Of the nature of sacraments, III
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechist ,
Of the Number ofSacraments.
WHig Hich are the sacraments of the NewTestaQuest. 93. ment?
A. Thefacraments of the New Testament are, baptism, and the Lord'sfupper.
Q. 1. How many sacraments hath Christ appointed in the New Testament ?
A. Christ hath appointed two, and no more; these being sufficient 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 of confirmation ?
A. It is the anointing of the baptized with chrism in the fore-head, with this form of words ; I sign thee with the sign of the cross, and confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost.
Q. 4. What is their ground for this practice ?
A. The abuse of that Scripture, Heb. vi. 2. Of the doctrine ofbaptifms, and laying on of hands, &c. which, by a figurative speech, expresseth the whole standing ministry in the ( church, by laying on of hands.
Q. 5. What is their sacrament ofpennance !
A. It is repentance manifested by outward signs, to which the word of absolution coming, makes it a sacrament, mif grounded on John xx. 27. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sinsye retain, they are retained.
Q. 6. What is their sacrament of orders, or ordination ?
A. It is the laying on of hands in ordination of ministers, 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 of God which is in thee,by the putting on of my hands.
Q. 7. What is their fourth fuperadded sacrament ?
A. It is marriage, grounded upon those words of the apostle, Eph . v. 32. This is a great mystery ; but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Which only shews a fimilitude of our union with Christ, not an instituted sign to that end.
Q. 8. What is their fifth fuperaddedsacrament ?
A. Extreme unction, or anointingthe sick, near death,with consecrated oil, grounded on Mark vi. 13. And anointed withoilmanythat were sick, andhealedthem. And James.