The third means of Application of Redemption.
Q. What is a Sacrament?
A. It is an ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus, wherein by certain visible figures duely administred and received, he doth signi∣fie to the receiver, though unworthy; signifie, apply & confirm unto the worthy, all the good of the Covenant of Grace, and receiveth a re∣ciprocal seal from the receivers of their cove∣nant with God in him.
Q. What is the efficient cause of a Sacrament?
A. The institution of the Lord Jesus.
Q. What is the matter?
A.
- External, viz. the element, as bread and wine.
- Internal, all the good of the Covenant of Grace.
Q. What is the form?
A. It is twofold; External, viz. That maner of administration, both of the Ministers and re∣ceivers part, which is prescribed in the word.
Internal;* viz. The relative union between the element and the grace signified.
Q. What is the end of a Sacrament?
A. It hath two special ends: Gods renewing and sealing covenant with us. 2. Our renew∣ing and sealing covenant with him.
Q. Whether do the unbelivers and unworthy receive the Sacrament?
Page 52A. They receive the Sacrament as an ex∣ternal ordinance, but they receive not the good of the Sacrament; they receive the external, but not the internal part of it.
Q. How many Sacraments are there in the new Testament?
A. Two: Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.
Q. What is Baptism?
A. The first Sacrament of the Gospel,* wherein by water duly applied and received, the baptized receive a seal of their ingrafting into Christ, and of the whole good of the Co∣venant of Grace seasonably to be applied, and renew their covenant with God in Christ Jesus.
Q. What is the efficient cause thereof?
A. The Lord Jesus.*
Q. What is the Matter?
A. Twofold,*
- Eternal; viz. Water.
- Internal; The good of the Covenant of Grace.
Q. What is the form?
A. Twofold:*
- 1. External, viz. The out∣ward action of the Minister and the person baptized.
- 2 Internal; the union between the sign and the thing signified; i. e. The water and the grace of the covenant.
Q. What is the end?
A. To seal unto the baptized their ingraft∣ing Page 53into Christ, together with the whole good of the Covenant of Grace, partly being alrea∣dy, the rest in Gods time and way to be wholly conferred upon them.
2. To take a pledge of the baptized persons renewing Covenant with God.
Q. Who is to be baptized?
A. A believer, who is a member of a visible Church.
Q. What is the Supper of the Lord?
A. The second Sacrament of the New Testa∣ment instituted by the Lord Jesus,* wherein by bread and wine duly administred and received, he doth offer and signifie unto the receiver, though unworthy: offer, signifie and apply un∣unto the worthy receiver, all the good of the Covenant of Grace, for the sealing of him up in the safety and growth of the same, and re∣ceiveth a reciprocal seal from the receiver of the covenant with God in him.
Q. What is the efficient cause thereof?
A. The institution of the Lord Jesus Christ.*
Q. What is the matter?
A. Tis twofold,
- External; viz. bread and wine.*
- Internal, is the good of the Covenant of Grace.
Q. What is the form?
A. Tis twofold; External, viz. The whole outward action of the Minister and receiver, Page 54prescribed in the Word. Internal, the union between the elements, viz. bread and wine: and the thing signified, viz. The good of the Co∣venant of Grace, called the Sacramental union.
Q. What is the end of the Supper?
A. Tis chiefly twofold:*
- 1. The sealing un∣to the receiver his safety and growth in the Covenant of Grace.
- 2. The renewing of the covenant on our parts with God in Christ Jesus, and in him one with another.
