CHAPTER XII. THE WORD, SACRAMENTS AND SACRED RITES PREVIOUS to the Reformation the Western Church taught that there were seven Sacraments. These were: Holy Baptism, Confirmation, the Lord's Supper, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holv Matrimony and Holy Orders. The symbols for these are the font, a dove, a chalice, a whip, an oil stock, clasped hands and a stole. After the Reformation two diverse tendencies appeared among the reformed bodies. The Lutheran group held firmly to the doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration, and the Real Presence of our Lord's Body and Blood, in, with and under the bread and wine, which doctrine all orthodox Lutherans hold firmly to this day. The Lutheran bodies still lay utmost stress upon Confirmation, but look upon it as a sacred rite, but not a Sacrament that may be insisted upon as essential to salvation. They still retain Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Confession and Absolution, and one who dies in the faith is given the Last Sacrament. But Ordination, Holy Matrimony and Confession and Absolu- tion are regarded as very solemn rites, but are not called Sacraments. The Calvinistic bodies retain Holy Baptism and the -165- |