we know clearly provoketh God to give us no more light since we improve not what we have CHAP. 3. Self-examination required of all before Partaking THe second inference is that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper being the Communion of Christâ— Body and Blood to the believer then all whoâ— partake are oblidged to prepare for so great a Blessing particularly to examine themselves before they eat I shall therefore by the Lords help First Givâ— some reasons why this Examining a mans self must noâ— be omitted 2. Answer some objections made against it 3 Shew the manner how it ought to be performed And in the last place Point at these heads wherein we are chiefly to examine our selves before we partake For the First The reasons why every man should examine before he eat are these First It 's expresly Commanded 1 Cor. 11. 28. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat Here is no exception of one by another and therefore we should make none It 's not said let a poor ignorant man examine himself but men of knowledge need not it 's not said let a man examine himself the first time he receives only but whensoever he is to eat let him examine himself Therefore the neglect of this one Duty will render a man guilty before God take care how ye enter the work if ye go out of the road in the beginning of the way you shal not easily know where to fall into it again 2. The transaction betwixt Christ and partakers of the Lords Supper is of the greatest importance for a mans soul for either he shal be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord by unworthy receiving or be blessed with the Seal of God for his eternal happiness if he truly receive Christ Therefore previous examination is most necessary 3 It 's Gods great mercy to our souls that he requireth this Duty of examining our selves and therefore should not be lookt upon as a burden but a mean for preventing our ruine for if after examination you find your selves in the bond of iniquity and in the broad way to the Pit It 's your mercy to know it before you feel it Can you in cold blood think it adviseable that the Pit be your first wakening When the unquenchable flames of Gods wrath are about you are ye resolved to understand the state of your soul no other way Can this be the way of Wisdom Can you approve it And if you cannot in your own conscience approve it but knows it to be a sinful and dangerous neglect Why then will you take a young Hell in your breast to the old Why do you prepare such a gnawing Worm as this will be That here is a man who never had so much regard to Heaven or fear of Hell as to enquire which of them he was going to On the other hand if after examination ye shal find any thing of true Grace the least grain of that fine Gold tried in the Fire though covered with much rubbish if any love of Christ and holiness though but as a smoaking Flax would not the comfort aboundantly compense thy pains canst thou deny it If Christ hath given thee grace is it not worth the looking on that thou mayest at least give him thanks for it Search therefore diligently for thou knowest not the many blessings that may attend a conscientious Examination Psal 119. 59. I thought upon my ways and turned my feet to thy testimonies 4. We are naturally inclined to flatter our selves in our iniquity Psal 36. 2. He flattereth himself in his own eyes And if we could to deceive and flatter God with our lips And therefore are obliged to make a diligent search lest we vainly think we stand in need of nothing when we are wretched and naked Rev. 3. 17. We may think that we live and have a name that we live and yet God find us Dead Rev. 3. 1. What woe of woes what a costly delusion to the poor Soul if still among the Dead and at last under the second Death and the poor man has no more to say but I thought I was alive in my Soul and many others thought so of me I thought that I might be as welcome to the Lords Table as any Christian was there I thought my self more upright than many of them my heart said so to me I many times thought their many Prayers Whinings Groanings Doubts and examining themselves was either but Hypocrisie or vain Labour But now iniquity hath found me out cannot now have one hour for the Work I despised night is come I cannot now see how to work Night is come without hope of a Morning Be wise then as to your latter End for the time is at hand when men will need no Examinations you will be all at a point in a few Years and eternally fixed in your Lot 5. If people will not be at pains to examine themselves before a Communion they will easily neglect it at other times and so are apt to live out of this Duty while they live when men become so impudent as to face the Lords Table not observing his Direction and the manner how to approach it the Direction being perremptory But let a man examine himself So that albeit there be a reluctancy to this profitable Duty yet this should constrain to it as we would not profane the holy things of God and when people make Conscience of it though the Sacrament be in its own nature a confirming Ordinance yet this previous examination hath been signally blessed of God being the very time and mean of awakening many out of their secure sleep in their Sins I know many at this day now exemplary in Holiness who can declare that preparation for Communions in their younger years was the very time their hearts were first engaged to Christ and his ways 6. Some without due examination take up an opinion that they have no grace no Title to Christ or his Table and so deprive themselves of that benefit This opinion was not the result of serious Examination but rather a temptation to obstruct both their Duty and Mercy and this becometh both a Sin and snare to them a Sin because they have not followed Gods Directions in knowing the very state of their Souls and a snaâ—e being thereby barred up from their spiritual good therefore this Self examination is most necessary every way Notwithstanding of the many clear and ponderous Reasons for this examining before Partaking of the Lords Supper yet some object against it as First I know my souls condition so well already that I am resolved not to Communicat anâ— therefore it would be to me but an unprofitable toil and therefore I will leave that Work to such as intend to receive Answ By what Rule can or dare ye resolve not to partake before ye take the way of Gods appointment to examine first and then determine Is it not just with God to leave you to your own
Apostle 1 Cor. 13. 12. If I have not charity or love I am nothing And ver 3. Though I give my body to be burned and have not love it profiteth nothing Some of the people of God know well that they take pains in religious Duties but have no comfort in them fearing their diligence floweth not from a principle of Love it would be great joy to them if they were assured that ever they performed any duty by a constraint of the love of Christ and is worth the labour of many years when our searching cometh at length to this issue Lord thou knowest I love thee and no wonder it be most sweet to the soul to know the truth of its love for thereby it may warrantably read and conclude it self beloved of God 1 John 4. 19. We love him because he first loved us Prov. 8. 17. I love them that love me and Joh. 16. 27 the father himself loveth you because ye have loved me This being discovered the Believer may go to God as his exceeding joy Psal 43. 4. What riches or honour like this to be actually interested in the love of God wâ—th what pleasure and confidence may such a man go to the Lords Table knowing that the master of the Feast loveth him And for your help to discover whether ye love the Lord Jesus in sincerity or not take notice of these few things First Christ himself condescendeth to give us help how to resolve this question in proposing to us a sure evidence of love John 14. 23. If a man love me he will keep my words And though this mark appear difficult because of our many failings in keeping of his words yet it will be dangerous to overlook it and may prove a contempt of the mercy that is in such a discovery and a neglect of so gracious a bond to obedience that as we would testifie our love to Christ we must keep his words 2. Hereby Christ also sheweth that a study of obedience and pleasing him will natively flow from love if we love we cannot but endeavour to please the Party beloved his commands will not be grieveous 1 John 5. 3. This is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commands are not grievous Love maketh his yoak easie and pleasing him their delight 1 John 3. 22. We keep his Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight Try if your way be formed for his eâ—e and greatest care to please him whoever else be displeased 3. And when this is become your habitual affectionate eare to please him though there be fuilings yet Christ can discern the sincerity of your love and say you have loved me Joh. 16. 27. He can discern a willing spirit when the flesh is weak though Christ had his Disciples often to reprove yet knowing he had their hearts and that their ordinary care was to obey him He as their good advocat declareth to his Father that they had kept his Word Joh. 17. 6. And they have kept thy word Secondly If ye be lovers of Christ ye will desire his fellowship I sought him whom my soul loveth Cant 3. 1. Their prayers are not only to quiet their conscience that they have not neglected their Duty but they long to be near to him and must seek until they find it was himself they sought and nothing else can supply his room Thirdly True love to Christ is earnest for his love and cannot be quieted without it there is a wonderful boldness in this Grace they aspire to no less than to know that Christs desire is toward them Cant. 7. 10. Then they know they are safe then they know he will not be long from them the desire of their soul being toward him Isa 26. 8. And his desire toward them his favour and love is better than life to them And therefore they cry as Psal 106. 4. Remember me O Lord with the favour that thou bearest to thy people It 's the love that thou hast to thy chosen that is my happiness whatever other mercies I get yet they will all leave me miserable if I have not that favour which is peculiar to thy chosen Lord give me that favour which will at length make me glory with thine inheritance Lord do to me as thou usest to do to those who love thy Name Psal 119. 132. Try what earnestness and wrestlings you ever had for his love or if common mercies or common Gifts of the Spirit be all which you seek after Fourthly If thou be a sincere lover of Christ thou wilt love his honour yea the very place where his honour dwelleth Psal 26. 8. Thou wilt desire his praise may be glorious Psal 66. 2. Sing forth the honour of his Name make his praise glorious As thou art able thou wilt set forth the beauty of Christ to engage others to love and praise him Cant. 5. 10. And if thou lovest him and his glory thou wilt be active in glorifying him thy self Psal 86. 12. I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart I will glorifie thy Name for ever more Put such questions as these to thy own soul Is it on my heart how to glorifie him Do I cry to God in secret for help to glorifie him Is it my rejoycing when he giveth help to do it Have I fear that vain glory be more studied than his glory Am I as much grieved for dishonour to him as dishonour to my wretched self Hath the grace of God so far prevailed that no applause of men is satisfying except I have some testimony in my conscience that I really designed the glory of God That blessed Word of Christs should humble us and make us ashamed of that predominant sin of pride in the World John 8. 50. I seek not mine own glory How great is tâ—e mercy to hear that part of his Image and the victory sweet when it can be said Nor of men sought we glory 1 Thes 2. 6. The want of this love to Gods glory and indulged love to vain glory makes many a poor man lose all his labours in Religion and ther 's no remedy without uprightness of love to God Fifthly Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him 1 John 5. 1. If thou lovest Christ thou will love his Image and where his renewed Image shineth most there thou will love most This is so much regarded that it 's improved for the certainty of mens being passed from Death to Life because they love the brethren 1 John 3. 14. Try then who are the excellent in the earth in thy account try if thou lovest godly persons though mean in the World or if thou art such as can value no man for his godliness except he be rich in the World Try if thou canst love a godly man though he have no great opinion of thee it may be thou deservest no great opinion and should not love him the worse
16. 6. I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood Live I die for thee that thou mayest not die I am come that thou mayest have Life then the Blessing of these who were ready to perish are poured out upon the Ransomer Then as Mic. 7. 18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity The deeper thy Sense of Guilt be being joyn'd with some hope of Mercy thou art in the surer way for the rich Consolations of God they that Sowe in Tears shal reap in Joy the Lord hath appointed the Garment of Praise after the spirit of Heaviness Isai 61. 3. 6 And though thou has no fear of Wrath having ground to hope that thou art Reconciled to God by the Blood of Christ Yet come humbly because thy sins are against such Streams of Mercy runing upon thee and passing by others thou knowest that thou hast never lived Suitable to the Greatness of thy Mercy never fully payed thy Vows never Glorified God in body and spirit as it became one not his own but Bought with a Price much is required of thee because much is given thee let the Sense of this go deeper in thy heart for if hope of Pardon make thy sin easie thou has cause to suspect both thy self and thy hope There are no Convictions should be more humbling than foolish requiting of the Lord and no Grief more grieving than grieving of his Spirit who minded our griefs and knew our Souls in adversities Thou will not want Matter of humbling to take with thee to the Lords Table and need of Renewed Application of that Precious Blood If thou open thine eyes to see thy way Jer. 2. 23. 7. Come humbly in the Sense of thy sin that thou mayest value the least of Mercy and the very Crumbs that fall from his Table and if such a full Cup of Consolation be not poured out to thee as to others or as at other times to thy self yet to Justifie God in thy heart not thinking thou hast hard measure not wondering if he hide his face from thee but rather wondring if it shine upon thee considering thy Provocations This true Sense of thy unworthiness will make thee think O that I may have a Cup of Salvation when I go to his Table whether it be a Cup of present Consolation or not And that thou may'st approach with some humbling sense of thy sin Consider that there must be some more deadly poison in sin than we do apprehend when no less doth expiate the guilt than that Blood which is called the Blood of God that no other Sacrifice nor Offering could avail Study O Christian to know more of the demerit of sin the greatness of the Justice of God that would accept of no other Atonement and the greatness of thy deliverance if thou art now a Believer that the weight of wrath is not come upon thee And think with thy self thou by thy sins pierced him thou brought blessed Jesus to sweat these drops of Blood thou pressed on him with the weight of thy sins until he cryeth out My GOD my GOD why hast thou forsaken me Canst thou want a humbling sense of sin and think this was for thee Canst thou yet mind it and not mourn What hateful hearts have we that are not more pierced with the piercing of Christ and a wonder if many of us find an interest in that Death wherewith we are so little concerned 2. Be Particular and Impartial in searching out the Aggravations of thy Sin from thy Youth up and when convictions arise in thy Conscience choke them not but intertain them as a Mercy until they be ripened for gracious humbling Thou may'st soon lay aside thy convictions but not so soon take them up again it may be God gave thee the mercy of many Convictions but thy love to sin has mastered them all that now thy Conscience lets thee sin with ease being seared and thy heart hardned and no wonder for many wakenings of Conscience that still end in security makes our hearts as the Iron many heats and many cools makes the Iron harder 3. But when none of thy Meditations or Convictions can soften thy heart but thou can behold thy sin and not grieve and often confess it yet canst not mourn never get thy heart poured out to God except some weight of Affliction press thee and then thou wilt pour out a prayer when the Lord is chastening thee and when thy affliction is over the pouring out of thy heart is at an end I say when nothing prevaileth with thy obdured heart yet bless God that there is a promised spirit of mourning Zech. 12. 10. They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shal mourn Cry to God for this help that thou may'st go to this blessed Ordinance as is expressed Jer. 50. 4. going and weeping and verse 5. joyn thy self to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant CHAP. V. Communion with Christ should be known before Partaking The fourth Inference IF that the worthy Receiver at the Lords Table obtain the Communion of his Body and Blood then Communicants are obliged to understand what that is which is called Communion with Christ before they Partake lest they be found ignorant of it when they Partake Consider then that true Communion with Christ being the happiness and honour of all who obtain it meriteth the greatest seriousness to know how sinful Mortals partake of it And though it be wonderful yet the exceeding riches of free Grace hath made it sure for Believers have the priviledge of entering into the holiest by the blood of Jesus and so obtain a more gracious nearness to God than those who remain only in the outer Court and that this may appear for the incouragement of those who still retain a value for it but fears that this fellowship is reserved wholly for a better life I shal by the help of God shew first that Believers in this life partake a peculiar and intimate fellowship with Christ Secondly It 's preparatory Antecedents whereby they are brought unto it And Thirdly Wherein it consisteth and the way how it 's enjoyed so far as God giveth to understand it I can promise the Reader no more For the First This blessed Communion with the Lord is not only Commanded both in the Old and New Testament Micah 6. 8 walk humbly with thy God Joh. 15. 4. Abide in me I in you so is made the plain Duty of the People of God to seek after it but is also promised Psal 140. 13. The upright shall dwell in thy presence Joh. 14. 23. We will come unto him and make our abode with him So that Believers may expect success to their Prayers and endeavâ—urs after Communion with God For faithful is he who hath promised Heb 10. 23. Secondly The near Union that is between Christ and Believers doth undeniably prove this Communion he being the Head and Believers the Body supplied in every part by the Head
Duty must be performed immediately Nehemiah must now speak there was no Deferring of his Answer but he appeareth Self Deemed not daring to Trust his own Understanding and therefore must needs go to God with it what shall I speak he had been at this time an accomplished Courteour and Favourite and admitted near the King's Person yet he will not Trust his Parts or Elocution but he will Trust his God here also is another profitable Example that when men are clearly called to speak either before few or many and have not time to premeditate yet there ought to be a serious humble looking up to God for his Assistance what ever be mens Station in the World no doubt Humility is a Mother of many Prayers and if this Example were followed how Blessed a Help would it be for frequent Remembring God these are but a taste of the many Occasions we have for these short Ejaculatory Prayers which will do hurt to no mans other concerns in the World but are a great Help to Communion with God CHAP. VI. Pertinent Meditations in the time of Communicating The fifth Inference SEing such Blessed and near Communion with Christ may be obtained at the Lord's Table then Communicants should prepare for entertaining Communion with him in the time of that Solemnity after serious preparation great Diligence is necessary that this Holy Ordinance be managed on our part in an acceptable manner that we may find it a true Communion with Christ suitable to it's name and of all Communicants they have the most peculiar advantage who are acquainted with Communion with God before they come to the Lord's Table for except there be some admirable work of power and Mercy men will surely profane the Sacrament who have their Fellowship with Christ then to begin not knowing how to receive Christ when they receive these Sacred signs or how to Feed upon him I say without some great work of God's Mercy for we must still leave place for Soveraign Power and Mercy who can not only Confirm such as have doubted of their Fellowship with God but even then give it a Beeing which had no Beeing before and in one day or hour give both Faith and Fellowship with God yet this is no Warrant for any to presume without endeavouring both Faith and Fellowship before they come to the Lord's Table It should also be remarked that many godly persons find themselves at a great loss when they come to the Lord's Table by not knowing how to act their part distinctly in Communicating and though they have made some Conscience of Preparation before yet complains they act but confusedly in the very time of the Solemn Action which doth much obstruct their Peace and Comfort yea though they dare not Charge themselves with Hypocrisie as to their desires for Communion with Christ or that they were altogether inconcern'd in Partaking yet not knowing what Meditations were most suitable in the time of Partaking and wandring from one thought to another without fixing on that which was most proper for the work do often fall into impertinecies alien to the great work in hand which being Reflected upon giveth such a Wound to their Conscience that the day or hour which should have been the time of their great Joy is turned into Grief and Complaints and that which will appear strange unto Strangers to these things that some find more dificulty to be Composed in their minds in the very time of that Solemnity than they found before they came to it whereby they are Surprised and fall into great Consternation that when the Soul should have been most United Fixed and elevated for Communion with Christ that than their thoughts should be a gathering though possibly the things they were thinking of were Pious and Good in themselves but altogether unseasonable such would Consider that Feeding on Christ is so excellent and profitable for the Soul and so Destructive for Satan's Interest that no Devices or Temptations will be wanting to frustrat that Profite and therefore should be Guarded against not onely to Resist Temptations in the time or any thing Impertinent to the Work in hand but withall before we come to Partake this should have a peculiar Consideration how we should Act in the time of that Solemn Action and who knoweth but the Neglect of this part of Preparation may provock God to let us find our own Weakness to our Grief if we be so proud as to think we can Act the Most Solemn part of the Work of our selves without any Preparation therefore it will be found our Duty both to Pray and Meditate before hand how to be Employed in the time of Receiving and such are in a special manner concerned to notice this who have Smarted already for it's Neglect complaining that God had Deserted them for no other reason but because of their Impertinent wandring at the Lord's Table And for your help in this part of the Work how to Act your part of this Holy Communion I shall propose by the Lord's help a few things to your Consideration I say how to Act lest any should say there 's no Acting required of us but only Receiving but such would Consider that our Receiving of Christ is the Acting of Faith as is clear from John 1. 12â— Wherein also Love to our Blessed Redeemer must be Acted so that we must Act our part in this Holy Communion if we expect the Benefite for which also we should be active in Praises First Then when we are to enter on this Blessed Duty we should humbly request for the Lord's Asistance and Presence with us that our hearts may be Established by his Grace and kept closs to the Work this should be done were there never so many about you 2. It 's necessary also that what the Lord sendeth by his Messengers for clearing the Nature of the Sacrament be Diligently hearkened unto and I do the rather mind you of this because some do then shut their ears from attending to any thing spoken being wholly taken up with thoughts of their own I am not yet speaking of the very Instant of Receiving for at that time People must be exercised with their own Meditations and should not be diverted with many Words but that which I say is that before the Sacred Action be engaged some take a liberty to Neglect all they hear attending only to their own secret thoughts and debates but this is not the seasonable Work for if it be Ministers Duty to Preach and open up the Nature of the Sacrament and teach the Duty of communicants then it 's the Peoples Duty to hearken not knowing but the Lord will Direct that unto them which may either clear their present Doubts or set them on some more seasonable Work than that wherewith they are at present Exercised 3. When ye are entering the Work labour to come to it cheerfully and thankfully Blessing God you have so Blessed a Work to go to as actual Solemn
required for its Celebration for every Partaker was to be sanctified unto the Lord 2 Chron. 30. 17. But some had not cleansed themselves yet did they eat the Passover otherwise than it was written ver 18. But Hezekiah prayed for them that the Lord would pardon such as prepared their hearts to seek God though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary ver 19. And the Lord hearkned to Hezekiah and healed the people ver 20 Whereby we may see that sins of that Nature are pardoned when sincerely acknowledged and application made unto the tender mercies of God The knowledge of this is necessary for some who fear their condemnation is inevitable because of their not Communicating aright but by these Scriptures ye may see that all shall not be condemned who have been guilty by sins of that nature where Repentance is there is remission of sins by Christ giving both together Acts 5. 31. CHAP. X. Communicants obliged to review their Communicating The 9th Inference THis Ordinance being the Communion of Christ's Body and Blood then after Partaking Communicants are obliged to try if they have obtained that blessed Communion Consider 1 The Reasons why this should be tried and 2. A few helps how to perform it All Communicants should seriously examine the way of their own hearts when they did Partake because First It was our blessed Redeemer's way after the first Celebration of this Sacrament to set the Communicants in this Road of searching themselves whether they did then believe or not Joh. 16. 31. Do ye now believe This was demanded of them when they had but lately risen from the Lord's Table and therefore is a question that Communicants ought to put to themselves and obliged to have a ready Answer as these Communicants had which is the more to be noticed that after they had declared their Faith ver 30. Yet ver 31. Christ urgeth it again that they may be deliberat and know well what they say when they say they believe Secondly Our Communicating should be carefully reviewed lest we did eat and drink unworthily otherwise we shal be found despisers of that important warning 1 Cor. 11. 27. That such as eat and drink unworthily are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Men have neither a due fear of the anger of God nor regard to their own souls who having partaken think there is no more to be done not so much as to enquire whether they came from the Lords Table guilty of his Body and Blood or not for the best of men should take notice of the great regard God hath to Sealing Ordinances The First thing we find Godly Hezekiah considering after the Celebration of the Passeover 2 Chron. 30. 18. Is the transgression of the people who did eat the Passeover otherwise than it was Written for whom he prayed and the Lord mercifully answered his prayer Thirdly If the pains thou did take in preparation before Partaking was sincere that thou might have a blessed meeting with Christ then the same principle will lead thee to enquire if he did meet with thy Soul for no man can be said to be earnest for that which he will not so much as observe if it be found if Communion with Christ was the desire of thy Soul then it will be thy desire now to be secured of it that thou may'st say I sought and found him whom my soul loveth Cant. 3 4. Fourthly If thou shalt find after searching that thou did obtain real spiritual Communion with Christ this will make thy Thanksgivings sincere this will be a mean to endear thy soul to Him and increase thy Love which thou knowest hath need to be encreased when thou has it to say he came and manifested himself to thy Soul did draw the in to his Fellowship fed thee with the hidden Manna whereby thy Soul was revived canst thou then but Love and seek to have thy heart enlarged for more Love This will also endear thy heart to this holy Ordinance wherein thou found Him this will make thee forward in seeking occasions for it hereafter because there the Lord appeared unto thee This will help thee to be a good example to others who are negligent in seeking after it this will be a mean to endear to thee the Promises to thee the Lord promised to come and bless his people where he recorded his Name thou has found it even as he hath said his Words be true now thou knowest it to be a meer Temptation to doubt of his Promise or think that it faileth now thou canst say I will no more distrust any offer that Christ maketh of himself to a poor Sinner for as he offered so I did embrace and am not disappointed now thou canst Sing by experience as Psal 33. 21. For our heart shall rejoyce in him because we have trusted in his holy Name Be perswaded then of the clearness and necessity of this Duty to review thy work at the Lord's Table that thou may'st know what to conclude of thy self whether thou may'st safely take comfort to thy Soul as a sincere and accepted Communicant or not for a mistake here is dangerous if on the one hand thou judge thy self a worthy Communicant and thy self but a stranger to Christ this will harden thy heart in Sin and render thee obstinate against all necessary admonition and reproof and thus you may go on adding to your guilt at every Communion and remain impenitent ye thinking it improper for you to repent for any sinful Communicating on the other hand it 's also dangerous for you to conclude your selves unworthy Communicants without sure grounds or ever searching into the matter for thus you may deny the grace freely given you and belie the operations of the holy Ghost and thus ye may deny God the glory due to him for his mercies and cast your own souls into perplexing diquiet and bondage therefore there is much need to be guided of God in this Search And for the clearing of this a little we are to Consider both how it was with our Souls in the time of Communicating and with what impressions and help we come from that work as for our work in the time of that Solemnity albeit by the Word of God it may be declared how Communicants should act and if they have so acted then they are not unworthy Communicants yet no man can discover the internal acts of other mens souls whether they have acted as they should or not none can know that but God and mens own consciences Therefore when ye are to try your sincerity at the Lords Table the Word of God must be your Rule the spirit of God your Guide and your own Conscience a Witness for the utmost that can be said by men is Conditional that is if you have acted suitable to the nature of the Work if you have embraced Christ c. Then you are accepted and not unworthy Communicants 2. VVhen Communicants are
took bread and blessed it Thirdly after it 's blessed it remaineth still bread the Apostle doth not say the Body which we break but the Bread which we break now the Bread is not broken before but after it 's blessed for he took bread and blessed it and brake and the Apostle saith expresly it's Bread which is broken but if after the blessing or consecration the bread were transubstantiated into the natural Body of Christ then the Apostle had said the Body which we break sure the Apostle knew what name to give it having received of the Lord what he delivereth and what can be more plain than that it 's still Bread when it 's broken which is after it's consecration this breaking of the bread is so material a part of the institution that the whole of the Sacrament bears its name called the breaking of bread Acts 2. 42. The breaking of Christs precious Body being thereby signified Christ requireth this discerning of his Body broken saying this is my body which is broken for you 1 Cor. 11 24 and the breaking of the bread must be Sacramentally and publlckly performed in sight of the Communicants for their instruction as in the first Celebration And in the last place the sincere Believer in eating of this bread according to Christ's institution doth by Faith receive himself hath special Communion with him and partakes the benefits and purchase made through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Heb 10 10 This is the Sacrifice he came to give when no other could do and therefore it's memorial should be always fragrant Many pertinent Doctrines may be here observed both from the scope and words of this Text but I shal name only this one Doct. The worthy receiver at the Lords Table hath Communion with Christ in partaking the benefit of his precious blood and broken Body From this great and comfortable truth these ten inferences following appear native which shal be the subject matter of the ensuing Discourse First inference the celebration of the Lords Supper being an holy transaction between Christ and Believers wherein they have the Communion of his Body and blood then the Doctrine of Christ concerning himself what he is what he hath done and suffered should be firmly believed as a foundation for our partaking of this blessed Communion 2. Inference the Lords Supper being the Communion of Christs body and blood to the believer then all who partake are obliged to prepare for so great a blessing particularly to examine themselves before they eat 3. This blessed Ordinance of Christ being the Communion of his body and blood Then Communicants are to approach it with a humble sense of their sin as needing the vertue of that precious blood 4. The worthy Receiver obtaining the Communion of Christs body and blood Then Communicants are obliged to understand what that is which is called Communion with Christ before they partake 5. Seing such blessed near Communion with Christ may be obtained at the Lords Table then Communicants should prepare for entertaining communion with him in the very time of that Solemnity 6. This blessed Ordinance of the Lords Supper being the communion of Christs body and blood then believers are obliged to have a sincere desire to partake of so great a mercy 7. This holy Ordinance being the Communion of Christ body and blood Then believers should approach it with Faith and expectation of this blessed Communion with Christ 8. Seing so great a benefit as the Communion of Christs body and blood may be had in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Then Christians are obliged to endeavour the removal of all objections and stumbling blocks that stand in the way to obstruct their partaking of this benefit 9. This holy Sacrament being the Communion of Christ's body and blood Then after partaking Communicants are obliged to try if they have obtained that blessed Communion 10. This holy Ordinance being the Communion of Christ's body and blood Then Communicants are obliged to live suitable to so great a benefit and testifie their gratitude by an holy walk and conversation CHAP. II. The Doctrine of Christ Crucified must be believed by Communicants The first Inference THe celebration of the Lords Supper being an holy transaction between Christ and Believers wherein they have the Communion of his body and blood then the Doctrine of Christ concerning himself what he is what he hath done and suffered should be firmly believed as a foundation for our partaking of this blessed Communion For if the Doctrine unto which this Sacrament belongeth and whereupon it dependeth be doubted such also will our partaking be not in faith but doubting therefore all concerned who have a due value for their Souls are to labour for fixedness in the great Gospel truths concerning Christ and the way of obtaining Communion with him I shal God willing make this appear in this Chapter and conclude it with a few words of advice to such Communicants as have most need of greater establishment in the truth Consider first that mens professing of Gospel truths is not sufficient proof that they believe these truths for many profess that which they do not believe having no firm perswasion of these truths in their own minds but stand yet in need of being taught which be the first principles of the oracles of God even after such profession and opportunities of knowledge that they might have been teachers of others Heb. 5 12. 2. Nor is want of doubts concerning these truths sufficient evidence that they are firmly believed for the want of doubts doth not always proceed from fixedness in Faith but sometimes from being unconcerned whether the Doctrine be true or false not being so serious as either to believe or doubt 3. Nor is it sufficient that people have an implicite Faith in what concerneth their Salvation because their teachers instruct them so and they so receive having nothing against it because men may be easily shaken out of that sort of Faith and therefore we are to receive the Doctrine of Christ 1 Thes 2 13 not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God Particularly first if we do not believe there was and is a Christ we cannot converse with him for who can seek Communion with one of whose very being they doubt Would to God all professed Christians believed in heart firmly that there is a Christ as our merciful God hath given us full evidence for our belief 2. If we do not believe that he is God and man God manifest in the flesh we cannot have Communion with him as such and if we have not Communion with him as such then we have not Communion with the true Christ the Mediator and sent Saviour of the World 3. If we do not believe that he really died then we can have no Communion of his Body and Blood Not believing that his Blood was shed 4. If we do not believe that this his Death
thy former ways as well as present otherways there may be unpardoned Guilt upon thee for former sins Psal 79 8. Remember not against us former sins And Psal 25. 7. Forgive the sins of my youth Try what way thou hast taken for the pardon of them lest as Lam. 3 42. thou find we have transgressed thou hast not pardoned Consider also what the Lord did for thee what he wrought in thee in the days of thy youth that though thou be not now as lively as then yet thou must be excited to cry unto God as Job 29. 4. O that it were with me as in the days of my youth when the Secret of God was upon my tabernacle and though thy declinings should be bitter to thee yet try if it did convincingly ever appear thou wast the Planting of the Lord a tree of righteousness bringing forth fruit unto holiness for If it was so though the Tree appear to be cut down as Job 14. 7 There is hope of a tree if it be cut down that it will sprout again and vers 9. through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant gather what thou canst safely of this nature that thou mayest yet hope to sing as in the days of thy Youth for trees of righteousness never utterly decay both root and branch 9. When thou has not only thy souls Condition and way to Examine whether advancing or backsliding from the ways of God but the very State of thy Soul whether under the Dominion of Sin or Grace and must draw some Conclusion from the whole of thy Examinations for thou art allowed to Judge 1 Cor. 11. 31. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged Then take care that rash Judgment proceed not look to God that thy Sentence come from before him it being of great moment what thou mayest safely judge of thy self and particularly for clearing thy Right to the Lords Table Delusions being the Ruine of most men The fourth thing to be considered is what we are to Try and Examine and the things that I conceive to be the most necessary are 1. Our knowledge 2. Our Faith 3. Our Love 4. Our Repentance and 5. Our Obedience As to our Knowledge 1. It 's necessary we have some measure of Knowledge of the Lord Himself 2. His Covenant 3. Of the Sacrament it self particularly how to Discern the Lords Body Ye are first to Try your Knowledge of God in Christ for though it be a small Portion of him we can know yet we must know or perish 2 Thess 1. 8. Christ is coming to render Vengeance to them who know not God This Knowledge of God we must have by Jesus Christ for the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God is in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. We cannot transact with him in this Ordinance if we be Ignorant of him 1 John 1. 6. For if we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie Therefore some competency of Saving Knowledge we must have lest we be found Children of Darkness yet 2. In Examining this think not to find a Knowledge unto Perfection for that which is Perfect is to come 1 Cor. 13. 10. And when that is come all that is in that Infinite Divine Majestie can never be be known by us or finite Creatures We are apt vainly and some times Presumptously to desire such a knowledge as is Gods peculiar Prerogative perfectly to know himself and too often more curious to know what we cannot know than what we should and may know how silencing to all flesh should be Exod. 3. 14. I AM and though all Creatures be incapable of a comprehensive knowledge of that Glorious Immense being yet 3. Great shal be our mercy to apprehend aright of him if your conceptions of him be suitable to the Revelations he hath given of himself in his VVord content thy self with these lest thou wander in thy Imaginations and lose thy self in Aspiring further 4. Do not conclude thou knowest nothing of him because thou knowest not as thou wouldest or knowest not as thou a Believer shalt hereafter 5. Yet try if thou art sure that though weakly yet it is certainly the Lord himself thou knowest this is a greater attainment and mercy then many think to have the Soul delivered from fear of delusion in it's apprehensions of God These words Jer. 24. 7. are of great Consideration I will give them a heart to know me that I am the Lord. These people had long professed the Knowledge of God and yet need to know that he is the Lord. 6. To be sure of thy knowledge try what Impressions have the Divine Attributes made on thy Soul what effects attend thy knowledge Psa 9. 10. They that know thy name will put their trust in thee Try also if thy practice can prove thy knowledge Jer. 22. 15. 16. Thy father did judgment and justice he judged the cause of the poor then it was well with him was not this to know me saith the Lord v. 7. In a special manner try if Christ hath manifested himself to thee if thereby thou has been enabled to Behold him and in Beholding transformed into the same Image 2 Cor. 3. 18. Be particular with thy Conscience to have an account wherein that Blessed Image doth appear 2. VVe must try what knowledge we have of the Covenant of Grace Because First This Ordinance of the Lords Supper is one of it's Seals for here we have the New Testament in his Blood and this blood is the Blood of the Covenant Heb. 13. 20. The blood of the everlasting Covenant therefore the Seal shal be profained if there be no knowledge of that gracious Transaction and Covenant unto which it is a Seal 2. VVe are obliged actually to renew our Covenant with the Lord when we partake of this Ordinance for we are to embrace Christ according to the Terms of his Covenant Receiving of Christ and joyning our selves to the Lord is the very Substance of the VVork which cannot be performed if we be Ignorant of the Covenant for who can take hold or joyn in a Covenant whereof he is utterly Ignorant and the man who taketh not hold of the Covenant cannot have a right to the Seal try then particularly First If ye know the chief Articles of the Covenant if ye know the Difference betwixt doing as the Condition of the Covenant of VVorks and believing as the Condition of the Covenant of Grace try if you believe this great Gospel truth in your heart that whosoever believeth shall not perish â—ohn 3. 16. 2. And that the Covenant of Grace requireth perfection though sincerity be accepted Matth. 5. 48. 3. And that all sincere believing hath gracious Fruits and VVorks attending it for we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works Eph. 2. 10. 4. Do ye know him who is surety of this better testament Heb. 7. 22. In whom all the
Promises are yea and Amen Do ye know that all your Interest in this Covenant is by Jesus Christ who is given a Covenant for the people Isa 42. 6. 5. Do ye know that all your Salvation and all that ye should desire is in this Covenant 2 Sam. 23. 5. That it 's Ordered in all things for your good and sure hath the Lord showen you his Covenant Psal 25. 14. Do ye in heart believe it to be sure 6. VVere ye ever taught of God how to take hold of this Covenant and how to Subscribe your selves the Lords Isa 44. 5. One shall say I am the Lords and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord If ye know nothing of it ye cannot perform it and if not performed the Seal is not yours for ye have not Subscribed to the Deed. Remember Christian thou hast no other Charter for thy part of Heaven but this Covenant of Grace and if thou art a Christian indeed it will be to the as a Fountain of Joys that he hath made with thee an everlasting Covenant thou wilt never think thy self safe till thou know thou art Savingly in it and therefore it will be the great concern of thy Soul how to Joyn thy self to the Lord especially before thou partake of it's Seal blessed is that hour wherein a man may say now I subscribed my self the Lords I have given my self to him and he hath received me graciously what has thou to do from thy Birth to thy Grave like this which can make thee sing in the face of Death 3. Try thy Knowledge of the Sacrament it self specially if thou canst Spiritually and believingly Discern the Lords Body for if thou Discernest no more than Bread and VVine thou wilt Receive no more and if thou Receivest no more thou hast not Received the Sacrament of Christs Institution thou hast but a shadow for the Substance besides the Guilt of profaning that Holy Ordinance The words of the Holy Ghost are carefully to be remarked 1 Cor. 11. 29. he eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lords Body This Discerning of his Body is a Discerning Spiritually Christ himself as Crucified and if this one thing be wanting the Communicant will surely Eat and Drink unworthily Therefore put such Questions as these to thy self First I am perswaded that the Son of God did take unto him our nature and in due time did shed his Blood for the Remission of the sins of many 2. That this our Blessed Saviour did Institute this Ordinance of the Lords Supper to be Celebrated in Remembrance of him 3. That the Bread and VVine there presented and Blessed doth Represent his Body and Blood 4. That Christ who Offered himself to his Father doth in this Ordinance Offer himself to be Received by Believers 5. That in Offering himself to be Received by them he Offereth unto them also the Benefits purchased by his Death 6. That every partaker must so Discern him by Faith 7. And every Partaker is Obliged by Faith to Receive himself with all his Benefits when he Receiveth that Bread which Christ Requireth to take and eat and that no person should presume to eat of that Bread or drink of that Cup but with a full purpose of heart thankfully to Receive himself seek to be established in these before thou go to the Lords Table that thou mayest partake in Faith and not by eating and Doubting or Eating and Ignorant what thou art about many Souls are Guilty before God for taking so little pains to prevent their being Guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord and some not of the very worst obstruct their own Comfort by indistinct Communicating there being no action under the heavens that Requireth more fixed ripe and distinct apprehensions than partaking at the Lords Table Secondly Our Faith must be Examined before we go to the Lords Table Consider first the Reasons why this must be done And 2. How to find out Saving Faith The Reasons 1. Christ himself is to be Received at his Table and this Receiving of him is Believing as is plain by John 1. 12. But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Therefore Christ cannot be Received without Faith and if he be not Received the Sacrament is profaned The Communicant should be a believing Believer having Faith not onlie in Habit but in Act. 3. Our Faith must be Examined because we are VVarned that there are manie sorts of Faith and yet but one kind of Faith Is Saving whereby the man is Justified we Read of a Believing which Devils have James 2. 19. Some wicked men also are said to Believe yet remaining in the bond of Iniquitie Acts 8. 13. VVe have an account also that some Believed for a while Luke 8. 13. It 's Lamentable that men stand not in awe of such Scriptures and so few moved with fear least their Faith be no better we Read also of some mens Faith raised so high as thereby to work Miracles and yet their last Sentence Depart from me Matth. 7. 21 22. It appears these men did mistake true Saving faith thinking such as they had would cary them to Heaven for they make it a plea for their Admissions did we not cast out Devils in thy Name doubtless this made them Christians of great Fame in the VVorld but how easie is it even for men of great Gifts to mistake Faith and go to Death without a Discovery of that Mysterie VVe are warned also of a dead faith James 2. 17. Such a faith as found men and leaveth them dead in their sins It cannot therefore be safe after such warnings for any man to Conclude that because in the general he belleveth therefore he shal be Saved and hath a Right to the Lords Supper except the nature of his faith be instructed and made out to be such as thereby he is united to Christ and so shal be Justified 4. This Danger of mistaking Faith being so great it 's our Mercy that there is a particular Command to Examine our Faith as we would be Secured we are not Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. So that if this be still neglected we not only endanger our Souls by Delusion but shal be found sinfully disobedient to a merciful Command 5. That which is said Heb. 11. 6. That without faith it 's impossible to please God should of it's self engage us to Examine our Faith what Regard can we have to God and be contentedly in that State wherein it 's impossible to please him or be ignorant whether in that State or not can ye look up to God and think it not worth the while to enquire whether ye be pleasing or displeasing to him Dare ye sit down at his Table not knowing but it may be said of you in particular it 's impossible for this man to be pleasing to me and no wonder he cannot be accepted as not
for that Try thy self the more exactly in this point of thy love to the people of God because God is greatly dishonoured in this age for the want of it Beware of patcht up counter feit agreements and love before Communions But as thou art to labour for Communion with Christ himself so labour to the utmost of thy power for a cordial Communion of Saints that you may Feast together here in love and hope to be together in a better place and be not saying I forgive such a Christian but I desire never to see him I desire never to speak with him this will not be found forgiving from the heart as Christ requireth Matth. 18. 35. Let your love be without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. Not in Word only but in Deed promoting the good name of one another See that ye love one another with a pure heart servently 1 Pet. 1. 22. These are the Words of God but Ah how little regarded and I fear shal not be much regarded while we continue falling from our first love to Christ love to him and his followers must revive together 4. We should also examine our Repentance because First Christ hath enjoyned it with a certification that except we repent we shal perish Luke 13. 3. How speechless will it render the impenitent perishing sinner when the Books are opened and this found that this obdured sinner was forwarned of this perishing but shut his ears and would not hearken 2. This repentance is that part of Religion which we are most averse either to act or try and therefore the greater need to oblige our selves to search if we have it For to hear of Faith and love and Love goeth more easily down the very naming of them is sweet to such as know little of them but cannot with patience hear of conviction mourning or departing from iniquity many also continue to ensnare their own souls with the conceit that they believe so well that they need not trouble themselves with repentance but they should remark Christs requiring of both Mark 1 15. Repent and believe 3. Others observing repentance to be peremptorly commanded Conclude that some repentance they must have but are satisfied with a shadow of it and are so superficial that any extorted flash of sorrowing any change any returning though not to the most High satisfieth them We find Hos 7. 16. That some return but not to the most High They think they have returned sufficiently And therefore need no more saying as Mal. 3. 7. Wherein shall we return The Lord seeth that they are yet to turn to him as in the same ver return unto me saith the Lord but they think otherwise this should make us afraid lest God do not iudge of our Repentance as we do and therefore to examine it in time It 's easie for people to think themselves sufficiently qualified for a Communion or for Heaven it self but the woe will be that it was only themselves thought so when they find God their judge of another mind 4. There is the more need to examine our Repentance in this age wherein the broken in spirit and contrite in heart are as signs and wonders as if all the broken in heart before us had been in an error and troubled themselves in vain or as if God never regarded any such Soul-exercise and wounding of Spirit though he hath expresly declared Isa 66. 2. But to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word Then it 's necessary as men would have God to look favourably upon them as ye would have a comfortable reviving look at this Table to try if ever you were wounded in heart for your sin See to it lest the searcher of hearts have it to say here is a man that to this day was never humbled Jer. 44. 10. Never pierced at the heart never at what shal I do to be saved never so wounded but he could easily cure himself no use for that mercy Psal 147. 3. He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds You will needs go to the Communion but it 's not for any great business you have to do there you have no burden of sin to take off as finding it too heavy for your selves Psal 38. 4. 5. There is the greater need to search particularly into the sincerity of our Repentance before we approach the Lords Table because some serious Christians may deprive themselves of that benefit fearing their Repentance is not sound and that because they had never such a measure of grief as others never so deeply wounded for sin as they think they should or as they have perceived by others who refused to be comforted were long in bondage of fear and ready to be swallowed up with grief and terrour To clear this alittle Consider first That trouble or terrour of mind of it self cannot prove any gracious good in a soul A Judas hath terror of mind but no grace terrour is sometimes a Judgement from God as Lev. 26. 16 I will appoint over you terrour and Deut. 28. 20. The Lord shal send upon thee vexation And some wicked persons are consumed with terrours Psal 73. 19. Therefore it 's not safe to desire such terrour of mind as some have been under for it was their plague 2. Men may have a temporary sorrowing and grieâ— which sin hath occasioned and yet their sorrowing is not for their sin nor any sanctifying grace in their mourning A Saul may lift up his voice and weep and confess others more Righteous than himself and yet still go on in his sin 1 Sam. 24. 16 17. Some may make a great noise of their repentance as he lift up his voice and wept And yet but a worldly sorrow that David was like to have the Kingdom is his greatest grief 3. Some are surprised with a sudden fear of Wrath which they cannot shake off but are as captives so far from any true and humbling sense of sin that all their trouble is for being troubled and cannot help it They are in chains and fetters not knowing for what for it seised them without any apprehension or sense of their sin This doth sometimes make a great alteration and commotion while it continueth so that they tremble under it as Felix Acts 24 25. The poor man knew not what was come on him he is frighted but getteth no good of it and therefore desires Paul to be gone I have seen severals after the same manner frighted with a sudden fear of Judgement and for any thing appeared their Religion never went a greater length yet their trouble in the time was great and made a great noise but when the fright was over their Religion was also over It is not safe then to set up such as paterns for your Repentance though the degree of their anguish might be greater than yours 4. Though the Law be our School-master to bring us unto Christ Gal. 3.
24. Whereby we must have the knowledge of our sin be convinced be humbled Yet we shal not find that every one who cometh to Christ is or must be a like measure humbled all are not in a like depth before their heads be brought above water all have not the pangs of the new Birth alike painful all are not struck down to the ground and made blind before they be comforted as Paul We find not the degree of any mans grief for sin set up as a Standard whereby all others must be measured but we find the difference between a worldly and a godly sorrowing much regarded 2 Cor. 7. 10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of but the sorrow of the world worketh death Therefore we shal be wiser to search out the nature of our grief than its degrees only If it be a godly sorrowing on the account of sin and its sinfulness in provoking a holy and gracious God This we find made a ground of comfort to the people of God ver 11. That they sorrowed after a godly sort and reformation attended their sorrow 5. It 's necessary also that we take care lest our pressing for such a measure of grief be not by the secret deceitfulness of our hearts designed as a Sacrifice for our sin Idolizing it too much as if thereby sin might be expiated 6. It would be also considered that poor frail men may be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow so that some persons seek after they know not what even such a measure of sorrow as might be their own ruine 2 Cor. 2 7 You ought rather to comfort such a man lest perhaps he be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow 7. Where sorrowing for sin is truly godly sorrowing yet one Christian may have a higher degree than another who is also sincere a man may have true Faith true Love true Repentance and yet another exceed him in all these for both the grace and its measure are the gift of Christ Eph. 4. 7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ 8. Yet because the most common danger is a defect in this godly sorrowing and no sincere humbling found with many professed Christians no such grief or hatred of sin as can bear the name of sound Repentance and effectual turning to God Therefore as it is a most necessary grace we should seek to grow in it as we would have God to lift us up we must be humbled Jam. 4 10. And blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted And that you may be in some measure helped to discern the soundness of your Repentance Search thy own soul for these things First If thou grievest for the first motiâ—ns of sin in thy heart and resists them though they go no further than thy thoughts and imaginations and though not intertainted by thy affections For the thought of foolishness is sin Prov. 24 9. But thou findest a hateing of vain thoughts Psal 119 113. This was a comfort to the man of God and so it may be to thee 2 Do you not find a sincere loathing of your selves so that hardly can any man judge thee worse than thou judgest thy self and this thou feelest without dissimulation By this ingenuous judging of your self you may take comfort for what is said 1 Cor. 11 31. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged ye shal not be judged into condemnation godly Jâ—b lookt upon this abhorring of himself as sound Repentance Job 42 6. For he really judged himself vile Job 40 4. 3. Dost thou not search out thy sins purposely that thou may'st mourn over them and turn from them This makes it appear that sin is hated in the soul when thou dost search for it as an enemy to be cast out when a soul is so straight with God that help is desired to find out his enemies Psal 139 23. Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts And see if there be any wicked way in me It 's good when a Christian resisteth sin that 's obvious to him but it 's better when he desireth Gods help to discover secret sins that may be lurking in his heart that he may oppose every sin though this give him more matter of mourning yet being sincere he must pursue sin to the utmost 4. And doth it not endear thy heart to God when thou get'st help of this nature that thy greatest enemy triumpheth not over thee Yea for the very hope that he will subdue thy iniquity Mic. 5. Is not sin bitter to thee even when thou hast no present thoughts of Wrath to follow upon thy Sin I do not say but it 's lawful to mourn for fear of Wrath but it 's comfortable to a Christian when he can Observe that some times on the first Discovery of sin before any thought of it's woful fruit come into his mind it forthwith woundeth his heart for then it appears to be grief for Sin because it 's sin which is true Godly sorrowing we find Psal 65. 3. Iniquities prevail agairst me as for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Here is sin Lamented as bitter when yet there is Faith in the very time that these sins shal be purged away thou has cause to be Comforted to whom sins is bitter when thou hast greatest expectations of pardon and the remembrance of thy sin melting thy heart into the greatest grief when thou considerest the tender Mercies of thy God in pardoning all thy iniquities sins against Love gives the Child of God the deepest Wounds hast thou it not to say that the thoughts of Hell and Wrath hath often left thy heart very obdured but the thoughts of Gods Love and care of thy Soul hath softned and poured it out in mourning that even thou shouldest provoke him to anger who is so Gracious to thee 6. Canst thou not give some Instances of particular sins that are now in a great measure Subdued and thy heart departed from them by nothing that thou canst know of but by the Grace of God such sins as thou wast once a very slave unto Canst thou not now say that by the grace of God thy feet are kept from falling in a great measure Psal 18. 36. Thy turning from sin is the surest evidence of Repentance Psal 119. 59. 5. We are obliged also to try our Obedeince to God First Because Christ will not own us for his friends if we be not found Obedient to him John 15. 14. Ye are my friends if ye de whatsoever I command you Therefore as we would enjoy the happiness and comfort of this Friendship we must study obedience as we would have his Countenance lifted up upon us at his Table and be used as his Friends indeed we must endeavour to have it clear that we obey him from the heart Rom. 6. 17. 2. By our obodience we testifie whose servants we are
not mercifully Remembred me this day in bringing me here where I find the Bread of Life hath he not now made me taste of that Tree of Life which shal be food for ever and all by His Gracious Remembring of me and shal I not Remember His Love more than Wine no thanks to me O Lord to Remember Thee and thy Love hadst thou required me to pass through some flames of a Hell it were my part to essay it at thy Command how much more when I have nothing but Love to remember shal not I remember thy unquenchable Love who hast rescued me from unquenchable Flames I have many times VVretchedly done what I could to quench thy Love but many waters hath not done it I do remember it Lord and through thy Grace will remember it and I will do this which thou now Requirest in remembrance of Thee and Thy love giving Thee thanks for Commanding it and had I nothing else to do in this Ordinance yet by Thy grace Thy gracious Command shal be Answered though in great weakness Here also is another part of this Blessed Communion Christ requiring remembrance and the Believer cordially yielding it 10. And when thou hearest of the shewing forth of His Death which Christ is not ashamed of but will have it in this manner Published then saith the Believer that Death brought Life to my Soul that Death hath overcome Death for me that now I may say O Death where is thy Sting by this Death is the Death of Deaths Hos 13. 14. O Death I will be thy plague and 1 Cor. 15. 54. Death is swallowed up in victory Death was long my terrour and kept me in Bondage not knowing what hour the first and the second Death might surprise me together now when I must go through that Passage I hope to fear no evil Christ hath Sweetned the Passage made it no Enemy but a necessary step for puting off Corruption that I may be Cloathed with incorruption there shal be no Prints of Sin or Death seen upon me no spot or wrinkle by the shrugs of Death I shal take no stench of Death with me where I go and all this by His Death who was Slain and is Alive I will this day apply it thankfully and Solemnly shew it Forth Christ Crucified being my Glory and He who bringeth me to Glory desiring in my Soul that His Death were shewed Forth from the Rising to the Setting of the Sun Here also is a part of this Blessed Communion Christ Requiring His Death to be shew'd Forth and the Believer cordially performing it 11. VVhen the Believer heareth that the Cup is the New Testament in His Blood Considering that by the Death of the Testator the Testament is of Force Heb. 9. 16 17. The Believer Interested in the Legacy may now with Confidence expect what is bequathed for the Testament thus Confirmed cannot be Disanulled Gal. 3. 15. Then saith the Believer I will give Credit to the Tokens and Pledges devised by Himself for my Confirmation He requireth me to take them as such and so I receive them from Him who is Faithful I will from henceforth expect all the Promised Blessings that I stand in need of for in this Covenant or Testament is all my Salvation Christ hath made all sure by His Death and now He hath made all sure to me by His Seal I dare not distrust His Seal or Pledges He hath made me a Believer He hath this day given me to believe in Christ Crucified I have Received Him according to His Offer He hath given me power to become one of the Children of God His Testament therefore is for me and it's Seal sealeth me up unto the day of Redemption and here is a comfortable part of this Communion with Christ He giveth the Pledges and Seal of His Testament and the Believer joyfully receiving them as such and Rendering Him Praise the Believer resolving now to go to Death in humble confidence That the Lord hath made an everlasting Covenant with him ordered in all things and sure These are but a taste of the seasonable Meditations in the time of Partaking and a Help for preventing Impertinent wanderings of the Mind and though a Communicant reach not all such particular Meditations at one time yet one or moe suitable serious Meditations on Christ's words of Institution will be found by the Blessing of God a mean to keep the Soul at that work which God then Requireth and so prevent the wounding Reflections of many after they have Communicated for it must be supposed that every Godly Communicant will reviewe the way how his Soul was Imployed at the Lord's Table and if he find that his Meditations were not opposit to the work it cannot but make a very bitter Reflection Know also that these Meditations already hinted are but for puting some weak People in mind to keep close by the Institution lest their thoughts go off their VVork but no ways intended as any Restriction or Limiting of Communicants except from wandring for if Christ manifest Himself and entertain thee with His Loves thou will not need such Helps for He can soon Elevate thy Soul into such Meditations affections and joy by the Breathings of His Spirit as thy self cannot Express and all of them suitable to the Blessed work thou art about CHAP. VII Believers should desire to Partake of this Communion The sixth Inference THis Blessed Ordinance of the Lord's Supper being the Communion of Christ's Body and Blood then Believers are oblidged to have a sincere and an earnest desire to partake of so great a Mercy And that we should desire this great Benfit Consider First The Lord Commandeth it and therefore we should have a desire and a delight to do His will we may not chuse or refuse as our inclination leadeth which appeareth to be the Errour of many not Considering that the Lord will call to an account what Regard is testified to so Gracious a Command which is to be Lamented that so many make their Humours their Rule they have not a mind to it it 's not their present desire and so lay it aside forgetting that it should be their desire because of Christ's Merciful Command 2. Because it 's a Feast of pure Love on Christ's part therefore it should be desired it was His Love that laid it's Foundation in laying down His Life 2. It 's His Love to appoint such a Memorial of it 3. His Love the Tokens of it then to be Communicated to Believers in a special manner Can there be Love where there is no desire to meet with Love and entertain it Consider what is to be your Feast the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the World if this be believed in heart how can ye but hunger and desire to eat for such Food will not be always in your Offer give praise that ever ye had the Offer of that which will make you praise for ever and be satisfying to
thy Soul when all other things fail thee Psal 22. 26. The meek shal eat and be satisfied Can ye with peace keep your selves out of the way where such an Offer is made know ye not that the Receiving of Christ is your begun Eternal happiness which neither Death nor any thing else shal deprive you of if thou say thou hast received Him already in another manner dost hope to be Blessed in Him for ever though thou never Receive Him at the Lord's Table I would Answer that thou art the more Ingrate who doest not desire to Receive Him afresh in the manner He hath appointed Art thou weary of Receiving Him didst thou get such a fill of Him before that thou desirest to Receive Him no more this is ground sufficient to make thee suspect thou didst never yet Receive Him if thou be wearied of it for thy heart should be still open to Christ 3. Is it not Communion with Christ thou art dayly Praying for and if thou prayest in sincerity then it should Elevate thy heart to hear of His appointments for obtaining it when he saith in such an Ordinance I am to be present in a peculiar manner allowing you a most intimate fellowship as near as you can expect in this Life there thou mayest expect the return of thy Prayers and if thou hast no regard to it thou rendrest thy self and Prayers suspicable of meer Hypocrisie wilt thou not be ashamed to call thy self a praying Christian for fellowship with Christ and yet have no desire to be there where thou mayest meet Him and have Him dost thou not often say O that I knew where I might find him Job 23. 3. He answereth in this Ordinance I will be present giving my Self and my Loves if thou regard not this and yet has no desire to be where He is what can thy self judge of thy Prayers but as words of course and flattering God with thy lips beware of bewraying thy estrangement to Christ as one that has never seen Him in any part of His Beauty lest thou be of these who say as Isai 53. 2. There is no beauty that we should desire him 4. The Love we owe to the Glory of our Blessed Redeemer oblidgeth to this desire of shewing it forth in the manner He hath appointed yet on this account also many are Guilty by the neglect of this Ordinance for these Dangerous mistakes are too much rooted in many thinking because they receive Christ at any time when they Believe therefore they need not be solicitous for Receiving Him at His Table and because they may Render Him Glory at other times for His Love in Dying therefore they need not go to the Lords Supper to perform it but these thoughts involve you in great Guilt for however frequent thy praises be at other times why would thou presume to wiser than thy Lord who hath appointed this Publick Solemn manner of performing it Darest thou say in His face Lord I think this way of shewing forth thy Death needless I think a more privat way may serve wilt thou Impudently advance thy own wisdom as above His whether doth He or thou know best which way He is to be Glorified whether art thou to give Him Rules or to be Ruled by Him if thou wilt be so arrogant as to plead that thou knowest better how to do thy Duty than he can teach thee it 's no wonder thou have no desire for the Lords Supper but rather if thou canst regard any Gospel Ordinance since thou art wise enough to teach thy self Think with thy self I must once compear before my Judge the same blesed Redeemer who requires his Death to be shewed forth what shal I answer when thus charged by him the just died for the unjust I submitted to agony in my soul and torments in my body to relieve poor sinners from eternal torments thus my Death was the reconciliation of the whole Elect World who thereby now stand upright in Judgement I required that this my Death should be shewed forth unto this day that I am come again But here is a man that thought it not necessary to render me that publick honour What can be thy answer but speechless consternation Think also with thy self if I expect reconciliation with God by that precious Death how can I refuse Nay should I not rejoyce to publish that love especially in so comfortable a manner as in Communion with Christ and his Saints on earth and contribute my mite to keep its memory fresh and fragrant in the world It 's great ingratitude to have no longings for this Ordinance yet it appears that if some were placed in such circumstances as no occasion offered it would be no great grief of heart to them or if occasion offer but it may be at some distance occasioning bodily trouble in attending they can easily forego it though perhaps performing longer journeys at the same time to other places or if opportunity offer in the place of their residence yet it cometh undesired and a very triffle shal detain some from partaking and all this because there is no love and desire of soul after it I speak not this of all but it 's shameful to be found in any professing Christian and so much the more because our blessed Redeemer testified so great regard to this Ordinance that when he was immediately to engage his deepest sufferings yet even then he would have this Feast of Love celebrated and fixed for after generations Shal our Saviour testifie so great desire for our good and we have no desire to receive it Shal we so undervalue that Love which can neither be overvalued nor duely valued Luke 22. 15. And he said unto them with desire have I desired to eat this passeover with you before I suffer Appointing this Communion of his Body and Blood to continue until he come again 5ly If thou be a Christian indeed then thou art duely praying for grace to strengthen thee for the Duties thou must perform for Strength against thy secret or open sins for strength against Temptations from thy own heart or from Satan and his Instruments for strength to bear thy afflictions and grace to carry Christianly under thy trials therefore thou should desire to be there where he is to be received who shal be the strength of thy heart Art thou not often fainting both in thy Duty and Trials Then believe in thine heart that Christ is that true bread of life Joh. 6. 48. Hereby thou shal be strengthned for Duties far above thy own strength hereby thou shalt be enabled to cut thy way through the greatest difficulties Thy Redeemer is thy strength Psal 19. 14. Thou art to receive that which will make thee a lively Christian for the honour of thy Lord. refusing nothing he commandeth and sinking under no burden he layeth on thy back Great is the mercy to believe this strength and great is the loss of our souls when that strength is but thought
account of their soundness in the Faith nor declare a consent to receive Christ as Redeemer and Lord or Thirdly Are of such ungodly conversation that they testify themselves to be strangers to Christ and the power of his grace these persons while they continue such could not but profane the Lords Supper and therefore should consider that they deprive themselves of that benefit For Ministers must not transgress the Laws of Christ to humour men nor must they be partakers of other mens Sins who would precipitate themselves into that heinous guilt of the Body and Blood of the Lord. 7ly And these who are thus debarred should not take this censure as if they were totally rejected but rather for their present good to prevent the guilt of eating and drinking unworthily and for the time to come should pray and endeavour to be qualified for partaking with others in that holy Ordinance CHAP. VIII Believers should come to the Lords Supper with Faith and Expectation The seventh Inference THis holy Ordinance being the Communion of Christs Body and Blood then Believers should approach it with Faith and Expectation of this blessed Communion And that the Believer is obliged to this Faith and Expectation Consider First I hat Believers must render unto Christ the honour due to his faithfulness since he maketh an offer of himself saying take eat then we are to believe in our hearts he will be present making good his offer to the believing Receiver otherwise we dishonour him as if what he saith and offereth were not to be trusted which would run us unto deep guilt besides that it would render the whole transaction on our part Faithless Void and Unprofitable this therefore should be carefully adverted that there be no suspition of the truth of Christs offer or his faithfulness lest we profane that holy Name who will not suffer his faithfulness to fail Psal 89. 33. This his honour should be most dear to thee who was so dear to him as to make his soul an offering for thy sin and now offereth himself to be thine Come therefore believingly to the Lords Table trusting him who is truth it self Joh. 14. 6. Secondly The whole of this holy work must be managed by Faith for we have no other way of seeing him with whom we are to have Communion but by Faith though now we see him not yet we believe 1 Pet. 1 8. Faith is now our eye to behold him ye go to the Lords Supper in Faith of a Divine Institution ye go to it believit's your duty by Christs Command ye go to it believing he was slain and is alive ye go to it believing he hath provided a way for Interest in his Body and Blood and are to go to it actually believing in him for your personal partaking of this Communion so that Faith is required in all the parts of it and grounds laid down for the Believers comfortable Expectation 3ly Come to it with Expectation for herein thou art about thy Lord and Masters service which he requireth thou needest not fear it to be said who hath required this at thine hâ—â—d for himself hath required it and ther 's still good to be expected in doing of his Will Rev. 22. 14. Your labour shal not be in vain for ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3. 24. Blessed are all his attendants whose care is to serve him For Christ saith Where I am there shall also my servant be Joh. 12. 26. Thou mayest expect he will be with thee at his Table who art his servant in sincerity 4ly Come in Faith and Hope for the promise is to him that believeth Gal. 3. 22. Believing is the only sure way for this blessed Fellowship and your seeing the glory of God in his power and mercy toward you Consider your need of the Lords appearing for your good and do not obstruct your mercy by mischief remember what is said Mat. 13. 58. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief If he shal say according to thy Faith so be it unto thee and thou hast no Faith then blame thy self if no mighty works be done for thee for he will not humour thy misbelief Labour then not only to have some actings of Faith but being strong in it giving glory to God devise liberally of thy God seek that he will deal bountifully with thee and remember what is said Mat. 15. 28. O woman great is thy saith be it unto thee even as thou wilt 5ly If thou comest not to this Ordinance with Expectation thou wilt be ready to think the matter is not great whether thou partake or not for thou expectest no great benefit by it and so any trivial excuse will prevail to let it alone for our natural corruption is so strong and our grace commonly so weak that pure Duty of it self doth not always engage us without some prospect of advantage but when our own good appeareth in the work then we have an argument from our own souls to resist obstructions standing in the way of this profit and if thou should go forward and partake yet thy expectations being languide thy seriousness will too readily be proportioned to thy hope and languid also but remember that proclamed gracious Name Exod. 34. 6. Is in a peculiar manner recorded in this Ordinance and having recorded his Name he will come and bless his people Exod. 20. 24. 6ly Endeavour to approach the Lords Table with expectation of good that ye may be able to encourage others to the same Duty many of you will have the occasion to see and speak with one another before ye partake and out of the aboundance of the heart the mouth will be speaking for which cause ye should observe where there is need of strengthning the hands of weak and doubting persons and purposely let something fall which may be gathered by others for their encouragement as in thy own Family when thou art considering who of thy children or servants may be most ripened for that holy Ordinance who had never yet the confidence to presume it yet drop words of encouragement by shewing the excellent things to be there obtained the happiness of those who indeed receive Christ the dignity and mercy of being solemnly engaged to Christ the comfort of having a Pledge of his love the mercy of being admitted unto such near communion with him thus a word may be blessed for engaging others in that Duty which may be their blessing for ever Whereas on the other hand if thy mouth be filled with complaints and others hear thee saying thou hast no great benefit by Communions thou questions whether thou wilt go to the Lords Table or not especially if thou be a person noted for Religion these who hear such Discourse being weak will be tempted to think what a fool am I to take in any thoughts of communicating when such an eminent Christian speaketh so meanly of it as if little or no profit were to be had I
I profane so holy an Ordinance Ans 1st It s your mercy if you can discern where the Lord either cometh unto or deserteth your souls for such as are utter strangers to God know not the one by the other if you had got no merciful visits how had ye known these departings 2dly You may think your selves forsaken because ye have not the comforts of Gods countenance which sometimes ye had and yet not be forsaken as to the influences of his grace Jer. 20. 9. Then I said I will not make mention of him nor speak any more in his Name Yet vers 11. But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible One my persecutors shall stumble 3dly You may utterly mistake and think you are forgotten when God says the contrare Isa 49. 14. But Zion said the Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me But vers 15. Can a woman forget her sucking child c. And vers 16. I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands 4thly If ever you had the favour of the chosen of God if ever ye had testimonies of his love then whom he loveth he loveth to the end Joh. 13. 1. and will never utterly forsake but labour to have this sure that ye have enjoyed the sanctifying mercies of the chosen of God Psal 106. 4. Pray for such mercies as these lest it be as you fear 5thly If you be left as to influences of grace it is a bitter forsaking yet some have been left as to degrees of grace who were not totally forsaken nor altogether deprived of grace as Solomon 1 Kin. 11. 9. 6thly The Lord may thus forsake both as to comforts and many degrees of grace and yet return again For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee Isa 54. 7. And Micah 7. 19. He will return again he will have compâ—ssion on us 7thly It should be considered also that we are often forsaking our God in a great measure and then say he hath forsaken us it s our wretched way first to fall back from him who is our life and then what good we had begins to wither which being discerned in stead of blaming our selves for declining we first begin and challenge God for forsaking of us as if he were the author of all the hurt and not we O! how much doth he bear at our hands Our way is to cast off the thing that is good Hos 8. 3. and then we cry out Why hath he cast us off 8thly If the Lord should forsake us yet we must not forsake him hâ— hath no need of us but we have need of him we cannot want him but he may well want us it doth not become us proudly to debate with our God whether he or we shall first draw to other again but it becomes us humbly to look up and wait for God when he hideth his face Isa 8. 17. 9thly And it s to be observed that the Lord approveth most of these who pursue his mercy most closly when he appeareth displeased as having no regard to them as is evident in the woman of Canaan Mat. 15. 25. c. 10thly Be sparing in thy complaints of God and rather leave thy complaint upon thy self Job 10. 1. I will leave my complaint upon my self Remember he gave thee warning of old 2 Chr. 15. 2. If ye forsake him he will forsake you Lay to heart how thou hast procured this unto thy self Jer. 2. 17. Hast thou not procured this unto thy self in that thou hast forsaken the â—ord thy God when he led thee by the way Remember how often thou hast turned the back on him when he was doing thee good acknowledge this thy sin and that thou hast fallen by thine own iniquity and return unto the Lord thy God as Hos 14. 1. And if thou wilt take his counsel hearken yet to what he faith Mal. 3. 7. Return unto me and I will return unto you saith the Lord of hosts Bless God that there is yet any hope of a meeting again in mercy Draw near to God and he will draw near to you Jam. 4. 8. Yea tho' thou hast played the harlot with many lovers yet return again unto me saith the Lord. Jer. 3. 1. What wouldest thou have the Lord to say more But sayest thou I need one word more yet for I have lost all spiritual strength I know it s my duty to return to him and praise him while I live for this condescension ever to invite me any more that there is any door of hope left open but I cannot return to him if I should never meet with him in favour what then wilt thou do wilt thou leave it so Art thou resolved to forsake and be forsaken Ah poor sinner who will be the loser Better for thee yet to hearken what he will say further to thee remark then what is said Prov. 1. 23. Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my spirit unto you set to your duty endeavour to turn to him and you shall have the help of his Spirit defer not then but while he calleth entertain his kind offer and give it such an answer as Jer. 3 22. Return ye back-sliding children and I will heal your back-slidings behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God this will make a comfortable meeting again so that thou shalt not need to stay from his Table As one forsaken of thy God thou shalt be as tho' thou had not been cast off Zech. 10. 6. He can soon make thy latter end better than thy beginnings Ezek. 36. 11. Object I doubt if I should believe for I think my self one of these who would not be the better fearing still I am none of Gods Elect. Ans If such Objections were not framed to my hand I should neither form nor publish them but being often proposed and particularly this fear of not being elected and some souls distressed thereby cannot pass it altogether but for answer First You may as well say I doubt whether I should be saved or not as to say ye doubt whether ye should believe or not since he that believeth not the wrath of God abideth on him can you deliberatly think ye should not desire to be saved This needs no refutation I hope ye will be ashamed of it 2dly Consider you are under a command to believe and to reject it designedly is rebellion against God besides your own ruine and what success you can dream of in a course of rebellion against a merciful God I understand not 3dly No revelation from God allows you to defer believing until you know you are elected you must have this from some new unhallowed Bible but neither from Old or New Testament 4thly The way to know of your Election is first to believe and if you have grace to believe you are elected and if ye be elected ye will believe for Act. 13. 43 And as many as were ordained
and thou are still Antagonists opposite one to another when thou art resisting thou art still in Gods way for a victory Jam. 4. 7. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you And whatever ye do be careful to keep on Gods ground keep by your post where God hath placed you yielding nothing and having done all to stand Eph. 6. 13. 4ly Consider also That we are not alone in this conflict Eph. 6. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world And though all Believers have not a like violent Temptations yet all of them have Satans Temptations to wrestle against nor do ye know the Temptations of many others though your own smarts you most 5ly Whatever be your Temptations know that God hath not left you destitute of Armour against them Eph. 6. 11. Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil The very believing of this in thy heart that God hath provided armour to preserve his people from danger will be an encouragement to thee but if thou think there is no relief them thou faintest and thereby thy Adversary hath advantage a fainting man is soon overcome but if thou think in thy heart there is relief at hand then thou waxest valient in fight and if the hope of this Armour be so strengthening what will the putting of it on be take counsel then who hath provided it and put it on for it was provided for such as thee and remark well what is said ver 16. Above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shal be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Christ's Armour will be proof though the Darts be dipt in Hell they shal not consume thee though thy trial be like a fiery Furnace yet set thy self to follow the footsteps of the Flock who by Faith Quenched the violence of fire Heb. 11. 34. And when thou art at the lowest labour still to retain the impressions of God's omnipotence think nothing too hard for him do not so dishonour him as to think thy case incurable Jer. 32. 17. Is there any thing too hard for me 6ly Give thy self frequently to Prayer and complain of the violence done to thy poor soul by thine Adversary hearken to no suggestion against Prayer for thy God commandeth thee to call on him in the day of trouble and he will deliver Psal 50. 15. Thou wilt be tempted to think it 's in vain to Pray but believe not the father of lies God hath not required to seek him in vain Isa 45. 19. He will tempt thee to think thou art not the better of Prayers thou art not heard but what if thou should be for a short season that thou couldest observe no answer of Prayer remember that better than you have complained of the same Psal 22. 2. O my God I cry in the day time but thou hearest not and in the night season and am not silent but was it always so No Mark what is said in the same Psal ver 24. and 25. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted neither hath he bid his face from him but when he cried unto him he heard And then follows a song of praise in the next ver I know of some at this day under deep desertion and assaulted with some of the worst of Temptations but their condition is hopeful on this very account because they expresly say if God should never hear me it 's my Duty to pray and I will pray let no depths hinder thee but pray the rather Psal 130. 1. Out of the depths have I cryed unto thee O Lord. And ver 4th It follows But there is forgivenness with thee and ver 7th Let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenterus redemption It should be observed that where violent Temptations do most hurt commonly these tempted persons will not be perswaded to pray and such as continue to pray do ordinarly obtain a comfortable victory 7ly Resolve also to wait on thy God for at his Command the storm is soon changed in to a calm Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning Psal 30. 5. A fixed resolution to wait on God is both thy Duty and will be a great advantage to thy soul Remember Ps 40. 1. I waited patiently and he brought me out of an horrible pit Give not way to sudden conclusions that thy hope is lost and thou art cut off as Ezek. 37. 11. make no unwarrantable prophesies that it will never be better with thee if thou but resolve this on thing to wait Satan shal be disappointed whose great design is to have thee as desperat as himself still leave place for the mercy and infinite power of God Encline your ear come yet unto the Lord hear and your soul shal live Isa 55. 3. Let God have a hearing for shame since Satans suggestions hath got so long hearing God saith hearken to me Satan saith hearken not to God that thou mayest be another rebel to God as he is but let thine Enemy know that thou hast an open ear for thy God I will hearken what God the Lord will speak unto me for he will speak peace unto his people Psal 85. 8. And if thou shalt say Oh what can I hear That will do good to me No words can break Bars of Brass and Iron I am bound and in a Prison yet nevertheless stay until you hear who speaketh and what he speaketh Therefore Consider 8ly That if you will hearken you shal hear of doing for you which is more than Words ye complain that ye are bound and cannot shake off your Fetters how then do ye like it to hear of one who is coming to open your Prison Isa 61. 1. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound Sure this is worth the hearing that Christ hath it in commission to open such Prisons and 2ly That he is able to perform his Commission For he openeth and who can shut Rev. 3. 7. and 3ly That his Name is Faithful who hath this work to do Rev. 19. 11. Look up then O Prisoner of hope for Satan endeavours still to have thee looking down desiring to have thee fall down at last where he is he knoweth that long and stedfast looking into a frighting deep place is apt to turn a man giddy and thereby endangered to fall into the same depth so his great care is that thou never turn thine eye upward knowing that to be thy relief therefore be not befooled by him but look up and be saved Isa 45. 22. Say as Psal 142. 7. Bring
every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed 2ly It 's also clear that Satan who is called the tempter Matth. 4. 3. Doth work upon mens own corruptions and promoteth the wickedness of them so that the lusts of wicked men are said to be the lusts of the Devil Joh 8. 44. And the lusts of your father ye will do So he Improveth the prevalent Sins that men have the greatest propension unto as the covetousness of Judas and the excesses of mens passions as grief to have them swallowed up with overmuch grief 2 Cor. 2. 7. Lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow and ver 11. Lest satan should get an advantage of us for we are not ignorant of his devices And melancholy souls darkened with their own Imaginations give great advantage to the Rulers of the darkness of this World 3ly But Temptations do sometimes arise only from Satan as to their first original and therefore he is called the tempter Matth. 4. 3. Because it 's his work to tempt and therefore tempted where there could be no hope of prevailing as appeared in his tempting of Christ 4ly And because of our depraved natures we are in danger of infection by these Temptations that hath their source and first rise from Satan 5ly All Temptations to Evil should be resisted whether we know the first spring from whence these Temptations flow or not our work is to reject them whether they be our own or mixt with Satans Temptations or his only 6ly Some of these Temptations that are immediately from Satan are called the fiery Darts of the wicked One Eph. 6. 16. So that the Dart cometh from the Devil and not from the mans heart they are called fiery Darts being suddenly thrown in for setting all on Fire in the Soul whereby there is such an unusual disturbance and surprising terrour as if all were in a Flame it being as death to them finding such suggestions against God and their own Salvation as they never found before and these so rageing that they know not where or how to hide themselves from the fury of the Flame these will be charged on Satans account Considering First That upon their very first appearing and assault thou meetest them with hatred indignation and horrour 2ly Though they continue sometime yet they are no more welcome than if Fireballs were thrown into thy House to burn thee and it up together thou givest no consent to them 3ly As thou canst thou resistest them 4ly Thou lookest up to God to deliver thee 5ly If they remove thou rejoycest 6ly Thou art so far from cherishing of them that their returning is thy great fear 7ly And any wicked suggestion against the honour of God is paining to thy soul These may help thee to understand that such hellish blasphemous Temptations are the Darts and Sins of Satan Object Some say they dare no more presume to go to the Lords Table because when they did partake they are perswaded that they did eat and drink unworthily so that it 's not only an unsuitable deportment that they have to bemoan as to their practice afterward but conclude that when they did Receive they did eat and drink Judgment to themselves and therefore wish they had never Received I heard some say that they thought their Communicating was the greatest Sin they ever committed in their Life-time but then they were overwhelmed with other temptations so that this was said in an hour of Darkness Answ Who can say that they eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup so worthily but that their failings are great in the very time of Receiving for which if God would enter into Judgement they could not stand What humble man dare say his apprehensions of a crucified Christ were so distinct as ought to have been Or that his Faith and Love were acted to that degree required Shal therefore the best of men on Earth conclude that they did eat and drink unworthily and so are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord and leave his Table always with Anguish rather than rejoycing in God their Saviour do you not see this a Temptation tending to the utter rejection of that blessed Ordinance of Christ 2ly Some of you who make this Objection cannot deny but that you did make Conscience of serious Preparation that you desired with reverence love to Receive Christ himself when you did receive the visible Signs only ye had not that measure of Faith and Love which you desired the worst you have to charge your self with was your weakness not Contempt nor was it Ignorance as to the discerning of Christ's Body but because your graces were not so lively as they ought I grant it 's necessary to bemoan our Failings but this is not the place of our perfection when that cometh we shal not need to Partake in such a manner as now but while we are here we must apply that precious Blood for purging away the guilt we contract in our best actings yea in the very time of Communicating we must apply Christ's Blood for the pardon of our Failings in Communicating so that your better way were to go again to the Lords Table and when you Receive learn and practise that way of applying that precious Blood that cleanseth from all Sin to cleanse you particularly from any sin you are guilty of by your weakness in Communicating 3ly And know that there is a necessity of distinguishing between Sins of Infirmity and Sins allowed The Apostle Paul was constrain'd to make use of this distinction for his own comfort when he saith Rom. 7. 15 For that which I do I allow not 4ly But supposing it were as you Object that you did once eat and drink unworthily it doth not follow that eternal Judgement shal be inevitable albeit the Sin be repented of for the clearing of this alittle Consider First That it 's granted every sin deserveth Judgment yea eternal Judgment and therefore 2ly This Sin of unworthy Communicating deserveth that Judgement 3ly The Apostle by Judgement here doth not understand only Eternal Judgement for he speaketh plainly of temporal Judgments inflicted for profanation of the Lords Supper ver 30. For this cause many are weak and Sickly among you and many sleep therefore he understandeth not only Eternal Judgment 4ly Some Partake of these temporal Judgments as chastenings that they should not be condemned with the World ver 32. Yet these chastenings are for their sinful Communicating then it followeth that some who are sinful in their manner of Communicating yet many obtain pardon the Lord chastening them for not Communicating aright that they may not be condemned with the World Though they deserved Eternal Judgment by profaneing that holy Ordinance yet by free grace they are forgiven God in his tender mercy reserving room for Repentance Consider also that the Passeover was a Seal of the same Covenant of Grace and great Sanctifying Preparation
Season of their Mercy feeling their hearts to burn within them they would not part with Christ but verses 28. and 29. Albeit He made as though He would go away they constrained him to stay with them unto which He Graciously yielded approving their Diligence to have their Mercy continued Keep your selves in the love of God Jude 21. And remember that these Disciples who fell asleep presently after Communicating the next thing we hear of them was forsaking their Master 3. As thou art to begin thy work early so Engage in it Effectually and particularly to follow the Lord fully Remember before thou came to the Lord's Table when thou was Examining thy heart and Practice how many sins then appeared and how Hainous insomuch that thou thought it hard for thee to approach the Lords Table lest thou should prof me it and durst not resolve on Partaking until thou hadst resolved and Engadged against such and such particular sins as for Instance thy pride and seeking of vain glory to thy self polluting lusts over reaching of the siâ—ple wasting of time in company without necessary occasion thy being often ashamed of thy Lord's Words rather complying with than rebuking of evil thy offensive passions fretting at thy Lot thy fainting in time of Trial thy earthliness of mind thy frequent neglecting of Prayer thy lukewarmness in it thy neglect of Meditation on the state of thy Soul thy wearying of Sabbaths or the Holy Duties then required thy Ingratitude for many signal Deliverances and Mercies thy being unâ—utiful either to the Souls or Bodies of thy Relations or to the Poor the bad example thou often givest to thy Family and the like sins If all these or any such evil were wounding to thy Conscience acknowledged to God Lamented and Engadged against as in the sight of God when no Mâ—â—tal eye was witness and with this Engadgment on thy Conscience to Reform thy ways to endeavour all Duty and cast away all thy Transgressionâ— by the help of Grace if thus thou came to the Lords Table and there Solemnly Renewed thy Covenant with God avâ—ching Him that day to be the Lord thy God and to walk in his ways Deut 26. 17. And in Testimony of thy Consent to all the Articles of the Covenant of Grace didst receive the Lord's publick Gospel Seal then know that God will call thee to account for thy observation of this Covenant take care lest thou be Charged as these Psal 78. 36. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth and they lied unto him with their tongâ—es For their heart was not right with him neitheir were they stedfast in his Covenant Take heed ye be not as these who said they would not Transgress and yet are found wandring from God and playing the Harlot every where Jeremiah 2. 20. And that ye may be stedfast in your Covenant with God and faithfully performing your Vows that ye may shine more and and more bright unto the perect Day and continue that Blessed Communion with Christ which is begun Resolve on a true walk with God this honourable Walk is often mentioned and diverse ways expressed in Scripture whereby the Lord Condescendeth to our weakness for our good that we may the better understand how to manadge this Walk as First Walk in Him Col. 2. 6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him What a wonderful walk is this to walk in Christ who can understand this if it be not given from above yet they are the Words of God discovering our Duty our Priviledge and our greatest Help for this Holy Walk 1. Our Duty still to abide in Christ never to go from Him to any hand to have all our way consisting with Communion with Christ to admit willingly of nothing but that which He will admit of in fellowship with Him that so our fellowship may be continued 2. Our Priviledge in partaking of so great Happiness as to be Interested in His Favour His love and care and Blessed with such nearness as to have Him for our Habitation where we may live and walk at a Holy Liberty 3. Here is our greatest Help and the very Fountain of it if all ordinary Cisterns were dried up the Believer shal Live by the Fountain itself because Christ Lives he who is in Him shal Live also the Believer Liveth upon Christ and His Fullness there he hath Grace to make him Love this Holy walk and hold up his goings in it 2. Walk with God Micah 6. 8. Walk humbly with thy God Let none be so profane as to say are not these one to walk in Him and to walk with Him and what need is there for Expressing this walk so many ways for they are the Words of God and therefore all to be Regarded This walking with God is a Testimony and Proof of our being agreed with Him otherwise there could be no walking with Him For He putteth away all the wicked like dross Psal 119. 119. The Lord confereth this honour upon Believers that being now reconciled by the Blood of Christ they may draw near with some Holy confidence and without Presumption walk with their God though it must be Humblâ— because He is God and we but dust nor is it possible to keep up this walk without Humility for the proud in heart are an Abomination to Him and the rareness of true humility maketh this walk so rare 2. It 's to walk with God that is in His way not in our ways we must attend Him in His own ways not expecting to walk with Him in our sinful ways this is the more to be regarded because we would willingly have God to be with us in our own way to owne and countenance us in the way of our own chusing when there is little care taken to be with God in his ways but we cannot walk with Him out of His own way and as we would have Him to be with us so we should take care that we be with Him 2 Chr. 15. 2. The Lord is with you while ye be with Him 3. Walk before me Gen. 17. 1. I am God Almighty walk before Me and be thou perfect 1. To walk as being under Gods al-seeing Eye which is a great help to a Holy walk labouring to do nothing but as being content God behold it setting the Lord always before our eyes or as the Apostle expresseth it I forsaw the Lord always before my fâ—ce Acts 2. 22. Blessed is the man who frameth all his way for that Omniscient Eye 2. To walk before Him is not only to be impressed with His discerning all our ways but to set Him before our eyes as our all sufficient God and help Believing in our hearts that He can strengthen and bear us up in all the difficult steps of our walk 3. To walk before Him or before His face is to Encourage the Believer that not only God can help but that His Eyes Mercifully upon His People observing all their
necessities and weakness and the need they have that His Gracious Power be forth-coming to them He hath them still before His Face or Eyes all which are strengthening for this Holy walk and keeping up Communion with God yea this walking before Him in a Believing manner is the way to bring us nearest unto Perfection walk before me and be thou perfect and this should be the Study of every Believer to be always making Progress toward Perfection the very endeavouring of it is also a great help to this Holy walk 4. We are to walk after God Deut. 13. 4. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him This walking after Him is that we may not mistake our selves by forgeting our due distance but understand that no Dignity no Priviledge no Intimacy granted should make us forget what He is and what we are it 's the Honour of His dearest Children to be His Followers Eph. 5. 1. 2dly We are hereby instructed that walking after Him is to fear Him and keep His Commands this must be in every step of our walk no pretence of a good Design no Invention of our own without His Command will agree with this walk 3. When the Believer is admitted into true Fellowship with God yet he is to follow on for greater nearness and at the nearest in this Life is to follow for more and the more near there is still the more of these Infinit Excellencies Discovered that maketh the Believer's Communion with God still a following after Him Phil. 3. 12. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after 5. We must walk as Christ walked 1 John 2. 6. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked we must not shut our eyes upon the Holiness of this walk required in this Scripture and must not throw it by saying it's impossible for us to Imitate Christ O that prejudice against the holiness of this walk did not more obstruct our Imitation than that Christ's Practice was in many things Unimitable for though it be true that no man is foolishly to presume an Imitation in all things or to attempt pure impossibilities yet it 's no less true that we are Oblidged to learn by Christ's Practice and Example wherein He is imitable For Matth. 11. 29. He requires us to Learn of Him for saith He I am meek and lowly in heart The Command is to learn by His Example there is the greater cause to Regard this because no man can Love Him and not desire to be like Him so far as is imitable in hope to be more like Him ere long when He shal appear 1 John 3. 2. Consider then O Christian His dâ—â—â—gence still going about doing good His not seeking His own Glory as a man His patience both towards His friends and foes His Humilitie and Meekness His Submission to His Father's Will His Diligence in Prayer sometimes continuing all Night Praying as Luke 6. 12. How much should it sweeten any Duty that Christ Practised it before us get this necessary Imitation once upon your Conscience as a Duty John 13. 15 Do as I have given you Example here is a Pattern that cannot deceive as the best of sinful men may do Therefore follow no man further than he is a Follower of Christ 1 Corinthians 11. 1. 6. Walk worthy of God 1 Thess 2. 12. That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto His Kingdom and Glory These also are the Words of God and must be regarded whatever difficulty appear in them the Believer must Study a suitableness to the Relation God has honoured him with 1 John 3. 2. Now are we the sons of God Believers must represent this Relation by the shining of their Father's Image upon them There are some of whom He is not ashamed to be called their God Heb. 11. 16. Walk suitable to your Engagements many eyes are upon you and your Conversation will be sure either to do good or hurt to others let no man Converse with you but so as he may have occasion for some good to his Soul let never poor Creature have cause of complaint that you hardned them in their sin and pushed them on to Hell walk suitable to thy hope of that Kingdom and Glory whereunto thou art called walk as it becomes an Heir of that Kingdom neither cast down nor lifted up with any thing that a little time shal consume labour to walk carefuly as an expectant of Heaven hoping shortly to be in it with thy best Company and that thou mayest get these things in some measure cheerfully performed First Seek to be Confirmed that thy fellowship with God is begun 2. Adore the Mercy that ever brought thee so near Him 3. Mind often what is revealed of the Glorious eternal Communion to come 4. See that Love constrain thee to keep still near God 5. Watch and oppose whatever allureth thy heart from this fellowship 6. Yet Commit the keeping of thy Soul into the hands of thy Redeemer 7. Trust Him with every thing thou hast to do 8. Seek to delight in Him as thy exceeding Joy in all Revolutions Publick or Privat 9. Meditate on thy Mercies as well as either thy sin or wants 10. Grieve not the Holy Spirit whereby he dwelleth in thee and Sealeth thee 11. Lay out thy Graces or Gifts for the Master's use and so they will grow 12. Labour to know better what a Conversation in Heaven is that thou mayest be daily drawing out of Heaven that which will help thee to it that which will sweeten all the severities of the way to thy Home and these First Fruits that will secure it to be thy Home and make thee desire that better Countrey and while thou art here draw out of Christ's fulness with Joy abide in Him who purchased that Inheritance and hath prepared it for thee and is the way to it and shall receive thee to Himself when thy walk is over and place thee with Himself in His Father's Kingdom whence thou shalt go no more out nor ever desire to be out FINIS
and Vers 13. I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. And therefore 5thly When thou art at his Table set thy soul for accepting of Christ and be not jealous of his Offer for thou shalt have a blessed Meeting I may say of this Ordinance as is expressed by the Prophet pointing at Gospel Ordinances in the latter days Ezek. 20. 40. This is the mountain of the heigth of Israel and there will I accept thee here is a Mercy-seat indeed Christ revealed as dying to obtain mercy for poor sinners and on this Mercy-seat he meeteth with his people Exod. 25. 22. Object I cannot go to the Lords Table for I know that I shall not live suitable to Engagements made there I find it already to my grief that all my former Vows are broken I will break no moe engagements of that nature better keep my self free of that addition to my former sins and pray that the Lord would pardon me for my unfaithfulness in times past Ans It s to be supposed in charity that you do not design to be unfaithful if ye should communicat again for ye appear to grieve for it but for you to prophesie that it will be so hereafter is a limiting of the power and mercy of God What do you know what is to come For you may have that at one Communion which you never obtained before Is the spirit of the Lord straitned that ye cannot be made faithful Micah 2. 7. 2dly It appears to have been your custom to trust your selves with keeping of your Vows for ye dare not trust God with it you think it dangerous to put your selves so far in his reverence as that either you must trust him or be treacherous and therefore you will not expose your selves to that necessity of his help Ah poor soul wilt thou not be beholden to God for holding up thy goings Psal 17. 5. Hold up my goings Wilt thou not be beholden to him for causing thee walk in his ways and making thee faithful Ezek. 39 27. Cannot his mercy and grace preserve the when thy foot is ready to slip Psal 94. 18. When I said my foot slippeth thy mercy O Lord held me up 3dly If thou be a Christian indeed and concerned in Christ then thou art commanded to do this in remembrance of him Now what sort of a Christian art thou who dare say to him in his face Lord thou sayest do this But I say I will not do this for thy Objection runs so I resolve I will not communicat more and givest thy reason because I will not come under such Engagements as I am ready to break and because thou canst never communicat but thou wilt come under such Engagements it s all one as if thou had said I will never communicat Christ saith his yoke is easie Mat. 11. 30. Thou sayest it is so uneasie I will never put my neck more under it Canst thou hold up thy face and tell him so Remember who said Psal 2. 3. Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us Here is the Mystery pretend what ye will that the Bonds of Duty are troublesome and therefore these Cords must be cast away and then we shall have some more liberty to do as we list and thus thou makest a snare for thy own poor soul thou lookest on thy Duty as a snare to thee but now thou art caught in a snare of thy own making to sin with ease 4thly Thou appears to think it unlawful to come under such a Bond as if we should not make such Engagements How then sayest thou to that Psal 76. 11. Vow unto the Lord your God and pay there the Lord maketh it a Duty which thou refusest as evil Psal 119. 105. I have sworn and will perform it that I will keep thy righteous judgements It was never the way of Godly men to say I will engage no more to God but their way hath been to resolve on paying of their Vows to God Psal 61. 8. That I may dayly perform my vows And Psal 56. 12. Thy vows are upon me O God I will render praises unto thee And therefore 5thly Thy best way is to lament and mourn for thy unfaithfulness and yet resolve upon paying of thy Vows blessing God that there is yet a Season for repentance and if thou repents indeed there will be a care for the time to come that no Duty be neglected thou wilt be afraid to neglect communicating but labour to prepare for it because Christ hath made it a Duty thou wilt not think that any sinful omission can cure thy former evils 6thly Whereas thou sayest that thou wilt seek for the remission of thy former failings which thou hopest to obtain tho' thou never go to the Lords Table I answer if thou obtainest pardon it must be by the Blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin 1 Joh. 1. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin Now in the Lords Supper there is an offer of the benefit of this precious Blood and if thou deliberatly refusest the application of Christs Blood in the way that he hath appointed its just that thou should never get that precious Blood applyed in thy way since thou knowingly refusest his way for albeit the pardon of sin doth not absolutely depend on participation of that holy Ordinance but that he who believeth eateth Christs flesh and drinketh his blood Joh. 6. 54. And a Godly person may be in such Circumstances as he cannot have the benefit of the Lords Supper yet the contempt of Christs Institution where this Ordinance is administred is a sin of an high nature as if Christ had instituted it in vain and therefore I say its just with God to deprive thee of pardon in thy way while thou despisest his way 7thly No Christian who observeth his own way but will find cause of mourning for being unsuitable to such holy Priviledges and Engagements will it therefore follow that no Christian who hath failed in his Duty shall again partake Then the best of men might resolve on no more communicating and Christ shall not have the publick honour due to him by it But if you say your unfaithfulness hath been very grievous and extraordinary still answer you have the more need of the vertue of Christs Blood for remission which should be applyed in that special manner he hath required and therefore thy Duty is to repent and prepare to shew forth the glory of Christs love manifested in that holy Ordinance and the greater thy transgressions be the greater is thy debt to shew forth his Death by which Death only thou can be preserved from that second Death which thou hast deserved Object I cannot go to the Lords Table for he hath forsaken me he hath cast off my soul he sendeth nothing for my good and nothing doth me good he hath left me to my own counsels why then should