those holding the chief offices of the Ministry. Yet, forasmuch as they have received the outer call and commission to officiate in the congregation, and are duly qualified and authorised so to act, "we may use their Ministry," both with regard to preaching and teaching, and also in the more sacred rites of the Church, knowing of a surety, that as we refuse the doctrine of priestly intervention, so, as long as Christ is preached, and His Sacraments administered in due form, it is according to the answer and reception given directly from our own heart to Him, that we profit by, or misuse, the means of grace. They themselves are as effectual as though offered us by an angel from heaven; and nothing can hinder God's blessing on them, if we in true faith and fear accept His ordinances and promises, as His alone, worshipping the Lord by them in spirit and in truth.

Nevertheless, as it is necessary that strict discipline should be maintained, for the "avoidance of scandal," and that no occasion be given to the enemy to blaspheme, the Church directs that inquiry be made into the conduct of ministers who are suspected of any evil, and being brought before their accusers and found guilty, that they be deposed; for all which proceedings due provision is made by the Ecclesiastical Courts of this land.

ARTICLE XXVII.-" Of Baptism."

The opening statements of this Article exactly correspond with the first paragraph of that on the sacraments, where it is declared that a sacrament is not merely an outward sign and profession made by the Church before the world, but also a Divine token vouchsafed to the recipients' hearts that God will perform that in their souls of which the visible sign is the symbol and pledge.

Next it is stated what is the particular grace and gift pledged and received in this sacrament, and the nature of its special benefits.

That which is represented by this rite is that "Regeneration or new birth" which is the entrance into Christ's kingdom appointed by Himself. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Our old nature, inherited from Adam, is utterly lost and ruined, it is impossible ever to reform it; therefore we come to the waters of Baptism there to bury it once and for ever, that having put off the whole body of sin, we may receive from Christ by our union with Him in His appointed rite, that new nature which we inherit in our spiritual birth as truly as by our natural birth we inherited that of Adam. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ, were baptised into His death? Therefore we are buried with him by

baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." This

is the interpretation our Church puts on the word "regeneration; "a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness; for being by nature born in sin, and the children of wrath, we are hereby made the children of grace."

the

This is the "inward and spiritual grace outward sign of which is water, with immersion into or sprinkling of the same, in the name of the Holy Trinity.

Being thus "members of Christ," we are therefore "children of God, and inheritors of the kingdom of Heaven." As members of the body of Christ, we are incorporated into His Church, "which is the blessed company of all faithful people;" as sons of God, we obtain pardon of our sins inherited and committed as sons of Adam; and as heirs of the kingdom of Heaven and eternal life, the Holy Spirit is vouchsafed to dwell in our hearts for the confirmation of God's promises, and assurance that we are adopted of the Father; "for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

By the earnest and solemn calls upon God in the beautiful Baptismal Service of our Church, our faith, if true, is confirmed, that He who has said, "Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you," will on our faithful pleading His promises, "give unto us that ask;

let us that seek, find; open the gate unto us that knock;" that by this faith we may receive now the everlasting benediction of His heavenly washing, and hereafter come to the eternal kingdom promised by Christ our Lord. 'And grace increased;" for what we ask in faith we ever obtain: our heavenly Father will as He has promised, give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.

The Article closes with the declaration that the baptism of infants who cannot consciously come to this rite in actual faith, is allowed by, and agreeable to, Christ's institution, as may easily be proved by God's Word.

When our Lord was on earth, and young children were brought to Him that He should bless them, and the disciples "rebuked those that brought them," we read Christ was "much displeased," and said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God;" and laying His hands upon the children He blessed them.

Our Church appoints this passage to be read in the Baptismal Service, and proceeds to comment upon it, arguing that as then He "commanded the children to be brought unto Him, and blamed those that would have kept them from Him," as by His outward gesture and deed He declared His favour towards them, "for He embraced them in His arms, laid His hands upon them, and blessed them," so now-for He is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for

ever "—we should not doubt, but earnestly believe, that He will likewise now receive those infants which are brought unto Him, and though not present in body to show His goodwill by visible sign, He yet will “embrace them with the arms of His mercy; and give unto them the blessing of eternal life." We should therefore have no doubt but that He "alloweth this charitable work of ours in bringing them to His Holy Baptism," and that He will "see the faith of those that bring" them, and grant them remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As infants cannot yet have committed actual sin, they will be pardoned that original guilt which is in them; the Holy Spirit will be given, but only in the germ in their hearts as yet, to grow with their nature, and develop with their growth, until they come of age either to quench the Spirit's influence on their souls, or yield themselves wholly to His guidance and sanctification.

ARTICLE XXVIII.-" Of the Lord's Supper."

Here again we have declared the deeper spiritual signification hidden beneath the outer symbol of the second sacrament of the Gospel.

The outward token is the love which all who are partakers of this Holy Communion ought to bear one another. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And this is My commandment, that ye love