regarded not the sacrifices of his owne worship and seruice when men did not performe them in an holy manner in Faith and Repentance And therfore the Lord exhorts them thus Esa 1.16 Wash you make you cleane take away the evill of your workes from before mine eyes Cease to doe evill learne to doe well c. This were the way to haue their Sacrifices accepted to breake off their sinnes by repentance without which the Lord accepteth of nothing that we do The truth is further manifested by the same prophet where he sayth that Hâ— that killeth a Bullock Esa 66.3 is as if he slew â— man He that sacrificeth a sheepe â— as if he cut off a dogs necke He â—hat offereth an oblation as if he ofâ—ered swines flesh Now what is the â—eason of this did not the Lord â—equire these things at the peoâ—les hand did not his worship â—nd seruice consist in them I â—nswer yes Yet for all that these â—hings were abhomination vnto â—he Lord For in euery duetie â—ere is the Matter and the Manâ—er the Lord neuer regards the â—atter of his seruice if men faile 〈◊〉 the Manner if they doe not â—erforme the same in Faith Reâ—entance and Obedience And â—herefore the Lord layes downe â—e reason why their Sacrifices â—ere reiected viz. Because their â—ule delighted in their abhominatiâ— They came vnto them in â—eir sinnes which caused the Lord to hate both them their Sacrifice Vse 1 This serues to put the Ministers of the word in mind of their duty what doctrine it is that in a speciall maner they are to teach and to vrge vpon the consciences of the people euen the doctrin of the law in the first place and in a speciall manner that so men may bee brought vnto a sight of their sinnes and repentance for the same And surely in our dayes and times there is more neede of the Sonnes of Thunder then of Consolation inasmuch as sinne doth abound in euery place and congregation and that here bee so few that come truly to the sighâ— of the same Vse 2 Oh then in the feare of God let vs try and examine our selueâ— â—eriously in this one poynt espeâ—ially whether we find our harts â—o be broken and wounded in vs â—or sinne for the euils of our life â—ast desiring to walke more holiâ—y for the time to come For this 〈◊〉 the end wherefore we come to â—his Supper of the Lord that we â—ight bee strengthened against â—â—nne and bee knit vnto Christ â—nd so receiue the power of his â—eath to kill sinne in vs and â—ight haue more power to â—ease God So that wee must try our Reâ—entance how wee find and feele â—ur hearts humbled for our maâ—ifold sinnes and offences comâ—itted whether wee be grieued 〈◊〉 our soules for offending so â—ood and gracious a God wheâ—â—er we come to this Sacrament â—ith a hatred and detestation of all our former euill wayes and with a constant purpose to walke in newe Obedience in all thinges purposing to please him And when we haue partaked of this Sacrament we must then examine our hearts and see how we preuaile against our corruptions So that though we haue repentance before yet now wee must renewe our Repentance and labour to finde more poweâ— and strength against sinne theâ— before But if wee come in our oldâ— sinnes in our ignorance blindnesse hardnesse of heart prophanenesse lying swearing vncleannesse c. it were better thaâ— we neuer came at all we cannoâ— looke euer to reape any benefiâ— by this holy ordinance of God but in stead of a blessing shall bee sure to drawe downe from GOD some heauie iudgement Let vs not then come in our old sinnes as Iudas in his hypocrisie least we reape the rewarde of Iudas The Iewes had foure daies to â—o prepare themselues and they must eate the Passeouer with vnâ—eauened bread and sower herbs Exo. 12. â—y which Ceremony they were â—aught to come in Repentance â—ith harts grieued for sinne and â—o prepare themselues for so â—reat a mystery And the Apostle â—xhorteth vnto this duety when â—e sayth Purge out the old leauen 1. Cor. 5.7 â—at ye may be a new lump for Christ â—ur Passeouer is sacrificed for vs. And thus much for the third â—art of our examination viz. Reâ—entance Loue. The fourth Interrogatory in this our examination is for our loue to man or reconciliation to our brethren This vertue as it is necessary at al times so especially at this time when we come to partake of this Sacrament which is a Supper of loue This is as needefull and necessary to the due receiuing of this sacrament as the former For whaâ— were our knowledge if wee haâ— the same in neuer so great a measure what were our faith or repentance if loue to our brethreâ— be wanting we may well call thâ— truth of them all into question iâ— we find not our selues ready anâ— willing to remit and forgiue oâ— brethren their iniuries and trespasses committed against vs. This Sacrament is called thâ— Communion to teach vs this duty how we ought to come vnto the same in loue we haue one God one Mediator and redeemer one Spirit one mother the church of God we be all members of one and the same misticall body and therefore when we come to this Supper we should come in loue That which our Sauiour saith of Sacrifices may very well bee saide of this Sacrament When â—hou commest to the Alter Mat. 5.23.24 and â—here remembrest that thy brother â—ath ought against thee First bee â—econciled to thy brother and then â—ome and offer thy gift There must be first reconciliatioÌ„ to our brethren before the Lord will â—ccept of our Sacrifice or Serâ—ice Nay more the Lord will â—aue his owne seruice and worâ—hip to cease for a time till â—his reconciliation bee performed I will haue mercy and not Sacrifice Hos 6.6 sayth the Lord meaning indeede that men can neuer performe aright the dueties of the first Table vvhere they make no conscience of the dueties of the second Loue and seruices to man And hence it is that our Sauiour doth most diligently exhort his Disciples and in them all christians vnto this duty saying By this shall all men knowe that you are my Disciples Ioh. 13.35 if ye loue one another 1. Ioh. 3.14 And againe This is my commandement that ye loue one another 1. Ioh. 4.12 1. Ioh. 4 7. Our Sauiour makes this loue a badg or cognisance by the which wee are knowne to be his Disciples this assures vs â—â—â—t we are Gods children and that wee are translated from death to life And Heereby we know that God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfect in vs. And Paul most earnestly exhorteth vnto this duty when he saith as the elect of God Col. 3.12 holy beloued put on tender mercy kindnes humblenesse of mind meekenes long-suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another If any man
benefit that comes by due receiuing This Sacrament wil be a speciall prop to stay our weake faith euen as a weake and impotent man leaneth vpon his staffe and is supported and stayed vp by the same It is a prop to the weak euen so a weake faith is vnderpropped and releeued by the reuerent vse of this Sacrament Because Christ Iesus is now offered more effectually and perticulerly to his hart soule Gal. 3.1 now is Christ crucyfied a fresh and more liuely represented and set forth before his eyes yea as the Church cryeth out Cant. 2.5 Oh stay mee with the flagons of wine and comfort me with apples It is that which ministreth singuler comfort to a poore distressed soule Secondly this sacrament doth in regard of God seale vnto vs Christ and his righteousnesse It seales vp vnto vs Christ and his righteousnesse Ioh. 6.35 yea it doth assure the true beleeuer of the sweete promises of life and of mercy that Christ with all the merits of his death obedience belongs vnto vs in perticular that euen as verily as we eate the bread and drinke the wine which turne to the nourishment of our bodies to comfort and refresh the same So are our soules by faith much more nourished and refreshed by the merits obediâ—nce of Iesus Christ Ioh. 6.35 which is the â—pirituall foode of our soules Thirdly this Sacrament serâ—eth to quicken a man and to â—ut spirituall life into his soule It quickens to all good duties â—o all good duties of thankefullnesse and obedience to God and man For when a man comes â—nce to consider Gods infinit mercy in giuing his Sonne to â—eath and Christs wonderfull â—oue in suffering of death It will make a heart if there be any loue â—f God at all shed into it fearefull â—o offend God who hath bene â—o good and gracious a father â—nto him seeking him vp Luke 15.4 when â—e was lost and gone astray and â—uickning him that was Dead in Trespasses and Sinnes Ephe. 2.1 And laye â—â— darkenesse and in the shadow of death And so likewise will it make a man most carefull and willing to please God to be louing and merciful vnto men because now in this sacramenâ— we come to renew our couenanâ— with God to seale to it afresh that so euer after wee might beâ— the more careful to keepe it thesâ— and many more are the sweetâ— benefits that we shall receiue bâ— comming prepared to this holy ordinance 5 The hurt and danger which otherwise wil insue doth shew the necessity of the same The fift and last reason to perswade vs to this duty of preparation may bee taken from thâ— great hurt and danger which foâ— want thereof will follow Foâ— besides the losse of the benefit there is a fearefull iudgement threatned to the vnworthy receiuer namely such a one becomes guilty of the body blood of Christ It is not the losse of a mans labour that is all but the fearefull punishment which wil fall vpon such should terrifie all such eate and drinke their owne iudgement such doe no better then mock God to his face because they will seeme to make a couenant with God that God shall be their God and that they will be his people but when they should seale this couenant as euery Christian doth in this Sacrament that coms prepared therevnto they will not bee brought to that This is nothing else but to dally with God for a man to prouoke his maker Let not such be deceiued God will not bee mocked if wee doe not sanctifie our selues and sanctifie the Lord in our hearts in a holy and godly preparation when we come to this his ordinaÌ„ce that so we may reape some benefit and comfort by it to our owne saluation let vs assure our selues the Lord will bee sanctified of vs and wee shall serue his iustice for abusing so holy and excellent an ordinance to our owne condemnation In all which respects let vs learne to make more conscience of this duty to prepare our harts and to examine our selues before wee come that so wee may be fit ghests and meete partakers of this holy banquet Wee will now make some further vse of this Doctrine to our selues The vse of the Doctrine First then seeing that examination and preparation is so necessary a thing as that without it none may dare to come to the Lords Table This may serue to Vse 1 admonish the Ministers of the word Teacheth Ministers their duty to prepare men for the Lords Table in a necessary duty that belongs vnto their places namely that they labour to helpe the poore people of God in furthering them instructing them and that in priuate as publike and in vsing all other holy helpes and meanes as preaching Note priuate conference catichising c. that so they may fit them for the Lords Table and bring them to some competent measure of knowledge fit for this holy duty This was the charge the Lord giues to the Leuites 2. Cor. 35.6 that they should sanctifie themselues and prepare the people The Lord lays this duty vpon them they are called to that place that they might instruct the simple Their lips must preserue knowledge and the people must heare the lawe at their mouth Mal. 2.7 They must bee wary and carefull that they admit none of those whome the Lord doth not admit such as cannot examine themselues whether they bee old or yong rich or poore Mat. 7.6 for if they do what were it but to giue holy thinges to Dogs and pearles to Swine Which wee are straightly commaunded of our Sauiour not to doe Vse 2 Secondly seeing no man must presume to come to this Sacrament of the Lords Supper without a serious examination and preparation of himselfe Shewes what manner of persons may not be admitted there-vnto This serues to shewe what manner of persons may not bee admitted there-vnto namely such as for want of skil and knowledgâ— in the worde cannot examine themselues and prepare themselues in som good measure that so they may be meete partakers of this holy mystery Children And such are Children who in regard of the tendernes of their yeares cannot examin and prepare themselues they know not what it is to eate Christ spiritually and the like may be sayde of Mad men Mad men Ideots Ideots c. yea and such who thogh they be of ripe yeares and haue the vse of reason and doe vnderstand the doctrine of mans redemption yet if their liues declare that they are vain and prophane such as are contemners of God and godlinesse Note such as are prophaners of the Lords Saboth drunkards swearers vncleane persons or such in whom appeares not the worke of mortification and sanctification such cannot be interessed into this Sacrament None must dare to partake of this holy ordinance of God but onely such as for knowledge can and for conscience
beare me witnes and acquite me before Gods tribunal it would auail me nothing at all So then whether we consider that euery mans estate is best knowne vnto himselfe or that euery man shall answere for his owne sinnes vnto God we conclude the necessity of this duety that if a man would haue comfort in comming to this sacrament and come prepared as hee ought this duty is to be performed by him he must examin himselfe Vse 1 This serues to reproue many in these dayes and times wherin we liue For reprofe that are very forwarde and busie in prying into other men pursuing them with their examinations and that through a glassie spectacle wherein euery mole seemes a mountaine and euery more a beame heerein they are Eagle eyed and quicke sighted but in the meane time doe vtterly neglect themselues and those great corruptions and maine deformities that are in themselues and breake out in their liues they cannot behold But what are they that for the most part are so forward to prye into the faults of their brethren but such as seldome or neuer behold their owne deformities But who art thou that iudgest another mans seruant Rom. 14.4 seeing he standeth or falleth to his master The Lorde hath commaunded thee to Examine thy selfe hee doth not require that thou shouldst so strictly examin the wayes of thy brother the Lord hath reserued that to himselfe Let such remember our Sauiour his checke to Peter for his busie inquisition concerning Iohn Ioh. 21.22 What is that to thee follow thou me We are carefully to heede our owne wayes and our owne walking It is no wisedome to neglect our selues and to bee ignorant of our owne estates and to bee so curious in prying into other mens wayes Quest But may we not examin others at all Answ Men are to be considered two wayes either as publike or as priuate persons Publike persons may ought to examine others and thus Ministers in a speciall manner are bound to take tryall of the estate of the flocke that is committed vnto them the Lord himselfe doth will it so when he sayth The Priests lips shal preserue knowledg Mal. 2.7 the people shal seek the law at his mouth And so are Parents Masters of families bound vnto the same duty to examin the children and families for their relation to their congregations and families makes them publike persons and bindes them to this dutie But now for a priuate person he ought not so to do vnlesse by way of conference so to helpe to confirme and strengthen their brethren Luk. 22.32 vnto which duty al are bound And so to giue testimony of our obedience we are likewise bound to giue an answer to all that shall aske vs not being ashamed of Christ or his word according to that of the Apostle Be ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 1. Pet. 3.15 and that with meeknesse and reuerence Vse 2 Secondly seeing this duety is so needefull and necessary For instruction it shal be our wisdome to put the same in execution that euery one doe search and examine his owne wayes who will bee so faithfull to thee in this duety as thy selfe How can hee bee faithfull to another that is carelesse of himselfe Loue euer begins with a mans selfe Simile If a mans house bee on fire with his neighbours will a man be so careful of his neighbours as to neglect his owne I trow not Oh my brethren our soules are set on fire with sinne why then should any man so neglect himselfe and the welfare of his owne soule and seeme to bee so mindefull of another mans of such a one it may bee truely sayd that he doth little mind the eternall good of either It is no poynt of good husbandry for a man to acquaint himselfe with the nature of other mens grounds goods or chattels and in the meane time to be altogether ignorant of his owne Bee diligent to know the state of thy owne flocke sayth Salomon hee giues not the like charge in any place concerning our neighbours So then wouldst thou haue any comfort in the vse of this Sacrament wouldest thou not haue thy hearing reading praying receiuing and the like holy dueties holy I say in themselues layd vnto thy charge and put in the score amongst the bedrole of thy sinnes against the day of reckoning learne then betimes to make more conscience of this duety of examining thy selfe see what leades thee to the performance of them whether thou doest them in faith repentance and obedience or for custome â—ake and betimes learne to â—udge thy selfe that thou bee â—ot iudged of the Lord. And thus much conserning â—he subiect of this examination and that is a mans selfe the duty followes which wee referre to another time ⸪ Let vs pray The Second Sermon 1. Cor. 11.28 Let a man therefore examine himselfe HITHERTO wee haue spoken of the necessity of Examination godly preparation that ought to be made of euery christian before hee come to the Lords Table as also of the Subiect of it Himselfe We are now in order to treat of the third circumstance that is the duty it selfe layde â—owne in this word Examine Let â— man therefore examine himselfe Heere is the duty that euery â—hristian must performe that â—omes to partake of this Sacrament and desires to be a fit guest â—or the Lords Table he must first Examine himselfe There is no man that will vnâ—ertake a businesse of any imâ—ortance but hee makes some â—ind of preparation there-vnto â—f it be but to goe to the market â— a Faire or to his Meales how â—uch more in a matter of this â—ature that so highly concernes â—ods glory and the saluation of â—ur own Soules we are not to go â—bout this lightly and vnaduiâ—dly but with great care and due â—xamination of our selues least â— seeking Comfort in comming â—nto this so holy an ordinance wee bring vpon our owne headâ— swift damnation Most men fayle in the manner of performing most duties It is an vsuall and common practise of the most to fayle cheefely in the manner of performing of any duty vnto God by reason of that ignorance that is in them their vnderstandingâ— being not inlightned and their iudgements informed in the truth And as in al other duties oâ— Gods worship and seruice so especially in this Examination of themselues either in being ignorant wherein it consisteth of in performing the same according to the truth What examination is We are therefore to know that to examine our selues is to make a narrow and strict search into our owne hartâ— not in a formal maner but substantially as a matter of the greateâ— consequence importance that sâ— â—ow we may vncouer and make â—aked things that are secret and â—idden and finde out how the â—ause stands betwixt God and vs what sins we are
principall motiue â—to vs therein in asmuch as the loue of God shoulde constraine vs and our obedience should be free and willing and not wroung out from vs euen as the seruice of a louing and dutifull childe the Loue of whose Father vnto him makes him most carefull to obey and most fearefull to offend Yet let the thoughts oâ— his iudgements haue place in vs likewise that so wee may learne to feare him with Dauid My flesh trembleth for feare of thee and I am afraide of thy iudgements and to obey him and to walke humbly before him in all holy obedience in asmuch as he is a God so fearefull and terrible iust in hiâ— iudgements and true in his word Men naturally are afraide oâ— water Fire Rauenous beasts c oh let vs learne to feare our God who is a consuming fire And will be sure to punish sinne Heb. 12. and take vengeance vpon the impenitent And what though the Lord do not presently punish vs haueing offended shal we say with the wicked Tush God careth not for it Or is their any knowledge with the most high oh no let that be farre from vs but know that it is his mercy to bring vs to repentance Which effect if the Lords patience and long-suffering towards vs worke not in vs his iudgements when they come will bee so much the more fearefull Hauing now handled the doctrine in generall from the scope of the holy Ghost in the whole verse we come now to the parts of it And first for the persons Hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthyly c. 1 The godly themselues may sometimes bee saide to eate and Drinke vnworthily There are of the godly themselues as well as wicked men that may bee said to eate and drinke vnworthily When they shall come and partake of this holy ordinance of almightie God without that godly examination christian preparation they ought to make thereunto Neither may this seeme strange that euen the godly themselues may eate and drinke vnworthily in asmuch as they are not at all times alike carefull to fit themselues and to prepare themselues vnto this duty But either the world the businesses of the same hath so taken vp their affections and their most precious time when this preparation ought to bee made or else some secret sloath and drowsinesse hath crept into them that they haue omitted the same It was the case of this Church of Corinth albeit Gods people that many amongst them had their failings herein Verse 30. for which sinne of theirs the Lord did not spare to punish them with diuers and sundry temporall iudgments Now as the child of God may eate and drinke vnworthily so it followes that such must needes eate and drinke iudgement vnto â—hemselues Howbeit as I said beâ—ore iudgement of affliction Not â—udgement of condemnation for â—here is no condemnation to them â—hat are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 And so â—ndeede the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth â—ignifie not properly condemnaâ—ion but iudgement of afflictiâ—n and so is the same word vsed 〈◊〉 diuers places of Scripture as â—at of Peter Iudgement must begin at the house of God 1. Pet. 4.17 That is punishment and correction must begin with his owne children and so our Apostle expounds the same in the verses following For this cause many are sick amongst you and many weake and some are fallen a sleepe And he addeth further that wee are Iudged of the Lord. That is punished and corrected That wee should not be condemned with the world So that it is not properly to bee vnderstood as our common translation reads it of eternall condemnation that Gods children might eate and drinke so vnworthily but rather of temporall punishment and correction Now then seeing that the godly themselues may thus eate and drinke vnworthily and for that sinne of theirs may prouoke the â—he Lord to correct them with â—emporall chaistsements and corâ—ections as we haue heard Wee â—earne heere-hence this instruction Doct. 2 That many are punished temâ—orally that are not condemned â—ternally Many are punished temporally that are not condemned eternally The Lord would not â—uffer this sinne in these beleeueâ—ng Corinthians to escape vnpuâ—ished but layd sundry sharpe â—orrections vppon them Verse 31. yet in â—e midst of iudgment the Lord â—ough vpon mercy they were â—dged that is corrected of the â—ord Num. 27.12.13.14 That they might not be conâ—mned with the world And thus â—d the Lord deale with Moses â—d Aaron inasmch as they had â—ouoked the Lord to wrath the â—ord woulde not suffer them to â—ter into the land of Canaan The â—e may bee said of Vzza that staid vp the Arke 2. Sam. 6.7 who hauing no calling of the Lord thereunto was stricken of the Lord. And Iosiah who albeit hee was a good King and serued the Lord from his youth yet the Lord gaue him into the hands of Pharaoh Necho 2. Reg. 23.29 King of Egypt who puâ— him vnto a violent death Num. 11.33 The history of the Israelits in their iournying towards Canaan For whose sinne of murmuring the Lord did smite them witâ— exceeding great plagues Psal 90. eueâ— iudgement vpon iudgement vntill he had almost consumed thâ— greatest part of them doth makâ— this cleare The like may beâ— saide of Manasses Iehosophat Hâ—zechiah and the like All whicâ— testimonies as a cloude of wiâ—nesses they all serue to confirmâ— our iudgements in the vndoubâ—ted truth of this doctrine That many haue beene punished temporally that haue not perished euerlastingly And that God will not spare no not the godly them selues be they neuer so neare or deare vnto him but if they will sinne against him he will visite their transgressions with the rod and their iniquity with scourges And this did the Corinthians â—ind by wofull experience who â—or wante of their preparation â—nd godly Examination before â—hey came to the Lordes Table â—he Lorde did punish them with â—ore afflictions although they â—erished not eternally Reason 1 And the Reason is that all the â—orld may take notice of his iuâ—ce that hee is no respecter of â—ens persons but is a God that â—â—th not iniquitie but hates al Sinne whensoeuer wheresoeuer or in whomsoeuer hee findeth it He accepteth not the person of Princes sayth Elihu Iob. 34.19 nor regardeth the rich more then the poore they beeing all the worke of his handes And thus doeth the LORD declare himselfe to bee most righteous and iust in his iudgements and corrections for sinne that all men to the ende of the worlde might learne to quakâ— and tremble at the committing thereof Reason 2 Secondly God doeth oftentimes thus chastice his ownâ— Children in this world least theâ— should bee condemned with the wiâ—ked 1. Cor. 11.32 in the world to come Sinnâ— must bee iudged and sinnâ— must bee condemned Anâ— surely it is Gods mercy vnto hâ— seruantes that the Lorde vvâ— not let them so thriue and go on
vnworthily Eateing and drinking iudgement vnto themselues Let vs doe as the Disciples did say good Lord is it â—l I haue now partaked of this Sacrament as I haue often done hereto-fore Is not that all may wicked men and Hypocrits doe the same and such as shall euerâ—astingly perish in the end It beâ—oues me to look vnto it that I goe beyond such in the performance of this duty least I â—eape their reward one day oh his godly feare and care ought â—o be in all the children of God â—hen they come to be exercised â—bout this duty that so they may â—ot performe the same formally as wicked men doe but in a holy and sanctified manner in Faith repentance and obedience that so the same may bee accepable vnto God Eateth and Drinketh his owne Damnation Doct. 5 Wee may yet further take notice of the miserable estate oâ— wicked men Vnworthie communicants euen whilest they are perfourming of this duty of receiuing of the Lords Supper a dutie in it selfe commendable they sinne greuiously and hasteâ— their own iudgement There is no ordinance of God so holy but wicked men abuse it to their owne condemnation yet herein fill vp the measure of their sinneâ— and hasten their finall condemnation The Doctrine is There is noe ordinance oâ— God so holy but wicked meâ— may abuse it to their owne condemnation As this Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a heauenly banquet vnto the hungry and thirstie soule that groanes vnder the burthen of sinne and desires to be eased refreshed So wicked men instead of receiuing any spiriturall foode they receiue except the speciall mercy of God preuent them that which will be the bane and poyson of their Soules Gen. 4. Cain sinned not onely â—n slaying his innocent brother â—ut in offering his sacrifice This â— cleare by the inditement which Christ brings against the old â—orld They Eate and Drank Mat. 24.38 Marâ—ed and were giuen in Marriage â—ll which were things lawfull in â—emselues yet became sinnes â—nto them that liued in that â—me and tended to hasten their â—estruction for they onely minded their pleasure therein theiâ— hearts being set vppon carnaâ— lusts they gaue themselues wholy to satisfie their sinfull desires and so fell vppon those things good in themselues withouâ— feare without prayer or thankâ— giuing vnto God as if they werâ— no way beholden vnto the Lorâ— for them And this is furtheâ— cleared by that of Salomon Hee thaâ— turneth away his eares from heare ring the Lawe Pro. 28.9 euen his prayers shaâ— be abomination The meaning iâ— that the very best duty that wicked man can performe thaâ— liues in sin and wants faith thaâ— shoulde season all his actions iâ— Gods worship and seruice aâ— not better then abominatioâ— vnto the Lord. And the like iâ— alledged by our blessed Sauiouâ— against those filthy Sodomits thaâ— They bought they sould Luk. 17.28 they planâ—ed they builded Things in themselues lawfull but now they become so many sins vnto them inasmuch as they abused them they bought and sold with coâ—etuous desires They builded â—ot for necessitie sake but to â—hewe their pride vanitie And thus it fares with wicked men in â—his sacrament They cannot but â—buse it to their own perdition And the Bread and Wine which â—hey receiue shal be so farre from being vnto them the body and blood of Christ vnto their saluaâ—ion As it shall rather be as the â—op vnto Iudas a meanes in and â—y the which sathan shal enter into â—uch vnto their condemnation The reasons are cleare First because wicked men are â—gnorant how to vse the ordinances of God aright and stand vpon the matter of them not regarding the manner I shal not neede to presse this reason farther in regard of the affinitie iâ— hath with the former doctrine Reason 2 Secondly though some doe know that the manner of Godâ— seruice as the matter is to be regarded Yet their wils are sâ— froward that they neuer sâ— themselues arighâ— about the duâ— performance of any like thoâ— stubborne Iewes which sayde wâ— will not heare nor obey Nay the walke on stubbornely againâ— the Lord and against his word and notwithstanding their iudgments be often conuicted the themselues therein constraine to consent vnto this truth Yâ— their rebellious wils not beinâ— sanctified leade them away from all obedience Whose condemnation doth not sleepe Reason 3 A third reason may bee that of Paul to Titus where hee doth manifest this truth more clearely when he saith Tit. 1.15 that To the pure â—â—e all things pure But vnto the wicked is nothing pure but euen their minds and consciences are defiled They are like vnto a cold stomacke that turnes the best foode into putrifaction and corruption the most holy things of God are defiled by such and â—urne in the end vnto their vtâ—er ruine and destruction Vse 1 This serues in the first place â—o discouer vnto vs the miserable state of wicked and vngodly â—en whose sinnes increase dayâ—y not onely by their open and â—orrible crimes that breake out 〈◊〉 their liues to the great dishonour of God But euen in thâ— performance of Good duties their hearing of the word theiâ— praying receiuing of the Sacrament c. The Lord make these thinges turne to the vtteâ— ruin and Destruction of wicked men Oh then how doe wicked men increase their sins dayly and multiply their iniquities iâ— asmuch as their best duties arâ— sinfull and cal down iudgement vpon them And if to doe gooâ— things in an euill manner bee sâ— farefull a sinne what wil one daâ— become of those that haue donâ— euill things in a worse manneâ— to be layd to their charge likâ—wise Let such consider this thinâ— well betimes before they be pâ— into the reall possession of thâ— iudgement which waytes and aâ—tends vpon them Vse 2 And last of all let this serue for our instruction to teach vs to feare and aboue all thinges to looke that we performe holy duties in an holy manner least wee incur the iudgement that is here threatned For if when wee haue beene at the Lordes Table and haue receiued this Sacrament vnworthily we had but only lost so much labour this were too much that wee should so much dally with God in his ordinance But alas that were nothing to this to eate and drinke to damnation If God should punish vs after this manner to turne the Bread and Wine that we receiue in this Sacrament vnworthily â—nto a bodily poyson woulde it not make vs to feare and tremble â—ow we receiue them were wee â—o perswaded that for want of a godly preparation it would bee our last Bread that euer wee should eate and would turne to the bane of our bodies Oh my brethren the Lord hath threatned the vnworthy receiuer not with a bodily death for this sinne of his but with a spirituall and eternall death euen with the death both of body and Soule for euer and shal not this moue
c. In the first of these we haue 2. things 1. A preparation 2. A participation In the preparation we are to obserue 1. The Necessitie of the preparation 2. The Subiect of it a Man 's owne selfe 3. The duty it selfe Examination And first for the Necessitie of this preparation and examination of our selues 1 A Preparation before wee pertake of this holy Sacrament it appeares in the words of the precept Let a man examine himselfe The word Let may seeme in our English phrase to be a thing leaft as indifferent to be done or not to be done Let a man if hee will examin himself But it is not indeede so indifferent a thing neither is it least as a thing arbritrary but propounded as a precept and implies the necessitie of obedience thereto and so not a matter of indifferency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word it selfe in the originall it seemes to import so much for it is vsed in the imperatiue moode and implies a dutie as if the holy Ghost should haue said doe thou examine thy selfe And so the phrase runnes as in the Princes Lawes and act of Parliament Be it enacted so that it is a flat precept or commandement implying a necessitie of obedience that if any looke to reape any good or benefit by the vse of this Sacrament he must Examine himselfe Reasons shewing the necessitie of examination And that the necessitie of this duty may the more clearely appeare wee are to consider the reason which may mooue vs to this examination and godly preparation and the reasons are these First of all Gods Commandement then the which what may be more effectuall to perswade vs to this duty the Lord hath commanded it 1 It is Gods Commandement must be obeyed in this as in al other his Commandements it is not leaft as a thing indifferent for a man to examine himselfe or not to examine himselfe to come or not to come But it is a dutie imposed vpon all to examine themselues now then seeing it is the Lords commandement and hee hath power ouer his Church to commaund it is our duty to obey And as he that sweareth or killeth or breaketh any of the commaundements of almightie God is in danger of Gods wrath So is hee that doth willingly and wilfully breake this commaundement of God Secondly the Lord hath promised to blesse it 2 The Lord hath promised to blesse it as a speciall meanes of good vnto our soules so as if wee come fitted and prepared in a holy manner in faith repentance loue reuerence and and obedience and seeke to sanctifie the Lord in his ordinance wee shall then finde and feele to our endelesse comfort the sweetenesse and comfort of this Sacrament The Lord hath promised to blesse his owne ordinance and will bee found of them that seeke him in the conscionable vse of the meanes hee hath appoynted 3 The reuerence wee owe to these holy things doth require it Thirdly the reuerence we owe vnto these holy things may mooue vs to this duty to examine our hearts and to prepare our selues for if when wee come to the table of an earthly Prince or ruler Pro. 23.1 wee will consider diligently what is set before vs and be so carefull vnto our selues that we doe nothing vnbeseeming so great a presence Oh how much more carefull ought wee to be to prepare our selues when wee come to the Lords Table who is Lord of heauen and earth with whome we are there present and and with whome we sit And indeede this table represents the kingdome of heauen The Lords Table represents the kingdome of heauen and as wee sit heere with our bodies so ought wee to set our hearts there in the company of God the Father Sonne and holy Ghost with the most blessed Saints and Angels we are therefore to come prepared Did Ioseph shaue himselfe and chang his rayment Gen. 41.14 when he was to come before Pharaoh an earthly king and sinfull man and shall not wee when we come before the king of glory and Prince of power much more out of our sinful lusts chang our former conditions and be cloathed with the robes of Christ our righteousnesse Did the people of the Iewes in a solemne maner prepare themselues vnto the Passeouer Exod. 12. 2. Chro. 35. as that the Priests were to sanctifie themselues and to prepare the people before they came there-vnto which Passouer was but a signe of this Sacrament and shall we dare to come carelessely vnreuerently in our old sinnes without faith repentance and loue vnto this Sacrament of the Lords Supper which is the substance We vse greate care about our common meat we will haue our dishes cups and platters cleane and scoured and our hands and face washed before we eate and shall wee not much more cleanse our heartes Iames 4. and prepare our selues to the receiuing of these holy Mysteries that we receiue them not into vncleane hearts and polluted soules Oh the daunger is great to such an vnworthy receiuer Sancta Sanctis sayth a Father holy things belong to holy men And the very heathen themselues in their Sacrifices when they went about them and the dueties of their false religion to their gods they euer proclaimed and cryed out before procul hÃc este prophani Depart away from hence ye prophane And in the Primitiue Church it was the practice of the faithfull at this time when they were about to administer this holy Sacrament to say Who are here The practise of the Primitiue Church and the answer was made None but good and honest men and women As if none but good and honest men and women should partake of such a holy thing And this was the charge that Almighty God gaue vnto Moses and Aaron Exo. 12.48 Leuit. 7.20 that no vncircumcised person should be admitted to partake of the Passouer and the very Leuites were to prepare themselues before they came vnto it yet all this was but for the figure type of this Sacrament how much more ought wee to prepare our selues when we come to the substance for no vnclean person must dare to touch or come neare these holy things Paul would not suffer an vncleane person in the Church much lesse may such be admitted to partake of the most excellent priueledge of the Church 4. The benefit and profit by so doing doth bind vs to this duty Fourthly we must examine our selues and prepare our hearts in regard of the great benefite and profite that by so doing we shall receiue Mat. 9.20 For if the woman in the Gospell that did but touch the hem of Christs garment was healed of her infirmity and brought such a benefite vnto her that had faith what benefite shall the true beleeuer receiue who in this Sacrament doth feede on Christ Surely the benefite and profite that wee shall reape heere-hence will be wondrous great for First The
euen their best dueties they shall bee excercised in â—s hearing the word receiuing â—f the Sacrament prayer c â—hese are abomination vnto the Lord and these adde vnto the measure of their sins being not performed in a holy manner in â—aith repentance and obedience which is altogether impossible â—or any that are ignorant to doe And yet alas though the estate of such as liue in ignorance bee so â—amentable and fearefull as wee â—eare it is how many be there â—hat seeme to haue past a state of â—heir Soules to ignorance for a â—earme of life as if they had whoâ—y deuoted themselues to sinne â—nd Sathan and that there were â—ot a reckoning day to come Vse 3 Lastly this may serue for our â—nstruction to teach vs to vse all care and diligence to get knowâ—edg especially that knowledge that hath the stampe of grace vpon it and is proper to the people of God And that wee send to heauen for it by prayer vnto the Lord. And attend diligently vppon the worde preached and taught reading conference c least it comes to passe that wee perish for want of knowledge and for our neglect and contempt of the same bee damned for euer And thus much touching the first Quere Knowledge 2. Faith The second interrogatory iâ— this our examination is for ouâ— faith which is indeede the hand of the Soule by the which wee lay hould on Christ in this Sacrament and therfore is called Sacramentum Fidelium That Sacrament that belongs onely to the faithfull This faith is the Queene of all other vertues with out which our Knowledge shall profite vs nothing at all It is of that nature that it purifies the heart and makes it a fit receptacle for Christ Act. 15.9 Ephes 3.17 What Faith is who is sayde to Dwell in our hearts by faith Now this Faith is a gift of God whereby the elect doe apply Christ and the sauing promises of the Gospell to themselues â—n particular And according as â— man beleeueth so shall hee receiue as our Sauiour speaketh to the woman of Canaan O woman Mat. 15.28 Luk. 7.50 Luk. 8.48 great is thy Faith be it vnto thee as thou desirest And vnto the woman that annoynted Christs â—eete Christ sayth Thy Faith hath saued thee goe in peace This Faith was the hand by which the poore woman in the Gospel that had the bloudy issue touched Christ and was healed according to that speech of our Sauiour vnto her Daughter be of good comfort thy Faith hath made thee whole This is it that seasons all our Sacrifices and Seruices that we offer vnto God whether it be to heare the word receiue the Sacrament prayer singing of Psalmes thankesgiuing c. It is faith that makes them find acceptation with God and without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 This made Abels Sacrifice and Noahs Obedience accepted this made that cup of water giuen to a Disciple in the name of a Disciple to bee regarded of God And the poore VViddowes Mite so acceptable And without this Faith there is nothing that we can doe can bee pleasing in his sight That the holy Ghost speaketh of the word preached Heb. 4.2 That it profited not because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it may be said of this Sacrament Mat. 22. That it profiteth not because it is not mixed with faith in those that receiue it for it is faith that makes it acceptable it is faith that bids vs welcom to this feast of the great King Heb. 11.1 It is the euidence of things not seene It giues vs a comfortable assurance of Christs presence in the Sacrament Yea â—t is so necessary in the receiuing of this Sacrament that without â—t we can neuer receiue aright or â—ruely partake of the body and bloud of Christ Christ sayth Ioh. 6.55 The excellent vse of faith in this Sacrament that his flesh is Meate indeede and his bloud is Drinke indeede but we must eate â—he same by faith For faith is the hand of the soule by the which we apprehend Christ and all the merites and benefits of his death and passion and are made partakers of the same Yea faith is the mouth of the soule by the which we receiue Christ within vs the stomacke to digest Christ and that most special part of the wedding garment without which no man may approach neare the Lords presence It must not be a generall but a particular Faith Now concerning this Faith we must know that it is not enough to haue a generall Faith as the Papists teach to beleeue as the Church beleeueth but wee must labour for a speciall and particular Faith to apprehend Christ Iesus and all the benefites of his passion vnto our owne selues in particular The Deuils haue in them a generall faith whereby they are brought to beleeue that there is a God and that Christ dyed for sinners But that they shall haue any benefite by Christs death they want faith to beleeue wheras the true child of God must labour for a particular faith to say with Paul Gal. 2.20 I know that Christ loued me and gaue himselfe for me And againe I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course 2. Tim. 4.7 I haue kept the Faith henceforth there is laid vp for me a Crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shal giue me at that day The promises of life and saluation forgiuenesse of sins c. wee must beleeue that they beâ—ong vnto our selues in particuâ—ar The Scripture calleth Christ â— Redeemer indefinitely the â—rue beleeuer cals Christ a Redeemer particularly I know that my Redeemer liueth sayth Iob Iob. 19.25 And Thomas out of a speciall apprehension of Gods loue to him Ioh. 20.28 sayth Thou art my Lord and my God And indeede this particular application of Gods fauour in Christ laying hold on him by faith is the very summe of Christian Religion it will put life into all our seruices and make them acceptable with the most highest A hard thing to beleeue And thus to beleeue is the hardest thing in the worlde by reason of the strength of corruption within and the force of Sathan his temptations who seeks by all meanes possible to hinder the faith of the elect Indeed it is an easie matter for a natural man that finds no opposition to say he hath faith and he would be sory to doubt of Gods mercy which is indeede meere presumption and no faith But when Sathan shal win now a poore soule when his owne heart shall accuse him when sinne shall lie heauie vpon the soule of a man and when his conscience shal be vpon the rack and the Lord shall seeme to write bitter things against him Iob. 13.15 as Iob complaineth then for a man to stand vpright and to rest himselfe vpon the rock Christ and to comfort himselfe in his God and to say
iudgement of affliction that is such stir vp the Lord to wrath as this Church of Corinâ— did For whose vnreuerent paâ— taking of this holy ordinancâ— the Apostle saith in the verâ— following that many were weaâ— sicke and some of them taken away by death But as for the punishment of wicked and vngodly men it is certaine that such vnworthy receiuers eate and drinke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 condemnation iudgement of eternall condemnation vnto themselues that is by that their vnreuerent and vnworthy receiuing of this so holy an ordinance they sinne highly against God which sinne of theirs shall bee punished with no lesse punishment then with eternall condemnation Before I enter into these parâ—iculers I will propound one inâ—truction from the scope of the holy Ghost in this text and that â— Seeing the Apostle hath beâ—ore exhorted vnto that christian â—uty of godly examination and preparation that euery christian ought to make before hee come to partake of this holy ordinance and now vseth such a reason to inforce the duety as is taken from Gods Iustice and Iudgments which for want thereof hee will execute and inflict vpon them Doct. 2 We learne that the consideration of Gods iudgements should make men performe holy duties in an holy manner The consideration of Gods iudgments shold make men perfourme holy duties holily And hence it is that it is very vsuall with the Lord by his seruants when hee hath exhorted vnto any one holy duety to annexe vnto the same some forcible reason to perswade therevnto This is cleare by the practice of Almighty God himselfe with our first parents Adam and Euah Gen. 2.18 who hauing giuen them but one Commandement to obserue hee vseth a reason to bind vnto obedience and that is taken from Gods Iustice The day thou eatest therof thou shalt die the death And thus doeth Almighty God deale with Cain Gen. 4. one of the Sonnes of Adam perswading him first to wel-doing to breake off his sinne by repentance euen that malice hee had conceiued against his innocent Brother But if that woulde not serue the Lord addes one reason more and that is taken from Gods iustice and vengeance which otherwise will bee sure to follow If thou do ill sinne lyeth at â—hy doore And this is that one â—y Reason that Moses doeth â—se vnto the people of Israell That they should hearken vnto â—he voice of the Lord their God which if they would it shoulde then goe well with them and with their children after them If not what then It shall come to passe Deu. 28.15 16.17 c. if thou wilt not hearken vnto the voyce of the Lord thy God to obserue and to doe all his commaundements and his statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shal come vpon thee and ouertake thee Cursed shalt thou bee in the Citie and cursed shalt thou be in the field Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store c. And this is the order that Dauid vseth in his exhortation vnto Salomon And thou Salomon my Sonne 2. Cro. 28.9 know thou the God of thy fathers and serue him with a perfect heart and with a willing minde And he adds a reason to inforce his exhortation and that is taken from Gods Iustice If thou forsake him hee will forsake thee and cast thee off for euer And what thing else did our Sauiour intende when hee bade Remember Lots wife Luk. 17.32 but to mooue all men to consider her sinne and her punishment that so fearing the one we might learne to take heed of the other And why doeth the Spirit of God in the Scriptures lay down so many examples before vs of Gods iustice and vengeance vppon the Angels which â—ept not their first estate 1. Cor. 10.6 11. 2. Pet. 2.4 Iude 6. Pro. 14.16 Vpon â—he worlde of vngodly men In â—he dayes of Noah Vpon the Citâ—ies of Sodome and Gomorrah turâ—ing them into ashes but to this â—nd that all men might feare And this is the reason why the â—postle heere doeth propounde â—he iudgements of God vpon the â—orinths for that their vnreueâ—â—nt receiuing of this sacrament to this ende that all men that heare of the same might learne to feare and to come more reuerently and prepared there-vnto And great reason that the consideration of Gods iudgements shoulde worke this effect in vs For Reason 1 First because of the certainety of Gods iudgements and vengeance which otherwise will not be auoyded The Lord is euer the same God iust righteous vnchangeable in iudgment and the same sinnes doe euer procure the same iudgements Did the Lord strike the Corinths some with feeblenesse some with sicknesse and some with death because of their vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament and shall wee thinke to escape It cannot be Their iudgements must we lay to heart and be warned by them Reason 2 Secondly the consideration of Gods iudgments should make vs come prepared vnto this ordinance because they are insufferable and intollerable Heb. 12. vlt. Our God is a consuming fire If man will not turne he wil whet his sword and make ready his bow and the sinner shall not escape This is cleared by the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes where he sayth Heb. 10.28 29. that If he that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy vnder two or three witnesses Of how much sorer punishment shall he be worthy which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God counteth the Bloud of the Newe Testament as an vnholy thing and so despites the spirit of grace Where hee shewes that Gods iudgements must needes be heauie vpon such as abuse this holy ordinance by comparing their sinne with those that despised Moses Law Vse 1 And surely this may serue to discouer the wonderful hardnes of their hearts For reprofe that are no whit mooued with Gods iudgements vpon others nor those fearefull threatenings that are dayly denounced against themselues nothing can terrifie them from sinning It fareth with such as with the Sonnes in law of Lot when Lot spake vnto them he seemed vnto them as if he had mocked They are ready still to skinne ouer the deadly woundes of their Soules with peace peace and secure themselues against the iudgment to come Poore soules their damnation doth not sleepe the Lord will one day visit for these things and pay and repay tribuâ—ation anguish and sorrow vpon â—hem when hee shall come to make good his threatnings and â—ccomplish his iudgements vpon them which will prooue so much the more intollerable by â—ow much the lesse they euer â—eared them Vse 2 Secondly this may serue to â—dmonish vs all in the feare of God For instruction that we doe not lightly eâ—â—eeme of Gods iudgements eiâ—her executed vpon others or â—hreatened against our selues â—ut make this vse of them that â—hey may inforce vs vnto good â—ueties and binde vs vnto obeâ—ence I confesse that this ought â—ot to be the
haue a Quarrell to another Euen as Christ forgaue you euen so do eye And aboue all things put on loue which is the bonde of perfection Where the holy Ghost doth require vs that wee would make it manifest to our selues others â—hat we are the elect of God and â—hat the loue of God is shed into our hearts that wee haue tasted of the Lords mercy towards our own Soules in particuler for the pardon of our sinnes Which we â—hall doe by shewing our selues â—eady and willing to forgiue others as wee haue founde the Lord both ready and willing to forgiue vs. And to this end hath the Lord ordained this Sacrament of his Supper that it might bee a feast of loue and a band or chaine to knit vs fast one vnto another Wherefore not vnfitly is this Sacrament called the Communion to shew that there would bee a holy and blessed agreement amongst those that come therevnto that they come in loue with one hart mind euen as one man as the Apostle teacheth We that are many are one bread one body because wee are all partakers of one bread Reasons to proue the necessitie of loue And to prouoke vs vnto this duty consider First it is Gods commandement that we should loue one another This is his commandement that we should loue one another 2. Ioh. 5 Secondly it is a marke or cognisance by the which wee are known to be Christs Disciples Ioh. 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye loue one another Thirdly we come all to one Table drinke of the same Cup eate of the same bread and so professe the communion of Saints to be amongst vs. Fourthly It is a certaine marke â—nd most euident signe that wee are translated from darkenesse vnto light 1. Ioh. 3.10 from death vnto â—ife euen our loue to the bretheren And last of all this is that grace that seasons all other the gifts â—nd graces of God And as Iosephs brethren were welcom for Beniamins sake euen so are all duties accepted for Loues sake otherwise what will it profit a man to heare to reade to pray receiue the Sacrament c yea though he should giue his body to the fire 1. Cor. 13 14. that it burned and had not loue it shoulde profit him nothing Vse 1 Seeing then that loue is so excellent a gift grace of God as that it ministreth vnto vs the certaine assurance of our election that wee are the Sons of God that it is it that seasons all our actions in Gods seruice and makes all duties accepted to God or man Oh how shoulde this cause vs to labour for this excellent grace Col. 3.12 that we Put on tender mercy kindenesse humblenesse of minde meekenesse long Suffering c and aboue all things Loue the bond of perfection otherwise we â—ot exspect any fruit or comfort â—n the vse of this Sacrament or â—ny other the ordinance of God Vse 2 Secondly Seeing loue and Charitie with man is so necesâ—â—ry to the due receiuing of this â—acrament This may serue to â—eproue those that are growne â—uen rustie with rancor and maâ—ce towards their bretheren that â—ake euery small occasion or â—espasse occasion sufficient of â—llings out amongst them such â—en deceiue themselues and â—â—eir owne Soules if they looke â—r any benefit or comfort in this â—acrament Obiect Obiect I did him noe wrong â—e wronged me and if he would â—me and confesse his fault I â—â—ould forgiue him but I will â—uer seeke vnto him But marke this is the flesh and the Deuill and as yet thou hast taken counsell of none but them Answ Christ will teach thee another lesson If thou remember that thy brother hath ought against thee c. Mat. 5.23 stand not vpon such tearmes but goe thou to him looke not for him to come to thee first and seeke reconciliation with him hereby thou shalt heape coales of fire vpon his head Otherwise with what hart cansâ— thou pray forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespassâ— against vs. Doest thou not pray the Lord to hasten thy destruction and no way to forgiue thee in asmuch as thy heart is shut vp against thy brother whereas in deede wee are taught to loue ouâ— very enemies after the Examplâ— of Christ who prayed for hâ—â— Enemies thus vnto his Father Father forgiue them they wot not what they do Luk. 23.35 Act. 7. vlt. And that of Stephen Lord lay not this sin to their charge Oh this this is the truth let vs then acknowledge it And this is the way let vs then walke in it otherwise let vs not looke â—o reape peace vnto our Soules â—or comfort by any of Gods ordinances And thus Beloued you haue â—cene the necessitie of a Christiâ—n mans preparation The Conclusion before hee â—omes to this holy Sacrament You haue seene againe â—he Subiect of it not another â—ut a mans selfe And last of all â—ou haue seene wherein this duâ—y doth consist Now if wee finde our selues â—urnished with some competent â—easure of Knowledge Faith Repentance and Loue as you haue heard all which are required to the due receiuing of this Sacrament wee may then with comfort come vnto it And howsoeuer these graces bee in vs but in part and in much weakenesse yet if we be humbled for our wants and desire to increase in our Knowledge to be strengthened in our Faith to bee bettered in our Repentance c. Heere we are called to the liuing Fountaine from whence we may looke to haue supply made vnto all our wants But if on the contrary part vpon examination we find our selues altogether ignorant of God and his Son Christ and the meanes of our redemption that we haue not our harts truely touched with our sinnes and that we are not at peace with men better not come for this were but to abuse so holy an ordinance to mocke God to his face and to stirr him vp to wrath against vs. And by this that hath beene sayde it may appeare that few come worthily and prepared as they ought but ignorantly and for custome sake to the great dishonor of God and abuse of so holy an ordinance And thus much concerning the preparation that is to be made by euery faithful communicant the participation follows which we referre to another time Let vs pray The Third Sermon 1. Cor. 11.28 Let a man therefore examine himselfe And so let him eate of that Bread and drinke of that Cup. WHen wee haue Examined our soules and prepared our harts and bring the true VVedding garment of Knowledge Faith Repentance and Loue then wee are to come to this holy banquet and feast of our soules And so let him eat of that bread and drinke c. Heere we haue the act of Receiuing to be perfourmed by the true Communicant his taking and receiuing of the Bread and the Wine In which action we note 1. The Duety it selfe