Article IX: _Of Baptism._
The Ninth Article has been approved, in which we confess that Baptism
is necessary to salvation, and that children are to be baptized, and
that the baptism of children is not in vain, but is necessary and
effectual to salvation. And since the Gospel is taught among us
purely and diligently, by God's favor we receive also from it this
fruit, that in our Churches no Anabaptists have arisen [have not
gained ground in our Churches], because the people have been
fortified by God's Word against the wicked and seditious faction of
these robbers. And as we condemn quite a number of other errors of
the Anabaptists, we condemn this also, that they dispute that the
baptism of little children is unprofitable. For it is very certain
that the promise of salvation pertains also to little children [that
the divine promises of grace and of the Holy Ghost belong not alone
to the old, but also to children]. It does not, however, pertain to
those who are outside of Christ's Church where there is neither Word
nor Sacraments because the kingdom of Christ exists only with the
Word and Sacraments. Therefore it is necessary to baptize little
children, that the promise of salvation may be applied to them,
according to Christ's command, Matt. 28, 19: Baptize all nations.
Just as here salvation is offered to all, so Baptism is offered to
all, to men, women, children, infants. It clearly follows, therefore,
that infants are to be baptized, because with Baptism salvation [the
universal grace and treasure of the Gospel] is offered. Secondly, it
is manifest that God approves of the baptism of little children.
Therefore the Anabaptists, who condemn the baptism of little children,
believe wickedly. That God, however, approves of the baptism of
little children is shown--by this, namely, that God gives the Holy
Ghost to those thus baptized [to many who have been baptized in
childhood]. For if this baptism would be in vain, the Holy Ghost
would be given to none, none would be saved, and finally there would
be no Church. [For there have been many holy men in the Church who
have not been baptized otherwise.] This reason, even taken alone, can
sufficiently establish good and godly minds against the godless and
fanatical opinions of the Anabaptists.