THE PREFACE. THIS Directory being first published in the year 1716, the preface was added to the fecond edition of it in the year 1726, in which now I have made fome additions and alterations. The book itself alfo is confiderably enlarged from what it was at first, namely in proving and preffing the neceffity of communicating, in obedience to our Lord's dying command; and it is to be regretted that there should be ftill foj much need for urging it. Ah, that fo many Chriftians, who profefs refpect to Chrift as their Saviour, fhould live in the neglect of his dying charge! Perhaps, my friends, upon viewing the hazard of eating unworthily, fome of you may think you are on the fafeft fide to keep away from this ordinance altogether; not confidering, that the danger of unworthy refufing is fully as great as that of unworthy receiving: For you fee those who make light of Chrift's invitation to the marriage fupper efcaped no better than he that came without the wedding-garment, Mat. xxii. 7. 13. Likewife I have adduced many arguments to prefs frequency in communicating, and have anfwered objections against it; which, if you duly confider, you must own that frequent partaking is moft advantageous and neceffary for the exigencies of your fouls, and highly acceptable unto God. If there be " a book of remembrance written before the Lord, for them that feared the Lord, thought upon his name, and fpoke one to another," Mal. iii. 16. we have no ground to queftion, but there is a book of remembrance written for them that love their Redeemer, and often remember his death and fufferings in the facrament, which he hath instituted for that end. And as I would have you come frequently to this folemn ordinance, fo I would always have you coming with fuitable preparaVOL. I. Rr tion tion; and, for your help in this matter, I have compofed the following directory. Special care fhould be taken, that our frequency do not breed formality, but that we be as devout as frequent; and, though we communicate never fo frequently, that we truft not to former preparations, but that we examine and prepare ourfelves of new for every communion. But feeing it is in vain to exhort Chriftians to frequent receiving, unless minifters do alfo frequently adminiftrate this ordinance, and call their people to partake thereof; it may be proper to speak fomething of the neceffity of frequent difpenfing of the Lord's fupper. All the arguments and reafons which I bring in the enfuing treatise, to prove the neceffity of peoples frequent partaking, do as much prove the neceffity of minifters frequent difpenfing: feeing, if minifters do not difpenfe, the people cannot partake: But, befides thefe, I fhall, with all humility and becoming refpect, add some things here, which, I hope, may be of weight with myself, and other ministers of the gospel, to perfuade to frequent difpenfing. I. The infpired apostles of Chrift, and other paftors of the church that were contemporary with them, did (in obedience to the intimation which their Lord and Master gave them at the first inftitution) frequently dispense the Lord's fupper to the Chriftians in their days; yea, it was their ordinary custom to do it every Lord's day, Acts ii. 46. Acts xx. 7. The infpired penman of that book doth mention the breaking of bread as a conftant concomitant to the apostles doctrine and prayers, Acts ii. 42. II. In imitation of the apoftles, the paftors of the ancient church did keep up the practice of celebrating the Lord's Supper every Lord's day, through the fecond, third, fourth, and fifth centuries. To evidence this (if it were called in queftion) I might cite many paffages from the hiftories of Eufebius and Socrates, and the writings of Juftin Martyr, Cyrian, Chryfoftom, Hierom, Ambrofe, Auguftine, and several others, who on that account |