scandalous persons unto it Because the rarity of such instances would sufficiently shew that it is but meerly accidentall to the Sacrament to be a means to convert people from Sin and Satan to God and Christ and we must not gather ordinary and standing Practicall rules from accidentall providences and rare events Besides the very nature of the outward elements do plainly discover the nature of this Sacrament to be nourishing and not begetting And lastly if any were ever converted by this Sacrament their conversion surely was either by beholding the outward elements which are a visible word or by hearing the words of institution read or opened and prayer joyned therewith both which wee call the consecration of the Elements and not by actuall receiving the outward signes which will onely prove that unworthy persons ought to be suffered to see and heare but not prove that they ought actually to receive and partake of the Sacramentall elements Qu. But at least doe you not think that the by-past sins of a true beleever are pardoned in and by his meet partaking of the Lords-supper Ans No for if he be a true beleever his sins past especially if confessed to God and seriously repented of are pardoned Ezek. 18. 21 22. with God before he comes to eate and drink at the Lords Table Qu. If his sins committed bee pardoned before he comes to the Lords Table then what good can a beleever get by receiving that Sacrament Ans Though the sins past be pardoned to a Christian before hee comes to the Lords Table yet being a beleever and a worthy receiver he is by the Sacrament strengthened in a more firm belief of the pardon of his sins and also he is strengthened in a greater confidence that God will increase all saving graces in him Jud. 6. 36 37. c. Qu. How can the eating of a morsell of bread and the drinking of a little wine at the Lords Table strengthen the faith and make you more confident that God will increase all saving graces in you Ans In this respect the eating of the bread and drinking of the wine at the Lords Table doe strengthen and increase my faith and confidence Because I know that Christ did set apart bread and wine as tokens and pledges to assure me that as surely as a weak body is made stronger grows greater and is preserved alive by receiving meat and drink so surely shall my soul be made stronger in faith grow more and more in all saving graces and bee nourished up unto eternall life through my eating and drinking the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ by faith Joh. 6. 54. c. Qu. But doe worthy Communicants eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ in the Sacrament Ans Yes worthy Communicants do eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ at the Lords supper Joh. 6. 53 56. Q. How can we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ seeing Christ is in heaven and we are on earth Ans Though Christ be in heaven and we on earth yet by faith we can reach him and by faith we doe spiritually eate his flesh and drink his blood Joh. 6. 35 47 48. Qu. But what is it to eat and drink Christs flesh and blood spiritually by faith Ans To eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ spiritually by faith is to beleeve unfeignedly that as Jesus Christ doth spiritually unite himself to the outward signs of bread and wine so this spirituall presence of Christ in the outward signs doth bring along with it the merits and benefits of Christs active and passive obedience for the comforting strengthening and nourishing of my soul Qu. Is not Iesus Christ bodily present in the Sacrament Ans No Christ is not bodily present in the Sacrament for the Scriptures affirm that the heaven must receive him untill the times of restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. Qu. But are not the bread and wine changed into the very flesh and blood of Christ after the Minister has consecrated them that is after he hath read the words of Institution given thanks and prayed Ans The bread and wine after the words of consecration do receive a Sacramentall change in their use and effects because the worthy receiver by faith takes them as sacred and holy pledges and seals of Christs body and blood which before consecration were but common and ordinary creatures But in regard of their substance and materiality they remaine still the same as they were before without any change at all Qu. But does not Christ himself say of the Bread This is my body and of the Wine This is my blood and does not Christ speak true in so saying Ans Christs words in calling the bread and wine his Body and Blood are most certainly true in his own sacramentall and spirituall sense Joh. 6. 63. but not in a literall and carnall sense For if Christ had given his disciples his very flesh and blood to be eaten by their bodily mouths as they sate at the Table then he could not the next day have suffered upon the crosse which yet hee did Mat. 26. 26 34. comp with Mat. 27. 1. 46 50. Again if Christs body were materially present upon the Communion Table after the words of Consecration then he should bee in a hundred places at once for the Sacrament may bee and is many times administred in a hundred severall Congregations at one very time and so also we should make Christ to have a hundred bodies we still conclude therefore that Christ is not bodily but onely Sacramentally and spiritually present in the Sacrament Qu. But to return to our former matters Do all those that partake outwardly of this Sacrament of the Lords-supper receive the forenamed spirituall benefits thereby Ans No all those that partake of the outward signs do not receive the spirituall benefits for many come to this Sacrament of the Lords-supper not for the better but for the worse 1 Cor. 11. 17. 34. Qu. In what respect doe many come to the Lords Table for the worse Ans Many come to the Lords Table for the worse because by unworthy receiving thereat they become guilty of the body and blood of Christ and eat and drink their own damnation 1 Cor. 11. 27 29. Qu. How may unworthy partakers at the Lords table be said to be guilty of the body and blood of Christ Ans Unworthy partakers at the Lords Table are guilty of the body and blood of Christ because they are guilty of casting a sleight and contempt upon the body and blood of Christ which in that ordinance are represented unto them 1 Cor. 11. 20 21 22 29. Qu. How are unworthy partakers said to eate and drink their own damnation or judgment Ans Unworthy partakers at the Lords Table are said to eat and drink their own damnation or judgment because by that sin of unworthy receiving they do as certainly draw damnation or judgment upon themselves if they should
2. 13. Qu. But how shall a Christian be sensible of his own spirituall wants and the decay of the power and activity of grace in his soul Ans A Christian may come to be sensible of his own spirituall wants and decays of grace by the consideration of his daily slips and sins of thought word and deed either against Gods precepts or prohibitions As for instance my distrust lets me see my weakness of faith and my omission of and sloathfulness in holy duties le ts me see my want of love and zeal towards God and Christ And so of the rest Hereupon now a Christian must apply the seal of the Covenant for an assurance to himself that as all so especially these and these particular wants shal be supplyed from Christs fulness Job 1. 16. Psal 1. 3. Jam. 4. 6. Qu. How must a Communicant renew his love before he comes to the Lords Table Ans A Communicant must renew his love before he comes to the Lords Table thus 1 He must strive to get his heart inflamed with love to God 2 Cor. 5. 14. and Man 1 Joh. 4. 11. by a due considetion and deep sense of Gods free and great love to him in Jesus Christ and by considering also that eating and drinking together at the Lords Table is a testification of that sweet love which is and must be among Christians one towards another 1 Cor. 12 13. 2 If any man have wronged him he must forgive injuries freely Ephes 4. 26. and if he hath given any just occasion of offence to others he must seek reconciliation with them Mat. 5. 24 25. Rom. 12. 18. Q. How must a Communicant renew his resolution of better obedience before he comes to the Lords Table A. A Communicant is to renew his resolution of better obedience thus namely in an humble acknowledgment of his own weakness Psal 119. 106. he must resolve through Gods grace without all further delay Psal 119. 60. to walk in new obedience and to this end he must earnestly crave strength from God and intreat that he would enable him thereunto Psal 119. 117. Qu. How must a Communicant renew his thankfulnes to God and Christ before he comes to the Lords Table Ans A Communicant before he comes to the Lords table must renew his thankfulnes to God thus 1 He must seriously consider that though he has broken Covenant with God oftentimes and in speciall since the last Sacrament yet the Lord now graciously offers to confirm the Covenant of Free-grace to him anew in this next Sacrament 2 He must also take notice that if there be but the least spark of saving grace in him the Lord will not quench Isa 42. 3. but nourish it and for that end invites him to come to the holy feast of his Sons flesh and blood 3 He must also remember that if he hath throughly endevored 2 Cor. 8. 12. to examine and prepare himself for that ordinance he shal find acceptance with God through Christ and the Lord will look upon him as a worthy guest at his Table 1 Cor. 11. 28. Now all these three indulgences from God call for present thankfulness from the beleeving soul Qu. Besides self-examination and the renewed exercise of the forenamed graces and also besides Prayer so often mentioned before had we not need yet more especially to seek God by earnest Prayer before we come to the Lords Table Ans Yes as a Christian must pray earnestly to God for many particulars hinted before so in speciall he must also pray that God would please further to fit him by his Spirit Phil. 4. 6. Psal 19. 14. for a meet partaking of this sacrament and also accept of him through Jesus Christ as a worthy receiver though in himself most unworthy And the reason of al is because God wil be sought unto even to doe those very things which he hath already promised to do for his people Ezek. 36. 37. Thus far of the Duties before Receiving Qu WHat are the duties required of a Christian At and In the time of receiving the Lords-supper Ans The duties required at and in the time of our receiving are these 1 Every communicant is to give diligent attention to that which is publickly done not onely when he himself is to receive but during the whole action 1 Cor. 14. 16. to behold and look upon both the elements themselves Exod. 24 8. and all the Sacramentall actions 1 Cor. 11. 23. c. in the administration of the Sacrament 1 Cor. 14. 40. 2 He must use such reverent behaviour as may be free from super stition yet fit to stirre up and expresse inward faith and thankfulness 1 Cor. 14. 40. Q. What must be the meditation and disposition of our hearts in tune of receiving the Sacrament Ans Our meditation and disposition of heart at and in the time of our receiving must be this 1 When we see the Bread and Wine consecrated and set apart for this holy use then we must call to mind and consider the eternal love of God the Father in sanctifying setting apart his Son Jesus Christ in his secret counsell to be the Redeemer and Surety of his people Joh. 10. 36. and the tender mercy of Christ in undertaking this hard service for us Heb. 7. 26. Heb. 10. 9. 2 When we see the Bread broken and the wine powred out we are to mourn over him whom we have pierced by our sins Zech. 12. 12. and remember the infinite justice and wrath of God against sin that could never be satisfied but by this means Rom. 3. 25. 3 When we see the Bread and wine given unto us al by the Minister we are to meditate upon the gift and application of Christ crucified to our own souls in particular and to every beleeving receiver els Gal. 2. 20. 4 When we take the Bread and Wine we must stir up our selves by faith to lay hold upon and apply to our selves all the merits of Christs death 1 Cor. 11. 24. and so joyfully to feed thereupon by beleeving that as sure as bread and wine will nourish the body up in a naturall life so sure will the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ fed upon by faith nourish our souls unto eternall life and will also satisfie our souls Matth. 11. 29. and strengthen them against all temptations here in this world 1 Cor. 10. 16. Joh. 6. 35. 5 When we behold the rest of the Congregation communicating with us we are then to stir up our hearts to loving and kind affections towards them and all the people of God 1 Cor. 10. 17. Qu. WHat is that holy carriage that is required after receiving the Sacrament Ans 1. Immediately after receiving a Christian in token of thankfulness for his receiving such inward pledges of love from God must offer up the sacrifice of praise 1 Thess 5. 18. to the Lord and cheerfully give alms 1 Cor. 16. 2. Heb. 13. 16. for the relief of the poor members of Christ 2 At other times after receiving he must often try himself whether he hath been made to drink into one spirit with Christ and his members or not 1 Cor. 12. 13. and what growth he hath gotten by the Sacrament in assurance of Gods favor in strength against corruptions in power to walk with God in obedience to him and in all other graces of the Spirit and fruits of Christs death 3 If the Christian after receiving cannot find these fruits in himself he must humble himself for his own sinnes as the cause thereof 1 Cor. 11. 31. and though he finds not that comfort and benefit he looks for yet if he be truly humbled for the want of it he may be comforted in this as a fruit of a worthy receiving 2 Chron. 30. 18 19. 4 If he shall find upon this after-examination the forenamed benefits truly wrought in his heart then he is most thankfully to give God the glory and to desire the continuance and increase of the same grace with all holy endevors to that end 1 Chron. 29. 13 14 18 verses and as he hath received Jesus Christ so he is to walk in him Col. 2. 6 7. 2 Pet. 2. 20 21 22. and not to return to his former evil practises but to keep the Covenant that he hath renewed with the Lord at the Sacrament and to increase in love and fellowship with Gods children 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. 5 And lastly a Christian upon the sense of the comfort and benefit received at the Sacrament is to resort the oftner and with the more earnest desire unto it 2 Chron. 30. 21 23 verses FINIS
A HELPE TO THE WILLING SOVL OR The Communicants Counsellor BEING A plaine and familiar Discourse upon sundry maine Truths both Doctrinall and Practicall requisite to be known understood and observed by every Christian before his approach to the Lords Table Composed mostly in reference to the Rules and Directions concerning Sacramentall knowledge laid down in an Ordinance of both Houses of PARLIAMENT of the 20 of October 1645. By HENRY SEARLE For the benefit and edification of the Inhabitants of Aldeburgb in Suffolk Happy is the man that findeth Wisdome and the man that getteth understanding Prov. 3. 13. London Printed by R. C. for John Bellamy at the three golden Lions in Cornhill near the Royall Exchange 1647. The reasonable Request of the AVTHOR Friendly Reader KNow assuredly that had it not been to spare the Purse and Pains of the poorer sort of that people amongst whom Gods disposing-hand hath for the present cast mee in procuring written Copies hereof this Catechisticall Discourse should not have troubled the buisie Presse But seeing it is now printed whoever thou art be requested these four things 1 To beware lest any subtle Factors for Satan doe by their smooth ptetences slie insinuations or poisonous perswasions hinder thee in or take thee off from bestowing thy time and pains to get understanding in spirituall things by the help of this or other such like Books Answer such cunning Jugglers thus True indeed though I get much knowledge yet I may perish But if I despise knowledge then I must perish 2 So often to peruse discourse and meditate upon the Truths ensuing as that when justly required thou maist be able to give a good account of the sense and meaning thereof and to beare the substance in thy memory though thou shouldst not attain to the set-form of words 3 Seriously upon every occasion to follow whatsoever Practicall instructions thou meetest withall especially those about self-examination and preparation before thou commest to the Lords Table 4 And lastly to seek for a speciall Blessing from heaven upon thy own and my endeavours for the welfare of thy soule A Helpe to the willing SOVL OR The Communicants Counsellor Qu. WHat is God Answ God is an uncreated Spirit Joh. 4. 24. most wise Rom. 16. 27. most holy Exod. 15. 11. eternall and infinite Psal 147. 5. Maker of heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is Exod. 20. 11. Esa 42. 5. Preserver and governor of all things and creatures whatsoever Nehem. 9. 6. Acts 17. 26. Qu. What mean you by calling God a Spirit Ans When I call God a Spirit I mean that he hath no body at all and therefore must not be thought like to any things which may be seen by the eye of man Deut. 4. 15. c. Rom. 1. 22 23. Qu. How many Gods be there Ans Though there be three in Person yet in Divine Essence there is but one onely true God Deut. 6. 4. 1 Joh. 5. 7. Epbes 4. 5 6. Qu. Which be the three Persons in the Godhead Ans The three Persons in the God-head are God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost Mat. 28. 19. Qu. What is the property of God the Father Ans The property of God the Father is to be of himself and to beget the Son Joh. 1. 18. Joh. 3. 16. Qu. What is the property of God the Son Ans The property of God the Son is to be begotten of the Father Joh. 3. 18. Qu. What is the property of God the Holy Ghost An. The property of God the holy Ghost is to proceed from the Father Joh. 15. 26. and the Son Rom. 8. 9. Gal. 4. 6. Qu. Are any of the three Persons in the Godhead greater then other Ans None of the three Persons in the God-head are greater or lesse then another but they are all equally God Phil. 2. 6. 1 Joh. 5. 7. Qu. WHat was the State of Man by Creation Ans God created man after his own image Gen. 1. 26. Gen. 5. 1. that is to say God created man in a resemblance of that knowledge Col. 3. 10. righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4. 24. Eccles 7. 29. which was and is in himself and in these the image of God was principally seen Qu. If God made us so holy and happy at first how come we now to be sinfull and miserable Ans Wee are become sinfull and miserable Ephes 2. 1 3. by reason of Adams first transgression in eating of the forbidden fruit Gen. 2. 17. Gen. 3. 6. Qu. But forasmuch as that first transgression was committed in Paradise above five thousand years before we were born how come we to be guilty of it Ans Adam was a publick person Eccles 7. 29. and the common Father of us all and because we were in his loyns therefore his sin was ours and so we were all sinners in his offence Rom. 5. 12. 19. Qu. Besides the guilt of Adams first sin are we not sinners in other respects also Ans Yes besides our being guilty of Adams first sin we have both originall and actuall sin Qu. What is originall sin Ans Originall sin consists of two parts namely First in a backwardnesse to all good Secondly in an aptnesse to all evill Jer. 4. 22. Gen. 6. 5. Qu. Why doe you call it originall sin Ans I call it originall sin because we took our very first beginning in it For so soon as ever we began to bee conceived in our Mothers wombe Gen. 5. 3. Psal 51. 5. sinfull dispositions and inclinations began to cleave unto us Qu. What is actuall sin Ans Actuall sin is a breach of the law of God 1 Joh. 3. 4. by thinking Jer. 4. 14. desiring Maâ— 5. 28. devising Prov. 24. 8. purposing Psal 28. 3. Psal 140. 4. speaking Col. 3. 8 9. Ephes 5. 4. or acting 1 Sam. 15. 24. 2 Sam. 24. 10. those things which God hath forbidden or by leaving undone those things which God hath commanded Rom. 7. 19. Qu. What is the fruit of Sin Ans The fruit of all sin is all woe and misery both here and hereafter Deut. 28. 15 16 c. Rom. 6. 21. Esa 6. 9 c. Rom. 11. 8. Mat. 27. 3 4 5. Exod. 5. 2. Exod. 7. 3. Rom. 1. 28. 2 Thess 2. 11. Rom. 6. 23. 2 Thess 1. 7 8 9. Qu. Is there no way to avoyd this misery Ans There is no way to avoyd this misery but onely by Jesus Christ Acts 4. 12. Qu. Was Jesus Christ God or Man Ans Jesus Christ was God from all eternity before the world or any thing was made Joh 1. 1 2 3. Joh. 8. 58. and he was made man about four thousand years after the world was made Gal. 4. 4. Qu. How was Christ made man Ans Christ was conceived by the holy Ghost Luke 1. 35. born of the Virgin Mary Esay 7. 14. 11. 1. and so was made a holy man without all sin Luke 1. 35. John 3. 6. Qu. But did Christ
the hope that is in him with all meeknesse 1 Pet. 3. 15. 2 It makes a Christian willing to receive every truth discovered unto him from the Word of God 1 Tim. 6. 5. and carefull to put in practise whatsoever he knows already 1 Joh. 2. 3 4 5. 3 It makes us painfull and industrious for the increasing of that knowledge which we have attained Prov. 2. 3 4. Hos 6. 3. And thus we must examine our selves about our knowledge saying to our own souls What O my soul hath God as yet wrought these things in thee or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about his faith so as to know he hath true faith in Christ Ans A man may know hee hath saving Faith by these characters of it 1 Saving faith is always wrought and preserved by the Word of God preached Rom. 10. 14 17. 1 Cor. 1. 21. and is that whereby wee come to be weary and heavie laden with sins Mat. 11. 28. to bee utterly rid of all confidence in our own righteousnesse Rom. 10. 3 4. and also restlesse in hungring after Christ till we find comfort in the promises touching the pardon of our sins Mat. 5. 6. 2 Saving faith makes the Christian to look at sin as the greatest evill and the grace of Christ as the greatest good in the world Heb. 11. 24 25 26 27. c. it purifieth the heart will thoughts affections and conscience from all love and allowance of sinne Act. 15. 9. Rom. 7. 15. and so works inward sanctification Act. 26. 18. It wrestles against temptations of unbelief Mar. 9. 24. Luk. 22. 31 32. and works by love to God and our brethren Gal. 5. 6. And by these evidences we must examine our selves whether we have true faith or not saying to each of our own souls What O soul art thou thus and thus qualified or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about his Repentance so as to know that he doth truly repent Ans True Repentance may be known 1 By our willingnesse and gladnesse to have any sin discovered Psal 141. 5. and our hearty love of those that discover and reprove it in us 2 Sam. 12. 13. 2 By an inward godly sorrow for all known sins as they are a breach of Gods Commandements and are displeasing unto God 2 Cor. 7. 10. and by a forsaking of all known sins Ezek. 18. 5 6. c. Psal 119. 3. out of a perfect hatred of them and care to avoid all occasions of them 2 Cor. 7. 11. 3 By an universal turning to God Deut. 3. 10. and constant cleaving to him in all his revealed wil and by practise of al known duties of obedience which obedience the death of Christ set forth in the Lords-supper notably provokes a Christian unto And thus wee must try our repentance before wee come to the Lords Table O my soul dost thou repent thus Qu. How may a man examine himself about his Obedience so as to know that his obedience is unfeigned obedience Ans Unfeigned obedience may be known thus 1 It is grounded onely on the Word of God Eph. 2. 10. and not on the traditions or inventions of men Mar. 7. 6 7. and it hath respect unto all Gods commandements without partiality or exception Psal 119. 6. 2 Unfeigned obedience aims at the right end namely at the praise and glory of God Phil. 1. 11. and not at any private advantage crosse thereunto and it is alwayes accompanied with zeal Gal. 4. 18. humility Mich. 6. 8. and constancy Psal 106. 3. And thus we must try our obedience before we come to the Lords supper Is it thus with thee O my soul Qu. How may a Christian examine himself about his love so as to know whether his love to God bee entire or not Ans We may be sure that our love to God is entire if no Commandement of God bee grievous unto us 1 Joh. 5. 3. if our love weanes our hearts from the love of the world 1 Joh. 2. 15. 1 Joh. 4. 20 21. 1 Joh. 5. 1. 1 Joh. 4. 12. and lastly if it make us love the children of God Qu. How may a Christian examine himself about his love so as to know that he hath entire love to the children of God in speciall Ans Entire love to the children of God makes us love godly men for godlinesse sake 2 Joh. 1 2 verses that is it will make us love all the Saints Eph. 1. 15. whether rich or poor strangers or kindred and that constantly Prov. 17. 17. Also such entire love will communicate it self in doing good to their souls and bodies 1 Joh. 3. 17 18. Q. How may a Christian examine himself about his love so as to know that he hath true love and charity toward his neighbor that is to all men in general Ans True love toward our neighbor or all men in generall may be known thus 1 It will make us willing to forgive wrongs to others Col. 3. 13. and to seek peace Rom. 12. 18. and make satisfaction if we have wronged them Rom. 13. 10. 2 True love will cause us to love the souls of all people and not to suffer sin to lie upon them Lev. 19. 17. 3 True love to our neighbor will make us to overcome evil with good Rom. 12. 17 20 21. by heaping offices of love upon them that wrong us And thus we must examine our selves about our love before we come to the Sacrament and see whether these qualifications of Gods Spirit be wrought in our hearts or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about his hunger and thirst after Christ so as to know that hee hath an earnest hunger and thirst after him Ans We may know if we have true hunger and thirst after Christ thus 1 True hunger and thirst after Christ wil make us seek him with all our heart in the diligent and constant use of all the means Prov. 13. 4. so as that nothing wil satisfie us without Christ Psal 73. 25. 2 Earnest hunger thirst after Christ longs after him for his own sake so as to part with any thing for him Matth. 13. 44. and to be content to have him upon any conditions Phil. 1. 21. Phil. 3. 8. 3 Earnest hunger and thirst after Christ makes the soul ready to entertain with great thankfulness whatsoever means or messenger shall bring Christ home unto it Rom. 10. 15. And lastly true hunger and thirst after Christ causes the Christian to seek after Christ for holinesse Isa 51. 1. as well as for happinesse Now is it thus with my soul or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about the sincerity of his heart so as to know that he is sincere and upright in his heart Ans A Christian may know that he is sincere and upright in heart thus 1 Sincerity and uprightness of heart wil shew it self in a carefulness to reform our delightful and bosom-sins Psal 18. 23. in an endeavour to find them out