WHat is the Lords Supper?

It is a Sacrament of the Mat. 26. 28 eternall Couenant, where­by through the vse of bread and wine rightly administred, and faith­fully Ioh. 6. 27. 54. &c receiued, the soules of them that are ingrafted into Christ, are spiritually nou­rished vnto eternall life.

What then is required of those that will be pertakers of this heauenly foode at the Lords Table?

They must bée prepared as méete Mat. 22. 12 1 Cor. 11. 28. guests for such a banquet.

For the better attaining to this pre­paration, how many things are there to be considered?

Thrée: first, what is to be done be­fore the parting of it: secondly, what at it: thirdly, what after it.

What is it that must be done before?

There must be, first, an examinati­on how fit wée are to receiue: secondly, a 1 Exami­nation. premeditation of the benefits that wee are to receiue: thirdly, a faithfull and feruent prayer for Gods blessing vpon our exami­nation, premeditation and receiuing.

Of what points are we to examine our selues?

First, in generall, whether wée be of the number of the faithfull, and haue in vs the life of grace: for otherwise wée are vtterly vnfit to be partakers of the Lords Supper, which is appointed for foode to continue spirituall life where it is, and not to worke it where it is not: to bée for nourishment vnto Gods Children, but for the bane and destruction of dogs & swine, that dare presume to meddle with the same. Secondly, we must examine our selues more particularly.

Concerning what matters?

Whether wée haue attained vnto a competent measure of Repentance, knowledge, faith, and loue: which if wee [Page] can find in our selues, wée may resolue our hearts in that point of generall exami­nation, and conclude that wée are within the couenant of grace, and haue commu­nion with Christ Iesus, & therefore are in state to be communicants at his Table.

How should we trie our selues in the matter of Repentance?

Wée must examine, first, whether wee haue at any time carefully sifted our 1 Repen­tance. hearts and behauior, to find out as many of our corruptions as possibly we could. Secondly, whether we haue been, and are heartily sorrowfull for the same. Thirdly, whether wée haue rightly confessed them before the Lord, with an earnest desire of the pardon thereof. Fourthly, whether we purpose and resolue for euer hereafter (through Gods gracious assistance) to re­forme both our hearts and wayes.

Is there any necessity of that sear­ching of our selues?

Yes verily: for otherwise we shall be found hiders of sins, which hindreth all 1 Searching. See the Sermon on Pro. 28. 13. Doct. 1. Iob. 20. 12. true prosperity, and argueth plainely that there is in vs a loue of iniquity, and abun­dance of hypocrisy, which will kéep vs from reaping benefit by the word or sacrament.

VVhereby should we try our selues to the intent that wee may come to a more full and particular sight of our cor­ruptions.

By the Law of God, which is the true touchstone: examining our selues by euery Commandement, that so wée may discerne, if not all, yet the most part of the corruptions of our Soules, and errours of our liues: and for our more orderly procée­ding herein, wée may vse this direction following: wherein are set downe the chiefe heads of most of the sinnes against euery Commandement,

• 1 ATheisme, which is, when men ei­ther
  If any doe desire proofes of Scripture for these particular sins men­tioned, he may vse the helpe of M^r Dods Booke on the com­mande­ments or of the True watc [...] where ma­ny of these are tou­ched.
  thinke there is no God, or liue as if there were no God.
• 2 Idolatry: which is, the hauing of a false god.
• 3 Ignorance, vncapablenes of know­ledge, errors, and heresies.
• 4 Forgetfulnesse of good things, espe­cially of those that most concerne vs, and chiefly at that instant when wée should make vse of them. Secondly, remembring of euill things; especially of those that [Page] most corrupt vs: and chiefly then, when wee should be most frée from the thought of them.
• 5 Vnwillingnesse vnto good things, principally to the best: readinesse vnto, and wilfulnesse in euill, especially the worst. Secondly, impatience vnder crosses.
• 6 Distrust of Gods power, mercy, pro­mises, and prouidence, whence carnall feares are wrought and cherished, and the true feare of God is expelled & banished.
• 7 Presumption vpon Gods mercy.
• 8 Carnall confidence in wit, learning, wealth strength, friends, &c. thinking our selues the better, or more safe simply for them: whence ariseth pride and security.
• 9 Too much loue of euill: as also of our selues, our friends, our pleasure, pro­fit, credit, &c. Secondly, too little loue of God, and of goodnesse, of Gods seruants, and seruices.
• 10 Hatred of God and goodnesse. Se­condly, want of hatred against our owne, and others sinnes.
• 11 Abundance of worldly sorrow, shame, and discontentment. Secondly, want of spirituall griefe, and indignati­on against our owne and others trans­gressions. [Page] Thirdly, not lamenting for the calamities of Gods people, priuate or publike.
• 12 Immoderate carnall mirth: too little spiritiuall ioy.
• 13 Hardnes of heart, benummednes of conscience: or hellish terrors and accu­sations, procéeding from doing things ei­ther without, or against the rules of the Word.

• 1 BAse and vnwarranted conceits of God, as when we frame any Image of him in our minds.
• 2 Worshipping of Images.
• 3 Adoration of Angels or Saints, ob­seruing holy dayes in deuotion to them, swearing by them, &c.
• 4 Approbation of Idolatry by pre­sence, spéech, gesture, silence, kéeping of su­perstitious relickes or monuments, kée­ping company with Idolaters, &c.
• 5 Neglect of any of Gods ordinances, as of preaching, hearing, reading, medita­tion, conference, the vse of good bookes, and [Page] of good company, of priuate and publike prayer, fasting, making of vowes, &c.
• 6 Superstitious fasting, rash vowes, breach of lawfull vowes, abuse of lots, &c.
• 7 Want of sorrow for being borne of Idolatrous fore-fathers.

• 1 PRofession ioyned with prophane­nesse, whereby Gods name is disho­noured.
• 2 Abusing of Gods word: first, by fruit­lesse speaking of it: secondly, framing iests out of it, or against it: thirdly, maintai­ning of sinne by it: fourthly, applying it to charming, &c.
• 3 Abusing the names or titles of God: first, by admiration, as by saying in our common talke, Oh Lord, Oh Iesus, &c. Secondly, by cursing, &c.
• 4 Swearing vainely, outragiously, and falsely, &c.
• 5 Blaspheming.
• 6 Taking a lawfull oath without due reuerence and consideration.
• 7 Praying without faith, féeling, re­uerence, feruency, not waiting for [Page] answere. &c. Asking euill thinks: aiming more in our requests at the relieuing of our necessity, then at the aduancement of Gods glory.
• 8 Hearing, reading, meditating, con­ferring, singing of psalmes, and receiuing the Sacrament without preparation, at­tencion, renerence, delight, and profit.
• 9 Light passing ouer of Gods great workes, of creation, preseruation, redemp­tion, as also of other his mercies & iudge­ments.
• 10 Abuse of our Christian liberty, to the hardening, insuaring, peruerting, or iust grieuing of any

• 1 NEglect of peparation for the Sa­both before it come, and of fiting our hearts for holy seruices when it is come.
• 2 Prophane absence from. or vnfruit­full presence at Gods ordinances.
• 3 Excessiue eating and drinking, which causeth drousinesse, & vnfitnesse for Gods worship.
• [Page]4 Doing any ordinary worke of our calling.
• 5 All recreations which distract.
• 6 Vaine and worldly spéeches, and thoughts.
• 7 A secret desire that the Sabbath were ouer.
• 8 Neglect of calling our selues, or o­thers to a reckoning after holy excercises.
• 9 Giuing liberty to our selues in the night before the whole Sabbath bath be ended.

• Sinnes of all inferiours in respect of their superiours.
  • 1 VVAnt of reuerence inward, or outward: secondly, neglect of prayer: thirdly, of humble submission.
• Sinnes of all Superiours.
  • First want of loue: secondly failing in prayer: thirdly in giuing good example.
• Sinnes of Children in respect of their Parents.
  • 1 Disobedience.
  • 2 Murmuring at their Parents correc­tions, though vniust.
  • [Page]3 Contemning them for any defect of body or minde.
  • 4 Vnthankfulnesse in not reléeuing them, not standing for their deserued cre­dit, &c.
• Sinnes of parents.
  • 1 Negligence in not instructing their children betime.
  • 2 Not correcting them till it be too late, or doing it with vitternesse without com­passion, instruction, and prayer.
  • 3 Giuing them ill example.
  • 4 Neglect of bringing them vp in some lawfull calling.
  • 5 Not bestowing them timely, and re­ligiously in marriage.
  • 6 Light behauiour before them, and too much familiarity with them, whereby they become vile in their eyes.
  • 7 Louing beauty, or any outward parts more then Gods Image in them.
  • 8 A sinne peculiar in the mother is re­fusing to nurse them
• Seruants sinnes in respect of their Gouernours. The three first sins of Children may be in seruants, as also these that follow
  • 1 Idlenesse in their calling.
  • [Page]2 Vnthriftines & vnfaithfulnes in dea­ling with their Masters goods & affaires.
  • 3 Stealing, priuy defrauding of them.
  • 4 Eye seruice.
• Diuers sins of Parents are found in Ma­sters, as these that follow.
  • 1 Vnaduised entertainment of sinfull seruants.
  • 2 Not vsing religious exercises with them: not admonishing nor correcting them, or doing it in an ill manner: grie­uing more when they faile in their busi­nesse, then when they are slacke in Gods seruice.
  • 3 Not recompencing their labours by giuing them a due reward when they are with them, & when they part from them.
  • 4 Neglect of them in sicknesse: vniust stopping of their wages for that time.
  • 5 Not relieuing them (if they be able) in their age, who haue spent their youth in their seruice.
• Sinnes of the wife in respect of her Husband.
  • 1 Failing in reuerence, which appea­reth in froward lookes, spèeches, or behaui­our.
  • [Page]2 Disobedience in the smallest matters.
• Sinnes of the Husband.
  • 1 Not dwelling with his wife.
  • 2 Neglect of edifying her by instructi­on and example.
  • 3 Denying her comfortable mainte­nance, and imployment.
• Snnes common to them both.
  • 1 Want of loue.
  • 2 Bewraying one anothers infirmi­ties: discouering each others secrets.
  • 3 Iealousie. 4 Contention.
• Sinnes of the people in regard of their Ministers.
  • 1 Disobeying and opposing against their doctrine.
  • 2 Denying them competent mainte­nance.
  • 3 Not standing for them when they are wronged.
• Sinnes of Ministers.
  • 1 Slacknesse in preaching.
  • 2 Vnprofitable or hurtfull teaching.
  • 3 Giuing ill example.
• Sinnes of Subiects.
  • 1 Rebellion. 2. Refusing to pay dues.
• [Page]Sinnes of Magistrates.
  • 1 Carelesnesse in establishing and pro­moting true religion.
  • 2 Of maintaining peace, and proui­ding that Malefactors may bée punished, and well doers be encouraged.
• Sinnes of Inferiors in gifts or age.
  • 1 No [...] acknowledging, nor reueren­cing, nor imitating the graces of their su­periors.
  • 2 [...]espising of the aged.
  • See the sinnes of Superiors in gifts or age, in the very beginning of the fift Com­mandement.

• 1 RAsh anger, enuy, hatred, & malice.
• 2 Brawling, reuiling, threatning, and prouoking of others.
• 3 Fighting.
• 4 Cruelty in punishing, oppression, &c.
• 5 Murthering of ourselues or others, or consent thereto.
• 6 Immoderate worldly sorrow: neg­lect of Phisicke, or wholesome diet, and ex­ercise in surfeting & drunkennes, all which are enemies to the health and life of man.
• 7 Cruelty to our own, or others soules.

• [Page]1 ADultery, fornication, incest, rape, Sodomie.
• 2 All wantonnes, secret or open, alone or with others.
• 3 Nocturnall pollutions, and lustfull dreames, &c.
• 4 Vnholy marriages, in regard of re­ligion, age, néerenes of blood, want of pa­rents consent, &c.
• 2 Abuse of the ma­riage bed, not obser­uing the time of
  • naturall separation
  • Leu. 28. 19.
  • solemn humiliation
• 6 Nourishing of the causes and occasi­ons of wantonnesse, as impure lusts, sur­fetting, drunkennesse, idlenes, lasciuious apparrell, society with lasciuious persons, lewd bookes, songs or spéeches: wnaton lookes, pictures, stage-playes, dauncing, dalliance, &c.
• 7 Wearing apparel contrary to our sex.
• 8 Vnlawfull diuorce.

• 1 COuetousnes, and all desire of our neighbours goods, albeit through feare or shame we cannot get them.
• [Page]2 Church-robbing.
• 3 Robbing of our selues by wastful­nesse in diet, apparell, gaming, &c: by idle­nes, vnaduised suretiship, nigardlines, &c.
• 4 Robbing of others, taking away the smallest things: first by fraude: secondly­vncharitable inclosure: thirdly, dealing wrongfully with the goods of the decea­sed: fourthly, deceit in buying and selling:▪ fifthly, with-holding either things com­mitted vnto vs, or things found lent, ear­ned, or otherwise due.
• 5 Not making of restitution.
• 6 Counselling, or consenting to others in theft.

• 1 FAlse witnesse-bearing in publike or priuate, or consent thereunto.
• 2 Raising, spreading abroad, or liste­ning to false reports of tale-bearers.
• 3 Rash suspition▪ hard iudging, inter­preting things in the worst sense.
• 4 Aggrauating and discouering others infirmities without care of their credite, others edification, orour owne good.
• 5 Flattery.
• [Page]6 Lying, though in iest, or to a good end.
• 7 Boasting.
• 8 Iniurious charging of our selues to be hypocrites in time of temptation.
• 9 Want of care, of our owne, and o­thers good name, that God might haue more glory.

• MVltitudes of euill thoughts and mo­tions against our neighbours, and scarcity of such as are good.

VVhen we haue attained to a par­ticular sight of our many and grieuous iniquities and transgressions, what is fur­ther to be done for vs?

We must labor to bring our hearts Dan. 9. 9. 2 Godly sorrow. See the Sermō on Isa. 1. Doct. 1. Iam. 4. 8, 9. Ier. 4. 14. Ioel. 2. 13. Zac. 12. 20. Chr. 13. 8 to true sorrow & contrition for the same.

VVhat vse is there of that?

It is requisite in diuers respects: it beeing a speciall meanes to purge our soules from the pollution of sinne, to moue the Lord to haue compasssion on vs, and plen [...]fully to poure downe his mercies vpon vs, without which, it is certaine there is no sound repentance in vs, nor mercy to be expected from our God.

Sith it is so necessary, shew mee how it may be gotten?

First, wée must beséech the Lord, (from whom procéedeth euery good and perfect gift) to worke it in our hearts.

Secondly, wée must vse all good helpes to stirre vp our selues thereunto: as,

First, to call to minde the multitude, and grieuousnesse, and offensiuenesse of Nehem. 9 Psal. 51. our sinnes, together with our long conti­nuance therein: aggrauating them by eue­ry circumstance to make them more odi­ous to our selues.

Secondly, to goe to the house of mour­ning, Eccles. 7. and to make vse of euery stroake of God, as well vpon others, as our selues.

Thirdly, not onely with patience to en­dure, but with earnestnes to intreat, and with gladnesse to accept of the help of such as haue broken hearts themselues, and so are more able and skilfull to pierce and wound the soules of others.

Fourthly, when by our owne sifting, and others faithfull dealing; our hearts are touched with some remorse, let vs se­riously and throughly ponder vpon the in­finite mercy of God the Father, in giuing his Sonne, and of Christ Iesus in giuing [Page] himselfe for vs, who by reason of our sins were deadly enemies vnto him: the consi­deration whereof cannot but moue our hearts to relent, vnlesse they be altogether flinty, and hard as Adamant.

When our hearts are touched with inward griefe for our speciall corrupti­ons, what is to be done in the next place? 3 Confes­sion. See the Sermō on Prou. 28. Doct. 2. 2 Ioh. 1. 9, 2 Sam. 24. 12.

Wée must bring them in an holy confession before God.

What motiues are there to induce vs so to doe?

Diuers: for first, without this there is no promise of pardon of sin, nor indéed any godly sorrow, or sound repentance for sinne.

Secondly, this is a soueraigne preser­uatiue against relapses, as may be séene in Dauid, Peter, and Paul.

Thirdly, this is an effectuall meanes Dan. 9. 19. Neh. 1. 5, 6. to quicken our hearts vnto prayer.

Fourthly, hereby God is much glorifi­ed in his Truth, Mercy, and Iustice.

Seeing this acknowledgement of sin is so needfull, declare how it must be performed?

These rules must be obserued therein. First that it procéed from a good root, viz.

[Page] 1 From an vtter hatred of sinne: not from wearinesse vnder the Crosse, as in Pharaoh, nor from some sudden passion, as in Saul.

2 From hope of mercy: for if that bée 2 Sam. 14. 18. wanting, we shall neuer rest on God for pardon.

Secondly, that it may be made in a good manner, viz.

1 Heartily and sincerely, not coldly and hypocritically.

2 Particularly and with enumeration of our speciall and most beloued sins, as in Ier. 31. 19. Paul and Ezra.

What will follow vpon such a confession?

A desire of reformation, and a full 4 Refor­mation. See the Sermō on Prou. 28. Doct. 3. Acts 19. 18 Isa 1. 16. purpose to abandon the allowance of eue­ry infirmity, and the practise of euery grosse sinne.

How may this reformation be at­tained vnto?

First, wée must constantly and care­fully auoid all the occasions of sinne, and bée most sealous of our selues where wée are most prone to be ouertaken.

Secondly, wée must conscionably and continually vse all the meanes of goodnes.

Thirdly, when we are euertaken through infirmity, we must presently and heartily lament our fall, and seeke a reconciliation.

Fourthly, if these meanes preuaile not, wée must binde our selues by a solemne vow to striue against our principall sins, and most dangerous corruptions.

what other notes are there besides these already spoken of, wherby we may be assured that our repentance is sound, & that our harts doe not deceiue vs therein?

These following: First, if wée bée vniuersall in our obedience desiring to Notes of sound re­pentance. Psal. 119▪ 6 See the Sermō on that place Doct. 2. Ps. [...]. 13, 14 Ioh. 31. 1. 1 Cor. 4. 3. practise or forbeare whatsoeuer GOD would haue vs: not giuing a dispensation to our selues for the committing of any sinne, or for the omitting of any du [...]y, but [...] manner of euill both in our selues and others.

Secondly, if we increase in goodnesse, neither waxing worse, nor standing at a stay, but daily getting ground of our cor­ruptions.

Thirdly, if in all our intents and acti­ons wée looke vnto the Lord, as the sear­cher of our hearts, and the tryer & rewar­der of our workes, not discouraging our selues whatsoeuer men thinke, or speake [Page] of vs and our doings, so that God doe ap­proue of vs and them: not contenting our selues with mens approbations when the testimony of God is not for vs.

Fourthly, if wée like best, and desire most that company in priuate, and that teaching in publike, where our speciall cor­ruptions shall be roundly and wisely, and mercifully reproued & inueighed against, and the duties wherein we come shortest, most earnestly pressed, and stood vpon: neither falling out with those that admo­nish vs, nor denying, cloaking, excusing or extenuating our faults.

What else is required in a worthy receiuer?

A competent measure of knowledge, so that he be able to discerne betweene the 2 Know­ledge. elements, and the Lords body and blood: taking euery thing in it owne nature and kinde: not confounding the signe with the thing signified, nor putting no diffe­rence betwéene the Sacramentall and common bread, but vsing each of them in the manner apointed by Christ, and with such reuerence as is due vnto them, & to that end for which they were ordained: namely, the commemoration of Christ [Page] his death, and our néerer and fuller com­munion with him.

VVhat further examination must we vse before our communicating at the Lords Table?

Wée must trie whether wée haue faith or not: without the which it is im­possible 3 Faith. Heb. 11. 6. Rom 14. 23. to please God, and whatsoeuer we doe is sinne.

VVhat then is to be beleeued con­cerning this particular ordinance?

That it is ordained of God not to Se the 2. Sermō on N [...]t. 14. Doct. 7. bée a signe to signifie and represent, but a seale also to confirme, and an instrument to exhibit Christ with all his merits vnto euery beléeuer.

VVhy is loue vnto men required in all faithfull receiuers.

First, because being destitute of that wée cannot be assured of Gods loue vnto 4 Loue. vs, nor of our loue vnto him.

Secondly, wée cannot with any confi­dence Ioh. 3. expect at the Sacrament a generall acquittance from all our debts vnto God, except we in loue, can passe by small offen­ces in our brethren.

Thirdly, the Lords Supper is ordai­ned as a seale of a mutuall fellowship, and Mat. 18. 35 [Page] communion of Gods people, as with their head Christ, so with one another.

VVhat rules are we to obserue in loue?

First, if any indignity or iniury See the Sermon on Isai. 1 Doct. 1 Mat. 18. 35 Rom. 12. Mat. 5. haue béene offered vs, wée must forgiue, and forget the same, and ouercome euill with goodnesse: louing them that hate vs, and praying for them that speake and pra­ctise euill against vs, at least desiring and striuing so to doe.

Secondly, if wée haue done wrong vnto others, wée must vndoe it againe: other­wise our sacrifice and seruice cannot bée accepted.

But what if those that wee haue wronged bee farre off, that wee cannot seeke vnto them: or will not yeeld to a reconciliation when it is sought for?

God will accept of our true and vn­fained desire in that behalfe, when a re­conciliation is desired, but occasion de­nied, and if others will not be pacified to­wards vs, it is their fault and not ours, neither must that kéepe vs from the Sa­crament.

Thus much concerning examination.

what is that Premeditation which must be vsed?

It is a serious consideration of the 2 Preme­diatinu. benefits which we are to receiue by Christ Iesus.

what are those?

They set downe in the new co­uenant Eze 36. 21. Ier. 31. 31. (whereof the Lords Supper is a seale,) and they may be reduced to these heads.

• 1. Fréedome from all manner of euill whatsoe­uer, whether of sinne or misery, in this life or in that which is to come:
• 2 The in­ioymēt of all good things:
  • 1. In this World: and that,
    • 1. For the in­ward man.
      • 1. Perfect iustifi­cation.
      • 2. True sanctifi­cation.
    • 2. For the outward man.
      • a good name, estate, safety, health, &c.
  • 2. In the world to come.
    • all manner of hap­pinesse. &c.

Hauing thus examined our selues concerning our repentance, knowledge, faith, and loue, and vsed premeditation [Page] of the benefits that are to be expected of all worthy receiuers, what remaineth further to be done by vs?

Wée must before our approaching 3 Prayer. to the Lords Table, earnestly beséech his Maiesty to giue a blessing to these our en­deauours: and where wée haue come short in fitting our selues, wée are to intreate him to pardon i [...]; to accept of vs in the me­diation of his deare Sonne, and to make a supply of all our wants, of his rich mercy and frée grace.

But what if a man find that he com­meth very short of that examination, and preparation that is required; were he not better to be absent himselfe from the Sa­crament, till he be better fitted?

In no wise: for if he be vpright hear­ted, See the 2. Sermon on 2 Ch. 30 Doct. 3 though neuer so weake, the Lord will accept of him. And if hee féele his sicknes to be grieuous and dangerous, hée hath the more néed to hasten to the Phisition: nei­ther is the staying from Gods ordinance a meanes to better his estate, but rather to make him worse, and to pull Gods heauy iudgments vpon his soule & body. Num. 9.

Thus much concerning the duties ten­ding to preparatiō before our receiuing.

How must wee be disposed in the present act of receiuing?

Wée must present our selues with reuerence be fore the Lord, setting our sen­ses How wee are to bee disposed in the act of receiuing. Isai. 53. and our faith a works, and heed fully meditating vpon these fo [...]re things.

First, when we see the bread broken, and the wine poured out, wée must con­sider the bitter passion of Christ Iesus, who was wounded for our transgressi­ons, and broken for our iniquities; who encountred with his Fathers wrath, and with Sathan, death, and hell: and for our sakes in particular sustained such woefull terrors in his soule, and torments in his body, that hée cried out in the bitternesse of his heart, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and at length, shedde forth his most precious bloold for the paci­fying of his Fathers displeasure, and the satisfying of his infinite iustice. And with­all we should seriously ponder vpon the inconceiueable loue of God the Father, in giuing his onely and well beloued Son, to suffer [...]ch vnspeakeable fortures for vs, who were cursed Rebels against him: and thence bée drawne to thinke on the hai­nousnesse and odiousnesse of our sinnes, [Page] which so farre incensed the Lords wrath & indignation, that nothing could quench the flame thereof, but onely the precious blood of his deare Sonne.

Secondly, when we sée the Minister di­stributing the bread and wine, wée are to consider, that as those outward elements are offered vnto vs by man: so Christ Ie­sus with all his benefits is offered vnto vs by the blessed Trinity.

Thirdly, that as we reach forth our na­turall hand to receiue the bread and wine, wée must withall reach forth the hand of faith to apprehend and lay holde on Christ.

Fourthly, in eating the berad and drinking the wine, wée must apply Christ with all his merits particularly vnto our selues, and be assured, that as that bread and wine are made the nourishment of our bodies: so Christ his body and blood are made the nourishment of our soules: And as certainely as the bread and wine are made one substance with vs, to strengthen our bodies, and to refresh our hearts, so surely Christ is made one with vs, and we with him, and then our soules shall bée strengthened, and our hearts [Page] spiritually reuiued, either presently in the very act of receiuing, or afterwards in due time, when wée shall stand in most néede of comfort. And therefore in assu­rance of faith we should stir vp our hearts to expect all the forenamed benefits of re­mission of sinnes, and sanctification of our natures, together with the fruition of all outward blessings, and the remouall of all hurtfull crosses.

well were it for vs indeede, if we could look for these things to be bestow­ed vpon vs: but the greatnesse and mul­titude of our sinnes is such, that we iustly feare they wil keep good things from vs.

This doubt should not perplex See the Sermon on Isai. 1. Doct. 7. 1 Ioh. 1. 6. Eze. 36. 25 nor trouble vs, if wée be truely penitent for all our transgressions: for Christ hath paid for many and great sinnes, as well as for fewer & lesser: and through him the Lord is ready to pardon all, and all manner of iniquities, as well the greatest of them, as the smallest, and if once our sins bée done away, all the forenamed benefits doe of right belong to vs.

Thus much concerning the meditati­ons that are needful in the very act of re­ceiuing.

What is to be done after our re­ceiuing?

First, wée must giue hearty thanks vnto the Lord for this inestimable bene­fite, 3 What to bee done after our receiuing. which wée haue receiued in being par­takers of the Lords Supper.

Secondly, wèe must carefully marke how wée spéed, and what successe we find, and if the Lord aff [...]ord vs present comfort, we must be much more thankefull, and en­deauor by all good meanes to nourish and cherish the same, and if wée misse of it for that time, wée must notwithstanding giue God the glory of his truth, in making good his Couenant and euery part thereof, and therefore with confidence and con­stancy waite and pray for the blessing: re­soluing with our selues (euery one in his owne soule) that as sure as God is true, and faithfull in his promises, wée shall in the fittest season reape fruit and profit by his ordinance, which in conscience and o­bedience vnto him, wée haue béene parta­kers of. In which regard euery particu­lar beléeuer may boldly speake, in this, or the like manner vnto his owne soule: I haue with as great vprightnesse as I could, communicated at the Lords table, [Page] and there receiued the seale of the euerla­sting couenant of grace, and therefore it shall assuredly be performed vnto me: and albeit my faith, and assurance of Gods fa­uour bée but weake, it shall bée strengthe­ned, and whatsoeuer Sathan, or mine owne deluded conscience tell me, all mine iniquities are pardoned and couered, and I am at this very instant, as frée from sin in Gods account, as Adam was before Psal. 32. his fall, and as the Saints and Angels are now in heauen; yea, as Christ Iesus him­selfe is, I being a member of his mysticall body.

And for sanctification, though I bée tainted with much ignorance, with many errours, with bad affections and euill acti­ons, yet the Lord according to his Coue­nant, will reforme all, and giue me a mind to know him, and his will, and a memo­ry to hold fast what I know: hée will giue mée a heart to loue him, to feare him, and to obey his Commandements. I shall haue Christ his power to strengthen and vphold mée, his wisdome to instruct and direct mée, and his Spirit to worke all néedfull graces in mée, so that all the pow­ers of hell shall neuer bée able to preuaile [Page] against mée, much lesse shall the afflicti­ons of this World be able to separate mée from Christ Iesus, I néede not feare any euill: For all shall worke together for the best vnto mée, neither can I want any thing that is good, for God hauing giuen Rom. 8. vs his Sonne, how shall hee not with him giue vs all things?

Thirdly, wée must determine and en­deauour to leade a new life, bringing forth the fruits of Repentance, Faith, & Loue, more aboundantly then in former times, as hauing renued our couenant with the Lord for that purpose: and therefore when we find any sinfull motions stirring with­in vs, wée should reason thus: Did I not at the Sacrament vowe and couenant with God to striue against all manner of corruptions? and did I not receiue the seale of the couenant in assurance that I should haue power and strength against them? Why then should I yéeld vnto them? why should I be any longer in bondage vnto them? nay, I will not serue sinne in the lusts thereof, but will resist it, and by the power of Christ I shall get vic­tory ouer it: for the Lord hath said that Rom. 6. 14. sinne shall not haue dominion ouer vs.

So also when wée find wants and im­perfections in our best seruices, as cold­nesse in prayer, distractions in meditating, vnfruitfulnesse in hearing, deadnesse in singing of Psalmes, &c. As also impatien­cy, or faint-heartednesse vnder crosses, disgraces, persecutions, &c. Let vs thou reléeue our selues with these, or the like meditations: Was I not lately at the Lords Table, where I receiued a pledge of my ingrafting into Christ, who is the true Vi [...]e? and is there not in him suffici­ent iuyce of all good graces to be deriued to euery branch that is in him: and is not the second Adam as able to conuey his ver­tues into mée, as the first Adam was to conuey his corruptions▪ why then should I not séeke to him, in assurance of obtai­ning strength to doe and suffer whatsoe­uer hée will haue mée? yea, I will runne vnto him, and craue power and ability Iob. 15. from him, and asking, I shall obtaine: for hée hath said it, that will neuer falsifie the least part of his truth.

May it not then bee concluded, if immediatly vpon the receuiing of this Sacramēt, we grow worse then we were before, that we came vnworthily there­vnto?

Yes verily, if wée be indéed worse, and not in our owne conceit onely, it is sure that there was some sinne or other vnrepented of lying vpon our consciences, which caused Gods ordinance to be inef­fectuall. Indéed the worthiest receiuers, in their owne imaginations, and through Sathans false suggestions, séeme vnto themselues to be worse, (when in truth they are not so) because they féele their corruptions stirring more violently, and temptations rushing vpon them more fiercly then e [...]r before: but this is so farre from being an argument of vnwor­thy receiuing, that if they set themselues to resist this combate, there can be no more euident testimony of their worthy receiuing: for now that their sinne hath had a deadly blow, it beginneth (like a mad bull in the same case) to rage more furi­ously: and Sathan being dispossessed of his holdes, plyeth his businesse with new and fearefull assaults; and therefore such haue no cause at all to bée dismayed, but rather very great cause to be comforted.

But (will some say) what shall I thinke of my selfe in this matter, when I finde, that whereas I resolued vpon new [Page] obedience, I come still farre short of that which I am desirous to performe?

You néed not discourage your heart for all this: the sight of your imperfections argueth that your eyes are more inlighte­ned then in former times, and that you haue gotten an humble and lowly conceit of your selfe, and your good déeds, which are things very pleasing vnto God: nei­ther doth hée require such strict obseruation of the Commandements, as that wée See the Sermon on Isa. 1. Doct. 1. should obey them in perfection, but onely that wée should consent in our hearts, and labour in our practise to yéeld obedience thereunto: which if we can doe, the Lord See the Sermon on 2 Ch. 30 Doct 3. will graciously accept of vs, and of those duties which wée performe, séeing that we fall not in the substance of his seruice, but onely in some circumstances, and that full sore against our wils.