Chapter XXVII: Of the Sacraments. De Sacramentis.
Of the Sacraments. De Sacramentis.
I. Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, [1891] immediately instituted by God, [1892] to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him: [1893] as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and the rest of the world; [1894] and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word. [1895] I. Sacramenta sunt foederis gratiæ signa sacra et sigilla, [1896] immediate a Deo instituta, [1897] ad Christum ejusque beneficia repræsentandum, ad jus nostrum in illo confirmandum, [1898] prout etiam ad illos qui Ecclesiam spectant a reliquis illis qui sunt e mundo, visibili discrimine separandum, [1899] utque ii solenniter devinciantur ad obedientiam et cultum Deo in Christo juxta verbum ejus exhibendum. [1900] II. There is in every sacrament II. In Sacramento quolibet est inter
a spiritual relation or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass that the names and the [1901] effects of the one are attributed to the other. [1902] signum et rem significatam relatio quædam spiritualis, sive Sacramentalis unio; unde fit ut alterius nomina et effectus alteri quandoque tribuantur. [1903] III. The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments, rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it, [1904] but upon the work of the Spirit, [1905] and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.
[1906] III. Quæ in Sacramentis sive per ea rite adhibita exhibetur gratia, per vim aliquam iis intrinsecam non confertur, neque ex intentione vel pietate adininistrantis pendent Sacramenti vis ac efficacia; [1907] verum ex operatione Spiritus, [1908] ac verbo institutionis, quod complectitur cum præceptum, unde celebrandi Sacramenti potestas fit, tum etiam promissionem de beneficiis digne percipientibus exhibendis. [1909] IV. There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord: neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained. [1910] IV. Sacramenta duo tantum sunt a Christo Domino nostro in Evangelio instituta, Baptismus scilicet, et coena Domini; quorum neutrum de debet nisi a ministro verbi legitime ordinato dispensari.
[1911]
V. The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New. [1912] V. Sacramenta Veteris Testamenti si res spirituales per ea significatas exhibitasque respiciamus, quoad substantiam eadem fuere cum his sub Novo. [1913]