Tracts for the Times Volume 2, PT. 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 edition. Excerpt: ... St. Paul, when using this same word of the Corinthian and Ephesian Churches, alluded to such an act, and that the use of the cross at Baptism was coeval with Christian Baptism itself, which inserts us into His Cross and Passion, and imparts to us its saving virtue. It was plainly also a more pious act, which marked the first approaches to Christian Baptism, in the admission to be Catechumens of the Church, by the solemn impress of the Cross, and so brought them in, as it were, within the outer court, and fenced them round by it, than to leave them stray sheep as before, calling them only by the voice of human shepherds, but in no solemn way of devotion, consecrating these beginnings of their return to the true fold, and to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. It would appear then, that the interpretation which perhaps most among us would in the first instance have looked upon as cold and formal, is certainly true; and if so, it may well be a warning how we Greek. Anointing just before Baptism. (Rubric, ii. 143.) "And he makes the mark of a cross on the forehead, chest and back, saying, 'The servant of God, is anointed with the oil of gladness, in the Name of, &c.' And he seals his chest, back, &c." Maronite. ii. 347. "O Good Shepherd, and Finder of the lost, who with the mark of the Trinity didst mark Thy flock, that they may be kept from fierce wolves, keep them by Thy glorious Name." Antioch by Severus. Hymn. (ii. 297.) "This is the oil which outwardly anoints the reason-endowed lamb, which cometh to Baptism. But the Holy Spirit seals it secretly, and Divinely indwelleth and sanctifieth." ■ Brief form by Severus. (ii. 302.) "He is sealed with the oil of gladness, that he may become worthy of the adoption of sons through...