the use of visible earthly elements.

HOW MANY THERE ARE. In the sense in which we use the word "Sacrament"
there are only two holy ordinances to which the name may be applied;
namely, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. For these are the only two which
possess the three essentials of a sacrament: 1. The Command of Christ;
2. The Use of Earthly Elements; 3. The Communication of a Heavenly
Gift.[11]

[Footnote 11: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there are seven
sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Confession, the Lord's Supper,
Ordination, Marriage, and Extreme Unction. But five of these lack one or
more of the essentials of a sacrament enumerated above.]

OLD TESTAMENT TYPES. The rite of Circumcision, practised in Old
Testament times, was a type of Baptism; and the Passover was a type of
the Lord's Supper.

THEIR PURPOSE. The sacraments have been given to us in order that they
might bring a special comfort to our souls, in addition to the comfort
which we find in God's Word. For the Grace of God which is offered to
all men in the Word, is brought and sealed to each believer
_individually_ in the sacraments. My baptism assures me that all the
blessings of Christ's redemption are meant for _me_: and the Lord's
Supper assures me that Christ's body and blood were given and shed for
_me_ for the remission of _my_ sins.

FAITH NECESSARY. Without faith, no one can obtain any benefit from the
sacraments. But he who believes receives the heavenly gifts offered in
them, and has the blessed assurance that he is a child of God and an