Obj. IF Infants be not Baptized, then are they left in death, and ought to be of no more esteeme then Pagans, or Infidels.
Ans. To the first of these I answer, that the Lord knoweth who* 1.1 are his; and though Children should dye unbaptized, yet if, of Gods elect, they shall be saved, as if they had been Baptized; but though these things be knowne unto God, yet as I said before, the Church is ignorant, who are elect, and who are not; and therefore they ought to be as carefull as may be, whom they ad∣mit into their Societies, for feare of the scandals which may ac∣crew by the entertainment of the wicked.
And as touching the second, viz. that Children unbaptized are* 1.2 of no more esteeme then Pagans, or Infidels, I answer; that to speake such words is like a Pagan or Infidell; for being Children of beleeving Parents, they may have great hopes that they appertaine unto election and salvation; as also they may be comforted, by their godly indeavour to educate them in the feare, and nurture of the Lord.
To conclude then this point touching Infants Baptisme I af∣firme, that Infants being detained from Baptisme, untill they be capable of the profession of a Christian, will be a great induce∣ment* 1.3 to Parents to educate their Children in the wayes of godli∣nesse. (that they may fit them as soone as possible they can, to be ingrafted into the Church of Christ, or communion of Saints) knowing that the longer they are kept o••t of the Church, the more will be their disgrace and disesteem of the Church; and con∣trariwise, the admitting of Infants to Baptisme, before such edu∣cation, is a way to make Parents carelesse, and their Children refractory.