Let the Little Children Come to Me

“Even to the foulest offenders, when they afterward believe, remission of sin is granted. On this premise no one is prohibited from baptism and grace. How much more should an infant be admitted, who, just born, has not sinned in any respect, except that, being born of the flesh according to Adam, has in his first birth contracted the contagion of the ancient deadly nature. Would not such a child obtain remission of sins with the less difficulty, because not his own actual guilt, but that of another, is to be remitted? Our sentence therefore, dearest brother, in the Council (of Carthage 254 A.D.) was that none by us should be prohibited from baptism and the grace of God, who is merciful and kind to all.”

-- Cyprian of Carthage (martyred 258 A.D.)