Ellis on Article XXVII: Of Baptism

PAprism is not only a Sign of Profeflion, and Mark of Difterence, whereby Christian Men are discerned from others that be nor Chriftened ; bur ir is also a Sign of Regenes ration or New Birth, whereby, as by an In+ ftrument, they rhar receive Baptism right- ly, are grafrcd into the Church : The Pro- mites of the Furgivenets of. Sin, and of our Acoption re be the Sons of God, by the Hoi, Ghcst arc viftoly signed and sealeds;

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4 «7 Fre A Defence of the

Vertue of Prayer unto God. Fhe Baptism of young Children is in any wise ro be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the In- stirurion of Christ.

Obj. tr. Go.1 confers Grace, whereby Men are graf:ed into the Church, and there were some that were M:mhers of the Church before their Bap- tism ; namely, Tre Treasurer to Queen Candace, Acts 8. Cornelius the Centurion, Acts io. who even by their good Works sheped that t’ey were regenzrate ; and for this Reason, Baptism 1s not the only Sinn of Rrgenzration ; nor 1s it on» ing solely to toat, tat Men are grafted into the Church.

Answ. Alrhough God be the principal Cause of Salvation ; yer this does not hinder bur thar Baprism may be the Mveais thar God may make ule of in beitowing Salvation. And then Baprtiim, in In{anrs, 1s their firtt Entrance in- ro the Chvrch, though ir be not fo.in Per- sons grown up; as in the Examples thar are alledged : Bur yer Baptism is not witbour irs Benefic, even in Perlons grown up, ina(- much as ir confirms their Faith. Ir is true, Good Works did testifie, that there were ma- ny Believers ; bur they did not to toleminly do ic, as publick Baprism in the Church.

Qbj. 2, The Promises of God are most sure in tnemseives, and do nat uced any Confirmation by the Sacraments, |

Zinsw.The Promites of God arc indeed most sure in themlelves ; but 1n respect to us. they do want Contirmation.

Obj. 3. 1t is the Holy Ghost that fixes in our M.nds the Certainty of che Divine Promises.

Answ.

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Thirty Nine Articles. 63

Arfwi* The Holy Ghost gives us Assurance; bur it is by the Mediation of the Word and Sacraments. -

Obj. 4. The Faith of the Gospel, which ts preached to us, does exclude all manner of doubt- ting ; and therefore des not need any Confirmati= on by the Sacraments.

Answ. The Faith which we preach does exclude all doubt in respect of rhe Object, bur not in respect of the Subject. We know that Christ is Omnipotent, and Faithful, alchough we our selves be weak : We know that a weak Fairh may be rrue : bur yet thar which is leis liable ro doubring is more perfect : And then we cannot doubt, that Men by Bapritm and o- ther Means, may still obtain a greater mea- sure of Faith,

Obj. 5. Inf.mts are not to be baptized, bee cause Christ commands ns first to teach, and then baptize, Mat. 28. 19. But Iifauts cans not be tau7ht, |

Ars. That place is robe understood of such Persons as are grown up, that are capable of Learning,and nor of Infanrs : Besides, the Word in the Original, [we Sr7worre] does nov pro- perly fignttic [20 teach ) bur to make Diiciples ; and this may be spoken of Infants. The Chil dren of the [ews were, withour any appoint- men’, circumcised; and rhe same Reason holds for baprizing Christian Infants.

Obj 6. Tire who believe not, are ta be witi-beld from Baptism ; but Infants do not believe, because they have no Knowledge of Good or Eui/, Deur. 1. 39.

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grown up : And theu belides, the Faith of Pa-

64 A Defence of the

rents is thongh: sufficient for their Children : why may nor the Faith of another as well be suficient ro them, as the Sin of another be 1m- pured to them ?

ART. XXVIII. Of the Lords Supper,