DIRECTIONS FOR THE Right Receiving OF THE Lords Supper Drawn up by way of Question and Answer for the Use and Benefit of the younger sort especially the Citizens of Exeter By J. B. Whosoever Eateth my Flesh and Drinketh my Blood hath Eternal life and I will raise him up at the Last Day Joh. 6. 54. With Allowance London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns over against the Great Conduit at the lower end of Cheapside 1679. DIRECTIONS FOR THE Right Receiving OF THE Lords Supper Question TO whom doth the Sacrament of the LORD's SVPPER belong Answer Not to the unworthy but to the worthy Q. Who are unworthy Guests at the Lords Table A. All grosly Ignorant and openly Scandalous Q. Why are all grosly Ignorant to be kept back from the Sacrament A. Because being Ignorant they want an eye to discern the Lord's Body a Hand to receive him and a Mouth to feed upon him and therefore in so coming they eat and drink Judgement to themselves 1 Cor. 11.29 Q. Why are openly Scandalous to be kept from the Sacrament A. Because such in presuming to touch such holy things with unholy hearts lips and lives they dishonour and provoke God pollute and prophane his Ordinance grieve and make sad the Godly and make themselves guilty of Murdering Christ and Dâ—mning their own souls 1 Cor. 11.27 Q. Who are grosly Ignorant A. Such as are ignorant of the Nature Ends and Use of the Sacrament and not able to give a Reason of their Faith and hope to be saved 1 Pet. 3.15 Q Who are openly Scandalous A. Such as live and lye Impenitently in a course of Sinning and by their speeches and practices give just offâ—nce to any of the Godly 1 Cor. 10.32 33. Thus of such as are unworthy Guests to come to the Lords Table Q. Who are worthy Communiâ—ants Worthy Communicants A. Such as are willing and in some measure able to give a Reason of their Faith and Hope to be Saved and whose Conversation is suitable to their Profession Ephes 4.1 Q. Are there any worthy in themselves of this honour A. No but the Lord is pleased to account and accept them so in and for and through the Righteousness of Christ imputed to them Rev. 3.4 And because their desire and endeavour is to walk worthy of and suitable to their profession Ephes 4.1 Col. 2.6 Q. What is required of those that would come as worthy Guests to the Table of the lord A. A Due Preparation before Requisite to a Right Receiving A Right Disposition in and an Answerable Carriage after Q. Why is every one bound Duly to prepare himself A. Because in coming unpreparedly he not only dishonours God and pollutes the Ordinance but makes himself Guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ and eateth and drinketh Judgement to himself 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Q. What is that Preparation that is required A. It is double Habitual and Actual Q. What is Habitual Preparation Habitual Preparation A. The Examination of our selves Whether we have the Habit or Seed of those Graces that do qualifie and fit us for the Sacrament Q. Why is every one to examine whether he have those Graâ—es A. 1. Because this is expresly required 1. Cor. 11.28 2. Because without Examination we cannot come to know the truth of Grace in us nor act our Graces Jer. 8.6 3. Because without a work of grace the Sacrament will be but a Seal to a blank of no benefit but much hurt Q. What are those Graces that we are to examine whether we have them A. They are six 1. Saving Knowledge 2. Faith 3. Repentance 4. Obedience 5. Love and 6. A Holy desire or an Appetite to the Sacrament Q. Why is every one bound to examine whether he have a competent measure of Knowledge A. 1. Because without Knowledge we cannot discern the Lords Body 1 Cor. 11.29 2. Because without Knowledge we cannot please God in the service of him Prov. 19.2 Hos 6.6 3. Because we shall have no salvation but eternal destruction without Knowledge 2 Cor. 4.3 4. 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. Q. What is Knowledge A. It is a sanctified understanding and clear apprehension of those things revealed in the Scriptures Knowledge Defined necessary to our Salvation Joh. 17.3 Q. What are we to examine in and about our Knowledge A. What those things are that we are to know and whether our Knowledge be true Saving Knowledge Q. What are those things that we are to know A. Some things concerning God Things to be known in five heads and concerning our Selves and concerning Christ and concerning the Covenant of Grace and concerning the Sacrament the Seal of the Covenant Knowledge of God in five heads I. Of the Nature of God Q. What are we to know of God A. His Nature Attributes Works Word and Worship Q. What is his Nature A. He is One Infinite Eternal Perfect Incomprehensible Spirit distinguished into three Persons the Father Son and Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 5.7 Q. What is a Spirit A Spirit A. A Substance or Being that cannot be seen Joh. 4.24 Luke 24.39 Q. What is a Person A Person A. A distinct Subsistence or Being having in it the whole God-head and distinguished from another by an incommunicable property Joh. 14.9 10. Heb. 1.3 Q. What are the Attributes of God II. Of the Attributes of God A. Certain essential Properties whereby God is pleased to make himself known unto us who otherwise cannot come to know him Otherwise called his Back-parts Exod. 33.23 Because we can have but an imperfect Knowledge of him as we have of a man when we see him only by his back Q. Of what kind are those Attributes A. They are either Incommunicable or Communicable Q. What are his Incommunicable Attributes A Such as cannot be given to 1. Incommunicable Attributes or found in the Creature as Omnipresence Jer. 23.23 24. Omnisciency 1 Joh. 3.30 Omnipotency Luke 1.37 Immutability James 1.17 Q. What are his Communicable Atâ—ributes A. Such as are given to 2. Communicable Attributes or found in the Creature as Truth Holiness Mercy Justice Exod. 34.6 7. Q. Are these Communicâ—ble Attribuâ—es in God as they are in man A. No In men they are but Qualities in God they are his very Essence Whatsoever is in God is God God is Love it self 1 Joh. 4.2 These Properties are imperfectly in men There are but some Degrees of Mercy Justice c. But in God they are in perfection he is so merciful and just as he cannot be more he is infinite in all perfections Q. What are the Works of God III. Of the Works of God A. His Work before time was His Decree His Works in time Creation and Providence Q. What is the Decree of God Gods Decree defined A. His unchangeable purpose with himself from all Eternity concerning the World and every Creature in it especially Men and Angels their ends and the
is a Rule of Righteousness Secondly When it is Resolute without Doubting as Joshua's was Josh 24.15 And the Reason of it is Because Resolution is the foundation of all Religion And because of the fickleness of our Spirits there being in every one of us the same seeds which there are in others of apostatizing from the Living God Thus of Obedience The Tryal of Love Q. WHat is the Fifth Sacramental Grace to be examined before you come to the Sacrament A. It is Love Q. What is that Love you are to examine A. Our Love to God the Father Son and Holy Ghost and our Love to the Saints and to our Enemies Q. What signs have you of your Love to God A. 1. If it be a superlative Love to him above all the World and all the Creatures in it our Nearest and Dearest Relations even Life it self Matth. 22.37 Luke 10.22 Q. How else A. If it be with a fervent Love with all our heart and soul and mind and strength Deut. 6.5 Q. How else A. If it be with a Love of complacency and delight Psal 4.4 6. Psal 73.25 Q. How else A. If it be with a love of Assimulation it makes us like to him Holy as he is Holy 1 Pet. 1.15 Q. How else A. If it be an Obediential Love 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Joh. 5.2 3 4. Q. How else do you know you love God at your Father A. By this that he adopted me for his Child in Christ from all Eternity Ephes 1.5 Joh. 1.37 Q. How else A. By this That when â—he fulness of time was come he sent forth his Son made of a woman and made under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Sons Gal. 4.4 5. Q. How else A. By this That by his Word and Spirit he hath wrought faith in me John 1.12 Q. How else A. By this that I have the nature of my Father and a desire and endeavour to be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 Q. How else A. By this that my Desire and endeavour if to carry my self as a child towards him by studying and labouring to know him and love him and fear him and reverence and obey him and depend on him for all the good I stand in need of for soul and body me and mine this life and a better Psal 9.10 Q. How do you know the truth of your love to his Son the Lord Jesus Christ A. By this that I am willing to receive whole Christ and give up my whole self to Christ Q. How doth it appear that you receive whole Christ A. By this that I receive him on his own terms as my alone Lord Jesus Christ and my alone Mediator King Priest and Prophet Q. How do you know you receive him as your alone Lord A. By my renouncing all other Lords that command besides him and contrary to him and subject my self only and wholly to his command and service Isa 26.13 Q. How do you know you receive him as your alone Jesus A. By this my renouncing my own righteousness and desiring to be found only in his Phâ—l 3.8 9. Q. How do yâ—u know you receive him for your alone Christ A. 1. By this that I am anointed with the same spiritual unction of his Grace 1 Joh. 2.27 2. By this that I labour to observe and perform those offices to which I was anointed sc to be a King to govern my Family a Priest to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices in it and a Prophet to teach and instruct them Rev. 1.6 Q. How do you know that he is your Mediator A. By this that I renounce all other Mediators as Angels and Saints and do whatsoever I do in his Name Mediation and Worthiness Col. 3.17 Q. How do you know you love him as your Prophet A. By this that I am willing to be taught and guided only by his Word and Spirit in my whole conversation and not follow any further than they follow him Joh. 10.4 5. 1 Cor. 11.1 Isa 30.21 Q. How do you know you love him as your Priest A. By this 1. My high prizing of his righteousness above my own accounting all my own as filthiness and but Dross and Dung Isa 64.6 Phil. 3.7 8. Q. How else A. 2. By my continual seeking unto him for all that pardoning purging and sanctifying Grace I stand in need of 1 John 1.6 Q How do you know you love him as your King A. By my desire to know his Laws and yield universal obedience to them Joh. 15.14 my continual fighting his battels against all his and my spiritual enemies 2 Tim. 4.8 and my dependance on him for power and victory over them Col. 2.15 Q. How do you know you give up your wholâ— self to him A. By this 1. My willingness to deny my self take up his cross and follow him Mark 8.34 and 2. By my desire and endeavour to glorifie him both in my soul and body 1 Cor. 6. lâ—st Q. How do you know you love the Holy Ghost A. 1. By this my giving up my self to be his habitation to dwell in and Temple to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices in 1 Cor. 6.19 Q. How else A. By my hearkning to and obeying his call to faith and repentance Isa 30.21 my nourishing and cherishing his holy motions and resisting the temptations of my spiritual enemies 1 Thes 5.19 and 1 Pet. 5.9 Q. How else A. By my living in the Spirit and walking after the Spirit Gal. 5.25 Rom. 8.14 Q. How else A. By my loving frequenting and delighting in those Ordinances wherein he manifests himself his Word and Sacrament Psal 84. 122.1 Q. How else A. By my entring on Duty in his strength Ephes 6.10 and giving him the whole glory of my ability 1 Cor. 15.10 Q. How else A. By still blessing him for those special gifts and graces acts and operations in my soul as saving illumination vocation regeneration consolation supplication and sealing me up to the Day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 Q. How do you know that you love those that are Gods and Christs and the Spirits A. By this that my Love is a Brotherly Love Heb. 12.1 Q. What is that Brotherly Love Love defined A. It is a Fruit of the Spirit in the hearts of the Regenerate whereby they are kindly affectioned one to another being careful to express it by endeavouring the good of others souls and bodies especially the Saints Gal. 6.10 Rom. 12.10 Signs of Love Q. What signs can you give me of the truth of your Love 1 Sign A. 1. The Rise of it When it ariseth from the Love of God to them 1 John 5.1 And the command of God to love them 1 Joh. 4.21 Joh. 15.12 17. Q. How else do you know the truth of your Love 2 Sign A. 2. By the Properties of it Q. What is one Property of true Love A. 1. The Purity of it when it comes from a pure heart 1 Cor. 6.11 1 Pet. 1.22 Q. What is
is Jâ—sus Christ in his Natures I. The Natures of Christ A. The Eternal Son of God who in the fulness of time took to his Divine Nature our Humane Nature and so became God and Man in one Person that so he might be a fit Mediator to go between God and Man and so to reconcile God to Man and Man to God Gal. 4.4 5. Q. Why was he Man A. Because Man had sinned and Justice required that that Nature that had sinned should make satisfaction Q. Why was he Gâ—d A. That so he might be able to undergo the wrath of God due to our sins which a meer man could not do and that his sufferings might be of infinite merit to procure salvation for us Q. What is Jesus Christ to his A. The Only and Alsufficient Remedy The only Remedy because there is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we can be saved Acts 4.12 The Alsufficient Remedy because he is able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God by him Heb. 7.25 26. Q How doth it appear that he is the only Alsuffâ—cient Remedy A. In that he is the alone Mediator II. The Offices of Christ Priest Prophet and King of his Church Q. What is that Office of hâ—s Mediatorship A. That Office whereby he goes between God and Man 1. In General Mediator to reconcile and make peace between God and Man 1 Tim. 2.5 Q. Wâ—at is his Priestly Offiâ—e â— That Office of his Mediatorship whereby he offered up himself a Sacrifice for our sins on the Cross 2. Particular 1. Priest Râ—m 3.24 25. And maketh continual Intercession for us at the Right hand of his Father Râ—m 8.33 34. Heb. 7.24 25. Q. What is his Prâ—phetical Office A. That Office of his Mediatorship whereby he reveals 2. Prophet and makes known his Fathers will to us by his Word and Spirit Joh. 15.15 Act 3. last Q. What is his Kingly Offiâ—e A. That Office of his Mediatorship whereby 3. King having power given him over all things in Heaven and in Earth he exerciseth Government in his Church for the salvation of his people and for the destruction of his and his Churches enemies Matth. 28.18 Psal 45.5 Q. What is the third thing to be known concerning Christ III. The Benefits that come by Christ A. The Benefits that come by him to true Believers Q. What are those Benefits A. The Principal are those in 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made of God to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemptiâ—n The Consequential are those in Rom. 15.13 Joy and Peace in believing Q. What is the fourth thing to be known concerning Christ IV. The means to get Interest in Christ A. The means to get an Interest in Christ and the Benefits that come by him Q. What are those Means A. Faith and Repentance Mark 1.14 15. Q. What is Faith Faith defined A. It is a special and supernatural Gift of God wrought by the Spirit through the Ministry of the Word in the hearts of the Elect whereby we come to know assent unto take and rely only upon the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation Joh. 1.12 Act. 16.31 Q. What is Repentance A. It is a special Gift of God Repentance defined wrought also by the Spirit in the Ministry of the Word arising from the knowledge of and Faith in the mercies of God in Christ working Godly sorrow for sin and a through change of heart and life from the Love and reign of all sin to the life and power of Godliness Acts 26.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Rom. 6.12 13. Thus of the things to be known concerning Christ Q. What are those things that we are to know concerning the Covâ—nant Knowledge of the Covenant in 5 things A. Five things 1. What a Covenant is 2. The Kinds of Covenants 3. The Difference between them 4. The special things promised in the Covenant and 5. How it is confirmed Q. What is a Covenant A. It is a solemn League and contract made between Persons Two at the least I. What a Covenant is wherein they do mutually bind themselves each to other in certain Articles to both their Contents Q. How many kinds of Covenants are there II. The kinds of Covenants A. Especially Two The Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace Q. What is the Covenant of Works The Covenant of Works defined A. That Covenant which God made with our first Parents before the Fall wherein he promised to Adam and his posterity perfect Happiness upon condition of perfect Obedience Gen. 2.16 17. Q. Why is this called the Covenant of Works A. Because it required Works as the Condition of Life Lev. 18.5 Q. Had Adam any power to keep that Covenant A. Adam had power to keep it before the Fall being Created Perfect Eccles 7.29 But since the fall neither he nor any Son of Adam none but only Jesus Christ is able to keep this Covenant being wholly defiled with sin and disenabled to any thing that is good Rom. 8.7 Q. Whether shall any man be judged by the Covenant of Works seeing he hath no power to keep it A. Yes every man and woman that is found out of Christ in a state of unregeneracy seeing God gave them power to keep it but they by their wickedness and unthankfulness lost it Q. What is the Covenant of Grace A. The second Contract The Covenant of Grace defined or agreement which God made with Christ and in him with all the Elect to give them Christ and all that is his even all things pertaining to Life and Godliness and that upon condition of believing 2 Pet. 1.3 4. Psal 84.11 Joh. 3.16 Q. What differences are there between these two the Covenant of Works III. The difference between the Covenants and the Covenant of Grace A. 1. The Covenant of Works was made before the Fall The Covenant of Grace was made since the Fall 2. That promised Life upon condition of perfect Obedience in our own Persons but this upon condition of Faith in Christ 3. That required Obedience but gave no power to perform it bur this gives power to perform it Ezek. 36.26 27. Q. Why is this called The Covenant of Grace A. Because it was nothing but the free Grace of God that made it and that enableth us to keep it Ephes 2.8 9. Q. How is the Covenant of Grace distinguished The Covenant of Grace distinguished into the Old and New A. Into the Old and New Heb. 8.13 Q. Are there then Two Covenants of Grace A. No They are both one and the same Covenant for substance they differ only in respect of the divers dispensations of it Q. What is the Old Covenant of Grace The Old A. The Revelation and Dispensation of it before the Coming of Christ Q. What is the New Covenant The New A. The Revelation and Dispensation of it since the Coming of Christ Q. Wherein do these
it Representeth Christ and his benefits to the Eye and every Sense 1 Joh. 1.1 2. whereas in the Ministry of the Word he is Represented to the Ear only 2. As it is a Seal annexed to the Covenant of Grace 1 Joh. 1.1 2 3. Q. What are the signs in the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine The Signs and the Actions of the Minister and the Receivers in and about them Q. What is signified by the Bread and Wine A. The Body and Blood of Christ Things signified Q. But the Body and Blood of Christ are in Heaven and how then can we receive that being here on earth A. Although we receive Christ truly and really yet not corporally or carnally but spiritually by faith Joh. 6.3 Faith goeth from Earth to Heaven and taketh hold on Christ and the Spirit comes from Heaven to Earth and applyeth Christ unto us 1 Joh. 4.24 Q. But the Papists say the Bread and Wine are transubstantiated or turned into the very body and blood of Christ and therefore we receive him not only Spiritually but Corporally A. That is a false gross and absurd Doctrine contrary to Scripture sense and reason 1. Contrary to Scripture which expresly saith The Heavens must contain him untill the restitution of all things Acts 3.21 And at the last day he shall descend from Heaven with a shout 1 Thes 4.16 2. Contrary to sense for we see and taste nothing but bread and wine 1 Joh. 1.12 And Christs Body and Blood remained distinct from this Bread and Wine when he spake those words This is my Body and 3. Contrary to reason Because Christ having a true Humane Body like to us Heb. 2.14 and 4.15 and being ascended in his body up to Heaven Mark 16.19 he cannot be here on Earth too at the same time for it is contrary to the nature of a body to be in many places at once The signification of the Actions Q. What is signified by the Ministers taking and setting apart the Bread and Wine when he comes to the Table 1. Of setting apart A. God the Fathers setting of his Son apart from all Eternity for our Redemption Heb. 7.26 Q. What is signified by the Ministers action of Consecrating or seeking a Blessing upon the Bread and Wine 2. Of Consecration A. God the Fathers actual sending of Christ and Christs actual performing the great work of Redemption for us Gal. 4.4 Q. What is signified by the Ministers action of Breaking the Bread and Pouring out the Wine 3. Of Breaking and Pouring out A. All the Sufferings of Christ especially the Breaking of his Body and the Shedding of his Blood upon the Cross Heb. 9.14 Q. What is signified by the Ministers Bringing and Offering the Bread and Wine A. God the Father freely offering of Christ 4. Of Bringing and Offering and Christ freely offering of himself with all his Benefits to true Believers Q. What is signified by the Receivers Receiving the Bread and Wine at the hand of the Minister A. His Believing of the truth of what Christ hath done and God hath Promised 5. Of Receiving Q. What is signified by your Eating the Bread and Drinking the Wine A. The Applying of all that Christ hath Done and God hath Promised 6. Of Eating and Drinking to my self in particular so as to say with Thomas Joh. 20.28 My Lord and my God Thus you see what those things are that you are to know that you may come as worthy Guests to the Lords Table The Tryal of the six Sacramental Graces The Tryal of Knowledge Q. WHat is Knowledge Knowledge Defined A. It is a sanctified understanding and clear apprehension of those things revealed in the Scriptures necessary for our salvation Joh. 17.3 Q. What else are you to examine about your Knowledge Signs of Saving Knowledge 1 Sign A. Whether it be a True Sound Soul-saving Knowledge Q. What signs can you give me of that A. 1. One Sign of true saving Knowledge is this That it Prizeth the Knowledge of God in and above all other Knowledge 1 Cor. 2.2 Phil. 3.8 Q. What is another Mark of saving Knowledge A. 2. This 2 Sign That it makes a man to approve of the goodness of what he knows Rom. 7.16 Q. What is another Mark A. 3. That it is unlimited 3 Sign it sets no bounds to it self True Knowledge makes a man willing to let in any light to know whatsoever God will have him to know Acts 9.6 Acts 10.33 Heb. 6.7 Q. What is another Mark A. 4. When it is Experimental 4 Sign so as to make the soul to have sense and feeling of what it knows Phil. 1.9 10. Q. What is another Mark A. 5. When it is a Changing 5 Sign and Renewing Knowledge 2 Cor. 3.18 Rom. 12.2 Q. What is another Mark A. 6. When it is Practical 6 Sign when it makes the soul careful to practise what he knows Acts 9.6 Isa 2.3 Psal 86.11 Psal 119.34 Psal 111.10 Q. What is another Mark A. 7. When it is a Humbling Knowledge 7 Sign so as to make a man to walk humbly with God and the more he knows the more humble he is Prov. 30.2 James 3.13 Job 42.5 6. Q. What is another Mark A. 8. When it is Communicative of it self to others 8 Sign out of a desire of their spiritual good Psal 34.11 Acts 26.29 Q. What is another Mark 9 Sign The Affections that accompany saving knowledge A. 9. When it is affectionate or a heart-affecting knowledge Psal 119.15 16. Q. What are those Affections A. 1. The Fear of God Psal 86.11 Q. What is another A. 2. The Love of God 1 Joh. 4.7 8. Q. What is another A. 3. Affiance in God Psal 9.10 Q. What is another A. 4. Zeal for God Dan. 11.32 Q. What is another Mark of Saving Knowledge 10 Sign A. 10. When it is a Growing or a Persevering Knowledge Phil. 1.9 10. 2 Pet. 3.17 18. Thus of Knowledge The Tryal of Faith Q. WHat is the second Grace to be examined before the Sacrament A. It is Faith Q. What is Faith A. A special and supernatural Gift of God wrought by the Spirit Faith defined through the Ministry of the Word in the hearts of the Elect whereby they come to know and assent unto to take and rely only on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation Joh. 1.12 Acts 16.31 Q. How doth the Spirit work Faith in and by the Ministry of the Word A. Ordinarily he prepares the heart by the Law and worketh it by the Gospel How the Spirit works faith by the Word How the Law prepares the heart for Faith Q. How doth the Ministry of the Law prepare the heart for Faith A. Four wayes 1. By discovering the sinful and miserable condition of man by Nature 2. By convincing him that it is his condition as well as others Joh. 16.8 3. By humbling him under the consideration of it
so the Blood of Christ applyed by faith warmeth the Soul and increaseth the Graces of the Spirit Q. What else are you to Meditate on 2. On the Things signified A. 2. The things signified by the Actions of the Minister and the Receivers in and about the Sacrament and the near resemblances between them As for instance when I see the Minister take and set apart the Bread and Wine Then am I to Meditate on the Love of God the Father in setting apart his Son Jesus Christ from all Eternity for the work of our Redemption Q. What are you else to Meditate on 3. The ugly nature of sin c. A. 3. We are to meditate on The ugly nature of sin that could not be done away but by the shedding of the precious blood of Jesus Christ The Impartial Justice of God the Father in punishing sin in his own Son The Infinite Love of God in giving Christ to be our Surety and accepting him as our surety The Infinite Love of Christ in undertaking the great work of our Redemption for us and in Instituting this Sacrament to put and keep us in remembrance of it Q. What else are you to Meditate on A. 4. The many 4. On the Benefits that come by it and great Benefits that come to true believers by the right Receiving of the Lords Supper Q. What are they A. Amongst others these 1. Communion with Jesus Christ and all his Merits Graces and Purchases 1 Cor. 10.16 2. Power over our Corruptions and increase of our Graces and 3. Enlargement of our comforts in the Assurance of the pardon of our sins and an interest in eternal Life and Salvation by Jesus Christ Q. What is the Third thing required at the time of the Administration of the Sacramâ—nt A. 3. Affection III. Affection That we labour to be feelingly affected with what is represented in the Sacrament with godly sorrow for our sins whereby we have pierced the Lord Jesus Christ And with Joy and rejoycing in the apprehension of the great benefits Signed Sealed up and Exhibitted to us in the Sacrament Q. What is the Fourth thing required at the time of the Administration of the Sacrament IV. Prayer A. 4. Prayer That God who hath Graciously Invited us would Graciously Accept us and help us to carry our selves Reverently Meditate seriously and Affect us heartily with what we go about And bless the Ordinance to those ends to which he hath appointed it The Mortification of our Lusts and the Increase of our Graces The Assurance of perfect Justification and Eternal Salvation by Jesus Christ An Answerâ—ble carriage After the Receiving the Lords Supper Q. WHat is Required After you have Reâ—eived the Sâ—crament A. An answerable Carriage in the Observance and Performance of all those Duties that are required in Publick and in Private Q. What are those Duties that are required in Publick after your Receiving the Sacrament Publick Duties A. 1. To joyn with the Minister and the Congregation in Solemn Thanksgiving for the Infinite Love of God in giving us Jesus Christ And the Infinite Love of Christ in undertaking the great work of Redemption for us and of the Holy Ghost in Signing and Sealing and Exhibiting such great blessings in it For the Opportunity to partake of this Ordinance And for the present Benefit and Comfort which we have found by it Q. What is another Publick Duty A. 2. The Renovation of our Covenant with God of more circumspect humble holy and Heavenly walking with God Q. What is a Third Publick Duty A. 3. A Testification and Expression of our thankfulness to God for the present Soul mercy by shewing mercy to his poor Saints by giving something towards the relief of their necessities 1 Cor. 16.1 2. Q. What is required in Private after you have received the Sacrament Private Duties A. 1. Examination 1. Examination To Examine what Benefit and Comfort we have reaped by being at the Sacrament Whether we have received any more Assurance of Gods Love Peace of Conscience any more strength of Grace and power over Corruption Q. What if we cannot find this what are we then to do A. To search out the cause whether we were not careless in our Preparation before or in our Disposition and behaviour in the time of Receiving and to humble our selves accordingly Q. What if our Conscience tell us that we were not willingly faulty this way but that we endeavoured to prepare our selves to it and behave our selves in it as we ought what are we then to do if we cannot find comfort A. To wait upon God for the discovery of his Love to us Because as Physick doth not presently work nor Meat presently nourish So neither doth the Sacrament alwayes presently comfort but in Gods time Q. What if I find present Benefit and Comfort what is then my Duty A. To give God the Glory of his Grace in it and to labour to walk humbly and watchfully for the future that we do not lose it Q. What is another Duty in Private besides Examination A. 2. Reformation 2. Reformation That we remember to observe and make good all our vows and promises unto God as we expect he should make good his unto us Q. What are those things that we promise to God in the Sacrament A. To walk more holily humbly spiritually and heavenly before God To serve him more faithfully cheerfully and fruitfully To watch more against sin and to resist the motions temptations and occasions of it And to watch more over Grace to cherish the motions of it And to lay hold on all opportunities of honouring God and of doing and receiving good Q. Why is every one to be so careful of remembring and making good his vows and promises of more circumspect walking after the Sacrament A. Because otherwise we cannot expect that God should make good his vows and promises unto us we should but mock with God and deceive our own souls We should deprive our selves of peace and comfort and expose our selves to Gods displeasure for the future For it is better never to vow than not to perform that which we have vowed Eccles 5.4 5. FINIS