CHAPTER VIII.
GENERAL NATURE OF THE SACRAMENTS.
On this subject the author of the Plea does not pursue the order of the Platform, in which baptism and the eucharist are discussed separately; but he unites the two under the caption of Baptismal Regeneration and the Real Presence in the Eucharist, and enters into some discussions of the sacraments in general, and then introduces remarks on each in particular.

Whilst we deem a separate discussion of each sacrament necessary to its proper elucidation, there are certain general views common to them both, which may with propriety be considered in connexion.

We, therefore, devote some pages to this purpose, under the head of the _General Nature of the Sacraments_, and reserve the discussion of each one individually to subsequent chapters.

It would require an extended volume to discuss all the several aspects of this interesting and solemn subject glanced at by our author.

He does not, however, present in definite lineaments the precise system, which he attributes to the Lutheran Symbols; and lest we should do him injustice in endeavoring to present his system in detail, in order to controvert it, we deem it more Christian and courteous to specify only a few items of his chapter, and occupy our space chiefly in presenting and defending what we regard as the doctrine taught in the Word of God on this subject.