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and triumphs of religion? No; the Scriptures, by the luminous discovery which they make of the perfections and will of the one supreme Lord and Maker of the universe-of the purposes of his mercy, through a Saviour, to a fallen world-of the existence and glories of the future state-are the only source of a hope that maketh not ashamed, a hope that will not be moved by the rudest blasts of adversity. In some enlightened heathen, reason may have cherished a pride and greatness of soul that looked down upon sorrow; but reason never inspired that meek resignation, that triumphant but peaceful joy, which the faith of the Scriptures can excite in the most humble believer.

If such be the value of the sacred writings, let us be impressed with the duty and importance of making them the subject of our constant and devout study and meditation.

They unfold the counsels and will of the Maker and Lord of the universe; they ascertain what, to sinful and immortal creatures, is interesting above all that in the world occupies or attracts us-the means whereby we may be restored to our offended Maker and Judge; they offer to our faith those great and precious promises which will make us partakers of the divine purity, and inspire us with triumphant and unfailing hope. Let not, then, these precious depositaries of the mercy of our Almighty Sovereign, of all that concerns our perfection and happiness in the present life, or the eternal one which is to succeed it, be contemned or slightly regarded. Let not the corrupting reveries of an inflamed imagination, the sallies of unlicensed wit, or the theories of a sceptical philosophy-let not even human wisdom, in her brightest

and purest form, draw forth the ardour of curiosity, and occupy the taste, the feelings, and the understanding; while the Scriptures of truth, the oracles of the living God, the knowledge which makes wise unto salvation, are forgotten or neglected. Let not a fastidious taste, let not a superficial and corrupt fancy, let not a profane pride undervalue what the wisest men in every age have prized as the best gift of God to man. And, my brethren, let not those who receive and acknowledge the worth and importance of the sacred volume, be guilty of the inconsistency of not studying the divine truths and practising the holy lessons which it contains.

Brethren, would you be conducted to the mercy and favour of God, the dread Being who made and is to judge you? Would you be enlightened in the saving knowledge of his will? Would you purify your hearts and establish them in holiness and virtue? Would you fortify them with that faith and hope which will raise you above the sorrows, and the corruptions, and temptations of the world? Would you attain that fulness of divine knowledge and purity which will prepare you for the presence and enjoyment of God in his heavenly kingdom? The sacred writings must be the subjects of your serious and devout study. Read them with that humility, gratitude, and reverence which are due to the messages of mercy from the everlasting Jehovah to his rebellious creatures; but especially read them with earnest prayer that the Divine Spirit, which dictated them, may bless them to your salvation. Keep steadily in view the end for which they were promulgated-to turn you from darkness to light, from the power of sin and Satan unto God-to purify you from all iniquity, to estab

452 THE SCRIPTURES the sourCE OF HOPE, &c.

lish you in every grace and virtue, and thus to prepare you for the glory and bliss of that eternal life which is the gift of God through him whom they set forth as the Saviour of the world. And that this may be the blessed fruits of our perusal of the sacred oracles, let us again address God in the collect for the day. "Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ."

SERMON XXXIV.

REGENERATION AND RENOVATION.

TITUS in. 5.

The washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

THE subject of baptismal regeneration is very generally misunderstood. Our church has been exposed to considerable censure for maintaining this doctrine in her offices and formularies. It is deemed expedient, therefore, briefly to explain and defend this scriptural and primitive article of faith. I trust, my brethren, that you will all accompany me seriously and attentively in this inquiry. I might choose subjects perhaps better calculated to gratify your fancy and to warm your feelings; but I can choose none that should be more interesting to you as Christians and as Churchmen. As Christians, it is of the utmost importance that you should understand the nature and the privileges of that holy sacrament in which the name of Christians was imposed upon you; and, as Churchmen, you ought to be able to vindicate the correctness of the terms which your church applies to this holy ordinance.

In order to obtain a perspicuous and comprehensive view of this subject, the following order shall be observed in the discussion of it:

I. The sense of the Church of England, and of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, on the subject of baptismal regeneration, shall be exhibited.

II. This sense shall be defended by the authority of Scripture, of the primitive church, of the reformed churches, and of some of the most eminent divines of the English church.

III. The distinction shall be laid down between regeneration and renovation.

IV. The doctrine of regeneration and renovation shall be applied to the case of infants-of adults receiving baptism rightly, on a sincere profession of repentance and faith-of adults receiving baptism unworthily, in impenitence and unbeliefof baptized persons who have violated their baptismal engagements-and of those who are desirous of fulfilling these engagements.

V. The way will then be opened for answering the charges which have been urged against this doctrine, and for an improvement of the whole subject.

This discussion is commenced under the full persuasion that this doctrine is a fundamental and most important part of the Christian scheme, and that a correct understanding of it will remove every objection which prevails against it, and tend to revive this scriptural and primitive article of faith. Your preacher has only to request that no person will admit in his mind a decision against this doctrine, until he has taken a deliberate and dispassionate view of the whole series of these

remarks.

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