Transcribed from the 1865 Hatchard & Co. edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org BAPTISM AS TAUGHT IN The Bible and the Prayer Book. * * * * * BY EDWARD HOARE, M.A., INCUMBENT OF TRINITY CHURCH, TUNBRIDGE WELLS. * * * * * “_Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts_; _and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you_, _with meekness and fear_; _having a good conscience_.”—1 Peter iii. 15, 16. * * * * * * * * * * SIXTH EDITION. * * * * * * * * * * LONDON: HATCHARD & CO., 187, PICCADILLY, W. Booksellers to H.R.H. the Princess of Wales. 1865. * * * * * BAPTISM AS TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE AND THE PRAYER BOOK. BY EDWARD HOARE, M.A., INCUMBENT OF TRINITY CHURCH, TUNBRIDGE WELLS. FEW subjects have occasioned greater controversy than that of baptism, and few have been discussed with greater eagerness. The baptismal service of the Church of England has been a stumbling-block to many without her pale, and been made the basis of the extreme views entertained by many of those within. Some have thought it unscriptural, and have resolved in consequence upon separation from our Church; while others have regarded it as containing the Church’s principles more distinctly than the Articles, and have founded upon it the doctrine of spiritual regeneration as invariably connected with the sacrament. The object of the present tract is to compare the Prayer Book with the Bible: in doing which it will be needless to attempt any statement of the various opinions expressed upon the subject; our simpler and safer course will be to turn at once to the books themselves. THE BIBLE of course must claim precedence, and our endeavour will be to ascertain I. What is the inward and spiritual blessing connected with the sacrament of baptism in Scripture? II. What is the nature of the connexion?