ON CONFIRMATION, BY WILLIAM MEADE, D. D. ASSISTANT BISHOP OF THE DIOCESS OF VIRGINIA. PREACHED IN WINCHESTER, ON SUNDAY, DEC. 12, 1830. THIRD EDITION. ALEXANDRIA, D. C. PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM M. MORRISON. Printed at the Gazette Office. 1833. THE substance of the following discourse has been delivered at different times and places during the last sixteen or seventeen years, but more frequently within the last fifteen months; since by the Providence of God, the author has been called to take a prominent part in the administration of the rite of which it treats. Some of his brethren have been pleased to declare their approbation of the views set forth by him on such occasions, and to express a wish that he would submit the same to the public in the form of a tract or sermon. In complying with this, their request, which he has ever intended and promised to do, without fixing a definite period for the execution of it, his hope and prayer is, that the fol lowing discourse may contribute something to the removal of misunderstandings and prejudices which exist on this subject. Something of this kind appears to be particularly called for by our churches in Virginia, since nothing on the subject has heretofore been published and circulated among them. The author would humbly commit his effort into the hands of Him, without whose blessing, nothing can prosper. SERMON. FOR ROMANS X. 10, 11. WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION. FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAITH, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. As there are some in this assembly who, moved I trust, by the good Spirit of God, desire on this day, for the first time, to make a public dedication of themselves, to the service of their Maker and Redeemer, I have chosen these few words, of an inspired Apostle, from which to address them and others present, in such a manner as the occasion demands. Our text is one of many passages of God's word, which most emphatically demand, not only an inward faith and piety, but an outward and public avowal of the same before men. God, who well knows the infirmities whereof we are made, and the influence of the world around us, upon our weak and irresolute natures, has given us a religion just suited to our characters, and well calculated to arm us against all our enemies. But in all ages, there have been those, who have thought they might |