SERMONS - University of Tennessee, Knoxville

SeRMon entRieS
After manuscript page 8, a slightly less than half-height page has been inserted
into the manuscript. For page count, it is regarded as equivalent to a normal page.
The front side of the smaller page is blank. The back side contains hand-written
text. It is difficult to tell how the smaller page text should be incorporated into a
reading of the sermon manuscript, but it is perhaps meant to be inserted in place
of the crossed out phrase “in the Gos. [Gospel]” on page 11. After manuscript page
18, a nearly full-size page has been inserted into the manuscript. For page count,
it is regarded as equivalent to a normal page. The front side of the page is blank.
The back side contains hand-written text. It is difficult to tell how the additional
page text should be incorporated into a reading of the sermon manuscript, but it
is perhaps meant to be inserted on page 21 after the phrase “for instance” which is
followed by what appears to be a caret near the margin of the page. Turn page 34
of the manuscript 90 degrees clockwise and then in the upper left hand corner in a
column are the following abbreviations (slashes indicate a new line): “—71/8. z/—-
2/U. U./3. Y.”. These abbreviations likely refer to dates on which the sermon was
preached. Clay uses abbreviations throughout the sermon.
Keywords: Baptism; John the Baptist; Jews, religious rites of; circumcision; covenant
of grace; grace, covenant of; infant baptism; Baptism, infant; Baptism, those eligible
for; Baptism, rites of; Church, visible; Baptismal covenant; sins, forgiveness of;
sin, original; original sin; Christ, blood of; sin, expiation of; Holy Spirit; faith;
repentance; David; Church of Christ; salvation; parents, duty to children; parents,
responsibilities toward children; Lord’s Supper; Pharisees; children, duty to
educate;
708. CLAY, CHARLES. (VA; Epis.; 1745-1820; lic. for VA June 7, 1769; ord.
London, 1769)
“[The Sacrament of Baptism.]” [1774] 1 + 1 blank + 32 + 1 + 1pp. [Acc. No. 4014]
[Entry added October 2009.]
Repository: Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, VA (Clay family papers, 1769-
1951. Mss1 C5795a, Sermons, folder 24-25)
Bib. Ref.: St. John Chap. 3 ver. 5th. Except a Man be born of water & of the Spirit, he
Cant. [Cannot] enter into the Kingdom of God.”
Commentary: This sermon is presently located in folder 24-25 and grouped with
accession number 4013. Their relationship is undetermined. The front cover bears
an inscription that reads (slashes indicate line breaks): “In Catechismum / Sermo
Septimus. / De Baptismo.” Turning both front and rear covers upside down reveals
the statement “for The Revd. Charles Clay” which has a light spiral strike-through.
The sermon is in Clay’s hand. The rear cover also bears three (?) letters : “Cms [?]”.
Near the center of page 35 in a column, Clay records (slashes indicate a new line):
“1774/E. 9./U. 10”. These abbreviations likely refer to dates on which the sermon
was preached. Clay uses abbreviations throughout the sermon.
Keywords: mind of man; reason, inadequacy of; Nicodemus; Baptism; confirmation;
deacons; sacraments; needful, the one thing; faith; God, law of; God, power of;
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