the old fathers did look for the transitory promises. For they looked for all benefits of God the Father through the merits of his Son Jesus Christ, as we now do: only they believed in Christ which should come, we in Christ already come.
83. The New Testament is full of grace and truth, bringing joyful tidings unto mankind that whatsoever formerly was promised of Christ is now accomplished; and so, instead of the ancient types and ceremonies, exhibiteth the things themselves, with a large and clear declaration of all the benefits of the Gospel. Neither is the ministry thereof restrained any longer to one circumcised nation, but is indifferently propounded unto all people, whether they be Jews or Gentiles. So that there is now no nation which can truly complain that they be shut forth from the communion of saints and the liberties of the people of God.
84. Although the Law given from God by Moses as touching ceremonies and rites be abolished, and the civil precepts thereof be not of necessity to be received in any commonwealth, yet, notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is freed from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral.
OF THE SACRAMENTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
85. The Sacraments ordained by Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather certain sure witnesses and effectual or powerful signs of grace and God’s good will towards us, by which he doth work invisibly in us, and not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him.
86. There be two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel: that is to say, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
87. Those five by which the Church of Rome are called Sacraments, to wit: Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are not to be accounted Sacraments of the Gospel; being such as have partly grown from corrupt imitation of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God, together with a promise of saving grace annexed thereto.
88. The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon,