The Life and Letters of the Rev. George Mortimer, M.A.: Rector of Thornhill, in the Diocese of Toronto, Canada WestArmstrong, John
Religion
The Life and Letters of the Rev. George Mortimer, M.A.: Rector of Thornhill, in the Diocese of Toronto, Canada West
Armstrong, John
Mortimer, George, 1784-1844
10. What do you understand by the sacrament being “rightly received”?
The sacrament is rightly received in infant baptism, when the parents
and sponsors have just scriptural views of its nature and design, and
present children to be baptized in obedience to the authority of God;
simply, humbly, and sincerely depending upon his unmerited grace and
favour in Christ Jesus; and are truly desirous that the child so
presented by them, may become “the faithful soldier and servant of the
Lord Jesus Christ;” and when the sponsors themselves exercise
repentance, whereby “they forsake sin, and faith, whereby they
stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that sacrament.”
In all such cases we have “a presumptive certainty” that spiritual
regeneration commences in the ordinance; for then it is “_rightly
received_.”
11. What is the best _after_ proof of this?
The best after proof which children can give of this is, the fulfilment
of those promises and engagements made for them by their sponsors in
their baptism.
12. And what were the promises and engagements?
“That they should renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and
vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh;
that they should believe all the articles of the Christian faith; and
that they should keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in
the same all the days of their life.”—_Ch. Cat._
13. But how do you show that children in after life are bound to fulfil
those engagements made for them by others, at this unconscious period of
their infancy?
They are bound to do so by the obligation which they themselves owe to
God, inasmuch as their parents or spiritual guardians entered into such
engagements only, on their behalf, as each individual is bound to
fulfil, whether such engagements had or had not been entered into by
others.
TEMPERANCE.
PUBLIC opinion is, through God’s mercy, effecting much among us. Much
bitterness, indeed, still exists in some, as well as most determined
opposition. But the work is of God, and I feel a blessed assurance that
much good will eventually be done. I am beginning to perceive with much
thankfulness that the Temperance Society is an important engine in aid of
all my ministerial plans—a kind of stepping stone to the church and to
piety; and I am careful to watch all its movements, and to follow up
every indication for good.
* * * * *
THE following letter, addressed to the Rev. John Cooper, it is presumed
may not unsuitably close the preceding Memoir. The writer, who so
affectionately expresses his deep obligations to the late Mr. Mortimer,
has been for many years the faithful minister of a large parish in
Shropshire, very near the scene of Mr. M.’s former labours in that
county.
W— Vicarage, June 18, 1845.
My dear Friend,
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