ists to denote the lowest form
of Contrition, or Repentance; namely, mere sorrow for sin because
of its consequences.

BANNS OF MARRIAGE _see_ Matrimony.

BAPTISM. This word means literally "dipping." Holy Baptism is
one of the two Sacraments taught by our Church to be generally
(universally) necessary to salvation. The _reason_ why the Church
baptizes is well shewn in the exhortation which immediately follows
the Gospel in the Service for the "Public Baptism of such as are of
riper years." The _doctrine_ of the Church on the subject is
explained in Article xxvii., and in the Catechism; also throughout
her Baptismal Offices she shows what she believes it to be.
Notwithstanding this, there are diverse views held of Holy Baptism
by parties in the Church; as, for example, some will deny that the
passage in John iii. 3 has anything to do with Baptism, although
the Church quotes it as a Scriptural authority for Baptism in the
exhortation previously alluded to. These seem to degrade Holy
Baptism into a mere formal admittance into the visible Church, this
being the view the Wesleyans of the _present day_ take, but
not their founder's view. Hooker, in his fifth book, writes
thus,--"Baptism is not merely a sign or token of grace given, but
an instrument or mean whereby we receive that grace; for it is a
Sacrament instituted by God for incorporation into Christ, and so
through His merit to obtain (1) that saving grace of imputation
which takes away all former guiltiness, (2) that infused divine
virtue of the Holy Ghost which gives to the powers of the soul
their first disposition towards future newness of life. It is a
seal perhaps to the grace of election before received; but to our
sanctification here a step that hath not any before it."

BAPTISM, ADULT. This office was added at the last revision of the
Prayer Book, in 1661. It was made necessary by the general neglect
of Church ordinances during the Rebellion. The Service is formed
from that for the Baptism of Infants, but there are important
differences, as will be seen by comparison. Confirmation and
Communion should immediately follow the Baptism of an adult.

BAPTISM, INFANT. The question whether it is right to baptize infants
will be gone into under the head of _Baptists_. Our present service
for the Baptism of Infants is the out-come of many much older.
Baptism should always be administered in the presence of a
congregation, as the Rubric orders. The question about