Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/275

Rh that he distinctly and clearly separates those sins which, by virtue of our Baptism, are directly remitted to us, and those for which the harder and abiding course of repentance is necessary; although it be our Baptism in the blood of, which renders that repentance effectual. In like manner, St. Leo speaks of "the manifold mercy of, which so succours human failing, as that the hope of eternal life should not only be bestowed by the free grace of Baptism, but repaired also by the medicine of penitence; so that they who had violated the gifts of regeneration, condemning themselves by their own judgment, should yet attain to the remission of sins." And Theodoret in like manner, vindicating the privilege and possibility of repentance after Baptism, still retains this solemn distinction in the character of sin, and the mode of its forgiveness: "When the gave the disciples a form of prayer, He bade them say, 'Forgive us our trespasses.' This prayer we do not teach the unconsecrated, but the consecrated (baptized.) For no unconsecrated person can dare to say 'Our Father,' not having yet received the gift of adoption. But he who has obtained the gift of Baptism, calls  as being accounted among the sons by grace. These then were enjoined to say, 'forgive us our trespasses.' The wounds then received after Baptism are curable; but not as before, in that then remission is given through faith alone, but now through many tears, and mournings, and weepings, and fastings, and prayer, and toil proportioned to the greatness of the sin committed. For we have been taught neither to despair of those thus circumstanced, nor yet readily to impart to them the Holy Rites. 'Give not,' He saith, 'that which is holy to dogs, nor cast the pearls before swine.'"

Nor are these the views of a later age. On the contrary, the higher we ascend, the more we find a reverential and alarmed apprehension of the great danger of grievous falls after Baptism. Easy remission of sin after Baptism, was a fruit of growing