An Analysis of Bishop Burnet's Exposition of the Thirty-Nine Articles (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1829. Excerpt: ... 2. It is justified by antiquity. Frumentius, a 'layman, preached to the Indians, and was afterwards made a priest and a bishop by Athanasius. The king of the Iberians also, before he was baptised himself, converted his subjects, and thus became the Apostle of his country before he was initiated.b These instances justify us in not passing too severe a censure on a departure from established rules, when necessity calls for it; at the same time, that we may not ourselves concur in that departure. Thus we believe that none ought to baptize but persons lawfully ordained, yet since a practice of admitting the baptism of laymen or women has generally prevailed, we have that regard to such a common practice, that we do not annul, though we condemn it. See Mosheim's Hist. cent. iv. p. I.e. 1. sec. -. 'See Sozometi, Hist. Eecl. I. ii. c. fi. 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 PRIMITIVE CHURCH, TO HAVE PUBLIC PRAYER IN THE CHURCH, OR TO MINISTER THE SACRAMENTS. IN A TONGUE NOT UNDERSTOOD OF THE PEOPLE. J. His Article was differently expressed in those compiled in King Edward's reign: " It is most "fit and most agreeable to the Word of God, "that nothing be read or rehearsed in the con"gregation in a tongue not known unto the "people, which St. Paul hath forbidden to be "done, unless some be present to interpret." It condemns the practice of having public prayers in an unknown tongue; and in this condemnation it is supported, 1. by reason; 2. by the Word of God; and 3. by the custom of the primitive Church. 1. The practice is contrary to reason. The worship of God is an act by which we acknowledge his attributes, rejoice in his goodn...