Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

2. It is a Sacrament of the New-Testament. For,

1. The Covenant which God […] graciously made with Believers on Christ, is hereby confirmed. The wisdom of God hath seen meet to appoint signs and seals for the confirmation of the Covenant that is between himself, and the children of men. Under the first Covenant that of works, made with Adam in Paradise, there were Sacraments appointed for the confirmation of it. The Tree of Life, was a Sacrament unto Adam, signifying to him, he should have life, if he kept the Covenant; and the True of Knowledge of good and evil, did seal death unto him in case he should break that Covenant. And the Covenant of Grace, hath under all its various manners of Administration had Seals and Sacraments annexed to it. Sacrifices of old were Sacramental signs for confirming the Covenant, Exod 24 8. Psal. 50. 5. My saints that have made a Covenant with me by Sacrifice. So was Circumcision, Act. 7.8. And after that the ⟨p. 127⟩Passover, in the room whereof the Lords Slipper is Instituted. Therefore Christ did institute this Ordinance, at the time of the Passover, yea and at the last Passover, which was celebrated by him; thereby signifying that this Ordinance of the Lords Supper, was to succeed and come in the room of that of the Passover. By this then the Covenant between God and his People is in the most solemn manner confirmed and assented unto. It is so on our part. When we come to this Ordinance we do as it were take an Oath of Fidelity unto God, and to the Lord Jesus Christ, which indeed is the meaning of the word Sacrament. It is originally a Military word. Among the Romans, Soldiers did take an Oath of Fidelity to their General; which Oath they called the Sacrament. With them have you taken the Sacrament? was as much as to say, have you taken the Oath of Fidelity to your General? Such as had taken that Oath, were said to be Militia Sacrati: they were under solemn engagement to be loyal to their General, and to persist in his service to the death. Thus, when we come to the Lords Supper, we do thereby profess and promise, to endeavour in all things to approve our selves the faithful servants of God, and to follow the Lord Jesus the Captain of our Salvation, and to oppose his Enemies (Sin, Satan, and the World) unto the death. The Lord also, doth confirm the Covenant on his part.