Ecclesia

William Gouge on Infant Baptism
Q. What is Baptism?

A. A Sacrament of Regeneration, wherein by the outward washing of the body with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the inward cleansing of our souls by the blood of Christ is represented and sealed up unto us.

Q. Who are to be baptized?

A. They who in charity may be thought to be in the Covenant.

[Q.] Who are they?

A. Both all that profess themselves to be of the Christian faith, and also their children.

Q. What ground have we to judge the children of Christians to be in the Covenant?

A. The extent of God’s promise which reacheth even to them.

Q. How oft may one be baptized?

A. Only once: for once only we are born again and engrafted into Christ.

William Gouge, A short catechism wherein are briefly handled the fundamental principles of Christian religion. Needful to be known of all Christians before they be admitted to the Lords Table.  Whereunto are added sundry prayers (London, 1635), unpaginated.