Romans 11:4

4 . Finally, what is the condition of the infant at birth, or rather at the first instant of personal existence, under the headship of Christ.

On this point we may note:

1 . As descended from Adam, separated from the tree of life, he inherits Adam’s mental and bodily nature, and is thus (as described in our notes on Romans 5:12) a sinner, as being sure, under a full probation, to sin; and a mortal as being sure in the conditions to suffer and die. Thus far he is in the position of condemnation, yet never liable, before actual apostasy, to damnation.

2 . Under Christ he is (as said by Dr. Fisk as quoted on Romans 5:18) in a position of non-condemnation or justification unto life; he is endowed even in infancy with the blessed spirit, (Luke 1:15; Luke 1:44; he possesses, as Watson says, “a seed of life;” and, living or dying, is an heir of heaven.

3 . Our seventeenth Article of Faith pronounces him entitled to receive baptism as the “sign of regeneration” baptism being the “outward sign of an inward grace.” (Note Luke 1:59.) He is thus held a virtual believer. He is entitled to all the privileges of a believer so fast as he shows himself, in time, fitted and desirous to take upon himself the responsibilities of a believer.

4 . Hence it is essentially the doctrine of our best writers, in beautiful harmony with Arminian theology, that all actual sinners are actual apostates from a state of grace. Thus Dr. Fisk says that “sin is not imputed” until their “making their depravity the object of their choice.”

Fletcher (who explicitly teaches infant regeneration) says they “have sinned away the justification of infants.” And Wesley (who also taught the regeneration of baptized infants, and implied that of all others) says, “Children who are baptized, dying before they commit actual sin, are saved;” so that by actual sin they fall from a state of grace.

Have mercy upon all God never (as predestination affirms) concluded all under eternal damnation, or compulsory desert of hell, in order that he might, of his own “mere good pleasure,” from pure “divine sovereignty,” pick out a part and leave the rest to their awful, unavoidable fate. Nor does it avail to tell us that these so left deserve nothing at the hand of God. Every creature deserves at least justice at the hand of God. (Note on Romans 11:35.)

The divine idea is mercy upon all, by mercy being placed within the power of all through Christ; or, as the parallel passage reads, “that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”