CHAP. XXIII.-OF BAPTISM. Q. 1. Which are these sacraments? Q. 2. What is baptism? a ь с A. An a holy action, appointed12 of Christ, whereby being sprinkled with water in the name of the whole Trinity, by a lawful minister of the church, we are admitted into the family of God, and have the benefits of the blood of Christ confirmed unto us. Matt. xxviii. 19; Mark xvi. 15, 16.-"Acts ii. 41, viii. 37.- Acts ii. 38, 39; John iii. 5; Rom. vi. 3-5; 1 Cor. xii. 13. C Q. 3. To whom doth this sacrament belong? a 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. CHAP. XXIV.—OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. Q. 1. What is the Lord's supper? a f d 4 е A. An holy action instituted and3 appointed by Christ, to set forth his death, and communicate unto us spiritually his body and blood by faith, being represented by bread and wine, blessed by his word, and prayer, broken, poured out, and received of believers. a Matt. xxvi. 26-28; Luke xxii. 14-20; 1 Cor. xi. 23–25.— Luke xxii. 19; 1 Cor. xi, 25, 26.— Mark xiv. 22–24; 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25; John vi, 63.-1 Cor. xi. 23, 25.-1 Cor. xi. 24; Matt. xxvi. 26.— f Matt. xxvi. 26; Mark xiv. 22; Luke xxii. 19. Q. 2. When did Christ appoint this sacrament? b A. On the night wherein he was betrayed to suffer.-1 Cor. xi. 23. Q. 3. Whence is the right use of it to be learned? 1 Not the want, but the contempt of this sacrament, is damnable. 2 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. 3 Baptism is the sacrament of our new birth, this of our farther growth in Christ. 4 No part of Christian religion was ever so vilely contaminated and abused by profane wretches, as this pure, holy, plain action and institution of our Saviour: witness the Popish horrid monster of transubstantiation, and their idolatrous mass. A. From the word,' practice, and actions of our Saviour, at its institution. Q. 4. What were the actions of our Saviour to be imitated by us? A. First, blessing the elements by prayer; secondly, breaking the bread, and pouring out the wine; thirdly, distributing them to the receivers, sitting in a table-gesture.-Matt. xxvi. 26; Mark xiv. 22, Luke xxii. 19, 20; 1 Cor. xi. 23, 24. Q. 5. What were the words of Christ? A. First, of command,-"Take, eat;" secondly, of promise,-"This is my body;" thirdly, of institution for perpetual use,—“This do," &c. -1 Cor. xi. 24-26. Q. 6. Who are to be23 receivers of this sacrament? A. Those only have a true right to the signs who by faith have an holy interest in Christ, the thing signified.-1 Cor. xi. 27-29; John vi. 63. Q. 7. Do the elements remain bread and wine still, after the blessing of them? A. Yes; all the spiritual change is wrought by the faith of the receiver, not the words of the giver: to them that believe, they are the body and blood of Christ.-John vi. 63; 1 Cor. x. 4, xi. 29. CHAP. XXV.-OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS, THE FIFTH PRIVILEGE OF BELIEVERS. Q. 1. What is the communion of saints? 4 A. An holy conjunction between all God's people, wrought by their participation of the same Spirit, whereby we are all made members of that one body whereof Christ is the head.-Cant. vi. 9; Jer. xxxii. 39; John xvii. 22; 1 Cor. xii. 12; Eph. iv. 3-6, 13; 1 John i. 3, 6, 7. Q. 2. Of what sort is this union? a A. First, spiritual and internal, in the enjoyment of the same spirit and graces,-which is the union of the church catholic; secondly, "external and ecclesiastical, in the same outward ordinances, which is the union of particular congregations.-1 Cor. xii. 12, 13; Eph. 'Whatever is more than these, is of our own. 2 Faith in God's promises, which it doth confirm,-union with Christ, whereof it is a seal,—and obedience to the right use of the ordinance itself,—are required of all receivers. 3 There is not any one action pertaining to the spiritual nature of this sacrament, not any end put upon it by Christ,-as, first, the partaking of his body and blood; secondly, setting forth his death for us; thirdly, declaring of our union with him and his, but requires faith, grace, and holiness, in the receivers. 4 By virtue of this, we partake in all the good and evil of the people of God throughout the world. b ii. 16, 19-22; 1 Cor. x. 17; John xvii. 11, 21, 22; John x. 16; Heb. ii. 11.—o1 Cor. i. 10, 11; Rom. xii. 5; 1 Cor. xii. 27, 28; Eph. iv. 11-13; Phil. ii. 2; Col. iii. 15; 1 Pet. iii. 8. CHAP. XXVI.—OF PARTICULAR CHURCHES. Q. 1. What are particular churches? a 2 d A. Peculiar assemblies1 of professors in one place, "under officers of Christ's institution, enjoying the ordinances of God, and leading lives beseeming their holy calling." Acts xi. 26; 1 Cor. iv. 17, xi. 22; 2 Cor. i. 1.- Acts xx. 17, 28, xiv. 23; 2 Cor. viii. 23; Heb. xiii. 17.-1 Cor. iii. 5; Rev. ii. 1-3.—2 Thess. iii. 5, 6, 11; Gal. vi. 16; Phil. iii. 17; 1 Thess. ii. 12. b Q. 2. What are the ordinary officers of such churches? a с A. First, pastors or doctors, to teach and exhort; secondly, elders, to assist in rule and government; thirdly, deacons, to provide for the poor. Rom. xii. 7, 8; Eph. iv. 11; 1 Cor. xii. 28.- Rom. xii. 8; 1 Tim. v. 17.- Acts vi. 2, 3. a Q. 3. What is required of these officers, especially the chiefest, or ministers? A. "That they be faithful in the ministry committed unto them; sedulous in dispensing the Word; watching for the good of the souls committed to them; going before them in an example of all godliness and holiness of life.—a1 Cor. iv. 2; Acts xx. 18-20.— b2 Tim. ii. 15, iv. 1-5.- Tit. i. 13; 1 Tim. iv. 15, 16.-Tit. ii. 7; 1 Tim. iv. 12; Matt. v. 16; Acts xxiv. 16. Q. 4. What is required in the people unto them? a A. Obedience to their message and ministry; 'honour and love * 2 Cor. to their persons; maintenance to them and their families. a v. 20; Rom. vi. 17; Heb. xiii. 17; 2 Thess. iii. 14; Rom. xvi. 19; b с 2 Cor. x. 4—6.—1 Cor. iv. 1; Gal. iv. 14; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18.— Luke x. 7; James v. 4; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18; 1 Cor. ix. 9–13. CHAP. XXVII.-OF THE LAST PRIVILEGE OF BELIEVERS,-BEING THE DOOR OF ENTRANCE INTO GLORY. 1 Q. 1. What is the resurrection of the flesh? 4 A. An act of the mighty power of God's Holy Spirit, applying Every corruption doth not presently unchurch a people. 2 Unholiness of fellow-worshippers defileth not God's ordinances. 3 Ministers are the bishops of the Lord; lord-bishops came from Rome. 4 The resurrection of the flesh hereafter is a powerful motive to live after the Spirit here. 494 THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST. unto us the virtue of Christ's resurrection, whereby, at the last day, ne will raise our whole bodies from the dust, to be united again unto our souls in everlasting happiness.-Job xix. 25-27; Ps. xvi. 9–11; Isa. xxvi. 19; Ezek. xxxvii. 2, 3; Dan. xii. 2; 1 Cor. xv. 16, &c.; Rev. xx. 12, 13. Q. 2. What is the end of this whole dispensation? A. The glory of God in our eternal salvation. To Him be all glory and honour for evermore! Amen. EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER, 104 HIGH STREET, |