The Offices of Instruction: Second Office: Section C: The Questions Concerning the Sacraments
After another Hymn, the Minister shall proceed with the Questions on the Sacraments, as followeth.
HOW many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church? Answer. Christ hath ordained two Sacraments only, as generally necessary to salvation; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. Question. What do you mean by this word Sacrament? Answer. I mean by this word SSacrament an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us; ordained by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive this grace, and a pledge to assure us thereof. Question. How many parts are there in a Sacrament? Answer. There are two parts in a Sacrament; the outward and visible sign, and the inward and spiritual grace. Question. What is the outward and visible sign or form in Baptism? Answer. The outward and visible sign or form in Baptism is Water; wherein the person is baptized, In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Question. What is the inward and spiritual grace in Baptism? Answer. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness; whereby we are made the children of grace. Question. What is required of persons to be baptized? Answer. Repentence, whereby they forsake sin; and Faith, whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God to them in that Sacrament. Question. Why then are infants baptized, when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them? Answer. Because, by the faith of their Sponsors, infants are received into Christ’s Church, become the recipients of his grace, and are trained in the household of faith. Question. Why was the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper ordained? Answer. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was ordained for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby. Question. What is the outward part or sign of the Lord’s Supper? Answer. The outward part or sign of the Lord’s Supper is, Bread and Wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received. Question.What is the inward part, or thing signified? Answer. The inward part, or thing signified, is the Body and Blood of Christ, which are spiritually taken and received by the faithful in the Lord’ Supper. Question. What are the benefits whereof we are partakers in the Lord’s Supper? Answer. The benefits whereof we are partakers in the Lord’s Supper are the strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the Body and Blood of Christ, as our bodies are strengthened and refreshed by the Bread and Wine. Question, What is required of those who come to the Lord’s Supper? Answer. It is required of those who come to the Lord’s Supper to examine themselves, whether they repent them truly of their former sins, with stedfast purpose to lead a new life; to have a lively faith in God’s mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and to be in charity with all men.