will take a short view of the nature and design of the three great ordinances of our church,-Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Sacrament; by which you will see, that they are not merely forms and ceremonies, but institutions, intended to make

us

"new creatures in CHRIST JESUS;" good and worthy members of society; and useful in that station in which it has pleased Gov to place us here below.

In obedience to CHRIST's commandment, who said, "Suffer the little children to come "unto me, and forbid them not ;" and, in imitation of his example, when "he took "them in his arms, put his hands upon "them, and blessed them;" the church to which we belong, ordains that infants shall be baptized, or received into the number of CHRIST's church, on "the first or "second Sunday after their birth.”

The vow made on behalf of infants, on this occasion, is a very solemn one. It is, that they will "renounce the Devil and all "his works," "the vanities and covetous "desires of the world," and "the carnal "desires of the flesh;" that they will be baptized into the faith of JESUS CHRIST, as contained in the apostles' creed; and that they will" keep GoD's holy commandments, "and walk in the same all the days of their

upon

"life." It is true, indeed, that the infants, re these occasions, cannot, by reason of "their own tender age," perform this vow, at the time when it is made; but, as your Catechism informs you, provision is made for their inability; for "they promise" all this, "by their sureties," their godfathers and godmothers," which promise, when they

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come to age, themselves are bound to "perform." Hence you perceive, my brethren, not only the obligation which the sacrament of baptism lays upon those that. are baptized, of being holy, pure, and virtuous, when they come to know the difference between good and evil; but, also, the duty imposed upon the godfathers and godmothers, to see that the infants, for which they stand sponsors, be taught "what a "solemn vow, promise, and profession," have been made on their parts; and that they "be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a christian life." It is sorrowful, in truth, to consider how little this duty is thought of, by godfathers and godmothers in general; and how often they enter into such engagements, without even a knowledge of the duties they promise to perform, or the least intention of fulfilling them faithfully. But surely, my friends, such conduct as this is not only contrary

to the rules of that church, of which you are members, but also highly criminal in the sight of GOD. The sponsors promise in the church, before the Minister, before the congregation, and before God, to watch over the early years of the infant, as far as concerns its spiritual growth; to see that it be "brought up in the nurture and admo"nition of the LORD;" be taught the creed, the LORD's prayer, the ten commandments, and the Church Catechism; and be brought, at a proper age, to the Bishop to be confirmed:-and, undoubtedly, where circumstances will permit them to attend to these things, there can be no excuse, which will justify them, in the sight of God, for neglecting to do, what they have so solemnly undertaken to perform. Long practice, indeed, and general example, have rendered sponsorship little more than a form; and but few consider the real nature, and great importance, of such an office. But you will recollect, that neither custom nor example can ever make that right, in the sight of God, which is in itself wrong; and that, however careless we may be about keeping those vows, which we enter into before Him; yet that they are all entered in his book; and, if broken through, will appear against us at the day of judgment.

Confirmation, or "laying on of hands, "by the Bishop, upon those that are bap"tized, and come to years of discretion," succeeds Baptism, in the ordinances of our church; an institution as ancient as the times of the apostles, and regularly practised in the christian church, from that period to the present day. It is necessary, on several accounts. In the first place, those who are confirmed, relieve their sureties from their baptismal engagement; and take upon themselves the vow, that was then made on their behalf. 6c They, with their own mouth and "consent," (as it is expressed in the order of confirmation, in the Prayer Book,)" openly "before the church, ratify and confirm" the vow made at their baptism; "and also "promise, that, by the grace of GoD, 66 they will ever more endeavour themselves "faithfully to observe such things, as they, "by their own confession, have assented "unto." Not that children, even before confirmation, are at liberty to commit sinful actions; because, the moment they become capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, from that moment they are accountable to GOD ALMIGHTY for their actions, whether they be good or bad :—but Confirmation is required, because, as the godfathers and godmothers took upon them

selves the baptismal vow, in public, and in the face of the church; so it is right and reasonable, that they should be freed from the same, in a like solemn, public, and formal manner. But, in the second place, Confirmation is necessary on another account; because, unless young persons “have been "confirmed, or be ready and desirous to "be confirmed," they cannot "be admitted "to the Holy Communion." They have not ratified what was promised for them at their baptism; they have not made that open profession of the cross; and that public declaration of their resolution, by God's assistance, to live a godly and a christian life, which the church requires; and, consequently, are not qualified for the privilege of so near an approach to their Saviour, as the sacrament of the LORD's supper implies. It would be well, indeed, for christians, if this ordinance of Confirmation were regarded in a more solemn light than it usually is; since, instead of a mere form, it is an act of the most serious and important kind. To convince yourselves of this, my friends, it is only necessary to compare the promise made before God, in this ordinance, with those promises made by your sponsors at your baptism. The question asked upon this occasion, by the Bishop, to which you give your assent,