A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

1. The Original and first spring of Sacrifices is not in the Scripture expressly mentioned, only the practice of the Saints is recorded. But it is certain from infallible Scripture Evidences, that they were of Gods immediate Institution and Appointment. God never allowed that the Will or Wisdom of man, should be the spring and Rule of his Worship. That solemn word where with he Fronts the command that is the Rule of his Worship, [Greek or Hebrew] Thou shalt not make to thy self, which is the life of the command, (that which follows being an explanation ⟨p. 142⟩and confirmation of the Law it self by Instances) cuts off all such pretences, and is as a flaming sword turning every way to prevent mens arbitrary approaches to Gods Institutions. God will not part with his glory of being the only Law-giver as to the whole concernment of his Worship, or any part of it, unto any of the sons of men.

1. The Original and first spring of Sacrifices is not in the Scripture expresly mentioned, only the practice of the Saints is recorded. But it is certain from infallible Scripture Evidences, that they were of Gods immediate Institution and Appointment. God never allowed that the Will or Wisdom of man, should be the spring and Rule of his Worship. That solemn word where with he Fronts the command that is the Rule of his Worship, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Thou shalt not make to thy self, which is the life of the command, (that which follows being an explanation ⟨p. 142⟩and confirmation of the Law it self by Instances) cuts off all such pretences, and is as a flaming sword turning every way to prevent mens arbitrary approaches to Gods Institutions. God will not part with his glory of being the only Law-giver as to the whole concernment of his Worship, or any part of it, unto any of the sons of men.

2. Neither is the time of their Institution mentioned. Some of the Papists dispute (as there are a generation of philosophi disputers amongst them, by whom their tottering cause is supported) that there should have been Sacrifices in Paradise, if man had not sinned. But as in all their opinions, our first enquiry ought to be, what do they get by this or that, their whole Religion being pointed unto their carnal interest; so we may in particular do it, upon this uncouth Assertion, which is perfectly contradictious to the very Nature and End of most Sacrifices; namely, that they should be offered where there is no sin. Why, they hope to establish hence a general rule, that there can be no true Worship of God in any state or condition without a Sacrifice. What then I pray? Why then it is evident that the continual Sacrifice of the Mass is necessary in the Church, and that without it there is no true Worship of God; and so they are quickly come home to their advantage and profit; the Mass being that inexhaustible Spring of Revenue which feeds their pride and lust throughout the world. But there is in the Church of Christ an Altar still, and a Sacrifice still, which they have rejected for the a bominable figment of their Mass; namely, Christ himself as the Apostle informs us,