CHAPTER 27
Of the Sacraments.
I. Sacraments are holy signs
and seals of the covenant of grace,a
immediately instituted by God,b
to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him;c
as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church
and the rest of the world;d
and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his
word.e
a Rom.
4:11
; Gen. 17:7,10.
b Matt. 28:19; 1
Cor. 11:23.
c 1 Cor. 10:16; 1
Cor. 11:25,26; Gal. 3:17.
d Rom. 15:8; Exod.
12:48; Gen. 34:14.
e
Rom.
6:3,4;
1 Cor. 10:16,21.
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.f
f Gen. 17:10; Matt.
26:27,28; Tit. 3:5.
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,g but upon the work of the Spirit,h
and the word of institution; which contains, together with a precept authorizing
the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.i
g
Rom.
2:28,29; 1 Pet. 3:21.
h Matt. 3:11; 1 Cor.
12:13.
i Matt. 26:27,28;
Matt. 28:19,20.
IV. 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.k
k Matt. 28:19; 1
Cor. 11:20,23; 1 Cor. 4:1; Heb. 5:4.
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.l
l 1 Cor. 10:1-4.
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Westminster
Confession of Faith (index)
