4th Monday (19) O Root of Jesse, who art placed for a sign of the people, before whom kings shall shut their mouths, whom the Gentiles shall supplicate; come Thou to deliver us, do not larry. (Vide 4th Sunday for the intervening Antiphon.) 4th Tuesday (20) 4th Wed. (21) 4th Thurs. (22) 4th Friday (23) (hhh) Collect.) O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who openest and none shutteth, who shuttest and none openeth, come Thou, and bring forth the captive from the house of bondage, who sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death. O rising Brightness of the Everlasting Light and Sun of Righteousness, come Thou and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. O King and the Desire of all nations, and chief Cornerstone, who makest two to be one, come Thou and save man whom Thou formedst from the clay. O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the gatherer of the people and their Saviour, come Thou to save us, O Lord our God. Christmas Eve, &c. 1st week. Raise up, we beseech Thee, &c. 3d week. Give ear, we beseech Thee, &c. 4th week. Raise up, we beseech Thee, &c. Sunday follow ing.) OXFORD, The Feast of St. John the Baptist. ERRATUM. 66 In pages 35, 36, 41, 42, 45, 46, 63, 82, the words "Jube, Domine, benedicere" are translated by mistake, Sir, pray for a blessing," instead of, Sir, be pleased to bless us." " [FOURTH EDITION.] These Tracts are sold at the price of 2d. for each sheet, (except No. 75) or 7s. for 50 copies. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE. 1840. GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London. The following Works, all in single volumes, or pamphlets, and recently published, will be found more or less to uphold or elucidate the general doctrines inculcated in these Tracts :· Bp. Taylor on Repentance, by Hale.-Rivingtons. Bp. Taylor's Golden Grove.-Parker, Oxford. Vincentii Lirinensis Commonitorium, with translation.— Parker, Oxford. Pusey on Cathedrals and Clerical Education.-Roake and Varty. Hook's University Sermons-Talboys, Oxford. Pusey on Baptism (published separately).-Rivingtons. Newman's Sermons, 4 vols.-Rivingtons. Newman on Romanism, &c.-Rivingtons. The Christian Year.-Parker, Oxford. Perceval on the Roman Schism.-Leslie. Herbert's Poems and Country Pastor. Evans's Scripture Biography.-Rivingtons. Le Bas' Life of Archbishop Laud.-Rivingtons. Jones (of Nayland) on the Church. Bp. Bethell on Baptismal Regeneration.-Rivingtons. Bp. Beveridge's Sermons on the Ministry and Ordinances.-Purker, Oxford. Bp. Jolly on the Eucharist. Fulford's Sermons on the Ministry, &c.-Rivingtons. A Catechism on the Church.-Parker, Oxford. Larger Works which may be profitably studied. Bishop Bull's Sermons.-Parker, Oxford. Wall on Infant Baptism.-Do. Pearson on the Creed.-Do. Leslie's Works.-Do. Bingham's Works.-Straker, London. Palmer on the Liturgy.-University Press. Hooker, ed. Keble.-Do. Palmer on the Church.-Rivingtons. TRACTS FOR THE TIMES. CATENA PATRUM. No. II. TESTIMONY OF WRITERS IN THE LATER ENGLISH CHURCH TO THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. CONSIDERING the confidence and zeal with which modern and unscriptural views on the subject of Christian Baptism are put forth at the present time, it will not be unseasonable to present the reader with some testimonies from the writings of Anglican Divines in behalf of the doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration. By this doctrine is meant, first, that the Sacrament of Baptism is not a mere sign or promise, but actually a means of grace, an instrument, by which, when rightly received, the soul is admitted to the benefits of CHRIST'S Atonement, such as the forgiveness of sin, original and actual, reconciliation to GOD, a new nature, adoption, citizenship in CHRIST's kingdom, and the inheritance of heaven,-in a word, Regeneration. And next, Baptism is considered to be rightly received, when there is no positive obstacle or hindrance to the reception in the recipient, such as impenitence or unbelief would be in the case of an adult; so that infants are necessarily right recipients of it, as not being yet capable of actual sin. So much as these two positions is certainly held by every one of the authors of the following passages, though it is impossible to bring out their full meaning in such brief extracts, however carefully selected. VOL. III.-76. B There is a variety of questions connected with the subject beyond the two positions above set down, on which the writers under review differ more or less from each other, but not so as in the slightest degree to interfere with their clear and deliberate maintenance of these. Such, for instance, as the following:Whether grace be given in and through the water, or only contemporaneously with it. Again, whether Baptism, strictly speaking, conveys the blessings annexed to it, or simply admits into a state gifted with those blessings, as being the initiatory rite of the covenant of mercy. Or, again, whether or not Baptism, besides washing away past sin, admits into a state in which, for sins henceforth committed, Repentance stands in place of a Sacrament, so as to ensure forgiveness without specific ordinance; or whether the Holy Eucharist is that ordinance; or whether the full and explicit absolution of sin after Baptism is altogether put off till the day of judgment. Or, again, there may be difference of opinion as to the state of infants dying unbaptized. Or, again, whether Regeneration is an instantaneous work completed in Baptism, or admits of degrees and growth. Or, again, whether or not the HOLY SPIRIT can utterly desert a soul once inhabited by Him, except to quit it for ever. Or, whether the change in the soul made by Baptism is indelible, for good or for evil; or may be undone, as if it had never been. Or, how far the enjoyment of the grace attached to it is suspended on the condition of our doing our part in the covenant. All these are questions, far from unimportant, but which do not at present come into consideration; the one point, maintained in the following extracts, being, that infants are by and at baptism unconditionally translated from a state of wrath into a state of grace and acceptance for CHRIST's sake. 1. Jewell. 2. Hooker. 3. Andrews. 4. Donne. 5. Field. 6. Jackson. 7. Laud. 8. Bramhall. 9. Hammond. 10. Taylor. 13. Barrow. 14. Thorndike. 15. Pearson. 16. Bull. 17. Comber. 18. Ken. 19. Patrick. 20. Beveridge. List of Authors cited. 22. Scott. 23. Jenkin. 24. Sherlock. 27. Nelson. 37. Jones. 38. Heber. 39. Jebb. 40. Van Mildert. 41. Mant. N. B. It would be easy to extend this list, were it necessary : vid. Cosin's Devotions, Stanhope's Boyle Lectures, &c. |