Rev. G. H. Kersten answers"
this question in his TREATISE OF THE COMPENDIUM as follows:
Yes, only the elect. For them Christ suffered, and for them He is glorified. They are
set with Him in heaven; in Him they are partakers of salvation, and they shall be
washed in Christ's blood. It is therefore by means of "this holy sacrament that the
Holy Spirit assures the elect that He will dwell in them and sanctify them to be
members of Christ, applying unto them that which they have in Christ, namely, the
washing away of their sins and the daily renewing of their lives, till they shall finally
be presented without spot among the assembly of the elect in life eternal."
How clearly and incontrovertibly does the Form for the Administration of Baptism
teach in these words that the sealing in baptism concerns the elect, and not all who are
baptized. The elect, and not all of mankind, are included in the Covenant of Grace in
Christ, their Head, and in Him are partakers of the benefits of the covenant, which are
applied unto them in the time of God's good pleasure. This is assured unto them in
baptism. And, since God has His elect among children, as well as among adults, Holy
Baptism must be administered also unto them.
William,
Thanks for the link. It would appear that the position stated in the response by Joel Beeke and his brother is my own position. And that is all well and good.
HOWEVER... the original contention which I have brought up remains unanswered. Even more so an answer is necessary to it which is: The "Form for the Baptism of Infants" indisputably teaches "presumptive regeneration". If you or anyone else can show that it doesn't by giving an explanation to the several places where the wording clearly establishes that baptized covenant children are "in Christ", their "sins are forgiven in Christ", etc., etc., then this would resolve things. Until that time at best ALL who use that Form either embrace presumptive regeneration of baptized covenant children or they are guilty of contradiction should they deny they embrace presumptive generation. If the latter and if they cannot show that the Form does not teach presumptive regeneration, they they should cease from using that Form.
In His grace,
