166 156 de[t]termine 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
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