all that shew themselues impenitent from this Sacrament page 167 For comfort to the Godly that though they may be kept by many meanes from partaking in this Sacrament yet they cannot be kept from partaking of Christ by faith page 171 The Godly haue communion with Christ in this Sacrament page 172 Doct. 5 Christ in this Sacrament doeth giue the true beleeuer a sure possession of himselfe page 173 Comforts arising from our vnion with Christ Christ will sanctifie vs to vnite vs to him selfe page 181 We haue communion of estates with him page 182 We are hereby assured of the resurrection of our bodies page 183 This doth assure vs of the grace of perseuerance page 184 The Vse Shewes the happy estate of those which be vnited to Christ page 185 Doct. 6 Christ is euery way a sufficient Sauiour to the elect page 187 Reason 1 Christ hath fully satisfied the rigor of the Law for vs. page 190 Reason 2 God that was offended by mans disobedience is appeased by Christs obedience ibid Reason 3 The validitie that was in Christs death doth clear this truth to our great comfort page 191 Reason 4 The wonderfull loue of Christ in giuing himselfe doeth assure vs of this page 192 The Vses This reprooues the Papists who leaue the Merits of Christ and cleaue to their owne page 193 This is great ioy to the Godly that Christ is a full Sauiour vnto them page 194 Doct. 7 Communicants are to partake of both kinds page 195 Reasons Because Christ commanded it Christs body was broken and his bloud poured out otherwise the conditions of Christians vnder the Gospell would be inferiour to them vnder the Law page 197 The Vse To shew the Sacriledge of the Church of Rome Doct. 8 Bread and wine retain stil their natures page 201 Reasons against Transubstantiation Vse Against the Papists who deny any bread to be in the Lords Supper page 204 The fourth Sermon 1. Cor. 11.29 For he that eateth drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because he discerneth not the Lords body Doct. 1 THe consideration of Gods iudgments should make men perfourme holy duties holily page 212 Reason 1 Because else Gods iudgements cannot be auoyded page 216 Reason 2 Because Gods iudgements are vnsufferable The Vses To shew the hardnesse of their harts who are not mooued at Gods iudgements page 218 To admonish vs that we doe not lightly esteeme Gods iudgements page 219 Doct. 2 Many are punished temporally that are not condemned eternally page 225 Reasons That all may kâ—ow that God is no respecter of persons page 227 God doeth so chastise his children that they might not be condemned with the wicked page 228 The Vses To reproue those which iudge of Gods fauour by outward appearance page 229 This may comfort vs in affliction because it is the portion of all Gods Saints page 231 Doct. 3 It is a great sinne to receiue vnworthily page 233 Reason Because it procures so heauie a punishment page 234 Vse To reprooue those who care not how they come to the Lords Table page 236 To condemne those which contemne this Sacrament page 237 To teach vs to be humbled for secret sins page 238 To teach vs when God sendes his iudgements to search for Sinne the cause of them page 240 Who they be that receiue worthily Such as haue a competent measure of Knowledge page 244 Seuen things to be knowne of euery worthy receiuer page 245 A particular knowledge in this Sacrament page 248 Vse 1 To shew how many come vnworthily not hauing this knowledge ibid Vse 2 Such receiue worthily who haue Faith page 249 Vse To shew the want of faith maketh vs vnworthy receiuers page 251 Vse 3 Such receiue worthily who haue Repentance page 252 Who receiue vnworthily Such as be ignorant page 255 Such as come in vnbeliefe page 257 Such as come without repentance page 258 Doct. 4 A man may communicate and yet vnworthily page 260 Reasons Reason 1 Because there be in the church that are not of the church page 261 Reason 2 Because all haue not faith page 263 Vses To reproue those that come to the Sacrament and neuer looke to the manner how they come page 264 To teach vs to try and examine our selues page 266 Doct. 5 There is no ordinance of God so holy but wicked men abuse it to their owne condemnation page 268 Reason 1 Because wicked men are ignorant how to vse Gods Ordinaunces aright page 272 Reason 2 Because they are wilfull and will not goe the right way about the performance of them Reason 3 Because to the wicked and vncleane all things are impure page 273 Vses To shew the miserable estate of wicked men who are alway increasing their sins ibid To teach vs to performe holy dueties in a holy manner page 175 The Text. Not discerning the Lords body What it is to discerne the Lords body page 279 Doct. 6 It is the property of an vnworthy receiuer to put no difference betweene bread and wine in this Sacrament and common bread and wine page 280 Vses To shewe the fearefull estate of ignorant persons who say they receiue their Maker page 283 To teach vs to acquaint our selues with the Doctrine of this Sacrament page 284 The fift Sermon 1. Cor. 11.30 c. For this cause many are sicke and weake among you and many sleepe For if we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged But when we are iudged we are chastened of the Lord beecause wee should not bee condemned with the world Doct. 1 IT is the Ministers duty to make partilar application of their Doctrins page 291 Reason 1 It is Gods commandement page 293 Reason 2 Conuiction is the ready way to Conuersion ibid Vse 1 To reprooue the negligent in the Lordes worke page 294 Vse 2 For Instruction to Ministers to vse this course page 295 Vse 3 For Hearers to be content to be so dealt with page 296 Doct. 2 Sicknesse and diseases are the fruit of sin Reason 1 The Lord neuer strikes but there is some thing amisse page 301 Reason 2 By our sinne we deserue those corrections that the Lord layeth vpon vs ibid Vse 1 In afflictions to acknowledge sinne the cause of them page 302 Vse 2 To reproue those which ascribe sickenesse vnto Fortune page 303 Doct. 3 Gods iudgements are seasoned with mercy page 304 Vse To reproue those which in time of sicknes receiue the Sacrament at home ibid Doct. 4 The death of the godly is but a sleep page 308 Reason 1 Because the elect though they taste of corruption yet doe not perish in corruption page 309 Reason 2 Because the dead are wakened by God ibid Vse 1 To confute those that deny the Resurrection of the body page 310 To comfort Gods children against the fear of death Doct. 5 Foure things necessary to the iudging of a mans selfe page 311 1. Examination 2 Accusation 3. Condemnation 4. Execution The onely way to turne away
in their sinnes for so would they multiplie their iniquities against him but doth correct them betimes and labours to preuent more heauy iudgements which by their sinning they woulde otherwise draw vpon themselues Vse 1 This serues then in the first place to reproue the common course of many men in the world that iudge of Gods fauour or displeasure by outwarde prosperitie or aduersitie Whereas Salomon saith All things happen alike to all Eccle. 9.10 meaning all outwarde â—hings such as is prosperity and â—duersity yet many will take vpâ—n them to iudg censure men â—o bee out of the fauour of God â—ecause of some outward afflictiâ—n that lies heauy vpon them But â—hus might these beleeuing Corinthians bin condemned as wicked who notwithstanding their temporall chastisements were not condemned with the world Who euer had such a load of afflictions as Christ himselfe had layd vpon him Why should we conclude then that such are out of Gods fauour No no. Iudgement begins at Gods house And if the Lord doe not correct men in this life Note it is a sign that the Lord reserues such a one to the condemnation of the rest of the worlde and such indeede haue iust cause to suspect themselues that they are Bastards and not Sonnes for the Lord doeth chastise them whom he loueth and no heauier iudgement can there be vpon any then to thriue in sinne and grow vp in iniquitie yet to be free from correction Vse 2 Secondly the consideration of this one thing may bee a stay and a prop vnto vs in time of temptation and sore affliction When the waters seeme to haue gone ouer our soules as Dauid complaineth And the Lord shall seeme to vexe vs with all his stormes as Iob confesseth Euen this that â—his is the portion of all the â—aints It hath euer been the conâ—ition of the Church God many â—imes feedeth them with the bread â—f teares Psal 80.5 and giueth plentie of teares â—o drinke Rom. 8.38 Yet there shall be noâ—hing able to seperate vs from God nor diuide vs from his preâ—ence Let vs then confesse the â—and of God in all our troubles â—nd withall confesse our sinnes 〈◊〉 the procuring cause of al Gods â—dgements Lam. 3.40 and amongst the â—st of our sinnes acknowledge that our want of preparation to this Sacrament hath prouoked the Lord to punish vs. Little doe men thinke that this negligence of theirs in comming vnto this holy ordinaunce and wante of Preparation there-vnto hath beene the cause of their sickenesse troubles afflictions c. but what sayth the Apostle For this cause some are sicke c. The Lord doth surely chastise for thiâ— sin of vnworthy receiuing this sacrament Again inasmuch as the Lord iâ— thus stirred vp to wrath againsâ— his owne children for this sin oâ— vnpreparednes to chastise them so seuerely with sicknesse weaknesse yea and with death it selfe albeit they bee not condemneâ— for euer We learne by the greatnes oâ— the punishment to conceiue of the greatnesse of sinne And here hence we may learne That is is Doct. 3 no small sinne to come vnworthily vnto the Lords Table It is a great sinne to receiue vnworthily but it is a very great grieuous sin such a sin as highly prouokes the Maiesty of God to anger and drawes Gods iudgements vpon his owne Children that howsoeuer he wil not for euer condemn them yet hee will punish them and correct them for comming vnworthily and eating and drinking these holy mysteries not with that reuerence as they ought to doe These Corinthians were the Church of God embraced the Gospell beleeued in Christ yet because they came vnworthiâ—y to the Lordes Table not so fitted and prepared with that reuerence as they ought to haue done Paul tels them that for this very cause and for this very sin of vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament the Lord sent those iudgements amongst them Reason The Reason of this poynt is cleare It must needes bee an heauie sinne that procures such a heauie punishment and the greatnesse of the sinne may bee iudged by the greatnesse of the punishment Because the Lorde is euer iust in the distribution of his iudgements Hee doeth not lay heauie iudgements vppon light transgressions nor light punishment where Sinne is grieuous Obiect But some will say this seemes hard that for some neglect and negligent ouersight in comming to the Lords Table the Lord shoulde punish so seuerely and sharpely Answ I answer as our Sauiour himselfe speaketh of his Ministers He that receiueth you receiueth me Luk. 10.16 and hee that refuseth you refuseth mee He that offers any wrong to any Messenger Legate or Embasador of a Prince offers wronge vnto the King that sent him or he that abuseth the kings picture or coyne by clipping it or treading it in the mire it is â—eason against the King himselfe Euen so howsoeuer Christ â—e in heauen and the bread bee not transubstantiated into the â—ody the wine into the bloud â—f Christ as the papists teach â—et because these eliments are â—y Gods ordinance set a part orâ—ained and sanctified by the â—ord and prayers to bee signes and seales of the body bloud of Iesus Christ the abuse of them therefore redounds vnto Christ himselfe Vse 1 This condemnes the practise of most men and women that seldom or neuer regard how they come to the Lords Table though they come in ignorance blindenesse and all manner of prophanesse and wickednesse in their old sinnes and abominations and because that iudgement is deferred thinke either that they haue not sinned oâ— that they shall not bee punished Oh how doe such deceiue themselues they may bee sure that thâ— Lord will not so lightly passâ— this sinne ouer but at the least will bring vpon the transgressor some temporal chastisement anâ— correction to humble them anâ— to bring them to see and acknowledge this sinne of theirs and so to Repentance for the same if not the Lord will be sure to punish the same eternally Vse 2 Secondly if they cannot escape Gods iudgments that eate and drinke vnworthily euen the very seruants of God themselues who come in some weakenesse and infirmitie without that due examination and godly preparation they ought to make therevnto oh then how shall such escape Gods wrath vengeance that contemne this Sacrament make light account of it and will not come at all vnto it that thinke it is at their owne choyce â—o come or not to come to receiue or not to receiue Heb. 2.4 If euery â—in and transgression receiue a recompence of reward How shall such escape as neglect so greate saluation Exo. 4.24 When Moses did but omit the Sacrament of circumcition either of some negligence or carelesnesse or else as it is thought for feare of his wife and Father in law it was like to haue cost him his life the Lord made as though hee would haue slaine him What punishment then doe such
but we should then find the fruite of the same much peace in our own soules in the conscionable discharge of our duty therin and the good of many a poore soule that is vnder vs. Vse 3 For instruction to hearers Thirdly lastly if this be the duty of Gods Ministers to make particular application of his doctrines and to presse the same vp on the consciences of his hearers You that are our hearers must be thus content to bee dealt withall and not to storme against the Minister nor to kicke against the word For this know that if the word of God be not as an edged sword to cut the throat of thy sins it is a sign the Lord hath cast thee off from his care intends to glorifie himself in thy destruction And therefore as you tender the saluation of your owne soules suffer the Lords Chyrurgians to make incision into your souls by the sharpe razour of the Law who best know what will be the danger of a festred soule with Sinne and must launce the same before it can be cured rather say with Dauid Let the righteous smite me friendly Psa 141.4 a good signe of an humbled soule and broken heart Many are weake sicke c. Heere we haue three kinds of corrections visitations that almighty mighty God layeth vppon this people 1. Many were weake That is had vppon them some lingering and fainte diseases as the Consumption c. 2. Some were Sicke and so were vexed vvith more painefull griefes as Agues Fluxes Feuers c. 3. Some were fallen asleep that is the Lord had by his own hand taken them out of the worlde by death Obiect But here lyeth the doubt how the Apostle knewe that these plagues and punishments sent of God were for this sin of theirs their vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament Answ I answere First he was taught and instructed by Gods spirite what to say and therfore might boldly say it But besides Paul knew that God had threatned thus to plague his people for this sinne as hee threatened by Moses his seruant Deu. 28.21.22.27.28 And had further in all ages executed sundry iudgements vppon his Church and Children for such open and common transgressions And therefore Paul seeing these iudgments vpon these Corinthians and knowing this to be a common sin amongst them as Gods Minister concludeth thus For this cause c. And heerin I see not the contrary but the seruantes of God haue warrant to say the like namely that when we see a iudgment of God vpon a place and withall doe see some great and common sinne to raign amongst them we may safely put them in minde of their sinnes and tell them that this iudgment of God is vpon them for such sinnes as are so rife notorious amongst them There was good cause then why Paul shoulde thus charge them Doct. 2 Now for the seuerall iudgement it is not needeful to search so to determine what diseases they were that this Church and people were sicke of and died It is sufficient for vs to knowe that these sicknesses and diseases which the Lord had sent were strange diseases as may appeare in that our Apostle doth take speciall notice of them which he would not haue done if these had been ordinary The note that we may obserue herehence is That sicknesse Sicknesse and diseases are the fruit of sin diseases c. are the fruit of sinne according to that of the Prophet Ieremy Man suffereth for his sin Lam. 3.39 And this doth Moses most clearely set downe when hee denounceth so many seuerall punishments against the people of Israell as the Pestilence Deu. 28.22 Feuer burning Ague Consumption c if they should disobey the the voyce of the Lorde their God But of this we haue spoken more fully in the former Sermon The reasons are Reason 1 First the Lord is iust and cannot do any wrong He neuer correcteth but their is some thing amisse Reason 2 And Secondly euery man is guilty of many sinnes the least whereof deserue all those corrections that are layd vpon him And wee haue euer cause to say moreouer Lam. 3.22 That it is the Lords mercy that we are not consumed Our sinnes euer deseruing heauier plagues and more greuious iudgements Vse 1 Let this teach vs then in all our afflictions to acknowledge our sinnes to be the cause thereof and to make a good vse of the same to reformation of life For these diseases of what nature soeuer they be but the fruit of sin This was that counsell that Daniel gaue to Nabucadnezzer Dan. 4.24 Namely to breake of his sinnes by repentance And his transgressions by hauing compassion on the poore And surely this is the best counsell that one Christian can giue to another in affliction viz. To breake of their sinnes by vnfained repentance and turning vnto the Lord. This is the way to stop the breach of Gods wrath and to moue the Lord to reuoke his iudgements and without which we shall but wearie our selues in vaine for we must first remoue the cause of Gods iudgements our sinnes or else the hand of God cannot bee remoued Vse 2 Secondly this condemnes that hellish and brutish speech of many who when they are weake or sicke or at the poynt of death ascribe all to fortune chance or this or that cause But neuer looke vnto the correcting hand of God Iob acknowlegeth all these things to come from God though it was the deuill and wicked men that spoyled him Oh let vs in Gods name Iob. 1.21 learne to bee wise herein to acknowledge that all sicknesse and euery kind of disease is Gods visitation sent of God to humble vs to make vs to know and to acknowledg our sinne and to seeke vnto him for mercy And surely when wee know that sicknesse comes from GOD it will make vs not onely to seeke vnto him for helpe and deliuerance from trouble but be a good meanes likewise to worke in vs patience to wayte his leasure when wee can perswade our selues that they come from a louing Father sent for the good of our Soules And many sleepe Hence I might obserue diuers things Doct. 3 First the mercifull and gracious dealing of the Lord GOD towards his children Gods iudgments are seasoned with mercy who rather then they shoulde come to eate of this Sacrament vnworthily Esay 57.2 and so to prouoke him to wrath against them doth first humble them by sicknesse Esa 54.7.8 and after takes them away by death And thus indeede the Lord takes away his children when they are at the best and by death hee doth preuent many euilles in them to come And thus the faithfull are taken away from the Euill to come Psal 103.13.14.15 And howsoeuer he may seeme for a time to hide his face yet with an euerlasting mercy he hath compassion on his But I will not stand long on this poynt Vse
with Ioseph â—nd kept him from sinne euen â—â—e consideration of Gods goodâ—esse formerly extended towards â—im How can I doe this great â—ickednesse and â—inâ—e against God Gen. 39. Secondly to call to mind and â—horowly to weigh the ill effects â—hat follow vpon sinne I meane â—ot onely the shame before men â—unishment heere losse of goods â—c but principally the wound of â—oule and conscience deaâ—ing â—nd dulling our hearts and afâ—â—ctions when wee are to perâ—rme good duties and making â—s a burthen to the Church our selues the very earth we tread vpon besides the full fruition of Gods wrath and eternall vengeance in the life to come Thirdly to attend diligently vpon the word preached that so sinne may bee discouered and the heart may come to smite for the same and thus were the poore Iewes brought to compunction of heart for their sin of crucifying the Lord of glory Act. 2.37 And this word is called the Hammer of the Lord for by it the Lord doth breake the hard and stony hearts of men Fourthly of all Sins so in â— speciall manner to take heede oâ— presumptuous sinnes for theâ— are the sinnes that wound deepe and one of them will stand Sathan in steade of many This made Dauid to pray in â— speciall manner that the Lord would keepe him from Sinnes of this nature saying Keepe thy Seruant from presumptuous sinnes Psal 19.13 Knowing that they would at the â—ast lie heauie vpon the Soule â—nd conscience of that man that â—ommitted them when hee â—hould come to a true sight of â—hem But heere the weake Christiâ—n is bewayling his want that he â—annot bring his heart to any â—easonable passe to be sorrowful â—or sinne but howsoeuer that â—â—ine he would and withall his â—eart hee desires that his heart â—ould dissolue into teares yet he â—ndes that his heart is fat and â—ill not stoope and this makes â—im grieue because hee cannot â—ieue yea and mourne because â—e cannot mourne Let such for their comfort obserue Comfort for the weake First that the constitution of euery mans body is not alike there may be true compunction and contrition of heart for Sin though at all times it doe not manifest it selfe in the eye by teares Secondly consider that God measureth out this sorrowe and contrition of heart vnto his Seruants according to their abilitie and strength to beare for hee iâ— that most wise and skilfull Physician who knoweth well what a potion of physick will worke and more or lesse will not serue whose promise is that hee wiâ— not lay more vpon vs then heâ— will giue vs strength to beare And last of all let such knoâ— for their comfort heerein thaâ— â—he Lord lookes after the maner â—hen the measure of any duty or grace And 2. Cor. 8.12 Accepteth vs according to that which we haue not according to that which we haue not And hath promised that he will not Quench the smoking flax Mt. 12.20 nor â—reake the brused reede And so â—ong as wee please not our selues â—n these poore beginnings but â—ndeuour after more grace and â—ouet after the best giftes 1. Cor. 12.3 the â—ord doth except both of vs and â—hem Thirdly and lastly as we must â—abour to see Sinne and to get Godly sorrow for the same â—o that wee may reape the â—intage and comforte of all we must adde a leaving and forâ—aking of sinne To leaue and forsake sinne For he that hath â—oue his penance once truly beâ—ore God I meane hath had this hearty sorrow for his sinne it will abandon sinne in his Soule for when this Godly sorrow comes in sinne goes out A man that hath surfeited of such meate once will afterwards loath it This poynt is very cleare by the examples of all the godly of whome wee neuer reade they fell into the same sinnes againe after their repentance They made not a trade of sinne as of Dauid of whome it is saide That Dauid did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the dayes of his life 1. Reg. 15.5 saue onely in the matter of Vriah And Zacheus no sooner called by Christ but leaft his former course And great reason for euery true penitent is partaker of Christs death and the power of the same which causeth him that hee is now become dead vnto sin Rom. 6.6 and withall hath the spirit of God dwelling in him whose proper worke is to purifie the heart and not to suffer any â—ilthinesse to remaine where it â—oth lodge Act. 15.9 And thus wee haue seene the â—arts of true repentance and wherein it doth consist Wee â—re now to speake of the necessiâ—ie of the same The necessitie of this duty â—ppeares by that speech of our â—auiour The necessitie of Repentance Except ye repent ye shall 〈◊〉 perish Luk. 13.5 And the words are there â—ice repeated to shew the cerâ—â—intie of it And againe If ye wil â—â—t returne but continue still in your â—s I will visite you saith the Lord Ier. 5.3.9 â—â—d bee auenged on you Many are pathetical exhortations in the â—â—ripture to this purpose to exâ—rt men to repentance O Ierusalem wash thy heart from wickednesse that thou maist be saued Ier. 4.14 And Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye haue transgressed Ier. 18.31 and make you a new heart and a new Spirit And againe Let vs search and try our wayes Lam. 3.40 and turne vnto the Lord. This is that louing admonition Hag. 1.5.7 Christ giues vnto the Church of Ephâ—sus who had lost their first loue Reu. 2.5 she should Remember from whence shee Ephe. 4.23 was fallen and repent Theâ— and infinit places more doe sufâ—â—ciently declare the necessitie â— Repentance Rom. 12.2 Seeing without we cannot be saued Yea all our Sacrifices and Seâ—uices that we offer vp vnto Goâ— whether it be to heare the worâ— to receiue this Sacrament â— pray c. Without repentanâ— are nothing worth Faith anâ— Repentance makes all our seruice â—o God to be accepted and that â—his may the more euidently apâ—eare consider what the Lorde â—ayth by his Prophet Esay When you come to appeare before me who hath required this at your â—ands to tread in my courts Esa 1.12.13.14.15 Bring â—o moe oblations in vaine Incense 〈◊〉 abhomination vnto me I cannot â—uffer your new Moones nor Sabâ—oths nor Solemn dayes nor Assemâ—lies And when ye stretch out your â—ands I will hide my eyes from you â—nd though you make many prayers will not heare These are feareful â—hreatnings that the Lord deâ—ounceth against the Iewes his â—wne people But would wee â—now the cause of all the Lord â—eclares the same in the very next â—ords following Because your â—ands are full of blood They came in their old sinnes without Repentance and thought that so long as they offered vp their sacrifices all was well God could not chuse but accept of them But the Lord
deserue and shall one day draw downe vpon their owne heads that despise the substance and make light account of the bloud of the couenant Christ and his righteousnesse who is heere crucified afresh and offered in this Sacrament vnto euery true beleeuer Vse 3 Thirdly seeing this is so great a sinne to receiue vnworthily wee learne heere that it is not inough to repent and to be greiued for grosse and grieuous sins such as the world cryes out of but we must bee humbled for our secret sinnes infirmities wants Our carelesnesse in prayer hearing of the word receiuing of the Sacrament yea wee must be humbled for our vnworthy comming to the Lords Table for reâ—eiuing this Sacrament carelessâ—y vnreuerently and vnworthiâ—y And hence it is that Dauid â—rayes that the Lord would parâ—on his secret sinnes Psal 19.12 and Peter â—ils Simon Magus to repent Act. 8.22 and â— pray that the thoughts of his â—eart might be pardoned The â—ord hath threatned a curse to â—â—em that doe his worke negliâ—â—ntly saying Ier. 47.10 Cursed bee hee that â—th the work of the Lord negligent 〈◊〉 And yet notwithstanding that we haue all of vs had our failings there in where is the man that is humbled aright and saith Alas what haue I done and seekes to to stay Gods wrath and to appease his anger before the decree come forth Ier. 8.6 and the Lord begins to punish for this sin Vse 4 And last of al seeing weakenesse sicknesse yea and death iâ— selfe with other sharp corrections are all inflicted for sinne and as for other open and grieuous impieties so for this sin oâ— vnworthie receiuing of this Sacrament Learne we then wheâ— the Lord sends sicknes in body diseases weakenesse and want oâ— health or other temporal iudgements in our bodies goods oâ— names amongst other causeâ— let vs impute them to bee seâ— of God for sinne especially foâ— this common sin of ours the vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament of the Lords Supper But alas though the Lord send abroad his iudgements sicknes diseases weakenesse in mens bodyes c Who thinkes of sin as the cause of all especially of this sinne of vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament little do men thinke that that is is cause of all well the Apostle concludeth thus For this â—ause many are weake amongst you â—nd sick c Note And experience â—eacheth that the Lord vsuall doth â—ot send more sicknes at any one â—ime all the yeare after then at â—his time of the yeare when most â—houlde or doe receiue this Saâ—rament of the body and bloud â—f Christ Thus much concerning the first â—â—rt of men that may communicate vnworthily euen the godly man himselfe for want of this godly examination and preparation therevnto as also for his punishment But now howsoeuer the Lord in mercy doth thus deale with his seruants and for this sin of theirs correcteth them here that they may not perish hereafter It is not so with the wicked their vnworthy receiuing is punished after another manner They eate and drinke their owne damnation Thaâ— is amongst all other their sinnes this their vnworthy receiuing is not the least but the Lord doth and will impute the same vnto them 2 Sorts of vnworthy receiuers are the wicked properly so called and this doth helpe to filâ— vp the measure of their iniquities and hasteneth their condemnation And now being to speake oâ— the wicked and their punishment we will labour to discouer the person of the vnworthy receiuer and then to speake of his punishment Now for the more certaine discouery of the person of the vnworthy Communicant Vnworthy receiuers discouered by being compared with the worthy and who it is that may most properly be so called and who it is that doth thus abuse Gods holy ordinance and eate and drinke vnto his own eternall condemnation â— take it to be needfull first to â—hew who they bee that receiue Worthily So shall wee come the â—etter to discerne who they bee â—hat receiue vnworthily For reaâ—on it selfe doth teach vs that it â— the readiest manner of teachâ—ng one to know which is the â—rong way by instructing him â—â—st which is the right way for that is but one whereas other by-wayes are many For whosoeuer is not a worthy receiuer must needs be an vnworthy one whether he come too short or goe too farre Who receiue worthily Now such onely receiue this Sacrament worthily who both see and acknowledge their own vnworthinesse Wherein there is first of all Knowledge required 1 Such as haue a competent measure of knowledge which is the ground of all other grace And that is to be considered two wayes First more generally in the knowledge of the principall poynts of Christian religion Seuen things to be knowne of euery worthy receiuer Secondly more particularly in the Knowledge of this Sacrament Touching the first of these seuen particulars must be known of euery worthy receiuer First that the Lord hath reuealed in his Worde what wee ought both to know and acknowledg concerning his VVill that all thinges therein contained are true VVhich whosoeuer knoweth not cannot bee in the estate of grace much lesse can bee a worthy receiuer of this Sacrament Secondly touching God himselfe the worthy receiuer must know that there is but one God who is of a spiritual nature most wise iust mighty and mercifull who hath ordained all thinges created al things and gouerneth all things according to his owne will And that this God hath reuealed himselfe in three persons Father Sonne and holy Ghost and that these three are but one God Thirdly concerning man the worthy receiuer must know that God in the beginning created man in a most happy estate perfect in soule and body after his owne Image who by his owne disobedience lost his own happines procured Gods curse and made both himselfe and posterity subiect vnto all misery Fourthly for our selues wee must acknowledge our selues to bee corrupted seede of corrupt Parents conceiued and borne in Sinne and brought forth in iniquitie whereby we deserue Gods curse and euerlasting condemnation Fiftly concerning our remedy the worthy receiuer must know that neither himselfe nor any Creature in Heauen or Earth could free him from that cursed estate but that God the Father of his meere loue and tender compassion without any desert of man did send his owne Sonne to take our nature vpon him and in the same to worke our redemption and to reconcile vs vnto God Sixtly the worthy receiuer must know that forasmuch as his redemptioÌ„ is wrought by Christ wee must haue some meanes to make that ours which is Christs and that is onely Faith for it is Faith that apprehends and applies Christ and his obedience and makes the same ours as wee had wrought it our selues And last of all the worthy receiuer must know that this faith â—s not in our selues but it is the â—ree gift of God wrought by the Spirit of
same fruit of them inasmuch as All things happen alike to all Eccle. 9. But onely thorough the great mercy of GOD who Sanctifieth the same vnto his children and vnto the wicked The Scriptures are full of proofes for the confirmation of this Doctrine Excellent to this purpose is that of the Prophet Hoseah I will be to Ephraim as a Lyon and as a yong Lyon to the house of Iudah Hos 5.14.15 I euen I will teare and goe away c. Till they acknowledge their offence and seeke my face And this is acknowledged by the prophet Dauid who coulde speake herein by experience Before I was afflicted I went astray but now haue I learned thy commandements Psa 119.71 And Paul concludeth thus 2. Cor. 4.17 For our light affliction which is but for a moment causeth vnto vs a far more excellent and eternall waite of Glory And great reason that the afflictions of Gods Seruants shoulde worke this worke in them Reason 1 First because the Lord in his owne decree and counsell hath appoynted the same for a helpe and remedy against our strong corruptions and these must needes bee now as wholsome potions very medicinable being vsed by such a heauenly Physition Reason 2 Secondly howsoeuer the workes of correction are vnpleasant for the present For no affliction is for the time present ioyous but grieuous yet they are by Gods blessing vpon them excellent meanes to worke in vs contrition and true humiliation for our sinnes The ready way to conuersion And this appeares by the incestuous person vpon whome Paul required to be layde that feareful penalty of Excommunication that hee should be deliuered ouer to Sathan 2. Cor. 5.5 And excluded out of the Church vntill hee repented It appeareth that hee was awakened thereby and so brought to Godly sorrow for his sinne The vses follow Vse 1 Seeing then that afflictions are so vsefull vnto a childe oâ— GOD as the effects thereoâ— do declare proouing as wholsome Medicines and as Fatherly chastisements to amend and reforme vs. This may stay the children of GOD from being too much dishartened in time of affliction But rather with all meekenesse submit our selues vnto our most wise GOD who euer correcteth for our good And chasteneth vs for our profit Heb. 12.10 that we might be partakers of his holynesse How many notwithstanding are there that make many hard conclusions against themselues in time of affliction As if God had forsaken them and they cleane cast out of his fauour But Oh consider wherefore doth the Lorde lay thee vpon thy sicke bed afflict thee in thy VVife Children Goods c Surely for no other ende then to bring thee vnto himselfe What cause then hath any to murmur or complaine in time of affliction Vse 2 Secondly this serues to Magnifie the Power and Wisedome of God that can and doth so ouer-rule the nature of all thinges that they shall serue for much good vnto his children according to that of the Apostle All thinges worke for the best to them that loue God Rom. 8. As the skillfull Apothecary of poyson makes Triakle to expell poyson so can God make the poyson of afflictions which in themselues are the curse of the Lawe to driue out the poyson of sinne as wee may clearely see in the examples of Manasses 2. Cro. 33.11 Ier. 31.18 Act. 16. Luke 15. Ephraim the Iaylor Prodigall c The afflictions of whose outward man were by Gods blessings vppon them good meanes to saue both the outward and inward man Yet euen herein wee must obserue a difference betwixt the godly the wicked to the one they are helpes to heauen to the other forerunners of greater torments as in the deluge the waters that bore vp the Arke for the sauing of Noah drowned the wicked of those times And this wee may often see vnder the Crosse the godly to pray the wicked to blaspheme the drosse consumes while the gold is purified So much mattereth it not what is suffered but what the persons be that suffer And thus much for our helps and direction how to receiue the Sacrament and that worthily To God onely wise bee prayse for euer Amen FINIS
examin his own wayes and vpon his examination finds his estate to be miserable and cursed 〈◊〉 he is in extreame danger of God wrath and eternall condemnation for his sinnes This will makâ— a man deny himselfe and tâ— seeke for helpe of God And this is that passe thâ— euery one of vs must labour tâ— bring our hearts vnto if we desâ—â— to come prepared vnto thâ— Lords Table and to reape anâ— benefit and comfort vnto oâ—â— Soules by the vse of this so holy â—n ordinance Now if we will duely examin our selues and search into our owne hearts we shal find that we haue run farre into Gods score â—nd that our sinnes are infinite of all sorts sins of omission and sinnes of commission sinnes of â—nfirmitie and presumptuous sinnes in the time of our ignoâ—ance and in the dayes of our knowledge against God and against man yea and against our owne soules for all which if our harts be not hardened in sin â—nd wee our selues come to that height of impiety to be past feeâ—ing our hearts cannot chuse but smite vs and wee our selues bee brought to cry out of our selues and to say Ier. 8.6 Alas what haue I done Which if the Lord do shew vs that mercy that we can once thorowly come to the sight of it it must needes worke in vs sorrow for sin and to seeke to make our reconciliation with GOD whom we haue offended And because our hearets can neuer smite vs for sinne before our iudgement be truely enlightened informed that we haue sinned and sin must be seene before it can be sorrowed for How to come to repent Wee must therefore first of all make a narrowe search after sin according to that of the Prophet Lam. 3.40 Let vs search and try our wayes and turn vnto the Lord. And this search ought to be strict and narrow in regard of the deceitfulnesse of our our owne hearts which are deceitfull aboue alâ— things Ier. 17.9 and there are in them many secret lurking-holes for sin â—hich wil be vnespied vnlesse a â—rict search be vsed And thereâ—ore the Prophet exhorting vnto his duty saith Gather your selues Hag 2.1 â—â—at is gather your wittes togeâ—er and fix them vpon the conâ—â—deration of your estate And this is to be obserued as â—â—e only way to true repentance 1 To see sin 〈◊〉 get a sight of sinne for he that â—es his sinnes thorowly will beâ—aile them hartily Dauid consiâ—ered his wayes and what folâ—â—wed vpon the sight of his error â—â—d wandring Psa 119.59 I turned my selfe inâ— the wayes of thy testimonies It is 〈◊〉 possible that a straying trauelâ—r should euer returne into the â—â—ght way that doth not vnderstand â—â—s error When God will bring â—ome a poor wandring sinner inâ— the way of life he giueth him eâ—â—r a heart to question his estate after this maner God hath made me a man endued me with a reasonable soule affording vnto me the meanes of grace and saluation what now doth my walking answere this mercy of his is my life a walking in or rather not a wandring from the paths of his commandements This makes a Sinner with Ephraim to smite vpon his Thigh and to be ashamed which before was as an vntamed calfe and then concludeâ— he thus after when I was instructed Ier. 31.18.19 I Repented And this may be assigned aâ—â— the onely cause of that greaâ— hardnesse of heart and sencelesnesse that so raigneth this day iâ— the world euen that bruitish in consideration that men goe oâ— still in sinne adding sinne vnto sinne not considering what they doe but flattering themselues â—n their euil waies and abandonâ—ng the very thoughts that shold make their estates questionable Oh this is the case of many thouâ—ands in the world which doeth manifestly declare how far they â—re from the practise of true Reâ—entance This is a matter I confesse â—hat woulde aske heere a large â—iscourse if I should speake of all â—he parts of Repentance I desire â—ut briefely to obserue some â—ew passages of the same As there must bee in the first â—lace a sight of sinne as we haue â—eard 2. To be humbled for sin so in true repentance â—here must be a sorrow of heart â—or the same sinnes Neither will â—uery sorrow for sinne serue the â—urne or hath Repentance acâ—ompanying it but onely Godly Sorrow Two sortes of sorrow 2. Cor. 7.10 There is a worldly sorrow that bringeth death as there is a godly sorrow the end whereof is life and peace The first sort of Sorrow is to be found amongst hypocrites and wicked men which are many times full of sorrowe but it is not for sinne because it is sin and offends the maiesty of God but because of the punishment which by their sinnes they haue drawne vpon themselues euen a guilty conscience a trembling heart and wounded soule and withall a fearefull expectation of iudgement These are the effects of sin and these wound the hart of the sinner and maks him to fall out with his sins or rather indeede with the punishment like vnto Caine Gen. 4.14 Exod. 9.28 Pharaoh Saul and Iudas c. which onely were affected with the punishment Mat 27.5 and could haue wished with all their hearts that the same had beene no sin that so they might haue liued in the same without controlment But besides this What godly Sorrow is 2. Cor. 7.10 there is also a godly Sorrow which is onely to be found amongst the godly which hath the promise annexed vnto it And that is when the Child of God is grieued for sin because by sinne hee hath grieued God a good and gracious Father in Iesus Christ and if ther were neither hell nor Sathan nor punishment for sin after this life yet inasmuch as the Lord is offended and his righteous laws are violated this is it that makes the hart of the godly to smite them and they to be humbled for their Sinnes And this Sorrow these sighes and throbs of the godly for sinne are those sower hearbs wherewith we must eaâ—e our new Passeouer Exo. 12. and such troubled spirits shall be acceptable Sacrifices vnto God and such broken and contrite hearts the Lord will not despise Psal 51.17 The means of godly Sorrow Now the meanes by which this godly Sorrow may be attained vnto are these First a man ought to take notice of the manifold fauours and mercies the Lord hath bestowed vpon him and his own vnthankfulnesse againe vnto him and this will bee a good meanes to breake a mans heart with sorrow for sinne Thus doeth Nathan deale with Dauid 2. Sam. 12 7.8 putting him iâ— mind of Gods mercies in aduancing him to be King ouer Israel â—â—d deliuering him out of the â—nds of Saul adding moreouer 〈◊〉 that had bin too little hee would â—aue giuen thee more That was it ytâ—rought remorse and sorrow in â—â—e heart of Dauid And this was 〈◊〉 that preuailed so
singular benefits that come vnto vs by the same And thus much for the Apostles Reason in this 29. verse To inforce his former duty of preparation ⸪ Let vs pray The Fift Sermon 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32 For this cause many are weake and sicke among you and many sleepe For if we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged But when we are iudged wee are chastened of the Lord because wee should not bee condemned with the world OVr holy and blessed Apostle Saint Paul hauing in the former part of this chapter The Coherence â—et downe the true and holy manner of ministring and receiuing the Supper of the Lord as â— direction for all good Minister and people to follow Doth iâ— the seuenth and twentith verse threaten the vnworthy receiuers that they are guiltie of no lessâ— then high treason against thâ— blood of Christ for prophaning and vnworthy receiuing of thâ— same And verse 28. He layes dowâ— a generall rule to be obserued oâ— all that will come worthily anâ— prepared as they ought Let euerâ— one therefore examine himselfe anâ— so let him eate verse 28. c. First his knowledge whether it be sound anâ— sanctified 2. His faith whether iâ— be firme or not 3. His Repentance whether hee haue a dislikâ— of sinne past a resolute purpoâ—â— and indeuour to auoyd sinne foâ— the time to come resoluing to obey God in all things 4. whether he come in loue and charitie to man All which are absolute necessary in euery true communicant that desires to receiue this Sacrament worthily Verse 29. The better to awake al carelesse and vnreuerent receiuers of this holy Sacrament The Apostle comes to shew them the danger of the want of this preparation viz. That such doe not onely loose their labour or the benefit which otherwise they might receiue by the vse of this Sacrament but such doe indeede prouoke Gods heauie wrath and displeasure against them hereby hasten and procure their owne iudgement Because they discerne not the Lords body That is they put no difference betweene the Bread and Wine thus consecrated and set apart for such a holy vse and ordinary Bread and ordinary Wine Now in this 30. verse the words of this text the Apostle comest oâ— proue that which hee had seâ— downe before viz. that the vnworthy receiuer of the Lordâ— Supper drawes downe Godâ— heauy wrath and vengeance by this meanes vpon him and this hee doth by bringing in the Church and people of God in Corinth to witnesse this truth who for this very sin of vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament were many of them stricken some with one disease and some with another saying For this cause many are sicke and weake c. q.d. You your selues oh Corinthians finde this to bee true that the vnworthy receiuer of this Sacrament eateth and drinketh his owne iudgement Seeing that for this sinne of yours the iudgment of God is vpon you in punishing many of you with faintnesse sicknesse yea and with death also All which iudgements of God now resting vpon you are so many witnesses of Gods displeasure against you for this sinne This is the some of this verse Doct. 1 Wherein wee are to obserue how our Apostle applyeth particularly that which he had so generally propounded touching the abuse of this Sacrament It is the ministers duty to make particular application of their Doctrines Teaching That it is the duty of euery faithfull minister of Iesus Christ to make particular applications of those Doctrines the which they deliuer not to sooth the people in their sinnes but plainly to set them before them and to shew them the iudgments of God that are vpon them for the same And thus doth Nathan make a particular application of the parable of the sheepe saying to Dauid 2. Sam 12.7 I. Reg. 21. Exo. 9.13 Act. 14.25 Mar. 6.18 Ioh. 4.9 Thou art the man Thus doeth Elias reproue Ahab Moses Pharao Paul Felix and Iohn Baptist Herod c. yea thus doth Christ him self deale with the woman of Samaria who did but dally with Christ vntil he came to lay to her charge her particular sin that she was a wicked woman no better then a whore or harlot and then she was tamed and began to listen vnto Christs doctrine And there is great reason that the Ministers of God should deale thus truely and faithfully with mens soules For Reason 1 First it is Gods commaundement that his ministers shoulde deale so plainely Eze. 33. and faithfully with the soules of men to lay open their sins and to acquaint them with the iudgment to com And heere-hence it is that the Lord doth giue vnto his seruants in the Ministery such names and titles which serue to put them in mind of their duety heerein Eze. 3.1 Eze. 34.1 1. Sam. 9.9 2. Pet. 1. â—3 as Watch-men Shepheards Seers Remembrancers c. Reason 2 Secondly because we know that conviction is the ready way to Conuersion And the iudgement of man must first of all bee convicted to see its error before he can come to leaue and forsake the same Now then inasmuch as this is it where-vnto all the labours of Gods seruants in the Ministerie doeth tende to bring men to see their sins and to repent for the same this can they not more better effect then by the particular application of their Doctrins bringing downe the same and applying it vnto the consciences of the hearers Vse 1 for reprofe And surely this doth serue to shewe why so many that labour in the Lords vineyard amongst vs are so vnprofitable and do so little good in their Ministerie the reason is plaine they deliuer generall Doctrines without their Vses they make not a true and particular application of the same vnto the Consciences oâ— their hearers and so it wants the life of all Application and fals to the ground Men hauing noâ— their portion out of the same deuided amongst them Vse 2 Secondly for instruction to Ministers this may serue to admonish all Ministers of the Worde that as they desire to see some fruite of their labour the conuersion of their hearers and those the Lord hath committed vnto their charge So to behold Pauls practice here to deale faithfully with mens soules to rip vp mens consciences to smite home to presse them with their sinnes and to say with Nathan Thou art the man For indeede such is the deceiptfulnesse of mans nature that vnlesse men be plainely and faithfully dealt withall wee may see that selfe-loue wil make men put off the most wholesome instructions vnto others as if they did no whit concern themselues This is a good lesson for such and such a man I would they had heard it Whereas indeede it concerneth none more then themselues Paul preuents this amongst this people of Corinth and tels them That many amongst them were weak c. Oh that this duty were duly regarded of all in the ministery it could not be
saying Ier. 3.13 Know thy sins O Ierusalem Lam. 3.39 And againe Wherfore is the liuing man sorrowfull man suffereth for his sin Let vs search and try our wayes and turne vnto the Lord. Where he shewes that for want of this iudging of our selues men are punished and because they will not enter into a narrow search of their owne soules they doe not returne vnto the Lord. So Dauid I considered my own wayes and turned my feete to thy Testimonies Ps 119 5â— And the like speece is vsed by the Prophet Zephany Zeph. 2.1.2 Fan your selues oh my people Yea common reason doth require the same before a man can frame himselfe to enter into a right course hee must thorowly bee resolued and perswaded within himselfe that hee hath beene mistaken in his former course of life I might multiply testimonies in this kinde but these shall suffice to direct vs in this duty how necessary this strict tryall and examination of our owne estates is to the iudgeing of our selues Ioel. 2.13 Onely let me adde this that in this our examination we must not only search after our grosse sins Act. 8.22 but euen after our most secret corruptions For true repentance extends it selfe not onely to the grosse euiles of mens liues but euen the most secret corruption of the heart and of the Soule And we must withall consider the Circumstances of our sinnes as when where how we haue committed the same that so accordingly wee may labour for humiliation for the same And herein it shall bee safe for vs to passe thorough the whole law of God and take a viewe of our liues by euery particular commandement that so we may the better come to see and acknowledge our misery and want Vse 1 First then this serues to discouer vnto vs the reason why there is so little faith true repentance in the world why men are no more humbled for their sins and doe not repent of the same Poore Soules they know not that they doe euill such either cannot or do not search themselues they call not their owne wayes to account Now then how can such come to repentance and to haue their sinnes pardoned that neuer yet called their sinnes to account nor questioned their estate Such neuer came as yet where repentance grew Well then I say againe marke well this poynt doe not lightly passe it ouer but esteeme it as the blessed truth of God that the sight and vnderstanding of our owne wandering is the first step vnto eternall life and saluation and to iudge our selues that so wee may in the ende escape the condemnatorie sentence of the Almighty Vse 2 Secondly wee may obserue hence what a singular a fauour of God it is when he doth open a mans eyes to see his miseries to find himselfe like a lost sheepe to haue gone a stray Surely surely this is the begining of al grace true conuersion vnto God Whereas such as are yet ignorant of their own estates or cannot abide to looke into the Law whereby sinne comes to be discouered It is a plaine signe that such a one is in a most desperate case past hope Psal 50. and God himselfe must bee faint to take him into his own hand for sin must be iudged And thus much for the first degree of iudging of our selues our examination of our owne estates The second particular 2 Accusation wherein this iudging of our selues doth consist is Accusation Or the preferring of bils of inditement against our selues and to accuse our selues before God for our sinnes And indeede if wee woulde not bee iudged and condemned of the Lord we must bring our selues as poore prisoners to the barr of Gods iudgment seate And this wee do when wee set our selues in the presence of God and enter into a narrow reconing with our owne Soules and consciences as if now were the day of iudgement To see what our conscience which is as a little God and iudg in our bosom woulde say against vs. And surely the often performance of this duty Note to bring our selues thus into Gods presence to see what an acnount we can make vnto GOD of our liues past will be a good meanes to bring vs to this duty to iudge our selues that we be not iudged of the Lord and where men doe truly come to the sight of their sinnes and vnto true repentance for the same there will euer follow this Accusation for sinne In true repentance there is euermore a disposition to lay to a mans owne charge asmuch as is possible A penitent sinner needs none other aduersarie then his owne conscience he himselfe is his owne foe And this appeares clearely by that of Dauid I haue sinned exceedingly saith he and done very foolishly 2. Sam. 24.10 And it is the practise of Ezra in that confession of his hee makes in the behalfe of the whole Church Our iniquities are increased ouer our heads Esay 9.6 and our trespasses are growne vp to heauen And that of the Prophet Daniel is most excellent to this purpose when he saith Wee haue sinned and committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly Dan. 9.5 and haue rebelled euen by departing from thy precepts and from thy iudgemens How doth the Prophet there accuse for sinne by the acknowledgment of the peoples degrees of sinnes 1. Tim. 1.13 And if we require some examples we may behold Paules practise herein confessing himselfe to bee a Blasphemer an Oppressor c. Yea the Cheefe of sinners And that of the Prodigall who confessed that he had sinned against heauen and against God c. All which as a cloud of witnesses Serue to informe our Iudgement and to settle the same in the truth of this poynt that vnto this iudging of our selues there must be selfe-accusing and indeede where there is true repentance there is in some Vse 1 measure this disposition The vses followe If this accusing of a mans selfe be so necessary vnto the iudgeing of our selues that so we may escape the condemnation of the Lord what shall we say to those that study the Art of mincing and extenuating of sinne poore soules such neuer came where repentance grâ—we And yet the world affords thousands of these who notwithstanding thinke themselues to bee in good cause that can put vppon couetousnesse the cloake of frugality and good husbandry vpoÌ„ drunkennes good-fellowship c so far are many from accusing themselues for sin as that they rather iustifie themselues in their euill wayes Vse 2 But let this serue for matter of instruction vnto vs all that as we desire the pardon of our sinnes to haue some good euidence vnto our owne soules of our repentance to aggrauate our sins to accuse our selues vnto God for our manifold impieties Oh it is an excellent signe of grace in a man to think he can neuer lay enough vnto his owne charge Oh this is the onely way to haue our