vnseemely behaviour for these must bee layd aside as GOD commanded Moses Exod. 3.5 Put off thy shoes from off thy feete for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground 2 Because as the place is holy so also God himselfe is there amongst vs as he sayth Matth. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Hee is in the midst of vs beholding not only our outward gesture but our very hearts affections and ready both to reward those that honour him by reverencing to punish all such as dishonour him by prophaning and abusing his holy ordinance which we shall doe if our carriage be not with feare and reverence 2. When we heare the Minister say Drawe neere and take this Sacrament wee must consider that God by his Minister freely inviteth vs to his Table then let every one lift vp his heart by this or the like ejaculation Lord I am not worthy by reason of my sinnes to approach before thee but seeing it hath pleased thee in mercy to call mee behold in humility obedience I come Then joyne in prayer with the Minister In the time of the Consecration wee ought seriously to settle our mindes on the Elements the Actions about thē for the better stirring vp of our devotion so meditate thus 1. When we heare the Minister read the words of Christ's Institution see him take the Bread Wine wee ought joyfully and thankfully to meditate on the great loue of God in setting apart his Son for the Redemption of vs his enemies which is represented in the taking of these Elemēts setting thē apart to be distributed vnto vs as seales and pledges of the same joyfully I say in respect of the benefit which doth thereby come vnto vs thankfully in respect of God's loue which is greater thā all the harts of men joyn'd in one are able to expresse 2. When wee see the Bread broken and the Wine powred out we ought to be exercised in a twofold meditation 1 Of comfort considering that the Bread is broken and the Wine powred out not onely to be the more divisible to the Communicants but chiefely to represent vnto vs the crucifying of Christs Body and the shedding of his Blood for our sinnes for hee was broken for our iniquities Isai 53.5 By which is not meant that any bone of him was broken but that hee was crucified whence wee should every one of vs gather this comfort saying to our soules Christ Iesus was broken on the Crosse and suffred an accursed death for mee by whose merits I trust I shall escape the curse of that death which is due for my sinnes vnto mee And here by the way wee may take notice how the Papists doe erre in delivering whole cakes vnto the Communicants which represēt Christ whole not crucified and so afford the lesse comfort 2. Of sorrow that for our sins the grievousnesse of which was such that they could not bee satisfied for without the pretious Blood of Christ Iesus these were the speares that pierced him to the Soule that was that which drew his pretious Blood from his side and the consideration of this should breed in vs a harty sorrow that we so vile wretches as wee are should thus wound so loving a Redeemer and certainly if wee doe not grieue for those sins for which hee hath so much smarted wee may justly feare that the stupid Earth the hard rockes and the darke graues which trembled rent and opened at his death shall one day rise vp in judgement against vs condemne vs. When therefore we see the Bread broken c let every one thus meditate O vile wretch that I am that I by my sinnes should thus wound my mercifull and loving Redeemer After the Consecration when the Minister is receiving himselfe considering that wee are in the presence of God who seeth our very hearts wee should power out our soules vnto him in this or the like soliloquie O Sweete Iesu I doe humbly acknowledge with the Centurion that I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter vnder my roofe much lesse to come and suppe and dwell with mee but seeing it is thy good pleasure to vouchsafe mee this favour cleanse mee I beseech thee from my sinnes that I may entertaine thee in a pure and sanctified heart strenthen my faith that I may fully rely on thy mercie comfort mee with thy blessed spirit so dwell with mee for ever grant this O blessed Redeemer for thy mercies sake Amen Againe before wee receiue when the Minister is comming to distribute and offers the Elements vnto vs considering that Christ with all his benefits is offered vnto vs by GOD as well as the Elements by the Minister let every one meditate thus with himselfe Christ with the benefits of his Death doth now come to sanctifie and comfort my sinfull Soule in full assurance whereof I am to receiue these signes and Seales at the hand of his Minister And so as he stretcheth out his hand to receiue these let him lift vp his soule in faith with this or the like ejaculation Come Lord Iesu vnto thy humble servant as my trust is thou wilt This wee are to doe after the Consecration before wee receiue After this in the act of receiuing wee are to performe these two things 1 While wee eate the bread meditate every one thus Blessed Iesu I doe heartily beleeue that thou wast crucified on the Crosse and that for mee as well as for any other and as I haue now receiued this Bread broken whereby my Body shall bee nourished So I beleeue that I haue also receiued spiritually thy Body crucified with all the benefits thereof the full pardon of all my sinnes and the strengthening and refreshing of my sinfull soule this I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleife for thy mercies sake Amen 2. When wee drinke the wine and while wee feele it in our stomake wee should thus meditate Most blessed Redeemer I do truly beleeue that thy Blood was shed out of thy Body as verily as I haue receiued this wine apart from the bread and that for the remission of my sinnes as well as any others I do also beleeue that with this wine I haue received thy precious Blood whereby my sins are fully washed away my soule purified that according to thy promise I shall neuer hunger nor thirst any more because with this Bread Wine I haue receiued thy flesh which is meat indeed thy Blood which is drinke indeed with which I hūbly pray thee to cherish nourish my poore soule to encrease in me hearty loue to these my fellow-members who haue now participated with mee that so we may serue thee as we ought and that nothing may bee able to separate vs from thy loue which I humbly beseech thee to grant for thy mercies sake Amen Chap. XII Of Practise THis is that whereon wee ought to meditate in
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
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
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