Chapter 7 [IV.]—Proof of Original Sin in Infants.

Now, although I may not be able myself to refute the arguments of these men, I yet see how necessary it is to adhere closely to the clearest statements of the Scriptures, in order that the obscure passages may be explained by help of these, or, if the mind be as yet unequal to either perceiving them when explained, or investigating them whilst abstruse, let them be believed without misgiving. But what can be plainer than the many weighty testimonies of the divine declarations, which afford to us the clearest proof possible that without union with Christ there is no man who can attain to eternal life and salvation; and that no man can unjustly be damned,—that is, separated from that life and salvation,—by the judgment of God? The inevitable conclusion from these truths is this, that, as nothing else is effected when infants are baptized except that they are incorporated into the church, in other words, that they are united with the body and members of Christ, unless this benefit has been bestowed upon them, they are manifestly in danger of454    Pertinere ad. damnation. Damned, however, they could not be if they really had no sin. Now, since their tender age could not possibly have contracted sin in its own life, it remains for us, even if we are as yet unable to understand, at least to believe that infants inherit original sin.

CAPUT IV.

7. Jesus etiam infantium Jesus est. Ostendit veteres nihil dubitasse de originali infantium peccato. Ego autem etsi refellere istorum argumenta non valeam, video tamen inhaerendum esse iis quae in Scripturis sunt apertissima, ut ex his revelentur obscura; aut si mens nondum est idonea, quae possit ea vel demonstrata cernere, vel abstrusa investigare, sine ulla haesitatione credantur. Quid autem apertius tot tantisque testimoniis divinorum eloquiorum, quibus dilucidissime apparet, nec praeter Christi societatem ad vitam salutemque aeternam posse quemquam hominum pervenire, nec divino judicio injuste posse aliquem damnari, hoc est, ab illa vita et salute separari? Unde fit consequens ut quoniam nihil agitur aliud, cum parvuli baptizantur, nisi ut incorporentur Ecclesiae, id est, Christi corpori membrisque socientur; manifestum sit eos ad damnationem, nisi hoc eis collatum fuerit , pertinere. Non autem damnari possent, si peccatum utique non haberent. Hoc quia illa aetas nulla in vita propria contrahere potuit, restat intelligere vel si hoc nondum possumus, saltem credere, trahere parvulos originale peccatum.