Question 93

Were there other Sacraments under the Old Testament, as Circumcision and the Passover?

Yes. Gen. 17. 10. Exod. 12. 43, 47.

Do these remain in use now?

No. Rom. 10. 4▪ Gal. 5▪ 2 3, 4. 1 Cor. 5▪ 7, 8.

What Sacraments hath Christ appointed under the New Testament, in the room of these?

Baptism and the Lords Supper. 1 Cor. 12. 13.

Are these two the only Sacraments of the New Testament?

Yes.

How doth that appear?

1. Because when the number of Sacraments were most necessary (as under the Law) there were but two: and therefore (ours succeeding in the room of them) there can be no more. 2. Because these two Seals do fully assure us of all Gods Graces; both of our regeneration, entrance and ingrafting into Christ, and of our growth and continuance in him: and therefore we need no more.

But there are five more added by the Papists▪ as Confirmation, Pennance, extream Vnction. Holy Orders, and Matrimony; Are not these properly and truly Sacraments, instituted by our Lord Iesus Christ, and necessary to the Salvation of Mankind?

No.

Why so?

The nature of a Sacrament agreeth not to them. 1. Because they are not all proper to the Church, but common (as Marriage) to the Heathen. 2. They are not all instituted by Christ, as perpetual standing Ordinance. 3. They do not consist of an outward sign (as Penace) and inward Grace. 4. The Covenant of Grace is not sealed in any of them.

But is not Extream Vnction a Sacrament instituted by Christ as a perpetual standing Ordinance; when every sick man is enjoyned, James 5. 14. to call for the Elders, those standing perpetuated Officers, that they may pray over him, anointing him with Oyl in the Name of the Lord?

No.

Why so?

1. Because the anointing spoken of in S. Iames was frequently omitted by the Apostles themselves in their working of cures, and was indifferently either used or not used by them. In the Gospels many such cures are wrought without it; and so in the Acts, by taking by the hand, by embracing, Chap. 3. 7. and 20. 10. and by Peter’s bare word, Chap. 9. 34. and so again, verse 40. And by Paul’s bare word, Chap. 14. 10. and 16. 18. and by his touching linnen cloaths, Chap. 19. 12. All which different ways of healing the sick do sufficiently evince that the usage of Oyl as a bare ceremony, was not instituted by Christ, or any way commanded to be continued by the Apostles, or their Successors in the Church, even while the gift of healing did continue among them. 2. Because that anointing with Oyl in the Name of the Lord, was never used on any other design than to demonstrate the miraculousness of the work, which was wrought without any contribution of natural means; and therefore is not now of any propriety or fitness for use, when the gift of miraculous healing is ceased in the Church. 3. That anointing was designed on purpose for the recovery of the sick, whereas Extream Unction (if the coiners of Sacraments have not miscalled it) must needs be supposed to be used only as a Viand to those that depart out of this world, and then only when it is thought certain that they will die.