Another sacrament they speak of, is _pennance_; in which, after auricular confession made to the priest, and some external marks of sorrow expressed by the penitent, he is to perform some difficult service enjoined, which they call pennance; whereby he makes satisfaction for his sins, upon which, he is absolved from them. But this is an abominable practice, by which persons are rather hardened in sin, than delivered from it. It is derogatory to Christ’s satisfaction, and has not the least appearance of a sacrament, or ordinance of God’s appointment. Another sacrament that they have added, is _extreme unction_; taken from James v. 14, 15. where the apostle speaks of sick persons being _anointed with oil in the name of the Lord_; and it is said, _the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up_; and, if he has committed _sins_, they shall be _forgiven him_. But to this it may be replied, that though this practice of anointing the sick with oil, was observed in the first age of the church, while the miraculous gift of healing was continued; yet it is now ceased; therefore no such significant sign is to be used. And, as for forgiveness of sins, mentioned by the apostle that seems not to have been conferred by the use of that sign; but it was humbly expected and hoped for, as an answer of prayer: It is therefore a very preposterous thing to reckon this among the sacraments, under the gospel dispensation. Another Sacrament that the Papists add, is that of _matrimony_; for which, they have very little shadow of reason; but, because, they suppose, the apostle calls it _a great mystery_, Eph. v. 32. which word, the Greek church used to signify a sacrament: But he does not intend hereby, that marriage is a mystery; but the union between Christ and his church, which is illustrated by the conjugal union, is so called[58]; and, indeed, it is not an ordinance given to the church, but to mankind in general, heathens as well as Christians. Therefore nothing can be more absurd than to suppose, that it is one of the sacraments Christ hath instituted in the gospel-church; and, according to their opinion, the priests are excluded from this sacrament, inasmuch as they are forbidden to marry, as the laity are excluded from the sacrament of holy orders; so that when they pretend to add to those institutions, which Christ hath given to the church, or invent sacraments, which he hath not ordained, they betray not only their own folly, but bold presumption; therefore we must conclude, that there are only two sacraments that Christ hath given to his church, to wit, baptism, and the Lord’s supper; which are particularly considered in some following answers. Footnote 52: Sacrament is the word used by the Vulgate for mystery, and this is a much more probable meaning of the term as used by the early christians. Footnote 53: Και σημειον ελαβε περιτομης, σφραγιδα της δικαιοσυνης της πίστεως. Footnote 54: