Besides, God's intention is shown in its results. The fact that children are blessed in their parents "is breathed in the first promise to Adam, shines out in the bow of Ararat, fills the starry page of the father of the faithful, is seen amid the fire and smoke of Sinai, is inscribed on the bloody lintel of Egypt, and appears in the Pascal supper." "It is learned from the fulfilled prediction on the day of Pentecost, from the baptism of the jailer and all his house, and from the whole organization of the church. It looms up more or less distinctly in almost every leaf of the inspired volume, and sheds its reviving influence upon hearts which, but for its encouragement, would be overwhelmed with despondency." It is a precious truth, these are "words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.”

Facts further show that piety descends from father to son. The parental relation is a golden pipe, through which the waters of salvation are conveyed to coming generations. How beautifully did piety flow in the channel of Abraham's descendants. "I call to re

membrance (writes Paul to Timothy) the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother, Lois, and thy mother, Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." The history of the church most clearly shows that it is chiefly from families flowing down from a pious ancestry, that God takes His sons and daughters. Whole families may be pointed out where piety has descended from generation to generation. "They that have seen them have acknowledged them, that they are the seed that the Lord has blessed."

Hence we say that facts show that God's intention in placing the "seed in the church was, that they should remain in it."

We ask again, Does He intend that they shall remain in it unchanged? That He should, is inconsistent with His character, and the statements of His Word. We are far from advocating the pernicious error of hereditary grace. Infants, by their natural birth, have not spiritual life, but inherit a corrupted nature, and, consequently, are not qualified to enjoy the favor and friendship of God. They

need, and before they can enjoy this favor, must receive regenerating grace.

He

But the promise most certainly implies that God most graciously grants to Christian parents the strongest assurance that if they faithfully and fully discharge their obligations, He will, according to His promise, fulfil His part of the covenant, and bestow this grace. will prepare the soil, and where the "incorruptible seed" is sown in faith and prayer upon this soil, it must spring up, and produce immortal fruit. Its growth may be slow, and years may elapse before fruit appears. But it must appear. The eternal God hath spoken it in such a manner as to leave no room for doubt. So that it is true in the parental as in the parochial relation, that "he that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." And if no fruit is brought forth, the irresistible conclusion is, that the ground has not been broken up, and mellowed, and prepared; the seed has not been properly sown; or thorns have been al

lowed to absorb the strength of the soil, and to choke the seed.

To this spiritual development, native corruption is an obstacle; but it is not an obstacle which God can not overcome. So far as human exertion is concerned, this depravity is most effectually subdued by early religious training. And so far as the divine, God is not only ready to bless the exertions of His people, when they labor for the salvation of others, but, further, in fulfilment of His covenant promise, He can and will remove the obstacle by changing their hearts.

As to the time of this change, it is wrong to limit the Holy One of Israel, "who worketh when and where and how He pleaseth," to that time and mode of renewing the soul which involves a marked and known era of a radical and conscious change. The only proper evidences of a work of the Spirit, are the fruits of the Spirit in all holy dispositions and conduct. When these are apparent, there is credible proof of regeneration. Now, has not the Spirit sanctified some from the womb? Has He not out.

of the mouths of babes and sucklings perfected praise? Have not others, through His grace, from childhood known the Scriptures in a saving sense? Why then so limit the Holy One as to say that He can not now, in accomplishment of His promise, regenerate the offspring of believers, while as yet they receive instruction by their mother's knee? It is stated as an ascertained fact, that as many as nine out of ten among the Moravian Christians have no knowledge of the time when they entered upon the Christian life. And it is related of the pious Baxter, "that he was long perplexed with suspicions that his piety was only his education, because he could remember no time. when he began to exercise right feelings. His difficulties were removed by the discovery, 'that religious education, properly imparted, is an ordinary way for the conveyance of God's grace; and ought no more to be set in opposition to the Spirit, than the preaching of the Word.'" "Of those who grow up (the writer is speaking of the children of God's people), a large proportion, even under the most inade