newing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer2. Q. 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Chrift, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord's fupper? A. One who doubteth of his being in Chrift, or of his due preparation to the facrament of the Lord's fupper, may have true intereft in Chrift, though he be not yet affured thereof"; and in God's account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehenfion of the want of it, and unfeignedly defires to be found in Christ, and to depart old leaven-but with the unleavened bread of fincerity and truth. x Heb. 10. 21, 22. And bawing an high priest over the houfe of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full affurance of faith, having our hearts fprinkled from an evil confcience, and our bodies wafhed with pure water. v 24. And let us confider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works. Pfal. 26, 6, y 1 Cor. II. 24. This do, in remembrance of me. z Matt. 26. 26.-Jefus took bread and bleffed it. 2 Chron. 30. 18, 19. a Ifai. 50. 10. Who is among you, that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his fervant, that walketh in darknefs and hath no light? let m trust in the name of the Lord, and ftay upon his God. I John 5. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. b Ifai. 54. 7, 8-10. For a fmall moment have I forfaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath 1 hid my face from thee, for a moment; but with ever lafting kindness will I have mercy on thee, faith the Lord, thy Redeemer. For the mountains fhall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness fhall not depart from thee, neither fhall the covenant of my peace be removed, faith the I.ord, that hath mercy on thee, &c. Matt. 5. 3, 4. Pfal. 31. 22. c Pfal. 42. 11. Why art thou caft down, O my foul? from iniquity; in which cafe (because promifes are made, and this facrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labour to have his doubts refolved; and, fo doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's fupper; that he may be further strengthened". Q. 173. May any who profefs the faith, and defire to come to the Lord's fupper be kept from it? A. Such as are found to be ignorant or feandalous, notwithstanding their profeffion of the faith, and defire to come to the Lord's fupper, may and ought to be kept from that facrament by the power which Chrift hath left in his church, and why art thou difquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I fhall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. d 2 Tim. 2. 19. Neverthelefs the foundation of God ftandeth fure, having this feal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Rom. 7. 24. 25. O wretched man that I am, who fhall deliver me from the body of this death! I thank God thro' Jefus Chrift our Lord. e Matth. 26. 28. For this is my blood, of the New Teftament, which is fhed for many for the remiffion of fins. Matt. II. 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy la den, and I will give you rel. Ifai. 40. 11, 29, 31. f Mark 9. 24.-And faid with tears, Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief. g Acts 16.30. And brought them out and faid, Sirs, what muft I do to be faved? &is 9. 6. h I Cor. 11. 28. But let a man examine himfelf, and fo let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Matt, 11. 28. i 1 Cor. 11. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation [judgment] to himself, uot difcerning the Lord's body. 1 Cor. 5. 11. But now I have written unto you, not to keep compa ny, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or co vetous, or an idolater, or a rail until they receive instruction, and manifeft their reformation. Q. 174. What is required of them that receive the facrament of the Lord's fupper in the time of the adminiftration of it? A. It is required of them that receive the facrament of the Lord's fupper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance', diligently obferve the facramental elements and actions", heedfully difcern the Lord's body", and affectionately meditate on his death and fufferings", and thereby ftir up themfelves to a vigorous exercife of their graces"; in judging themselves and forrowing for fin"; in er, or a drunkard, or an extortoner, with fuch an one, no not to eat. Matth. 7, 6. Jude v. 23, 1. Gal. 6. 1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are fpiritual, restore fuch a one in the fpirit of meeknefs; confidering thyself, left thou alfo be tempted. I Heb. 12. 28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may ferve God acceptably, with reverence and Godly fear. Lev. 10 3. m Gal. 3. 1.-Before whofe eyes Jefus Chrift hath been evidently fet forth, crucified among damnation to himself, not difcerning the Lord's body. o Luke 22. 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, faying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. p Eph. 3. 17, 18, 19. That ye being rooted and grounded in love; may be able to comprehend with all faints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Chrift which paffeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. q 1 Cor 11. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we fhould not be judged. r Zech. 12. 10. And they fhall look upon me, whom they earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ', feeding on him by faith', receiving of his fulness"; trusting in his merits", rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace'; in renewing of their covenant with God", and love to all the faints". Q 175 What is the duty of Chriftians, after they have received the facrament of the Lord's fupper? A. The duty of Christians, after they have received the facrament of the Lord's fupper, is seriously to confider how they have behaved them. felves therein, and with what fuccefs"; if they find quickening and comfort, to blefs God for it, beg the continuance of it", watch against relapses", have pierced, and they fhall mourn. f Rev. 22. 17. And the Spirit and the bride fay, Come. And let him that heareth, fay, Come; and let him that is a thirst come; and whofoever will, let him take the water of life freely. t Gal. 2. 20. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himfelf for me. John 6. 35. v John I. 16. And of his ful. nefs have all we received, and grace for grace. Col. I. 19. w Phil. 3. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteoufnels which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Chrift, the righteoufnefs, which is of God by faith. x 1 Pet. I. 18. Whom having not feen ye love; in whom though now ye fee him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unfpeakable and full of glory. 2 Chron. 30. 21. y Pla. 22. 26. The meek fhall cat and be fatisfied: they fhall praife the Lord that feek him; your heart fhall live for ever. z Jer. 50 5. Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. Pfa. 50. 5. a I Cor. 10. 17. For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are al! partakers of that one bread. Acts fulfil their vows, and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinances: but if they find no prefent benefit, more exactly to review their preparation for, and carriage at the facrament"; in both which if they can approve themfelves to God and their own confciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time': but if they fee they have failed in either, they are to be humbled, and to attend upon it afterward with more care and diligence'. Q. 176. Wherein do the facraments of baptifm and the Lord's fupper agree? A. The facraments of baptifm and the Lord's to the hand of theirmafters; and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress: fo our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Ifai. 8. 17. k Hof. 14. 2. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord; fay unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us gracioufly; fo will we render the calves of our lips. Hof. 6. 1, 2. 1 2 Cor. 7. 11. For behold, this felf-fame thing that ye forrowed after a godly fort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of your felves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement defire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge? In all things ye have approved yourfelves to be clear in this matter. 1 Chron. 15: 12-14. |