LAVINIA's ANSWER

" HARK how the sacred thunder rends the skies! " Repent and be baptiz'd, Christ's herald cries! " Repent and be baptiz'd consenting heav'n replies!"

The christian heart reveres the solemn sound! And deeply humbled, treads the sacred ground— Owns the injunction's undisputed claim, Its awful import, and its glorious aim! But here a difference mutual zeal excites, You plead for outward, we for mental rites. We think the gospel's hallow'd page inspires Superior efforts, nor one type requires; Since no lavations can effectual prove, The innate stains of nature to remove; No mode of words true purity impart To an infantile and unconscious heart: As vain and foolish hence we disallow The faithful surety, and baptismal vow, As being shadows which men may observe, Yet from the substance flagrantly they swerve. While superstitious rites their time divide, They cease to follow virtue for their guide; Enslav'd by canons, and the partial rules Of Councils, Synods, Colleges and Schools. Thus might mankind (for some an ample field) To Circumcision's ancient custom yield; Or humbly prostrate in the public street, With blind devotion wash each other's feet: 'Tis thus to holiness that form gives place, And solemn trifling frustrates-christian grace.

In Jordan's stream well pleas'd th' Almighty saw His son belov'd, submitting to the law; But his Apostles through the world he sent With a baptizing power beyond the element. This power doth all true ministry attend; 'Twas promis'd, and will never have an end: This mighty power his herald did proclaim— " He shall baptize you with an holy flame." Yet water was in use, an ancient rite, Allow'd the common way to proselyte, But no dependence plac'd thereon you'll see, And Paul and Peter in this point agree; Then real Christians, with illumin'd thought, View Truth unbias'd, as its author taught: No typic observations are rever'd, Since their immortal Archetype appear'd! Fox preach'd this doctrine to a seeking age; It shines in Barclay's unrefuted page. Simple their scheme, no vain self-love they knew, But freely preach'd without a sordid view; With hearts devoted, gospel-truths display'd, And scorn'd to make Divinity a Trade: No juggling arts were us'd—no low disguise, O'er obvious texts and sense to tyranize; Discerning truth by its own native light, And by its guidance practis'd what was right: This state attain'd, prophetic signs no more Demand observance, as in days of yore. 'Tis grace alone, exalted and refin'd, Imparts instruction to the attentive mind; Convicts of error, and restrains from sin, For what these are, is manifest within; Each wayward passion by its aid subdu'd, The soul's enthron'd in native rectitude; Cleans'd of its stains, and sprinkled from above With pure descendings of atoning love. A Baptism this essential thou wilt find, Or "Christ in figure only sav'd mankind." This then alone my suppliant spirit craves, Since but one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism saves.