M. I have plainly showed you the nature of true conversion, even faith and repentance; that is, the nature of the covenant made at your baptism in your name, to be sincerely renewed afterwards by yourself. What say you now to it, upon consideration of the whole? Can you heartily consent to it, and thus give up yourself to the service of God and of his Son Jesus Christ?

P. O, Sir, it is a great business; I must have many a thought of it yet, before I shall understand it well; and many a thought more, to overcome all the backwardness of my heart. Such a work is not to be so rashly done.

M. I like your answer, if it come not from unwillingness, nor imply a purpose of delay. That which must needs be done, or you are for ever undone, cannot be done too soon, so it be done well. But tell me, were you never confirmed by a Bishop, by the laying on of his hands?

P. Yes.

M. The Bishop, before he gave his blessing to those who presented themselves for confirmation, and implored upon them the Holy Ghost, put this question to them: "Do you here, in the presence of God and of this congregation, renew the solemn promise and vow that was made in your name at your baptism; ratifying and confirming the same in your own persons; and acknowledging yourselves bound to believe and to do all those things which ye then undertook, or your sponsors then undertook for you?" And you were every one to say, "I do." And it is ordered that " none shall be admitted to the Holy Communion till such time as he or she be confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be confirmed."

P. But if I must make the same preparation and covenant as if I were newly to be baptized, had it not been better to have forborne my baptism till now?

20.

M. Certainly not. All who are to be entered into Christ's church as its members and his disciples, must enter by baptism; and this can never be done too soon. Christ saith, Matt. xxviii. 19, "Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.” Baptism, then, is made the door of entrance into the Christian church; and there is no authority, nor example of entering any other way.

The infants of believers are to be admitted into Christ's church as its infant members and disciples; for Christ came not to destroy church privileges, but to enlarge them. Circumcision admitted the Jews' children; and though circumcision cease, the church-membership of infants ceaseth not.

God joined the children with the parents in promises and threats, blessings and cursings, in all ages before circumcision. There is no proof that ever God had any church on earth, of which infants were not members.

God hath by nature and institution made it the duty of parents to admit their children into his covenant. But under the Gospel there is no appointed way of doing this but by baptism. If God commands us to dedicate them to him, he will certainly receive them.

Scripture assures us, that Christ would not have cast off the Jewish nation, and consequently their children, from their church-state, if their own unbelief and rejecting of him had not done it. Matt. xxiii. 38. "O Jerusalem! how oft would I have gathered thy children, as a hen gathereth

her chickens under her wings, and

ye

They were broken off, because of unbelief: 'and the gentiles are grafted into the same olive; are taken into the same church-state.

Christ tells us, Matt. xxviii. 19, that nations are capable of being discipled. And "the kingdoms of the world are to be the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ" but there is no nation or king. dom of which infants are not a very considerable part.

Again, Christ himself was angry with his disciples, that would have kept little children from him; and said, "Forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And therefore he is still ready to receive them when dedicated to him.

And the apostle tells us, that " our children are holy;" which must needs signify more than legi. timate, for such are all heathens' children.

The apostles baptized whole households: and the universal church, in all ages, hath observed infant baptism.

Infants have a visible way of sin and misery, by natural descent. And if there were no visible way of their recovery by forgiveness, what hope could we have for the salvation of any of our infants? P. But they believe not.

M. Nor do they sin; and yet, on account of their original corruption, they need a Saviour. Yet though they believe not actually, faith is promised for them by their sponsors.

P. But what good doth it to those that understand not?

M. Is it no good to have a sealed pardon of original sin? And a covenant-relation to God the

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? And a visible title to the blessings of the covenant? And to be "no more strangers, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the church or household of God;" and if they die, to be rendered capable of life eternal; and thus to be regenerated, and, from being "children of wrath, to become children of grace:" all which are the benefits of baptism?

P. Have you any more to say to me on this subject?

M. Yes: I must let you know in what manner this covenant must be made. If you will be a Christian indeed, and have the benefit of it, you must consent to the whole covenant of God, and not to some part only. You must be devoted to your Creator, your Redeemer, and your Sanctifier: you must take him for your Lord, your Ruler, and your Saviour: you must be willing to be sanctified as well as pardoned, and to be saved from sin, and not only from punishment.

You must be ready to take up the cross, and deny yourself for Christ. You must take God and Heaven for your portion, and resolve to cleave to God, if you meet with ever so much tribulation in the world.

You must enter into covenant with God absolutely, without any secret exception or reserve. If you secretly keep a reserve in your heart, that you will come to Christ but upon trial; and that you will be religious as far as will consist with your prosperity and safety in this world; if you secretly except either honour, estate, or life, resolving not to lay it down though Christ require it; you then play the hypocrite, and will lose all.

Lastly; you must, without delay, give up your

self to God, and not profess that you will do it ⚫ some time hereafter. If you only consent to repent and be converted at some distant period, this is no repentance, conversion, nor true covenant with God. All this you must understand and do, And now I will give you time to learn and resolve on all that I have said to you. Read over and over the exposition which I have given you, and ask the meaning of what you do not understand: and when you have done all, come to me and tell me your resolution.,

Prayer suited to the Condition of a Penitent Christian.

(In the Language of the Book of Common Prayer.)

O Almighty God and Heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal church, by the precious blood of thy dear Son; I heartily thank thee, that by baptism I have been admitted into this thy family, and called into a state of salvation. But, O merciful Father, I have erred and strayed from thy ways. I have done the things which I ought not to have done, and have left unlone the things which I ought to have done; and here is no health in me. In thought, in word, and in deed, I have most grievously offended thy divine Majesty; and have justly provoked thy wrath and indignation against me. But, O Lord, who art a merciful God, full of compassion, longsuffering, and of great pity; who sparest when we deserve punishment, and in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy; spare me, good Lord, spare me;