The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-16

rious matter-quite equal to seed or germ or
leaven of Popery. We do not wonder the South
era Chlrchnan is anxious to parry this thrust by
trying to make out that the author was not an
Episcopalan. But it has been proved that he was
one in all his convictions, and these thrusts at the
badges" must be taken as the faithful wounds OF
a frieud-though for the present not joyous but
grievous,' it must be admitted.
But if the Southern Chlrchmaa wishes more
proof that Isaac Taylor is far from thinking the
standards of the Episcopal Church immaculate
and consistent in their Professionalism, we commend
to its attention the fifty pages in his Ancat CHRIS
tiaaity, devoted to criticisms on the two books of
Homiies, endorsed in the 35th article as contain
ing ga g0dly and wholesome doctrine, and adopt
ed as to that declaration, IN the Standards of the
Episcopal Church in the United States. Intend
ing to give separate article to what he says with
such remarkable force on this subject, We may only
observe here that his array Of facts and arguments
respecting the errors and heresies in these HOmi-
lies is astonishing He shows that the very er-
rors, corruptiOns and superstitiOns on the ground
of which the Church of Rome is so vehementy
arragned as apostate, in these books, prevailed
long before the age of the Papal usurpation, and
may be traced to the doctors and bishops of the
third and fourth centuries, Ito which doctors
and centuries these Homiies appeal so largely as
their standard Of purity.
Passing by for the present number of surpris-
ing mistakes into which our contemporary has fall
len, we close this article with notice of the point
last referred to in the Southern Chrchman Of
March 10TH in which the Editor replies to our re-
marks on the subject of baptismal regeneration.
In this article the writer, among other strange
fancies. asserts that-"The Westminster Comics
sion treats all baptized children regenerate, un-
til they evince the contrary" This we shall dis
prove at another time
He quotes at length what we said concerning the
service in the Prayer Book about adult baptism,
in which it was shown that it always brings the
person to the font unregenerate, but declares him
degenerate the moment after baptism. The object
of our remarks plainly was to show that this ser
vice asserts a change invariably--a renovation
wrought in baptism, that is, a baptismal regenera
ton. And this invariabe regeneration involves a
grievOus heresy.
Now, let US see how our neighbor meets this
"tug of war;" He disposes of the whole affair
after the following fashion-and that our readers
may the more enjoy the joke, we insert his remarks
in full. He says:
eff ever there were aay Protestants, the West
minister Divines were the men. They turned away
their faces at the sight of the Cap; they trem
IL =. u tbor b,t unop n Isrrpina - hOlv IN
digpation filed their hearts at the sign of the
Cross > they were Protestants. Now these gentle
men amended the Book of Common Prayer In 1861
they amended the service for adult baptism bu
they left in Just those things that our neighbo
thinks are Romanism They pray for the adult
coming to baptism that he may be born again; ;
that God will wash him and sanctity him with
the Holy Ghost, that he being delivered from thy
wrath, &C. that he coming to thy holy baptism
NAV be eleansed from his sins. He is then ad
dressed, well beloved, you have heard how the
congregation hath prayed that our Lord Jesus
Christ would vouchsafe to receive you and bless
you, to release you OF your SINS &C. Now to
quote from our neighbOr, only altering a word OF
two: The true Protestant Bible doctrine is that
the adult coming to be baptized processes to have
been regenerated by the Holy Spirit before his
baptism. He received a new heart when he
believed in Christ. But in the Westminster ser
vice for baptism it will be perceived that this Is
not the idea presented. The candidates are moi
not yet made the children of God and heirs OF his
kingdom. But wait a moment; let the water be
applied and see how the whole language Is Instant
" changed. Now they are no longer waiting tol
the blessing of regeneration and remission OF sin
10. they have received it. Thanks are returned
that they being truly born again and made heirs
of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, may
continue thy servants; and they are told you have
now by baptism put on Christ.
Our old friend will remember we 11dr8ed him,
lest his fingers should be nipped by the West
minister Divines and in spite of our warning, he
has put them in the trap and they are caught, As
no doubt our readers will like to know what the
Central Presbyterian will have to say In thus ac-
cusing his PRESBYTERIAN fathers of heresy and Ro
maniSm, we shall inform them, just as soon as he
lets us know"
On this remarkable extract a number of peril
nent observations suggest themselves.
l. 1t is extremely inaccurate to say Of the
Westminster Divines, that "these gentlemen
amended the Book of Common Prayer in 1861,
There were not less than one hundred Presbyterian,
appointed to sit in the Westminster Assembly
The Commission appointed in 1861 by Charles IL
consisted of twelve Episcopalians, as Principals
with twelve adjutors, Tor alternates, and an equa
number of Presbyterians. OF the twelve Presbyte-
unsupported as Principals, only seven belonged tC
the Westminster Assembly, and Of the adjutor,
only oue This Conference at the Savoy was not
held till twelve years after the Westminster As
sembly had been disSolved-in l649. So much fol
that part.
?. 1t is inaccurate to say that these gentlemen
amended the Book of Common Prayer" They
presented in detail what is known as The excep-
tons against the Book of Common Prayer" How,
ever much the Southern Chrcbman may deride
such men as frivolous carpers, the candid judg,
ment of history places them (Tuckuey, Manton,
and Richard Baxter being of the number in en-
viabe contrast with the diguitaries of the Church
who treated their proposals with scOrn. Those
proposals were embodied in paper that gives
them immortal renown-moderate, conciliatory,
and sound in the faith.
3. Their revision of the Baptismal service for
infants is thorough expurgatiOn of it from every
vestige of Popery and heresy. Mark that fact
the Southern Cboucbmaa will not deny it. But
4. The Editor says concerning these "West-
minister Divines -" They amended the service for
adult baptism bit they left IN Just those things that
orr ueighJ0r thinks are Romaaism!i
Please allow US also few exclamation points as
we say to all this piece of new history, WELL
welll What is to come next? Why, good
brother, there ,oaS at that time no service TOR
adult baptism" ,ohateUer IN the Prayer Book =
Please then give your readers and ours the benefit
of your historical Investigations, and tell the pro-
cess by which these gentlemen amended" the
Book, and also by what continuance they "left in
those things that had never up to that time) been
put in. King David was brave man, and much
to be commended for killing Gohah, but it would
be hard to censure him for not hanging John
Bro,on. Now, do telus how thing Is amended