ABSTRACT
Article XXVII of the Church of England dates from 1553; but in the revision of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, ten years later, the last paragraph was rewritten, and the language on Infant Baptism was considerably strengthened. The object of the Article is to state the Church’s teaching on Holy Baptism, in view of the errors of the Anabaptists, who maintained an utterly unspiritual view of the sacrament, and denied that Baptism ought to be administered to infants and young children. There are two main subjects which come before us for consideration—The description of Baptism and its effects and Infant Baptism. Just as circumcision was a mark distinguishing the Jews from all others, so also Baptism distinguishes Christians from non-Christians. It is the initial rite by which a man is, so to speak, made a Christian. The baptism of young children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.
