popular errors are sanctioned by dignified titles! The penitent thief was saved without baptism, while Simon Magus was left in his sins with it, like thousands more. But whence has baptism all this efficacy? You reply," it is derived from the positive institution." Indeed! I had been taught by the Scriptures of truth, a very different doctrine. They tell me that, "without shedding of blood, there is no remission." And that," in Christ, believers have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Thus, Sir, you rob Jesus Christ of the merit of his atonement, which possesses the efficacy which you have erroneously attributed to baptism.

But you go on to observe, that "this efficacy can accompany the external rite, only when that rite is administered in the manner prescribed, and by the persons authorised to administer it." The manner prescribed by whom? Doubtless, you mean by Christ, the only lawgiver, in his church. What! has Christ prescribed the manner in which Dr. B. baptizes a child? Has Christ prescribed the sign of the cross in baptism? Has Christ prescribed, that two godfathers and one godmother shall stand engaged as sureties for every male child in baptism? And one godfather and two godmothers for every female? Is it of Christ's prescribing, that the parents of the child (though certainly, the most proper persons to stand engaged for them), shall be excluded? Seriously reflect, dear Sir-did Christ, or human pride and superstition prescribe all these incumbrances to his ordinance? And yet you say, "the efficacy of baptism, which is nothing less than the remission of sins, accompanies it, only when administered, in the manner prescribed." Allowing, therefore, that baptism had such an efficacy, when administered as Christ prescribed, you deprive the subject of that remission, by departing from his prescribed form.

Your form of thanksgiving on the occasion, though of a piece with your sermon, is pregnant with vast absurdities. "We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this infant with thy holy Spirit." How do you know that God's Spirit hath regenerated the child? Have you the gift of discerning its spirit and state? And how dare even a Doctor of Divinity, presumptuously thank God, for any infant, much less, for every one baptized, that he has regenerated them all by his holy Spirit? Did Christ prescribe this manner of administering baptism? Did Christ authorise you to do and say this? No, Sir,

you must go back, to that "whore of Babylon," the church of Rome, for your authority and prescription. And how, in the name of the Dissenters, of common sense, and of Christ-how will you answer your judge, or your conscience, when either, or both, shall interrogate you thus, "who hath required these things at your hands?" What unscriptural, what dangerous sentiments are instilled into the minds of children, on this subject, when they are taught their Catechism! In their baptism, they are taught to say, "I was made a member of Christ! a child of God! and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven!" You, Sir, have subscribed to this. And do you indeed believe ;-Can you possibly believe it true, when you see very many of the same beings, advanced in life-whoremongersdrunkards-swearers-sabbath-breakers-riotous-and enemies to God by wicked works? Can you tell these creatures, with every member of the church of England hanged at Tyburn, that each of them is a member of Christ-a child of God? And has not Dr. B. baptized many children, to whom he might now say, "ye are of your father the devil, and his works ye do?" Consider your own situation, Sir;—what numbers there are in your own parish who go to no place of worship-consider the thinness of your congregation on a Sabbath-day, and the numbers that haunt the ale-houses every day, and say, do not they love the ale-house better than their church? and sinful discourse, better than your sermons? And pray, do these things prove, or allow us to think, that they are members of Christ, and children of God! No, surely! Have they not been taught to believe a lie then, in their Catechism?

Thus, Sir, whilst the Dissenter administers this ordinance, according to the simplicity of the institution, Dr. B., who despises him, obscures it by many superstitious, ridiculous and Popish additions. You would have received this before, but I heard that you were going to London.

Surely, I need not offer an apology to you, as you have, unprovoked, so freely censured my conduct, as a Dissenter, both by your tongue and your pen. Had you sent me your sermon in print, I would have answered it in print. As it is, it may please a Lord-Bishop-but who can think this was your aim in it? But if you wish to be a Bishop, (and even such a thought may be in your breast) I wonder not, that you should first attempt to please one.

However, death

will soon level all earthly distinctions, and judgment regulate all unjust decisions, by a Doctor of Divinity, against, your's, with best wishes,

Maidenhead, September 7th, 1789.

JOHN COOKE.

LETTER VIII.-To A YOUNG MAN UNDER CONVICTION, HARDNESS OF HEART, AND DISTRESS OF MIND, ON ACCOUNT OF HIS SOUL.

. Dear Sir,

March, 1792.

YOUR mother has showed me a letter from you, which describes your mind to be in a state of inexpressible distress, in relation to your soul. It cannot be thought that so entire a stranger as I am to you, and to the cause of your misery, can write a full and proper answer to your case; but, in compliance with your mother's desire, I write the following lines. Your pain of mind may arise from the guilt or power of sin, or both. If your conviction of sin is the fruit of electing love, and produced by the spirit of God, you will be profitably affected with the magnitude and multitude of your sins; with the nature and aggravations of your sins, as well as the consequences of them. You will feelingly say, "sin has abounded!" in Adam-in all mankind-in myself; abounded in childhood and youth, in every condition, and in every relation. If your pain springs from the guilt of sin, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, endeavour to exercise faith in the following Scriptures. Exod. xxxiv. 6, "Jehovah God, gracious and merciful." If this is God's real character, he is "the God of hope;" and if you credit this testimony, you will have joy and peace in believing. Peace will never flow into the conscience, by any other way than by believing. Many reason, pray, and confess; complain, hear, and read; watch and fast, who never BELIEVE, and therefore remain miserable. The atonement of Christ is perfect, for his blood cleanseth from all sin, 1 John i. 7. He has by himself purged our sins (Heb. i. 3), and through the satisfaction of the Divine Saviour, God is faithful and just to forgive the believing sinner, 1 John i. 9. And if you believe in the

diguity of Christ's person, the perfection of his righteousness, and the prevalency of his intercession, your conscience will be purged from guilt and dead works, Heb. ix. 14. The resurrection of Christ manifested the acceptableness of Christ's person, obedience, and sufferings, to God the Father; and through him is preached unto you the FORGIVENESS of sin. He punished sin fully in the suffering surety; and pardons it fully in the penitent and believing sinner, Acts xiii. 34. Thus Christ is exalted as a sufficient Saviour; the law is magnified; justice is satisfied; sin is punished; the sinner is pardoned and justified, and God's wisdom and love, holiness and grace, appear harmonious and honourable.

Against all I have written, you may easily oppose many things, and exclaim, Ah! wretched man that I am; the sins of my heart and life oppress my spirit, and constrain me to fear that my sins are too many, too great, too often repeated, or too aggravated, to be forgiven. But who says they are? Remember, that unbelief and despair are as truly damning sins as presumption. Beware of believing Satan, who is a liar, whilst you disbelieve the "God who cannot lie." Do not limit or set bounds to God's mercy. You complain of a hard heart, and be assured, if you think God is hard hearted, you will be so. It is not the power of God merely that softens the heart, but a believing view of this truth. In Christ we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, Eph. i. 7. Believe this and your heart will force your tongue to utter the truth, which has eased my soul a thousand times, when I have gone to the throne of grace, looked up to God, and in faith, cried, "If thou shouldest mark iniquity, O Lord, who can stand? but there is forgiveness with thee? Forgiveness, forgiveness will melt the heart. To oppose the imperfection of your duties to these encouraging truths, is self-righteousness, not humility. To stagger at the promise of pardon, because you are unworthy, is a proof that pride and unbelief are indulged. Christ's atonement is finished: finished for the unworthy, and only for the unworthy. Perhaps your discouragement arises from indwelling sin; but if sin does not rule, it shall not ruin you. If it is in you, and struggles for victory; yet if you abhor it, oppose it by faith, prayer, and a spiritual watch, and cleave to Christ, as a Saviour from its punishment and power; you will find his compassion and grace sufficient for you. This is a cross

for life; but the conflict is short, and the victory sure. Believe that God in Christ Jesus is love.

Read the Bible much; it is "the word of faith," and faith cannot grow without it. Hear those Ministers who preach the gospel in the spirit of the gospel. Shun carnal company and conversation. Watch against temptations to your besetting sin. Look to the Divinity and offices of Christ in every duty: and through his intercession pray much for the Holy Spirit, and depend on his power and grace. Are you dark in your views of God's good-will to sinners in Christ? He is "the Spirit of knowledge." Are you weak? He is the Spirit of might." Are you distressed? He is "the comforter." Are you in bondage?" Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Are you unworthy? He is the Spirit of Grace? "Such may you find him, and as such may you seek him with," Your's affectionately,

JOHN COOKE.

LETTER IX.-TO THE REV. CORNELIUS WINTER.

(On Ministerial Temptations.)

My Dear Brother,

Maidenhead, Berks, March, 1792. If ever there was a season of temptation appointed for me, the last three weeks of my life has been that season. In times past, I have been fiercely attacked with temptations to Deism and Atheism; one immediately succeeding the other. This conflict lasted about six weeks, and ended in my greater confirmation and joy. Indeed, I hold no truth, essential to my peace, but by a believing contention for it. The wisdom of God in these trials, I soon saw and admired, as they cured me of a rebellious pity for fallen angels, which I had long felt, with pain. The present one, I verily believe, will constrain me to acknowledge it was good for me, that I was tempted. Previous to this trial, I have for a considerable length of time, enjoyed a happy freedom from the disturbing suggestions of the grand enemy, and (unstable creature!) have been insensibly led to suppose that Satan had much less influence on men than I