A Guide to Godliness, Book 5 · Chapter 7
CAP. VII.
Of the ſecond publike meanes of a godly life, which is the adminiſtration of the Sacraments.
§. Sect. 1 That the Sacraments further vsus much in a godly life, as they are ſeales of the Couenant.
THe ſecond meanes of inriching vsus with all ſauing graces, and ſtrengthening vsus vntounto all the duties of a godly life, is the right vſe of the Sacraments, Baptiſme, and the Lords Supper, both which doe much conduce hereunto, and each of them ſeuerally. For the Sacraments are ſeales annexed to the Couenant of grace, purpoſely inſtituted of God to ſtrengthen and confirme our faith in this aſſurance, that Chriſt and all his benefits doe belong vntounto vsus; that in him, and for his righteouſneſſe, death, and full ſatisfaction vntounto Gods Iuſtice, he hath pardoned and forgiuen vntounto vsus all our ſinnes; that in him he is well pleaſed with vsus, and hath giuen vntounto vsus iuſt title and intereſt to all his promiſes both of grace in this life, and glory and happineſſe in the life to come; that hee will giuegive vntounto vsus his holy Spirit, and thereby write his Law in our hearts, that we ſhall not depart from him, mortifie our corruptions, and quicken vsus vntounto new obedience. Of all which benefits, the Sacraments are not onelyonly ſignificant ſignes, but alſo infallible ſeales, annexed purpoſely by God vntounto his Couenant, to aſſure vsus that he will performe all his promiſes, and to giuegive vntounto vsus (like a bond and conueyance legally ſigned and ſealed) iuſt title and intereſt vntounto all thoſe bleſſings, euen before we ſenſibly hauehave them in poſſeſſion and fruition. Yea not onelyonly ſo, but they alſo ſerue like inſtruments and conduit pipes to conuey to the worthy receiuer, Chriſt, and all his benefits. Now what can more forcibly perſwade, or more powerfully inable vsus to the duties of a godly life, then the repreſenting, aſſuring, and exhibiting of all theſe ineſtimable benefits, in the right vſe of the Sacraments? What can more inflame our hearts with moſt feruent louelove towards God, then the conſideration, yea ſenſe and feeling of this admirable louelove of God towards vsus, in giuing vntounto vsus when wee were ſinners, ſtrangers and enemies vntounto him and his grace, Chriſt Ieſus, and with him all theſe vnſpeakable benefits? and what more then louelove can effectually mooue vsus to an holy deſire in all things to glorifie and pleaſe him, and to walke worthy his louelove in all holineſſe of life and conuerſation? What can more lighten the burthen of our labour, and make vsus to thinke all too little which we can doe and ſuffer for him? Againe, the Couenant of grace ſealed vntounto in the right vſe of the Sacraments, doth ſingularly incourage vsus to lay aſide all doubts and difficulties, ſeeing God thereby aſſureth vsus that he will, yea hath giuen vntounto vsus his holy Spirit, to direct and aſſiſt vsus in all our good indeuours, in the mortifying of all our ſinfull corruptions, ſeeme they neuer ſo ſtrong and vnreſiſtable, and ſtrengthening vsus to the performance of all good duties, ſeeme they neuer ſo difficult and vnpleaſing vntounto fleſh & blood. And what can more effectually moue vsus to go on in the worke of ſanctification, then to hauehave ſuch an aſſiſtant to ioyne with vsus, vntounto whom nothing is difficult, being infinitely able to performe and perfect whatſoeuer he vndertaketh? What can more powerfully perſwade vsus to doe God faithfull ſeruice, then to hauehave the pardon of our ſinnes put into our owne hands, ſigned and ſealed, ſo dearly purchaſed, and ſo freely giuen? then to hauehave the preſent pledges and pawnes of Gods louelove and fauour, the earneſt of his Spirit, the firſt fruits of his graces, and the conueyances of our heauenly Inheritance, ſealed and deliuered into our own keeping. For who would be ſo ſluggiſh, as not to doe faithfull and diligent ſeruice to ſuch a glorious and gracious Maſter, for ſuch liberall and bountifull wages? Finally, ſeeing in the right vſe of the Sacraments wee doe really and truly, though ſpiritually and by faith, receiue Chriſt, that he may dwell in vsus, and we in him, and not onelyonly communicate with him in his diuine graces imputed by God, and applyed by faith, but alſo by vertue of his Spirit aſſiſting this ordinance, hauehave all ſanctifying and ſauing graces confirmed and increaſed in vsus, whereby wee are ſtrengthened vntounto all the duties of a godly life: hence alſo it appeareth how much they conduce and further vsus in them; ſeeing we hauehave Chriſt himſelfe a co-worker with vsus, who by his holy Spirit ſuſtaineth the greateſt part of the waight of that his eaſie yoke, and light burthen, which he layeth vponupon vsus; in which reſpect we may take courage vntounto vsus, and ſay with the Apoſtle, that we are able to doe all things, through the power of Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth Phil. 4. 13.vsus; and ſeeing alſo they cheriſh and increaſe his gifts and graces in vsus, whereby we are moued and inabled to worke together with him, in all holy duties of Gods ſeruice, and of a godly and Chriſtian life.
§. Sect. 2 That the Sacraments further vsus in godlineſſe, as they are teſtifications of our ſeruice to God.
Secondly, the Sacraments are helpes vntounto vsus for this purpoſe, as they are ſolemne teſtifications of our ſeruice and obedience vntounto God, ſeeing they are his liueries and cognizances whereby his ſeruants are knowne from others; and the ſacramentall oath which he cauſeth all his ſouldiers to take, when he entertaineth them into his ſpirituall warfare; and the preſ-money which he putteth into their hands, whereby hee obligeth and firmely bindeth them to continue conſtant in this warfare, and to fight couragiouſly vnderunder his colours. Now this may mooue vsus to doe faithfull ſeruice vntounto our great Lord and Maſter, partly becauſe hee hath ſo innobled vsus by giuing vsus entertainment into his Family, and graced vsus, by letting vsus weare his liuery and cognizance, ſeeing it is a farre greater aduancement and dignity, to be one of his meaneſt ſeruants, euen a doorekeeper in his Houſe, then to be the greateſt Monarch in the earth; partly Pſal. 84. 10.becauſe he incourageth vsus to faithfull and diligent ſeruice by ſuch bountifull wages and ineſtimable rewards; and partly becauſe wee ſhall otherwiſe diſhonor our Lord and Maſter, & weare his liuery to do him ſhame; yea alſo diſgrace our ſelues, whileſt we doe diſcouer our groſſe hypocriſie, in not anſwering to our profeſſion, nor performing ſuch holy duties as are ſutable vntounto it; whereby we ſhall moue the Lord, in his iuſt diſpleaſure, to pull our liueries ouer our eares, and ſo vncaſing vsus, to lay open our hypocriſie to our ſhame, and to turne vsus out of doores. This may moue vsus alſo to fight couragiouſly vnderunder his Standard, againſt the ſpirituall enemies of our ſaluation, ſeeing if we ſlip out of his Campe, after we hauehave receiued this preſ-money, and runne away, wee deſerue death by our apoſtaſie; or if we cowardly yeeld vntounto the aſſaults and tentations of our ſpirituall enemies, and doe not fight valiantly, and performe faithfull ſeruice to our grand-Captaine, euen vntounto the death, wee are well worthy to bee caſhiered, to hauehave no part in the glory of his victory, nor any portion of ioy in his heauenly triumph.
§. Sect. 3 That the Sacrament of Baptiſme furthereth vsus in godlineſſe, as we are thereby ingrafted into Chriſt.
More ſpecially, the Sacrament of Baptiſme is to the worthy receiuer, a notable meanes to inable vsus vntounto the duties of a godly life. Firſt, becauſe Gal. 3. 26, 27.thereby we are ſacramentally ingrafted into the body of Chriſt, and made members of his body ſpiritually by faith, as wee are outwardly initiated, entred and admitted by the Congregation, as members of the viſible Church, according to that of the Apoſtle, Ye are all the children of God, by faith in Ieſus Chriſt; for as many of you as hauehave been baptized into Christ, hauehave put on Chriſt. By vertue of which inciſion, we are inabled to bring forth the fruits of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe; according to that of our Sauiour; I am the Vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the ſame Iob. 15. 5.bringeth forth much fruit, (namely, by that life and ſap of grace which hee receiueth of me) for without me ye can doe nothing. For as the Impe or Cion liueth not by his owne life, but being caſt out of the ſtocke, dyeth and withereth; ſo being ingrafted into Chriſt, we liue not our owne life, but by vertue of that liuely ſap of grace which wee receiue from him, according to that of the Apoſtle; I liue, yet not I, but Chriſt liueth in me; and the Gal. 2. 20.life which I now liue in the fleſh, I liue by the faith of the Sonne of God, who hath loued me, and giuen himſelfe for me; whereas he that abideth not in the true Vine Ieſus Chriſt, he is caſt forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather Ioh. 15. 6.them, and caſt them into the fire, and they are burned. More ſpecially, being baptized into Ieſus Chriſt, we are baptized into his death and Reſurrection, from which ſuch vertue and vigour is deriued vntounto vsus, that wee are not onelyonly thereby waſhed and purged from the guilt and puniſhment of all our ſinnes, but alſo inabled to mortifie and crucifie the old man, the fleſh, with the ſinful luſts therof, & raiſed from the death of ſin, to holineſſe and newneſſe of life. The which is not onelyonly ſacramentally ſignified by the outward waſhing and ſprinkling with water, which ſerueth to cleanſe vsus from our bodily defilements, by our ſtay, and (as it were burying) vnderunder it, repreſenting our mortification, death and buriall to ſinne, and our riſing out of it, ſignifying our ſpirituall Reſurrection to a new life, but alſo certainly ſealed and aſſured, and powerfully conueyed to the worthy receiuer, that is, to little children elected to ſaluation, potentially, the inward vertue lying hid in them, till being come to age, it be produced into act by a liuely faith; and to thoſe of yeeres actually, who with the outward waſhing, apply by faith the blood of Chriſt for the purging of them from the guilt, puniſhment and corruption of their ſinnes, and the vertue of his death and Reſurrection, for the killing and crucifying of the fleſh with the luſts thereof, and their ſpirituall quickening vntounto holineſſe and new obedience. And hereof it is, that the Apoſtle draweth from our Baptiſme effectuall arguments to perſwade vsus vntounto, and worke in vsus ſanctification and holineſſe of life. How ſhall we (ſaith he) that are dead to ſin, liue any longer therein? Know ye not, that ſo many of vsus as were baptized into Ieſus Chriſt, were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by Baptiſme into death, that like as Chriſt was raiſed vp from the dead, by the glory of the Father; euen ſo we alſo ſhould walke in newneſſe of life; for if we hauehave bin planted together in the likeneſſe of his death, we ſhall be alſo in the likeneſſe of his Reſurrection; Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of ſinne might bee deſtroyed, that henceforth wee ſhould not ſerue ſinne, &c.
§. Sect. 4 Secondly, as it is the Sacrament of our new-birth.
Secondly, Baptiſme doth inable vsus vntounto the duties of a godly life, as it is the Sacrament of our Regeneration and new-birth, not onelyonly ſignifying, but ſealing and aſſuring, yea powerfully conueying to the worthy receiuer (by the inward operation of Gods Spirit, which powerfully worketh together with his holy ordinances) the ſpirituall life of grace, potentially to the elect Infants, as they potentially hauehave faith, and by Gods Decree are ordained to beleeue, and actually to thoſe who by faith apply vntounto themſelues Chriſt and all his benefits. By which ſpirituall life and quickening power, they are inabled, according vntounto their age and growth in Chriſt, to moue and worke in the duties of holineſſe; euen as the child which is new-borne moueth as ſoone as it liueth, firſt more weakly, and afterwards more ſtrongly, as it increaſeth in age and growth, in ſtrength and ſtature. Neither is the vertue of Baptiſme thus quickening vsus to newneſſe of life, to be limitted and reſtrained to the time paſt, or to the preſent act of adminiſtration, as though it did no more but purge and cleanſe vsus from the guilt and puniſhment of our ſinnes paſt, and mortifie our originall ſinne in which we were borne, or raiſe vsus who were dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, vntounto the firſt beginnings of ſpirituall life and motion, bringing vsus (as it were) to the birth, and then vtterly leauing vsus to be nurſed and nouriſhed by other meanes; but the power and vigour of it continueth and extendeth it ſelfe to the whole courſe of our liues; and is an effectuall meanes, being recalled to our minds, and afreſh applyed by faith, both to aſſure vsus of the pardon of all our ſinnes, as it is the ſeale of the Couenant, whoſe vertue continueth not onelyonly at the firſt act of ſealing, but as long as the tearme ſpecified in the writing, and therefore muſt continue in full vertue for euer, to our vſe, ſeeing it is a ſeale affixed to an euerlaſting Couenant; and alſo with no leſſe efficacy to mortifie daily more and more, all our ſinfull corruptions, and to quicken vsus vntounto holineſſe and new obedience, when vponupon any occaſion wee apply vntounto vsus the death and Reſurrection of Chriſt, ſigned and ſealed vntounto vsus, and for our perpetuall vſe in our Baptiſme; and doe reuiew our ſpirituall euidences, and the great Charter of Gods Couenant, wherein he hath not onelyonly giuen Chriſt vntounto vsus, and all his benefits, but alſo hath promiſed and aſſured vsus that he will giuegive his holy Spirit to continue with vsus vntounto the end of the world, who will apply vntounto vsus the efficacie of Chriſts death and reſurrection, not onelyonly for the pardon of our ſinnes, in reſpect of their guilt and puniſhment, but alſo for the waſhing away daily of the pollution of it, and ſubduing of the fleſh and the luſts thereof, and for our continuall quickning and further growth in all duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe.
§. Sect. 5 Thirdly, as it is our reſtipulation in the Couenant of grace.
Thirdly, it is a meanes to helpe vsus forward in all duties of godlineſſe, as it is our reſtipulation in the Couenant of grace, whereby hauing receiued from God the promiſe of the remiſſion of our ſinnes, grace and glory, we for our part promiſe vntounto God againe, that wee will receiue Chriſt and all his benefits by a true and liuely faith, bringing foorth the fruits thereof in vnfained repentance and amendment of life, and that vtterly renouncing Satan, the world, and our owne ſinfull fleſh with the luſts thereof, we will wholly dedicate and conſecrate our ſelues, or ſoules and bodies to the ſeruice of him who is our Creatour and Redeemer. The which our vow and Couenant made vntounto God, is a powerfull bond to reſtraine vsus from all ſinne, and to tye vsus vntounto the performance of all duties of Gods ſeruice, ſeeing if we doe not performe the condition of the Couenant betweene him and vsus, we can hauehave no true ioy and comfort in our liues, becauſe we can hauehave no aſſurance that we hauehave any right and intereſt vntounto any of Gods gracious promiſes made vntounto vsus in Ieſus Chriſt. So often therefore as we hauehave occaſion to call to our remembrance, our vow and promiſe made vntounto God in baptiſme, and eſpecially when wee are preſent at the celebration of this holy Sacrament, and heare it againe repeated and made in the name of infants admitted vntounto it; if wee conſcionably labour to make a right vſe of our Baptiſme, it will put vsus in mind of our Couenant then made with God, and renew our deſires, reſolution, and indeuour of performing that ſeruice in the duties of a Chriſtian life, which we hauehave vowed and promiſed vntounto him, leſt wee ſhould be found Couenant-breakers, and dalliers with God, who will not bee mocked, thereby deluding our ſelues of all bleſſings and benefits, reſpecting this life and the life to come, which in the Couenant of grace are promiſed vntounto vsus. Where, by the way we may obſerue, that thoſe who withdraw themſelues, and depart out of the aſſembly when the Sacrament of Baptiſme is adminiſtred, doe not only thereby ſinne againſt God, the Church, and the party baptized (as I hauehave before ſhewed) but alſo are very iniurious vntounto themſelues, in that they loſe a good opportunity of calling to minde and renewing their Couenant with God, and depriue themſelues of one ſpeciall helpe, whereby they might bee inabled to performe the duties of a godly life.
§. Sect. 6 That the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is a powerfull meanes to further vsus in Chriſtian duties, firſt, becauſe thereby our Communion with Chriſt is confirmed, and ſecondly, our faith ſtrengthened.
Ioh. 6. 54, 56.So likewiſe the Supper of the Lord, rightly celebrated and vſed, is a powerfull meanes to inable and helpe vsus forward in the performance of all Chriſtian duties. Firſt, becauſe thereby our vnion and Communion with Chriſt, is more and more ſtrengthened and confirmed; ſeeing God doth offer and giuegive, and we take and apply vntounto our ſelues by the hand of faith, vnderunder the viſible ſignes of Bread and Wine, Chriſt and all his benefits; his Body crucified, and his Blood ſhed, that they may nouriſh our ſoules vntounto euerlaſting life; according to that of our Sauiour; He that eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him; and againe, He that eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternall life, and I will raiſe him vp at the laſt day. Now the more that this our vnion with Chriſt is ſtrengthened and confirmed, the more powerfully doe we performe all Chriſtian duties, ſeeing from him all grace is communicated vntounto vsus, and all vertue and quickning life, whereby we are inabled to bring foorth the fruits of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. Secondly, it ſtrengtheneth vsus vntounto all good duties, as it is a ſpeciall meanes for the ſtrengthening and increaſing of our faith, which was the chiefe end for which it was ordained. For ſeeing the Lord hath not onelyonly committed his Couenant to writing, but for the further ratification of it, hath annexed vntounto it his ſeales, the Sacraments, there is now no place left to doubting; ſeeing it is impoſſible that the Lord, who is Truth it ſelfe, and his promiſes, Yea, and Amen, ſhould faile 2. Cor. 1. 20.in any of them, being thus eſtabliſhed and confirmed. In which regard, the Apoſtle calleth the Sacraments, the ſeales of the righteouſneſſe of faith, Rom. 4. 11.becauſe as ſeales, amongſt men, are annexed to writings, to giuegive them ſecurity, and better aſſurance of the performing of Couenants agreed on betweene them: ſo the Lord hath inſtituted his Sacraments, and annexed them to his Couenant, not to confirme it, which is ſo infallible, that it needes no confirmation, but to ſtrengthen our feeble and weake faith, which needes all helpes and meanes to keepe it from wauering. Now the more our faith is confirmed, the more rich wee grow in all ſauing graces, ſeeing it is the fountaine from which they flow, and the more we abound in all holy duties, and fruits of new obedience, ſeeing it is the roote from which they ſpring.
§. Sect. 7 Thirdly, becauſe it is the ſpirituall food and nouriſhment of our ſoules.
Thirdly, becauſe the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is the ſpirituall food of our ſoules, whereby they are nouriſhed and ſtrengthened in life Ioh. 6. 55.and grace vntounto eternall ſaluation, euen as our bodies are nouriſhed with corporall food, and thereby ſtrengthened and inabled for all actions and imployments: So our Sauiour ſaith; My fleſh is meate indeed, and my blood is drinke indeed; not to feed the body, but to comfort the ſoule, to preſerue our ſpirituall life, and to ſtrengthen vsus vntounto all duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. And as the bodily life languiſheth, and ſtrength decayeth, if we refuſe our corporall nouriſhment; ſo the vigour and life of our ſoules cannot continue, if we feed not vponupon Chriſt by faith; according to that vehement aſſeueration of our Sauiour; Verily, verily, I ſay vntounto you, Ioh. 6. 53.except ye eate the fleſh of the Sonne of man, and drinke his blood, ye hauehave no life in you. Yea, this Supper of the Lord is not ſuch a ſpare meale, and bare Commons, as onelyonly holdeth life and ſoule together, and doth not reuiue the ſpirits, increaſe the ſtrength, and fit vsus for action and imployment; but it is a plentifull feaſt for our ſoules, which maketh vsus grow in grace and ſpirituall ſtrength and ſtature, vntounto a perfect age in Chriſt, making them ſtrong and vigorous vntounto all Chriſtian duties of Gods ſeruice. Whereof it is, that as Baptiſme is called the Sacrament of our imitation and new birth, ſo this of our augmentation and growth in grace; affording vntounto vsus plentifull nouriſhment for this end. For as God is ſo bountifull in affording man meanes for the preſeruing his bodily life, that he alloweth him ſuch things, not onelyonly which are abſolutely neceſſary, but alſo for delight, and not bread alone to ſtrengthen mans heart, but alſo wine to make it glad, and oyle, to expreſſe this ioy in the face and countenance. So hee hath dealt Pſa. 104. 14. & 115.much more bountifully for our ſoules, prouiding for their nouriſhment a plentifull feaſt, the ſtrengthening Bread of Chriſts Body, and the cheering and gladding Wine of his precious Blood, the delicious viands and diſhes of his ſpirituall benefits, and ſauing graces, and ſweet comforts of his holy Spirit; and not onelyonly ſetteth theſe things before vsus to looke vponupon, but giueth vntounto vsus gracious entertainement, inuiting vsus to feed vponupon them, not onelyonly vntounto neceſſity, but alſo to delight. So that our welcome is no leſſe worth then our cheere, and (as the Spouſe ſpeaketh) his louelove better Cant. 1. 2.then wine. Yea, vntounto his feaſt he addeth a banket of ſpirituall comforts, imbracing vsus with the armes of his louelove, cheering vsus with the conſolations of his Spirit, and rauiſhing our ſoules with the ſweet feelings of his fauour, and ſuch inward ioy; that being with the Spouſe thus brought into Cant. 2. 4, 5, 6.his Banketting-houſe, and hauing for a Canopie ouer our heads, his Banners of louelove, we are ready, as it were in an extaſie to cry out, Stay me with flagons, comfort mee with Apples, for I am ſicke of louelove. Now how can our poore ſoules, being thus royally feaſted and cheriſhed at the Supper of the great King, but bee inwardly repleniſhed with all thankfulneſſe towards God for his ſo rich mercies? What can they doe leſſe, then enter into a ſerious conſideration with themſelues, what they may returne vntounto God, that they may expreſſe their louelove and gracefulneſſe, for ſo many and ineſtimable fauours, without any deſert vouchſafed vntounto them; ſaying with the Prophet Dauid, What ſhall I render vntounto the Lord for all his benefits towards Pſ. 116. 12, 13.mee? And finding themſelues to be vtterly vnable to make any other requitall, then by remaining thankfull debters, what can they doe leſſe then conclude with him, that they will take the cup of ſaluation, and call vponupon the Name of the Lord, praiſing and magnifying his mercies in the ſight of all the people? And finding our ſelues preſerued in ſpirituall life, growne 1. Pet. 1. 18.in Gods graces, and ſtrengthened and fitted for all good imployment, by the royall bounty of our heauenly King, feaſting vsus with ſuch cordiall reſtoratiues, and delicious food, aboue the price of ſiluer or gold, or any other corruptible thing; how vngratefull ſhould we be, if we did not imploy this ſtrength which he hath giuen vsus in the duties of his ſeruice, that we may glorifie his holy Name, and bee accepted of him, by doing that which is pleaſing in his ſight?
§. Sect. 8 Fourthly, becauſe it is an action which we doe in remembrance of Chriſt.
Fourthly, the right vſe of the Lords Supper much conduceth vntounto a godly life, as it is an action which we doe in remembrance of Chriſt, and are thereby put in minde how much he hath done and ſuffered for vsus. For who can lightly eſteeme of any ſinne, which coſt Chriſt no leſſe then the price of his precious blood? Who will not bewaile his ſinnes paſt with bitter griefe, abhorre his preſent corruptions with mortall hatred, and vtterly renounce and forſake them for the time to come, who duly conſidereth that they were the nayles which faſtened our Sauiour Chriſt to the Croſſe, and that vnſupportable waight, which made his ſoule heauy to the death, preſſed out of his innocent body that bloody ſweate, and extorted from him that lamentable complaint, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? Who will bee hired with the baſe wages of worldly vanities, to defile his ſoule againe with the filth of ſinne, which could no otherwiſe be clenſed and purged then by the precious blood of Ieſus Chriſt, of infinite more value then ten thouſand worlds? And ſo on the other ſide, who can bee ſlacke in the ſeruice of ſo gracious a Sauiour? or bee ſparing in his paines to glorifie him, who for his redemption hath not ſpared his deareſt blood? Who would not worſhip him in all the duties of holineſſe, who hath purchaſed his happineſſe at ſuch a rate as men and Angels were not able to diſcourſe? who is ſo vnthankfully ſlothfull, that will not ſpend his ſweate in his ſeruice, and his teares, becauſe he cannot ſpend ſo much as he ſhould, and euen his blood to make vp what is wanting in them both, for him and his ſake, that hath clenſed our bodies and ſoules from the ingrained ſpots, and vncurable leproſie of ſinne, with his bloody ſweate, yea full ſtreames of his precious blood? Who will now grudge to doe works of mercy, or to feed the poore members of Ieſus Chriſt with his ſpare food, & to clothe them with his caſt apparell; which remembreth that this bread of life came downe from heauen to be our food, and hath not ſpared to feaſt vsus at his owne royall Table, with his owne body and blood for our ſpirituall nouriſhment vntounto eternall life? that he who is the liuely and expreſſe Image of his Father, and equall vntounto him in glory and Maieſty, diſ-roabed himſelfe of this glorious garment, and tooke vponupon him the ſhape of a ſeruant, yea was content to be ſtripped of thoſe poore clothes he had ſuiting with his meane condition, and whileſt he bore our ſinnes, to beare our ſhame, hanging naked vponupon the Croſſe, that he might clothe vsus that were ſpiritually naked, with the rich and glorious robe of his righteouſneſſe and obedience?
§. Sect. 9 Becauſe thereby we are occaſioned to renew our Couenant with God.
Finally, the Lords Supper rightly vſed, is a notable meanes, to confirme and ſtrengthen vsus vntounto all duties of a godly life; becauſe it giueth vsus occaſion in our preparation, (that we may come as worthy gheſts to the Lords Table) to renew our Couenant with God, by renewing our faith in Chriſt, our repentance for our ſinnes, our louelove towards God and our neighbours, and all other ſauing graces in vsus. We renew our faith, by meditating vponupon Gods infinite mercies, and Chriſts all-ſufficient merits, the gracious and indefinite promiſes of the Goſpell, and the truth and omnipotencie of God, whereby he is willing and able to performe them; vponupon Gods Commandement, inioyning vsus to beleeue, and his bounty and goodneſſe, in giuing his Word and Sacraments made effectuall by his Spirit, whereby he inableth vsus to doe that which he commandeth. Wee renew vponupon this occaſion our repentance alſo, by bewailing our ſinnes paſt, and ſtrengthening our reſolution, to leaue and forſake them for the time to come, and to ſerue God in the contrary duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. And ſeeing our great wants and imperfections in all Gods graces and Chriſtian duties, we promiſe and vow in our ſelues, and vntounto God, that wee will carefully vſe all good meanes whereby we may attaine vntounto them in more perfection. So likewiſe after the receiuing of this Sacrament, wee take occaſion to examine our ſelues, how we hauehave profited and increaſed in ſpirituall ſtrength and growth of grace, by being feaſted at the Lords Table with this food of our ſoules; and being mindfull of our promiſes made before we come to the Lords Table, we become more diligent in vſing the meanes whereby Gods graces may be perfited in vsus, and we ſtrengthened vntounto all good duties. And that we may not appeare to be Couenant-breakers with God, and to hauehave receiued his grace in vaine, we are made more carefull and conſcionable in looking to all our wayes, for the auoyding of all thoſe ſinnes wherewith formerly we hauehave beene ouertaken, and practizing thoſe duties which we hauehave heretofore neglected, and ſo to carry our ſelues in the whole courſe of our liues, that we may at all times and in all things pleaſe the Lord, whom we hauehave found and felt ſo gracious vntounto vsus. In all which reſpects, who doth not plainly ſee, that the often reſorting to the Lords Table, if we come vntounto it duely prepared, is a moſt effectuall meanes to inrich vsus with all Gods graces, and to ſtrengthen vsus vntounto all good duties of a godly life? And therefore they are moſt iniurious vntounto their owne ſoules, who ſeldome come to this ſpirituall feaſt, and take eueryevery ſlight occaſion of defrauding them of their due food, ſeeing heereby they make them droope in their ſpirituall life, to languiſh and waxe faint in all ſauing grace, and to become vtterly, both vnable and vnwilling, to performe vntounto God any ſincere and cheerefull ſeruice.