A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

6. In the next place, I desire you would think of the contempt you throw upon this Ordinance by your neglect. What is it but that you have slight thoughts of the Authority of the Institutor, and very mean thoughts of the institution it self? and is not this to proclaim to the world that there is (in your judgment) a command of the Lord Christ, and a duty in the Christian Religion that is frivolous and childish, not worth the observance? believe it, the World will judg of it by your practice and not by your profession. The Rechabites would drink no wine because Jonadab the son of Rechab did forbid them; nor will the Turks drink wine because that Impostor Mahomet forbade them; thus the one honoured their Father, and the other their false Prophet: and will you that are Christians let these men rise up in judgment against you? shall error be more prevalent with them, than truth with you? and will you let the Turks outdo you, in honouring a false prophet more than you do the true? is Mahomet dearer and his institutions more sacred to his followers, then Jesus Christ and his institution are to you? Christ bids you drink of this cup in remembrance of him and you will not, but Mahomet forbids them wine and they obey him: judg you now who gives the greatest honour, they to Mahomet, or you to Christ? methinks you should blush to think of it: Oh Christians for shame amend, and give no more occasion to Christ's Ministers to reprove you for so gross a sin.

6. In the next place, I desire you would think of the contempt you throw upon this Ordinance by your neglect. What is it but that you have slight thoughts of the Authority of the Institutor, and very mean thoughts of the institution it self? and is not this to proclaim to the world that there is (in your judgment) a command of the Lord Christ, and a duty in the Christian Religion that is frivolous and childish, not worth the observance? believe it, the World will judg of it by your practice and not by your profession. The Rechabites would drink no wine because Jonadab the son of Rechab did forbid them; nor will the Turks drink wine because that Impostor Mahomet forbad them; thus the one honoured their Father, and the other their false Prophet: and will you that are Christians let these men rise up in judgment against you? shall error be more prevalent with them, than truth with you? and will you let the Turks outdo you, in honouring a false prophet more than you do the true? is Mahomet dearer and his institutions more sacred to his followers, then Jesus Christ and his institution are to you? Christ bids you drink of this cup in remembrance of him and you will not, but Mahomet forbids them wine and they obey him: judg you now who gives the greatest honor, they to Mahomet, or you to Christ? methinks you should blush to think of it: Oh Christians for shame amend, and give no more occasion to Christ's Ministers to reprove you for so gross a sin.