The  first  words  of  this  solemn  invocation  offer  a  distinct  recog-
nition of  the  truth  that  there  is  "  One  Baptism  for  the  remission
of  sins ; "  and  although  Confirmation  has  been  separated  from
Baptism  for  ages,  yet  the  Church  has  never  wavered  in  the  con-
tinued use  of  these  words,  being  assured  that  God's  promises
are  always  fulfilled;  and  that  if  His  pardon  ceases  to  be  eH'ected,


t  It  la  also  to  be  found,  in  more  Oriental  language,  in  the  Confirmation
Office  of  the  Eastern  Church.  See  Littledale's  Offices  of  the  Eastern  Church,
lip.  26.  145.
it  is  not  through  any  deficiency  in  His  Gift  of  regeneration,  but
from  the  obstacles  placed  by  man  in  the  way  of  its  operation.
The  latter  part  of  the  Collect  is  based  on  a  faithful  appreciation
of  our  Lord's  words,  "I  am  the  Vine,  ye  are  the  branches."
They  who  abide  in  the  olive  partake  of  the  fatuess  of  the  oUve.
The  anointing  of  the  Head  flows  down  upon  the  members,  "  even
to  the  skirts  of  His  clothing."  As  the  sevenfold  Spirit  rested
upon  our  Lord  and  Saviour  (according  to  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah),
after  His  Baptism  in  Jordan,  so  may  those  who  have  been  united
to  Him  by  Baptism,  hope  for  a  participation  in  the  gifts  of  the
same  Spirit  tlirough  that  rite  by  which  their  Baptism  is  con-
firmed, and  their  Christian  nature  matured.
