Quaker Heritage Press > Online Texts > Works of Robert Barclay > Catechism and Confession of Faith > Westminster Larger Catechism: selection cited by Barclay


Westminster Larger Catechism:

Selection cited by Barclay in Chapter 18,

"A Short Examination of some of the Scripture-Proofs..."

The full text is at a Calvinist website:

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(for this section, click on "Q.151-196" and scroll down to "Q. 162")


Q. 162. What is a Sacrament?

A. A Sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his Church [Gen. 17:7,10; Exod. 12; Matt. 28:19; Matt. 26:27,28], to signifie, seale, and exhibit [Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 11:24-25], unto those that are within the Covenant of grace [Rom. 15:8; Exod. 12:48], the benefits of his mediation [Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 10:16], to strengthen, and increase their faith, and all other graces [Rom. 4:11; Gal. 3:27]; to oblige them to obedience [Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 10:21]; to testifie, and cherish their love and communion one with another [Eph. 4:2-5; 1 Cor. 12:13]; and to distinguish them from those that are without [Eph. 2:11-12; Gen. 34:14].

Q. What are the parts of a Sacrament?

A. The parts of a Sacrament are two; the one, an outward and sensible signe, used according to Christs owne appointment; the other an inward and spirituall grace, thereby signified [Matt. 3:11; 1 Pet. 3:21; Rom. 2:28-29].

Q. 163. How many Sacraments hath Christ instituted in his Church under the New Testament?

A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his Church onely two Sacraments; Baptisme, and the Lords Supper [Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:20,23; Matt. 26:26-28].


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