On the Efficacy and Utility of Baptism in the Case of Elect Infants whose Parents are under the Covenant

by Herman Witsius, J. Mark Beach (Editor), William Marshall (Translator)

Genres: Theology

70 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1693

About the author

Hermann Witsius (Herman Wits or in Latin Hermannus Witsius) was a Dutch theologian.

Life

He was born at Enkhuizen. He studied at the University of Groningen, Leiden, and Utrecht. He was ordained in the ministry, becoming the pastor of Westwoud in 1656 and afterwards at Wormer, Goes, and Leeuwarden. He became professor of divinity successively at the University of Franeker in 1675 and at the University of Utrecht in 1680. In 1698 he was appointed to the University of Leiden as the successor of the younger Friedrich Spanheim. He died in Leiden.

Views

While in his theology Witsius aimed at a reconciliation between the reigning orthodoxy and Covenant Theology (also known as federalism), he was first of all a Biblical theologian, his principal field being systematic theology. His chief work is entitled The Economy of the Covenants between God and Man (originally published in Latin: De oeconomia foderum Dei cum hominibus, Leeuwarden, 1677). He was induced to publish this work by his grief at the controversies between Voetians and Cocceians. Although himself a member of the federalistic school, he was in no way blind to the value of the scholastically established dogmatic system of the Church. In the end, he did not succeed in pleasing either party.

Reviews

[Jordan Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. Demonstrates the plurality of Reformed opinions as regards the temporal relationship of regeneration and baptism as well as a strong people’s elbow to the face of baptismal regeneration.

[Zach de Walsingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Herman Witsius, Dutch Reformed, explores in this short translated essay the different views of baptism and efficacy that were present in 1693, and comes out supporting a (calvinist) view of pre-baptismal regeneration, which is begun for elect infants, but that baptism also really does seal grace (some call sealing an infusion) for elect infants. The underlying conclusion is the theology of the Covenant of Grace as was set forth by the Synod of Dort in 1619, which is that all children of believers dying in infancy are saved. (Some Congregationalists and Puritans believed in a concept that may be called Limbo, but this is not the Dutch Reformed view)

I'll quote the Synod of Dort here, with a translation:

Section I Article 17:
Quandoquidem de voluntate Dei ex verbo ipsius nobis est judicandum, quod testatur liberos fidelium esse sanctos, non quidem natura, sed beneficio foederis gratuiti, in quo illi cum parentibus comprehenduntur, pii parentes de electione et salute suorum liberorum, quos Deus in infantia ex hac vita evocat, dubitare non debent.

Translation: Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting discussion of the covenant of grace, baptism, and the salvation of the elect seed of believers. Herman Witsius also quotes numerous other Reformed divines, most of whom have not been translated into English (including, controversially, Moise Amyraut).

[Zack Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of a dispute within Reformed orthodoxy for the way in which baptism is efficacious, not an apology for infant baptism.

Baptism is effective, in the narrow sense, only for the elect. Baptism is neither a token of future regeneration, nor a regenerating act in itself, but a sign and seal of the elect child’s regeneration prior to baptism. The distinction between ‘real’ and ‘sacramental’ regeneration is helpful.

I fear American Presbyterianism has tended too far toward evangelical conversionism in so many ways, but especially in this. We are prone to functionally embrace the position that the infant’s baptism merely expresses hope or expectation of the child’s eventual profession of faith, and to ignore the very real, regenerative significance of the covenant child’s inclusion in God’s covenantal dealings with His covenanted people.

Baptize your babies.

[Austin Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this highly not because I agree with Witsius but because it was so informative.