Question 92

What is the proper signification of the word Sacrament?

The proper signification of the word Sacrament as it was of old used, is a Military Oath, whereby the General did oblige himself to be faithful unto his Soldiers, and the Soldiers did engage themselves to be faithful unto their General.

Why are any of Christs Ordinances called Sacraments, when we do not find the word Sacrament used in any place of the Holy Scripture?

Although the Word Sacrament be not used in the Scripture any more than the word Trinity, yet because the things signified by the Sacrament, and Trinity, and other words, are in the Scriptures, therefore we may lawfully make use of such words.

What is the thing signified by the word Sacrament?

The thing signified by the word Sacrament is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace, whereby as the Lord doth oblige himself to fulfil the promise of the Covenant unto us; so by our receiving of this Seal, we oblige our selves to be the Lords, and to be true and faithful unto him.

Whose Ordinance is the Sacrament which we are to make use of?

The Sacrament which we are to make use of, is an Ordinance, not of mans institution and appointment, but an holy Ordinance of Christs institution and appointment, who being the only King of the Church hath alone authority to appoint holy Ordinances and Sacraments.

How many parts are there in a Sacrament?

There are two parts in a Sacrament. 1. The outward sensible signs. 2. The things signified by the signs.

How do the sensible signs and the things signified in a Sacrament differ?

The sensible signes and the things signified in a Sacrament do differ as the sensible signes are an object of the understanding and faith, being represented by the outward signes.

What kind of signes are the sensible signes of a Sacrament?

1. The sensible signs in a Sacrament are not natural signes as the dawn of the morning is a sign of the approaching day, or as smoak is a sign of fire; but they are arbitrary signes, and by the appointment, not of men, but of Jesus Christ. 2. They are not bare signifying or representing signes, but withal, exhibiting, conveying and applying signes; as a seal unto a bond, or last will and testament doth both signifie the will of him whose bond or last will and testament it is, and doth also exhibit and convey, confirm and apply a right unto the things promised and engaged therein: when the Minister doth give forth the signes or outward elements in the sacramental action, the Lord doth give forth and convey the things signified unto the worthy receivers.

What are the things signified by the outward sensible signes in a Sacrament?

The things signified by the outward sensible signs in a Sacrament are Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant.

What is the use of a Sacrament in reference unto Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant?

The use of a Sacrament in reference unto Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant is; 1. To represent Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant, This is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you, and your seed after you, every man-child among you shall be Circumcised.^a 2. To seal and apply Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant, And he received the sign of Circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of Faith which he had being uncircumcised.^b

To whom doth a Sacrament represent, seal and apply Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant?

A Sacrament doth represent, seal and apply Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant, not unto all that partake thereof, but unto believers only; Faith being the eye of the soul to discern the things represented, and the hand of the soul to receive the things sealed and exhibited in the Sacrament.