Of the Sacraments.- SACRAMENTS
are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, [1] immediately
instituted by God, [2] to represent Christ and his benefits, and to
confirm our interest in him; [3] as also to put a visible difference
between those that belong unto the church and the rest of the world; [4]
and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according
to his word. [5]
- There
is in every sacrament a spiritual relation, or sacramental union,
between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass, that
the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other. [6]
- The
grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments, rightly used, is not
conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a
sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth
administer it, [7] but upon the work of the Spirit, [8] and the word of
institution; which contains, together with a precept authorizing the
use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers. [9]
- There
be only two sacraments ordained by Christ out Lord in the gospel, that
is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord; neither of which may be
dispensed by any but by a minister of the word, lawfully ordained. [10]
- The
sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things
thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with
those of the New. [11]
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