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

But why shouldest thou say this Supper is needless because Christ is remembered in the Word? may not truth in some cases be more effectually conveyed to the soul by the eye than ear? do you not find your selves more moved to See the execution of a man, to See one hanged or beheaded, than barely to hear the story of it? Jesus Christ in this Ordinance is as it were crucified before your eyes, in a manner more affecting than when you only hear of his crucifixion by the Word. But further, this Supper hath further ends than the Word preached, for Christ and the Covenant of Grace founded in his blood, is preached to the intent that you may Believe, and enter into this Covenant with God; but the Supper is instituted as an outward sign to Ratify this Covenant betwixt God and you, after it hath been once entered into by Faith, you do not think it enough in marriage to take one another's word, but you complete it by a solemn vow in the presence of witnesses. I tell you Christ hath not thought it enough to take your word, but he will have it confirmed solemnly ⟨p. 245⟩by this Ordinance, and this he will have often repeated, for he knows us too well as to our proneness to backsliding, which by this supper he would prevent.

But why shouldest thou say this Supper is needless because Christ is remembred in the Word? may not truth in some cases be more effectually conveyed to the soul by the eye than ear? do you not find your selves more moved to See the execution of a man, to See one hanged or beheaded, than barely to hear the story of it? Jesus Christ in this Ordinance is as it were crucified before your eyes, in a manner more affecting than when you only hear of his crucifixion by the Word. But further, this Supper hath further ends than the Word preached, for Christ and the Covenant of Grace founded in his blood, is preached to the intent that you may Believe, and enter into this Covenant with God; but the Supper is instituted as an outward sign to Ratifie this Covenant betwixt God and you, after it hath been once entred into by Faith, you do not think it enough in marriage to take one another's word, but you compleat it by a solemn vow in the presence of witnesses. I tell you Christ hath not thought it enough to take your word, but he will have it confirmed solemnly ⟨p. 245⟩by this Ordinance, and this he will have often repeated, for he knows us too well as to our proneness to backsliding, which by this supper he would prevent.