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to have publick Prayer in the Church, or to minifter the Sacraments, in a Tongue not understanded of the People.

To preach in a Tongue not underflood.] This would be of very little, or rather of no ufe to the people affembled. "Since "all divine worship is rather an act of the mind than of the "body; it follows then, that the worship in which the mind is "not employed, is impious and abfurd." Archdeacon Welchman. If I know not the meaning of the voice, faith Paul, I shall be unto him that speaketh a Barbarian; and he that speaketh will be a Barbarian unto me. 1 Cor. xiv. II. For to speak, or preach in a ftrange Language not understood by the hearers, profiteth not the congregation: Edifieth not the weak, inftru&eth not the ignorant; as is the intent of all preaching; but is rather an offence to the hearers, and bringeth contempt on religion. I would rather speak five words in the Church, faith St. Paul, with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown Tongue. 1 Cor. xiv. 19. Juftin Martyr, Tertullian, Origen, and St. Cyprian, agree to this article, in their epiftles. See also Homily on the Common Prayer, and Sacrament, &c.

ART. XXV. Of the Sacraments.

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ACRAMENTS ordained of Chrift be not only badges or tokens of Chriftian men's Profeffion but rather they be certain fure witneffes, and effectual figns of grace, and God's good will toward us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also ftrengthen and confirm our faith in him.

There are two Sacraments ordained of Chrift our Lord in the Goipel, that is to fay, Baptifm, and the Supper of the Lord.

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Thofe five commonly called Sacraments, that is to fay, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being fuch as have grown, partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures; but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptifm and the Lord's Supper, for that they have any not visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacraments were not ordained of Chrift to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in fuch only, as worthily receive the fame, they have a wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as Saint Paul faith.

Sacraments be not only Badges and Tokens, but rather they be certain fure witneffes and effectual figns ef God's Grace, &c.] They are indeed tokens by which Chriftians are known and diftinguished from Jews, Turks, or Infidels. And moreover, they be visible figns of an invifible Grace; and do really convey that Grace of which they be figns, to those who receive them worthily, that is, with an humble, penitent, believing heart; feeing themselves the most unworthy. Thefe, by the grace of the holy Spirit affifting them, do really and truly receive the thing fignified by this bleffed Sacrament, that is, the remission of fins, and other special graces from the Lord. See A&ts x. 47. Matt. xxviii. 26. But not all, do receive this: And these bles fings are witnessed to the real believer's heart by the fealing of the Holy Ghoft, Rom. viii. 16. The Cup of bleffing which we blefs, faith St. Paul, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Chrift? The Bread which we break, is it not the communion of the Body of Chrift? 1 Cor. x. 16. And, that he might fanctify and cleanfe it with the washing of Water by the Word. Eph. v. 26, 27.

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Two Sacraments.] It is plain from Scripture that Chrift inftituted only two Sacraments, that is, Baptifm and the Supper of the Lord, fo called. For to thefe only do the dignity of Sacraments agree. See Matt. xxviii. 19. Mark xvi. 18. 1 Cor. xi. 23, 24, 25, 26. The other five, commonly called Sacraments, viz, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, thefe the Pap fts allow to be Sacraments, but our Church doth not allow them; because not inftituted as fuch, either by our Lord, or his Apostles. Yet they are to be used in their proper places by us, and not to be abused. And St. Paul faith, that he who eateth the Bread, or drinketh the Cup of the Lord unworthily, that is without Faith, is guilty of the Body and Blood of Chrift, 1 Cor. xi. 17. This the ancient Church and primitive Fathers most of them agree to. As St. Augufline, St. Chryfoftom, &c. See Homily on the Sa

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ART. XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Minifters, which binders not the Effect of the Sacraments.

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LTHOUGH in the vifible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and fometimes the evil have the chief authority in the mini.ftration of the Word and Sacraments: yet forafmuch as they do not the fame in their own name but in Chrift's, and do minifter by his commiffion and authority,, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the word of God, and in the receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickednefs, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from fuch as by faith, and rightly, do receive the Sacraments miniftered unto them; which be effecrual, because of Chrift's inftitution and promise, although they be miniftered by evil men.

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Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the difcipline of the Church, that enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by thofe that have knowledge of their Offences; and finally being found guilty, by juft Judgment be deposed.

The evil being ever mingled with the good, &c.] Even in the Church of Chrift: the tares are mixed with the wheat. Yet we are to obferve, the minifters of the word of God do not adminifter their own, but Chrift's Sacraments: and the congregation in receiving them hath respect unto Chrift himself, and not to the minifter that deals the Bread and Wine, and therefore it receiveth them not so much from the hand of the minifter as from Chrift himself, as to the virtue and efficacy of them. Yet a true and faithful minister will certainly, by his earnest prayer to God, cause the Lord more powerfully to bless the means. St. Augufline faith, “ A minifter, that is, a dispenser " of the Word and Sacraments of the Gospel, if he be a good man, is an associate with the Gospel; but if he be a bad "man, he is not a difpenfer of the Gofpel."-Judas preached the Gospel, as well as Peter and John, because he was fo commanded of Chrift; yet he was a bad man. Matt. x. 1, 12. And the Scribes and Pharifees fat in Mofes's feat. And therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, faid our Lord, that obferve and do: but do not after their works, for they fay and do not. Matt. xxiii. 2, 3.

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Neither is the effect of Chrifi's ordinance taken away by, c.] Some preach Chrift even of envy and ftrife; and fome also of good will and love, fo Chrift is preached faith St. Paul, and I do therein rejoice. Phil. i. 15.-18. For neither is he that "planteth any thing, or he that watereth, but God that giveth "the increase." 1 Cor. iii. 17.

As appertaining to discipline.] Against anElder receive not an accufation, but before two or three witnesses, &c. And if found guilty, should be reproved. See 1 Tim. v. 19.

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ART. XXVII. Of Baptifm.

APTISM is not only a fign of profession,

and mark of difference, whereby Chriftian men are discerned from others that be not Chriftened but it is alfo a fign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an inftrument, they that receive Baptifin rightly are grafted into the Church: the prom:fes of forgiveness of Sin, and' of our adoption to be the fons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and fealed: faith is confirmed, and grace increafed by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptifm of young children is in any wife to be rerained in the Church, as most agreeable with the inftitution of Chrift..

Baptifm, ."Baptifm is taken from a Greek word, "which fignifies washing, or immersing in water, and whether "the Sacrament of Baptifm be administered by sprinking or "dipping in water, is immaterial; both point out to us, the 68 grace which is conferred by this Sacrament; for as the filth

of the body is cleaned by water, fo are the ftains of the foul by the remiffion of fins." See Heb. x. 22. And as the two Sacraments, Baptifm and the Lord's Supper, have been treated on in the 25th article, I need say the less here, only refer to the proofs; as every child who has learned the Catechism, can tell the meaning of these two Sacraments: that they be outer visible figns of inward and ipiritual grace.

Baptism is not only a fign of profeffion, but a sign and seal of regeneration or the new birth of Chriftians.] Whereby, they are ingrafted into Chrift; have the promise of remiffion of fins are made children of God by faith, and heirs of the kingdom of Heaven, See Gal. iii, 26, 27. Tit. iii. 5. 1 Cor. xii. 13. A&s ii. 38, 41. Matt. xvi. 16. Acts. xxii. 16.

Of young Children.] Infants and young Children, as well as adult perfons, by the word of God, are to be baptized. Bap

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