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 Mat. â—8 19 1 Cor. 11. 20 23. 1 Cor. 4. 1 Heb. 5. 4 V. The Sacraments of the Old Testament in regard of the spirituall things thereby signified and exhibited were for substance the same with those of the New l 2 Cor. 10 1â— 2 3 4. â— CHAP. XXVIII Of Baptism BAptism is a Sacrament of the New Testament Ordained by Iesus Christ a Mat. 28. 19 not only for the solemn Admission of the party Baptized into the Visible Church b 1 Cor. 12 13 but also to be unto him a signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace c Rom. 4. 11 with Col. 2. 11 12 of his ingrafting into Christ d Gal 3. 27 Rom. 6. 5 of Regeneration e Tit. 3. 5 of Remission of sins f Mark 1. 4 and of his giving up unto God through Iesus Christ to walk in newnes of life g Rom. 6. 3 4. Which Sacrament is by Christs own appointment to bee continued in his Church untill the end of the World h Mat. 28. â—9 20. II. The outward Element to be used in this Sacrament 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 i Mat. 3. 11 Iohn 1. 33 Mat. 28. 19 20. III. Dipping of the person into the Water is not necessary but Baptism is rightly administred by powring or sprinkling Water upon the person k Heb 9. 10 19 20 21 22 Acts 2. 41 Acts 16. 33 Mark 7. 4 IV. Not only those that do actually professe Faith in and obedience unto Christ l Mark 16 15 16. Acts 8. 37 38. but also the infants of one or both believing Parents are to be baptized m Gen. 17. 7 9. with Gal. 3. 9 14 Col. 2. 11 12 Acts 2. 38 39. Rom. 4. 11 12 1 Cor. 7. 14 Mat. 28. 19 Mark 10. 13 14 15 16 Luke 18. 15 V. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this Ordinance n Luke 7. 30 with Exo. 4. 24 25 26 yet Grace and Salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it o Rom. 4. 11 Acts 10. 2. 4 23 31 45 47 or that all that are Baptized are undoubtedly regenerated p Acts 8. 13 23. VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administred q Iohn 3. 5 8 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 Councell of Gods own Will in his appointed time r Gal. 3. 27 Tit. 3. 5. Eph 5. 25 26 Acts 2. 38. 41. VII The Sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administred unto any person Å¿ Tit. 3. 5. CHAP. XXIX Of the LORDS Supper OVr Lord Iesus in the night wherein he was betrayed Instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood called the Lords Supper to be observed in his Church unto the end of the world for the perpetuall Remembrance of the sacrifice of Himself in his Death the sealing 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 as members of his mysticall Body a 1 Cor 11 23 25. 26 2. Cor. 10. 16. 2â— 21 2 Cor. 12. 13 II. In this Sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father nor any reall Sacrifice made at all for remission of sins of the quick or dead b Heb. 9. 22 25 26 28 but only a Commemoration of that one offering up of Himself by Himself upon the Crosse once for all and a spiritual Oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same c 1 Cor. 11 24 25 26 Mat. 26 26 27. So that the Popish Sacrifice of the Masse as they call it is most abominably injurious to Christs one onely Sacrifice the alone Propitiation for all the sins of the Elect d Heb. 7. 23 24 27. Heb. 10. 11 12 14 18. III. The Lord Iesus hath in this Ordinance appointed his Ministers to declare his word of institution to the people to pray and blesse the Elements of Bread and Wine thereby to set them apart from a Common to an Holy Vse and to Take and Break the Bread to Take the Cup they communicating also themselves to give both to the Communicants e Mat. 26 26 27 28 Mark 14. 22 23 24. and Luke 22. 19 20. with 1 Cor. 11 23 24 25 26 but to none who are not then present in the Congregation f Acts 20. 7 1 Cor. 11. 20 IV. Private Masses or receiving this Sacrament by a Priest or any other alone g 1 Cor. 10. 6 as likewise the denyall of the Cup to the people h Mark 4. 23 1 Cor. 11. 25 26 27 28 29 worshipping the Elements the lifting them up or carrying he about for adoration and the reserving them for any pretended religious use are all contrary to the nature of this Sacrament and to the Institution of Christ i Mat. 15. 9 V. The outward Elements in this Sacrament duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ have such relation to him crucified as that truly yet Sacramentally onely they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent to wit the Body and Blood of Christ k Mat. 26 26. 27 28 albeit in substance and nature they still remain truly and only Bread and Wine as they were before l 1 Cor. 11 26 27 28 Mat. 26. 29 VI. That Doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of Bread and Wine into the substance of Christs Body Blood commonly called Transubstantiation by Consecration of a Priest or by any other way is repugnant not to Scripture alone but even to common Sense and Reason overthroweth the nature of the Sacrament and hath bin is the cause of manifold Supertitions ye of grosse Idolatries m Act. 3. 21 with 1 Cor. 11. 24 25 26 Luk. 24. 6 39. VII Worthy Receivers outwardly partaking of the visible Elements in this Sacrament n 1 Cor. 11 28. do then also inwardly by faith really and indeed yet not carnally and corporally but Spiritually receive and feed upon Christ crucified and all benefits of his death The Body and Blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in with or under the Bread and Wine yet as really but Spiritually
faith i Heb 4 2 love k 2 The. 2. 10 meeknesse l Iames. 1. 21 and rediness of minde m Acts 17. 11 as the Word of God n 1 The. 2. 13 meditate o Luk. 9 44 Heb. 2. 1 and conferre of it p Luk. 24. 14 Deut. 6. 6 7 hide it in their hearts q Prov. 2. 1 Psal 119. 11 and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives r Luk. 8. 15 Iames 1. 25 Q. How doe the Sacraments become effectuall means of salvation A. The Sacraments become effectuall means of salvation not by any power in themselves or any vertue derived from the piety and intention of him by whom they are administred but only by the working of the holy Ghost the blessing of Christ by whom they are instituted Å¿ 1 Pet. 3. 21 Acts 8. 13 with v. 23 1 Cor. 3. 6 7 1 Cor. 12. 13 Q. What is a Sacrament A. A Sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his Church t Gen. 17 7 10. Ex. 12. ch Mat. 28 19 Mat. 26 27 28 to signifie seale and exhibit u Rom. 4. 11 1 Cor. 11. 24 25 unto those that are within the Covenant of grace w Rom. 15. 8 Exod. 12. 48 the benefits of his mediation x Acts 2. 38 1 Cor. 10. 16 to strengthen and encrease their faith and all other graces y Rom. 4. 11 Gal. 3. 27 to oblige them to obedience z Rom. 6. 3 4 1 Cor. 10. 21 to testifie and cherish their love and communion one with another a Eph. 4. 2 3. 4 5 1 Cor. 12. 13 and to distinguish them from those that are without b Eph. 2. 11 12 Gen. 34. 14 Q. What are the parts of a Sacrament A. The parts of a Sacrament are two the one an outward and sensible signe used according to Christs own appointment the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified c Mat. 3. 11 1 Pet. 3. 21 Rom. 2. 28 29 Q. How many Sacraments hath Christ instituted in his Church under the New Testament A. Vnder the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his Church only two Sacraments Baptism and the Lords Supper d Mat. 28. 19 1 Cor. 11. 20 23 Mat. 26. 26 27 28. Q. What is Baptism A. Baptism is a Sacrament of the New Testament wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost e Mat. 28. 19 to be a sign and seal of engrafting into himself f Gal. 3. 27 of remission of sinnes by his blood g Mar. 1. 4 Rev. 1. 5 and regeneration by his spirit h Tit. 3. 5 Eph. 5. 26 of Adoption i Gal. 3. 26 27 and resurrectionn to everlasting life k 1 Cor. 15 29 Rom. 6. 5 and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible Church l 1 Cor. 12 13 and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lords m Rom. 6 4 Q. Vnto whom is Baptism to be administred A. Baptism is not to be administred to any that are out of the visible Church and so strangers from the Covenant of promise till they professe their faith in Christ and obedience to him n Acts 8. 36 37 Acts 2. 38 but Infants descending from parents either both or but one of them professing faith in Christ and obedience to him are in that respect within the Covenant and to be baptized o Gen. 17. 7 9. with Gal. 3. 9 14. and Col. 2. 11 12 and Acts 2 38 39. and Rom. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 7 14. Mat. 28. 19. Luk. 18. 15 16. Rom. 11. 16 Q. How is our Baptism to be improved by us A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism is to be performed by us all our life long especially in the time of temptation when we are present at the administration of it to others p Col. 2. 11 12 Rom 6. 4. 6 11 by serious thankfull consideration of the nature of it of the ends for which Christ instituted it the priviledges and benefits conferred sealed thereby and our solemn vow made therein q Rom. 6. 3 4 5 by being humbled for our sinful defilement our falling short of walking contrary to the grace of Baptism and our engagements r 1 Cor. 1. 11 12 13 Rom. 6. 2. 3 by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin and of all other blessings sealed to us in that Sacrament Å¿ Rom. 4. 11 12. 1 Pet. 3 21. by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ into whom we are baptized for the mortifying of sin and quickning of grace t Rom 6 3 4. 5 and by end eavouring to live by faith u Gal. 3. 26 2â— to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness w Rom. 6. 22 as those that have therein given up their names to Christ x Acts 2. 38 and to walk in brotherly love as being baptized by the same spirit into one body y 1 Cor. 12 13 25 26 27 Q. What is the Lords Supper A. The Lords Supper is a Sacrament of the New Testament z Luk. 22. 20 wherein by giving receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Iesus Christ his death is shewed forth and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood to their spirituall nourishment and growth in grace a Mat. 26. 26 27 28 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26 have their union and communion with him confirmed b 1 Cor. 10 16 testifie and renue their thankfulnesse c 1 Cor. 11 24 25 26 and engagement to God d 1 Cor. 10 14 15 16 21 and their mutuall love and fellowship each with other as members of the same mysticall body e Cor. 10. 17 Q. How hath Christ appointed Bread and Wine to be given and received in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A. Christ hath appointed the Ministers of his word in the administration of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to set apart the bread and wine from common use by the word of institution thanksgiving and prayer to take and break the bread and to give both the Bread the Wine to the Communicants who are by the same appointment to take and eat the Bread and to drink the Wine in thankfull remembrance that the body of Christ was broken and given and his blood shed for them f Cor. 11 23 24 Mat. 26. 26 27 28 Mar. 14. 22 23 24 Luk. 22. 19 20 Q. How doe they that worthily communicate in the Lords Supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein A. As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in with or under the Bread Wine in the Lords Supper g Acts 3. 21 and yet are spiritually present
present to the Faith of Believers in that Ordinance as the Elements themselves are to their outward senses o 1 Cor 10 16 VIII Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward Elements in this Sacrament yet they receive not the Thing signified thereby but by their unworthy comming thereunto are guilty of the Body Blood of the Lord to their own damnation Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him so are they unworthy of the Lords Table and cannot without great sin against Christ while they remain such partake of these Holy Mysteries p 1 Cor. 11 27 28 29 2 Cor. 14 6 15. 16 or be admitted thereunto q 1 Cor. 5. 6 7 13 2 Thess 3 6 14 15 Mat. 7. 6 CHAP. XXX Of Church Censures THe Lord Iesus as King and Head of his Church hath therein appointed a Government in the hand of Church Officers distinct from the Civill Magistrate a Isa 9. 6 7 1 Tim. 5. 17 1 Thess 5. 12 Acts 20. 17 28. Heb. 13 7. 17 24 1 Cor. 12. 28 Mat. 28. 18 19 20. II. To these Officers the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are committed by vertue whereof they have power respectively to retain and remit sins to shut that Kingdom against the impenitent both by the Word and Censures and to open it unto penitent sinners by the Ministery of the Gospel and by Absolution from Censures as occasion shall require b Mat. 16. 19 Mat. 18. 17 18. Iohn 20 20 21 22 23 2 Cor. 2. 6 7 8. III. Church Censures are necessary for the reclaiming and gaining of offending Brethren for deterring of others from the like offences for purging out of that Leaven which might in fect the whole Lump for vindicating the honour of Christ and the holy Profession of the Gospel and for preventing the wrath of God which might justly fall upon the Church if they should suffer his Covenant and the Seals thereof to be prophaned by notorious and obstinatâ— offenders c 1 Cor. 5. Chapter 1 Tim. 5. 20 Mat. 7. 6 1 Tim. 1. 20 1 Cor. 11. 27 to the end with Iude ver 23. IV. For the better attaining of these ends the Officers of the Church are to proceed by Admonition suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper for a season and by Excommunication from the Church according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person d 1 Thes 5 12. 2 Thes 3. 6 14 15 1 Cor. 5. 4 5 13. Mat. 18 17. Tit. 3. 10 CHAP. XXXI Of Synods and Councels FOr the better Government and further edification of the Church theâ—e ought to be such Assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councels a Act. 15. 2 4. 6. II. As Magistrates may lawfully call a Synod of Ministers and other fit Persons to consult and advise with about matters of Religion b Isa 49. 23 1 Tim 2. 1 2 2 Chron. 19 8 9 10. 11 2 Chron. 29 30. Chapters Mat. 24 5. Prov. 11. 14 So if Magistrates be open Enemies to the Church the Ministers of Christ of themselves by vertue of their Office or they with other fit persons upon delegation from their Churches may meet together in such Assemblies c Acts 15. 2 4 22 23 25 III. It belongeth to Synods and Councels ministerially to determine Controversies of Faith cases of Conscience to set down Rules Directions for better Ordâ—ring of the publick Worship of God and Government of his Church to receive complaints in cases of Male administration and authoritatively to Determine the same which Decrees and Determinations if consonant to the Word of God are to be received with reverence and submission not only for their agreement with the Word but also for the Power whereby they are made as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word d Acts 15. 15 19 24 27 28 29. 30 31 Acts 16. 4 Mat. 18. 17 18 19 20. IV. All Synods or Counsels since the Apostles times whether generall or particular may erre and many have erred Therefore they are not to bee made the rule of Faith or practice but to be used as an help in both e Eph 2. 22 Acts 17. 11 1 Cor. 2. 5 2 Cor. 1. 24 V. Synods and Counsels are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is Ecclesiasticall and are not to intermeddle with civill affaires which concern the Common-wealth unlesse by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary or by way of Advice for satisfaction of conscience if they be thereunto required by the civill Magistrate f Luke 12 13 14. Iohn 18. 36 CHAP. XXXII Of the state of men after death and of the Resurrection of the dead THe Bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption a Gen. 3. 19 Acts 13. 36 but their soules which neither die nor sleep having an immortall subsistence immediatly return to GOD who gave them b Luk. 23 43 Eccles 22. 7 the soules of the Righteous being then made perfect in holinesse are received into the highest Heavens where they behold the face of God in light glory waiting for the full Redemption of their Bodies c Heb. 12. 23 2 Cor 5 1 6 8. Phil. 1. 23 with Acts 3 21. Eph. 4. 10. And the souls of the wicked are cast into Hell where they remain in torments utter darknesse reserved to the Iudgement of the great Day d Luk. 16. 23 24. Acts 1 25 Iude v. 6 7 1 Pet. 3. 19 Beside these two places for souls separated from their bodies the Scripture acknowledgeth none II. At the last Day such as are found alive shal not die but be changed e 1 Thes 4. 17 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. and all the dead shall be raised up with the self same bodies none other although with different qualities which shall be united again to their souls for ever f Iob 19. 26 27. 1 Cor. 15 42 43 44 III. The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ be raised to dishonour the bodies of the just by his spirit unto honour and be made conformable to his own glorious Body g Acts 24 1â— Ioh. 5. 28 29 1 Cor. 15. 42 Phil. 3. 21 CHAP. XXXIII Of the last Judgement GOD hath appointed a Day wherein he will judge the World in righteousnesse by Iesus Christ a Acts 17. 31 to whom all power and judgement is given of the Father b Ioh 5. 22 27. In which day not only the Apostate Angels shall be judged c 1 Cor. 6. 3 Iude vers 6 2 Pet. 2. 4. but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunall of Christ to give an account of their thoughts words and deeds and to receive according to what they have done in the Body whether good or evill d 2 Cor. 5 10 Eccl. 12. 14 Rom. 2. 16 Rom 14. 10
to the faith of the receiver no lesse truly and really then the elements themselves are to their outward senses h Mat. 26. 26 28 so they that worthily communicate in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper do therein feed upon the body blood of Christ not after a corporall or carnall but in a spirituall manner yet truly and really i 1 Cor. 1. 24 25 26 â—â— 28 29 while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified and all the benefits of his death k 1 Cor. 10 16 Q. How are they that receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it A. They that receive the Sacrament of Lords Supper are before they come to prepare themselvs therunto by examining themselvs l 1 Cor. 11. 28 of their being in Christ m 2 Cor. 13. 5 of their sins and wants n 1 Cor. 5 7 with Exod. 12. 15 of the truth and measure of their knowledg o 1 Cor. 11. 29 faith p 2 Cor. 13. 5 Mat. 26. 28 repentance q Zech. 12. 10 1 Cor. 11 31 love to God and the brethren r 1 Cor. 10 16 17 Act. 2. 46 47 charity to all men Å¿ 1 Cor. 5. 8 1 Cor. 11. 18 20 forgiving those that have done them wrong t Mat. 5. 23 24 of their desires after Christ u Isai 55. 1 Ioh. 7. 37 and of their new obedience w 1 Cor. 5 7 8 and by renewing the exercise of these graces x 1 Cor. 11 25 26 28 Heb. 10. 21 22 24 Psal 26. 6 by serious meditation y 1 Cor. 11 24 25 and fervent prayer z 2 Chr. 30 18 19 Mat. 26. 26 Q. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ or of his due preparation come to the Lords Supper A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ or of his due preparation to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper may have true interest in Christ though he be not yet assured thereof a Isai 50. 10 1 Ioh. 5. 13 Psal 88. throughout Psal 77. 1 to 12 Ionah 2. 4. 7 and in Gods account hath it if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it b Isai 54. 7 8 9 10 Mat. 5. 3 4 Psal 31. 22 Psal 73. 13 22 23 and unfainedly desires to be found in Christ c Phil. 3. 8 7 Psal 10. 17 Psal 43 1 2. 5 11. and to depart from iniquity d 2 Tim. 2. 19 Isai 50. 10 Psal 66. 18 29. 30 in which case because promises are made and this Sacrament is appointed for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians e Isai 40. 11 29. 31 Mat. 11. 28 Mat. 12. 20 Mat. 26. 28 he is to bewail his unbelief f Mar. 9. 24 and labour to have his doubts resolved g Acts 2. 57 Acts 16. 30 and so doing he may and ought to come to the Lords Supper that he may be further strengthened h Rom. 4. 11 1 Cor. 11. 28 Q. May any who professe the faith and desire to come to the Lords Supper be kept from it A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous notwithstanding their profession of the faith and desire to come to the Lords Supper may ought to be kept from that Sacrament by the power which Christ hath left in his Church i 1 Cor. 11. 27 to the end with Mat. 7. 6. and 1 Cor. 5. ch and Iude v. 23. and 1 Tim. 5. 22 untill they receive instruction and manifest their reformation k 2 Cor. 2. 7 Q. What is required of them that receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in the time of the administration of it A. It is required of them that receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper that during the time of the administration of it with all holy reverence attention they wait upon God in that ordinance l Levit. 10 3 Heb. 12. 28 Psal 5. 7 1 Cor. 11. 17 26 27 diligently obâ—erve the Sacramentall Elements actions m Exo. 24. 8 with Mat. 26. 28 heedfully discern the Lords body n 1 Cor. 11 29 and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings o Luk 22. 19 and thereby stirre up themselvs to a vigorous exercise of their graces p 1 Cor. 11 26 1 Cor. 10. 3 4 5. 11. 14 in judging themselves q 1 Cor. 11. 31 and sorrowing for sin r Zech. 12. 10 in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ Å¿ Rev. 24. 17 feeding on him by faith t Iohn 6. 35 receiving of his fulnesse u Iohn 1. 16 trusting in his merits w Phil. 3. 9 rejoycing in his love x Ps 63 4 5 2 Chr. 30. 21 giving thanks for his grace y Psal 22. 6 in renewing of their Covenant with God z Ier. 50. 5 Psal 50. 5 and love to all the Saints a Acts 2 42 Q. What is the duty of Christians after they have received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A. The duty of Christians after they have received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein and with what successe b Psal 28. 7 Psal 85. 8 2 Cor. 11. 17 30. 31 if they find quickning comfort to blesse God for it c 2 Chr. 30 21 22 23 25 26 Acts 2. 42 46. 47 beg the continuance of it d Psal 36. 10 Cant. 3. 4 1 Chr. 29. 18 watch against relapses e 1 Cor. 10. 3 4 5 12 fulfill their vows f Psal 50. 14 incourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance g 1 Cor. 11. 25 26 Act. 2. 42. 46 but if they find no present benefit more exactly to review their preparation to carriage at the Sacrament h Cant. 5. 1. 2 3 4 5 6. in both which if they can approve themselves to God their own coÌ„sciences they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time i Psal 123. Psal 42. 5 8 Ps 43. 3 4 5 but if they see they have failed in either they are to be humbled k 2 Chr. 30 18. 19 Isa 1. 16. 18 and to attend upon it afterward with more care and diligence l 2 Cor. 7. 11 1 Chr. 15 12 13. 14 Q. Wherein do the Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper agree A. The Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper agree in that the authour of both is God m Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor 11. 23 the spirituall part of both is Christ and his benefits n Rom. 6 3. 4 1 Cor. 10. 16 both are seals of the same Covenant o Rom. 4. 11 with Col. 2 12 Mat. 26 27. 28. are to be dispensed by Ministers of the Gospel and by none other p Iohn 1. 33 Mat 28. 19 1 Cor. 11 23 1 Cor. 4. 1 Heb.