Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/309

 the new birth is absolutely necessary in order to happiness in this world, as well as in the world to come.

IV. I proposed in the last place, to subjoin a few inferences which naturally follow from the preceding observations.

1. And, first, It follows, that baptism is not the new birth: they are not one and the same thing. Many indeed seem to imagine, they are just the same: at least, they speak as if they thought so: but I do not know, that this opinion is publickly avowed, by any denomination of Christians whatever. Certainly it is not, by any within these kingdoms, whether of the established church, or dissenting from it. The judgment of the latter is clearly declared, in their [A]large Catechism: Q. "What are the parts of a sacrament? A. The parts of a sacrament are two: The one, an outward and sensible sign; the other, an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified. Q. What is baptism? Baptism is a sacrament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water, to be a sign and seal of regeneration, by his Spirit." Here it is manifest, baptism, the sign, is spoken of as distinct from regeneration, the thing signified.

In the church-catechism likewise the judgment of our church is declared with the utmost clearness. "What meanest thou by this word, sacrament? I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. What is the out-*

[Footnote A: Q. 163, 165.]