If it happens to a woman in childbirth that the fruit does not come entirely from her, but only an arm or other limb comes forth, that limb should not be baptized, as if the whole child were baptized.
Much less should one baptize a child that is still in its mother's womb and cannot come from her, so that one would pour water over the mother's womb etc. For that such is unlawful and contrary to divine Scripture.
appears clearly from the words of Christ, Joh. 3, 3. where he speaks of baptism thus: "Unless a man be born elsewhere" etc.
Therefore, if a child is to be baptized and thus born elsewhere, it is necessary that it be born once before and come into the world, which does not happen if only one limb emerges from the mother.
So now we who are with you, all away
keep the rule of Christ: "Unless a man be born elsewhere," etc., and kneel down, say our prayer in faith, and ask our Lord God to let such a child share in his suffering and death, and thus not to doubt that he will know how to do it according to his divine grace and mercy.
Therefore, while the infant is passing through our
If we bring earnest prayer to Christ, and such prayer is made in faith, then it is certain with God and heard what we ask, and He gladly accepts it, as He Himself says Marc. 10, 14: "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven. So we should take it for granted that the child, even if it does not receive the right baptism, is not lost.