Two Short Catetchisms

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 any94 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.