Q. 9. What is the Reason they prove not effectual to all? A. Because their Virtue and Efficacy is not in themselves, but in God; for we fee they work as God's Spirit concurs, or not concurs with them, as in the Inftance before given. Q. 10. But is not that for Want of Wisdom, Holiness, or Zeal in the Minister, that they have no more Efficacy? A. No, it is not principally, or only from thence; for it is not in the Power of the holiest Minister in the World to make them effectual, 1 Cor. i. 7.-Neither is he that planteth any Thing, neither be that watererb: but God that giveth the Increase.

3

Q. 11. Whence is it that Sacraments become effectual?

A. It is only from the Spirit of Chrift working in them, and by them, on the fouls of Men, 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spirit are we are all baptized into one Body, been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Q. 12. What is the firft Inftruction hence?

and have

A. That Men enjoying all the Ordinances of the Gospel, and partaking of the Sacraments annexed to the Covenant of Grace, may yet perish for ever, 1 Cor. x. 3, 4, 5. And did all eat the fame fpiritual Meat: and did all drink the fame Spiritual Drink: (for they drank of that fpiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Chrift) but with many of them God was not well pleafed: for they were overthrown in the Wilderness, Luke xiii. 26, 27. Then shall ye begin to fay, swe have eaten, and drank in thy Prefence, and thou hast taught in our Streets. But he shall fay, I tell you, I know you not whence you are; depart from me all ye Workers of Iniquity.

Q. 13. What is the fecond Inference?

A. That Men should not idolize fome Ministers for the excellency of their Gifts, and defpife others, feeing it is not in them to make the Means effectual.

Q. 14. What is the last Inference ?.

A. That in all our Attendance upon the Means of Salva tion, we should be careful to beg the Spirit and Bleffing of Chrift, without which they cannot be effectual to our Sal-vation.

Of

"Of the Nature of Sacraments.

Queft. 92.7 HAT is a Sacrament?

WHAT a
A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance

inftituted by Chrift; wherein by fenfible Signs, Christ and the Benefits of the New Covenant are reprefented, fealed, and applied to Believers.

Q. 1. How many Sorts of Sacraments are found in Scrip

ture?

CA. Of Sacraments there are two Sorts, fome extraordinary and tranfient, as the Fiery Pillar, Manna, and Water out of the Rock, 1 Cor. x. 2, 3, 4. Moreover, Brethren, I would not that ye should · ignorant, how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud, and all paffed through the Sea and were all baptized unto Mofes in the Cloud, and in the Sea: And did all eat the fame fpiritual Mea:: And did all drink the fame Spiritual Drink (for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Chrift). And fome ordinary and landing, as Circumcifion and the Paffover, before Chrift; and Baptifm and the Lord's Supper fince Chrift's Death.

Q. 2. How many Things are to be confidered in every Sacrament?

A. In every Sacrament five Things must be confidered, (1.) The Author, (2.) The Parts, (3.) The Union of thofe Parts, (4.) The Subjects, (5) The Ends and Uses of it.

Q3. Who is the Author of the Sacraments?

A. The Lord Jefus Chrift as King of the Church, by whofe fole Authority Baptifm was inftituted, Matth, xxviii. 19, 20. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft: teaching them to obferve all Things whatsoever I have commanded you, &c. And the Lord's Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jefus, the fame Night in which he was betrayed, took Bread, and when he had given Thanks, he brake it, and faid, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is broken for you: This do in Remembrance of me.

Q4. Are the old Sacraments yet in being and Ufe in the Church?

A. No, they are past away, and the new come in their Room. Baptifm takes Place of Circumcifion, Col. ii. 11, 12. In whom alfo ye are circumcifed with the Circumcifion made without Hands, in putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh by the Circumcifion of Chrift: buried with him in Baptifm, &c. And the Lord's Supper of the Paffover, 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out therefore the old Leaven, that ye may be a new Lump, as ye are unleavened, for even Chrift our Paflover is facrificed for us. Q5. Of what Parts doth every Sacrament confift?

A. Every Sacrament confifts of two Parts, one external and earthly; another internal and heavenly, or fpiritual. Bread, Wine and Water, are the external, Chrift's Blood and Spirit the internal Parts, Rom, vi. 3. Know ye not that fo many of us as were baptized into Jefus Chrift were baptized into his Death? 1 Cor. xi. 25.-This Cup is the New Teftament in my Blood, &c.

Q. 6. Wherein confifts the Sacramental Union of these Parts?

It confifts by vertue of Chrift's Inftitution in three Things, (1.) In apt Signification. (2.) Firm Obfignation. And (3.) ·Real Exhibition of the Bleflings fignified and fealed.

Q. 7. What are the Bleffings fignified by Water in Baptifm?

A. It fignifies our Implantation into Chrift, and Communion with him in his Death and Refurrection, Rom. vi. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by Baptifm into Death, that like as Chrift was raifed up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father; even fo we also should walk in Newness of Life. And our folemn Admiffion into the visible Church, Gal. iii. 26, 27, 28, 29. For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Chrift. There is neither Few, nor Greek, there is neither Bond nor free, there is neither Male nor Female: for ye are all one in Chrift Jefus. And if ye be Chrift's, then are Abraham's Seed, and Heirs according to the Promife.

ye

Q. 8. What are the Bleffings fignified by Bread and Wine?

A. They fignify Chrift's Body and Blood, broken and poured out for us, with all the Bleffings of Remiffion, Peace and Salvation purchased by his Blood, 1 Cor. x. 16, 17. The Cup of Bleffing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the

Blood

Blood of Chrift? The Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Chrift? For we being many, are one Bread, and one Body: for we are all Partakers of that one Bread.

Q9. Do the Sacraments feal, as well as fignify thefe Things?

A. Yes, they do, Rom. iv. 11. And he received the Sign of Circumcifion, a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith, &c. Their Ufe is to confirm God's Covenant with Believers.

Q. 10. Who are the proper Subjects of the Sacraments? A. Believers and their Seed are the Subjects of Baptifm, but adult Chriftians only of the Lord's Supper, Acts ii. 38, 39.-Repent and be baptized every one of you,-for the Promife is unto you, and to your Children, and to all that are afar off. even as many as the Lord our God shall call, 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a Man examine himself, and fo let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup.

Q. 11. What is the main Ufe and End of Sacraments? A. It is to ratify and confirm God's Covenant with Believers, Rom. iv. 21. And he received the Sign of Circumcifion, a Seal of the Righteoufnefs of the Faith, that he had yet being uncircumcifed, &c. 1 Cor. xi. 26. For as often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, ye do fhew the Lord's Death till he come.

Q 12. What is the firft Inftruction from hence?

A. That the Abuse of fuch holy and folemn myfteries, is, a Sin of dreadful Aggravation, and fuch as God will punish, 1 Cor. xi. 27. Wherefore whofoever shall eat this Bread, and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord.

Q3. What is the fecond Instruction ?

A. Hence we learn the tender Care and Love of Christ over the Church in inftituting such ufeful and comfortable Ordinances for us.

Of the Number of Sacraments.

Queft. 93. WHICH are the Sacraments of the New

Testament?

A. The Sacraments of the New Teftament are Baptifm,

and the Lord's Supper.

Q1. How many Sacraments hath Chritt appointed in the New Teftament ?

A. Chrift hath appointed two and no more, these being fufficient for our Initiation and Confirmation.

Q. 2. How many have the Papifts added to them? A. They have added five more, viz. Confirmation, Penance, Ordination, Marriage, and Extream Unction.

Q3. What is their Sacrament of Confirmation ?

A. It is the anointing of the Baptized with Chrism in the Forehead, with this Form of Words, I fign thee with the Sign of the Crofs, and confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Q4. What is their Ground for this Practice? A. The Abuse of that Scripture, Heb. vi. 2. Of the Doctrine of Baptifms, and laying on of Hands, &c. which by a figurative Speech, expreffeth the whole ftanding Ministry in the Church by laying on of Hands.

Q. 5. What is their Sacrament of Penance?

A. It is Repentance manifelted by outward Signs, to which the Word of Abfolution coming, makes it a Sacrament mifgrounded on, John xx. 23. Whofefoever Sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whofe foever Sins ye resain, they are retained.

What is their Sacrament of Orders or Ordination? A. It is the laying on of Hands in Ordination of Minifters,, by which they conceive Spiritual Grace is given by Miftake of, 2 Tim. i. 6. Wherefore I put thee in Remem brance that thou fir up the Gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my Hands.

Q7. What is their fourth fuperadded Sacrament?

A. It is Marriage grounded upon thofe Words of the Apoftle, Eph. v. 32. This is a great Myftery; but I Speak concerning Chrift and the Church. Which only fhews a fimilitude of our Union with Chrift, not an inftituted Sign to that End.

· And

Q. 8. What is their fifth fuperadded Sacrament? A. Extream Unction, or anointing the Sick near Death with confecrated Oil, grounded on Mark vi. 13. anointed with Oil many that were fick and bealed them. And Jam. v. 14. Is any fick among you 3 let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him` with Oil in the Name of the Lord. Which are neither Sacramen

tal