Of the Sacraments

Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him: as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word.

Proof texts (5)

• [1] Gen.17.7; Gen.17.10; Rom.4.11
• [3] 1Cor.10.16; 1Cor.11.25-1Cor.11.26; Gal.3.27
• [2] Matt.28.19; 1Cor.11.23
• [5] Rom.6.3-Rom.6.4; 1Cor.10.16; 1Cor.10.21
• [4] Gen.34.14; Exod.12.48; Rom.15.8

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 the effects of the one are attributed to the other.

Proof texts (1)

• [1] Gen.17.10; Matt.26.27-Matt.26.28; Titus.3.5

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, but upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.

Proof texts (3)

• [1] Rom.2.28-Rom.2.29; 1Pet.3.21
• [3] Matt.26.27-Matt.26.28
• [2] Matt.3.11; 1Cor.12.13

There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our 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.

Proof texts (1)

• [1] Matt.28.19-Matt.28.20; Matt.28.19; 1Cor.4.1; 1Cor.11.20; 1Cor.11.23; Heb.5.4

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.

Proof texts (1)

• [1] 1Cor.10.1-1Cor.10.4