Savoy Declaration of Faith · 1658

Chapter 28: Of the Sacraments

Section 1

Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by Christ, to represent him and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him: and solemnly to engage us to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word.

Section 2

There is in every sacrament a spiritual relation or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass that the names and the effects of the one are attributed to the other.

Section 3

The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments, rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it, but upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.

Section 4

There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Lord's Supper: neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the Word lawfully called.

Section 5

The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New.