VII.

SER M. multiply in him the Gifts of his Grace, to dwell in him for ever, and fo to lead him in the Knowledge and Obedience of GOD's Holy Word, that in the End he may obtain everlafting Life in his eternal Kingdom. So that although the Benefits of Regeneration are fufficient (as I have faid) for those who prefently leave this World after they are baptized; yet to those who live, and are reserved to fight the Combats of the World, the auxiliary Aids of Confirmation are alfo neceflary. So at least thought the good Fathers of the Primitive Church *; who in their Writings too obferve that our Saviour himself did not enter Into the Wilderness, the Place of Temptation, before he was prepared for it by the Defcent of the Spirit: And again, that the Apoftles, though they had received Baptifmal Grace, and though cheared and encouraged with their Mafter's Prefence, were yet timorous and fearful, not daring to ftand the least Shock or Trial, till ftrengthened and confirmed by the Holy Ghoft. But from that Inftant, we know, they came forth into the World, fearless and undaunted, not to be

*Bingham's Antiquities, L. 12. c. 3. §. 6. vol. 4. p. 405,

406.

VII.

moved or fhaken from the Faith by any Ap. S ERM. prehenfions either of Prifon or Death.

This I hope is fufficient to fhew of what Use and Benefit Confirmation is; I fhall now proceed in the

V. FIFTH Place, To enquire into the proper Candidates for this Rite, or who the Perfons are that are called on to receive it. And here we are to attend to the Voice of our Church, which orders, that "fo foon

as Children are come to a competent Age, "and can fay in their Mother Tongue, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments; and also can answer to the "other Questions of the Church Catechism,

they shall be brought to the Bishop, in or"der to be confirmed." From whence wę learn that a Perfon's being meerly baptized is not a fufficient Qualification, except he also understand the Nature of his Baptifm, i. e. except he can give an Account of his Faith, and knows what Privileges he enjoys, and what Obligations he is laid under by it.

Here indeed our prefent Church differs fomething (and I think very rightly) from the Practice of the ancient one. For in the Primitive Times, fuch Perfons as were bap

R 4

t

tized

SER M. tized in the Prefence of the Bishop, were im

VII.

mediately prefented to him in order for Confirmation Nor was this done only with refpect to Perfons of riper Years; but also with regard to Children and Infants, who, if a Bishop was prefent, were frequently confirmed immediately upon their Baptifm. The fame is practifed in the Greek Church to this Day. And our own Church indeed declares of those that are baptized after they are come to Years of Difcretion, that " it is expedient "that every fuch Perfon fhould be confirm"ed by the Bishop, fo foon after his Bap"tifm as conveniently may be; that fo he may be admitted to the Holy Communion.” But then it is to be obferved that fuch Perfons fhe expects and requires to be "fufficiently inftructed in the Principles of the "Chriftian Religion," even before their Baptifm. But with relation to thofe who are baptized in their Infancy, the Cafe is different: For it being now required that Perfons, when confirmed, should renew the Vow that was made for them at their Baptifm, and ratify the fame in their own Perfons; it is fit they should know and understand the Nature of the Obligation, before they bind themfelves under it. And therefore the Confirma

VII.

tion of fuch Children is deferred, with a SER M. great deal of Reason, till they are come to a competent Age, and can fay their Catechifm. Children indeed, according to their Capacities, are of a competent Age, at different Years: Some being earlier in their Understandings, and fome later. But because it may be better that Children of forward Understandings should wait a little for their Confirmation, than that Children of backward and flow Apprehenfions should be admitted to it too foon; therefore the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London is pleased to direct that those who are offered to be confirmed by him, be of the Age of 14 Years at least. And none of this Age, if they have common Understanding, can be thought too young to have this Ordinance adminiftered to them. For it is very evidently the Defign of our Church, that Children be confirmed, though after their Infancy, yet before they can well enter into a Course of Sin; that fo the Holy Spirit may take early Poffeffion of their youthful Hearts, and prevent fome Sins, which, without his Affiftance, the very Tenderness of their Age would be apt to expose them to. It is indeed highly expedient (as I have fhewed already) that those who are confirmed should

be

VII.

SER M. be old enough to understand the Nature and Advantages of the Rite they are admitted to, and the Obligations it lays upon them. And if they are duly apprized of this, they are deemed by our Church to be qualified enough. For they that are capable of this Knowledge, are at Years to difcern between good and evil. And therefore that must be the proper Time to fecure them, as much as may be, in the Paths of Virtue, by the Ufe of this Ordinance, which is appointed to that End. And this is what is exprefly afferted in the old Rubrick I had Occafion to take Notice of under my next foregoing Head: "Forafmuch as Confirmation is miniftred to "them that be baptized, that by Impofition "of Hands and Prayer, they may receive "Strength and Defence against all Tempta, "tions to Sin, and the Affaults of the World " and the Devil; it is moft meet to be mi"niftred when Children come to that Age, "that partly by the Frailty of their own "Flesh, partly by the Affaults of the World "and the Devil, they begin to be in Danger "to fall into fundry Kinds of Sin."

This is all the Limitation that is any where given by our Church: She does not, to a Year, prescribe how foon a Child may re