And some eminent divines of the Church of England have even maintained, that baptized infants would be lost if not among the elect. The learned Dr. Edwards, whose opinion on this subject has already been cited, and who wrote in the earlier part of the 18th century, says:
"There are other privileges, fruits and effects of baptism, as the collation of inward grace, effectual regeneration by the Holy Spirit, renewing and sanctifying the corrupt nature, pardon of sin, and salvation; but these are not common to all that are baptized, but are peculiar to some only; namely, the elect. For though baptism is to be administered to all the infants of Christian parents, as we are to preach the gospel to all persons without distinction, yet it is (as preaching) effectual to none but those that are chosen of God, and predetermined to life and salvation. But all are to be admitted to it, because we cannot distinguish between them: we do not know who are elect and who are reprobates."
This passage leaves us in no doubt that Edwards was a believer and defender of the dreadful doctrine of infant damnation. Equally explicit, too, is the language of Archbishop Usher, another eminent divine of the Church of England, who lived and wrote in the earlier part of the 17th century:
- ↑ Scrivener's Course of Divinity; or an Introduction to the Knowledge of the True Catholic Religion, especially as professed by the Church of England. Fol. p. 196. Lon. 1674.
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