The Sum of Christian Religion 2, Part 2 · Subpart 37 · Section 3
3 What the ſupper differeth from Baptiſme.
THE ſupper differeth from baptiſme, 1. Jn ceremonies or rites. 2. In the circumſtances of the inſtitution and vſe, or in the ſignifications of the ceremonies. Baptiſme is a ſigne of the couenant entered and made betweene God & the faithfull. The ſupper is a ſigne of the continuing of that couenant. Or, baptiſme is a ſigne of regeneration and of our entrance into the church. The ſupper is a ſigne of their foſtering, abiding, and preſeruation, who are once entered into the church. The new man muſt firſt be borne by the ſpirite of Chriſt, as is a natural man by natural conception: and the ſigne of his renewing or regeneration is baptiſme. Afterwards, when he is once renewed and borne again, he muſt be foſtered and nouriſhed by the bodie and bloude of Chriſt, the ſigne of which nouriſhing is the ſupper. Now it is one and the ſame Chriſt who both regenerateth, and nouriſheth vsus to eternal life.
And albeit it is the ſame participation of chriſt, namely both the Waſhing away of ſins by the bloud of chriſt,The ſame thing is ſealed in Baptiſme, and the Supper, but the manner of …e… ling is diuers. which is repreſented in Baptiſme: and the Eating and drinking of the body and bloud of Chriſt which is confirmed vntounto vsus in the Supper: yet notwithſtanding that ſignification of our new birth is ſealed by the dipping of our bodie into the water of Baptiſme: and this of our maintenance and preſeruation is d…painted and ſealed, by the eating and drinking of bread and wine, in the Supper. And therefore the thing ſignified of the ſacramentes is not diuerſe becauſe it is the ſame, to bee waſhed with the bloud of chriſt, and to drinke the bloud of Chriſt. But the manner of ſealing one and the ſ…me thing, is diuerſe. 3 In baptiſme is required confeſſion of faith and repentance in the Elder ſort; in Jnfants it is ſufficient, if they be borne in the church: ſeing they that are born in the Church are therefore reputed for regenerate, or members of the church, becauſe they hauehave an inclination to faith & repentance. But in the ſupper is added a further cond ti…n of examining himſelfe, and of remembring the Lords death. Doe this in remembraunce of mee. Let a man examine himſelfe. Baptiſme therefore is due vntounto the whole Church: vntounto infants, who are the children of faithfull Parents, no leſſe than the elder ſort enrolling themſelues and giuing their names to Chriſt. The ſupper is graunted to ſuch onelyonly as are beleeuers and repentaunt. 4. Baptiſme muſt goe before and the ſupper follow: Whereupon in the auncient church after the Sermno, w…re dimiſſed ſuch as were excommunicated, likewiſe thoſe that were poſſeſſed or troubled with an euill ſpirite, and the Catechumens, that is, ſuch as old not as yet vnderſtand the g…ounds and principles of r…ligion, or were not as yet baptiſed. So of old, they who were not yet circumciſed did not obſerue the ſacrifices or ceremonies. Nowe if they who were baptiſed, before they hauehave made conf…ſſion of their faith and repentaunce▪ are not as yet to bee admitted vntounto the ſupper: much leſſe are they, who being baptiſed liue after the manner of ſwine and dogges. 5. Baptiſme is not to bee rei…erated, but once onelyonly to bee receiued in our life time: The ſupper is often to be receiued of vsus: Becauſe baptiſme is a ſigne of our receiuing into the church, and couenaunt; and the couenaunt once made, is not againe vndoone or made voide to thoſe that repent, but remaineth ratified and firme for euer. The ſupper is a confirmation of our faith concerning the eternall continuance of the couenant: which confirmation is neceſſary, and therefore the ſupper is often to be iterated. Hereof it is, that the Apoſtle ſaith of the ſupper. As often as ye ſhall eat this bread, and drinke this cup, yee ſhew the Lords death til he come. But of baptiſme he ſaith, That al wee which hauehave beene baptized into chriſt, hauehave beene baptized into his death. And Chriſt, Hee that ſhal beleeue, and ſhal be baptiſed, ſhal be ſaued. And ſeeing alſo the ſupper was therefore to be inſtituted, that in it ſhoulde be made a publique remembrance, recounting, & ſhewing of Chriſts death, it is often to be celebrated.