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MANY more Arguments might I draw from the Nature of our Holy Covenant, which neceffarily requires either GOD in Perfon, as was the Cafe with Adam, Noah, Abraham, and the Jews, or else fome Man or Proxy in God's Stead, whom he alone can appoint, and whofe Miffion must alfo be evident and undoubted for the Satisfaction of the People. I might infift on the Practice of our Church in the Re-ordination of diffenting Minifters, when they turn to Her, as a very good Argument that their Baptifms are as null and void as their Orders; and must be Re-adminifter'd by our Priefts, before they can become Valid and Effectual.

I might add, that by the Canons of our Church, all fuch, as maintain feparate Congregations in Oppofition to her, are declared Excommunicate; and how can they admit others into the Church of CHRIST, who are themfelves, excluded, and cut off?

BUT I must not trefpafs any longer on your Patience, and therefore haften to conclude; moft earnestly befeeching Almighty God the Father of Mercy and Truth, That he will fecond these my weak, but fincere Endeavours; and by the powerful Influences of his Holy Spi

rit,

rit, open and inform your Understanding in all neceffary Truths; that as true Baptifm, is the Laver of Regeneration, for the Remiffion of Sins, and the firit Beginning of our Christian Race, you may not by any Prejudice of Mind, any. worldly Confideration of Shame, or Fear, or Intereft, come fhort of the ineftimable Benefits, which we receive thereby; but for the future fo run, not as uncertainly; fo fight, not as one that beateth the Air; so submit yourself to the Drders and Governors of the Church, as becometh an obedient Member, remembring that Admonition of St. Paul's. * "That if a Man strive for Masteries, yet is he not crown'd, ex"cept he strive lawfully."

I am, in all Chriftian Affection and Sincerity,

MADAM,

Your moft &c.

2 Tim. ii. 5.

POST

POSTSCRIPT.

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TO let you fee to what Church the Doctrine

of Lay-Baptifm originally belongs, which the Diffenters now practife, and many of our Clergy, who are of the Low-party hold and maintain, I here prefent you with the Opinion of the Church of Rome, tranflated out of her Trent Catechifm; where, in treating of the Minifters of Baptifm, fhe firft declares that the Bishops are the Proper Adminiftrators of this Sacrament, the Priests and Deacons next, in Subordination to them; then fhe has the following Order.

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"The last Degree is of thofe, who may in "Cafes of Neceffity, baptize, without the re"gular Ceremonies. In which Number are all "Men, even of the Laity, whether Men or « Women, whatever Sect they profefs. Nay, " even to Jews, Infidels, and Hereticks this Office is permitted, when Neceffity urges,

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"if fo be they propofe the doing of that <which the Catholick Church intends, in this "kind of Administration; and this Doctrine "has been confirm'd by many Decrees of "the ancient Fathers and Councils, and alfo «ratified in the facred Council of Trent, << which pronounces an Anathema against all "fuch as dare fay, that Baptism adminiftred «in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy « Ghoft even by Hereticks, when done with "the fame Intention as the Church does it, " is not true Baptism."

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AN

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OFFICE,

OR,

FORM of DEVOTION,

FOR AN

ADULT PERSON, who is preparing

for BAPTISM.

The Sentences.

XCEPT a Man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

VERILY, verily, I fay unto you, except a Man be born of Water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. Joh. iii. 3, 5.

THAT which is born of the Flesh is Flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit.

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