Chap. XXIII. -- Of Baptism.

right whereunto is the Fourth Privilege of Believers.

Q. 1. What are the seals of the New Testament?

A. Sacraments instituted of Christ to be visible seals and pledges, whereby God in him confirmeth the promises of the covenant to all believers, re-stipulating of them growth in faith and obedience. Mark xvi. 16; John iii. 5; Acts ii. 38, xxii. 16; Rom. iv. 11; 1 Cor. x. 2-4, xi. 26-29.

Q. 2. How doth God by these sacraments bestow grace upon us?

A. Not by any [94] real essential conveying of spiritual grace by corporeal means, but by the way of promise, obsignation, and covenant, confirming the grace wrought in us by the Word and Spirit. Heb. iv. 2; 1 Cor. x.; Rom. iv. 11, i. 17; Mark xvi. 16; Eph. v. 26.

Q. 3. How do our sacraments differ from the sacraments of the Jews?

A. Accidentally only, in things concerning the outward matter and form, as their number, quality, clearness of signification, and the like, not essentially, in the things signified, or grace confirmed. 1 Cor. x. 1, 2, 3, &c.; John vi. 35; 1 Cor. v. 7; Phil. iii. 3; Col. ii. 11.

[94] This is one of the greatest mysteries of the Roman magic and juggling that corporeal elements should have a power to forgive sins, and confer spiritual grace.

Q. 1. Which are these sacraments?
A. Baptism and the Lord's supper.
Q. 2. What is baptism?

A. An ^aholy action, appointed [95] [96] of Christ, whereby being the sprinkled with water in name of the whole Trinity, by a lawful minister of the church, ^bwe are admitted into the family of God, ^cand have the benefits of the blood of Christ confirmed unto us. ^aMatt. xxviii. 19; Mark xvi. 15, 16. ^bActs ii. 41, viii. 37. ^cActs ii. 38, 39; John iii. 5; Rom. vi. 3-5; 1 Cor. xii. 13.

Q. 3. To whom doth this sacrament belong?

A. Unto all to whom the promise of the covenant is made; that is, to believers, and to their seed. Acts ii. 39; Gen. xvii. 11, 12; Acts xvi. 15; Rom. iv. 10, 11; 1 Cor. vii. 14.

Q. 4. How can baptism seal the pardon of all sins to us, all our personal sins following it?

A. Inasmuch as it is a seal of that promise which gives pardon of all
to believers.
Acts ii. 39; Rom. iv. 11, 12.

[95] Not the want, but the contempt of this sacrament, is damnable.

[96] It is hard to say whether the error of the Papists, requiring baptism of absolute, indispensable necessity to the salvation of every infant, or that of the Anabaptists, debarring them from it altogether, be the most uncharitable.