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See the Homily of Common Prayer and Sacraments. Nowelli Catech. p. 137. Hammond's Pract. Cat. B. VI. Sect. 1. Jewell's Def. Apol. Part II. Ch. 11. Div. 2. Hooker's Eccl. Pol. B. V. Sect. 50, 57. Prideaux's

Fasc. Controv. Ch. 6. Q. 1, 2.

It is here to be observed, that if we do not find the number of the Sacraments determined in so many words by the primitive Fathers, it is, because in their time there was no dispute about this matter. Peter Lombard, a writer of the twelfth century, was the first that made them precisely seven. Eugenius IV. about the year of Christ 1439, taught the Armenians the same doctrine. The Council of Trent afterwards confirmed it by a Decree; from whence Pius IV. inserted it in his new Creed: And so, at length, the whim of a trifling schoolman became an Article of Faith!

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On the other hand, Justin Martyr, in his Exposition of Apol. I. à our religion, (in which also he declares that he speaks no- cap. 79. ad. thing out of spite to any man, nor with any dissimulation) makes mention of only two Sacraments, to wit, Baptism, and the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper. Tertullian likewise De corona joins the two together, and says nothing of any more. militis, c. 3. To pass by St. Augustin, and St. Chrysostom, and other De doct. writers of the following ages.

Christ. l. 3. c. Epist. 118 & 23. In Joan. Hom. 85.

ARTICLE XXVI.

Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the Effect of the Sacraments.

ALTHOUGH in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments, yet forasmuch as they do not the same 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

Contra Lit.
Petiliani.

1. 3. c. 55.

of God, and in receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ's ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God's gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them; which be effectual, because of Christ's institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil

men.

Nevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that inquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their of fences; and finally being found guilty, by just judgment be deposed.

Sometime the evil have chief, &c.] The ministers of the Gospel do not administer their own, but Christ's Sacraments; and the church in receiving them, hath respect unto Christ himself, and not to them; and therefore it receives them, not so much from the ministers, as from Christ himself, through their hands. The virtue then and efficacy of them, since it depends upon Christ alone, cannot be hindered by a minister, how wicked soever he may be.

See Whitgift's Def. Tract. 9. C. 3. Nelson's Festivals, Ch. 13. and Fasts, Ch. 10. Field of the Church, B. I. Ch. 14. Bishop Andrewes's Serm. on John xx. 22.

Not in their own name.] See 1 Cor. iii. 5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

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See also St. Augustin. "A minister, 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 therefore no dispenser of the Gospel. "Peter preached it, as likewise did other good men and so did Judas, though unwillingly; and yet being sent together with them, he also preached it: the dispensa"tion of it was likewise committed to him; though they only have a good reward for dispensing it."

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We may use their ministry [See Matt. xxiii. 2, 3. The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All, therefore,

whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say and do not. Both in hearing the word] See Phil. i. 15-18. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good-will. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached : and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Neither is the effect, &c.] See 1 Cor. iii. 7. Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Appertaineth to the discipline, &c.] See 1 Tim. v. 19. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Being found guilty, &c.] See 3 John 10. Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doth.-See also St. Cyprian." As to Felicissimus the deacon, let him know Epist. 41. "that he is cast out from among us; inasmuch as besides "his frauds and robberies, of which we are very certain "that he is guilty, he is also charged with adultery, which some of our brethren, who are grave men, declare that "they have caught him in, and have engaged themselves "to make good the charge."

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ARTICLE XXVII.

Of Baptism.

BAPTISM is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism 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 sealed: Faith is con

firmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.

The Greek words βαπτίζω and βαπτισμὸς (from whence the English word Baptism is taken) among the Sacred Writers, denote any washing, whether it be by dipping, or sprinkling. See Mark vii. 4. And when they come from the market, av uǹ Banтiowvrai, except they WASH, they eat not: And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as Barrioμoùs, the WASHINGS of cups and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. And Luke xi. 38. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled örι OÙ πρмτоν Barrioon, that he had not first WASHED before dinner.

But whether the Sacrament of Baptism be administered by dipping, or by sprinkling, it significantly points out to us the grace which is conferred by this Sacrament. For as the filth of the body is washed away by water, so are the stains of the soul by remission of sins: and as in immersion or dipping, it is intimated that we are buried and rise again with Christ; so in aspersion, or sprinkling, it is likewise signified that we die, and are born again; since it was the custom to wash the dead, as well as those who were newly born. See Acts ix. 37. It came to pass in those days that she (Tabitha) was sick, and died; whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

A sign of Regeneration [See Tit. iii. 5. He saved us by the washing of Regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Epist. c. 11. Ghost.-See also Barnabas. "We descend into the water

Apol. I. c. 79.

"full of sins and pollutions, and ascend out of it full of "good fruits, having fear in our hearts, and hope to"wards the Lord in our spirit."-And Justin Martyr. "As many as are persuaded and believe that those things "which are taught and declared by us are true, and un"dertake to lead lives agreeable thereto, are brought by

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us to a place where there is water, and are regenerated "after the same manner of Regeneration, in which we "ourselves were regenerated."

They that receive Baptism rightly] That is, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, together with a serious profession of faith and repentance.

Are grafted into the Church] See 1 Cor. xii. 13. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.

The promises of the forgiveness, &c.] See Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. And Acts xxii. 16. And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. -See also Justin Martyr. "That in the water we may Ibid. obtain the remission of all our past sins."-And Theophilus of Antioch. "The creatures also which spring 4d Autolyc. "from the waters were blessed of God, that this might be a sign that men were to receive repentance and remis"sion of sins by water, and the laver of regeneration, even as many as come to the truth, and are born again, "and receive the blessing from God."

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And of our adoption] See Gal. iii. 26, 27. Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1. 2.

p.

Faith is confirmed, &c.] At least in adult persons: and even as to infants, does any one imagine, that God is in vain called upon by the Church for them? See Acts ii. 41, 42. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. See also Justin Martyr. This laver is called Apol. I. Illumination, because the minds of those who learn c. 8. "these things are enlightened."

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109.

The baptism of young children, &c.] For of such, as Christ affirms, is the kingdom of God, Mark x. 14. And he commands his Apostles to go and baptize all nations, Matt. xxviii. 19. Now nations consist of young children, as well as of adult persons. See also 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.-See also Irenæus. "Christ came to save us all by himself, all I say, who are born Adv. Hær. "again to God through him, infants, and young children, . 2. c. 33. "and boys and young men, and old men." And St. Cyprian. "If remission of sins be granted to the greatest sinners," Epist. 64. &c. See this quotation at length under Article IX.

See also Nowelli Cat. p. 141. Hammond's Pract. Cat. B. VI. Sect. 2, 3. Wall's Hist. of Infant-Bapt. and his Confer. Walker's Modest Plea. Jewell's Def. Apol. Part II. C. 11. Divis. 3. Prideaux's Fasc. Contr. C. 6. Q. 4.

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