[3.] Li efficacy. Grace was not amply and largely given forth ; the promise of the Spirit was the benefit of gospel times, Acts ii. Grace was but sparingly given out, as it were upon trust ; now there is a fuller gospel grace.
Thirdly, This new covenant is founded upon Christ's blood. God would have this satisfaction before he would give out grace, that justice might be satisfied as well as mercy glorified. The blood of Christ is the ransom of our souls, the price of our pardon and peace, the foundation of aU that grace we expect from God. This expiateth sin, merits the gospel covenant and the Spirit to apply it, or grace to enable men to receive the inheritance. In short, the death of Christ is the foundation, hfe, and soul of the new covenant, which we come to remember in this sacrament.
Fourthly, The respect which the cup or the Lord's supper hath to the new testament.
1. It doth more particularly excite and bind us to look after the blessed legacies of this new testament. In the word the offer of grace is more general, God speaks promiscuously to aU ; but in the sacraments it is personally applied ; every one cometh, man by man, to take hold of God's covenant. The object revealed in the word is like the brazen serpent that was exposed to the eyes of all without difference and distinction, that whosoever had need, and looked upon it, should be healed ; but the object propounded in the sacrament is like the sprinkling of the door-posts with blood to assure that house of safety. Those things that are propounded generally should affect all, for none is excluded ; but those things that concern us more expressly do more excite us, for we are not only not excluded, but warned to look after them. In the word there is an invitation, but in the sacra- ment a closer touch and application : Acts ii. 38, ' Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'
2. Here is a crucified Christ represented to us as in a glass, Gal. iii. 1. Bread and wine are appointed to this use. Now, his death is the Hfe of om- souls, and his sufferings are the feast of om- souls, they being the price of our peace and reconciliation with God. The same flesh which was given to God for sacrifice is given to us for food ; the blood given to God for atonement, and to us for refresh- ment: Job vi. 51, 'I am the living bread which came down from heaven ; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever : and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.'
3. We profess a union between us and Christ ; for as these things are turned into om* substance, l^ecome one with us, so doth Christ with oiu: souls ; John vi. 56, ' He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me, and I in hiiu.' The penitent, hungry, and
484 A SACRAMENT SERMON ON LUKE XXII, 20.
believing soul feedeth upon him, and receiveth strength and life from him.
4. By this ordinance the grant of remission of sins and life eternal is confirmed and sealed to us. As there are certain formalities of law which make any deed or conveyance of law authentic, so by this solemn way do we enter into possession of Christ and his benefits. The ijromise is sealed by these visible rites, which imply that as really as our bodies receive the bread and wine which represents, so do we receive, Christ and all his benefits.
5. It is an ordinance that is accompanied with the special presence of the Spirit. All gos]:)el ordinances are the ministration of the Spirit, 2 Cor. iii. 18. We cannot but expect a blessing upon the use of God's instituted means. It is the great intent of this duty: 1 Cor. xii. 13, ' We have been all made to drink into one Spirit,' e7roTia6r]/jbev et? ev Trveufxa. He cometh especially to apply to our souls the benefits of redemption, and to excite faith and love in us, and to fill our hearts with life and comfort.
Use. You have heard of a confirmed, sealed testament ; and this a new testament, where the ordinances are accommodated to a more spiritual help ; and this founded in the blood of your Redeemer, who by his death hatli merited your reconciliation with Clod ; and all this represented, sealed, and exhibited to you in this duty. Oh ! then, mind your work, and go about it advisedl}'.
1. As it is a testament.
[1.] Have you entered yourselves as heirs to Christ's testament ? You may be children of tlie kingdom, and yet cast out ; pray, preach ; Mat. vii. 23 : eat and drink in his presence : Luke xiii. 26, ' Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets ; but he shall say, I know you not whence you are,' &c. 0 the cursed estate of them that are out of Christ, that have no part and portion in this testament ! The only evidence is, if we have received Christ as offered in the gospel : 1 John v. 12, ' He that hath tlie Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life ;' and John i. 12, ' To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' We first receive him in the promise before we receive him in the sacrament. Do you 80 receive him as to be willing to give up yourselves to God by him ? Many have had an oiler of Christ, but never yet had a heart to receive him. The ofler hath been fruitless through their negligence and disesteem of heavenly things : Mat. xxii. 5, ' They made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.' Others there are that give a rash consent, consensus iemerarius ; they do not consider what it is to receive Christ ; they are willing in generals, unwilling in particulars. Or else there is consensus de fuiui'o, hereafter ; they are willing to mind their soul's health when sick, or when they come to die. There is consensus involuntarius, such a consent as a person would not yield unto if he were in an estate of liberty ; when frightened and forced into a little religious- ness, when in distress, then they would have Christ by all means ; or else there is a partial consent to the benefits of Christ without sub- jection to him, or a feeble consent which is easily controlled. You