for have been properly prepared and taken to the Bishop, to be confirmed at a proper age. Let us now leave the infant, whose baptism we have been in idea attending, to the care of his parents, and retire to our closets as soon as we have an opportunity, there to reflect further upon the good work we have been engaged in, and to beseech God to cherish and improve by his grace the pious resolutions it has excited, The baptized Infant being by the mercy of God received into the Ark of Christ's Church by means of the HOLY SACRAMENT of BAPTISM, he will doubtless there remain safe during his years of innocence, and should it please his HEAVENLY FATHER, to take him out of this world before he is capable of committing actual sin, he will certainly be admitted through the satisfaction of the Redeemer into the Kingdom of Heaven. The parents may now cheerfully partake with their friends of the festive entertainment which their hospitality has provided on the occasion, for they have ample cause for rejoicing; but after being present at such a solemnity, they will surely rejoice with moderation, not with riotous mirth, like those whose hearts are sensual, but as Chris tians, who prefer heavenly things to earthly. May the peace of GoD crown the happiness of all who thus dedicate their children to God; and enable them to bring them up in his holy ways! I have taken this particular view of the different parts of the sacred office for the ministration of BAPTISM to infants with the hope of leading parents and others, who are engaged in the education of children, into a serious consideration, not only of the importance of this HOLY SACRAMENT as a means of grace, but of its use and advantages as the foundation of a CHRISTIAN EDUCATION; and I shall endeavour to shew, as we proceed, how iś should be applied for the latter purpose. CHAP. CHAPTER II. On the Spiritual condition of baptized Infants, and the first parental Duties. BEFORE the mother commences the task of education, it is requisite for her to have a proper idea of the spiritual condition of infants after they have been baptized. Various are the opinions of learned authors who have written upon this subject, and it would be presumptuous in me to attempt the full discussion of so difficult a question in theology, yet I cannot wholly pass it by; and I trust there will be no danger either of my falling into error myself, or misleading others, whilst my opinion accords with the Office of Baptism: which, if I understand it aright, indicates that the baptised infant, through the efficacy of the spiritual grace bestowed in that Holy Sacrament, is cleansed from the defilement of original sin, freed from the penalty of everlasting death, adopted as the child of GOD, and made an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven. If such be the condition of a baptized infant I conceive that instead of regarding him as a corrupt a corrupt creature, disposed to evil and averse to all goodness, we are to consider him as a new-born creature, in whom a new principle, the seed of Divine Grace, is implanted, to eradicate the evil principle derived from Adam, and to dispose him to goodness, and virtue. To think of a baptized infant in any other light, is in fact to deny the sanctifying and vivifying efficacy of that Holy Sacrament which was ordained by CHRIST himself as a means of purification and regeneration. The contrary opinion is partly built upon a few texts of Scripture which are understood to relate to the universal corruption of human nature; and partly upon the perverseness frequently to be observed in the temper and disposition of children in their earliest years, and their propensity to do those things which in adults proceed from wicked inclinations; but it is not fair to judge of the actions of infants, by the same rule by which the actions of men are judged; for though they partake of the same nature, there is a considerable difference in their moral capacities, and relative situations. Let me not, however, be understood as disputing the doctrine of the general the universal depravity of Human nature, I have already acceded to the opinion that infants are born in sin, the children of wrath; and I am equally ready to admit that he who who is born of a woman cannot be deemed righteous, but through the merits of the Redeemer, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit; and that no one can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from sint; and I also allow that the imagination of man's heart is evil from his YOUTH, unless restrained by divine Grace : that there is none that without this grace doeth good, no not one; but from the expressions of our Saviour himself, are we not led to believe, that infancy is to be regarded as a state of innocence? When the disciples asked our Lord, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, he called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.-Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.Whosoever shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.—Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones, for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of Job xv. 14. + Prov. xx. 9. Gen. viii. 21. my |