as_o no_o man_n may_v neglect_v prayer_n or_o hear_v the_o word_n because_o he_o can_v do_v it_o in_o faith_n so_o he_o may_v not_o neglect_v the_o lord_n supper_n the_o lord_n supper_n be_v institute_v to_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o regeneration_n it_o be_v not_o appoint_v for_o the_o convert_v of_o man_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o only_o such_o as_o be_v convert_v may_v partake_v of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o only_o for_o the_o strengthen_n of_o saint_n but_o a_o mean_n also_o to_o work_v save_v regeneration_n there_o be_v many_o according_a to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v not_o regenerate_v matth._n 25.1,2_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v like_o ten_o virgin_n five_o of_o they_o be_v wise_a and_o five_o foolish_a and_o it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o immediate_a end_n respect_v these_o but_o their_o conversion_n the_o end_n of_o all_o ordinance_n be_v salvation_n and_o therefore_o to_o these_o man_n it_o must_v be_v regeneration_n for_o without_o it_o they_o can_v be_v save_v this_o ordinance_n have_v a_o proper_a tendency_n to_o draw_v sinner_n to_o christ_n in_o this_o ordinance_n there_o be_v a_o particular_a invitation_n to_o sinner_n to_o come_v to_o christ_n for_o pardon_n here_o be_v a_o affect_a representation_n of_o the_o virtue_n of_o christ_n suffering_n here_o be_v a_o seal_n whereby_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v confirm_v all_o which_o be_v very_o proper_a to_o draw_v sinner_n to_o christ_n if_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v only_o for_o the_o strengthen_n of_o saint_n than_o they_o who_o be_v not_o saint_n do_v profane_a the_o ordinance_n when_o they_o do_v partake_v and_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o they_o to_o partake_v and_o then_o they_o that_o do_v not_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v saint_n do_v know_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o partake_v and_o so_o far_o as_o any_o man_n have_v scruple_n about_o his_o saintship_n he_o must_v proportionable_o have_v scruple_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o his_o participation_n and_o so_o sacrament_n day_n which_o shall_v be_v day_n of_o comfort_n will_v become_v day_n of_o torment_n all_o other_o ordinance_n be_v appoint_v for_o regeneration_n prayer_n hear_v the_o word_n baptism_n so_o likewise_o the_o censure_n be_v that_o the_o soul_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n they_o be_v to_o further_a man_n regeneration_n in_o case_n they_o be_v not_o convert_v already_o and_o it_o will_v be_v strange_a if_o the_o lord_n supper_n alone_o shall_v not_o be_v appoint_v for_o that_o end_n whereas_o it_o have_v a_o proper_a tendency_n thereunto_o and_o many_o that_o come_v to_o that_o ordinance_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o christ_n stand_v in_o as_o much_o need_n of_o it_o as_o those_o that_o partake_v of_o other_o ordinance_n a_o six_o part_n of_o the_o worship_n be_v ecclesiastical_a censure_n these_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o use_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n it_o do_v evident_o appear_v both_o from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o likewise_o from_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o jew_n do_v make_v use_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n john_n 4.34,35_o john_n 3.22_o and_o 12.42_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o censure_n be_v according_a to_o divine_a institution_n from_o matth._n 16.17,18_o christ_n do_v not_o here_o make_v a_o new_a institution_n for_o the_o gospel_n church_n for_o that_o church_n be_v not_o yet_o in_o be_v but_o he_o urge_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o old_a institution_n if_o it_o be_v inquire_v where_o we_o find_v any_o such_o institution_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o answer_v in_o that_o expression_n which_o we_o often_o find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o israel_n gen._n 17.14_o exod._n 12.14_o when_o one_o brother_n be_v require_v to_o reprove_v another_o and_o in_o case_n of_o incorrigibleness_n to_o complain_v to_o the_o church_n that_o command_n do_v not_o only_o bind_v the_o brethren_n of_o the_o same_o congregation_n but_o also_o the_o brethren_n of_o any_o other_o congregation_n for_o there_o lie_v the_o same_o bond_n upon_o we_o according_a to_o opportunity_n not_o to_o suffer_v sin_n in_o other_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o congregation_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o particular_a institution_n who_o shall_v have_v the_o power_n of_o judgement_n to_o determine_v whether_o a_o person_n be_v to_o be_v censure_v or_o not_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o rule_n and_o where_o god_n appoint_v ruler_n in_o his_o church_n he_o appoint_v that_o they_o shall_v judge_v these_o matter_n therefore_o when_o christ_n appoint_v a_o pastor_n to_o be_v a_o ruler_n in_o the_o church_n he_o express_v it_o by_o have_v power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v matth._n 16.19_o a_o person_n that_o be_v under_o church_n censure_n be_v not_o thereby_o cut_v off_o from_o his_o membership_n he_o stand_v in_o a_o brotherly_a relation_n to_o other_o member_n of_o the_o church_n 2_o thess_n 3.15_o lie_v under_o offence_n and_o under_o censure_n for_o his_o offence_n do_v not_o deprive_v he_o of_o his_o visible_a saintship_n therefore_o his_o child_n be_v to_o be_v baptise_a such_o offence_n as_o be_v of_o a_o more_o heinous_a nature_n do_v call_v for_o church_n censure_v provide_v there_o be_v a_o suitable_a spirit_n of_o repentance_n if_o the_o end_n of_o censure_n be_v obtain_v there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o they_o person_n under_o the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v debar_v from_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o also_o to_o be_v exclue_v from_o the_o familiar_a society_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n where_o there_o be_v no_o special_a bond_n we_o be_v not_o to_o have_v that_o society_n with_o they_o that_o we_o may_v have_v with_o heathen_n 1_o cor._n 5.9,12_o to_o this_o act_n of_o worship_n appertain_v absolution_n when_o the_o person_n that_o have_v offend_v do_v manifest_v a_o spirit_n of_o repentance_n whether_o he_o have_v be_v censure_v or_o not_o he_o be_v to_o be_v acquit_v the_o seven_o act_n of_o worship_n be_v the_o blessing_n of_o the_o congregation_n there_o be_v a_o blessing_n of_o man_n by_o way_n of_o supplication_n that_o may_v be_v perform_v by_o any_o person_n and_o there_o be_v a_o blessing_n by_o way_n of_o confirmation_n this_o be_v pronounce_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n this_o be_v either_o extraordinary_a by_o way_n of_o prediction_n so_o the_o patriarch_n do_v bless_v their_o child_n and_o other_o endue_v with_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n do_v bless_v the_o people_n as_o moses_n or_o else_o ordinary_a pronounce_v in_o god_n name_n by_o ordinary_a minister_n this_o may_v either_o be_v pronounce_v by_o way_n of_o assertion_n as_o when_o the_o minister_n do_v say_v bless_a be_v they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o do_v it_o or_o in_o way_n of_o supplication_n as_o when_o he_o say_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n be_v with_o you_o yet_o this_o be_v more_o than_o a_o prayer_n viz._n a_o declaration_n in_o god_n name_n what_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v according_a to_o god_n covenant_n deut._n 20.34_o god_n appoint_v the_o priest_n of_o old_a to_o bless_v the_o people_n numb_a 6.23_o and_o this_o work_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o common_a work_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o levite_n who_o be_v teacher_n in_o israel_n deut._n 10.8_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o new_a institution_n in_o the_o gospel_n impowr_v minister_n to_o bless_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o proper_a part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o a_o minister_n christ_n by_o appoint_v minister_n have_v appoint_v man_n to_o bless_v the_o people_n yet_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v institute_v matth._n 10.12,13_o deut._n 21.5_o such_o man_n as_o be_v preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o not_o separate_v to_o that_o work_n by_o ordination_n have_v no_o power_n to_o bless_v the_o congregation_n because_o this_o depend_v mere_o upon_o institution_n therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v but_o according_a to_o institution_n minister_n be_v appoint_v to_o bless_v authoritative_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n it_o be_v utter_o improper_a for_o they_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o first_o person_n include_v themselves_o numb_a 6.24_o it_o be_v also_o improper_a for_o they_o to_o bless_v the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o be_v disperse_v all_o over_o the_o world_n chap._n viii_o of_o church_n consist_v of_o divers_a congregation_n a_o church_n consist_v of_o divers_a congregation_n be_v a_o society_n of_o divers_a congregational_a church_n join_v together_o according_a to_o god_n appointment_n for_o the_o
man_n that_o be_v real_o and_o visible_o godly_a may_v fall_v into_o a_o scandal_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n be_v forbid_v to_o participate_v at_o the_o lord_n table_n but_o when_o their_o conversation_n be_v good_a they_o can_v be_v hinder_v upon_o that_o account_n a_o three_o requisite_a be_v that_o they_o have_v knowledge_n to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n for_o the_o want_n of_o this_o infant_n be_v deny_v the_o lord_n supper_n those_o adult_n person_n that_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n all_o adult_a person_n that_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n ordinary_o have_v all_o those_o qualification_n requisite_a to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o make_v profession_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o be_v of_o good_a conversation_n they_o have_v knowledge_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o so_o be_v able_a to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o ordinance_n they_o may_v soon_o be_v sufficient_o inform_v two_o thing_n be_v evident_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n one_o be_v that_o they_o ready_o admit_v such_o into_o the_o church_n as_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n act._n 2._o act._n 6._o we_o never_o read_v that_o ever_o they_o deny_v admission_n to_o any_o man_n or_o woman_n that_o make_v that_o profession_n the_o other_o be_v that_o all_o that_o be_v thus_o receive_v by_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n 1_o cor._n 10.17_o act._n 2.24_o they_o make_v no_o distinction_n of_o the_o adult_n member_n of_o the_o church_n into_o communicant_n and_o non-communicants_a those_o that_o be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o participate_v of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o all_o professor_n that_o have_v a_o good_a conversation_n and_o knowledge_n be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o participate_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n if_o man_n have_v not_o these_o qualification_n they_o be_v not_o oblige_v immediate_o to_o participate_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o it_o will_v be_v a_o sin_n if_o they_o shall_v but_o have_v these_o qualification_n they_o be_v bind_v provide_v they_o have_v opportunity_n christ_n have_v lay_v this_o law_n upon_o professor_n 1_o cor._n 11.24,25_o the_o person_n here_o command_v be_v not_o only_o true_a believer_n than_o none_o can_v do_v it_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n but_o those_o that_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v true_a believer_n then_o the_o church_n authority_n can_v require_v none_o but_o true_a believer_n to_o come_v the_o person_n therefore_o require_v to_o partake_v be_v such_o professor_n as_o carry_v it_o inoffensive_o and_o if_o such_o be_v bind_v to_o come_v the_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o receive_v they_o they_o may_v not_o hinder_v any_o man_n from_o do_v his_o duty_n there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n assign_v why_o such_o man_n shall_v be_v debar_v from_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v debar_v for_o not_o give_v the_o high_a evidence_n of_o sincerity_n there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o any_o shall_v be_v debar_v church_n privilege_n because_o they_o do_v not_o give_v the_o high_a evidence_n of_o sincerity_n nor_o for_o want_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o believe_v man_n to_o be_v visible_a saint_n from_o their_o infancy_n till_o they_o be_v forty_o or_o fifty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o yet_o not_o capable_a of_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o want_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v because_o of_o the_o weakness_n of_o grace_n they_o that_o have_v the_o least_o grace_n need_v to_o have_v it_o nourish_v and_o cherish_v such_o adult_n person_n as_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n or_o be_v in_o the_o church_n be_v worthy_a to_o be_v continue_v without_o censure_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n it_o be_v utter_o unreasonable_a to_o deny_v the_o adult_n member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o lord_n supper_n and_o yet_o not_o lay_v they_o under_o censure_n if_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o such_o offence_n as_o to_o be_v deny_v the_o lord_n supper_n why_o be_v they_o not_o censure_v if_o they_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v censure_v why_o be_v they_o keep_v from_o the_o lord_n supper_n there_o be_v some_o scripture_n that_o have_v be_v think_v to_o hold_v forth_o a_o need_n of_o somewhat_o further_o in_o order_n to_o participation_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o if_o they_o be_v examine_v will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v strain_v beyond_o the_o import_n of_o they_o psal_n 6.16_o david_n say_v i_o will_v tell_v you_o what_o the_o lord_n have_v do_v for_o my_o soul_n hence_o it_o be_v argue_v that_o man_n shall_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o conversion_n in_o order_n to_o their_o admission_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o david_n do_v respect_v the_o work_n of_o regeneration_n do_v it_o follow_v because_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o talk_v of_o it_o that_o they_o may_v make_v a_o law_n to_o bind_v he_o to_o do_v it_o in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o david_n offer_v to_o do_v it_o in_o order_n to_o his_o join_n with_o the_o jewish_a church_n act._n 2.37_o they_o be_v prick_v at_o the_o heart_n before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n but_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o many_o other_o be_v join_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o who_o we_o read_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o here_o be_v no_o live_a rule_n that_o other_o must_v declare_v that_o they_o be_v prick_v at_o the_o heart_n before_o their_o admission_n yea_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o these_o do_v not_o declare_v their_o trouble_n in_o order_n to_o their_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n but_o in_o order_n to_o their_o direction_n yea_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o these_o man_n be_v under_o a_o work_n of_o conversion_n at_o this_o time_n they_o may_v be_v godly_a man_n before_o the_o thing_n that_o sting_v they_o be_v a_o national_a sin_n which_o in_o probability_n they_o have_v no_o hand_n in_o for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v stranger_n come_v up_o to_o keep_v the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n and_o be_v great_o affect_v with_o the_o sin_n which_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o crucify_a of_o christ_n act._n 9.26,27_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n refuse_v to_o admit_v paul_n to_o their_o communion_n till_o they_o be_v inform_v by_o barnabas_n of_o his_o conversion_n but_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o paul_n do_v then_o desire_v to_o participate_v with_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n supper_n possible_o it_o may_v be_v only_o in_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n and_o prayer_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o be_v unwilling_a to_o receive_v he_o be_v not_o any_o doubt_n whether_o his_o conversion_n be_v sincere_a but_o whether_o he_o be_v a_o christian_a as_o if_o in_o a_o popish_a country_n one_o who_o have_v be_v a_o violent_a persecutor_n shall_v essay_n to_o join_v himself_o to_o a_o protestant_a congregation_n it_o will_v be_v no_o wonder_n if_o they_o shall_v be_v afraid_a of_o he_o until_o they_o be_v inform_v that_o he_o be_v become_v a_o protestant_n this_o be_v no_o foundation_n to_o require_v of_o all_o that_o join_v to_o the_o church_n a_o accout_n about_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o conversion_n 1_o pet._n 3.15_o man_n be_v require_v to_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o one_o that_o ask_v they_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o here_o by_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o we_o be_v not_o to_o understand_v their_o experience_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n but_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n the_o reason_n why_o they_o do_v believe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n this_o be_v evident_a because_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o persecution_n v._o 14._o and_o because_o he_o direct_v they_o to_o give_v their_o answer_n with_o meekness_n and_o fear_n quest_n here_o it_o may_v be_v inquire_v whether_o such_o person_n as_o have_v a_o good_a conversation_n and_o a_o competent_a knowledge_n may_v come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n with_o a_o good_a conscience_n in_o case_n they_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o a_o natural_a condition_n answ_n they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o come_v though_o they_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o a_o natural_a condition_n this_o ordinance_n be_v institute_v for_o all_o the_o adult_n member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v not_o scandalous_a and_o therefore_o must_v be_v attend_v by_o they_o