That's because he's speaking sacramentally, a manner of speaking that we have grown unaccustomed to using through a too-timid fear of being mistaken for papists. He speaks of the sign and the thing signified together, since it is not critical that they be always spoken of distinctly, but may be spoken of singly (or sacramentally).

I agree that Calvin suggests that many an infant IS, in fact, begun in spiritual transformation at or near the time of water baptism--the temporal moment or instant of its beginning is of little consequence. The child's discipleship also begins immediately, or should. I think Calvin would have us "not to doubt" of it.

I think that what we have in the WCF language is perfection of Calvin's thought, and perhaps a slight retreat from his boldest comments. The Continentals, with their statement on dying children of believers, are a bit closer to Calvin's original thought, as expressed here, both in their language and of course in space and time.

__________________
Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI


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