was important to confine within a moderate compass, obliged the author to adopt this course, instead of undertaking to expatiate at large through the immense field of learning, which has been cultivated-and sometimes unprofitably enough-on the subjects in question. Nor even upon this plan, has he given place to more than a small part of the passages which he had noted for insertion; although, if he is not greatly deceived, there will be found an ample sufficiency of the best authority on every point which called for its support. He commits his humble work to the candid consideration of his readers; and especially to the blessing of Him, who is the Great Head of the Church, and who has promised to be with. it, 'alway, even to the end of the world.' Burlington, Vermont, B CONTENTS. LECTURE I. The command to come to Christ-Obedience 1-12 LECTURE II. The Protestant Episcopal Church misunder- eration is the act of our adoption to be the children of God -The ordinance appointed to seal the promise of this ad- option is baptism-In the case of adults to be baptised, the change of heart must precede baptism-In the case of in- fants this change must follow-Analogy drawn from the ancient laws regarding the adoption of the children of oth- ers- -What benefit do infants derive from baptism-What is the quality of the divine blessing granted to them in bap- LECTURE III. The objection made to sponsors in baptism— Explanation of the sponsor's duty-Analogy from the prin- ciples of human law-Brief sketch of the history of infant dedication-The rite of circumcision-Its true character -Examination of the argument of our Baptist brethren- The circumstances of the Apostles in reference to the Mo- saic system-The analogy of the two dispensations-Au- thority of the New Testament on the nature and privilege of baptism-Sentiments of the primitive fathers-Irenaeus -Tertullian-Cyprian-The same on sprinkling or affu- sion-Sentiments of the Reformers-Luther-Calvin-The LECTURE IV. Confirmation-Definition of this ordinance— the Bible and the Apostles for the sake of differing with the 70-103 LECTURE V. The charges brought against the Church on the score of missions--The Bible Society--Prayer meet- ings--Revivals--Dangers of the modern revival system-- The good effected by it can be done as well and more safe- ly in the old way--The defect of the ministry lies in the private rather than in the public walk of their official duty -Mode of exciting the zeal of our people most to be com- mended-The defect and the proper remedy. 104--125 LECTURE VI. The progress of the age--The Temperance Society--The Episcopal Church, as a body, accused of not uniting with it--Reasons assigned at large. 126-152 LECTURE VII. The privilege of worshipping the Almighty-- Our mode the subject of many objections--The use of min- isterial garments justified by Scripture and the primi- tive Church-The surplice--Biblical proof--Primitive practice--Spiritual associations-Objection that it is a rem- nant of Popery, and derived from the priests of Isis, an- swered --Forms of prayer--The Old Testament--Our Lord's example--The Lord's prayer-Practice of the Jew- ish synagogue-Buxtorf's testimony--Cyprian on the Lord's prayer--Chrysostom on the Lord's prayer--The primitive liturgies-Impossibility of liturgies being universally adop- ted if the Apostolic Church had been accustomed to ex- temporaneous worship-Principle on which the English re- B* |