Q. 161. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered; but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted (s). Q. 162. What is a sacrament?

Â. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church (t), to signify, seal, and exhibit (v) unto those that are within the covenant of grace (w), the benefits of his mediation (x); to strengthen and increase

their faith, and all other graces (y): to oblige them to obedience (z); to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another (a); and to distinguish them from those that are without (b).

Q. 163. What are the parts of a sacrament?

A. The parts of a sacrament are two; the one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ's own appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified (c).

Q. 164. How many sacraments hath Christ instituted in his church under the New Testament?

A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper (d).

break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

(y) Romans 4. 11. (See in v above). Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.

(z) Rom. 6. 3, 4. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 1 Cor. 10. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils.

(a) 1 Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

(b) Eph. 2. 11, 12. Wherefore remember that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the com

monwealth of Israel, and stran gers from the covenants of pro mise; having no hope, and without God in the world. Gen. 34. 14. And they said unto them, we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised: for that were a reproach unto us.

(c) Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. 1 Pet. 3. 21. The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rom. 2. 28, 29. For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

(d) Mat. 28. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

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A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (e), to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself (f), of remission of sins by his blood (g), and regeneration by his Spirit (h); of adoption (i), and resurrection unto everlasting life (k); and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church (), and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord's (m).

Q. 166. Unto whom is baptism to be administered?

A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him (n); but infants, descending from

the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 11. 20. 23. When ye come together, therefore, into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread.

(e) Mat. 28. 19. Go ye, there fore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

f) Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.

(g) Mark 1. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. Rev. 1. 5. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

(h) Tit. 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. 5. 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it

with the washing of water by the word.

(i) Gal. 3. 26, 27. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.

(k) 1 Cor. 15. 29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? Rom. 6. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

(1 Cor. 12. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

(m) Rom. 6. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life

(n) Acts 8. 36, 37. And as

parents, either both or but one of them, professing faith in Christ and obedience to him, are, in that respect, within the covenant, and to be baptized (0).

Q. 167. How is our baptism to be improved by us?

A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others (p); by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein (q); by being humbled for our sinful defile

ment, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements (r); by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament (s); by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we were baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace (t); and by endeavouring to live by faith (v), to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness (w), as those that have therein given up their names to Christ (x); and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body (y). Q. 168. What is the Lord's supper

A. The Lord's supper is a sacrament of the New Testament (z), wherein, by giving and receiving bread and