I subjoyn another Thâ—â— all the Pastors of Churches may fully and faithfully obey that Precept of the Chief Shepherd John 21.15 16. requiring them to feed his Lambs as well as his Sheep I shall close with a word or two of Counsel Reader if thou art yet weak in spiritual Knowledge and willing to be instructed that thou mayst be made wise to Salvation let me beseech thee to follow this faithful Advice 1. Labour for a distinct and methodical Knowledge of the great Foundation-Truths of the Christian Religion those first Principles of the Oracles of God drawn up to thine hand in many more general Catechisms especially I recommend to thy use that excellent Catechism of the Assembly of Divines both shorter and larger a little Labour will commit the lesser to thy memory and read the other with diligence to explain that with Mr. Lyes Mr. Doolittles and Mr. Vincents Explanations The Knowledge of these Truths will prepare thee to read the holy Scriptures and hear Sermons with Vnderstanding and Profit Next I offer thee the serious perusal of this Sacramental Catechism in the composure of which I have purposely left out several Questions very proper to have been inserted because they are already answered in the Assemblies Catechism Say not thou art too old to learn a Catechism if ignorant unless thou thinkest thy self also too old to go to Heaven and so too old to learn the way thither Be not ashamed of using the means to get Knowledge but be â—shamed of thy Ignorance and blush to bear a Child of Seven years old that hath been well catechised give a better account of the Christian Faith than many of 30 40 or of 50 years of Age can do 2. Pray earnestly and daily for the inward teachings of God's holy Spirit in and with the outward teachings of the Word without this tho thoâ— may'st fill thy Head with the Notions of Truth ye thou wilt never feel the saving Impressions of theâ— on thy heart but remain a stranger to the life anâ— power of Godliness Read those precious promises and humbly plead them in prayer Prov. 1.23 Isaâ— 59.21 Luk. 11.13 3. And lastly Believe the Truths which thou haâ—â—â—earnt and live according to the Rule of them Le Knowledge and Practice as an holy Taine gâ—â—â—nd in hand and stilt keep pace each with other â—â—â—h of them are required as necessary qualification to entitle thee to true happiness John 13 17. O dâ— not aim at any thing short of that The Experimental and Practical Christian will be found to be the wisest and best in the great discriminating Day Thaâ— thou may'st be such an one and that thy Meditation may contribute somewhat thereto is the sincere anâ— fervent Prayer of Decemb. 19. 1691. Thine and the Churche in Christ George Day A SACRAMENTAL Catechism Quest 1. WHat is a Sacarment in general Answ A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance of Divine Institution annexed to the Covenants which God hath made with Men wherein by outward and sensible signs the Promises of the Covenant are represented sealed and applied to God's Covenant-people and they are bound to obey him Gen. 17.10 Rom. 4.11 Q. 2. Are these Ordinances call'd by the name of Sacraments in the holy Scriptures A. No. Yet seeing it is a word very fit to signifie the thing to which it is applied it may lawfully be used Q. 3. What is the original and proper signification of the word Sacrament A. As it was used of old in a civil sense it signified an Oath taken in War by Souldiers to their General whereby they were bound to perform the Duties of that Relation Q. 4. Why are the Seals of God's Covenants called Sacraments A. Because by our receiving them we are bound as it were by an Oath to perform the Duties of God's Covenant-people Rom. 6.3 4 5. Q. 5. What are the parts of a Sacrament A. Two The one is an outward visible sign or thing signifying which may be seen by the Eye of the Body as Water in Baptism and Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper The other is the inward and spiritual grace or thing signified which can only be seen by the Eye of the Soul or by Faith and that is Christ with all his saving Benefits Matth. 3.11 1 Pet. 3.21 Rom. 2.28 29. Q. 6. Do all those who receive the outward signs receive the inward grace also A. No. For wicked and graceless persons may receive the outward signs but not the inward grace with them none but true believers receive them both Q. 7. What is a Covenant in the general A. A Covenant is a solemn Contract or Agreement between several persons two at the least wherein they do mutually bind themselves each to other in certain Articles to both their Contents and usually confirmed by signs and seals Gen. 21.27 1 Sam. 18 3. Q 8. Hath God ever made a Covenant with Man A. Yes Tho God be infinitely above Man yet he hath been pleased through condescending grace to deal with Man in this familiar way of Covenanting as a Man with his Friend Gen. 15.18 Q. 9. VVhat Covenants hath God made with Man A. Two especially The first called the Covenant of Works The second The Covenant of Grace Gal. 4.23 24. Q. 10. What is the Covenant of Works A. That Covenant which God made with our first Parents Adam and Eve in the estate of Innocence and in them with all their Children wherein God promised perfect happiness to them upon Condition of their perfect Obedience to him and threatned them with Death on their Disobedience Gen. 2.16 17. Gal. 3.12 Q. 11. Why is this called the Covenant of Works A. Because it required the Works of Man's Obedience to the whole Law of God as the Condition of his Life and Happiness Lev. 18.5 Q. 12. Had our first Parents sufficient strength to perform that Condition and keep that Covenant with God A. Yes Our first Parents being created upright and perfect had sufficient power to perform perfect Obedience to the Law of God and so to keep his Covenant Eccl. 7.29 Q. 13. Did our first Parents keep their Covenant with God A. No. Our first Parents brake their Covenant with God by complying with the Temptation of Satan in eating the forbidden Fruit and thereby brought themselves and all the Children descending from them by ordinary Generation into an estate of sin and misery Gen. 3. begin Rom. 5.12 Q. 14. Doth God suffer Adam and all his Children to perish in their sinful and miserable state A. No. God did of his own free grace from all Eternity elect some of fall'n Mankind to everlasting life and gave them to Jesus Christ that they might be recoveted and saved by him Eph. 1.4 Q. 15. Did the Lord Jesus Christ then undertake to be a Saviour to them A. Yes There was an Eternal Compact or Agreement between God the Father and God the Son which is commonly called the Covenant of Redemption wherein God the Father gave the
of the Remembrance of Christ our spiritual Nourishment and growth in Grace the confirming of the Covenant of Grace the testifying of our Thankfulness to Christ and the strengthning of our Union to him and Communion with him and with one another Q. 346. Wherein else A. 3. In using this Ordinance according to Christ's Institution in order to these Ends that is using the same Elements of Bread and Wine and the same Words and Actions about them and to the same significations and ends that Christ used them for Q. 347. Wherein else A. 4. In holy Meditations on the Elements Words and Actions that are used in the Celebration or Administration of this holy Ordinance and especially on Christ himself who is signified and represented by them Prov. 23.1 John 1.29 Q. 348. What good Meditations may our Souls raise from these A. 1. When we see Bread and Wine prepared for this Ordinance we should meditate on the Resemblance that there is between them and the Body and Blood of Christ signified by them Q. 349. How doth Bread resemble the Body of Christ A. In three things especially 1. As Corn is prepared by grinding moulding and baking to make it Bread for our Bodies so Christ was prepared by exquisite Sufferings to be Bread for our Souls Isa 53.10 Q. 350. How else A. As Bread is the Staff and strength of our Natural Life so is Christ the Staff and Strength of our spiritual Life Psal â—05 16 19.14 Q. 351. How else A. 3. As Bread is but one Body tho' it be made up of many Grains so Christ mystical that is the Church is but one Body though made up of many Members 1 Cor. 12.12 Q. 352. How doth the Wine resemble the Blood of Christ A. In three things especially 1. As Wine quencheth the Thirst of the Body so doth the Blood of Christ quench the Thirst of the Soul John 6.35 Q. 353. How else A. 2. As Wine is of a cheering Nature making the Heart glad so the Blood of Christ applied by Faith cheers and makes glad the Souls of mournful sinners Psal 104.15 Q. 354. What else A. 3. As Wine is of a purging and cleansing quality so the Blood of Christ doth meritoriously purge and cleanse us from sin Heb. 9.13 14. 1 John 1.7 Q. 355. What other Meditation may we raise from this Ordinance A. When we see the Bread and Wine blessed sanctified or set apart from a common to an holy use by the Ministers pronouncing the words of Institution and Prayer we should meditate on God the Father his sanctifying and setting apart his Son the Lord Jesus Christ from all Eternity to be our Redeemer Isa 42.1 Q. 356. What other Meditation A. When we see the Bread broken we should meditate on the Breaking of Christ's sacred Body on the Cross and all the Sufferings Pains and Torments which he endured both in Soul and Body for our sakes on the heinous nature of our sins that could not be done away but by the shedding of Christ's Blood and the impartial Justice of God the Father in punishing his only begotten Son when he stood as our Surety Q 357. What other Meditation A. When we see the Minister offering and giving Bread and Wine to us we should meditate on the infinite Love of God the Father in Giving Christ and of Christ in Giving himself to be a Sacrifice for us and of the Spirit in revealing and applying Christ to us Q. 258. What other Meditation A. When we Receive the Bread and Wine from the hand of the Minister with the hand of our Bodies and eat and drink them with our Mouths we should meditate on the spiritual Receiving of the Body and Blood of Christ and feeding on him by Faith in our Souls Q. 359. What other Meditation A. We should meditate on the precious Benefits that redound to true Believers by a right receiving of Christ in this holy Ordinance which are Redemption from all Enemies and Evils Reconciliation to God Pardon of Sin Justification Adoption Sanctification Victory over our Souls Adversaries Increase of Grace and a Title to Glory Q. 360. Wherein else doth this gracious disposition of Soul consist A. 5. In a lively acting or exercising of saving Graces and using our bodily senses of seeing touching and tasting to help our spiritual Senses and Graces in their Actings John 20.27 Q. 361. What Graces should we exercise in partaking of this Ordinance A. We should especially exercise these four Faith Repentance Love and Joy Q. 362. How is Faith to be exercised in it A. Faith should be exercised as the Eye of the Soul to discern Christ in this Ordinance as the hand of the Soul to Receive him and as the Mouth of the Soul to feed upon him or apply him with all his Benefits to each Believer in particular Job 20.28 Gal. 2.20 Q. 363. How is Repentance to be exercâ—sed A. Repentance should then be exercised in remembring our sins confessing them with shame and sorrow hating of them judging and condemning our selves for them and turning from them unto God in Christ Isa 53.4 5.6 Zech. 12.10 11. Q. 364. How is Love to God then to be exercised A. Love to God both Father Son and Spirit should then be exercised by the fervent out goings of the Soul to God and to each Person in the God head and by the firm cleaving of the Soul to him as to the chief Good and our All-sufficient Portion Psal 63.8 Acts 11.23 Q. 365. How is Love to other Christians then to be exercised A. Love to other Christians should then be exercised by our cleaving to them in heart as to our Brethren by praying with and for them by forgiving their Trespasses against us and by a readiness to give to those that want according to our Ability and their Necessity Heb. 13.1 2 3. 1 Pet. 2.17 Eph. 4.32 Q. 366. How is Joy then to be exercised A. Joy is then to be exercised in the Soul 's being cheered revived and lifted up in the believing apprehension or assurance of its interest in God as his own God in Christ and Covenant and so in all the Blessings promised in the Covenant of Grace of which this Ordinance is a sign and seal Psal 16.5 Phil. 4.4 1 Pet. 1.8 Rom. 5.2 Q. 367. How is this Ordinance to be elosed up A. It is to be closed up in singing some Spiritual Hymn to the praise of God our Creator Redeemer and Sanctifier Matth. 26.30 Mark 14.26 Of our Duties after partaking Q. 368. What is required of us after partaking of tho Lord's Supper A. Two sorts of Duties some more publick and others more private Q. 369. What are the publick Duties A. Such as these 1. A solemn and hearty Thanksgiving to God for his love in giving Christ for Christ's love in giving himself and for the love of the holy Spirit in revealing Christ to us and in us with all the blessed Fruits of this Love As also for the Covenant of
as in all other Gospel-Ordinances but not corporally or carnally but spiritually and so he is to be fed upon not by the Mouth of the Body but of the Soul that is to be received applied to the Soul by Faith John 6.56 Eph. 3.17 Q. 82. What are the signifying Actions to be used in this Ordinance A. 1. The Actions to be used by the Minister are Taking Blessing Breaking Giving the Bread to the Communicants and Taking giving Thanks and giving the Cup also to them 2. The Actions of the Communicants are Taking and Partaking or Eating the Bread and Drinking the Wine Matt. 26.26 27 28. Q. 83. What is signified by the Ministers taking the Bread and Wine when he cometh to the Table A. It signifieth God the Fathers taking or choosing and designing Christ from all Eternity to be Man's Redeemer Isa 42.1 Q. 84. What is signified by the Ministers Blessing the Elements or giving Thanks A. It signifieth the setting of them apart from a common to an holy use and is to be performed by declaring the words of Institution and by praying to God for a blessing on this Ordinance ioyned with giving Thanks unto God for Jesus Christ and for all his benefits Q 85. What is signified by the Breaking of the Bread A. It signifieth all the Sufferings of Christ especially the breaking of his Body shedding of his Blood upon the Cross Q. 86. What is signified by the Ministers giving the Bread and Wine to the Communicants A. It signifieth God the Fathers giving Christ as a Saviour and Christ's giving himself with all his benefits to true Believers John 3.16 Q. 87. What is signified by the Communicants taking the Bread and Wine A. It signifieth their thankful accepting and receiving of Christ to be their Saviour with all his benefits by Faith John 1.12 Q. 88. What is signified by the Communicants eating the Bread and drinking the Wine A. It signifieth their applying of Christ with all his benefits by Faith unto their own Souls in particular that each Believer may believingly say of Christ as Thomas My Lord and my God John 20.28 Q. 89. For what holy Ends is the Lord's Supper to be used A. For such holy Ends as these 1. For the preserving of the Remembrance of Christ and his matchless Love in dying for Sinners this Ordinance being a lively shewing forth of his Death Luke 22.19 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. Gal. 3 1â— Q 90. What other End A. 2. For the spiritual nourishing and strengthning of the inward Man or oâ— grace in the Heart as Faith Repentance Love Hope c For this Reason it seems to be call'd a Supper being a spiritual Meal for Souls in which Christ himself is our spiritual Food 1 Cor. 11.20 Q 91. What other End A. 3. For the fealing and confirming the New Covenant of Grace or the New Testament For as the last Will or Testament of a Man is confirmed and comes in force by the Death of the Testator or of him that made it so the Death of Christ which is represented in this Ordinance confirms the New Covenant as being Christ's last Will and Testament Heb. 9.15 16 17. Q. 93. For what other A. 4. For the testifying of Believers thankfulness to Christ for his Love to them in dying for them Therefore it is sometimes call'd the Eucharist or the Thanksgiving and the Cup is call'd the Cup of blessing 1 Cor. 10.16 Q 93. For what other A. 5. For the strengthning and increase of believers Union to and communion with Christ and him crucified and also with one another as Fellow-Members of the same Mystical Body of Christ his Church for which cause it is also call'd the Communion 1 Cor 10.16 17. Q. 94. Is it sufficient to partake of the Lord's Supper as of Baptism only once A. No. Believers should often partake of this Ordinance if it may be because of their constant need of it in order to the obtaining of the holy Ends thereof 1 Cor. 11.26 Q. 95. To whom is the Lord's Supper to be administred A. The Lord's Supper is to be administred only to such as have a Gospel-right to it and a Gospel fitness or preparedness for it Q. 96. What is a Gospel-right to this Ordinance A. There is a twofold Gospel-right 1. Outward with Reference to the Church 2. Inward with Reference to God Q. 97. Who have an outward Right with Reference to the Church A. All such have an outward and visible Right to the Lord's Supper who being baptized and grown Persons do make a credible Profession of their being in Covenant with God or of their Faith in Christ and Obedience to him Acts 8.36 37 38. Q. 98. When is their Profession to be accounted credible or worthy to be believed A. When they have a competent measure of Gospel-knowledge seriously and understandingly own and consent to their Covenant with God in baptism and live a religious and unblameable Life according to Gospel-Rule Phil. 1.27 Q. 99. Who may examine and judge of this outward and visible Right A. That particular Church of Christ with which they desire to joyn and walk in full Communion especially the Pastor thereof 1 Pet. 5.2 Heb. 13.17 Q. 100. Who then are to be kept off from this Ordinance A. All such as are grosly ignorant of the Doctrine of Christ or openly vicious and scandalous in their Lives Q. 101. Who are to be accounted grosly ignorant A. All such as understand not the Principles of the Christian Religion the Nature of the New Birth or a Work of Grace upon their Heart nor the Nature Use and Ends of this holy Ordinance 1 Cor. 15.34 Q. 102. Why should such ignorant persons be kept off from this Ordinance A. Because they want an Eye to discern the Lord's Body an hand to receive him and a Mouth to feed upon him and therefore if they should partake of this Ordinance they would receive no benefit but much hurt by it Q. 103. Who are to be accounted openly vicious or scandalous A. All such as live in any open or known course of sin impenitently and by their Words or Actions give just cause of offence to those that fear God 1 Cor. 5.11 Q. 104. Why should such vicious persons be kept off A. Because they in presuming to touch such holy things with unholy hands and hearts would dishonour provoke God pollute and profane his Ordinance grieve the Godly contract the guilt of Christ's Blood and eat and drink Judgment to themselves 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Matth. 7.26 Q. 105. But may not the Lord's Supper be administred to vicious persons in order to their Conversion A. No. For we do not find that Christ appointed this Ordinance to convert sinners but to confirm and comfort Saints it is not to work grace where it is wanting but to increase and strengthen grace where it is Q. 106. Who have an inward invisible Right to this Ordinance A. All such who are indeed Heart-covenanters with God or
2. Complying with some Temptations to Sin or indulging and nourishing some Corruption in our Souls The Examination of the Grace we want Q. 325. How may we know what Grace we want A. By looking into our Souls and seeing what Grace we have already and whether that be in a growing or decaying state Q. 325. What are the usual wants of gracious Souls A. Such as these They usually want quickning Grace and strengthning Grace to enable them to withstand Temptations mortifie Corruptions perform Duties bear their Burdens the confirmation of the Covenant of Grace and of their mystical Union to Christ their Head the Assurance of the Love of God of an Interest in Christ and his Benefits and of the Pardon of their Sins and Peace with God through Christ Ps 119.159.28.116 35.3 Matth. 9.2 Q. 326. Why should we examine our selves about our spiritual wants before we come to the Lord's Supper A. Because it is needful that we should come with a due sense of our spiritual wants to this and other Ordinances and with Desires and Prayers unto God for the Supplies of them John 5.6 Luke 18.35 36 39 â—0 41. Rev. 3.17 18. Q. 327. What other Duty should be performed to fit us for the Lord's Supper A. We should endeavour to get our Graces quickned and stirred up in us or prepared to be acted and exercised on their proper Objects 2 Tim. 1.6 Q 328. Why should our Graces be quickned and stirred up before this Ordinance A. Because our Graces are to be acted and exercised in partaking of this holy Ordinance and so need quickning to it Q. 329. How may our knowledge be quickned A. 1. By labouring for a more clear distinct and full Knowledge of spiritual things 2. By meditating on those spiritual things that we do know their Excellency Necessity and Usefulness to us Q. 330. How may Faith be quickned A. 1. By feeding on Christ in a Promise and meditating on the freeness fulness firmness and sweetness of the Promises 2. By considering believing Christ's gracious Invitations and assurance of refreshment and benefit to those that come to him in his own way Matt. 11.28 John 7.37 Q. 331. How may Repentance be quickned A. By searching out our special Sins since the last Sacrament confessing them to God with shame and sorrow of heart judging and condemning our selves for them and begging pardon of them and power against them through Grace for time to come Prov. 28.13 James 4.9.10 Psal 51.1 2 c. Q. 332. How may our Love to God Father Son and Spirit be quickned A. By meditating on the infinite Love of God the Father in giving Christ the Love of Christ in giving himself to dye for us and the Love of the Holy Spirit in revealing Christ to us and in us John 3.19 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 15.30 Q. 333. How may our Love to other Christians be quickned A. 1. By remembring the New Command of Christ requiring it 2. By considering our near and spiritual Relation to them as being our Brethren and Fellow-members of Christ's Mystical Body 3. By beholding the Image of God upon them John 13.34 Hebr. 13.1 1 Cor. 15.49 1 John 5.1 Q. 334. How may Love to our Enemies be quickned A. 1. By considering the Command of Christ requiring it 2. By considering the Example of Christ who loved us when we were his Enemies so as to dye for us Mat. 5.44 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 5.8.10 Q. 335. How may our Obedience be quickned A. 1. By considering the Holiness Justice and goodness of Christ's Commands 2. By considering the Blessings promised to the Obedient and the Punishments threatned to the disobedient Rom. 7.12 Job 36.11 12. Jer. 7.23 Q. 336. How may our Thankfulness to God be quickned A. 1. By considering the many great and rich Blessings which he hath bestowed on us in the Covenant of Grace And 2. Our own great unworthiness of the least of them 1 Cor. 3.22 Rom. 8.32 1 Cor. 2.9 Gen. 32.10 Eph. 3.8 Q. 337. How may our holy Desires or spiritual Appetite be quickned A. By considering our want of spiritual Food and of refreshment and Nourishment by it 2. By considering the sweetness suitableness and sufficiency of the spiritual Provisions which Christ hath made for us in this Ordinance 3. By considering the Promises which God hath made to refresh and satisfie hungry and thirsty Souls Psal 40.17 John 6.55.56 Psal 81.10 107.9 Q. 338. What other Duty should be performed to fit us for the Lord's Supper A. We should solemnly seek the Lord by Prayer 1. For the pardon of former Neglects of this Ordinance and sinful Failings in our partaking of it and of present unfitness for it 2. For the holy Preparation of our Hearts for this Ordinance Communion with God in it and Communications of Grace and spiritual Nourishment from him by it 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. Prov. 16.1 Q. 339. Why should we thus solemnly seek the Lord before this Ordinance A. 1. Because it is needful both to sanctifie our selves for this Ordinance and to have this Ordinance sanctified to us for Prayer is the means to both 1 Sam. 16.5 1 Tim. 4.5 2. Because the spiritual Benefit of this and all Ordinances comes alone from God which is to be obtained by Prayer James 1.17 Matth. 7.7 Q. 340. What other Duty should be performed to fit us for the Lord's Supper A. We should hope for and expect God's gracious Answer to our Prayers in his meeting and blessing us in this Ordinance Ps 42.5 119.166 62.5 Q. 341. What ground have we for this hope A. God's holy Word wherein he hath freely promised to meet and bless his People in his Ordinance Exod. 20.24 Matth. 18.24 Psal 130.5 Of our Duties in partaking Q. 342. What is required of us in partaking of the Lord's Supper A. Two things especially 1. A sober and reverent behaviour of the Body 2. A serious and gracious disposition of the Soul Rom. 12 1. 1 Cor. 6.20 Q. 343. What gesture of Body should we use in the Act of Receiving standing sitting or kneeling A. Sitting seems to be the most proper Gesture of the Body in the Act of Receiving as being most agreeable to the Example of Christ and his Apostles who sate or sate-leaning which was then the Table-gesture amongst the Jews But Christians should not rigidly impose any gesture on each other nor uncharitably Censure each other for difference of Perswasion or Practice in this or such like Circumstances if a due Reverence be observed Matth. 26.20 Luke 14.18 22. Rom. 14.2 5 23 19. 1 Cor. 14.40 Q. 344. Wherein consists the gracious disposition of the Soul in partaking of this Ordinance A. 1. In coming to this holy Ordinance with a deep self-humbling sense of our own vileness and unworthiness of so great a Priviledge because of our sins Eph. 3.18 Tim. 1.15 Luke 15.19 Q. 345. Wherein else A. 2. In animating at right ends in the use of this Ordinance such as the preserving
Grace the Seals of it and Spiritual benefit by them Eph. 1.3 2 Cor. 9.12 Q. 370 What is another publick Duty A. 2. A sincere renewing our Consent to the Covenant of Grace and yielding our selves to the Lord as his Covenant-Servants with holy purposes of new and better Obedience to him in the strenght of Christ for time to come 2 Kings 23.3 2 Chron. 15.12 Rom. 6.13 c. 12.1 Ps 119.8 32. Q. 371. What is another publick Duty A. A cheerful giving some Relief to the poor Members of Jesus Christ in testimony of our Love and Thankfulness to Christ for the Mercy we have received from him and of our Love to them Gal. 6.10 1 Cor. 16.1 2. Matth. 25.40 Q. 372. What are the private Duties after the Lord's Supper A. They are two especially 1. A diligent Inquiry Whether we have received any spiritual Comfort or Benefit by this Ordinance i. e. Whether our Graces have been strengthned our Souls refreshed nourished revived and cheered our Consciences pacified and our Assurance of the Love of God increased c. Q. 373. What if we cannot find any of these Spiritual Benefits A. We should search out the Cause whether it was not want of due preparation before or want of a right disposition in the partaking of it and if so we should confess it unto God and be humbled for it endeavouring by after pains in Humiliation and Prayer to obtain the efficacy and benefit of it Q. 374. What if we did our best in preparing for it and in partaking of it and yet are not sensible of any real Benefit or Comfort by it A. We should pray earnestly to God and wait patiently on him for the Benefit and Comfort of this Ordinance because as Physick doth not presently work nor Meat presently nourish so neither doth this or other Ordinances always presently benefit our Souls but in God's time they shall Q. 375. What if we do find present Benefit and Comfort by it A. We should thankfully acknowledge it to God and labour to preserve it by an holy humble and watchful Conversation 1 Thess 5.18 Eph. 5.15 Q. 376. What is the other Duty after the Lord's Supper A. A faithful keeping Covenant with God yielding a ready cheerful and constant Obedience to all his Commandments in Heart Lip and Life watching and praying against sin resisting its motions and temptations exercising Grace laying hold on Opportunities of honouring God in doing or receiving Good endeavouring to be perfect in every Good Work to do his Will that our Fruit may be unto holiness and the end Eternal Life Deut. 29.9 Psal 103.18 Heb. 5.9 Luke 1.6 Heb. 13.21 Rom. 6.22 Q. 377. Why should we be thus careful to keep Covenant with God A. 1. Because we cannot otherwise justly expect God should keep Covenant with us or that he should give us the Blessings promised unless we give him the Obedience commanded Deut. 7.9 10 11. 2. Because else we should but mock God in making Covenant with him and in receiving the Signs and Seals of it and deceive our own Souls Isa 66.30 3. Becanse we should else deprive our selves of the spiritual Benefits of this Ordinance and expose our selves to God's just Displeasure 1 Cor. 11.29 30. Eccles 5.4 5. FINIS A Catalogue of BOOKS sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercers Chappel in Cheapside OF Thoughtfulness for the Morrow with an Appendix concerning the immoderate Desire of fore-knowing Things to come of Charity in reference to other Mens Sins A Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Rich. Adams M. A. sometime Fellow of Brasen-Nose Colledge in Oxford The Redeemer's Tears wept over lost Souls in a Treatise on Luke 19.41 42. with an Appendix wherein somewhat is occasionally discoursed concerning the Sin against the Holy Ghost and how God is said to will the Salvation of them that perish A Sermon directing what we are to do after a strict Enquiry whether or no we truly love God A Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late Wife of Hen. Sampson Doctor of Physick who died Nov. 24. 1689. The Carnality of Religious Contention In two Sermons preached at the Merchants Lecture in Broad-street A Sermon for Reformation of Manners A Sermon Preach'd on the Day of Thanksgiving Decemb. 2. 1697. To which is prefix'd Dr. Bate's Congratulatory Speech to the KING A Calm and Sober Enquiry concerning the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity relating to the calm and sober Enquiry upon the same subject A View of that part of the late Consideration to H. H. about the Trinity which concerns the sober Enquiry on that Subject The Redeemers Dominion over the Invinsible World Dr. Bates Funeral Sermon Mr. Matthew Meads Funeral Sermon All 15 by the Reverend John Howe The Fountain of Life opened or a Display of Christ in his Essential and Mediatorial Glory Containing Forty two Sermons on various Texts A Treatise of the Soul of Man wherein the Divine Original Excellent and Immortal Nature of the Soul are opened c. The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption contriv'd by the Father and accomplish'd by the Son through the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect. Being the 2d part of the Fountain of Life The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Providence c. Navigation Spiritualiz'd Or a new Compass for Sea-men c. Two Treatises the first of Fear the second the Righteous Man's Refuge in the Evil Day A Saint indeed The great Work of a Christian A Touchstone of Sincerity Or Signs of Grace and Simptoms of Hypocrisie Being the Second Part of the Saint indeed A Token for Mourners Or Boundaries for Sorrow for the Death of Friends Husbandry spiritualiz'd or the Heavenly Use of Earthly Things All these 10 by Mr. John Flavel Sermons and Discourses on several Divine subjects by the late reverend and learned Divine Mr. David Clarkson B. D. sometime Fellow of Clare-hall Cambridge Mr. Pool's Annotations on the Bible 2 Vol. 3d Edit with an Addition of a Concordance and Contents to each chapter by Mr. Sam. Clark Catholick Theology Methodus Theologica both by Mr. Richard Baxter A sacred Poem on the Glory of Heaven Strong on the Covenant Burgess on the Corinthians Taylor on Christ's temptation A Dialogue between Timothy and Titus about the Articles of the Church of England Gurnall's christian Armour Dr. Horton's 100 Sermons Nostredamus's Prophecies Melvill's Memoirs Marveâ—'s Poems Daille on the Collossians Clark's Martyrology The Acts Decisions Decrees and Canons of the reformed Churches in France being a most faithful and impartial History of the Rise Growth and Decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom their confession of Faith Speeches Letters cases of conscience c. By John Quick Minister in London Baxter's Church-History and Councils History of councils inlarged and defended Apology for Nonconformists Second Defence of Nonconsormists Apology