reformers, (not indeed in the articles, and authentick documents, but in their controversial writings,) is considered; it is truly wonderful that so very little appears in our liturgy, which seems, even in language to vary from the sacred oracles. A deep acquaintance with the scriptures, and an abundance of heavenly wisdom and grace, preserved the venerable compilers of our liturgy and articles, so free from the different deviations found in the ancient writings, whose authority they still in some respects allowed: that very few expressions seem to have been taken, or retained from them, which do not accord with those of the sacred writers. Yet, in the case of baptism there are a few exceptions to this general rule; and the custom of the church, during very many centuries, in which baptism and regeneration were generally confounded; and indeed the opus operatum considered as the grand, if not the only, concern; seems to have induced a language not entirely scriptural. Yet I trust it will appear, that their words taken together, by no means imply that baptism and regeneration are synonymous, or that baptism in all cases, even when rightly administered, is accompanied with regeneration.

A large proportion, however, of the evangelical clergy do suppose that some special gracious effect attends the due administration of infant-baptism, which they think to be meant in our baptismal forms, by the word regenerated,' and '

.

'rated by the Holy Ghost.'

regene

The parents and those who bring infants to be baptized, as members of the church, are supposed,

in our offices, to be themselves true christians: it is assumed, that they really desire and pray for the

inward and spiritual grace of baptism,' both at other times, and when the child is about to be baptized, that they come, as those did, who "brought "their young children to Christ, that he should lay

his hands on them and pray over," or bless, them, It is assumed also, that when baptism is publickly administered, the congregation unites in fervent prayer to the same effect and they take it for granted, that God hears and answers these earnest prayers; and return him thanks for so doing. This seems, a general view of the doctrine implied in the baptismal offices of our church. Probably too much is assumed; or more, at least than accords to present circumstances.

P. lxxxvii. 1. 6. We shall, &c."2 If baptism be itself regeneration, or inseparable from it; why do we pray thus: We beseech thee, for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon this child; wash him, and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost; that he, being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ's 'church, &c.' 'We call upon thee for this infant, ' that he, coming to thy holy baptism, may receive

'Matt. xix. 13.

2. We shall find this word used exactly in the same manner in our liturgy, articles, and homilies. In the beginning of the service of Publick Baptism of Infants, we pray, that the infant brought to be baptized may be washed and sanctified with the 'Holy Ghost; may receive remission of his sins by spiritual regeneration; may be born again; and that the old Adam may ' be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him.'

* remission of his sins by spiritual regeneration, that this infant may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing. Give thy Holy Spirit to this infant, that he may be born again ?”1 The prayers themselves evidently distinguish between baptizing with water, and spiritual regeneration, and the heavenly washing: between what man can do and what only God can do: and this implies that one may be done without the other.

sup

P. lxxxvii. 1. 19. * Seeing now, &c. The s position, that the blessing is granted in answer to The prayers of the congregation, shews most evidently, that it is quite distinct from the opus operatum, and only connected with it by the prayer of "faith:"Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly ' believe, &c.' If then, "the prayer of faith" be entirely wanting, the inward and spiritual grace may not attend the outward baptism. I do not mean that the baptism is not valid, or that the infant is not baptized; but that regeneration does not, even according to the charitable hope expressed in the baptismal service, in this case, necessarily accompany baptism.

Prayers, Baptismal Service../

26 Seeing now that this child is regenerate and grafted into the body of Christ's church. And in the concluding prayer, the priest returns thanks to God that it hath pleased him to regene• rate this infant with the Holy Spirit, and to receive him for his own child by adoption, and to incorporate him into his holy church; and it is added, that God for his part will most surely "keep and perform his promise, of releasing him from his sins, sanctifying him with the Holy Ghost, and giving him the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life."

The case of the comparatively few, who, in the established church are baptized adult, requires a distinct consideration, Either these persons are previously true believers, and then their baptism is a profession, and recognition, of their regeneration; or, they are mere formalists: and whether God generally blesses a formal and insincere profession, (not to say a hypocritical attendance on his ordinances,) for the regeneration of the persous con cerned, the reader must judge for himself.

P. lxxxix. 1. 12. The service, &c." As nothing materially differs in the form of private baptism from that of publick baptism, no remarks are necessary: but some notice must be taken of the office of baptism, as administered to adults. The quotation, here adduced, is taken from the introductory exhortation. The prayers are early the same, as in the office for infant-baptism. But the gospel appointed to be read is, our Lord's conversation with Nicodemus concerning regeneration: and on this is grounded

The service of baptism of such as are of riper years, begins C thus, Forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and they that are < in the flesh cannot please God, but live in 'sin, committing < many actual transgressions; and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regen erate and born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to these persons that which by nature they cannot have; that they may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made lively members of the same. And after the baptismal words are pronounced, the persons baptized are declared to be "regenerate and now born again."

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an exhortation: Beloved, ye hear in this gospel, the express words of our Saviour Christ; that "except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, "he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Whereby we perceive the great necessity of this sacrament, where it may be had. Likewise immediately before his ascension, (as we read in the last chapter of St. Mark's gospel,) he gave command to his disciples saying, "Go ye into all the world, "and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved: but he "that believeth not shall be damned;" which also sheweth the great benefit we reap thereby. For which cause St. Peter the apostle, when upon the first preaching of the gospel, many were pricked to the heart, and said to him and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" replied and said unto them; "Repent and be "baptized every one of you, for the remission of 46 your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy "Ghost; for the promise is to you and your chil

❝dren, and to all that are afar off, even as many as "the Lord our God shall call. And with many "other words exhorted he them, saying, Save your"selves from this untoward generation."

• For

(as the same apostle testifieth in another place,) "Even baptism doth now save us, (not the putting

away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a "good conscience towards God,) by the resurrec❝tion of Jesus Christ." 'Doubt ye not therefore,

but earnestly believe, that he will favourably receive 'these present persons, truly repenting, and coming