Selected quad for the lemma: knowledge_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
knowledge_n	life_n	sacrament_n	tree_n	1,539	5	9.0601	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A10036	The doctrine of the sacrament of the Lords Supper handled. And plainely layd open out of the 1. Cor. 11. 23.24. &c. Wherein the nature of this sacrament is faithfully discussed, the matter of it, together with the necessity of often receiuing, truly declared; the words of consecration embowelled, and errours with the cauills of papists soundly confuted. By Richard Preston preacher of Gods word at Rushden in Northamptonshire.	Preston, Richard, d. ca. 1624.	1621 (1621)	STC 20283; ESTC S115177	102,646	398

the eating of so blessed a banquet as the Lords Supper is Herein the Papists haue much slandered our Church as that we should giue allowance for obseruation of this time after the Imitation of Christ and should make this Supper of the Lord Iesus a nightly feast of good cheere But the practise of our Church wil shew how vniust this stander is and how wrongfully they accuse vs. The same night that he was betrayed he tooke c. When Christ was ready to yeeld himselfe to the death hee institutes and ordaynes a Sacrament Hence learne That God hath had a speciall care Doct. 1. that as his Word so also his Sacramēts might frō time to time be continued in his Church Before the fall in Paradise God was so carefull for the good of man that he gaue him 2 Sacraments 1. Gen. 2.9 The Tree of Life and 2. The Tree of Knowledge of good and euill Afterward in the time of the old Testament he did institute the Circumcision and Paschall Lambe Gen. 17.10 Exod. 12.3 Mat. 3. 28.26 and now in our time vnder the Gospell we haue Baptisme the Lords Supper Now God is thus carefull that his Sacraments might bee continued in the Church both that they might strengthen our faith and bee notes and badges of our Profession whereby the members of his Church may be distinguished Exod. 12.43 and discerned from all Infidels and Heathens The Passeouer did belong to Gods people they might eate it but strangers might not and Circumcision was of the Iewes for they were called circumcised but not of the Gentiles for they were called the vncircumcised Vse 1 1. If God then bee thus carefull for our good for the strengthening of our faith and to make vs his peculiar people by setting his badge vpon our shoulders let vs for shame bee true vnto our Lord and Master let vs aduenture our selues in his campe against all his enemies and fight his battailes The word Sacrament hath his name from the vse and practise of souldiers in warre For looke as in ancient time the souldier did binde himselfe by an oath solenni sacramento with his sword girded vnder his arme to fight his Captaines battailes So wee being partakers of the holy Sacrament doe receiue the Lords badge and binde our selues for euer to fight his battailes let vs not then for shame carrie his badge vpon our sleeues and take part with his enemie the Deuill by continuing any longer in our sinnes but let vs arme our selues and take vnto vs the sword of the spitit and manfully stand out in the Lords cause that wee may bring glory 〈◊〉 God and comfort to our selue● Vse 2 2. This may teach vs to make high account of the Lords Supper and to receiue it reuerently because Christ did institute it and left it vnto vs as his last legacie a little before his death Wee see that what a man doth when he is toady to yeeld vp the Ghost is of speciall moment Christ when hee was to depart this life to leaue his Church commends this Sacrament to his Disciples and in them to vs as his last legaciez therefore it must hee had in singular respect and in no fort profaned and contemned Now followeth the treason that befell our Sauiour Christ and was plotted against him that night hee did ordayne his last Supper which may bee set downe both by the qualitie of it and also by the time when it was plotted the qualitie of it is plaine in these few things It was high treason against the King of heauen and earth conspired vnder showes of friendship and loue for the damnable traytor could speake Christ faire in the face Mat. 26.49 God saue thee Master A sinne most haynons if we marke the circumstances of it for first who was the actor of this treason It was Iudas a seruant of Christ an Apostle Christs steward for hee bate the bagge Secondly against whom was it committed Against Christ the sonne of the liuing God Mat. 16.16 his Master whom hee had followed whose Sermons he had heard whose kindnesse hee had receiued whom twice together hee resused and neglected when his Master a little before the treason was put in practise spake in a wonderfull milde manner vnto him Friend saith hee wherefore art thou come Mat. 29.50 And againe when he came neere to him to kisse him Iudas saith he betrayest thou the Sonne Luk. 22.45 of Manwith a kisse These word● might haue broken an heart of brasse yet they neuer mooued him Thirdly by what meanes was it wrought secretly for a little after supper he went from his Master and compacted with the Iewes who forthwith tooke the aduantage of the time it being darke when Christ could not see to goe abroade and of the place being so neere them that hee could not flee from them Fourthly for what end did hee treacherously seeke his Masters death To enrich himselfe and yet he obtayned but a ●tifle euen thirty peeces of siluer if he could haue obtayned any honour or great possession or any great and high office by this treachery it had beene something but all that he got was a little filthy lucre the wages of iniquitie and the price of innocent bloud What should I vrge this treason any more in the circumstances of it when the Scriptures handle it plainely all men know it readily The truth is Doctr. 2 that it is an odious sinne worthy all mens hatred Haman though neuer so secretly contriued mischiefe against the good Iewes yet his proper portion for his intended mischiefe was detestation and so it was with Nabuch adnezzars treacherous seruants that conspired against the three Children when all would not worke wel as they looked for then they found their great Lords loue turned to absolute hatred It is not likely that any wise mā cā either speake well or wish wel to a traytor that intendeth mischief Treason is odious in respect of the authors of it Reas 1. they are bloud-thirstie men such as cast off all pitty and put off all humanity naturall affections and the bowels of compassion they are fierce and cruell furious full of rage and alwayes their out crie against Gods Church is Downe with it downe with it euen to the ground Psal 137. ● 2 In respect of the effects Reason which are many sword and slaughter spoyle and robery It spareth neither life nor goods but killes and rifles all before it Vse 1 1. Who can think or speake well of the treacheries of Papists or of their bloody Religion that maintaines all treasons that holds vp violence and gunpouder plots by the chinne that sets vp all subtilties and euersions of king and kingdomes We haue had so long experience of their notable villainies that reason hath taught vs to cast off all loue of them whether they speake faire or foule and to flye all communion and company with them

of saluation but themselues are growne vp exceeding great proude and rich And although they haue blinded the eyes of the people holding them in ignorance through this iniustice and outragious sea of Monkish superstition yet they haue runne contrary to Christs institution and therefore they may looke for no other but eternall destruction and that the blood of all the say people shall bee laid to their charge Thus by remoouall of these superstitious tricks of the Papists which secretly and by wringing and wresting they gather from these words of our Sauiour a plainer path and entrance is made for vs to speak of that which followeth Take ye First to speake of the persons that were admitted to be partakers of this Sacrament they were Christs faithfull and sanctified disciples take ye saith hee speaking to them alone Hence note That A Minister is not to admit euery one to this Sacrament Doctr. but there must be a special separation on of Atheists prophane and open offenders from holy godly and religious professours of open and manifest Hypocrites who professe in word and deny God and his truth in their liues from sound and sincere-hearted Christians This commandement is directed to the faithfull seruants of God onely not to the prophane and vngodly And this separation hath bene from the beginning Adam in Paradise had the couenant of God and was admitted to the seales of the couenant namely the two Sacraments Gen. 2. the tree of life in the midst of the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and euill but Adam after he had fallen the Lord separated him from the couenant and the seales thereof So Caine after he had slaine his brother Abell was put from the Lords face Gen. 4.12 16. that is he was seuered from the place of Gods presence where God especially manifested himselfe vnto his seruants in his seruice honour and worship and for this cause the Lord commanded that none should bee admitted vnto the Passeouer the same vnto the Iewes Num. 9.13 Leu. 10.10 which this Sacrament is vnto vs being vncleane The reason of this is plaine Reason we see a mortall Prince will not entertaine or admit of euery one to his Table especially of his enemie but his steward hath charge and authority if any dare bee so impudent to bid themselues c. to giue them the repulse euen so wee must not thinke that the immortall Prince the God of heauen and earth will admit of euery ghost vnto his Table but hath giuen commandement to his stewards euen all his faithfull Ministers to weede out the refuse prophane persons and as the Prophet saith Ier. 15.19 to separate the precious from the vile Vse 1 1. This condemneth the Papists who put no man backe from their Masse though neuer so vngodly wicked and of euill report but allure inuite bid and admit of all that come bee they neuer so corrupt in life and doctrine as worshippers of Images louers of pleasure more then of God enemies of piety proud men vnfaithfull Vsurers Murderers Tyrants Hypocrites Whoremongers Swenters Lyers Slanderers and such as are giuē to Drunkennes Bibbing Feasting Gluttony c. And whō not that this prouerb may be found no lesse true then old Like will to like Thus the Popist Priests without all consideration deliuer the most holy mysteries of the body blood of Christ which the ancient Fathers gaue to none but to those that were replenished with the knowledg of Gods wil in al wisdom spiritual vnderstanding to them that are defiled with al kind of sin abhominations 2. Euery Minister must hence learn his duty Vse 2 He must endeauour to haue a speciall eie to the guests that come to the Lords table to giue them a repulse if they bee prophane scandalous and open-offendours such as are knowne to bee Gods enemies till such time as they reforme their liues and become the Lords friends In so doing he shall discharge the office of a faithfull steward and shall preuent Gods heauy wrath that otherwise would fall vpon the head of the vnworthy and vnbidden guest He that by admission of the Minister rusheth vpon the Lords Supper vnworthily in filthinesse and sinnes most odious cannot auoid iugdment nay he is in danger of hearing the voyce of the King Friend how camest thou in hither not hauing on thy wedding garment Mat. 22.12 and prouing speechlesse he is sure to be bound hand and foote and cast into vtter darkenes where is weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth Oh therefore thou that art the Lords Minister suffer no man to enter vnto this Supper with filthy garments If any man though hee be thine owne brother be a Fornicator an Idolater on a Railer or a Drunkard 1. Cor. 5.11 or an Extortioner or any one that brings not true Doctrine bid him not God speede eate not with him 2. epi. Ichn verse 10. nay suffer him not to eate at this table Hilar. in Mat. Can. 30. Christ would not suffer Iudas to eate of his last Supper who according to an other name Iscariot Theophilact in Mat. Cap. 26. is a man of power He went forth before Supper and could not be suffered to eate because he was condemned of the holy Ghost to be a Traitor an Hypocrite a couetous person a diuell a sonne of perdition a vessell of wrath c. And wee reade that Ambrose stood in the Church doore and would not permit the Emperor Theodosius Theodoret Lib. 5. Cap. 18. after he had caused seuen thousand men to be slaine without iudgement to enter into the Church but forbade him to go any further then the doore saying Quomodo manus extendes de quibus adhuc sanguis stillat iniustus quomodo buiusmodi manibus suscipies sanctū Domini corpus Qua temeritate ore tuo poculum sanguinis preciosi percipies quando furore verborum tuorum tantus iniuste est sanguis effusus c. Tripar hist Lib. 9. ca. 3. With what eyes wilt thou behold the house of him which is the Lord of vs all or with what feete wilt thou treade vpon his holy pauement Wilt thou stretch out these hands which yet droppe with the blood of them that were vniustly slaine and with them take the most holy body of the Lord or wilt thou put that precious blood to thy mouth who through the words that haue proceeded from thy furious mind hast shed so much innocent blood I say vnto thee depart and to this thy former wickednesse adde not another that is more wicked fusus c. Tripar hist Lib. 9. ca. 3. neither disdaine thou to take that yoake and bond vpon thee which the Lord of all doth approue and blow from aboue c. These were the words of that good Bishop vttered with an holy zeale against that great Emperour and may teach thee that art Gods steward much corage and boldnesse in this case if any ignorant man or

to bee Ministers for God therefore they cannot be disallowed Sol. Sol. I confesse indeede that there is an ordinary calling of the Church which is necessary for the making of a Minister But yet the outward ordinary calling of the Church alone is not sufficient to make a man a Minister of the Lord vnlesse he be also inwardly called of God and fitted with gifts as with the Spirit of God in wisedome Exod. 31.2.3 and in vnderstanding and in knowledge and in workmanship 1. Tim. 1.12 1 Sam. 10.9 and in strength and with another heart c. to discharge the duties of the place to which God calleth him And therefore whosoeuer taketh vpon him the charge ouer a people must look narrowly vnto himselfe and see whether hee bee put into orders by God Vnlesse he haue a testimony that God hath called him inwardly as well as the Church outwardly all is to small purpose hee is none of Gods Ministers hee is crept into the Church of God by the window and God neuer set him apart to his holy seruice but rather as a iust Iudge will say to him Friend Mat. 22.12 how camst thou in hither Hence it was that Tyndall that blessed Martyr did sharpely reprooue such kinde of Ministers saying Exposit in Mat. 5. In what case are they that haue Benefices and preach not Verily though they stand at the Altar yet are they excommunicate and cast out of the liuing Church of almighty God And againe Priests that preach not are none of Christs nor of his annoynting but seruants of the beast whose marke they beare Oh that all ouer-hasty Ministers wold well consider these things and rather vndertake any other calling then this so weighty a worke without direction from the Lord. A notable president we haue for them in the Prophecy of Zechariah where the Prophet speaketh of some such Priests as pestered the Church in his time Zech. 13.4.5.6 that They should no longer weare a rough garment to deceiue But he shall say I am no Prophet I am an Husbandman for man taught me to be an Heardman from my youth Then better it would be for Gods Church she should bee gouerned by the men of God and more comfortable to themselues though their life be more painefull Vse 2 2 This may teach all Ministers to trye and examine themselues whether they bee the Lords Ministers If they 1. finde themselues ready vpon all occasions to goe when God bids and to returne when hee calls 2. If it bee vnto them as meate and drinke to do the will of God their Father that sent them 3. If they cry aloud and spare not if they lift vp their voyces like trumpets Isa 58.1 and shew the people their transgressions and sinnes Act. 10.33 4. If they deliuer nothing but that which they haue receiued and all that which they haue receiued 5. If they deliuer sound Doctrine and the wholesome word of truth 6. If they diuide the same word aright and giue euery one his owne portion Warning to the vnruly 1. Thes 5.14 comfort to the feeble minded if they binde vp the broken hearted c 7. If they study to approue themselues their liues and hearts vnto God 2. Tim. 2.15 as men that neede not be ashamed 8. If their lips preserue knowledge 9. If they be ready to euery good worke Tit. 3.1 Phil. 3.20 and haue their conuersation in heauen purging thēselues as Christ is pure If these things bee in them then it may be truly said that they are the Lords workemen that hee hath placed them in his watch-tower that they haue receiued gifts from aboue that they are Ambassabours for Christ that he hath powred of his Spirit vpon them and giuen them orders for the Ministeriall function to discharge it Thirdly the Apostle saith I haue receiued of the Lord that which I deliuered c. I haue not dealt deceitfully with you to giue you any Sacrament of my owne inuention but I haue deliuered that very same Sacrament and words also that I receiued from the Lord Iesus Christ From hence then in the third place we learne That God alone is the Author and appointer of all our Sacraments Doct. 3. whereby Gods inward graces are represented sealed and conueyed vnto vs. And for this cause our Apostle heere saith that the Lord Iesus God-man and man-God not any man alone nor Angell nor Saint took bread and wine c. that is hee alone instituted this holy Supper The like wee may see in the other Sacrament for wee haue but two Sacraments vnder the New Testament 1. Cor. 10.1.2.3 Christ alone giueth commandement to his Disciples and in them to all his faithfull Ministers to Teach and baptize in the name of the Father Mat. 28.19 the Sonne and the holy Ghost Accedit verbum ad elementū et fit Sacramentum Aug. fu Ioanne tract 80. Now God ordaines euery Sacrament by his Sacramental Word and this is due two wayes First by giuing a commandement whereby he commandeth his Sacrament both to be administred and receiued Mat. 26.26 28.19 Secondly by making a promise whereby he hath ordained that the Elements shall bee instruments and seales of grace The reason why God alone must be the author of euery Sacrament Reas 1. is because euery Sacrament which is but a signe of grace can confirme nothing vnlesse it be by the consent and promise of him from whom the grace promised must bee receiued But euery good gift and good grace is from God alone Iam. 1.17 Mal. 3.1 Heb. 8.6 therefore it must needs follow that God is the author of the Sacrament Vse 1 1 This serues to confute the Papists who doe not onely content themselues with polluting these two holy Sacraments of the New Testament many and sundry wayes but also most impudently and arrogantly take this priuiledge of ordaining Sacraments vnto themselues which belongeth to God alone and therefore they make more Sacraments then Baptisme and the Lords Supper by adding fiue others vnto them First Confirmation Secondly Repentance Thirdly Orders Fourthly Extreame Vnction or annoynting Fifthly Matrimony All these howsoeuer they are holy Ordinances for other ends yet they are no Sacraments For 1. They cannot confirme Faith 2. Neither are they so proper to the Church as Sacraments are 3. Neither haue they any commandement of God to bee Sacraments 4. Nor his promise of beeing signes and seales of grace Vse 2 2 This must teach vs to come prepared to the Lords Supper all the dainty dishes therein are of the Lords owne prouision If a man should bee bid a guest to sit at the Princes table to eate of the dainties of the Princes prouision he would without all doubt trimme and prepare himselfe as Ioseph did to come into Pharaohs presence Now wee know that the Sacrament is a supper of the Lord Iesus his prouision he hath prepared his chaire and furnished his table as Salomon