Page:Brief inquiry into the origin and tendency of sacramental preaching-days (1).pdf/11

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The Lord’s Supper is a very solemn, a very important ordinance; but that it is so in a manner or in a degree peculiar to itself, is without proof in reason or in Scripture. What Paul says to the Corinthians on this subject, (1 Epistle chap. xi) arises not from any peculiar solemnity in this ordinance, but from the manner in which they prostituted and profaned it. All the ordinances of the Lord are solemn and important, and to profane any of them is highly criminal. The ordinance of Baptism, for instance, is instituted by the same anthority, and designed to represent the same truth— the salvation of sinners by the death of Christ; must it not then be equally solemn, and equally important; and must not the abuse or profanation of it be equally criminal. Yet how few are there, even among Christians, who view the object in this light— who would not shudder at the thought of placing baptism on a level in point of solemnity and importance, with the Lord’s Supper. Now whence does this supposed disparity arise? Not from the language of scripture on the subject of these institutions, surely. “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,” is, to say the least of it, just as solemn and impressive, as, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’— ‘As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.’ Not from the nature of these institutions, for if they are enjoined by the same authority— distinct parts the same religious system, and designed to represent the same important truth, they must be alike solemn in their nature, and alike entitled to our reverence and veneration. It must arise therefore, principally, from the spurious glare thrown around the latter by a parade of holy-days, and a train of prescribed exercises, by means of which every other ordinance is thrown into the shade, and dwindles into comparative insignificancy!