which communion, though especially to be exercised by them for the relations in which they stand, whether in families or in churches, yet as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.g

e Heb. 10: 24, 25; Acts, 2: 42, 46; Isa. 2:3; 1 Cor. 2:20. f Eph. 6 : 2, 4, 5, 9, and 5: 22 to 26; 1 Tim. 5: 8; Gal. 6: 10. g Acts, 2: 44, 45; 1 John, 3: 17; 2 Cor. 8th and 9th chapters; Acts, 11: 29, 30.

CHAP. XXVIII.

b

OF THE SACRAMENTS.

I.

SACRAMENTS are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace,a immediately instituted by Christ, to represent him and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him, and solemnly to engage us to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word.d

a Rom. 4:11; Gen. 17: 7, 10. b Matt. 28: 19; 1 Cor. 11:23. c1 Cor. 10: 16, and 11: 25, 26. d 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 attrib

uted to the other.e

e 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 the 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.h

f Rom. 2: 28, 29; 1 Pet. 3:21. g Matt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 12: 13. h Matt. 26: 27, 28, and 28: 19. 20.

IV.

There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord, in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Lord's Supper; neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the Word lawfully called.i

n Matt. 28: 19; 1 Cor. 11: 20, 23, and 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.k

k 1 Cor. 10: 1, 2, 3, 4.

CHAP. XXIX.

OF BAPTISM.

d

I.

a

BAPTISM is a Sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign and seal of the Covenant of Grace; of his ingrafting into Christ; of regeneration; of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life; which ordinance is by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.

a Matt. 28: 16. Gal. 3: 27;

f Rom. 6: 3, 4.

b Rom. 4: 11, with Col. 2: 11, 12. Rom. 6: 5. d Tit. 3: 5. e Mark, 1:4; g Matt. 28: 19, 20.

II.

The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto."

h Matt. 3: 11; John, 1:33; Matt. 28: 19, 20.

III.

Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly admin

istered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.i

i Heb. 9: 10, 19 to 22; Acts, 2: 41, and 16: 33; Mark, 7:4.

IV.

Not only those that do actually profess faith in, and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized, and those only.1

k Mark, 16: 15, 16; Acts, 8:37, 38. 1 Gen. 17: 7, 9, with Gal. 39, 14, and Col. 2: 11, and Acts, 2 : 38, 39, and Rom. 4: 11, 12; 1 Cor. 7: 14; Matt. 28: 19; Mark, 10: 13 to 16; Luke, 18: 15.

m

V.

Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed to it, as that no person can be regenerate or saved without it; or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.

n

m Luke, 7: 30, with Exod. 4:24, 25, 26. n Rom. 4:11; Acts, 10: 2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47. • Acts, 9:13, 23.

VI.

The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered ;P yet notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost to such, (whether of age or infants,) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the

counsel of God's own will in his appointed time.

P John, 35, 8. ¶ Gal. 3: 27; Tit. 3:5; Eph. 5 : 25, 26; Acts, 2: 38, 41.

VII.

Baptism is but once to be administered to

any person.

n Titus, 3. 5.

CHAP. XXX.

OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

I.

OUR Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the Sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be observed in his churches to the end of the world; for the perpetual remembrance, and showing forth of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing of all benefits thereof unto true believers; their spiritual nourishment and growth in Him; their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion, with Him and with each other.a

a1 Cor. 11: 23, to 26, and 10: 16, 17, 21, and 12: 13.