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Rite, which was originally called the Chrism, SER M. or Unction, Impofition of Hands, and the Sign or Seal of the Lord, in Process of Time took the Name of Confirmation. But now fince in Baptism there is an Engagement made by both Parties concerned in the Covenant, viz. both by GOD and the Perfon baptized; it follows that in Confirmation each Party confirms his Engagement.

To speak firft with Relation to the Perfon baptized; fuch Person, when he is confirmed, by standing to the Contract he made in his Baptifm, gives his fecond and full Confirmation that he will ever abide by it. And as to those more especially who are baptized whilst Infants, this Rite is moft abfolutely neceffary to make their Baptismal Covenant their own. For though the Engagement of Sureties is accepted by GoD, in behalf of Infants, which are not in a Capacity to contract for themfelves; yet when fuch Perfons as have been baptized in their Infancy, do afterwards arrive to the Years of Difcretion, GoD undoubtedly expects them to acknowledge the Covenant, and to take it upon themselves by their own Act and Deed, if they propofe or expect to have any Benefit from it. Benefit from it. This therefore is one of the Confiderations, on which our

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SER M. Church declares Confirmation fhould be obferved: viz. "To the End that Children,

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being now come to the Years of Difcretion, "and having learned what their Godfathers "and Godmothers promised for them in

;

Baptism; they may themselves with their "own Mouth and Confent, openly before "the Church ratify and confirm the same "and alfo promife, that by the Grace of "GOD they will evermore endeavour them"felves faithfully to obferve fuch things, as they by their own Confeffion have affented (c unto."

But as I just now hinted, GOD, as well as the Perfon baptized, is presumed to enter into a Covenant, at every Administration of Baptism. He promises and engages to forgive the Sins of the Perfon baptized for the Time paft, and to vouchfafe him the Assifance of his Holy Spirit for the Time to come. And the firft of thefe, the Forgiveness of Sins, is effected as well as fecured in Baptifm: In the Waters of which, Sin original (and actual, if the Perfon baptized have committed any, but duly repented of it) is washed away. But then the Affiftance of the Spirit is, in Baptism, in the Baptism of Infants especially, rather promised than given: It being not fuppofed

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upon

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to be fully communicated, till the Bishop in SER M. this Rite imposes his Hands, and prays to GOD to fend it down. For thus (as I have already had Occafion to observe) the Text af fures us that Philip could not confer the Holy Ghoft the Samaritans by Baptifm; nor did the Holy Spirit vouchfafe to defcend upon them, till the two Apoftles came from Jerufalem, and obtained him by Prayer and Impofition of Hands. And both that and the Inftance of the Ephefians alfo, who received the Holy Ghost, upon the Impofition of St. Paul's Hands, at a confiderable Time after they were baptized, plainly fhew that the laying on of Hands was neceffary to make both one and the other perfect Chriftians, or to compleat the Baptism which they had before received.

For this Reason, though the Church in all Ages has conftantly believed that Baptism alone is fufficient to fave a Perfon who dies immediately after it; yet fhe has always affirmed that thofe, who live, have Need of Confirmation. Agreeably whereunto, when our own Church declares that Baptism of itfelf is fufficient to Salvation, fhe speaks only of Children. "It is certain (faith she) by "GOD'S Word, that Children which are "baptized,

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SERM." baptized, dying before they commit actu"al Sin, are undoubtedly faved *;" or (as it was worded in our firft Common Prayer Book) "Children being baptized (if they depart out of this Life in their Infancy) are undoubtedly faved +." To fuch indeed the old Rubrick declares, "No Man fhall "think that any Detriment fhall come by deferring their Confirmation: But when "Children come to that Age, that partly by the Frailty of their own Flesh, partly

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by the Affaults of the World and the De"vil, they begin to be in Danger to fall in"to fundry Kinds of Sin; then it is most "meet that Confirmation be miniftred to "thofe that be baptized, that by Impofition of Hands and Prayer, they may re"ceive Strength and Defence against all Temptations to Sin, and the Affaults of "the World and the Devil ‡." It is true we are made, by the Sacrament of Baptism, Heirs of GOD, and admitted and received into the Inheritance as Sons: But ftill, till we receive, or at least till we are willing and de

* Rubrick at the End of the Office of Publick Baptism of Infants.

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First Book of King Edward VI.

Rubrick in the Old Books before the Office of Confirma

firous to receive the Rite of Confirmation, we S ERM. are but Babes in Chrift, in the literal Sense:

We are meerly Infants in Christianity, not able to refift the Violence of Oppofition, but hye exposed to every Affault, and in Danger of being foiled by every Temptation. In Baptifm we are fenfible, that, though it be administered to a Child that knows not what is done to him, yet fuch Child is admitted into the Ark of Chrift's Church, is lifted under his Banner, and marked for his Soldier, upon the Promises and Security which others give for his future Fidelity; But still it is neceffary, that, when he is of Age to enter upon his Warfare, he be equipped for the Battle, and furnished with Arms to withstand the Enemy. And this we conceive done in the Rite we are difcourfing of: When the Perfon who in Baptifm was born to Life, is now ftrengthened and confirmed to fight. The Holy Ghoft, who graciously defcends with his faving Prefence upon the Waters of Baptifm, there washes away our original Guilt, delivers us from God's Wrath, and renders us innocent and pure in his Sight: But in this fecond additional Ordinance, he enters into every Perfon who religiously and devoutly receives it, daily to increase and R 3

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