Christs Last Supper, Sermon 4

Christs Last Supper · Sermon 4

p. 702The Fourth Sermon.

1. Cor. 11.29.

For hee that eateth and drinketh …nworthily, eateth and drinketh his …wne damnation, becauſe he diſcer…eth not the Lords body.

IN the former verſe wee hauehave heard the Apoſtles precept, that eueryevery one ought … Examine himſelfe before hee …ome to the Lords Table: and p. 208partake of theſe holy Myſteries. Wee hauehave heard the neceſſitie of that duty. The ſubiect of it, a mans ſelfe. And the duty it ſelfe, examination. And wherein the ſame doth conſiſt.

Wee are now to ſpeake of the ſecond generall part of the text, and that is the reaſon the holy Ghoſt doth heere lay downe to inforce the dutie: and the Reaſon, is taken from the great hurt and daunger which for want of this Examination is like to enſue: layd downe in theſe words, For hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily, eateth and drinketh his owne Damnation.

That is by eateing and drinking theſe holy myſteries vnworthily, that is vnprepared and vnreuerently, they doe thereby prouoke the Lord to plague and p. 209…uniſh them with ſome iudge…ent or other in this life, to …ring them to the ſight of their …innes, and to repentance for the …ame: if not, then with condem…ation in the life to come.

…nd in handling of …is reaſon, we will …bſerue this order … ſpeake

1. Of the perſons.

2. Of the puniſhment

3. Of the cauſe of their puniſhment.

Of vnworthy receiuers,Two ſorts of vnworthy receiuers. there …e two ſorts, one pertaining to …ods couenant, the other not: …e one, the godly who thorow …egligence and careleſneſſe, may …me to to this Sacrament vn…ted and vnprepared, without …at reuerence and due reſpect …ey ought to ſhewe vntounto ſuch …cellent myſteries. The other, …icked and profane, that want …ith, and ſo come in their ſins, p. 210ignorance, blindeneſſe, malice &c. vntounto whome this ordinance of God is a ſauour of death vntounto death.

And Two ſorts of puniſhment.And as the perſons do differ ſo doe their puniſhments, the godly if they come vnprepared vntounto this ordinance, withou… that godly examination and preparation they ought to mak… thereunto, the Lord wil not paſſ… by that ſinne of theirs, but he will bee ſure to chaſtiſe them ſo the ſame, they eate and drinke iudgement vntounto themſelues bu… what iudgement foreign …fflictioni… iudgement of affliction, that is ſuch ſtir vp the Lord to wrath, as this Church of Corin… did. For whoſe vnreuerent pa… taking of this holy ordinanc… the Apoſtle ſaith in the ver… following, that many were wea… p. 211ſicke and ſome of them taken away by death.

But as for the puniſhment of wicked and vngodly men, it is certaine that ſuch vnworthy receiuers, eate and drinke foreign condemnation, iudgement of eternall condemnation vntounto themſelues, that is by that their vnreuerent and vnworthy receiuing of this ſo holy an ordinance, they ſinne highly againſt God, which ſinne of theirs, ſhall bee puniſhed with no leſſe puniſhment then with eternall condemnation.

Before I enter into theſe par…iculers, I will propound one in…truction from the ſcope of the holy Ghoſt in this text, and that …. Seeing the Apoſtle hath be…ore exhorted vntounto that chriſtian …uty of godly examination and p. 212preparation, that eueryevery chriſtian ought to make before hee come to partake of this holy ordinance, and now vſeth ſuch a reaſon to inforce the duety, as is taken from Gods Iuſtice and Iudgments, which for want thereof, hee will execute and inflict vponupon them.

Doct. 2 We learne, that the conſideration of Gods iudgements ſhould make men performe holy duties in an holy manner:The conſideration of Gods iudgments ſhold make men perfourme holy duties holily. And hence it is, that it is very vſuall with the Lord by his ſeruants, when hee hath exhorted vntounto any one holy duety, to annexe vntounto the ſame ſome forcible reaſon to perſwade therevnto. This is cleare by the practice of Almighty God himſelfe with our firſt parents, Adam and Euah, Gen. 2.18.Gen 2:18who hauing giuen them but one Commandement p. 213to obſerue, hee vſeth a reaſon to bind vntounto obedience, and that is taken from Gods Iuſtice: The day thou eateſt therof, thou ſhalt die the death. And thus doeth Almighty God deale with Cain, Gen. 4.Gen 4one of the Sonnes of Adam, perſwading him firſt to wel-doing, to breake off his ſinne by repentance, euen that malice hee had conceiued againſt his innocent Brother: But if that woulde not ſerue, the Lord addes one reaſon more, and that is taken from Gods iuſtice and vengeance, which otherwiſe will bee ſure to follow: If thou do ill, ſinne lyeth at …hy doore. And this is that one …y Reaſon that Moſes doeth …ſe vntounto the people of Iſraell; That they ſhould hearken vntounto …he voice of the Lord their God, which if they would, it ſhoulde p. 214then goe well with them, and with their children after them: If not, what then? It ſhall come to paſſe, Deu. 28.15 16.17. &c.Deut 28:15if thou wilt not hearken vntounto the voyce of the Lord thy God, to obſerue and to doe all his commaundements, and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all theſe curſes ſhal come vponupon thee, and ouertake thee: Curſed ſhalt thou bee in the Citie, and curſed ſhalt thou be in the field: Curſed ſhall be thy basket and thy ſtore, &c.

And this is the order that Dauid vſeth in his exhortation vntounto Salomon: And thou Salomon my Sonne, 2. Cro. 28.9know thou the God of thy fathers, and ſerue him with a perfect heart, and with a willing minde. And he adds a reaſon to inforce his exhortation, and that is taken from Gods Iuſtice: If thou forſake him, hee will forſake thee, and caſt p. 215thee off for euer. And what thing elſe did our Sauiour intende, when hee bade Remember Lots wife: Luk. 17.32.Luke 17:32but to mooue all men to conſider her ſinne, and her puniſhment, that ſo fearing the one, we might learne to take heed of the other. And why doeth the Spirit of God in the Scriptures, lay down ſo many examples before vsus of Gods iuſtice and vengeance vppon the Angels which …ept not their firſt eſtate: 1. Cor. 10.6 11. 2. Pet. 2.4. Iude 6. Pro. 14.16.1 Cor 10:62 Pet 2:4Jude 1:6Prov 14:16VponUpon …he worlde of vngodly men, In …he dayes of Noah: VponUpon the Cit…ies of Sodome and Gomorrah, tur…ing them into aſhes: but to this …nd, that all men might feare. And this is the reaſon why the …poſtle heere doeth propounde …he iudgements of God vponupon the …orinths, for that their vnreue…nt receiuing of this ſacrament, p. 216to this ende, that all men that heare of the ſame might learne to feare, and to come more reuerently and prepared there-vntounto. And great reaſon, that the conſideration of Gods iudgements ſhoulde worke this effect in vsus: For

Reaſon. 1 Firſt, becauſe of the certainety of Gods iudgements and vengeance, which otherwiſe will not be auoyded. The Lord is euer the ſame God, iuſt, & righteous, vnchangeable in iudgment, and the ſame ſinnes doe euer procure the ſame iudgements. Did the Lord ſtrike the Corinths, ſome with feebleneſſe, ſome with ſickneſſe, and ſome with death, becauſe of their vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament, and ſhall wee thinke to eſcape? It cannot be: Their iudgements muſt p. 217we lay to heart and be warned by them

Reaſon. 2 Secondly, the conſideration of Gods iudgments ſhould make vsus come prepared vntounto this ordinance, becauſe they are inſufferable and intollerable.Heb. 12. vlt.Heb 12 Our God is a conſuming fire. If man will not turne, he wil whet his ſword, and make ready his bow, and the ſinner ſhall not eſcape. This is cleared by the Author of the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes, where he ſayth,Heb. 10.28 29.Heb 10:28 that If he that deſpiſed Moſes Law, dyed without mercy, vnderunder two or three witneſſes, Of how much ſorer puniſhment ſhall he be worthy, which treadeth vnderunder foote the Sonne of God: counteth the Bloud of the Newe Teſtament as an vnholy thing: and ſo deſpites the ſpirit of grace.

Where hee ſhewes, that Gods p. 218iudgements muſt needes be heauie vponupon ſuch as abuſe this holy ordinance, by comparing their ſinne with thoſe that deſpiſed Moſes Law.

Vſe. 1 And ſurely this may ſerue to diſcouer the wonderful hardnes of their hearts,For reprofe. that are no whit mooued with Gods iudgements vponupon others, nor thoſe fearefull threatenings that are dayly denounced againſt themſelues, nothing can terrifie them from ſinning. It fareth with ſuch, as with the Sonnes in law of Lot, when Lot ſpake vntounto them, he ſeemed vntounto them as if he had mocked. They are ready ſtill to skinne ouer the deadly woundes of their Soules with peace, peace, and ſecure themſelues againſt the iudgment to come. Poore ſoules, their damnation doth not ſleepe, the p. 219Lord will one day viſit for theſe things, and pay, and repay tribu…ation, anguiſh, and ſorrow vponupon …hem, when hee ſhall come to make good his threatnings, and …ccompliſh his iudgements vponupon them, which will prooue ſo much the more intollerable, by …ow much the leſſe they euer …eared them.

Vſe. 2 Secondly, this may ſerue to …dmoniſh vsus all in the feare of God,For inſtruction. that we doe not lightly e…eeme of Gods iudgements, ei…her executed vponupon others, or …hreatened againſt our ſelues: …ut make this vſe of them, that …hey may inforce vsus vntounto good …ueties, and binde vsus vntounto obe…ence.

I confeſſe that this ought …ot to be the principall motiue …to vsus therein: in aſmuch as the p. 220louelove of God ſhoulde conſtraine vsus, and our obedience ſhould be free and willing, and not wroung out from vsus euen as the ſeruice of a louing and dutifull childe the LoueLove of whoſe Father vntounto him, makes him moſt carefull to obey, and moſt fearefull to offend. Yet let the thoughts o… his iudgements hauehave place in vsus likewiſe, that ſo wee may learne to feare him with Dauid. My fleſh trembleth for feare of thee: and I am afraide of thy iudgements, and to obey him and to walke humbly before him in all holy obedience, in aſmuch as he is a God ſo fearefull and terrible, iuſt in hi… iudgements, and true in his word.

Men naturally are afraide o… water, Fire, Rauenous beaſts, &c oh let vsus learne to feare our God p. 221who is a conſuming fire. And will be ſure to puniſh ſinne,Heb. 12.Heb 12 and take vengeance vponupon the impenitent.

And what though the Lord do not preſently puniſh vsus haueing offended, ſhal we ſay with the wicked, Tuſh God careth not for it. Or is their any knowledge with the moſt high? oh no, let that be farre, from vsus, but know that it is his mercy to bring vsus to repentance. Which effect, if the Lords patience and long-ſuffering towards vsus, worke not in vsus, his iudgements when they come will bee ſo much the more fearefull.

Hauing now handled the doctrine in generall, from the ſcope of the holy Ghoſt in the whole verſe, we come now to the parts of it. And firſt for the perſons.

Hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthyly, &c.

p. 2221 The godly themſelues may ſometimes bee ſaide to eate and Drinke vnworthily.There are of the godly themſelues, as well as wicked men that may bee ſaid to eate and drinke vnworthily. When they ſhall come and partake of this holy ordinance of almightie God, without that godly examination & chriſtian preparation they ought to make thereunto. Neither may this ſeeme ſtrange, that euen the godly themſelues, may eate and drinke vnworthily, in aſmuch as they are not at all times alike, carefull to fit themſelues and to prepare themſelues vntounto this duty; But either the world & the buſineſſes of the ſame, hath ſo taken vp their affections, and their moſt precious time, when this preparation ought to bee made: or elſe ſome ſecret ſloath and drowſineſſe, hath crept into them, that they p. 223hauehave omitted the ſame. It was the caſe of this Church of Corinth, albeit Gods people, that many amongſt them had their failings herein,Verſe. 30. for which ſinne of theirs, the Lord did not ſpare to puniſh them, with diuers and ſundry temporall iudgments.

Now as the child of God may eate and drinke vnworthily, ſo it followes, that ſuch muſt needes eate and drinke iudgement vntounto …hemſelues. Howbeit as I ſaid be…ore, iudgement of affliction. Not …udgement of condemnation, for …here is no condemnation to them …hat are in Chriſt Ieſus. Rom. 8.1.Rom 8:1And ſo …ndeede the word foreign doth …ignifie not properly condemna…ion, but iudgement of afflicti…n, and ſo is the ſame word vſed … diuers places of Scripture, as …at of Peter, Iudgement muſt begin p. 224at the houſe of God. 1. Pet. 4.17.1 Pet 4:17That is, puniſhment and correction muſt begin with his owne children, and ſo our Apoſtle expounds the ſame in the verſes following. For this cauſe, many are ſick amongſt you: and many weake, and ſome are fallen a ſleepe. And he addeth further, that wee are Iudged of the Lord. That is puniſhed and corrected, That wee ſhould not be condemned with the world. So y^t it is not properly to bee vnderſtood, as our common tranſlation reads it of eternall condemnation, that Gods children might eate and drinke, ſo vnworthily, but rather of temporall puniſhment and correction.

Now then, ſeeing that the godly themſelues may thus eate and drinke vnworthily, and for that ſinne of theirs may prouoke the p. 225…he Lord to correct them with …emporall chaiſtſements and cor…ections as we hauehave heard. Wee …earne heere-hence, this inſtruction.

Doct. 2 That many are puniſhed tem…orally that are not condemned …ternally.Many are puniſhed temporally that are not condemned eternally. The Lord would not …uffer this ſinne in theſe beleeue…ng Corinthians to eſcape vnpu…iſhed, but layd ſundry ſharpe …orrections vppon them,Verſe 31. yet in …e midſt of iudgment, the Lord …ough vponupon mercy, they were …dged, (that is corrected) of the …ord. Num. 27.12.13.14.Num 27:12Num 27:13Num 27:14That they might not be con…mned with the world. And thus …d the Lord deale with Moſes …d Aaron; inaſmch as they had …ouoked the Lord to wrath, the …ord woulde not ſuffer them to …ter into y^e land of Canaan. The …e may bee ſaid of Vzza: that p. 216ſtaid vp the Arke, 2. Sam. 6.7.2 Sam 6:7who hauing no calling of the Lord thereunto was ſtricken of the Lord. And Ioſiah who albeit hee was a good King, and ſerued the Lord from his youth, yet the Lord gaue him into the hands of Pharaoh Necho, 2. Reg. 23.29.2 Kgs 23:29King of Egypt, who pu… him vntounto a violent death.

Num. 11.33.Num 11:33The hiſtory of the Iſraelits in their iournying towards Canaan For whoſe ſinne of murmuring the Lord did ſmite them wit… exceeding great plagues,Pſal. 90.Ps 90 eue… iudgement vponupon iudgement, vntill he had almoſt conſumed th… greateſt part of them: doth mak… this cleare. The like may be… ſaide of Manaſſes Iehoſophat, H… zechiah and the like. All whic… teſtimonies as a cloude of wi… neſſes, they all ſerue to confirm… our iudgements in the vndoub… ted p. 227truth of this doctrine: That many hauehave beene puniſhed temporally, that hauehave not periſhed euerlaſtingly. And that God will not ſpare, no not the godly them ſelues, be they neuer ſo neare or deare vntounto him; but if they will ſinne againſt him, he will viſite their tranſgreſſions with the rod, and their iniquity with ſcourges. And this did the Corinthians …ind by wofull experience, who …or wante of their preparation, …nd godly Examination before …hey came to the Lordes Table, …he Lorde did puniſh them with …ore afflictions, although they …eriſhed not eternally.

Reaſon. 1 And the Reaſon is, that all the …orld may take notice of his iu…ce, that hee is no reſpecter of …ens perſons, but is a God that …th not iniquitie, but hates al p. 228Sinne whenſoeuer, whereſoeuer, or in whomſoeuer hee findeth it. He accepteth not the perſon of Princes (ſayth Elihu),Iob. 34.19.Job 34:19 nor regardeth the rich, more then the poore, they beeing all the worke of his handes. And thus doeth the LORD declare himſelfe to bee moſt righteous, and iuſt in his iudgements and corrections for ſinne, that all men to the ende of the worlde, might learne to quak… and tremble at the committing thereof.

Reaſon. 2 Secondly, God doeth oftentimes thus chaſtice his own… Children in this world, leaſt the… ſhould bee condemned with the wi… ked, 1. Cor. 11.32.1 Cor 11:32in the world to come. Sinn… muſt bee iudged, and ſinn… muſt bee condemned. An… ſurely it is Gods mercy vntounto h… ſeruantes, that the Lorde vv… p. 229not let them ſo thriue and go on in their ſinnes, for ſo would they multiplie their iniquities againſt him, but doth correct them betimes, and labours to preuent more heauy iudgements, which by their ſinning they woulde otherwiſe draw vponupon themſelues.

Vſe 1 This ſerues then in the firſt place, to reproue the common courſe of many men in y^e world, that iudge of Gods fauour, or diſpleaſure, by outwarde proſperitie or aduerſitie: Whereas Salomon ſaith; All things happen alike to all, Eccle. 9.10.Eccl 9:10meaning all outwarde …hings, ſuch as is proſperity and …duerſity: yet many will take vp…n them to iudg & cenſure men …o bee out of the fauour of God, …ecauſe of ſome outward afflicti…n y^t lies heauy vponupon them. But …hus might theſe beleeuing Corinthians p. 230bin condemned as wicked, who notwithſtanding their temporall chaſtiſements, were not condemned with the world. Who euer had ſuch a load of afflictions, as Chriſt himſelfe had layd vponupon him? Why ſhould we conclude then, that ſuch are out of Gods fauour? No, no. Iudgement begins at Gods houſe. And if the Lord doe not correct men in this life,Note. it is a ſign that the Lord reſerues ſuch a one to the condemnation of the reſt of the worlde, and ſuch indeede hauehave iuſt cauſe to ſuſpect themſelues, that they are Baſtards, and not Sonnes, for the Lord doeth chaſtiſe them whom he loueth, and no heauier iudgement can there be vponupon any, then to thriue in ſinne, and grow vp in iniquitie, & yet to be free from correction.

p. 231Vſe 2 Secondly, the conſideration of this one thing, may bee a ſtay and a prop vntounto vsus, in time of temptation, and ſore affliction: When the waters ſeeme to hauehave gone ouer our ſoules, as Dauid complaineth: And the Lord ſhall ſeeme to vexe vsus with all his ſtormes, as Iob confeſſeth. Euen this, that …his is the portion of all the …aints. It hath euer been the con…ition of the Church. God many …imes feedeth them with the bread …f teares, Pſal. 80.5.Ps 80:5and giueth plentie of teares …o drinke. Rom. 8.38.Rom 8:38Yet there ſhall be no…hing able to ſeperate vsus from God, nor diuide vsus from his pre…ence. Let vsus then confeſſe the …and of God in all our troubles, …nd withall confeſſe our ſinnes, … the procuring cauſe of al Gods …dgements:Lam. 3.40.Lam 3:40 and amongſt the …ſt of our ſinnes, acknowledge p. 232that our want of preparation to this Sacrament hath prouoked the Lord to puniſh vsus. Little doe men thinke, that this negligence of theirs in comming vntounto this holy ordinaunce, and wante of Preparation there-vntounto, hath beene the cauſe of their ſickeneſſe, troubles, afflictions, &c. but what ſayth the Apoſtle? For this cauſe ſome are ſicke, &c. The Lord doth ſurely chaſtiſe for thi… ſin of vnworthy receiuing this ſacrament.

Again, inaſmuch as the Lord i… thus ſtirred vp to wrath againſ… his owne children, for this ſin o… vnpreparednes, to chaſtiſe them ſo ſeuerely with ſickneſſe, weakneſſe, yea and with death it ſelfe albeit they bee not condemne… for euer.

We learne by the greatnes o… p. 233the puniſhment, to conceiue of the greatneſſe of ſinne. And here hence we may learne; That is is Doct. 3 no ſmall ſinne to come vnworthily vntounto the Lords Table,It is a great ſinne to receiue vnworthily. but it is a very great & grieuous ſin, ſuch a ſin as highly prouokes the Maieſty of God to anger, and drawes Gods iudgements vponupon his owne Children, that howſoeuer he wil not for euer condemn them, yet hee will puniſh them, and correct them for comming vnworthily and eating and drinking theſe holy myſteries, not with that reuerence as they ought to doe. Theſe Corinthians were the Church of God, embraced the Goſpell, beleeued in Chriſt, yet becauſe they came vnworthi…y to the Lordes Table, not ſo fitted and prepared with that reuerence as they ought to p. 234hauehave done, Paul tels them, that for this very cauſe, and for this very ſin of vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament, the Lord ſent thoſe iudgements amongſt them.

Reaſon. The Reaſon of this poynt is cleare. It muſt needes bee an heauie ſinne, that procures ſuch a heauie puniſhment, and the greatneſſe of the ſinne may bee iudged, by the greatneſſe of the puniſhment: Becauſe the Lorde is euer iuſt in the diſtribution of his iudgements; Hee doeth not lay heauie iudgements vppon light tranſgreſſions, nor light puniſhment, where Sinne is grieuous.

Obiect. But ſome will ſay, this ſeemes hard, that for ſome neglect and negligent ouerſight in comming to the Lords Table, the Lord p. 235ſhoulde puniſh ſo ſeuerely and ſharpely.

Anſw. I anſwer as our Sauiour himſelfe ſpeaketh of his Miniſters, He that receiueth you, receiueth me, Luk. 10.16Luke 10:16and hee that refuſeth you, refuſeth mee. He that offers any wrong, to any Meſſenger, Legate, or Embaſador of a Prince, offers wronge vntounto the King that ſent him, or he that abuſeth the kings picture or coyne by clipping it, or treading it in the mire, it is …eaſon againſt the King himſelfe. Euen ſo, howſoeuer Chriſt …e in heauen, and the bread bee not tranſubſtantiated into the …ody, & the wine into the bloud …f Chriſt, as the papiſts teach. …et becauſe theſe eliments are …y Gods ordinance, ſet a part, or…ained, and ſanctified by the …ord, and prayers to bee ſignes p. 236and ſeales of the body & bloud of Ieſus Chriſt; the abuſe of them therefore redounds vntounto Chriſt himſelfe.

Vſe. 1 This condemnes the practiſe of moſt men and women, that ſeldom or neuer regard, how they come to the Lords Table, though they come in ignorance, blindeneſſe, and all manner of prophaneſſe and wickedneſſe, in their old ſinnes and abominations, and becauſe that iudgement is deferred, thinke either that they hauehave not ſinned, o… that they ſhall not bee puniſhed Oh how doe ſuch deceiue themſelues they may bee ſure that th… Lord will not ſo lightly paſſ… this ſinne ouer, but at the leaſt will bring vponupon the tranſgreſſor ſome temporal chaſtiſement an… correction to humble them, an… p. 237to bring them to ſee and acknowledge this ſinne of theirs, and ſo to Repentance for the ſame, if not, the Lord will be ſure to puniſh the ſame eternally.

Vſe. 2 Secondly, if they cannot eſcape Gods iudgments that eate and drinke vnworthily, euen the very ſeruants of God themſelues, who come in ſome weakeneſſe and infirmitie, without that due examination and godly preparation they ought to make therevnto, oh then, how ſhall ſuch eſcape Gods wrath & vengeance that contemne this Sacrament, make light account of it, and will not come at all vntounto it, that thinke it is at their owne choyce …o come or not to come, to receiue or not to receiue.Heb. 2.4.Heb 2:4 If eueryevery …in and tranſgreſſion receiue a recompence of reward. How ſhall p. 238ſuch eſcape as neglect ſo greate ſaluation.Exo. 4.24.Exod 4:24 When Moſes did but omit the Sacrament of circumcition, either of ſome negligence or careleſneſſe, or elſe as it is thought, for feare of his wife and Father in law, it was like to hauehave coſt him his life, the Lord made as though hee would hauehave ſlaine him. What puniſhment then doe ſuch deſerue, and ſhall one day draw downe vponupon their owne heads, that deſpiſe the ſubſtance, and make light account of the bloud of the couenant, Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe, who is heere crucified afreſh and offered in this Sacrament vntounto eueryevery true beleeuer.

Vſe. 3 Thirdly, ſeeing this is ſo great a ſinne to receiue vnworthily, wee learne heere that it is not inough to repent and to be greiued p. 239for groſſe and grieuous ſins, ſuch as the world cryes out of, but we muſt bee humbled for our ſecret ſinnes, infirmities, & wants. Our careleſneſſe in prayer, hearing of the word, receiuing of the Sacrament; yea wee muſt be humbled for our vnworthy comming to the Lords Table, for re…eiuing this Sacrament careleſſ…y, vnreuerently, and vnworthi…y;

And hence it is that Dauid …rayes that the Lord would par…on his ſecret ſinnes,Pſal. 19.12.Ps 19:12 and Peter …ils Simon Magus to repent,Act. 8.22.Acts 8:22 and … pray that the thoughts of his …eart might be pardoned. The …ord hath threatned a curſe to …em that doe his worke negli…ntly, ſaying,Ier. 47.10.Jer 47:10 Curſed bee hee that …th the work of the Lord negligent … And yet notwithſtanding that p. 240we hauehave all of vsus had our failings there in, where is the man that is humbled aright, and ſaith, Alas what hauehave I done? and ſeekes to to ſtay Gods wrath and to appeaſe his anger before the decree come forth,Ier. 8.6.Jer 8:6 and the Lord begins to puniſh for this ſin.

Vſe. 4 And laſt of al, ſeeing weakeneſſe, ſickneſſe, yea and death i… ſelfe with other ſharp corrections are all inflicted for ſinne and as for other open and grieuous impieties, ſo for this ſin o… vnworthie receiuing of this Sacrament. Learne we then, whe… the Lord ſends ſicknes in body diſeaſes, weakeneſſe, and want o… health, or other temporal iudgements in our bodies, goods o… names, amongſt other cauſe… let vsus impute them to bee ſe… of God for ſinne eſpecially fo… p. 241this common ſin of ours; the vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament of the Lords Supper. But alas, though y^e Lord ſend abroad his iudgements, ſicknes, diſeaſes, weakeneſſe in mens bodyes, &c, Who thinkes of ſin as the cauſe of all, eſpecially of this ſinne of vnworthy receiuing of this Sacrament: little do men thinke, y^t that is, is cauſe of all, well the Apoſtle concludeth thus: For this …auſe many are weake amongſt you …nd ſick &c: Note.And experience …eacheth, y^t the Lord vſuall doth …ot ſend more ſicknes at any one …ime all the yeare after, then at …his time of the yeare, when moſt …houlde or doe receiue this Sa…rament of the body and bloud …f Chriſt.

Thus much concerning the firſt …rt of men y^t may communicate p. 242vnworthily, euen the godly man himſelfe, for want of this godly examination and preparation therevnto: as alſo for his puniſhment.

But now, howſoeuer y^e Lord in mercy doth thus deale with his ſeruants, and for this ſin of theirs correcteth them here, that they may not periſh hereafter. It is not ſo with the wicked, their vnworthy receiuing is puniſhed after another manner, They eate and drinke their owne damnation. Tha… is amongſt all other their ſinnes this their vnworthy receiuing is not the leaſt, but the Lord doth and will impute the ſame vntounto them,2 Sorts of vnworthy receiuers are the wicked, properly ſo called. and this doth helpe to fil… vp the meaſure of their iniquities, and haſteneth their condemnation.

And now being to ſpeake o… p. 243the wicked and their puniſhment: we will labour to diſcouer the perſon of the vnworthy receiuer, and then to ſpeake of his puniſhment,

Now for the more certaine diſcouery of the perſon of the vnworthy Communicant,Vnworthy receiuers diſcouered by being compared with the worthy. and who it is that may moſt properly be ſo called, and who it is that doth thus abuſe Gods holy ordinance, and eate and drinke vntounto his own eternall condemnation; … take it to be needfull, firſt, to …hew who they bee that receiue Worthily: So ſhall wee come the …etter to diſcerne who they bee …hat receiue vnworthily. For rea…on it ſelfe doth teach vsus, that it … the readieſt manner of teach…ng one, to know which is the …rong way, by inſtructing him …ſt which is the right way, for p. 244that is but one, whereas other by-wayes are many. For whoſoeuer is not a worthy receiuer, muſt needs be an vnworthy one, whether he come too ſhort, or goe too farre.

Who receiue worthily.Now ſuch onelyonly receiue this Sacrament worthily, who both ſee and acknowledge their own vnworthineſſe.

Wherein there is firſt of all, Knowledge required,1 Such as hauehave a competent meaſure of knowledge. which is the ground of all other grace: And that is to be conſidered two wayes.

Firſt, more generally, in the knowledge of the principall poynts of Chriſtian religion.

Seuen things to be knowne of eueryevery worthy receiuer.Secondly, more particularly, in the Knowledge of this Sacrament.

Touching the firſt of theſe ſeuen particulars muſt be known p. 245of eueryevery worthy receiuer.

1Firſt, that y^e Lord hath reuealed in his Worde, what wee ought both to know, and acknowledg concerning his VVill, that all thinges therein contained are true. VVhichWhich whoſoeuer knoweth not, cannot bee in the eſtate of grace, much leſſe can bee a worthy receiuer of this Sacrament.

2Secondly, touching God himſelfe, the worthy receiuer muſt know, that there is but one God, who is of a ſpiritual nature, moſt wiſe, iuſt, mighty, and mercifull, who hath ordained all thinges, created al things, and gouerneth all things according to his owne will. And that this God hath reuealed himſelfe in three perſons, Father, Sonne, and holy Ghoſt, and that theſe three are but one God.

p. 2463Thirdly, concerning man, the worthy receiuer muſt know, that God in the beginning created man in a moſt happy eſtate, perfect in ſoule and body, after his owne Image, who by his owne diſobedience, loſt his own happines, procured Gods curſe, and made both himſelfe and poſterity ſubiect vntounto all miſery.

4Fourthly for our ſelues, wee muſt acknowledge our ſelues to bee corrupted ſeede of corrupt Parents, conceiued and borne in Sinne, and brought forth in iniquitie, whereby we deſerue Gods curſe, and euerlaſting condemnation.

5Fiftly concerning our remedy, the worthy receiuer muſt know, that neither himſelfe, nor any Creature in Heauen or Earth, could free him from that curſed p. 247eſtate, but that God the Father of his meere louelove and tender compaſſion, without any deſert of man, did ſend his owne Sonne to take our nature vponupon him, and in the ſame, to worke our redemption, and to reconcile vsus vntounto God.

6Sixtly, the worthy receiuer muſt know, that foraſmuch as his redemptiō is wrought by Chriſt, wee muſt hauehave ſome meanes to make that ours which is Chriſts, and that is onelyonly Faith, for it is Faith that apprehends and applies Chriſt and his obedience, and makes the ſame ours, as wee had wrought it our ſelues.

7And laſt of all, the worthy receiuer muſt know, that this faith …s not in our ſelues, but it is the …ree gift of God, wrought by the Spirit of God, by the Miniſterie p. 248of the word, and that God hath appoynted meanes, as for the begetting of faith, ſo for the ſtrengthening, and daily increaſe of the ſame in vsus, ſuch as are the Word, Sacraments, Prayer, &c.

Secondly, Beſides the knowledge of Chriſtian religion in generall,Rom. 10.2 Particularly in this Sacrament.Rom 10:2 there is further required in all worthy receiuers a particular knowledge of this ſacrament, the nature of it, as namely, what he doth receiue, how he doth receiue, and why he doth receiue, al which we hauehave ſpoke of in the former Sermons,

Vſe. Now then (my brethren) is this knowledg to be required in eueryevery worthy receiuer, then may we by this firſt property perceiue what an infinit number come to the Lords Table vnworthily, and in ſo doing, eat and drinke their p. 249owne damnation; for alas, how few do truly know theſe things, but are altogether ignorant of theſe maine and fundamentall poynts of Chriſtian Religion, without the knowledge wherof none can be ſaued, much leſſe receiue this Sacrament vvorthily.

This being ſo, wee ſee what great need there is for eueryevery one that will approach to the Lords Table, to labour for Knowledge, and to vſe all holy helpes and means whereby they may attain vntounto it. Leaſt for their ignorance they be iudged vnworthy receiuers, and ſo bee guiltie of this fearefull iudgement, to Eate and Drinke their owne damnation.

The next thing required to a worthy receiuing of this Sacrament2 Faith. p. 250is Faith, which cannot bee without Knowledge, but muſt follow it: For heere by Faith is meant, not onelyonly a giuing credit to all thoſe things we ſpake of before in Knowledge, but a certaine aſſurance of the heart in eueryevery Child of God, and worthy receiuer of this Sacrament, that all thoſe promiſes which God hath made vntounto his Children, pertaine vntounto him.

Now this Faith ſtandeth in two thinges, as Knowledge did.

For, the Faith that is required of the worthy receiuer, muſt take hold vponupon Chriſt, as he is offered in the Preaching of the Goſpell, and ſo of his death, obedience, and reſurrection, whereby hee comes to hauehave aſſurance that his ſinnes be forgiuen him, and hee p. 251receiued into fauour.

But beſides this, there is another degree of Faith required in this Sacrament, and that is, as Chriſt Ieſus hath and doth moſt truly offer himſelfe vntounto the true beleeuer in this Sacrament. So the worthy receiuer muſt be aſſured thereof: and accordingly takes theſe outward ſignes as ſeales and pleadges, whereby his faith becomes more & more confirmed, then by the bare promiſe made in the Goſpell.

Vſe. Whereby, againe we may ſee how many more Vnworthy receiuers there bee. Seeing that as the greateſt part wants know…edge. So of thoſe that hauehave Knowledge, the greateſt part of them wante Fayth, as …heir liues doe ſufficiently declare.

p. 2523 Repentance.The laſt propertie that I will ſtand vponupon, is Repentance, which proceedeth from a true faith, and is moſt neceſſarily required of al thoſe that worthily receiue this Sacrament. For marke I pray you, whereas in this Sacrament we be cuppled with Chriſt, and are made one with him, of neceſſity now wee muſt become New creatures, and be changed, inaſmuch as we are now knit vntounto Chriſt. And wee muſt now parte with the practice of ſinne for the practice of Godlineſſe elſe how can wee hauehave any fellowſhip with Chriſt, for to ſa… we hauehave fellowſhip with Chri… & to walke in darkeneſſe, we ly… for there can bee no agreemen… betweene light and darkeneſſ… Beeſt thou in Chriſt, declare, d… clare it, by thy walking, For th… p. 253that are Chriſts, hauehave crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts.

And ſurely this true repentance, extendeth it ſelfe very far euen to the obedience of the whole law of God. Firſt, to the hating and forſaking of al things that bee euill and forbidden in the Lawe, as alſo in the louelove and practiſing of all that which God requireth. And here-hence doe flowe all thoſe graces of God, which doe ſo adorne his Seruants, as louelove to God and his children, humilitie, meekeneſſe, patience, &c. which ſuch, as are not knit vntounto Chriſt, are ſtrangers vntounto, and altogether vnacquainted with.

Whereby, as by the former, we may ſee how many more are cut off from the number of wor…hy receiuers, euen all vngodly p. 254perſons, who though they hauehave neuer ſo much knowledge, and boaſt neuer ſo much of their faith, yet inaſmuch as there appeares not in their liues, true repentance for ſinne. Which will ſhew it ſelfe euer by the effects of it. Certaine it is that their knowledge is but braine-knowledge, not experimentall and ſanctified knowledge, and their faith they boaſt of, preſumption and not faith.

And thus as ſhortly as I could, I hauehave ſhewed what is required to worthy receiuing. Whereby it may moſt euidently appeare what it is to receiue vnworthily. For whatſoeuer is not agreeable vntounto this, muſt needes be vnworthy receiuing, and ſuch doe eate and drinke vntounto their own damnation.

p. 255Of which ſort be all thoſe that bee ignorant of theſe neceſſary poynts of chriſtian religion,Who receiue vnworthily. who come in their old ſinnes, ignorance,1 Such as are ignorant. blindneſſe, vnbeleefe, &c, Who, as they are ignorant of Gods word and will, ſo they know nothing of the doctrine of this Sacrament, but are ex…reame ignorant and blinde in …heſe holy myſteries: not know…ng the inſtitution of this Sa…rament, the matter of it, nor in …hat manner they ſhould come …nto it. Such ignorant ſoules …uſt needs come without the …edding garment, and ſo eate & …rinke their owne Damnation, vn…ſſe they repent.

Vſe. 1 Which muſt ſerue to admo…ſh all ignorant people, and …ore blind ignorant ſoules, to …e heede that they doe not ignorantly p. 256ruſh vponupon their owne deſtruction, and eate and drinke vntounto their own damnation, but labour to be inſtructed, & learne to know how they ſhould come worthily, and prepared thereunto.

Secondly, this may be noted further as a good direction vntounto the miniſters of God, how to be hauehave themſelues towards ſuc… as are ignorant, want faith, an… yet abide in their ſins. Such mu… not be admitted vntounto the Lord Table though they would thru… in themſelues thereto. An… to allowe and admit of ſuch one, for ought I can ſee, is to be made partaker of his ſinne. A… it were to put a ſword into a ma… mans hand, is to make himſel… guiltie of what hurt he ſhall do… euen ſo that Miniſter that ſha… p. 257know one to be vnworthy, and yet admit him, who can account him innocent.

Obiect. But the Miniſter hee doth not know him to be vnworthy, he is to hauehave charitie towards all.

Anſw. Nay rather, I ſay with the holy Ghoſt that y^e good ſhepheard muſt know the State of his ſheepe. And eueryevery faithfull Miniſter muſt labour to know the ſtate of his flocke, who may be admitted …nto the Lords Table, and who …ot. And therefore the Lord …equireth this at the hands of …uery good ſhepheard, that hee …trengthen the weake, Heale the …cke, Binde vp the broken, Eze. 34.Ezek 34and …ing into the way all ſuch as wan…er. None of which can he doe …nleſſe hee knowe the eſtate of is flocke.2 Such as come in vnbeleefe.

Secondly, ſuch eate and p. 258drinke vnworthily, which come in their vnbeleefe without faith in Chriſt,Rom. 14.23.Rom 14:23 which is all in all. For faith is the hand of the ſoule to lay hold on Chriſt,Heb. 11.6.Heb 11:6 the mouth of the ſoule to feede on Chriſt, and without which, whatſoeuer we doe, is ſinne.

Vſe. Which may teach all men that deſire to come to the Lords Table, firſt of all, according to the precept of the Apoſtle, to Prooue themſelues whether they be in the faith. 2. Cor. 13.52 Cor 13:5In aſmuch as it is that grace that muſt bid vsus welcome, and make both vsus and our Sacrifice accepted.

3 Such as come without repentance.Thirdly, ſuch doe eate and drinke vnworthily as come without Repentance, that is, which doe not finde their harts humbled and broken for ſinne, in whome there appeares not the p. 259worke of Sanctification and ſound Conuerſion, that are not yet made New Creatures, but liue in all Sinne. A manifeſt declaration, that ſuch are not in Chriſt.

And thus hauing diſcouered the perſon of the vnworthy Receiuer, compared with the worthy; wee will now come to propound a Doctrine or two, from the conſideration of the perſon and the puniſhment, and ſo haſten towards an end.

He that eateth and drinketh vnworthily.

Note heere, that wicked men will bee eating and drinking of theſe holy myſteries of the body and bloud of Chriſt, aſwell as others, howbeit not with the ſame fruite and effect as others. The Doctrine is cleare, that

p. 260Doct. 4 A man may Communicate, and Communicate vnworthily,A man may Communicate, and yet vnworthily. elſe what meaneth the Apoſtle heere to ſay, that He that eateth and drinketh, &c. were it not that there are ſome that eate and drinke vnworthily, and ſo draw downe iudgement vponupon their owne heads.

And as in this, ſo in all other the dueties of Gods worſhip and ſeruice, as the hearing of the Worde, Prayer, &c. a man may perfourme them, and yet not in a holy manner, as God commaunds, and therein the ſame become ſinnes vntounto them. This appears by the example of Cain, who offered Sacrifice aſwell as Abell, yet it was ſo farre from being pleaſing vntounto God,Gen. 4.Gen 4 and acceptable with the moſt higheſt, as that it added vntounto the number p. 261of Caines ſinnes. And thus did the people of the Iewes offer their Sacrifices in a great abundance,Eſa. 1.Isa 1 but the Lord tels them, that he had no pleaſure in them. This was the caſe of theſe Corinthians: Paul tels them, They came together for the worſe. And notwithſtanding they had met together at the Lords Table and partaked of this Sacrament, they had been ſo farr from pleaſing the Lord therein, as that rather, they had ſtirred him vp to wrath againſt them. VVitneſſe thoſe heauy iudgements that were inflicted vppon them, for their vnworthy receiuing. But the Reaſons that followe, will further cleare this trueth vntounto vsus.

Firſt, becauſe there are in the Church, that are not of the p. 262Church; Secrete and cloſe hypocrites hauehave euer ſhrouded themſelues vnderunder the profeſſion of the trueth, yet inaſmuch as they ioyne with the reſt of the Church in Gods ſeruice, wee are not onelyonly to embrace their fellowſhip, but to hope the beſt of their ſeruice, till the Lord ſhall at the laſt diſcouer them. Now what is that duety that a wicked man will not ioyne with Gods ſeruants in? Eſpecially in publike, ſuch as is the hearing of the Word, receiuing of the Sacrament, publike Prayer &c. And yet for all that, highly prouoke the Lord in the doing of y^e ſame. But of this before.

Reaſon. 2 Another Reaſon why a man may Communicate, and yet vnworthily, is layd downe by the Apoſtle.Heb. 11.6.Heb 11:6 All men hauehave not Faith. p. 263And therefore cannot receiue this Sacrament worthily. For without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe GOD in any particular action that wee doe. It is Faith that ſeaſons all our actions that we do in Gods ſeruice, & makes them to hauehave a gracious acceptance with the Almighty. This made the widdows mite accepted, and that cup of water, that was giuen vntounto a Diſciple, not to loſe it reward. But now, wicked men, and hypocrites that liue in the Church, albeit they heare the Word, pray, receiue the Sacrament. &c, it profits not them, becauſe their perſons are not accepted with God, they are out of Gods fauour, and vntounto them the Word is but the fauour of death vntounto death.

Vſe. 1 Seeing then that a man may p. 264Communicate, and Communicate vnworthily, how doth this diſcouer the folly of them that ſtand vponupon the worke done, and neuer looke after the manner of doing the ſame. Oh, it is the caſe of many thouſands in the worlde, that thinke they hauehave highly honoured God, if vponupon the Sabboth day they hauehave preſented their bodies before the Lord in his houſe, and there hauehave heard the word, and perhaps, for company ſake, hauehave receiued the Sacrament with the reſt. But as for the maner of performing this duty, they neuer looke after, but hand ouer head, ruſh vponupon them, and reſt ſatisfied with the doing of them. Poore ſoules, how doe ſuch deceiue themſelues. At the laſt day, I doubt not, there ſhalbe as many condemned for the ill p. 265doing of good actions, as for the doing of thoſe things as are ſimply euill. As many condemned for ill hearing,Note. as not hearing, for bad praying, as for not praying, and for vnworthy communicating, as not communicating, for vnconſcionable preaching, as for ſeldome preaching. It ſhall not auaile any to ſay, theſe and theſe thinges hauehave I done, when men hauehave not regarded how they hauehave done them.

Neither would I bee ſo vnderſtoode, as if there were no hope that God will accept of our ſeruice, vnleſſe it be abſolute in the manner of perfourming, God forbid wee ſhould ſo thinke; for then, what would become of the beſt dueties, euen of the beſt? No, better to heare in weakeneſſe, then not to heare; better p. 266to pray with infirmity, then not to pray, and to Communicate with ſome defect, then vtterly to forbeare. Better it is to limp, and creepe in the way, then not to come at al. Yet we muſt learne to make conſcience of the manner of our performing of good dueties, and bee humbled for our wants therin, leaſt the Lord reiect both vsus and them, and ſay vntounto vsus one day, when wee looke to hauehave comfort in them; Who hath required theſe thinges at your hands?

Vſe. 2 Secondly, this Doctrine may affoord vntounto vsus matter of tryall and examination of our ſelues. When Chriſt told the Diſciples one of them ſhould betray him, eueryevery one began to ſay, Maſter, is it I? They doubted the worſt that might be in themſelues, and p. 267out of a godly ielouſly make queſtion, Maſter is it I?

So my bretheren do we heare, that ſome may communicate and that vnworthily. Eateing and drinking iudgement vntounto themſelues. Let vsus doe as the Diſciples did ſay, good Lord is it …l? I hauehave now partaked of this Sacrament, as I hauehave often done hereto-fore: Is not that all; may wicked men, and Hypocrits doe the ſame? and ſuch as ſhall euer…aſtingly periſh in the end? It be…oues me to look vntounto it, that I goe beyond ſuch in the performance of this duty, leaſt I …eape their reward one day: oh his godly feare and care ought …o be in all the children of God, …hen they come to be exerciſed …bout this duty, that ſo they may …ot performe the ſame formally, p. 268as wicked men doe, but in a holy and ſanctified manner, in Faith repentance, and obedience, that ſo the ſame may bee accepable vntounto God.

Eateth and Drinketh his owne Damnation.

Doct. 5 Wee may yet further take notice of the miſerable eſtate o… wicked men. Vnworthie communicants, euen whileſt they are perfourming of this duty, of receiuing of the Lords Supper, a dutie in it ſelfe commendable, they ſinne greuiouſly, and haſte… their own iudgement,There is no ordinance of God ſo holy, but wicked men abuſe it to their owne condemnation. yet herein fill vp the meaſure of their ſinne… and haſten their finall condemnation. The Doctrine is

There is noe ordinance o… God ſo holy, but wicked me… may abuſe it to their owne condemnation.

p. 269As this Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a heauenly banquet vntounto the hungry and thirſtie ſoule, that groanes vnderunder the burthen of ſinne, and deſires to be eaſed & refreſhed. So wicked men inſtead of receiuing any ſpiriturall foode: they receiue (except the ſpeciall mercy of God preuent them,) that which will be the bane and poyſon of their Soules.Gen. 4.Gen 4 Cain ſinned not onelyonly …n ſlaying his innocent brother, …ut in offering his ſacrifice. This … cleare by y^e inditement which Chriſt brings againſt the old …orld. They Eate and Drank, Mat. 24.38.Matt 24:38Mar…ed, and were giuen in Marriage. …ll which were things lawfull in …emſelues. yet became ſinnes …nto them that liued in that …me, and tended to haſten their …eſtruction; for they onelyonly minded p. 270their pleaſure therein, thei… hearts being ſet vppon carna… luſts, they gaue themſelues wholy to ſatisfie their ſinfull deſires and ſo fell vppon thoſe things good in themſelues withou… feare, without prayer or thank… giuing vntounto God, as if they wer… no way beholden vntounto the Lor… for them. And this is furthe… cleared by y^t of Salomon, Hee tha… turneth away his eares from heare ring the Lawe, Pro. 28.9.Prov 28:9euen his prayers ſha… be abomination. The meaning i… that the very beſt duty that wicked man can performe, tha… liues in ſin and wants faith, tha… ſhoulde ſeaſon all his actions i… Gods worſhip and ſeruice, a… not better then abominatio… vntounto the Lord. And the like i… alledged by our bleſſed Sauiou… againſt thoſe filthy Sodomits tha… p. 271They bought, they ſould, Luk. 17.28.Luke 17:28they plan…ed, they builded: Things in themſelues lawfull, but now they become ſo many ſins vntounto them, inaſmuch as they abuſed them, they bought and ſold with co…etuous deſires. They builded …ot for neceſſitie ſake, but to …hewe their pride & vanitie. And thus it fares with wicked men in …his ſacrament. They cannot but …buſe it to their own perdition. And the Bread and Wine which …hey receiue, ſhal be ſo farre from being vntounto them the body and blood of Chriſt vntounto their ſalua…ion. As it ſhall rather be as the …op vntounto Iudas, a meanes in and …y y^e which ſathan ſhal enter into …uch, vntounto their condemnation.

The reaſons are cleare.

Firſt, becauſe wicked men are …gnorant how to vſe the ordinances p. 272of God aright, and ſtand vponupon the matter of them, not regarding the manner, I ſhal not neede to preſſe this reaſon farther, in regard of the affinitie i… hath with the former doctrine.

Reaſon. 2 Secondly, though ſome doe know that the manner of God… ſeruice, as the matter, is to be regarded: Yet their wils are ſ… froward, that they neuer ſ… themſelues arigh… about the du… performance of any, like tho… ſtubborne Iewes, which ſayde w… will not heare, nor obey. Nay the walke on ſtubbornely again… the Lord, and againſt his word and notwithſtanding their iudgments be often conuicted, & the themſelues therein conſtraine to conſent vntounto this truth: Y… their rebellious wils, not bein… ſanctified: leade them away from p. 273all obedience. Whoſe condemnation doth not ſleepe.

Reaſon. 3 A third reaſon may bee that of Paul to Titus, where hee doth manifeſt this truth more clearely, when he ſaith,Tit. 1.15.Titus 1:15 that To the pure …e all things pure. But vntounto the wicked is nothing pure, but euen their minds and conſciences are defiled. They are like vntounto a cold ſtomacke, that turnes the beſt foode into putrifaction, and corruption, the moſt holy things of God are defiled by ſuch, and …urne in the end vntounto their vt…er ruine and deſtruction.

Vſe. 1 This ſerues in the firſt place, …o diſcouer vntounto vsus the miſerable ſtate of wicked and vngodly …en, whoſe ſinnes increaſe day…y, not onelyonly by their open and …orrible crimes that breake out … their liues, to the great diſhonour p. 275of God. But euen in th… performance of Good duties their hearing of the word, thei… praying, receiuing of the Sacrament &c. The Lord make theſe thinges turne to the vtte… ruin and Deſtruction of wicked men. Oh then how doe wicked men increaſe their ſins dayly and multiply their iniquities, i… asmuch as their beſt duties ar… ſinfull and cal down iudgement vponupon them. And if to doe goo… things in an euill manner bee ſ… farefull a ſinne, what wil one da… become of thoſe, that hauehave don… euill things in a worſe manne… to be layd to their charge lik… wiſe▪ Let ſuch conſider this thin… well betimes, before they be p… into the reall poſſeſſion of th… iudgement, which waytes and a… tends vponupon them.

Vſe. 2 And laſt of all, let this ſerue for our inſtruction, to teach vsus to feare, and aboue all thinges, to looke that we performe holy duties in an holy manner, leaſt wee incur the iudgement that is here threatned. For if when wee hauehave beene at the Lordes Table, and hauehave receiued this Sacrament vnworthily, we had but only loſt ſo much labour, this were too much, that wee ſhould ſo much dally with God in his ordinance. But alas, that were nothing to this, to eate and drinke to damnation! If God ſhould puniſh vsus after this manner, to turne the Bread and Wine that we receiue in this Sacrament vnworthily, …nto a bodily poyſon, woulde it not make vsus to feare and tremble …ow we receiue them, were wee …o perſwaded, that for want of a p. 276godly preparation, it would bee our laſt Bread that euer wee ſhould eate, and would turne to the bane of our bodies. Oh (my brethren) the Lord hath threatned the vnworthy receiuer, not with a bodily death for this ſinne of his: but with a ſpirituall and eternall death, euen with the death both of body and Soule for euer; and ſhal not this moue vsus?

If our bowels and intrals ſhould be in danger to rot within vsus,Note. for receiuing this Sacrament vnworthily, would it no… make vsus looke about vsus? And what? ſhall we no way regard… what the Lorde hath heer… threatened, that Hee that eatet… and drinketh vnworthily, eateth an… drinketh his owne damnation. Th… were a pittifull folly. The Lor… p. 277open our eyes at the laſt, to ſee our miſery heerein, and giuegive vsus hearts truely to be humbled for our ſinne.

Hitherto of the perſons, and their puniſhment, we come now to the laſt circumſtance, and that is the ground and cauſe of the puniſhment.

Not diſcerning the Lords body.

In theſe wordes, the Apoſtle comes to lay downe the cauſe of the aforeſaide puniſhment, why men doe by their vnworthy receiuing, eate and drinke iudgement vntounto themſelues: That is, hale downe ſome iudgment or other vponupon themſelues, temporal here, or eternall hereafter: the reaſon is, Becauſe they diſcerne not the Lords body.

p. 278The meaning is, they put no difference betweene theſe Sacramental elements, and other common Bread and Wine. They doe not conſider that the Bread and Wine, now ſanctified and ſet apart for ſuch an holy vſe, differs from common Bread and Wine, as ſignifying and repreſenting vntounto vsus the body and bloud of Chriſt, and are as ſignes and ſeales to confirme vntounto vsus, all thoſe precious promiſes that God hath made vntounto vsus in his Sonne.

Queſt. Heere then it will bee firſt aſked, what it is to Diſcerne the Lords body?

Anſw. I anſwere, the originall word foreign heere vſed, ſignifieth to ſeuer ſomething, and to ſet it apart from the common vſe and accompt, and to eſteeme of it p. 279more highly and honourably then we doe of other things, and accordingly to vſe it. And ſo the ſame worde is vſed elſe-where: HaueHave compaſsion on ſome ſinners, Iude. 22.Jude 1:22and put a difference: That is, put a difference between ſuch as truly repent, and ſuch as be impenitent. So againe;1. Cor. 4.7.1 Cor 4:7 Who maketh thee foreign to differ.

So then,What it is to diſcerne the Lords body to diſcerne of the Lordes body in this place, is to diſtinguiſh that bread that is vſed in this Sacrament, as a moſt precious and bleſſed ſigne and ſeale of the body of Chriſt, from all other Creatures, and therefore to vſe it with all reuerence and due reſpect, as a thing ſet apart of God, by his owne appoyntment and inſtitution to be a ſigne and ſeale of the body and bloud of Ieſus Chriſt, and of all p. 280thoſe benefites which wee hauehave and receiue by him, and therfore that wee come not vntounto it, as wee come vntounto our common meate and drinke, but as to a holy myſtery and ſigne of a bleſſed benefite.

Doct. 6 And now in that the Apoſtle makes this, the grounde of that curſe or puniſhment, that wicked men doe draw downe vppon their owne heads, euen their own condemnation, They diſcerne not the Lords body: It is the property of an vnworthy receiuer, to put no difference betweene bread and wine in this Sacrament, and common bread and wine.that is, put no difference between thoſe elements thus ſanctified, and ſet a part for ſuch an holy vſe, from their ordinary foode: We learne, That

It is the propertie of an vnworthy receiuer, and of ſuch a one as doth eate and drinke vntounto his owne Damnation, to put no difference between Bread and p. 281Wine in this Sacrament, and common bread and common wine, but eate and deuoure the Bread and Wine, neuer looking after, or regarding to feede on Chriſt, who is therein exhibited to eueryevery true beleeuer.

Now what is this elſe, but to contemne Chriſt and his merits, and the vndeſerued louelove of God the father himſelf, who hath prepared ſuch a bountifull feaſt for vsus, when we will not ſee nor regard that foode by the which we ſhould liue for euer.

So that, againe here commeth to be conſidered the grieuouſnes of that ſinne of vnworthy receiuing, the Apoſtle cals it, a not diſcerning of the Lords body: and here by doth not leſſen the fault, but rather teacheth vsus, y^t this light eſteeme, and ſlight regard that p. 282moſt men hauehave of this ſo holy and ſacred an ordinaunce, howſoeuer men make light account of it, and the grace that is therein offered. Yet it is ſuch a Sinne, as grieuouſly offendes the Maieſtie of God, and pulleth downe vponupon men his fearefull wrath.

If the King ſhould paſſe by vsus, and wee knowe him not, how coulde wee doe him that reuerence wee ought, inaſmuch as wee could nor diſcerne him, nor know his perſon. Euen thus fareth it with men in this Sacrament, albeeit the Lorde bee nigh vntounto his ſeruants that come in a holy manner there-vntounto, in Faith, Repentance, and true Obedience; And that ſuch feede vponupon Chriſt to their endles comfort. Yet it is not ſo with the p. 283wicked, the reaſon is, they Diſcerne not the Lords body. They cannot ſee nor perceiue any difference at all betwixt this bread, and their ordinary foode, they want the eye of faith to diſcerne Chriſt, who is ſpiritually diſcerned. And hence is it that they in ſtead of reaping comfort and benefit by this his ordinance, doe rather diſhonour God, contemne Chriſt and his merits, and draw downe vppon their owne heads ſwifte damnation.

Vſe. 1 Now then, if all thoſe that bee not able to Diſcerne of the Lords body. Receiue vnworthily, and eate and drinke their owne damnation, this ſhewes in what a lamentable and fearefull eſtate many thouſands in the world be at this day; For aske them what they receiue in this Sacrament, p. 284they make you a maruellous ſilly and ignorant anſwer. They receiue their Maker. A bit of bread and a little wine, and the like. By which ignorant and prophane ſpeeches of theirs, they ſhew that they diſcerne not the Lords body. But eate and drinke vntounto their owne perdition.

Vſe. 2 Secondly, let this ſerue for our inſtruction, that as we deſire to receiue this Sacrament worthily, and ſo as wee may finde true peace & comfort vntounto out ſoules, let vsus labour to be rightly inſtructed in the doctrine of it that ſo wee may bee able to Diſcerne the Lords body. And to apprehend what rich treaſures are offered vntounto eueryevery true beleeue… herein, euen Chriſt with all his merits, and not a peece of Bread as many fondly imagine. And p. 285that theſe elements being ſet a part by God himſelfe, and ſanctified vntounto vsus by the worde and prayer, are now become vntounto vsus, ſignes and ſeales of the body and bloud of Chriſt, and of thoſe benefits that come vntounto vsus by his paſſion, and ſo bee able to put a difference betweene them and common bread, and common wine.

Firſt, becauſe they are ſet apart by God to a ſpeciall vſe, not ſo much to feede the body, as to Nouriſh and refreſh the ſoule.

Secondly, becauſe being now ſanctified, they ſerue to be Sacraments, ſignes and ſeales of heauenly things, and ſpirituall myſteries: euen of the body and bloud of Ieſus Chriſt, and all thoſe ſingular benefits that come vntounto vsus by the ſame.

p. 286And thus much for the Apoſtles Reaſon in this 29. verſe. To inforce his former duty of preparation. ⸪

Let vsus pray.