A Light from Christ Leading Unto Christ, Classis 1
The firſt Claſsis or company of Queſtions.
1 Queſtion.
IS every man and woman (who profeſſe themſelves Chriſtians) bound in conſcience to make confeſſion or profeſſion of their Faith and Hope in Christ, to whomſoever is fit to require it in a fit time and place to Gods glory, and the good of Gods Church and Children?
Anſwer. Yes verely, the holy Spirit of Truth holdeth forth this in the Scripture of Truth,Mat. 16.23, 14, 15, 16. Luke 9.25, 26. 1 Pet. 3.14, 15, 16. as a Chriſtian duty, not to be aſhamed of Chriſts Word, or afraid of men; but to ſanctifie the Lord God in our hearts, and to be ready to give an Anſwer to every man that asketh a Reaſon of the hope that is in us, with meekneſſe and reverence.
Queſt. 2. But doth not the holy Apoſtle Paul require a man to examine himſelf, and prove himſelf? What then need any man or woman, 1 Cor. 11.28, 29. 2 Cor. 13.5. 1 Pet. 3.14, 15. Gal. 6.4.5. Gal. 2.8. Col. 3.20.22. He. 13.17 1 Tit. 14,26. 1 Tit. 5.17. 2 Tim. 2.24, &c.or childe, give an Anſwer to the Examination or Queſtion of another?
Anſ. The Apoſtle Paul indeed doth ſtrictly require ſelf-examination; but neither he nor any other in Scripture doth forbid or gainſay that which the ſame Spirit of God in St. Peter requireth as a duty; namely, give a reaſon of the hope that is in us, eſpecially to our Superiours in order of nature or office in the Church; as to Parents or maſters, to Teaching or Ruling Elders, eſpecially when it is deſired, diſcreetly, holily, humbly, as in Gods preſence with meekneſſe, compaſſion and love, for Gods glory, our own Edification, and the good of Gods Church.
Queſt. 3. Is Catechizing or Inſtruction of the ignorant Children and others of ancient practice, and approved authority in the Church of God?
Anſ. Moſt certainly it is,Gen. 18.18. Mat. 16.16, 17. Heb. 5.12, 13. Heb. 6.1, 2, 3. Euſebius l. 5. c. 9.10. Hicronim. in catalo. Euſebius l. 6. c. 56. Faithfull Abraham inſtructed his Family, Chriſt Catechized his Diſciples, the Apoſtles gave both milk for Babes, and meat for ſtrong men, laying down the principles of the Doctrine of Chriſt, and Catechiſme hath ſtill been continued in the Church of Chriſt, as Catechiſmes and Catechiſts witneſſe at large, and in particular Pantaenus a Catechiſt in the Primitive times ſucceeding the Apoſtles: After him Clemens Alexandrinus, Origen and others.
Queſt. 4. But may not all thoſe who call themſelves Chriſtians, and have been Baptized when they were Infants, be admitted to the Sacrament when they come to riper years, although they were never Catechized, or be they never ſo ignorant? And if ſo, Then what need Catechiſmes, or Catechizing, or any Examination, other then wha man can examine himſelf?
Anſ. All are not Iſrael that are of Iſrael, nor are all true Chriſtians that call themſelves Chriſtians;Rom. 9.6 Rev. 3.9. as ſome ſaid they were Iews and were not, but were of the Synagogue of Satan: ſo it is now, there are many Chriſtians in name, (or Baptized perſons) not only ſecret Hypocrites undiſcerned, (of whom we cannot judge) but open, careleſſe, and notoriouſly ignorant of Chriſt and Chriſtianity; yea, without the knowledge of God or of themſelves, or of Chriſt, or of the Sacrament in any competent meaſure, requiſite to enable them to examine themſelves (as the Scripture,1 Cor. 11.28. and the Spirit of Chriſt in the Scriptures require) and theſe I conceive (though ſome men account them viſible Chriſtians) and although neither their lives are ſo ſcandalous, nor their ignorance ſuch, as for which they may be fitly Excommunicated from the preaching of the Goſpel, and all communion with the Saints, (they being willing to hear the Word Preached, and not rejecting Chriſts miniſters) yet their very ignorance is ſuch, that (in my judgement) they are not fit to be admitted to the Sacrament.
1 Example.I will give you an Example or two of my own experience: I did know one W.W. whom I found ignorant of Chriſt, (although he was above threeſcore years old) and telling him that the wages of ſin is death,Rom. 6.23. and that he muſt know ſome one that had died for him, or would die for him, to ſatisfie Gods Juſtice for his ſins; or elſe being a ſinner he could not be ſaved. He Anſwered me, That none had dyed for him, and none ſhould dye for him, but he would ſtand between God and himſelf: This man verely was unfit, in my minde, to be admitted to the Sacrament of the death of Chriſt, who did neither know nor believe that Chriſt dyed for ſinners,Rom. 4.25. nor roſe again for their Iuſtification: And when he did preſume thus ignorant to come to the Lords Table,1 Cor. ii, 29, 30. he ſinned in ſo doing, and did eat Iudgement to himſelf, not diſcerning the Lord Body. And yet I conceive he was not ſo ſcandalous in life, or ignorant, as to be Excommunicated from the Preaching of the Goſpel. For when after I did ſhew him his miſery by ſin,Ioh. 3.16. and the greatneſſe of Gods love in giving Chriſt to dye for poor ſinners, the tears ran down his cheeks for joy, and he confeſſed he never underſtood ſo much before; And yet he had once a year with his Neighbours at Eaſter received the Sacrament for many years together.
Example 2 The like ignorance I found in a manner in one W. D. an ancient man alſo, and one that had thought himſelf worldly wiſe; I asked him, who died for him (and that in a loving familiar way, as willing to inſtruct him:) He Anſwered me, The Son of God dyed for him: I was glad to hear his anſwer: but demanding of him again if he did know what this Son of God was that dyed for him, he pointed his hand towards the Sun then ſhining in the Firmament, (it being about two a clock in the Afternoon) and ſaid, Look, yonder in the Son of God that dyed for me, (bleſſed might he be.) It grieved me then to ſee his lamentable ignorance, which by that Anſwer and further Queſtions I found to be in him. I might give more Examples of the like: And ſuch I conceive ſin in coming to the Sacrament, though neither for ſcandall of life, nor for this ignorance, they be judged worthy to be Excommunicate from the word Preached.
Queſt. 5. Truly I am of your minde for this notorious ignorance, and for all ſuch us are not able to Examine themſelves; But what think you of thoſe who are otherwiſe Scandalous?
Anſ. There are too many Baptized perſons, Baptized in Childhood (now of ripe years, called (by ſome) viſible chriſtians) whom St. Paul calls enemies to Chriſt,Phil. 3.18.19. 1 Cor. 5.9, 10, 12. 2 Ioh. 10.11. 1 Cor. 1.11. 2 Cor. 2.9.10. who are openly and notoriouſly ſcandalous, ignorant, prophane, impenitent, and unreformed; with ſuch as theſe are, every true Chriſtian ought, as much as is poſſible, to avoid all familiarity, or intimate acquaintance (except to convert them) and much more all willing Communion with them at the Lords Table: And therefore certainly Catechiſmes and Catechizing is very neceſſary, that both knowledge and holineſſe may be held forth, as to the former, ſo to ſuch as theſe; and examination or tryall be made,1 Cor. 11.28, 29. both by themſelves and others, before they preſume to come to the Supper of the Lord.
Queſt. 6. Were there any in the Primitive times of the Church, who were converted to Chriſtianity, that were kept back for a time from the Sacrament?
Anſ. In the Primitive times, ſome who were converted extraordinarily upon profeſſion of their Faith in Chriſt, and deſire they were Baptized. Firſt, Thus was the Eunuch,Acts 8.37. Acts 8. Secondly, Thus was Cornelius and his company, (after the holy Ghoſt had given a publike evidence of their converſion and true Faith in Chriſt) admitted to Baptiſme.Acts 10.44, 45. 46, &c. Acts 8.18, 19, 20. 21, &c. 1 Tim. 1.19, 20. 3 Ioh. 9.10. 1 Cor. 5. Phil. 3.17, 18, 19. Heb. 6.4, 4, 6, &c. Heb. 10.24, 25, 26, &c. Thirdly, Some were converted only to an outward profeſſion of the Faith, amongſt whom were many hypocrites Baptized at the firſt; and theſe it may be were admitted to the Lords Supper untill they were diſcerned: But ſo ſoon as they were diſcerned and known, notice was taken of them, as ſuch who were fit to be caſt out, and their Communion avoided for their wickedneſſe and hypocriſie. Thus Simon Magus, Hymeneus, Alexander, Diotrephes, Demas, and ſuch like: ſome of which fell for a time and were reſtored, ſome fell to Hereſie and Apoſtacy and periſhed in their ſins.
Queſt. 7. Do you read of any difference of Chriſtians made afterwards in the Church, or were all that were converted to an outward profeſſion of the Faith admitted the Sacraments promiſcuouſly without any difference?
Anſ. Certainly no, They were not admitted to the Sacrament: For in proceſſe of time, when the Church did finde that many joyned themſelves to the Chriſtians, and made a profeſſion of the Faith (as true Believers) which after fell away,As before noted, 1 Tim. 1.26, 30. 2 Pet. 2.14, 15, 20. ſome to Hereſies, ſome to ſcandalous lives, and ſome to Paganiſme again: The Saints did not preſently then upon the firſt ſeeming converſion, or profeſſion of themſelves to believe, admit men or women ſo much as to Baptiſme, much leſſe to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper; but had a time of tryall and preparation for ſo great a work: Therefore Writers relate there were ſeverall orders of Chriſtians in the Church of Chriſt.
Queſt. 8. Which were theſe ſeverall Orders of Chriſtians in the Church?
Anſ. Firſt ſome were only Catechumenes, Iſidorus, Origen. lib. 14. Catechumenus dictus qui Doctrinam fidei audit nec dum tamen Baptiſmum percepit.hearers and learners of the Doctrine of the Goſpel by Catechizing as well as Preaching; yea, though they were men of ripe years, untill they were able to make a good profeſſion of their Faith, and give evidence of their ſincere converſion and reſolution, to perſevere by Gods Grace unto their lives end.
Queſt. 9. Have you read of any particular perſons who were ſuch Catechumens in the Church?
Anſ. Firſt, ſuch a Catechumen was Ambroſe, Sozomen, Hiſtor. Eccleſias, l. 6. c. 24.when he was choſen Biſhop or Overſeer of the Church of Millaine, the ſtate of the Church ſo requiring, by reaſon of Schiſmes and Hereſies then ſpringing up.
Eccleſ. Hiſt. Gent. 4. cap. 10. Cent. 5. cap. 10.Secondly, ſuch a Catechumen was Auguſtine, after he was converted from a Maniche to be a Chriſtian, and did write divers Books before he was Baptized by St. Ambroſe.
Arnobius, Adverſus Gentes, lib. 7.Thirdly, ſuch a Catechumen was Arnobius, who when he ſaw he was deferred Baptiſme, becauſe the Diſciples feared, leaſt being an eloquent man, if he ſhould revolt to Paganiſme, he might prophanely abuſe that holy Sacrament: Therefore he wrote an excellent Book againſt the Gentiles, to evidence the truth of his profeſſion, and conſtancy in the Faith of Chriſt.
2. Again there was a ſecond Order or Degree of Chriſtians, and theſe were ſuch Catechumens or Catechized perſons, who when they were well tryed and proved, or examined and approved.Socrates, Eccl. hiſt. l. 7. c 17. came to deſire Baptiſme, and were called Competitors, or Fellow-Catechumens deſiring Baptiſme, which when they received, they were arrayed in white Robes,In liturgi Chriſoſtomi. as Hiſtory relates.
And neither of theſe were yet received to the Lords Supper, untill they were baptized, and approved by the Church.
Queſt. 10. What were the third Order of Chriſtians in thoſe times?
Anſ. They were called the Faithfull; and theſe were ſuch Believers, or Beleeving Chriſtians, who after they were baptized,Socrates, Eccl. hiſt. l. 7. c. 17. & had made profeſſion & proof of their faith, were admitted to the Lords Table, and had Communion with their fellow-Saints in that holy Ordinance, and ſo were all fellow members of the myſticall Body of Chriſt. And in the firſt Primitive times of the Apoſtles and Church after Chriſt,1 Cor. 12.27. Acts 5.32. theſe Believers were together, and were of one heart, and of one ſoul; a ſweet example of unity for the Churches of Chriſt to the end of the world.
Queſt. 11. Was there not a fourth Order of Chriſtians?
Anſ. Yes, There is mention made of the Penitents, (who were ſuch believers) as after profeſſion of their Faith, and partaking of the Sacrament, did fall into ſome open, notorious, ſcandalous ſin, and were put back into the number and place of the Catechumens,Hospin. de Templis, page 88. and kept from the Sacrament, untill upon true ſignes of Repentance,D. Auguſt. Hom. 49. de verbis Apoſtol. Eph. 6.20. and ſatisfaction to the Church, they were received again into their former order, and re-admitted unto the Lords Supper; And ſo it is evident, all were not promiſcuouſly ſuffered to receive the Sacrament, who had been baptized, or were formerly received: But they were and might be kept back by the Church, and ſuch as had right Authority of Government in the Church, yea and be excommunicate upon lawfull and juſt cauſe given by notorious and ſcandalous offences,1 Cor. 5.3, 4, 5. 2 Cor. 2.5, 6, 7, 8. Iuſtellus in notis cod. can. Eccl. citat per Godwin. de Excom. untill God gave them Repentance, and they were reſtored again to the communion of Saints; till when, in ſome places they might not come into the Church, but ſtand weeping without, deſiring with tears thoſe that entred, to pray for them.
Queſt. 12. Thus you have ſhewed the practice of the Church for men of ripe yeers converted to the Faith, and for ſuch as were Communicants once received: But what ſay you of Children of believing Parents, born in the Church, and received by Baptiſme as outward viſible members of the Church, had they any ſuch priviledge, that when they came to years, they might be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, without Catechizing, Examination, and making profeſſion of their Faith, and the graces of God in them?
Anſ. Children of believing Parents have a priviledge to be baptized, as the children of Faithfull Abraham had to be circumciſed,Gen. 17.12. 1 Cor. 7.14. and ſo to be diſtinguiſhed from Children of Pagans, & ſteemed in the judgement of charity, as members of the Church, untill by wickednes & ſcandalous lives or ſome other wayes, they declared the contrary: but yet as the children of the faithfull Iſraelites were by Gods ſpeciall command to be inſtructed and Catechized in the knowledge of the Lord,Deut. 6.6, 7, 8, 9. Exod. 12.24, 25, 26, 27. 2 Tim. 1.5. 2 Tim. 3.15. & of his will and works, and in particular of the Sacrament, and the reaſon of it: So without doubt the Children of believing Parents, are to be catechized and inſtructed in the knowledge of God, and of themſelves, and of Chriſt, and of the Sacrament, & be able to make profeſſion of their Faith, before they be admitted to the Lords Table.D. Pet. Martyr. locor. com. Claſſ. 3. c. 8. S. 14. And hence I conceive was that decree and order in the Church, that Children of Believers, Baptized in Infancy, when they came to years of diſcretion,Cum tincti fuerunt homines in infantia, nec fidei confeſſionem edidorunt, decretum eſt ut cum veniſſent ad maturiorem a tatem vocarentur ad Epiſcopum & publicè fidem ſuam profiterentur. Heb. 5.11, &c. & were Catechized and ſufficiently inſtructed, they ſhould be called to make profeſſion of their faith in publike, and prayers put up unto God, for their perſeverance in the Faith to the end: This after was called Confirmation, ſo much abuſed ſince by the Romiſh Synagogue, and by the Papiſts and Popiſh Biſhops: the good uſe of which, according to the firſt inſtitution, as a policy of the Church, might well have been continued, and may be profitable in the Church of Chriſt, that men ſo Baptized in Infancy, might be approved for right knowledge, and holy converſation, before they be entertained at this Feaſt of the Lord: And ſo Catechizing is a neceſſary duty in the Church of Chriſt.
Queſt. 13. But doth not the Sacrament hold forth Chriſt crucified to the eyes, as well as Preaching of the Goſpel doth to the eares; And may not a man be converted to the faith of Chriſt by the Sacrament, as well as by the Word Preached? And if ſo, Wherefore then may not all ignorant and ſcandalous, and impenitent men and women be admitted to the Sacrament, as well as to hear the Goſpel Preached?
Anſ. Firſt, I will not deny but the Sacrament doth hold forth Chriſt crucified to a believing eye, that by the eye of faith can look upon the Body of Chriſt broken with torments, and blood of Chriſt ſhed to the death for ſin, whileſt the eye of the Body doth behold the Bread broken, and the Wine powred out in this Sacrament. And
Secondly, I do acknowledge that the Lord may & can if he pleaſe convert a wicked, blinde, ignorant, prophane man or woman, by ſeeing the Bread broken, and the Wine powred out, and eſpecially by thoſe manifeſtations of Chriſts Death and Paſsion, and thoſe Dehortations and Admonitions of Ignorant and prophane, ſcandalous men and women to withdraw, and not preſume to come to the Lords Table, untill God give them Repentance; And by thoſe invitations of believing, humble, hungry, repenting ſouls to draw nigh to meet Chriſt, and feaſt with him at his Table, and this by the power of the Spirit of Chriſt, bringing all home to the ſoul. But it is the preaching of the Goſpel in another manner then at the Sacrament, that is, the common and ordinary way of converſion, in which men and women ought to wait upon Chriſt for Repentance and Remiſſion of ſins;Acts 5.31. Rom. 10.14, 15, 16, 17. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, and this by Preaching, as the Apoſtle Saint Paul publiſheth. Secondly, the Sacrament hath properly another end, namely, as Circumciſion of old was a ſign of the Covenant between God and Abraham, Gen. 17.7, 8, &c. Rom. 4.11.and and a ſeal and pledge not of a corporall Covenant, but of that Covenant of Grace in Chriſt, and of that Righteouſneſſe of Faith, or of Chriſt received by Faith, and which Abraham enjoyed by believing, and Saints by our ingrafting into Chriſt: And as the Paſſeover or Paſchall Lamb, and ſprinckling of the Blood upon the two ſide-poſts,Exod. i2.22. and upon the lintell of the door of the houſe was a ſign and ſeal, and pledge to confirm the Faith of Iſrael: That God would paſſe over their houſes when the Angel deſtroyed the firſt-born of Egypt, and that God would ſprinckle their ſouls with the Bloud of Chriſt,Heb. 12.24. that blood of ſprinkling that ſpeaketh better things then did the bloud of Abell, ſo this Sacrament was properly inſtituted to confirme and ſtrengthen the Diſciples Faith,Mat. 26.26, &c. and ſo the faith of all Beleevers, and to ſeale and aſſure unto them the Covenant of Grace,1 Cor. ii.23, &c. Chriſt and his benefits promiſed. And it was not inſitituted for Pagans and Infidels and unbeleevers to convert them, but for Beleevers to confirme them in the faith, as by the Inſtitution of this Sacrament may appeare,Exod. 12.47, 48. Rom. 2.28, 29. and as the Paſſeover was not to be eaten of the uncircumciſed, but of the circumciſed, and thoſe who were circumciſed in heart, at leaſt in outward appearance, as the Apoſtle holds forth true Iews, and ſo true Chriſtians now in the Church of Chriſt, (at leaſt in appearance) ought to be admitted to the Sacrament.
Queſt. 14. This is an Anſwer ſufficient: Iudges 6.31.But what further may be ſaid to ſuch as plead for Baal, and ſeem to ſet open a door for all prophane, ignorant, unbelieving, impenitent perſons, to come to this holy Sacrament?
Anſ. That the Word hath, and may be Preached to all creatures, men and women of all ſorts, Drunkards,Mar. 16.15. Matth. 9.10, 13. 1 Tim. 1. 15, 16. Mat. 10. 14, 15. Adulterers, whores, except ſuch as reject the Goſpell, and maliciouſly perſecute the Miniſters of Chriſt, againſt whom they may ſhake off the duſt of their feet. But to admit all ſorts to the Sacrament, all ignorant and ſcandalous impenitent perſons,Act. 13.44, &c. Act. 18.5, 6. Mat. 18.15, 16. Levit. 19.17. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. this ought not to be ſuffered: But thoſe in Authority in the Church, ought rather to ſuſpend or deliver up ſuch to Satan, for the deſtruction of the fleſh, that the Spirit may be ſaved in the day of the Lord Jeſus.
Queſt. 15. It ſeemeth evident to me then, that every man and woman who may come to the Preaching of the Word, may not come to the Sacrament, if they be either notoriouly ignorant or ſcandalous? and therefore Catechiſme is very neceſſary.
Anſ. You are in the right, for if legall impurity,Exod. 12.48. Exek. 44.7, 8.9. Lev. 7.20, 21. & 15. Num. 2.10, 11. yea, but the touching of a dead body made them unclean, and unfit for the Paſſeover: Then much more ſpirituall uncleanneſſe and uncircumciſion of the heart and life defileth the ſoul, and maketh unfit for the holy Sacrament.
And if thoſe who have only a form of godlineſſe, without the power of Religion,2 Tim. 3.5. muſt be turned away from, as thoſe with whom the Saints (ought as much as is poſſible) to have no communion.
Then certainly thoſe prophane ones who have not ſo much as an outward form of Religion, but are notoriouſly ignorant, and notoriouſly ſcandalous, who live Atheiſtically without God in the world;Eph. 2.12. they muſt needs be unfit to meet Chriſt in this holy Ordinance of the Lords Supper; or for the Saints willingly to communicate with at the Lords Table.
Queſt. 16. But who hath Authority to Excommunicate or ſuſpend theſe ignorant and ſcandalous perſons, and to keep them from the Sacrament?
Anſ. I do not ſay that every particular Miniſter,Mat. 18.17, &c. 1 Cor. 5.3, 4, 5. Act. 14.23. Tit. 1.5. 1 Tim. 1.19, 20. or Member of a congregation hath this power: But the whole congregation, or the Presbytery and Elders, ordained as Rulers in the Church; or at leaſt, ſuch as are lawfully Authoriſed from Gods Word, and from the Church of Chriſt, to perform this duty.
Queſt. 17. But what if the Church, or the Elders of the Church, or any other in Authority, Ier. 15.19.do not perform their duties in taking order and care (as much as is in their power) that the precious may be wholly ſeparated from the vile: But that for want of their care and diligence or faithfulneſſe, ſuch a man who in the judgement of the Miniſter, or any one or more of the Congregation, (ſo it be not of the greateſt part) is ignorant, or ſcandalous, do preſſe into the Sacrament, though he be admoniſhed in private and publike, to forbear, and not to indanger his own ſoul, of becoming guilty of the Body and the blood of Christ? 1 Cor. 11.27, &c.Is the Miniſter or any ſuch of the Congregation (doing their beſt to hinder ſuch Communicating) guilty of ſuch a mans ſin, who comes wilfully unprepared, as being ignorant or ſcandalous in their judgments, and without the wedding garment? As for Example, Exampleif a man live in the wilſull breach of a lawfull Covenant, Rom. 1.28, &c.a ſin (it may be) not named or reckoned as ſcandalous by thoſe in Authority; and yet a ſin in the conſcience of a miniſter, or a member of the Church, for which a man impenitent for it, ſhould be ſuſpended the Sacrament: If thoſe in Authority, or the greater part of the congregation, do neglect their duty, and ſuffer or approve of this mans unlawfull Communicating, is the miniſter or ſuch a member guilof this mans ſin?
As 1 Cor. 5.11, &c. 2 Theſ. 3.6.14. 2 Joh. 9.10. 1 Tim. 1.22.Anſ. Certainly if the Miniſter or any ſuch Member or Members of the congregation, do not uſe all lawful means to put from them ſuch a perſon, to hinder this ſinfull communicating of ſuch a ſcandalous perſon, they cannot but partake of this mans ſin, and ſo be found guilty: But if they do their beſt endeavor in their places and callings, to hinder ſuch ignorant or ſcandalous perſons, declaring a juſt diſlike of ſuch a mans preſumption, not countenancing, but diſallowing and diſavowing the boldneſſe of ſuch a gueſt,Mat. 22.10, &. 1 Cor. 11.27, &c. Gen, 4.7. Rev. 2.14, &c. to come without the wedding garmen…: I conceive they are not guilty of this mans unworthy receiving, and the ſin ſhal lie at their doors who have Au hority and power to prevent, or uſe means of preventing this ſin, and do not.
Queſt. 18. Yet before I leave this, I demand once again, whether can the company of ſuch a wicked Communicant, ſtop the flowing ſtreams of Gods grace in Chriſt from the Saints in the Sacrament, or keep the life cheriſhing vertue of Chriſt from them who come rightly prepared? or ſecondly, Whether ſhould the Saints refuſe the Sacrament, or unchurch themſelves, and ſeparate from the Congregation for ſuch a ſcandalous Communicants preſence, or for ſuch a failing of the Church or the greater part of the Congregation in ſuch a particular?
Anſ. 1 Tim. 8.22 Rev. i8.4 Luk. 22.19.I believe if a Saint diſcover the ſcandalous, and do the beſt to hinder …his ſin of the unworthy receiver, it canno… hinder Chriſts grace from a faithful receiver; as Judas preſence did not hinder the Apoſtles, nor the inceſtuous perſon the Saints, while he continued with them; nor are the Saints bound to refuſe the Sacrament, or unchurch themſelves, and ſeparate from that Congregation for this failing of the Church (theſe Saints having performed their duties in their ſeveral places as is noted before:) But theſe particular members ſhould rather wait on Chriſt in the uſe of all lawful and good means, to have this fault of the Church reformed, & continue their fellowſhip with manifeſtation of their diſlike in this particular. And this I conceive they may do without ſin, for theſe and the like reaſons.
Firſt, when the inceſtuous perſon was ſuffered in the Church of Corinth, 2 Cor. 5.1, &c. & 1.10.11. & 3.2, 3, 4,thoſe Saints (who no doubt were offended) did not preſently ſeparate from the Church, but rather informed the Apoſtle of that, as of other failings, that there might be a Reformation, rather then a ſeparation in the Church.
Secondly, the Apoſtle doth not write to the Corinthians or other Churches,Rom. 16.17, 18 1 Cor. 5.14. to ſeparate one from another, but to beware of ſelf-diviſions, and to caſt out from amongſt them that wicked perſon; whom after upon his repentance, he ordered to be reſtored again.2 Cor. ….6, 7, 8.
Thirdly, although the Lord commands his people to ſeparate and come out from Babilon, and from wicked Idolators,Rev. 18.4. 2 Cor. 6.15, &c. and promiſeth a bleſſing; yet the Lord doth not require Saints to ſeparate from Saints, or leave a Church for ſome particular failings, (and it may be but for a time) a Church of Chriſt may remain a Church, though there be found ſome failings, witneſſe the Churches of Chriſt in the Primitive times.Rev. 2.4.14. & 3.2, 3. And if ſeparation ſhould be for every failing, there would be no end of ſeparation amongſt ſome, till no Church could be found, and all muſt be Zion-ſeekers indeed; which muſt needs be a ſcandall to thoſe which are without, and cauſe the worthy Name of Chriſt to be ill ſpoken of, as our lamentable diviſions do at this day,Rom. 2.24. Iam. 2.7. Eph. 4.1, 2.3, 4. to the great grief of Gods people. Saints therefore muſt pray for and ſeek unity in the Church. But howſoever that the Church may fail, & Saints not ſin in not ſeparating; Yet it is certain, that ignorant or ſcandalous perſons eat judgement (though not to others, yet) to themſelves;1 Cor. ii.28, 29. And therefore Catechizing is neceſſary in the Church.
Queſt. 19. What then is required of ſuch …erſons as deſire to meet Chriſt, to have …ommunion with Chriſt, and to partake of Chriſts Soul-cheriſhing vertue in the Lords Supper?
1 Cor. 11 28. Exod. 12.47, 48. Num. 9.1, 2, &c.Anſ. To Examine themſelves, whether they be rightly prepared; and then to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Queſt. 20. When is a man or woman rightly prepared to meet Chriſt in that holy Ordinance?
Anſ. When he or ſhe is cloathed upon with that wedding garment, without which we cannot be welcome to that Feaſt of the Lord:Mat. 22.12. As in that Feaſt, ſo it is in this Feaſt of the Lord Chriſt.
Queſt. 21. What is that Wedding garment?
Anſ. Ieſus Chriſt, with his merits, righteouſneſſe,Ioh. 1.16. and living graces, applied, infuſed, or wrought by Chriſts Spirit in our ſouls.
Queſt. 22. But why muſt we be prepared with ſuch graces before we come to the Lords Table?
2 Tim. 1.6. Iſ. 64.7.Anſ. Becauſe they are to be actuated, ſtirred up, quickened, and enlivened, if we will meet Chriſt to our comfort. As a man muſt examine himſelf,2 Cor. 13.5. ſo here Grace is before hand to be Examined.
Queſt. 23. Wherefore do you call Chriſt a Garment?
Anſ. Gal. 3.27. Rom. 13.14.Becauſe as many as have been baptized into Chriſt, have and do put on Chriſt.
Queſt. 24. How is Chriſt put on? Or when are men and women cloathed upon with the Lord Jeſus as with a garment?
Anſ. When by the work of Chriſts Spirit upon our ſouls, we believe, and ſee,Act. 2.37. Acts 16.29, 30. Ioh. 1.11.11, 12. Iſa. 61.10. Gal. 3.27. and finde, and feel in our conſciences, our ſin, bondage, and miſery by ſin, and our extream need of Chriſt; and by the eye and hand of Faith, ſee and receive, and reſt or Chriſt, as our only ſurety, Saviour, and remedy, and ſo are and may be aſſured we are the children of God, and cloathed upon with Chriſts robes of Righteouſneſſe, as with a garment.
Queſt. 25. What are theſe living Graces which a Christian ſhould wear, and put on as a garment; and the habits of which are to be examined, ſtirred up, and enlivened, when we thus meet the Lord Jeſus?
Anſ. As Aarons holy garments were made up of divers materials and variety of colours, of gold, and blew, and purple ſcarlet,Exo. 28.4, 5. Pſal. 45.13, 14. Ezek. 16.10. &c. and fine linnen, curiouſly imbroydered: So this chriſtian garment, is interwoven with variety of Graces, or gracious diſpoſitions and ornaments of the ſoul; but chiefly with four ſorts.
Queſt. 26. Which are thoſe four ſorts of Graces, the habits of which muſt he examined, and enlivened, that we may come with comfort to this bleſſed Sacrament?
Anſ. Firſt, Antecedent Primitive foregoing Graces, to be examined, ſtirred up and enlivened, before we come to this holy Sacrament.
Secondly, Antepreſent, or …ore immediate foregoing Graces, and g…acious affections and reſolutions in the ſoul, to be ſtirred up, exerciſed and enlivened, immediatly before, and when we draw near to the act of receiving.
Thirdly, preſent acting Graces, and ſanctified affections, operations and ſpirituall ſenſes of the ſoul, together with our bodily ſenſes, to be ſtirred up enlivened and exerciſed at the Sacrament, and in the act of receiving, as of the Elements of Bread and Wine bodily, ſo of the body and blood of Chriſt inwardly, and ſpiritually in our ſouls.
Fourthly, Subſequent living Graces, to be examined, and exerciſed after the Sacrament, for the conſtant improvement of Chriſts vertue received in that holy Ordinance, both when we return home, and all the dayes of our lives.
Queſt. 27. What or how many are thoſe habitual Graces to be examined and quickned before we come to this bleſſed Sacrament?
Anſ. They are in my minde chiefly theſe four:
1. A Divine knowledge.
2. A lively Faith.
3. Evangelical repentance.
4. Chriſtian charity.