be borne but once but we dayly stand in need of food and strengthening therefore we often receiue the Supper of the Lord that our soules may be nourished vnto life everlasting Chap. II. What the Lord's Supper is That wee may rightly vnderstand the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper we must know 2. things 1 what it is 2 what belongs to the due receiving of it For the first the Lord's Supper is a Sacrament consisting of Bread and Wine lawfully consecrated distributed instituted by Christ himselfe for a cōtinual remēbrance of the Death Passion of Christ the benefits which we receiue thereby This institutiō was at Christ's last Supper after hee had eaten the Passeouer with his Disciples so that it is called a Supper in respect of the time of the institution and the Lord's Supper in respect of the Author the Lord Christ as also in respect of the end thereof which is partly to set forth the Lord's Death and the spirituall foode therein receiued namely the body blood of Christ himselfe In this Sacrament wee must consider 2 things 1. the parts 2. the end The parts are 2. first the outword Signes Secondly the thing signified The signes are either representing namely the elements themselues or applying signes which are the actions about those elements The elements are 2. Bread Wine not Bread only but both according to Christ's institution and that asunder not the Bread dipt in the Wine as some will haue it because Christ's blood was shed out of his body for our sinnes and wee are to receiue these signes as representing Christ not whole but wounded and peirced Now Christ chose those elements before any other because they best serue to set forth Christ's Body and Blood for as Bread by diverse breakings pressings comes to be perfect yea the chiefest food of our bodies still giving a good relish when other things doe not and is also more common to all thā any other So the body of Christ by many torments was made the chiefe nourishment of our souls remaining alwayes most sweet and pleasaunt and common to all that can receiue him by faith and as Wine doth cherish and comfort vs satisfie our thirst purge away many corrupt humours maketh vs bold and adventrous so the blood of Christ reviues and gladd's our drooping soules satisfieth our spirituall thirst purgeth vs from all our sinnes and maketh vs couragious against all feare of our enimie the Divell againe as bread is made of many graines into one loafe and wine of many grapes into one cuppe so wee partaking thereof and of Christ by faith are made one with him as our head and also one among our selues as members of his body thus of the elements The Actions in this sacramēt are of 2. sorts 1. of the Minister 2 of the Communicants The actions of the Minister are these 1 Setting apart 2 blessing of the Elements whereby is signified that Christ Iesus was set apart and sanctified for vs as it is Ioh. 17.19.3 breaking and powring out 4. distributing to the Communicants whereby is signified that Christ's Body was crucified his blood shed that the benefits thereof are offered vnto vs if we haue faith to receiue thē as it is Ioh. 3.15 He was lifted vp that whosoever beleeueth in him should haue life everlasting The actiōs of the Cōmunicāts are 2. 1. Taking 2. Eating drinking By which is signified that they which receiue benefit by Christ must receiue him by faith applying his merits to their owne soules as Ioh. 1.12 As many as received him to them he gaue power to become the Sons of God euen to them which beleeue on his name Thus of the signes the thing signified is the Body Blood of Christ with the benefits which wee receiue thereby namely the strengthening refreshing of our soules in the remission of our sins this wee receiue not of the Minister for he giues only the signes but of God himselfe apprehending the same by our faith for Christ is not signified in these signes as in a picture but exhibited vnto vs being himselfe present in the Sacrament though not corporally to the Bread Wine yet spiritually to our faith for though his Body bee in Heaven and must there remayne vntill the last day as it is Act. 3.2 yet we may feed on him spiritually by fayth by applying his death and passion vnto our sinfull souls so that there is one vnion betweene Christ and the Elements which is Symbolicall and an other betweene Christ and vs which is spirituall and reall The ends of this Sacrament are twofold 1 in respect of others 2 in respect of our selues In respect of others to testifie vnto them that faith which we professe that so they seeing our readines herein may haue their harts also stirred vp to such good duties In respect of our selues it concernes either what we haue received frō or what wee are to returne to God In the first respect it serueth First for remēbrance namely of the death of Christ for as often as we receiue this wee shew the Lords death till he come 1. Cor. 11.26 Secondly for confirmation vnto vs and that both of our vnion among our selues as 1. Cor. 10.17 for we being many are one Bread and one Body for we all partake of one Bread as also of our Communion with Christ for as the Bread and Wine are turned into the substance of our bodies so wee by faith are vnited vnto Christ made flesh of his flesh for his flesh is meate indeed his bloud is drink indeed Ioh. 6.55 for this cause it is called the Communion In the second respect concerning that which wee are to returne vnto God it serues to testifie our thankfulnes to God for his mercy in giuing vs his Son and in him all things and assuring vs thereof by this Seale which wee cannot but doe when we consider the torments that he endured for our sinnes which were indeed the very nayles and speares that pierced him and for this cause it is called the Eucharist because in it wee offer vp our thankes vnto God and so also it may be called a Sacrifice not that wee doe therein offer vp Christ vnto God for Christ himselfe at once finished this offering of his Body on the Crosse but because we offer vp our thankfull hearts vnto God for his mercy in Christ so that it is a sacrifice not of Christ but of our thankfulnesse CHAP. III. The Necessity of receiuing the Lords Supper THat wee may receiue this Sacrament as we ought we must consider 2 things 1 the Necessity 2 the right manner of receiuing the same As for the first wee must know that it is not a thing indifferent for vs to receiue or not to receiue at our pleasure but that wee ought to doe it though not euery Sabboth after the custome obserued in the Primitiue Church yet without faile as often as occasion is
people are perished for lacke of knowledge hence it comes to passe that many receiue this Sacrament without any benefit vnto themselues because they are not able to discerne of it aright Wee should therefore all our life long carefully exercise our selues in the word of God that so when we shall come to examine our selues concerning our Knowledge wee may the more easily and with the greater comfort trie our fitnes in this respect whether we haue attayned to a competent measure of knowledge in the groundes of religion or not Which that wee may the better doe wee are to make triall of a twofold Knowledge which wee ought to haue the one concerning God the other concerning man Concerning God we are to know that there is but one only wise and true God subsisting in three Persons the Father begetting the Sonne the Sonne begotten of the Father and the Holy Ghost proceeding from both which is a mistery farre exceeding our vnderstanding yet so sarre are wee to know and beleeue it as GOD hath revealed it in his word and therefore first are we to Examine our selues concerning this knowledge Concerning man we are to knowe that he was first created in vprightnes according to the Image of God Gen. 1.27 but afterwards fell through disobedience and was againe recovered by the meritorious death of Christ Iesus This we are to examine according to the 2 parts of the Word of God the Law and the Gospell In the first wee shall playnly see what wee are in our selues even wretched and miserable sinners corrupt children of disobedient parents that wee haue justly deserved death as a due reward for our manifold sinnes both originall and actuall being carnall sold vnder sinne by nature the children of wrath Ephes 2.3 In the second wee shall vnderstand what wee are in Christ and what that covenant is which God hath made vnto man in him for the pardoning of their sinnes which returne vnto him by repentance apply the same vnto themselues by faith So that here we are to knowe 2 things 1 the meanes of our redemption and reconciliation the Death of Christ whom God in loue sent into the world to redeeme them that were vnder the lawe that wee might receiue the adoption of Sonnes Gal. 4.5 so hath delivered vs frō the power of darkenes Col. 1.13 2. The meanes whereby we may apply this vnto our selues namely faith which is a gift of GOD begotten and increased by hearing the word and receiving the Sacrament Let vs therefore seriously examine our selues whether wee haue learned out of the Word of GOD our first innocency which wee had by creation our misery which wee fell into by transgression and the happinesse which wee haue obtained againe by our sweete and blessed redemption for in those things ought every one to bee instructed which approcheth vnto the Lords Table Besides this Knowledge of GOD and Man wee are further to haue a particular Knowledge of the Sacrament it selfe where wee are to trye whether wee doe rightly discerne the Elements from the Lords Body and the true vse of them wherein wee must consider that the Bread and Wine in themselues ordinary beeing ordained of Christ are now become holy and whereas CHRIST blessed this Sacrament at the first institution wee are to knowe that it is a blessed Sacrament because whatsoeuer hee blesseth is blessed and that it will bee a meanes of great blessing vnto vs if rightly receiued and whereas Christ gaue the same after Supper wee must further knowe that it was not ordayned to satisfie our bodily hunger for if any man thus hunger Saint Paul tells him that hee must eate at home 1 Corinth 11.34 but it was giuen for the refreshing of our wearied Soules by the commemoration of Christ's Death for vs and of our communion with him but of this particular Knowledge of the Sacrament more in the beginning of the first chapter In this as in the former wee must diligently trye and examine our selues for except wee knowe all these things wee are not to partake at the Lord's Table because without it whatsoever wee doe is but blinde devotion Chap VII The Examination of our repentance THus of our information in matters which wee ought to knowe As for our reconciliation wee are to examine our selues in those things which concerne either God or our Neighbours because wee haue and doe often offend both Those which concerne God are principally 2. 1 Repentance whereby wee testifie our harty sorrow for offending him with a desire of amendment 2 Faith whereby wee take hold on his mercy for the pardon and forgiuenesse of them First wee are to try whether wee haue attained to a competent measure of Repentance And indeede if wee truely looke into our selues and consider that wee must one day giue an account for every idle word wee shal finde matter enough for Repentance if our hearts bee not hardned in sinne Now that it is necessary to examine our selues herein appeares from this because without it wee haue noe ground at all for any comfort in CHRIST IESVS for hee which is stuft with his sinnes is noe more fit to receiue Christ than a glutted stomake it's meate and againe vnto them that are defiled there is nothing pure Tit. 1.15 that is if through vnbelief they remaine in their pollutions but vnto the pure all things are pure and if wee cleanse our hands and purifie our hearts and so draw nigh vnto God hee will draw nigh vnto vs. Iam. 4.8 as many as walke according to this rule peace bee vpon them Gal. 6. 16. Let vs then search and trye our waies and turne vnto the Lord. Lament 3.40 and put on Davids resolution before wee come to the Lord's Table I will wash my hands in innocencie O Lord and soe will I goe to thy Altar Psalme 26.6 In this examination of our Repentance wee must haue respect both vnto the time past and to come In respect of the time past wee are to performe 3. dueties 1 Carefully search our hearts to finde out our owne corruptions that knowing them wee may the better avoyd them which is most necessary to bee done that in the first place because it is impossible that he should seeke to goe into the right way which doth not first see his errour and thus much wee must knowe that hee that will not set his sinnes before him here to his conversion shall haue them set before him hereafter to his confusion if wee will needs cover and hide sinnes let vs in loue and charity cover the sinnes of others for Loue covereth a multitude of sinne 1. Pet. 4.8 that is layeth them not open before men to their disgrace who haue committed them as many doe who delight to heare other mens faults ript vp to the quicke but cannot endure to heare of their owne wee should not so much exclayme against other mens sinnes but rather bee humbled for our owne and lay them fully open before
the time of receiuing which being duly performed wee ought in the next place to take notice of a religions Practise of those things which are to be observed afterwards in our life and conversation These things may be reduced to 2 heads namely such as we are to do 1 in the Church 2 at home In the Church wee must performe 2 duties 1 Having ended the former meditations wee ought each man in particular to giue thanks vnto God for his mercy in this or the like forme O Lord I humbly blesse thy holy name for that thou hast in mercy vouchsafed to accept mee at this thy Table amongst the rest of thy elect chosen people and that thou hast so gratiously fed my languishing soule with the precious body blood of Christ Iesus I confesse O Lord that I am not worthy of the least of thy favours but seeing it hath pleased thee thus to haue mercy vppon mee giue mee grace I humbly beseech thee to walke worthy of this thy mercy in newnesse of life to the glorie of thy holy name the salvation of my sinfull soule even for thy mercies sake Amen 2. After this every one ought to joyne with the Congregation in praier thanksgiving praysing God for his goodnesse and soe depart lovingly together with joyfull hearts that God hath so gratiously entertained vs his vnworthy servants After wee are come home wee are further to take notice of 2. duties 1. Meditation meditating seriously what comfort we haue receiued by being at the Lord's Table Vpon which consideration if we finde any good motiōs in our selues any assurance of the forgiuenesse of our sins wee ought by all meanes to cherish the same by the comfortable remēbrāce of Christ's Death Passion for vs so much the more lift vp our thankfull hearts vnto God for his mercy as Saint Paul Sweetly exhorteth the Colossians saying as ye haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke yee in him rooted built vp in him established in the faith aboūding therein with thanksgiuing Col. 2.6.7 And this is that which Solomon maketh a true note of a righteous man that hee will ever bee increasing those good gifts which hee hath in him whē he saith Prov. 4.18 The path of the iust is as the shining light that shineth more and more vnto perfect day When therefore wee shall find a little faith a little loue in vs as GOD knowes the best of vs hath little enough let vs desire to increase it and to haue our corruptions diminished for these desires are a beginning of Grace and a signe of a heart well affected and of this desire wee cannot make a better tryall than by considering whether wee longe to receiue againe the next time that so these good beginnings may bee the more perfected But if wee finde not this comfort in vs let vs search into our selues whether there be not some sinne in vs as yet vnrepented of and whether wee came not so well prepared to the Communion as wee should if so then ought wee to humble our selues before God with sorrow for this our negligence if wee cannot see this in vs but that wee came well prepared then must we patiently waite the Lord's leasure and pray earnestly that he will giue vs the comfort of his Spirit with full assurance that he will grant our request when it shall be best for vs. The second duty wherein we must be excercised at home is a resolution or constant purpose of leading a new life wherevnto Saint Paul earnestly inviteth vs Rom. 6.19 saying As you haue yeelded your members servants to vncleanesse to iniquity vnto iniquity even so now yeeld your members servants to righteousnesse vnto holinesse and why because being made free from sinne and become seruants vnto God wee haue our fruit not vnto sinne but vnto holinesse ver 22. Shall wee then be made free from sinne become the seruants of God yet returne vnto sinne again God forbid if we doe so we receiue the grace of God in vaine which S. Paul beseecheth the Corinthians to take heed of 2 Cor. 6.1 now what is it but to receiue the Grace of GOD in vaine when after we haue escaped the pollutions of this world through the knowledge of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ we are againe entangled therewith as the sow to the mire returne to our former course of life againe Saint Peter will assure vs that it had beene better neuer to haue knowne the way of righteousnesse than after wee haue knowne it to turne from the holy Commaundement delivered vnto vs. 2 Pet. 2.21 And well were it if this were duly considered of some who thinke it sufficient to liue precisely that day in which they receiue though perhaps they can scarce doe that and presently afterwardes liue as profanely and loosely as euer they did but wee must knowe that GOD expects a dayly reformation of those which present themselues at his Table and if wee doe not duly consider of it wee shall one day with feare and trembling acknowledge it as Saint Paul plainly tels the Hebrewes saying If wee sinne wilfully after wee haue receiued the knowledge of the trueth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins but a certaine fearefull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation Heb. 10.26.27 Now that we may the better lead a new life before GOD wee must consider that to the direction of a Christian life 3 things are to be knowne of vs. 1 What we are to pray for 2. What wee ought to beleeue 3. What we are to doe The first beeing rightly known afford's vs a perfect direction for our Hope the second for our faith the third for our Piety The 1st we haue fully set down in the Lords Prayer composed by CHRIST himselfe as a most exact rule for all our Prayers The second in the Creed which containeth the Articles of our Faith contained in the doctrine of the Apostles called therefore the Apostle's Creed The third in the 10. Commandements written by the finger of God himselfe and revealed vnto vs in his holy Word to be our direction both for our holines towardes God and our charity towardes our neighbours These 3 rules of our life the Lords Prayer the Creed the 10. Cōmaundemēts are dayly repeated of those of the meaner and more simple sort but yet God knowes not so well vnderstood as they should be by diverse to whō God hath givē a greater measure of knowledge neuer did our Land yea almost euery house more freely abound with fruitfull and comfortable expositions vpon these rules than now they doe yet who lookes so farre into them as to know thereby the full extent of any of them Some few indeede there are whereof GOD increase the number who make a conscionable vse of those good meanes of Saluation whereas others are well content yea with delight desire to reade and that vpon the best dayes vaine and idle discourses which are so
DIRECTIONS FOR A GODLY LIFE Especially for Communicating at the Lord's Table Intended first for private vse now publish'd for the good of those who desire the safty of their owne soules and shall bee pleased to make vse thereof BY H. TOZER Mr of Arts and Fellow of Exceter Colledge in Oxford Psal 69.33 Seke yee after God and your soule 〈◊〉 liue OXFORD Printed by WILLIAM TVRNER Printer to the famous Vniversity 1628. TO THE HONOVRABLE Gentleman Mr LORENZO CARY Sonne to the R. Honourable Vicount Faulkland Lord Deputy of Ireland WORTHY SIR SINCE the time that it first pleased your honourable Father to commend you vnto the religious government of this Colledge wherein you now liue your carriage hath beene so sweete louely that it hath wonne I dare say the heart of each member thereof to a readinesse of respecting this your goodnesse as in word so in deede according to their severall places and dignities Neither could I suffer my selfe standing in a more neare relation than any of the rest vnto you to come short in the performance of this office Wherefore I here offer vnto your religious meditation this ensuing treatise collected and composed first for private vse but now published not to gaine the applause of any from which my owne vnworthinesse sufficiently checkes mee but chiefely for these two respects first to testifie that loue which I both owe vnto you and am ready to make good Secondly and more principally to invite you to a due consideration of those holy duties therein contayned that by a seasonable knowledge of the same your actions may bee the more carefully ordered and God's name in the faithfull practise thereof more fully glorified The subiect is a matter not of humane learning but of God's service and thereof a parte without exception the greatest the due receiving of the holy Communion A duty I confesse better knowne then well considered and more often thought on then sincerely practis'd if it were not so bad actions would not bee so commonly priviledg'd by the greatnesse of the Agents as now they are but they to whom God hath giuen most honour here would ever thinke it their greatest glory to honour him most again by their faithfull service vnto him And good reason why they should if they remember that to whom God hath given most of them hee requireth most againe yea such who haue the precedency of others in place and dignity may do well to consider that in making a conscience of matters of Religion and leading their liues according to the rules thereof they doe not onely provide well for the salvation of their owne soules but giue a good occasion to others also while they happily provoke them to the practise of the same duties by their good examples which are ever held as liuely precepts and serue for a secret reproofe to an ingenuous inferiour when hee shall see himselfe defectiue in that wherein his betters haue gone before him Let the Honourable Mighty thus remember how farre they shall honour God by a religious life and then they cannot but acknowledge that it is their glorious fredome to bee his humble Servants Others if they please may take notice of this perswasion and perhaps they would if I were not vnworthy to advise them but now I speake to you alone whom I well knowe willing as freely to make vse of others helpe so truely to accept of this from mee Your owne happinesse you must confesse with thanks to God that by his providence you liue in that Society whose Religion is as firme as vndefiled where you cannot say you want the rule either of louing precepts or exanple according vnto which you haue already ioyned with the rest in a religious communicating at the Lords Table My desire is to perswade you to a constant perseverance in what you haue so well begunne that so devoting your tender yeares with those which follow vnto the service of th' Almighty you may againe from him receiue and fully enioy his dayly blessing which doth ever attend on those that truely seeke him Some meditations which perhaps may serue for your direction I here present vnto your view in which I freely acknowledge almost nothing mine to prevent the censure of a curious Reader but onely the labour of composing this I now commend to you and you vnto the blessed providence of the most Highest resting ever Yours truely in the Lord HENRY TOZER DIRECTIONS FOR THE DVE RECEIVING OF THE HOly Communion CHAP. I. What a Sacrament is and how many there bee A Sacrament is an outward visible signe of an inward and invisible grace ordayned by God whereby hee doth seale vnto vs his covenant of grace made in the blood of Christ and wee againe testifie our faith and piety towards him so that it is both a signe in respect of the thing signified a seale in respect of the covenant thereby sealed vnto vs. The word sacrament doth properly signifie an oath wherby Souldiers bound themselues vnto their Generall whence it is taken to signifie that obligation whereby wee tye our selues to the blessed and sweete service of Iesus Christ for hereby wee as Christ's Souldiers first binde our selues by promise of obedience to fight vnder the Lords banner against the world the flesh and the divell Secondly we put on the cognisaunce and Armes the Colours and marke of Christ by professing our faith in him that so it may appeare vnto the world to whom wee doe belong Now Sacraments are of two forts First of the Old Testament which were 2. first Circumcision secondly the Passeouer The first was ordained for a signe of entrance into the Covenant the second for an assurance of confirmation of and continuance in the same both which are now abolished and in stead of them wee now haue the Sacraments of the New Testament which are likewise 2. first Baptisme answerable to Circumcision secondly the Lord's Supper to the Passeover both signified by that water blood which issued out of the side of Christ when it was peirced by the souldiers on the Crosse Of these the first is called the Sacrament of our Nativity or entrance because by it wee are assured that wee are receiued into the Covenant of Grace and so are regenerate belong to the flock of Christ the second is called the Sacrament of our growth perseverance whereby wee growe vp in Christ are assured that we shall be still kept in this estate So that both are necessary the one to assure vs of our entrance into the other of our continuance in the estate of Grace for although that Grace once conferr'd cannot bee lost yet our assurance doth often want strengthening by reasō of our manifold tēptations against which we are cōforted by the remembrance of Christ's death and passion which doth also teach vs why the Sacrament of Baptisme is receiued but once the Lord's Supper often because our birth is signified by our Baptisme we can
offered according to the example of those in the Acts who continued stedfast in breaking of bread Act. 2.42 The Necessity of which duty will further appeare if wee consider these 2 things 1 the principall cause which often keepes vs from it 2 the motiues which may draw vs vnto it First that which makes vs backward in the performance of it is questionlesse the policy of our Arch-enemy the Diuel who striues by all meanes to draw vs away either by a carelesse neglect of our chiefest good to feede rather on our owne foolish imaginations as hee did them in the Gospell who had rather see their groūd or proue their oxen than taste of that Supper to which they were invited Luke 14.18.19 or else by a timorous fearefulnesse of our owne vnworthinesse to approach vnto so holy a banquet as this is And truely if we could but see that this is his doing wee would by all meanes striue against his temptations for who amongst vs would not endeauour to the vtmost so farre to resist his temporall enemy as that hee should not bee able to hurt him either in body or in goods and shall wee bee more carefull for the preservation of our earthly bodies then of our heauenly Soules which Christ Iesus hath redeemed by his precious bloud God forbid we must know that God expects more at our hands and that our soules are neuer so safe as when they are in greatest opposition and doe that which is most displeasing vnto our chiefest enemy the Divell for the more wee please him the lesse we please God the nearer wee are to him the farther we are from God The Motiues which may draw vs to the performance of this duty are taken from a due consideratiō of these 2 things 1 who it is which inviteth vs vnto it 2 what bee the consequents of receiuing or not receiuing Hee which inviteth vs is God himself whose ordinance it is and who requires it at our hands as a principall part of his seruice and therefore as often as wee omit it wee may bee sure that wee offend him which hee himselfe testified in threatning to cut off that soule from his people which should forbeare to keepe the Passeouer Numb 9.13 and if so then doubtlesse the neglect of this Sacrament wherein Christ is so fully exhibited vnto vs is very displeasing vnto him which is also exprest in the parable of the great Supper Luke 14.24 None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my Supper Why because they came not when they were invited and if we refuse to come when the Lord calls who knowes whether hee will giue vs life vntill the next invitation Let vs therefore take the Lord's offer while it is to day lest wee be cut off before the morrow The next motiue is taken from the consequents and that 1 of not receiuing If wee receiue not wee offer a twofold injury the one to Christ the other to our selues To Christ 2 wayes 1 in contemning his ordinance who commaunded his Disciples to receiue it 1 Cor. 11.24 and in them vs. 2 in neglecting his loue towards vs who as a Father on his death-bedd in the night that he was betrayed bequeathed this seale and pledge of his loue vnto vs which therefore ought to bee right deare vnto vs and at noe time neglected when it is offered Againe if wee receiue not wee injure our selues and that also 2 wayes 1 in respect of our name and profession for if wee come not when others doe wee expose our selues to the censure of them shewing that wee are at least neglecters if not contemners of GOD'S ordinance who will haue all to come to it Matt. 26.27 yea that wee haue not the life of a Christian in vs for whosoeuer eateth not the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinketh his bloud hath no life in him Ioh. 6.53.2 we injure our selues frō the benefites thereof for the remembrance of Christ's death and passion if duly considered cannot but be a great comfort vnto vs which we put from vs as often as we omit the Lords Supper and thus much wee may assure our selues that the Diuell will bee ready to take the least occasion to suggest other meditations vnto vs and what a miserable thing is it for vs to bee exercised in our owne pleasures or such like when others with whom wee are bound to bee present are reverently gathered together to the comfort of their owne soules to feede at the Lords Table If we say that wee are then exercised in other good duties as reading the Word of God or such like wee must know that such duties good in thēselues are not acceptable to God at such times and who knowes seeing that heerein we neglect the Lords ordinance how farre he will giue the Diuell leaue to tempt vs and draw vs away euen from those duties also to wicked imaginations 2. The Consequents of receiuing cannot but invite vs to a constant performance of this duty Now these consequents respect either God or our selues That which respects God is our duty of thankfulnesse and praise which heerein wee offer vnto him for his mercy which is very pleasant vnto him and necessary to bee performed of vs because hee is gracious and his mercy endureth for euer towards them that feare him and how then can wee but with Dauid haue our hearts ready to sing and praise him with the best mēber that we haue Ps 108.1 That which respects our selues is the benefitt which we receiue thereby which is twofold 1 Generall 2 more speciall The Generall benefitts which wee receiue by the Lords Supper are chiefly two 1 Asupply of all our wants which wee shall bee sure to haue if wee receiue aright for hee which eateth the flesh of Christ shall neuer hunger he which drinketh his bloud shall neuer thirst as Christ himself hath promised neither need wee doubt of the truth hereof for hee is full of grace and truth Ioh. 1.14 in him dwelleth all fulnes Col. 1.19 how then can wee want any thing if wee possesse him that hath al things 2. An excellent rule to our whole life for when wee hereby consider God's great loue vnto vs we cannot if there be any loue feare of God in vs but bee carefull to avoyd any thing which may bee displeasing vnto him so that hereby our bodies are made more obedient vnto our Souls our Souls vnto God The speciall benefit which we receiue by the Lord's Supper is in regard of our faith and this againe respects either our selues and others or else our selues alone The first is a testifying of our faith vnto others for hereby wee both shew vnto others the faith which wee professe and also by our example stirre them vp to the performance of the same duty in this respect therefore it is necessary that wee should often receiue In the second respect it is a confirmation increase of that faith which wee haue in vs
him it is the counsell of the Apostle 1. Cor. 11. who biddeth vs to examine then eate not goe away first examine then eate of this Bread drinke of this cup If thou say I had rather stay till the next opportunity that I may haue the more time to repēt cōsider that the longer thou stayest the more sinnes thou wilt run into and then it will bee so much the harder to repent as thou oughtest and besides that how do'st thou know whether God will giue thee grace and time to repent then or not hee hath promised indeede to haue mercy vpon a sinner at what time soeuer he shall repent but hee hath not promised to giue him grace to repent when he will Seeke the Lord therefore while hee offereth himselfe vnto thee that thou mayst finde mercy when thou seekest it Lastly some in a proud manner thus excuse or rather justifie their absence I doe already sufficiently beleeue whatsoeuer is proposed in the word of God and therefore what neede haue I to receiue this Sacrament so often as a seale to confirme my faith it doth no way conferre grace vnto mee and my faith is so firme that I perswade my selfe I neede not a seale to strengthen it so much as others doe whose faith is weaker wherefore I thinke that I may sometimes forbeare But knowe ô vaine man which thus disputest with thy God that this is Gods ordinance a principall part of his service which therefore ought diligently to to be performed though it did no way profit vs even because God had commanded it yea when wee haue done all those thinges which are cōmanded vs we must say that we are vnprofitable servants we haue done but that which was our duty to doe Luc. 17.10 Besides is thy faith so strong that it needs no further strengthening do'st thou not daily perceiue in thee a weakenesse of vnderstanding in matters of Piety Religiō a frailty in thy memory and a continuall disorder in thy affections if not know thus much that it is a misery to want but a greater misery not to be sensible of our wants this also knowe for a certaine trueth that when thou findest in thy selfe either none or at leastwise a small desire of hearing Gods word and receiuing the Sacraments know I say that there is surely some sinne or other in thee not well repented of which cloyeth thy soule that it cannot delight in those spirituall exercises Let vs therefore endeavour to come to the Lords Table as often as wee are invited and when wee doe come let vs take heede that wee come not for fashions sake or to please men or in any opinion of our own merit in this action for this is not a celebration but a prophanation of the Lords ordinance because herein wee serue not God but our selues which is a fearefull thing for God is not as man that hee should bee deceiued neither seeth he as man seeth for man judgeth onely according to the outward appearance but God searcheth the very heart reynes and will one day as certainly punish the prophaners of his ordinance as the contemners thereof Wherefore as wee ought in the first place to be fully perswaded of the necessity so should wee in the second by all meanes labour to come to the knowledge of the right manner of receiving which is the next thing to be considered CHAP. IIII. The Necessity of preparation HE which desires to receiue at the Lords Table in a right manner must make conscience of three duties which are necessarily to be performed 1 A diligent Preparation before 2 A seasonable Meditation in the time of receiuing 3 A religious practise after the same in our liues and conversations In the first as before in the matter of receiving we must take notice of a thinges First The Necessity 2. The right manner of Preparation The Necessity will plainely appeare if wee consider these 2. things 1. In whose presence it is that wee are to receiue 2. The danger which we bring on our selues by not being prepared As for the first we are to sit and feede in the presence of the Lord himselfe Now if any even the best of vs should bee invited by a King to his Princely table hee would bee carefull to present himselfe if he reverence his presence in the best manner that hee could putting on then especially if he haue any better than other his best apparell disposing all thinges in the most decent order that so he might be the better accepted if so with what feare and reverence should wee then approach vnto the Table of this King of Kinges when hee inviteth vs who stands there ready attended with his Angels to behold those which present themselues will soone espie out that man who shall dare to approach before him not having on his wedding garment and what can such expect but with the man in the Gospell a casting out into vtter darkenesse Matth. 22.12 Neither must wee thinke to deceiue the Lord with an hypocriticall out-side for hee looketh not to the outward gesture onely but to the invvard parts of the soule it is not so much a cleane hand or curious attire vvhich maketh vs accepted of God as a pure heart and a cleansed soule adorned vvith faith repentance vvee may for a time deceiue mortall men such as our selues but when the secrets of our hearts shall be made manifest then shall our hypocrisie as well as our negligence bee laid open to our destruction Let vs therefore humble our selues before God and prepare our selues aright that we may escape the danger which will otherwise fall vpon vs which is the second thing to bee considered in the Necessity of preparation The danger of not being prepared is particularly set forth vnto vs by considering the offence which wee herein commit and the reward thereof If we come vnprepared and so receiue vnworthily our offence is no lesse than to bee guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ as Saint Paul saith 1. Cor. 11.27 that is wee offer speciall disgrace and indignity vnto Christ in not receiving him with that reverēce which we ought which offence as it is in it selfe very hainous so it drawes on vs a fearefull punishment for the Prophet Ieremiah hath pronounced him accursed which doth the worke of the Lord deceitfully Ierem. 48.10 and if it be so in other things which are of lesse moment what can we expect for the abusing of this so weighty a matter The Apostle setteth downe at full the fearefulnes hereof when he saith 1. Cor. 11.29 that he which eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation than vvhich vvhat can bee more terrible neither is the Scripture silent in shevving vs the judgements of God vpon such offenders as vvee may plainely see both in the Old Testament in the suddaine death of Vzza for rash touching of the Arke and also in the Nevv in the binding hand foote for
want of the wedding garment Wherefore let the danger hereof moue vs to a carefull preparation before vvee presume to come vnto the Lords Table But some may say I persvvade my selfe that I can by no meanes bee vvorthy to receiue this Sacrament and hovv then can I receiue vvorthily it is true if vvee truely consider our ovvne vnvvorthines and the excellency of this Sacrament vvee cannot by any meanes become vvorthy thereof but this must bee our comfort that hee is truely vvorthy vvhom God in mercy acccepteth as vvorthy and so hee vvill vs if vvee come vnto him in humility reverence Let vs therefore according to the Apostles rule first trie examine our selues and then eate of this Supper vvhich that vvee may the better doe vvee ought in the next place to take notice of the right manner of preparation CHAP. V. Concerning Examination in generall FOr our better performance of the duty of preparation we must be carefull to set aside a convenient time before the Communion wherein laying aside all other impediments we ought seriously to be exercised in three duties 1. A diligent examination of our fitnes and worthines to receiue 2. A comfortable premeditation of the benefits which we are to receiue 3. earnest prayer vnto God for a blessing vpon our endeavours that so wee may be accepted to receiue those benefits In our Examination we are to consider 1 To whom this duty belongs 2 how it is to be performed The first wee learne from Saint Paul 1. Cor. 11. who biddeth every man to trie and examine himselfe so that wee our selues are to examine our selues Indeede the Ministers of the word of God and all such to whom God hath committed the charge and care of others ought carefully to trie and examine those which belong vnto them that so they may be the more fit and inferiours ought also willingly to submit themselues vnto their triall yea if it be not offred to seeke their help when they doubt of any thing that so by their directions they may the more cheerefully goe on These are duties vvhich God requires at the hands of all the neglect vvhereof vvill one day fall heavy vpon those vvhich shall faile in the due performance thereof Yet this is not sufficient for vvee are for the most part full of hypocrisie ready to hide our sinnes from others yea vve are so vvitty in iniquitie that vve can behaue our selues so smoothly in respect of the outvvard shevv that others shall finde no fault in vs at all though notvvithstanding our consciences doe all the vvhile accuse vs of some sins lurking vvithin vs vvherefore vve are commanded also to try examine every man himself in particular This Examination must be twofold 1. Generall 2 Particular In the first vve must examine our selues in these tvvo things 1 Whether vvee be in the number of the faithfull or not vvhich is very needfull to be considered othervvise vve partake in vaine for as our bodies can receiue no nourishing and strengthening from the foode vvhich vvee daily receiue vnlesse they haue some life in them before so neither can our soules if they bee voyde of the life of grace receiue any comfort by this spirituall food in the Lords Supper which doth continue and encrease life where it findes it but workes none where there is none before Let vs therefore in the first place diligently trie whether Christ be in vs or not of which we shall the more fully assure our selues if we can finde this perswasion in vs that we as our forefathers were are strangers and pilgrimes here Heb. 11.13 looking for a citty as Abraham did which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God and that wee are made free from the bondage of sinne by the Son of God Christ Iesus Ioh. 8.36 and so with David put our whole trust and rely only on his mercy Psal 52.9 2. We are to make tryall of our readines whether wee bee willing and haue a desire to partake of the Lords Supper or no. A willing minde God required of those which offered any thing for the building of the Tabernacle as it is Exod. 25.2 and of those which offered him any burnt offerings Levit. 19.5 If so in these which were but shaddowes of things to come much more doth he expect it at our hands in the performance of this duty which is the substance it selfe Neither yet let vs here deceiue our selues thinking that a bare consent or willing minde is sufficient it is an hungry desire and appetite as well as a willingnesse to receiue meate offered yea that especially vvhich testifieth a good disposition in the stomacke God requireth in all his service therefore in this also that wee serue him with all our heart and with all our soule Deut. 10.12 and blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousnesse for they shall bee filled Mat. 5.6 For vvant of this desire it is that many vvhē they come to the Lords Table are never the better because God as hee inviteth so hee feedeth none but those that hunger and thirst Isai 55.1 Let vs therefore trie examine our selues vvhether vvee can say vvith David Psal 42.1 Like as the hart desireth the water brookes so longeth my soule after thee ô God my soule is a thirst for God yea even for the liuing God whē shall I come to appeare before the presence of God if vve can find this desire in vs then happy are vve if not let vs humble our selues before God and beseech him to vvorke stirre vp in vs the good motions of his spirit that so vve may attaine to some measure of this thirst and from that goe on farther to a particular examination of our fitnes to receiue CHAP. VI. The Examination of our Knowledge IN our particular Examinatiō because vve are dull ignorant in matters that concerne our Saluation and also haue and doe often offend both God and our neighbours all which are hinderances to the due performance of this duty wee must examine our selues in those particulars which concerne both our information in matters which we should vnderstand our reconciliation with those whom wee haue offended That which concernes our information is a good and wholesome knowledge of those things which God hath revealed vnto vs which is so necessary that it is the very ground of all our service of God for how can we doe the will of God aright if wee know it not Surely that the soule be without knowledge it is not good saith Solomon Prov. 19.2 and therefore God will haue all men to come to the knowledge of the trueth 1. Tim. 2.6 without which wee can reapē no comfort vnto our selues in any thing that we doe but are as dead men for this and this only is life eternall that wee know God and Iesus Christ whom he hath sent Ioh. 17.3 So that without it there is no life and hence it is that the Lord himself complaines Hos 4.6 My
both thereby deserue from vs a true regard as a recompence of this their loue therefore if any man desire to bee furthered in good duties let him testifie it by louing such men 2 If wee desire to obtaine that which is good wee must bee carefull that we make conscience as of avoyding every evill so of doing every good duty be it neuer so little endeavouring with Saint Paul to haue alwaies a conscience voyde of offence toward God and men Act. 24.16 and labouring to keepe not onely some but all Gods commandements according to Davids wish Psal 119.5.6 O that my wayes were made so direct that I might keepe thy statutes so shall I not be confounded while I haue respect to all thy commandements Let vs not deceiue our selues in thinking it sufficient that we obserue the sabbath that wee offend not God by swearing stealing or such like haynous offences yet in the meane time make no conscience of a lie for our commodity or of vaine and idle discourses for delight for if we thus doe it is certainely an argument of a bad heart But some perhaps will say If I thus endeavour to carry my selfe in all things if I now and then doe not giue a little way I shall bee accounted too precise and curious in matters which I need not Bee it so yet bee willing to vndergoe that censure and esteeme it safer to offend vngodly men by thy good life than a righteous God by thy bad life though others account it too much precisenes yet doe not thou so but rather consider that God commandeth vs to keepe his precepts diligently Psal 119.4 if diligently then certainely there is nothing in his precepts superfluous nothing which we may doe or not doe but euery one though of neuer so small a matter is to be performed of vs whosoever therefore shall endeavour to his power to keepe the Commandements of God in every thing is so farre from being too precise that hee doth but what he is commanded To these rules for avoyding of evill and seeking of good wee may adde one more as the rule of all the rest and of our whole life and that is the Word of God which alone is able to direct vs in the way to saluation as David testifieth Psal 119.9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way even by ruling himselfe after thy word Wherefore let vs carefully reade meditate conferre about this Word that often accounting as well wee may every day lost wherein wee learne not something out of it ever desiring more more to be instructed therein and account it a great blessing of God that wee haue the vse of it so freely to direct vs in the way of salvation Neither let any man thinke himselfe so learned that hee needeth no farther instruction for the best of vs comes short of David and yet hee prayed still to be instructed in the word of the Lord as wee may see throughout the 119 Psal Againe if wee did know more than wee doe yet wee are dull in the performance of what wee know and therefore wee haue neede to reade the same againe and againe to stirre vs vp to a daily practise hereof But that wee may so vse the word of God as that it may bee vnto vs the savour of life vnto life let vs at all times when wee are about to reade it lift vp our hearts to God by prayer that he may giue a blessing to our endeavours without which whatsoeuer we doe in this or any other thing it will bee so farre from being profitable vnto vs as that it will rather proue our ruine in the end Hee which shall thus set his heart to serue the Lord by denying vngodlines and worldly lusts by living honestly righteously and soberly in this present world he which shall thus carefully receiue the Sacrament in a right manner heare the word with diligence devoting himselfe to God by prayer in all things which he doth he which shall thus make conscience of his wayes in every thing the blessing of God rest vpon him as it needs must and that peace of conscience which no man knoweth but he that enjoyes ever attend him here and everlasting peace and happines crowne him hereafter Amen FINIS The Contents of each Chapter CHAP. I. What a Sacrament is and how many there bee pag. 1 CHAP. II. What the Lord's Supper is 17. CHAP. III. The Necessity of receiving the Lord's Supper 27. CHAP. IV. The Necessity of Preparation 54. CHAP. V. Of Examination in generall pag. 62. CHAP. VI. The Examination of our Knowledge 69. CHAP. VII The Examination of our Repentance 78. CHAP. VIII The Examination of our Faith 98 CHAP. IX The Examination of our Charity 104. CHAP. X. Of Premeditation and Prayer pag. 134. CHAP. XI Of Meditation at the Lord's Table 147 CHAP. XII Of Practise 160