CATECHISM OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, COMPILED FROM THE FORMULARIES, AND OTHER AUTHORIZED PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved.- MATT. xvi 16 LONDON: J. HATCHARD & SON, PICCADILLY. ARTHUR NEWLING, 27, BOLD STREET, LIVERPOOL.. PREFACE. In the present day, when the controversy respecting the efficacy of Baptism is revived amongst Churchmen, and the question, whether the Church of England does, or does not teach the doctrine of "Baptismal Regeneration," whatever may be understood by that term, is mooted with no little warmth, it is of the utmost importance to have the authoritative teaching of the Church, in her various authorised publications, brought together under one view, and clearly set forth. The design of the present Tract, is to accomplish this; an attempt to give the full sense of the doctrinal teaching of the Church of England, upon the Sacrament of Baptism, in the language of its appointed formularies, and other authorised publications. The publications referred to, in addition to the Book of Common Prayer, with the Articles of A. D. 1571, the book of Homilies, and the Canons of A. D. 1604, are 1. The Catechism, approved by the Synod, A. D. 1552, and set forth by royal authority, 20th May, 7th Ed. vi., A. D. 1553. 2. A Catechism, written by Alex. Nowell, D.D., Dean of St. Paul's, which received the sanction of the Convocation A. D. 1562. 3. An Apology for the Church of England, by Bishop Jewell, which received the sanction of the Convocation A. D. 1562. The catechetical form has been adopted as the simplest mode of uniting quotations drawn from so many sources, and those so greatly differing in their style. That the Tract may be generally useful in giving a correct view of the Church's Teaching on this important subject, is the earnest desire and prayer of Newton, 1849. THE COMPILER. Q. Why do you call it your christian name? A. Because it was given to me when I was admitted into the Church of Christ by Baptism, and so made a Christian. Q. What is the warrant for the practice of giving a name at Baptism? A. The example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who received his name when he was circumcised. "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus." Q. Who gave you this name? Luke ii. 21. A. "My god-fathers and my god-mothers in my Baptism, wherein I was made a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven." Church Catechism. |