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                                                                      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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[Version 0.05: May 2008]