new

obedience ;w ;w and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation,y and fervent prayer.z

Q. 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord's supper?

A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord's supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God's account it hath, if he be duly

and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price. John vii. 37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

w I Cor. v. 7, 8. Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For, even Christ, our passover, is crucified for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness: but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

x 1 Cor. xi. 25, 26, 28. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in iny blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Heb. x. 21, 22, 24. And having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works. Psal. xxvi. 6. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord.

y 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

z 2 Chron. Xxx. 18, 19. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover, otherwise than it was written: but Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one; that prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. Mat. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

172. a Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 1 John v. 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. Psal. lxxxviii. throughout. Psal. Ixxvii. to v. 12. v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9. I cried unto God with my voice: even unto God with my voice, and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to

affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity in which case (because promises are made, and

be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak, &c. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Jonah ii. 4,7. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. When my soul fainted within ine, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

b Isa. liv. 7 to 10. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Mat. v. 3, 4. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that Inourn: for they shall be conforted. Psal. xxxi. 22. For, I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes; nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cried unto thee, Psal. lxxiii. 13, 22, 23. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless, I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

c Phil. iii. 8, 9. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things; and do count them but dung that I may win Christ; and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Psal. x. 17. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Psal. xlii. 1, 2, 5, 11. As the heart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Why art thou cast down, my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God, for, I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

d 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Psal. lxvi. 18, 19, 20. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear

this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief,f and labour to have his doubts resolved ; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's supper, that he may be further strengthened.h

Q. 173. May any who profess the faith and desire to come to the Lord's supper be kept from it?

A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord's supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in his church,i me. But verily God hath heard me he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

e Isa. xl. 11, 29, 31. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. Mat. xi. 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat. xii. 20.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Mat. xxvi. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for

the remission of sins.

f Mark ix. 24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

g Acts ii. 37. Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts xvi. 30. And he brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

h Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

173. i 1 Cor. xi. 27 to 31. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged, &c to the end of the chapter. Compared with Mat. vii. 6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rent you. And with 1 Cor. chap. v. to the end. And with Jude v. 23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garments spotted by the flesh. And with 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.k

Q. 174. What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper in the time of the administration of it?

A. It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance; diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions ;m heedfully discern the Lord's body," and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces ;P in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin ; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ,

k 2 Cor. ii. 7. So that, contrariwise, ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

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174. l Lev. x. 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.-Heb. xii. 28. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Psal. v. 7. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. I Cor. xi. 17, 26, 27. Now in this that I declare unto you, I praise you not, that you come together, not for the better, but for the worse. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

m Exod. xxiv. 8. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold, the blood of the covenant which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words. Compared with Mat. xxvi. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

n 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

o Luke xxii. 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

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p 1 Cor. xi. 26. For, as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Cor. x. 3, 4, 5, 11, 14. And did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ.) But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. q 1 Cor. xi. 31. For, if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and up

feeding on him by faith,t receiving of his fulness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace ;y in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.a

Q. 175. What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord's supper?

A. The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord's supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success; if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it, beg the continuance of it,d watch against relapses,e

on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplica tions, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

s Rev. xxii. 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

t John vi. 35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

v John i. 16. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

w Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righte ousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

x Psal. lxiii. 4, 5. Thus will I bless thee, while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. 2 Chron. xxx. 21. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites, and the priests, praised the Lord day by day, sing. ing with loud instruments unto the Lord.

y Psal. xxii. 26. The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord that seek him; your heart shall live for ever.

z Jer. 1. 5. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. Psal. 1. 5. Gather my saints together unto me: those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

a Acts ii. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

175. b Psal. xxviii. 7. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise him. Psal. lxxxv. 8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 1 Cor. xi. 17, 30, 31. Now in this that I declare unto you, I praise you not, that you come together, not for the better, but for the worse. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.→→→ For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

c 2 Chron. xxx. 21, 22, 23, 25, 26. And the children of Israel that