the Soul of the Faithful, the invifible Grace of God An Inftitution of our Lord, whereby every one of the Faithful receives the divine Grace,

QUEST. C.

What things are requifite to a Mystery?
ANSWER.

Three things. First, Fit and proper Matter; as Water in Baptifm, Bread and Wine in the Eucharift, Oyl and other things in their respective Mysteries. Secondly, A Bishop, or a Priest, regularly ordained. Thirdly, The Invocation of the Holy Ghoft, and a folemn Form of Words: By which the Priest celebrates the Myftery, through the Power and Efficacy of the Holy Ghoft: Having a fixed and deliberate Intention of celebrating it.

QUEST. CI.

For what End were Mysteries inftituted?
ANSWER.

Firf, That they might be the Marks and Signs of the true Children of God, and of the orthodox, catholic, and apoftolic Church. For whofoever rightly partakes of the Myfteries, the same is a real and true Member of the Church of God; and by Grace a Child of God. Secondly, That we might have a fure Pledge of our Truft in God. To wit, that if we perfevere with Conftancy, in Faith and good Works, we fhall finally become Partakers of Salvation and eternal Life. Thirdly, That we might have a present and certain Remedy wherewith to heal our Sins and Infirmities.

QUEST. СІІ.
What is the first Mystery, or Baptifm?

AN

ANSWER.

Baptifm, is a washing away, and rooting out of original Sin, by being thrice immersed in Water; the Prieft pronouncing these Words; IN The Name of THE FATHER, AMEN; AND OF THE SON, AMEN; AND OF THE HOLY GHOST, AMEN.* After which Regeneration by Water and the Spirit, a Man is reftored to the Grace of God, and the Way opened him into the Kingdom of Hea→ ven; as our Saviour faith. (John iii. v.) Except a Man be born of Water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. But this Mystery being once received, is not to be again repeated; provided the Person who administered the Bap tifm believed orthodoxly in THREE PERSONS IN ONE GOD; and accurately, and without any Alteration, pronounced the aforementioned Words; namely, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft, Amen. As the holy, catholic and orthodox Church directs.

QUEST. CIII.

What is requifite to be observed in this Myf+

tery?

ANSWER.

First, It is neceffary that the Infant, by his Surety, who ought to be an orthodox Christian, fhould renounce the Devil and al! his Works, and all Respect and Worship to him: But if the Perfon, to be baptifed, be of full Age, then he fhall, with his own Mouth, make this Renuncia

tion;

The Sureties, or Godfathers and Godmothers fay AMEN.

tion; by answering to the Questions put to him by the Prieft, and by expreffing his Scorn of Satan, and all his Works. Secondly, That he make open Confeffion of the Faith, by repeating the Creed; but if it be an Infant, the Surety fhall profess the Creed for it, and bind it unto God. And, thirdly, that Care be taken to use none other than pure Water, not mixed with any other Thing; and fuch as is natural, and not made by Art. Furthermore, lawful Baptisin must neceffarily be adminiftred by a Minister of the Word, only, unlefs in Cafe of urgent Neceffity; when any other Person, whether Man or Woman, may administer this Sacrament; being obfervant to use the proper Requifite, namely, unmixed, and natural and pure Water; and dipping the Perfon, to be baptifed, thrice therein, repeating the folemn Form of IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST, AMEN. And this Baptifm, which is not to be again repeated, is of fuch Power and Efficacy, that it is an undoubted Seal and Pledge of eternal Salvation. Now what the Fruits and Benefits are, of this Mystery, may be eafily apprehended; for, first, it taketh away original Sin in Infants, and in those of ripe Age, it taketh away both original and voluntary Sin. Secondly, It plainly renews, or regenerates the Man, and reftores him to that State of Juftice and Righteoufnefs wherein he food before, while undefiled with Sin, in the State of Innocence. As the Apostle teftifies, (1 Cor. vi. 11.) But ye are washed, but ye are fanctified, but

ye

ye are justified, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Moreover, by Baptism, we become Members of Chriff's Body, and put on the Lord Jefus. As the Apostle Witneffeth, (Gal. iii. 27) As many of you as have been Baptifed with Christ, have put on Christ.

QUEST.

CIV.

What is the fecond Mystery in the Church of Chrift?

ANSWER.

7

The Ointment of Chrifm is the fecond Mystery; and this had its Beginning at the Time when the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven, and rested upon the Apostles, and fealed them with his divine Grace; that they might preach the Faith of Christ, steadfastly and without ceafing. Of this Bleffing and divine Affiftance, hath every one need, who becometh a Chriftian; and as then, the Holy Ghost came down in the visible Form of Fire, and bestowed his Grace, or Chrifm, upon the Apostles, fo now, when the Prieft anoints the newly baptifed Perfon with the holy Oil, he becomes endued from above with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: As appears from the Words which the Prieft (as appointed) ufeth in the Celebration of this Mystery; namely, THE SEAL OF THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, AMEN. As if he should say, by the anointing of this holy Ointment, thou art fealed and confirmed into the Gifts of the Holy Ghoft, which thou dost a Confirmation of thy Christian Faith.

receive for Agreeable

hereto,

• Aas ii.

hereto, are the Words of the Apostle. (2 Cor. i. 21.) He which establisheth us with you in Chrift, and hath anointed us, is God: Who hath alfo fealed us, and given the Earneft of the Spirit in our Hearts. This Anointing, or rather, the bestowing the Efficacy of this Unction, was done in the Times of the Apoftles, by laying on of Hands; according to the Scripture. (Acts viii. 17) Then laid they their Hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghoft. This was afterwards performed by anointing with Ointment, as we learn from St. Dyonifius the Arcopagite, who was the Disciple of St. Paul. (Ecclefiaftical Hierarchy, ch. ii. & iv.)

UEST. CV.

What are the Things neceffary for the Celebration hereof?

ANSWER.

First, It is neceffary that this Holy Ointment be confecrated by a Bishop of the highest Order. Secondly, That it be compofed of apt and fit Materials, as Oil, Balfam, and other Unguents. Thirdly, That immediately after Baptifm, the Prieft do anoint the Members of the baptifed Perfon, which are directed to be anointed; ufing this Form of Words. THE SEAL OF THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, AMEN. Now, from this Mystery, do arise the following Fruits. Firft, That as by Baptism we are born again, fo by this holy Ointment we are made Partakers of the Holy Ghoft; we are confirmed or established in the Faith of the Lord, and immediately become ripe in the divine Favour. As the Apostle teacheth

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