they_o though_o he_o know_v that_o he_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n either_o try_v to_o satisfy_v himself_o with_o atheistical_a hope_n that_o there_o be_v no_o world_n but_o this_o or_o else_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o after_o repentance_n which_o be_v the_o common_a snare_n of_o the_o devil_n this_o person_n can_v not_o be_v a_o worthy_a communicant_a for_o he_o be_v at_o enmity_n with_o god_n in_o his_o mind_n he_o be_v a_o rebel_n against_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n which_o his_o intention_n to_o repent_v afterward_o do_v suppose_v he_o be_v one_o who_o can_v not_o think_v himself_o welcome_a to_o christ_n because_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v he_o to_o be_v his_o lord_n to_o rule_v over_o he_o there_o be_v unworthiness_n likewise_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o receive_v and_o that_o be_v when_o a_o man_n do_v not_o receive_v with_o reverence_n as_o become_v he_o in_o that_o solemn_a approach_n to_o god_n this_o be_v a_o great_a fault_n which_o the_o corinthian_n be_v guilty_a of_o they_o come_v unreverent_o and_o disorderly_o to_o the_o sacrament_n from_o their_o love-feast_n forget_v that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o house_n but_o in_o god_n house_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o eat_v at_o their_o own_o table_n but_o at_o the_o lord_n table_n this_o be_v the_o proper_a meaning_n of_o the_o apostle_n expression_n in_o the_o next_o word_n not_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n a_o expression_n which_o i_o have_v hear_v some_o papist_n make_v use_n of_o for_o their_o whimsy_n of_o transubstantiation_n as_o if_o they_o eat_v and_o drink_v unworthy_o who_o do_v not_o discern_v by_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a body_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o most_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v another_o meaning_n the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v both_o to_o discriminate_a and_o to_o sanctify_v and_o so_o the_o proper_a account_n that_o can_v be_v give_v of_o it_o be_v that_o he_o who_o do_v not_o receive_v after_o a_o devout_a and_o religious_a manner_n be_v unworthy_a i_o hope_v i_o have_v say_v enough_o to_o take_v off_o the_o unnecessary_a and_o causeless_a fear_n of_o those_o who_o be_v humble_a christian_n &_o that_o they_o will_v not_o any_o long_o give_v the_o enemy_n of_o their_o salvation_n this_o advanvantage_n against_o they_o but_o that_o they_o will_v take_v right_a measure_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o keep_v from_o the_o sacrament_n because_o they_o think_v themselves_o unworthy_a that_o they_o will_v account_v it_o a_o good_a qualification_n for_o their_o welcome_n at_o the_o lord_n table_n let_v such_o person_n look_v into_o the_o holy_a gospel_n and_o they_o will_v find_v that_o such_o person_n as_o they_o be_v be_v not_o only_o accept_v of_o christ_n but_o high_o commend_v by_o he_o and_o therefore_o be_v the_o most_o welcome_o guest_n at_o the_o lord_n table_n the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v what_o the_o apostle_n mean_v by_o eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n which_o be_v the_o affright_a expression_n that_o make_v thousand_o afraid_a to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n the_o tremble_a sinner_n be_v afraid_a that_o this_o bring_v man_n into_o the_o condition_n of_o those_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o they_o have_v commit_v a_o sin_n which_o shall_v never_o be_v forgive_v they_o that_o they_o have_v receive_v unworthy_o be_v irrecoverable_o lose_v and_o ruin_v that_o they_o have_v swallow_v down_o poison_n to_o their_o soul_n and_o can_v never_o vomit_v it_o up_o again_o and_o if_o these_o be_v the_o interpretation_n that_o sinner_n make_v of_o those_o expression_n that_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o say_v who_o be_v worthy_a to_o receive_v and_o yet_o if_o a_o man_n be_v a_o unworthy_a receiver_n he_o be_v from_o thenceforth_o in_o a_o state_n of_o damnation_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o there_o be_v so_o few_o communicant_n that_o i_o may_v therefore_o rectify_v these_o mistake_n i_o desire_v these_o thing_n may_v be_v consider_v 1._o it_o be_v not_o the_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o this_o expression_n to_o scare_v the_o wicked_a man_n among_o christian_n from_o the_o sacrament_n but_o only_o that_o they_o may_v repent_v and_o come_v to_o it_o he_o do_v not_o suppose_v that_o what_o he_o say_v he_o will_v make_v any_o afraid_a to_o perform_v their_o duty_n in_o observe_v this_o ordinance_n nor_o have_v it_o any_o such_o effect_n upon_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v this_o epistle_n he_o be_v a_o more_o faithful_a steward_n and_o servant_n of_o christ_n than_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n with_o design_n to_o discourage_v those_o from_o come_v to_o his_o master_n table_n who_o be_v invite_v to_o prepare_v &_o to_o come_v to_o it_o if_o he_o have_v he_o have_v be_v as_o unworthy_a a_o minister_n as_o the_o worst_a sinner_n can_v be_v a_o unworthy_a communicant_a it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o may_v exceed_o tend_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o scrupulous_a when_o they_o read_v the_o scripture_n to_o consider_v well_o what_o the_o design_n of_o the_o penman_n be_v for_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o will_v prevent_v misapplication_n which_o be_v of_o very_o ill_a consequence_n 2._o the_o word_n which_o be_v translate_v damnation_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v judgement_n and_o do_v as_o well_o signify_v any_o temporal_a evil_n which_o befall_v man_n in_o this_o world_n as_o the_o punishment_n in_o the_o hellish_a state_n and_o so_o the_o meaning_n be_v this_o and_o no_o more_o he_o that_o eat_v and_o drink_v unworthy_o offend_v god_n and_o provoke_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n against_o himself_o 3._o the_o case_n of_o the_o corinthian_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v and_o that_o may_v tend_v exceed_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o those_o that_o be_v thus_o affright_v 1._o they_o have_v receive_v unworthy_o but_o yet_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o be_v damn_v or_o that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o lose_a condition_n and_o must_v now_o perish_v for_o ever_o but_o admonish_v they_o to_o be_v more_o careful_a for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v that_o they_o may_v come_v with_o better_a preparation_n than_o they_o have_v before_o 2._o in_o eat_v and_o drink_v unworthy_o they_o have_v eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n to_o themselves_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n they_o have_v eat_v and_o drink_v judgement_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n for_o this_o cause_n many_o be_v weak_a and_o sickly_a among_o you_o and_o many_o sleep_n from_o which_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o god_n send_v a_o plague_n at_o corinth_n for_o their_o unworthy_a receive_v 3._o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o the_o apostle_n only_o blame_v the_o corinthian_n for_o that_o fault_n which_o they_o be_v then_o guilty_a of_o which_o be_v their_o unworthy_a receive_v there_o be_v no_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n that_o be_v non-communicants_a they_o general_o value_v the_o sacrament_n above_o their_o life_n and_o a_o opportunity_n of_o receive_v though_o it_o be_v administer_v every_o day_n in_o the_o week_n above_o all_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o occasion_n for_o the_o apostle_n to_o tell_v they_o the_o danger_n of_o live_v in_o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o sacrament_n if_o there_o have_v no_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n can_v imagine_v but_o that_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v threaten_v damnation_n as_o well_o to_o unworthy_a neglecter_n as_o he_o do_v to_o unworthy_a receiver_n of_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n 4._o if_o this_o which_o the_o apostle_n say_v of_o eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o man_n be_v afraid_a to_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n they_o may_v for_o the_o like_a reason_n be_v afraid_a to_o perform_v other_o duty_n of_o religion_n if_o any_o impenitent_a sinner_n pray_v to_o god_n without_o a_o resolution_n to_o avoid_v the_o same_o course_n of_o life_n he_o can_v think_v but_o his_o prayer_n will_v provoke_v god_n to_o punish_v he_o rather_o than_o obtain_v favour_n to_o he_o that_o he_o have_v reason_n to_o expect_v that_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n both_o in_o reference_n to_o this_o life_n and_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v shall_v be_v the_o consequent_a of_o it_o he_o be_v one_o who_o confess_v his_o sin_n to_o god_n but_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o intend_v to_o forsake_v it_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o this_o must_v certain_o be_v a_o great_a provocation_n of_o the_o all-seeing_a god_n for_o a_o man_n to_o pretend_v that_o he_o be_v sorry_a for_o what_o he_o have_v do_v when_o he_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o amend_v if_o a_o earthly_a king_n can_v know_v that_o the_o malefactor_n who_o beg_v his_o life_n intend_v to_o do_v the_o same_o wickedness_n for_o which_o
he_o deserve_v to_o die_v before_o he_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o grant_v his_o petition_n that_o he_o will_v hasten_v his_o execution_n the_o almighty_a god_n the_o great_a king_n of_o heaven_n know_v this_o to_o be_v the_o sinner_n case_n that_o although_o he_o stand_v condemn_v for_o his_o evil_a deed_n yet_o he_o beg_v pardon_n only_o as_o a_o thing_n in_o course_n without_o any_o resolution_n of_o amendment_n and_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o damnation_n shall_v be_v the_o end_n of_o this_o sinner_n there_o be_v one_o case_n in_o which_o the_o sinner_n do_v direct_o pray_v damnation_n to_o himself_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n phrase_n and_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o malicious_a and_o revengeful_a sinner_n he_o prayer_n to_o god_n to_o forgive_v he_o his_o trespress_n as_o he_o forgive_v other_o that_o be_v not_o at_o all_o it_o be_v as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v lord_n be_v thou_o revenge_v on_o i_o for_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o be_v revenge_v on_o my_o brother_n beside_o there_o be_v no_o more_o cause_n of_o terror_n from_o this_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o which_o sinner_n be_v scare_v from_o the_o sacrament_n than_o there_o be_v in_o that_o of_o solomon_n by_o which_o wicked_a man_n may_v be_v afraid_a to_o pray_v prov._n 15.8_o the_o sacrifice_n that_o be_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v a_o abomination_n unto_o the_o lord_n he_o that_o do_v that_o which_o god_n loathe_v that_o which_o be_v a_o abomination_n to_o he_o certain_o can_v expect_v nothing_o but_o damnation_n to_o be_v the_o end_n of_o it_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v of_o the_o non-communicant_a whether_o if_o the_o apostle_n expression_n have_v be_v he_o that_o eat_v and_o drink_v unworthy_o be_v a_o abomination_n unto_o the_o lord_n and_o solomon_n expression_n have_v be_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o wicked_a bring_v damnation_n to_o himself_o that_o he_o will_v have_v receive_v the_o sacrament_n but_o never_o pray_v to_o god_n i_o may_v likewise_o instance_n in_o that_o great_a duty_n of_o hear_v god_n word_n certain_o every_o man_n will_v grant_v that_o for_o a_o man_n to_o come_v to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n to_o hear_v what_o god_n require_v of_o he_o without_o any_o intent_n to_o do_v it_o and_o according_o come_v from_o hear_v god_n command_v with_o a_o resolution_n to_o break_v they_o can_v expect_v nothing_o less_o than_o damnation_n to_o be_v the_o consequent_a of_o it_o and_o although_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o thousand_o of_o sinner_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o afraid_a to_o hear_v god_n word_n there_o be_v no_o more_o cause_n of_o terror_n from_o this_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o unworthy_a communicant_n than_o there_o be_v from_o many_o expression_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n concern_v unworthy_a hearer_n of_o god_n word_n i_o may_v instance_n first_o in_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n luk._n 8.18_o take_v heed_n therefore_o how_o you_o hear_v whosoever_o have_v to_o he_o shall_v be_v give_v and_o whosoever_o have_v not_o from_o he_o shall_v be_v take_v even_o that_o which_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v if_o our_o saviour_n have_v only_o give_v the_o caution_n take_v heed_n how_o you_o hear_v it_o may_v startle_v the_o unprofitable_a hearer_n and_o give_v he_o just_a cause_n to_o expect_v judgement_n if_o he_o be_v not_o careful_a but_o our_o saviour_n add_v for_o whosoever_o have_v to_o he_o shall_v be_v give_v and_o from_o he_o that_o have_v not_o from_o he_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o even_o that_o which_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o expression_n which_o signify_v the_o condition_n of_o a_o careless_a hearer_n to_o be_v so_o forlorn_a that_o it_o may_v make_v every_o such_o sinner_n afraid_a to_o enter_v into_o god_n house_n the_o meaning_n of_o our_o saviour_n by_o that_o proverbial_a say_n be_v he_o that_o be_v a_o obedient_a hearer_n shall_v grow_v in_o grace_n and_o knowledge_n and_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o rich_a man_n who_o increase_v his_o riches_n to_o a_o great_a estate_n but_o the_o careless_a hearer_n who_o do_v not_o give_v diligent_a attention_n and_o who_o come_v to_o hear_v without_o resolution_n to_o practise_v be_v like_o a_o man_n of_o low_a degree_n who_o by_o take_v no_o care_n to_o improve_v his_o stock_n lose_v that_o little_a that_o he_o have_v and_o come_v to_o intolerable_a beggary_n and_o misery_n how_o dreadful_a be_v the_o condition_n of_o that_o man_n who_o may_v be_v say_v to_o hear_v away_o all_o that_o be_v good_a who_o the_o long_o he_o hear_v the_o less_o he_o regard_v and_o the_o worse_o he_o be_v i_o may_v instance_n likewise_o in_o the_o comparison_n which_o our_o saviour_n make_v between_o a_o disobedient_a hearer_n and_o the_o foolish_a man_n who_o build_v his_o house_n upon_o the_o sand_n mat._n 7.26_o of_o which_o he_o say_v great_a be_v the_o fall_n of_o it_o we_o can_v not_o imagine_v the_o great_a fall_n of_o a_o disobedient_a hearer_n to_o be_v any_o thing_n less_o than_o a_o fall_n into_o damnation_n and_o everlasting_a misery_n and_o yet_o man_n be_v not_o therefore_o afraid_a to_o hear_v god_n word_n who_o refuse_v to_o do_v it_o i_o may_v instance_n likewise_o in_o in_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n st._n james_n say_v chap._n 1._o v._n 22._o be_v you_o doer_n of_o the_o word_n and_o not_o hearer_n only_o deceive_v your_o own_o self_n how_o do_v man_n deceive_v themselves_o but_o by_o expect_v salvation_n from_o hear_v and_o damnation_n must_v be_v their_o portion_n for_o not_o do_v and_o yet_o the_o sinner_n do_v not_o say_v i_o shall_v but_o deceive_v myself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o i_o to_o go_v to_o god_n house_n to_o hear_v his_o word_n there_o be_v another_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 2.16_o to_o the_o one_o we_o be_v a_o savour_n of_o death_n unto_o death_n the_o apostle_n be_v speak_v concern_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o different_a effectswhich_n it_o have_v upon_o man_n in_o reference_n to_o another_o world_n it_o be_v the_o savour_n of_o death_n unto_o death_n a_o expression_n allude_v to_o strong_a perfume_n which_o be_v pleasant_a to_o some_o but_o be_v like_o poison_n sudden_o destructive_a to_o other_o it_o be_v as_o if_o the_o apostle_n shall_v have_v say_v though_o to_o some_o our_o preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v exceed_o beneficial_a yet_o to_o other_o who_o regard_v it_o not_o it_o be_v most_o certain_o destructive_a for_o it_o bring_v eternal_a death_n there_o be_v more_o terror_n in_o this_o expression_n than_o there_o be_v in_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n for_o that_o as_o i_o have_v show_v signify_v any_o temporal_a evil_n as_o well_o as_o the_o punishment_n of_o another_o state_n but_o this_o of_o the_o apostle_n signify_v only_o the_o death_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o another_o world_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o man_n be_v not_o afraid_a to_o hear_v the_o gospel_n preach_v to_o they_o by_o this_o i_o hope_v it_o have_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n why_o christian_n shall_v be_v afraid_a to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n from_o that_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n than_o they_o shall_v be_v to_o perform_v other_o duty_n of_o religion_n consider_v what_o the_o scripture_n say_v concern_v those_o that_o be_v unworthy_a performer_n of_o they_o 5._o i_o may_v add_v in_o the_o last_o place_n that_o this_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n how_o severe_a soever_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v be_v no_o part_n of_o reveal_v religion_n proper_o so_o call_v reveal_v religion_n be_v that_o of_o god_n which_o we_o can_v not_o know_v if_o it_o be_v not_o tell_v we_o but_o this_o of_o unworthy_a communicant_a eat_n and_o drink_v judgement_n to_o themselves_o be_v that_o which_o the_o corinthian_a and_o all_o christians_n may_v know_v though_o the_o apostle_n have_v never_o say_v it_o every_o man_n by_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n know_v that_o he_o who_o do_v not_o live_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o his_o god_n or_o come_v unreverent_o before_o he_o be_v not_o accept_v of_o he_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a do_v provoke_v he_o to_o anger_n and_o consequent_o to_o punish_v that_o offender_n who_o do_v thus_o disobey_v and_o contemn_v he_o if_o heathen_n have_v be_v negligent_a or_o unreverent_a in_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o a_o plague_n have_v happen_v among_o they_o as_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o corinthian_n they_o will_v doubtless_o have_v conclude_v that_o the_o plague_n come_v because_o of_o their_o neglect_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a case_n that_o man_n shall_v be_v so_o much_o afraid_a of_o the_o sacrament_n because_o they_o be_v tell_v
say_v be_v that_o you_o do_v very_o reverent_o mock_v christ_n and_o his_o ordinance_n you_o be_v afraid_a to_o come_v to_o such_o a_o solemn_a ordinance_n and_o you_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o it_o and_o therefore_o you_o rather_o choose_v to_o live_v in_o the_o breach_n of_o his_o commandment_n which_o you_o find_v yourselves_o more_o fit_a for_o this_o be_v hail_n master_n this_o be_v to_o crucify_v christ_n from_o a_o reverent_a respect_n to_o he_o and_o as_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o great_a contempt_n of_o god_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o reverence_n to_o he_o so_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o most_o prodigious_a folly_n o_o foolish_a non-communicants_a who_o have_v bewitch_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v think_v to_o avoid_v danger_n by_o neglect_v a_o great_a and_o solemn_a duty_n that_o you_o shall_v turn_v from_o the_o sacrament_n to_o the_o commission_n of_o sin_n to_o avoid_v damnation_n the_o scripture_n say_v he_o that_o comit_v sin_n be_v of_o the_o devil_n the_o non-communicant_a absent_v from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n &_o go_v to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o avoid_v damnation_n all_o man_n shall_v consider_v that_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o ordinance_n be_v as_o well_o a_o great_a reason_n why_o man_n shall_v partake_v as_o it_o be_v why_o they_o shall_v prepare_v because_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o god_n expect_v the_o observance_n of_o it_o and_o that_o his_o heart_n be_v the_o more_o set_v upon_o it_o when_o servant_n be_v negligent_a of_o their_o duty_n they_o hope_v to_o come_v off_o best_o by_o neglect_v that_o which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v of_o least_o moment_n no_o man_n ever_o say_v i_o omit_v my_o duty_n and_o i_o hope_v to_o be_v excuse_v because_o it_o be_v a_o great_a command_n and_o i_o be_v require_v to_o take_v great_a care_n in_o the_o observance_n of_o it_o let_v not_o any_o therefore_o think_v that_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o ordinance_n will_v be_v their_o excuse_n for_o not_o observe_v it_o but_o that_o it_o will_v be_v their_o great_a condemnation_n 2._o a_o second_o pretence_n which_o be_v a_o consequent_a of_o the_o former_a be_v that_o man_n be_v not_o prepare_v for_o it_o and_o therefore_o they_o have_v better_o let_v it_o alone_o i_o earnest_o desire_v such_o person_n to_o consider_v that_o 1._o this_o can_v be_v no_o plea_n because_o they_o may_v be_v prepare_v if_o they_o please_v i_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o who_o will_v charge_v the_o sin_n of_o noncommunicating_a upon_o almighty_a god_n pretend_v that_o he_o must_v prepare_v they_o for_o it_o or_o else_o they_o can_v receive_v worthy_o but_o let_v i_o tell_v the_o sinner_n that_o his_o contempt_n of_o god_n which_o bring_v destruction_n to_o he_o be_v of_o himself_o though_o no_o man_n can_v be_v prepare_v without_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n yet_o this_o be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o be_v unprepared_a for_o god_n have_v promise_v his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v it_o and_o the_o experience_n of_o every_o sinner_n who_o be_v not_o strange_o harden_v in_o his_o impiety_n cell_n he_o that_o in_o this_o he_o do_v exceed_o provoke_v god_n because_o he_o know_v that_o god_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v want_v to_o he_o that_o he_o do_v secret_o solicit_v he_o to_o prepare_v that_o he_o may_v worthy_o partake_v and_o he_o will_v not_o that_o sinner_n be_v in_o a_o very_a evil_a condition_n who_o charge_v god_n of_o require_v that_o of_o he_o which_o he_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n perform_v 2._o be_v not_o be_v prepare_v be_v of_o itself_o a_o sin_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v not_o be_v plead_v for_o a_o neglect_n of_o your_o duty_n this_o be_v to_o excuse_v one_o sin_n with_o another_o it_o be_v as_o well_o a_o duty_n to_o prepare_v as_o to_o partake_v and_o the_o neglect_v of_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n which_o god_n do_v as_o sure_o punish_v luke_n 12.47_o that_o servant_n that_o know_v his_o lord_n will_v and_o prepare_v not_o himself_o neither_o do_v according_a to_o his_o will_n shall_v be_v beat_v with_o many_o stripe_n the_o man_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o come_v to_o the_o feast_n without_o the_o wedding_n garment_n be_v speechless_a no_o man_n must_v plead_v unpreparedness_n because_o he_o may_v be_v prepare_v and_o it_o be_v his_o sin_n if_o he_o be_v not_o 3._o this_o be_v be_v a_o mere_a delusion_n of_o the_o devil_n by_o which_o he_o will_v keep_v man_n secure_a in_o a_o sinful_a course_n of_o life_n this_o be_v not_o a_o unpreparedness_n which_o bring_v grief_n and_o trouble_n to_o the_o mind_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o do_v but_o it_o be_v a_o content_a unpreparedness_n the_o people_n love_n to_o have_v it_o so_o he_o that_o search_v the_o heart_n know_v that_o the_o language_n there_o be_v i_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o be_v prepare_v and_o that_o render_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o non-communicant_a to_o be_v very_o dreadful_a 4._o this_o pretence_n be_v endless_a be_v thou_o unprepared_a when_o will_v it_o be_v otherwise_o the_o long_a that_o any_o one_o neglect_v the_o sacrament_n the_o more_o unprepared_a he_o be_v for_o it_o there_o be_v many_o who_o when_o they_o be_v young_a plead_v they_o be_v not_o prepare_v be_v prepare_v now_o but_o it_o be_v to_o scoff_n at_o religion_n and_o to_o contemn_v all_o that_o be_v holy_a and_o those_o that_o be_v not_o open_o profane_a be_v more_o unprepared_a than_o they_o be_v by_o a_o increase_n of_o the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o fix_v of_o evil_a habit_n the_o sacrament_n be_v a_o ordinance_n which_o come_v to_o pluck_v up_o sin_n at_o the_o root_n and_o if_o that_o be_v keep_v off_o sin_n must_v needs_o grow_v apace_o he_o that_o be_v desire_v to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n plead_v that_o he_o be_v unprepared_a may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o he_o never_o intend_v to_o receive_v for_o he_o be_v more_o unprepared_a now_o than_o he_o be_v former_o and_o be_v like_a to_o be_v more_o unprepared_a for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v than_o he_o be_v now_o but_o it_o may_v be_v some_o will_v plead_v that_o though_o every_o one_o may_v prepare_v and_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v and_o his_o sin_n if_o he_o do_v not_o yet_o the_o case_n of_o many_o be_v such_o that_o they_o can_v find_v time_n to_o prepare_v there_o have_v need_n be_v some_o day_n set_v a_o part_n on_o purpose_n for_o preparation_n what_o shall_v servant_n do_v that_o work_v all_o the_o week_n from_o morning_n till_o night_n &_o have_v no_o more_o than_o time_n enough_o for_o the_o necessary_a support_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v force_v to_o rise_v early_o and_o go_v to_o bed_n late_o and_o what_o shall_v those_o do_v that_o have_v nothing_o but_o from_o hand_n to_o mouth_n must_v they_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o sacrament_n suffer_v their_o family_n to_o want_v to_o this_o i_o must_v answer_v that_o every_o man_n have_v or_o may_v have_v time_n enough_o to_o prepare_v without_o any_o prejudice_n to_o his_o worldly_a affair_n though_o the_o servant_n do_v not_o steal_v time_n from_o his_o master_n nor_o the_o poor_a man_n from_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o family_n and_o that_o may_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o which_o bespeak_v a_o man_n to_o be_v a_o worthy_a communicant_a be_v not_o so_o much_o his_o particular_a act_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n as_o the_o general_a habit_n and_o bend_v of_o his_o mind_n the_o great_a question_n be_v whether_o a_o man_n real_o fear_v god_n and_o whether_o he_o be_v spiritual_o mind_v he_o that_o live_v in_o know_a sin_n without_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n of_o life_n and_o intend_v to_o continue_v so_o can_v be_v prepare_v for_o the_o sacrament_n though_o he_o spend_v never_o so_o much_o time_n in_o religious_a duty_n because_o he_o himself_o be_v not_o religious_o disspose_v if_o a_o man_n shall_v for_o many_o day_n and_o week_n abstain_v from_o sinful_a act_n which_o he_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o and_o if_o he_o shall_v spend_v as_o much_o time_n in_o religious_a service_n both_o public_a and_o private_a as_o preparatory_a to_o the_o sacrament_n without_o a_o resolution_n not_o to_o return_v to_o the_o same_o course_n of_o life_n again_o it_o will_v not_o render_v he_o a_o worthy_a communicant_a this_o be_v but_o for_o a_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o dress_v himself_o in_o the_o counterfeit_a habit_n of_o god_n child_n and_o then_o to_o return_v to_o his_o father_n again_o this_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n he_o that_o be_v religious_a and_o fear_n god_n in_o the_o general_n course_n of_o his_o life_n be_v more_o fit_a to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n without_o any_o special_a preparation_n for_o it_o than_o the_o other_o can_v be_v