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A. The promise of forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be sons of God, by the Holy Ghost. Q. What is to be gained by virtue of prayer to God?

A. Faith is confirmed, and grace increased.

Q. Why is the baptism of young children in any wise to be retained in the church?

A. As most agreeable with the institution of Christ.

Scripture Proofs.

Golatians iii. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1 Corinthians xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.

Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.

John iii. 5. Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Matthew xxviii. 19, 20. Go ye therefore, and teach al nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Mark x. 14. Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

St. Peter tells us that "the baptism which saveth us, is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

It is not then the performance of the outward ordinance which saves us; water is a very proper emblem to signify the passing from a course of defilement to a greater degree of purity, both in doctrine and practice.

The latter part of this

article relates to the baptism of infants, to be retained in our Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ. In the administration of baptism we pray for the inward spiritual grace, and the very appointment of the sacrament, by our Lord himself, is our warrant to expect it, we may therefore give God thanks in a believing expectation that his promised blessing is bestowed. If, however, the baptized persons should grow up in sin, and manifest no sign of real conversion, we must not flatter them that they are regenerate. minister in baptizing speaks the language of faith, hope, and charity; but if his expectations are disappointed, his subsequent admonitions and reproofs should prevent the danger of delusion.

The

XXVIII.

OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

The supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break, is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.

Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of bread and wine) in the supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.

The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the supper, is faith.

The sacrament of the Lord's supper, was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.

Q. What is the supper of the Lord?

A. It is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves, one to another, but rather it is a sacrament of our redemption, by Christ's death.

Q. To such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, what is the bread which we break? A. It is a partaking of the body of Christ. Q. What is the cup of blessing?

A. A partaking of the blood of Christ.

Q. What do you say of transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine? A. That it cannot be proved by holy writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture., Q. What doth it?

A. It overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.

Q. How is the body of Christ given, taken and eaten in the supper?

A. Only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. Q. What is the mean whereby the body of Christ is received, and eaten, in the supper?

A. Faith.

Q. What more do you say of the sacrament of the Lord's supper.

A. That it was not, by Christ's ordinance, reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.

Scripture Proofs.

1 John iv. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1 Corinthians x. 17. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Matthew xxvi. 26-28. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

1 Corinthians xi. 26. As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Luke xxii. 19. This do in remembrance of me.

1 Corinthians x. 7. Neither be ye idolaters.

In partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's supper, we are called upon jointly to commemorate the love of Christ dying "for us men and for our salvation," as the ground of our hope of everlasting life, that while our hearts are warmed with religious gratitude to our heavenly Benefactor, the very act of uniting in the celebration of this holy rite may produce in us feelings of kindness towards those whom we see partaking of the same covenant of grace, and rejoicing in the same hope of everlasting happiness. The death of Christ was not merely a proof of his love to lost mankind, it was also an expiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. But if we worship a wafer, a piece of bread, are we not making the cross of Christ of none effect,

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