CHAPTER XXVII.
Of the Sacraments.
I. 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.
II. 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.
III. 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.
IV. There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the gospels, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord: neither or which may be dispensed by any but a minister of the Word, lawfully ordained.
V. 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.
- Chapter 1 Of the Holy Scripture
- Chapter 2 Of God and of the Holy Trinity
- Chapter 3 God’s Eternal Decree
- Chapter 4 Of Creation
- Chapter 5 Of Providence
- Chapter 6 Of the Fall of Man, of sin, and the punishment thereof
- Chapter 7 Of God’s Covenant with Man
- Chapter 8 Of Christ the Mediator
- Chapter 9 Of Free Will
- Chapter 10 Of the Effectual Calling
- Chapter 11 Of Justification
- Chapter 12 Of Adoption
- Chapter 13 Of Sanctification
- Chapter 14 Of Saving Faith
- Chapter 15 Of Repentance Unto Life
- Chapter 16 Of Good Works
- Chapter 17 Of the Perseverance of the Saints
- Chapter 18 Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation
- Chapter 19 Of the Law of God
- Chapter 20 Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience
- Chapter 21 Of Religious worship and the Sabbath Day
- Chapter 22 Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
- Chapter 23 Of the Civil Magistrate
- Chapter 24 Of Marriage and Divorce
- Chapter 25 Of the Church
- Chapter 26 Of Communion of Saints
- Chapter 27 Of the Sacraments
- Chapter 28 Of Baptism
- Chapter 29 Of the Lord’s Supper
- Chapter 30 Of Church Censures
- Chapter 31 Of Synods and Councils
- Chapter 32 Of the State of Men after Death and Of the Resurrection of the Dead
- Chapter 33 Of the Last Judgment