of Life indeed allowed in Scripture but have not the nature of Sacraments to be ordinary means of Salvation And these altogether with Confirmation have no visible signs or Ceremonies ordained of God as Baptism and the Lords Supper have Let the Adversaries shew any of these if they can by the Scriptures but they can do no such thing which therefore can by no means be counted in the number of the Sacraments strictly so called ordinary means necessary for all to receive for their Salvation but the most that can be said is that some of them may be esteemed Holy Rites and Ceremonies in their due place For the two Sacraments then I ask you Q. How are these two generally necessary to Salvation A. They are necessary to be used if they can be had and whosoever slight or willfully neglect them they highly offend God and endanger their own Salvation Catechist These two thus instituted by Christ must necessarily be used by all Christians all that will own their Christianity and obey Christ and his Gospel For Christs Commandment to his Apostles was positive that as they should teach or disciple as the word signifies so baptize all Nations they came to and who can choose but see him urging a necessity of Baptism upon all that would become members of his Church which he expresseth by entring into his Kingdom in that forequoted Text Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit He can in no wise enter into the Kingdom of God except mark the word And for the Lords Supper it is to any Apprehension as strict a Commandment as any in the Scriptures That his Ministers take the bread and cup and give them and that the people eat and drink thereof in remembrance of him and that for this end the shewing forth the Lords death and that for so long a continuance till he come Do this is the word and therefore there is nothing more to be inquired but whether it be done or not done to shew our Obedience or Disobedience to his plain Commandment in short wilfully to neglect either of those Sacraments whereof too many God knows are notoriously-guilty among us is to contemn Christs own Ordinance and Appointment and what man can hope to be saved but in the way appointed by Christ Jesus himself the Saviour of men Now let me instruct you more distinctly first in the nature of a Sacrament in general and then of the two Sacraments apart Q. What meanest thou by the word Sacrament A. I mean an outward visible sign of an inward spiritual Grace given unto us ordained by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof Q. How many parts are there in a Sacrament A. Two an Outward visible sign and an inward spiritual Grace Catechist That you may understand these more clearly I ask you Q. What is that you call the outward sign in a Sacrament A. That which we see with our Bodily eyes Q. What is that you call the inward Spiritual Grace A. That which the eye of Faith discerns in the visible signs Catechist You see water in Baptism and Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper with your eyes They are set before you and you see them and so they are Signs both outward and visible in the Holy Sacraments But what is signified and conferred by these outward visible things to your Souls this is no object of nor can be discerned by your bodily eyes for it is the Soul alone that can discern them there by the eye of Faith upon the account of Christs promise to his own Ordinance and Institution the Grace signified and conveyed therefore is wholly inward and spiritual Tell me then Q. For what uses are these Outward Signs or parts in the Sacraments Ordained and Instituted A. To be Signs signifying and means conveying and pledges assuring the Graces signified to Beleivers Catechist They are Signs signifying or representing the spiritual Grace for Example Water in Baptism signifies and represents The Holy Spirits cleansing the Soul polluted by Original sin in and through the blood of Christ And in the Lords Supper The Bread broken signifies and represents Christs Body bruised and torn and crucified and the Wine poured out signifies and represents his blood shed upon the Cross for Remission of sins And thus as the Apostle saith Gal. 3.2 Christ Crucified is set before our eyes in visible Types and Signs and Representations and they are also means or Instruments or as it were Conduit pipes ordained by Christ to convey the Graces and Benefits signified to the worthy Receivers Yea and pledges to assure us thereof Seals of the Covenant of Grace as our Seals are of Bonds or Evidences or as Circumcision was to Abraham Rom. 4.11 He received the Sign of circumcison a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith As sure as we receive the One so sure shall we receive and be made partakers of the other if the fault be not in ourselves All those will be much more clear in Questions and Answers upon each Sacrament First then of Baptism And first let me hear you answer out of the Church Catechism Q. What is the outward part or sign in Baptism A. Water wherein the person is baptized in the Name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Q. What is the inward and spiritual Grace A. A death unto sin and a new birth unto Righteousness for being by nature children of wrath we are hereby made the children of Grace Q. What is required of persons to be baptized A. Repentance whereby they forsake sin and Faith whereby they stedfastly believe the promises made to them in that Sacrament Q. Why then are Infants baptized when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them A. Because they promise them both by their sureties which promise when they come to age themselves are bound to perform Catechist Let us look over these again carefully and break them into other plain and short Inquiries Q. What thing did Christ ordain to be the outward Sign to be used in Baptism A. Water only Catechist Observe Water and Water only Our Wild Quakers speak most scornfully and Contemptibly of Water-Baptism But it is plain Our Saviour himself was Baptized in the River Jordan And all besides him we read of in the Scriptures that were either baptized by John the Baptist or by Christ's Apostles were baptized with water and Christs promise Matth. 28.19 20. Was to be with his Ministers so baptizing to the worlds end The Text is well known once and again before quoted Joh. 3.5 Verily Verily I say unto thee Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit mark of water as well as of the Spirit He cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And as this is necessary to teach you the necessity of water to arm you Children against the Quakers error So do I express the answer thus water only to exclude the
against it in our Baptism and made a fast and Solemn Vow to cease to do evil and learn to do good and to live in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of our lives Q. What think ye then of such men as having been Christned or Baptized live in Impenitency or Vnbelief A. They forfeit all the benefits of their Baptism and Gods Covenant of Grace and Forgiveness nay it shall aggravate their Condemnation Catechist This is One great Aggravation of the sins of all impenitent sinners even Perjury or a breach of their Baptismal Vow and Covenant Hear what Solomon saith Eccl. 5.4 When thou vowest a vow defer not to pay it for God hath no pleasure in fools pay that which thou hast vowed Better it is thou shouldest not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay This holds good in any sort of Religious lawful vow much more in this It had been much better for us that we had never been Baptized than if having been so we break our Baptismal Vow and Covenant by a wicked and sinful course of life With which sad Reflection I conclude what I shall teach you of the first Sacrament That of Baptism I ask you then in the next place Q. What is the other Seal of the Covenant of Grace besides Baptism A. The Lords Supper wherein we renew our Covenant with God which we made in Baptism and are nourished in as we are by Baptism admitted into the Church Catechist Christ himself calls this Sacrament Matth. 26.28 The blood of the new Testament And S. Paul Heb. 10.29 calls it The blood of the Covenant For he there speaks of their great guilt who count the blood of the Covenant an Vnholy thing In short as it was the Blood of Christ shed upon the Cross that ratified the Covenant of Redemption and forgiveness to mankind so in this Sacrament representing and exhibiting that blood of Christ for remission of sins to all worthy Receivers we have God sealing His part of his Covenant and assuring us thereof and we for our parts do renew Our Vow to God Consecrating and devoting ourselves again here to his Service and Obedience Let us hear then what your Catechism teacheth you of this Blessed Sacrament Q. For what end was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained A. For the continual remembrance of the Sacrifice of the death of Christ and the benesits which we receive thereby Catechist We are not to drop one word in this answer and to the end therefore you may take due notice of every one I pray you answer me these Inquiries Q. What is the great and chief end of the Lords Supper A. To keep Christs death in continual memory and the benefits thereby purchased for us Catechist It is a plain Text for this 1 Cor. 11.25 26. At the Institution of this Sacrament Our Saviour bad his Disciples Do this that is all that I have done in your sight in remembrance of me For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come The Bread broken and the Wine poured out do apparently and evidently shew forth in sensible signs the death of Christ how his body was broken rent and torn by the thorns and scourges and nails and spear and how his blood was shed in streams from his wounded head and hands and feet and side on the Cross Gal. 3.1 They evidently set forth Christ crucified before our eyes amongst us Q. For what end did Christ die A. To be a Sacrifice of propitiation for our sins to his Father Catechist Mark well those words the Sacrifice of the death of Christ 2 Cor. 3.21 He was made sin for us who knew no sin that is He was made a Sacrifice for them Isaiah 53.10 He made his Soul that is his life an offering for sin Eph. 5.2 He gave himself a Sacrifice unto God for a sweet smelling Savour c. 1 Joh. 2.1 If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and he is the propitiation or a propitiatory Sacrifice for our sins and not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole world By all which Texts it is manifest such is the nature of Christs death It was in a full sence a Sacrifice a Sacrifice of propitiation or Atonement For Col. 1.20 He made peace through the blood of the Cross So that Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Q. Is Christ then offered up as a Sacrifice in the Lords Supper A. No But therein is a lively Representation or Commemoration of that Sacrifice which Christ once for all offered for all upon the Cross Catechist I would desire you to mind this well to arm you against the Papists abominable Mass for therein they will have Christ to be daily offered up as a Sacrifice for the quick and the dead And of this they boast that it is done daily in their Church as if Christs offering up himself once for all upon the Cross was not sufficient to satisfie Gods justice for our sins But in opposition to this great Abomination of the Romish Church agreeable to the language of Holy Scripture and of the primitive Fathers we hold the Lords Supper to be only a Commemoration of that one Sacrifice once offered upon the Cross and for proof hereof we appeal to the Apostle Heb. 9.25 26. He was not our Apostle saith to offer himself often as the High priest entred into the most Holy place every year with the blood of others For then must he have often suffered since the Foundation of the world But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself And again ver 28. He saith Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and again chap. 10.14 By one offering hath he for ever perfected them that are Sanctified Q. How often is the Lords Supper to be Administred and received A. So often that we may have Christs death in continual remembrance Catechist The Apostle saith 1 Cor. 11.28 As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup c. plainly intimating that the Christians of Corinth did it often And doubtless so often ought all Christians to do it that Christs death may be had in continual remembrance Mark the words in your Answer for the continual remembrance of the Sacrifice of the death of Christ It is hard to conceive that they can have Christs death in continual remembrance who seldom Communicate perhaps never all the year long but at Easter And quite contrary did the first Christians whose pattern we ought to follow as near as we can they certainly communicated every day or at least every first day of the week every Lords day It was one part of their constant publick and Solemn Service Act 2.41 They continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and in
Apostles and therefore it is presumption and Sacriledge in the Popish Priests to take the Cup from the Laity Catechist It is necessary to teach you this to arm you against Popery The words of the Institution are express Mat. 26.27 Drink ye all of this And S. Mark saith chap. 14.23 They all drank of it Here is both precept and practice against the Church of Romes presumptuous and Sacrilegious robbing the Laity of the Cup. And I may argue with the Apostle Gal. 3.15 Brethren I speak after the manner of men though it be but a mans Testament no man disannulleth or diminisheth or addeth thereto after it be confirmed by his Death And how then dare any mutilate this Sacrament which is the new Testament in Christs blood Now both fully to arm you against the other great Popish Error that of Transubstantiation and also clearly to explain the truth to you I think it needful to offer you these following Questions Q. Is the Substance of Bread and Wine changed by Consecration into the Substance of Christs Body and Blood A. No for we evidently see the Substance of Bread and Wine to remain after Consecration Catechist I told you this before and I must tell you it again that you may take due notice of it They are called Bread and Wine after as well as before Consecration in the Scriptures And our senses tell us plainly and assure us they are still bread and wine that is We see and feel and smell and tast them to be no other but bread and wine and therefore to say they are changed Substantially that is into the Substance of Christs body and blood is as well to bely our sences as the Scriptures Know this therefore what change there is made of or in the Elements by Consecration it is wholly Sacramental not in Substance but in their Use Q. But do not we then feed on Christs body and blood in the Lords Supper A. Yes as truly and really as we do on the Bread and Wine Catechist So your Catechism teacheth you they are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lords Supper and therefore though we Protestants deny the corporeal we yet do not the Real presence of Christs Body and Blood Real it is though spiritual and not at all the less real for its being wholly spiritual And for proof hereof I need but mind you of the Apostles negative questions which hath the force of the strongest Affirmation 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ and the bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ Is it not that is it certainly is so We do here as certainly Communicate of Christs body and blood as we do of the bread and wine if we be worthy Receivers I say if we be worthy Receivers for mark the words of your Church Catechism and out of it answer me the next question Q. Do all that receive the bread and wine feed on Christs body and blood A. No but the faithful only Catechist Your Catechism so expresseth it they are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful If Unbelievers and wicked men do with Judas receive the Signs yet do they receive them only not the things signified by them either Christs body or blood or their saving benefits that is the Remission of their sins increase of Grace or assurance of their Eternal Salvation Matth. 16.25 It is not meet to take the childrens bread and cast it to the dogs Such pearls belong not to Swine nay alas coming unpreparedly and eating and drinking unworthily the Apostle tells them what it is that they verily and indeed receive 1 Cor. 11.29 They eat and drink damnation to themselves not discerning the Lords body Therefore saith Holy Church in her warning to the Communicants excellently If any of you be a blasphemer of God an hinderer or slanderer of his word an Adulterer or be in envy or malice or any other grievous crime Repent ye of your sins or else come not to the Holy Table lest after the taking this Holy Sacrament The Devil enter into you as be entred into Judas and fill you full of all Iniquity and bring you to destruction both of body and of Soul It is then the Faithful only that receive real benefit of this Sacrament and really feed on Christs body and blood Now I ask you Q. Do the faithful feed on Christs body and blood carnally A. No it is after a spiritual manner only Catechist I told you this before and now call upon you to speak it yourselves that it may take deeper impression on you And I prove it by one Text Joh. 6.63 when the Disciples were offended at our Saviours telling them of eating his flesh and drinking his blood He thus explained himself The flesh profiteth nothing it is the spirit that quickneth The words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are life that is they have a spiritual and not a litteral or carnal sence and meaning And when I have asked you one question more I must needs think you have attained a competent understanding of the doctrine of this Sacrament as it is thus far taught you in your Catechism Q. Since we see nothing but bread and wine and since our hands handle and feel and our Tast perceives nothing but bread and wine how can we be sure that we do verily and indeed feed on Christs Body and Blood A. By Faith in the promise of Christ for he called the Bread his body and the Wine his Blood and therefore will undoubtedly with the Signs give the things signified Catechist And this I conceive is the great thing assured us by Christs saying Matth. 26.26 28. This is my Body and This is my Blood the Blood of the New Testament not that the Bread and Wine are at all Transubstantiated into Christs Body and Blood or that the Body and Blood are corporally or carnally in or under the Bread and Wine which is the Lutherans Consubstantiation but we are here assured by our Saviour that with the one God will certainly give the other to all worthy Receivers Christs word will be made good to us if the fault be not in ourselves It is Faith in his word and promise who if he speak the word can create a new world that assures us thereof Of receiving and feeding upon Christs Body and Blood and all the benefits of the Blessed Sacrament Q. What then are the benefits you receive thereby A. The strengthening and refreshing of our Souls by the Body and Blood of Christ as our Bodies are by the Bread and Wine Catechist Consider well this answer and then tell me Q. Do we feed our bodies in the Lords Supper A. No it is a spiritual feast for our Souls only Catechist This is no trifling question but needful as experience shews It is our Souls we come to feed here with
breaking of bread and in prayers And it is said ver 46. They continued daily with one accord in the Temple that is joyning with Gods people the Jews in prayers there and in their Temple Service and breaking bread from house to house that is in the Upper room where they as Christian Professors met together and joyned together in other worship proper to them as Christians particularly Communicating together in this Sacrament of breaking of bread as it is often called in the Acts whence that in ch 20.7 Vpon the first day of the week the Disciples came together to break bread that is the Sacramental Bread which by the figure Synecdoche means the whole Sacrament So now let us consider the parts thereof Q. What is the Outward part or sign in the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine which the Lord hath commanded to be received Q. What is the inward part or thing signified A. The Body and Blood of Christ which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lords Supper Catechist Let us again reduce these Answers into more particular ones for your fuller knowledge of the Instructions contained in them Q. What is it that you see with your bodily Eyes in the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine Catechist Mark it well we Protestants do in opposition to the Papists gross Errour of Transubstantiation or the Bread and Wines being turned into the Substance of Christs Body and blood hold that they remain Bread and Wine still as well after their Consecration as they were before that there is no Substantial change of them but only a Sacramental one as to their Use And enough it is to tell you here for proof hereof that in all the Scriptures I have cited you may observe they are constantly called so by the names of bread and wine and we know by our sences they are so Q. Will it avail men to look or gaze on these Elements A. No unless they withall receive them that is eat and drink them Catechist I have received of the Lord saith S. Paul 1 Cor. 11.23 that which I have delivered unto you how that the Lord Jesus the same night that he was betrayed and so was shortly to dye for us took bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and he said Take eat c After the same manner ver 25. He took the cup and said drink ye all of this Matth. 26.27 This do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.25 For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup c. So to eat and drink are absolutely required by Christs Institution So that you must learn to answer the next question in opposition to the custom of the Romish Church wherein many are present when the Lords Supper is Administred who do not receive it and in their Mass the Priest alone Communicates the people are spectators only gazing upon the Host Q. Who Commanded these then to be received A. Our Lord Jesus and that the same night wherein he was betrayed Catechist You have heard his express Commandment Take eat and drink Do this So that it can be no Sacrament which is of Christs Institution or according to his Commandment where these are not done But being rightly Administred as Christ Instituted and Commanded it to be done it should make us in love with this Sacrament that he Instituted and ordained the celebration thereof just the same night wherein he was betrayed that is a little before his death when he was shortly to give his life a ransome for us so that he left it as a token of his dying love and what man will not highly value his friends gift and token when he dyed much more if he laid down his life for his sake Q. What think ye then of those that will not receive the Sacrament A. They reject Christs own Commandment and so in effect disown their being his Disciples or him being their Lord. Catechist Which are so plain by what I have said already that I need say no more but only mind you of what Christ himself said Joh. 14.15 If ye love me keep my Commandments Now here you have heard Christs positive Commandment and therefore by his own Rule they shew they love him not that observe it not Matth. 7.21 It is in vain to say Lord Lord or to pretend any love to Christ or yourselves to be Christians if ye reject his Ordinance and utterly neglect what he himself Commanded Q. What do the Bread and Wine which you see with your bodily eyes signifie and represent to the eye of Faith A. The Body and Blood of Christ Catechist They are called Christs very Body and Blood Mat. 26.26 This is my Body and This is my Blood that is Sacramentally so as the Rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 because the Bread and Wine signifie and represent and convey his very body and blood to the worthy Receiver and observe every Ministerial Action hath its proper signification Q. What doth the Consecrating or setting apart the Bread and Wine signifie A. Christs Separation or Consecration for the Work of our Redemption Catechist That is When God laid help upon him that is mighty and exalted him as One chosen out of the people Psal 89.19 And when Christ voluntarily undertook this great work to redeem us saying Psal 40.7 Loe I come to do thy will O God Q. What do the breaking of bread and pouring out the Wine signifie A. Breaking the Bread represents the tearing Christs body on the Cross and pouring out the Wine shews the shedding of his Blood Catechist For thus as I have often said we do in these signs and in using these significant Rites Ceremonies and Actions shew forth the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 Q. What doth our eating and drinking them signifie A. Our receiving Christ and Union with him Catechist Even as our bodily food being taken into our mouth and chewed with our teeth and digested in our stomach becomes incorporated into our bodily Substance flesh and blood so are we as Members of Christ United to him by eating him Spititually as the bread of Life Joh. 6.35 Christs flesh is meat indeed and his blood is drink indeed Whoso eateth my flesh said he himself and drinketh my blood hath Eternal Life and I will raise him up at the last day ver 55. And again he saith ver 54 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him And ver 57. He that eateth me shall live by me And ver 58. that for ever Upon such good ground and warrant is it so expressed in the Communion Office that hereby he becomes One with Us and We One with Him and we shall evermore dwell in him and he in us But Q. May not one of these Elements be sufficient for these great ends A. No Both are expressly required by the Command and practice of Christ and his
their spiritual food not our Bodies with the sensual provisions as the Prophet Isaiah saith 25.6 The Word and Sacraments are feasts of fat things for our souls provided for us in Gods Holy mountain in the Churches or Congregations of his people In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things a feast of wine on the lees fat things full of marrow of wine on the lees well refined Q. How are our Souls fed in the Lords Supper A. They are strengthened refreshed or comforted with Christs Body and Blood as truly and really as our Bodies are strengthened and refreshed by Bread and Wine Q. How are our souls so truly and really strengthned in the Lords Supper A. As it assures us of Gods love in Christ the pardon of our sins through the Merits of Christs Death the Grace and Comforts of his Holy Spirit Peace and Union with God and a title to his Eternal Glory Catechist Bread and Wine you know are two chief creatures of God provided for our bodily sustenance Bread to be the staff of Life to strengthen the body Psal 104.15 And Wine to make glad the heart of man to cheer him up as it is expressed Judg. 9.19 whence that of Solomons Mother Prov. 31.6 Give strong drink unto him that is weary and wine unto those that are heavy of heart Now those great benefits we have in the Lords Supper in our Souls in the inner man if we be worthy Receivers For from Christs Body and Blood therein given unto us we have strength that fortifies our Souls against all our spiritual enemies How is that Thus Meditating on Christs dying for us we must think it monstrously Ungrateful and very abominable if we yeild ourselves slaves to those sins which crucified our Dear Saviour Besides we have Gods Holy Spirit hereby as by a Conduit pipe conveyed to our Souls and the graces thereof quickned and increased in us so that we shall be able to do all things all our Duties through Christ strengthning us Phil. 4.13 And then for Refreshment being weary and heavy laden with and deeply sorrowful for our sins as we ought always to be when we come to the Lords Supper Being oppressed under their burdens as too heavy for us to bear Psal 38.4 and the deep sence of Gods wrath and displeasure for them we are in this Blessed Sacrament refreshed with Gods sealing his Covenant and assuring us of their pardon and Remission according to those sweet words of our Saviour Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will refresh you For certainly it is here if any where that we may justly hope to find this Refreshment This cup as our Saviour saith Matth. 26.28 being the blood of the New Testament or of the new Covenant which was shed for many for the Remission of sins And besides In this Sacrament all the promises all the benefits of the new Covenant are ratified and confirmed to us in Christs Blood here represented all the Benefits I say of the Covenant of Grace Justification and Sanctification Grace and pardon and peace Union with God and Christ or with God by Christ Mercy and Salvation These with whatever benefits Christ hath purchased for us by his Death and Passion are here conveyed and made over to all worthy Receivers and therefore well may we say that to partake hereof is for the strengthning and refreshing of our Souls by the Body and Blood of Christ as our bodies are strengthned and refreshed by the Bread and Wine To the last Question then in your Catechism there is nothing more requisite to assure us of all these great benefits but only our being rightly qualified for it I therefore ask you first in the words of your Catechism and then desire a more particular account from you of the several lessons taught you in it Q. What is required of them that come to the Lords Supper A. To examine themselves whether they truly repent them of their sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life to have a lively Faith in Gods mercy through Christ with a thankful remembrance of Christs death and to be in charity with all men Q. Shall all receive those great benefits that come to the Lords Supper A. Only those that are duly prepared and receive it worthily Catechist This is but a further explanation of what you learnt before that it is the faithful only that do verily and indeed receive Christs body and blood Now here you learn that no promise of Grace or Mercy Remission or Salvation is here made sure to any other but prepared and worthy Receivers Nay to all others as I have said to all that are impenitent in their sins there is threatned not only temporal judgments but also Eternal damnation for for this cause saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.30 Many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep that is are stricken with death for this cause that is for eating and drinking unworthily nay ver 29. He that eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body Q. How then must you prepare yourselves for the Lords Supper A. By self examination before we come Catechist St. Paul's Text is very plain 1 Cor. 11.28 where he prescribes this remedy to prevent Gods temporal judgments and Eternal damnation by eating and drinking unworthily Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. Let him prove that is and try himself in what estate he â—s towards God as a man tries gold by the touchstone Q. What things must we especially examine ourselves of A. Of the truth and sincerity of our Repentance new Obedience Faith Thankfulness and Charity Q. May any notorious Customary sinners come to the Lords Supper A. No not without Unfeigned Repentance answerable to their sins Catechist All are invited to come but withall all are directed also to prepare themselves before they come The most wicked wretch is bidden but it is with this caution that he puts on his wedding garment Matth. 22.12 that is of true repentance and all other Graces befitting this Holy Solemnity And he that hath not on him this Wedding garment required by God in Holy Scripture can expect no better entertainment than the Kings challenge of him in the Parable there of the Marriage of his son Friend how camest thou in hither not having a Wedding garment and you should remember that he being speechless that is inexcusable The King commanded his servants saying Bind him hand and foot and cast him into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Q. Will that then excuse mens coming to the Lords Supper that they are not prepared or have not repented A. No it rather aggravates than excuses their sin of not comming while they never endeavour to fit and prepare themselves Catechist Mind Their not Preparing is a sin and their not Coming