and sent, which be chosen and called to this work by men who have public authority given unto them in the congregation, to call and send ministers into the Lord's vineyard.

and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto 1 have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and luid their hands on them, they sent them away.-1 Tim. iv. 14; 2 Tim. ii. 2; Tit. i. 5.

This Article consists of two parts: the former asserts the unlawfulness of exercising the public offices of religion without a regular appointment; and the latter relates to the authority by which ministers are to be appointed. See texts.

ARTICLE XXIV.

Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a Tongue as the People understandeth.

IT is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the

a 1 Cor. xiv. 5. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.-Ver. 9. Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak into the air.-Ver. 11. If I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.-Ver. 23.

primitive Church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the sacraments in a tongue not understood of the people.

If therefore the whole church be come together into some place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say ye are mad?

As the object for which Christians assemble themselves together is to hear the word of God, to offer their united prayers and praises to their heavenly Father, and to participate in those holy ordinances which it hath pleased the divine Author of our religion to institute; it seems obvious to common sense that the public service of the Church should be performed in a language understood by the congregation. See texts.

This Article is against the Romish Church, whose primary object has always been to keep the laity in the dark with respect to religion: the whole of their Liturgy is still in Latin.

ARTICLE XXV.

Of the Sacraments. SACRAMENT'S ordained of Christ, be not only badges or tokens of Christian

a Acts ii. 41, 42. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were ad ded

men's profession; but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace and God's good-will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him.

There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.

unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread.-Gal. iii. 27; 1 Cor. xi. 26.

b 1 Pet. iii. 20, 21. The long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls, were saved by water; the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (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.-1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

c Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them.

d 1 Cor. xi. 23, 24, 25. The Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood. This do ye, as oft as ve drink it, in remembrance of me,

Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, confirmation, '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, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures: But yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord's Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.

h The Sacraments were not ordained of

e "No man ought to take these for sacraments in such signification and meaning as the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are: but either for godly states of life, necessary in Christ's church, and therefore worthy to be set forth by public action, and solemnity, by the ministry of the Church, or else judged to be such ordinances as make for the instruction, comfort, and edification of Christ's church." Homily of Com. Prayer and Sacraments.

f Absolution.

g" And as for the number of them (the sacraments) if they should be considered according to the exact signification of a sacrament, namely, for the visible signs, expressly commanded in the New Testament, whereunto is annexed the promise of free forgiveness of our sins, and of our holiness, and joining in Christ, there be but two: namely, Baptism and the supper of the Lord." Hom. of Com. Prayer and Sacraments.

h 1 Cor. xi. 27, 28, 29. Whosoever shall eat, this

Christ to be gazed 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 wholesome effect or operation: But they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as St. Paul saith.

bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

We have now before us a series of Articles, seven in number, which treat of the Christian doctrine of Sacraments. The two first relate to Sacraments in general, the third to Baptism, and the other four to the Lord's Supper. Under this Article we are to consider the meaning of the word "Sacrament," and to distinguish the real Sacraments from the pretended ones of the Church of Rome.

A sacrament is well defined in our Catechism to be an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, ordained by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof. Therefore a Sacrament is, &c. See the Article.