of God If we can finde these properties in our soules then haue wee found in our selues so many infallible signes and tokens that our Faith hath a true and sound ground CHAP. IIII. Of the triall of our Faith by the Obiect or matter thereof SEcondly wee are to try and examine our Faith in Christ whether it bee true and liuely no or yea by the obiect and matter thereof The obiect and matter of true Faith is That diuine truth which God in his Word hath reuealed vnto vs. For if the testimony of GOD in his Word be the ground of our Faith then that truth which is reuealed in the Word must needes bee the obiect and matter therof Now forasmuch as there was neuer any one man that could euer atttaine vnto the knowledge of all euery particular truth reuealed in the word of God the readiest meanes heerein to try our Faith is by such maine fundamentall truths therein contained and plainely taught vpon which all other truths doe in some sort depend and vnto which they are to be reduced And therefore let vs examine our consciences in these points 1 VVhether doe wee vnfainedly beleeue the the Mysterie of the Trinitie the Creation of the world the fall of Adam the Incarnation death resurrection and ascension of Iesus Christ That there shall bee a rising againe of all flesh from death to life a generall day of Iudgement that there is a heauen a hell an euerlasting life for some and an eternall death for othersome after this life And such other grounds of Religion euidently contained in the word of God and collected and proued by the same in our ordinary confessions of Faith and Catechismes 2 More specially whether we beleeue that the Law of God the a Mat. 22 4 sum whereof is contained in the ten Cōmandements is a b Ro. 7.12 9 14 15 16 holy perfect and iust Law And such a Law as God may iustly binde euery man to the obedience of euery Commandement therein contained And Psal 19 7 Deut. 6.2 4 5 whether we beleeue that hee that perfectly keepeth this Law is d Deut. 28 15 Gal. 3.10 Rom. 6.23 2 Thes 1.9 is a blessed and happy man 3 VVhether wee beleeue That e the breach of this Law deserueth euerlasting death condemnation And that God in f Rom. 9 13 14 his iustice may punish euerlastingly in hell fire the breakers thereof 4 VVhether we beleeue That g Rom. 3 10 11 12 20 23 5 12 Prou. 20 8 all men liuing vpon earth since the fall of Adam haue broken this Law and so are guiltie of euerlasting death and that no man by reason of the corruption of his will h Gē 8.11 Ro. 7.7 27 is now since the said fall able to keepe this Law 5 VVhether wee beleeue ps 51.3 4 5 Neh. 1.7 Dan. 9.5 12 Psa 40 12 32 4 Ezra 9.6 That our selues in particular are grieuous sinners and haue deserued by our sinnes euerlasting death and condemnation And that it is a great misery to bee a sinner and a happinesse to be free from sinne 6 VVhether wee beleeue Luk. 19.23 12 34 Mat. 7 13 Rom. 9 27 Prou. 16.4 That God will punish euerlastingly in hell fire a great part of the world for their sin And that to the praise of his glorious Iustice 7 VVhether wee beleeue That neither our selues Rom. 3 23 5 6 12 7 18 19 20 nor any man else by his owne power strength or merit is able to free himselfe from this condemnation And therefore if there be no meanes out of our selues to saue vs that wee also shall be in the number of those that shal be euerlastingly condemned 8 VVhether wee beleeue Iohn 17 9 Dan. 9 7 Ro. 15 14 9 22 23 Heb. 4 6 that God wil shew grace and mercy to some sinners freely sauing pardoning and forgiuing them without the least merit and desert on their part 9 VVhether wee beleeue that all that are saued pardoned of their sinnes Rom. 8.1 7 24 25 5 1 12 3 28 Mat. 1.21 are partakers of this mercy only through the merits of Iesus Christ God and man And that hee merited the same by his death bloud-shedding vpon the Crosse 10 VVhether we beleeue Iohn 1.12 6 35 Mat. 9 2 Ro. 7.24.25 Esa 1.18 Heb. 9.4 that the merits of Christ are sufficient for the pardon and forgiuenesse of our owne sinnes in particular 11 VVhether wee beleeue that all that are saued by Iesus Christ Ro. 8.30.31 1 Cor. 1.30 Ioh. 15 19 17 6 20 21 shall in this life if they liue till they come to yeeres of discretion haue the Mysterie of Redemption reuealed vnto them in the preaching of the Gospell by meanes whereof they shall effectually bee called out of the world Eph. 5.30 Iohn 15.1 Ez. 11.19 Acts 16 14 Iohn 1 12 2 Pet. 1.5 to Faith and repentance And that they shall testifie the same by sorrow vnfained for their sinnes past an endeuor carefully to lead a new life euer after and in a readines to do Iesus Christ faithfull seruice in his Church according to his wil reuealed in his word Mat. 29 34 Reuel 22 1 2 3 2 Tim. 4 8 And whether wee beleeue that after this life all such shall raigne with Christ Iesus in all blisse and glory in heauen for euer and euer 12 VVhether we beleeue that all such as do beleeue and vnfainedly repent them of their sins and haue a constant purpose to lead a new life according to the will word of God Iohn 3.36 1 Ioh. 5 10 are in the number of them that shal bee saued euerlastingly And whether wee iudge and beleeue that it is a sin for any such person Iohn 3 18 36 to despaire of the mercy of God not to repose trust and confidence therein 13 VVhether we beleeue that all those persons are most vile and miserable that are not called to Faith and Repentance and that they most of all other are most vile and wicked persons that contemne dispise Mat. 11.21 25 Heb. 2.3 or care not to vse those meanes that God hath ordained to bring them thereunto 14 VVhether we beleeue that we are bound to vse all the meanes we can Mat. 7.7 8 21 22 Mar. 11.24 2 Tim. 4 7 8 Luk. 2 29 Iob 19 25 for attaining Faith and Repentance And whether we beleeue that in vsing the meanes wee shall attaine them And lastly Mar. 9 24 Luke 17 5 Mat. 5 6 Reu. 21 6 whether when we feele that wee haue in some measure obtained these graces we doe beleeue that our selues in particular are of that number that shall bee saued Or whether we doe vse all indeuour at the least and vnfainedly desire to beleeue the same In these seueral points consists the substance matter of the true Christian Faith euery one of which
Gal. 3 13. Q. Was there no other meanes to saue vs A. No verily Acts 4.12 Rom. 7.23 24. * Q. Doth our Sauiour Christ then continue still vnder death A. No but hee rose againe the third day and ascended into heauen there sitteth in all glory at the right hand of his Father making intercession for vs Ioh. 20 Mat. 28. Acts 1. Acts 2 31. 1 Cor. 15. Mark 16.19 VI. Q. Shall all men bee saued by Christ A. No but such only if they be of yeeres as by Faith and Repentance become new men Eph. 3 17. Col. 2 12. Ioh. 3 16. 1 12. Act. 13 39. Mar. 1 4 15. Acts 20.21 Ioh. 6 35. Q. What is Faith A. A confidence in the merits of Christ onely for saluation Act. 16 31. Iohn 1 12. Q. What is Repentance A. An vnfained hatred of all sin for Christs sake Acts 3 19. 2 Cor. 7 10 11. Mat. 3 7 8 10. VII Q. By what meanes do we attaine vnto Faith and Repentance ordinarily A. By the preaching of Gods Word Ephes 1.31 Rom. 10.17 Q. What is Gods Word Answ His reuealed will contained in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles 2 Tim. 3.15 16. 2 Pet. 1.20 Luk. 24.27 2 Pet. 3.2 Q. What were those Prophets and Apostles A. Men that writ by diuine inspiration 2 Ti. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 * Q. What be the parts of Gods Word A. The Law and the Gospell * Q. What is the Law A. That part of Gods word which sheweth the cursed estate that all men are in by reason of sinne Galath 3.19 Rom. 3.20 * Q. What is the Gospell A. That part of Gods word which sheweth how wee are freed from that curse by Iesus Christ Act. 16.30 Iohn 3.16 Mar. 1.1 VIII * Q. Where is Gods Word ordinarily preached A. In the Churches of Christ * Q. What are the Churches of Christ A. Holy Assemblies ioining ordinarily and orderly together in the worship of God 1. Cor. 1.2 and 2. 2 Cor. 1.1 Tit. 1.5 * Q. Wherein consists the worship of God A. In hearing the Word receiuing the Sacraments and Prayer Mat. 28.18 9. Act. 15.21 1 Tim. 2.1 1 Corin. 11.23 IX * Q. By whom is the Word of God preached A. By the Ministers of Christ Eph. 4.11 12. * Q. Who are the Ministers of Christ A. Such as hauing gifts giuen them of God are set a part by the Church to preach the Word admininister the Sacraments and to bee the mouth of the people vnto God in prayer Heb. 5.4 Rom. 10.15 Rom. 1.20 X * Q. Doe all attaine vnto Faith Repentance vnto whom the Word is preached A. No but those onely in whom God of his speciall grace works the same by his owne Spirit Act. 16 14. Eph. 2.8 Rom. 10.17 * Q. Who are those A. His Elect. Acts 13 48. * Q. What are they A. Such as from all eternitie he hath purposed to saue by Iesus Christ Rom. 9 22.23 1 Thes 5 9. * Q. Is there any thing in them aboue others that moueth God hereunto A. Nothing in the world but his owne meere good will pleasure Eph. 1.4 5 11. Rom. 9 18-22 * Q. Why doth hee vouchsafe this grace to some A. For the praise of his glorious Mercy Ro. 9 23. * Q. Why doth he deny this grace to other some A. For the praise of his glorious Iustice Rom. 9.22 XI * Q. What shall be the estate of those that attaine vnto Faith Repentance A. They shall in this life daily grow and increase therein Psa 1 3. * Q. by what speciall means shall they grow and increase therein A. By the due vse of the Word Sacraments and Prayer * Q. But what shall their estate bee after this life A. There sonles shall goe to heauen and there remaine till the last day and then both body and soule shall bee vnited againe and both shal continue with Christ in all glory in heauen for euer and euer * Q. What is the last day A. A day of generall Iudgement wherein all flesh shall be raised from death and receiue finall sentence from God for that which they haue done in this life Matth. 25 31 c. * Q. VVhat sentence shall passe vpon those that repent and beleeue in Christ A. They shall bee acquit from all their sins and receiued into euerlasting glory Mat. 25 24. * Q. What sentence shall passe vpon the rest A. All their sinnes shall bee discouered and laid to their charges and they shall bee cast body and soule into hell fire Mat. 25.41 c. XII Q. How many Sacraments are there A. Two Baptisme and the Lords Supper Mat. 28 19. 1 Cor. 11 23 c. * Q. What is Baptisme A. A mysticall washing with water in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost Tit. 3 5. Mat. 28 1â— * Q. What doth water specially signifie A. The bloud of Christ Eph. 5.25 * Q. What doth the washing signifie A. That we are freed from the guilt of sinne and sanctified by the merits of Christ especially by his death and bloud-shedding Ephes 5.26 Mar. 1.4 Act. 2.38 Tit. 3.5 1 Cor. 6.11 * Q. Who are to be admitted to Baptisme A. All that truely professe Faith and Repentance and their Infants Act. 2.38 39. Act. 8.37 Gen. 17.7 1. Cor. 7 14. * Q. VVho are those A. Such as doe nothing that is manifestly contrary therunto in the knowledge of men or if they haue done any thing giue good signes of special repentance for the same * Q. How oft are they to be baptised A. Onely once * Q. When are they to be Baptised A. Assoon as they can be admitted thereto by the Church where they are called to liue Act. 2.41 8 36. 10.7 XIII Q. VVhat is the Supper of the Lord A. A mysticall communion in breaking and eating of bread and drinking of wine in speciall remembrance of Christ Matth. 26.26 1 Cor. 10.16 Q. What doth the bread and wine signifie A. The Body bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 Q. What doth the breaking of the bread signifie A. Those paines hee indured in soule and body for our saluation especially vpon the Crosse 1 Cor. 11 24. Q. What doth the eating of the bread and drinking of the wine signifie A. That by the vertue of his merits especially of his death and bloud-shedding applied to vs by Faith we are not only freed from eternall death in hell but shall liue with him in heauen for euer and euer Q. Who are to bee admitted to the receiuing of this Sacrament A. All that hauing beene baptised continue in the true profession of Faith and Repentance 1 Cor. 11.27 28 29. Q. How oft are they to receiue the same A. As oft as it may conueniently bee administred in that Church in which they haue calling to liue Act. 2.42 20.7 XIIII Q. VVho are woorthy Receiuers of this Sacrament A. Such as bring a holy appetite therevnto Mat. 5.6 Q. What is that appetite A. A spiritual
meanes be kept frō receiuing this Sacrament at Easter especially Which one sin in so general a profanatiō of this Sacrament d 1 Cor. 11 30.31 were sufficient to bring vpō the land al those grieuous iudgemnts that haue been and are still vpon it though it were guilty of no other sinne besides Q. Faith is necessary to the worthy receiuing of this Sacrament As you haue shewed the necessity of a desire to this Sacrament of knowledge also in euery one that would come worthily vnto it so tell wee now what that faith is which you said was the third grace that is necessarily required to the preparing of vs vnto this Sacrament A. No man can receiue this sacramēt worthily vnlesse he haue a true iustifying faith and be vndoubtedly assured that Christ with all his merits do belong vnto himselfe Reasons of this doctrine Q. How may it appeare that none can bee worthy or fit to receiue but they that haue this faith A. First because this was necessarily required e Mar. 16.16 Act. 8.37 16.31.34 of all such as did desire to be baptised Secondly this al other the Sacramēts are appointed of God f Rom. 10 14 17 not to begin but to confirm faith where it is already begun and g Ro. 4.11 are therfore called seales of the righteousnesse that is by faith Thirdly as h Heb. 4.2 the word of God which we heare cannot profit vs at all vnlesse it be mixed with faith so much lesse can any profit by this visible word that wanteth faith which i Ioh. 3.14 15 8 56 is both the only eye whereby wee may discerne the Lords body the k Ioh. 1.12 6 35 36 Ephe. 3.17 hand and mouth whereby wee receiue it and feed vpon it Lastly it is not possible that any should haue that right desire to this Sacramēt which we haue already shewed to be so necessary to our worthy receiuing of it that is not by a liuely faith assured that Christ with all his merits doe belong vnto him Q. But seeing it is euident by the Scriptures that l Ioh. 17.9 Christ with his merits do not belong vnto al men but to m Luk. 12 22 a little flocke that n Mat. 7.14 the greatest part of the world and o Matt. 22 14 euen of those that liue in the profession of the true Religion shall receiue no benefit by him how can any peore sinner that knoweth himself to be as vnworthy to receiue so great a gift from God as any other man attaine to this vndoubted assurance that he is one of that little flocke that Christ died for A. The faith of Gods elect is no vaine fancy nor vncertaine hope but a certaine assurance because it is p Ro. 10.8 grounded vpon the word of God which is q Ps 19.7 9 infallible wrought in the heart r Gal. 5.22 Rom. 8.16 Titus 1.2 Heb. 6.18 by the Spirit of God s that cannot lie What motiues there are in the word to perswade a mā to beleeue Q. But how is any particular man able to ground this assurance of his owne saluation vpon the word of God Or what motiues may a man find in the word to perswade him vndoubtly that he shall be saued and that Christ with all his merits do belong vnto him First that Christ Iesus hath by his death and obedience t Esa 53.1 6 40 2 Mat. 17.5 fully satisfied the iustice of God purchased eternall life for all that can beleeue in him Secondly that Christ with all his merits u Mar. 16.15 Acts 2 39 are by Gods ordinance in the ministery of the Word offered indefinitely to euery one that heareth the Gospell x Esa 61 1-3 Matt. 9.12 13 especially to euery one that out of the feeling of the burthen and danger of his sins can thirst after him Thirdly that euery one that heareth the Gospell specially euery y Matt. 11 28 one that feeling the burthen and danger of his sin can thirst after Christ is straightly z Mar. 1.15 Mat. 2.9 Luk. 14.21.23 Mat. 11.24 compared with Mat. 6.12 1 Pet. 1.13 1 Ioh. 3.23 charged and commanded by the Lord in his Word to beleeue that Christ and all his merits doe belong vnto himselfe Lastly that * Ioh. 16.9 Mar. 16.66 no sin or rebelliō that a man can possibly commit against God is accounted so hainous in his sight as infidelity whē a man will not beleeue that Christ belongeth to him a 1 Iohn 5 10. because in this hee maketh God a liar as if offering his Sonne to him in his Gospel and commanding him to beleeue hee should not meane as hee speaketh Vse of the doctrine concerning the necessity of faith Q. What vse is to be made of this doctrine touching the necessity of a liuely faith for the receiuing of this Sacrament worthily A First to perswade eueryone that professeth himselfe to be a Christian to labour for a liuely faith which b Ier. 9.24 Act. 16.34 Ro. 5.1 3 Luke 2.29 30 as it is the root and foundation of all true comfort both in life in death so without it c Heb. 11.6 Ioh. 15.4 Act. 15.9 Tit. 1.15 it is impossible that either this or any other seruice we do vnto God seeme it otherwise neuer so good shold be acceptable vnto him or profitable to our selues Secondly to teach vs that because this d Eph. 2.8 Iohn 6.44 Eph. 1.19 20 faith is the mighty supernatural worke of God and we are of our selues by nature euery whit as vnable if not more to beleeue in Christ aright then to keepe all Gods Commandements it stands vs vpon to make high account of the ministery of the word preached which is e Ro. 1.16 10 14 1 Pet. 1.23 the means that God hath chosen and appointed to shew his mighty power in for the begetting of faith in the hearts of his elect in the vse of that holy ordināce of God f Psa 119 33-36 Pr. 2 3-5 to cry earnestly vnto him for his blessing vpō it Thirdly to discouer the fearefull condition of thē that liuing altogether with out the ministery of the word preached and wanting it willingly or hauing neuer profited by it at all doe yet ordinarily receiue this Sacramēt whereas no man without an extraordinary miraculous work of God such as f Ios 5.12 he hath neuer bin wont to worke when the ordinary means might be had can be worthy and fit to receiue the Lords Supper a Ecc. 4.17 till hee haue first enioyed the ministry of the word and beene an ordinary fruit full hearer of the same Q. Repentance is necessary to the worthy receiuing of this Sacrament You haue shewed the necessity of the three first graces which you said were required to make a man worthy and fit to come vnto the Lords
of this bread and the drinking of this wine as you ought to do you shall spiritually eat and drink my Body Bloud That is the merits of my Passion shall by meanes therof be so effectually applied vnto you that thereby as it were by daily food you shall liue euerlastingly So that that which you eat and drinke in this Sacrament is not onely bread and wine but after a sort my Body and bloud which was sacrificed for you Is not then this Sacrament a mystery to bee trembled at Is it not a brutish sin without any preparation to rush vpon the same If wee did but eat and drinke ordinarily for bodily necessitie or pleasure it were brutish to runne vnto the same as a horse to the maunger or a swine to the trough not lifting our hearts at the least to God in thankfulnesse for them How much more brutish is it to eat this bread and drinke this wine without due reuerence and regard of so high and heauenly a mystery It were an indignitie offered to the great worke of our Redemption but occasionally to thinke or speake thereof without reuerence But to be irreuerently affected then when by such a special ordinance it is so effectually represented applyed vnto vs must needs be a dreadfull and damnable sinne For the further confirmation whereof let vs consider some speciall instructions from the particulars in regard of the speciall analogy betweene the signes and the things signified 1 In that our Sauiour represents his Body in this Sacrament by bread he teacheth vs thereby that his Body is to the soule of man as bread is to the body Bread is the very staffe of a mans bodily life the most generall food of poore and rich that which of all other food can least bee spared that which in hunger men first and principally desire that the scarcitie whereof makes famine that which if it be plentifully vsuall makes all other necessaries of this life plentifull that which we daily feed vpon that which men generally take greatest paines for Hence our Sauiour in the Lords Praier teaching to craue all the needfull cōforts in this life comprehends all vnder daily bread And therefore by like proportion his Body in that manner that it is heere meant and propounded is the very staffe and stay of a Christian life That without which neither poore nor rich high nor low shall liue eternally That which without all other meanes can feed nourish a man to euerlasting life and which of all other meanes cannot be spared That which uery true christian soule first and principally hungreth after That the want whereof only famisheth and starues the soule That which they will take the greatest paines and toyle to get and which without the greatest paine and trauel cannot be gotten That which they will desire to feed vpon euery day and euery meale rellishing nothing else without it 2 In that the bread is broken to signifie his Body broken for vs it teacheth vs that it is not simply the Body of Christ by which we are to be fed but his Body broken that is That which Christ did suffered for vs especially vpon the Crosse For to speake properly his Body was not broken It is not therefore properly Christ glorified in heauen or Christ simply God or God and man which is the bread that a Christian soule humbled for sinne can digest or relish but Christ crucified Christ hanging vpon the Crosse It is Christs death that is indeed the life of a Christian It is Christ and his Crosse both together that is the bread of life yea not the Crosse only but the Thornes also wherewith he was crowned the whippes wherewith hee was scourged the nailes with which he was fastned the vineger and gall which he tasted yea and Iudas who betraied him Pilate that condemned him and the Scribes Pharisees that prosecuted against him and all the people which cried crucifie him Christ considered with al these is that spirituall bread that is typed by the materiall And without these hee cannot bee the bread of life to a sinfull soule So that if there be any Transubstantiation in this Sacrament either the bread is turned into all these or all these into the bread 3 The vse of wine is well knowne it doth not onely as water quench the thirst but also exceedingly comfort the heart and refresh the spirits Seeing then it is the pleasure of our Sauiour in this Sacrament to make wine the type of his bloud It teacheth vs what effects Christs bloud and the shedding thereof shall haue in the soules of all true Christians and worthy Communicants Their spirituall thirst after righteousnesse and saluation shall be quenched In the midst of all the horrors and terrors of death and hell they shal by meanes thereof bee solaced and comforted This bloud streaming from the sides of Christ shall in the midst of their sorrowes griefes and troubles and vexations bee as a cup of the excellentest wine to cheere them reuiue their spirits and to inflame their zeale This wine hath that efficasie and force in it that it will turne all the bitter potions that Gods children vse to drinke into wine The Apostles of our Sauior when they were drinking deepely of the whippe this wine mingled with that bitter potion turned it also into wine insomuch as they reioyced that they were counted worthy to suffer that which they did for Christs sake That Religion therefore which lockes from the people the wine in this Sacrament doth therein also as much as lies in it keep from them also that wine which is typed and shaddowed thereby euen the precious bloud of Iesus Christ the onely wine that can refresh and comfort the soule of an afflicted sinner which is enough to argue the same to be Antichristian if there were nothing else And the more Antichristian the more it maintaineth that the wine in this Sacrament is the very reall bloud of Christ What is this but to teach that the true bloud of Christ belongs not to them that if they wil be saued they must bee saued by some other meanes or onely by gazing vpon and adoring the painted bloud of some painted or carued Crucifix 4 This consecrated bread and wine must also by the precept of our Sauiour bee eaten and drunken thereby we are taught That those onely shal liue eternally by the vertue of Christs Body and Bloud which feed vpon the same as mens bodies feed vpon bread and wine For as bread and wine if they be onely looked vpon not taken and receiued into the stomacke can-feed nourish or refresh the body of man or preserue life in the same No more shall the Body bloud of Christ comfort and refresh the soule of a sinner or be a means of spirituall and euerlasting life vnto him except they bee receiued spiritually applied to the soule as bread and wine are to the body when they are eaten and drunken
picture of a Prince is worthily iudged to bee offered to the Prince himselfe Yea forasmuch as in this Sacrament the very Body and bloud of Christ and all the benefits depending therevpon are spiritually offered vnto the Receiuer as lands are offered conuaied to men by the sealing and deliuering of Deeds and Indentures he that shall vnworthily behaue himselfe in the receiuing of this Sacrament shall therein as much despise the Body bloud of Christ as hee may bee said to despise the gift of lands which cōtemneth the writings Seales and Indentures whereby they vse to bee conuaied secured and confirmed Hence from this consequent we may note 1 That Christ receiues damnable indignitie and contumely sometimes not from Iewes and Infidels onely but often from Christians such as looke to be saued by his bloud-shedding that when they are performing speciall worship seruice vnto him For what greater wrong can there be then to be guiltie of that bloud which was shed to redeeme vs which was the sinne of this Church and is the sinne of all such Persons as are vnworthy receiuers of this Sacrament 2 The bare conformitie vnto the outward exercises of Religion whether Word Prayer or Sacraments is not enough to make vs good Christians but we may be the worse Christians for this Romans 2.28 1 Cor. 10 1-7 Many ignorant and seduced soules thinke they are Christians good enough if their foreheads haue been sprinkled with the water of Baptisme if somtimes they heare the Word and receiue the outward elements of this Sacrament But they may doe all these in such a manner that by doing of them they may crucifie Christ and trample his bloud vnder their feet It were better for vs neuer to receiue this Sacrament then in and by the very act thereof to pull vpon our heads the guilt of Christs body and bloud 3 Note the different and contrary effect of this Sacrament in the receiuers thereof It is the sauour of death vnto death to some to othersome the sauour of life vnto life The worthy Receiuer is fed and refreshed and nourished by the Body and bloud of Christ receiued therein Contrarily the vnworthy Receiuer is polluted defiled thereby the oftner he receiues it the more hee receiues therein the bane poyson of his owne soule Those therefore which in such a manner receiue the Body and bloud of Christ and looke for Grace thereby are therin as fond as if they that whipt Christ and nailed him on the Crosse and by meanes thereof had their faces hands and garments besprinkled with his bloud should thinke by that meanes to be purged freed from their sinnes Or as if hee who pierced christs side with a Speare should haue held a cup at the wound and filled it and drunke it off and haue fancied by that meanes to drinke the bloud of Christ to the health and eternall saluation of his owne soule And thus much of the first Part of Preparation Wherein wee haue been plainely taught by the Apostle what a dangerous sinne it is to abuse this holy Sacrament God grant that the consideration hereof may deepely affects vs that wee may with feare trembling take heed what hands wee lay vpon so holy Mysteries Amen A Preparation to THE RECEIuing of the Sacrament of CHRISTS Body and Bloud The second Part. Directing weake Christians how they may worthily receiue the same By W. BRADSHAVV LONDON Printed by Iohn Beale 1617. The means to preuēt the former sin cōsists in certaine duties Propoūded 1. The triall of our selues whereof the Triall it selfe In generall Cha. 1. In speciall 1. Of our faith by the Groūd Ch. 3. Subiect Chap. 4. 2. Of our Repētance C. 5. The Persons that are make it Ch. 7. 2. The continuance of the Tria Chap. 8. Vrged By the speciall curse that follow the neglect of the former duti Chap. 9. By the signes of that curse in t Church of Corinth Chap. 10. The ground of this second Part. 1 COR. 11 28-33 28. LEt a man therefore examine himselfe and so let him eat of this Bread and drinke of this Cup. 29. For hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because he discerneth not the Lords Body 30. For this cause many are weake and sicke among you and many sleepe 31. For if we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged 32. But when we are iudged we are chastened of the Lord because wee should not be condemned with the world A Preparation TO THE RECEIuing of Christs Body and Bloud The second Part. Shewing how to preuent the dangerous sinne of profaning this Sacrament CHAP. I. Of the method of this second Part. THe Apostle by whose line wee drawe the doctrine of Preparation hauing set forth the odiousnesse of that sinne whereby the holy Sacrament is abused doth afterwards in the wordes following prescribe a special remedy how that sinne may be preuented In the due conscionable practise wherof doth our second Part of Preparation consist The meanes and remedy aforesaid consists in certaine speciall and necessary duties to be performed by euery Christian that will to his comfort partake of this Sacrament The duties the Apostle 1. Propounds 2. Vrgeth The duties propounded are two First That a man try search examine himselfe before hee presume to receiue Secondly That hee giue not ouer triall and examination of himselfe till hee haue found that which he seekes for In the first duty wee are to consider the triall it selfe First generally Secondly more specially And then the Persons that are to make this Triall CHAP. II. Of the triall of our selues in generall THe triall and examination of our selues in general here required is a diligent search and inquisition to bee made within our soules and consciences whether we bee such kind of persons as may be assured that the Lord will bid welcome to this Table And this triall is not to be sleight cursory but most strict and accurate such as gold Smiths vse when not onely by touch but by fier hammer they try whether their Gold and Siluer be pure or no. For such a manner of triall the Apostles word signifieth The Lord cannot bid any welcome to his Table but such as he is actually reconciled vnto and whose persons are acceptable and wel pleasing vnto him They who are such persons haue certaine speciall gifts and graces bestowed vpon them from which they may conclude infallibly that God doth loue and fauor them which for distinction sake from other common gifts are called Sauing Graces Herein then wee must labour to search out in our selues these Graces and to try whether they bee in vs or no. But before we come to particulars hence we may note in generall 1 That Gods speciall sauing graces may bee in vs and yet not alwayes apparant vnto vs but may sometimes lie hidden in the soule vntill by some speciall search they be discouered else such trials as these shold be
saluation thereby that if they had no other sinne that should be sinne enough to pull vpon their heads eternall condemnation If God should turne these Elements of bread and wine being vnworworthily receiued vnto a bodily bane poyson vnto vs would it not make vs feare tremble how we receiued them and to try and examine our selues thorowly before wee presumed to receiue the same Surely if vpon our vnworthy receiuing our bowels and entrailes should bee in danger to rot within vs yet if no more euil then that shold follow it were nothing so fearefull a matter as this is to eat and drinke our owne damnation As therfore we hate and abhorre the damnation of our soules wee should hate and abhorre the vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament and loue imbrace those means by which wee may become worthy receiuers thereof The ground of the curse is because such doe not discerne the Body of Christ that is make no difference betweene that food and those dainties which God prepareth offereth in this Sacrament euen the precious Body and bloud of our Sauiour Christ and other ordinary meats and drinkes eating and deuouring the bread and wine neuer looking after nor regarding to eat and drinke the body and bloud of Christ exhibited thereby What is this but to contemne Christ and his merits and to offer a foule indignitie to God that prepares this feast And how can they but indanger themselues to perish eternally that discerne not nor looke not after that food by which they should liue eternally CHAP. X. Of the speciall signes and tokens of the aforesaid curse in the Church of Corinth THe Apostle more specially shewes the curse aforesaid by certaine speciall signes and tokens thereof in the Church of Corinth viz. Certaine speciall iudgements of God that at that time were inflicted vpon diuers persons in and of that Church These iudgements were bodily afflictions of diuers sorts and degrees Some were smitten with one kinde of infirmitie and some with another and some with death it selfe For this cause saith the Apostle many of you are weake sicke and many sleepe verse 30. Hence we learne 1 That we ought in a speciall manner to reuerence and religiously vse those ordinances of God the profanation wherof hee markes and brands with particular visible iudgements Gods meere threatnings of death after this life should bee enough to terrifie Christians from the abuse of any of his ordinances Much more then should they moue vs when as so many seales Sacraments thereof hee shall annex thereunto sensible plagues punishments in this life We cānot but see that many plagues iudgements are gone forth from the Throne of God into the world yea into the Church yea into many of our houses and vpon our owne persons Neither doe we see the iudgements only but we might see also if wee did not wilfully shut our eyes for what particular sins GOD infflicteth many of them Who is it that cannot see that so many so many plagues and vengeances haue fallen and doe yet lie vpon such and such men for their murthers thefts adulteries treasons periuries drunkennesse c. And yet neither the sight of these iudgements no nor the sense and feeling of some of them in our owne persons will serue to restrain vs from those sinnes But in the midst of so many iudgements these sinnes abound and as it were triumph ouer them 2 We may learne that the vnworthy profane receiuers of this Sacrament doe not onely eat and drinke therein a spiritual iudgement which hypocrites and carnall men do not so much care for but euen bodily iudgements also so that it may proue in the end effect no bette rthen a very bane poyson vnto our bodies a means of many grieuousiseases yea and of vntimely death For so it proued we see to some of these Corinthians and we can pleade no speciall priuiledge The more therefore that wee may loue our bodily liues health the more let vs make conscience of the former duties These kind of iudgements here mentioned are no strangers amongst vs yea the hand of God in this kind hath lien a long time heauy vpon vs and though we cannot precisely say as the Apostle heere doth That for this very cause some of vs are afflicted with this disease some with that and so many with the pestilence c. yet hauing such a president set before vs in the Word of God of such a sin punished with such iudgements it being too apparant that not onely the same sin doth raigne amongst vs but that also the same iudgements lie in great weight and measure vpon vs wee haue iust cause to feare that amongst others this very sinne is one cause thereof And therefore in seeking to remoue these iudgements let vs haue a speciall care amongst other sinnes to reforme this 3 So oft as any of vs are guiltie vnto our selues of vnreuerent and vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament and the more free we haue been withall from any of these iudgements in the greater danger we shold feare our selues to bee For wee are indebted so many deaths and sicknesses to the Lord which except wee preuent betimes with true Repentance we shall be sure to pay with the interest either in this life or in another For the Lord as much hates this sinne in vs as in the Corinthians and will be sure at some time or other by one meanes or other to punish it seuerely And the more hee deferres to punish it the more seuerely he will doe it when hee takes the rod once into his hands Let vs then in the feare of God take heed how in this case wee too much abuse the patience and long suffering of God patience wounded becomes fury For the further inforcing of this the Apostle shewes First the Iustice of God in this curse of his Secondly his Mercy His Iustice in that he had not thus sharpely iudged them if they had iudged themselues For saith hee if wee would iudge our selues we should not be iudged v. 31. As though hee should say Wee may thanke our selues for these and such like iudgements that lie vpon vs and can no way blame God for them For it is iust with him the best of vs being so sinfull as we are that when wee will not iudge and condemne our selues we should be in such a manner iudged and condemned by him Hence we may learne 1 That the best means to preuent any iudgement of God whether temporall or eternall is to accuse arraigne iudge condemne our selues and contrarily the surest way to pull downe all sorts of iudgements vpon our selues is to iustifie our selues and to glory in the merits of our owne righteousnesse Would wee then in most effectuall manner preuent sicknesse shame death Let vs examine our selues and search what sinnes are in vs and passe the seuerest sentence of condemnation against our selues that may be The more if it be done