(1) If by Reformed Anglicans, you mean men the Rev. or Mr. Augustus Montague Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages,' or men like Rev. Gorham (1850 ruling, Rev. Gorham v. Bp. Philpott of Exeter, in which Canterbury "sided" with Gorham and in which the hot-headed high-schooler bishop got "schooled" on the historic view of the Church of England...and Philpott was "hot"), "yes and no" on baptismal regeneration. Generally, yes, but not necessarily always. It's a lawyerly answer of "yes and no." But, as the old Reformed Episcopalians and Anglican/
I post this hymn from that old "Reformed Anglican," or, "Calvinistic Anglican, the Rev. John Newton, entitled "Day of Judgment, Day of Wonders!" It is appropriate to Advent or at other times of the heavy Bible readings...readings that characterize apostolic Churchmen. Regarding your first question, "Baptismal Regeneration," quite evidently and quite obviously, Mr. Newton puts forward the "evangelical call" which would have included "baptized Anglicans," the majority report and majority grouping in England in 1774 when the hymn was crafted.
It is sung to the tune of St. Austin, 8.7.8.7.8.4.
If Rev. Mr. Newton believed in “head-for-head” regeneration, like the Romans, Greeks and Lutherans, there would be no need to sing this about, for, before and by congregants. Here are the four vintage and classic verses:
1. Day of Judgment, day of wonders!
Hark! The trumpet’s awful sound,
Louder than a 1000 thunders,
Shakes the vast creation round.
How the summons,
Will the sinner’s heart confound.
2. See the Judge, our nature wearing,
Clothed in Majesty divine,
You who long for His appearing,
Then shall say, “This God is mine!
Gracious Saviour, own me in that day as thine!”
3. At His call the dead awaken,
Rise to life from earth and sea,
All the powers of nature shaken,
By His looks, prepare to flee.
Careless sinner, “What will become of thee?”
4. But to those who have confessed,
Loved and served the Lord below,
He will say, “Come near, ye blessed,
See the kingdom I bestow,
You forever shall my love and glory know.”
Or, put more narrowly, election cuts across the wide lines of those upon whom/to whom the baptismal waters, sign and seal have been applied. Also, conversion and justification may occur without the sign and seal too. Cautions, again.
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