Anonymous on Article XXV: Of the Sacraments

T was in the Power of our Lord to appoint and ordain what Rites he thought proper for the Church; that as he was Lord of the House, he might retain the Government of it, and provide

for the Safety and Happiness of all in it. For this Reason he hath

commanded Baptism and the Eucharist. And as they did eat, Jesus took Bꝛead, and blessed, and bzake it, and gave un⸗ to them, and laid, Cake, eat, this is my Body. Which may give us an Occasion to explain the Twenty Fifth Ar- tide, which says, © Sacraments ordain’d by Christ , be not only

Badges and Tokens of Christian Men’s Profession, but rather the

ebe certain sure Witnesses, and effectual Signs of Grace, and God’s “ good Will towards us, by which he doth work invisibly in us;

and not only quicken, but strengthen our Faith in him. There

• be Two Sacraments ordain’d of Christ our Lord in the Gospel ; e that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. Those “ Five, commonly call’d Sacraments ; that is to say, Confirmation, “ Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to ce be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel ; being such as have e grown partly of the corrupt Following of the Apostles ; partly, « are States of Life allow’d in the Scriptures ; but yet have not the “like Nature of Sacraments with Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper: * For that they have not any visible Sign or Ceremony ordain’d of

© God. The Sacraments were not ordain’d of Christ to be gaz’d

• upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them: And in such only, as worthily receive the same, they “have a wholsome Effect, or Operation. But they that receive

them unworthily, purchase to themselves Damnation, as St. Paul « faith”. Here note,

I. What Sacraments are. Sacraments ordain’d by Christ, be not only Badges and Tokens of Christian Men’s Profession, but rather they be certain sure Witnesses and effectual Signs of

Grace and God’s good Will towards us, by which he doth

work invisibly in us; and not only quicken but strengthen our Faith in him. II. The

’ Thirty Nine Ax rTric LES.

II. The Number of Sacraments ardain’d in the Gospel :’ There Article be Two Sacraments ordain’d of Christ our Lord in the Gospel ; . XXV. that is to spy, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. Those vw —-

Five commonly called Sacraments ; that is to say, Confirmati- on, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel : Being such as have grown partly of the corrupt Following of the Apostles,

bl

partly, are States of Life allow’d in the Scriptures, but yet

have not the like Nature of Sacraments, with Baptism, and the

Lord’s Supper; for that they have not any Visible Sign or Ce- remony prdain’d.of GWP. yy

Ill. The Use and Effect of the Sacraments : The Sacraments were

not ordain’d of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them. And in such only, as Wor- thily receive the same, they have a wholesome Effect or Opera- tion :: But they that receive them unworthily, purchase to them- selves Damnation, as St. Paul saith. W ear.

I. What Sacraments are. Our Church informs us, that they are

F

not only Badges; and then what they are in themselves. : | 2

1. They arenot only Badges and Tokens of Christian Men’s Pro- session ; or, though they. are external Signs, and in some Sense Badges of the Christian Religion, yet this is not the only Character of them; they are of an higher Nature, and signify something more than bare P

pass for proper Cognizances, by which the Flock of Christ is, or may be discovered, and may be useful to distinguish Christians from all other Religions in the World, as once Circumcision and the Pas- chal Lamb were Tokens of the Fewish Dispensation; but this is

rofession of the Christian Religion: They may indeed

not all that our Sacraments are appointed for, they are of a sublimer

Nature, and lead to higher Enjoyments. And whoeyer looks upon

them as no other than distinguishing Ceremonies, thinks too meanly

of them: For though they may pass for Badges and Tokens, they are not only such, but of a better and diviner Nature. For by Bap- tism we put on Christ, and are entitled to his Merits ; and the Bread which we break is the Communion of the Body of Christ. For as many of you as have been baptiz’d into Christ, have put on Christ. |

| i Our Church affirms, that the Sacraments are rather certain and sure Witnesses of God’s good Will towards us, that they are effectual Signs of his Favour ; that they convey and make over to us his Mercy in his Son, and ensure to us his eter- nal Love. He thus not only separates us from others, to be his own peculiar People in Christ Jesus, but also works powerfully and invi- libly in us; quickens and strengthens our Faith, confirms and esta- blishes us in his Fear, and enables us to go forward in our Duty, and to remain faithful to the End. Thus by Baptism he adopts us to be his Children, receives us into his Family, and gives us a Measure of Grace to profit withal : He then bestows upon us his Holy Spirit,

by

Gal. 3+ 27» |

A 168 W An E X OSITION o the

Article by which we are enabled for his Service, and may run the Christi-

an Race that is set before us. And when we are come to some Age

CG in his Church, and are capable of examining our selves, and discern-

ing the Lord’s Body; he then leads us to his Table, shews us what

Provision he hath made for our Spiritual Entertainment, feeds us with the Body and Blood of his Son, reaches to us the Pledges of his great and wonderful Love, and obliges us by all that is sacred, to remain faithful. So that in both the Sacraments there is an in- ward and spiritual Grace, which far exceeds all external Appearan- ces, by which we are receiv’d into the Church, and made living

1 Cor. 11-26, Members of Christ’s Body. For as often as ye eat this Bread, and

drink this Cup, ye do shew the Lord’s Death till he come.

II. The Number of the Sacraments ordain’d of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, are Two ; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. Baptism was ordain’d by Christ, as an Holy Rite or Ce- remony, by which Converts were to be admitted, and receiv’d into

Matt. 28. 19. his Family, or his Church. Then faith Christ, © Go teach all Na-

Luk. 22. 14,

tions, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. And this his Command was look’d upon by the Apostles, as so necessary and binding, that they receiv*d none into the Church, but by Baptism, and judg’d it pro- per to be administer’d to those, that had received the Holy Ghost. So that none were reputed in those Days to be Members of Christ’s Body, but such as were baptiz d. Repent and be baptiz’d every one of you, in the Name of Fesus Christ , for the Remisson of Sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost. 1 The Lord’s Supper was ordain’d also by Christ himself, to convey to us the Benefits of his Death and Passion, and to assure us of his exceeding great Love, wherewith he hath loved us. It was he that said, * Take, eat, this is my Body; and, drink ye all of this“: And as it is his Command, it is his Ordinance, his Supper; and all his Disciples are bound to partake of it. When the Hour was come, he fate down, and the Twelve Apostles with him; and he took © Bread, and gave Thanks, and brake and gave unto them, saying, This is my Body , which 1s given for you , this do in Remem- “ brance of me. Likewise also the Cup after Supper; saying, This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood, which is shed for you ”. Thele are the Two Sacraments ordain’d by the Lord Je- sus, who hath power to appoint Sacraments, and to oblige his Ser- vants to use them. N But besides these which are the undoubted Sacraments of the Chri- stian Church, there are Five others added, under the Pretence of Sacraments, which are not of that Nature: Such are Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction. But these are not to be counted Sacraments; some of them are grown from a corrupt Following, and Imitation of the Apostles; some are States of Life allowed in the Scriptures, but not of the Nature of Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. These are the Reasons, why our Church will not admit them to be Sacraments. N

I. Some

Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

1. Some of them have risen from à corrupt following, and imita- tion of the Apostles ; these are Confirmation, Penance , and Ex- treme Unction. For the Apostles did confirm the Weak,and strengthen their Brethren ; and our Church allows of such Confirmation, so far as is consistent with the Ancient Practice of Christians. She does appoint, that those that are come to Years of Discretion, should take their Baptismal Vows upon themselves, and by the laying on of the Hands of the Bishop , and Prayer, should be recommended to the Grace of God, and prepared for the Lord’s Supper. But this does by no means make it a Sacrament, or give it that Reputa- tion. . f

Penance too arose from the corrupt Imitation of the Apostles. The incestuous Corinthian was to be delivered unto Satan by St. Paul’s Order, that he might be punished in the Flesh, and that his Spirit might be saved in the Day of the Lord. And fo far as this may be lawfully imitated, our Church allows of it; and in Confer- mity to the best Times, enjoins heinous Sinners to confess their Sins, and to receive Absolution ; but upon their Obstinacy proceeds to

Excommunication ; and heartily desires, that that Primitive Disci- pline were renewed, and brought into Practice. But yet we count it no Sacrament, but a Godly Discipline, wholesome, and useful for the Recovery of Sinners. Neither can we apprehend, how Satisfa- ction can be made for Sin, or how the going barefoot, or receiving

so many Stripes of a Whip, or the repeating so many Prayers can turn to true Repentance.

The like may be said of Extreme Un&ion, that that springs also

from a corrupt following of the Apostles. It was customary, so long as Miracles continued, for the Elders of the Church to pray over the Sick, and to anoint them with Oy! in the Name of the Lord; and those that were thus anointed, were miraculously recover’d, and rais’d up. But since Miracles are ceas’d, we judge that this Custom is to be laid aside, as not answering the Institution of it, and that it

is so far from being a Sacrament, that it is not a visible Sign of Spi ritual Grace to all Generations.

2. Some of them are but States of Life allowed of in Scripture ; and in being such, they are very improperly rank’d amongst the Sa- craments; these are Orders and Matrimony. As for Orders, no doubt but that God has appointed in Scripture, that certain Men should be set apart for the Work of the Ministry, by the laying on of Hands, and the Invocation of the Holy Spirit: Thus Timothy is enjoined to lay Hands suddenly on no Man. But though God has appointed an Order of Men to be thus separated, their Ordination is

Article XXV. GW nn a.

no Sacrament ; tis only a necessary Separation for that Work to which they are called, and by which they are consecrated to the

Service of God. Matrimony also is a State of Life appointed for the Propagation of Mankind; but is so far from being a Sacrament, that it 1s only a necessary Covenant betwixt two Persons, Male and Female, to live together in holy Love to their Lives end, and to &ring up the Children, which _ shall give them, in his Fear, and

to

—B

An EXPOSITION of the

Article XXV. Heb. 13. 4.

to his Glory. Marriage is bonourable in all, and the Bed undefiled ; but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge.

3. All these reputed Sacraments are not of the like Nature with Baptism and the Supper of the Lord, in that (faith our Church) they have not any visible Sign or Ceremony ordain’d of God. What visible Sign can be fixed upon any one of them, like to Water in Baptism, and Bread and Wine in the Lord’s Supper ? Nay, where

is it written, that Christ alotted any visible Sign to those, when it is

plain, that he himself ordained Water, and Bread and Wine for

_ these ? Admit, that we may term them Religious Ceremonies, which

are kept up in imitation of the Apostles, it does not follow, that they are Sacraments, Outward and Visible Signs of Inward and Spt- ritual Grace, commanded by Christ as Means and Pledges of the fame. If such Ceremonies must go for Sacraments, then the putting off of Moses’s Shoes, when the Lord appeared to him in a Bush, may pass for as good a Sacrament as any of them. But as Christ is Lord of his own House, and alone appoints his own Sacraments ; his express Command must be produced, or they must remain no bet- ter than Ceremonies, and can deserve no other Character.

HII. The Use and Effects of the Sacraments in general. And, 1. They are not ordained to be carried about, and gaz d upon, but

for Religious Use. What Profit can it bring to the Souls of Men,

to have the consecrated Bread put into a Silver Box, and to be car-

ried abroad in great Pomp, under a Canopy of State, attended with Priests in their Vestments, and burning Tapers at Noon-day? Was

tit for this Use that the Body of Christ was slain, and his Blood shed ? Or could he design, that the Signs of his Passion should be represent-

ed with so much show 2 Without doubt he ordained his Sacra-

ments to be duly used, devoutly applied, and to convey Grace and Favour to the Soul. 1 2

2. Upon such as receive them worthily, they produce a whole- some Effect, and do good; but turn to their eternal Hurt, that re- ceive them unworthily ; for such hasten their own Destruction, and

• purchase to themselves Damnation. Thus when Men are Baptiz’d,

if they come in a worthy manner, repent of their Sins, believe in Jesus, and resolve upon an Holy Life, they shall be Pardoned, Assist-

ed, and Blessed in their Deeds. But if they come to Baptism,

without any Sorrow for Sin committed, without Faith in Christ, or Resolutions of Amendment; they but despise the Mercy of God in Christ ; and hasten, nay aggravate their own Condemnation. Again, when Men are Baptiz’d, and have liv’d under the Gospel for some time, if they take no care how to live in the Fear of God, do not examine themselves, nor vow all possible Obedience; but come rash- ly to the Lord’s Table, and Eat and Drink without Repentance, without Faith in Christ, and sincere Resolutions of better Obedience, they unadvisedly hurt their own Souls, despise the Blood of the Co-

venant,

Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

W

venant, and Eat and Drink their own Damnation. But if on tlie other hand, Men have taken care, after their Baptism to live up to it, and strictly consider and examine their Hearts and Lives: If they heartily repent, are in perfect Charity, believe in the Lord Tesus, and trust to him for Salvation, they are bound to meet their Lord at his own Feast, may thankfully partake of the Pledges of his Love, chear themselves up with the Hope of Pardon and Peace, and may find the wholsome Effects of that Sacrament in their

Article XXV. ND

Hearts and Lives, may receive more Grace to help in the time of

Need, and more Encouragement to remain faithful. And thus the Sacraments, when duly receiv’d, are of great Use in our Way to Heaven, and through the Divine Goodness, may turn to our Welfare and Salvation. Brut let a Man examine himself, and so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup, From this ye may see the Tenderness of our Church; The Ob-

ligations that are upon you; And the Care ye shou’d take to walk worthily. =

1. The Tenderness of our Church is great; for she does not multiply Sacraments, and lay greater Burthens upon you, than what Christ hath laid; nor does she amuse you with Pageantry and Show : She assures you, that there are but Two Sacraments; and that these are to be used with all Attention and Care : By the One ye are consecrated to God ; and by the Other,

strengthen’d for his Service: And she desires you to regard them, ac- cording to the Honour that your Lord hath put upon them, as Witnesses of his good Will , as Signs of his Grace, and as Tokens of his Love. What Tenderness can be greater to- wards your Souls? What Compassion more obliging? She would bring you to God, and feed you with the Bread of Life: And what is said of a faithful Servant, may be ap-

plied to her, © which takes Care of the Houshold, and gives

ee them their Portion in due Season ”. _vant „

ing.

Blessed is that Ser- whom the Lord, when be cometh, shall find so do—

2. Ye must be sensible of the Obligations, that are upon you: For ye are the Children of God in Christ; ye have been by one Sacrament receiv’d into the Church, and put up- on your good Behaviour: And by the other ye are to be strength- ened and comforted. So that ye are as much obliged, as Men can be, to live in the Fear of God, and to walk worthy of Christ. If ye are baptiz’d, ye are no longer your own, but his who died for you; and ye can do no lels than

take care how to walk, and answer the Holy Laws of your

Religion : But if ye have frequented the other Sacrament , ye have renewed your Vows, and repeated your Resolutions; and tis expected that ye should especially live, as the Redeemed of the Lord; for ye have received the sure and certain Wit-

2 2 nesles

Luk. 12, 43.

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172 An EXPOSITION of the Article nesses and Testimonies of his Favour, and would be ungrateful

XXVI. and unworthy, should ye forsake your Lord or his Service. To

— conclude, Both Sacraments are for our Support in this perilous State ; if we are devoted by the one, we ought to frequent the

other; that as one puts us upon God’s Service, the other may confirm us in it; and Both, as they were ordain d, * lead us to Christ, and entitle us to his Grace. Come ye blesse of my Father , in- datt. 24. 34. herit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the Foundation of the World