in all these Places shews, that the Church did not intend to express her felf doubtfully; but she roundly and directly affirms the respective Propositions. Nay, the Phrafe but rather being oppos'd, in this and the Twenty eighth Article, to not only, must needs fignify the fame as but also.

Touching the Nature of Sacraments in general, fee the First Qeftion of Turretin'sLocusDecimus nonus.

The First Proposition. See the Third and Fourth Questions of Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus.

The Second Proposition. See the Fifth Question of the fame Locus, and Article 27. Prop. 2. and Article 28. Prop. 2, 3.

The Third Proposition. See the Confutation of Quakerism, Chap. 18, 19, &c.

The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Propositions. See the Thirty first Question of Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus, and the Fourteenth and Twentieth Chapters of the Second Part of the Confutation of Popery. You may peruse them in the following Order. Touching Confirmation, read Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus, Quest. 31. Sect. 1-------10.

Touching Penance, read the Confutation of Popery, Part 2, Chap. 14. Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus, Quest. 31. Sect. 11-26.

Touching Orders, read Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus, Quest. 31. Sect. 34-----39.

Touching Matrimony, read Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus, Quest. 31. Sect. 40---44. - Touching extreme Unction, read the Confutation of Popery, Part. 2. Chap. 20. and Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus, Quest. 31. Sect. 27-33.

The Eighth Proposition. By the Word Sacraments, in this and the Two following Propositions, the Church

Church means the Sacramental Elements: And she manifestly strikes at that known Practice of the Papists, who elevate the Host, and carry it about to be seen and ador'd by the People. But the Papists themselves never used to carry about or elevate the Element of Baptifm, that I know of; and therefore I can't tell how our Church happen'd to express her felf in the Plural Number. However, the Propofition is certainly true with refpect to the Elements of both the Sacraments. For the Design of the Sacramental Elements is to be learnt from Scripture, which faies nothing of our gazing on them, or carrying them about. I confefs, if the DoCtrin of Transubstantiation were true, there would be a good Reason in the nature of the thing (and confequently a good Argument from the very Institution) for elevating and carrying about the Hoft, that the People might not only gaze (or behold it) but also adore it: But fince that Doctrin is monstrou. fly false, there can be no Pretense for such Customs. The Ninth Proposition. See the Eighth Question of Turretin's Locus Decimus nonus.

The Tenth Proposition is founded, with respect to the Lord's Supper, on St. Paul's Words, 1 Cor. 11. 29. and the Reason of the thing proves the same with respect to Baptifm. But tho' our Church quotes St. Paul's Words in delivering her Sentiments concerning the unworthy Partakers of both the Sacraments; yet it must not be imagined, that the understands this Text of St. Paul of both the Sacraments. She only applies his Expression, Damnation, to the unworthy Partakers of Baptifm, as well as of the Lord's Supper. And that she may adapt St. Paul's Expreffion to both the Sacraments, she changes the Verbs, faying, that the unworthy Partakers do (not eat and drink, but) purchase to themselves Damnation. The

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The TWENTY SIXTH ARTICLE. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinder not the Effects of the Sacraments.

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LTHOUGH in the visible church the evil be ever and fometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and facraments: yet forafmuch as they do not the fame in their own name, but in Christ's, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their ministry, both in hearing the word of God, and in the receiving of the facraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from fuch, as by faith and rightly do receive the facraments ministred unto them, which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, although they be ministred by evil men.

Nevertheless, it appertaineth to the discipline of the church, that enquiry be made of evil ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences: and finally being found guilty, by just judgment, be deposed.

This Article contains Five Propositions.

3. We may use the Ministry of evil Ministers, both in Hearing the Word of God, and in the Receiving the Sacraments.

4. The Effect of Christ's Ordinance is not taken away by their Wickedness, nor the Grace of God's Gifts diminished from such, as by Faith and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministred unto them, which be effectual, because of Chrifst's Institution and Promife, altho' they be ministred by evil Men.

5. It appertaineth to the Disciplin of the Church, that Enquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their Offences; and finally, being found guilty, by just Judgment, be depofed.

The First Proposition is too notorious a matter

of Fact.

The Second Proposition is allowed by all Parties. The Third and Fourth Propofitions are the necefiary Confequences of the Second. See the Eighteenth Chapter of the Discourse of Schifm.

The Fifth Proposition. Since there ought to be Disciplin in the Church (which is here taken for granted) common Sense tells us, that vicious Clergy Men ought principally to feel it, as those whose bad Lives do the greatest Mischief. And confequently Enquiry ought to be made of evil Ministers, &c. as the Propofition afferts.

The TWENTYSEVENTH ARTICLE. Of Baptifm.

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APTISM is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby christian men are difcerned from others that be not christened : but it is also a fign of

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regeneration or newbirth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly, are grafted into the Church: the promises of the forgiveness of fin, and of our adoption to be the fons of God, by the Holy Ghost, arevifibly figned and fealed: faith is confirmed, and grace increasedby virtue of prayer unto God. The baptism of young children is in any wife to be retained in the church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.

This Article contains Three Propositions.

1. Baptifm is a Sign of Profession, and Mark of Difference, whereby Christian Men are difcerned from others that be not Christned.

2. Baptifm is a Sign of Regeneration or New Birth, whereby, as by an Instrument, they that receive Baptifm rightly, are grafted into the Church: the Promises of the Forgiveness of Sin, and of our Adoption to be the Sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and fealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of Prayer unto God.

3. The Baptifm of young Children is in any wife to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the Institution of Chrift.

The First Propofition. See Article 25. Prop. 1. The Second Proposition. See the Fifth Question of the Locus Decimus nonus of Turretin's System (already referr'd to in Art. 25. Prop. 2.) and Bishop Wake's Commentary on the Catechism, Sect. 43, 44, 45.

The Third Propofition. See the Fifth Chapter of the Abridgment of the London Cafes, and the Hints given in the foregoing Directions for Studying a general System or Body of Divinity, p. 20, 21.

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