(4Li ) biddour (elves to the Duty of Soldiers or Chrifliaris to our lives end : sad confequently to teach us to expeft the privi- ledges of faithfull krvants and Soldiers from a Crucified Chrift. §.6a. Allthis is expreffed in the very words of Minifterial application, its the common Prayer-book : which are there [we receive this Child into the Congregation of Chrifls flock, and dofigshint with the fign ofthe crofs, in token that hereafter heThall not be aJhamed to cenfefi the faith of Cbriflcrtecified,and manfxlly re fightyonder his banner, again'? fin ;the World, and the Devil, and to continue Chriflsfaithfiell ladies andfervant nxto his lives end, 43nte».]So that you fee here it is ufed as a lifting,invefting,Cove- tiant fign,engagingus tobe Chrifls foldiers,and not to be afham-' edofhisCrofs, or to confcfs his faith, and manfully to fight, &co and to perfevere. What's wanting here to make a Sacra- ment ? 62. Yet had it beenbut a bare Profring fgn, like writing or lifting np the hand, to lignifie confent,'nitead of word', I durit nor haveconcluded fo hardlyofit : And thus it feems in ancient timesit began to be brought into ufe : and thewillowy ufe of thecroft on feveral occafions, in many countries at this day, loth feem to be no other. But, for my on part, I darenot be guilty by confenr, of making a hsmane Sacrament, or Mating filch an engaging Sacramental hgn, to all thefe ufes, in the publick worfhpof God. I had rather Puffer or leave my Mini_ flry, themventure on this, while t fee fo much to make me fear that it is a fin. But again I fay, as I reverence the ancients that ufed the crofs.(Ithink amifs, and yet more warrantably then we,) fo I prefume not to cenfure them that judge it lawfull; but only give the reafonsthat make medoubt, and rather think it to be unlawful!, though (till with a fufpicion of my own nnderflanding,and a loveand honour to diffenrers. $. 63. As for the Common prayer it fell, I never reje&ed it becaufe it was a form, nor thought it limply unlawfull, becaufe it wasflab a forum, but have made ufeof it, and would do agáin in the like cafe. But I muft needs fay, 2. That the fhreding it into fuch abundance of (mall parcels feemeth to me very incon- venient. It feems too light and ludicrous to tors fenrences To formally between the Prieft and Clerk, and to make fuck Hhh 3
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