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Viewing the proceeding in this light, many of those called evangelical clergymen suppose some gracious effect generally to attend the due administration of this sacrament of regeneration; though they do not think baptism synonymous with regeneration, or inseparable from it: and thus they are satisfied in using the words, We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, ' that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this in'fant with thy Holy Spirit,' &c.1 Probably far too much is assumed in this case; at least, far more than accords to the present state of things.

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'We shall find this word used exactly in the same manner in our Liturgy, Articles, and Ho'milies. In the beginning of the service of Public Baptism of infants, we pray that the infant 'brought to be baptized may be washed and sanc'tified with the Holy Ghost; may receive remis'sion 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.'

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If baptism be regeneration, or inseparable from it, why should we pray in this manner? 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:'-' We 'call upon thee for this infant, that he, coming to thy holy baptism, may receive remission of sins

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'Thanksgiving after Baptism.

2 Ref. 87.

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by spiritual regeneration-that this infant may ' receive the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing.' 'Give thy HOLY SPIRIT to this infant, that he may be born again.'_The prayers themselves clearly distinguish between baptizing with water, which is the act of man; and spiritual regeneration, being " born again," which is the gift and work of God by his Holy Spirit. But, on the supposition of our opponents, all concerned ought indeed to pray that the bishop, priest, or deacon, may rightly administer the sacrament; for on that every thing depends; and they have no need to pray for any thing further, because all the rest, at least as far as regeneration is concerned, follows by necessary

consequence.

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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 regenerate 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.'

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The supposition, that the blessing is vouchsafed in answer to the prayers before offered, shews most evidently, that it is not effected by the mere

'Prayers in Baptismal service.

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opus operatum; nor is a necessary consequence of the right administration of baptism by the minister; who may do this rightly, though himself a wicked man. 1 1 The words here quoted refer to the preceding exhortation, 'Doubt ye not there'fore, but earnestly believe, that he will likewise ' favourably receive this present infant;'2 and to the prayer grounded on it,' Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation: sanctify this water to the mystical washing away ' of sin; and grant that this child, now to be bap'tized therein, may receive the fulness of thy

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grace,' &c. If then faith, and the prayer of faith be entirely wanting, surely there is no ground in this office to expect that the inward and spiritual grace of baptism will accompany the outward administration. The baptism is valid; but, even according to the charitable hope expressed in the office, regeneration does not necessarily accompany it; and the thanksgiving is rendered as unmeaning, or hypocritical, as the rest of the service.

In respect of the peculiar form in which the public baptism of infants is administered; and that profession of repentance and faith which is made by their sureties in their name, and the real doctrine of the church of England in this respect; I shall content myself with referring to the work of one nearly related to me, in which it is

1 Art. xxvi.

• Exhortation after the gospel.

• Collect before baptism.

VOL. VII.

2 B

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fully discussed, and shall merely adduce a quotation from it.

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"In the Catechism, it having been stated that 'the things required of persons to be baptized are repentance whereby they forsake sin, and faith whereby they steadfastly believe the promises of 6 God made to them in that sacrament; the ques'tion occurs, Why then are infants baptized, when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them?' Now what should we have expected as the simple and natural answer to this question? I remember formerly to have thought that the words of the twenty-seventh article, "The baptism of young children is in any wise 'to be retained in the church, as most agreeable 'with the institution of Christ,' would have fur'nished a more obvious, and a more satisfactory answer than that which is given. And so they 'certainly would have done, had it been intended merely to assign our authority for baptizing in'fants. But the answer makes it clear, that the question was designed to introduce an explana'tion of the church's views in receiving infants, ' and considering them in the manner she does. 'The answer is, 'Because they promise them 'both (both repentance and faith) by their 'sureties; which promise, when they come to age, 'themselves are bound to perform.'-It is then ' avowedly on the ground of this promise, and in 'the expectation of its performance, that the church 'admits infants to baptism: and consequently it 'is upon the same ground, that she proceeds to speak of them in the manner we are considering.'

'I do therefore consider the passage which I have 'quoted from the Catechism, as furnishing, and designedly furnishing, the true key to the meaning of the church in the language which she ' uses concerning infants. She requires of them by their sureties, as she does of adults personally, certain vows; she assumes their disposition, as they become capable of it, to perform those vows; and she speaks of them, as, (what they 'must upon that supposition be,) regenerate, and 'the children of God, by adoption and grace.''

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In the service of private baptism, immediately ' after the baptisinal words are pronounced, it is said, 'This child, being born in original sin, and ' in the wrath of God, is now by the laver of re'generation in baptism, received into the number of the children of God, and heirs of everlasting ' life.' 2

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This quotation shews indeed, that baptism is considered as "the laver of regeneration ;" and in other respects it coincides with what has been already noticed: but, how far this bears upon the main point contested among us, must be determined by explanations given in other parts of the same authorized writings, especially in the Articles.

Inquiry into the effect of Baptism, in answer to Dr. Mant's Tracts, by the Rev. J. Scott, p. 143–147.

2 Ref. 89.

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