Ten Sermons for the Worthy Receiving of the Lords Supper, Sermon 4
The fourth Sermon of the Lords Supper.
2. CHRON. 30.19. &c.
Verſe 18. The good Lord bee mercifull toward him.
19 That Prepareth his whole heart to ſeeke the Lord God of his fathers, though hee bee not clenſed according to the purification of the Sanctuarie.
20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the people.
IN the former part of this Chapter, is declared, how King Hezekiah, in a zeale of Gods glorie, and louelove vntounto his people, made a proclamation throughout all Iſrael, from Beerſheba euen vntounto Dan, that they ſhould come to keepe the Paſſeouer to the Lord God of Iſrael, at Ieruſalem: for they had not done it for a great time, in that manner as God required, becauſe of that Idolatrie which had ouerſpred the Land. For this purpoſe, Hezekiah and his Princes ſent poſtes with letters throughout all Iſrael and Iudah, euen to the ten Tribes alſo, that were full of ſinne and miſerie, to admoniſh them to turne againe vntounto the Lord their God, that hee might returne vntounto them: and not to be ſtif-necked, but to humble themſelues to ſerue the Lord, that his wrath might bee turned away from them. But when the meſſengers came, a great ſort of the Iſraelites laught them to ſcorne, and mocked them: they were ſo inured vntounto ſinne, and infected with Idolatrie, that they ſet light by, nay vtterly contemned all the wholeſome and holy exhortations of that worthy King, and his nobles.
Yet ſome of them whoſe hearts God touched, euen diuers out of the Tribes of Aſher and Mamaſſeh, and Zebulun, came to Ieruſalem: and the hand of God was in Iudah, ſo that he gaue them one heart to doe the commandement of the King, and of the Rulers: inſomuch that there aſſembled vntounto Ieruſalem much people to keepe the feaſt of vnleauened bread.
But by reaſon of the ſhort warning that they had, a multitude of the people of Ephraim, and Manaſſeh, Iſſachar, and Zebulun had not clenſed themſelues according to the Law in that behoofe prouided, Exod. 12. and Numb. 9. and therefore were in danger to bee cut off. Leui. 7.20.
In this regard they were in great diſtreſſe, and in a ſore ſtrait, yet they thought it better to receiue the Sacrament, though they failed in ſome circumſtances of their preparation, then to omit it vntill the next yeare, hauing wanted it ſo long before, whereupon they aduentured to eate the Paſſouer; which being ended, Hezekiah, in feare of Gods diſpleaſure, and in commiſſeration of the people that ſtood in danger of Gods plagues and puniſhments, falleth to praier for them, and is inſtant with the Lord in their behalfe: hee ſaw their great deſire to bee made partakers of it: the paines that they had taken to come vntounto Ieruſalem for that verie purpoſe; and perceiued a ſtrange hand of God in inclining their hearts ſo far, and thereby was hee incouraged to become a mediator as, it were, betwixt God and them: and thus he prayed vntounto God for them. The good Lord bee mercifull toward him, that prepareth his whole hart to ſeek the Lord God of his fathers. And the word that is tranſlated [be mercifull] ſignifieth thus much in effect, as if he had ſaid, the good Lord pardon and ſupply that which is wanting in him that prepareth his whole heart. And now they wanted not ſo much willingneſſe, as time to prepate themſelues, and therefore he praieth the Lord to bee fauourable vntounto them. And that he might hauehave more aſſurance that his praier ſhould bee effectuall, he buildeth it vponupon ſtrong and ſound reaſons, taken,
1 Firſt, from the nature of God, implied in the word [good:] verſe 18.which goodnes of his, is neuer ſeene ſo much as in ſhewing merciemercy to them that are in diſtreſſe. As if he ſhould hauehave ſaide: Lord, thou art good in thy ſelfe, and good vntounto thy people, and heere are ſuch as ſtand in great need of thy goodnes, and therefore be mercifull and gracious vntounto them.
2 Secondlie, from the name of God [Iehonah] implying his conſtancie and vnchangeablenes in himſelfe, and in his louelove, and the fruits thereof towards his ſeruants. Hezekiah knew that he had beene mercifull vntounto as great ſinners as they were in former times, and that he was the ſame God ſtill, and therefore hee intreateth to manifeſt ſo much, in paſſing by the frailties of theſe communicants. Verſe 19
3 A third reaſon is taken from the Couenant, that hee is [the God of their Fathers] by reaſon whereof he was bound vntounto them, and their children; ſo that hee could not denie them any thing that they ſhould aske in faith. Theſe arguments are drawne from God. Verſe 19
Another argument there is taken from them, that they ſought the Lord, &c. which ſeeking of theirs, is ſet out by the manner of it, that they prepared their whole heart to ſeeke him: not as if their hearts were ſo free from ſinne, or ſo ful of grace as they ſhould hauehave been; but that they were true, & plaine, & ſincere: not ſuch as had no ſinne (for it is ſaid they were not clenſed according to the Purification of the Sanctuarie) but that did louelove no ſin: not ſuch harts as wanted no grace, or preparation for Gods ordinance: but ſuch as were humbled for the want of grace, and of that preparation that they ſhould hauehave made.
This was his praier, with the reaſons of it: the effect followeth. Verſe. 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah; that is, ſo heard him, as that hee accepted and performed his requeſt: for it is ſaid, he healed the people: that is, gaue them that which God doth offer vntounto his people in the Sacrament: they receiued the ſeale of the couenant, and he made good the Couenant vntounto them, as ſhall be ſhewed afterwards, more plainlie and particularlie in the ſeuerall branches thereof.
The ſumme then of theſe words is: the godly care of Hezekiah for thoſe that came in part vnprepared vntounto the Paſſeouer. And here we may conſider:
1 What he did, he prayed for them: where we may note,
1. The ſubſtance of his praier, to wit, that God of his rich merciemercy would ſupply all their wants.
2. The perſons for whome he praieth: who are deſcribed,
1 By their ſinceritie, that they were ſuch as feared God, and ſought him with their whole heart.
2 By their infirmitie, that they wanted the legall clenſing.
2 The effect that followed vponupon his praier, which was two-folde.
God. 1 Heard his praier.
God. 2 Healed the people.
Verſ. 19. [The good Lord be mereifull.] Doct. 1 In that Hezekiah being appointed by God to be a gouernor, Praier to be ioyned with inſtruction.taketh this courſe of ſeeking to the Lord for his people, we may from his example learne this Doctrine: that it is the dutie of all gouernors and ſuperiours, not only to teach them that belong vntounto their charge, and depend any way vponupon them; but likewiſe to pray for them.
Good Rulers muſt not onelyonly informe thoſe that are vnderunder them, what they muſt doe, and ſtir them vp to good duties, by wholeſome inſtructions: but they muſt alſo become ſuiters to the Lord for them, that hee would frame their hearts to do as they are taught; and to pardon them where they come ſhort.
It was well done of Hezekiah, to ſend abroad meſſengers to call the Iſraelites to the worſhip of God: But this he knew was not inough, and therefore hee beſeecheth the good Lord to ſhew himſelfe fauourable vntounto them. Thus alſo dealt Dauid (another King, Pſal. 51.18.placed ouer Gods inheritance) Bee fauourable vntounto Zion for thy good pleaſure, (ſaith hee) builde the wales of Ieruſalem. And ſo did Moſes that worthy gouernour of the Lords people: not contenting himſelfe to bee often teaching and inſtructing them whom hee had the charge of; but euer and anon praying for them as occaſion was offered, that God would releeue them when they were in wants: that hee would defend them, when they were ſet vponupon by enemies: that he would pardon them, when they had kindled his wrath againſt them, &c. The like is noted of Iob, how carefull hee was for his children, euen when they were, in a ſort, from vnderunder his ſhadow, and had houſes of their owne to dwell in: for it is ſaid, Iob 1.4.5.that his ſonnes went and banqueted in their houſes, eueryevery one his day, &c. and when the daies of their banqueting were gone about, Iob ſent, and ſanctified them: and roſe vp earely in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Iob thought, it may bee that my ſonnes hauehave ſinned, and blaſphemed God in their hearts: thus did Iob eueryevery day. Heere wee muſt vnderſtand, when it is ſaid that hee offered ſacrifices for them, that hee praied for them alſo; (for thoſe two, ſacrificing, and praying, euer went together) that God would pardon them al their ſinnes which they had committed, while they were at their feaſting merry together: at which times, many faults eſcape young people, which they take little notice of: but Iob conſidered thorowly of them, and was euer mindefull and carefull to vſe the meanes of God for the remitting, and purging away of the ſame: that his childrens ſoules might not bee infected, nor Gods anger prouoked thereby. A rare example, worthy the imitation of all godly parents, Note. yet imitated but of avery few: for how ſmall is the number of them that are thus iealous, and fearefull of themſelues? and if they faile of this godly care for their own ſoules, how can they be iealous, with a godly iealouſie, of the ſoules of thoſe whom God hath committed vntounto their charge? Now the reaſons why we muſt bee as ready to ſpeake to God in praier, as to them in precepts, are theſe:
1 Firſt, Reaſons. becauſe God commandeth vsus to pray one for another. Now if thoſe that are not tyed vntounto vsus by any neere bonds, Iam. 5.16. Gods command.are to be recommended vntounto God in our praiers; much more thoſe whom God hath more eſpecially vnited vntounto vsus either by nature, or by dutie & ſeruice, on their part to be performed vntounto vsus. Yea, Chriſt Ieſus ſtraitly commandeth vsus to pray for our enemies. Mat. 5.44.Now if that be a bounden dutie; how much more is it to pray for our friends; eſpecially if withall they bee Gods friends? ſeeing they by our praiers may bee much helped, and without them much endangered.
The Prophet Samuel vnderſtood that this was a dutie, when hee accounted the neglect hereof to bee a ſinne againſt God, as in that booke it appeareth that hee did: for when the people were frighted and humbled, both by the words of Samuel, and by the myraculous work of God, in ſending extraordinarie thunder and raine in the time of wheate harueſt, and thereupon came vntounto Samuel, ſaying, 1. Sam 12.19.Pray for thy ſeruants vntounto the Lord thy God, that wee die not: his anſwer was, God forbid, that I ſhould ſinne againſt the Lord, verſe 29.and ceaſe praying for you.
A ſecond reaſon is, becauſe except they ioine petitions vntounto God, with inſtructions vntounto them, No bleſſing to be expected without praier. 1. Cor. 3.6.7.they can looke for no bleſſing vponupon the good leſſons they giuegive vntounto them. All planting and watering is in vaine, except God giuegive the increaſe: and if wee would hauehave any increaſe, it's good reaſon we ſhould ſeeke it at his hand by praier. Therefore both of them muſt bee ioyned together: wee muſt doe the beſt wee can, and then ſay as Noah did, Gen. 9.27.Lord perſwade Iaphet to dwell in the Tents of Sem. Except the Lord did perſwade the heart, as well as Noah did the eare, hee knew all that he could doe was but loſt labour.
Thirdly, vnleſſe they pray for a bleſſing, No thankfulneſſe, vnleſſe that hauehave gone before.they can neuer be ſo thankefull for any good that is wrought vponupon ſuch as are vnderunder them. They hauehave had no hand in pulling downe Gods hand vponupon them, and therefore they hauehave no heart to giuegive him praiſe for the ſame: but when any gouernour or ſuperiour hath had a ſtrong hand in drawing downe the mercies of God vponupon any that depend vponupon him, and ſeeth the good effect of his praiers, and of his teares, this cannot but make him glorifie and magnifie the Lords goodneſſe, for hearing, and granting their requeſts, in remoouing euill things, or beſtowing good things vponupon ſuch as are vnderunder their iuriſdiction.
This ſerueth for the reproofe of thoſe, Vſe. that thinke they hauehave done as much as they need, For Superiours.& ſufficienly diſcharged their conſciences, if they hauehave called their children, and ſeruants, & whole familie to the word and Sacrament, and to be examined before they receiue the ſame: though in the meane while they neuer call on the name of the Lord to bleſſe them, and the meanes; and to bee good and gratious vntounto them where they failed in preparing themſelues. When Iacob was to ſend his ſonnes into Aegypt to buy food of Ioſeph, he praied inſtantly that God would vouchſafe to be with them, to giuegive them proſperous and good ſucceſſe in the buſineſſe they went about. God almightie giuegive you mercy (ſaith hee) in the ſight of the man. Gen. 43.14.Now if he thought it his dutie to pray for them, when they were to come before Ioſeph, which was but an vnderunder-gouernour in Aegypt: how much more ſhould wee count it our dutie to pray for ſuch as belong vntounto our charge, when they are to come before the whole Trinitie; euen before that God, that is the ſoueraigne Lord and King of heauen and earth, full of glorie, and full of maieſtie: how much more (I ſay) ſhould wee deſire, that they might finde fauour in his eies? eſpecially conſidering that Iacobs ſonnes went but for the food of their bodies, which they might either hauehave, or want without any extraordinarie hurt vntounto themſelues: whereas thoſe that are to be partakers of Gods ordinances, are to be ſuters vntounto him for the food of their ſoules, and ſo bee euerlaſtingly ſaued, if they can obtaine it; or elſe take their bane, and bee liable to Gods heauie diſpleaſure, and in danger of iudgement inward and outward, in bodie and ſoule, not onelyonly in their life time, but for euer after, if they repent not for their diſorderly, and contemptuous approching vntounto him in his holy ſeruices? ſo that there is much more reaſon, wee ſee, that gouernours ſhould bee earneſt with the Lord for thoſe that are vnderunder their rooffe, then there was for Iacob then to be earneſt for his ſons: and therefore let all thoſe bee humbled and reformed, that hauehave beene ſlacke and negligent in the performance of this dutie.
Secondly, Vſe 2 let inferiours heere bee admoniſhed, that, as gouernours are to ſue vntounto the Lord in their behalfe (the huſband for the wife, For Inferiours.parents for their children, maſters, and miſtreſſes for their ſeruants:) ſo they on the other ſide, are to bee gentle, and humble, and tractable, that their ſuperiours may hauehave good incouragment, and good ſucceſſe in the ſupplications that they make for them. Wee doe not read that Hezekiah at any other time dealt ſo earneſtly with God in the cauſe of the people, as at this time hee did: and what mooued him to be ſo importunate now? euen this, that hee ſaw they had hearkened vntounto his perſwaſion, and taken great paines to come to Ieruſalem from all quarters of the Land: and being there, hee perceiued that they had ſome ſorrow and remorſe for their former impietie, and ſome deſire to become better for the time to come: now when hee diſcerned that they came on ſo faſt, and that they were halfe healed already, hee bendeth all the force and ſtrength of his praiers for the obtaining of mercy and fauour for them, and ſo found that good effect that hee deſired and expected. And that was it, that made Dauid ſo plentifully and feelingly to poure out his heart before the Lord in praier, and in thankeſgiuing: for when the Princes and the people had offered very largely, and very willingly, Dauid reioyced with great ioy, and bleſſed; 1. Chron. 29.9.10.14.18.and praiſed the Lord before all the congregation, ſaying, Bleſſed bee thou, O Lord God of Iſrael our father, for euer and euer, &c. Who am I, and who are my people, that wee ſhould offer willingly? &c. O Lord God, keepe this for euer in the purpoſes and thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their hearts vntounto thee. Thus may wee obſerue now the good affections and deſires of the people doe ſtire vp and ſtrengthen the hearts of their Rulers to pray for them: whereas on the contrarie, nothing doth ſo kill the hearts, and diſcourage the ſpirits of Gods ſeruants from praier, as when they ſee thoſe that are vnderunder them, to bee wilfull, and heady, froward, and rebellious, and vtterly voide of any good diſpoſition vntounto pietie, and religious exerciſes. They ſcarſe dare ſpeake a good word for them, vnleſſe it bee that God would humble them, and conuert them: they cannot pray as Hezekiah here doth, The good Lord bee mercifull vntounto him, that prepareth his whole heart to ſeeke the Lord, &c. but the good Lord giuegive them hearts to prepare themſelues, and take away the ſtony, and vnbeleeuing, and carnall hearts out of their bodies. Note. And indeed many times it is a iuſt iugement of God vponupon ſuch wretched perſons, that his children ſhould hauehave no heart to pray for them, becauſe (as it is ſaid of Elies ſonnes) God hath a purpoſe to deſtroy them, or at leaſt grieuouſly to afflict them. And therfore little doe theſe ſtubborne and obſtinate children and ſeruants know, what iniurie they doe vntounto themſelues, by entering into, and continuing in their ſinfull courſes: for they thereby not onelyonly prouoke Gods heauie diſpleaſure againſt them, which is a burden importable; but alſo hinder, and it may bee, vtterly cut off the praiers of thoſe, that would otherwiſe crie vntounto God night and day, for the obtaining of his fauour, and the procuring of the light of his countenance to ſhine vponupon them. Thus much for the firſt point.
Now further marke who they bee that hee praieth for: not prophane or careleſſe perſons, but for thoſe that prepared their whole heart to ſeek the Lord &c. that is, which laboured with a true & ſincere heart to be partakers of the merciemercy and goodnes of God, which he made offer of in his holie ordinances. In that Hezekiah neither doth, nor dares pray for a bleſſing vponupon any, but vponupon ſuch as were true-hearted; The Doctrine is: that,
Whoſoeuer would hauehave any merciemercy from God in the Sacrament, Doctr. 2 Sincerity requiſite in all communicants.muſt come with a ſincere and vpright heart thereunto. That howſoeuer hee cannot put away all ſinne, (for who can ſay his heart is cleane?) yet hee may, and muſt put away the liking of all ſinne, and the purpoſe of ſinning.
So far as any man hath a louelove vntounto iniquity, and an intent of committing iniquitie, he is tainted with hypocriſie, and doth pollute and defile eueryevery good thing that he medleth withall, and ſo can hauehave no benefit, but much hurt therefrom.
If then wee would hauehave God to meete vsus in mercy, we muſt meete him in ſincerity: and if wee would hauehave him to come vntounto vsus in goodneſſe, wee muſt draw neere vntounto him in vprightneſſe. Agreeable to this point is, that exhortation to the Hebrewes, Let vsus draw neere with a true heart, in aſſurance of faith, Heb. 10.22.ſprinkled in our hearts from an euill conſcience, and waſhed in our bodies with pure water. As if hee ſhould hauehave ſaid; except you come fitted and prepared with a heart voide of guile and deceit, as good not come at all: For God will bee ſo far from giuing countenance, or comfort vntounto ſuch, that hee will aſſuredly plague them for their fraud and falſhood that they hauehave vſed with him. This wee may plainely ſee in that which befel the ill grounds: there are three ſorts of them mentioned, (all profeſſors) that came to the word of life, and yet had no benefit by it: and therefore by a neceſſarie conſequent, Note. they could reape as little fruit by the Sacrament. For the word muſt giuegive life and ſtrength, before the Sacrament can nouriſh and increaſe the ſame. What was the reaſon why they profited not? becauſe they came not with a good and honeſt heart, Luke 8.15.as the fourth ſort of hearers did, who receiued inſtruction, and comfort, and the power of godlineſſe, by the conſcionable hearing of the word. But what is that good and honeſt heart which they are commended for? it is a heart, that doth fullie purpoſe to doe well, though it faile much in that which it performeth: that reſolueth before hand to auoide the euill that ſhall bee reproued, and to doe the good duties that ſhall bee commanded, and to beleeue and reſt vponupon the promiſes that ſhall be pronounced, as farre as God ſhall giuegive abilitie, &c. Now whereſoeuer there is ſuch a ready inclination vntounto goodneſſe, there will be a bringing foorth of fruit; though not in all alike, yet eueryevery one will doe ſomewhat: and God will acknowledge them for good ground, and honeſt-hearted Chriſtians, that yeeld him but thirtie fold, as well as thoſe that yeeld him ſixtie fold, or an hundred fold: for a leſſe meaſure of fruitfulnes, is an argument of truth, as well as a greater meaſure, and therefore ſhall bee reſpected and rewarded: but as for thoſe that hauehave naughtie and deceitfull hearts, they ſhall goe away, as bad, or worſe then they came: and whatſoeuer faire colours they ſet vponupon their profeſſion for a time, yet ſooner or latter their hollowneſſe ſhall appeare to their ſhame and puniſhment.
Now the reaſons that make for the confirmation of this doctrine, That if we would finde acceptance with God, we muſt bring ſinceritie with vsus: are theſe,
Firſt, without this, wee can hauehave neither remiſſion, Reaſons. 1 nor ſanctification: and therefore are ſo farre from hauing intereſt in Gods mercies through Chriſt his merits, Without vprightneſſe there is no remouall of ſin. Pſal. 32.1.2.3.that wee are liable to his wrath, and lie open to the ſtroks of his reuenging hand. None are pardoned, and bleſſed, but thoſe in whoſe ſpirit there is no guile.
Secondly, except there bee vprightneſſe, wee can hauehave no hope of good ſucceſſe in any ſeruice of God that wee take in hand, Iohn 9 31. Pſalm. 66.18.there being no promiſe made vntounto vsus: for as God heareth not ſinners in praier, ſo he doth not helpe ſinners by the word or Sacrament.
This is for the terror of thoſe, Vſe 1 that when they come to the Lords Table, Againſt vnprepared receiuers.neuer examine themſelues, nor looke into the ſtate of their ſoules: at moſt they come but with a Phariſaicall waſhing of the outſide of the cup, and of the platter. As if there hauehave beene brawles betweene man and man, there ſhall bee ſome idle and formall reconciliation: they will be friends, and forgiue one another, before they receiue the communion; but if there be any difference betwixt God and them, they neuer looke to the inward parts: ſuch can expect no bleſſing vponupon their comming, but may iuſtly feare ſome greeuous iudgement, becauſe their hearts are vnſound and vnfaithfull before the Lord.
Secondly ſith none hauehave any praier made for them, but ſuch as bring with them to the Lords houſe a ſingle & ſincere heart, therefore if we would hauehave benefit by any of the meanes of ſaluation, let vsus be ſure, that though we bee burdened with many corruptions, yet wee ſeeke the Lord with an vnfaigned deſire of profiting by his ordinances. Now that wee may not deceiue our ſolues, but may ſatisfie our conſciences in full aſſurance that our hearts are right towards God, A triall of an vpright heart.let vsus take this direction following:
Firſt, vſe diligently to finde out (as by ſearching wee may) our ſpeciall ſinnes: Renouncing of ſinne. Iam. 4.8.9.greiue heartely for them: and put them aaway by true repentance. So ſaith Iames, Purge your hearts yee hypocrites: but what muſt bee the purgation and receit which they muſt take? [ſorrow and weepe.] That man or woman that hath neuer done ſo, is not onelyonly ſtained with hypocriſie, but is a ſinfull hypocrite. All men by nature are full of deceit and guile: and till they ſit as Iudges vponupon their owne ſoules, they cannot bee clenſed from the ſame: but when they hauehave once throughly ſifted themſelues, and by godly ſorrow laboured to purge their conſciences, as neere as poſſibly they can, from all ſecret ſinnes, then though they cannot ſay, I hauehave no ſinne, yet they may boldly ſay, I allow no ſinne: and therefore I am aſſured that I am no diſſembler: and that Gods iudgments ſhal neuer light on me becauſe I hauehave preuented the ſame by abandoning thoſe corruptions which might procure his wrath and diſpleaſure againſt me.
Secondly, let vsus vſe the meanes whereby our hearts may be made pure and vndefiled, namely, the word, Sacrament, Vſing the meanes. Ier. 4.4.and praier: for though wee mourne neuer ſo much, that is but as it were a plowing of our hearts: Note. if there bee not good ſeede alſo ſowen thereupon, we cannot expect any crop of grace: all the ſorrow and affliction in the world, without that, can doe vsus no good, but rather much hurt: therefore it is ſet downe in the text, as a note of a true heart, in thoſe Iſraelites that came to receiue the Paſſouer, That they did ſeeke the Lord God of their Fathers, in that meanes which hee had ordained for the helping, and healing of them: wherein, if we can imitate them, we ſhall ſpeed as they did, all our breaches ſhall be made vp, and al our deadly diſeaſes ſhall be by degrees healed, and at length fully and perfectly cured. Thirdly, we muſt not onelyonly hauehave recourſe vntounto Gods ordinances, but ſet downe our reckoning before hand, Expectation of a bleſſing.that we ſhall aſſuredly finde the efficacy and powerfull operation thereof: and that God will not mocke and delude vsus with vaine hopes; but looke what promiſe he hath made in his word, hee will accordingly make good the ſame: and not one word ſhall fall to the ground, of all the good thinges that he hath couenated to beſtow vponupon vsus. And therefore (as wee are exhorted in the former place to the Hebrewes) Wee muſt draw neere in aſſurance of faith, Reuel. 3.18.and then according to our faith it ſhall be vntounto vsus. And the like wee hauehave in the Reuelation: I counſell thee (ſaith Chriſt to the luke-warme Laodiceans) to buy of me Golde tryed by the fire, &c. teaching vsus heereby, that wee muſt highly eſteeme, and hartily deſire the holy thinges of God, and be at coſt to part with our corruptions, and make account that we ſhal not be diſappointed when we come thus affected vntounto Chriſt Ieſus. And then he will enrich vsus, that before were poore; and cloath vsus that before were naked; and enlighten our eyes that before were altogether ſhut vp in blindneſſe and ignorance.
Thirdly, Vſe 3 heere is matter of conſolation for them that can approue the ſincerity of their hearts by the forenamed trials. Who before they dare preſent themſelues at the Lords table, or preſume to aske any comfort from Ieſus Chriſt, doe firſt afflict themſelues: and before they intreat the Lord to bind them vp, doe firſt ſeeke to breake their owne hearts by inward remorſe and contrition for all their offences; and yet content not themſelues thus to breake vp the fallow ground of their hearts, but come vntounto the Lord, as hee commandeth them, to beſeech him to ſow his precious ſeede vponupon them; and doe reſt and relie on him for the doing of it. Let ſuch be of good comfort: for vndoubtedly the Lord will not ſend them emptie away: their labour ſhall not bee loſt, nor their hope be diſappointed; but they ſhall certainly hauehave good ſucceſſe according to their expectation. 1. Becauſe they hauehave done what they could for their part. 2. Hezekiahs praier ſtandeth in as good force yet ſtill, as it did at that time when it was made: and the ſame in effect is continually offered vp vntounto God by many of his elect, for ſuch as are ſo humbled and fitted for that worke: yea, and Chriſt Ieſus alſo in his owne perſon hath ſanctified and bleſſed that Sacrament, to all beleeuers that ſhall worthily partake of it vntounto the end of the world: and therefore comming thus affected and prepared, they cannot miſſe of the promiſed bleſſing.
[Though hee bee not clenſed according to the purification of the Sanctuary.] In theſe words hee preuenteth that feare and doubt of good ſucceſſe, that might ariſe in their hearts for want of preparation: for the Law was, that no vncleane perſon ſhould hauehave anything to doe with the Paſſeouer: now diuers of them were in their vncleanneſſe, becauſe they had not time to purge themſelues according to the legall rites: therefore Hezekiah here ſeeketh to help the matter, and in effect he ſaith thus: I confeſſe Lord, there are diuers ceremoniall circumſtances wanting in our preparation to the Sacrament: but ſo the caſe ſtood with vsus, that wee knew not how poſſibly to helpe it, and therefore Lord be mercifull vntounto vsus in that regard. In that he prateth thus for thē, albeit they had ſo failed in want of due preparation, that they might iuſtlie hauehave been cut off from Gods people, if they had had time to hauehave done better, and had not this beene an extraordinary caſe: the Doctrine hence ariſing, is this: that,
So long as wee labour to keepe the ſubſtance of Gods worſhip, though wee faile in ſome circumſtances thereof, Doct. 3 Failing in circumſtances of Gods ſeruice hinders not the bleſſing. Iam. 5.11.hee will be mercifull vntounto vsus.
If wee embrace the ſubſtance thereof willingly, and faile in the circumſtances vnwillingly, God will neuer lay it to our charge. Examples will prooue this more fully vntounto vsus. Yee hauehave heard of the patience of Iob, (ſaith the Apoſtle Iames) and yee know what end God made with him. Now if wee read ouer the booke of Iob, wee ſhall find, that there was in him a great deale of paſſion and diſtemper: and that hee held out but very weakely in a great part of the conflict: as when he curſed the day of his birth, & conceiued hardly of the Lord, and was readie to diſpute and reaſon the matter with him: ſhewing much vnwillingneſſe to ſubmit himſelfe to thoſe ſtrokes which God had laid vponupon him: for which he was iuſtlie reproued both by Elihu and alſo by the Lords own mouth: yet becauſe he held out in the ſubſtance of godlines, in the middeſt of all his woes and miſeries, and at the beginning thereof, humbled himſelfe, ſaying, Naked came I out of my mothers wombe, Iob. 1.21.and naked ſhall I returne thither: the Lord hath giuen, and the Lord hath taken it: bleſſed bee the name of the Lord: as alſo afterward he vſed many good and holy ſpeeches concerning his owne ill deſerts, and the righteouſneſſe of Gods proceeding, if hee ſhould deale in extremitie of iuſtice with him: and in the end acknowledged his fault and deſired to lay his hand vponupon his mouth: becauſe (I ſay) theſe good things were found in him, God paſſeth by his infirmities, and taketh notice of his patience, with high commendation thereof: Setting him forth as a patterne moſt worthy our imitation, when wee are preſſed downe with the weight of aduerſity, as hee was. For the Lord in his wiſdome conſidered, that it was not through any ſtubbornneſſe, or rebellious diſpoſition that hee brake out in that manner: but through the violence of his affliction, and temptations, and thorugh the ignorance and indiſcreete cariage of his friends, who dealt very vncharitably, and vnmercifully with him. In like manner is Rahab commended, as one that by reaſon of her faith and workes periſhed not with them which obeyed not, Heb. 11.31. Iames 2.25.when ſhee had receiued the ſpies peaceably. Yet if wee looke into the ſtory, we ſhall eaſily diſcerne a great deale of infirmitie in that very worke of louelove & mercy, by which, ſhe got the teſtimony of ſuch a notable faith: for ſhe bewraied much vnbeliefe inmaking a lie to preſerue the ſpies in ſafetie. Then came men vntounto mee (ſaies ſhee) but I wiſt not whence they were: Io… …2.4.5.And when they ſhut the gate in the darke, the men went out, whither they went, I wote not: follow after them quickly, for you ſhall ouertake them. EueryEvery word ſhee here ſpake, was falſe, and ſauoured of much weakeneſſe: yet all this God takes no knowledge of, when he is to ſpeake or her, and of her faith, and louelove. Indeed ſhee was but a new commer on, and had not beene inſtructed as yet what the danger of a lye was, &c. and therefore notwithſtanding her failing in that particular, ſhee is brought by the Apoſtle Iames, Iam. 2.25.as an example of one that was iuſtified, (or made knowne to bee a iuſt and righteous woman) by her workes: none other being reckoned vp, but thoſe which ſhe did at that time.
So the Angell (as is recorded in the Goſpell) rebuked thoſe good and faithfull women, Luke. 24.5.for that they ſought the liuing, among the dead: yet withall hee telleth them, Bee not afraid, yee ſeeke Ieſus of Nazareth that hath beene crucified. Mar. 16.6.As if he ſhould ſay, heere is your error, that you ſeeke Chriſt where you ſhould not: hee is riſen againe, as hee foretold you that hee would: yet heerein doth your vprightnes appeare, that you hold out ſtill in the louelove and profeſſion of Chriſt, euen now, when hee is in ſuch diſgrace and diſlike, almoſt, with all men: and therefore be not diſmaied, but heerein take comfort. Thus we may perceiue how fauourable the Lord is towards his children, that offend not vponupon ſet purpoſe, and preſumptuouſly: but through Satans inſtigation; or through humane frailtie: in which regard the Prophet Micah burſteth foorth into an admiration of his gracious dealing: Micha. 7.Who is a God like vntounto thee, Verſ. 18. 19. that taketh away iniquitie, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſions of the remnant of his heritage? &c. bee will returne and hauehave mercy vponupon vsus: and why? becauſe merciemercy pleaſeth him. Verſe 18.
This maketh for the confutation of their error. Vſe 1
1 That thinke they hauehave no calling to come to the Sacrament, becauſe they ſee more and greater faults in themſelues, See the reaſons in the former Sermon.then they can eſpie, or then, indeede, there are in many other Chriſtians: and it may bee, Doct. 9 more then heretofore they ſaw in themſelues. They finde ſo much hypocriſie, ſo much pride, Vſe. 1 ſo much vaine-glorie and ſelfe-louelove: ſuch blindneſſe of mind, drouſineſſe of ſpirit, deadneſſe of heart: ſuch vnwillingneſſe to heare, or reade, or meditate; to pray, to receiue the Sacrament, to ſing Pſalmes, and the like, that they are wonderfully diſhartened, and begin to feare that God will in no ſort accept of them, if they ſhould come vntounto the table of his ſonne. But they muſt take heede how they giuegive way to ſuch conceits, for the things aboue mencioned, doe not exclude them from hauing right vntounto Chriſt Ieſus, and to his merits, and therefore ſhould by no meanes keepe them from the holy Sacrament.
But wee come farre ſhort of that that ſhould bee in vsus. Obiect. What of that? if you hauehave a ſight of your defects, Anſw. and a mourning heart for the ſame, and a conſtant endeuour to get the graces that you want, you may come to the Sacrament as ſoon as any other: yea if any hauehave cauſe to make haſt vntounto it, you are one of them: Inconueniences that ariſe from forbearing the Sacrament.for the more dangerous any ones ſickenes is, the greater ſpeed they ſhould make to the Phyſitian: and the more greeuous any mans wound is, the more neede hath hee to haſten to the Surgion. Neither is their abſenting of themſelues from the Sacrament, any meanes to better their eſtate, but the next way to keepe them in a bad caſe ſtill: Nay to make their condition farre worſe then it is, and to haſten the plagues of God vponupon them. Num. 9.13.By the Law of Moſes it was determined, that all thoſe that were negligent to keepe the Paſſeouer, ſhould incurre the ſentence and cenſure of excommunication, if they were not in a iourney, hindred by inundations of waters, detained by ſickeneſſe, or ſome extrordinarie accident of that kind. Now if they were ſo ſtrictly bound to repaire vntounto that feaſt, when it was to bee celebrated at Ieruſalem, which was many miles diſtant from the greateſt part of them that were inhabitants in that land: how much more are men now tyed to attend vponupon the celebration of the Lords Supper, ſeeing they neede not vndertake ſuch a teadious iourney, but may hauehave it miniſtred vntounto them neerer at hand, and that with leſſe coſt (and yet a larger bleſſing) then they could in the daies of the ceremoniall Law? ſurely if they doe neglect ſo great ſaluation, well they may eſcape the puniſhments of men, but they ſhall feele the ſtrokes of God, and ſhall bee cut off from hauing communion with him, and with his ſeruants: they ſhal beare their ſinne, (as in that place the holy Ghoſt ſpeaketh) which otherwiſe by receiuing the Sacrament, they might hauehave diſcharged their conſciences of, and put it ouer vntounto Chriſts accounts.
Further, thoſe that by reaſon of their infirmities will forgoe that ordinance, doe greatly diſhonor God, and lay an hard imputation vponupon him; as who ſhould ſay, that hee were ſuch an extreame and rigorous Iudge, aswill accept of none, but of thoſe that hauehave attained to a great meaſure of perfection.
Beſides, ſuch kind of perſons doe as much as in them lieth, proclaime themſelues to bee hypocrites: for if they bee not ſuch, they hauehave a calling to partake of the Sacrament: as appeareth in this text, by the praier of Hezekiah, who doth in aſſurance of faith, (as the effect manifeſtly proueth) make requeſt for all ſuch as prepared their whole hearts, (that is, did their beſt indeauour with a true and ſincere heart) to ſeeke the Lord.
Laſtly, they giuegive very ill example vntounto others, and expoſe themſelues to the cenſures of men, as contemners, or at leaſt, neglecters of Gods ordinance. And therefore in theſe regards, let all beware how they withdraw themſelues, when the Lord inuiteth them to ſuch a banquet.
Secondly, Ʋſe 2 this is for inſtruction and conſolation both together: albeit wee perceiue many blemiſhes, and great imperfections in our ſelues, yet let vsus take the Lords offer, when he calleth vsus to his table: and come with certaine expectation of good ſucceſſe, as well as thoſe that hauehave a greater meaſure of repentance, 1. Pet. 2.25. Iohn 21.15.and of faith, and louelove, then wee can attaine vntounto. For Chriſt Ieſus the great ſhepheard and Biſhop of our ſoules, taketh order, that not onelyonly his ſheepe, but his Lambes alſo may bee fed. All the good grounds bring not foorth a like quantitie of fruit: yet all agree in this ſubſtantiall point, that they bring forth good and ripe fruit: Mat. 13.23.though ſome doe not yeeld the third part ſo much as others doe, yet they are grounds bleſſed by God, and reſpected of God. Note. He that gained fiue talents, had the commendation of a good and faithfull ſeruant, and ſo had he likewiſe, that gained but two talents: ſo that eueryevery one ſhall hauehave the praiſe of weldoing, according to the gifts and graces that God hath imparted vntounto him. Indeed thoſe that doe moſt, and beſt, as they bring more glorie to Gods name, ſo ſhall they hauehave larger reward from him: yet withall thoſe that hauehave fewer talents, and doe him leſſe ſeruice, ſhall not be deſpiſed, nor reiected, but according to their workes be accepted and recompenced: for one may bee faithfull in a little, as well as in a great deale. Therefore let this bee an incouragement vntounto vsus to draw neere vntounto God in his worſhip: if wee cannot come as we would, let vsus come as well as we can, and bring thoſe talents which we hauehave: if wee cannot make a long praier, let vsus make a ſhort: if wee cannot crie feruently vntounto the Lord, let vsus ſigh that wee cannot doe better: if wee hauehave but a little faith, let vsus pray with the man in the Goſpel, Lord I beleeue, helpe mine vnbeliefe: Mar. 9.24.which if we can do, the Lord will be mercifull vntounto vsus, though wee be not fitted in eueryevery reſpect according to that which is required of vsus.
But my wants are ſuch, as I am afraid I ſhall faile, Obiect. no not onlie in ſome circumſtance, but in the ſubſtance it ſelfe: and ſhall not only receiue weakly, but altogether vnworthily; how then may wee certainly know that our hearts are ſincere and vpright before the Lord?
By theſe workes that follow. Anſw.
Firſt, if wee diſlike all ſinne in our ſelues and others, Markes of ſincertitie.and deſire that all Gods graces might bee wrought in our ſelues and others. Hypocrites will allow foule faults in themſelues, A general diſlike of ſinne, and liking of goodneſſe.and yet ſeeme to diſlike them, and much exclaime againſt them in others: whereas firſt, they ſhould bee humbled, and grieued for them in their owne ſoules, and then proceed to ſpeake againſt them in others.
Againe, this hypocriſie is in our curſed nature, that, Hypocriſie.whereas wee could wiſh that we might liue without offence, and that our names might bee preſerued from reproach: yet we ſhall finde a tickling delight in our ſelues, when wee ſee the nakedneſſe of others diſcouered, and their faults ripped vp to their diſgrace: that ſo their blacke may the more commend our white. And againe, wee can bee content to hauehave many good gifts and graces, and would not bee much grieued, if we could get all other that we want: yet we are ready to bee offended, that others ſhould be indued with the like, eſpecially that they ſhould goe beyond vsus in doing good, and in receiuing praiſe ſutable thereunto. But this argueth great want of ſinceritie: and if wee bee not humbled for theſe corruptions, 1. Cor. 13.4.it ſheweth palpable and groſſe hypocriſie; for louelove enuieth not: but if wee carrie an inward hatred of this euill diſpoſition that is in vsus; and labour to abhorre and ſeeke to hinder all manner of ſins, Note. as well in our ſelues, as in others; and in others, as well as in our ſelues: and on the other ſide, if wee deſire to louelove, and further good motions, and good actions, both in our brethren, and in our owne perſons; neuer mocking, nor deriding, nor diſcouraging the hearts of Gods ſeruants from goodnes, this is a cleere caſe that wee faile not in the ſubſtance of godlineſſe, but that our hearts are very vpright therein.
Secondly, if wee indeauour ſtill to bee better, and to doe better eueryevery day then other: Grouth in grace. Phil. 3.14.15.neuer ſtanding vponupon what wee hauehave done, but preſſing hard to the marke: this is an infallible note, that we are true-hearted. Hee that feeleth but a little faith, a little louelove, a little repentance, &c. and would with all his heart hauehave them increaſed: and on the contraie, findeth much deadnes, much impatience, much vnfitneſſe for death, and much vnwillingneſſe to heare of the comming of Chriſt, much diſtraction on the holy Sabbath, &c. but would moſt willingly hauehave theſe corruptions diminiſhed; theſe very deſires if they bring him to the concionable vſe of the meanes, are euident ſignes of a faithfull and wel-affected heart.
A third rule of triall, is, if from our hearts we can forgiue, or at leaſt, Forgiuing.deſire to forgiue thoſe that hauehave done vsus wrong, either in word or deede, and are greeued at wrathfull, and malicious, and reuengefull thoughts and motions that doe ſpring vp in our hearts. Mat. 6.14.Forgiue (ſaith our Sauiour) and yee ſhall bee forgiuen: and therefore being able to doe thus in ſome ſmall meaſure, wee may bee aſſured that the Lord is appeaſed towards vsus, and that wee are in his fauour, and therefore hauehave hearts without guile in his ſight: Note. for a mercifull heart is alwaies a ſincere heart: whereas hypocrites are of a cruell, and implacable nature: ſo that when any iniury is done vntounto them, either in truth or in their imagination, they will ſwell, and fret, and chafe, and vow, and proteſt (or at leaſt determine and reſolue in themſelues) that they will not put it vp, but one way or other, at one time or other requite it at the full: euer an euill heart, is a proud and froward heart, and can endure nothing leſſe then wrongs and indignities.
Therefore if God hath wrought ſuch a great worke in our ſoules, as that our hearts are inclined to forgiue and forget abuſes that are offered vntounto vsus, and can pray for our enemies, and long for their conuerſion, and reconciliation; firſt vntounto God, and then vntounto vsus; it is a notable teſtimony that wee are truely regenerated, and ſanctified in the inward, and outward man.
There are none but they are apt to be angry with ſin, either in themſelues, or others: but if wee can ſpend our anger at home vponupon the euils of our owne nature, Note. and be more peaceable and quiet abroad; not ſtorming ſo much that others are ſo bad, as greeuing that wee our ſelues are no better; happy and bleſſed are wee that hauehave gotten ſuch a conqueſt of our owne hearts: wee may cheerefully, and comfortably communicate at the Lords Table, expecting from Chriſt Ieſus a further increaſe of all holy and heauenly graces. And albeit, others hauehave greater gifts, and fewer infirmities then we; yet ſeeing we joine with them in the maine matters, wee ſhall be ioyned with them in the fruition of that bleſſing, which God vſeth to beſtow vponupon his people; though we bee but buds, Iohn 15.yet being in the true vine, we ſhall receiue ſap, and iuice from the root as well as the faireſt, and goodlieſt, and fruitfulleſt branches that are in it. And thus much for Hezekiahs praier, and the parts thereof.
Now the ſucceſſe followeth to bee ſpoken of: Verſe 20. And the Lord heard Hezekiah, &c. It being a praier of faith that hee made, for ſuch things as God had promiſed, and for ſuch perſons as to whom the promiſe did belong, hee receiueth an anſwer to his requeſt: for ſo it is ſaid, the Lord heard Hezekiah: that is, accepted and granted his ſuit: whence this doctrine may bee gathered: that,
The Lord doth accept, Doct. 4 and will fulfill eueryevery faithfull praier that is made vntounto him, Praiers of faith granted.either for our ſelues, or others.
For this fauor that hee ſhewed to Hezekiah, and to them for whom hee praied, is written for our inſtruction and conſolation: to aſſure vsus that vſing the like meanes, wee ſhall find the ſame good effect that they did. 1. Ioh. 5 14.15This is promiſed in the Epiſtle of Iohn, where the words of this Text are expounded, and the doctrine confirmed, This (ſaith hee) is the aſſurance that wee hauehave in him, that if we aske any thing according to his will, he heareth vsus. But what is it to bee heard? hee telleth vsus in the next verſe, If wee know that hee heareth vsus, whatſoeuer wee aske, wee know that wee hauehave the petitions that we hauehave deſired of him. This Gods children may build vponupon, that if they aske of God, lawfull things, for righteous perſons, in that manner as the word preſcribeth, they ſhall hauehave a comfortable anſwer, and ſpeed according to their hearts deſire.
The reaſon heereof is, Reaſon. becauſe God is delighted with the faithfull ſupplications of his deare children, It is muſicke to God to heare Chriſtians praiers. Cant. 2.14.as may bee collected from the words of Chriſt to his ſpouſe in the ſongs of Salomon, Shew me thy ſight, let mee heare thy voice: for thy voice is ſweet, and thy ſight is comely. So that there is reaſon, why Chriſtians ſhould looke vp to God, rather then be beholding vntounto men: and that they ſhould vtter their complaints before his throane, rather then before mens iudgement ſeat: for whereas they many times cannot away with vsus and our ſuits, God delighteth to looke vponupon vsus; and there is no melodious harmony ſo pleaſant in our eares, as a praier proceeding from an humble and broken heart, is in the eares of the Lord of hoaſts. Let vsus preſent our petitions with our ſoules full of griefe, and our eies full of teares vntounto men, and we ſhall bee teadious and troubleſome vntounto them for the moſt part: as the woman of Canaan was vntounto the diſciples: Mat. 15.23.Send her away, (ſay they to our Sauiour) for ſhee crieth after vsus: Note. But Chriſt hath no greater ioy, then to heare and releeue ſuch worthy beleeuers as ſhee was, that can ſpend ſo many holy praiers vponupon him, after ſo many repulſes as ſhee had receiued. Now ſith it is a thing ſo well pleaſing vntounto him, hee cannot but grant and ſatisfie the deſires of ſuch as faithfully and feruently call vponupon him.
Heere may that folly, Vſe 1 and wretched vnbeliefe that is in our nature, bee iuſtly reprooued; which appeareth in this, that wee are ready to runne to any one, rather then vntounto God; and to ſeeke to them that are not able, or not willing to heare and helpe vsus, Iam. 4.2.rather then vntounto the Lord that hath ability and readineſſe to doe both. Iames blameth thoſe to whom hee writeth, for that they would bee in wants, Yee luſt, and hauehave not, &c. yee fight, and warre, and get nothing: and what is the reaſon? becauſe yee aske not. As if he ſhould hauehave told them, you need many things, and ſo you are likely to doe ſtill, except you take a better courſe: for the way to obtaine good things, is not to luſt after them, and to brawle and contend for them, but to become petitioners vntounto God for them. Note. If children will be ſo fooliſh, ſo ſlothfull, or ſo proud that they will not ſue to their louing and kind parents that hauehave abundance, for things neceſſarie, it is iuſt they ſhould goe without them, and endure the ſmart of their owne folly and ſtubbornneſſe: and the like may bee ſaid of vsus; if our neceſſities ſpirituall and corporall, bee many and great, and wee will not bemone our caſe vntounto our heauenly father that is al-ſufficient to helpe vsus, and moſt willing to accept of vsus, and to releeue vsus, in all our diſtreſſes, it is a righteous thing with the Lord, that wee ſhould liue and die in our miſeries and calamities, and ſo ſuſtaine the due puniſhment of a wretched diſtruſtfulneſſe, and ſluggiſhneſſe in not repairing vntounto him.
Secondly, Vſe 2 heere is matter of maruellous great comfort to them that betake themſelues to this courſe that Hezekiah did. The Lord will not deceiue them, nor ſhut out thoſe ſupplications that they make before him: but (according as they intreat of him) where their faith is weake, he will ſtrengthen it: where their repentance comes ſhort, hee will perfect it: where their louelove is cold, hee will increaſe it: and in a word, where any good thing is wanting, hee will ſupply it.
If Hezekiah, Note. praying for ſuch a great multitude, which had beene monſtrous Idolaters, and had continued long time in their Idolatrie, heaping vp one abomination vponupon an other, and now came to the Sacrament, not of their owne accord, but by the intreaty and perſwaſion of Hezekiah and his Princes, and being thus come, failed much in that preparation which they ſhould hauehave made: if hee, I ſay, had ſuch good and gracious hearing from the Lord, things ſtanding as hath beene ſaid; then how much more may wee expect mercy from him, when we intreat for our ſelues, who (through Gods wonderfull reſtraint, and gracious prouidence) hauehave not fallen into ſuch notorious euils, nor into ſuch greeuous and monſtrous offences, as they had done? eſpecially if wee hauehave this witneſſe vntounto our ſoules, that wee come voluntarily, and (in ſome degree) preparedly, vntounto the myſteries of ſaluation: and are ſo farre from looking for intreatie or exhortation thereunto, that (through Gods grace and goodneſſe) wee would not bee reſtrained from it for any worldly gaine.
[And healed the people.] For the vnderſtanding of this, wee muſt know that ſinne maketh a wound, and that the word and Sacrament, are meanes and plaiſters, as it were, to heale the ſame, if they bee rightly applied and bleſſed vntounto the receiuers of them.
In that they found this good effect vponupon the eating of the Paſſeouer, and Hezekiahs praier made for them: the doctrine hence to be learned, is, that
The Sacrament worthily receiued, Doct. 5 doth heale and cure. For whence came their healing in this place, The vertue of the Sacrament.but from the vertue of the Sacrament bleſſed vntounto them, at the earneſt requeſt of that holy king? Hee telleth vsus not the particular euils of which they were healed, becauſe we ſhould conceiue, that they were in a ſort perfectly and thorowly cured of all. Firſt, of the euils that were in their ſoules: they were pardoned, their conſciences quieted, and their hearts bettered: ſo that they had a greater diſlike of their own corruptions, and of Satans temptations, and more power to withſtand them, and to ouercome them, then formerly they had. Then for outward euils, if there were any ſickeneſſe, or weakeneſſe, or any other croſſes or calamities vponupon them, they had the ſame either quite remoued, or at leaſt, ſweetned, and ſanctified vntounto them, for their profit and comfort. For this is the ſubſtance of the couenant (whereof the Sacrament is a ſeale) made vntounto penitent perſons: Ezek. 36. which hauing beene ſpoken of before, it would be needleſſe at large to repeat the ſame things againe. Only in briefe, for the vſe of this point, Vſe. let vsus hence learne to make full account of this healing, when the Lord ſhall pleaſe to make vsus partakers of the body and blood, of his deare ſonne. For then that ſeede is caſt vponupon eueryevery faithfull heart, that will ſpring vp in due ſeaſon vntounto euerlaſting life, and yeeld vsus ſuch fruit as we ſhal hauehave great cauſe to reioice and to magnifie the name of the Lord, who hath done ſuch great things for vsus.
Let vsus then looke for much, and we ſhall hauehave much. Open thy mouth wide (ſaith the Lord) and I will fill it. Therefore when we behold with our naturall eye, the bread broken & the wine powred forth, and offered vntounto vsus by the hand of the Miniſter; Note. let vsus lift vp the eye of our faith, and looke vponupon Chriſt Ieſus, who is as it were held forth vntounto vsus by the hand of the Trinity, being broken with many ſorrowes & terrors, in bearing his fathers wrath, and vndergoing the puniſhment due vntounto vsus for our hainous trangreſſions: and powring forth his precious blood to ſatisfie the Lords iuſtice, & to pacifie his diſpleaſure conceiued againſt vsus: and as we with our bodily hand do receiue the outward elements, ſo let vsus by the hand of faith lay hold of our Lord & Sauiour, & of al his merits: aſſuring our ſelues that as the bread & wine are made one ſubſtance with vsus; ſo is Chriſt Ieſus in a ſpirituall maner made one with vsus, & we with him; he being the head & we the members; he the vine, and we the branches, &c. And further let vsus vndoubtedly beleeue, that as by bread & wine our naturall ſtrength is increaſed, and our weary bodies, and languiſhing ſpirits refreſhed: ſo by thoſe heauenly my ſteries daily applied, our inward man ſhall bee confirmed, and our hearts ſooner or later comforted and reuiued. And therefore in aſſurance of faith wee ſhould ſtirre vp our ſoules to reioice and praiſe the Lord, giuing vntounto him the glorie of his truth, in reſting vponupon him for the performance of all his promiſes made vntounto vsus through Chriſt Ieſus: and concluding eueryevery one in his owne heart: though my knowledge be but ſmall, it ſhall be increaſed: though my memory be weake, it ſhall be confirmed: though my affections be out of order, they ſhall be rectified: though my ſtripes be many, the number of them ſhal be diminiſhed: and though my graces be but few and feeble, they ſhall be augmented, and ſtill further ſtrengthned. I ſhall hauehave Chriſts power to inable me to do good, and to reſiſt euill: his wiſedome to direct mee in the right way, and to cauſe me to decline from all by-paths: And in a word, his good ſpirit to worke all my workes for me, and to perfect all heauenly vertues in me.
And when, after we hauehave been at the Lords table, we find any ſinfull motions ſtirring within vsus, let vsus reaſon thus: Did I not lately receiue the Sacrament, for the curing of my ſoule? and did not God grant it vntounto me as a ſeale and pledge, that hee would take away my ſtony heart, Ezek. 36.and giuegive vntounto me a fleſhy heart? Why then ſhould I yeeld vntounto my corruptions? Nay, I will not do ſo, but reſiſt and ſtriue againſt the ſame, and vrge the Lord with his owne couenant ſealed vntounto me in the Sacrament.
So likewiſe, when wee ſee our manifold imperfections in Gods ſeruice; our want of louelove and good affection vntounto his ſeruants; our inabilitie to beare croſſes, and the like: let vsus repaire vntounto the Lord, and beſeech him that is true and faithfull in all promiſes, that hee will make good his word vntounto vsus in thoſe particulars, giuing vsus ſtrength to doe what hee commandeth vsus, and to beare with profit whatſoeuer hee laieth vponupon vsus. Which if we can doe, ſo often as wee come vntounto the Lords Table, wee ſhall receiue great helpe and comfort againſt all our ſinnes and ſorrowes, and be much ſtirred vp to louelove and praiſe the Lord, for the continuance and increaſe of his heauenly graces and bleſſings, which we ſhall ſurely gaine by the right vſe of this his holy ordinance.