In like Manner the Leprosy of Sin cannot be Cleansed by Natural Water, no not by all the Water of the Ocean: The Power or Efficacy is not in the Elemental Water, but in the Baptismal Water only, as it is by Christ's Institution Sanctify'd to the Mystical Office of Washing away of Sins, that the Person to be Baptism Baptised therein may receive his Grace. So in the other Sacrament, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the Outward Signs, Bread and Wine, are only proper to nourish the Body, but have of themselves no Power or Virtue for the Strengthening or Refresh ing of the Soul; But when God has appointed Means, he giveth a Virtue as it hath pleafed him; and is Present to his own Institutions, to communicate that Virtue, that Inward and Spiritual Grace. I say, Neither our Prayers, nor our Sacraments, have in themselves any proper Virtue_or Efficacy of their own, to cleanse us from our Sin. The Water in Baptism, and the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, are in themselves no more than the Waters of Jordan; in their Nature : but mere Elements, serviceable to the Ufes of the Body; It is only the Divine Institution and Bleffing that makes them Sacramental, and Effectual for the Cleansing and Healing, and Sanctifying of the Soul, to the Worthy Receiver. As I have not Time to difcourse of the Institution, nor of the End and Benefits of the Sacrament, so neither of the Dispositions nor Qualifications that are requifite to Wor thy Receiving; These are Subjects that cannot be briefly, and ought not to be flightly handled: I shall therefore only just mention what our Church has taught us, as a proper Preparation and Disposition to receive it with Comfort and Benefit to ourselves, "That "we truly Repent us of our Sins, and are in " Love and Charity with our Neighbours, " and fully purpose to lead a New Life, fol"lowing the Commandments of God, and walking from thenceforth in his holy Ways: " Then may we draw near with Faith, and "take the Holy Sacrament to our Com"fort. These are the Duties to be Performed in the House of God, which I have briefly considered, and the Benefits that we may receive thereby. I shall only farther take Notice, that as we are admitted into the House of God with Ministerial Absolution, so we are dismiss'd with Ministerial Benediction; which being given by those who are Divinely Commissioned for it, may be of great Comfort to us, if we are duly qualify'd to Receive it. But if we are wanting on our Part; If we Come without Reverence, and Pray without Devotion, and Hear without Attention, and Receive without Faith and Charity, no Wonder Wonder if we Return without a Blessing. To Conclude all: We must not rest in the ८८ When any (faith he) Hear the Word of "the Kingdom and Understand it not, pon"der it not in their Hearts, having no Root " in themselves they foon fall away; Then Mat. xiii. "cometh the Wicked One, and catcheth "That which was Sown out of their Hearts, Luke viii. " left they should Believe and be Saved: Or "when they have Heard the Word, they go " forth ९ 1 " forth and are choaked with Cares and "Riches and Pleasures of this Life, and bring ८८ no Fruit to Perfection. But they that re"ceive the Good Seed of God's Word into "Good Ground, into an Honest and Good "Heart, having Heard the Word, They "Keep it, and bring forth Fruit with PatiRom. vi. "ence." They have their Fruit unto Holiness, and their End Everlasting Life. 22. Therefore, O Lord, we beseech thee, to all thy People give thy Heavenly Grace, and especially to this Congregation here Present, that with meek Heart and due Reverence they may Hear and Re ceive thy Holy Word, truly Serving thee in Holiness and Righteousness all the Days of our Life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. SERMON SERMON IX. The Cafe of Distractions in The Fifth SERMON on this Text. : ECCLES. V. 1. The whole Verse runs thus. Keep thy Foot when thou goest to the House P RAYER is one of the Principal Duties that we have to perform in the House of God, which is a great Instrument ۱ |