baptism, and may be often repeated; continuing and increasing from the first prepardtions to Christianity, through the whole progress of the Christian life. So it is in adults: but in infants, regeneration commences before renovation, which again shews how distinct and different they are. A third observable difference is, that regeneration once given can never be totally lost, any more than baptism and so can never want to be repeated in the whole thing; whereas renovation may be often repeated, or may be totally lost. Once regenerate and always regenerate, in some part, is a true maxim in Christianity, only not in such a sense as some moderns have taught. But a person once regenerated in baptism can never want to be regenerated again in this life, any more than he can want to be rebaptized. So much for the difference between regeneration and renovation: let us next consider how far they agree, or how near they are allied. As one is a renewal of the spiritual state, and the other a renewal of the heart and mind, it must follow, that so far as a renewal of mind is necessary to a renewal

"Those, I mean, who have taught that the regenerate can never finally fall from grace. See our 16th Article on this head."

of state, so far it is a necessary ingredient of the new birth, or an integral part of it. A grant is suspended, frustrate, as to any beneficial effect, while not properly received: and while there is an insuperable bar to the salutary reception of it, it cannot be savingly received or applied. Therefore, in the case of adults, regeneration and renovation must go together otherwise the regeneration is not a salutary, nor a complete regeneration, wanting one necessary ingredient of it, namely, a capacity, or qualification"."

Renovation, then, we continually need, for as our Church truly declared, "All we, the rest, although baptized and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things." Let us then, impressed with a due sense of our high and holy calling, learn both to appreciate the privileges to which we are admitted, and to have a continual and lively remembrance that

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Baptism doth represent unto us our profession; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him; that as he died, and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness; continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections,

• Waterland's Sermon on Regeneration, p. 18, &c.

and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living."

These are duties to which we bind ourselves in our baptism, and to enable us to perform which, we have the promise of continual supplies of spiritual aid, if we ask faithfully. Be it our care then, to use the talents committed to us as good stewards; and, knowing our infirmities, let us not forget, tliat as in the sacrament of baptism we are born again to spiritual life, so in the faithful receiving of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we may, from time to time, seek that strengthening, and refreshing of our souls', which will enable us to "continue his servants and attain his promise." Let the sincere communicant, on this day, approach the holy table with fervent hope and stedfast faith, in the promises of that Saviour, who " took upon him our nature, and was born of a pure virgin." Let him rejoice that, " being regenerate, and grafted into the body of Christ's church, he is numbered among the children of God by adoption, and grace. But, at the same time, impressed with a sense of the possibility, and * Office for the Public Baptism of Infants.

As the sacrament of baptism is the means of our spiritual birth, so the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is the means of our receiving" spiritual food and sustenance" (see Communion Service) during our spiritual growth.

the danger of his falling into sin, let him be on his guard, lest he forfeit his glorious inheritance, and lest privileges abused, and spiritual advantages neglected, serve only to increase his condemnation, and to assign him his portion with the unprofitable servant. And especially knowing whence cometh our support, let him never forget to humble himself before God, and pray that he " may daily be renewed by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ."

SERMON VI.

ON ST. STEPHEN'S DAY.

ACTS VII. 59, 60.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge! And when he had said this he fell asleep.

To offer, at stated periods, an occasional tribute to the memory of those, who have distinguished themselves in a common cause, is a practice congenial to some of the best feelings of our nature.

In many, nay in most, of the politest nations both ancient and modern, a conformity of sentiment in this respect may be traced in various customs and institutions.

The hero, the legislator, the philosopher, whose life, labours, or discoveries have been devoted to the benefit of society, are frequently remembered on some particular day, with affection and honor. There is a plea