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
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
beare me witnes and acquite me before Gods tribunal it would auail me nothing at all So then whether we consider that euery mans estate is best knowne vnto himselfe or that euery man shall answere for his owne sinnes vnto God we conclude the necessity of this duety that if a man would haue comfort in comming to this sacrament and come prepared as hee ought this duty is to be performed by him he must examin himselfe Vse 1 This serues to reproue many in these dayes and times wherin we liue For reprofe that are very forwarde and busie in prying into other men pursuing them with their examinations and that through a glassie spectacle wherein euery mole seemes a mountaine and euery more a beame heerein they are Eagle eyed and quicke sighted but in the meane time doe vtterly neglect themselues and those great corruptions and maine deformities that are in themselues and breake out in their liues they cannot behold But what are they that for the most part are so forward to prye into the faults of their brethren but such as seldome or neuer behold their owne deformities But who art thou that iudgest another mans seruant Rom. 14.4 seeing he standeth or falleth to his master The Lorde hath commaunded thee to Examine thy selfe hee doth not require that thou shouldst so strictly examin the wayes of thy brother the Lord hath reserued that to himselfe Let such remember our Sauiour his checke to Peter for his busie inquisition concerning Iohn Ioh. 21.22 What is that to thee follow thou me We are carefully to heede our owne wayes and our owne walking It is no wisedome to neglect our selues and to bee ignorant of our owne estates and to bee so curious in prying into other mens wayes Quest But may we not examin others at all Answ Men are to be considered two wayes either as publike or as priuate persons Publike persons may ought to examine others and thus Ministers in a speciall manner are bound to take tryall of the estate of the flocke that is committed vnto them the Lord himselfe doth will it so when he sayth The Priests lips shal preserue knowledg Mal. 2.7 the people shal seek the law at his mouth And so are Parents Masters of families bound vnto the same duty to examin the children and families for their relation to their congregations and families makes them publike persons and bindes them to this dutie But now for a priuate person he ought not so to do vnlesse by way of conference so to helpe to confirme and strengthen their brethren Luk. 22.32 vnto which duty al are bound And so to giue testimony of our obedience we are likewise bound to giue an answer to all that shall aske vs not being ashamed of Christ or his word according to that of the Apostle Be ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 1. Pet. 3.15 and that with meeknesse and reuerence Vse 2 Secondly seeing this duety is so needefull and necessary For instruction it shal be our wisdome to put the same in execution that euery one doe search and examine his owne wayes who will bee so faithfull to thee in this duety as thy selfe How can hee bee faithfull to another that is carelesse of himselfe Loue euer begins with a mans selfe Simile If a mans house bee on fire with his neighbours will a man be so careful of his neighbours as to neglect his owne I trow not Oh my brethren our soules are set on fire with sinne why then should any man so neglect himselfe and the welfare of his owne soule and seeme to bee so mindefull of another mans of such a one it may bee truely sayd that he doth little mind the eternall good of either It is no poynt of good husbandry for a man to acquaint himselfe with the nature of other mens grounds goods or chattels and in the meane time to be altogether ignorant of his owne Bee diligent to know the state of thy owne flocke sayth Salomon hee giues not the like charge in any place concerning our neighbours So then wouldst thou haue any comfort in the vse of this Sacrament wouldest thou not haue thy hearing reading praying receiuing and the like holy dueties holy I say in themselues layd vnto thy charge and put in the score amongst the bedrole of thy sinnes against the day of reckoning learne then betimes to make more conscience of this duety of examining thy selfe see what leades thee to the performance of them whether thou doest them in faith repentance and obedience or for custome â—ake and betimes learne to â—udge thy selfe that thou bee â—ot iudged of the Lord. And thus much conserning â—he subiect of this examination and that is a mans selfe the duty followes which wee referre to another time ⸪ Let vs pray The Second Sermon 1. Cor. 11.28 Let a man therefore examine himselfe HITHERTO wee haue spoken of the necessity of Examination godly preparation that ought to be made of euery christian before hee come to the Lords Table as also of the Subiect of it Himselfe We are now in order to treat of the third circumstance that is the duty it selfe layde â—owne in this word Examine Let â— man therefore examine himselfe Heere is the duty that euery â—hristian must performe that â—omes to partake of this Sacrament and desires to be a fit guest â—or the Lords Table he must first Examine himselfe There is no man that will vnâ—ertake a businesse of any imâ—ortance but hee makes some â—ind of preparation there-vnto â—f it be but to goe to the market â— a Faire or to his Meales how â—uch more in a matter of this â—ature that so highly concernes â—ods glory and the saluation of â—ur own Soules we are not to go â—bout this lightly and vnaduiâ—dly but with great care and due â—xamination of our selues least â— seeking Comfort in comming â—nto this so holy an ordinance wee bring vpon our owne headâ— swift damnation Most men fayle in the manner of performing most duties It is an vsuall and common practise of the most to fayle cheefely in the manner of performing of any duty vnto God by reason of that ignorance that is in them their vnderstandingâ— being not inlightned and their iudgements informed in the truth And as in al other duties oâ— Gods worship and seruice so especially in this Examination of themselues either in being ignorant wherein it consisteth of in performing the same according to the truth What examination is We are therefore to know that to examine our selues is to make a narrow and strict search into our owne hartâ— not in a formal maner but substantially as a matter of the greateâ— consequence importance that sâ— â—ow we may vncouer and make â—aked things that are secret and â—idden and finde out how the â—ause stands betwixt God and vs what sins we are
guiltie of how we stand affected towards them whether wee haue laboured to subdue them or haue let loose â—he raine vnto them commitâ—ing sin with greedinesse as it were with deliberation plodâ—ing and deuising how wee night accomplish wickednesse â—nd whether we haue still a purâ—ose to continue in our former â—uill wayes Such a diligent Examination â—oth the Apostle call for else â—here 2. Cor. 13.5 when hee saith Proue your â—elues whether ye be in the faith exâ—mine your selues Psal 4.4 And that of â—auid Lam. 3.40 Examine your selues vpon â—ur bed But especialy that of the Prophet Ieremy Let vs search and try our wayes c. The word signifieth such a searching as if a man were to search for gold or siluer in a mine in the earth where there is much earth but little oare Thereby giuing vs to vnderstand that sinne creepes into corners and lieth close so that if a man would find it out he must search that narrowly oâ— else he may misse of it This made Dauid to cry out Psal 19.12 who can vnderstand his faults Oh clense me froâ— my secret sinnes Eccle. 7.31 And Salomoâ— saith that God made man righteous but they haue found ouâ— many inuentions In all which respects we see that it must not be â— triuiall or ordinary examinatioâ— that wil serue turne but the moâ— diligent scrutiny and searcâ— that may be And that First 1 Reasons moouing to performe the duty because mans heart is a â—ine of deceipt and is as a sea of â—ubtilty and therefore vnlesse a â—an dig deepe and diue lowe â—t will not be sounded The heart â— deceiptfull aboue measure Ier. 17.9 who â—an find it out many mens hearts â—re like vnto a quagmire rotten within and yet seeming solide without like vnto Iezabel paintâ—ng the outside and making the â—oule to seeme comely As let a â—an demand any question of his â—eart how deceitfull shall the â—nswer bee if he bring the same â—o tryall as in particuler if a man â—ske his heart whether hee may â—ot safely goe to the Sacrament â—t will say with Elizeus 2. Reg. 5.29 goe in â—eace whereas indeede there is no â—eace to the wicked Esay 57. vlt And as the Aâ—ostle sheweth in the verse folâ—owing v. 29. He that eateth and drinketh vnworthyly eateth and drinketh Iudgement to himselfe Yet alâ— who is there in a whole congregation of so lewd and loose a life that thinkes not himselfe fit for the Sacrament and all this comâ— to passe through the deceitfullnesse of the heart Besides how many are deceiued in their estates when theâ— compare themselues with others and when they see thaâ— they breake not out into the samâ— excesse of ryot with other meâ— though God knowes they aâ— but kept by a restraining grace and are besides fraught with alâ— manner of hypocrycie they caâ— thinke that all is well Luk. 18.11 yea anâ— glory in that estate too with Goâ— I thanke thee that I am not as otheâ— men When they are but meerâ— Pharises paynted Sepulcherâ— and within are full of all manner of corruption Secondly we had neede very seriously to performe this duety because of the straight commandement of almighty God to that purpose Keepe thy heart with all diligence Pro. 4.23 Now this can neuer be done vnlesse we view them thorowly and search into them with exceeding care The Gouernour of a Castle can neuer defend it from the enemy vnlesse he haue â—n eye to euery passage that the enemy may make his entry And â—ure it is that wee shall neuer deâ—end the Castles of our soules â—nles we haue a speciall care vnâ—o the in-roads of our senses and â—he out-roads of our affections â—y the which as so many doores â—nd Casements sin and Sathan â—oth wind himselfe into vs. And again this is not the least motiue to stir vs vp vnto this duty because of the danger for the curse of God is lyable vnto euery one that doth the work of the Lord negligently Ier. 48.10 There is in no one part of Gods worship and seruice that requires more circumspection care and conscience to the right performance of it then this of the due receiuing of this Sacrament of the Lords Supper And therfore as that great Gommaundement of Almighty God of sanctifying his Saboth hath a speciall memento prefixed before it because by the careful keeping of it we shall obserue the rest the better So of all other the ordinances of God giuen vnto his Church this being the neareâ— and dearest pledge of his loue he doth in a speciall manner require that men should come prepared therevnto Lastly consider what the Apostle sayth in the verses following v. 31. That if we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged and by our negligent and carelesse neglect of this duetie wee expose our selues vnto the most strict and dreadfull examination of the Almighty Now were it not better that we should iudge our selues then that God should iudge vs which the Lord will neuer doe if we will truely iudge our selues Thus did the Prodigall Sonne iudge himselfe when hee confessed he was not worthy to be called a Sonne Luk. 15.19 and in so doing found mercy at Gods hands But when men come short of their duety herein the Lord fals to his examination and men that cannot indure to set sinne before their eyes for their conuersion the Lord at the last will set them before his to their confusion Now hauing considered the reasons to mooue vs to this narrow search and tryall of our selues we now come to speak of the duty it selfe which consists of foure particulars without which wee can neuer celebrate the Lords Supper to the glory of God the comfortable discharge of our owne dueties and with peace vnto our soules The first is Knowledge the second Faith the third Repentance the fourth Loue. If we find not these things in vs in some measure wee cannot be meete partakers of these holy misteries Heere then is our duty Examination And the things that are to be enquired after are first whether wee haue in vs the sanctified knowledg of God and of Christ Secondly whether we haue faith in him Thirdly whether wee haue repentance for our sinnes and last of al loue and charity to our brethren If these things bee in vs though but in a weak measure we may come to this Supper of the Lord heere to haue them strengthened and confirmed the Lord doth invite such poore soules to come vnto him and hath promised to refresh them Mat 11.28 Mar. 12.26 and not to breake the bruised Reede nor quench the smoaking Flaxe But if on the contrary part we find vpon Examination that our hearts are ignorant of God and of Christ and of our redemption through him that we want faith in his promises that our heartes are not broken and wounded within vs for our sins that we are not in charity with men that
regarded not the sacrifices of his owne worship and seruice when men did not performe them in an holy manner in Faith and Repentance And therfore the Lord exhorts them thus Esa 1.16 Wash you make you cleane take away the evill of your workes from before mine eyes Cease to doe evill learne to doe well c. This were the way to haue their Sacrifices accepted to breake off their sinnes by repentance without which the Lord accepteth of nothing that we do The truth is further manifested by the same prophet where he sayth that Hâ— that killeth a Bullock Esa 66.3 is as if he slew â— man He that sacrificeth a sheepe â— as if he cut off a dogs necke He â—hat offereth an oblation as if he ofâ—ered swines flesh Now what is the â—eason of this did not the Lord â—equire these things at the peoâ—les hand did not his worship â—nd seruice consist in them I â—nswer yes Yet for all that these â—hings were abhomination vnto â—he Lord For in euery duetie â—ere is the Matter and the Manâ—er the Lord neuer regards the â—atter of his seruice if men faile 〈◊〉 the Manner if they doe not â—erforme the same in Faith Reâ—entance and Obedience And â—herefore the Lord layes downe â—e reason why their Sacrifices â—ere reiected viz. Because their â—ule delighted in their abhominatiâ— They came vnto them in â—eir sinnes which caused the Lord to hate both them their Sacrifice Vse 1 This serues to put the Ministers of the word in mind of their duty what doctrine it is that in a speciall maner they are to teach and to vrge vpon the consciences of the people euen the doctrin of the law in the first place and in a speciall manner that so men may bee brought vnto a sight of their sinnes and repentance for the same And surely in our dayes and times there is more neede of the Sonnes of Thunder then of Consolation inasmuch as sinne doth abound in euery place and congregation and that here bee so few that come truly to the sighâ— of the same Vse 2 Oh then in the feare of God let vs try and examine our selueâ— â—eriously in this one poynt espeâ—ially whether we find our harts â—o be broken and wounded in vs â—or sinne for the euils of our life â—ast desiring to walke more holiâ—y for the time to come For this 〈◊〉 the end wherefore we come to â—his Supper of the Lord that we â—ight bee strengthened against â—â—nne and bee knit vnto Christ â—nd so receiue the power of his â—eath to kill sinne in vs and â—ight haue more power to â—ease God So that wee must try our Reâ—entance how wee find and feele â—ur hearts humbled for our maâ—ifold sinnes and offences comâ—itted whether wee be grieued 〈◊〉 our soules for offending so â—ood and gracious a God wheâ—â—er we come to this Sacrament â—ith a hatred and detestation of all our former euill wayes and with a constant purpose to walke in newe Obedience in all thinges purposing to please him And when we haue partaked of this Sacrament we must then examine our hearts and see how we preuaile against our corruptions So that though we haue repentance before yet now wee must renewe our Repentance and labour to finde more poweâ— and strength against sinne theâ— before But if wee come in our oldâ— sinnes in our ignorance blindnesse hardnesse of heart prophanenesse lying swearing vncleannesse c. it were better thaâ— we neuer came at all we cannoâ— looke euer to reape any benefiâ— by this holy ordinance of God but in stead of a blessing shall bee sure to drawe downe from GOD some heauie iudgement Let vs not then come in our old sinnes as Iudas in his hypocrisie least we reape the rewarde of Iudas The Iewes had foure daies to â—o prepare themselues and they must eate the Passeouer with vnâ—eauened bread and sower herbs Exo. 12. â—y which Ceremony they were â—aught to come in Repentance â—ith harts grieued for sinne and â—o prepare themselues for so â—reat a mystery And the Apostle â—xhorteth vnto this duety when â—e sayth Purge out the old leauen 1. Cor. 5.7 â—at ye may be a new lump for Christ â—ur Passeouer is sacrificed for vs. And thus much for the third â—art of our examination viz. Reâ—entance Loue. The fourth Interrogatory in this our examination is for our loue to man or reconciliation to our brethren This vertue as it is necessary at al times so especially at this time when we come to partake of this Sacrament which is a Supper of loue This is as needefull and necessary to the due receiuing of this sacrament as the former For whaâ— were our knowledge if wee haâ— the same in neuer so great a measure what were our faith or repentance if loue to our brethreâ— be wanting we may well call thâ— truth of them all into question iâ— we find not our selues ready anâ— willing to remit and forgiue oâ— brethren their iniuries and trespasses committed against vs. This Sacrament is called thâ— Communion to teach vs this duty how we ought to come vnto the same in loue we haue one God one Mediator and redeemer one Spirit one mother the church of God we be all members of one and the same misticall body and therefore when we come to this Supper we should come in loue That which our Sauiour saith of Sacrifices may very well bee saide of this Sacrament When â—hou commest to the Alter Mat. 5.23.24 and â—here remembrest that thy brother â—ath ought against thee First bee â—econciled to thy brother and then â—ome and offer thy gift There must be first reconciliatioÌ„ to our brethren before the Lord will â—ccept of our Sacrifice or Serâ—ice Nay more the Lord will â—aue his owne seruice and worâ—hip to cease for a time till â—his reconciliation bee performed I will haue mercy and not Sacrifice Hos 6.6 sayth the Lord meaning indeede that men can neuer performe aright the dueties of the first Table vvhere they make no conscience of the dueties of the second Loue and seruices to man And hence it is that our Sauiour doth most diligently exhort his Disciples and in them all christians vnto this duty saying By this shall all men knowe that you are my Disciples Ioh. 13.35 if ye loue one another 1. Ioh. 3.14 And againe This is my commandement that ye loue one another 1. Ioh. 4.12 1. Ioh. 4 7. Our Sauiour makes this loue a badg or cognisance by the which wee are knowne to be his Disciples this assures vs â—â—â—t we are Gods children and that wee are translated from death to life And Heereby we know that God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfect in vs. And Paul most earnestly exhorteth vnto this duty when he saith as the elect of God Col. 3.12 holy beloued put on tender mercy kindnes humblenesse of mind meekenes long-suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another If any man