Frequent Celebration.

DO this in remembrance of me, is a permission, and an in­junction; 'tis our Duty as well as our Benefit to re­ [...]eive Christ; so not to receive him, both our [...]n and misery. 'Tis more then a command charge of a dying Testator, and Saviour. As the benefit is of infinite merit, so should he acknowledgment be an Eternal Memo­ [...]ial. His death should always live in our [...]earts; and we so careful in doing this, [...]at when he comes again, he may find us [...] doing. Doth he not now thus bespeak [...]s? Can the King of Kings take it kindly [...] your hands, when he hath kill'd the fat­ [...]d Calf, furnished his Table, sent forth [Page 2] his Servants, saying, Behold I have pre­pared my Supper, come, eat of my Bread, and drink of my Wine which I have mingled, all things are ready, come unto the Marriage, and you make light of it, (so mean are your thoughts of his fare and company) or desire to be excus'd be­cause you are not drest, when indeed you never went about to make you ready? Do you not provoke him to leave you, to let you go sorrowing to your graves? to say, None of those that were bidden (though they see the plenty) shall taste (the sweet­ness, fatness, goodness) of my Supper; was there ever any so dear, so precious? cost it not the Master of it his own life to make it? If out of courtesie you invite a poor man to the best that can be had, and he saucily, ungratefully find fault with your meat, ask you, why you troubled him to come to so poor Provision, or send word, you have nothing worth coming for, he can provide for himself, hath better at home, and better company, would you think he deserv'd the worst bit of it, or a­nother invitation? 'tis a sign you value not, you slight Com [...] with me: If you lo­ved me you would [...]till [...]e seeing, looking [Page 3]upon, desiring to be with me; where I am wont to walk, to manifest my self, to sit at my Table, to sup with my Disciples, and never be at rest without a renewed sense of my love unto you; you are they I live and dye for, for whom I do and suffer so much, of whom I will always think up­on, in whose Thoughts I love to live, and because my departure is at hand, and I must go away from you, this memorial I leave with you, to put you always in re­membrance, when you see it, think of me who in the very night I was betrayed, when taking that doleful farewel of an ungrate­ful world, was so mindful of your good and comfort, to arm, establish, and refresh you; and will you neglect, dis-esteem, contemn it? doth not the benefit of my pas­sion without your desert, plead for the constant meditation of it without your scandal? The frequent, faithful remem­brance of what I did and suffered for you, is my chief request, and your only requital, and yet do you distaste what I [...]mbraced? and endure not to think of what I refused not to endure? loath you the cup of Salvation, that cost me a cup of Astonishment? Have I left the Glory of [Page 4]my Father to be cloathed with, and dwell in flesh? Led a life of suffering, undergone a shameful, painful, accursed death, rose again, ascended, prepared mansions, taken possession for you, where I plead your cause, and will come ere long to absolve you before all the world, and with whom you shall be for ever? Have I given such costly evidences of my love unto you, and love you not to do this in remembrance of me?

Do] But for thee (dear Saviour) I had been for ever undone; for thee then and for thy sake, what is it that I should not do? Thy desires are my Injunctions: there's Authority enough in thy love to do thy pleasure. Since thou would have no na­ture but mine, I will have no will but thine: When once signified by com­mand, upon my obligation I should, up­on my Fealty to thee the King of the Church, and Soveraign as well as Saviour of my Soul, I ought, I may, I must not dispute, nor delay, I dare not but must Do; else, how must I be look'd upon, when the King commands all his loving Subjects to take the Oath of Allegiance, and I stay away and refuse? Do I not [Page 5]publickly disown him for my Soveraign, who hath enjoyn'd the Celebration of this, as an evidence and symbol of my Relation to, and communion with him? Is not this appointed for a memorial of his death, whereby he delivered his peo­ple, and destroyed their enemies; tran­scendently to us, what the Passeover was to the Jews, and the neglect of it more provoking? yet, the man that is unclean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the Passeover at the time appointed (when he might and ought eat it) even the same soul shall be cut off from his people, because he brought not the offering of the Lord in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. There's a punish­ment annexed to the neglect, as well as ill performance of it; he that eats irre­verently, is guilty of prophaning the Lords Body; and he that eats not, of despising it, and of preferring his lusts before him; the one eats damnation to himself, and the other by not eating, judges himself to be in a damnable State. 'Tis dangerous staying in that condition wherein we judge our selves unmeet society for Christ; if I cannot [Page 6]partake of his Supper here, how can I think my self fit to feast with him in Hea­ven? or hope to look on his face with comfort there, and take no pleasure to be­hold, remember, come near, have any thing to do with him here? will not his presence be most terrible then, to whom his memory is no way delightful now? Am I troubled for neglect of other duties, and not of this, when Christs Items at the last day are made up of sins of omission? Dare I pick and chuse, when, whosoever shall keep the whole Law, yet offend in one point, is guilty of all?

This] Not to climb a Cross, or under­go a bitter passion for thy sake; I should not think much to do that, who hast done so much more for me. Not to be had to a Scaffold, but to come to thy Table; not to go to Slaughter, but a Feast; not to Bleed or Burn, but to Eat and Drink; and that not Bread of Affliction, or Water of Adversity, which flags the Spirit; but such Bread and Wine as confirms and comforts my Heart: Not a Mourners Bread, Tears; or a Martyrs Cup, Blood; but a Saviours fare, Blessed Wine and Bread, yea in them (what both is and [Page 7]makes blessed) his body and blood, meat and drink, bread of life, and well of life, that both joys my heart, and saves my soul. Didst thou on the Cross drink Vi­negar, (made infinitely more tart by my sins) for me; and shall not I at thy Table drink Wine for my self, made infinitely sweeter with the blood it conveys? Didst thou drink a Cup of wrath, and shall not I drink the cup of Blessing? Eat the bread of affliction, and shall not I eat the bread of life? suffer thy passion, and shall not I enjoy it? Didst thou stretch out thy hands on the Cross, and shall mine be withered and shrunk towards thy Table? Hadst thou bid me do some great thing for procuring so great a good, that there had been between the service and reward no disproportion, should I not endea­vour'd to do it? how much more when thou bidst me eat and live? I am not sa­ved but by thy Body, I shall be damned without thy Blood. Didst thou offer them for me on the Cross, and shall I not take the pledge from thee at thy Supper? Dost thou give me a Title to them, and shall I bar my self of possession? rob my self of thy mercy, and my right, [Page 8]of no less then the price of my Redemp­tion? Dost thou give me the purchase in thy Blood, and shall I deny my self the Seal in thy Church? Dare I be guilty of so great a Robbery and Rebellion, to vio­late thy will and seal? to steal at once thy Bread and Cup, and Scepter against thy express Will and Testament? to take the Bread and Cup out of my own hand, and the Scepter out of thine? to deprive my soul of thy Body and Blood, and thee of thy Authority? by thy grace I will ne­ver but observe as thou appointest: If this be thy command, O Saviour, I am a Rebel as much to my good, as thy Law, a damned Rebel if I do not this.

In Remembrance] I blush Lord to see my self need thy memento. Have I a room for the trash of the world, and none for thee? memory for what I list, and none for what I should? O thou that hast so done thy marvellous works that they ought to be had in everlasting remem­brance; whose name is wonderful, and all thy works as thy name, and this above all thy works, can I ever forget thee? can I forget my self so much, that breaths not a moment on Earth, or out of Hell [Page 9]without thee? If I forget thee, O Saviour, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; If I remember not thee, let my right hand forget her cunning. Sure that harp had never known the tune of joy, nor hand to do with harp, hadst not thou put a world (all out) in order a­gain, and set all in tune. And is that all, when I owe a thousand lives unto thee, to require, not my Body, but my Mind? to say, Remember, not to Dye for me, but to forbid thy Memory to Dye in me? O thou loving and Blessed above all Beloveds, when thy passion is engraven by thy own hand in an Holy Mysterie for my mind to wear, shall not I keep this memorial? Shall I not wear thy Ring who am so ready to wear a Death's-head to preserve alive the memory of a dead Friend? O that I may ever keep this Manna that came down from Heaven, not in a Leaden, but Golden pot; not in a dull, barren, bareley contemplative, but humble, tender, active, pretious memory; which moves all good affections to thee, and promoves all good abilities for thee. Such a memory will mind, and do all Duty; admire and love thee, obey, en­dure, [Page 10]do, and suffer for thee; establish Faith, excite Repentance, inflame Love, maintain Constancy. I cannot but re­pent, believe, and love to the end, if thou be in my mind: If I fail payment of any duty to thee or man, it is because I do not remember thee.

Of me] Of my Death, and your redemp­tion by it. This Sacrament then is an obelisk to the eternal memory of thy passion; so oft as I neglect it, what do I but pull down this Pyramid of everlasting date, set up in the Church for a solemn memorial of thy death, and bury thee and thy Merits, as the Jews did thy Body, but in a worser grave, not in a Garden, but Desart, a grave of Oblivion? Wretch am I, that have need of such an help to my memory, and spur to my Duty, as both a Command and a Sacrament; it casts re­proach on me, O Saviour, that thou shouldst give thy Body for me, and I scarce give my mind to thee; that I should have so great a room in thy heart, and thou so hardly get any in mine; that thou shouldst be more ready to bleed for me, then I to think of thee. Dear Jesus, thou didst empty all thy veins for me, shall not I find [Page 11]a vessel to preserve thy precious Blood? Do I not spill what thou shed, if I let it run out of my memory? yet art thou put to it, to find me both blood and mind; and when thou hast done all that, out of re­membrance of me (lest it should be for­gotten) ordain'st a Sanction and Sacra­ment, saying, Do this in remembrance of me. But more wretch I, if I do not so do, for Lord, if I do thee honour, dost thou not do me favour for it? If I give thee glory, is it more my duty then felicity to do it? If thy Sacrament, is it not my benefit? Receive I not great honour in it? Reap I not good benefits by it? conveys it not the Blood Royal of Heaven into me? Am I not related to, Brother of Christ, Heir and Prince of Heaven by vertue of that Blood? Is not the Godhead bo­dily in him? and is not this Body mysti­cally in me, and I near allyed to God by the Communion of that Body? And can he want Demeans that is such a Prince? Is not the Earth thy gift, and Heaven in thy power? O thou Son and Heir of all! And have I not thy Spirit, thy flesh to pledge for all, the conveyance sealed in thy Blood, and thy Merits made over and [Page 12]assured in thy Body? O Lord, I am so much concern'd in honour and estate to do what thou commandest, that if I con­sider my self, I shall do it to thy memo­ry, in remembrance of me, as well as thee.

Wherever God hath bestow'd a vi­tal principle (Faith, whereby the Just live) he affords nourishment to sustain it; and an inclination, and attractive facul­ty towards it: Christ Crucified is, as the cause of our new birth, so the food which sustains and preserves us in it, unto whose Body and Blood there must needs be as proportionable an appetite in a new Christian, as to Milk in an Infant, that being more nourishable then milk, and Faith more vital to desire it then Nature. Oh! I know not what (grace and comfort) I have lost, that o­thers have found in the Consciencious use of this. If there be any thing in the lively discoveries of the evil and desert of sin, the wrath and love of God, the cor­dials of the Gospel by frequenting it, might it not have been much better with me in my Spiritual condition? is not this great Hypecrisie and Dissimulation, to [Page 13]complain of the hardness of my heart, and not apply the Blood of Christ to soften it? of the prevalencie of corrupti­ons, and not bring them to his Cross to subdue them? of my timerous spirit, and not come where God secures me, and gives evidence for the discharge of his covenant and promise? that God is de­parting, when I stand at a distance, and will not come nigh him? is withdrawn from my Soul, when I withdraw from my Dutie? that I am a stranger to spiri­tual joy, when I will not come to draw water out of the wells of Salvation? of die weakness of grace, and not use of all means of strengthening it? can I re­fuse my food, yet be nourished? grow in grace, and neglect the means? not grow, and be guiltless? live in a known sin by neglecting a plain commanded Dutie, and expect the rewards of obedi­ence? may not partial obedience to Gods commands well increase my doubts of his favour? Is not this to slight and dis­esteem a firm conveyance of all Christs purchased benefits, here offered and as­sured to Believers? and then think not much (Soul) if thou go without them for [Page 14]ever, who art also so unwilling to bind thy self to thankfulness and obedience for them. Meals which are for nourish­ment must be often, 'tis not told me how often I should eat or drink, the sense and feeling of the wants of my food directs me to, makes me do it often. Am I not apt to grow dull, lukewarm, cold to, and in duty? to contract guilt, blot my evi­dences, disturb my peace, to forget him and his matchless love? Is he so much in my serious thoughts as he deserves? Is it enough to have some accasional thoughts of him? Do I not complain that I love, and think of him no more, can apply him no better, have so little of him, am so insen­ble of his kindness, and affection to his members? Is it not a sin and shame I no more solemnly dwell in meditation up­on him, am no more in praising of, re­joycing in him? Do I not often need so great an help to soften my heart, to renew my repentance, to strengthen and confirm my Faith, Hope, and Resolutions; to in­crease, inflame my love, and thankfulness, fix my thoughts more solemnly upon him, apply him, get and maintain more inti­mate communion with him, closer knit my [Page 15]soul to him and his members? Is it not a sad sign I perform no Duties, as, and to those ends I ought, but out of custom, without expecting, therefore without fin­ding any great advantage from them? Are the consolations of God small unto me? is it not a sign when I was there I miss'd of the benefit? Have I not cause to re­pent of my former receiving, when it left not earnest breathings for the like oppor­tunity? was it possible for me to meet with God, to taste the sweetness, the ful­ness of Christ, to experience the reachings forth of my love and desires, the pleasures of acting grace, and not long for another meeting? By thy grace I will therefore communicate with more devotion; re­pent with greater contrition, walk with more caution, pray more earnestly, re­ceive with more reverence, and I doubt not but I shall find my affections encrease together with the Spiritual benefit. The frequent solemn exercise of our gra­ces must needs dispose strongly to Habitu­al ones; and hugely promote the Interest of Religion. It cannot be that the Sacra­ment be undervalued by frequent repetiti­ons, without great unworthiness of the [Page 16]person (setting light by and loathing spiri­tual Manna) and an unworthy Communi­cation: for he that receives worthily, en­creases in the love of God and of Religi­on, and the fires of the Altar are apt to kindle into a flame, and when our Lord enters into us, and we grow weary of him, or less fond of his frequent entrance and perpetual cohabitation, 'tis an infal­lible sign we have (or are ready to) let in his Enemy; no Secular object hath any pleasure in it, long beyond the hope of it; for the possession and enjoyment is found so empty, that we grow weary of it; but whatsoever is spiritual, is less before we have it, but in the fruition swells our de­sires, enlarges the Appetite, and makes us more receptive and forward in the Enter­tainment. Nor is it likely they will suffer for, who refuse to banquet with him. They proclaim they have no portion in David no inheritance in the Son of God. Oh he qualms of undesirous Communicants should justly stir up the faithful to loath it in themselves.

Habitual Preparation

THe death of Christ, in regard of his in­tent, was a Sacrifice to God, but of the Jews the greatest crueltie and murder. When a prophane person comes, he sheds the blood of Christ, which a Believer re­ceives; and by Faith feeding on it, being one with Christ, makes as great satisfacti­on to God, as if he had suffered to Eterni­tie. This new wine must not be put into an old vessel; else the wine will be spilt and the vessel perish. Christ and Belial can­not cohabit; he will not enter through a besmear'd door, nor dwell in a nasty house; Feet that walk in filthy paths are not to tread his holy place; nor a heart full of rancour, hatred, uncharitableness, to sit down at this feast of love; Hands dipt in blood, polluted with unlawful gains, stain'd with spots of the flesh, or stretch­ed out to injure him in his members, are most unfit to be reached forth to receive him in the Sacraments, to handle those holy mysteries: Those Teeth that grind the face of the poor, to eat the bread of [Page 18]Angels; the Mouth that's full of rotten, corrupt communication, evil speaking, reviling, or that thirsts after the blood of our neighbour, to drink the Blood of Christ; Eyes gazing on vanity, to look on Jesus. Oh, how pure ought I to keep those doors of my Soul, at which the King of Glory so often enters? Shall I kiss his hand with filthy lips? put hallowed bread and wine into a noysom sink? go to that Table as Swine to their trough, in my pollution? ravish, contemn the grace and mercy of God? tear them asunder from the conditions he hath annexed to them? He will not be one with an Harlot; nor seen with the same eyes. His Body never saw Corruption, nor will be mixed with it: It lay in a Virgin Womb and Sepul­chre, and still resides only in Virgin Souls, Devoted, Consecrated, set apart to his use and service. His glorified body is no more capable of dishonour, nor will enter into an earthly soul. Unclean birds re­ceive nothing▪ but the Carcass of the Ordi­nance; the Bread without the Body, the Wine without the Blood; both without the blessing; the Elements, but not the Sacra­ments; such are guilty of his Body and [Page 19]Blood, for reaching out their hand with purpose to receive him into a polluted soul, though he withdraw himself that they cannot partake of him: They dis­grace their Prince, by shewing it to his Statue erected for his honour and remem­brance; are guilty of Treason by offering Indignity to his Seal and Picture; disho­nour done to the Image and representation, reflects upon the Original; he is personally in Heaven, and will be no where Sacra­mentally but in the Heavenly part of man; he finds no rest in a heart full of vain, vi­tious thoughts; it stinks like the lake of Sodom; he retires thence vexed with the unclean Conversation of the impure Inha­bitants. When he approaches to a soul, and finds it a Cage of unclean Birds, he flyes with the wings of a Dove to clean­er and whiter Habitations. But if we a­void, hate, and have no fondness of affe­ction for them; and with complacency en­tertain the contrary, then Christ hath wa­shed our feet, and then he invites us to his Supper. The unavoidable infirmities of our lives, against which we daily strive, and for which we never have any kindness or affection, are not spots in these feasts [Page 20]of Charitie, but instruments of Humility, and stronger invitations to come to Rites ordain'd for corroboratives gainst infir­mities, and for growth in the inner man. But remanent affection to a sin, enmitie with neighbours, secular avocations to the height of care and trouble, excuse not, but increase mens sin, and secure their misery 'Tis just they graze with Goats, that refuse to wash their hands that they may come to the Supper of the Lamb. The excuses wherewith they palliate their neglects of waiting upon our Lord, and accepting his kindness, all grow upon this bitter root of an unholy careless life, loving the world and the lusts thereof: the only reason is, they have a mind to live as strangers to him, and not to be his houshold servants and domesticks, for then they might always come unto him. They think they must not come so oft, because to prepare themselves costs them so much time; but would they spare so much, as to lead a holy life, and be at so much trouble as to please God in other things, they would not find it so laborious to please him in this. Kept they always a fear of God in their Souls, they would without much pains be fit to approach [Page 21]with fear and reverence into his presence; would they fear to do what God hath for­bidden, they would not fear to do what he hath commanded: but while they refuse to obey him in one thing, no wonder they do in another. Religion concerns not our acti­ons only, but the frame and disposition of our hearts and minds; and the same habi­tual graces are to be daily exercis'd, though in a lower measure and degree. Every day is to be holy to the Lord, though every action in the day be not equally holy. When we labour conscienciously to stand to our first Promise and Covenant, all the actions of our lives become holy; and so we are holy in our Shop, by diligence and justice; at our Board, by temperance, thankfulness, charity; Abroad, by an innocent, useful conversation; in our Clo­set, by Prayer, and Meditation; yea, pru­dence, and the ends of health and chear­fulness will make our sleeps and recreations holy, and not to be reckon'd among pas­times, but the necessary seasons of do­ing little or nothing, that afterwards we may be worthily imployed. A Chri­stian behaves himself not for such a set number of days, as if so much [Page 22]time were to be spent in Holiness, and so much in sin; but as if he accounted his whole life an opportunity of serving God, and of cleansing himself from all that fil­thiness, which will not let him see his face. He receives daily what daily profits, and so lives that he may daily receive it. A Holy Life is a perpetual Sacrifice, and he that so lives, keeps his heart as an Holy Altar, alwayes warm and glowing with­in him; he offers up daily such Sacrifices as are acceptable to God, and prepare him for a due commemoration of this great Sacrifice; a constant abstinence from all forbidden things, and care to perform such duties as maintain a lively sense of God in our Souls, would make us vehemently hunger after this Heaven­ly Food. A circumspect life makes us both fit and desirous to converse with God eve­ry day; good Actions beget in us greater longings after grace, and good desires make us still do well, out of hope to have more grace; when a good man lifts up his heart to God, he draws down God into his Soul, that he may work with his hands that which is good in his employment, in which he is not so busie that his hands [Page 23]should grow so heavy, or dirty by it, as to be unwilling or unfit to lift them up again to God. Such a Combination is there be­tween all that God requires to make them easie and familiar, pleasant and desirable, and our obedience impartial and universal. A holy behaviour in our calling, converses, and use of the creature, disposes us to Acts of immediate worship, that requites and re­turns the kindness by disposing and fitting us for a holy deportment for the future, which is it self an invitation of God to our souls; much more when seconded with the Attractives of Holy Prayers and affectionate desires. The sweetness of such converses with God, and the power of his Grace consequent upon our hearty desires, en­gages and enables us to a holy conversati­on, which brings us (from familiarity with the Devil) to fellowship with God, the happiness of which is so great, that it excites us to do all we can to maintain and prevent our being tempted from it. Good Hearts daily mortified, and strictly watched over, like dry wood, with one blast kindle the flame of love, stir up the Grace of God in them; while those soak­ing in the world, like green sticks, all their [Page 24]puffing, blowing, and prayers will scarce fetch any fire. Oh! would I every day prepare for the day of death; or (which is of a like consideration) the day of Com­munion, (nothing less will sit me to Com­municate then to depart hence;) set my self in order, meditate often everie day on Christs first and second coming; not stay a minute, but instantly grieve for, severely condemn my self, and renew my resolution to amend all, and pray for par­ticular strength against whatsoever I have observed amiss: would I consider where I fall oftenest, from what principle this default comes, what are the best reme­dies, and pass on to a real and vigorous use of them. Did I resolve to have God frequently in my thoughts, to bring it to pass to have so great a dread and reve­rence of him, that I may be more reallie ashamed, troubled, confounded, to sin in his presence and observation, then of the severest man's; and to have a perpetual intercourse and converse with him: Or would I actually attend to what I do, and consider everie action, and speak so little that I might consider it; I should find, that upon the day of Communion I should have [Page 25]nothing to do, but to Revive my Graces [...]y Prayer, Praises, and the exercise of [...]evotion.

Actual Preparation.

HOliness is our profession; and all the time after one Communion is the [...]me of preparation for the next; and e­ [...]ery Receiving a repeated conspiracie a­ [...]ainst the Interest of the Devil. He that's [...]lways well vested, will deck and trim [...]gainst a Wedding day; wise Virgins [...]o forth to meet him, having Oyl in [...]heir Vessels and their Lamps burning; [...]ut when they hear the Bridegroom's [...]oming, they arise and fall afresh to [...]imming their Lamps, to snuff them, [...]ir up the fire, and apply the Oyl to [...]ake them burn brighter and clearer. [...]ow another repast approaches, I must [...]eny my self lawful things; sequester [...]om my ordinary business; abstain from [...]e most lawful enjoyments and chastest [...]mbraces, that I may give my self unto [...]ayer; and more fully know the state [Page 26]of my Soul; with a greater intention an [...] ardency of spirit examine my self eve [...] about the coldness of my Prayers; [...] neglects in the daily review of my self the smalness of my sorrows; the weak­ness of my services; my daily neglects ignorances and unavoidable infirmities a [...] to God, my self, relations, and others; i [...] an especial manner, any failing since th [...] last Communion. If there be but a littl [...] passion, a rash word, a vain thought, &c and besides my sorrow and afflicting m [...] self for, hatred and amendment of it just after its commission; I am now t [...] bewail it over again, to call my self t [...] a strict account for it, to drown it i [...] another flood of tears, more firmly t [...] strengthen my resolutions against it, an [...] prepare it to receive another wound, [...] mortal stroke from the wounds of Jesus that it may never live more; more deep­ly apprehensive of the evil of sin, mor [...] sorrowfully bewail it, more rationall [...] resolve against it, open a greater vent an [...] passage for my tears; affect my hea [...] more deeply with my needs, and the cer­tainty of supply, and so raise my self to [...] greater height of humility, desire and con­fidence; [Page 27]to excite my appetite and more lively apprehensions, and vigorous affe­ctions, rouze my thoughts, and medita­tions to a greater fervour; more solemn­ly to recollect what I have learn'd, to stir up my remembrance, and renew a sense of my wants and weaknesses; to imprint the ends of the Institution more firmly in my memory, to consider what Acts are most proper when I shall be at his Table; to stir up those affections before­hand, which will prepare a more lively expression of them when I come there. To renew acts of Charity and forgive­ness, pass by all injuries and offences, be reconciled perfectly to my brethren, and to take care there be not the least grudge, or spark of anger that lyes buried in my Soul unquenched; all passions husht and laid, the Soul smooth, fair, and not a wrinkle upon its brow. More strictly and solemnly to search, purifie, cleanse, and cast out all the leaven; to pray with greater appetite, praise his Name with a more delightful relish. To distaste all oher things, to disburthen my self, to lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets me, to get as near Heaven [Page 28]as possible; to render my mind more sensible of God, and more fit to receive a deeper impression from his hand. To excite the strongest acts of Faith, the vehementest flames of love and longings after Christ and his blessings, (which prepares for the enjoyment) Holy de­sires, joy, and thankfulness at the ap­proach of so blessed an opportunitie. To renew my resolutions and vows of holy obedience, to mortifie my lesser irre­gularities, and to bind the obligations faster that are upon my Soul. To have a lively sense of the ends for which I go; in what estate my Graces stand; what I am to ask; and for what I ought to plead the Blood of Christ; voluntarily to offer more of my time and thoughts to Religi­ous Exercises, and to do that over again with a greater fervour, which I have been doing since the last Communion. To re­cover my self to the same, or rather high­er degrees of Zeal, fervour, and sublime admirations; to apparel, trim, and dress up my mind with braver notions and bright­er ornaments. To get my manners, car­riage, and behaviour, rightly formed, and [Page 29]handsomely composed, for this Feast with die great King.

He that understands the excellencie and holiness of the mystery, the glorie of the Guest, the infinite benefit then de­signed, and the increase of degrees by the exercise of those previous acts of Holi­ness the manner so contrarie, as wor­thy and unworthy; the effect of the Or­dinance so much depending on the man­ner of receiving; the advantage so great of Communion with Christs Bodie; the danger no less then Damnation; that it will set one forward, and contribute ve­ry much to an happie or an unhappie eter­nitie (a man cannot at all be supposed in any state, wherein this thing will be in­different to him) will not be inquisitive, into the just measure, but do it heartilie, devoutlie, reverentlie, and as much as he can, put himself in to a meet disposition to­be so familiar with God.

Solemn Sequestration.

A Journey, an unfixed Heart, undis­charg'd of earthly thoughts, travel­ling up and down afar off unfits as well as a dead body, or gross sins. Earthly thoughts in the Temple, if not driven a­way before, will be buzzing, pestring, vexing me, and corrupt the Sacrifice. If I go with a loose, ungirt spirit, I cannot instantly entertain my Lord; his work must stay untill I be ready; I must be girding when I should be working, or do it fumblingly, and awakedly, not with dexterity and activity. Let your loins therefore be girt, and you your selves like men that wait for their Lord, that when he comes and knocks, you may open to him immediately. It concerns me now to put my self into that order and state of good things, as if to morrow I were to dye; to suppose my self seated before Gods Tribunal, and to see whether I can reasonably hope my state is changed, my sins pardoned, and mortified, to consi­der, that unless I dare dye that day if [Page 31]God should call me, there's little reason I should dare to receive the Sacrament of [...]ife, or Minister of death. If I be mistaken about the truth of Grace now, I am un­done for ever, without true Repentance; by my unworthy going, I bind the guilt of all my other sins upon my Soul, and add this to all the rest, guiltiness of the blood of Christ. He that communicates wor­thily, is justified from his sins; and to him death can have no sting to whom the Sa­crament brings life and health. And if I judge Righteous Judgement, I shall soon find what pinches most, what makes me most afraid, what most criminal and least mortified; so shall learn to make pro­vision accordingly. Enter then my Soul into thy chamber, solemnly sequester thy self from all other Avocations, that we may tend upon the Lord without di­straction. Shut up, set a watch at the gates of thy heart; let it not be open till that solemn day be over; If other thoughts be hankering, and hanging a­bout for entrance, testifie against them, rebuke, and threaten them, let thy spirit in a holy indignation rise up against them; the only means that from that time [Page 32]forth they come no more in such a sea­son. Farewell my Wife, and Children, Friends, and secular concerns; abide you here at the foot of the Mount; be husht and laid, deadned, and mortified, all irregu­lar earthly passions, and affections. I have something else to do, you are a clog unto my soul; tread not, nor whisper in this solemn place, where is no room but for God alone; trouble me not, the door is now shut, I am about a great work I will not, cannot open to you.

And Oh thou that lookest from Hea­ven, that fashionest the hearts of men, and considerest all their works; enlight­en, enliven, and convince me; affect, assist, and prosper me; own, accept, and bless me; call in; and restrain the loosness, and wan­drings of my thoughts. Fix, unite, and fill my heart with an awe, a dread , and reverence of thee; with suitable thoughts, apprehensions, and meditations to the present occasion; and let my medita­tions be attended with sutable affections. Let all flesh be silent before thee; let thy spirit rest upon me; let this season be improved, not carelesly, sloathfully, or negligently; but sincerely, & uprightly, with [Page 33]my whole soul, heart and strength; to thy praise, and my great advantage at thy Ta­ble, and in the day when thou shalt judge the secrets of mens hearts by Jesus Christ.

Strict examination.

I Am about to sit at the Lords Ta­ble, among his own Children; I know before-hand, the King (atten­ded with his glorious Angels) will come in to see his guests; Christ's garment, co­vers only Christ's members; he is too just to be bribed, too great to be slighted, too wise to be deceived, too jealous to be provoked, too good to be forfeited. Oh what solemn provision shall I make for so sacred a presence, but a serious, dili­gent, deep enquiry into, with a full and awfull discussion of the particular present estate of my Soul, whether I be such as may be assured he will bid me welcome; being reconciled to him, and endued with those vital qualifications which [Page 34]pre-dispose me for an Ordinance that sup­poses me within the Covenant it seals, and to have spiritual life it sustains and nou­rishes, by conveying that true food of life Christ Crucified. I must be born before I can eat; Ʋncircumcised persons were not to eat the Passeover. The inward of Or­dinances are only enjoyed by them that are inwardly Christians. Those only that bring true Graces, receive real Comforts; we take Christ; and then eat him; none find any nourishment, relish, or sweetness in his blood, but those who have receiv'd him, and so have a propriety in, a little to him (and the nearer the Interest, the great­er sweetness). He must be mine first in claim and title, then in fruition and com­fort; no juice or sap from the Vine, ex­cept a branch in it; no grace is there im­proved, but what I have along with me I must prove my right to the purchase, ere I can take possession. 'Tis high Treason to annex the Kings Broad Seal to forged Writings; no receiving the benefit, with­out showing the condition, and my inte­rest in the Covenant; that's sealed to them only that come up to the terms of it. Now, this is the Covenant that I will make [Page 35]with the house of Israel,

[...]aith the Lord, I will put Jer. 31.31, &c. my Law in their inward Heb. 8.10, &c. parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God and they shall be my people; and they shall know me from the least un­to the greatest, and I will forgive their ini­quities, and remember their sins no more. And Oh my Soul! have I an inward right, an actual interest in this Cove­nant?

Is the Law of God writ in my Heart? A permanent (that no Time, Temptati­on, Tribulation, can obliterate) univer­sal counterpane, answerable conformity, legible by others in my Conversation, and by my self in my Constitution of Soul strongly inclined, disposed and perswa­ded to all cordial, sincere, entire, chear­ful, spiritual obedience, out of a prin­ciple of love to God, and to glorifie and enjoy him: delighting, meditating in it day and nights; being renew'd accor­ding to his Image, in Knowledge, Righ­teousness and true Holiness.

Have I a Covenant-Relation to, and In­terest in God? Am I one of his people by [Federal profession,] not ashamed [Page 36]of, but openly declaring and avouching my self to be his, rejoycing, and glorying therein as my great priviledge and happi­ness? [In all Covenant-Relations to God and Christ?] Do I fear, love, obey, submit to, depend upon him for directi­on, provision and protection; am I whol­ly at his dispose, as my only, wise, faithful, loving [Father?] Do I forsake all other Corrivals and Competitors? cleave on­ly to him in all conjugal love and faith­fulness? Do I delight in, am I unsatisfied without his presence as my [Husband?] Do I purifie, and keep clean his Temple? demean my self towards him as my [In­habitant?] Esteem, live upon, and rest fully contented with him as my [portion?] Am I his by [Federal Appropriation?] not sin's, Satan's, the World's, my own; but entirely his [In all I am] Body and Soul? are my Eyes his, to behold his wonderful works? my Ears to hear his Heavenly saving Word? my taste and smell his to relish his surpassing sweetness in the Creatures? my Tongue to pro­claim and Triumph in his praise? my Hands to work that which is good? my Feet to walk in his ways? all my senses [Page 37]and members, abilities, and faculties, instru­ments of righteousness? Is my understan­ding his, to know, discern, contemplate up­on him? my Memory to treasure up, and retain his councels, and covenants, promi­ses, and dispensations? my Conscience his Deputy to accuse, or excuse under him; my Will his, to will, or nill in subordinati­on to him? my grief, hatred, and detestati­on, to mourn for, abhor, and flie every thing offensive to him, or obstructive of my de­lightful enjoyment of him? my desire, love and delight his, to long for, embrace, ac­quiesce fully and contentedly in him? Am I his, in all I have? Do I approve my self his in all my relations and stations, inward qualifications and endowments, outward goods and possessions? In all I can do or procure, undergo or endure for him? Am I willing and ready to give my self to and for him? taking up my Cross daily and following him? rejoycing I am accounted worthy to suffer for his name?

Have I a sanctified knowledge of God? as to his Essence, Attributes, Personal di­stinctions, Word, and Works? of Man in his Creation, Corruption, Restauration, and [Page 38]Perfection? of Christ in his person, Offi­ces, Estates? of the Covenant of Grace and the Lords Supper, in its efficient, ma­terial, formal, and final cause? And is this my Knowledge experimental, heart puri­fying, and humbling, communicative, growing, affectionate, efficatious, and obediential?

Are mine iniquities forgiven and forgot­ten by God? Do I groan under them as my greatest evil and heaviest burthen? forsake them in affection and commissi­on? Have I sincerely confessed, bewail­ed, loathed them, and my self for them? unfeignedly striving against, and desiring to be freed from the filth, power & domi­nion, as well as the guilt, and punishment of sin; from a love and sence of Gods kindness, and goodness to me? Is my heart calmed and quieted through Faith in Christ, being thereby at peace with God? enlarged to bless him for pardon? Am I earnest with him more and more for assurance of it, purity of heart, esta­blishment in his ways? Is there in me a hearty, sincere disposition, inclination, and propensity to pardon the offences of o­thers? pitying, and lamenting, meekly re­proving, [Page 39]proving, and covering their infirmities: a readiness to help them rejoycing in their welfare as my own, especially the de­meanest Saints, in whom is all my light?

Christ is not to be receiv'd of all comers, John. 1.12. nor entertain'd by every guest, Can. 3.4. nor touched by every hand, Mat. 9.21.22. nor found by every enquiry. Can. 5.6. He is offered in the Gospel to all, but gives himself here, and is re­ceiv'd by such alone as have, and have I a spiritual hunger and thirst after him?Mat. 5.6. An ear to hear himMat. 13.9. An eye to see him,1 Cor. 11.29. A foot to come to himMat. 11.28. A hand to take him,1 Cor. 11.24. Arms to embrace him;Can. 3.4. A mouth and taste, to eat and drink, relish and digest him,Can. 2.3. Mat. 26.26. A breast to retain him.Eph. 3.17. Bowels of affection towards him and his members? A Heart to mourn for my piercing of him? to be truely thankful for, and above all to prize him?

[Page 40] Are not these Infallible Scriptural Cha­racters of Christs Disciples? Can I ap­peal to God and say, Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest it is thus with me? or, am I willing to venture my eternal condition, my last gasp upon my pre­sent hopes? Have I a solid ground of confidence, when I shall appear naked before Gods Bar, when the secrets of hearts shall be manifest? will these pleas find acceptance in that day, when all the world must be saved, or damned by him? Oh my Soul! make nothing the foundation of thy peace, but what God hath made the condition of thy Salvation; let nothing satisfie us now, but what will save us then; for if our hearts condemn us, God is greater then our hearts, and knoweth all things: but if our hearts con­demn us not, then have we confidence to­wards God.

Deep Humiliation.

BEfore I go for a full discharge, I must narrowly look into the Book of my Conscience, cast up my accounts, and see how infinitely I am indebted to my God; view my self in the glass of his Law and Gospel: Search my Soul so to the bottom, that none of my wounds may fester, but be all discovered and cured: consider from whence I am fallen, before and since the last Communion, and repent: and O that I may be so sensible of my sin and misery, that I may be truly apprehensive of, and thankful for infinite love and mercy.

I dare not presume to compass thine Altar, most holy Lord, before I have wa­shed my hands in Innocency, and purified my heart by Repentance, and Faith in the blood of my Redeemer. I will now therefore call my sins to remembrance, and set them in order before mine eyes and remember mine own evil ways, and my doings which have not been good, and loath my self in my own sight for my iniquities, and for my abominati­ons.

[Page 42] O I am not able to reckon up or re­member my innumerable breaches of thy most holy Commandments. The

1. By not knowing, acknowledging, thinking, remembring, chusing, believing, esteeming, adoring, loving, desiring, fear­ing, obeying of, trusting, joying in, ac­quainting my self with, not demeaning my self towards thee as God, and my God: but preferring sin, self, Satan, the world, any thing before thy self. The

2. By mis-apprehensions, gross con­ceits of thee, not setting my whole delight in, reposing all my confidence on, expect­ing all my happiness from, addressing all my complaints, prayers, praises unto thee, not worshipping thee as to manner and means agreeable to thy word. The

3. By not acknowledging, or effectu­ally remembring and delighting to speak of thee as I have had occasion, to make thy praise glorious, or doing it irreverent­ly, dealing falsly in my Covenant with thee; not vindicating thy Honour, not grieving for thy Dishonour; weariness of thy commands, non-observance, distrust, misapplication of thy providences; un­thankfulness for great mercies; dejection, [Page 43]impatience under small crosses; insen­sibleness, incorrigibleness under judgments and afflictions, not using thy Name, At­tributes, Ordinances, Works, every thing whereby thou may'st be known, as is re­quired. The

4. By unmindfulness beforehand to prevent or avoid whatsoever might di­stract in the duties of the Sabbath; not preparing my self, not resting from need­less thoughts, words, actions; mis-spend­ing it in idleness and vanity, not perform­ing publick and private duties of Prayer, Reading, Hearing, Examination, wheting thy Law upon my heart and others, con­templating thy Word and Works with that care, reverence, sincerity, spirtual­ness, profit, delight, as I ought; not cal­ling the Sabbath a Delight, Holy of the Lord, Honorable. The

5. By not behaving my self answerable to my several Relations; with all due reverence and respect to my Natural, Ec­clesiastical, Political Parents, in heart, word, behaviour, prayer, thanksgiving for Superiours, covering their infirmities in love: not admonishing and encouraging Inferiours in well-doing; not by a grave [Page 44]wise, holy, exemplary carriage, procu­ring glory to thee, and preserving the ho­nour and authority thou hast put upon me, not regarding the dignity and worth of my Equals, or rejoycing in their gifts, advancement, prosperity, as my own. The

6. By sinful anger, hatred, secret grudges, injurious thoughts, excessive passions, distracting cares, immoderate use of diet, labour, rest, recreation; re­viling, saddening, provoking, grieving speeches? falling short in maintaining mutual Friendship, and in following peace with all men, sowing discord among Brethren, concealing their dan­gers, unprofitable conversation, quench­ing, suppressing holy suggestions, pre­ferring things of time before eternity; or, by whatsoever may tend, not to the health but prejudice of my own or others Soul or Bodies; not weeping with them that weep, being sensless, hard-hearted, unaffected at publick evils and others mi­series. The

7. By unchaste thoughts purposes, af­fections, looks, company, words, acti­ons, or listening to them; not labouring [Page 45]to quench my fleshly concupisence, by watching over my senses, heart, and ways; not shunning all occasions to, or acts of uncleanness, in or with my self or others: not keeping my bodie and soul from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, but making my heart a cage of impure thoughts, my mind a stie of the unclean spirit. The

8. By unbecoming arts in Bargain­ing, not dealing with others as I would men should with me: not endeavour­ing by all just means to procure, preserve, and further the welfare of others as well as my own: withholding good from them to whom it was due: suffering Christ to stand at, and go away from my door, hungry, cold, naked, succourless, and when the leanness of his cheeks plead­ed pitie, the hardness of my heart would shew no compassion. The

9. By slandering, backbiting, detract­ing, reviling, harsh, flattering, miscon­struing, discouraging, sinister intentions, words and actions: listening to, and spreading the faults of others, not chari­table in my thoughts and speeches to them, not freely acknowledging their [Page 46]gifts and graces; not readily receiving a good report, but willingly admitting an evil one; not discouraging tale-bearers, flatterers, slanderers; not loving, desiring, rejoycing in, caring for, defending and upholding their good name not sorrowing for, and covering their infirmities; but practising, or not avoiding my self, or not hindring what I can in others, such things as raise jealousies and suspicions, procure an ill name to my self or others. The

10. By self-love, evil thoughts, cove­tousness, inordinate prizing, and affect­ing, distrustful, distracting, solicitous care and study in getting, keeping or using tem­poral things; discontent with my own e­state, envying and grieving at my neigh­bours; unlawful motions and affections to things that are his.

And to these I have added multitudes of sins against the Gospel, by not as I ought labouring to acquaint my self with it. Ignorance, flighting of, not suffici­ently esteeming, admiring, thankful for that infinite love in my Redemption; not loving, rejoycing in Christ and him Crucified, relying on, & owning of him in [Page 47]all his Offices, accounting all things loss and dung for him; not taking that pains I ought to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, and to be made conform­able to his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead, and be made perfect as my Father in Heaven is perfect. Not claiming his promises as my heritage, nor esteeming them the joy of my heart, and as unsearchable riches, exceeding great and precious; not believing, prizing, embracing of, hoping, waiting for the good of them, with so much readiness and steadfastness as their excel­cellency and certainty requires; and apply­ing them as I ought to this and the next life; not careful they have their due effects on my Soul, in making me partaker of the divine nature; not dying daily to sin nor acting, & growing in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ: not thirsting after righteousness, and that poor, mournful, meek, merciful, pure Spirit that shall be blessed; not confessing but being asha­med of Christ before men, and my rela­tion to him; not denying my self, taking up my Cross and following him. Not do­ing [Page 48]all things to the glory of God, nor rejoycing in him always. Not receiving, not doing the good, nor improving time, mercies, judgments, forein perturbations, national discontents and divisions, irreli­gious confusions, domestick distinguishing favours, as I ought. Strangeness, nig­gardliness unto, inconsiderateness of the worth, fearlesness of the loss of my preti­ous Soul; caring more for the Body then it or others; not troubled for such as are negligent, poisoners, murderers of theirs. Not sufficiently convinced of, humbled for, the corruption of my nature, mind, conscience, will, affections; of the evil of sin, and lying under the wrath of God, hiding, excusing, lessening of, not making that narrow search after, not being grie­ved for my sins in any proportion to their multitude and greatness; as considering that wretched injustice, follie, and un­kindness I have expressed by them, loving darkness, hating the light; receiving the grace of God in vain, turning it into wan­tonness crucifying the Son of God a­fresh, tempting, grieving the Holy Spi­rit; hardly forsaking my beloved sin for thy sake, who hast freely given thy only [Page 49]Sow for mine: That carefulness, that clear­ing of my self, that indignation, that fear, that vehement desire, that zele, that re­venge, that watchfulness, resolving, stri­ving against sin, improving all advantages for avoiding and subduing it, I find not that is wrought in those who sarrow after a godly sort: nor applying my self with all earnestness to the onely means of pardon end reconciliation in the Gospel.

Time and strength would fail me to re­peat how oft I am partaker of Family, National, Church, other mens sins; by setting an ill example, provoking, con­senting to, conniving at, countenancing, permitting sin where I might correct or hinder it; hating my brother in my heart [...]y suffering sin upon him. Delightful societie with evil doers, taking pleasure in the cause of my humiliation, to see them pave their way to Hell with their own [...]ands; making that matter of sport, which nothing but the dearest drop of the hearts [...]lood of God could expiate; laughing [...]t that which makes damned souls shed [...]ivers of tears: they shall be damned that [...]ave pleasure in unrighteousness. By not [...]eeking the things of Christ as my own, [Page 50]not preferring Jerusalem above my chie [...] joy, not having the care of the Church ly­ing upon me. My heart trembles no [...] for fear of the Ark; nor is my soul vexe [...] from day to day with their unlawfu [...] deeds among whom I live. Oh how lit­tle do I mourn for the suffering of others for the signs of Gods anger, for the sins [...] the times! when do I go apart and moun [...] for Englands crying abominations, or loo [...] upon London, a sinful Citie, and weep ov [...] it?

And oh the infirmities, imperfection iniquities of my holy things! Oh ho [...] much carelesness, unpreparedness, impe­nitency, unbelief, pride, hypocrisie, u [...] spiritualness, earthliness, formalitie, slight­ness, deadness, heartlesness, distraction indisposition, weariness, want of relish attends my attendance on so great a Maje­stie! Unanswerable walking, resting [...] the meer outside of duty, when I do not e [...] ­joy Communion with thee in them!

And dare such a guilty abominable s [...] ner sit down with thee at thy table? such Dog that hath so often returned to his w [...] ­mit, go and take that which is so holy such a Swine wallowing in the mire, ha [...] [Page 51]to do with those precious pearls? that hath already so often trampled them un­der my feet, carelesly neglecting, or un­worthily receiving those holy misteries, ra­ther defying them then adoring thee, by bringing such troops of my Saviours pro­fessed Enemies (unrepented sins) along with me, as if I came not to commemo­rate, but to renew his Passion, to crucifie him afresh. Oh I have much reason to fear I am guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, by earing and drinking unworthily; in that I have not hungered, and thirsted after nor partaken of it so often as my ne­cessities, and opportunities required; nor ap­proached it with such a solemn Prepara­tion, Examination, Humiliation, and clean­sing the secrets of my heart from all sin; nor renewed the Covenant-Conditions, Faith and Repentance; nor received it with that reverent behaviour, and those inward dispositions; nor been so especi­ally careful in making, good my Cove­nant Engagements, and Resolutions, as becomes a worthy Communicant. Oh how can such a loathsom wretch go to be en­tertained by thee in so near a Communi­on, that cannot expect, that am below the [Page 52]least good look from thy gracious eye? Oh how dare such a vile miscreant pre­sume to drink of the Cup of Blessing, who have deserved such a curse from thy hand, as that thou shouldest hurry me to thy Bar of Justice, and not admit me to the Seals of the Covenant of Grace: to be covered with shame and confusion of face, while thy Children come with bold­ness and present themselves before thee, array'd in the righteousness of thy Son; whilst they are lifting up their heads with joy, knowing the time of celebrating their Redemption draweth nigh; I may be hiding my self in the Dens and Rocks of the Mountains, saying, fall on me and hide me from the face of him that sits upon the Throne. Dragged away by cursed Fiends to the place of Torment, with hideous scrieks to an in­numerable company of Devils and Dam­ned Souls; instead of going to the house of God, the assembly of his people, with the voice of joy and gladness, with a multitude that keep holy day. While the Sun of Righteousness arises with healing in his wings unto those that fear thy name; thy wrath may burn against [Page 53]me as fire, and consume me as stubble. The day of joy and gladness, feasting and re­joycing, sacrifice & attonement to thy sin­cere servants, may be a day of wrath and trouble, darkness and gloominess, distress and desolation to me: while they with joy of heart are saying, come let us go unto the house of the Lord, oh our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Sion, thy Courts, O God! I, the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand? In stead of holding out to me the golden Scepter, thou mightest break me with a Rod of Iron, and dash me in pieces like a Potter's vessel; while they are rejoycing and giving honour to thee at the Supper, I might lie under the wrath of the Lamb, lifting up mine eyes in Hell, begging a drop of water to cool my tongue. I might see them sit down with the King at his ta­ble, and my self thrust out into that place where is nothing but weeping, & wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Thou art ready to entertain those that are bidden, but I am not worthy; for making light of thy provision and invitation, preferring the things of the world before it, thou mayest justly say, I shall never tast of thy Sup­per; [Page 54]or, if I go, it might be not for the better, but for the worse; I might meet with a frown instead of a smile; a blow, a breach, a curse, instead of a blessing. Thou mayest in stead of bread give me a stone, for the Cup of the New Testment a Cup of wrath and Trembling. Thou mayst turn my heart into a stone, instead of tur­ing my heart of stone into an heart of flesh. The bread of life may be to me a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to fall on me and grind me to powder. For my go­ing aside from thee, and defiling my self: the wine that comforts and makes worthy Receivers fruitful in grace, may be unto me as the water of Jealousie, bitter within my bowels, causing my belly to swell, and my thigh to rot; nd I may be a curse a­mong the people. His blood might be lay'd to my charge for my condemnation, seal­ing up all my other fins; instead of being sprinkled upon my Conscience, to humble me for, and cleanse me from all sin.

Behold I am vile, viler then the earth but look upon me in thy Son, and thou wilt love me, and be well pleased with me; mine only hope is in that grace and mercy made known in and thorow him: [Page 55]I have broken thy commands, but he hath fulfil'd them; affronted thy Justice, but he hath satisfied it; deserved thy wrath, but he hath endur'd it; the chastisement of my peace was upon him, let the merit of his righteousness be upon me, and by his stripes let me be healed. His Blood is my onely refuge, oh let it be my Attonement, or I perish eternally. Wherefore didst thou shed it, but to save sinners? Remember not what I have done against thee, but what he hath done and suffered for me. Oh when I consider thy greatness and my unworthiness, thy purity and my un­cleanness, thy glorie and my shame, I am confounded and discouraged; but when I consider thy mercy and wisdom, bountie and goodness, readiness to forgive, and de­sire to impart thy self unto thy servants, then I am encouraged to come with bold­ness unto thee. Thou never despis'd him that call'd upon thee, or forsook any that abode in thy fear: It was never known that any who trusted in thee were ever confounded. Oh respect not the great­ness of my offences but of thy goodness; though I have so often broken my part of that Covenant the Sacrament Seals, yet [Page 56]be thou pleased to make good thine, to be merciful to my unrighteousness, and to re­member my sins & my iniquities no more. Thou knowest how intolerable a thing it is to lie under thy wrath to all eternitie, and therefore lovest to do miracles of mercie, because thou lovest not that a sin­ner should perish. Have mercie upon me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions; wash me throughly from mine iniquities, and cleanse me from all my defilements, with the merit and virtue of that Blood which thou hast so abundantly shed for penitent sinners; that I may with an undefiled soul eat of the purest sacrifice, the Lamb slain from the beginning: so I shall have no spot in me for which thou wilt judge me at thy Table, or condemn me at thy Tri­bunal.

Being in Christ reconciled unto me, oh give further evidences of thy fatherly affe­ction, by bestowing a double portion of thy grace upon me now thou callest me to this Ordinance; and who is sufficient for these things? I have neither a meet Sacri­fice to offer, nor a meet vessel to receive thee. I know not what to say or do; how to pray [Page 57]or receive, prepare or behave my self; not sufficient of my self to think any thing as of my self, but my sufficiency is of thee; the preparation of the heart and answer of the tongue is from thee; the God, the promiser, the Giver of grace as well as glory, that invites all to come unto thee, with assurance of finding with, and receiving from thee whatsoever is requi­site for their refreshment, support, and comfort; ho every one that, thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that, hath no money, come ye buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without monie and without price. Thou preparest a ta­ble for us in this wilderness, where we eat of thy own Bread, and drink of thy own Cup; omittest no expression of tender love to treat us as a most indulgent Fa­ther. But shall the time of receiving come, before thou come into my soul to stir up thy graces in me? Ganst thou that so loved me, who was of no worth, while yet in my sins, as to die for me, neglect me in thee? shall I, whose only hope is to be saved by Christ, be sent away with the guilt, instead of the comfort of his Blood? Oh of his fulness let me receive, [Page 58]and grace for grace; let thy Spirit help mine infirmities, thy grace be sufficient for me, thy strength be made perfect, more eminently manifest in weakness. Array me with the righteousness of the Saints, put upon me the Lord Jesus; let me be found having on the Wedding­garment at the Wedding-supper; such a preparation of Soul as may qualifie me for it, such a degree of reverence and humility, saving knowledge, godly sorrow, renewed re­pentance, new obedience; lively faith, un­feigned, love, joy and thankefulness, holy de­sires, self-denial, sutable, solemn, heavenly meditations, as becomes a worthy Commu­nicant. Oh thou true food of my Soul! receive me who am to receive thee; quicken me with thy Spirit, feed me with thy Flesh, satisfie me with thy Blood, vouchsafe me thy Grace, communicate to me thy Nature, let me receive life from thee to act and live unto thee, who measu­rest not thy gifts by our petitions or de­sertss, but our wants and thy own mercy.

Earnest Supplication for Re­quisite Qualifications.

TO go to that Ordinance which requires all imaginable liveliness and activi­ty with dull and cloudy affections, will be my sin, and an aggravation of it, if through want of diligent endeavour to get my Soul affected and inflam'd, by stirring up the graces of God in me; and whither shall I go for this but unto thee, the author and finisher of them? how shall I do it but by thee? Oh do it for me.

Holy Reveronce and Humility.Affect my heart with an awful reverence and self­basement upon my so near approach unto thee in this solemn Ordi­nance, towards the greatness of thy Maje­stie, with whom I there come to renew my Covenant; towards the excellencie of thy Son, whom I come to receive into my Soul; towards the holiness of thy Spirit, whose assiance I hope for, and by whom I come there to be establisht in my Union and Communion with Christ and his Members. Oh how durst I who am nothing but folly and infirmitie, mi­sery [Page 60]and sin, shame and death, presume to come so nigh; for behold the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee, unless thou hadst invited and commanded it? If so much Sanctity, Reverence and De­votion was requisite as to the Ark, the Temple, the receiving thy Law; Oh how shall I behave my self now I go to receive thy very self? or Communicate with thee, that deserves not to come be­fore thee? Oh how Humble should I be who am to receive a gift of Free Grace? Was he Humble that was all Purity, and shall I be proud who am so defiled? The high and lofty One dwells not in a haughty heart, but with him that is of a contrite, humble spirit; not will he that humbled himself to the death be taken into a proud Soul. Oh that I may there­fore have grace, whereby I may serve thee acceptably, with reverence and godly fear, and be cloathed not only with the Righteousness, but Humility of Christ, be low and mean, base and vile in my own eyes; I am not worthy to be called thy Son, make me as thy mean­est servants, the lowest room at thy Ta­ble; give my sins thy pardon, my soul [Page 61]thy grace, my person and service thy ac­ceptance in thy beloved; and what thou dost convey, seal to me by what I am to receive.

Without Knowledge the Heart,Saving Know­ledge. the duty cannot be good; but the Covenant thou hast made with thy people is, they shall all know thee from the least to the greatest. Oh let me come with knowledge of the nature, necessity, use and ends of the Ordinance. Direct me how to behave my self at, and medi­tate upon those Divine Mysteries, that I may not be a blind offerer, nor bring a blind offering; but offer unto thee a li­ving sacrifice, holy, acceptable, reasonable service; that I may receive with understan­ding, discern the Lords Body; look in­to the Mysteries of the Sacrament, lest not knowing the meaning, Ifeel not the comfort of it; but be alienated, estranged from thee through the ignorance that is in me.

That. I may eat the Passeover with bitter herbs,Godly Sor­row. give me a deep sense of my own vileness and unworthiness; take, away this [Page 62]heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh, that I may loath my self in my own sight for mine iniquities, and for mine abo­minations, be filled with shame and sor­row, hatred and indignation against my self, for my offending so good and graci­ous, so loving and bountiful a Father, Re­deemer and Sanctifier: That I may look upon him whom I have pierced, and mourn for him, with detestation and holy revenge against those my sins that cost him so dear, were the cause as well as any other mens of his death, and would have cost me damnation; abominating them as the scourges and thorns, nails and spear thar Afflicted, Crucified my dearest Saviour, the Lord of Glory. The day of mourning for him is at hand, oh that I may then slay my most beloved lusts! be revenged on them for it, and for their endeavouring to rob me of my spiritual Birth-right, my eternal Blessedness. Let me call to mind, and be truly sensible of every sin, and of the evil of it, and of thine and my Saviour's love manifested to me in his sufferings. There where he appears most Bloody, let Sin op­pear most deadly; that I may receive a­broken, bleeding Christ, with a broken [Page 63]contrite Heart; a Sacrifice thou wilt not [...]espise, O God, prepare in me; that be­ing weary and heavy laden, I may be ca­pable of his refreshment; being supled in my own tears, I may be fitter to be washt in his blood.

And seeing thou givest thy self only to thy Disciples and Friends, New Obe­dience. work in me fresh pur­poses of amendment; that be­ing willing and obedient, I may eat the good of the Ordinance. Let there be con­formity, that there may be Communion; let me not put that new wine into an old im­pure, but new Heart. I cannot Eat the Passeover and stay in Egypt still; let me do it with my loyns girt, ready to march toward the Promised Land. Thou con­firmest thy Covenant, and expectest I re­stipulate with thee, that I cast out, and exe­crate the old leaven. Seeing the Covenant of Grace sealed, let me seal a Covenant of Obedience; seeing by the merit of Christs death I am purchas'd to be thine, by the power of it let me be dead to sin, and both receive life, and change my life; let me bring a wounded heart to, and carry wounded sins from thy Table; dye to sin, [Page 64]seeing Christ dyed for sin; let me take him by way of surety, and give up my self to him by way of surrender; receive him as a Saviour; and submit to him as a Prince; set my self apart for thee on that Feast of Dedication. Let me approach with the most sincere, fixed resolutions of an intire resignation; and receive such grace and strength from thee, as may inable me faith­fully to perform them; that I may find my self in the number of those, to whom my Saviour allows such special manifesta­tions of himself, by lifting up the light of his countenance upon them, by intimating his good will and love unto them, his ful­ness and righteousness for them, as Shows his constant abode with them.

Let no prophane or unsea­sonable Thoughts enter into my mind while I am about that Holy Solemnity;Purity. let me lay aside, leave behind me, and be kept from all carnal earthly vain Imaginations; drive away all drowsiness, carelesness, sloth­fulness; idle apprehensions; that I may wholly contemplate upon, and give up my self unto him, who sacrific'd his Soul and Body for me; and come before [Page 65]thee with such Reverential Hungering, & Holy Affections, as is due to the hand that reacheth, to the seal that secureth, to the food that strengthneth that spiritual life in us, without which we can never be hap­py. O thou that callest me unto thee, let thy compassion pitty my vileness; let thy mercy pardon my sinfulness; let thy grace cleanse my filthiness; let thy wisdom en­lighten my darkness, let thy strength sup­port my weakness; adorn me with the wedding garment, the righteousness of thy Son, and holiness of thy Spirit; that all my nakedness may be covered, and my great deformities hid from thine eyes: pardon me by thy mercy, that I may re­ceive thy grace; and fit me by thy grace, that I may receive thy mercy; help me so to accuse my self, that thou may'st acquit me, so to judge and condemn my self, that thou may'st absolve me; so to exer­cise a holy revenge upon my self, that thou may'st spare me. Let thy Spirit be thy Harbinger to provide entertainment for thy Son in my Soul, that he may find [...]t swept of sin, and garnisht with grace; make it day in my Soul by hopes and de­sires, before I there receive the Sun of Righteousness.

[Page 66] Faith is thy own gift as well as Christ; Faith. I believe, Lord help my unbelief, that I may be­sprinkle my soul and Conscience with his blood; not only look upon and remember but close in with, and receive him there tendred: Eat his flesh and drink his blood; apply him as taking on him our nature, & and giving it as a ransom for sin; That I may not stagger at the promise through unbelief, but be strong in faith, giving Glo­ry to God; being fully perswaded that what thou hast promised thou wilt per­form. When I see Bread and Wine upon the Table, let me see Christ there as a feast in token of my reconciliation with thee, and on the Cross as a Sacrifice, offering up his Body and blood to thee; observing the Bread broken, let me see Chrirst crucified for, and offering himself unto me; upon the Wine pouring out, let me behold how his blood was poured forth for my sins. As I receive Bread and Wine for bodily sustenance, so cause me to feed on, digest improve his body and blood; having the, same expectation of Spiritual and Eternal life from him, that I have of temporal life from my food. Let me eat not only the [Page 67]Bread of the Lord, but the Bread which the Lord, that as by my senses I receive [...]he Elements to my Corporal, so by faith [...] may receive and apply him to my Spiri­ [...]al nourishment. Let the Ordinance be a [...]vely resemblance, remembrance, and [...]pplication of the sufferings, and earnest of the Supper of the Lamb. Let Christ be [...] lively set forth, as if Crucified before by eyes, dying for me: that beholding, [...]mbracing, and even putting my fingers [...]nto the print of his nails and feet, and [...]hrusting my hand into his side; so fully [...]erswaded of his suffering for me, that I [...]ay not be faithless but believing; saying, [...]y Lord and my God, he loved me and [...]ave himself for me; my beloved is mine [...]nd I am his. O that I may so touch him, [...]s may find and feel strength, peace, vir­ [...]ue come from him, and be healed of all [...]y uncleanness; that they may not be [...]nto death, but unto the glory of thy [...]ercy [...] in pardoning, and grace in purifying [...] polluted a Wretch. That it may be he food, the feast of my graces; the poi­ [...]on, the funeral of my corruptions. Let [...]e so feed on his blessed Bodie, and bathe [...]y soul in his pretious Blood, that my [Page 68]Soul may magnifie the Lord, and m [...] Spirit rejoyce in God my Saviour; who [...] having not seen I may love, in wh [...] though now I see him not, yet believing, [...] may rejoyce with joy unspeakable and fu [...] of glory.

Circumcise my Heart to lo [...] thee with all my Soul,Love. and wit [...] all my strength. Let my hear [...] be ravisht with this infinite merci [...] in thee to sinful miserable man, in cotriving and giving so glorious a Reddeemer and Redemption to save him and now in presenting us with such special Seals of his love, and admitting u [...] into so near, so holy a Communion [...] For this let me be dissolv'd into lov [...] to thee and thy Son, and to man fo [...] his sake; and into a steadfast vow of lif [...] and death to thy service; that I will give and forgive, do, and suffer any thing fo [...] thee. Let me be fill'd with holy raptures, joys and hopes in so great a goodness, who having done this, will de [...] me nothing, and (maugre the rage and malice of hell) not see my soul lost, fo [...] whom all this is done. Oh let me meet with strong endearments of Affe­ctions [Page 69]melting, and flowing over to­ [...]ards thee, languishing with desires enjoy thee, even turn'd into, made [...] of love for thee; that I may be the [...]isciple whom thou lovest, and laid in [...]y bosom. Oh deal with me as thou [...]ften dost with those that draw near to [...]ee; though I burn not with so hot a [...]ame, yet through thy grace I crave it [...]f thee, that I may participate with, [...]nd be numbred among such fervent [...]overs. If I cannot say I am sick of Love, [...]et am sick that I cannot love thee? [...]here wilt thou give me thy love, [...]dmission to more familiar fellowship, [...]ear [...]r manifestation, sensible feeling [...]nd assurance of thy love and affecti­ [...]n unto me, that I am beloved of [...]hee. Give me grace to love the Lord [...]esus in sincerity; let him dwell in my [...]eart by Faith and Love; that being [...]oted and grounded in Love, I may be [...]ble to comprehend with all Saints, [...]hat is the breadth, and length, and [...]epth, and heighth, and to know the [...]ove of Christ which passes knowledge; [...]hat the remembrance of him may pierce [...]e with grief, transport me with love [Page 70]captivate my will, engage all my affections to him and for him. And let me kno [...] I am passed from death to life▪ because love the Brethren. Shed abroad th [...] love in my cold frozen heart, and infla [...] it with fervent affection to thee and thing While my love is burning towards th [...] self, oh how can it chuse but be impar [...] to thy Friends, who sincerely love the [...] and on whom thou hast set thy heart, ar [...] shed thy love, thy spirit, whereby the are made like unto thee? They m [...] needs be lovely in my eyes, to who [...] Christ is pretious. Oh let me not con [...] to this Love-feast with a bitter but chan [...] table spirit! Purge out therefore t [...] old leven of malice, which will sow the Ordinance to me. Oh that our F [...] ther in Heaven may look down upon [...] children feasting together in mutual lo [...] and delight, in the remembrance of [...] that love he hath shewn us, and joy [...] expectation of what further he hath p [...] ­mised to us.

Let me not sit sad a [...] dejected,Joy and Thanks­giving. as if I liked [...] the provision, or though my self not welcom. Ma [...] [Page 71] this real, magnificent, solemn, sumptuous Feast, these Celestial Viands wherewith thou feedest thy people, by thy gracious comfortable discoveries of thy self, a spi­ritual banquet unto my soul, a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refin'd! Do not onely stand and knocks, but open the door of my heart; vouchsafe to come in and abide with me; that there may be a chearful, comfortable converse: sup with me, and let me sup with thee, that I may be abundantly satis­fied with the fatness of thy house, (feel and find abundance of soul-satisfaction reach­ed out to me in the Ordinance; and do thou make me drink of the River of thy pleasure: quench my thirst after carnal, and let me be fill'd with Divine pleasures, ravishments and contentments flowing from the inexhaustible fountain of Divine plentie. Let my soul be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth praise thee with joyful lips. Let me come before thee with thanksgiving, and praise thee with my whole heart. Let there be Angels work at Angels food, make me joyful in thy house of prayer. By and [Page 72]for him let me offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God, the fruit of my lips, gi­ving thanks unto his Name in the great Congregation, and Praise thee among much People.

Thou art ready to give bread to the hungry, to fill them with good things,Spiritual Thirst. and the water of life to him that is athirst. Thou art not straitned in thy self, but I am straitned in my own bowels; the desire and the meat, the necessity and relief, are all from thee. Oh thou that providest Food, give also a stomach; bid, and make me wel­com! say, eat, oh Friend; drink, yea drink abundantly, oh Beloved! Oh create and stir up in me earnest longings and a Spiri­tual appetite; that I may come to be made partaker of the good things thou hast prepared for me, with enlarged af­fections, and longing desires after, an­swerable to my need of the Ordinance, and Christ offered in it, as full nourishment for my Soul under the forms of Bread and Wine; and with strong expectations to receive him and his benefits, with desire let me desire to eat this Passeover; open my mouth wide that thou may'st fill it: As [Page 73]the Hart panteth after the water-brook, so let ray soul pant after thee, O God.

The Evening Close.

AND now, oh gracious God, leave me not to the dulness, the deadness, the hardness, the impenitency, the unbelief, [...]he barrenness, the earthliness, the impo­ [...]ency, the distraction of my own Heart! Oh enrich the Ordinance with thy own [...]resence. While the King sitteth at his Ta­ [...]le let my Spikenard send forth the smell [...]hereof. Descend into my heart by the ex­ [...]tations of thy grace and influences of thy by, and let me ascend unto thee by the ex­ [...]cise of grace, & pious addresses. Awake [...]ou North wind, and come thou South, [...]ow upon my Garden, that the Spices [...]ereof may flow out; Make every grace [...] my soul lively, active, & fragrant, by the [...]eathings & inspirations of thy Holy Spi­ [...]t. O abide with me, because it draweth [...]wards the time of receiving; what do I there thou be not there? If thy presence go not [...]ong with me, carry me not hence. Let Christ [...]pear unto, and be known of me in break­ing [Page 74]of Bread; let me carry away not only Bread, but Light, Life and Health; that with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory (the love, the mercy, and goodness) of the Lord, I may be changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. O let me remember▪ and do thou remember what thy Son hath suffered, that I may be thankful, and thou so sensibly gracious unto me, that I ma [...] taste and see how good the Lord is.

I am altogether, unworthy of my desires [...] but what thou dost for any, is not becaus [...] they are worthy, but because it pleaseth th [...] to do for thine what they ask of thee ac­cording to thy will. With what confi­dence go we to Market with money in our hand? we doubt not returning withou [...] our errand; Oh we would come as confidently expecting the giving out of grac [...] to us, as if we were able to putchase it for thou hast bid us come buy Wine an [...] Milk without money and without price and hast promis'd, and art more willing [...] give the spirit to them that ask it, th [...] Parents Bread to their Children, whi [...] they cannot deny, whatever shift th [...] make for it: our love to our Children [...] [Page 75]but hatred; our compassion, hardness; our bowels rocks in comparison of thine to thine: why then wilt thou not hear me? Turnest thou a deaf ear to me? Canst thou deny me? Did any of the seed of Jacob seek thy face in vain? Who ever ap­proacht to this over-flowing Fountain of sweetness, but carried away some drops? [...]or sat by so great a flame, and receiv'd not some warmth from it? why then lyes my Soul so cold, so frozen, so dead before thee? O wilt thou not relieve a hungry beggar? wilt thou not grant the request of an [...]mportunate Petitioner? Shall I go away [...]mpty from an inexhaustible Treasure? Hungry from a Feast? Dry from a Foun­tain? Cold from the Sun? Sad and com­ [...]ortless from a Feast of Love? Oh! [...]ake it a type and earnest of our Eternal [...]anquet: Feed me to that by Faith and Love, and seal me to it in Spirit and Con­ [...]ience; let me enjoy thy lightsom revi­ [...]ng company in this state of absence and [...]bscurity. Away, my Soul from this [...]rk, deceitful, vexing world; love not [...]y Disease, thy Fetters, thy Calamities; [...]yn not with those that take up their rest [...] this side Heaven, saying, it is good to be [Page 76]here. Wo is me that I sojourn in Me­sech, that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar; that I remain in this sinful, polluting place, among a strange people, and am kept so long from my Fathers House. Oh that I had wings like a Dove, then would I slie away and be at rest; lo then would I wan­der far off, (as legs and wings could car­ry me) and remain in the wilderness; I would live in the solitariest place of the Earth, for my greater freedom from sin, and enjoyment of my God. This flat­tering, vexing world should soon see me quit it; my base heart should soon be [...] of me; rather than undergo their unces­sant troubles: I would hasten my escap [...] from the windy storm and tempest. Oh wretched man that I am! who shall de­liver me from the body of this death [...] Which so oft troubles, grieves and overclouds me, distracts & hinders me, allure [...] and intangles me? When shall I have done trifling and dallying, roving and repining, fretting and disputing? Whe [...] shall I onely talk and walk with thee be; composed and fixed, Spiritual an [...] Heavenly, love, chuse, and obey thee delight, rejoyce, joy, and glory in thee [Page 77]Oh when wilt thou unloose the cords of this tottering Tent? When shall this Mud-wall crumble into dust? When shall my earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved? When shall I be carried to those eternal mansions? Why is his Chariot so long in coming? Why tar­ry the wheels of his Chariot? Hath he not sped? Hath he not divided his gifts? Hath he not obtained his pur­chase? Hath he not prepared a place for me? Shall I ever be at home in the bodie, and absent from the Lord? Make haste, O thou whom my soul loveth, and come in glorie, as thou first camest in humilitie; and conform them to thy self in glorie; whom thou makest con­formable to thy sufferings and humility. Keep up our faith, our hope, and our love; by the exercise of them let us have our Conversation with thee in Heaven; and daily vouchsafe us some beams of thy directing, consolatorie light, in this our darkness; and be not as a stranger to thy scattered Flock, thy discon­solate Spouse in this distant state, this desolate Wilderness. O shew thy self more clearly to us; testifie to our Souls, [Page 78]that thou art our Head and Saviour, that we abide in thee by the Spirit which thou hast given us, abiding and overcom­ing in us, and as thy Agent preparing us for eternal Life. Let not our darkness nor thy strangeness feed our odious unbelief; nor my corrupt habits choak or smother my new resolutions and sweet meditati­ons. These weak, wavering thoughts, these faint desires, these sickly affections in my Soul will not live a night, unless my gracious God interpose his Power, preserve and cherish them. Oh seeing thou hast given me to bestow some small pains on my Heart, and to conceive some good hopes, let them not be dasht in pieces in so short a moment: spread the wings of thy goodness over me, and maintain that, which not I, but thy Spirit hath wrought in me; let me find all, when I awake let me still be with thee, O bles­sed Trinity, to whom be ascribed King­dom, Power, and Glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Communion Morning Dress.

AH, where am I? what do I? all the Children of the Bride-chamber are [...]p and ready, and I slumbring in my Bed! Tell me, ye Fairest, what made you up so early, and drest so soon? A­ [...]as, our Lord was up before us all; [...]e call'd us up by break of day, and wondred we were not trimming our Lamps, not decking our selves, know­ [...]ng with whom we were to meet, to feast [...]o day. Our Beloved spake and said [...]nto us, Rise up, my Love, my Fair Ones, and come away. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will re­ [...]oyce and be glad in it. How should we welcom it with suffcient joy & thankful­ness, for the approach of so great a Blessing [...]hat brings our Saviour so near unto us!

'Tis too too late; I will arise and get [...]e ready; but where are my Cloths? Oh [...]ow poor, how empty, how naked am I! Oh for the fairest, sweetest robe of [...]houghts and wishes out of my Fathers, Wardrobe; Oh for my silken, golden [Page 80]twist of Faith to hang the Jewel of God [...] sorrow, and Humility, Love, and thank­fulness upon: I am never drest till they be on. Oh where are they? I saw them by me but just before I went to bed; what was I then so long about, but gathering, tying, raising them up? Ah this vain World, this envious Devil, this evil de­ceitful Heart, hath been ravelling, stealing them out, or hid them from me, that now I am as far to seek as ever. Oh whither shall I? what shall I do to find them? be­hold the Bridegroom cometh, and I am not ready; I cannot, dare not go to day. Now will my Lord be angry when he comes in, to see his guests; he looking over them, will say where's such a one? was he not bidden? I'm sure I invited him. If I go undrest, he'l ask how came I in, not having on a Wedding Garment? to either I shall be speechless. Ah foolish, [...] careless heart! to let Earthly so intangle thy Heavenly Thoughts; thou knowest not now how to unloose them, which heed and care might have prevented: my hor­rible negligence and guiltiness makes m [...] tremble to go, yet not dare to keep away; for where should my polluted Soul be [Page 81]washt but in that Fountain set open for) sin and for uncleanness? Oh thou that wilt in no wise cast off him that cometh unto thee; dis-intangle my thoughts from all things below, and dress me up as plea­seth thee; over-look my manifold weak­nesses and imperfections in my prepara­tion; if I knew nothing by my self, yet were I not thereby justified; I have no Righteousness of my own, and if I had, I would not mention it before thee; though I were Righteous, and had the greatest fitness and perfection a creature is capable of, yet would I not answer thee; I would not plead, but supplicate; not stand up­on my Right, but petition thy Favour; not expect thy Justice, but crave thy pity, I would make supplication to my Judge. The Righteousness of man is not pleadable before a Righteous God: if thou shouldest be extream to mark what is done amiss by the best men, in the best actions, O Lord who could stand? we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; my person is loathsom and abominable; my preparation and best performances carry in them matter, of my own death and indictment, except thou [Page 82](oh) cover them with the Robe of Christ's Righteousness, and sprinkle them, with his blood, they can find no acceptance with thee. And Oh thou who for our sake tookest upon thee our passions and sensibilities, our weaknesses and sufferings; so art become a merciful High Priest, and pitiful to our infirmities, receive a weari­ed sinner an overbur-thened Conscience, an afflicted, polluted Soul into thy care, custody, and cure. The humility and sor­row, love and purity of any Creature, is not sufficient to make me worthy to be fed with thy Body, nourisht with thy Blood, united to thee, to dwell and be one with thee; but what I cannot be of my self, let me be made of thee, who of God art made unto us Wisdom, Righte­ousness, Sanctification and Redemption. Oh weigh thine own, not my merits that I may offer up an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing unto thee by Christ Jesus the life of them that believe, and the Resurrection of the dead From him I hope for victory against my sins, strength in Duty against my weak­ness, succour in my life against tem­ptation, in my death against despair, [Page 83]after death against damnation▪ I presume upon thy help, not because I [...]ave deserv'd it, for I have been an unpro­fitable servant, but because thou hast re­deemed me, for thy Blood cannot be unpro­fitable. Help me, if not for my misery which I have deserved, yet for thy mercies which thou hast promised; for thy good­ness is more ready to forgive, then thy power to punish: and thy Blood cries [...]ouder for pardon, then my sins for pu­nishment. Thou hast not yet forgiven so much as thou hast promised, nor promis'd more than thou hast puchas'd. Hath thy Blood satisfied for more sins than I can commit, and shall it not satisfie for those [...] have forsaken and do detest? Hast thou purchased Mercy for more then repent, and wilt thou not shew it on those to whom thou hast given Repentance? Hast thou been so long calling, that thou shouldest at last reject me? so long pro­mising Salvation that thou shouldst at last deny me? I am thy Debtor for thy pur­chase, but thou art mine for the promise. [...] could not oblige thee by my desert, but thou hast obliged thy self by thy word. I plead not the merit of my obedience, but [Page 84]the mercy of the Covenant which thy L [...] and mercy moved thee to make, and thy Truth ties thee to perform: Free grace made, thee a promiser, and thy promise hath made thee a Debtor. Thou art not more Free in making promises, then faithful in making them good: a God that keepeth Covenant unto a thousand generations▪

And oh that I could now la [...] aside my Body with my Business put off this outward man for [...] more naked,The Soul Fixed. inward spiritual sight, that my mind might be rendred more sensible of him; fit to receive [...] deeper impression from his hand, that nothing but him might enter in. Away▪ be gone ye wandring, worldly, vai [...] thoughts, for I am going to my God: sti [...] not up, nor disturb the Beloved of my Soul; come not near I charge you, make no noise to displease him, or to call m [...] away from, entertaining and enjoying o [...] him: yea (Lord) bid them be gone, and not dare to appear before thee. It is the voice of my. Beloved, I hear him inviting me to his Table; I see him coming to en­tertain me; let all flesh therefore be silent and not be so bold as to whisper in his presence.

[Page 85] Welcom holy thoughts and pure de­sires: Oh happy time wherein I may em­brace my Saviour, and solace my soul in the armes of my dearest Love! Awake my Understanding, Will, and Affecti­ons; awake my Glory and my Heart; awake all ye Powers, Faculties, and Gra­ces of my Soul, and all that is within me be summon'd in, stirred up, and wholly bent to attend this service. My costliest Box of Oyntment cannot be bestow'd better then on my Saviour: my greatest care and caution, love and labour, then in his service.And inflamed with Love. And how shall I put my heart into a flame of love, a frame to meet him, better then by consi­dering the wonder of his love unto me? Oh how free, unmerited, disinterested! preventing not onely our desires, but our knowledge, surpassing our wishes as well as our deserts.

He loved us first. Had we deplor'd our Apostacie, implor'd his Grace, re­form'd our Ways, return'd before in­vited, made the first overtures of Re­conciliation with him; this had carried something of inducement for procuring [Page 86]his love: but that he who had receive the injury, should address himself to him that did it; that the offended party should pray and beseech the offender to be reconciled? that he whose right was to punish, should first offer terms of grace and pardon to them that had done him all the wrong, and make Compensation of it to himself! Herein is love, not that we loved him, but that he loved us first, even before we had a Being; so little could we deserve it, that our felicitie in his Decrees, prece­ded our existence in the world. His good­ness is so entirely its own principle, and motive, that even out Creation since which alone we can pretend to merit it) is the effect of it, as well as our Re­demption. When no eye pittyed, no per­son interceded, no hand could relieve, he visited and redeemed us, unable to add to, or diminish his essential happiness. If thou sinnest, what doest thou unto him? if thou be righteous, what givest thou him? our best services are dues, not tri­butes; not to advantage him, but to dis­charge our selves, as acknowledgments we have all from him. He doth us good, not because we are, but he liberally so. The [Page 87]fire we kindle on God's Altar, warms and enlightens us, but not Heaven at so distant a remove; not is wanted in the Regions of this Sun which shines upon us Dunghils, not out of any invitation his Beams find there, but because 'tis his Na­ture to be freely, obligingly diffusive; nor is disturbed or loses its light, but we by turning away our eyes, or sending up the black and noysom vapours of our lusts. I cannot but stand amazed at the low stoop of thy Sacred Majesty, in matching with so mean, so base, so stain'd a Fami­ly. Thou tookst not on thee the nature of Angels, but the seed of Abraham: They are bound in chains of darkness, whilest thou art drawing us with cords of Love: thou spared not them, and spared not thy Son for us. What admiration and astonishment can answer thy boundless condeseension? that thou who hadst mar­ried infinitely below thy self, if with the most spotless, antientest, honourablest House of thy Creatures, should take pol­luted dust and ashes into thy bosom! yea thou passest by all others as Nettles and Thorns, while thy Church is in thy eye as the Rose of Sharon, and the Lillie of the Vallies.

[Page 88] He loved us when Enemies; not only when we were not at all, incapable of being a motive in his love, but worthy of his detestation. To have spared our lives had been an unexpected, undeserved mercy; who finds his enemy and slays him not; was ever eye enamored on deformi­ty, or love set upon filthiness and putrefaction? But behold! I running away from him, hating of him; he loving me, follow­ing of me, intreating my return; I undo­ing, he pitying my soul; finding his arms open to embrace me, against whom I was lifting up my hand; for when we were without strength, Christ dyed for the ungodly; and as foul as ugly, as loathsom, as forlorn as sin could make me, espou­sed me to himself; opened his Heart to lodge in it, his profest Enemy that trod him under foot; his Bowels yearned toward those, who raked into them with their bloody hands; his Heart burnt with affection to those that cruelly pierced it; when we were fighting he was dying; when we had the weapons in our hand, he had the spear in his side. Herein God commen­ded his love to us, in that while we were sinners Christ dyed for us; shewed as [Page 89]great love and kindness to the great­est Enemy, as could be shewen to the greatest Friend; and receiv'd me not to mercy only, but to the Endearment of a Son. That the General should dye for the Souldier; the Physitian for the Patient; the Workman for the Work; the Pastor for the Flock; the Master for the Servant; the Just for the Ʋn­just; the Innocent for the Guilty; the Shepherd for the Sheep; the Prince for the Rebel; the Lord of Glory for the Children of Disobedience; he that was without all sin, for him that was with­out all Righteousness; God for Man; to wound a Darling to stanch the Blood of a Traytor; for the Judge to pardon, and put himself into the Malefactor's cloaths and stead, and suffer for him; to dye for those that killed him? and bleed to wash his own blood from their hands that spilt it; with the kind Balsom Tree, whose healing wounds weep soveraign Balsom to cure those that made them: that he should interpose his own Breast to receive in those arrows of vengeance aim'd at us; and that while professing our selves his Enemies, and proclaiming [Page 90]War against him; to spare our lives, lose his own; that he should so love us, as to give himself for us, is such a so loving us, as makes the highest Hyperbole dwindle into a Meiosis.

He loved us unto death. No sooner born then persecuted, nor circumcised then design'd for the slaughter. Behold the God of Heaven flying in a womans arms from the rage of a weak Man: the God of Is­rael driven to be nursed out of the bosom of his Church. He that made the Hea­ven of Heavens, subject to, if not busily working in the homely trade of a poor Foster-father. The owner of all possessing nothing, but the punishment due unto our fins. He that commands the Devils to their chains, transported, and tempted by that presumptuous Spirit. God all-suffici­ent exposed to hunger and thirst, weariness and danger, grief and contempt, reproa­ches, affronts, and calumnies; blasphe­med of those whose God he had always been in a peculiar manner; streightned in the womb, vexed in the world, abased from the Cratch to the Cross, rejected by Churls, persecuted by Wretches, tempt­ed by Reprobates; and yet the Son of Man [Page 91]must suffer many things, be sold and caught, [...]ound and drag'd, arraign'd and condem­ [...]ed, stript and scourged, revil'd and be­ [...]mear'd, pierc'd and gor'd, and then it is [...]nished. Thou seemest now (O Blessed Re­ [...]eemer) to have finished in thy passion, what thou hadst continually suffered in the whole course of thy life. How many slaves [...]nder the vassalage of an enemy, fare better [...]hen thou, from ungrateful Man whom [...]hou camest to save? Thy whole life was but a continual passion, thy birth and death but one protracted act; Christmas Day and Good Friday but the evening and morn­ [...]ng of thy passion; thou foundest a Golgo­ [...]ha even in Bethlehem; others die Martyrs; but thou born one among beasts, and [...]iv'd among worse, as well as died among [...]hieves. Blessedness is made not earth [...]nely but wo, to bring earth from wo to [...]lessedness.

Behold him now (O my soul) hanging [...]pon the Cross (and thy sins putting him [...]nto that gore) saying, Weep not for me [...]hat endures it, but weep for your selves [...]hat causes it: read in me the cruelty of [...]our sins; see how barbarously they have [...]sed me, how miserably I am torn and [Page 92]wounded by you: how many thorns in this Crown of thorns are your sins: how my blood, with my warmest love runs out to fetch you home to God. Oh my head, my side, my hands, and my feet. Look through these gaping wounds into my heart; pierc'd first by love, and then by a spear for you. Was ever any sorrow or love like unto mine? Can I do more then die for you? Will you not be per­swaded what an evil and bitter thing sin is unto me? Do you not see how it rakes into my side, and tears my very heart? how greedily it sucks my blood? Be­hold the pits it diggeth, the very print of its nails; see the very place where it hath thrust its spear. Canst thou hug and embrace bloody Parricides? shew any kindness to so deadly an enemy? har­bour them that have used me thus? You say, You are my friends; will you not take my part against them? Have not all these wounds, mouths enough to per­svvade you to fall out vvith sin? Would you have me used thus again? Could you find in your heart to see me once more upon a Gibbet? Will you tear open my wounds (crucifie me) afresh? Else why [Page 93]can you not be prevail'd with by this sight? Why do you not spit in the face of your sins? do all the despight you can un­to, revenge me perfectly upon them? [...]ail them unto my Cross, if you would have me embrace you?

O how ought my Adamantine heart to rend in pieces, when all thy tortures and grones are for, are from us? And yet as if once were not sufficient, how often do we joyn with those that cruci­fie thee afresh? By hypocrisie we bend the knee with ludibrious devotion, say­ing, Hail King of the Jews. By presum­ption we put a Reed in thy hand. We smite and buffet thee with the works of darkness, saying, Prophesie who smote thee. By Prophaneness we spit in thy face the filth of our rotten hearts. By Sa­criledge we cast lots for thy garments. By Schism we divide thy seamless Coat, (which the rude Soldiers did not.) By popularity we wash our hands as innocent, and to please men, condemn thee. By un­hallowed cups we give thee gall to drink. By Superstition betray thee vvith a kiss, and despise thee vvith seeming honour. By Apostacy, deny & forswear thee. By Heresie [Page 94]rack and disjoynt thee. By the roare [...] laughs and scoffs, oaths and blasphemies, tear and rend thee. By any common sin, we prefer Barabba before thee. O we [...] thy pains so light, that we must every day redouble them? Is this the kindness, the entertainment thou deservest? the recom­pence of thine inestimable love, thus cru­elly to vex and wound thee? O how can we hope to find Redemption by thy Blood, while we continue by our horrid crimes to make new gashes in thy side, to rub thy. wounds afresh, and cause them to stream anew, that were even closed up before? an act more Jewish then the Jews. Oh! I sigh unto thee for want of grief, for thy grievous sufferings: Oh that I could turn my self into tears, that I might wash the wounds I have made! seeing thou diedst for my sins, how ought I to despise my self, who have so cruelly offended and tormented thee? the very party whose offences have brought those miserable torments and death upon thee? Oh how must this needs irreconcile and engage me to pursue them to death, that in the eye of all the world brought so great shame, and pain, and amazement [Page 95]on the Lord of Life and Glory? Come along with me, Oh ye vile, ye sinful pas­sions and corrupt affections, into his pre­sence, (if ye dare live so long) and there receive your mortal wound from him! Methinks you should begin to die at the very thoughts of a dying Redeemer, and swoun away at the sight of yonder Blood, and not stay till you come to his Cross; but give up the Ghost before you see but the image his death: do you not feel the power of it afar off? doth not his pierced side pierce your heart before you behold it? Oh ye bloody things! what have ye done? what wounds have you made in the Bodie of my Lord? lay your necks quietly on the block; prepare your selves for death which is approaching: nay, ne­ver struggle nor resist; think not to live any longer for I have vow'd you in sacri­fice to him.

And now what remains,Ends in going. but that I renew a quick and lively sense of the ends of this Rite, and of mine in going, and what lies hid under the Ceremonie? Oh my Soul! whither art thou going? What is that Table which I see yonder spread for us? [Page 96]and what is thy chief design in going to it? what means that broken bread that is provided? for vvhat end vvas that body Crucified? do men use to drink a cup of Blood? Oh let me knovv the bottom of this mysterie; let me enter into this secret, and my ovvn heart's.

Renouncing my own Righteousness and Preparation; in his name, merits, media­tion, strength and righteousness; in obe­dience to thy command and thy follovvers practice; to renevv my Covenant vvith thee; to commemorate and be affected vvith his death; to ovvn and encrease my Spiritual Union and Communion vvith him and his members; to further my joy in the Holy Ghost, peace of Conscience, and hopes of Eternal Life; for the nou­rishment of my Soul; to get povver a­gainst my sins to act, and excite, and strengthen my graces; to make fresh ap­plications of his blood; to have the Cove­nant of Grace vvith all its blessings sealed unto me, I go unto thy Table. O stir up in me thirsting desires after, strong expecta­tions to receive these blessed ends and be­nefits; and do thou make them good un­to me.

[Page 97] Oh how weak,To strengthen my Inner man. how im­perfect are my Graces! I see and know but in part, so love, obey, believe but in part. Oh how many temptations, adversaries, difficul­ties assault me! How seldom have I a will to do good? and when I would do good evil is present with me. All I have, [...]an, or am, is from thee, so due unto thee, but all still unworthy of thee; yet how heart-bound is that little all of service I do thee? I pray as if afraid to be heard, bear as if unwilling to be saved, communi­cate as if loth to receive thee, serve thee as if I would not please thee. To that end I go to the Lords Supper, sutable and suffi­cient to nourish my inner man; where [...]re rendred most familiarly and effe­ctually his Flesh and Blood, meat and drink indeed. Oh that I may have such [...]xpectations of Spiritual life from him, that I have of Temporal life from my [...]ood! and so eat his Body and drink his Blood, receive, digest, and improve, [...]eed upon, and Spiritually apply Christ [...]s incarnate and in his sufferings, that [...] may find refreshment and sweetness, [...]uickening, strength, and life from him, [Page 98]and may live by him, and in him, and he in me. Oh that by the power of thy spi­rit accompanying the Ordinance I may partake yet more and more of a new and divine nature: that I may find strength and vigour diffused through my whole man; and receive some communication of that light and life which Christ came into the world that his People might have, and that they might have it more abund­antly. Oh that his Death and Resurrecti­on may have their power and efficacie up­on me, crucifying my lusts and passions, and raising me up to all the acts of the Spiritual life. Oh that something may be done this day against my pride and passion, worldliness and carnalitie, hipo­crisie and uncharitableness, doubtings and unbelief, distrustful fears and discontents, backwardness and indisposition to, list­lesness, dulness, and distraction in Dutie. Oh that I may find my heart thereby drawn nearer to, and carried out with more unweariedness and chearfulness in thy Service. Let me come from thence with my pardon sealed, my corruptions subdued, my graces quickened, strengthen­ed, and confirmed; my heart enlarged, my [Page 99] soul refreshed and encouraged to run the waies of thy Commandments; and so in­separablie united to thee, that no Tem­ptation may be ever able to dissolve the [...]union; but that being begun here in grace, [...]it may be perfected in glorie.

How painful and into­ [...]erable is the obscuring and interrupting of our Ʋnion and Communion with Christ (our Heaven upon Earth?To maintain and increase, evidence and enjoy Union and Communion with Christ and him crucified.) Therein we enjoy his person and all sweet Relations to it: his death, and all the saving fruits, priviledges, and influ­ences of it. To maintain and encrease, evidence and enjoy it, I receive the Cup of Blessing which we bless, the Commu­nion of the Blood of Christ; and the Bread which we break, the Communion of the Bodie of Christ to my soul, my Faith, yea even to my outward Senses, signifies, seals, and instrumentally exhi­bits my Spiritual Communion with Christ and his Death. Thereby I partake of, and am strengthned in this Fellowship with him, as really as I partake of that Bread and Cup. Oh that he being united [Page 100]to me in these holy Mysteries, may com­fort, rule, and direct me in all my ways; and his Spirit turn me into the same qua­lity and likeliness! Oh that I may there find him whom my soul loveth! There are the signs, but where the body and blood of my Saviour, the Lamb for a sacrifice? I go not for the bread and wine, but to see Jesus. What are the Elements with­out thy presence? Oh what wilt tho [...] give me if I go from thy Table Christless? Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, (afford expressions of his tender affection and reconciliation to my soul,) for thy love is better then wine.

If we forsake Commu­nion with our Fellow-members, To maintain and increase Spiritual Union and Commu­nion with Christs Members. how can we maintain it with ou [...] Head? What need the [...] have I (especially no [...] when so many divisions and disagree­ments) of, and to that end I come to the Ordinance, which tends so much to uni [...] and knit together the disjoynted Mem­bers of Christ; for we being many a [...] one Bread and one Body, for we a [...] partakers of that one Bread, and hereby [Page 101]profess to be one, and to walk as Fellow-members in Christ, with all christian love and tenderness towards one another. Oh let my heart be enlarged towards them, my delight in them, (for their relation to thee and thy Image upon them) sympa­thize with, have a fellow-feeling of, in­terest my self in their several states and occasions; rejoycing with those that rejoyce, and weeping with those that weep. Seeing thou hast so loved us, let me be perfectly reconciled to every man; and every spark of anger, envy, and malice, be utterly extinguish­ed, remembering he that comes in hatred is a Judas to Christ, and a Cain to his Bro­ther.

Through the death of Christ my sins are pardon­ed,To Commemorate Christs death. my reconciliation with God obtained, his curse removed, the Enemies of my Salvation subdued, my eternal Salvation and Inheritance, my deliverance from worse then Egyptian Bondage procured, the new Cove­nant established, all my mercies pur­chased, conveyed and sanctified: yet how unthankful for, insensible, for­getful [Page 102]of it am I? so greatly ungrateful as to burie in oblivion the greatest expres­sion of his infinite love: in honour of him to make a solemn rehearsal of his famous Acts, to speak of the glorious honour o [...] His Majestie, and to talk of his Power: I come unto this lasting Monument and Memorial, to shew forth his death till he come. Oh let me celebrate it with an affectionate, fiducial, thankful, obedienti­al remembrance; with a ravished heart filled with a gracious composition of joy and sorrow, love and admiration; with such resentments as befit so strange an object, that I may desire, & rejoyce, mourn, and tremble; be in such a mixture of passions as may even imitate the confusi­on that was in the world at his sufferings; make such deep and lasting impressions thereof on my soul, as if this was the very day he suffered. Let me not con­clude I have received Christ, till I have remembred him, so as to affect my heart with love to him, desire after him, faith and joy in him, sorrow for my sins the cause of his suffering. Let me think of it as an history to beget my knowledge, as a Go­spel to beget my Faith, as an example to [Page 103]provoke my patience, as a benefit to pro­cure my happiness. Oh that I may so remember him at his Table on his Cross, that he may not forget me on his Throne in his Kingdom. Lift up my mind from the contemplation of him as he hung up­on the Tree, to him as he sits now in Glo­rie at thy right hand, making intercession for me, presenting to thee the invaluable merits of his death, to appease thee for the sins I commit daily against thee. Oh set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm, that I may be never for­gotten, always remembred, preserved, kept safely by thee: and let me set thee as a seal upon my heart, as a seal on my arm, receive thy image and impression of thy love, keep it thankfully, continually on my heart, and testifie it in my life.

By reason of my infir­mities, carelesness, sins, To have my per­sonal claim and title to the new Covenant clear­ed. how apt am I to doubt the pardon of them, and my interest in thy love? The streams of corruption rising up in me, interrupt the light and lustre of my future possession, and suggest matter of diffidence and anxietie, that my hopes [Page 104]hitherto have been ungrounded, my Faith, Presumption, my claim to, and propriety in Christ uncertain, if not quite desperate. But he hath shed his blood meritoriously to procure it; and I go to the Ordinance as thou hast appointed it, to have my par­don, and interest in his Blood sealed and as­sured unto me, and to renew my engage­ments and resolutions, that I may be tyed faster to thee with new cords of thy love, and that it may be more impossible for me to unloose my self from thy service. O let me therefore receive it as a sign and seal from thee to me, representing and exhibiting thy self and benefits; and from me to thee, a sign to separate me from sinners, a seal to oblige me to all faithfulness and thankfulness required on my part. Oh make the Ordinance ef­fectual to all those blessed ends and purposes for which thou hast appointed it. Let it be not only a sign to represent, but an instrument to convey Christ with the power and virtue of his death unto me, and a seal to assure me of my Inter­est in the Covenant; that in those holy Mysteries I may not onely Commemorate, but effectually receive my blessed Savi­our, [Page 105](thou mayest communicate to me thy self) and all the benefits of his passi­on; and have not onely a representation, but a participation of him in the Sa­crament: to the outward Administrati­on of it joyn the inward Seal of thy Spirit.

Thou knowest all my corruptions and temptations, wants, weaknesses, and im­perfections, poverty and nakedness, trou­bles and dangers; how often I am tempt­ed and defiled, grieved and indispo­sed; what strong corruptions to be sub­dued and mortified, languishing gra­ces to be quickened and strengthened, faint purposes and resolutions to be en­larged and confirmed. In confidence of thy great goodness, faithfulness, and mer­cy, I thy creature come unto thee my Cre­ator, thy son unto thee my Father, thy servant unto thee my Lord; in danger unto thee my Saviour, needy unto thee the Possessor of Heaven and Earth, dis­eased unto thee the only Physician, un­clean unto thee the Fountain of grace and mercy, desolate unto the God of all consolation; guilty, blind, lifeless un­to thee the Author, the Father of par­don, [Page 106]light, life, and Salvation. Oh heal me of the guilt of my sins by the merit of thy blood, of the power and corruption of my sins by the efficacy of thy Spirit. In­flame my coldness with the fire of thy love, soften my hardness with the dew of thy grace, enlighten my blindness with [...] beam of light from heaven, anoint the eye of my soul with eye-salve that I may see, clear up spiritual things to my apprehen­sion, heal all the distempers, ease all the pains, supplie all the necessities of my soul. Make me more humble, holie, hea­venlie, confident, and believing: fill thy house with thy own glorie. Stand not at a distance behind the wall, shew thy self through the Lettice of the Ordinance: let me see the outgoings of my God and my King in his Sanctuary. Let me not come unto thee, nor go from thee without thee. Oh take this season of coming in upon my soul; bestow more of thy self upon me. Change me into thy likeness, lift up my heart unto thee in Heaven, turn all earth­lie things unto me to bitterness, contempt, and oblivion: Be thou my meat and drink, my hope and strength, my shield and portion, my honour and glorie, my [Page 107]love and joy, my delight and solace, only sweet unto my taste from henceforth and for ever.

These are the mercies thou hast promi­sed to thy people, hast bidden them to ask, art wont to convey by thy Ordinance. These are the legacies left me by my Sa­viours Will, whereof thou art Executor: his prayer, promise, and blessing, this In­stitution is ingaged to procure them for all believing Receivers: for these things therefore which thou then granted him, do I come unto, and wait upon thee this day. With no lower aims go I to thy Table: with such precious things is the Lord Je­sus wont to feast his Guests, and of his in­finite fulness it is, that I hope to partici­pate, through him to be strengthened with might in the inner man, even to be made strong by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Thou hast provided for my soul as well as body; shall there be bread e­nough in my Fathers house, and I here pe­rish for hunger? Pertains it not to thee to keep in repair that habitation thou hast made so for thy self? Will it tend to thy Honour who hast begun to build, to leave the workmanship of thine own hands, as if [Page 108]not able to finish? must not the food and Author of our Spiritual life nourish, and cherish, redress the decays, uphold the frame of it in us? Oh! will the head let a member perish? shall a branch wither for want of juyce? he is the true vine, we the branches, thou art the husbandman, haft ordained him to be the root, fountain, and support of all Spiritual furniture, grace and fruitfulness to those implanted in him▪ Oh of his fulness of Grace communicate to me, for without him I can do nothing acceptable to thee! Art not thou as wil­ling to bestow the fruit, of thy Blood upon us, as to shed it for us? Hast not thou, who once so readily healed diseases, cured all that came unto thee, as much mercy to Soul as Body? Art thou not as merci­ful as tender, as able, as willing to help as ever? If (as I hope) thou wilt, thou canst make me clean and supply my wants; outward means without thee cannot, yet here thou hast bid, I attend waiting for the descent of thy Holy Spirit: oh say unto me, be it unto thee even as thou wilt; yea even as thou wilt who art ever readily, strongly inclin'd to do thy people good. Oh let me be so refresht and strengthen'd [Page 109]with that spiritual banquet, that I may chearfully walk on my way to glory, through him who is both Sacrifice and Priest, the Feast and Master of it, invites us to, and feeds us by himself, to whom with thy Blessed Majesty, and Holy Spirit be ascribed all Honour, Glory and Praise, now and for ever. Amen.

Going to Church.

COme away, my Soul! let us go: (oh that I may) See how he loved us, how dear we are unto him, how nearly re­lated he is unto us. Let us go die with and for him, disclaim whatsoever is a­gainst him, renew our Covenant with him, consecrate our selves wholly to him, that we will never leave nor forsake him. We were unworthy he should speak to us, or look upon us; he comes unto us, dwells with us in our nature: unworthy of the crums that fall from the Table he hath spread for all creatures; and behold he calls us to one furnished with the richest of his blessings. Oh that I may find him [Page 10]whom my soul loveth! oh that he would speak comfortably, savingly, effectually sensiblie unto me! that my heart may burn within me while he talketh with me, and openeth unto me his love and affecti­on, those holie misteries, and my under­standing.

His sweat and blood (oh my soul) drown­ed not his affections to us; his Compassion brake through his passion; in the same night, (which was so full of anguish and dolor to his Soul,) wherein he was betray'd; when death was in sight, and all those unspeakable fears and sorrows , terrors and sufferings were ready to invade him, when his Disciples were readie to betray, forsake, deny him; injuries from men, readie to load him; and the Justice of God upon sin to be demonstrated on him, he then even forgot his own misereies to re­member and dispense his meries to us, and provide this Banquet for us, continually to present himself to us; lest after he had endured so much for us we should forget or distrust his love unto us. Oh how was he burned between two fires, the fire of his Affections to us, and that of his Afflicti­ons for us! At that time wherein men [Page 111]were designing the greatest cruelty against him, was he bestowing the greatest cour­tesie and gift on us; himself leaving us a Legacie, a pledge at parting of his dearest love, stronger then death, that held him on the cross to finish our Salvation, when death could not hold him in the grave. Be­fore he gave himself to be crucified for us, he provides an ordinance the means of his communicating himself to us: he gives us in the Sacrament what he did and gave, prepared and purchased for us on the cross.

Oh the infinite love of God, that he would give his own Son; and of Christ that he would so graciously come and save us, and leave us those remembrances and tokens of his love! that he should die for us when he was on earth, be so mind­ful of, and nourish us with himself now he is in Heaven! Oh wonderful misterie, that the Bodie of Christ now reigning in Heaven, should be laid upon the Table; that the Author of life should become the Bread of life; that under the broken form, of bread and wine whole Christ should be conveyed to everie Believer! His Per­sonal Union is with the single nature, but [Page 112]his Mystical with every Believer. This Sacrament is the representative of the Substance, the sign of a Covenant, the seal of a Purchase, the figure of a Body, the witness of our Faith, the earnest of our Hope, the presence of things distant, the sight of things absent, the taste of things unconceivable, the knowledge of things that are past knowledge; a seal of our Sa­viours engraving, whose superscription is Christ's loving us, whose Image is Christ dying for us, whose deed is Christs New Testament confirmed to us: in the sign we have the Image, in the seal the benefit of Christ's Body; in the sign we see, in the seal we by Faith receive him. The Bread and Wine are but the dishes in which this Feast (not of the belly but mind) is served up; not the Feast it self. Faith eats, not the Bread, but the breaking of it; drinks, not the Wine, but the pouring of it forth. The eating Christs flesh, and drinking his blood, is nothing else but an act of Faith terminated upon him as our Mediator and Redeemer. The participa­tion of his Body and Blood for strength and refreshment, (sweet to Faith as meat and drink is to hunger)could not be better [Page 113]shadow'd forth then by the staff of Bread and Wine, comprising all sorts of Spiri­tual provision for our inner man: and Faith is to the Soul what Natural hear is to the body, by virtue of which the Nu­tritive Faculty turns the food into nou­rishment. They present and confirm Christ to us as the most needful, benefi­cial, and perfect nourishment of the New man, as Bread and Wine are such unto the Body, i. e. that Christ crucifi­ed preserves us from Eternal death, and is unto us the Fountain of Spiritual and Eternal life. Believe, and thou hast eaten: Christ is present with, but not in the Bread and Wine, but to the faithful Re­ceiver, not in the Elements, but to the Communicants; not water, but washing with it is Baptism; not Bread and wine on the Table are a Sacrament, but eat­ing and drinking them, which if they be acts of Faith (the hand and mouth of the soul) the Bread and Wine as really convey and unite whole Christ with the vital influences that proceed from him to the Soul, as the hand doth them to the mouth, or the mouth to the stomach. Whatsoever we may expect of bodily [Page 114]strength or reparation from Bread and Wine, we may expect from Christ for our Soul, life maintained, grace quicken­ed, deadness enlivened, resolutions ena­bled, hope erected, faith strengthened, lusts subdued, which is consequent upon our union with Christ and interest in the Covenant, renewed and ratified to his people by Christs death, and sealed to them in the Sacrament. In the Word we have a promise, here a pawn or pledge of him.

Lift up your heads therefore, O ye gates of my Soul, and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glorie shall come in. And be assured such addi­tions of grace as thou art fitted for, and Infinite Wisdom sees meet to deal out, shall be conferred upon thee.

Fear not, I charge thee do not faint; let not thy weakness, thy povertie, thy inabili­tie discourage thee; all have not Talents a­like; a Faith richly embroidered with love and delight is not given to all, and expected onely from those to whom it is given. Be thy attire whole, sincere, clean, and white, free from spots of the flesh and Spirit, though not so perfumed with [Page 115]heaven as thy Brethren; thou wilt be welcome. Thy God and Saviour will not ask, How camest thou hither not having on a Wedding-garment: he knows thy heart, and sees thou hast it. He will not break the bruised Reed, nor quench the smoking Flax, till he send forth judg­ment unto victorys What manner of, guests were those he commanded to be brought in to the Wedding Supper? but such as were found in the streets, and lanes, the Hedges and high wayes: the poor and the maimed, the lame, the halt, and the blind; hunger-starved, forlorn, undone lost wretches.

Oh blessed is the man whom thou chu­sest, and causest to approach unto thee, that they may dwell in thy Courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy House, even of thy holy Temple.

At the Lords Table.

WHat shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? I will take the cup of Salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will pay my vows [Page 116]unto him now in the presence of all his people.

Come forth, oh my graces! stir up your selves, stand ye lively and active before the Lord. Awake my Faith, and see the Attonement of my sins in the bro­ken body of my Saviour, the price pay­ing the ransom laid down, the thing in doing. Awake Repentance, and hear the strong cries, and see the doleful Agonies of him that bore our chastisements. A­wake my Memory and call to mind that Egypt wherein I was, and the Blood of the Passover, which removed the Destroying Angel from my Soul. Now let the Altar smoke with the sacrifice of a loving heart, inflamed with the holy fire of Gods love to me. Flame, oh Love; come ye warm Desires, and break with longing. Let Fear with all veneration do its obeisance. Come up, ye Daughters of Musick, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Now the wax is warm, Oh let the seal be stamped fair, that I may see the im­pression ever after. Now that God shews forth to me the death of his Son for me, let me shew it forth to God again, as that which I stick unto and abide by for [Page 117]my Righteousness and Peace with him.

Having liberty and access with bold­ness unto the Throne of Grace by the Blood of Jesus, the High Priest of our Profession, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of Faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil consci­ence and our bodies washed with pure water.

O thou that providest food for all crea­tures and hast given all creatures to be food for Mans body, and for his soul, not only thy holy Word, but the blessed Body and Bloud of thy Son; cause all our hearts to burn with desires after thee, who art so full of love to us. Prepare every one by a full digestion of thy heavenly word, to re­ceive likewise this Divine nourishment. Make it (through the lively operation of thy Holy Spirit) the Bread of Spiritual life, and Wine of Spritual comfort to all our Souls. Cause us to long after, relish and savour the things of God. Let this be the constant language of our Souls, Lord ever more give us this Bread. Call in, compose, and spiritualize all our thoughts at this solemn Ordinance. Par­don every one that prepareth his heart to [Page 118]seek thee, though he be not cleansed ac­cording to the Purification of the Sanctu­arie. And, O thou that made us upright, pitie the degeneracy of mankind; despise not the price of thy Sons blood, let it not be as water spilt upon the ground; con­vert, direct, unite, provide for, take care of, support and comfort all of them: let us take a mutual charge of one another▪ make us all up more and more into the mystical bodie of thy Son, that we may keep the unitie of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. Afford us thy Gospel in its power and puritie, libertie, and efficacie, so long as the Sun and Moon endureth. Let us never want Magistrates and Pastors after thy own heart, which shall protect, encourage thy people, and feed them with knowledge and understanding.

See (my Soul) thy Sa­viour set down with what a handful of his Disciples! On the Commu­nicants separa­ted from the Congregation. that lay in common with the rest of the world; by nature children of wrath even as others, born in the same state of distance from thee, and with the same principles of enmitie against thee. Oh! what is this that is [Page 119]come to pass? how is it that thou mani­festest thy self to us, and not unto the world? what moved thee to make a dif­ference, where thou foundest none? Why [...]vere we not made a Prey of Divine re­venge, and perished not in our enmitie against thee? Why wert thou not pro­voked by our obstinacie, malice, and un­belief, beyond the possibilitie of an At­tonement? Why hast thou so long suf­fered our injurious disrespects, and un­kind repulses of a merciful Saviour, and perswaded till thou overcame and made [...]us yield? Why hast thou not cut off all our hopes of a blessed immortalitie, who have paid so great bountie with con­tempt, so manie benefits with ingratitude, so inexpressible love with oblivion, neg­lect, and hatred? Oh what hast thou done? What hast thou not done and suf­fered for us? why wouldest thou buy sinful dust with thy own blood? Redeem our shame by the shameful death of Glo­rie and immortalitie it self? put thy self (that got nothing by making the world) to more charge then all of it is worth, to redeem the worst part of it, fallen man? Who can conceive whether we had preci­pitated [Page 120]our selves, and to what thou haft exalted us? to be spectacles even grate­ful to God, who were monsters of hor­rour; laid in his bosom, who were in the arms of the Devil; worthy his imbrace­ments, who were unworthy of his eye; crowned Kings of Heaven, who were slaves condemned to the Prison of Hell. He not onely pardons our sins, but relin­quished his Throne, lost his life, to in­throne us in his Kingdom: bestows on us his greatest mercies, unworthy of the least; sets us down as sons at his Table with his children, who are unworthy as dogs do creep under it, courts us to obe­dience, who might not onely command us to it, but instantly punish our disobedi­ence: promises a reward to such who are so far from deserving it, that they are still provoking him: glory to such who are more apt to be ashamed of their duties then offences.

Oh! how ought we to be transported with love and thankfulness, considering who hath chosen us, when, why, whom, from, and to what, how long, and how few, his peculiar care of, and kindness un­to us! How should the remembrance [Page 121]of this dear love of our Lord, make us [...]urn with ardent affections towards one [...]nother! How shall we offend one of [...]hose for whom Christ dyed? or deny [...]ur selves to them to whom he hath gi­ [...]en himself? Shall we hate, be envious, [...]nd uncharitable, where thou art so lo­ [...]ing, so liberal? condemn or despise the [...]eanest, when thou distributest thy self [...]o all? Oh, now we see thy love to [...]nemies, let all ours find us friends! Let [...]o malice, heart-burning, or uncharitable­ [...]ess, enter in, or any more rancour my [...]oul. With all thy prople let me inter­ [...]st my self, and own them in all their con­terments, pity them in all their miseries, [...]e ready to relieve them in all their [...]ants, to comfort them in all their di­ [...]tresses, to counsel them in all their doubts, to delight in their society, bear their infirmities, pardon all their miscar­ [...]iages, study their welfare, do all the good [...] can to Soul and Body.

Now I see the Minister at the Table to consecrate the Bread and Wine by Prayer [...]nd the words of Christs Insti­ [...]ution:The Mini­ster at the Table. with joy and admiration think [Page 122](my Soul) how Christ was ordained and accomplished for the Office of a Medi­ator, whom the Father sanctified and sen [...] into the world; and for this cause he sanctified himself as Priest, Altar and Sacri­fice for our Redemption, Spiritual nou­rishment, and Eternal salvation. The Eternal Wisdom of God Incarnate t [...] reveal and communicate his Will, hi [...] Love, his Spirit, his Glory, to sinful mi­serable Man. Oh the immensitie of his Mercy, and unutterable treasures of hi [...] Grace! which neither the provocation of our sins, nor the infinite exactness o [...] his own Justice, could any way overcom [...] or restrain to despise the works of his ow [...] hand, or not to compassionate the wret­chedness of his Creatures, though it co­ [...] the Humiliation and Exinanition of th [...] Son of God! Oh how great, how ami­able appears his Love and goodness, i [...] passing by so many offences, and requirin [...] no satisfaction from us for such insuffe­rable wrongs, but transferring the punish­ment from us unto his own Son; who [...] love also was so great, that he woul [...] bear our iniquities that we might be sa­ved! Oh how could he chuse a mo [...] [Page 123] [...]liging way of Redeeming us, that hath [...]us displayed the severest Justice and [...]ghest Mercy, the greatest hatred of sin, [...]e greatest love to sinners; since by those [...]equalled and unvaluable sufferings to [...]hich he delivered up for us that Son, [...]ho is so near unto him, that he is one [...]ith him; at once manifesting both how [...]uch he hated sin, which he so heavily [...]nished in the person he most loved; [...]d how much he loved sinners, by gi­ [...]ng up what he so loved, for a ransom [...] those that were guilty of what he so [...]ted? And oh the miracle, the amazing [...]odigic of this Love! that Heaven [...]ould so condescend to Earth, and that [...]an should be so united to God! that [...]od should dwell in flesh, and that this [...]sh should be our food! That the Son of [...]od should love us better then his life, and [...] the meat of Worms, of Sinners, of Ene­ [...]es! that he should make himself pre­ [...]nt to our Faith; and as if he would do [...]re then die for us, desires to live for [...]er in us, and to be united to us! Was [...]er kindness like unto this? was ever [...]ch a furnace of love burning in any [...]east? can any heart freeze over such a [Page 124]fire? Oh! who can abide the heat of th [...] love? who can dwell in such flames, a [...] not be consumed? who can abide in [...] great sense of this love, and abide in th [...] body? what instances can parallel? wh [...] words can be expressive? what appr [...] ­hensions can commemorate? what r [...] ­ptures can be sufficient for the admiratio [...] of this so infinite love? Be thou sw [...] lowed up (O my Soul) in this depth [...] Divine love, and hate to spend thy though any more upon other things that hast su [...] a Saviour to take them up.

Oh! I shake, I tremble, am altogether confounded [...] the approach of so great guest! The Minister coming to­wards him. Lord, I am not w [...] thy that thou shouldest come under [...] roof, or to eat the crums that fall fro [...] my own, much less thy Table. Oh, w [...] am I that I should dare with my (orignally, actually) desiled hands, to recei [...] those high, those holy Mysteries? th [...] thou desirest to to come unto me, be e [...] ­tertained by me? what findest thou [...] me, that so much delights and invites th [...] to me? art thou ignorant of my m [...]vile beginning and original? I am not [Page 123] [...]heruhim, Seraphim, or of the number of [...]hat Celestial Hierarchy; but dust and shes, polluted dust and ashes. Lord, [...]adst thou rather be at another mans [...]cuse with dishonour, then at thy own [...]ith honour? or, if thou hast no respect [...]o thine own honour, if thou castest under [...]ot all praise and renown, if thou takest [...]nto thee every vile sinner, yet hast thou [...]o regard to thy Greatness and Majesty? Thou knowest my poverty, my need, my [...]mpurity: this poor place is a far un­ [...]eet habitation for thee. Whence is this [...] me, that my Maker, my Redeemer, [...]hould come unto mee, thus favour, thus [...]ignifie me? that thou shouldest be so [...]elow thy self, as to look upon so low, so [...]ain, so miserable a thing as Man, such a [...]ead Dog as I am? Why have I found grace in thy sight, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? Lord, what am I that thou shouldest re­member me, be mindful of me, visit me, [...]ast thine eye, set thine heart upon me, [...]ome to marry thy self with me? Whence [...]omes it that thou, who art in Heaven [...]mongst them that know so well how to [...]ove and serve thee, shouldest vouchsafe [Page 126]to descend to me, who know little e [...] but how to offend thee? Canst thou [...] be content to be without me? Did [...] meer love draw thee from Heaven [...] my sake, and give thy self for me to [...] deem me from my sins, and dost thou s [...] give thy self to me to be the strength an [...] health of my Soul? As if thou could [...] never give thy self enough, or be ne [...] enough mine? Oh how am I astonish [...] at this inconceivable love! oh that I we [...] able to comprehend it! Oh that I had [...] thousand hearts to correspond with i [...] oh stay (my gracious Lord) for the [...] ­mcasure of my love, till thou hast ma [...] me able to do nothing else but love the [...] But since thou art pleased to come an [...] offer thy self to me, my soul thirsteth [...] thee; I humbly stretch out my hands u [...] ­to thee; my longing, gasping, desires a [...] after thee: I open my heart with a [...] humble thankfulness to receive thee, n [...] ­ver to be separated from thee, for ever [...] adhere unto thee. Oh enter in and st [...] with me; satisfie my soul with thy sel [...] say, This day is Salvation come unto t [...] house. Oh be not now offended at th [...] loathsom sights in a soul so sick and di­ea [...]e [...] [Page 127] [...]ased, so full of filth, of rottenness and [...]orruption, into which thou art entering. Do not disdain me for those many Mala­ [...]ies, but come and cure me.

The Bread.

SEE (my soul) thy Saviour in the Mi­nister, and the benefits that come by [...]im in the Bread and Wine; believing [...]hose with himself are given thee by him, [...]s really as the Elements by his Embassa­ [...]our, saying, [Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for you:] by Faith re­ [...]eive, apply, appropriate me unto thy [...]elf. This Bread consecrated by me is [...]he Sacrament of my Body, offered as an Expiatory Sacrifice for you. Hereby I [...]mpute my righteousness, impart my lo­ [...]ing kindness, make over and give un­ [...]o you my whole self (God and Man as Mediator) in my Blood and Merits, Gra­ [...]es and Spirit, Virtue and Benefits, Obe­ [...]ience, Satisfaction, Expiation, Doings, [...]nd Sufferings; in all I have, am, or have [...]urchased for you, I make yours by gift, [...]nd you by Faith, as truly as if put into [Page 128]your very hand and mouth. Mine were the pains, the sufferings of Death, yours the benefit; mine the stripes, yours the balm; mine the thorns, yours the Crown. These are the holes in my hands and side, the blood that issued from them yours; the price mine, yours the purchase. See here in my wounds your safety, in my stripes your healing, in my anguish your peace, in my Cross your Triumph. I came out of my Fathers bosom that thou mightest lie in Abrahams. Own me for thy Lord, who have thus bought thee out of slavery; accept me for thy Redeem­er, who have paid so dearly for thee; fol­low me in the way I have shewen thee, that I may bring thee to him I have re­conciled to thee. [Do this in, and for a remembrance of me;] who, what, for whom, why, for what end, with what mind, I suffered; what I have done for yon, and am unto you.

Dear Saviour, biddest thou me Re­member thee! How should I forget thee? how can I but remember, but celebrate thee? But oh, that I could more affectio­nately, more constantly, more effectually remember thee! With all the passionate [Page 129]affections of a Heart full of love to, whol­ly in love with thee, with all zealous de­sires to glorifie thee, with all fervent long­ings after thee, always to remember thee, never to forget thee! Oh that the fire of love would now kindle and burn in my Soul; boil up, even run over with love unto thee! Oh that I had the flames of a Seraphim, the voice of an Angel to sing thy praise! Oh that I could go out of my self when I remember thee, and ne­ver think of thee without an Extasie! for­get, and quit all the world to live upon thee! The thoughts of what thou hast done is able to break an heart of Marble with love, to turn a Rock into a Fountain of tears, to unloose the tongue of the dumb, that they may sound forth thy lo­ving kindness.

Oh, after all his foregoing sufferings feest thou him not (my Soul) fastened to the Cross, conflicting with his Fathers wrath, groaning under the weight and burthen of our Sins? Look how his whole Body is stretched and tentered, his Hands and Feet bored through, his preci­ous Blood trickles down; and how mise­rably the Thorns pierce his holy Head. [Page 130]See how his Looks are changed, his Cheeks pale, his Bloud going, his Neck too weak to support his Head, which lies a dying on his bleeding Breast. Look how he shakes and stirs his dying Limbs, what gasps and sighs he fetches, as if his Soul was strugling to get out. Hear you not his dying groans, the taunts of the Jews, yea the groans of the Earth, under the weight of his Cross? See the Sun blushing under a veil of darkness to be­hold the Son of Righteousness under an Eclipse? Can, oh can my bosom hold, now I see the innocent Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, a bleeding Victim on the purple Alter of Death? This, this (my Soul) might have been the day that thou mightest have been the Malefactor, and have drunk the cup of the fierceness of Gods wrath; but there is he that hath done it for thee. He harboured no grief of his own, but is ac­quainted with the just and deadly griefs of others: he takes our sorrows on him to bestow upon us his joy: he sorrows for us, that hath neither cause nor likeli­hood to sorrow for himself. What but Gods implacable vengeance could inflict? [Page 131]What but his all-sufficient patience could endure? What but mans heinous sins de­serve, such his sad and wrathfull dolors? Ah sinful wretches! 'tis our doings, that he suffers; our evil, but his smart; our trespass, his punishment. His breast is made a large receptable for our cares; his back a common prop unto our load; he was delivered for our offences; he was slain, but not for himself, he bore our grief; and carried our sorrows; he was woun­ded for our trangressions; bruised for our iniquities; for the transgressions of his people was he smitten. Why then are we angry with, rail against the Jews, and complain not of, find no fault with our selves, greatlier guilty? they were the instru­ments, we the procurers of his sufferings: their sins practis'd ours provoked his death: we pity his abus'd innocency, but think not of our unworthiness and desert; bewail the event, and redress not the cause: we have as great enmity against his Image, as they against his Person; they grieved him in his Body, we in his Spirit, and make his wounds bleed afresh: he takes it as heinously we should despise him now, as that they persecuted him then: they [Page 132]were but our Executioners, to inflict these punishments our sins deserved, and Gods justice imposed on him. 'Twas thy Sins (O my Soul) were the associates to cruci­fie him; thy hypocrisie was the kiss that betrayed him, thy pride and covetousness the Thorns that crowned him, thy oppres­sion and cruelty the nails that pierced him, thy unbelief and apostacy the spear that gored him; thy Idolatry, superstition, Juke warmness, the knee that mockt him; thy contempt of Religion the spittle that defiled him, thy anger and bitterness the vinegar and gall that distasted him, thy scarlet sins the crimson that dishonoured him: my drinking iniquity like water made him drink a Cup of wrath, my for­saking my Father made him forsaken of his: all the members of his body were objects of such cruelty, because mine, in­struments of iniquity. Oh I am the me­rit of thy sorrow, I am the stroke of thy grief, I am the fault of thy killing, I am the desert of thy death, I am the offence of thy revenge, I am the grievousness of thy passion, I am the cause of thy torment. Oh wonderful condition of censure! Oh ineffable disposition of the misery! the [Page 133]unjust sins, and the just is punished: the guilty transgresses, and the guiltless is stricken: the impious offends, and the pious condemn'd; what the bad de­serves, the good suffers; what the ser­vant perpetrates; the Lord pays; what man commits, God undergoes. Whi­ther, oh Son of God? whither descends thy Humility? Whither flameth thy Cha­rity? whither proceedeth thy Pity? whi­ther encreaseth thy Benignity? whither reacheth thy Love? whither cometh thy Compass [...]on? I have been proud, thou hast been humbled; I have done unjustly, thou art punished; I have dealt heinously, thou art revengefully smitten; I have committed the fault, thou art tortured. How much do I owe thee, most Blessed Redeemer? how great is the price thou hast paid for me miserable Sinner? Oh I blush to see my Soul so foul and loathsom that nothing less then thy precious blood serves to wash and cleanse it. I am con­founded to see thee in such a case for us who cared not how vile, how base, how miserable we were.

[Page 134] Oh how was that justice injured, that could not rest appeased in Punishment, but rigour? how odious and intolerable is every sin, which required no cheaper blood for a Sacrifice then that of the Son of God? and which not suffering only, but extremity must expiate? how heinous was the commission, since even the remis­sion was so grievous? That made such a breach between God and us, as requir'd such sufferings of the Lord of Glory? wretch that I am to cost my God so dear! I am not worthy for which he should have suffered the least care or trouble, much less the torments of Soul and Body. And yet, what mean I to be so treache­rous unto him? How have I broken his commands and my vows, even since the last Communion? Oh can I Kiss the nails? hug the spear? desire that which is the blood of him that lost his life? Can I ac­count that light, which made his Soul heavy unto death? Can that be my joy which made him a wan of sorrow? sweet to me, which was so bitter to him? shall those sins not be forsaken by me, that made him forsaken of God? or live in me, that would not suffer him to live in the, [Page 135]world? Oh can I endure my Lord should be evermore disgusted and affronted? oh how is my heart provoked and incens'd against ye my sins? oh that none of you might escape here! that ye may all lye bleeding as so many Sacrifices at the Altar of my Lord! oh let them now feel the weight and sharpness of thy Cross! here let them be slain at thy foot, that I may not carry away one of them alive.

How can my Heart refrain from tears of sorrow and joy, to think of its unkind­ness, and of his strange love? what heart can be so hard as without pain to think we love him no more, who put him­self to such pains for us? Oh how am I troubled that my heart should be so cold, when his was so hot with love, as to send forth its life-blood for my Redemption? and yet, when I consider, that in this stream of blood my sinful Soul is washed, and that by his stripes I am healed; that instead of sin, and death, and Hell deserved, Righteousness, and life, and Heaven, is purchased; how can I chuse but rejoyce in his love, and hope he will accept of my poor acknowledgement, who so pardons, as might even melt the hardest heart, and [Page 136]for ever silence and satisfie it by the love of God and sufficiency of the Sacrifice. Oh how am I ravished therewith? I am justi­fied by Faith, and at peace with God; the flames of Hell shall never touch me; Death is swallowed up in victory; I am consigned to a blessed immortality. But oh my Lord! I take the boldness to com­plain unto thee, and expostulate with thee; how sayest thou that thou lovest me, if thou discover thy self no more un­to me? if I have no more love unto thee? no more life from thee? if I be so barren and unfruitful towards thee? so dull and cold in thy service? so unwilling to ex­ecute thy commands? so weak and unable against assaults? if thou be with me, who can be against me? what can be too hard for me? what cannot be done by me through thee? O! since it is thy pleasure to be so familiar with me; if thou lovest me so much, fulfil in me all the good plea­sure of thy will, and the work of Faith with power. Oh let the merit of Christ's death free me from the guilt upon me; and his Spirit cleanse me from the stains within me. Let holiness to the Lord be written upon my whole Soul and Body, [Page 137]that they may be a delectable habitation for thee; unite my heart unto thee, trans­form me altogether in thee.

I put my self out of my own power; I accept of and close with thee as my Ma­ker and Preserver, Lord and Sovereign, Priest and Prophet, King and Captain, Head and Husband, to be ordered, dispo­sed, provided for by thee. I give my hearty consent that thou shouldest dwell within me, as the alone Prince of my soul; the possession of it I for ever surrender up un­to thee. I cease to be my own. I renounce the Devil, the World, and the Flesh; I profess my acceptance of, submission to, to place my happiness in, and to resign my self wholly unto thee, to be provided for, disposed of, led, saved by theē. Oh how am I pleased with my choice! that I have parted with my self, and am become thine! How am I beholden to thee, that I may give my self unto thee, that thou hast brought me into the Bond of the Cove­nant? Oh come (dear Redeemer) to the price of thy own blood, cease thine own and save me; assist and strengthen me, feed and preserve me; never leave me nor for­sake me.

The Cup.

COme my beloved, now I have drunk thy Cup of wrath, pledge me in this Cup of Salvation, for which I pierc'd my side. I drew this wine on purpose for thee, when I trod the wine-press of my Fathers wrath alone: This Cup is the New Testa­ment in my blood, is a pledge of, signifies and represents (by representation is) my bloud, in which the New Testament be­tween God and Man is founded and esta­blished, confirmed and ratified; and by which, remission of sins and all other con­sequent blessings of the New Covenant are purchased. Its glorious liberties and immunities I hereby sign and seal unto you; a full release and discharge from all your debts, from the house of bon­dage, sin, the grave, and hell. Here I deliver yon your Protection, from all your Enemies will I save you; from the Ar­rests of the Law, from the powers of darkness, from the victory of the world, from the curse of the Cross; none shall prove too hard for you, all shall work [Page 139]good unto you. I hereby confer upon and instate you in all its royal priviledges and prerogatives; behold I give my self to you, to be your God and instead of all rela­tions: I will be a Friend, and Physician, a Shepherd, Sovereign, and Husband unto you; to espouse your interest, to counsel and heal you, to feed and comfort you, to watch over and defend you. Lo, I make o­ver my self to you in all my Essential per­fections; mine omnipotency shall be your guard, my omnisciency your overseer, my om­nipresence your companion, my mercy your store, my wisdom your counsellor, my ju­stice your revenger and rewarder, my holi­ness a fountain of grace unto you, my so­vereignty to be commanded by you, my infiniteness and all-sufficiency the lot and extent of your inheritance, my Faithful­ness & unchangeableness the rock of your rest and security, my eternity the date of your happiness. I will be yours in all my personal relations; a Father unto you, what would my Children have? of your Fathers instruction and probation, pro­tection and provision, care and ear, bread and rod, heart and house, pity and com­passion, I here assure you; my Son and [Page 140] Spirit I give you; to cloath and teach you, assist and comfort you, intercede in and for you, sanctifie and save you; with my self I give you all things, mine Angels for your guardians and attendants; my Word, and Ordinances, Ministers, and providences for your guide and good. Whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the World, or life, or death; or things present, or things to come, all are yours.

And that you may know I am in earnest, lo I establish my Covenant with yon, ordered in all things and sure; writ­ten in the blood, founded in the all-suffi­cient merits of your surety, in whom I am well-pleased; whose death made this Testament unchangeable for ever; so that your name can never be blotted out, nor your inheritance alienated, nor your legacies diminished, nothing can be al­tered. I here solemnly deliver it to you as my Act and Deed, sealed with the Oath and Blood of God, who en­gages here his own Body for security! Come ye blessed, fear not, the donation is free and full, I have received a ran­som, and expect only you believe, know and accept of your own blessedness. Here [Page 141]are the conveyances, see the seals, take the writings, behold the blood of the Covenant; receive the instruments of your salvation. This I give you as a pledge of my love, and of the truth of all I have promised. I hereby plight you my troth, and set to my hand, ratifie and confirm every Ar­ticle of these Indentures, and do actu­ally deliver into thy hand this glorious Charter, with all its Royalties and Privi­ledges as your own for ever.

Amen, Hallelujah. Oh be it unto thy servant according to thy Word. But who am I? and what is my Fathers house, that thou hast brought me hither? What shall thy servant say unto thee? I am silenced with wonder, and must sit down in astonishment, for I cannot utter the least tittle of thy praise. Oh what meaneth the height of this strange love? that the Lord of all should enter into Covenant with his dust, and take in to his bosom the viperous brood, that have so often spit their venom in his face? I am not worthy to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord, how much less to be one with thee, and to be made parta­ker of those blessed priviledges setled [Page 142]upon thy Sons? but for thy goodness sake, and according to thine own heart hast thou done this; even so Father, because it seemed good unto thee. Wonder oh Heavens, and be moved oh Earth, at this great thing! Rejoyce oh Angels, shout oh Seraphims, strike up ye Celestial Quires, help Heaven and Earth, sing unto the Lord oh ye his Saints, prepare an Epi­thalamium oh all ye Friends of the Bride­groom, be ready with the Marriage song, for Heaven and Earth, God and Man, are reconciled, a Covenant of Peace entered and sealed, Jehovah hath betrothed him­self to his hopeless Captives, and owns the Marriage before all the world: he is become one with us, and we with him; he hath bequeathed to us Heaven and Earth, with the fulness thereof, and kept back, left us nothing to ask at his hands, but what he hath already freely granted. Oh had I the tongues of Men and Angels, all were too little for my single turn: the whole Quire is not sufficient to utter his praise.

And will the Lord be mine? hath he laid aside the controversie, and concluded a peace? will he receive his Rebel to mer­cy, [Page 143]and open his door to his Prodigal? I will bow my self before his footstool, and say, Oh Lord I have heard thy words, and do here lay hold on thy Covenant; I subscribe to thy Conditions, and close with my Mediator; I accept thy kindness, I adventure my self upon thy fidelity, and trust my whole happiness here & hereafter upon thy promises. Oh my God, I sub­ject my whole Soul unto thee: Oh my Rock in thee will I build all my hopes and confidence: Oh staff of my life, strength of my Soul, Life of my Joys, and the joy of my Life, I will sit and sing under thy shadow with great delight, and glory in thy Salvation.

I here take thee at thy word, thou God of Truth; thou requirest but my consent and acceptance, and here thou hast it; in token whereof I receive this pledge thou hast left me; believing thou wilt establish for ever thy word unto thy servant, and do as thou hast said. In this blood of thine oh Saviour I believe, I receive it as mine, I thirstily drink down, and heartily apply, with a comfortable expectation of all those blessed benefits, purchased, secured, sealed by it. I am more loathsom and abomi­nable, [Page 144]then the croaking Toad, or most venomous Serpent; but This Blood was shed to make me pretious before thee; which I durst not have thought, but that I hear thee say, since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee. And, oh how truely mayst thou call us a dear, e precious people, who are bought with that Blood, a drop of which is of worth to purchase Heaven and Earth?

I owe the suffering of the penalty due, for breaking thy Law, violating thy Co­venant and wronging thy Justice. But was not this Blood shed for our good, and in our stead? hath not our surety made full satisfaction? undergone the curse of our sins? born them all in his own Body upon the tree? endur'd as much as they deserved, as thy Justice demanded? was he not once offered up to bear the sins of many? be­came he not subject to the Law for us [...] our nature, and representatively in our stead? setting us right with, reconciling us again to thee? hath he not made satis­faction for the injury we had done thee as our Judge, and performed that ser­vice we owed thee as our Maker? Is not [Page 145] [...]he Creditor satisfied, when the debt is [...]aid? will thy Justice suffer thee to de­ [...]and the same debt twice of the surety [...]nd debtor? is not thy wrath appeased [...]ith him, made so miserable a spectable [...] dear unto thee? is not the least drachm [...]f this Blood of God, of greater value then

Sea of mine? of value to ransom as [...]any worlds of men, as men in this? a [...]ufficient satisfaction for all my sins, an [...]ll-sufficient price for my redemption? [...]eing justified freely by his Grace through [...]he Redemption that is in Jesus Christ, [...]hom God hath set forth to be apropitia­ [...]on through Faith in his blood; to declare [...]is righteousness for the remission of sins [...]hat are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare I say, his righteousness, [...]hat he might be just, and the justifier of [...]im that believeth in Jesus. If we confess [...]ur sins, he is faithful and just to forgive [...]s our sins, and to cleanse us from all un­ [...]gh teousness.

I am guilty of many hainous sins a­ [...]ainst love and light, mercies and Judg­ [...]ents, my own conscience, and the [...]ght of nature; and without shedding of [...]ood is no remission. But here is that [Page 146]which procures it for, and seals the pro­mise of it to us? to the praise of the glo­ry of thy grace, thou hast made us ac­cepted in the Beloved; once in the end of the world, he hath appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself, in whom we have Redemption through his Blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Thy word as­sures it to all that take him for their Savi­our, (which I find my self by thy grace enabled) and thou hast bound thy w [...] with thy oath, and to both added thy Sa­craments as seals; this threefold cord can­not be broken. At the day of Judgment thou wilt own thy hand and seal, an [...] solemnly acquit me whom thou no [...] pardonest by thy deed of gift, the Gospel there is no condemnation to them that a [...] in Christ Jesus.

I am naturally and by evil works, at [...] distance from, at enmity with thee, an [...] my unto thee. But God was in Christ re­conciling the world unto himself; h [...] Blood was given to make an Atoneme [...] for our souls: thy wrath is turned from [...] thou art become propitious to believer Christ our Passeover is Sacrificed for us the propitiation (Propitiatory Sacrifice [...] [Page 147] [...]or our sins; that thou mightest pass over [...]nd look upon us with a pleasing aspect; [...]e satisfied for sin, and pacified to sinners; [...]n expiated, and thou appeased: and we [...] well ingratiated, brought into favour, [...]f enemies made friends, as pardoned; [...]aving made up the breach, and made [...]eace through the blood of his Cross, by [...]im, to reconcile all things to himself; we [...]at were sometimes Aliens and Enemies, [...]ow thou hast reconril'd in the body of his [...]esh through death; to present us holy, un­ [...]lameable, unreproveable in thy sight. [...]e who sometimes were far off, are made [...]igh, by the blood of Christ; for he is our [...]eace (our peace-maker) who hath made [...]oth one, & broken down the middle wall [...]f partition betwen us; by whom we have [...]so now received the Attonement.

Lord, I am in worse than Egyptian [...]ondage, a captive to Satan, a slave [...] my Lusts, destitute of grace and eve­ [...] good thing. But is not here a suf­ [...]cient price laid down for my ransom? [...]nd all things pertaining to life and godli­ [...]ess? hath he not obtained eternal re­ [...]emption for us, who came to give, who [...]ve himself a ransom for many, for all? [Page 148]Hath he not delivered, redeemed, & bought me quite out of the hands-of Justice, out of the power of Sin, and Satan? If while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, much more then being now justified by hi [...] Blood, shall we be saved from wrat [...] through him. For Sin he condemned si [...] in the flesh, overcame death, and destroy­ed him that had the power of death, eve [...] the Devil. I beg of thee and rely upon the [...] for supplies of my soul-pressing wants grace, and peace, & comfort, more love unt [...] thee, and fear of thee; and. I ask no mor [...] then what he hath bought for me, who hat [...] not onely purchased me with his ow [...] blood, but all good things by the redun­dancy of his Merit, after satisfactio [...] made unto thee for our debt.

I have no righteousness of my own but what is as filthy rags; but thou ha [...] made him to be sin for us who knew [...] sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him: we are clothed wit [...] him, and appear in thy sight as parts an [...] portions of himself, the fulness of him th [...] filleth all in all. Oh! impute not th [...] guilt but the merit of his blood unto m [...] behold me in him, whom thou hast appointed [Page 149]between thee and sinners; whose righteousness in every point answers thy Justice, and whose sufferings are sufficient to satisfie the penalty of all my sins: Oh ballance them against mine iniquities; and the excess and proportion of virtue in his obedience, against the malignity and un­pleasingness of my disobedience; they will so far exceed in weight and worth, that thou wilt in justice rather pour forth thy mercy upon me, and accept me into favour for the one, then hold me still in displeasure for the other. And oh thou who without grudging bore my burthen when thou stoodst at the Bar of Accusati­on! when thou shalt sit in the seat of Judgment, wilt thou stick to seal my par­don? Where thy self hath paid the debt, thy justice cannot deny to sign the Acquit­tance, nor thy tender love suffer thee to condemn or reject a member of thy bo­dy, a part of thy self. Thou that suffer­edst for me here, and pleadest for me now, cannot forget to be gracious to me then.

The Law, Satan, and my sins no only stop my mouth that I cannot plead my own Cause, but they plead against [Page 150]me, and cry unto thee for vengeance. Bu [...] is not this Blood as a visible prayer i [...] every wound, as so many mouths ope [...] interceding to thee for pardon and mercy for me? saying, behold the travel [...] my Soul, the purchase of my blood, th [...] fruit of my Agonies; for him I wep [...] and sweat, bled and dyed; he hath sinned but I have satisfied; he departe [...] for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever, not as a servant only, bu [...] brother unto me, both in the flesh, and in the Lord; for mine, and thy own sake, therefore, if thou account me thy beloved Son, receive him as my self, in whom thou art well-pleased: if he have wron­ged thee, or owes thee ought, put it on my account, I will repay it, I will answer for him: I Jesus have ratified and con­firmed it with my own Blood: his sure­ty came not out of Prison, untill he had paid the uttermost farthing. Behold, Oh Lord, the bleeding wounds of thy own Son; remember how his body was broken; think upon his precious blood shed for us; let us dye, if he hath not made a full satisfaction; we desire not to be pardoned if he hath not paid our [Page 151]debt. But canst thou behold him, and not be well-pleased with us? canst thou look upon his body and blood which we present to thee, and turn thy face from us? Oh let us prevail in the vertue of his Sacrifice for the Graces and Blessings we need! Take pity, have mercy upon us for his sake, whom we now desire to hold up between thy anger and our Souls; and hide not thy self from us, unless thou canst from him, whom we bring with us unto thee. While we are remembring him at his Table, he is remembring us at his Father's right hand.

I am not only guilty, but polluted; sin hath as well defiled, as it would damn me. But oh remember who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood; of virtue and Spirit to purifie me, as va­lue and merit to pacifie thee. To this Fountain which thou hast set open I bring my polluted Soul; and what hinders but that I may wash and be clean? be purged from the filth, as well as pardon'd for, and saved from the guilt of all my sins? for the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sins.

Oh how often is my Soul cast down [Page 152]within me? my omissions and Commissi­ons, my sins and duties (as I perform them) discomfort me; I am ashamed of, and blush to see them; my petitions for pardon stand in need of pardon; my tears of washing, my best performances are provocations, and help to fill up the mea­sure of my sins; but for the Priest that offers, the Altar that sanctifies all my ser­vices, the sweet incense he offers with our prayers.

His Priesthood is for ever available, and effectual for us. Here is wine sweetned with the love of God, perfumed with the divine nature; that chears the heart of God by way of satisfaction, and the heart of Man by way of pacification; that makes peace in Heaven and within us, and all our Sacrifices wellpleasing unto thee; who dealst not with us according to our frailties, but state in our Advocate; who when he had by himself purged our sins, sate down on the Right hand of the Majesty on high, and ever lives to make intercession for us. If thy grace prevented us before Repentance that we might return, shall it not much more prevent Repenting sinners that we may not perish? how canst thou but [Page 153]love them that love thee, seeing thou lo­ved us when we hated thee?

Oh my stony, unrelenting heart! how unaffected am I with my own vileness, and thy goodness, the evil of sin, and excellency of grace, the worth of my Soul, and death of my Saviour! but the blood of Christ is able to soften and mollifie the most ob­durate sinner. Oh that I could feel the vertue and power of it dissolving this rock into a fountain of tears, a relenting frame, a heart of flesh.

My lusts and Corruptions are many and mighty; too strong for me, but not for thy self. As in the first Adam's sin, man died legally, so in the second Adam's death, sin died virtually. He suffered to save his people from their sins, that him­self and not sin should have dominion over us. Shall not that blood mortifie my pride, worldliness, inordinate affections, which shall subdue the whole body of sin? shall I reproach or make void his death unto my own Soul? or by continu­ance in sin, that brought so great a pu­nishment on so great a person, be a great­er enemy to him then the Jews were? How shall we that are dead to sin live [Page 154]any longer therein, knowing this, that our Old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Oh that I may henceforth find and reckon my self to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Oh how am I tempted, and assaulted! that I am sometimes ready to say, I shall one day fall by my spiritual enemies; but Faith gives us a share in the victories of Christ: having spoyled all Principalities and Powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them as our enemies: in, on the Cross, his trium­phant Chariot, took away from them all possibility to hurt: though they assault us still, we are assured of an absolute vi­ctory. The accuser of the Brethren is cast down, which accused them before God day and night, and they overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, that hath quenched the flames of divine fury, and all our enemies are reconciled, or subdued.

Ah my Lord! how often doth sin and the world deadden my heart, and affecti­ons towards thee? O how dull, how indis­posed? that I cannot pray with life, nor [Page 155]be lively in thy service: but this blood was shed to set Prisoners free; and is the life of all our duties, graces, and comforts. Oh that its power and efficacy may quick­en and enliven me, may put vivacity, and activity in me! that I may pray, and hear, receive, meditate, and discourse of spiritu­al things with freedom and liberty, liveli­ness, and chearfulness.

Oh that I may no more, as I have too too often, disbelieve, or question the pro­mises of this life, or that to come. For this Blood ratifies and confirms the Cove­nant of grace; not only purchased, but assures us of all good things. Christ's Will and Testament, wherein he hath be­queathed such precious legacies to his people, is now of force; for a Testament, is of force after the Testator is dead.

Oh how ought it to affect me, for the betraying of innocent Blood! he was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, in his hands no wickedness, in his heart no sin, no guile found in his mouth. I and my brethren are guilty, but for this spotless Lamb, what hath he done? and where there is no sin, thou inflictest no pu­nishment. But he was numbred with the [Page 156]Transgressors; surely then the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all: for the transgression of my people was he smit­ten; by his knowledge shall my righte­ous servant justifie many, for he shall bear their iniquities. Oh! I take thee at thy word, and do believe all my sins, with all thine Elects were imputed to our surety; and the wages of sin inflicted on him, that we might be fully acquitted and discharged.

I am guilty of many aggravated sins, and am the greatest of sinners; but with thee is plenteous redemption through Christ Jesus who shed his Blood, not be­cause we were Righteous, but to make us So: of infinite, vertue and merit; as suf­ficient for me, as if none else were justi­fied or saved by it. He is able to save to the utmost all that come unto thee by him.

Oh how small, how imperfect are my Graces? how cold my Love? how weak my Faith? How faint my desires after thee? but the least degree of Grace is the fruit of this Blood: Oh that I may find it's efficacy, perfecting that good work thou hast begun in me, from strengh to [Page 157]strength, till grace be consummated [...]n Glory. Through the Blood of the E­ternal Covenant, make me perfect in e­very good work to do thy will, working in me that which is well-pleasing in thy sight.

Oh what trifles disturb my charitable affections? how interrupted and incon­stant my love to those, who by one spirit are all baptized into one body? but Christ hath reconciled us in one body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby? Oh that henceforth I may be of one heart with his Disciples, and love them as he hath loved us.

Our God is a Consuming Fire; which I cannot but dread, having so much fuel a­bout me, and within me; but in thy Son I see flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bone; who gave himself for us. And shall the sentence of thy judgment disan­nul the merit of his sufferings, of his satis­faction? Didst thou not punish him that thou mightest spare us? is it not as great a necessity of thy Satisfied Justice to spare the sinner, as it was of thy offended Justice to punish the sin? Thou art not only reconcilable, but desirous to become our [Page 158] friend. Oh how comfortable are those words of thine to my guilty Soul, the Fa­ther judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgement to the Son; his first coming was in the flesh, when he took on him our na­ture; his second in the spirit, when he im­parted unto us of his spirit; his third will be in power, when he shall communicate to us his glory: his first was to redeem; his second to comfort; his third will be to reward us. If we be careful not to offend, he will not be extreme to mark what we do amiss. He will proceed, not accord­ing to the Law, which requires an abso­lute obedience without sin, and will con­demn all that have been guilty of any sin; but according to the Gospel, which admits of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, and will condemn none but the unbeliev­ing and impenitent sinner. Damnation is denounced, not for breaking the Law, but rejecting the Gospel. He is faithful because he hath promised; and just, because his Son hath purchas'd forgiveness. The same sentence shall be pronounced as is past already in the Gospel, Whosoever be-believes in him shall not perish, but have ever-everlasting life.

[Page 159] Sin hath shut us out of paradise; but [...]e blood of Christ hath opened the King­ [...]om of Heaven to all believers. It gives us [...]ere a right, and hereafter an admission: [...]rough this Red Sea we enter into the [...]eavenly Canaan; and for this cause he [...] the Mediator of the New Testament, [...]hat by means of death, for the redempti­on of the transgressions that were under [...]he first Testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inhe­ritance.

And he that hath purchas'd for us a Kingdom, hath thrown in, stored up all necessaries for our passage thither; main­tenance for his Heirs while they come to Age. He will not neglect his members; not starve his own Body: He will refresh the weary Pilgrim; furnish and supply us with provision to serve us by the way till we come home to himself. How shall he refuse our prayers for any thing, now we are united to his person, our souls joyned to, and nourished by his body, sanctified by his blood, and cloathed with his robes, marked w^th his character, & seal­ed with his spirit, renewed with his vows, consigned to his glory, & adopted to his in­heritance; [Page 160]when we represent his death, and pray in vertue of his passion, and imi­tate his intercession, and do that he com­mands, & take Christ along with us in our arms, and offer him, he essentially loves? He that spared not his own Son, but de­livered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things.

The Communion Close.

BUt here is no continuing Banquet! Oh how unwillingly do I rise? How Ioth am I to go hence? me thinks I could sit here and feast my self for ever. Oh what running Banquets my Lord af­fords me! sure he need not fear I should surfeit on himself, or be weary of his company. Oh! what shall I do in yon­der unsatisfying, Sould-starving World? I have been feeding on my Paschal Lamb, and now must I to my sower Herbs again! If it be his will, I must obey; but oh take me by the hand, lead and uphold-me, be still by me, let me see thee always with me. I know thou hast prepared the end­less Feast above, where I shall ever lye [Page 161]in thy bosom, under the uninterrupted beams of thy smiling, and all-cheering Countenance, and glut my hungry Soul on the Banquet of thy ever blessed self: In comparison of which I now, rather Fast then Feast; and enjoy but drops, of the ri­ver of pleasure; an antipast of the Eternal Supper, a Vigil of the Eternal Rest, where my Appetite shall be satisfied, and my thirst quenched in the Ocean it self: where I shall see thee in thy Glory, and be ra­visht in the sight of thy beauty, and drink of those overflowing joys streaming from the light of thy ever-blessed face. Where Body and Soul shall be subject to no cor­ruption, imperfection or decay; nor stand in need of such Viaticums to support us in our way. Where the vail of our mortality shall be rent, our mud-wall of flesh made spiritual and transparent; the shadows and resemblances abolished, the glass removed, the riddle of our Salvati­on unfolded, the vapours of corruption dispelled, the patience of our expectation rewarded; where from the power of the Spirit within, and presence of Christ with­out, there shall be diffused on the whole man a double lustre of that exceeding a­bundant [Page 162]Glory. This ordinance is a Type of that Eternal Feast the feeding on his Body, a pledge of seeing his face; the same company there, and Christ in the mid­dest of them, when he shall gird himself, and make us to sit down at meat, and come forth and serve us. Oh the dignity, the comfort of those servants, who have infinite delight, Majesty it self condescen­ding to serve them at the Table! for the Guests to have him set himself to solace them; who is infinite in sweetness and knowledge, to make his sweetness please them whose bosom is the hive and centre of all goodness, in which all the scattered parcels of blessedness are bundled up.

But alass, as yet I am on Earth, and have my work to do, too too toilsom, and heavy for me; scarcely should I have last­ed out so long, but that at such seasons as this, he repairs my finking Spirit, by pouring in the Cardials of his Blood, the comforts of his Spirit. Oh, little did I think to be thus much made of, or minded by him, who is taken up with the attend­ance and praises of his Heavenly Host; my conscience would have kept me away, but he call'd me to him, ran to meet me, [Page 163]and took me in his arms, and rebuked my timorous Spirit, saying, wherefore didst thou fear? I call'd my self Prodigal, a companion of Swine, a miserable hard-hearted wretch, no more worthy to be called his Son or Servant; he called me Child, and chid me for questioning his love. He hath readi­ly forgiven me those sins, I thought would have made my Soul the fuel of Hell. He hath put on me the best Robe, his Sons righteousness; a ring on my hand, honour­ed, adorned me with the riches, the seals, & pleges of his love, and Shoos on my feet, prepared, armed, firmly fetled me to go throughout all the difficuties of a rugged way: by enabling me to believe the Go­spel of Peace and Attonement. He hath killed the Fatted Calf for me, instead of mingling my Blood with my Sacrifice; and entertain'd me with Joy, with musick, and with Feasting; when I better deserv'd to have been howling among the Dogs without the door, then a crum at his table. He hath embraced me in his sustaining Consolatory arms, when he might have spurn'd my guilty Soul to Hell, saying de­part from me, I know you not.

Oh! how shall I mention the loving-kindness [Page 164]& praises of the Lord, according to his mercy, according to the multitude of his loving kindness, according to all he hath bestow'd on me, and his great good­nesse to the house of Israel? Oh that I could proclaim thy love to all the world, and make the whole earth ring with thy praises, and awake every creature to do it with me! Oh that I could laud him with the Celestial Quire, and joyn my heart and voice with the spirits of just men made perfect! [To him] who hath created a whole world, so large, beautiful and magnificent to serve us; subjected so fair a Territory to our Dominion; con­sign'd to our use so numerous a race of goodly Creatures, to be manag'd, enjoyed, governed by us. [To him] who hath endued our Bodies so fearfully, wonder­fully, curiously made, with Souls resem­bling his excellent perfections in Know­ledge, Righteousness, and true Holiness, capable or serving and enjoying him; af­fording to that end all convenient instru­ctions, encouragements, and assistances. [To him] that supplies our manifold needs, protects us from innumberable dangers, gives us whatsoever is necessary, conveni­ent [Page 165]and pleasant, for our use, sustenance, and delights; accepts our acknowledgments of former Blessings, as arguments, and op­portunities of conferring fresh ones: who might utterly cast us off when we threw off our obedience, and long ago have san'd us as chart from off the face of the earth by the breath of his nostrils into unquenchable fire. [To him] who re­membred us in our low estate, when we had lost his Image and favour, our excel­lency and happiness; descended from his imperial throne, took upon him our shape conversed as it were upon equal terms with us, to assume us into a nearer affini­ty; submitting to our choice, Crowns that cannot fade, Scepters that cannot be extorted from us. [To him] who hath saved us and called us with an Holy Cal­ling; quickened us who were dead in trespasses and sins; opened our Eyes, bowed our Wills, spiritualiz'd our Affecti­ons, changed us from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that we might receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith in Jesus Christ.[To him] who forgives our iniquities, covers [Page 166]our sins, justifies the ungodly, healeth all our diseases; imputeth not our trespasses, but his Righteousness unto us: redeemeth our life from death and destruction: crow­neth us with loving-kindness and tender mercies. [To him] who hath adopted us, and looks upon us, and provides for us, and deals with us as Sons, Heirs of God, and Coheirs with Christ, Fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the houshold of God. [To him] who hath not lately begun, or will suddenly cease; is neither inconstant or mutable in his Affections, but from everlasting, continues, and will to eter­nity persevere immutable in his intentions to do us good; that hath delivered, doth deliver, and will deliver; and never leave us nor forsake us. [To him] whom no ingratitude, undutifull carriage or disobe­dience of ours, could one minute wholly remove or divert from his steady purpose of caring for us: who regards us though we do not attend to him; procures our welfare, though we neglect his concerns, imploys his restless thoughts, extends his watchful eye, exerts his powerfull arm, is always mindfull, and busie to do us good: watches over us when we sleep; [Page 167]remembers us when we forget our selves, in whom tis infinite condescension to think of us, placed so far beneath his thoughts; to value us dust and dirt, and inconsider­able nothings; not to despise and hate us, so really despicable and unworthy. [To him] that is as merciful and gracious, as liberal and munificent, that not only be­stows on us more gifts, but pardons us more debts then we live minutes; that with infinite patience endures, not only our manifold infirmities & imperfections, but our petulant follies and obstinate per­verseness, careless neglects, wilful miscar­riages, trecherous infidelities; who puts up the exceeding many outrageous affronts, injuries and contumelies continually offer­ed to his supreme Majesty, by us, base worms, whom he hath always under his feet, and can crush to nothing at his plea­sure. [To him] that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God his Father; a note the Angels can­not sing, who have many strains of praise we are unacquainted with. [To him] that is able to keep us from falling, and to, pre­sent us faultless before the presence of his [Page 166]Glory with exceeding great joy. [To him] that vouchsafes us hearts and abilities to wait upon, free access unto, a constant intercourse, and familiar acquaintance with himself: to esteem and style us his friends and children; to invite us frequent­ly, and entertain us so kindly with these incomparable delightful delicacies of spiri­tual repast, with an affection as great as our fare is costly: yea, to invite us often at our home, and if we admit, to abide and dwell with us; indulging us the en­joyment of that presence, wherein the life of all joy and happiness consists; and to behold the light of his all-chearing coun­tenance. [To him] who giveth freely and upbraideth no man with former unkind­nesses and neglects of his love we are hear­tily ashamed of; who calls us neither very frequently, nor over strictly to account; who exacts of us no impossibity, no dif­ficult burthen, or costly return; being sa­tisfied with the chearful acceptance of his favours, the hearty acknowledgments of his goodness, the sincere performance of such duties, to which our own welfare, comfort, advantage (rightly apprehend­ed) would, otherwise abundantly dispose [Page 169]us [To him] whose Benefits to acknow­ [...]edge is the greatest Benefit of all: to be [...]nabled to thank him who deserves our [...]eatest thanks; to be sensible of whose [...]eneficence, to meditate on whose good­ [...]ess, to admire whose excellencies, to [...]elebrate whose praise, is Heaven it self, [...]he life of Angels, the quintessence of Joy, [...]he supreme pitch of Beatitude. [To him] [...]hose benefits are immensely great, innu­ [...]ably many, inexpressibly good and [...]recious, be Glory, Majesty, and Dominion, [...]w and for ever.

And oh thou the blessed Fountain of all [...]ercy and goodness! Inspire our hearts [...]ith thy Heavenly Grace, and thereby in­ [...]ble us rightly to apprehend, diligently to [...]onsider, faithfully to remmeber, worthily [...] esteem, to be thankfully affected with, [...] render all due acknowledgment, praise, [...]ve, and thankful obedience, for this, and [...] thy great and manifold favours and [...]nefits confer'd upon us. And blessed [...] the Lord God of Israel from everlast­ [...]g to everlasting, and blessed be his Glo­ [...]ous name for ever; and let the whole [...]arth be filled with his Glory, and let all [...] People say Amen.

Going Home.

O How great a Lord hath my Soul en­tertain'd! How glorious a guest do [...] thou now harbour! How pleasant a Com­panion, how faithful a Friend hast tho [...] now taken in! How dear a Husband do [...] thou now enjoy! Oh the inestimable bene­fits receiv'd in these high and holy Miste­ries! what am I, O Lord, or what is i [...] me, that thou shouldest do this great ho­nour and Glory unto me? and reveal [...] thy heart and love which is secret unto others? he might have prepared torment but behold priviledges for me! I am unworthy to touch the threshold of th [...] house, and thou hast taken me to th [...] Table; not worthy to stand among th [...] servants, and thou hast made me sit wit [...] my Saviour; not worthy to fall dow [...] before thy foot-stool, and thou hast smil [...] upon, come in to me, and made my hea [...] thy Throne; while others eat the brea [...] of violence, and drink the wine of decei [...] what am I that I should eat the body, an [...] drink the blood of thy own Son? I a [...] not worthy to eat the bread of men, an [...] [Page 171]thou hast given me the bread of Angels. What they admire, I have receiv'd; whom they adore, I have entertain'd; their mirror is my meat; Christ and they are two, I and my Saviour are one; oh un­speakable mystery! oh incomparable mer­cy!

This is he who came from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, whom we have seen glorious in his apparel, travel­ling in the greatness of his strength; re­turning in triumph from the slaughter and conquest of all his and our enemies? mighty to save us from our sins, that were mighty to condemn. And he hath on his vesture, (the title is conspicuous) and on his thigh, (the place of strength) King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Wherefore art thou red in thy apparel, and thy gar­ments like him that treadeth the wine fat? I have trodden the winepress of the fierce­ness and wrath of God, and of the people there was none with me; I have discom­fited my peoples enemies, and trodden them down like grapes in a wine-press: their blood is sprinkled upon my gar­ments, and I have stain'd all my garments. Oh, I beheld his blood streaming down [Page 172]through the holes in his side! Oh what? fight, a fire, a flame of love did I see in his blessed Heart, and my self pourtray'd upon it? my name among the rest, oh with what joy and comfort to my Soul! he hath set me as a Seal upon his Heart; love is strong as death, many waters of affliction cannot quench it, nor the floods of trouble or persecution drown it; might all the pleasures, profits, honours of the world be given for it, it would be utterly despised. Oh how easie find I his yoke! how light his burthen! methinks I could watch or pray, do or suffer more believ­ingly, more couragiously than ever. It was the voice of my Beloved that knock­ed, saying, open unto me my Sister, my Love, my Dove, my Undefiled: he put in his hands by the holes of the door, and my bowels were moved for him; my Soul failed when he spake, I sought him in every part of the Ordinance, and he was found of me; I called him, and he gave me answer: I sate under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the Ban­queting house, and his Banner over me was Love. His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me. A [Page 173]bundle of Myrrh is my Beloved unto me, he shall lye all night betwixt my Breasts; he shall be still in my heart by affection and Faith? I will make him my continual joy, comfort, and refreshment; and solace my self in him in all estates. Oh that his name may be graven upon my heart! and his Image remain fair and lively upon my Soul! Oh that I may find a kind of un­willingness to admit of any other compa­ny: when I come to converse with other things, let me still be looking towards him as my only desire, good, and happiness, let my heart be so filled with him, that other objects may not come near, or make any strong impression on me. Oh that some lively coles of that holy fire kindled at the Ordinances, may be still glowing in my Soul; that the savour and tincture of it may be never done away. Oh how can any other pleasure seem any more pleasant to me? Can I desire the husks the Swine do eat, when there is such Bread in my Fathers house? no man having drunk old wine, straight­way desireth new, for he saith, the old is better. Sure he hath been little affected, nor had any taste of Gods sweetness, pre­sently [Page 174]to relish worldly things; to wash off his palate the savour of spiritual with sensual or secular thoughts. Abrupt chop­ings off from Holy Duties is such a quenching of the spirit, as tends much to hardning the heart: such sudden quench­ings of spiritual heat got in an Ordinance, cannot be without much danger to the Soul; motions so quite opposite, are as prejudicial, as unbecoming. Is it fit or seemly to leave the company of our Lord so soon as we have let him in, and divert to other occasions? associate our selves to other persons, now we have newly given him our Faith, and taken him as the Bridegroom of our Souls? and not rather delight in the presence of our new love; and keep our heart from cooling by lay­ing on new fuel; turning the remainder of this day into an after supper, a second Communion. In reviewing and being hum­bled for our coldness, distractions, mis­carriages. In blessing God for the liber­ty and opportunity of a Sacrament, and the priviledges thereby confer'd upon us; in ruminating on, and retaining the sa­vor of those pleasant things we have been entertained with: exceedingly gladded in [Page 175]the sense of that love we have been tasting and celebrating, in the belief of that par­don we have received in the hopes of that Grace and Glory that hath been assured to us. In considering the obligations we have laid on our selves. In heavenly di­scourses with our beloved; in expressions of our love and affection towards him, acts of desire after inseparable union with, and greater likeness unto him: in vows and promises we will alwayes be faithful and loyal to him: in entertaining him with acts of love and delight, thanks and praise, with the best chear we are able to make our new, our beloved guest: in commending his beauty, praising him for his kindness and favours, extolling his riches, admiring his perfections and graces; talking with him about the affairs of our Soul; in opening to him every room in it, leading him into the most private recesses of our heart: shewing him all the secrets of it, acquainting him with all our wants and weaknesses, spreading before him all our desires and fears, hopes and griefs. In praying for help and assistance to be steadfast in his Covenant, interceding with him for all mankind, especiall our [Page 176]Fellow Communicants. In telling him again, all we have is his; in tying a new knot upon the band of the Covenant be­tween us; craving him pardon for our follies; desiring him not to be offended at the dark and noisome hole into which we have brought him, & entreating him with all loves that he will not take exception at his poor entertainment; even charming him to stay and dwell with us, by all the songs of praise and thankfulness we can devise.

Subsequent Duties after the Sacrament.

AND now my utmost care and dili­gence is required to express the power and efficacy of the Ordinance, in living more fruitfully, religiously, watch­fully; in making good my vows and pro­mises at the Sacrament. That heart and life therefore may be sutable to my Sacra­mentall obligations, and may witness the good received in and by it; oh my Soul,

Make a solemn reflection on thy self and entertainment.] How was my heart and [Page 177]behaviour before God, what welcom did he give me? Reflection is necessary after every duty: what good have I got? what warmth of affection? what more love to, desire after, delight and confidence in God? what greater ability and love to discharge duty, to bear affliction, to resist temptation, to walk in Gods ways? so especially after the Sacrament, was my Heart hard, dull, indisposed? I must then suspect my miscarriage in preparation or performance; and labour to find out, be truely sensible of, greatly bewaile, and humble, judge, and condemn my self, and beg pardon for the cause; earnestly im­portune him that he would now help me by Prayer and Humiliation, to recover the benefit of the Ordinance, that I may by an after act do that which I should have done before. Sorrow for, and sense of our senslesness, is one fruit of Christs death we undoubtedly receiv'd in the Ordinance. We may not judge of our gain by, and profit in duty by our present feeling: or that the only evidences of Communion and acceptance with God, are, our Souls lifted up and ravished with sensible joys: our uprightness and sincerity in the performance [Page 178] of our duties, and in our covenanting with God, and continuing stedfast therein, may administer most ground of comfort when we reflect upon it: for we were then really acceptable to him that look'd down upon us, and received from him a seal to the promise of pardon and eter­nal life, though he did not testifie it by giving in extraordinary joys. He looks not so much at fits of passion, as at the steady bent and tenour of the Soul. The truest Communion with God, is to enjoy the Communication of his Graces, whereby we are made conformable to him; we may enjoy the saving influences of his Spirit, when we cannot feel his more abundant consolations. Though this Or­dinance be not at present joyous, yet may afterwards yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those that are conver­sant therein. It cannot be well known what Grace we have received (further measures of which are the holy Spirits accompany­ing those means, being the great benefit we are apt to expect) till we come to the ex­ercise of it in duty and against temptation. But oh, how much cause have I to rejoyce in his love and goodness, to render him [Page 179]hearty thanks (who might have left me as well as others to my self) for his quick­ning and refreshment, for his satisfying me so abundantly with the fatness of his house, and making me drink of the river of his pleasure; especially now I find (and oh that I could more and more) such real benefit received by it; my soul more deeply broken and humbled under the sense of sin, and that become more loathsom, hateful, burdensom to me. My heart truely thankful for what I have enjoyed, and sorrowful I have enjoyed no more; more strongly engaged and resol­ved to inward and universal holiness: my Faith in Christ more encreased and setled; my love to him more inflamed; my Soul strengthned and emboldned to undergo any thing for him: my spiritual delight and joy in him raised, and lessened to o­ther things: my esteem and valuation of the Ordinance heightned, my Graces in it exercised; my desires after full enjoy­ment of God and Christ in Glory more enlarged. If he were pleased to kill me, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a Meat-offering at my hands; neither would he have shewed me all these things; [Page 180]nor as at this time, have given me to expe­rience such things as these. Oh that I may always retain a thankful sense of all his benefits! Oh how much am I beholden to thee my God? I have been praising of thee, but nothing to what I ought, or what thou deserv'st. Oh, how can I cease to magnifie thee? for what I am and have, for the use of thy creatures, and thy bles­sing with them; for every crum, much more for Christ, that foundation mercy, that hath all mercies folded up in him, and entail'd unto him; that sweetens and sanctifies every mercy: for this Feast on his Body and Blood, for the joys of thy house, and the viands of heaven; for any measure of life and affection, raisedness and comfort, grace and goodness. Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is with­in me bless his holy name. While I live I will praise thee, I will sing praise unto my God, while I have a being: and what is here wanting in thy due praise, I will pay hereafter in everlasting Hallelujahs.

Rest not in the work done,] though done never so well. Beware, lest by spiritual pride, and future negligence thou lose the things thou hast wrought. Had I done all [Page 181]as well as was commanded me, I would say I am an unprofitable servant, I had done but my duty, but O how short come I of it? Oh let not the Lord lay to my charge, my want of due preparation; my coldness, and indifferency, distraction and unbelief, my so many failings before and at the Ordinance: that my heart was in no better frame; that I took no more paines with it to fit it for thy self: that it was no more broken for my sins, when the Minister broke the Bread: that when I took it, I was so dull, so dead, and did no better reach forth the hand of Faith to lay hold on, and apply Christ and his benefits; so play'd the hypocrite before thee and my fellow Communi­cants: that when the Wine was poured forth, and I saw how Christ shed his Blood for sinners, I scarce dropt a tear for the cause, from a heart sensible of my sins and his love unto my Soul: when I took and drank the Cup, I did not remember him as I ought: that my heart was not so seriously intent, and reverent, so deeply af­fected, sutable to the importance and ex­cellency of the duty, and the Majesty of him with whom I had to do.

[Page 182] Spend some time in strengthning and con­firming thy holy purposes and resolutions.] O that some fruit may be seen of this day till the solemnity return! that the thoughts and meditations I had there may be so strongly, so deeply fixed and rooted in the bottom of my heart, that nothing may be able to pluck them up! that I may be so sensibly possest with the perswasions that Christ is in, and united to me! that when a Temptation comes and knocks for enterance, I may readily, naturally say, I am not he that I was before, the property of the house is quite changed; I live yet not I, but Christ in me; I was indeed a common Inne to entertain all-Comers, but now I am become the sole Habitation of the High and Holy One, he expects to be honourably treated like unto himself, he will have no competitors or un­clean thing in his house; I cannot arise and open to you. Oh how shall I treat him, who hath taken up his abode with me? shall I take the members of Christ and make them the members of an Harlot? defile that body wherein he hath chosen to reside? force him out of his habitation by any impurity? offend him by any noy­som [Page 183]thoughts, or unsavoury breath out of my mouth? shall those hands that have re­ceived the sacred Elements, work deceit? those Eyes that have been filled with tears at the Lords Table, be fill'd with envy? those teeth that have eaten Holy Bread, [...]grind the face of the poor? those lips that have touched the Sacramental Cup, salute an Harlot? the mouth that hath drunk con­secrated wine, be full of rotten discourse? shall I be so greedy of the World, as to forget to retire to converse with my Sa­viour? shall I so perplex my self in busi­ness, as to omit to pray, to meditate, to sing praises unto thee? No, I am not at my own dispose, I have sworn and I will per­form, that I will keep thy righteous judg­ments; and often consider how deeply I am obliged to him that hath paid my debt. Oh I can never parallel his love, yet let me shew my self thankful; I can do nothing satisfactory, but let me do something gratulatory. He gave himself a sin-offering for me, let me give my self a thank-offering to him; offer up my self a living facrifice unto my Redeemer, who offered up himself a dying Sacrifice for my Redemption.

[Page 184] Beware of Crucifying Christ afresh.] To them that believe he is precious; now I have begun to celebrate the Marriage, oh let me never throw off the wedding Gar­ment, stain it by any pollution, or seek after other lovers? eat his Bread, and lift up the heel against him; take the Cup, and betray my interest in him; after I have receiv'd him, cast him out of my heart, live in that for which he died, As the Sacrament is a memorial of Christ Crucifyed for sin, let it be a remembrance to me of abhorring, crucifying, abstaining from it. Else, I hold on Satan's side, seek to keep him on his throne, do those things which Christ is more unwilling I should, then he was to suffer all the indignities and torments the Jews inflicted; he was wil­ling to dye by their hands, rather then any inconveniency should fall upon me, then sin and Satan should reign over, and keep possession in me: he was not trou­bled so much to dye, as he was to see me live in sin; for he dyed that I might cease from sin. And, do I dispute when a temp­tation is presented, whether Christ or Barrabbas shall be preferred? my lusts denyed, or my Lord Crucifyed? that [Page 185]which would murther my Soul deserve to be spared, or he that suffered to save it? Oh how sad! that he who seems to deifie Christ in the Eucharist, should vilifie him in his members; that such who pre­tend to eat and drink Christ's Body and Blood at the Church, should eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of vi­olence in their own houses: that they should be so devout at the Sacrament, as if they believed God to be in the Bread, and in their lives so prophane, as if they believed not God to be in Heaven.

Abandon and Crucifie all sin more then ever.] I have put off my coate of corrup­tion, how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet in the blood of the Lamb, how shall I defile them? the Lord hath spoken peace unto me, let me not return again to folly. Hath he taken off my former bur­then, and cast it on the back of his dear Son, and shall I lay more load upon him? hath he loved me and washed me from my sins in his own blood, and shall I with the dog return to the vomit? with the sow that is washed to her wallowing in mire? shall I take poyson after Physick? [Page 186]make the Table of the Lord contemptible? Hath he been so gracious to me, as to vouchsafe and seal me a pardon of all my sins, and shall I so abuse his goodness, so turn his grace into wantonness, as to run afresh on his score? is not this to account the blood of the Covenant, wherewith I am sanctified, an unholy thing; may I not fear his anger will kindle against me, and that he will no more have mercy on me? Oh let not those hands that were reach'd forth to receive Christ, be stretch­ed out to oppression and violence, but be hence forth sacred, and do no deed that may offend thee: nor those lips that have touched those holy Mysteries, be defiled with the Devils drivel, filthy communi­cation, but be hallow'd from all words that may displease thee. Oh let my Soul, which by thy Sacrament is made so happy, as to be so near to, be never so wretched, as to think any thing too dear for such a Saviour. Let nothing make me leave my first love, who for love of me left his Fa­ther and country, Heaven and glory, to espouse me.

Frequently consider the engagement thou hast hereby laid upon thy self.] No space of [Page 187]time can wear it off, to the same strictness all our days as this, though we had but this one opportunity to receive. The Bonds my Soul is entered into, will never be can­cell'd. God forgets not his promises, nor my breaches, though I may; the mat­ter is now out of my hands, I cannot re­voke this gift of my self to God (indeed I have given nothing but what was his own before) after these vows there is no enquiry to be made whether they should be kept, This day I have avouched the Lord to be my God, to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes; and he hath a­vouched me to be one of his people: I have taken Christ for my Lord and Hus­band, to live in love and obedience to him, as I hope to be saved by him. Tempt me not therefore from my loyalty and al­legeance, the vows of God are upon me, seald at the Sacrament, and recorded in Heaven; not one of my Fellow Communi­cants but are witnesses with, and to God, that they saw me personally, publickly own and renew my Covenant with him; for my Oath sake, and those that sat with me, I will not do this evill and sin against God. Shall I alienate and pollute the [Page 188]heart so solemnly devoted to him? break those bands asunder, and fetch the Sacri­fice away from the Altar, tyed with such strong cords of Oaths and Covenants? must I not expect to bring fire along with it? to provoke God to a severe revenge of the mocks and scorns I put upon him? shall I so horribly prophane his name? and make my self such a forsworn perjur'd wretch? Is it a light thing to break an Oath made solemnly with God? shall he escape that doth such things? or shall he break the Covenant and be delivered? As I live, saith the Lord, surely my Oath which he hath despised, and my Covenant which he hath broken, even it I will re­compense on his own head. I am sure he will be true to his promises, and shall I fall under his threatnings, by being false to mine? If a good man keep his Oaths and promises with men to his own hurt, much more ought be those to God for his own good.

Walk on in the strength of this spiritual Food, till thou comest to perfection.] Oh that I may still drink of the Spiritual Rock, find the efficacy, vertue, and benefit of the Sacrament, follow and stream after [Page 189]me while I travel in this Wilderness! O that I may be stronger and stronger in all Graces, more active and exacter in all Spiritual Duties; hear more heedfully, pray more fervently, receive more be­lievingly, keep the Sabbath more ex­actly, watch over my heart and ways more diligently; be more humble and pious towards God, more just and righteous to man, more sober and tempe­rate towards my self: that I may walk worthy of Christ, of the Covenant, of the Sacrament, Kingdom, Gospel, and Grace of God; of my Birth and Breeding, oh that my present deportment may be answer­able to my future preferment; that there may be some proportion between my frequent receiving and growing in Grace; that I may shew forth his death till he come, in respect of its influence on my Soul.

Delight in Spiritual fellowship with Christ's Members.] Oh that I may now bury all envy, malice, hatred, unchari­tableness; and (as Christ) love my ene­mies, but especially those that are parta­kers of the same benefits with me. O that that sentence may still run in my mind, If [Page 190]God so loved us, we ought also to love one an­other! Oh that I may shake off all ungod­ly society, have my heart linked unto, and be a companion of all those that fear the Lord; make the liveliest of them my most intimates, and upon all occasions improve their fellowship to the best advantage. O that I may henceforth behave my self as a stone of the same Building; as a branch of the same Vine; as a servant of the same Familie; as a member of the same Body; as a Son of the same Father; oh merciful Eternal high Priest, let that Sacrifice thou once offeredst on the Cross for the sins of the world, which thou doest now and e­ver represent in Heaven to thy Father by thy never-ceasing intercession, which this day hath been exhibited Sacramentally on hy holy Table, obtain Mercy and Peace, Faith and Love, Truth and Unity, Safety and establishment, Grace Glory, and all good things to thy whole Church, and let not the gates of Hell ever prevail a­gainst it.

Chear up and comfort thy self against all discouragements.] Have I worthily re­ceived the Lords Supper, whatsoever my miseries are, this cannot but be a reviving [Page 191]cordial, yet my sins are pardoned. How little should I be dismayed at any inward or outward troubles? let me be fed all my days with the bread and water of afflicti­on, I have another bread and cup to sweeten both; let her not say she is sick, her sins are forgiven. I have received an all-sufficient Saviour; and seek for nothing in, but renounce my self having so much in him. How can I any more walk de­jectedly, that am interested in the New Covenant? which with all its promises and priviledges is ratified and confirmed to me? what ever I need is to be had here, health and recovery from sickness, a com­petant maintenance and support, peace & deliverance from our enemies, content and patience, liberty and joy, sanctified riches, or a chearful poverty, and what­soever is a blessing is purchased for and se­cured to us. And oh that this in all my troubles, difficulties addresses to God, may quiet me, and strengthen my Faith to apprehend him as in Covenant with me, that hath engaged himself to be with me in all estates and conditions, and to order all things for my advantage: I have re­signed up my self to him, let him do with [Page 192]me what seemeth him good. He cannot deny himself; all his words are oaths for their certaintie, and all his promises the sure mercies of David. This Sacrament is that to my particular person which it is in it self, and by design to all the world: If I receive worthily, I shall receive any of those blessings according as God shall chuse for me, which shall be not onely with more wisdom, but more affection then I can for my self. Let me but be void of all care, but onely to preserve my Fathers love, and I cannot want. He whom Al­mighty Wisdom and Goodness takes a Fatherly care of, engages to feed, cannot but have enough. All things are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Nothing is excluded where he is included.

Keep up earnest longings after this and the eternal Supper of the Lamb.] Oh when will the opportunitie return? when shall I come again and appear before God? when shall I see his power and his glory, taste his love and goodness as I have in the Sacrament? O that I may still be feasting my Soul on those Heavenly Dainties, those spiritual Viands, those satisfying pleasures at his Table! I think [Page 139]the time long to that day of gladness and rejoycing. The King of Glory hath now espoused me to himself by Proxy, by his Embassadour; the day is hastening when the Marriage shall be publickly, trium­phantly solemnized, and compleated. Mount up (my Soul) and ever stand wish­ly looking for his appearance, never slack thy Watch, nor let thy Expectation cool, till he take thee to himself, where we shall be gathered together where the Bodie is, and his Glory presented without an um­brage; where he shall lay aside his veil, and his amiable countenance be chequer'd with no intermingled frowns, intervening clouds, or obscure mediums; where my­steries shall be turned into revelations, the translation into the original, commemoration into vision, espousal into mutual fruition and embraces, sighs and tears into nuptial songs and festivities, transient glances into the direct beams of the ever radiant Sun of Righteousness, a moments work into an eternity of rest: where is satiety without nauseating; perfect happiness without care or incumbrance, envy or successor, alter­ation or end; for every chain a ray of light, every tear a pearl, every prison a pa­lace, [Page 140]every loss the purchase of a King­dom, every affront in Gods Service an eter­nal honour, every hour of sorrow a thou­sand years of comfort, multiplyed with a never ceasing Numeration. Where Job [...] that sate on the Dunghil, sits among the Angels, Lazarus, that lay among the Dogs, is lodged in Abrahams bosom; the Saints heretofore among the pots, walk in white: where are riches and pleasures tru [...] and real, adequate and sutable, solid and satisfying, lasting and durable: where I shall see thee (oh infinite Sweetness and Delight) without a Veil, and live upon thee without a Figure: where I shall have, not a Sacramental, but a Beatifical [...] Communion; not wear thy ring, but see thy face; not remember, but behold thee; not in Faith, but clear and full Fruition.