"Now, we ask the Episcopal expositors to tell us where we are to look for godfathers or godmothers at the baptisms mentioned in the Acts? Where is the doctrine of the regeneration of baptized infants in the Acts? Where is the doctrine of a Divine life begun in baptism and perfected in confirmation? What are the proofs of such regeneration as a qualification for confirmation? The only qualification prescribed by the Book of Common Prayer for confirmation by the bishop, is ability to repeat the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Catechism. Of repentance towards God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ there is not a word. Here, then, we have a generation of young persons on whom Episcopal hands are laid, and who are taught to believe that, in consequence of this act, they have received an influx of spiritual grace, implanting new, and invigorating old spiritual principles, and raising them at once to the stature of Christian manhood. Was there ever such delusion! How long will men of sense in the Established Church endure it!"—Dr. Campbell.
[28] The writer of this paper once heard a young man say, when reeling out of a public-house, "Well, as I have the old score wiped away to-day by the bishop himself, I can afford to run up another short one."
[29] See vol. i. p. 92.
[30] See vol. i. p. 104.
[31] Missionary Enterprises in South Sea Islands. By Rev. John Williams.
[32] See Dr. Hook's Sermons on Church and Establishments.
[33] The Life of the Rev. John Williams. By the Rev. E. Prout. Snow, London.
[34] If we suppose, with some of the Tractarians, that he was now ordained to the apostolic office, then we have a series of irregularities: he labours for years before he receives ordination, and when he does receive it, it is not from the hands of apostles, but some very inferior officials connected with the church at Antioch.
[35] April, 1843.
[36] Whately on the Kingdom of Christ, p. 180.