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lished for general instruction a Catechism, ori ginally composed for the use of the Lutheran Church at Norimberg, in Germany; which he republished in the subsequent year. From this production, and from his celebrated works upon the Sacrament, professedly also written for general instruction, I shall extract a few passages illustrative of the point in controversy.

"And as my intent and endeavour is to profit both," (viz. the old and young,)" and according to mine office to "bring both to right knowledge of God, so my most earnest "and humble prayer unto God continually shall be, that my "6 good mind and desire have good success, and take effect "according to my expectation. Which thing I assuredly "hope shall come to pass, if it please your Highness to suf"fer this little book, by me offered unto your Majesty, to be "read, taught and learned of the children of your most loving "subjects." Epistle dedicatory to King Edward.

dr I know that everlasting woe appertaineth unto me, if "I hold my peace and put not to my hands and tongue, to "labour in purging his vineyard. God I take to witness, "(who seeth the hearts of all men thoroughly unto the bot"tom,) that I take this labour for none other consideration "but for the glory of his name, and the discharge of my duty, " and the zeal, that I bear toward the flock of Christ. I "know in what office God hath placed me, and to what pur"pose, that is to say, to set forth his word truly unto his peo-·

In the Catechism there occurs a distinct sermon upon the subject of Baptism, which abounds with sentiments in direct contradiction to those which I am controverting. When com menting upon these words of our Saviour, "Ex"cept a man be born again, he cannot enter into "the kingdom of God," the Catechism remarks, that "it is very necessary for us to know, how "we must be born again; and what this second "birth is, without which we cannot enter into "the kingdom of God;" and then proceeds thus to define the mode of Regeneration. "The "second birth is by the water of Baptism, "which Paul calleth the bath of Regeneration, "because our sins be forgiven us in baptism, and "the Holy Ghost is poured into us, as into God's "beloved children, so that by the power and "working of the Holy Ghost we are born again

ple, to the uttermost of my power, without respect of per"son or regard of thing in the world, but of him alone."And moved by the duty, office and place, whereunto it hath

pleased God to call me, I give warning," &c.—Preface to a Defence of the true and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacra

ment.

"spiritually, and made new creatures. And so "by baptism we enter into the kingdom of God, "and shall be saved for ever, if we continue to "our lives end in the faith of Christ." Is not Regeneration here clearly described as the api propriate effect of Baptism; not indeed as an

indelible effect, according to the Calvinistical idea, but as one which will ultimately lead to Salvation, if we continue in the faith of Christ to our lives end?

Nor does the Catechism omit to point out in the phraseology of Luther that to which the regenerating effect of Baptism is to be ascribed. "Hitherto," it says, “ you have heard what we "promise to God when we are baptized; now "learn, what God worketh in us by baptism, and "what benefits he giveth us in the same. For "baptism is not water alone and nothing else "besides; but it is the water of God, and hath "its strength by the word of God, and is a seal "of God's promise. Wherefore it doth work in "us all these things whereunto God hath or

e P. 228. ed. 1548.

"dained it. For our Lord Jesus Christ saith, "Go and teach all nations, and baptize them in "the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This God commanded his disci

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ples to do. Wherefore by the virtue of this "commandment, which came from heaven, even "from the bosom of God, baptism doth work "in us, as the work of God. For when we be "baptized in the name of God, that is as much "as to say, as God himself should baptize us. "Wherefore we ought not only to have an eye "to the water, but to God rather which did "ordain the baptism of water, and commanded "it to be done in his name. For he is almighty, " and able to work in us by baptism forgiveness "of our sins, and all these wonderful effects and "operations for which he ordained the same, al"though man's reason is not able to conceive "the same."

Upon Baptismal regeneration indeed it again and again expatiates; but, as in the following passage, must always be understood, when al

f. P. 233.

luding to the case of adults, to confine the application of it to those only who believe." Learn "diligently I pray you the fruit and operation "of baptism. For it worketh forgiveness of sins, " it delivereth from death and power of the "devil, it giveth salvation and everlasting life "to all them that believe, as the words of Christ's "promise doth evidently witness. But perad "venture some will say; how can water work "so great things? To whom I answer, that it is "not the water that doth these things, but the

“ almighty word of God (which is knit and join"ed to the water) and faith, which receiveth "God's word and promise. For without the "word of God water is water, and not baptism. "But when the word of the living God is added "and joined to the water, then is it the bath of "Regeneration and baptism water, and a living spring of eternal salvation, and a bath, that "washeth our souls by the Holy Ghost 5,"

Is it possible for words more distinctly to assert, that Regeneration exists not before bap

SP. 238.