deliuered foin the power of darknesse where the word signifieth by fine force to deliuer or plucke away Euen as Dauid pulled the Lambe out of the Beares mouth so hath Christ by his Almighty power reskued vs out of the mouth of the Roaring Lyon So also hée hath destroyed the deuill Heb. 2.14 not by abolishing his substance but by weakening his power as the word there importeth Christ then payeth his Bloud as a price to his Father and so forcibly deliuereth vs from the deuill Who hath the power of death as the Hang-man hath the power of the Gallowes not absolute but by commission from God for the tormenting of the wicked This Redemption wée speake of is so the worke of God that wée exclude all creatures from any power or possibility of redéeming vs. Psal 49.7 And wée acknowledge it to bée the worke of the whole Trinity deliuering vs in the person of the Sonne who redéemeth vs by his Merite and by his Efficacy by his Merite deseruing Redemption for vs by his Efficacy effectually applying it vnto vs by his Spirit through Faith Vse First héere wée may sée the wonderfull misery in the which wée are all till wée haue our part in the Eternall Redemption purchased for vs by Iesus Christ For first we are vnder the power of sinne and the tiranny of the deuill very Bond-slaues more miserable then euer were the poore Iraelites in Egypt or now are the poore Christians vnder the Turke for the bondage of these is onely bodily ours more bodily and spirituall also our bodies and very Spirits being subiect to obey his filthy will in all things Ephe. 2.2 Secondly we are all our life time in feare of death euen as is the case of one condemned to the Gallowes hee alwaies trembles and quakes at the approach and remembrance of the houre of his execution So wee if God make vs sensible of our estate in regard of sinne are alwaies haunted with the terrours of an euill conscience as with Furies and Fiends of hel as Caine Saul Iudas Thurdly wee are fire-brands of hell subiect to eternall condemnation for our sinnes c. This is our misery which who so vnderstandeth not nor considereth he neuer esteemeth this wonderfull mercy of God in redeeming of vs as he ought For as hee that supposeth himselfe to bee mortally sicke highly reckoneth of the Phisition which cureth him and he which is troubled but with some light infirmity not so Euen so to him to him onely is the tydings of the Gospell welcome the Promise sweete the Bloud of Christ vnualuable the Loue of God vnspeakeable yea without measure and passing all knowledge which seeth his misery and seeleth his heart wrung with the fetters and bolts of sinne and which considereth of those eternall torments due to the same Vse 2. Here we ought also to consider of the Price whereby wee are ransomed and of the exceeding Loue of God For the Price it was neither gold nor siluer nor any corruptible thing but the pretious Bloud of the Lambe vnspotted Iesus Christ Marke thou which readest 1. Pet. 1.18 19. It cost the very Heart Bloud of Iesus the Sonne of God who was without sinne to saue thee a vile wretch from eternall damnation which thou deseruest by thy sinnes The Loue of God herein appeared to be most wonderfull in that he spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him to death euen for vs and in our stead who were not his friends but his very enemies See what loue the Father hath shewed Rom. 6.7.8 that thou an Imp of the deuill by sinne shouldst haue the Bloud of Gods owne Sonne shed to make thee his son or daughter Let me speake vnto thee in the words of Ezra Ez. 9.13.14 which words he spake from the occasion of a meaner deliuerance Seeing God hath kept thee from being beneath for thine iniquities and hath granted thee such deliuerance shouldst thou continue in sinne shouldst thou rebell and returne to breake the Commandement of such so mercifull a God by drunkennesse blasphemy lying pride whoredome or any profanenesse Shouldest thou despise the Saboaths Word Sacraments Bloud of such a Sauiour Shouldest thou refuse to sacrifice thy Body and Soule to his glory that refused not to sacrifice his precious life for thy Saluation Shouldest thou be a Niggard of thy duty to him yea of thy best bloud who was prodigall to expend and shed his Bloud to redeeme thee Now God forbid Luk. 1.74.75 Tit. 2.14.15 c. Nay this inexcusably bindeth vs all to all thankefulnesse and true obedience Quest But you said that Man was created according to the Image of God in a most holy and happy estate how then comes bee to stand in need of a Redeemer Ans I beleeue that Adam and Eue being created by God according to his Image in singular happinesse and placed in Paradise did notwithstanding willingly and by the enticement of the diuell fall away transgressing Gods commandement giuen vnto them and so made themselues and their posteritie Gen. chap. 2. and 3. subiect both to sinne and death the wages of the same Expli Though it be farre better to indeuoure to come out of the misery we are in then curiously to inquire how wée came into the same yet because many necessary points depend on this and wee neuer séeke the heauenly Physition till we vnderstand and féele our disease and the danger Therefore it is necessary that wee should haue some good measure of knowledge hereof Which we shall attaine if we consider these two things First what Adams state was in his Innocency and vpon what conditions it did stand Secondly the manner of his fall We will héere intreate of his happinesse Genes 3. and the conditions thereof The happines of our first parents may bee referred to these heads First that they were created in the Image of God together with the manner of their creation but of this before Secondly that they were placed in the Garden of Eden translated by the Septuagint Paradise and commonly so called because it was a place of singular delight and pleasure Gene. 2.9 to 15. a most pleasant place in regarde both of the variety of all pleasant fruits the Trées also of knowledge and life in the middest thereof and also in regard of the pretious riuers watering the same Vnto this our Sauiour alludeth when he saith to the Thiefe This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise not that Paradise wherein Adam was put which was defaced in the flood but Heauen so called for the happinesse ioy and riuers of pleasure which are there for euermore Thirdly the happines of our first parents is set downe from their fréedome from all things which might hurt their bodies or disturbe their mindes They were both naked and were not ashamed Gen. 2.25 They were naked Hereby is signified that their bodies had a kinde of Impassibilitie so that though they were neither hairy nor woolly
actions proceeding from these beginnings Therefore that part of Astrology concerning the calculations of mens Natiuities and the Iudgement and Diuination of things to come which are contingent as the Nature Qualities Fortune as they call it Successe Marriage Children with their Inclinations kind and time of death of men women we condemne as blasphemous The Lord hauing not ordained the Stars to this vse Deut. 18.10.14 Esay 8.18 Esay 19.3.12 44.25 Ier. 10.2 27.9 29.8 Esa 47.13 as may appeare by diuers Scriptures where such practise is reproued The deuils themselues who passe all men in such knowledge cannot certainely thus foretel muchlesse Astrologers cunning-mē as they are called And so vnderstood the Fathers professed the Imperiall Lawes Astronomy is not nor Mathematicks cōdēned but this curious damnable Astrology The Stars were also ordained for times daies and yéeres that is that by their motion they should bee the measure of time according to whose motions time running should bée reckoned and distinguished into certaine parts That one should bée Time Past another Time Present another time to come one Time a Yeare another a Month another a Wéeke another a Day another an Houre c. Which wee could neither vnderstand nor distinguish without the motion of these Celestiall Bodies whereby as also by the two former vses appeares most singularly the necessity of such Motions but chiefly the wisedome and goodnesse of God who hath not onely giuen to man the knowledge and faculty of numbring but also hath set such markes in the heauens whereby man should measure Time and the continuance of his life and of other things without the which we should be like vnto children which know not their age or like to them which sléep which know not how Time passeth because they number not Lastly they were ordained to giue light to the earth and to the creatures therein without the which they could not diuide the day and the night nor bee for signes and seasons c. Vse 1. Hereby are condemned not only al such which practise Astrology concerning diuining of things to come and telling of things lost as before spoken of but also all such which resort to such for counsell or help as by the Scriptures in the exposition appeareth Vse 2. God appointed the Starres for the diuiding of the day and night and this appointment ceaseth not Hence comfort thy selfe thus If God bee constant and true in this why not then in all his other promises though Reason séeme to sée Sence to féele and the whole world say the contrary as the Lord himselfe testifieth Ier. 31.35.36 Quest What did God create on the fifth day Ans On the fifth day God created all manner of Fishes and all manner of Birds euen all creatures that liue and moue in the Aire and in the Waters and appointed the Fishes to fill the waters and the Birds to multiply themselues on the Earth Gen. 1.20.21.22.23 Expl. God on the fifth day whereas before there was not so much as a Fly created not of water but of nothing the Fishes and Birds of all sorts and kind and also appointed this Order and gaue them this Faculty that they should bring forth their Like for the continuance of their seuerall kinds as wée sée by daily experience but the Fishes in greater aboundance thē the Fowles as the word to the Fishes Fill the water and to the Birds onely Multiply yee doth shew Vse That wée prouoke our selues to obedience by the nature of Birds Ier. 8.7 and by remembring that the Water a bruite creature obeyed the voyce of God how much more should man heare and obey which is endued with Sence and Reason Quest What did God Create on the sixth day Ans On the sixth day God created of Nothing all Cattell and creeping things and the beasts of the earth according to their Kings also hee made man of the dust of the earth Gen. 1.24 to the end Expl. First of the Creation of the beasts of the Earth They are here distinguished into 3. ranks or sorts First Cattell whereby we vnderstand all tame Beasts and Domesticall which are familiar and conuersant with man as Horse Kine Shéep Dogs Cats c. Secondly créeping things whereby are vnderstood those that haue no féete as Serpents or those which haue but very short as Wormes Ants c. Thirdly Beasts whereby are vnderstood all wilde Beasts As Lyons Beares Tigers Wolues Foxes Hares and all such which are of wilde Nature The least of which creatures either Fishes Fowles or Beasts of the earth is so great a worke that all the world is not able to make the like no not a Fly not a Louse Ex. 8.18 Vse 1. If God abase himselfe to make and preserue the smallest liuing creatures much more wil he prouide for them which feare him Mat. 6.26 Vse 2. The Lord made all things good and so approued of them but through the sinne of man many creatures are become hurtfull as Toads Snakes c. As one saith They were created Good Eucherius but to them that are euill they are become a scourge Learne then by the rebellion of the creatures to thee and the danger and feare thou art in by them to bee humbled for thy finne the cause thereof Quest You said that on the sixth day God also created Man What thinke you of Mans Creation Ans I beleeue that on the sixth day God made Man Male and Female according to his Image and Likenesse The Body of the Man of the dust of the earth and his Soule of nothing the Body of the woman of the rib of the Man Gen. 1.26.27 2.7.21.22 and her Soule also of Nothing Expl. It is a great folly and ouersight for a man to take vpon him to know other things and to bee ignorant of himselfe in whose Body and Soule there are such euident marks of Gods wisedome power and goodnesse that euen Heathen Philosophers haue called Man A little World or a Map of the whole world Man consists of a body and a Soule wée will speake first of his Body noting briefly only that which thereof is said in the Text. When God had finished all his other workes then he made Man In whose Creation he saith not as before Let there be Man or Let the earth bring forth Man but as with Counsell Let vs make Man Hereby noting more cléerely the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in mans Creation then in the creation of other things Concerning Mans body wée may consider either the matter or the Figure of it The matter was the dust of the earth other things were made of nothing onely Man and Womans body of matter praeexistent thoough of it selfe hauing no disposition to such an effect as what likenesse hath dust or red earth to the flesh bloud and bones of mans body Now for the Figure of it it is wonderful as Dauid obserueth Ps 139.14.15 God
and of his Office Of his Person these thrée things must necessarily be beleeued according to the Scriptures First that he is that onely true God Secondly that he is very man partaking of our flesh and bloud with all generall not personall infirmities of our Nature being in all things like vnto vs yet without sinne Heb 2.14 and 4.15 1. Pet. 1.19 and 2.22 And therefore wee reade that he was hungry thirsty weary c. And if you aske how he could partake of our nature and yet haue no sinne you must remember that he was conceiued by the Holy-Ghost and borne of the virgin Mary The Holy-Ghost sanctifying a part of the substance of the Virgins Luk. 1. 2 Body to be the Body of Christ so that we beleeue he was not begotten by man by whom corruption and sinne is propagated and deriued vnto vs. Thirdly that he is God and Man in one Person figured by the Arke which was of Gold and precious Wood that would not rot noting by the Gold the Deity of Christ and by the precious Wood his Humanity without sinne This Personall vnion of these two Natures in Christ was thus The Sonne of God being from euerlasting a Person subsisting in the Holy and vndiuided Trinity did assume or take into the Vnty of his Person a Humane Nature consisting of Body and Soule so soone as euer it beganne to be hauing no Subsistence out of his Person but being destitute of all Personality in it selfe so that it becomes the very Body and Soule of the Sonne of God and whatsoeuer is proper to either Nature which are not by this meanes either in Essence or Operations confounded is indifferently and truely spoken of the Person As to make it plaine to the simple In our selues vnderstanding and knowledge are effects and workes of the Soule eating sleeping c. are workes proper to the Body Neither doth the Soule eate or sleepe or the Body vnderstand or know Yet wée say well and truely that Peter or Paul consisting of this body and soule vnderstand know eate stéepe c. because these two Natures the body and soule are vnited in their person And for this cause looke what is well or ill done by the body or any part of it or by the soule or any part of it is accounted to the whole Person making the Person guilty or not guilty good or bad As if the Tongue blasphemeth it is said the Person blasphemeth or if there be euill motions in the minde yet the whole Person is guilty So in some sort is it in this Personall Vnion of these two Natures of Christ As To know all things to be present euery where are Proprieties of his Diuine Nature To kéep the Law to die and to bléed are Proprieties of the Humane Nature of Christ Now wée may not say that the Humane Nature of Christ knoweth all things is omnipotent c. Nor that the Diuine Nature is obedient bléedeth dyeth c. And yet in regard of the Personall Vnion of these two Natures in Christ we say that the Person which hath these two Natures which is Christ the Sonne of God knoweth all things is present euery where bléedeth dyeth c. and looke what is done or suffered by either of the Natures is truely done and so accomited by the whole Person So that if you 〈◊〉 who fulfilled the Law who dyed for vs we may say the second Person in the Trinity euen God though not according to his Diuine but Humane Nature as speaketh the Holy Ghost notably Act. 20.28 God by his Owne Bloud purchased the Flocke of his Elect. Whereby I beleeue and that most infallibly and truly that whatsoeuer Christ did for my saluation is Gods own deed euen the immediate worke of the second Person in the Trinity Yet heere one thing must be remembred that though the body and soule of Peter make the person of Peter yet the Humane and Diuine Nature of Christ make not his Person for he was a Person from euerlasting and cannot bee a Humane Person but is still a Diuine Person though he could not be a Mediator or execute that Office without the Humane Nature so assumed This is that wonderfull Mystery of our Sauiour IESVS CHRISTS Incarnation Wherein concurred propounded to our Faith not to our Reason three the greatest Miracles that euer were First that a Virgine conceiued and brought forth a Child remainings Virgine Secondly that Adams flesh and Adams sin were parted Thirdly and principally this vnsearchable Mystery of the Personall Vnion of the God-head and Man-hood of Christ Quest But was it necessary that our Mediator should be God and Man and that in one Person as you haue declared Ans Yes verely for by this meanes he could die for vs and ouercome death and deserue for vs by his obedience the pardon of our sinnes and eternall life Expli Two things necessarily required that our Mediatour should be God First the greatnesse of the euill to the which we were subiect Secondly the greatnes of the good that we stood in néed of Our euill was foure-folde First the heinousnesse of sinne Secondly the anger of God Thirdly the power of death Fourthly the tyranny of the Diuell Our good which we wanted Foure folde also First the restoring of the Image of God Secondly the pardon of sinne Thirdly deliuerance from Death and Satan Fourthly eternall life But to take away the Euill Marke 2.7 Hos 13.14 Reuel 1.18 Zach 3.2 Ro. 16.20 Psal 51.10 Rom. 6.23 c. Ro. 5.17 18 Hebr. 2.14 and bestow the Good none is able to do but God Therfore it was necessary that our Mediatour should be God Two Reasons also there are why he must necessarily be man first the Iustice of God required that in that nature which offended satisfaction should be made secondly that he might haue somthing to offer which could not be his Godhead therefore he must be Man Euery high Priest must offer somewhat therefore a Body was ordained him Hebr. 8.3 Heb. 10.5 Hebr. 9.26 that he might offer himselfe Two reasons also may be alleaged why he must be God and Man in one person First that he might be a fit Mediator betwéene God and Man as it were indifferent and equally affected to either side for an Vmpiere or Wards-man may not be partiall If he had béene onely God wée might haue thought that he would not enough haue respected our misery If he had béene onely Man not enough the iustice of God Therefore he is to be God and Man deare vnto both and accounting both deare vnto him carefull that Gods iustice be not impeached and that our misery be relieued Secondly that the workes performed in the flesh of the Sonne of God might be of an infinite price to satisfie for our sinnes by which an infinite Maiesty was offended which could not be if the Person vndertaking our Redemption had not béene God and Man in one Person He was Man that he might haue
hath added them to giue vs greater assurance euen as a Seale to a Writing makes it more Authenticall The Essentiall parts of a Sacrament are either outward or inward The outward hath the signe with the Ceremony ordained and the Word As in Baptisme the outward signe is Water the Ceremony is the sprinkling The word is the word of Institution and Promise Baptise them c. Whosoeuer beleeueth and is Baptized shall be saued Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.16 And the distinct pronouncing in the Mother Tongue of this forme I Baptise thee in or into the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost The meaning whereof is thus much That the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost being called vpon the Person Baptized is through forgiuenesse of sinnes receiued into the fauour of God who is Father Soune and Holy Ghost and Adopted Receiued Sealed Initiated and Consecrated into the proper Goods Right Family Couenant Grace Worship Religion Faith and Fellowship of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost God one in Essence thrée in Persons to liue wholly according to his Will The inward matter is the thing signified which is both the Bloud and Spirit of Christ and our Incision and Grafting and Incorporation into him by the Holy Ghost with all benefites following As imputation of Christs Righteousnesse Remission of sinnes Adoption Receiuing into the Communion of Saints Regeneration c. For as the Water washeth the filthinesse of the body so the Bloud of Christ washeth away our spirituall filthinesse through the Spirit which Spirit makes vs fruitfull in good workes and abateth our defires of earthly things euen as water maketh things fruitfull and quencheth bodily thirst And this so surely in regard of the true and Mysticall vnion of the Signe and Things signified by the bond of Faith that for our assurance the worke of the Spirit is often attributed to the Signe as Baptisme regenerateth and saueth because such is the relation and vnion of the Signe and the grace signified thereby in regard of the truth of God on the one side offering and faith on the other side receiuing that whosoeuer beléeueth may as verily be assured of receiuing the thing signified in his soule as he is made partaker of the signe in his body Vse 1. In as much as the Sacraments are Significations and Seales of such excellent things they are with all reuerence to be handled and estéemed euen as meanes which exhibite to vs and confirme the best blessings of God In regard therefore of their vse by institution they are things vnualuable though in regard of that which is subiect to the eye they bée of little price Estéeme then not according to their outward valew but according to the blessing annexed in their lawfull vse and looke more vnto the gift then the meanes or manner of giuing For God measureth our contempt or irreuerence in the Sacraments not according to the worth of the Elements but according to the benefite offered in and by them As the thing wherein Adam transgressed was but an Apple but the manner of sinning euen in that Apple was most heynous As therefore men estéeme of their Euidences not according to the value of the Paper and Waxe but according to their vse So are we to consider of the Sacraments The Water in Baptisme and the Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper are but small matters Yet no Bread or Wine in the world none the most precious water that is or can be distilled though a drop were worth a Kingdome may be compared vnto these but in the like vse Adamah and Pharphar Riuers of Damascus fairer then Iordan yet cannot cleanse the leprosy So there are many waters which comfort the heart but none but this cleanseth the soule saueth it Wherefore all Ministers Parents and People are reuerently to cary themselues in or at the administration of the holy Sacrament of Baptisme and if they slightly reckon thereof as in too many places is vsed they are to be reproued as heinously guilty before God Vse 2. Thankefully receiue the holy things of God for the confirmation of thy faith for though not in themselues yet by Institution they haue singular vertue hereunto I am perswaded we often want comfort because we do not wisely vse the Sacraments to their vse for the which they were appointed Wherefore doubtest thou or wantest thou comfort Remember thy Baptisme as Dauid when he went to fight against Goliah incouraged himselfe by his Circumcision and go with confidence to the Lords Table the Lord will be present with his owne Ordinance he is able to make them effectuall and cannot faile by them to conuey comfort and assurance to thée if thou canst do him this honour as to beléeue that he is able and true to fulfill all his Word For God is faithfull and all his promises are sure and as Bernard said Neither doth his Word differ from his Meaning because he is all Truth nor his Deed from his Word because hee is all Power and Strength c. Vse 3. Art thou baptized then know that thou art bound ouer to all manner of obedience to God and to the continuall practise of Repentance which if thou dost not Rom. 2.25 26. thy baptisme is voyd God promiseth in Baptisme to be our God but not so to be though we liue as we list but we for our parts promise also to renounce the Diuell the World and the Flesh and to serue him Kéep thou thy part and be sure the Lord will not faile to kéepe all his couenants on his part But wholely breake thou thy promise and thou shalt neuer taste of the good blessings of GOD promised to thée There is nothing more profitable then Baptisme yet it profited not Simon Magus because he wanted the inuisible washing of the Spirit therefore if thou wouldst make the best profite of thy baptisme walke then in all holy obedience and vnfainedly repent of thy sinnes yea thou arte bound vnto it Euen as the Souldier by his preast money to serue in the warres so thou by this holy marke and character which thou hast receiued of God art bound to his seruice Thou hast solemnely before God his holy Angels and Saints protested as much so as thou must néedes be guilty of treacherous falshood if thou performest it not Men thinke their words binds them to men and Herod séemes to make conscience of an vnlawfull oath make thou conscience much more of thy oth to God the breaking whereof bringeth vpon thy soule an eternall guilt Shalt thou by thy sinnes blot out the stampe of God which thou hast receiued Shalt thou vow seruice to GOD and be the Diuells slaue Hast thou Gods marke in thy fore-head and the diuels in thy heart and life Dost thou receiue the badge of a Christian and liuest like an Infidell Thy Baptisme shall not saue thée but condemne thée rather for thy sinnes are the greater euen as Balthasars drunken feastings were
the more abhominable for the abuse of the holy Vessells Euen as the holy water of triall was to the suspected wife if shée were faulty mortall and deadly but if not it was a blessing Num. 5.11 Euen so the holie water of Baptisme to such as kéepe their promise in sinceritie bringeth a blessing when to such as liue profanely and feare not God it is euen a water of bitternes vnto death Qu. What is the Sacrament af the Lords Supper Ans The Supper of the Lord is a Sacrament of the New Testament instituted by Christ wherein by the taking and eating of the bread blessed and broken and by drinking the wine being blessed is signified and sealed to vs the Communion of the body of Christ crucified Matth. 28.26 27 28. Luke 22.19 20. 1. Corint 10.16 11.24 25. and his bloud shed for vs vpon the Crosse for remission of sinnes and that being incorporated into Christ by his Spirite wee might be more and more strengthened in assurance of eternall life Explic. The Supper of the Lord is that other honourable Seale of Gods couenant in Christ by whom it was instituted wherein are as in all Sacraments two things First the visible Element or outward signe Second the word For as Augustine saith The Word being added to the Element makes a Sacrament The Element or Signe is Bread blessed broken distributed and eaten and the Wine blessed distributed and drunke of the Church or company present Both those are the outward signe which though they be two materially as they say yet in regarde of the end and forme they are but one Our Sauiour Christ intending the nouriture of the Soule by a similitude of the bodies nourishment which consïsteth in bread and drinke The word is the Promise added to the Signe in these words This is my Bodie which is giuen for you This is my blood which c. together with the commandement in these words Doe this c. The element doth represent the inuisible grace of the which the word speaketh and the Word declareth what the inuisible grace is which is represented and sealed by the Element The outward Signe then in this Sacrament is the Bread and Wine as I haue spoken The inward Grace is the Body and Bloud of Christ giuen and shead for our sinnes and the Spirituall eating and drinking of them whereby is signified our Vnion with Christ by faith by the which we drawe from him Righteousnesse Ioy and eternall life according to an excellent Analogie in this Sacrament Now these two the Signe and the thing signified are vnited by the Word in the lawfull vse of this Sacrament which Vnion is only Sacramentall and relatiue wherby the signe is not changed into the thing signified nor the thing signified contained in vnder or in the place of the Signe but by the Signe the thing signified is represented offered and sealed in the lawful vse to Beléeuers For Grace is not so tied to the Sacrament that whosoeuer partakes of the Signe should also of the thing signified or as none could partake of the thing signified without the Signe For the vnbeléeuers may haue the Lords Bread in their mouthes which neuer haue Christ in their hearts as Beléeuers may taste of the swéetnesse of the Lord in their soules which where it can not be had partake not of the Bread and Wine which are the outward Signe Quest What is required that wee may so partake of this Sacrament at the Lords Table that we may be partakers of the inward Grace of the Sacrament Ans Whosoeuer would come worthily to this Sacrament and to his benefite must first examine himselfe 1. Cor. 11.28 and so eate and drinke Explic. To be worthy and to come worthily to the Lords Table are two diuers things none are worthy of so great mercy yet we come worthily whē we try our selues Which triall is of our faith and repentance Concerning Faith first whether we haue a competent knowledge of the doctrine of the Sacrament and why it was instituted secondly whether we beléeue the pardon of our sinnes by Iesus Christ Concerning repentance whether we haue héeretofore or doe now vnfainedly repent of our sinnes purposing to leade a new life He which comes to the Lords Table without Faith and Repentance comes vnworthily and he which findes them in himselfe euen in their beginnings true Math. 9.12 and 11.28 though small and weake comes worthily for such Christ inuites Question How often would you aduise a Christian to receiue the holy Communion Ans So often as there is occasion offered and liberty granted lawfully to receiue the same 1. cor 11.25 Explic. Baptisme is but once administred as being the sacrament of our new Birth euen as we are but once borne But as being borne we often eate to be nourished and to grow so we are often to communicate and to come to the Lords Table first that we may grow in Faith secondly that we may haue occasion to stirre vp our dulnesse both to consider of and to be thankfull for the death of Christ thirdly that we may testifie our Remembrance of Christ fourthly that we may kéepe Vnity and nourish Charity fiftly that wee may immitate the Apostolicall church who seldome came together without the word prayer breaking of bread almesgiuing Neither will this holy Sacrament grow into contempt through the often vse to the godly Acts 2.42 as we sée in the frequent vse of the word and euen of our daily bread Vse 1. Prepare thy self often to come to the Lords Table if occasion fitly be offered that thou tempt not GOD by neglecting his ordinance appoynted for the confirmation of thy Faith And that thou maist performe his commandement who saith Do this often in remembrance of me And that thou maist shew foorth the Lords death till hee come Consider then is once or twice a yeare enough for thy discharge herein Canst thou so neglect the remembrance of his torments who was bruised for thy sins and which bore thine iniquities who hath deliuered thée from Hell and purchased Heauen for thée by his bloud Thy Sauiour passing out of this world by a most bitter passion for thée commends himselfe to thée and commands thée to remember him and to testifie this and thy thankfulnesse for his death to come often to his Table How then doest thou not shewe thy selfe vngratefull and forgetfull which when occasion is offered churlishly turnest thy backe c. Vse 2. He that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh Iudgement to himselfe Beware therefore how thou presumest to come to the Lords Table without thy wedding garment without preparation Holy things require holy vsage first labour for faith both to vnderstand what the Mystery is that thou mayst discerne the Lords body and also to receiue the grace that is offered therein which without faith thou receiuest not He that beléeueth hath benefite vnspeakeable by the ordinances of God but without faith all is