LETTER IX.

MODES HUMBLY

SUGGESTED OF CARRYING THE SAME INTO EFFECT.

THE first point to be aimed at here is,-LET

EVERY MAN BE FULLY PERSUADED IN HIS OWN MIND THAT THE ABOVE INTERPRETATION OF

OUR BAPTISMAL SERVICE IS JUST; AND THAT

IF CARRIED INTO EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE LAND, BY EVERY CHURCH IN EVERY PARISH, IT WOULD WITH GOD'S BLESSING, PRODUCE A NATIONAL REFORMATION OF MANNERS, AND

CHANGE A COMMUNITY OF MERELY PROFESSING INTO A COMMUNION OF SAINTS

CHRISTIANS,

EXHIBITING THE VITAL

TIAN FAITH AND LOVE.

ENERGIES OF CHRIS

Let every man endeavour to look at the question apart from prejudice and affection; and with truly Berean ingenuousness rise above the discouragements of novelty and desuetude, and nobly pause to inquire whether these things are so. Desuetude might well discourage us; for with the loss of the above interpretation of Baptism, all spirituality had well nigh

disappeared from our Church; and our present more favourable condition presents but too formidable obstacles to our recovery to sound principles of Baptismal Regeneration. But let not the fear of novelty discourage us; for there is in fact nothing novel in the view we have given on the contrary it is the doctrine of our sainted forefathers of the Reformation for which we plead and it is nothing but desuetude that clothes it with the air of novelty. Let every member of our Church, especially every minister of it, consider the plain terms of the Baptismal Service, as well as its general spirit and bearing; let him compare these with the Liturgy and each particular formulary; let him mark the harmony, and beauty, and consistency, and integrity, which this interpretation gives to the whole Book of Common Prayer: let him review the private sentiments of our Reformers, exactly harmonising with this view of their public authorised expression of them; let him superadd to this, the concurrent testimony of the Reformed Churches; let him reflect that it is unbelief alone which opposes this interpretation, while faith in the promise beholds it practicable as it is desirable; let him dwell on the manifold ADVANTAGES, which directly and necessarily flow from it-and let him then say, whether any other interpretation of our services can be conceived, so justly consentaneous both with their

letter and spirit, so effectual for the purpose of spiritual renovation for which they were designed, at once so truly honourable to God, and so truly beneficial to man?

The next point after conviction—is, to SET

ABOUT PRACTICALLY TO CARRY OUR CONVICTION INTO EFFECT.

And here example is of the last importance. Let every member, but especially minister of our Church, introduce his child into the Church for Baptism "on Sundays and other Holy-days, when the most number of people come together; let the Child, on no other account than that of mere necessity, be baptised in private; but let the notice of the "great Congregation" be earnestly excited, that the Child may have an interest in the prayers and sympathies of “the Communion of Saints," into which it is thus publicly and conspicuously introduced; let the minister especially, selecting those of his Congregation who are the most approved for piety, assign the spiritual charge of his Child to them as its Sponsors, that the people having this public testimony of his own estimation of the importance of the Sacrament, may follow his example, and thus effect that word of their minister, which his own practice recommends and confirms. "Doubt ye not therefore but earnestly believe," is an address that comes with bad grace from the mouth of a minister, who

is not himself supposed to believe the reality of those privileges he is recommending to the faith of another.

Again-LET THIS INTERPRETATION

PLAINED AT LARGE FROM THE PULPIT.

BE EX

An entirely new light will thus be thrown on all the service of the Church; and the minister need not be afraid of not exciting an interest by his exposition; for his hearers will doubtless confirm the usefulness of it by expressing their satisfaction at the view he has exhibited of blessings and privileges hitherto unknown to them, and for his disclosing to them the beauties and consistencies of a worship, of the perfection of which they were before but little aware. The blessings of a Christian communion, is what few seem to understand, and still fewer to expect from their union with our Church. But let the minister encourage this expectation, and it gives a new spirit to the whole of his administration of the service; it tends to dissipate weariness, to support the attention, and to give an energy and feeling unfelt before. And this is an improvement which the people will soon acknowledge: they will answer the call with alacrity, when the minister invites with earnestness, "Let us pray; a general interest in the service will be taken by the Congregation, because a general interest is demanded by the voice and manner of the minister. The minister is a saint leading "the Communion

of the Saints;" and as they have fellowship one with another, so through that communion of the Spirit, which unites them in fellowship "with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ," 1 they feel the Church to be, what it is ever intended to be to the faithful, none other but the house of God, and-the gate of heaven." 2

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ANOTHER means is-A DISTINCT AND FREQUENT INQUIRY FROM THE PULPIT OF PARENTS AND SPONSORS, WHETHER THEY ARE INDEED TRAINING UP THE CHILDREN, FOR WHOM THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO THE CHURCH, ACCORDING TO HER REQUISITIONS IN THE DUE DISCHARGE OF THEIR VOWS, AND THE DUE ENJOYMENT OF THEIR PRIVILEGES.

Let them not only be urged to duty by a sense of responsibility, but encouraged to it by the blessedness which attends the discharge of it both to the Sponsor and the Child. Let the minister declare his expectations, that their industry in teaching will, under God, be the means of preparing their charge to understand and enjoy his ministry, and his hope that when the Child is transferred to his public care as minister to be catechised in the Congregation, he will rejoice his heart and that of the Church, by the competency of his knowledge, and his experimental acquaintance with spiritual things. Let them frequently be reminded that the hopes

1 1 John i. 3.

2 Gen. xxviii. 17.