The Doctrine of the Church (16): The Preaching of the Word as a Means of Grace / The Idea of the Sacraments

Thus, a person may probably be converted when he is seventy or eighty years of age, although he is regenerated from infancy. With this we cannot agree. At least, we think it is very improbable that the Lord affects His work of regeneration in such a way in the heart of the elect. It may very well be that a seed in nature can continue to live, if it has not contact with the soil whatever, for many years. But it is quite inconceivable that a seed can be implanted in the soil, and be under the...