VI. That the worthy only receive it, that the unworthy, who have not the faith, which ariseth to the heavens, receive nothing besides bread and wine. The false and erroneous doctrine of the Calvinists, on the Person of Christ: which differs, in particular, from the third and fourth Article of the more pure doctrine. I. THAT God, is man, and man God, is a figurative mode of speech. II. That human nature hath communion with the divine, not in fact and truth, but in name and words only. III. That it is impossible to God, by all his omnipotence, to effect, that the natural body of Christ, which is in one place, should, at the same time and instant, be in several. IV. That, according to his human nature, Christ hath, by his exaltation, received only created good and finite power; and doth not know and cannot do all things. V. That, according to his humanity, Christ reigns, where he is absent, as the King of Spain governs his Islands. VI. That it is a damnable idolatry, to place the hope and faith of the heart in Christ, not singly according to his divine, but also according to his human nature, and to direct the honour of adoration The false and erroneous doctrine of the Calvinists, on Holy Baptism. I. THAT Baptism is an external washing, by which a certain internal ablution from sin is merely signified. II. That Baptism does not work, nor confer regeneration, faith, the grace of God, and salvation, but only signifies and seals them. III. That not all, who are baptized in water, but the elect only, obtain by it the grace of Christ, and the gifts of faith. IV. That salvation doth not depend on baptism, and therefore in cases of necessity, should not be permitted in the church; but when the ordinary minister of the church is wanting, the infant should be permitted to die without baptism.* V. The infants of Christians are already holy before baptism, in the womb of the mother; and, even in the womb of the mother, are received into the covenant of eternal life: otherwise the sacrament of baptism could not be conferred on them. *This article stands in the original, "Salutem non dependere a Baptismo, atque ideo, in casu necessitatis, non permittendum esse, in Ecclesiâ; sed in defectu ordinarii ministri Ecclesiæ, permittendum esse, ut infans sinè Baptismo moriatur." The case of necessity referred to in this place, seems to denote the circumstance, where a minister cannot be The false and erroneous doctrine of the Calvinists, on Predestination, and the Providence of God. I. That Christ did not die for all men, but only for the elect. II. That Christ created the greater part of mankind for eternal damnation, and wills not that the greater part should be converted and live. III. That the elected and regenerated cannot lose faith and the Holy Spirit, or be damned, though they commit great sins and crimes of every kind. IV. That those, who are not elect, are necessarily damned, and cannot arrive at salvation, though they be baptized a thousand times, and receive the eucharist every day, and lead as blameless a life, as ever can be led. procured in time to baptize the child, while he lives. The article seems to assert it to be a doctrine of the calvinists, that baptism, being merely a rite, and not being necessary to salvation, and the minister being, by the discipline of their church, the only proper minister of baptism, it is improper, that, even in this case of necessity, it should be conferred by any other; and the child therefore should, in such a case, die without baptism. |