Directions for the vvorthy receiuing of the Lords Supper with some few questions to the same purpose. By Robert Iension, Batchelor in Diuinity, and Minister of Gods Word, at New-Castle vpon Tine.

A BRIEFE DIRECTION FOR THE WORTHY RECEIVING OF THE Lords Supper .

CHAP. I. Three sorts of dueties are to be performed of euery worthy Communicant : and three things especially are to be looked vnto .

THere must be an antecedent disposition in the receiuer , and a performance of such duties as may prepare him .

There must bee a right behauiour in the performance of this holy action .

There are duties to be performed after .

CHAP. II. Of such graces as are needfull in euery worthy Communicant .

THis Sacrament , being a most holy ordinance of God , belongs not of right indifferently to all , but to such onely as God doth accept and account as worthy in his Sonne Iesus Christ .

We are all of vs in our selues , and by our corrupt nature , altogether vnworthy to partake of any mercy , and especially of that grace which is both offered and sealed vnto vs in the Sacrament .

Yet God in his Sonne Christ our Sauiour is ready to accept vs , if we come clothed with the wedding garment of his righteousnesse , putting it on vs by faith .

Faith then of necessitie is required in euery worthy Communicant .

Now true Faith , as it is grounded vpon sound and sauing Knowledge ; so it is , and must be accompanied with true Repentance , and with the fruits thereof , especially Charitie .

These foure graces then are necessary in euery worthy Communicant .

1 Knowledge . 2 Faith . 3 Repentance . 4 Charitie .

Neither must we onely haue them , but we must know so much : which knowledge is got by examination .

CHAP. III. Of Knowledge .

GOd would haue vs offer vp to him reasonable seruice as an acceptable sacrifice , Rom. 12.1 . And not like shéep each follow other without knowledge and consideration what we doe . Knowledge is the beginning of all grace , Prou. 19. 2. Acts 26.18 . 1 Tim. 2.4 . And Ignorance is highly displeasing vnto God . In this Sacrament knowledge is required , that we may examine our selues , 1 Cor. 11.28 .

The Rule of examination is partly the Law of God , by which we are to examine our selues , our repentance , and obedience ; and partly the Gospell , by which we must examine our faith .

These two , as being the rules of our triall , must therefore first be knowne .

We must then know ( what the Law will tell vs ) that howsoeuer we were made at the first , in our first parents , Adam and Eue , in righteousnesse and holinesse , according to Gods image , yet now we are all of vs by our first birth corrupt children , ouer-spred with the leprosie and leauen of sinne , vnapt to conceiue or doe any thing truly good ; prone and readie to doe all euill ; and that accordingly we dayly bring forth and multiply the bitter fruits of Sinne by our actuall trangressions , not doing what good we should doe , and doing the euill we should not doe : and that therefore in this regard , we are all naturally as the slaues of Satan , who rules in our hearts by Sinne ; so the children of death , and heires of damnation . The iust reward of our sinne being the wrath and curse of God , and death of body and soule euerlastingly .

Yet we must further know ( what the Gospell reueales , namely ) that Gods will is not ( such is his loue ) that we all should perish , ( as we most iustly deserue ) but that we should be saued , and come vnto the knowledge of the truth , 1. Tim. 2.4 . That is , that all , of all sorts beléeuing the Gospell , should be saued : the tenour and substance of the Gospell being comprised in these words , Iohn 3.16 . God so loued the world , that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne , that whosoeuer beleeueth in him , should not perish , but haue life euerlasting . For the confirmation of which promise to vs , wee must further know , that God hath annexed and added seales , which we call Sacraments , whereof it is fit also , we should haue some generall knowledge .

Sacraments therefore are outward and visible signes and seales of some inward inuisible grace . Or , they are holy signes ordained of God , whereby the couenant of grace betweene God and the partie receiuing these signes , is solemnely sealed , confirmed , and ratified .

This couenant of grace is that , whereby God on his part , First , promiseth to be our God , that is , all in all vnto vs , Gen. 17.7 . and that we shall not perish , as we had deserued , but haue euerlasting life , through and by Christ Iesus , which none of vs deserues . But withall ( as in couenants ) he , secondly , requireth on our part , faith , Ioh. 3.16 . with repentance and newnesse of life , according to the tenour of the Gospell , Repent and beleeue , Mat. 3.2 . Mark . 1.15 . This being the couenant faire drawne , and largely written in the word of God , God , thirdly , annexeth his Seale hereunto , to ratifie what he hath promised , and to confirme and strengthen our faith in his promise ; as also he enioyneth vnto vs the vse of the Sacraments , whereby we for our parts , first , shewing our selues needfull of his mercies , both promise to to performe what he requires : that is , to repent and beléeue : and also , by taking the Sacrament , binde our selues in seruice God , that we will , forsaking all others , and renouncing the deuill , the world , and the flesh ( Gods and our maine enemies ) beléeue his promises , depend on his mercies , and serue him constantly to our liues end , in all holy obedience .

This is , first , done in Baptisme , by which wee haue our admission into the true Church of God sealed vnto vs , and where first this couenant is confirmed and sealed on both parts , Gods and ours .

This same couenant is renued in the Lords Supper , so often as we partake of it : for God thereby nourisheth and preserueth vs in the true Church after our admission into it by Baptisme , confirms and seales vnto vs the same promise of the Gospell , and requires like conditions of faith and repentance from vs . And that we may better know the nature of this Sacrament , we must consider that ( each Sacrament being a signe ) each thing , action , and circumstance is appointed , to signifie and bring to our mind some other spirituall thing or action .

As therefore in Baptisme the water signifieth the bloud and spirit of Christ , whereby our sinnes are washed and purged ; so in the Lords Supper ;

1 The Bread and the Wine are now set apart from the common vse of féeding our bodies , to represent and signifie vnto vs the body and blood of our Sauiour Christ .

Secondly , The Minister , setting these apart to this vse , and consecrating them ; signifies , how God the Father , in his eternall Decree , hath set apart Christ our Sauiour , for the worke of our redemption , and consecrated Him therevnto . Thirdly , The breaking of the Bread , and powring out of the Wine , signifie the death of our Sauiour , whereby his Body was broken , and a separation made , for a while , of the soule from the body , and the sheading of His precious blood ; by which he satisfied Gods wrath for beleeuers , and paid our debt , which was death .

When the Minister offers and giues the Bread and Wine , we must conceiue , that God , to vs that beleeue , doth offer and giue ( as hee promised in his Word ) Christ his Sonne , with all the benefits of his death and Passion , which are forgiuenesse of sinne , reconciliation with God , and life eternall .

Our receiuing of these from his hands , and feeding on them , signifie our Faith , which is as the hand , mouth , and stomacke of our soules , whereby wee receiue Christ , and all these benefits now offered vnto vs ; and feed on him spiritually , to life eternall : all which beeing done with others , put vs in mind of charity .

Now , all these we must well know & vnderstand , before we come to the Lords Table .

CHAP. 4. Of Faith .

BVt moreouer , it will not auaile vs onely to know these things , but wee must also bring Faith with vs , and beleeue the promise of the Gospell : the necessity whereof appeares from that which hath beene said . The promise is made onely to them that beleeue , Ioh. 3.16 . Now this Sacrament is a seale of that promise , and of the Couenant of Grace : and therefore can seale vnto vs no more , nor no otherwise than is promised . Thee is nothing promised in the Word , to the vnfaithfull and vnbeleeuers , and therefore there is nothing sealed to them in this Sacrament . Such then receiuing this Sacrament , receiue onely a Seale set to a blancke , or piece of white paper , wherein there is nothing written or promised : and such men receiue the Sacrament to their hurt , and not to their good , because they prophane the holy ordinance of God .

CHAP. 5. Of Repentance .

GOD , besides our faith , doth also looke for our repentance , and newnesse of life : For in this Sacrament we professe our selues , to forsake our sinnes and lusts , and the Deuill , and to become new men , and that wee will hereafter walke with God in new obedience : all our seruice and sacrifices else will not be accepted of God : the Lord reiecteth all outward seruice and ceremonies ( though they were ordained by himselfe ) when they are not accompanied with the conuersion of the heart , and innocency of life . See Esa , 1.13 , 14 , 15 , 16. & 66.3 . Therefore the Lord biddeth , when wee appeare before him , saying , Esa. 1.16 , 17. Wash you , make you cleane , take away the euill of your wayes , cease to do euill , learne to doe well , &c And Dauid saith , Psal. 26.6 . I will wash mine hands in innocencie , & so I will compasse thine Altar . This is especially necessary in this Sacrament , wherein we shew forth the Lords death till he come . 1 Cor. 11.26 . which we can doe no better , then by dying vnto sinne our selues , which is called mortification , which belongs to the first part of repentance ; and must bee seconded with viuification , or newnesse of life , which belongs to the second part of repentance .

The dueties then heere to be performed , are ; First , diligently and seriously to examine our owne consciences , and to find out our sinnes , both originall and actuall ; against both Law and Gospell , that so we may returne to God by repentance : Psal. 119.59 . Lam. 3.39 , 40. Without this sight of sinne , wee cannot repent , as seeing nothing that hath turned vs from God ; and repenting , wee shall not be accepted , without this turning first into our own hearts , Deut. 30.1 , 2. 1 King . 8.47 . especially we must labour to find out our speciall sinnes , vnto which we are most of all inclined , and which most of all wound our consciences ; to this end , we are carefully , First , to obserue the checks of conscience ; Secondly , to obserue our thoughts , on what especially they runne most : Thirdly , to make vse of some faithfull friend , who may faithfully tell vs , wherein they obserue vs to offend , seeing wee our selues are naturally blinded with selfe-loue : to this end , obserue what sinnes GODS Word preached or read condemnes : yea , obserue ( because malice is quick-sighted ) what thine enemies obserue in thee , and do cast in thy teeth . But aboue all , fourthly , looke thy selfe and thy face , in the Glasse of Gods Law , and bring thy selfe to the Ballance and Touch-stone of Gods Word , both Law and Gospell : examine thy selfe by each Article of thy Créede , and by each Commandement apart , according to the true meaning of each Commandement , which binds the inward man , and thine affections , as well as thy words and workes , and so thou maist find thy sinne : ( to this end ) make vse of that direction which is set downe in Master Perkins Booke of Repentance , and in the Booke called , the True Watch , first Part , and also the second .

The second duetie is , when wee see our sin , to consider how hatefull a thing it is in it selfe , how abominable to God & all good men ; that so wee may know it , with a féeling of the burthen of it , and with true sorrow , that thereby wee should offend , and shew our selues vnthankfull , to so louing a Father , and bountifull a GOD.

Then must wee humble our selues in hearty and earnest Prayer vnto GOD , confessing vnto him our sinnes : our vnknowne sinnes generally , our knowne sinnes particularly , and that fréely , without any excuse , defence , or hiding the least of them . So did Dauid , Psal . 32. & Psal. 51. and withall , wée must make earnest intreaty , and deprecation to God , in the Name and mediation of Christ Iesus , who died for our sinnes , that God would in mercy pardon them all , and seale vnto vs the pardon of them by his Spirit : and héere euery one must frame his confession according to his owne néede , at the least , in sighes and sobs of the heart , and the secret desires thereof . To this end , ( where & whiles men cannot in priuate so well pray of themselues ) may bee vsed such formes of prayer , as may bee found in the Leitargie of the Church and in riuers godly Bookes , framed for this particular occasion .

Lastly , there must be in our repentance , an holy and full purpose of heart , and intendment of new obedience for time to come , and a resolution with Gods helpe to withstand all sinnes , and to vse care to preuent all occasions thereof .

CHAP. 6. Of Charity .

BEsides all these , ( which respect God ) wee must also bee in loue and perfect charity with our neighboures ; If they haue offended vs , wee must bee ready to forgiue them , especially vpon their request and acknowledgement , euen as God for Christs sake forgaue vs , who had offended him , and as wée our selues in the Lords Prayer desire to be forgiuen as wee our selues forgiue others .

And if we haue iustly offended others , wee must seeke peace with them , & their loue , and not be ashamed to acknowledge our faults : This is so necessary , that God will haue his seruice stay till it bee performed , and without it will not accept our seruice and sacrifice : He would haue vs leaue our offering ; Goe thy way , and first bee reconciled to thy brother , &c. Math. 5.24 .

CHAP. VII . Of Examination .

ALl the fore-named things are necessary in euery Christian at all times : but especially when wee are to come to the holy Communion , wee are to practise these dueties , and to renew our faith and our repentance , & to examine our selues , whether these graces bee in vs in truth and synserity , or no ; according to 2. Cor. 13.5 . & 1. Cor. 11.28 . especially our Faith , and Repentance .

Our Faith is true , when , first , it is grounded namely on Gods Word , and not on traditions or authority of men : When wee find that Gods Word hath beene effectuall in vs and our selues altered thereby , so that we remaine not still the same we were long since : and if therfore we haue a loue and desire to Gods Word , that by it our Faith may bee increased .

If our Faith be set on a right Obiect , that is , if it beleeue the same Word of God , as well the threatnings of it , as the promises : especially , if it truely rely vpon the mercy of GOD , and merits of CHRIST .

By the fruites of it wee may know it , if our Faith purifie our heart , Act. 15 9. and if it work in vs an endeuour is please God in all things : if wee can beleeue God and his Trueth , euen before experience , as did the Woman of Canaan , Math. 15.22 . and when wee feele not his presence ; yea , if with Iob , wée can trust in God though hee seeme to kill vs , and bee our enemie . These may suffice for the present .

Our repentance is then true , First , when wee are sorry , not so much for punishment or shame of our sinne , as that thereby we haue offended and displeased our louing God and Father . Secondly , when we are sorry and repent of all sin , and doe not secretly desire to liue in , or to inioy still , any one pleasant sinne , but resolue to leaue euery sinne for the loue we owe to God . Lastly , when wee presently and without delay , so soone as wée see and know our sinne , doe repent : Sée Psal. 119.59 , 60. I made haste , and delayed not to keep thy Commandements .

Our Charity and loue to our brethren is then good and sound , when wee loue them , not in by respects , for feare or profit and delight , but as they are Christians , and because God loues them , they being his friends ; yea , because we loue God : so , when wee wish them the best things , as that they were partakers with vs , of Christ , and of life euerlasting : when we can forget and forgiue priuate iniuries , and hate not their persons , but their sinnes , &c.

☞ Note , If after examination wee finde these graces in vs , though but weake , yet wée may bée comforted , and wée must come : If we feele our selues vnworthy ; knowe , that this sense and feeling of sin , ( where there is no purpose to liue in sin ) is an argument of grace : by our corrupt nature , wee cannot discerne of our corruptions , but by grace onely . This Supper is a remedy for our weaknes and corruption , Christ calling the weary , humble and contrite vnto him , Matth. 11.28 . Luke 4.18 . Wée must not looke so much to come perfect , as to goe from it perfect , that is , more perfect and better then wée came . If thou canst but desire that grace which thou wantest , assure thy selfe of it , God will giue it ; nay , He accepts the desire for the grace it selfe : For , if lustfull desire after a woman , be in Gods account adultery , and the sinne it selfe , Mat. 5.28 . much more is the desire of any Grace , in Gods acceptance , the Grace it selfe desired : God inclining as much to mercy , as to iustice , and as ready to take in good worth our good desires , as to take the aduantage of our euill desires .

CHAP. VIII . Of dueties to be performed in this holy Action .

OVr behauiour , during the time of the celebration of this holy Action , must be decent , with all reuerence to the high Maiestie and presence of God , and to his diuine Ordinance . Now , whereas the benefits and grace we receiue in this Sacrament , are conuayed vnto vs , as on Gods part , by His Spirit , so on our part , by a kind of reasoning in the mind , and an inference and vse-making from the collation , or comparing & conferring the outward signes with the things signified thereby : Wee are therefore , when wee come to the Table of the Lord , not to suffer our minds to wander after impertinent matters , but to apply our hearts to diligent attention and consideration , reasoning with our selues , and making vse of euery thing in this Sacrament which we behold : as thus :

When we behold and sée bread and wine to be set apart , to signifie vnto vs the body and bloud of Christ , then must we further meditate and consider :

That this Sacrament is ordained for our spirituall nourishment , and increase in grace , thus differing from Baptisme , which is the Sacrament of our first birth or regeneration : as bread therefore is for the sustenance of man , and preseruation of naturall life in him , so is Christs body and bloud spiritually , for the encrease and nourishing of our faith , and of Gods graces in vs . For thus in decay of grace , we come to get assurance and féeling of it againe . Christ is therefore called the bread of life , Iohn 6.35.51 . herein differing from common bread , that it onely preserues life where life is once begun ; but Christ begins life in vs , being set before vs in the preaching of the Gospel , & called the childrens bread , Mat. 15.26 . And he is eaten by faith spiritually , Ioh. 6.56 . He also continues and preserues life in vs , as bread , eaten by the same faith , sacramentally .

Consider , bread and wine are also for our comfort , and to make glad the heart of man , Psalm . 104.14 , 15. so also this Sacrament , and therefore in our faintings , and in our afflictions , we are to haue recourse hither : this bread being like that meale which Elisha cast into the pot to make the pottage wholesome , whereof it was said before , death is in the pot , 2. Kings 4.40 . and 41.

When we sée both bread and wine , consider that Christ is our perfect Sauiour and Redéemer , both bread and water of life vnto vs , so that we néed not saluation in whole or in part of any other .

4 Consider hence also the necessitie of this Sacrament , especially of the thing signified by this bread and wine : for as without bread and wine ( or other moysture ) we could not possibly liue ( whereas we may well spare many vnnecessary dainties ) so , without this body and blood of Christ , and the merits thereon depending , it is impossible for any either to liue the life of grace here , or of glory hereafter .

When we sée the Minister set apart by prayer and consecration , these Elements from a common to an holy vse , which signifies Gods eternall decrée in sealing Christ to the worke of our redemption and saluation , Iohn 6.27 . Then further consider and meditate on God the Fathers excéeding great loue , Who so loued the world , that he gaue his only begotten Sonne Christ , to redeeme it , Ioh. 3.16 . Which loue God setteth forth , séeing that ( first ) of himselfe vnsought to , ( Secondly ) he the partie offended should prouide a Sauiour , and giue ( thirdly ) his onely beloued Sonne for vs ( Fourthly ) before we were , ( Fifthly ) whom he foresaw to be vnable to helpe our selues , yea ( Sixtly ) to be enemies vnto him , Rom. 5.8 . Oh wonderfull loue of God! how did Abraham loue God , when for his sake he was ready to offer in sacrifice his onely sonne Isaak ? yet that was his duty , God so requiring it . How much more doth God loue vs , that fréely , yea contrary to our deseruings , giues to death his onely Sonne Christ , one , ten thousand times better then Isaack ? And thinke , if God so loued me , how ought I to loue him againe ? how ought I for his sake to part with my dearest and darling sinnes ? &c.

When we sée the bread broken , and the wine powred out , then thinke on the death and passion of Christ , and on those intolerable paines which he suffered both in body , and also much more in soule , not for himselfe but for vs : and here also more specially meditate : First , on Christs speciall Loue to vs , who would so willingly become our suretie , and pay our debt to God , which is death , which we were neuer able to haue endured : For greater loue then this hath no man , when any man bestowes his life on his friends , Ioh. 15.13 . But Christ is that good shepheard , who giueth his life for ( vs ) his sheepe , Ioh. 10.11 . How then ( must I meditate ) should this inflame my heart with the loue of this my Sauiour ? &c. And how may I now rest assured , that I shall be vndoubtedly saued ? for if when I was a sinner Christ died for me , much more then being now iustified by his blood , shal I be saued from wrath throgh him , &c. Rom. 5.8.9.10 .

Secondly , considering his grieuous suffering and pangs for vs , his hands and his féet boared , his side pearced with a speare , himselfe mocked , and now sustaining in soule the wrath of his Father due to our sinnes ; meditate , Didst thou , swéet Sauiour , suffer such torments for me , and shall not I endure an euill word for thée , and for the profession of thy Name ? Diddest thou on the Crosse taste Vineger and Gall for me ; and shall I liue in pleasure and delicacies , faring deliciously euery day , and so please my palate with excesse in delicious meates and wines ? Diddest thou die for me ; and shall not I die to sinne , and thus shew forth in my selfe thy death ? Yea , diddest thou die for me , and shall not I be ready to lay downe my life for thy Names sake ? &c.

Thirdly , consider also the cause of all this his suffering , which was not any sinne of his , but our sinne , 2. Cor. 5.21 . and thinke and say , Lord when I looke vpon thée whom my sinnes haue pierced , how should I lament for thée ? as one that mourneth for his onely Sonne , and bee sorry for thée , as one is sorry for his first borne , Zach. 12.10 . Nay how should I rather mourne for mine owne sinnes , and hate them with a deadly hatred , whereby I crucifie thée againe , so louing a Sauiour : my sinnes being the speare that pierced thee , and the nailes that lastened thée to the Crosse ? How weighty are my sinnes , and how great the desert thereof , which could not be borne by me , nor satisfied for by any thing I am able either to doe or suffer ? but onely by thy precious death and bloud-shed of thée my deare Sauiour and my God blessed for euer . Shall I now henceforth account any sinne light or little , which deserued such infinite punishment ? Oh my Sauiour , possesse my heart with thy loue , teach mee to loue thee perfectly , and to hate all sinne which cost thee so deare , &c.

When the Minister ( representing the person of God the Father ) comes towards thée to offer and giue to each the signes , this Bread and Wine ; then first meditate , and pray and say with the Centurion , Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come vnder my roofe , and as Elizabeth said to Mary , whence commeth this to me , that ( not the mother of the Lord , but ) the Lord himselfe should come to me ? Luk. 1.14 . And with the blessed Virgin , Luk. 1.38 . Behold the seruant of the Lord , be it vnto thee according to thy word ; and here secondly , assure thy selfe of Gods especiall loue to thée in particular , and take these signes as speciall seales , and pledges of Gods speciall loue towards thee ; and here raise vp thy thoughts with this or the like meditation : Lord , whereas in thy Word thou offerest Christ to all beleeuers , though thou namest none , now I see thou meanest euen me , poore sinner , as well as any : thou appliest and assurest vnto me thy generall promise , as if my name were recorded in thy Word , and written in that deede of gift , whereby thou giuest and sealest vnto all beleeuers eternall life ; O Lord , now I may see , ( and that without doubting ) that indeed my name is written in the Lambs booke of life .

When wee take and apply the Bread and Wine to our selues , then must wee stir vp our selues to take hold on Christ , ( Esa. 64.7 . ) and be put in minde of the speciall act of faith , which is , to apply and bring Christ home , to the inmost closet of our hearts , relying our selues , and putting our whole affiance , wholly and onely on him for saluation , stirring vp our faith , and by it féeding on our Sauiour more and more ; crying also , Lord , I beleeue , helpe my vnbeleefe .

When we eat and drinke , then also must we meditate , first , on our strait vnion with Christ , whereby we become one with him , and he with vs , euen as the Bread and Wine turne to our nourishment , and become one substance with vs , one flesh and one bone ; and what straighter vnion can there bee then this ? Then rouze vp thy spirit & say ; O my blessed Sauiour , be thou vnto mee Bread and water of life for euermore : let this vnion once made by thy Spirit & my faith , neuer again be dissolued , but fasten me vnto thée by the bond of my faith , and fasten and vnite thy selfe vnto me by the bond of thy Spirit , and that for euermore . Let nothing dissolue this knot , let not my sinnes euer hereafter separate betweene thee and me Esa. 59.2 . But O Lord , let thy most precious , and pure , and holy body and blood , clense and sanctifie my body and my soule , and either keepe them that they sinne not against thee at any time presumptuously , or if they sinne , that by thy precious bloud they may be forthwith purged from sin , 1. Ioh. 1.7 . Yea O Lord , let me walke on in the strength of this spirituall foode , this liuing Bread and Water of life , euen to eternall life , according to thy gracious promise and Word , whereby thou hast said ; Whosoeuer eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Bloud hath eternall life , and if any man eat of this Bread , he shall liue for euer , Ioh. 6.51 , 54. Let mee therefore hence be assured , that neither death nor life nor any thing else shall bee able to seperate me from this loue of thy Father , which is in thee his sonne , my Sauiour Iesus Christ , Rom. 8.38 , 39. Heere also must we thinke of our participation of all the benefits of Christ , both by imputation concerning our iustification , and also by infusion concerning our sanctification , seeing Christ neuer comes alone : but as the married wise , though she marry with the man himselfe , and not with his lands or goods , yet being partaker of him , she partakes of them too . Why then , O Lord , need I distrust thy goodnesse for any blessing , spirituall or temporall , seeing thou hast giuen me thy Sonne Christ , and in him interest in all things , 1. Cor. 3.22 , 23. If thou sparedst not thy Sonne , but gauest him for me to death , and now giuest and appliest him spiritually vnto me , how shalt thou not with him giue mee all things also ? Rom. 8.32 . I will henceforth therefore neuer distrust thy goodnesse .

Lastly , when thou seest in this holy action , others also rich and poore , of all sorts without difference eat of the same Bread , and drinke of the fame Cup , bee put in minde of loue and charity to all : wee see where men familiarly conuerse one with another , and liue together in one house , sitting and feeding at the same table , there is mutuall loue , knowledge , and familiarity : else , it is very vnusuall and vnnaturall : yea very beasts by drawing together in the same Yoke , grow familiar one with another , and shew loue in their kinde ; what louing respect therefore owe I , euen to the meanest of my fellowes and brethren , and to the least of the Saints of God , seeing wee all that are many , are one bread and one body , because we all are partakers of one Bread ? 1. Cor. 10.17 . and wee all haue beene made to drinke into one Spirit , 1. Cor. 12.13 . Surely then because I see there is one body ( and but one ) one Spirit , one Lord , one Faith , one Baptisme ( yea one onely communion of Saints ) one God and Father of all , I will therefore endeuour to keepe the vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace , and with all humblenesse of minde , and meeknesse with long suffering , support others through loue , as the Apostle exhorts me , Ephesians 4.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. And because I here see , my Sauiour makes no difference , and hath no respect of persons , so they feare God , Act. 10.34 , 35. but alike admits all to his Table , of all sorts , rich and poore , noble and ignoble , &c. and communicates himselfe to all , I will henceforth despise none of GODS Saints , not the least member of Gods Church , whom God and Christ so loues , and hath done so much for , 1. Cor. 11.22 . Mat. 18.10 . With these or such like meditations should our thoughts be taken vp , during the time of the celebration of the blessed Sacrament , at which time especially wee are to make conscience of our thoughts .

CHAP. 9. Of duties to be performed after this action is ended .

AS before we should presume to this Table , we must set our selues and our thoughts by meditations a part by times , some two or thrée daies , that we may come prepared ( after the example of the Passeouer , Exod. 12.3 , 6. ) So after this Sacrament is solemnly celebrated in the Church , each man and woman particularly , should doe well to set apart , some fit and conuenient time ; to consider well what is done , what God hath done for them , and what they haue promised , and ought to doe for God .

And here , First , each one for himselfe must in particular be thankfull for the high fauour vouchsafed him , that God would admit him to his Table , being in himselfe vnworthy so much as to gather vp the crums that fall from it . ( The forme of thanks may either be performed , as it shall please God by his Spirit to helpe our infirmities , Rom 8.26 . or helpe may be had from the order of the Church and from diuers good bookes of deuotion in this kinde . )

Now to this end , each for himselfe must well remember what he hath made promise and profession of . Here we haue renued our promise and vow made in Baptisme , to forsake the deuill , and haue taken the Sacrament vpon it , and receiued as it were presse-money from God , to fight valiantly , constantly , and faithfully vnder his banner , against all his and our enemies , ( after which , it is high treason against his Maiestie to reuolt or giue ouer ) resolue therefore now of constancie to hold out to the end , whatsoeuer come of it , whatsoeuer opposition wée finde , from our traiterous and rebellious flesh , from the scoffes of the world , from the assaults and slie suggestions of Satan . And as thou lookest that God should make good , what he in his word hath promised , and in this Sacrament hath sealed vnto thée , so looke that thou performe all thy vowes to God , else this Sacrament which thou hast so often receiued , will be a witnesse against thée , and helpe to seale thy damnation .

After all is performed , each must examine himselfe what comfort , what ioy , what encrease of grace he hath reaped by this Sacrament . If we féele none , then must we either accuse our selues , for want of sufficient preparation before , and then fly to God for pardon , &c. Or if we haue in some measure endeuoured to examine and prepare our selues , then must we not be dismayed , but trust in the mercy of our good and gracious God for acceptation of our endeuours : Sée 2. Chron. 30.18 , 19. and depend on him for a blessing , séeing God hath not tyed his grace to the very time of receiuing : Light may be sowne for the righteous , and ioy for the vpright in heart , as it is , Psal. 97.11 . and yet the haruest of that comfort not reaped till afterwaad . So , the sickman féeleth not for the present , the strength and nourishment of the meate he hath taken , and yet is nourished : the Word preached euen by our Sauiour , doth not alwayes take effect for the present , see Act. 11.16 . Ioh. 12.16 . And in Baptisme we receiue not the comfortable assurance there made and sealed vnto vs , till afterwards .

If we haue felt any comfort , or God more graciously present with vs in this Sacrament : Then , First , let vs be more specially thankfull to him for it , not by our words , but by our déeds , by our liues and holy conuersation , according to our purposes and promises here made and renued ; and therefore ,

First , pray with Dauid ( after he and his people had offered willingly for the building of the Temple ) Keepe this , O Lord , for euer , in the purpose and in the thoughts of the heart of thy people , and prepare their hearts vnto thee , 1. Chron. 29.18 . And then hauing fed on this heauenly food , shew forth the goodnesse and strength of this thy food receiued , by yéelding a plentifull fléece in new obedience , like the Shéepe which shewes ( not by her bleating , but ) by her fléece , how much , how well , how heartily she hath eaten .

Otherwise this were both for the shame of our Master Christ , at whose table wee are so often and bountifully fed , if still like Pharaohes seuen leane kine , wee remaine leane and ill fauoured . Genes. 41.19 , 20 , 21. And also , doth argue some spirituall disease in vs , which like a consumption hinders our growth and increase , or that indéede for all the séeming comfort wee found , wee haue not truely receiued Christ , and haue him not abiding in vs , for hee hath sayd , Iohn 15.5 . I am the Vine , ye are the Branches : hee that abideth in mee and I in him , the same bringeth forth much fruit . If wee haue feltt any comfort , then let vs hence bee moued , the oftner to frequent this Table . As good men oftner frequent those tables where their friends consort .

Lastly , in case of temptation doubting , and vnbeléefe , flie hither for thy comfort , and for the conssimation and strengthning of thy faith : remember what thou hast once and often receiued : namely , signes and seales of the couenant of grace , as certaine tokens of Gods loue in Christ , and particular assurances thereof : therefore 〈◊〉 Satan off to Christ , shew him Gods generall promise , Iohn 3.16 . Sealed vnto thee in particular , both in Baptisme and in the Eucharist , and let that be thy securitie and comfort .

FINIS .