Ghost came on them. From these passages it appears that the rite of confirmation was practised in the Apostolic ages, and that the apostles alone exercised their authority upon the occasion.

Again in the sixth chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the second verse, the Apostle especially alludes to "the doctrine of baptisms, the laying on of hands," which latter expression is understood to mean the rite of confirmation, which is connected with baptism. Thus you see that the custom prevailed in the time of the Apostles; and we have authority for stating that the practice continued in the primitive ages, and was adopted by those who immediately succeeded the Apostles, and by their successors for ever1.

1

Having now seen that the rite of confir

Among the Jews there was an analogous ordinance, viz. that of the Bar-Mitzveh or Son of the Precept, which some have supposed to have been conferred on our Lord at that visit to the temple, when he disputed with the Jewish doctors. The custom must certainly have been very ancient, for we trace something resembling the Bar-Mitzveh in many pagan nations.

mation was observed in the primitive Church, we will further consider its nature, and the value it imparts to those who avail themselves of it.

Confirmation always follows baptism. Infants are baptized; at which time sureties declare that they will keep the faith, and believe all the promises of God. When these infants arrive at the age, in which they can understand how solemn a vow has been made for them-how it was promised, that they would renounce the devil and all his works, and believe in God and serve him, they are to be confirmed, that is, "having learned what their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in baptism, they may themselves, with their own mouth and consent, openly before the Church, ratify and confirm the same; and also promise that by the grace of God, they will evermore endeavour themselves faithfully to observe such things as they, by their own confession, have assented unto." Thus you perceive that confirmation is a rite in the Church, administered to those, who have been baptized and have

arrived at the age of discretion, and are ready to take upon themselves the responsibilities that their sureties took upon them at baptism.

But we must again allude to the effects of baptism for the full understanding of confirmation. We must bear in mind, that the sin of the forefather entailed upon man, sin, and weakness, which render him unable to turn again unto God. Thus by sin, man is at enmity with the Father; but at baptism, through the merits of the Son, he is reconciled to God, Adam's sin is removed; but as the desire of sinning remains, Godfathers and Godmothers promise that the children will be obedient to God and his laws, because from their tender age they are unable to promise this for themselves. There is, as it were, a compact made between God and man, in which the Saviour is the Mediator between them, through whose merits it is completed. God for his part promised to be faithful, and to reward man for his obedience. But there is a condition on man's part; that condition the sureties promise that the

children shall observe, and when these children come to an age sufficient to understand the terms, they themselves undertake in the presence of God and his Church to adhere to the same terms, and to keep, by the grace of God, the same conditions. The Holy Ghost then, in answer to prayer, imparts his ordinary gifts to enable those confirmed to keep their vow, and to work out their own salvation. In the first ages the extraordinary powers frequently attended this holy rite; but when Christianity was firmly established, these ceased, and the ordinary were brought into action. Thus you must observe the great advantage attending confirmation; for while baptism is the means of reconciling us to God, at confirmation the gifts of the Spirit are vouchsafed to enable us to continue in that favour which the Almighty has manifested to his creatures, by his Son, and to work out our salvation. Thus when we are baptized we are made Christians, disciples of our blessed Lord; when we are confirmed, we ourselves are individually bound and pledged to fight in the spiritual warfare,

and to overcome the great enemy of mankind. And these gifts are absolutely necessary for us. Our Lord himself was not tempted till after the descent of the Spirit upon him. The Apostles, though baptized, feared to encounter the world until they had been strengthened by the Holy Ghost.

But there is another advantage that confirmation grants, and that is, that it admits those who are confirmed to the benefit of receiving the holy sacrament, which benefit is not granted "until such time" as children are "confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be confirmed." Thus are they admitted into the full benefit of the ordinances of the Church, and are supplied with grace, to enable them to observe them to their souls' comfort in this life, and its eternal rest and happiness in the life to

come.

The order of confirmation in our Prayerbook, is so clear and easy to be understood, that a few observations thereon will be sufficient.

The first Rubric relates to the age of