The Protestant religion truely stated and justified by the late Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter ; prepared for the press some time before his death ; whereunto is added, by way of preface, some account of the learned author, by Mr. Danel Williams and Mr. Matthew Sylvester.

Tho Two and Fortieth accused Point.

That Sacramental Ʋnction, is not to be used to the Sick.

Ans. In those Hot-Countries, anointing their bodies was used as a great refresh∣ment for Delight and Health. And Christ and his Apostles applyed it to the Miracu∣lous use of Healing, as Christ did Clay and Spittle to a blind Man: And while that miraculous use continued, St. James bids those that are sick as a punishment for some sin, to send for the Elders of the Church, that they may pray for the par∣don of his sin, and for his recovery, and anoint him with Oil, and if he have not sinned unto Death, (that is, a Capital Crime, which God would have Magi∣strates punish with Death, and will do so himself,) his Sin shall be forgiven, and he shall be healed.

See now the Malice of the Prince of Darkness. He that tempteth men to cast out half the substance of the Lords Supper, meerly to shew what they can and will,

and dare do against his Word, and temp∣teth men to forbid the very Scripture it self, yet to undoe, he will overdoe, and draw men to be wise and Righteous over much: Who would think these men are against the sufficiency of Scripture, that will turn its temporary occasional actions into perpetual Sacraments? They make Conscience of washing Feet, of bearing Palms, of the Holy-Kiss (but on the Pax) and a Sacrament of anointing the sick: And why they make not a Sacrament of anointing the Blind with Clay and Spittle, of washing at Jordan or Siloam Pools, and of the said Kiss, and washing of Feet, of bearing Palms, of the Popes Riding on an Ass, &c. I know not.

But for the Name of a Sacrament, (bring first a Military, and then a Church Term, not used in Scripture) we will not quarrel with them: They may laxly extend it to almost any Ceremony or sign Religiously used, rightly or wrongly. But, 1. They use that to the Dying, when they judge them past hope, which St. James spake of using for Recovery.

2. They use that as an ordinary thing, which was to be used only for miraculous Cures: and yet shew not that they have the Faith or gift of Miracles, nor cure any by it.

3. They force men to that feigned Sa∣crament now ceased with that gift, which was used to none but such as Voluntarily desired it. Why are they not con••••••••ed to use it themselves, but they must force all others to it as necessary? What Man, Woman, or Child, do you read of in all the New-Testament, that was anointed in order to Death, save a Woman that meant no such thing, that anointed Christ in Health? Where read you that Dra∣goons or Inquisitors inforced it, and drag∣ed naked the bodies through the Streets, and Buryed them in Dunghils, or where Dogs may eat them, if they refuse it? Whose Sacraments can we think are these?