[M2.156L]                                                             [M2.156]								156
                                                                      
[drawing]                                                             		determine first what Baptism is - and then whether it
                                                                      		should be given to children - but do not assume the
                                                                      		fitness of a practice which rests for great part of its
                                                                      		justification on the mere practice of the church;  and
                                                                      		on the strength of its weakness or dispute the meaning
                                                                      		of the words of the Bible.  Take the words of the Bible
                                                                      		as they are written and by them judge the practice of the
                                                                      		church.  Again, do not tacitly admit the thought that
                                                                      		there may be two kinds of Baptism, one for Infants and
                                                                      		another for adults.  I have never seen this thought
                                                                      		definitely expressed, but I think I have traced it in
                                                                      		many persons’ minds;  I only ask that you will not admit
                                                                      		it tacitly;  Write it out and express it clearly;
                                                                      		you perhaps think that the modern baptism of Infants is
                                                                      		a totally different thing from the Serious and faithful
                                                                      		baptism of the Eunuch or of Cornelius  or you think
                                                                      		that Infant baptism is only semi baptism and is completed
                                                                      		only as the rite of Confirmation.  Whether of these
                                                                      		opinions you entertain state it clearly;  and consider
                                                                      		what will follow from it - in the first case, that the
                                                                      		Baptism should be repeated at mature age - in the second
                                                                      		that the Grace of Baptism may be withheld by
                                                                      		God and its efficacy be incomplete until the time of
                                                                      		Confirmation.   Consider these points separately;  but
                                                                      		do not confuse either of them with the plain question
                                                                      		what is the Grace of full and perfect Baptism, received
                                                                      		at the proper time (return to top. p 160

[Version 0.05: May 2008]