Page:History of all religions.pdf/11

11 hath no higher Court than its own members, and every member has a right to speak. They say that faith, human or divine, implies nothing more but simply believing.—That the difference between divine and human faith doth, not consist in its nature, but in the object of it. That the Lord's Supper ought to be taken every first day of the week (acts xx 7)—they view it as a thanksgiving, and so bless not the bread, but bleſs God for Chriſt, (I Cor x 24) as repreſented in that ordinance to true believers only.

They receive none into their communion till they can give evidences of their converſion. It is reported that they must ſtate the preciſe time but this ſeems to be falſe. They view a belief of the Goſpel, a becoming converſation, a proper knowledge of the Scriptures, and the gift of utterance, as abſolutely neceſſary for a goſpel preacher, and many do without College learning.

Of the Pedobaptiſts. They baptize none till the perſon actually profeſs faith in Christ, according to Matt. xxviii.19. Mark xvi. 16. In baptiſm, they dip or immerſe the whole body in water, in imitation of John’s baptiſm, Mar. iii. 27. Their preachers and Church office bearers are choſen from among themſelves in every particular meeting, which forms a church; in which all controverſies are ſolved. The manner of their church diſcipline, and cenſures are recorded in Matt. xvii. and xxviii.—2 Cor. x—1 Cor. v. &c.

They ſay, though none can be ſaved but thoſe who repent, believe, and obey the Goſpel; yet