To those who have taken upon themselves the kind and friendly office of godfathers and godmothers, I would add, It is an instance of real kindness, an act of sincere friendship, if undertaken in a proper spirit, and executed with a due regard to its full intention. Consider, then, the promises which you have uttered in behalf of these children, and lay them seriously to heart. Let not the solemnity pass away with the mirth of an hour. It is a religious work which you have performed; and the promises made, and words pronounced, are registered in Heaven. Of the office of sureties in baptism there will be opportunity to speak hereafter, if God will. Let me now only say, Do not lose sight of these little objects of your care and kindness. You are in some degree their spiritual parents, to supply the place of their natural parents, if need be: in this respect you are workers together with your heavenly Father. Show yourselves such; show a real tenderness and affection for these children, by studying to promote their eternal well-being; make it your business to remember them in your prayers; then you will feel tenderly for them: teach them, lead them onward; and, oh! have a care, a constant and tender care, lest you destroy the good work begun by you, and by evil word or evil example betray to their great enemy, the souls which you are engaged to nourish in godliness.

Finally, brethren, be it the care of all of us who have now witnessed the admission of these

new members into Christ's family, to call to mind the pledges once made, and often renewed on our part, and the vows which are still upon us; and let us check continually every proud thought that may rise in our hearts, by the reflection, that, whatever may be our age or our experience, whatever our advancement in worldly wealth or greatness, our progress in intellectual attainments, or even our fancied growth in grace, we must "humble ourselves even as these little children," if we would be "great in the kingdom of heaven." * "Wherefore, laying aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and evil speakings, as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." +

Matt. xviii. 4.

+ 1 Pet. ii. 1, 2.

188

SERMON XII.

OFFICE OF BAPTISM.

JOHN, iii. 5, 6.

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

IN a former discourse I set forth, somewhat generally, the nature and privileges of baptism. It should be considered in a twofold point of view; as the entrance into the church of Christ, and thereby into covenant with God; and as a sign and means of grace,of grace actually bestowed. In a sacrament there are two parts, an outward sign, and an inward and spiritual grace; the excellence of the former consisting in this, that it is a pledge, and assurance of the latter. In baptism the outward sign is water, which being in common use for cleansing the body, our Lord has made a sign and emblem of the grace

of God purifying the soul. Where this ordinance, then, is duly administered and faithfully received, the grace of God certainly attends it. For of what use is the outward and visible sign, if it be not accompanied by the thing signified? Of what, then, is it a sign? Of something which exists only in imagination—something future, which perhaps may never take effect? This is impossible. If, then, you would think rightly on this subject, you will regard baptism, not as an useful or an important ceremony only; still less as an occasion of calling your friends and neighbours together; you will regard it as a solemn religious ordinance, blessed with a promise of a blessing from God. You will believe that this blessing really attends it; that grace is really given. And, need I add? you will duly honour with holy thoughts and devout prayer this ordinance of our Lord's appointment.

Such being the true nature of baptism, there will be several important questions connected with it; and I know not that I can bring them before you in any way more usefully than by making some remarks on the Office of Baptism, as prescribed to be used by our church; by which will likewise appear how great care has been bestowed upon this part of our liturgy. There are, indeed, three offices, one for the public baptism of infants; one for private baptism in case of necessity, and for receiving the child so baptized into

the congregation; and a third, which was added at a later period, for the baptism of persons of riper years. There is little difference in the forms; we will take that which is in most common use, the public baptism of infants, and mark the important points of difference as they arise.

It opens with an address to the congregation, reminding them of the sinful condition of every one that is born into the world, referring to the words of our Lord as showing the need of a new and spiritual birth in baptism, and asking their prayers that the child or person now to be baptized may thus obtain that thing which by nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's Holy Church, and made a lively member of the same." The thing which by nature a child cannot have the covenanted promise of pardon and grace is to be obtained by a new and spiritual birth. "That which is born of the flesh is fleshly," like that which gave it birth; it partakes of the nature of its parents. To become "a child of God," it must be "born again of water and of the Spirit." For so has our Lord ordained; joining these together, so that they may not be separated. The congregation, therefore, are requested to call upon God to give this precious gift, which none but He hath power to bestow, to the infant now presented to him. The ordinance is of