But when they came to examine the matter, they would
find that what they had supposed to be the whole doctrine
was in fact not so much the doctrine as a heading to it;
and that when they had got the phrase ‘ Baptismal
Regeneration,”’ they were as yet only upon the threshold
of the substantial contents of the subject which was
denoted by that phrase. For what 7s regeneration? And
what are the terms on which it is given in baptism? And
how do those terms stand in the two cases of adults and
infants? Is regeneration conditional in both, or only in
one and not in the other? And what are the relations of
time between the sign and the thing signified, the sacra-
ment and the grace? Is the grace always given at the
actual time of baptism, or may it be separated in time


Conclusion. 221


from the rite, and be given before it, or not till after it ?
These are questions which are none of them settled by
the mere phrase, “ Baptismal Regeneration,” which only
states generally a connexion between the rite and the
grace, leaving the particulars with respect to the con-
ditions and the time for further decision. But it is of
these particulars that the baptismal question substantially
consists, and upon them that the whole controversy turns.
