The law unsealed

We may come now to consider the Faults we are guilty of in reference to the Sacraments. And first in general, then more particularly in reference to Baptism and the Lords Supper: We shall not speak to those faults common to Papists and others, which are more Doctrinal, such as Errors about the persons who may Administer them, as that Women may Administer Baptism, &c. But we shall speak to those that are incident to us in our practise.

We may come now to consider the Faults we are guilty of in reference to the Sacraments. And first in general, then more particularly in reference to Baptisme and the Lords Supper: We shall not speak to those faults common to Popists and others, which are more Doctrinal, such as Errours about the persons who may Administer them, as that Women may Administer Baptism, &c. But we shall speak to those that are incident to us in our practise.

And first in general we fail, either when too much weight is laid on them, or when too little; First, when too much, as 1. When there is an absolute necessity supposed to be of them, in order to salvation. 2. When they are thought to confer Grace of themselves, by the very partaking of the outward Elements, although without Faith. 3. When they are rested on in the outward Receiving; as if that made us some way acceptable to God. 4. When there is a superstitious blind preferring of them to, and with, the prejudice of all other Ordinances, so that one will neglect Preaching and Prayer long, but must have Baptism and the Communion. 5. When there is a preferring of the outward Ordinance to Christ and the thing signified; that is, when men seek more to have the Baptism of Water then the Baptism of the Spirit, and the External Communion more, then the inward; in which any Heaven that is to be found in the Ordinances, lieth; and when men are more commoved for wanting the Sacrament once, then for wanting Christ often and long. 6. Coming unto, and going from, the External Ordinances neglecting him and without dependence upon him who giveth the blessing, and thinking that then all is well enough, seeing they were present at the Ordinance. 7. Going far off for the partaking of a Sacrament to the prejudice of necessary Moral Duties called for at that time. 8. Placing more in them then in works of Mercy and Charity, or doting on them, to the neglect of those. 9. When they are accounted so holy as if they might not be given, where Christ alloweth them to be given; or as if that wronged them, when they are not Administrated in some consecrate place, as if one place were now under the Gospel more holy then another. 10. Adding to Christs Institution, in the way of Administration, as if what he hath appointed, because it is common and ordinary, were base, and too low for them.