Well, First off, in the Reformed churches baptism is merely a sign of a covenantal relationship that God holds with families through individuals. It confers no spiritual salvation and only a licensed minister of Word and Sacrament is permitted to apply the sign. So there would be no immediate need to baptize a child. At the time the Dutch Reformed Church was the official state church and could apply civil penalties to those who violated church law. Oldenbarnevelt is a good example. For an understanding of this try looking up Covenantal Theology or Federal Theology. Bob <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.