SERMON, XLVII. ed of so many political and ceremonial, aswell as moral precepts and temporal promises, for the verycovenant of grace and salva- tion itself: And accordingly, by an outward observance of these precepts, they hoped for the pardon of all their sins, and eternal life. This was the mistake into which they were always running, and whichkept them from receiving the gospel of Christ. But now the christian dispensation sets the covenant of grace and salvation before us, in its own spiritual language, in a clear and distinct light, and without a veil; so that we plainly behold the free and rich grace of God in this covenant, how it has wrought in every age, towards the recovery of mankind from the ruins of our fall, how it proceeds from step to step in its own glorious way, how it works to restore us to the favour of God and his image, and becomesmere abundantly effectual to turn the hearts of sinful men to God, and bring them to blessedness. The vision of grace and glory in the New Testament is written so plain, that he that runs may read it ; the high way of repent- ance, faith and holiness, which leads to eternal life, is laid so open that the stranger and wayfaring man; though a fool shall not err therein; as the prophet Isaiah hath foretold; sa. xxxv. 8. And it may observed, that when the ancient prophets speak of these evangelical duties and blessings in the clearest language, it is generally in some prediction of the christian age, and the happiness. of this last dispensation. III. " The rites and ceremonies which are superadded to the covenant of grace, in the christian dispensation of it, are much preferable to those in former times, and that in three res- pects ; they are fewer, they are clearer, and they are much more easy." They are much_ fewer than the ceremonies of the Jewish state. What a multitude of ceremonies were they incumbered With ? What a numerous train of actions and abstinences are required in the law of Moses ? What washings and sprinklings, what numerous purifications by water and blood, what continual danger of new defilements at home and abroad, by night and by day, so that man, woman and child were forced to be upon a perpetual watch lest they should be polluted in their food, in their raiment, in their habitation, or in the common actions of life ! And what innumerable ceremonies of worship belonged to the service of the tabernacle and temple ! What frequent journies from one end of the land to the other, and multiplied forms of religion at the tabernacle ? Whereas in the christian state there are but twp ceremonies appointed, viz. that of baptism and the Lord's supper. There is no danger that the spiritual part of it should be overwhelmed, ' buried and lost in the multitude of rites
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