{"number":92,"title":"What is a Sacrament?","part":null,"questions":[92],"paragraphs":[],"clauses":[],"items":[{"question":"What is a Sacrament?","answer":"A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant are represented, sealed and applyed to Believers.","segments":[{"text":"A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant are represented, sealed and applyed to Believers.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[{"question":"What did the Word Sacrament signifie in antient times?","answer":"It signified an Oath, whereby Souldiers bound themselves to be true to their Captain, and he in like manner bound himself to them.","segments":[{"text":"It signified an Oath, whereby Souldiers bound themselves to be true to their Captain, and he in like manner bound himself to them.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is it now used to signifie?","answer":"Now it is used to signifie the seals of the Covenant whereby the Lord doth bind himself in Christ Jesus to be merciful to us; and we bind our selves to be true unto Christ.","segments":[{"text":"Now it is used to signifie the seals of the Covenant whereby the Lord doth bind himself in Christ Jesus to be merciful to us; and we bind our selves to be true unto Christ.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Is the Sacrament then an holy Ordinance?","answer":"Yes.","segments":[{"text":"Yes.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"By whom are our Sacraments instituted?","answer":"By Christ. Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24, 25.","segments":[{"text":"By Christ. Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24, 25.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What do you mean by being instituted by Christ?","answer":"Appointed and ordained by him.","segments":[{"text":"Appointed and ordained by him.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What are the parts of a Sacrament?","answer":"The sign, and the thing signified.","segments":[{"text":"The sign, and the thing signified.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What are the outward parts of the Sacraments?","answer":"The sensible signs.","segments":[{"text":"The sensible signs.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"Do the signs offer themselves to the Senses?","answer":"Yes.","segments":[{"text":"Yes.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"And offer the things signified to our Faith?","answer":"Yes.","segments":[{"text":"Yes.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What are the inward parts of the Sacraments?","answer":"Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant, as the things signified by the outward sensible signs.","segments":[{"text":"Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant, as the things signified by the outward sensible signs.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"What is the use and proper work of the Sacraments?","answer":"To represent, seal and apply.","segments":[{"text":"To represent, seal and apply.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"But are the Sacraments of the New Testament signs, and seals to all even to unbelievers?","answer":"Yes.","segments":[{"text":"Yes.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"How do the Sacrameats seal to all even to unbelievers?","answer":"1. As Circumcision was a Seal of the righteousness of Faith [or of the Covenant] as well when Ishmael received it, as when Abraham received it. God is everlastingly true; and these are really Seals whosoever recelves them. Many persons take the same Physick; the operation is not the same, the Physick is the same. And if we might call the Tree of Life a Seal, it retains the nature of a sign, though Adam never tasted of it. The Rain-bow is a Covenant, though there be thousands in the world that never knew it was a Covenant. And it is the use and proper work of our Sacraments to commemorate and seal. 2. Sacraments are visible Doctrines, Ier. 2. 31. O Generation, see ye the word of the Lord. In the Sacraments are written in small Characters, what at large are found in the works of God. And Faith acts upon these Symbols upon a doctrinal notion, as they are teaching Ordinances. They testifie, as a sign Christs Love, as a Seal Gods faithfulness. The Word of God is given us that we may believe, and that we may be strong in Faith: So likewise the Sacraments are given us not only to believe, but for our increase in Faith. And as the word Jesus Christ is evidently set forth crucified before our eyes, so do the Sacraments as the Oracles of God teach us plainly the mysterie of Faith, and the way of Salvation. 3. The Sacraments are not only signs and Seals, but Sanctions, and such Laws as we are charged to observe upon pain of Gods wrathful displeasure. Which will be more manifest by our comparing the Sacraments of the Old and New Testament together; Baptism and the Lords Supper succeeding in the place of Circumcision and the Passover: For, as Baptism and the sprinkling of clean water upon us, is to wash off the filth of the Soul that we might be clean; so was Circumcision to take away the stony heart out of the flesh, and to give an heart of flesh: And as the sprinkling of blood was of old a Law in Israel; so is the Lords Supper a Sanction of the New Testament to us. And as Moses said. This is the blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you; here in like manner Christ hath Preached the Gospel doctrine, and now he comes to put a Sanction 〈◊〉 this Sacrament; This, saith he, is 〈◊〉 blood of the New Testament, which is 〈◊〉 for many, for the remission of sins. There is this only disparity, the sign was 〈◊〉 Blood, now Wine, now Wine because there is to be no more shedding 〈◊〉 blood, then blood sprinkling because Christ our Passover was not sacrificed for us: So that as to substance, the Sacraments of the Old and New Testament differ no more than the Old and New Moon, which are not two, but one and the same. All which considered joyntly may sufficiently clear it to us, that our Sacraments are not only signs and seals, but Sanctions, yea Sanctions of the Covenant of Grace, or of the New Testament. And if he that despised Moses Law, died without mercy, under two or three witnesses, Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, as unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace? For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward: How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation? which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him. Especially when we have Jesus Christ thus evidently set forth, crucified among us, not only to the ear but to the eye, by his Word and Sacraments.","segments":[{"text":"1. As Circumcision was a Seal of the righteousness of Faith [or of the Covenant] as well when Ishmael received it, as when Abraham received it.","proofs":["Romans 4:11","Genesis 17"],"refs":[{"printed":"Romans 4:11","osis":["Rom.4.11"]},{"printed":"Genesis 17","osis":["Gen.17"]}],"note":null},{"text":"God is everlastingly true; and these are really Seals whosoever recelves them. Many persons take the same Physick; the operation is not the same, the Physick is the same. And if we might call the Tree of Life a Seal, it retains the nature of a sign, though Adam never tasted of it. The Rain-bow is a Covenant, though there be thousands in the world that never knew it was a Covenant. And it is the use and proper work of our Sacraments to commemorate and seal. 2. Sacraments are visible Doctrines, Ier. 2. 31. O Generation, see ye the word of the Lord. In the Sacraments are written in small Characters, what at large are found in the works of God. And Faith acts upon these Symbols upon a doctrinal notion, as they are teaching Ordinances. They testifie, as a sign Christs Love, as a Seal Gods faithfulness. The Word of God is given us that we may believe, and that we may be strong in Faith: So likewise the Sacraments are given us not only to believe, but for our increase in Faith. And as the word Jesus Christ is evidently set forth crucified before our eyes, so do the Sacraments as the Oracles of God teach us plainly the mysterie of Faith, and the way of Salvation. 3. The Sacraments are not only signs and Seals, but Sanctions, and such Laws as we are charged to observe upon pain of Gods wrathful displeasure.","proofs":["Genesis 17:14","Numbers 9:13","Matthew 3:7","Luke 7:30","Matthew 28:19","Acts 2:37–38","16:30–32","1 Corinthians 11:24–25","Exodus 24:8"],"refs":[{"printed":"Genesis 17:14","osis":["Gen.17.14"]},{"printed":"Numbers 9:13","osis":["Num.9.13"]},{"printed":"Matthew 3:7","osis":["Matt.3.7"]},{"printed":"Luke 7:30","osis":["Luke.7.30"]},{"printed":"Matthew 28:19","osis":["Matt.28.19"]},{"printed":"Acts 2:37–38","osis":["Acts.2.37-Acts.2.38"]},{"printed":"16:30–32","osis":["Acts.16.30-Acts.16.32"]},{"printed":"1 Corinthians 11:24–25","osis":["1Cor.11.24-1Cor.11.25"]},{"printed":"Exodus 24:8","osis":["Exod.24.8"]}],"note":null},{"text":"Which will be more manifest by our comparing the Sacraments of the Old and New Testament together; Baptism and the Lords Supper succeeding in the place of Circumcision and the Passover: For, as Baptism and the sprinkling of clean water upon us, is to wash off the filth of the Soul that we might be clean; so was Circumcision to take away the stony heart out of the flesh, and to give an heart of flesh: And as the sprinkling of blood was of old a Law in Israel; so is the Lords Supper a Sanction of the New Testament to us. And as Moses said. This is the blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you;","proofs":["Exodus 24:8","Matthew 26:27–28"],"refs":[{"printed":"Exodus 24:8","osis":["Exod.24.8"]},{"printed":"Matthew 26:27–28","osis":["Matt.26.27-Matt.26.28"]}],"note":null},{"text":"here in like manner Christ hath Preached the Gospel doctrine, and now he comes to put a Sanction 〈◊〉 this Sacrament; This, saith he, is 〈◊〉 blood of the New Testament, which is 〈◊〉 for many, for the remission of sins. There is this only disparity, the sign was 〈◊〉 Blood, now Wine, now Wine because there is to be no more shedding 〈◊〉 blood,","proofs":["Hebrews 9:26","Daniel 9:24"],"refs":[{"printed":"Hebrews 9:26","osis":["Heb.9.26"]},{"printed":"Daniel 9:24","osis":["Dan.9.24"]}],"note":null},{"text":"then blood sprinkling because Christ our Passover was not sacrificed for us:","proofs":["Hebrews 9:18–26"],"refs":[{"printed":"Hebrews 9:18–26","osis":["Heb.9.18-Heb.9.26"]}],"note":null},{"text":"So that as to substance, the Sacraments of the Old and New Testament differ no more than the Old and New Moon, which are not two, but one and the same. All which considered joyntly may sufficiently clear it to us, that our Sacraments are not only signs and seals, but Sanctions, yea Sanctions of the Covenant of Grace, or of the New Testament. And if he that despised Moses Law, died without mercy, under two or three witnesses, Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, as unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?","proofs":["Hebrews 10:28–29"],"refs":[{"printed":"Hebrews 10:28–29","osis":["Heb.10.28-Heb.10.29"]}],"note":null},{"text":"For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward: How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation? which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard","proofs":["Hebrews 2:2–3"],"refs":[{"printed":"Hebrews 2:2–3","osis":["Heb.2.2-Heb.2.3"]}],"note":null},{"text":"him. Especially when we have Jesus Christ thus evidently set forth, crucified among us, not only to the ear but to the eye, by his Word and Sacraments.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]},{"question":"But are the Sacraments effectual to Salvation, or savingly applied only by Believers?","answer":"Yes. Rom. 4. 11, 12.","segments":[{"text":"Yes. Rom. 4. 11, 12.","proofs":[],"refs":[],"note":null}],"items":[]}]}],"text":null}