A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

We shall proceed in the next pl •ce to consider the sins that wait on receiving the Sacraments, which as they were a special part of the Worship of God under the Old Testament, so they are yet under the New, and our sins in reference to them strike against this Command as it prescribeth and carveth out our external Worship, and so much the rather should we consider this, because there cannot be a more express Covenanting with God in giving and receiving, proposing terms and accepting of them for closing the Covenant, than is in the Sacraments.

Before we enter to speak of the faults we are here guilty of we may in general propose some things concerning the Sacraments: As 1. For what ends God hath appointed them, that so we may know what is to be expected in them. 2. How they effectuate the ends, that we may know how we should go about them; and we shall speak to these two jointly, because we cannot speak to the one, but we must speak to the other.

Before we enter to speak of the faults we are here guilty of we may in general propose some things concerning the Sacraments: As 1. For what ends God hath appointed them, that so we may know what is to be expected in them. 2. How they effectuate the ends, that we may know how we should go about them; and we shall speak to these two joyntly, because we cannot speak to the one, but we must speak to the other.

But before we speak to these, some things are to be p •aemitted: As 1. That God hath thought good always to add Sacraments to his Covenants; thus the Covenant of Works had its Sacraments: Adam had the Tree of Life for a Sacrament to confirm him in the Faith of that Covenant; so the Covenant of Grace in all its administrations had its Sacraments also for confirmation thereof, as before Christs incarnation it had, Circumcision, the Passover, and divers Sacrifices eff actual for that end; and the Fathers before Abraham had their Sacrifices for Sacraments: and since his Incarnation, it hath Baptism and the Lords Supper; for as the Lord has for mans sake condescended to deal with him after the manner of men, by Covenants and mutual Engagements, so he keepeth the manner of men in Swearing, Sealing, and confirming these Covenants for their greater consolation, who are within t e same, H b. 6.18.