not any think these are too low motives for Christians to be acted by God thought them not unmeet for Adam to make use of in innocency he had an intimidating threatning Gen. 2.17 Christ pressed such upon his Disciples Mat. 10.29 God hath set our affections one over against another as 't is said of prosperity and adversity Eccl. 7.14 and happy is he that finds no need of fear to restrain the violence of his other affections I shall conclude this Chapter with the answer of an objection some may say How can Faith be necessary for making the Word thus effectual when Faith it self comes by hearing and is ordinarily wrought by the Word Rom. 10.17 To this I answer First That as God at the Creation did not hold to the ordinary Method which he hath kept since but created the Light before the Sun though since the Sun hath been created it hath been the Fountain of Light So though ordinarily the VVord is made effectual by Faith it is not necessary God should observe the same Method in the first working of Grace which he doth in carrying it on But secondly Though Faith come by hearing yet there is a Faith concomitant with that hearing else the Word would not at all profit The Word brings that evidence along with it which begets the faith whereby it becomes effectuall it is obvious to every ones conception that if a man come to deal with me about any thing all he can say doth nothing at all move me unless I give credit to what he saith and yet he may use those Arguments or Evidences which may make me believe him and in eating certainly our food doth ordinarily encrease Spirits and so natural heat before the several concoctions be performed and it is by that natural heat that the several concoctions are performed whereby our food doth further nourish CHAP. VI. The several uses of the Lords Supper exciting Grace in us conveying Grace to us sealing the Covenant by Faith only we have a right thereto and make right use thereof in the Controversies about the Sacraments the Question is not so much about mens title thereto but our judgement of their title the Judgment of the Church of England herein whether those who doubt of their sincerity may come to the Lords Supper how we are to deal with such the ground of many mens desire to come thereto I Come now to speak of the Lords Supper and that you may see how this is a means for the strengthening and encrease of Grace that so we may have life and have it in abundance Joh. 10.10 I will shew you the use of this Ordinance And First It is a sign to represent spiritual things to us we do herein see Jesus Christ as it were evidently set forth and crucified among us Gal. 3.1 we therein shew forth the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 and therefore are to do it in remembrance of him vers 25. that is to perpetuate or continue the memory of his Death and Sufferings in the Church to the end of the World and hereby it becomes a means for the exciting of Grace and an occasion for the exercise of it the eye affecting the heart Lam. 3.51 Here we have occasion for the exercise of Repentance while we see the body of Christ broken and his bloud powred forth He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities Isa 53.5 we are many times it is likely filled with indignation against the Jews when we read how they dealt with him but we are therein at Dr. Stoughton saies like the foolish Athenians who when they had killed an Oxe an innocent Creature in Sacrifice acquitted the Priest but condemned the Sword that gave the deadly stroke of murder for we did more to the crucifying of him than Pilate or the Jews or the chief Priests so that we should father be moved with indignation against our selvs 2 Cor. 7.11 When we look on him whom we have pierced Zach. 12.10 And be in bitterness There we may see more of the evill of sin by what God inflicted on his own Son than if we could look into hell and see the preparations which are made for the punishment of it Again we have here an encouragement to Faith while we see the love of God in giving his Son Joh. 3.16 The love of Christ in giving himself Gal. 2.20 The expiation which was made by his Bloud that cleanseth us from all sin 1 Joh. 1.7 Heb. 9.14 We have here also occasion for the exercise of our love both to God and man while we behold the love which God hath towards us 1 Joh. 4.11.19 Ephes 4.32 Mat. 18.32 Our patience while we see how Christ endured the Cross and despised the shame Heb. 12.2 Our joy and desire while we see the preparations that God hath made for us represented to us under the notion of a Supper friendship and communion being most shewn in eating and drinking and meat and drink is more necessary to us than the Objects of any other sence See Vines on the Lords Supper p. 97 c. But there is a further use of this Ordinance and that is to offer spirituall things and communicate them to us wherefore it is called The Communion of the Body and Bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 God doth therein really offer to us Jesus Christ and so all his benefits as in Marriage by taking the person we are entitled to the Estate and his flesh is meat indeed and his bloud drink indeed Joh. 6.55 whereby our spiritual life comes to be preserved and maintained and as our food is turned into our substance So there is the nearest communion betwixt Christ and us in this Ordinance and under this is comprehended the sealing use of it God doth hereby absolutely confirm the Covenant of Grace in general and likewise in particular to every one so far as their faith doth act upon the things signified as their sence doth upon the outward signs See this plainly handled in Mr. Marshal's defence of Infant-Baptism 117 201. but accurately in Mr. Baxter against Blake Sect. 64. Now Faith is absolutely necessary to the right receiving of the Lords Supper and observe this That though there are many disputes about the qualifications of such as are to be admitted thereto the question is not concerning the ground of their title but our judgement Not what it is that gives them a right to it or fits them for it but what is a sufficient ground for us to judge them to be such as have a right to it and are fit for it Some supposing a meer verbal profession to be enough others requiring a credible profession or such a profession as we may in prudence and charity judge to be real and sincere which seems very reasonable profession not being required for it self but as a sign of the thing professed See Mr. Baxters Disputations of right to the Sacraments p. 6. c. and of Confirmation p.
41 c. but that Faith is necessary to the right use of it hath been the constant Judgement of the Church of England both in its former and latter constitution and that not only a dogmatical faith but a lively Faith in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ See not only the Confession and Catechism of the late Assembly but the Articles of the Church of England agreed upon 1562. Art 29. The Articles of Ireland Art 96. The Catechisme in the Book of Common-Prayer And if any should object that the Catechisme only saies that Believers are to examine themselves about their faith I answer the duty of examination is not required for it self but as a means to know whether we have this faith because as the forementioned Articles express it without this we cannot partake of Christ but eat and drink to our own condemnation I forbear to cite the Testimony of other Churches or Authors which would be both tedious and needless the thing being evident in it self For consider the Lords Supper as it represents to us spiritual things and we cannot without faith discern the Lords Body and though it may be discerned speculatively by a bare historical faith the fruit of tradition and common knowledge yet we cannot discern it practically so as to have the heart affected therewith but by a lively faith which is the substance of what is past as well as of what is hoped for that is we do by Faith as really apprehend or discern the Body and Bloud of Christ as if we had seen him upon the Cross and it is by faith alone that we appropriate to our selves what Christ hath done and suffered which is necessary to a due affecting of the heart therewith Gal. 2.20 Phil. 3.8 But consider the Sacrament as it offers and seal spiritual things to us and it is certainly of no use to us without Faith For as it is the eye of the soul whereby we see Christ so the hand whereby we receive him and the mouth whereby we feed on him and a dead man may as soon feed upon a banquet set before him as an unbeliever on the Body and Bloud of Christ Yea though this should be granted to be a converting Ordinance yet a concomitant faith is absolutely necessary to our receiving it with any benefit to our selves which is sufficient for my purpose to prove how necessary Faith is for the improvement of all means for the preserving and encrease of our spiritual life and considering this as a seal it is wholly useless to unbelievers the Seal confirming no more than is in the Covenants and they are wholly void and of none effect to those who fail of performing what is required of them therein I shall conclude this with answering a question which may arise from what I have before laid down If Faith be so necessary to a right receiving of the Sacrament how can those adventure to come thereto who doubt whether they have true faith or no This question hath already been discussed by others as Mr. Baxter on the Sacraments p. 191 c. Mr. Ford in his Treatise of the spirit of bondage and adoption 308. Wherefore I shall be more brief in the answer of it And first in Thest I may answer with Mr. Baxter that we must in such cases as these follow the smallest prevalent perswasion of our Judgement though far short of full assurance and as he truly saith if we must act only upon certainty we must sleep out most of our lives for besides the cases wherein he instanceth that we must forbear giving thanks for spiritual mercies as Justification Sanctification Adoption c. till we have attained full assurance it would be destructive to humane Society and discharge children of their duty to their Parents and in some cases and in some suppositions which are by many made all Inferiours from subjection to their Superiours in this case I may say with the Apostle 1 Joh. 3.21 If our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God Though we have not such a full perswasion as doth exempt us from all doubting if upon a due examination of our selves our heart do not accuse us of hypocrisie we may come with boldness to this heavenly banquet But now in Hypothesi if one should come to me and make it a case whether he should come to the Lords Supper or no I would know of him the ground of his question if it be any desire that he hath to come to this Ordinance If it be not I shall not trouble my self to satisfie his curiosity but if he do truly desire to come thereto this may help to answer his question I do not think indeed that every desire of coming thereto is an evidence of what may entitle a man to it or fit him for it for then we should have many more Believers amongst us than I can yet hope that we have and it is this which hath caused so many violent intruders and put Ministers to so much trouble to keep those who are unfit from these holy things Doubtless this desire in many proceeds partly from mens impatience of having their faith or sincerity questioned though they are more unwilling to be Believers indeed And partly from those Popish Principles which are so deeply rooted in many of the necessity and efficacy of the Sacraments as if there could be no Salvation without them and no fear of missing salvation if we receive them But I here speak of a true sincere well-grounded desire wherefore I would know of such what is the ground of their desire to come to the Lords Supper and if it be that they might partake of Jesus Christ and his benefits and a greater measure of his grace whereby they may be enabled to walk more worthy of their holy vocation this is sufficient ground for a judgement of charity in those who admit then and of confidence in themselves that they may come with boldnesse thereto and if they should still tell me they dare not come and fear they have no right thereto I should no more regard what they say than if a man should seriously tell me that he would fain utter his minde to me but he cannot speak And if they should further object that they fear though their heart do not at present condemn them yet they may be as the stony ground and in time of temptation fall away and so discover that their Faith was not true I should advise such to come to Christ in this Ordinance as the Campani of old applied themselves to the Romans when they were oppressed by the Samnites Liv. li. 7. their Envoie which they sent to them after a long speech useth these words Quandoquidem nostra tueri adversus vim atque injuriam justâ vi non vultis vestra certa defendetis c. Although you will not by lawfull power defend what belongs to us against injury and violence you will certainly defend what is your own
the thing it self therefore he could not be sure of it And a child may comfort himself in hopes of his Fathers estate though he know not but his Father may disinherit him And if any reply that Adam might be taken up with the happiness of his present condition and so not need to look forward for comfort as Believers are fain to do and that Adam had not so much cause to suspect his condition as a believer hath I add a Merchant rejoyceth much in expectation of his Ship coming home richly laden yet he knowes it is subject to great hazards at sea and I desire this may be diligently heeded Faith of recumbency as it is commonly called is the most proper and most noble act of faith though I am farr from thinking that the conclusion is not de fide where both the premises are not so so that assurance is not faith v. Daille la foi fondee c. partie 1. c. 12. For as Christ said to Thomas Joh. 20.29 Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed blessed are they who though they are not assured either by any mediate or immediate testimony of the Spirit yet dare rely strongly strongly strongly as an eminent dying Saint once said upon the Promise of Jesus Christ that he will in no wise cast out those that come to him for as those are commanded to rejoyce that seek the Lord Psa 105.3 though they have not yet found him because he hath not said to any in vain seek ye my face so may those rejoyce that thus cast themselves upon Jesus Christ though he have not yet said to them I am thy Salvation Psal 35.3 and he takes pleasure in those who so hope in his mercy Psal 147.11 Sixthly By Faith we receive strength from Jesus Christ for bearing of affliction I have shewed before how we have Union and Communion with Jesus Christ and through him we are able to do all things Phil. 4.13 he speaks not there of active obedience only as a learned man hath observed Hales Romains 125. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is as much as vales or possum which is as well to suffer as to do and it is clear from the context that he speaks there chiefly of suffering Colos 1.11 There is a gradation strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience with long-suffering and joyfulness The power of God doth not only strengthen us to patience but to all patience we may have patience in some afflictions not in others those may bear losses perhaps that cannot bear affronts or disgrace and not only to patience but long-suffering this respects the length of our sufferings as the other did the weight of theâ— Some can endure a sharp brunt but tire under a long affliction But he goeth further to joyfulness those may endure an heavy affliction and endure it long too which yet go drooping and heavily under it but by Faith in the power of Christ we may bear long and heavy afflictions with joy Thus we are more than conquerors through him that loved us Rom. 8.37 we conquer afflictions when they do not conquer us but we are more than conquerors when we can rejoyce in them Lastly Faith looks to the recompence of reward as I before shewed the efficacy of it in this respect to overcome temptations so we shall now see how effectual it is to enable us to bear afflictions Though our outward man perish our inward man is renewed day by day saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.16 Afflictions did abound yet they gained spirituall strength to go on more cheerfully instead of fainting or drawing back and the reason hereof was they looked not on the things which were seen but on the things which were not seen vers 18. which is the work of faith Heb. 11.1 As Columbus when he first went to discover America ventured a tedious and long voyage over the main Ocean upon this confidence that he should there discover another part of the world which had formerly been unknown to us when the Spaniards that went with him were ready to mutiny because they had not so much judgment as to be perswaded of any such fruit of their travel Or as Moses had much adoe to get an unbelieving multitude along with him through the wildernesse but they were oft murmuring rebelling turning back in their hearts unto Egypt So have I seen those who have been unequally yoaked and have had some heavy burden of affliction lying on them the one hath born it cheerfully and comfortably the other hath been an hindrance and no help continually murmuring and complaining In such cases the vertue of faith doth most evidently appear and though there are not many amongst us where the Gospel is preached such infidels as to deny the Recompense of reward yet it is only the exercise of a true and lively Faith which can lift up the soul under affliction that being the very substance of the thing hoped for and the evidence of things not seen For a Conclusion of the whole matter let me borrow the words of a learned man Dr. Arrowsmith Tact. Sacr. l. 2. c. 7. s 13. O quanâ—â—â—â— memorem fides virtutum nobilissima c. How shall I make mention of thee O Faith the most noble of all Vertues What shall I say of thee Thou art the Hinge on which the Gate of heaven turns the Bucket by which we draw the water of life the Wedding Ring whereby the Soul is married to Jesus Christ the Receptacle of the Bloud of Christ the only Condition of the New Covenant and the chief part of the New Creature they that by thee attain to a recumbency are safe they that attain to assurance are joyful Thou art the Eye the Hand the Mouth yea the All of our Souls Yea I may add Faith is in Grace as the Philosophers Stone in Nature as a Catholicon or vniversal soveraign remedy for all diseases It is in the Soul as the Lungs in the Body the Instrument of breathing whereby Vitalis spiritus as Fernelius saith tanquam patulo alitur fovetur we are continually thereby taking in and giving out Either receiving from Jesus Christ or laying out for him Wherefore with all our getting as the Wiseman saith of Wisdome Prov. 4.7 let us get Faith and pray that God will fulfil the work of Faith with power in us 2 Thes 1.11 When Christ teaches his Disciples the exercise of Love they pray for the encrease of Faith Luk. 17.5 Whatever we are called to in this World let us pray Lord encrease our Faith hereby we shall be able to perform our Duties to exercise our Graces to overcome our Temptations to bear our Afflictions to hold up in Desertions yea all things are possible to him that believeth Mark 9.23 Search and examine your selves whether you be in the Faith or no 2 Cor. 13.5 No Faith no Life and be diligent in the use of all means for the strengthening