and the engagements entered into on the reception of that sacred ordinance, we shall not, on our system, find it necessary to deviate from the literal interpretation of our church documents, in the manner and to the extent which every other theory hitherto developed has, in one shape or other, been obliged to do.

We cannot inform the reader of the exact number of Tracts which the subjects of Baptism and Regeneration will occupy; because the MSS. are not reduced to such order as will enable us to make an accurate calculation. It certainly will require seven or eight Tracts, the size of the present one, to give a satisfactory exposition of every point of importance, and to afford a refutation of the most material errors which we conceive to be advanced on the opposite interpretation; independent of any reply to objections which may be made to our statements, or corrections, or explanations which we may hereafter find it necessary to offer to the public. For though we have not the least apprehension that any main pillar of our building can be shaken, it would imply a great degree of arrogance to assume that we have in no degree made mistakes in minor departments, on these very difficult subjects, in the handling of which many of the greatest men have fallen into serious errors. We do assuredly hope to give a more satisfactory answer to the real difficulties of this intricate subject than has yet been given; and especially such an answer as will utterly eraze the entire foundation upon which the "Oxford Tracts" have built their system of "Baptismal Regeneration."

LONDON: PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY, OLD BAILEY.

PLAIN TRACTS

FOR CRITICAL TIMES;

ON THE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS OF

BAPTISM AND REGENERATION,

&c.

WITH AN ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE

OXFORD TRACTS,

&c. &c.

OF REGENERATION,

ERRONEOUS INTERPRETATIONS, &c.

BETHELL, LAWRENCE, HOPKINS, BUDD, &c.

BY A UNION OF CLERGYMEN.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY SMITH, ELDER AND CO. CORNHILL.

LONDON:

PRINTED EY STEWART AND MURRAY,

OLD BAILEY.

REGENERATION.

ERRONEOUS INTERPRETATIONS, &c.

In the preceding Tract we endeavoured to prove two points, and we hope, satisfactorily, namely,-1, that Regeneration, according to the Scriptures and the church of England, is a holy and "spiritual change of heart and faculties," and that the "relative privileges" of justification, adoption, and a title to salvation, are always connected with, but do not form any part of regeneration; 2. That every definition or interpretation of regeneration which does not include real holiness of heart, is indubitably defective and erroneous.

In the present Tract we shall especially attend to three particulars; we shall endeavour,-1. To remove some erroneous interpretations;-2. To obviate objections, and explain some difficulties, arising out of texts of Scripture which seem to recognise a "relative regeneration," or to speak of persons as holy or regenerate, whose character does not indicate true holiness of heart;-and, 3. To examine into the genuine nature of that instruction which, as true sons of the church, we are in duty bound to afford to our congregations, in consequence of the views which our church takes of regeneration.

SECTION I.

Erroneous interpretations.

The notion of regeneration advocated by a dignified writer, as not including either in its nature or necessary connexions, any thing of real holiness of heart, or a spiritual change of nature, is essentially erroneous.

The views of regeneration pleaded for by another,† though professedly agreeing with our own, will not bear our axioms in their essential branches, inasmuch as it does not appear that his interpretation of regeneration is necessary to salvation. Whilst he confines regeneration to baptism, p. 63, et passim, he does not so confine salvation. He allows, as Bishop Bethell and Professor Pusey also allow, that both adults and infants may be saved without baptism, pp. 29, 166. Hence their notion of regeneration must be essentially defective.

We must likewise decline various other interpretations adopted by persons, who admit, under certain modifications, a notion of regeneration essentially different from, or additional to a radical change of heart; and which, when possessed, does not render such radical change unnecessary. But this notion involves a two-fold" "regeneration."

An author observes, "that our church considers all her members as having undergone a two-fold change; one in their nature, the fruit of which is repentance and faith; the other in their state and condition, by which the blessings of the Gospel are conferred." These benefits consist "in pardon of sin, the privileges of adoption, and the reward of eternal life."

Thus far we have the satisfaction to agree with our author. But he also states that "our church has appropriated the term regeneration to the change in our state and condition, to the conferring of inestimable privileges and spiritual blessings, to the introduction of a new and glorious order of things :"-" that with her, baptism and regeneration are synonymous and convertible terms;" though, as the "exception" and not "the rule," she "occasionally" uses the term in the homilies, for a "renewal * Bishop Bethell. Archbishop Lawrence.

Mr. Jerram.