6. Cleansing of Leprosy in Jordan. See 2 Kings v. 14. 7. The Pool of Siloam. See John ix. 7. 8. Circumcision on the 8th Day. The new week of life. See above, § iv. 2;-typical of Christ's Resurrection on the First Day of the week. XXI. What is it that alone makes Baptism to be what it is, and the instrument of such unspeakably great and precious benefits to all who receive it worthily? The gracious will and work of Christ. See below, Chap. IV. xiii. and comp. Exod. xv. 25. (Tree-the Cross. Waters-Baptism.) XXII. What is required of you and of all persons who have been baptized? "To lead the rest of my life according to this beginning "—more particularly 1. To live as a true child of God, striving to keep myself in His love, to grow in His grace, and to be restored to His image. See Jude 21. 2 Pet. iii. 18. 1 Pet. i. 15, 16. 2 Cor. vi. 18. vii. 1. ("Perfecting holiness,") &c. Matt. v. 48. ("Be ye therefore perfect,") &c. See below, Chap. IX. xix. 2. 2. To live as a lively member of Christ, "risen " with Him from the dead, abiding in His Word, and in Communion with His Body the Church, imitating His example, growing up unto Him in all things, and seeking the things that are above, where my "life is hid with Him." Bapt. Serv. final Exhort. See Col. ii. 12 John viii. 31. xv. 4. Jude 1. 1 Pet. ii. 21. Rom. viii. 29. Eph. iv. 12-16. Col. iii. 1-4. 1 John 3. To live as a new creature; "born anew," by 5. "To shine as a light in the world." Duty of 6. To be as "the salt of the earth," correcting and purifying the corruptions of the world. See Matt. v. 13. Mark ix. 50. DEVOTIONAL APPLICATION OF THE PRECEDING DOCTRINE. 1. Almighty God, Who hast given us Thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and (as at this time) to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that I being regenerate, and made Thy child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Collect for Christmas. 2. Grant, O Lord, that as I am baptized into the death of Thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying my corrupt affections I may be buried with Him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, I may pass to my joyful resurrection; for His merits Who died, and was buried, and rose again for me, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 3. Collect for Easter Even. O God, Whose blessed Son was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant me, I beseech Thee, that, having this hope, I may purify myself, even as He is pure; that when He shall appear again with power and great glory, I may be made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom; where with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, He liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Collect for 6th Sunday after Epiphany. 4. Stir up, I beseech Thee, O Lord, the will of Thy unworthy Servant; that I, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for 25th Sunday after Trinity. CHAPTER II. OF CONFIRMATION. Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.-1 Tim. vi. 2. The foundation . of laying on of hands.-Heb. vi. 2. ¶ READ over the Confirmation Office. See Appendix, Chap. III. I. What is the meaning of Confirmation? Two things:-1. Our Confirming, and ratifying Baptismal Vow. 2. God's Confirming, and strengthening us. II. Show where these two meanings appear in the Office or Order of Confirmation? See Preface and 1st Collect. Comp. Ps. xxvii. 16. xxxi. 27. III. To speak at present (in this chapter) of Confirmation, in the latter sense only, viz. God's confirming you tell me how many parts are there in this Holy Ordinance ? 1. Outward and visible sign. 2. Inward and spiritual grace. IV. Why, then, is it not a Sacrament like Holy Baptism? Because not" ordained by Christ Himself;" so far as we read in the New Testament. V. Show that it was ordained by the Apostles, and used by them as the seal or consummation of Baptism, in the case of those who were tr come to years of discretion." See Acts viii. 14-17. (St. Peter and St. John in Samaria.) Acts xix. 1-6. (St. Paul at Ephesus.) Heb. vi. 1, 21. Comp. Order of Confirm. 2nd Collect. 1 See also Acts xiv. 22. xv. 32. And Theoph. Anglic. Pt. I. Chap. xv. p. 141. VI. Show from the Passage of the Acts viii., and from the consequent practice of the Church, that Confirmation is a rite of great and peculiar dignity, in one respect superior even to Baptism itself. Baptism administered by Priests and Deacons, Confirmation by Bishops only. VII. Compare the "outward visible sign" of Confirmation with that of Baptism. 1. Banrioμós (with the words of Christ). Form of Cleansing. See Mark vii. 4. 8. Heb. washing his hands.) 2. ἐπίθεσις χειρῶν (with the Prayer of Bishop). Form of (a) Blessing. See Gen. xlviii. 14, 15. (Jacob-Ephraim and Manasseh.) Mark x. 16. (Jesus-little children.) (b) Healing and strengthening. See Luke v. 12, 13. ("A man full of leprosy.") iv. 40. (аσ0εvovvтαS.) Mark vi. 5. (appwσroι.) xvi. 18. Comp. Acts ix. 17, 18. (Ananias -Saul.) xxviii. 8. (St. PaulFather of Publius.) See above, § v1. 1 Sign ordained by God. Joshua.) Deut. xxxiv. 9. Service for ordaining and Deacons, with Acts xiii. 3. (χάρισμα.) See Numb. xxvii. 18–23. (Moses, Numb. viii. 10. And compare the consecrating Bishops, Priests, and 1 Tim iv. 14. v. 22. 2 Tim. i. 6. VIII. Compare "the inward and spiritual grace" of the two ordinances. 1. By reference to the outward and visible signs, which are used in both. 2. By reference to the offices of the Holy Ghost, Who is given in both. |