27.5 Section V

    Section 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.

Exposition The ordinary sacraments of the Old Testament were circumcision and the Passover; the former being now superseded by baptism, and the latter by the Lord’s supper. The sacraments of the Old Testament represented Christ as to come, while those of the New Testament represent Christ as already come; and by the latter spiritual blessings are exhibited in a more clear and plain manner than by the former. But in opposition to the Church of Rome, which asserts that the sacraments of the Old Testament were no more than shadows of that grace which those of the New Testament actually confer, we maintain that, in respect of the spiritual blessings signified and exhibited, the sacraments of the Old Testament were substantially the same with those of the New. Both were signs and seals of the same righteousness of faith.–Rom. iv. 11. Both agree in the word of promise.–Gen. xvii. 7; Acts ii. 38, 39.