once for ever, should take away the sins of the world and sin, as St. John saith, was not in him. (y) But the rest, yea although we be baptized and born again in Christ, yet we offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,

(z) Of Sin against the Holy Ghost.

Not every deadly sin, willingly committed after Baptism, is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the (a) place for penitents is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin; and by the grace of God we may arise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned, which say they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place

(3) Burnet, But all we the rest, although baptized and born in Christ, yet offend, &c. The present Article the same, except adding, after" born," again.

(z) Art. XV. 1552. Art. XVI. the present. The title of the present Article, Of Sin after Baptism: Burnet's copy, Of the Sin against the Holy Ghost. Grafton's copy begins thus, committed after Baptisme, it

Every deadlie sinne, willinglie

not sinne against," &c.

(a) Burnet and the present Article, grant of repentances The edit. before 1571, place for penitence.

for (b) penitents to such as truly repent (c) and amend their lives.

(d) Of Predestination and Election.

Predestination (e) to life is the everlasting (f) purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his own judgement secret (g) to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen (h) out of mankind, and to bring them (i) to everlasting salvation by Christ, as vessels made to honour. (k) Whereupon such as have so excellent a benefit of God (1) given unto

(b) Burnet, of penance. Present Article, of forgiveness. (c) Burnet and the present Article, have not and amend their lives. The edit. before 1571 have.

(d) Art. XVII. both in 1552 and in the present.

(e) Burnet, unto.

(f) Burnet and the present Article, counsel.

(g) Burnet, unto.

(h) Present Article, before out, "in Christ."

(i) Burnet and the present Article, by Christ to everlasting salvation.

(k) Burnet and the present Article, Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent, &c. The edit. before 1571 read as above, Whereupon, &c.

(1) Burnet and the present Article, have not the words, given unto them. The edit. before 1571 have.

them,

them, be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in due season; they through grace obey the calling; they be justified freely; they (m) be made sons (n) by adoption; they (0) be made like the image of (p) God's only begotten (q) Son Jesus Christ; they walk religiously in good works; and at length by God's mercy they attain to everlasting felicity.

As the godly consideration of Predestination and (r) our Election in Christ is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to. godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly members; and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things; as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: so for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have con

(m) Burnet, are.

(7) Burnet, of. The present Article, by, with the words "of God," preceding it.

(0) Burnet, are.

(p) Burnet," the image of the only, &c. and the present Article," the image of his only, &c.

(q) Burnet has not the word Son. (r) Burnet has not the word our.

tinually

tinually before their eyes the sentence of God's Predestination, is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the devil (s) may thrust them either into desperation, or into (t) wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation.

Furthermore, (u) although the decrees of Predestination are unknown to us, yet we must receive God's promises in such wise as they be (w) generally set forth to us in Holy Scripture; and, in our doings, that Will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God.

(x) Of Baptism.

Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened; but

(s) Burnet and the present Article, deth.

(t) Rechlessness, i. e. recklessness, carelessness; the true word, and so written in the old copies; corrupted into wretchlessness in later editions, as Burnet writes it.

(n) Burnet, "though the decrees of predestination be unknown to us." This passage is omitted in the present Article. (w) See the conclusion of the chapter De Prædestatione in the Ref. Legum. Ecl. p. 117, of the present compilation, "Quapropter omnes, &c.

(x) Art. XXVIII. 1552.

Present Art. XXVII.

K

it

it is also a (y) sign and seal of our new birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption (%) to be the sons of God, are visibly signed and sealed; faith is confirmed, and grace increased, by virtue of prayer unto God. The custom of the Church (a) to christen young children (b) is to be commended, and (c) in any wise to be retained in the Church.

(d) of the perfect Oblation of Christ made upon the Cross.

The offering of Christ, (e) made once for ever,

(y) Burnet and present Article, a sign of regeneration or new birth. The edit. before 1571, sign and seal of our new birth.

(z) Burnet and the present Article, to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost.

(a) Burnet, for baptizing. This sentence stands in the present Article thus: "The Baptism of young children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ."

(b) Burnet, is both to be, &c."

(c) Burnet, by all means.

(d) Art. XXX. 1552. Art. XXXI. the present. Burnet and present Article, Of the one oblation of Christ finished upon

the cross.

(e) Burnet and present Article, once made.