Quest. CLXXVI. Wherein do the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper agree?
Answ. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, agree, in that the author of both is God, the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits; both are seals of the same covenant, are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other, and to be continued in the church of Christ, until his second coming.
Quest. CLXXVII. Wherein do the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ?
Answ. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper differ, in that baptism is to be administered but once with water, to be a sign and seal of our regeneration, and ingrafting into Christ, and that even to infants, whereas the Lord’s supper is to be administered often, in the elements of bread and wine, to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul, and to confirm our continuance and growth in him, and that only to such as are of years and ability to examine themselves.
These two answers contain little more than a recapitulation of some things, that have been occasionally mentioned, in explaining the nature of these ordinances; and therefore we shall very briefly insist on them.
I. Concerning those things wherein the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree; accordingly,
1. It is observed, that God is the Author of both. This may be inferred from what has been said concerning their being holy ordinances, or means of grace; in which we are to expect his presence and blessing to make them effectual to salvation: This we cannot do without engaging in them by his own warrant, which he has been pleased to give us, as appears from his word, and the experience of many believers, who have found sensible advantage thereby; so that the effects of his power and grace, that have been produced in their hearts, when engaged therein, afford a convincing evidence that God is the Author thereof. This, as to what concerns baptism, respects more especially, the baptism of those that are adult; for when infants are baptized, though God can, and sometimes does, as is more than probable, own this ordinance, by regenerating them at that time; yet this cannot be known by us, unless it be inferred, from those extraordinary communications of grace which they may experience, who are enabled, by faith to give up their children to God therein.
2. Baptism and the Lord’s supper farther agree, in that Christ, and his benefits are signified by both of them: for they are, each of them, ordinances for our faith, as they are signs and seals of the covenant of grace, in which Christ, and the benefits of his redemption, are set forth: Thus the apostle says, with respect to baptism, So many of as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death, buried with him by baptism into death, Rom. vi. 3, 4. accordingly we have communion with Christ as crucified, dying and buried, and, after this, rising again from the dead, whereby he brought the work of redemption to perfection: These things are signified; and thus our faith is to make use of this sign in baptism; and the apostle says the same thing with respect to the Lord’s Supper: As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come, 1 Cor. xi. 26.
3. Baptism and the Lord’s supper, are farther observed to agree, in that they are to be dispensed by none but the ministers of the gospel. Under the Old Testament-dispensation, where all the parts of the temple-service were significant signs of Christ, and the benefits of the covenant of grace; these were to be administered by none but those who were qualified, called, and lawfully set apart to that work, as the apostle says, No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron, Heb. v. 4. And we may conclude, that the moral reason of the thing extends itself to the administration of the seals of the covenant, under the gospel-dispensation. It is certain, that some must be appointed, or set apart to this work, otherwise it would belong to every body, and consequently there would be no determinate administrators of these ordinances, who might be said to have a special call thereunto, from God and man. It may also be inferred from those scriptures that speak of pastors after God’s own heart, who are to feed his people with knowledge and understanding, as being his special gift, Jer. iii. 15. and from what the apostle says, concerning gospel-ministers, whether extraordinary or ordinary, as being Christ’s gift, when he ascended up on high, Eph. iv. 8, 11.
4. It is farther observed, that these two ordinances agree, in that they are both to be continued in the church, until Christ’s second coming. Though we look and hope for more of the presence of God therein, and a greater effusion of his Spirit, to make them more effectual, and render the church more bright and glorious, as being favoured with greater degrees of the communications of divine grace; yet we have no ground to expect new ordinances, or a new dispensation to succeed this we are under, till Christ’s second and most glorious coming; therefore this is called, The last time, 1 John ii. 18. Upon which account the apostle says, that the ends of the world are come upon us, 1 Cor. x. 11. by which we are to understand, that the present dispensation of the gospel that we are under, is the last we are to expect till Christ’s second coming.