that godfathers and godmothers should undertake that the child shall, in every instance, forsake evil courses, and live as becomes a true child of God. But in requiring this pledge from those who are sponsors for the child, the church looks to this, that the child shall be virtuously and godly brought up; that the honour of the Christian name and Christian profession be not disgraced; that having professed a belief in Christ, it shall be instructed in the nature of that faith; and having renounced the service of the devil, and entered into the service of God, it shall not fall back into a shameful slavery to the dominion of sin and Satan. This we have a right to expect from parents in the first instance; for our heavenly Father has entrusted to them a dear and solemn charge, and they must hereafter render account of the souls which have been given them. This, too, we expect from godfathers and godmothers that, as the name implies, they will in some degree act the part of fathers and mothers to the child, especially in regard of its spiritual instruction and welfare; that if the parents are removed, or fail in their duty, they will endeavour to supply their place, and watch over those whom they have brought to the font in baptism, and train them in the family of God's children, till they attend again (for so, strictly speaking, they should do) to take them to the bishop for confirmation, and there resign their charge to the

church which gave it. The provision made is most admirable; and excellent, indeed, would be the effects if it were duly regarded and executed. Let me entreat you, brethren, you who are parents in the first place, and you who have already, or may hereafter, act the friendly part of sureties for children at their baptism, to lay to heart the interesting and all important task which devolves upon you. What can be an instance of greater affection to children than to train them in the good and the right way; to take them, as far as lies with you, out of the power of the evil one, and place them under the care and guardianship of God; to plant good principles in their hearts, and secure for them the help and grace of the Holy Spirit? If there be, as indeed there is, a heavy woe denounced upon those who lead others astray, and cause them to offend by evil language or evil example, how dreadful must be the guilt of a parent leading his child into sin or neglect of duty; and of one who has answered for a child at baptism, showing that child the way to evil instead of good, and bringing that soul to ruin which God would have saved! How great, on the other hand, the delight of training up so many candidates for heaven, and leading them in the paths of holiness, righteousness, and peace! Oh, then, brethren, look well to your own ways, if it be but for the sake of those who are entrusted to

your care. Watch over your own conduct, and watch strictly, but tenderly and affec

tionately, over them. Guard your own lips, and let not your children hear an idle or profane word. Go to God in prayer morning and night, and instruct them how to pray. Read his word daily, and teach your children to read it and to love it. Come to the house of God, and bring them with you, and here procure a blessing for yourselves and for them. Then shall you deliver your own souls: you shall be free from the shame and the pang of their being lost and ruined through your neglect or misconduct. Nay, more, teach them as you ought, and show them the right way yourselves, and be assured with humble confidence, that God will prosper your endeavours, and they will be a blessing and an honour to you. If it please God to take them from you, you will resign them into his hands in the comfortable reflection that they have been trained here for the enjoyment of his presence: if you are taken from them, you will leave them to supply with advantage to themselves and others, and with honour to God, the place which you have left; and the care which you have bestowed upon them will be remembered with thankful blessings upon your heads. It will be remembered to your everlasting honour and joy in that day when they shall walk in white, singing praise to the Lamb whom they have learned in this lower state to love and adore.

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SERMON XIII.

OFFICE OF BAPTISM. (II.)

MATT. xxviii. 19.

"Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

AFTER the declaration made by the sponsors on the part of the child, follow some short prayers or collects, the introduction and form of which, in this place, is peculiarly beautiful and affecting. The same course is adopted in the Order for Baptism of persons of riper years, where the parties answer for themselves. The first of these is for the regeneration of the child or person, "that the old man in this child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him." The second for his sanctification, "that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him." The third, for strength against spiritual enemies, "that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh." The fourth, "that he may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly re

warded through the mercy of God." In these collects, then, we have the great and leading benefits of baptism set forth in scriptural language. Let us consider a little what these are: in other words, the state of man by nature, and under grace.

His state by nature is described in Scripture as a state of sin, in which he is exposed to the wrath of God; on which account we are said, in the language of our church, to be "born in sin and children of wrath :" strong expressions, denoting a condition of extreme peril. From this we are delivered through the grace of God, by being received into the family of his dear Son, and adopted as children, and heirs together with him. The former state, of alienation from God, is represented under the term "the old man, or old Adam;" which describes, moreover, a corrupt and depraved nature. It is the condition of every child of Adam, fallen with him from innocence and the favour of the Most High, and inheriting a disposition. and inclination to evil more than to good. That nice adjustment (if the term may be allowed) by which man was perfectly free in a state of innocence; - perhaps we should go farther that inclination to good, which was the glory of his condition when he came forth from the hand of his Maker, formed after the divine image, -that state of innocence, of ignorance of evil, and freedom from sinful passions and desires, was lost when he had