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[M2.160L] [M2.160] 160
compare, etc passage at A p 155 close to end of p 156
With these precautions let us approach examine the
views stated above in order.
1. That all persons are converted at Baptism, but that
conversion does not imply perfect safety.
If this but the view of the Church, her idea of
Now nearly every argument respecting Baptism is complicated Conversion is altogether different from that of many faithful
by this second question, and every approach to an understanding Christians and the question is less of Baptismal
on our head, is baffled by renewed misunderstanding regeneration than of the nature of Conversion itself.
or the other. The two questions cannot be settled at This question must be first cautiously approached and the
once: and yet they are so closely connected that it is most necessary perhaps of all that can at present be
difficult to reason out either of them without a side proposed.
reference and to resoects to the influence which Many experienced Christians look back to the time; and
its settlement is likely to have on the other: The high some to the moment, when they first became servants
Churchman will not think out the meaning of Conversion of Christ. Doubtless whether remembered or not there has
but it should interfere with his notion of the efficacy been such a moment for all christians. This is
of Baptism and the Evangelical will not listen to mathematically demonstrable at least unless rare souls are
any teaching respecting Baptism which appears likely to Christ’s from their birth! But if all those who were
diminish the importance he has attached to the idea of ever not Christ’s it is sure there was a time when if they
Conversion; But let us try to get rid of this had died, they had perished. Another time when if they
fashion conclusive fashion of looking at the had died they were safe: There is no neutral ground;
thing with one eye up and another down A man is either Christ’s or not½ There cannot be therefore
vid. p 4 M.S. so much as an instant in which he is neither Christ’s
friend nor enemy. Therefore the change from being the
one or being the other is instantaneous.
Now it is also true that a man must be either alive
or dead, and
vid p 175
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[Version 0.05: May 2008]