"and reconciliation, which takes place through the Mediator. Since then these persons allow that little ones must be baptized, inasmuch as they cannot contravene the authority of the universal Church, (as unquestionably handed down from the Lord and the Apostles,) they must allow also that infants need those other benefits of the Mediator; so that, being washed by the Sacrament and through the love of the faithful (who present them to Baptism), and thus being incorporated into the body of Christ, which is the Church, they may be reconciled to God, and in Him be quickened, saved, freed, redeemed, enlightened—whence, but from death, sinfulness, guilt, servitude, darkness of sin?' But since at that age they have not in their own life committed any, it remains that it must be original sin[1]." And again, "Who knows not, that in infants to believe is to be baptized, not to believe is not to be baptized—since little ones do not begin to be of Christ's sheep but by Baptism, then those, who do not receive Baptism, will perish; for they will not have eternal life, which He giveth to His sheep[2]." Further, "The ecclesiastical rule, which reckons baptized infants among the faithful, does not so judge (viz. that they are in a middle state, neither believing nor unbelieving). If then they who are baptized, on account of the virtue and celebration of so great a Sacrament, (although they do not, with their own mouth and heart, any thing appertaining to belief or confession,) are yet accounted among believers, they to whom this Sacrament is wanting, must be accounted among such as do not believe the same." And again[3], "Let them say then, 'what does Christ's righteousness avail to little ones?' Let them say what they will. For of a truth, if they recollect that they themselves are Christians, they will not doubt that it avails something. Whatever then its profit be, it cannot, as they themselves assert, profit those who believe not. Whence they are compelled to account little ones among believers, and to agree with the authority of the Holy Church every where. As, therefore, by the answer of those, through whom they
