1328.One Thing

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It is one thing to insist on "the uselessness of all forms and constitutions and dispensations to a man, unless he punctually and for himself claims the benefit ofthem." But it is something else to speak: "as ifthere were no constitutions, no dispensations of which one can claim the benefit, as iffaith created the benefits ofwhich it availed itself." Similarly, it is one thing to speak: "good tidings ofan established harmony, a constituted order, intended for man as man, be there never so few who as yet understand what it means, and are admitted to it." But it is something else to contend that "the act, by which I claim my birthright in an inheritance purchased long ago by a dreadful agony, an act which, ... upon the largest view of its value, confers no certain portion of grace upon the unconscious subject, constitutes my title to this new and magnificent estate" (Subscription No Bondage: 106).

How should we meet the Anabaptist? By laying hold of"the positive truth, that there must be a conscious and voluntary recognition of our Church-membership, besides the act of sacramental fellowship," and showing him that "this is as much our tenet as his, that our service of Commnation is a distinct acknowledgement ofit." But also by showing him that "it is only the negative part ofhis creed,-the denial that there is another act ofadmission into Christ's body, an act setting forth that the constitution ofthe Church of Christ is an established constitution, not dependent on human faith, but fixed and certain in Christ, though no man should enter into it" (112 f.).