Of the nature of facraments, III
AnExpoſition of the Affembly's Catechist ,
Of the Number ofSacraments.
WHig Hich are the ſacraments ofthe NewTeſtaQueſt. 93. ment?
A. Thefacraments ofthe New Testament are, baptism, and the Lord'sfupper.
Q. 1. How many facraments hath Chriſt appointed in the New Testament ?
A. Chriſt hath appointed two, and no more; theſe being fufficient for our initiation and confirmation.
Q. 2. How many have the Papiſts added to them ?
A. They have added five more ; viz. Confirmation, penmance, ordination, marriage, and extreme unction.
Q. 3. What is theirfacrament ofconfirmation ?
A. It is the anointing ofthe baptized with chriſm in the fore-head, with this form ofwords ; I fign theewith the ſign ofthecroſs, and confirm thee with the chriſm of falvation, in thename ofthe Father, Son, and holy Ghost.
Q. 4. What is theirground for this practice ?
A. The abuse ofthatScripture, Heb. vi. 2. Ofthe doctrine ofbaptifms, and laying on of hands, &c. which, by a figurative ſpeech, expreſſeth the whole standing miniſtry in the ( church, by laying on ofhands.
Q. 5. What is their facrament ofpennance !
A. It is repentance manifeſted by outward figns, towhich theword of abſolution coming, makes it a ſacrament, mif grounded on John xx. 27. Whoſe ſoever ſins ye remit, they are remitted untothem; and whoſe ſoever ſinsye retain, they are retained.
Q. 6. What is their facrament oforders, or ordination ?
A. It is thelaying on ofhands in ordination ofminiſters, by which they conceive ſpiritual grace is given ; by mistake of 2Tim. i. 6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou ſtir up the gift ofGodwhich is in thee,by the putting on of myhands.
Q. 7. What is their fourth fuperadded facrament ?
A. It is marriage, grounded upon thoſe words of the apoſtle, Eph . v. 32. This is a great myſtery ; but I ſpeakconcerning Chriſtand thechurch.
Which only ſhews a fimilitude ofour union with Chrift, not an inftituted ſign to that end.
Q. 8. What is their fifth fuperaddedſacrament ?
A. Extreme unction, or anointingthe ſick, near death,with confecrated oil, grounded on Mark vi. 13. And anointed withoilmanythat were fick, andhealedthem. And James.