Presumptive Regeneration, or, the Baptismal Regeneration of Elect Infants

by Cornelius Burges

Dr. Ames affirms, that, “they are as capable of baptism, in respect of the chief use of it, as persons of years;” who shall deny them the inward grace? Do we not know that in God’s account, the sacrament of circumcision was not accounted circumcision when it was only outward in the flesh, and not inward also in the heart? “For, he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God,” (Romans 2). Circumcision we know, was a, “seal of the righteousness which is by faith,” (Romans 4:11).