For, as true faith consists in hearing, believing and accepting the good things which God offers us through his word; and, again, as unbelief consists in despising and rejecting those things; and since infants have neither knowledge, ability, inclination, nor emotion concerning any of these things, as all intelligent persons see and know; therefore it must truly follow that neither faith nor unbelief may be attributed to infants; but they are simple and ignorant, and in this state perfectly pleasing to God, he having set them as examples for us, that we should imitate them in their simplicity.
How the true faith is a gift of God, and is wrought in the hearts of men through the hearing of God’s word, read: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8; Rom. 12:3; Col. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; Jude 3.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17; Heb. 6:2.
With regard to how we must believe in God through his word, read: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” John 17:20; Eph. 1:9; John 7:38; 14:1; Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:15.
Concerning how true faith is not vain, but manifests its effectual power and nature, read: “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations,” etc. Rom. 1:5; 16:25; Acts 6:7.
“When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
“In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Gal. 5:6.
He that does not evince from his faith the seven virtues required, “is blind, and cannot see afar off,” etc. 2 Pet. 1:9; Jas. 2:26.
“But the just shall live by his faith.” Hab. 2:4; Heb. 10:38; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11.
By faith we become righteous and partakers of the benefits of God. Acts 26:18; Rom. 10:10; Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Mark 16:16.
We must pray to God, to be strengthened and kept in the faith. Luke 17:5; 1 Pet. 1:5.
When the grace of God is neglected through unbelief and evil works, one may fall away from the faith, and be blotted out of the Book of Life. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Tim. 6:10.
“Which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:13.
“One that returneth from righteousness to sin: the Lord prepareth such a one for the sword.” Syrach 26:28; Jer. 17:13; Prov. 3:21; Heb. 6:6.
“The Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Ex. 32:33; Rev. 3:5; Ps. 69:29; Isa. 1:2; 30:1; Jer. 18:7.
How infants are simple and ignorant, and that therefore neither faith nor unbelief may be imputed to them; but that they are well-pleasing to God through his grace, without any other means, read: “Moreover, your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.” Deut. 1:39; Matt. 19:14.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11; Heb. 5:13.