will give it over and thus some poor tender smoaking Flax may be quenched by your means and if compassionate Iesus be tender of them as no doubt he will yet no thanks to you who are guilty by casting water on their little coal which could have quench't it if a better friend had not kept it in life It may not be amiss to consider in this place what may be the reasons that so few professing Christians go to the Lords Supper with this necessary believing expectation seing its dishonourable to our blessed Redeemer obstructeth our own good and is often found prejudicial to others Ans First It will be found that the seeds of Atheism and unbelief of Gods Word and Promise hath a deep hand in this wo. Ah! few Christians by profession are established in the truth men do not will not lay this to heart tho' they often hear it and I fear are disgusted because they so often hear it proud Nature taking it heavily to be charged with unfixedness in the Faith and these disrelishing such warnings most who have most need of them I wish the Reader concerned in this retire to his own Conscience and put the question closly home do I firmly believe the history of Christs Passion And that Salvation is by no other Name I speak not now of mens perswasion that Christ hath loved them and washed them in his own Blood but mens perswasion that he was dead and is alive Iâ— ye will not try your unfixedness in fundamental Truths in season you may soon come to know your misbelief by experience to your grief in an hour of temptation or at the hour of death try therefore in time what ye believe and on what grounds seek to be fixed in the faith of Christ and his truth otherways your expectations will still be faint Nor do I speak here of such perswasion and fixedness in the truth as is inconsistent with any degree of doubting for here we know but in part but that which I speak is against that dangerous unfixedness that hath no degree of perswasion under which too many are perishing Secondly But some others are not so much discouraged by misbelief of this nature as by their fears that Christ will have no regard to them that he will never honour them with such communion with himself others they grant may have it but for themselves they look for nothing but a dry Fleece when others are wet they have deserved no better and expect no better Ans If our mercies be dispensed according to deserving then we may all stop together and proceed no further But blessed be God that our expectations depend on free gree grace I will freely love them Hos 14. 4. 2. Hath he not regarded thee already in opening thine eyes to see thy wretchedness which thou didst not see before Doth he not discover Diseases in order to a remedy If he had no regard to thee he could have suffered thee to run on in presumption and sit down at his Table without ever minding a wedding Garment and made thy rising thy terrour but now he preventeth it by making thee consider what thou art about Therefore 3. If thou would be regarded at his Table and accepted know that a garment of Salvation will cover all thy spots give praise that this Garment is ready for the putting on give praise that its not only provided for the putting it on but himself puteth it on Isa 61 10. He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation Give praise that ever any poor sinners were secured of these garments and render praise that there is a minut of time left thee to beg these garments that fine Linnen of the Saints under which covering thou canst not be despised noâ— thy holy Expectation disappointed Thirdly Others faint in their expectations because tho' they have been often at the Lords Table yet they never get great profit Ans and whose fault was this If thy misbelief deprived the of the communications of grace where wilt thou leave thy complaint For he warned thee that mighty works were not to be expected where unbelief had the dominion thou mayest go to a hundred Communions and never be the better if thou dost not believe nor draw out of the Wells of salvation therefore if thou hast a sincere value for Communion with Christ if thou would not always carry away a bad report of that enriching Ordinance if thou would'st prevent a contempt of it in thy own soul consider seriously what hath been thy manner of communicating formerly see thy way wherein thy particular defects have been thy neglect of preparation thy hypocrisie thy lukewarmness in the whole of the work and thy misbelief at the work repent of these evils that thou mayest not say thou had a hard Master but an hard heart Fourthly Others are discouraged in their expectations because they observe not others who frequent Communions much bettered in their conversations This I grant is for a lamentation that so few appear like communion with Christ yet it is not so with all and tho' they were but few as Isa 17. 6. a few berries in the utmost fruitful branches Its Gods great mercy when some are preserved as Witnesses against a declining generation who not only are made suitable to a publick solemn Communion but such as rarely any thing can be discovered in their practice that is not consistent with present fellowship with God tho' possibly ye discern it not as being ignorant of walking with God your selves 2. If this be thy regrate that that thou seest so few fruitful Christians after Communions then labour to add one to the number of these few lest others be discouraged by thy practice also Thirdly However it be as to partakers tho many prove very unfruitful yet this is never occasioned by want of provision being allowed to eat and drind abundantly and the hungry are filled with good things and many have found their souls made as a watered Garden in attending this holy Ordinance O that we were stirring up our selves and stirring up one another to pray down such showers of Blessings as hath been found at Communions in the days of old CHAP. IX Objections of doubting Christians answered The eighth Inference THe eighth Inference from the words is That seing so great a benefit as the Communion of Christs Body and Blood may be had in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper then Christians are obliged to endeavour the removal of all Objections and stumbling Blocks that stand in the way to obstruct their partaking of this Benefit Before the particular Objections be mentioned I shall premit these few things First That all professed Christians should make conscience not to pretend Scruples and Objections where there is none for where the Conscience is not really burdened with some difficulty it s but hypocrisie to frame Objections against peoples partaking of the Lords Supper that they may appear more serious than others the heart of man is
and offering himself a Sacrifice to the justice of God for these who were given him of his Father was accepted of God then we cannot lay the burden of our sins upon and trust our Souls to that Sacrifice 5 If we do not believe that God hath provided a way for our partaking of that Sacrifice and the benefits thereby purchased then we cannot believe a Participation and Fellowship of his Sufferings 6. And if we know nothing of that appointed way viz. by Faith then we cannot make application of his Death and so shal not have the Communion of his Body and Blood And that the necessity of firm believing the Doctrine of Christ may appear Consider First that we may see with grief how many turn Apostates Athiests Blasphemers who were professed Christians and appeared to have no doubt of what they professed for many years yet by frequent Apâ—stacy mens Souls are ruined Religion reproached Satans kingdom advanced 2. It 's found also that others of a better stamp who do not precipitate themselves into such Gulfs of Apostacy improving the benefit of a good Education their practice being in some measure according to their knowledge yet in progress of years when they come to be more deeply concerned with their eternal state and to know on what grounds they can warrantably expect to be no worse but better when this life hath its period searching into these grounds do often find such difficulties to believe the truths whereof they doubted nothing in their younger years that their souls are cast into deep disquiet and sometimes are made to bless God who hath kept them alive and under means of knowledge that they may yet be confirmed in some important truths which nearly concern their very Salvation And notwithstanding that conscientious Christians are cautious and sparing in uttering their Doubts specially when they are such as might prove stumbling to others Yet where the benefit of cordial Sympathy is obtained many are found under distressing conflicts of this nature in so much that if their gracious God did not relieve they could not stand long in their profession but would be noticed to their grief as fainting Such temptations have not yet left this World in vain I have washen my hands in innocency Psal 73. 13. 3. It 's also too evidently found that some by reason of not being fixed in the great Gospel truths concerning Christ and Salvation are retarded in their whole Christian progress for the foundation not being firmly laid they cannot go on to perfection this is no charge against the foundation which God hath laid for that is still sure and unmoveable 1 Cor. 3. 11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ For which we are to bless God but it 's mens not being fixed upon and cemented with the true foundation and whether men will or not this hath a Secret strong influence to deaden all their religious practice when they doubt but all their pains may be in vain at last and that they have been but beating the air 1 Cor. 9. 26. 4. Some are assaulted with violent temptations tempting them to doubt of many truths at once and such as are of great consequence and then their weakness appeareth then they smart bitterly for not being established in the truth having no solid answer for repelling of such temptations then they are tossed to and fro with any wind of Doctrine yea many woes are at hand then they are ready to call good evil and evil good and put darkness for light then they are ready to run down the stream and yield all were it not that God knoweth how to deliver his own out of temptation 2 Pet. 2. 9. 5. Known instances may be given of some who in their day shined to the glory of God and Edification of many who yet not long before their great change found it their greatest tryal and difficulty to be fixed in believing even as to the object of their Faith which should be remarked as a warning to weaker persons to spend more of our time and seriousness for rooting in the truth that we may know whom we have believed which was the Apostles great rejoycing 2 Tim. 1. 12. 6. It 's also to be observed that especially at Communions Doubts do arise in many of the People of God when they are examining their Faith and Knowledge and Satan always going about to resist good labouring to obstruct the best works whereof self-examination is one instead of questioning their own weakness in knowledge or slowness to believe he tempteth them to doubt of the object of their Faith and if not fixed they are at least so disturbed in their Souls and cast down that they have no confidence for going to the Lords Table and supposing they were not afflicted with such temptations yet if fundamentals gospel-Gospel-truths be not understood nor a judicious assent of the mind yielded to them then there can be no consent An assent of the mind may be to the truth without consent but we cannot chuse and consent to that which the mind doth not believe to be truth So then you cannot consent to receive Christ at his Table except ye believe the report and testimony that God hath given of him 1 John 5. 10. Therefore spare no pains for knowledge dig for it as for hid treasures account the knowledge of Christ excellent knowledge as others did who knew him better than you who did look upon other things as but loss and dung Phil. 3. 8. Thou hast none to know like him nor any knowledge so necessary as to know him 1 Cor. 1. 30. Who is made of God unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification Redemption be not too easily satisfied with thy knowledge of Christ as many in this age are Let it be an exercise of thy Soul by it self how to know Christ lest thy first knowledge of him be as of a Judge to give out Sentence Depart I know you not lay this to heart though thou had not the Lords Table to go to but if thou wilt go to it ignorant of him ignorance it self will render thee an unworthy Communicant as I sear it doth too many in our times who yet cannot be judicially debarred what if thy own conscience should rise upon thee when thou art going to his Table and accuse thee of presumption for attempting a Communion with him to whom thou art a meer stranger not so much as believing the record God hath given of his Son Can such a person be accepted of him Labour then to be acquainted with him in time Job 22. 21. Acquaint thy self with him rendering praise to God that thou has yet a season for it and if thou dost not affect ignorance but art one who longest for the knowledge of the Holy fearing thou art the very person that has not that knowledge Prov. 30. 3. Fearing the danger of thy Soul were it for nothing else but thy ignorance of
took bread and blessed it Thirdly after it 's blessed it remaineth still bread the Apostle doth not say the Body which we break but the Bread which we break now the Bread is not broken before but after it 's blessed for he took bread and blessed it and brake and the Apostle saith expresly it's Bread which is broken but if after the blessing or consecration the bread were transubstantiated into the natural Body of Christ then the Apostle had said the Body which we break sure the Apostle knew what name to give it having received of the Lord what he delivereth and what can be more plain than that it 's still Bread when it 's broken which is after it's consecration this breaking of the bread is so material a part of the institution that the whole of the Sacrament bears its name called the breaking of bread Acts 2. 42. The breaking of Christs precious Body being thereby signified Christ requireth this discerning of his Body broken saying this is my body which is broken for you 1 Cor. 11 24 and the breaking of the bread must be Sacramentally and publlckly performed in sight of the Communicants for their instruction as in the first Celebration And in the last place the sincere Believer in eating of this bread according to Christ's institution doth by Faith receive himself hath special Communion with him and partakes the benefits and purchase made through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Heb 10 10 This is the Sacrifice he came to give when no other could do and therefore it's memorial should be always fragrant Many pertinent Doctrines may be here observed both from the scope and words of this Text but I shal name only this one Doct. The worthy receiver at the Lords Table hath Communion with Christ in partaking the benefit of his precious blood and broken Body From this great and comfortable truth these ten inferences following appear native which shal be the subject matter of the ensuing Discourse First inference the celebration of the Lords Supper being an holy transaction between Christ and Believers wherein they have the Communion of his Body and blood then the Doctrine of Christ concerning himself what he is what he hath done and suffered should be firmly believed as a foundation for our partaking of this blessed Communion 2. Inference the Lords Supper being the Communion of Christs body and blood to the believer then all who partake are obliged to prepare for so great a blessing particularly to examine themselves before they eat 3. This blessed Ordinance of Christ being the Communion of his body and blood Then Communicants are to approach it with a humble sense of their sin as needing the vertue of that precious blood 4. The worthy Receiver obtaining the Communion of Christs body and blood Then Communicants are obliged to understand what that is which is called Communion with Christ before they partake 5. Seing such blessed near Communion with Christ may be obtained at the Lords Table then Communicants should prepare for entertaining communion with him in the very time of that Solemnity 6. This blessed Ordinance of the Lords Supper being the communion of Christs body and blood then believers are obliged to have a sincere desire to partake of so great a mercy 7. This holy Ordinance being the Communion of Christ body and blood Then believers should approach it with Faith and expectation of this blessed Communion with Christ 8. Seing so great a benefit as the Communion of Christs body and blood may be had in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Then Christians are obliged to endeavour the removal of all objections and stumbling blocks that stand in the way to obstruct their partaking of this benefit 9. This holy Sacrament being the Communion of Christ's body and blood Then after partaking Communicants are obliged to try if they have obtained that blessed Communion 10. This holy Ordinance being the Communion of Christ's body and blood Then Communicants are obliged to live suitable to so great a benefit and testifie their gratitude by an holy walk and conversation CHAP. II. The Doctrine of Christ Crucified must be believed by Communicants The first Inference THe celebration of the Lords Supper being an holy transaction between Christ and Believers wherein they have the Communion of his body and blood then the Doctrine of Christ concerning himself what he is what he hath done and suffered should be firmly believed as a foundation for our partaking of this blessed Communion For if the Doctrine unto which this Sacrament belongeth and whereupon it dependeth be doubted such also will our partaking be not in faith but doubting therefore all concerned who have a due value for their Souls are to labour for fixedness in the great Gospel truths concerning Christ and the way of obtaining Communion with him I shal God willing make this appear in this Chapter and conclude it with a few words of advice to such Communicants as have most need of greater establishment in the truth Consider first that mens professing of Gospel truths is not sufficient proof that they believe these truths for many profess that which they do not believe having no firm perswasion of these truths in their own minds but stand yet in need of being taught which be the first principles of the oracles of God even after such profession and opportunities of knowledge that they might have been teachers of others Heb. 5 12. 2. Nor is want of doubts concerning these truths sufficient evidence that they are firmly believed for the want of doubts doth not always proceed from fixedness in Faith but sometimes from being unconcerned whether the Doctrine be true or false not being so serious as either to believe or doubt 3. Nor is it sufficient that people have an implicite Faith in what concerneth their Salvation because their teachers instruct them so and they so receive having nothing against it because men may be easily shaken out of that sort of Faith and therefore we are to receive the Doctrine of Christ 1 Thes 2 13 not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God Particularly first if we do not believe there was and is a Christ we cannot converse with him for who can seek Communion with one of whose very being they doubt Would to God all professed Christians believed in heart firmly that there is a Christ as our merciful God hath given us full evidence for our belief 2. If we do not believe that he is God and man God manifest in the flesh we cannot have Communion with him as such and if we have not Communion with him as such then we have not Communion with the true Christ the Mediator and sent Saviour of the World 3. If we do not believe that he really died then we can have no Communion of his Body and Blood Not believing that his Blood was shed 4. If we do not believe that this his Death
thy former ways as well as present otherways there may be unpardoned Guilt upon thee for former sins Psal 79 8. Remember not against us former sins And Psal 25. 7. Forgive the sins of my youth Try what way thou hast taken for the pardon of them lest as Lam. 3 42. thou find we have transgressed thou hast not pardoned Consider also what the Lord did for thee what he wrought in thee in the days of thy youth that though thou be not now as lively as then yet thou must be excited to cry unto God as Job 29. 4. O that it were with me as in the days of my youth when the Secret of God was upon my tabernacle and though thy declinings should be bitter to thee yet try if it did convincingly ever appear thou wast the Planting of the Lord a tree of righteousness bringing forth fruit unto holiness for If it was so though the Tree appear to be cut down as Job 14. 7 There is hope of a tree if it be cut down that it will sprout again and vers 9. through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant gather what thou canst safely of this nature that thou mayest yet hope to sing as in the days of thy Youth for trees of righteousness never utterly decay both root and branch 9. When thou has not only thy souls Condition and way to Examine whether advancing or backsliding from the ways of God but the very State of thy Soul whether under the Dominion of Sin or Grace and must draw some Conclusion from the whole of thy Examinations for thou art allowed to Judge 1 Cor. 11. 31. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged Then take care that rash Judgment proceed not look to God that thy Sentence come from before him it being of great moment what thou mayest safely judge of thy self and particularly for clearing thy Right to the Lords Table Delusions being the Ruine of most men The fourth thing to be considered is what we are to Try and Examine and the things that I conceive to be the most necessary are 1. Our knowledge 2. Our Faith 3. Our Love 4. Our Repentance and 5. Our Obedience As to our Knowledge 1. It 's necessary we have some measure of Knowledge of the Lord Himself 2. His Covenant 3. Of the Sacrament it self particularly how to Discern the Lords Body Ye are first to Try your Knowledge of God in Christ for though it be a small Portion of him we can know yet we must know or perish 2 Thess 1. 8. Christ is coming to render Vengeance to them who know not God This Knowledge of God we must have by Jesus Christ for the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God is in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. We cannot transact with him in this Ordinance if we be Ignorant of him 1 John 1. 6. For if we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie Therefore some competency of Saving Knowledge we must have lest we be found Children of Darkness yet 2. In Examining this think not to find a Knowledge unto Perfection for that which is Perfect is to come 1 Cor. 13. 10. And when that is come all that is in that Infinite Divine Majestie can never be be known by us or finite Creatures We are apt vainly and some times Presumptously to desire such a knowledge as is Gods peculiar Prerogative perfectly to know himself and too often more curious to know what we cannot know than what we should and may know how silencing to all flesh should be Exod. 3. 14. I AM and though all Creatures be incapable of a comprehensive knowledge of that Glorious Immense being yet 3. Great shal be our mercy to apprehend aright of him if your conceptions of him be suitable to the Revelations he hath given of himself in his VVord content thy self with these lest thou wander in thy Imaginations and lose thy self in Aspiring further 4. Do not conclude thou knowest nothing of him because thou knowest not as thou wouldest or knowest not as thou a Believer shalt hereafter 5. Yet try if thou art sure that though weakly yet it is certainly the Lord himself thou knowest this is a greater attainment and mercy then many think to have the Soul delivered from fear of delusion in it's apprehensions of God These words Jer. 24. 7. are of great Consideration I will give them a heart to know me that I am the Lord. These people had long professed the Knowledge of God and yet need to know that he is the Lord. 6. To be sure of thy knowledge try what Impressions have the Divine Attributes made on thy Soul what effects attend thy knowledge Psa 9. 10. They that know thy name will put their trust in thee Try also if thy practice can prove thy knowledge Jer. 22. 15. 16. Thy father did judgment and justice he judged the cause of the poor then it was well with him was not this to know me saith the Lord v. 7. In a special manner try if Christ hath manifested himself to thee if thereby thou has been enabled to Behold him and in Beholding transformed into the same Image 2 Cor. 3. 18. Be particular with thy Conscience to have an account wherein that Blessed Image doth appear 2. VVe must try what knowledge we have of the Covenant of Grace Because First This Ordinance of the Lords Supper is one of it's Seals for here we have the New Testament in his Blood and this blood is the Blood of the Covenant Heb. 13. 20. The blood of the everlasting Covenant therefore the Seal shal be profained if there be no knowledge of that gracious Transaction and Covenant unto which it is a Seal 2. VVe are obliged actually to renew our Covenant with the Lord when we partake of this Ordinance for we are to embrace Christ according to the Terms of his Covenant Receiving of Christ and joyning our selves to the Lord is the very Substance of the VVork which cannot be performed if we be Ignorant of the Covenant for who can take hold or joyn in a Covenant whereof he is utterly Ignorant and the man who taketh not hold of the Covenant cannot have a right to the Seal try then particularly First If ye know the chief Articles of the Covenant if ye know the Difference betwixt doing as the Condition of the Covenant of VVorks and believing as the Condition of the Covenant of Grace try if you believe this great Gospel truth in your heart that whosoever believeth shall not perish â—ohn 3. 16. 2. And that the Covenant of Grace requireth perfection though sincerity be accepted Matth. 5. 48. 3. And that all sincere believing hath gracious Fruits and VVorks attending it for we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works Eph. 2. 10. 4. Do ye know him who is surety of this better testament Heb. 7. 22. In whom all the
being in Christ there 's no acceptation but in the Beloved Eph. 1. 6. These few Reasons without adding mo may convince that it highly concerneth thee to be at the utmost pains in trying of thy Faith Consider also that all thy pains shal be richly payed Home if by searching thou shalt find that God hath bestowed upon thee Precious Faith 2 Pet. 1. 1. The Faith of Gods Elect Tit. 1. 1. That Faith whereby a sinner is justified and hath peace with God Rom. 5. 1. That Faith whereby thou art Sanctified Acts 26. 18. That Faith the end whereof shal be the Salvation of thy Soul 1 Pet. 1. 9. Receiving the end of your faith even the Salvation of your Souls What pains should be valued where this is the Result How great may be thy Joy in his Salvation when thou canst say The beloved is mine and I am his Cant. 2. 16. Christ is mine the Pledges of his Love are mine his Fellowship is mine his Food and Table is mine He hath clothed me with the garments of Salvation Isa 61. 10. I shal not be rejected for want of a Wedding Garment Shall be not with Christ freely give us all things Rom. 8. 32. Q. But what way shal I take to Examine my Faith First try if you can observe the direct Actings of Faith that you may say now Lord I believe though before it be well out of your lips ye must add Lord help my unbelief Mark 9. 24. Acceptable Believing is of so great Importance that serious souls are solicitous so to Believe as that they might immediately Reflect upon it and finding it believing indeed Blessed Jesus Christ would needs have it out of his Disciples own mouths that they did Believe John 16. 30. By this we believe They do not say we have Belleved but in the very present time we Believe And in the next verse Christ saith Do ye now believe for this Cause it were good especially for you who doubt of your Faith to set your selves for actual present Believing before ye go to the Lords Table some people are apt to weary of long Debates in their mind whether they have Believed or not and tempted to give it over who by the Blessing of God upon this mean are Relieved of their Fears and cleared of their Doubts Addressing themselves to the Lord with all the Reverence and Seriousness they can attain and in the Sense of their sin and need of a Saviour set themselves to Receive and Embrace Christ as their Redeemer and Lord. This Mean hath been so Countenanced of God that after it's serious Performance some hath gone to the Lords Table with desire Chearfulness and Peace though Doubting before Oject But I cannot Believe when I please nor is it so light a matter to go off hand and Believe and so have done Answ 1. Ye cannot Believe too soon if you Believe indeed 2. This is an Opportune Season for it when ye are called to Partake of an Ordinance which you cannot neglect without sin nor Partake without Believing 3 Ye are peremptorly Commanded to Believe therefore it 's Duty to endeavour it and it 's such a Duty as should not be Deferred That ye are Commanded Consider John 14. 1. 1 John 3. 23. And this is his Comandment that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ And that it 's a Duty not to be Delayed see John 3. 36. He that believeth not the wrath of God abideth on him If you still reply I cannot Believe though it be a Duty I will Answer that no more can you perform any Religious Duty aright will ye therefore resolve to perform no Religious Duty will ye not Pray because ye cannot Pray aright will ye never praise because ye cannot do it aright see what thy verie Reason can Answer to this plain Argument what ever God Commandeth we are obliged to endeavour Obedience unto it but God Commandeth us to Believe therefore we are Obliged to endeavour Obedience to this Command of Believing And though it be granted that we cannot Believe when we will yet we are to endeavour and put out the Withered Hand hoping we may take it in Whole if the Lord shal say arise from the dead as Ephes 5. 14. Should we Dispute and Proudly Quarrel in stead of Obeying cannot the Lord of Life give Life with the Word of Command as to Dead Lazarus mind John 11. 25. He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live But if ye cannot find the Truth of your Faith by this manner of Trial yet ye are not so to leave it for what quiet can a man have in his Soul not knowing but he is still under the Wrath of God as all Unbelievers are and not knowing what hour that VVrath may Surprise him with it's intollerable weight and Eternity Therefore other Means must be essayed to Search it out by it's Fruits for Luke 6. 44. A tree is known by his fruits and the Apostle James saith He will shew his faith by his works it 's a great mercy that there is any way to have it secured Consider these two ways wherein by the Blessing of God the sincerity of your Faith may be Discovered as first by trying your ordinary Dependance on God and 2. By searching into the Gracious Fruits of Faith specially that by Faith the heart is purified Acts 15. 9. For the first enquire at your own Conscience what Course is ordinarly taken for Light and Direction when ye are in Darkness or Doubts do ye still lean to your own Understanding or on Christ as made of God VVisdom unto Believers 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2 VVhen ye do Pray for wisdom and Light is it that you may walk according to that Light or Direction Deal ye Ingenuously with God not seeking Counsel of God with a Reserve if it be to your own Humour but Resolved to walk in his Light whithersoever it lead you has thy Soul fixed on the Lord as thy Guide then Remember what is said Psal 73. 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy Counsel and afterward recelve me to glory for Glory will follow to the Followers of this Guide 2. Try also what way thou taketh for thy Guilt whither dost thou go for ease to thy Conscience when it accuseth thee as it certainly will if not seard is it to the Blood of Christ or dost thou make a cover to thy Sin of thy Duties thy Tears thy Mourning thy Amending of some evil Practices and thy not being as some other men if this be thy way thou art yet a Stranger to Gospel Faith but if thou believest in thine heart that the Blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin and thou will not dishonour that perfect Sacrifice by thinking it insufficient for thy sin and therefore leans thy Soul with all it's Guilt upon him who made his soul an offering for sin Isai 53. 10. Thy care is to be found in him not having thine own Righteousness but that