DIRECTIONS FOR THE Right Receiving OF THE Lords Supper Drawn up by way of Question and Answer for the Use and Benefit of the younger sort especially the Citizens of Exeter By J. B. Whosoever Eateth my Flesh and Drinketh my Blood hath Eternal life and I will raise him up at the Last Day Joh. 6. 54. With Allowance London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns over against the Great Conduit at the lower end of Cheapside 1679. DIRECTIONS FOR THE Right Receiving OF THE Lords Supper Question TO whom doth the Sacrament of the LORD's SVPPER belong Answer Not to the unworthy but to the worthy Q. Who are unworthy Guests at the Lords Table A. All grosly Ignorant and openly Scandalous Q. Why are all grosly Ignorant to be kept back from the Sacrament A. Because being Ignorant they want an eye to discern the Lord's Body a Hand to receive him and a Mouth to feed upon him and therefore in so coming they eat and drink Judgement to themselves 1 Cor. 11.29 Q. Why are openly Scandalous to be kept from the Sacrament A. Because such in presuming to touch such holy things with unholy hearts lips and lives they dishonour and provoke God pollute and prophane his Ordinance grieve and make sad the Godly and make themselves guilty of Murdering Christ and Dâ—mning their own souls 1 Cor. 11.27 Q. Who are grosly Ignorant A. Such as are ignorant of the Nature Ends and Use of the Sacrament and not able to give a Reason of their Faith and hope to be saved 1 Pet. 3.15 Q Who are openly Scandalous A. Such as live and lye Impenitently in a course of Sinning and by their speeches and practices give just offâ—nce to any of the Godly 1 Cor. 10.32 33. Thus of such as are unworthy Guests to come to the Lords Table Q. Who are worthy Communiâ—ants Worthy Communicants A. Such as are willing and in some measure able to give a Reason of their Faith and Hope to be Saved and whose Conversation is suitable to their Profession Ephes 4.1 Q. Are there any worthy in themselves of this honour A. No but the Lord is pleased to account and accept them so in and for and through the Righteousness of Christ imputed to them Rev. 3.4 And because their desire and endeavour is to walk worthy of and suitable to their profession Ephes 4.1 Col. 2.6 Q. What is required of those that would come as worthy Guests to the Table of the lord A. A Due Preparation before Requisite to a Right Receiving A Right Disposition in and an Answerable Carriage after Q. Why is every one bound Duly to prepare himself A. Because in coming unpreparedly he not only dishonours God and pollutes the Ordinance but makes himself Guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ and eateth and drinketh Judgement to himself 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Q. What is that Preparation that is required A. It is double Habitual and Actual Q. What is Habitual Preparation Habitual Preparation A. The Examination of our selves Whether we have the Habit or Seed of those Graces that do qualifie and fit us for the Sacrament Q. Why is every one to examine whether he have those Graâ—es A. 1. Because this is expresly required 1. Cor. 11.28 2. Because without Examination we cannot come to know the truth of Grace in us nor act our Graces Jer. 8.6 3. Because without a work of grace the Sacrament will be but a Seal to a blank of no benefit but much hurt Q. What are those Graces that we are to examine whether we have them A. They are six 1. Saving Knowledge 2. Faith 3. Repentance 4. Obedience 5. Love and 6. A Holy desire or an Appetite to the Sacrament Q. Why is every one bound to examine whether he have a competent measure of Knowledge A. 1. Because without Knowledge we cannot discern the Lords Body 1 Cor. 11.29 2. Because without Knowledge we cannot please God in the service of him Prov. 19.2 Hos 6.6 3. Because we shall have no salvation but eternal destruction without Knowledge 2 Cor. 4.3 4. 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. Q. What is Knowledge A. It is a sanctified understanding and clear apprehension of those things revealed in the Scriptures Knowledge Defined necessary to our Salvation Joh. 17.3 Q. What are we to examine in and about our Knowledge A. What those things are that we are to know and whether our Knowledge be true Saving Knowledge Q. What are those things that we are to know A. Some things concerning God Things to be known in five heads and concerning our Selves and concerning Christ and concerning the Covenant of Grace and concerning the Sacrament the Seal of the Covenant Knowledge of God in five heads I. Of the Nature of God Q. What are we to know of God A. His Nature Attributes Works Word and Worship Q. What is his Nature A. He is One Infinite Eternal Perfect Incomprehensible Spirit distinguished into three Persons the Father Son and Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 5.7 Q. What is a Spirit A Spirit A. A Substance or Being that cannot be seen Joh. 4.24 Luke 24.39 Q. What is a Person A Person A. A distinct Subsistence or Being having in it the whole God-head and distinguished from another by an incommunicable property Joh. 14.9 10. Heb. 1.3 Q. What are the Attributes of God II. Of the Attributes of God A. Certain essential Properties whereby God is pleased to make himself known unto us who otherwise cannot come to know him Otherwise called his Back-parts Exod. 33.23 Because we can have but an imperfect Knowledge of him as we have of a man when we see him only by his back Q. Of what kind are those Attributes A. They are either Incommunicable or Communicable Q. What are his Incommunicable Attributes A Such as cannot be given to 1. Incommunicable Attributes or found in the Creature as Omnipresence Jer. 23.23 24. Omnisciency 1 Joh. 3.30 Omnipotency Luke 1.37 Immutability James 1.17 Q. What are his Communicable Atâ—ributes A. Such as are given to 2. Communicable Attributes or found in the Creature as Truth Holiness Mercy Justice Exod. 34.6 7. Q. Are these Communicâ—ble Attribuâ—es in God as they are in man A. No In men they are but Qualities in God they are his very Essence Whatsoever is in God is God God is Love it self 1 Joh. 4.2 These Properties are imperfectly in men There are but some Degrees of Mercy Justice c. But in God they are in perfection he is so merciful and just as he cannot be more he is infinite in all perfections Q. What are the Works of God III. Of the Works of God A. His Work before time was His Decree His Works in time Creation and Providence Q. What is the Decree of God Gods Decree defined A. His unchangeable purpose with himself from all Eternity concerning the World and every Creature in it especially Men and Angels their ends and the
is Jâ—sus Christ in his Natures I. The Natures of Christ A. The Eternal Son of God who in the fulness of time took to his Divine Nature our Humane Nature and so became God and Man in one Person that so he might be a fit Mediator to go between God and Man and so to reconcile God to Man and Man to God Gal. 4.4 5. Q. Why was he Man A. Because Man had sinned and Justice required that that Nature that had sinned should make satisfaction Q. Why was he Gâ—d A. That so he might be able to undergo the wrath of God due to our sins which a meer man could not do and that his sufferings might be of infinite merit to procure salvation for us Q. What is Jesus Christ to his A. The Only and Alsufficient Remedy The only Remedy because there is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we can be saved Acts 4.12 The Alsufficient Remedy because he is able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God by him Heb. 7.25 26. Q How doth it appear that he is the only Alsuffâ—cient Remedy A. In that he is the alone Mediator II. The Offices of Christ Priest Prophet and King of his Church Q. What is that Office of hâ—s Mediatorship A. That Office whereby he goes between God and Man 1. In General Mediator to reconcile and make peace between God and Man 1 Tim. 2.5 Q. Wâ—at is his Priestly Offiâ—e â— That Office of his Mediatorship whereby he offered up himself a Sacrifice for our sins on the Cross 2. Particular 1. Priest Râ—m 3.24 25. And maketh continual Intercession for us at the Right hand of his Father Râ—m 8.33 34. Heb. 7.24 25. Q. What is his Prâ—phetical Office A. That Office of his Mediatorship whereby he reveals 2. Prophet and makes known his Fathers will to us by his Word and Spirit Joh. 15.15 Act 3. last Q. What is his Kingly Offiâ—e A. That Office of his Mediatorship whereby 3. King having power given him over all things in Heaven and in Earth he exerciseth Government in his Church for the salvation of his people and for the destruction of his and his Churches enemies Matth. 28.18 Psal 45.5 Q. What is the third thing to be known concerning Christ III. The Benefits that come by Christ A. The Benefits that come by him to true Believers Q. What are those Benefits A. The Principal are those in 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made of God to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemptiâ—n The Consequential are those in Rom. 15.13 Joy and Peace in believing Q. What is the fourth thing to be known concerning Christ IV. The means to get Interest in Christ A. The means to get an Interest in Christ and the Benefits that come by him Q. What are those Means A. Faith and Repentance Mark 1.14 15. Q. What is Faith Faith defined A. It is a special and supernatural Gift of God wrought by the Spirit through the Ministry of the Word in the hearts of the Elect whereby we come to know assent unto take and rely only upon the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation Joh. 1.12 Act. 16.31 Q. What is Repentance A. It is a special Gift of God Repentance defined wrought also by the Spirit in the Ministry of the Word arising from the knowledge of and Faith in the mercies of God in Christ working Godly sorrow for sin and a through change of heart and life from the Love and reign of all sin to the life and power of Godliness Acts 26.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Rom. 6.12 13. Thus of the things to be known concerning Christ Q. What are those things that we are to know concerning the Covâ—nant Knowledge of the Covenant in 5 things A. Five things 1. What a Covenant is 2. The Kinds of Covenants 3. The Difference between them 4. The special things promised in the Covenant and 5. How it is confirmed Q. What is a Covenant A. It is a solemn League and contract made between Persons Two at the least I. What a Covenant is wherein they do mutually bind themselves each to other in certain Articles to both their Contents Q. How many kinds of Covenants are there II. The kinds of Covenants A. Especially Two The Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace Q. What is the Covenant of Works The Covenant of Works defined A. That Covenant which God made with our first Parents before the Fall wherein he promised to Adam and his posterity perfect Happiness upon condition of perfect Obedience Gen. 2.16 17. Q. Why is this called the Covenant of Works A. Because it required Works as the Condition of Life Lev. 18.5 Q. Had Adam any power to keep that Covenant A. Adam had power to keep it before the Fall being Created Perfect Eccles 7.29 But since the fall neither he nor any Son of Adam none but only Jesus Christ is able to keep this Covenant being wholly defiled with sin and disenabled to any thing that is good Rom. 8.7 Q. Whether shall any man be judged by the Covenant of Works seeing he hath no power to keep it A. Yes every man and woman that is found out of Christ in a state of unregeneracy seeing God gave them power to keep it but they by their wickedness and unthankfulness lost it Q. What is the Covenant of Grace A. The second Contract The Covenant of Grace defined or agreement which God made with Christ and in him with all the Elect to give them Christ and all that is his even all things pertaining to Life and Godliness and that upon condition of believing 2 Pet. 1.3 4. Psal 84.11 Joh. 3.16 Q. What differences are there between these two the Covenant of Works III. The difference between the Covenants and the Covenant of Grace A. 1. The Covenant of Works was made before the Fall The Covenant of Grace was made since the Fall 2. That promised Life upon condition of perfect Obedience in our own Persons but this upon condition of Faith in Christ 3. That required Obedience but gave no power to perform it bur this gives power to perform it Ezek. 36.26 27. Q. Why is this called The Covenant of Grace A. Because it was nothing but the free Grace of God that made it and that enableth us to keep it Ephes 2.8 9. Q. How is the Covenant of Grace distinguished The Covenant of Grace distinguished into the Old and New A. Into the Old and New Heb. 8.13 Q. Are there then Two Covenants of Grace A. No They are both one and the same Covenant for substance they differ only in respect of the divers dispensations of it Q. What is the Old Covenant of Grace The Old A. The Revelation and Dispensation of it before the Coming of Christ Q. What is the New Covenant The New A. The Revelation and Dispensation of it since the Coming of Christ Q. Wherein do these
two Agree They Agree A. 1. In the substance of it being one and the same promise of Life and Salvation by Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Q. Wherein else A. 2. In the Condition Faith in the free Grace of God and mercies of Christ Acts 15.10 11. Q. Wherein do the Old and New Covenant Differ They Differ A. 1. The New Covenant Differs from the Old in the Clearness of it Christ and the Benefits that come by him are more clearly revealed unto us than unto them Rom. 16.25 26 27. Q. Wherein else do they differ A. 2. In the Easiness of it The Old Covenant was more burdensome than the Last or New Covenant Acts 15.10 Mat. 11.28 29 30. Q. Wherein else A. 3. In the Efficacy and power of it The Spirit was not given in so large a measure to them before the Coming of Christ as to believers since Joh. 7.39 Q. What are those things which God promiseth in the Covenant of Grace A. That he will be a God unto us IV. The things Gen. 17.7 And a Father unto us 2 Cor. 6.18 And do all that a God and Father can do for his Bestow upon them all good things Spiritual Temporal and Eternal 1 Tim. 4.8 Psal 84.11 Q. What are those special spiritual blessings which God promised to bestow upon his A. 1. The Donation 1. Spiritual Blessings promised or giving of his Spirit to work all their works in them and for them Ezek. 36.26 27. Q. What is another A. 2. The saving knowledge of himself and of his will Jer. 31.34 Q. What is another A. 3. Justification Q. What is Justification A. That Act of Gods free Grace whereby he pardons all our sins Justification defined and accounts us righteous in his sight only for the Righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone Q. What are the parts of Justification A. Pardon of sin and Imputation of Righteousness Q. Where are these promised to Believersâ— A. In 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 8.1 2 Cor. 5.21 Rom. 4.6 7 8. Mic. 7.18 19 20. Jer. 31.3 Q. What is anoâ—her A. 4. Sanctification Q. What is Sanctification Sanctification defined A. That work of Gods Grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the Image of God and are enabled more and more to dye unto Sin and to live unto Righteousness 1 Thes 5.23 24. Q. What are the parts of it A. Two Mortification and Vivification Or a Dying unto Sin by vertue of Christs Death and a Living unto Righteousness by Vertue of his Resurrection Q. Where are these promised to Believers A. In Rom. 6.4 5. Where they are said to be planted into the similitude of Christs death and resurrection Jer. 31.33 Q. What is meant by putting the Law in their inward parts A. A disposition of spirit to know and learn the whole mind and will of God whatsoever he will have them to know Act. 10.33 Q. What is meant by writing the Law in their hearts A. A disposition of spirit to submit and yield obedience to the whole will of God Psal 119.6 Luke 1.6 Rom. 6.13 Q. What is another spiritual Blessing that God hath promised A. 5. Contrition or Brokenness of heart Ezek. 11.19 Q. What is another A. 6. Growth in Grace Mal. 4.2 2 Cor. 7.1 Q What is another A. 7. Perseverance in Grace Jer. 32.39 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Q. Where hath God Promised Temporal good things A. In Psal 84.11 Mat. 6.32 Rom. 8.32 2. Temporal Blessings promised Q. Where hath God promised Eternal good things 3. Eternal Blessings promised Signs of being in the Covâ—nant of Grace 1 Sign A. In Joh. 3.16 Rom. 6.22 23. 2 Cor. 4.17 18. Q What signs can you give me of your being within the Covenant of Grace A. I know that First by the Knowledge that God hath given me of him and my self Jer. 31.34 Ephes 5.8 Q. How else do you know it 2 Sign A. 2. By the Faith which I have in Christ this being the condition of the Covenant Joh. 3.16 Q. How else 3 Sign A. 3. By the Counterpane or Copy of the Covenant the Law of God written in my heart Jer. 31.33 Q. How do you know that the Law of God is written in your heart A. 1. By the Conformity of my heart to the Law of God the bent of my heart being to please God in every thing Acts 13.22 Q. How else A. 2. By the Oneness Singleness and Uprightness of my heart Ezek. 11.19 Q. How else A. 3. By the Softness of my heart the Lord having made me to fear and tremble at his word and at his displeasure Ezek. 11.19 20. Q. How else A. 4. By the Newness of my heart in that he hath Renewed Changed and Sanctified my heart Ezek. 36.26 Q. What other sign can you give me of your being in the Covenant 4 Sign A. 4. The Use that I make of the Covenant Q. What is one use that you are to make of the Covenant A. 1. To purge my self by it from the remainders of Corruption and grow in the Graces of the Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. What is another A. 2. To keep close to God in wayes of Righteousness and holiness Psal 18.21 22 23. Q. How hath God confirmed the Covenant of Grace V. How God hath confirmed the Covenant of Grace in which he promiseth all these good things A. He hath confirmed it four wayes 1. By his word of Promise 2. By his Oath both which are set down in Heb. 6.17 18. 3. By the Death and Bloodshed of Christ Heb. 9.13 to ver 25. 4. By the Sacraments which are therefore called seals of the righteousness of Faith Rom. 4.11 Q. What is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Knowledge of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A. The Second Sacrament of the New Testament Instituted by Christ for the Use of true believers to Sign and Seal up to them their spiritual nourishment and growth in Grace by Christ unto Eternal life Joh. 6.54 55. Q. What are those Special Ends wherefore Christ Instituted it and we are to Receive it The Ends of the Sacrament A. They are Four 1. To put and keep us in remembrance of that Infinite Love of his in Dying for us 1 Cor. 11.25 2. To testifie our thankfulness for this Love of his And therefore it is called The Cup of Blessing 1 Cor. 10.16 3. To be a pledge of our Union and Communion with him and one with another in the benefits that come by him 1 Cor. 10.16 4. To confirm and strengthen our Faith in the Assurance of those good things promised in the Covenant of Grace especially the Pardon of Sin and Eternal Life by Jesus Christ Rom. 4.11 Mat. 26.28 Joh. 6.54 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. How the Sacrament strengthens faith above the Word Q. How doth the Sacrament of the Lords Supper strengthen Faith above the Ministry of the Word A. 1. As