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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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