The grounds and ends of the baptism of the children of the faithful. Opened…The grounds and ends of the baptisme of the children of the faithfull. Opened…

It is true, in men of years, the Spirit (as you speak) worketh faith by the hearing of the Word, and by revealing and tendering Christ as the all-sufficient and only way of life. And faith being wrought, apprehendeth and applieth Christ, not only habitually and passively, (as in infants) but actively to the justification of life. And in such it is true also (which you say) there is ever in the party a knowledge of the thing believed. But I will not say as you do, "That faith ever presupposeth the knowledge of the thing believed, unless you mean habitual knowledge, which is never wanting, no not in infants) where faith is. For knowledge and faith are put one for another, Esa. 5.3.11. John 17.3. So that now, take your own word, having examined what you say (as you desire) by the rule of truth, we have seen and found that infants are capable of the holy Ghost, and therefore of faith: and being in the faith, and faith in them, they are in Christ, and so united unto Christ, 2 Cor. 13.5. And being in Christ, there is no condemnation ⟨p. 17⟩to them, Rom. 8.1. And if no condemnation, then justification belongeth to them. And if union with Christ and justification by Christ belong to them, then were they elected and predestinated thereto. For none are called to union with Christ, nor justified, but those whom God hath predestinated thereunto, Rom. 8.30. When therefore you enquire, whether infants with reference to their nonage be the subjects of Gods election. And secondly, whether infants so considered be subjects capable of glory? And when you further suppose, that none will affirm either. Be it known unto you, that as we firmly believe both, so we doubt not confidently to affirm both: both that infants are subjects of Gods election, and also subjects capable of glory. Jacob was an elect vessel in his mothers womb, Rom. 9.11. neither was this his singular privilege but common with him to all the elect of God, who were elect vessels before the foundation of the world; and therefore so too in their mothers womb: To say, and grant (as you seem to do) that though infants be subjects of Gods election, yet not with reference to their nonage; it would imply that you hold the election of God hath reference to their foreseen faith or works, which they grow up unto in riper years: