the geneva catechism 4 (continued)
316. But what assurance of grace can the Sacraments give, seeing that good and bad both receive them? Although the unbelievers and the wicked make of none effect the grace offered them through the Sacraments, yet it does not follow that the proper nature of the Sacraments is also made of non effect.
317. How, then, and when do the Sacraments produce this effect? When we receive them in faith, seeking Jesus Christ alone and His grace in them.
318. Why do you say that we must seek Jesus Christ in them? I mean that we are not to be taken up with the earthly sign so as to seek our salvation in it, nor are we to imagine that it has a peculiar power enclosed within it. On the contrary, we are to employ the sign as a help, to lead us directly to the Lord Jesus, that we may find in Him our salvation and all our well-being.
319. Seeing that faith is required, why do you say that they are given to confirm us in faith, to assure us of the promises of God? It is not sufficient for faith once to be generated in us. It must be nourished and sustained, that it may grow day by day and be increased within us. To nourish, strengthen, and increase it, God gives us the Sacraments. This is what Paul indicates when he says that they are used to seal the promises of God in our hearts (Rom. 4:11).
320. But is it not a sign of unbelief when the promises of God are not firm enough for us, without support? It is a sign of the smallness and weakness of faith, and such is indeed the faith of the children of God, who do not, however, cease to be faithful, although their faith is still imperfect. As long as we live in this world some elements of unfaithfulness remain in our flesh, and therefore we must always advance and grow in faith.
321. How many Sacraments are there in the Christian Church? There are only two Sacraments common to all which the Lord Jesus has instituted for the whole company of the faithful.