Conference with good men and chéefely with the Minister Seruant May notorious offenders that are impenitent fooles madde men and children be admitted to the Lords Supper Scholler ſ 1 Cor. 11.28 Exod. 12.15 18 19 20 43. Numb 9.6 No for they either cannot or doe not examine themselues aright before they come and therefore are not rightly prepared II. Dispositiō in the action Parent What disposition is required in the whole action of celebrating the Lords Supper Childe First t Num. 9.3 5. 1 Cor. 11.24 25. a diligent obseruing of al the holy signes and actions together with a wise vnderstanding of their right vses and applying them accordingly by each particular person vnto himselfe for his owne spirituall profit Secondly u 1 Cor. 11.20 c. and 14.40 The reason of due preparation and disposition such decent behauiour and gesture of the body as are agréeable vnto euery holy action Parent Why must wee thus prepare and behaue our selues Child * 1 Cor. 11.20 c. to the end of the chapter Because otherwise wée shall receiue vnworthily Parent What danger is it to receiue vnworthily Child Very great x Ibid. and 1. Sam. 4.3 4 10. 5.6 7 9 11 12. for then wée are guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord and so doe eat and drinke our own damnation or temporary iudgement at the least because we discerne not the Lords body Seruant How is the vnworthy Receiuer guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord Scholler y 1 Sam. 2.29 30. Because the indignation or reproach which hee offereth to this holy Sacrament redoundeth to the things thereby signified and set forth to wit to the body and bloud of Christ as the disgrace done to the Kings picture Broad Seale or Ambassador turneth to the disgrace of the King himselfe Seruant What indignity or reproch is that Scholler z Psal 50.21 Rom. 2.24 In that the vnworthy Receiuer himselfe estéemeth and giueth cause for others also to thinke that Christ is the Sauiour of euill men or otherwise to blaspheme Seruant How is it said that the vnworthy Receiuer discerneth not the Lords body Scholler a 1 Cor. 11.20 c. to the end Exo. 12.11 14 15 16 17 c. Because he commeth to receiue the Sacrament with no other preparation nor deuotion then as if it were but common bread and wine III. Of duties afterward Parent What dueties are required after we haue receiued the Lords Supper Child First b Psal 26.7 to blesse God heartily for our redemption Secondly c Nehem. 8.10 1 Cor. 16.2 to giue to the poore as God hath prospered vs. Thirdly d Deut. 10.16 to labour to féele in our selues the strength and comfort of this Sacrament Parent What shall a true Receiuer feel in himselfe after the partaking of the Lords Supper Childe e 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 11.24 Acts 16.33.34 The increase of his faith and sanctification in Christ and so a greater measure of cōfort in Christs merits and a greater care power to dye vnto sinne and to walke in newnesse of life Parent What if one after the receiuing of the Sacrament neuer find any such thing in himselfe Child f Act. 8.13 14 c. 10 24. John 12.4 5 6. 13.21 26 27 c. and 18 2 3 c. He may well suspect himselfe whether hee did euer repent or not thereupon is to vse meanes to come to sound faith and repentance ☞ THE FIFTH AND LAST PART Concerning the Practise of the Communion of Saints The fourth outward meane of Grace Parent WHat is the Practise of the Communion of Saints Childe g Heb. 10 24.25 1 Thes 5.11 12. Act. 2.42.44 Such holy fellowship as the faithfull doe exercise among themselues according to the word of God Seruant What faithfull doe you meane Scholler h Psalm 16.3 Gal. 4.15 Act. 18.3 26. Iames 2. All and euery one of the godly whether teacher or learner gouernor or gouerned great or small Seruant When is this followship exercised Scholler i Ioh. 20.19 26 Acts. 20.6 7 c. Psal 101.6 122. Acts. 18.3 Not onely in the publike vse of Gods worship as vpon the Sabbath daies but also in priuate as much as may be throughout their daily conuersation Seruant And how and after what manner exercised Scholler k 1 Tim. 4.6 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Thes 4.18 Iam. 5 1◠Rom. 12.15 Gal. 6.1 Luk 22.31 1 Sam. 15.24 c. 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2. By teaching admonishing remembring exhorting comforting reproouing confessing praying and giuing thankes each with other and for other mutuall reioycing and mourning conferring aduising considering to stirre vp reléeuing correcting accompanying and otherwise as is taught in the holy Scriptures Seruant But what saith the Word concerning fellowship with the wicked Scholler l 1 Sam. 25.14 17 18 19 25. c. Psal 120.5 101.6 7. 1 Cor. 5.11 Luke 5.30 31 32. 2 Cor. 6.14 15 16 17 18 c. If your calling estate will permit we must carefully auoid all speciall fellowship with them vnlesse it be to heale them and chiefely those that are hardned in their sinnes and doe contemne admonition Seruant What reasons bee there why a Christian must make speciall conscience of his company in his dailie conuersation Scholler First m Mal. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.17 18. God noteth it in his book of remembrance as being specially delighted with it how they that feare the Lord speake often one to another Secondly n Pro. 1.10 13.20 1 King 11.1 2 3 4 5. Psalm 106.34 35 36. Companie whether it good or ill will intise men to be like vnto themselues and the euent is commonly answerable that Euerie man is like his companions So hée that maketh little conscience of his company vsually maketh little of sin Thirdly o Psal 1 33.1 2 3. 1 Thes 5.11 not only the benefit that we receiue yea and yéeld to other the faithfull by keeping brotherly fellowship with them Euen Iudas absteined frō much euill in his Maisters fellowes company Eccles 4.9 10 11.12 1 Pet. 4.9 10 11 is vndoubted and oftentimes very great in ministring of grace as sauing knowledge wisedome loue zeale comfort cheerefulnesse and such like at least restraint from the outward committing of sin and that euen in the hypocrites but also we inable one another thereby against the enmiful courses of the wicked on the one side and for the performance of many actuall dueties on the other and all to the glory of God Fourthly p Gen. 19.8 42 16. Psalm 119.115 though wee be not grossely corrupted and peruerted by them nor yet apparantly defiled with their pitch yet our nigh and speciall fellowship with them will eyther diminish our zeale to goodnesse and our hatred of euill and so q Reuel 3.15 16 c. luke warmenesse which is an estate very odious in the sight of God will creepe
lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that we cannot doe the things that we would we wretched persons do intreat thée p p Rom 7.24 to deliuer vs from the body of this death through Iesus Christ our Lord q q verse 22. that we may not only delight in the law of God after the inward man but also r r Gal 5.16.24 walke in the spirit and crucifie the flesh with the affections lusts And seeing Å¿ Å¿ 1 Iohn 5.19 the whole world lieth in wickednesse t t Ioh. 17.14.15 and hateth vs because we are not of the world wee pray not that thou wouldst take vs out of this world but that thou wouldest kéep vs from euill u u Rom. 12.2 that we may not be conformed vnto the children of this world * * Luke 16.8 who are in their generation wiser then the children of light x x 1 Cor. 1.27 28.29 Thou hast made foolish the wisdome of this world for not many wise not many mighty not many noble are called but thou hast chosen the foolish things the weake the base the despised and things that are not that no flesh should glory in thy presence Oh then giue vs grace O Lord y y Jam. 4.4 not to affect the friendship of this world which is enmity with God nor z z 1 Ioh. 2.15 16.17 to loue the world nor the things that are in the world which passeth away and the lust therof and is not of the father but to doe thy will O God and so to abide for euer And now Lord a a Psal 139.2.3.4 who knowest our downe sitting our vprising who vnderstaÌ„dest our thoughts a farre off who compassest our paths art acquainted with all our waies For there is not a word in our tongues but lo O Lord thou knowst it altogether b b Esai 26.9 stirre vs vp that with our spirits within vs we may séeke thee earely c c 1 Thes 5.6 Suffer vs not to sleepe as others do d d Eph. 5.11.14 1 Cor. 15.34 in the vnfruitful works of darknes but cause vs to arise from the dead to awake to righteousnesse the thy son Christ may giue vs light e e 1 Thes 5.10 who died for vs that whether we wake or sleepe we should liue together with him f f Luk. 2.37 so let vs serue thee night day g g Psal 3.5 4 8. and lye downe in peace and not be afraid and let our sleepe bee sweet Af-Afterwards i i Psal 104.23 let vs awake and goe forth vnto our works to our labors vntill the euening k k Psal 31.15 for our times are in thy hand l l Psal 3 5. 4.8 and thou Lord onely sustainest vs and makest vs dwell in safetie m m Psal 127.2 And because it is vaine for vs to rise vp early and to sit vp late to eate the bread of sorrowes n n Psal 129 8. the blessing of the Lord be vpon vs. If for these earthly things thou Lord dost say o o 2. Sam. 15.26 I haue no pleasure in you behold here are we do thou to vs as seemeth good vnto thée p p 1 Cor. 10.31 And Lord whether wée eat or drinke or whatsoeuer we doe moue our hearts to doe all to thy glory q q Esai 64.5 and so let vs reioyce working righteousnesse and remembring thée in thy waies And for our selues r r Psal 90.12 teach vs to number our daies and because Å¿ Å¿ Iob 4.19 our houses of clay whose foundation is the dust are crushed before the moath t t Deut. 32.29 to consider our latter end u u Eccles 12.13 Make vs mindfull also good Lord that thou shalt bring euery worke into iudgement with euery secret thing whether it be good or whether it be euill and therfore * * Psal 119.37.60 quicken vs we desire thee in thy way that wee may make haste and not delay to kéepe thy commandements with our whole man x x Psal 51.18 Do good in thy pleasure vnto Zion build thou the walls of Ierusalem y y Acts 9.5 Luk 21 19. Grant thy persecuted members may possesse their soules in their patience z z Math. 11.28 29. Giue rest vnto the soules of all that labour and are heauy laden a a Psal 147.4 Heale the broken in heart and binde vp their wounds b b Psal 72.12.13 14. Deliuer the poore and them that haue no helpers redéem their soules from deceit and â—â—olence and precious let their bloud be in thy sight c c Psal 146.7.8 9. Execute iudgement for the oppressed giue food to thy hungry ones loose thy prisoners preserue the strangers reléeue the fatherlesse and widdowes d d Psal 41.3 Strengthen thy mercifull ones vpon their beds of languishing and make their beds in their sicknesse e e Psal 3.8 Let thy blessing be vpon all thy people f f 2 Sam. 15 31 O Lord we pray thée turne the counsel of the vngodly into foolishnes yea and g g Psal 10.5 breake thou the arme of the wicked euill men notwithstanding let h h Psal 141.5 our prayers be in their calamities i i 1 Tim. 2.2 Blesse our noble King and the hopefull Prince and all that are in authority ouer vs that wee may leade a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines honesty k k 2 Thes 3.1 Let thy word haue frée course and be glorified l l Eph. 6.19.20 Giue vtterance vnto thy Ministers in generall particularly to ours that they may open their mouthes boldly and speake as they ought to speake making knowne the mysterie of the gospell m m 2 Cor. 6.4 and in al things approue themselues as the Ministers of God n n Act. 17.11 Grant we may receiue the Word with all readines and search the Scriptures daily whether those things be so o o Psal 67 2 6 7. And let thy way be known vpon earth thy sauing health among all nations and so let the earth yéeld her increase and let God euen our owne God blesse vs let God blesse vs and let all the ends of the earth feare him p p 2 Tim. 2.19 Let euery one of vs that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity q q 1 Sam. 25.6 Peace be to vs and peace be to our house and peace be vnto all that wee haue r r Psal 145.15 Let our eyes wait on thee O Lord and giue thou vs our meat in due season Å¿ Å¿ Psal 108.12 Giue vs help from trouble and t t 1 Cor. 10 13. suffer vs not to be tempted aboue that we are able but with the temptation make a way to escape that
not any one of them worketh altogither after the same manner as another doth but ech one of them according to the distinct proprietie of his Person in speciall Parent How are the three Persons distinguished in their speciall Proprieties Pastor p Prov. 8.22 23 24 c. Psal 2.7 Iohn 15.26 The Father is of himselfe the Sonne is begotten of the Father from all eternitie and the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Parent How in their working togither Pastor q Heb. 1.1 2. Iohn 5.17 19. The Father worketh of himselfe by the Sonne and the Holy Ghost and therefore the originall beginning of the action is ascribed to him r Rom. 8.11 Heb. 1.2 The Sonne worketh from the Father by the Holy Ghost and so the disposing of the action as it were by a Steward is attributed to him ſ Gen. 1.2 1 Cor. 12.11 The Holy Ghost worketh from the Father and the Sonne and therefore the efficacie and finishing of the action is in a speciall sort allotted vnto him Parent What knowledge of the Law is required for worthy Receiuing Child t Deut. 6.25 Rom. 7.7 8 9 10 11 13. That it requireth true righteousnesse and discouereth our corrupt nature sinne and condemnation Parent What of the Gospell Child u Act. 4.12 Gal. 3.13 That Christ is our sufficient Redéemer and onely remedie against Gods curse Parent What of our selues or of our owne estate Child * Ephes 2.3 4 5 6 7 8 c. That we do surely stand in grace though borne in sinne and wrath Parent What of the Sacraments Child x Esai 7.11 Rom. 4.11 Luk. 22.19 20. That they are fit worthie helps to strengthen our weake faith Seruant How are they so Scholler y Iere. 19.10 11. Act. 21.11 Iohn 3.12 Galat. 3.1 1 Ioh. 1.1 3. Because the Lord doth worke vpon other our senses and faculties as our séeing féeling being admitted and clensed receiuing eating and drinking tasting digesting being nourished refreshed chéered and strengthned thereby to confirme vnto our hearts his sauing grace which first by hearing the word we haue beléeued Parent II. Of Faith What Faith is required for the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper Child Faith which taketh hold of Christ and his benefits and leadeth vs to true thankfulnesse * Of this grace we haue conferred already in the second part and also more in Part. 5. Parent What Repentance and Newnesse of Life is required III. Of Repentance and Newnesse of life Child * See more of this grace in Part. 2. and in Part. 5. That godly sorrow with causeth to forsake sinne togither with that effectuall grace which inableth to kéepe Gods Commandements increasing with the increase of God Parent What Charitie towards Men is required IV. Of Charitie towards men before you receiue the Lords Supper Child z 1 Iohn 5.1 Ioh. 13.34 35. 15.12 13. 2 Cor. 8.8 9. compared That which is wrought and groweth in my heart towards them for Iesus Christs sake who loued both them and me vnto the death Seruant How do you further know that you haue loue or charitie towards men Scholler First a Psal 16.3 1 Iohn 3 1◠4.1 1 P◠1.22 3.8 4.8 9. c. because I doe specially loue and reuerence godly persons Secondly b Math. 5.23.24 I séeke for conscience sake to be reconciled after offences committed Thirdly c Math. 5.44 Mark 11.25 26. I wish well euen in my heart vnto my very enimies being ready to pardon all their wrongs and praying for them Fourthly d 1 Cor. 14.1 16.14 Galat. 6.10 Hebr. 12.14 1 Pet. 3.11 2 Tim. 3.3 Mal. 2.10 14. I beare a louing affection towards all men following peace with them and endeuouring to doe them good but particularly those vnto whom I am bound in nature or by any other couenant of God * See more of this grace in part supra and in part 5. infra Parent V. Of earnest desire to receiue the Lords Supper Why must you earnestly desire to receiue the Lords Supper Child For two causes First e 1 Cor. 11 20 22 23 24 25. because the Lord hath both ordained and commanded it for his owne glory Secondly f 1 Cor. 11.17 Ephes 5.26 Act. 2.42 20.7.11 God giueth more grace by it than by the word preached alone Parent What more grace haue you by it than by the word preached alone Childe First g 1 Cor. 10.16 Christs death and merits are more particularly applied to me and so I am more fully assured to be kept still in grace yea and sealed vp vnto euerlasting saluation Secondly g 12.13 I am more stronglie bound as by a solemne renewing of an oath to continue in Grace Thirdly g Act. 2.42 c. I am more effectually stirred vp to make profession of Faith and obedience as often as I am called thereunto Seruant How often is euery Christian bound to receiue the Lords Supper Scholler h 1 Cor. 11.25 26. Act. 2.42 Of receiuing worthily As often as he may so that he be a worthy receiuer Parent But what is required of vs about the time of celebrating the Lords Supper that wee may vse it as Christ hath appointed and as becommeth so heauenly mysteries Childe There are required these three things First a due and holie preparation before Secondly a fit disposition in the action Thirdly other duties afterward I. Of preparation before Parent What preparation is required before Childe Wée must set our selues apart from all other businesse that we may First i 1 Cor. 11.28.31 search our selues throughly for the sanctified graces of Knowledge Faith Repentance Charitie and desire to the Lords Supper aforesaid Secondly k Psal 26.6 Num. 9.6 stirre them vp and renew them vnto better growth and practise Thirdly l 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. Mat. 5.23 24. 1 Tim. 4.4 5. humblie craue the assistance of Gods spirit and reconciliation with God yea and with men also where néed is Seruant But what if you finde the sanctified graces of Gods spirit to be weake in your heart must you not then abstaine Scholler No m 2 Chr. 30.18 19.20 I must come and that with hope and chéerefulnesse vpon some conditions Seruant Why with hope and cheerfulnesse Scholler n Esai 7.11 Luk. 4.18 Mat. 15.24 with Luk. 22.19 20. Because the Lords Supper was ordained of purpose for the confirmation of the weake Seruant Vpon what conditions must you come Scholler First o Acts 8.37 if the graces aforesaid be sound in me though verie weake Secondly p John 4.10 if I féele my wants with gréefe Thirdly q Mark 9.24 if I labour against my weakenesse hungring and thirsting after Gods grace in Christ Seruant What speciall means hath the Lord appointed for our better direction to try and examine our selues Scholler r Math. 3.6 Acts 8.37 Iam. 5.16
Christes righteousnes and pledges of his blisse Baptisme For why In Baptisme sure there is assured vnto thee Thy sinnes are washed by his blood and thou renew'd shalt bee And thou art entred once for all into the fellowship Of Father Sonne and Holy Ghost at no time thence to slip This holy Trinitie is thy God and thou his Child become His grace is thine thou not thine own through Christ these things are done And Faith is it that consecrates thee to the Lord alone Yea Faith I say in Christes death and Resurrection Therefore vnto the Lord see thou thy selfe do dedicate To dye to sinne and liue to him in state regenerate As water skowreth filth away so makes it faire and cleane Thinke not thy sin is washt when yet thou wicked dost remaine The Supper of the Lord. * So in the Supper of the Lord this gratious Couenant Is otherwise set forth to thee that art the Lords seruant The broken bread doth signifie Christs bodie put to death The powred wine his pretious blood doth note vnto thy Faith When Bread and Wine are ministred by Minister to thee Thinke with thy selfe Christ offereth himselfe and grace to mee And when thou eatst drinkst the same perswade thy selfe withall Christs Merits now belong to me to set me free from thrall Thy Baptisme once was ministred the Supper often ought The new birth needeth oft releefe though once t was truly wrought Wherefore as bread and wine do fresh our bodies oftentimes So comforts Christ the conscience with guilt of sinne that pines And as mans bodie gathers heart by bread and wine to liue So by this sacred food the Lord more spirituall strength will giue To doe his will with thankfulnesse more perfect for to be And better able sinne to leaue this is the veritie And finally as thou dost joyne and that in open place Amids Gods people that receiue before Christ Iesus face See then that peace and loue in thee vnfained be to Men And specially to faithfull folke else thou art none of them Stirre vp thy knowledge and thy faith repentance and thy loue Be zealous of this holy food vnworthy lest thou proue Examine well thy heart before to God thy prayer powre And look try how thou dost thriue in grace from that same howre * The fourth good Meane or Exercise that Christ bids thee to vse Is speciall fellowship with Saints the bad thou must refuse The Saints will teach comfort thee and many waies thee aide The bad will badly teach and will make thee of grace afraid * The fifth and last is noting well Gods creatures workes and hand His iudgements and his benefits God cause thee to vnderstand His patient long-sufferance and doings good alway Repentance and Obedience do teach thee euery day Fifthly Of the right vse of the Meanes of Grace and the Reward thereof DRaw neere to God with vpright heart and vse these meanes of grace Then Christ will be thy King Priest and Prophet in ech case Thy King to worke rule thy heart according to his will Most ready for to do thee good and saue thee from all ill Thy Priest for why he offred vp himselfe to death for thee And will apply his precious merits thy heart to purifie And of this thing thou maist be sure because he rose againe From death to life ascended vp and raigneth now in heauen And thence it is he worketh by his scepter and his rod Making his Meanes effectuall to bring thee vnto God And thence he is thy Prophet eke by Ministers that teach His holy word which thou must heare and diligently search Directing all thy wayes thereto with good and honest hart Christ wholly thine thou wholly his by true indeuour art Then God will surely saue thy soule for Christes sake his Sonne And prosper thee in all thy wayes what ere is said or done Hee 'l turne thy suffrings to the best and Satan eke confound His Promises he will fulfill if that thy heart be sound Beleeue then firmely in thy minde that God will count thee pure Full freely and full gratiously Christs Gospell is most sure Repent thee turne and grow in grace be thankfull and rejoyce In suffering with thy Sauiour obey his holy voice And keepe thy selfe within thy lot thy calling and degree Take paines be iust meeke mercifull and God will harke to thee And alwaies watch for Christ shall come to iudge both quicke and dead Thy Bodie shall be raisd from dust and to thy soule joyned Thy sinnes he will not mention the iust he will declare But iudge he will the Reprobate their sinnes he will not spare Their damned state thou shalt behold Christs sentence to commend Yet thou the joyes vnspeakable shalt haue without all end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Forme of Prayer after Conference Parent WE Coloss 1.9 pray thée O God to fill vs with the knowledge of thy will in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding to giue vs grace to walks worthy of thée Lord vnto all pleasing being fruitfull in euery good worke and increasing in the knowledge of God to strengthen vs with all might according to thy glorious power vnto all patience and long-suffering with ioyfulnesse and to make vs truly thankfull vnto thée O Father who hast made vs méete to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light and for that thou hast and wouldst deliuer vs from the power of darknes and translate vs into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne in whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and Rom. 9.5 who is God ouer all blessed for euer Child Amen Seruant Amen Scholler Amen HEB. 6.1 Let vs goe on to perfection FINIS
all things to its greatest good as of Sinne Afflictions Death c. pag. 214. to 221. 6. Of the last Resurrection Iudgement generall pag. 221. to 228 7. Of watching pag. 228. to 235 8. And of Christs full glorifying of his Church in Heauen pag. 235. The Peroration or Summe of the whole composed in easie plaine meeter pag. 238. to 254. THE COVNTRY-MAN WITH HIS HOVSHOLD Being A familiar Conference concerning Faith towards God and Good Works before Men fitted for the capacitie of the meanest The Speakers conferring be these fiue The Pastor Parent Childe Seruant Scholler Pastor GOd a 2 Ioh. v. 10. speed you Parent And you also b Act. 16.15 If you haue iudged me to be faithfull to the Lord come into my house c vers 9. and helpe vs that we may learne and be stirred vp to d 1 Thess 2.11 walke worthy of God who hath called vs vnto his kingdome and glory Pastor Indeed I haue often and long time marueiled of the generall-grosse neglect and strangenesse of your selfe other housholders in that you haue contented your selues with a bare and fashionable vse of your Ministers labours in publicke without seeking any fellowship whiles you are in prosperitie with them in priuate as touching the matters of God Wherein now at the length it seemeth you desire my helpe For hitherto you and other Housholders haue by your carelessnes this way not onely hindred and discouraged your Ministers in the worke of the Gospell but also wronged your selues and your owne people besides the euill example you haue giuen to others in such sort that neither the judicious can well tell what to thinke of you nor yet you your selues for the greater number I feare know whether you profit or not by the publike preaching of the word though it be both plentifully and fitly set forth of the Ministers and also ordinarily frequented by you I say litle of the want yea of the alienating of the affectiōs of Loue and Delight yea and of Zeale oftentimes which as they are on the one side procured and nourished by often societie and familiaritie and therevpon doe much further the soule for the knowledge beleefe and practise of Godlinesse not vnlike to good handmaides who by their continuall industry do set forward their Mistresse businesse and therein promote her welfare So on the other side these being wanting or estranged many good things become vnprofitable and vsually very wholsome orders and directions are either refused or litle or nothing vsed and so the soule is neuer the neerer and it may be the further off from piety as it commeth to passe by such maides as either do not minde diligence or addict themselues to other matters then their seruice and therefore are so farre from profiting their Mistres that contrarily they do rather incomber her and hindeer her good estate And what dishonour the Lord sustaineth by this profane course I leaue to be lamented of all those that know what Gods glory meaneth and haue any feeling of the greiuous and intolerable losse of it But I pray you what haue you thought of e Act. 20.20 31. S. Paul his three yeeres diligence at Ephesus by night and day in teaching and warning euery one of the Church of God with teares from house to house And what vse haue you made of his plaine exhortation to f Heb. 13.17 obey them that haue the rule ouer you and to submit your selues and likewise of his request g 1 Thess 5.12 13. to know them which labour among you and are ouer you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteeme them very highly in loue for their workes sake Parent For my part I must confes that albeit I haue knowne such testimonies of holy writ yet I haue not so seriously considered applied them to my selfe as now of late time euery day more and more I doe And for others I beséech God to moue their hearts likewise to h Psal 30.1 1 Cor. 16.15 16 dedicate themselues and their houses to God that euery one may helpe and labour with you for the entertainment and promoting of the Gospell of Christ Pastor Verily you haue caused me much greefe because through your strangenesse I haue bin but slenderly able to follow the Lords will i Ezek. 34. by seeking out his sheepe specially those that are lost feeding them in fat pastures laying them in good folds bringing them againe that were driuen away binding that which was broken strengthning that which was sicke c. And for that I could not approue my selfe to be that good and carefull k Iohn 10.3 4. Shepheard who calleth his owne sheepe by name leadeth them out and goeth before them that they may follow him And withall you haue made me much ashamed that I am so ignorant and vncertaine of the particular persons estate in my flocke and the more when I thinke of Cyrus the Persian King of whom it is recorded l Plinie Solin Val. Max. others that he knew both the faces names of all the souldiers in his armie which was very great so that he could salute and as neede required exhort euery one by name to vertue and manhood and yet his drift was but for earthly glory and a temporall victorie But my office is ordained of Christ the Captaine of our Faith to direct and incourage his Souldiers to get the greatest victorie that euer was or can be euen ouer the Deuill Sinne Death and Damnation and to obtaine euerlasting glory and that with Christ the Lord of glory Howbeit it is come to passe through the subtiltie of Sathan and Mans corruption in the lacke of a religious familiar societie betwixt me and my charge that I haue but litle certaine knowledge of their spirituall estate and therefore am forced to expect the lesser fruit of my publike labours eftsoones censuring my selfe as doing my office but by the halues onely in preaching a Sermon or two out of the pulpit ech weeke vpon the Lords day which yet I cannot so profitably performe in fitting my labour to their estate as otherwise I might to wit if I and they had such priuate fellowship as the Lord commendeth vnto vs in his holy word For which and diuers other reasons I doe not onely seeke and take some likely opportunities with them to set on foote this holy Ordinance of the Lord but withall I cease not to pray the Almighty the Author of all good gifts and Father of lights as well to inable and guide mee with necessarie graces and godly wisedome in some good constant course to bestow some priuate paines this way as to open the dores of my peoples hearts and houses to make some good vse thereof and I waite for the mercy of God in raising vp some helpers to the same end and in vouchsafing me some happy entrance into so worthy a meane of his glory and of our spirituall aduantage
26. Mat. 28.19 As the very pledges of his loue the assurances and instruments of his grace and honourable badges to professe his name by Seruant And how doe you esteeme them in respect of your mind towards Christ Scholler d Acts 8 36 37 39. 1 Cor. 10.16 17 As the testimonies of my Faith receiuing his grace the tokens of my thankefulnes and the very bands of my duety both to him and his Church Parent Who hath authoritie from the Lord to administer the Sacraments Child e 1 Chron. 13.10 11. 15.12 13. 2 ChroÌ„ 30.3 35.3 6. Iohn 4.1 2. Exod. 4.16 Mat. 28 18 19 They only who are sent to preach the Word Parent To whom do they of right belong to be receiued Childe f Act. 2 38 8.37 1. Cor. 12 13. To sound hearted Christians Parent What then haue the wicked to doe with them Child g Act. 2.38 1 Cor. 11.28 Nothing at all till they be purged from their sinnes by Faith and Repentance Seruant But what if they presume to receiue them without faith and repentance Scholler h Deut. 23 21 22. 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 c. with Exo. 14.27 28 29. Eccl. 3.4 Mat. 7.7 to 13 Yet they shall reape no benefit by them but rather increase their sinne and condemnation Seruant And what if they shall neglect or contemne them Scholler i Gen. 17.14 Num. 9.13 Luk. 7.30 They are then speciall enemies of Gods glory and of their owne saluation cutting themselues off from Gods couenant and Church and so they incur Gods heauy wrath vnlesse they repent * Oh coÌ„sider that the Lord Iesus himselfe was baptized ate the Lords supper and commanded both Seruant How is that proued Scholler k Exod. 4.24 25 c. 1 Cor. 11.25 26 c. Séeing God hath sharply corrected his owne children sound hearted and otherwise godly with sickenesse and weakenesse yea euen with death for some negligence or irreuerence about the Sacraments much more fearefullie will he punish the wicked and vngodly for their grosse abusing or refusing of them Parent After what manner are the Sacraments to be celebrated Childe l Num. 9.3 4 5 12. 1 Cor. 11.23 As is prescribed in the word of God Parent How many Sacraments be there Child Two m 1 Cor. 12.13 Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Parent Of what parts do they consist Child n Heb. 6.2 1 Cor. 10.16.17 Both of outward and inward things Parent What are the outward things Child The earthly creatures and certaine actions of Minister the and Receiuers about the same Parent What are the inward things Childe Christ himselfe his spirituall graces and workes and certaine spirituall actions of the Receiuers Parent What then is the benefite which the Faithfull receiue by the Sacraments Child o Mat. 28.19 1 Corin. 1â— 20 c. 12.13 Gen. 17.7 8. Ephes 5.26 They are confirmed in the vnion that they haue with Christ yea and with God the Father and with with God the holy Ghost through Christ Of Baptisme in particular Parent What is Baptisme Child p Mat. 28.19 The Seale of our Entrance and first admission into the profession of Christianity Parent What is the outward thing in baptisme Childe q Math. 3.16 28.19 Washing or sprinkling with water Parent What spirituall thing is meant thereby Child r Eph. 5.25.26 1 Iohn 1.7 Apoc. 1.5 Heb. 9.14 Math. 3.11 The bloud of Iesus Christ our Sauiour shed for vs yea whole Christ himselfe purging our sinnes Parent What is the worke of the Minister and the right forme of Baptizing Childe First Å¿ Math. 28.19 1 Tim. 4.5 to open the couenant of grace Secondly t 1 Tim. 4.4 5. Acts 22.16 Luke 1.59 to sanctifie the water to this holy vse by praier and thankesgiuing Thirdly u Mat. 28.19 with the water to baptize * That is into the Communion into the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Parent What is the inward worke performed by Christ Child * 1 Cor. 1.13 14 15 16. 6.11 12.13 Mat. 3.11.12 Iohn 17.21 22 23 24 26. He putteth away my sins and giueth me a new life thereby making mee one with himselfe and with his Church vnto my certaine assurance of eternall life Parent How doth Baptisme represent the putting away of your sinnes by Christ Child x Act. 2.38 22.16 1 Ioh. 1 7. Rom. 6.6 Col. 2.11 12. Psal 32.5 Euen as the water sprinkled by the hand of the Minister washeth away the filth of my bodie so the bloud shedding of Iesus Christ layed hold vpon by the hand of faith cleanseth me from all my sinnes and that not onely by forgiuing mee both the guilt and punishment but also by mortifying sinne in me Parent How doth Baptisme represent the giuing of a new life vnto you by Christ Childe y Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.4 Acts 15.9 1 Pet. 3.21 22. Tit. 3.5 6. Euen as water maketh that faire which before was foule so the holy Ghost purifying my heart by Faith both iustifieth me before God in the imputation of Christs righteousnesse and sanctifieth me to lead a holy life who before was vnholy and vncleane Parent What is the outward worke of those that are to be baptized Childe z Math. 3.6 Act. 8 36 37 38. Confession of their sins of their faith and of their repentance and readily to receiue baptisme in forme aforesaid Parent And what is their inward action Child a Gal. 3.27 5.3 1 Pet. 3.21 22. To put on Christ by faith vnto newnesse of life Parent Why then should infants bee baptized which can doe none of these things Childe First b Gen. 17.7 Mark 10.14 Act 16.15 23 1 Cor. 7.14 because they belong to the Couenant of Gods grace and vnto his kingdome God himselfe saying I am God vnto thée and to thy séed after thee Secondly c Gen. 17.11.12 13 14. Exo. 12.48 Col 2.11 12.13 compared they haue as good right to Baptisme as the infants of the Iewes had to circumcision Parent What is the duety of children after baptisme Childe First d Heb. 8.11 Psal 110 27 33 to learn the waies of the Lord and to kéepe his statutes Secondly e Ephes 4.1 2 â— 4 5 6 Acts. 2.41 c. to kéepe a holy fellowship with Christ and his Church Parent When may you haue true comfort by your Baptisme Childe f Câ—â— 2.12 13. Tu. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 When I feele my selfe to be regenerate or sanctified Parent What May you feele your selfe to be regenerate Childe g Rom. 7.14.15 c. Ps 119.93 94. Yes verily if I be regenerate indeed Parent How may you know that you are regenerate indeed Child h Ephes 5.26 1 Pet 1.23 2.1 2. 2 Tim. 3.5 Psal 119.40 If I can find that the light and efficacie of Gods Word shining and burning in my hearts hath truely killed
the strength of sin and wrought the power of godlinesse in me Seruant I pray you declare more particularly when you can perceiue that Scholler First i Rom. 7.15 16. c. to the end Phil. 3.10 11 c. Psal 51. when I haue an vnfained hatred and striuing against all sinne but specially against mine owne corruption and contrariwise an earnest studie and delight to all vertue but speciallie to doe mine owne dutie Secondly k Psal 119.1 2 3 4 5 6. Deut. 10.12 13 16. Mat. 5.48 Col. 2.6 7. when I doe constantly labour both for sincerity and vprightnesse of heart in all duties which I vndertake and also for perfection to kéep all the Commandements of God vnto the vttermost Thirdly l 1 Cor. 6.19 20 10.31 Deut. 30.20 1 Thes 5.18 Col. 2.6 7. when I am moued with a holy zeale to doe all things to the glory of God for obedience to his supreame authoritie and in way of thankefulnesse vnto him for all his benefits but chiefelie for giuing me Iesus Christ and his gospell Fourthly and lastly m Psal 15.4 16.3 1 Pet. 1.22 23. 1 John 3.14 5.1 Ps 139.21 22. when I bear a singular loue towards godly persons because they are godly and contrariwise a holy hatred against the vngodlie because of their vngodlinesse * Parent But what if one shall alwaies continue vnregenerate for vnsanctified after his baptisme Childe n Deut. 10.16 Eccles 5.4 5. Ezek. 44.9 Ierem 9.26 Iohn 3.3 5 18 19 c. Rom. 2.28 29. That is a plaine token that such a one wanteth faith therefore is vnbaptized in heart whose damnation must néeds be the greater because he breaketh his vow made vnto God ☞ Of the Lords Supper in particular Parent WHat is the Lords Supper Child o Mat. 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. The seale of our spirituall nourishment and growth in Christianitie Parent What are the outward parts in the Lords Supper Childe p Mat. 26.26 27 c. Bread and Wine Parent What be the inward parts or graces Childe q Mat. 26.26 27 c. Iohn 6.35 51. The Body and Bloud of Christ yea whole Christ God and Man with all his merits Parent What is the worke of the Minister and the right forme of administring the Lords Supper Childe First r 1 Cor. 11.24.25 26. 1 Tim. 4.5 2 Chr. 30.16 17 21 22 c. Exod. 12.6 26 27. to consecrate the bread and wine to this holy vse by Praier and Thanksgiuing declaring the Institution and vsing them accordingly together with a cleere opening of the Couenant of Grace Secondly ſ 1 Cor. 10.16 11.24 Acts 2.42 to breake the bread and poure out the Wine Thirdly t 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. to deliuer them to the people in Christs owne words or to that effect Parent Which are Christs owne words Child Of the Sacramentall bread Christ said u Math. 26.26 27 28. Mark 14.22 23 24. Luk. 22.17 19 20.1 Cor. 11.24 25. compared Take eat * That is an effectuall Sacrament of my bodie that shall be broken and of my blood which shall be shed this is my bodie which is broken for you do this in remembrance of me And of the sacramentall wine thus u Math. 26.26 27 28. Mark 14.22 23 24. Luk. 22.17 19 20. 1 Cor. 11.24 25. compared Take this diuide it among you for * That is an effectuall Sacrament of my bodie that shall be broken and of my blood which shall be shed this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sinnes this do in remembrance of me Parent And what is the outward worke of the Receiuers Child ’ 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26 28. with 10.16 14.40 Reuerently decently to take with their hands the bread and wine so consecrated and deliuered and to eat and drinke them Parent Which are then the principall outward actions in the vse of the creatures when we celebrate the Lords Supper Child First the Ministers breaking of the bread and powring out of the wine Secondly the Ministers giuing and the Peoples taking of both the bread and wine into their hands Thirdly the eating of the bread the drinking of the wine by all the Receiuers Parent What grace of Christ is set forth by the Ministers breaking of the bread and powring out of the wine Child x Esai 53. Math. 26.37 38. 27.46 Luk. 22.44 Iob. 19.17 18 33 34. 20.25 27. 1 Cor. 5.7 The most gréeuous and vnspeakable torments that Iesus Christ suffered in soule and bodie for his elect yea euen vnto the death and specially the breaking of his bodie the shedding of his blood vpon the Crosse Parent What inward worke of Christ is sealed by the Ministers giuing and the peoples taking of both the bread and wine into their hands Child y John 6.27 29 35 47 c. Rom. 8.30 Eph. 3.17 c. with 1 Cor. 11.24 25. 1. Iob. 1.12 That Christ offereth to all but truly giueth himselfe and all his merits vnto euery one of them particularly that doe receiue him by the hand of faith Parent And what graces do the eating of the bread and the drinking of the wine assure vnto vs Child First z Math. 26.26 27. Ioh. 6.35 40 51 56. 1 Cor. 10.16 17. that Iesus Christ with all his benefits is become wholy the true beléeuers to the féeding vp of their soules in the Couenant of Grace Secondly a Iohn 17.21 22 23. 1 Cor. 10.16 17. that they are made one with him Thirdly b 1 Cor. 10.16 12.13 Ephes 4.15 16. that they shall increase and grow in the féeling and enioying of him and of his grace Parent What then is the cheifest inward action of the Receiuers Child c 1 Cor. 10.16 The Communion or partaking of the Bodie and Blood of Christ Parent How doe you communicate or partake the bodie and blood of Christ in the Lords Supper Child First d Act. 2.42 Rom. 4.11 with 1 Cor. 10.16 I féede spiritually by faith in my soule on Christ and his merits vnto a more comfortable assurance and féeling of the forgiuenesse of my sinnes and of my further iustification Secondly e 1 Cor. 12.13 with Ephes 5.26 27. Deut. 16.6 7 12 16 17. Exod. 13.8 9 10. 2 Chr. 30.19 Ezra 6.21 22. with Deut. 26.16 17. in remembring his Loue with thankfulnes I gather more and more strength to dye vnto my sinnes and to liue vnto God in new obedience whereunto by receiuing this Sacrament I do vow my selfe in my best endeuours Parent But what is represented by this that you receiue the same creatures in the Lords Supper which all other the faithfull doe throughout the whole world and that in the companie of the faithfull in the Congregation Child f 1 Cor. 10.16 17. The Communion mutuall loue and vnitie that I and