A Petition for Peace with the Reformation of the Liturgy, Part 4
The Order of Celebrating the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Chriſt.
This or the like Explication of the Nature, Uſe, and Benefits of this Sacrament, may bee uſed at the diſcretion of the Minister, when hee ſeeth it needful to the Inſtruction of the Communicants.
THat you may diſcern the Lords body, and underſtand the nature, uſe and benefits of this Sacrament, you muſt know that God created man in his own Image, to know, and love, and ſerve his Maker; That man fell under the guilt of ſin and condemnation, and left his holy Fitneſs for the work for which hee was created. That hereupon the wonderful love and wiſdome of God provided us a Remedy in our Redeemer, to the end hee might not loſe the glory of his Creation, that hee might pardon and ſave us upon terms. Securing the honour of his Juſtice, and attaining the ends of his Law and Government, and recover us to his love and ſervice, by appearing to the world, in the greateſt demonſtrations of Goodneſs, Love, and Mercy; By the greateſt Miracle of Condiſcenſion, hee firſt promiſed, and then gave his onelyonly Son the Eternal Word, to take mans nature into perſonal union with his God-head; that being God and Man, hee might bee a fit Mediator between God and Man, to reſtore us, and reconcile us to himſelf. Thus Jeſus Chriſt, conceived by the Holy Ghoſt, and born of the Virgin Mary, became the ſecond Adam, the Phyſician and Saviour of undone Sinners, the Captain of our Salvation, to bee the glorious King and Head of all that are ſanctified and ſaved. Hee revealed the Holineſs, the Goodneſs, and the Love of God, by the perfect Holineſs, Goodneſs, and Love of his Bleſſed Perſon, Doctrine, and Converſation, and by ſuffering for us all the Afflictions of this life, and at laſt the curſed death of the Croſs, as a Sacrifice and Ranſome for us. That all this might be effectual to our Recovery, hee made for us a new and better Covenant, and preached it himſelf, undertaking the Pardon, Juſtification, and Sanctification of all that by unfeigned Faith do take him for their Saviour, repenting of their ſins, and conſenting to be ſanctified by his Word and Spirit (by which alſo hee inviteth, and draweth men to himſelf, and giveth them to beleeve) Into this bleſſed, pardoning, ſaving Covenant, wee are firſt ſolemnly entred by Baptiſm. And when Chriſt was ready to leave the world, and to give up himſelf a Sacrifice for us, and intercede and exerciſe the fulneſs of his Kingly Power, as the Churches Head; and by his grace to draw men to himſelf, and prepare them for his glory; hee did himſelf inſtitute this Sacrament of his body and blood at his laſt Supper, to bee a continued Repreſentation and Remembrance of his Death, and therein of his own and his Fathers Love until his coming; appointing his Miniſters by the Preaching of the Goſpel, and Adminiſtration of theſe Sacraments to bee his Agents without, and his Spirit within, effectually to communicate his Grace.
The Lords Supper then [is a holy Sacrament inſtituted by Chriſt, wherein Bread and Wine being firſt by Conſecration made Sacramentally or Repreſentatively the body and blood of Chriſt, are uſed by breaking and pouring out to repreſent, and commemorate the Sacrifice of Chriſts Body and Blood, upon the Croſs once offered up to God for ſin; and are given in the Name of Chriſt unto the Church, to ſignifie & ſolemnize the renewal of his holy Covenant with them, and the giving of himſelf unto them, to expiate their ſins by his Sacrifice, and ſanctifie them further by his Spirit, and confirm their right to everlaſting life: And they are received, Eaten, and drunk by the Church, to profeſs that they willingly receive Chriſt himſelf to the Ends aforeſaid (their Juſtification, Sanctification, and Glorification) and to ſignifie and ſolemnize the Renewal of their Covenant with him, and their holy Communion with him, and with one another.]
It being the renewing of a mutual Covenant that is here ſolemnized, as wee commemorate Chriſts Sacrifice, and receive him and his ſaving benefits, ſo wee offer and deliver to him our ſelves, as his redeemed, ſanctified people, to bee a living Acceptable Sacrifice, thankfully and obediently to live unto his Praiſe.
Before the receiving of this holy Sacrament, wee muſt examine our ſelves, and come preparedly: In the receiving of it, wee muſt exerciſe holy affections ſuited to the work; And after the receiving of it, wee muſt by conſideration of it, indeavour to revive the ſame Affections, and perform our Covenant there renewed.
The holy Qualifications to bee before Provided, and in Receiving exerciſed, and after Receiving, are theſe. 1. A true beleef of the Articles of the Chriſtian Faith, concerning the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt; the Perſon, Offices, Works, and Sufferings, and Benefits of Chriſt. 2. The ſenſe of our ſinful and undone condition, as in our ſelves, and of our need of Chriſt: ſo as humbly to loath our ſelves for our tranſgreſſions: with the ſenſe of our preſent weakneſſes to bee ſtrengthened, and ſins to bee forgiven. 3. A true deſire after Chriſt for pardon, and ſpiritual Nouriſhment and Salvation. 4. A thankful ſenſe of the Wonderful Love of God, declared in our Redemption, and in the preſent offers of Chriſt, and Life. 5. The exerciſe of holy love and joy in the ſenſe of this unſpeakable Love, (if theſe two bee not felt before wee come, yet in, and after the Sacrament) we muſt ſtrive to exerciſe them. 6. A love to one another and forgiving wrongs to one another, with a deſire after the Communion of Saints. 7. The giving up our ſelves in Covenant to God, with reſolution of renewed Obedience. 8. A patient hope for the coming of Chriſt himſelf, and of the Everlaſting Kingdome where wee ſhall bee perfectly united in him, and glorified with him.
Thoſe onelyonly are to bee invited to the Lords Table, and to come, that truly repent and beleeve, and unfeignedly conſent to the terms of the Covenant (though all are not to bee invited thus to beleeve and repent, and ſo to come) But thoſe are to be admitted, by the Paſtors, if they come, who, having the uſe of reaſon to underſtand what they do, and examine themſelves, have made a Perſonal Profeſſion of Faith, Repentance and Obedience; and are Members of the Church, and not juſtly for Hereſie, or ſcandalous ſin removed from its preſent Communion.
The benefit of the Sacrament is not to be judged of onelyonly by preſent Experience and Feeling, but by Faith. God having appointed us to uſe it, and promiſed his Bleſſing, wee may and muſt beleeve, that hee will make good his Promiſe, and what ever wee feel at preſent, that wee ſincerely wait not on him in vain.
The Exhortation.
YOu are invited hither, Dear Brethren, to bee Gueſts at this Holy Table, by the Lords Command, to receive the greateſt Mercy, and to perform the greateſt duty. On Chriſts part, All things are made ready. The Feaſt is prepared for you, even for you that by ſin have deſerved to bee caſt out of the preſence of the Lord; for you that have ſo oft neglected and abuſed Mercy. A Feaſt of the Body and Blood of Chriſt, free to you, but dear to him. You were loſt, and in the way to bee loſt for ever, when by the greateſt Miracle of Condiſcending-love, hee ſought and ſaved you: You were dead in ſin, condemned by the Law, the Slaves of Satan; There wanted nothing but the Executing-ſtroak of Juſtice, to have ſent you into endleſs miſery: When our dear Redeemer pitied you in your blood, and ſhed his own to waſh and heal you. Hee ſuffered, that was offended that the offender might not ſuffer. Hee cried out on the Croſs, My God, My God, Why hast thou forſaken mee, that wee who had deſerved it, might not bee everlaſtingly forſaken. Hee died, that wee might live: O how would the mercy of Redemption have affected you, if you had firſt lyen one year, or month, or day in Hell; Had you but ſeen your dying Lord, or ſeen the damned in their miſery, how do you think you ſhould have valued the Salvation that is now revealed and tendred to you; ſee here Chriſt dying in this holy Repreſentation. Behold the ſacrifized Lamb of God, that taketh away the ſins of the world. It is his will to be thus frequently crucified before your eyes. O how ſhould wee bee covered with ſhame, and loath our ſelves, that have both procured the death of Chriſt by ſin, and ſinned againſt it? And how ſhould wee all bee filled with joy, that have ſuch myſteries of Mercy opened, and ſo great. Salvation freely offered to us! O hate ſin, O love this Saviour; See that you come not hither without a deſire to bee more Holy, nor with a purpoſe to go on in wilful ſin; Bee not deceived; God is not mocked, but if you heartily repent and conſent to the Covenant, come and welcome; Wee have commiſſion from Chriſt to tell you, that you are welcome. Let no trembling, contrite ſoul draw back, that is willing to bee Chriſts upon his Covenant-terms, but beleeve that Chriſt is much more willing to bee yours. Hee was firſt willing, and therefore died for you, and made the Covenant of Grace, and ſent to invite and importune you to conſent, and ſtayed for you ſo long, and gave you your Repentance, your willingneſs and deſire. Queſtion not then his willingneſs, if you are willing. It is Satan and unbeleef that would have you queſtion it, to the injury both of Chriſt and you. Come neer, obſerve, beleeve and wonder at the Riches of his Love and Grace. For hee hath himſelf invited you, to ſee and taſte, that you may wonder. You are ſinners, but hee inviteth you to receive a renewed, ſealed pardon of your ſins, and to give you more of his Spirit to overcome them. See here his broken Body and his Blood, the Teſtimonies of his Willingneſs. Thus hath hee ſealed the Covenant, which pardoneth all your ſins, and ſecureth you of your Reconciliation with God, and your Adoption, and your right to Everlaſting Bleſſedneſs. Deny not your conſent, but heartily give up your ſelves to Chriſt, and then doubt not, but your Scarlet, Crimſon-ſins ſhall bee made as white as Wooll, or Snow. Object not the number or greatneſs of them againſt his Grace. There is none too great for him to pardon to penitent Beleevers. Great ſins ſhall bring great glory to his Blood and Grace. But ſtrive you then for great loathing of your ſins, and greater love to ſuch a God, and greater thanks to ſuch a Saviour. Unfeignedly ſay, I am willing Lord to bee wholly Thine, and then beleevingly take Chriſt, and Pardon, and Life, as given you by his own appointment in the ſealed Covenant. And remember that hee is a coming. Hee is coming with thouſands of His Mighty Angels, to execute judgement on the ungodly, but to bee glorified in his Saints, and admired in all that do beleeve. And then wee ſhall have greater things than theſe. Then ſhall you ſee all the Promiſes fulfilled, which now are ſealed to you, on which hee cauſeth you to truſt; Revive now your love to one another, and forgive thoſe that have wronged you, and delight in the Communion of the Saints: And then you ſhall bee admitted into the Church Triumphant, where with perfect Saints you ſhall perfectly rejoyce and love, and praiſe the Lord for ever. Receive now a crucified Chriſt here repreſented, and bee contented to take up your Croſs, and follow him. And then you ſhall reign with a glorified Chriſt in the Bleſſed Viſion and Fruition of that God, to whom, by Chriſt, you are now reconciled. Let Faith and Love bee working upon theſe things, while you are at this holy Table.
Then ſhall the Miniſter uſe this or the like Prayer.
MOſt Holy God, wée are as ſtubble before thée, the Conſuming Mal. 4 …. Heb 12. 29. 1 Sa…. 6. 20. Mal. 3. 2. Iſa. 4. Luk. 19. …0. Eph. 2. 5 Luk. 15. 32. Eze. 16. 6, 8, 9. Col. 1. 13. Jer. 6. 28. Deut. 4. 23. Deut. 6. 5, 6. & 11, 22. Pſa. 100. 3. 4. Heb. 12. 25. Deut. 9 12. & 32. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 2. 1 Joh. 2. 15. Eph. 2. 3. Gal. 5. 24. Mat 22. 37, 40. Luk. 10. 42. Mat. 25. 30 Rom. 2. 23. 1 Cor. 10. 31. 1 Theſ. 4. 1. Luk. 8. 1…. Mat 24. 15. Pſa. 1. …. Deut 6. 6. Phil. … 6. 1 Cor 11. 27 28. Iſa 64. 7. Col. 27. Act. 2. 42, 45, 46, 47. 1 Cor. 11. 29. Mal 1. 7, 10. 1…. & 2. 10. 1…. Pſal. 85. 8. Gen. 4 16. Pſa 51. 11. 2 Chron. 15. 2. Mat. 22. 12. Ma…. 7 25. Mal. 1. 10. 1 Pet. 2 24. Iſa. 53. 10. Pſal. 51.Fire, How ſhall wée ſtand before thy Holineſs, for wée are a ſinful people, laden with Iniquity, that have gone backward and provoked the Holy one of Iſrael, when wée were loſt, thy Son did ſéek and ſave us, when wée were dead in ſin, thou madeſt us alive. Thou ſaweſt us polluted in our blood, and ſaidſt unto us live. In that time of love thou coveredſt our nakedneſs, and enteredſt into a Covenant with us, and wée became thine own. Thou didſt deliver us from the power of Darkneſs, and tranſlate us into the Kingdome of thy dear Son; and gaveſt us remiſſion of ſin, through his blood. But wée are grievous Revolters, wée have forgotten the Covenant of the Lord our God; wée were engaged to love thee with all our hearts, and to hate iniquity, and ſerve thée diligently, and thankfully to ſet forth thy praiſe. But wée have departed from thée, and corrupted our ſelves by ſelf love, and by loving the world, and the things that are in the world, and have fulfilled the deſires of the Fleſh, which wée ſhould have crucified. Wée have neglected our duty to thée, and to our neighbour, and the neceſſary care of our own Salvation. Wée have béen unprofitable ſervants, and have hid thy Talents, and have diſhonoured thée, whom in all things wée ſhould have pleaſed and glorified. Wée have béen negligent in hearing and reading thy Holy Word, and in meditating and conferring of it, in publick and private Prayer, and thankſgiving, and in our preparation to this Holy Sacrament, in the Examining of our ſelves, and repenting of our ſins, and ſtirring up our hearts to a beleeving and thankfull receiving of thy grace, and to love and Joyfulneſs, in our Communion with thée and with one another. Wée have not duely diſcerned the Lords Body, but have prophaned thy Holy Name and Ordinance, as if the Table of the Lord had been contemptible. And when thou haſt ſpoken peace to us, wée returned again to Folly, wée have deſerved O Lord to bée caſt out of thy preſence. And to bée forſaken, as wée have forſaken thée, and to hear to our confuſion, Rev. 1. 5. Hoſ. 14. 2. Eze. 18. 38. Heb. 8. 12, Eze. 33 11. Hoſ 14. 4. Pſa. 35. 3. Ioh 6. 37. Hos. 14 2. Mat. 22. 4. Mat. 5. 6. Joh. 6, 55. & 4. 14. Eph. 3. 18, 19. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Mat. 15. 27. Ioh. 6. 35. 51.Depart from mée, I know you not, yée workers of iniquity. Thou mayeſt juſtly tell us, thou haſt no pleaſure in us, nor wilt receive an offering at our hand. But with thée there is abundant mercy. And our Advocate Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous, is the propitiation for our ſins: who bare them in his body on the Croſs, and made himſelf an offering for them, that hée might put them away by the ſacrifice of himſelf; Have mercy upon us and waſh us in his blood, Cloath us with his Righteouſneſs, take away our iniquities, and let them not bée our ruine, forgive them and remember them no more: O thou that delighteſt not in the death of ſinners, heal our backſlidings love us freely, and ſay unto our ſouls, that thou art our ſalvation. Thou wilt in no wiſe caſt out them that come unto thée, receive us graciouſly to the Feaſt thou haſt prepared for us, cauſe us to hunger, and thirſt after Chriſt, and his Righteouſneſs, that wée may bée ſatisfied, Let his Fleſh, and blood bee to us Meat and Drink indéed, And his ſpirit bée in us, a well of living water, Springing up to Everlaſting life. Give us to know thy Love in Chriſt, which paſſeth knowledge. Though wée have not ſéen him let us love him. And though now wée ſee him not, yet beleeving let Pſal. 85. 8. Epheſ. 4. 30. Heb. 3. 13. Col. 3. 5. Epheſ. 3. 16. Pſal. 119. 175.us rejoyce with joy unſpeakable, and full of glory; Though wée are unworthy of the crums that fall from thy Table, yet féed us with the Bread of Life, and ſpeak and ſeal up Peace to our ſinful wounded ſouls. Soften our hearts that are hardened by the deceitfulneſs of ſin; Mortifie the Fleſh, and ſtrengthen us with might in the inward man; that wee may live and glorifie thy Grace, through Jeſus Chriſt our onelyonly Saviour.
Amen.
Here let the Bread he brought to the Miniſter, and received by him and ſet upon the Table, and then the Wine in like manner (or if they be ſet there before) however let him bleſs them, praying in theſe or the like words.
ALmighty God, thou art the Creator, and the Lord of all Pſa. 100 3. Rev. 4. 11. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Pſa. 51. 4. Deut. 32. 6. 1 Ioh. 3. 1. Ioh. 3. 16. Luk. 22. 20. Heb. 9. 17. Luk. 22. 19.things. Thou art the Soveraign Majeſty whom wée have offended; Thou art our moſt loving and merciful Father, who haſt given thy Son to reconcile us to thy ſelf, who hath ratified the New Teſtament and Covenant of Grace with his moſt precious blood; and hath inſtituted this Holy Sacrament to bee celebrated in remembrance of him till his coming. Sanctifie theſe thy Creatures of Bread and Wine, which according to thy Inſtitution and Command, wee ſet apart to this holy uſe, that they may bee Sacramentally, The Body and Blood of thy Son Jeſus Chriſt.
Amen.
Then (or immediately before this Prayer) let the Miniſter read the words of the Inſtitution, ſaying;
HEar what the Apoſtle Paul ſaith, 1 Cor. 11. [For I have received 1 Cor. 11. 23.of the Lord, that which alſo I deliver unto you; that the Lord Jeſus the ſame night, in which hee was betrayed, took Bread, and when 24.hee had given thanks, hee brake it, and ſaid, Take, Eat, This is my Body which is broken for you: This do in remembrance of mee: After 25.the ſame manner alſo, hee took the Cup, when hee had ſupped, ſaying, This Cup is the New Teſtament in my Blood, This do yee, as oft as 26.yee drink it in remembrance of mee; For as often as yee eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, yee do ſhew the Lords death till hee come.]
Then let the Miniſter ſay.
THis Bread and Wine, being ſet apart, and conſecrated to this Holy uſe by Gods appointment, are not now Common Bread and Wine, but Sacramentally the Body and Blood of Chriſt.
Then let him thus Pray.
MOſt merciful Saviour, as thou haſt loved us to the death, Act. 7. 59, 60. Rev. 1. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Luk. 22, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11. 26. Heb. 7. 25, 27. & 9. 26. John 4. 10. & 6. 63. Rom. 8. 9. 11. Heb. 2. 17. Col. 2. 19. John 6. 27.and ſuffered for our ſins, the juſt for the unjuſt, and haſt inſtituted this holy Sacrament to bee uſed in remembrance of Thée till thy coming; Wée beſéech Thée, by thine interceſſion with the Father, through the Sacrifice of thy Body and Blood, give us the pardon of our ſins, and thy quickening Spirit, without which the Fleſh will profit us nothing. Reconcile us to the Father; Nouriſh us as thy Members to Everlaſting Life,
Amen.
Then let the Miniſter take the Bread, and break it in the ſight of the People, ſaying.
THe Body of Chriſt was broken for us, and offered once for all Mat. 26. 26. Heb. 10. 10. John 1. 29.to ſanctifie us; Behold the ſacrificed Lamb of God, that taketh away the ſins of the World.
In like manner let him take the Cup, and pour out the Wine in the ſight of the Congregation, ſaying;
WEE were redeemed with the precious Blood of Chriſt, as of a Lamb without blemiſh, and without ſpot.
Then let him thus Pray.
MOſt holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Mat. 28. 19. Joh. 15. 26. Matth. 1. 20. 2 Pet. 1. 21. Act. 20. 23. Rom. 8. 9. 1 Cor. 12. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 2. 15. & 2. 9. Joh. 14. 16. Epheſ. 1. 17, 18. Luke 24. 31. Ezek. 36. 26. Zech. 12. 10. Rom. 8. 5. Joh. 6. 53, 54, 55, 56, 57. Rom. 5. 5. Cant. 1. 4. Epheſ. 5. 18, 20. Rom. 14. 17. 1 Theſ. 4. 9. Rom. 8. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 8. Epheſ. 1. 13, 14.Son, by whom Chriſt was conceived; by whom the Prophets and Apoſtles were inſpired, and the Miniſters of Chriſt are qualified and called, that dwelleſt and workeſt in all the members of Chriſt, whom hou ſanctifieſt to the Image, and for the ſervice of their Head, and comforteſt them, that they may ſhew forth his Praiſe; Illuminate us, that by Faith wée may ſée him that is here repreſented to us. Soften our hearts, and humble us for our ſins. Sanctifie and quicken us, That wée may relliſh the Spiritual Food, and feed on it to our Nouriſhment and growth in Grace. Shed abroad the Love of God upon our hearts, and draw them out in love to him. Fill us with thankfulneſs, and holy Joy, and with love to one another; Comfort us by witneſſing that wée are the Children of God. Confirm us for New Obedience. Bée the Earneſt of our Inheritance, and ſeal us up to Everlaſting Life.
Amen.
Then let the Miniſter deliver the Bread thus Conſecrated and broken to the Communicants, firſt taking and eating it himſelf as one of them, when hee hath ſaid;
TAke yée, Eat yée, This is the Body of Chriſt which is broken 1 Cor. 11. 24.for you, Do this in remembrance of him.
In like manner hee ſhall deliver them the Cup, firſt drinking of it himſelf, when hee hath ſaid,
THis Cup is the New Teſtament in Chriſts Blood, or Chriſts Mat. 26. 27, 28. 1 Cor. ….Blood of the New Teſtament which is ſhed for you for the remiſſion of ſins, Drink yee all of it in remembrance of him.
Let it be left to the Miniſters choice, whether hee will conſecrate the Bread and Wine together, and break the Bread, and pour out the Wine immediately; or whether hee will conſecrate and pour out the Wine, when the Communicants have eaten the Bread. If hee do the latter, hee muſt uſe the fore-going Prayers and Expreſſions twice accordingly, and let it bee left to his diſcretion, whether hee will uſe any words at the breaking of the Bread, and pouring out the Wine, or not; And if the Miniſter chuſe to pray but once, at the Conſecration, Commemoration, and Delivery; Let him pray as followeth, or to this ſenſe.
ALmighty God, thou art the Creator, and the Lord of all. Thou art the Soveraign Majeſty whom wee have offended. Thou art our merciful Father, who haſt given us thy Son to reconcile us to thy ſelf; who hath ratified the New Teſtament and Covenant of Grace with his moſt precious blood, and hath inſtituted this Holy Sacrament to bée Celebrated in memorial of him, till his coming. Sanctifie theſe thy Creatures of bread and wine, which according to thy will, wée ſet apart to this holy uſe, that they may bée Sacramentally, the Body and Blood of thy Son Jeſus Chriſt. And through his ſacrifice and interceſſion give us the pardon of all our ſins and bée reconciled to us, and nouriſh us by the body and blood of Chriſt to Everlaſting life. And to that end give us thy quickning ſpirit to ſhewChriſt to our beléeving ſouls, that is here repreſented to our ſenſes. Let him ſoften our hearts and humble us for our ſins, and cauſe us to féed on Chriſt by Faith; Let him ſhed abroad thy love upon our hearts, and draw them on in love to thée, and fill us with Holy Joy and thankfulneſs, and fervent love to one another, let him comfort us by witneſſing that wée are thy Children, and confirm us for New obedience, and bée the Earneſt of our Inheritance, and ſeal us up to life Everlaſting, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord and Saviour, Amen.
Let it bee left to the Miniſters diſcretion, whether to deliver the Bread and Wine to the People (at the Table) onelyonly in General, each one taking it, and applying it to themſelves; or to deliver it in General to ſo many as are in each particular form; or to put it into every perſons hand: As alſo at what ſeaſon to take the Contribution for the Poor. And let none of the people be forced to ſit, ſtand, or kneel in the Act of Receiving, whoſe Judgement is againſt it.
The Participation being ended, let the Miniſter pray thus, or to this ſenſe.
MOſt Glorious God, how wonderful is thy power, and wiſdome, Rom. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 24. Eph. 3. 10 Rom. 3. 22. 26. Tit. 3. 4. Rom. 5. 6. Act. 4. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 12. Luk. 2. 13, 14. Rev. 5. 12, 13. 9. 10. Rom. 5. 20. 1 Pet. 1, 19. Mat. 18. 32. 33. Rev. 3. 21. & 22. 4. Rom. 8. 38, 39. Heb. 10. 23. 2 Pet. 1. 4. Heb. 9. 15. Eph. 4. 30. Luk. 7. 47. Mat. 18. 33. 1 Joh. 4. 11. Ezr. 9. 13, 14. Pſa. 44. 17. Rom. 6. 1, 2. Col. 3. …. Phil. 3. 18, 19, 20, 21. Pſa. 143. 10. Heb. 5. 9. Pſa. 119. 133. 2 Cor. 5. 15. Eph. 1. 11. Mat. 5. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 12. Pſa. 119. 5. Luk. 22. 31. 1 Pet. 5. 8, 10 Eph. 6, 11. Rom. 16. 20. 1 Cor. 6. 20.thy Holineſs and Juſtice, thy love and mercy in this work of our Redemption, by the Incarnation, life, death, reſurrection, interceſſion, and dominion of thy Son! No power or wiſdome in Heaven or Earth, could have delivered us but thine. The Angels deſire to pry into this Myſtery, the Heavenly Hoſt do celebrate it with praiſes, ſaying, Glory bée to God in the Higheſt; On Earth peace; Good will towards men. The whole Creation ſhall proclaim thy Praiſes, Bleſſing, Honour, Glorie and power bée unto him that ſitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain to receive Power, and Honour, and Glory, for hée hath redeemed us to God by his blood, and made us Kings, and Prieſts unto our God. Where ſin abounded, Grace hath abounded much more. And haſt thou indéed forgiven us ſo great a debt, by ſo precious a Ranſome? Wilt thou indéed give us to reign with Chriſt in Glory, and ſée thy face, and love thée, and bée beloved of thée for ever? Yea, Lord thou haſt forgiven us, and thou wilt glorifie us, for thou art faithful that haſt promiſed. With the blood of thy Son, with the Sacrament, and with thy ſpirit, thou haſt ſealed up to us theſe precious promiſes. And ſhall wée not love thée, that haſt thus loved us? Shall wée not love thy Servants, and forgive our Neighbours their little debt? After all this ſhall wée again forſake thée, and deal falſly in thy Covenant? God forbid; O ſet our affections on the things above, where Chriſt ſitteth at thy right hand, Let us no more minde Earthly things, but let our Converſation bée in Heaven, from whence wée expect our Saviour to come and change us into the likeneſs of his glory. Teach us to do thy will, O God, and to follow him, who is the Author of Eternal Salvation, to all them that do obey him. Order our ſteps by thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over us. Let us not henceforth live unto our ſelves, but unto him who died for us and roſe again. Let us have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful works Rom. 12. 1. 2 Tim. 2. 21 Rom. 6. 22.of darkneſs, but reprove them. And let our light ſo ſhine before men, that they may glorifie thée. In Simplicity, and Godly Sincerity, and not in Fleſhly wiſdome, let us have our Converſation in the world. O that our waies were ſo directed that wée might kéep thy ſtatutes! Though Satan will bée deſirous again to ſift us, and ſéek as a roaring Lion to devour, ſtrengthen us to ſtand againſt his Wiles, and ſhortly bruiſe him under our féet. Accept us, O Lord, who reſign our ſelves unto thée, as thine own; and with our thanks and praiſe, preſent our ſelves, a living Sacrifice to bée acceptable through Chriſt. Uſeful for thine honour. Being made frée from ſin, and become thy Servants, let us have our fruit unto Holineſs, and the End Everlaſting Life. Through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
Next add this, or ſome ſuch Exhortation, if there bee time.
DEar Brethren, wee have been here feaſted with the Son of God at his Table, upon his Fleſh and Blood, in preparation for the Feaſt of Endleſs Glory. You have ſeen here repreſented, what ſin deſerveth, what Chriſt ſuffered, what wonderful Love the God of infinite Goodneſs hath expreſſed to us. You have had Communion with the Saints, you have renewed your Covenant of Faith, and thankful Obedience unto Chriſt; You have received his renewed Covenant of Pardon, Grace and Glory unto you. O carry hence the lively ſenſe of theſe great and excellent things upon your hearts: You came not onelyonly to receive the mercy of an hour onelyonly, but that which may ſpring up to Endleſs Joy: You came not onelyonly to do the duty of an hour, but to promiſe that which you muſt perform, while you live on Earth. Remember daily, eſpecially when temptations to unbeleef, and ſinful heavineſs aſſault you, what pledges of Love you here received; Remember daily, eſpecially when the Fleſh, the Devil, or the World, would draw your hearts again from God, and temptations to ſin are laid before you; what bonds God, and your own conſent have laid upon you. If you are Penitent Beleevers, you are now forgiven, and waſhed in the Blood of Chriſt. O go your way, and ſin no more. No more through wilfulneſs, and ſtrive againſt you ſins of weakneſſe. Wallow no more in the mire, and return not to your vomit. Let the exceeding Love of Chriſt conſtrain you, having ſuch Promiſes, to cleanſe your ſelves from all Filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit, perfecting Holineſs in the fear of God: And as a Choſen Generation, a Royal Prieſthood, an Holy Nation, a Peculiar People, to bee Zealous of good works, and ſhew forth the Praiſes of him that hath called you.
Next ſing ſome part of the Hymn in meeter, or ſome other ſit Pſalm of Praiſe (as the 23. 116. or 103. or 100, &c.) And conclude with this or the like Bleſſing.
NOw the God of Peace, which brought again from the dead our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that great Shepherd of the Shéep, through the Blood of the Everlaſting Covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his Will, working in you that which is well-pleaſing in his ſight, through Jeſus Chriſt, to whom bée Glory for ever and ever,
Amen.