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CONTENTS.
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LETTER I.--Introductory. The sins and defici-
encies of others, no excuse for our neglect
of a plain duty, which arises from the Com-
mandment, Luke xxii. 19.
LETTER II.-The Sacraments belong to all the
Children of God, and we should be more
careful not to exclude them, than to
exclude others. The Parable of the Tares
considered. Each one should examine him-
self, and not others.
LETTER III.-Necessity of caution, arising from
the present state of the Church. What the
Church of England is, must be learned
from the Articles, Homilies, and Liturgy.
Schism is a great sin.
LETTER IV.-All Christians called to endure afflic- tion. Ministerial Faithfulness. Who are really "the Church of England" at pre- sent. The spirit in which we may most
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comfortably and profitably partake of the Sacrament. Ministers but instruments
in the hand of Christ.
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LETTER V.-On Infant Baptism. The Doctrine
and Practice of the Universal Church.
Errors on this point wholly insufficient to
account for the Corruptions of the Visible
Church. Facts. The Dutch Baptists.
LETTER VI.-A good rule of interpretation con-
tained in our twentieth Article.
LETTER VII.-Difficulties answered, respecting
Oaths, the Magistracy,-Resisting Evil,
-the Profession of the Law,—and of
Arms. Necessity of enlarged acquaint-
ance with Scripture, that we may not
sacrifice one Duty to another, or oppose
the New Testament to the Old.
LETTER VIII.-On the Positive Excellences of the
Church of England. 1. The Reforma-
tion of our Church was effected by our
Bishops-to whom the work properly per-
tained. The Advantages hence arising.
2. In separating from the Church of
Rome, they were duly careful not to for-
sake the principles and practices of the
pure and Primitive Church, nor to differ
for the sake of differing. 3. That with
moderation as to externals, they were care-
ful to unite uncompromising decision as to
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Evangelical Doctrine.
4. Episcopacy.
derived from the Primitive Church, and
necessary in itself. 5. The Principle of a
Liturgy plainly recognised in Scripture.
Necessary in order to Public Worship.
Objections to our Liturgy frivolous. Arise
principally from its excellence. 6. The
honour which the Church of England puts
on God's Word in her Public Services.
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A PAPER drawn up in answer to some questions
respecting our Baptismal Service.
LETTER IX.-Importance of Public Worship. The Doctrines of our Church, as set forth in the Articles and Homilies. The Church
Catechism. Nowell's Catechism. The
Principle on which such Catechisms were
drawn up, exemplified from the Heidel-
berg Catechism. The Agreement of the
Church of England with other Reformed
Churches ;-as to Doctrine generally—and
especially the Doctrine of the Three Creeds;
-as to the Principle of a Confession,-
and of an Establishment-(the Objection
that the Jewish Polity was a Theocracy
considered.) The other Reformed Churches
not opposed to a Liturgy. Some of their
best Divines, and several other Churches
decidedly favourable to Episcopacy. The
Dissenters, on some points entirely, and
on others partially, have forsaken the Prin-
ciples of the Reformation. The Reformed
Churches all agreed as to the Principles
maintained in Letters I. to VII. The
Honour which is due to the general views of
the Universal Church. The Spirit of
Truth, not a Spirit of Separation, but
of Union.
Dissenters. The plea of Conscience.
The spirit of the Puritans and Cove-
nanters compared with that of the Reform-
ers and Martyrs. The true spirit of Mar-
tyrdom. Modern Separatists too rash and
uninformed. The Principles of the Church
of England make the Pastor duly indepen-
dent of his Flock—which is a great advan-
tage to both. How desirable that we should
fully enter into, and reduce to practice,
the Principles of our Church!
POSTSCRIPT. Ecclesiastical Polity, however impor-
tant, must be considered as subservient to
Sound Doctrine and Spiritual Instruction.
The exercise of Charity naturally arises
from clear views of the excellence of our
Church. Dangers connected with the Sys-
tem of Dissent; and with the too early
consideration of the Question of Dissent.
Christian Consolation in the midst of the
evils we see and bewail.
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