Wesley Corpus

72;) and he adds, “Let him anoint thee with the chrism of salvation.” (Pastor., ibid.) (2.) He puts a white garment on the baptized, saying, “Take this white garment, which thou mayest bring before the judgment-seat of Christ, that thou mayest have life eternal.” (Catech., ibid., n. 73.) (3.) A lighted candle is put into the hand, to show a faith inflamed with charity, and nourished with good works. (Ibid., n. 74.) REPLY. It is pleaded for these ceremonies, that they are appointed for the majesty of divine worship; and that the benefits contained in the sacraments may be better imprinted on the mind. (Catech, par. 2, c. 2, n. 59.) But can we think it for the majesty of baptism to have it dressed up like a form of conjuration, that the child must be supposed to be possessed with the devil, and the Priest must blow in his face three times, with, “Get thee out, Satan,” before he can say, “Peace be with thee; ” and that he must cross him half a score times, or more, from part to part, in preparation to baptism? Can we think it for the majesty of it, to have salt exorcised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to be put into the mouth of the child, for a propitiation unto eternal life? Can we think it for the majesty of this ordinance, that the Priest should put some of his own spittle in his left hand, and then taking it thence with the thumb and fore finger of his right hand, touch both ears of the infant, and say, “Ephphatha, be thou opened !” and then his nostrils, and say, “For the odour of sweetness; but thou, O devil, fly;” and then on his right hand, after the manner of a cross, saying, “N, I deliver unto thee the mark of our Lord Jesus Christ, (t)* that thou mayest drive the adversary from thee on every side, and have life eternal?” And what are the benefits imprinted on the mind by these * N.B. Where this mark (+) stands, the sign of the cross is made. fantastical ceremonies? Or when is it such benefits are promised as these are said to signify?