether it arise by hearing, or extraordinarily) necessarily ⟨image 91⟩presupposeth knowledge of the free promise in Christ, which he applieth unto him self that believeth: which by no manner of mean can fall out and agree into infants.

Answeare. Because there is another respect of children dying before they are taught, for as muche as Fayth after the ordinary manner, is by hearing: and extraordinarily by the onely inward motion of the holy Ghost, of which the one cānot agree vnto infants by no place of scripture, neither canst thou gather it by any litle coniecture. For faith (whether it arise by hearing, or extraordinarily) necessarily ⟨image 91⟩presupposeth knowledge of the free promise in Christ, which he applyeth vnto him selfe that beleeueth: which by no maner of meane can fall out and agree into infantes.

Question. Howe then shall we think that infants are acceptable unto God, that they should be reckoned of him in the covenant of the Church, and that therefore the seal it self of the covenant should not be denied unto them?