Thus the covenant

concerning all these words." being made by sacrifice, and the blood of the sacrifice being sprinkled both upon the altar of God and upon the representatives of the people, both parties did, as it were, interchangeably put their hands and seals to the articles of agreement. So the blood of Christ having satisfied for the breach of the covenant of innocency, and purchased a new treaty, and being the sacrifice by which the covenant is made, is fitly called the blood of the covenant. Having sprinkled this blood upon the altar in his intercession, when by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, he does in this sacrament sprinkle it upon the people; as the apostle explains this mystery, Heb. ix. A bargain is a bargain, though it be not sealed, but the sealing is the ratification and perfection of it. The internal seal of the covenant, as administerd to true believers, is the spirit of promise "whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption." But the external seals of the covenant, as administered in the visible church, are the sacraments, particularly this of the Lord's Supper. Sealing ordinances are appointed to make our covenanting with God the more solemn, and consequently the more affecting, and the impressions of it the more abiding. The covenant of grace is a 66 covenant never to be forgotten." This ordinance, therefore, was instituted to assure us, that God will never forget it, and to assist us, that we may never forget it. It is the seal of the new covenant; that is,

1. God does in, and by this ordinance, seal to us, to be to us a God. This article of the covenant is inclusive of all the rest; in giving himself to us to be ours, he gives us all things, for he is God all sufficient. This is the grant, the royal grant which the eternal God here seals, and delivers to true believers, as his act and deed. He gives himself to them, and empowers them to call him theirs. What God is in himself, he will be to them for their good. His wisdom theirs, to counsel and direct them; his power theirs, to protect and support them; his justice theirs,

to justify them; his holiness theirs, to sanctify them; his goodness theirs, to love and supply them; his truth is the inviolable security of the promise, and his eternity the perpetuity of their happiness. He will be to them a Father, and they shall be his sons and daughters, dignified by the privileges of adoption, and distinguished by the spirit of adoption. Their Maker is their husband, and he hath said, that "he is married to them, and rejoiceth in them as the bridegroom in his bride." The Lord is their shepherd, and the sheep of his pasture shall not want. He is the portion of their inheritance in the other world, as well as of their cup in this; he has prepared for them a city, and thereby "is not ashamed to be called their God."

2. We do in and by this ordinance, seal to him to be to him a people. We accept the relation by our voluntary choice and consent, and bind our souls with a bond, that we will approve ourselves to him in the relation. We hereby resign, surrender, and give up our whole selves, body, soul, and spirit, to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, covenanting and promising, that we will, by his strength, serve him faithfully, and walk closely with him in all manner of gospel obedience all our days. Claiming the blessings of the covenant, we put ourselves under the bonds of the covenant. O Lord, truly I am thy servant, I am thy servant: wholly, and only, and for ever thine. And this is the meaning of this service.

CHAPTER III.

N INVITATION TO THIS ORDINANCE.

All things are ready, (opened in many particulars,) therefore come. I. Those that are unmeet for this ordinance, must qualify themselves and come; a serious address to such in three things. II. Those that are in some measure meet for it, must enter themselves. Young people reasoned with in four questions; those who are cold and indifferent, put upon considering two things; those that are timorous counselled and encouraged in two things. III. Those that have given up themselves to God in this ordinance must be constant; this largely urged.

PLENTIFUL and suitable provision is made in this ordinance out of the treasures of the Redeemer's grace; and ministers, as servants, are sent to bid to the feast, to invite those that the master of the feast has designed for his guests, and to hasten those that are invited to this banquet of wine. Wisdom hath sent forth her maidens on this errand, and they have words put in their mouths-" Come, for all things are now ready." This is our message.

I. We are to tell you that all things are ready, now ready; he that hath an ear, let him hear this: All things are now ready in the gospel-feast, that are proper for, or will contribute to, the full satisfaction of an immortal soul, that knows its own nature and interest, and desires to be truly and eternally happy in the love and favour of its Creator.

All things are ready; all things requisite to a noble feast. Let us a little improve the metaphor.

1. There is a house ready for the entertainment of the guests, the gospel church, wisdom's house, which she hath built upon seven pillars. God hath set up his tabernacle among men, and the place of his tent is enlarged, and made capacious enough; so that though the table has been replenished with guests, yet still there is room.

2. There is a table ready spread in the word and ordinances, like the table in the temple on which the

show-bread was placed, a loaf for every tribe. The Scripture is written, the canon of it completed, and in it a full declaration made of God's good-will towards men.

3. There is a laver ready for us to wash in. As at the marriage-feast at Cana, there were six water-pots set for purification. Lest sense of pollutions contracted should deter us from the participation of these comforts, behold there is "a fountain opened," come and wash in it, that, being purged from an evil conscience by the blood of Jesus, you may, with humble confidence, compass God's altar.

4. There are servants ready to attend you, and those are the ministers, whose work it is to direct you to the table, and "to give every one their portion of meat in due season, rightly dividing the word of truth." They are not masters of the feast, but only stewards, and "your servants for Christ's sake.”

5. There is much company already come; many have accepted the invitation, and have found a hearty welcome: why then should your place be empty? Let the communion of saints invite you into communion with Christ.

6. A blessing is ready to be craved. He is ready to bless the sacrifice. The great High Priest of our profession, ever living to intercede for us, and attending continually to this very thing, is ready to command a blessing upon our spiritual food.

7. The Master of the feast is ready to bid you welcome; as ready as the father of the prodigal was to receive his repenting, returning son, whom he saw when "he was yet a great way off." God's ear is open to hear, and his hand open to give.

8. The provision is ready for your entertainment. 1. All things are ready: (1.) For our justification. -divine justice is satisfied, an everlasting righteousness is brought in, an act of indemnity has passed the royal assent, and a throne of grace is erected, at which all that can make it appear that they are interested in the general act, may sue out their particular charter of pardon. There is a plea ready, an advocate

ready: "Behold, he is near that justifieth us." (2.) For our sanctification-there is a fulness of grace in Christ, from which we may all receive; the word of grace is ready as the means, the Spirit of grace is ready as the author; every thing ready for the mortification of sin, the confirming of faith, and our furtherance in holiness. (3.) For our consolation-a well of living water is ready, if we can but see it; peace is left us for a legacy, which we may claim if we will; promises are given us for our support, of which, if we have not the benefit, it is our own fault. There is something in the new covenant to obviate every grief, every challenge, every fear, if we will use it. (4.) For our salvation ready to be revealed— angels upon the wing are ready to convey us; Jesus, standing at the Father's right hand, is ready to receive us; the many mansions are ready prepared for us: "All things are ready."

2. All things are now ready, just now, for "Behold, now is the accepted time."

1. All things are now readier than they were under the law. Grace then lay more hid than it does now, when life and immortality are brought to so clear a light by the gospel. Christ in a sacrament is much readier than Christ in a sacrifice.

2. All things are now readier than they will be shortly, if we trifle away the present season. Now the door of mercy stands open, and we are invited to come and enter; but it will shortly be shut. Now the golden sceptre is held out, and we are called to come and touch the top of it; but it will be otherwise when the days of our probation are numbered and finished, and he that now saith, "Come for a blessing," will say, "Depart with a curse."

II. We must call you to come: this is now the call, Come, come; "the Spirit saith, Come, and the bride saith, Come." Come to Christ in the first place, and then come to this ordinance. All things are ready, be not you unready.

This exhortation must be directed to three sorts of persons: 1. Those who are utterly unmeet for this