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

Object. 1. But some may say, All that you have been hitherto pleading for is but a Ceremony, and sure God will not be so much concerned with a failure in so small a punctilio as a Ceremony?

Answ. True, it is a Ceremony, but it is such an one that beareth the stamp of the Authority of the Lord Jesus; if he appoints it, will you slight it, and say it is but a Ceremony? But again, if it be a Ceremony it is the most glorious one that ever was appointed, in as much as it is designed to set forth the Redemption of the world as it was completed and perfected by the death of Jesus Christ. Yet again, it is but a Ceremony, but you are greatly mistaken if you think that therefore there is no danger to neglect it: what was the tree of knowledge of good and evil but a Ceremony? yet for disobedience in eating thereof do you not know and feel what wrath it hath brought ⟨p. 244⟩on the whole race of mankind? and tell me, was Circumcision any more than a Ceremony? ¹yet it had almost cost Moses his life for neglecting to circumcise his son for the Angel stood ready with his sword to slay him, if he had not prevented it by his obedience. ²So for the Lord's Supper, as much a Ceremony as it is, yet for the abuse of it, some of the Church were sick and weak, others fell asleep, that is, died. And if God did so severely punish the abuse, how think you to escape, that presumptuously neglect the use thereof?

Answ. True, it is a Ceremony, but it is such an one that beareth the stamp of the Authority of the Lord Jesus; if he appoints it, will you slight it, and say it is but a Ceremony? But again, if it be a Ceremony it is the most glorious one that ever was appointed, in as much as it is designed to set forth the Redemption of the world as it was compleated and perfected by the death of Jesus Christ. Yet again, it is but a Ceremony, but you are greatly mistaken if you think that therefore there is no danger to neglect it: what was the tree of knowledg of good and evil but a Ceremony? yet for disobedience in eating thereof do you not know and feel what wrath it hath brought