II. To the Initial Arguments

17. To the first argument [n.12]: the authority from Augustine must be understood of actual sin; and original sin was voluntary in this way in the first parent; however it is not necessary that every sin be voluntary with the will of him in whom it is.

18. As to the other argument [n.13], it is plain that it must be understood of adults because of what precedes it [Mark 16.16] “He who will have believed and will have been baptized...” Or it can be said that he who will not have believed either in act or habit will be condemned, because according to the Apostle, Hebrews 11.6, “It is impossible to please God without faith; for he who approaches God must believe;” now children, though they cannot have the act of believing, can yet have the habit of it (as will be said in the next question, nn.27, 39).