2. 13. Qu. But how shall a Christian be sensible of his own spirituall wants and the decay of the power and activity of grace in his soul Ans A Christian may come to be sensible of his own spirituall wants and decays of grace by the consideration of his daily slips and sins of thought word and deed either against Gods precepts or prohibitions As for instance my distrust lets me see my weakness of faith and my omission of and sloathfulness in holy duties le ts me see my want of love and zeal towards God and Christ And so of the rest Hereupon now a Christian must apply the seal of the Covenant for an assurance to himself that as all so especially these and these particular wants shal be supplyed from Christs fulness Job 1. 16. Psal 1. 3. Jam. 4. 6. Qu. How must a Communicant renew his love before he comes to the Lords Table Ans A Communicant must renew his love before he comes to the Lords Table thus 1 He must strive to get his heart inflamed with love to God 2 Cor. 5. 14. and Man 1 Joh. 4. 11. by a due considetion and deep sense of Gods free and great love to him in Jesus Christ and by considering also that eating and drinking together at the Lords Table is a testification of that sweet love which is and must be among Christians one towards another 1 Cor. 12 13. 2 If any man have wronged him he must forgive injuries freely Ephes 4. 26. and if he hath given any just occasion of offence to others he must seek reconciliation with them Mat. 5. 24 25. Rom. 12. 18. Q. How must a Communicant renew his resolution of better obedience before he comes to the Lords Table A. A Communicant is to renew his resolution of better obedience thus namely in an humble acknowledgment of his own weakness Psal 119. 106. he must resolve through Gods grace without all further delay Psal 119. 60. to walk in new obedience and to this end he must earnestly crave strength from God and intreat that he would enable him thereunto Psal 119. 117. Qu. How must a Communicant renew his thankfulnes to God and Christ before he comes to the Lords Table Ans A Communicant before he comes to the Lords table must renew his thankfulnes to God thus 1 He must seriously consider that though he has broken Covenant with God oftentimes and in speciall since the last Sacrament yet the Lord now graciously offers to confirm the Covenant of Free-grace to him anew in this next Sacrament 2 He must also take notice that if there be but the least spark of saving grace in him the Lord will not quench Isa 42. 3. but nourish it and for that end invites him to come to the holy feast of his Sons flesh and blood 3 He must also remember that if he hath throughly endevored 2 Cor. 8. 12. to examine and prepare himself for that ordinance he shal find acceptance with God through Christ and the Lord will look upon him as a worthy guest at his Table 1 Cor. 11. 28. Now all these three indulgences from God call for present thankfulness from the beleeving soul Qu. Besides self-examination and the renewed exercise of the forenamed graces and also besides Prayer so often mentioned before had we not need yet more especially to seek God by earnest Prayer before we come to the Lords Table Ans Yes as a Christian must pray earnestly to God for many particulars hinted before so in speciall he must also pray that God would please further to fit him by his Spirit Phil. 4. 6. Psal 19. 14. for a meet partaking of this sacrament and also accept of him through Jesus Christ as a worthy receiver though in himself most unworthy And the reason of al is because God wil be sought unto even to doe those very things which he hath already promised to do for his people Ezek. 36. 37. Thus far of the Duties before Receiving Qu WHat are the duties required of a Christian At and In the time of receiving the Lords-supper Ans The duties required at and in the time of our receiving are these 1 Every communicant is to give diligent attention to that which is publickly done not onely when he himself is to receive but during the whole action 1 Cor. 14. 16. to behold and look upon both the elements themselves Exod. 24 8. and all the Sacramentall actions 1 Cor. 11. 23. c. in the administration of the Sacrament 1 Cor. 14. 40. 2 He must use such reverent behaviour as may be free from super stition yet fit to stirre up and expresse inward faith and thankfulness 1 Cor. 14. 40. Q. What must be the meditation and disposition of our hearts in tune of receiving the Sacrament Ans Our meditation and disposition of heart at and in the time of our receiving must be this 1 When we see the Bread and Wine consecrated and set apart for this holy use then we must call to mind and consider the eternal love of God the Father in sanctifying setting apart his Son Jesus Christ in his secret counsell to be the Redeemer and Surety of his people Joh. 10. 36. and the tender mercy of Christ in undertaking this hard service for us Heb. 7. 26. Heb. 10. 9. 2 When we see the Bread broken and the wine powred out we are to mourn over him whom we have pierced by our sins Zech. 12. 12. and remember the infinite justice and wrath of God against sin that could never be satisfied but by this means Rom. 3. 25. 3 When we see the Bread and wine given unto us al by the Minister we are to meditate upon the gift and application of Christ crucified to our own souls in particular and to every beleeving receiver els Gal. 2. 20. 4 When we take the Bread and Wine we must stir up our selves by faith to lay hold upon and apply to our selves all the merits of Christs death 1 Cor. 11. 24. and so joyfully to feed thereupon by beleeving that as sure as bread and wine will nourish the body up in a naturall life so sure will the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ fed upon by faith nourish our souls unto eternall life and will also satisfie our souls Matth. 11. 29. and strengthen them against all temptations here in this world 1 Cor. 10. 16. Joh. 6. 35. 5 When we behold the rest of the Congregation communicating with us we are then to stir up our hearts to loving and kind affections towards them and all the people of God 1 Cor. 10. 17. Qu. WHat is that holy carriage that is required after receiving the Sacrament Ans 1. Immediately after receiving a Christian in token of thankfulness for his receiving such inward pledges of love from God must offer up the sacrifice of praise 1 Thess 5. 18. to the Lord and cheerfully give alms 1 Cor. 16. 2. Heb. 13. 16. for the relief of the poor members of Christ 2 At other times after receiving he must often try himself whether he hath been made to drink into one spirit with Christ and his members or not 1 Cor. 12. 13. and what growth he hath gotten by the Sacrament in assurance of Gods favor in strength against corruptions in power to walk with God in obedience to him and in all other graces of the Spirit and fruits of Christs death 3 If the Christian after receiving cannot find these fruits in himself he must humble himself for his own sinnes as the cause thereof 1 Cor. 11. 31. and though he finds not that comfort and benefit he looks for yet if he be truly humbled for the want of it he may be comforted in this as a fruit of a worthy receiving 2 Chron. 30. 18 19. 4 If he shall find upon this after-examination the forenamed benefits truly wrought in his heart then he is most thankfully to give God the glory and to desire the continuance and increase of the same grace with all holy endevors to that end 1 Chron. 29. 13 14 18 verses and as he hath received Jesus Christ so he is to walk in him Col. 2. 6 7. 2 Pet. 2. 20 21 22. and not to return to his former evil practises but to keep the Covenant that he hath renewed with the Lord at the Sacrament and to increase in love and fellowship with Gods children 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. 5 And lastly a Christian upon the sense of the comfort and benefit received at the Sacrament is to resort the oftner and with the more earnest desire unto it 2 Chron. 30. 21 23 verses FINIS
cease to be God when hee was made Man Ans No Christ did not cease to be God when he was made man but was from that time forth is now Heb. 13. 8. and ever shall be both God and Man Ioh. 11. 14. Rom. 9. 5. in one person 1 Cor. 8. 6. Qu. Why was Christ both God and Man Ans Christ was both God and Man that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and men and bee able both to doe and suffer all things that were to be done and suffered on our behalf Gal. 4. 4 5. Heb. 2. 11 14. 4. 15 16. Qu. Is there any other Mediator between God and men besides Jesus Christ Ans No there is but one Mediator betwixt God and men namely the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. who having died upon the crosse Phil. 2. 8. to save his people from their sinnes rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven where he now fits at Gods right hand and makes continuall intercession for them Acts 1. 9 10 11. Rom. 8. 34. Qu. What hath Christ done for such of us as belong to Gods election Ans First Christ hath fulfilled the Law Mat. 5. 17 18. which we ought to have exactly kept Rom. 10. 5. Secondly he hath merited a crown of righteousnesse for us by fulfilling that Law Phil. 2. 8 9. Heb. 2. 9. 12. 2. Qu. What benefit have we by Christs doings Ans We have this benefit by Christs doings First God will impute Christs righteousnesse to us in his fulfilling the Law Rom. 5. 10. Rom. 10. 5. Secondly he will give us the crown of glory which his Son Christ hath merited by his righteousnesse John 17. 22. Col. 3. 4. Heb. 9. 24. John 1. 23. Qu. What hath Christ suffered for us Ans Christ Jesus hath suffered for us thus First he hath born our sins 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 9. 28. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Secondly he hath suffered the wrath of God due to us for sin 1 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 3. Qu. What benefit have we by Christs sufferings for us Ans If we be indeed the people of God our benefit by Christs sufferings is very great For first God will not impute those sins to us which Christ hath born 2 Cor. 5. 19. And secondly God will not lay that wrath and vengeance upon us which Christ hath suffered and undergone Rom. 5. 9. 1 Thess 1. 10. but on the contrary he will give us through Christ all things good for us both here and hereafter Mat. 7. 10. Psal 84. 11. Qu. Seeing Christ hath both fulfilled the Law for us and satisfied Gods wrath we may cast away care because there 's nothing left for us to doe or suffer is there Ans In a way of merit or so as to rest upon our doings or sufferings for justification or salvation wee neither can nor may doe or suffer any thing Esay 64. 6. Phil. 3. 7 8 9. Luke 17. 10. But in a way of obedience we are bound both to doe and suffer whatsoever the will of God in his Word requires of us as a token of our submissivenesse and thankfulnesse to God 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. Phil. 1. 20. Qu. How can wee doe any thing that is good seeing we have no power naturally of our selves Ans First even unbeleevers have so much naturall power of themselves as to use such outward meanes both in publick and private as are appointed of God through the assistance of his Spirit to work a power in them to please God and therefore they must not be idle and say they have no power of themselves but up and bee doing in the use of meanes Acts 9. 6. Luk. 13. 24. Phil. 2. 12. Secondly unfeigned beleevers who have some supernaturall power derived upon them from Christ Joh. 1. 16. must improve 2 Tim. 1. 6. Rev. 3. 2. that power also in the practise of duties of holiness towards God and duties of righteousnesse toward men all the dayes of their life Luke 1. 74 75. Acts 24. 16. For though wee shall not bee saved for our good works yet wee shall never bee saved without good works Heb. 12. 14. Jam. 2. 14 26. Qu. How are Christians made partakers of Christ and his benefits Ans Christians are made partakers of Christ and his benefits onely by faith apprehending and applying them Ephes 3. 17. Mat. 21. 22. Qu. What is Faith Ans Faith is a perswasion of the heart Rom. 10. 10. grounded upon the promises Psal 119. 49 50. of God rightly understood and applyed a Pet. 3. 16. Mat. 4. 6. comp with Psalm 91. 11. whereby I beleeve that Jesus Christ died for me Gal. 2. 20. as well as for any other Qu. Is this saving Faith in our own power or can we beleeve when we will Ans No we have not faith of our selves Ephes 2. 8. Phil. 1. 29. neither is it in our own power to beleeve when we will but faith is the gift of God wrought in the heart of Gods elect by the Word Rom. 10. 17. and by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. and therefore we must use the meanes to get it Qu. Cannot we be saved without Faith Ans No wee cannot bee saved without faith for he that believeth not on the Son of God shall not see life but shall perish eternally Joh. 3. 36. Mar. 16. 16. Gal. 3. 11. Qu. Is there any true faith in that soule that doth not unfeignedly repent Ans There is no true faith in that soule that doth not often act forth unfained repentance for his sins because every one that beleeves in Christ hath the spirit of Christ Gal. 4. 6. Rom. 8. 9. but now true repentance is a saving grace issuing from Christs spirit 2 Tim. 2. 25. Zech. 12. 10. as well as faith Qu. What is true repentance Ans True repentance is an inward dislike hatred and sorrow 2 Cor. 7. 9 10. for all sinne Psal 119. 104. and a turning from it to God Jer. 3. 13. Jam. 4. 9 10. 1 Pet. 5. 6. Esay 1. 16 17. 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. 1 Tim. 6. 12. Prov. 8. 13. Psal â—7 10. Prov. 13. 5. chiefly upon this ground because every sin as it is sin is contrary to the holy nature Gen. 6. 6. Gen. 39. 9. and sacred will of God 1 Thess 4. 7. Q. What becomes of the souls of men after death Ans The soules of all that die in the true and unfeigned faith of Christ immediately goe to live with Christ in blessednesse Luk. 23. 43. Phil. 1. 23. and the soules of the wicked Luke 16. 23. goe immediately into hell torments Qu. Whether shall mens bodies rise again at the â—ast day or no Ans Yes the bodies both of the godly and ungodly shall rise again at the last day of â—udgment and at that time all shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive according to what they have done in the body whether it be good or evil 2 Cor. 5. 10. and the righteous
shall goe into life eternall and the wicked into everlasting punishment Mat. 25. 34 41. Of the Sacraments Qu. HOw many Sacraments have we under the New Testament Ans Under the New Testament wee have onely two Sacraments namely Baptism and the Lords-supper Qu. What mean you by the word Sacrament Ans Every Sacrament is an ordinance of God wherein by externall visible and ordinary creatures and acts God doth signifie and seal Rom. 4. 11. unto us the reall and spirituall conveyance of heavenly graces and doth likewise receive a mutuall seale from us of our new and better obedience according to the mutuall Covenant between him and us Qu. What is that mutuall covenant between God and us Ans The mutuall Covenant between God and us is expressed in these words I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Jer. 31. 33. Heb. 8. 10. Qu. What is the meaning of this Covenant Ans In this Covenant God promiseth that he will be al-sufficient unto us both in respect of our soules and bodies but yet so as that he covenanteth for himself that we must fear serve and endeavour to obey his whole will In a word if we take him to be our God wee must give up our selves to be his people Qu. How many things are requisite to the making of a Sacrament Ans Three ingredients are necessary to make a Sacrament namely 1 Words of institution from the Lord. 2 An outward sign 3 An inward grace signified by that outward sign Qu. How often must we take the Sacraments Ans It is enough to be baptized once onely Acts 7. 8. because Baptisme is a pledge of our new-birth Tit. 3. 5. But we must receive the Lords-supper often Acts 2. 42. 20. 7. because the Lords-supper is the seale and pledge of our continuance and growth in Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. Qu. What is Baptism Ans Baptism is the first Sacrament of the New Testament wherein God doth seale and assure to his elect their regeneration or new-birth Ephes 5. 26. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Tit. 3. 5. Acts 22. 16. and all the benefits of Christ which are entayled upon that new-birth Qu. What is the word of Institution in the Sacrament of Baptism Ans The word of Institution in the Sacrament of Baptism runs thus Goe ye and disciple all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Mat. 28. 19. Qu. What is the outward signe in Baptism Ans The outward signe in Baptism is water John 3. 23. Acts 8. 38. wherewith the party baptized is to be sprinkled washed or dipped in the name of the Father Son and holy Ghost Qu. What is the inward grace signified and sealed to us by the water of Baptism Ans The inward grace signified and sealed to us by the water of Baptism is principally the grace of regeneration yet there be divers other graces also As for instance 1 By outward Baptism we are made members of the visible Church of Christ 1 Cor. 12. 12 13. Acts 2. 41. 2 To them that beleeve Baptism signifies and seales their reall and firme union to Jesus Christ Rom. 6. 3. Gal. 3. 27. Ephes 4. 5. 3 Baptism signifies and seales the spirituall washing of our souls from the guilt of sin and the imputation of Christs righteousnesse unto justification and salvation Acts 2. 38. Rom. 4. 11. Qu. What sort of persons ought to bee admitted to the Sacrament of Baptism Ans Those that professe their faith repentance and obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ Mat. 3 6. Acts 8. 12 13 37 38. 2. 41. they and their children Acts 2. 39. 2 Cor. 7. 14. Acts 16. 15 33. 1 Cor. 1. 16. Mat. 28. 19. ought to be admitted to Baptisme Qu. Can you give me any one good ground why the Infants of professors must be baptized Ans If the infants of Professors under the new Testament might not be baptized we might then conclude that the Law was more glorious and more full of grace then the Gospel and the Infants of the Jewes more happy before Christs Incarnation then the children of Christians since Christs Incarnation and ascension but the Scripture teacheth the contrary 2 Cor. 3. 8 9 10 11. therefore the Infants of Christians ought not to be kept from Baptism seeing the Jews Infants were not kept from Circumcision Qu. Is every elected Infant inwardly regenerated at the very time of its being washed with Baptismall water Ans Every elected Infant is not so regenerated at the very time of its being washed with Baptismall water For these Reasons 1 Because we doe not find that God hath so tyed and limited himself to any ordinance and therefore we must not dare to limit him to such a particular time in this ordinance Psal 78. 41. 2 Regeneration doth not alwayes accompany outward Baptism because many elected persons baptized with water in their infancy live twenty or thirty yeares together in open prophanenesse and impiety before they reform their wayes and shall we think that these were regenerated or inwardly renewed by the holy Ghost at their infant-baptisme Sure the tree would have been known by its fruits and had the seed of God been in them it would have put forth its blade and ear before this time Mat. 12. 33. 1 Joh. 3. 9. Qu. WHat is the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans The Sacrament of the Lords-supper is the sign seale and pledge Rom. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 16. of our continuance and growth in that saving faith and all other saving graces which God hath already wrought in our soules Qu. What sort of persons ought to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans Those that have a competent measure of knowledge in the mysteries of godlinesse and are sound in the faith and cannot bee justly accused of any vilenesse or impiety in their walking before God or men such the Church must receive into her communion and fellowship here but all others shee ought to refuse Tit. 1. 13. 1 Cor. 11. 17 18 19. Rev. 2. 14 15 16. Rev. 2. 20. Tit. 3. 10 11. Mat. 18. 15 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 5. 2 5 7 12 13. 2 Thess 3. 6. 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6. ver Qu. How shall the Church come to know the state and condition of her members Ans Every particular member ought to watch over his fellow-members Matth. 18. 15 16 c. 1 Cor. 12. 25 c. but especially the Church-Officers are bound by vertue of their Office also to be very carefull over the Flock and to look after their knowledge faith and manners as the Scriptures doe abundantly witnesse Acts 20. 17 28 29 30 31. 1 Cor. 4. 1. Mat. 7. 6. Phil. 2. 19. Col. 4. 8. 1 Thess 3. 2 5 6. Tit. 1. 7. Heb. 13. 17. 1 Pet. 5. 1 2. Qu. But may every one that the Church doth admit of come boldly to the Lords Table without any danger Ans Every
scandalous persons unto it Because the rarity of such instances would sufficiently shew that it is but meerly accidentall to the Sacrament to be a means to convert people from Sin and Satan to God and Christ and we must not gather ordinary and standing Practicall rules from accidentall providences and rare events Besides the very nature of the outward elements do plainly discover the nature of this Sacrament to be nourishing and not begetting And lastly if any were ever converted by this Sacrament their conversion surely was either by beholding the outward elements which are a visible word or by hearing the words of institution read or opened and prayer joyned therewith both which wee call the consecration of the Elements and not by actuall receiving the outward signes which will onely prove that unworthy persons ought to be suffered to see and heare but not prove that they ought actually to receive and partake of the Sacramentall elements Qu. But at least doe you not think that the by-past sins of a true beleever are pardoned in and by his meet partaking of the Lords-supper Ans No for if he be a true beleever his sins past especially if confessed to God and seriously repented of are pardoned Ezek. 18. 21 22. with God before he comes to eate and drink at the Lords Table Qu. If his sins committed bee pardoned before he comes to the Lords Table then what good can a beleever get by receiving that Sacrament Ans Though the sins past be pardoned to a Christian before hee comes to the Lords Table yet being a beleever and a worthy receiver he is by the Sacrament strengthened in a more firm belief of the pardon of his sins and also he is strengthened in a greater confidence that God will increase all saving graces in him Jud. 6. 36 37. c. Qu. How can the eating of a morsell of bread and the drinking of a little wine at the Lords Table strengthen the faith and make you more confident that God will increase all saving graces in you Ans In this respect the eating of the bread and drinking of the wine at the Lords Table doe strengthen and increase my faith and confidence Because I know that Christ did set apart bread and wine as tokens and pledges to assure me that as surely as a weak body is made stronger grows greater and is preserved alive by receiving meat and drink so surely shall my soul be made stronger in faith grow more and more in all saving graces and bee nourished up unto eternall life through my eating and drinking the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ by faith Joh. 6. 54. c. Qu. But doe worthy Communicants eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ in the Sacrament Ans Yes worthy Communicants do eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ at the Lords supper Joh. 6. 53 56. Q. How can we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ seeing Christ is in heaven and we are on earth Ans Though Christ be in heaven and we on earth yet by faith we can reach him and by faith we doe spiritually eate his flesh and drink his blood Joh. 6. 35 47 48. Qu. But what is it to eat and drink Christs flesh and blood spiritually by faith Ans To eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ spiritually by faith is to beleeve unfeignedly that as Jesus Christ doth spiritually unite himself to the outward signs of bread and wine so this spirituall presence of Christ in the outward signs doth bring along with it the merits and benefits of Christs active and passive obedience for the comforting strengthening and nourishing of my soul Qu. Is not Iesus Christ bodily present in the Sacrament Ans No Christ is not bodily present in the Sacrament for the Scriptures affirm that the heaven must receive him untill the times of restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. Qu. But are not the bread and wine changed into the very flesh and blood of Christ after the Minister has consecrated them that is after he hath read the words of Institution given thanks and prayed Ans The bread and wine after the words of consecration do receive a Sacramentall change in their use and effects because the worthy receiver by faith takes them as sacred and holy pledges and seals of Christs body and blood which before consecration were but common and ordinary creatures But in regard of their substance and materiality they remaine still the same as they were before without any change at all Qu. But does not Christ himself say of the Bread This is my body and of the Wine This is my blood and does not Christ speak true in so saying Ans Christs words in calling the bread and wine his Body and Blood are most certainly true in his own sacramentall and spirituall sense Joh. 6. 63. but not in a literall and carnall sense For if Christ had given his disciples his very flesh and blood to be eaten by their bodily mouths as they sate at the Table then he could not the next day have suffered upon the crosse which yet hee did Mat. 26. 26 34. comp with Mat. 27. 1. 46 50. Again if Christs body were materially present upon the Communion Table after the words of Consecration then he should bee in a hundred places at once for the Sacrament may bee and is many times administred in a hundred severall Congregations at one very time and so also we should make Christ to have a hundred bodies we still conclude therefore that Christ is not bodily but onely Sacramentally and spiritually present in the Sacrament Qu. But to return to our former matters Do all those that partake outwardly of this Sacrament of the Lords-supper receive the forenamed spirituall benefits thereby Ans No all those that partake of the outward signs do not receive the spirituall benefits for many come to this Sacrament of the Lords-supper not for the better but for the worse 1 Cor. 11. 17. 34. Qu. In what respect doe many come to the Lords Table for the worse Ans Many come to the Lords Table for the worse because by unworthy receiving thereat they become guilty of the body and blood of Christ and eat and drink their own damnation 1 Cor. 11. 27 29. Qu. How may unworthy partakers at the Lords table be said to be guilty of the body and blood of Christ Ans Unworthy partakers at the Lords Table are guilty of the body and blood of Christ because they are guilty of casting a sleight and contempt upon the body and blood of Christ which in that ordinance are represented unto them 1 Cor. 11. 20 21 22 29. Qu. How are unworthy partakers said to eate and drink their own damnation or judgment Ans Unworthy partakers at the Lords Table are said to eat and drink their own damnation or judgment because by that sin of unworthy receiving they do as certainly draw damnation or judgment upon themselves if they should
one that the Church admits and allows of in the judgment of charity may come without any danger of Church-censures but if they be inwardly void of true grace bee close hypocrites or unprepared persons then they will be in danger of Gods sore displeasure in case they so presume to come notwithstanding their admittance by the Church Qu. But is it not the Churches fault if such unsound professors close hypocrites and other persons come to the Lords Table Ans No it is not the Churches fault though such faulty ones doe come because the Church in admitting them did not know them to bee such by reason their inward unsoundnesse or grosse unfitnesse did not appeare either in their outward profession communication or conversation For the Church can no way judge of the nature of the tree but only by the sensible fruits Mat. 7. 1. Mat. 12. 33. 1 Cor. 2. 11. and Scripture-instances make it cleare that Church-censures were never inflicted in doubtfull suspicious or hidden cases but alwayes administred upon manifest and known grounds Mat. 18. 16. 1 Cor. 5. 1. compared with the 5 verse Qu. Well Let 's now proceed to enquire further about the nature ends and use of this Sacrament and first tell me How doe Baptism and the Lords-supper differ one from another Ans They differ in many particulars but their main difference is in respect of the end and use which they serve unto Qu. How doe they differ in respect of their generall end and use Ans They differ in respect of their generall end and use thus Baptism was appointed by the Lord to be a signe and seale of our spirituall birth spirituall life and spirituall being but the Lords-supper was appointed to be a signe and seale of our continuing growing and increasing in that spirituall life and all other spirituall graces Qu. Did Christ when he administred this Sacrament at the Table give the Bread and the Cup into each particular persons hand severally Ans No Christ did not give either the Bread or cup into each particular mans hand severally but he spake to them all jointly and gave them commission and charge to take the elements themselves Mat. 26. 26 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Qu. What is the Word of institution in the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans The Word of Institution in the Sacrament of the Lords-supper runs thus Take eate this is my body which is broken and given for you doe this in remembrance of me Drinke ye all of this for this cup is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins this doe ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me Mat. 26. 26 27 28. Luk. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. Qu. What is the outward sign in the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans The outward sign in the Sacrament of the Lords-supper is Bread broken and Wine poured forth as also the actions of blessing breaking giving receiving eating and drinking Mat. 26. 26 27. Qu. What is the inward grace which is signified by the outward signe in the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans The inward grace signified by the outward sign in the Sacrament of the Lords-supper is the body and blood of Jesus Christ Mat. 26. 26 28. 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. and all the benefits of his death which are promised in the Covenant of Grace Rom. 8. 32. to such as are already beleevers as namely increase of faith and all saving-graces Psal 92. 12 13 14. Joh. 15. 2. increase of the assurance of Gods favour and love Joh. 14. 21 23. and so consequently a more firm assurance of all good things both for body and soule here and hereafter Psal 84. 11. Qu. For what speciall end or to what purpose did Christ ordain the Sacrament of his Supper Ans Christ ordained this Sacrament of his Supper for divers speciall ends but the principall end was for the quickening of the hearts of his people in remembrance of him and his death untill his comming again Luk. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 26. Q. What is there in the Sacrament of the Lords supper to put us in remembrance of Christ and his death Ans In this Sacrament there is Bread broken which puts us in minde of the breaking of Christs body and there is Wine parted from the Bread shewing the shedding forth of his most precious blood when hee died for us upon the crosse 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. Qu. But what comfort can we take by a bare calling to minde the death of Christ seeing a wicked person may barely call to mind Christ and his death when he sees the bread and wine as well as we Ans The godly soul at the sight of the bread and wine upon the Lords Table doth not barely call to mind Christ or his death but doth also by faith lay hold upon Christ crucified as the blessed cause and means of inward comfort and eternall life Luke 22. 19 20. Q. Why do you desire to receive the Lords-supper Ans I desire to receive it to the end I may be put in minde of my Saviour and of his death in such wise as that thereby my poor doubting soul may bee strengthened and setled in a more firm perswasion and belief that hee died for mee as well as for any others Gal. 2. 20. Q. Will the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords supper make you a good Christian though you be an unbeleeving and an ungodly person when you come to it Ans No the receiving of the Sacrament will not make me a beleever For if I bring no faith other graces with me I shall carry none away and if I come an ungodly person thither I shall go away again as bad if not worse then I came 1 Cor. 11. 27 29. Qu. But how then must worthy Communicants be qualified must they needs have the truth of saving grace wrought in their souls before they can be meet partakers of the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans Yes wee must have the truth of saving grace in us before wee can bee meet partakers of the Lords-supper because the Lords-supper is the sign seale and pledge whereby God assures us that wee shall continue and grow in grace 1 Cor. 10. 16. Joh. 6. 54 55 56 57. But now continuance and growth in grace doe presuppose the being and the life of grace to be in us before for dead things grow not at all Qu. But they say some have been converted at the Sacrament of the Lords-supper It seems then that this Sacrament is a converting ordinance and if so prophane persons and all sorts ought to come even as such What say you to this Ans Though instance could be given of some few in an age that were converted at the Sacrament of the Lords-supper yet that would not prove that we therefore ought to look upon it as a converting ordinance of God to be used directly for that end and so to admit and receive
not unfeignedly repent of the same as they doe eate and drink of the bread and wine which they there receive 1 Cor. 11. 29. Qu. Can one that is regenerated or born of God be an unworthy receiver at the Lords Table Ans One that is regenerated cannot properly be called an unworthy receiver because his person is accepted with God through Christ but yet such an one may eate and drink unworthily and so pull Gods displeasure upon himself for a time as those careless unprepared and forgetfull Corinthians did of whom God struck some with sickness and others with death 1 Cor. 11. 29 30. Qu. SEeing there is so great Mr Chancy's Doctrine of the Sacraments well suiting here with my scope and purpose gave mee ease in the matters following whose steps I have trod in yet so as that I have interwoven sundry variations and additions where I conceived them needfull danger in unworthy receiving what ought we to do for prevention thereof Ans There bee three sorts of duties to bee performed by us if we would bee accepted with God for worthy Communicants and prevent the danger of unworthy receiving Qu. Which be thâ—se three sorts of duties Ans The three sorts of duties belonging to a communicant are these namely some to be done before some at and some after our receiving the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Qu. What are the duties to be done by us through Gods assistance before our receiving the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans The duties that we are to perform before we come to the Lords Table are two namely First thorow examination of our selves 1 Cor. 11. 26. and secondly a right behaviour and holy carriage after our self-examination Q What do you mean by examination of a mans self A. Self-examination is the calling of a mans self privately to account and question in the sight of God that hee may know whether he be duly fitted to partake of that ordinance or not Qu. Is it not enough for a Communicant to examine himself once for all Ans No for every Christian should very frequently be examining of himself Psal 4. 4. 2 Cor. 13. 5. touching the state and condition of his soul but especially before he comes to the Lords Table and look how oft soever hee intends to come to that Sacrament so often hee is bound strictly to examine and sift out his own spirituall state before he presume to present himself there as a guest 1 Cor. 11. 28. Qu. Wherein consists the thorow examination of our selves before receiving Ans The thorow examination of our selves before receiving consists in two things First in generall to examine our selves whether wee bee reall and sound Christians or hypocrites Secondly in a more speciall trying of our selves what sins we stand guilty of and whether those graces which are requisite to the right receiving of the Lords supper be truly wrought in us or not Qu. How may we discern whether wee bee sound Christians or hypocrites Ans We may discern whether wee bee sound Christians or hypocrites by these four notes viz. 1 If one that is a true Christian be enticed and drawn away from God he grieveth for it Gen. 39. 9. Rom. 7. 22 23 24. 1 Tim. 1. 15. and giveth not ready consent unto the temptation Rom. 7. 19. Gal. 5. 17. 2 If through frailty hee bee overborn to give consent to the temptation yet it is not full consent but he doth it against his will and purpose for his purpose is not to sin Rom. 7. 15 19. 3 If he do put his sinfull inclinations into execution and practise yet hee continueth not long in them doth not nor will not walk after them but recovereth himself because he is incorporated into Christ and hath the seed of true grace in him 1 Joh. 3. 9. Luke 22. 61 62. 4 When he does any good thing his main aim and level is at Gods glory 1 Cor. 10. 31. Phil. 1. 20. not at his own profit honor or credit Mark 8. 34 35 36. Gal. 1. 10. But the contrary to these four are the marks and notes of unsound and hypocriticall persons Qu. Now for the more speciall trying of our selves how should we examine our selves about our sins Ans Wee must examine our selves about our sins thus namely goe and seriously look into Gods Law and so call to remembrance how we have offended our God 1 Joh. 3. 4. Rom. 7. 7 9. Psal 51. 4. given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme 2 Sam. 12. 14. 2 Pet. 2. 2. scandalized our brethren that is to say grieved the stronger Psal 119. 136. and occasioned the weaker 1 Cor. 8. 10 11 12 13. christian to sin by our example And lastly how we have wronged our own souls by suffering sin easily to prevaile and the life activity and power of grace to faile and decay in us Rev. 2. 4 5. Q. Now in the next place how shall I know which be those Graces that are especially requisite and necessary to the right receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords-supper Ans The Graces that are especially necessary to the right-receiving of the Lords-supper are these eight namely 1 Sound knowledge 1 Cor. 11. 29. 2 Saving faith Rom. 4. 11. Mar. 16. 16. 3 True repentance for all our sins 1 Cor. 11. 31. 4 Unfeigned obedience Prov. 9. 5 6. 5 Entire love to God and man Mat. 5. 25. 1 Cor. 12. 13. 6 Earnest hunger and thirst after Christ 1 Joh. 7. 37. Luk. 22. 15. 7 The sincerity and uprightnesse of our hearts 2 Chron. 30. 18 19. 8 Thankfulnesse to Christ Mat. 26. 30. Qu. But how shall I know whether these graces are truly wrought in me by the word spirit of God or not Ans If you would know whether these graces are truly wrought in your soul or not then you must examine your self about each particular grace severally as first about knowledge then about faith and so of all the rest in order Qu. How may a man examine himself about his knowledge so as to be convinced that his knowledge is sound knowledge Ans A man may be convinced that his knowledge is sound by considering the measure of it and the properties of it Qu. What measure of knowledge is required of a Communicant Ans Every Communicant must in some competent measure know all the principles Heb. 5. 12. Heb. 6. 1 2. of the doctrine of Christ necessary to salvation As for example what is the naturall condition of every man and woman what is the means of our recovery out of that natural condition what is the spirituall meaning of the Ten commandements what is the most true meaning of all the Articles of the Christian Faith what is the nature use and end of each Sacrament and the like Qu. What are the properties of sound knowledge Ans Sound knowledge hath these and such like properties 1 It makes a man humble 1 Cor. 3. 18. Prov. 26. 16. and ready to render a reason of
the hope that is in him with all meeknesse 1 Pet. 3. 15. 2 It makes a Christian willing to receive every truth discovered unto him from the Word of God 1 Tim. 6. 5. and carefull to put in practise whatsoever he knows already 1 Joh. 2. 3 4 5. 3 It makes us painfull and industrious for the increasing of that knowledge which we have attained Prov. 2. 3 4. Hos 6. 3. And thus we must examine our selves about our knowledge saying to our own souls What O my soul hath God as yet wrought these things in thee or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about his faith so as to know he hath true faith in Christ Ans A man may know hee hath saving Faith by these characters of it 1 Saving faith is always wrought and preserved by the Word of God preached Rom. 10. 14 17. 1 Cor. 1. 21. and is that whereby wee come to be weary and heavie laden with sins Mat. 11. 28. to bee utterly rid of all confidence in our own righteousnesse Rom. 10. 3 4. and also restlesse in hungring after Christ till we find comfort in the promises touching the pardon of our sins Mat. 5. 6. 2 Saving faith makes the Christian to look at sin as the greatest evill and the grace of Christ as the greatest good in the world Heb. 11. 24 25 26 27. c. it purifieth the heart will thoughts affections and conscience from all love and allowance of sinne Act. 15. 9. Rom. 7. 15. and so works inward sanctification Act. 26. 18. It wrestles against temptations of unbelief Mar. 9. 24. Luk. 22. 31 32. and works by love to God and our brethren Gal. 5. 6. And by these evidences we must examine our selves whether we have true faith or not saying to each of our own souls What O soul art thou thus and thus qualified or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about his Repentance so as to know that he doth truly repent Ans True Repentance may be known 1 By our willingnesse and gladnesse to have any sin discovered Psal 141. 5. and our hearty love of those that discover and reprove it in us 2 Sam. 12. 13. 2 By an inward godly sorrow for all known sins as they are a breach of Gods Commandements and are displeasing unto God 2 Cor. 7. 10. and by a forsaking of all known sins Ezek. 18. 5 6. c. Psal 119. 3. out of a perfect hatred of them and care to avoid all occasions of them 2 Cor. 7. 11. 3 By an universal turning to God Deut. 3. 10. and constant cleaving to him in all his revealed wil and by practise of al known duties of obedience which obedience the death of Christ set forth in the Lords-supper notably provokes a Christian unto And thus wee must try our repentance before wee come to the Lords Table O my soul dost thou repent thus Qu. How may a man examine himself about his Obedience so as to know that his obedience is unfeigned obedience Ans Unfeigned obedience may be known thus 1 It is grounded onely on the Word of God Eph. 2. 10. and not on the traditions or inventions of men Mar. 7. 6 7. and it hath respect unto all Gods commandements without partiality or exception Psal 119. 6. 2 Unfeigned obedience aims at the right end namely at the praise and glory of God Phil. 1. 11. and not at any private advantage crosse thereunto and it is alwayes accompanied with zeal Gal. 4. 18. humility Mich. 6. 8. and constancy Psal 106. 3. And thus we must try our obedience before we come to the Lords supper Is it thus with thee O my soul Qu. How may a Christian examine himself about his love so as to know whether his love to God bee entire or not Ans We may be sure that our love to God is entire if no Commandement of God bee grievous unto us 1 Joh. 5. 3. if our love weanes our hearts from the love of the world 1 Joh. 2. 15. 1 Joh. 4. 20 21. 1 Joh. 5. 1. 1 Joh. 4. 12. and lastly if it make us love the children of God Qu. How may a Christian examine himself about his love so as to know that he hath entire love to the children of God in speciall Ans Entire love to the children of God makes us love godly men for godlinesse sake 2 Joh. 1 2 verses that is it will make us love all the Saints Eph. 1. 15. whether rich or poor strangers or kindred and that constantly Prov. 17. 17. Also such entire love will communicate it self in doing good to their souls and bodies 1 Joh. 3. 17 18. Q. How may a Christian examine himself about his love so as to know that he hath true love and charity toward his neighbor that is to all men in general Ans True love toward our neighbor or all men in generall may be known thus 1 It will make us willing to forgive wrongs to others Col. 3. 13. and to seek peace Rom. 12. 18. and make satisfaction if we have wronged them Rom. 13. 10. 2 True love will cause us to love the souls of all people and not to suffer sin to lie upon them Lev. 19. 17. 3 True love to our neighbor will make us to overcome evil with good Rom. 12. 17 20 21. by heaping offices of love upon them that wrong us And thus we must examine our selves about our love before we come to the Sacrament and see whether these qualifications of Gods Spirit be wrought in our hearts or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about his hunger and thirst after Christ so as to know that hee hath an earnest hunger and thirst after him Ans We may know if we have true hunger and thirst after Christ thus 1 True hunger and thirst after Christ wil make us seek him with all our heart in the diligent and constant use of all the means Prov. 13. 4. so as that nothing wil satisfie us without Christ Psal 73. 25. 2 Earnest hunger thirst after Christ longs after him for his own sake so as to part with any thing for him Matth. 13. 44. and to be content to have him upon any conditions Phil. 1. 21. Phil. 3. 8. 3 Earnest hunger and thirst after Christ makes the soul ready to entertain with great thankfulness whatsoever means or messenger shall bring Christ home unto it Rom. 10. 15. And lastly true hunger and thirst after Christ causes the Christian to seek after Christ for holinesse Isa 51. 1. as well as for happinesse Now is it thus with my soul or not Qu. How may a man examine himself about the sincerity of his heart so as to know that he is sincere and upright in his heart Ans A Christian may know that he is sincere and upright in heart thus 1 Sincerity and uprightness of heart wil shew it self in a carefulness to reform our delightful and bosom-sins Psal 18. 23. in an endeavour to find them out