sipated; then Salvation shall be unto us for walls

and bulwarks for when the earth shall thus yield

its best increase, God, even our own God, shall bless us.”

Having thus considered the importance of fulfilling our baptismal vow, let me,

III. Point out the manner in which this duty should be performed.

Sanctioned by the authority of Scripture, and the practice of Christians from the earliest ages, our Church has directed, that the vows of bap'tism, should be renewed in a public manner, in order that what has been publicly undertaken for us by our sponsors, may be confirmed and ratified by us in our own names before the people. This is a most reasonable and important institu tion, and one which will be productive of lasting benefit to us, if we engage in it with suitable Impressions, and in a right spirit; but if we are careless and indifferent, like other ordinances it will be altogether unprofitable. Care should be taken to enter upon this work with deliberation, with sincerity, and with prayer.

1. With deliberation. Young people in general are very thoughtless and trifling when they go to be confirmed. It is painful to see

how they enter the Church upon this occasion, Too often they behave as if they were going to a fair, and consider the day of confirmation rather as a pleasant holiday, than a day for transacting the most serious concern between God and their souls. And therefore it is no wonder at all if they soon forget what was entered upon without reflection, and conducted with the utmost levity. In reality, it is a business which, of all others requires seriousness and deliberation. On this day they publicly ratify the promises which were made for them in Baptism, and thereby engage before God and the Church, that they will henceforward forsake every evil way, and give themselves up to God. Now if they do not act seriously and deliberately in this matter, is it possible that any abiding impression should be made upon their minds? Does not experience teach us, that even in the common affairs of life, nothing of importance can be successfully done without consideration and foresight? But re

ligious exercises require peculiar thoughtfulness; for such is the corruption of our hearts, that impressions of a religious kind are, of all others, retained with the greatest difficulty. The Psal

mist informs us, that he thought upon his ways, and then turned his feet unto the testimonies of

We should fur

God. In like manner we should think upon our ways; we should think of the folly and danger of living in the neglect of God; of the misery of a sinful course; of the happiness and honour of a religious life; and of the excellence and glory of eternal things. ther consider what regard we have paid to our baptismal vow in time past; what instructions we have received, and how improved them ; what an important profession we are entering upon; and how incumbent it is upon us, as we regard the comfort of our parents, the salvation of our own souls, and the glory of God, to set ourselves with all seriousness to the duties of religion. We should thus endeavour to understand the nature of our present business, and remember that when we enter the Church for Confirmation, we bind ourselves in a most solemn manner to forsake every evil way; and denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. We should consider, that if on so solemn an occasion we remain trifling and unconcerned, there is reason to fear that the heart

will become more and more hardened. If when the Bishop addresses us in particular, calling upon us to declare publicly our determination to serve and fear God, and lays his hands on our heads, praying to God for his grace and future blessing; if, I say, at such a solemn season we can be trifling, what reason is there to hope that in the ordinary acts of religion, our minds will be ever suitably affected? There are many people now living, who could testify that they are greatly indebted to God for the solemu act of Confirmation; and that their young minds received then such impressions of the nature and importance of a religious life, as have never since been effaced; but being cherished and strengthened by divine grace, have preserved them from the paths of sin, and kept them in the fear of God.

But we may

be sure that

they performed it with seriousness and deliberation, or it could not have been so productive of good to their souls. Alas! how many thousands injure themselves, and provoke the displeasure of God, by doing it in a trifling manner. They foolishly imagine, that the mere performance of the duty is sufficient; and that the laying on of the Bishop's hands will infalli

bly convey a blessing to them.

learned and pious Archbishop

But says the

Secker, "We

"would not have you look on Bishops as having ❝or claiming any power, in any case, to confer "blessings arbitrarily on whom they please; but

only as petitioning God for that blessing from above, which he alone can give; yet "we justly hope will give the rather for the

prayers of those whom he hath placed over his "people, unless your own unworthiness prove an "impediment." Now if we are not serious in this business, and do not perform it with deliberation, we place this impediment in the way of a blessing and therefore, let us set about it with due reflection, like persons who value the favour of God, and dread above all things his displeasure. Let us think of what we are undertaking, and go to the ordinance with some sense of its meaning and importance; then we may reasonably expect that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.

2. We should perform it with sincerity. That is, we should really intend and mean to do what we promise. It hardly seems necessary to insist upon so plain a point; for surely it must be a great affront to God, deliberately to tell an untruth in his presence. What blessing can we