A Light from Christ Leading Unto Christ, Classis 26
The twenty ſixth Claſsis or Company of Queſtions.
1 Queſtion.
I Shall be right glad to hear of any comfort for my friends: Now what I pray you are the cauſes wherefore the Lord ſomtimes ſuffers theſe doubtings, and theſe temptations to diſquiet his children?
Anſ. There are divers occaſions why the Lord withdraweth the beams of his graces from his own people, and leaveth them as it, were to themſelves for a time; of many, take a few which follow.
1.Iſa. 57.16, &c. Pſal. 31.1, &c. It may be for ſome ſin for which the ſoul is not humbled, ſo God doth it for humiliation, that the ſoul may ſee more need of Chriſt, both for Iuſtification and Sanctification.
Pſal. 77.2, &c. 1 Pet. 5.8, 9. Pſa. 119.17, 75.2. It may be it is to keep a childe of God from ſecurity, to awaken us, and help us to walk more watchfully with God, as David was troubled for very faithfulneſſe for good.
2 Cor. 1.7, &c. & 12, 7, &c.3. To prevent ſpiritual pride, and ſelf-confidence, that our whole dependency may be on Gods Free-grace, which is ſufficient for us.
Cant. 3.1, 2, 3. & 5.5, &c.4. Or becauſe he would try our faith or wiſdom, or patience, or obedience, conſtancy, or ſuch other graces.
5. To cauſe his ſons or daughters to eſteem better of the ſenſe of Gods love,Iob 1, 2, 3, 4, c. or Chriſts preſence in time to come.
Pſal. 51.7, &c. Luke 22.32. 2 Cor. 1.3, &c, Eph, 4.30.6. Becauſe we ſhould be watchful not to grieve Gods ſpirit by our failings, or any way diſhonour God, but at return of ſpirit, be ſtabliſhed to walk conſtantly with God in Chriſt for ever.
7. Or that in greateſt darkneſſe we may wait upon the Lord till he cauſe his Sun to ſhine, and his beams of love to appear again to the ſoul.Iſa. 50, 10.
For theſe and ſuch like ends God ſuffers doubtings, therefore your friend ought not to diſpair, becauſe ſhe is troubled with fears and doubtings.
Queſt. 2. But can ſuch temptations and weakneſſes befull Gods children?Pſal. 73.12, &c, Ier. 20.2 Rom.7.22, &c.
Anſ. Your friend muſt know that theſe temptations and corruptions, or weakneſſes may ſometime be found in the beſt of Gods Saints, who are very dear and precious jewels in the eyes of Chriſt, bought with the price of his own moſt precious blood, and upon whom he hath beſtowed an excellent meaſure of grace, as David, Jeremiah, Paul, and others: theſe weakneſſes ariſing either from the firſt corruptions of nature, not yet fully purged, in which are the ſeeds of all ſin, Atheiſm, Infidelity, or the like:Gen. 6 5. Rom. 7.18. & 8.7. 2 Cor. 17.7. Mat. 26.74. Gen. 9.21, &c. & 20.2. Pſal. 51. Luke 22.31. Secondly, or elſe from Satans temptations, from which we cannot expect to be wholly free in this life; for Paul was often buffetted with theſe temptations; Peter was tempted, and fell fearfully; Noah, Lot, Abraham, had their Reſurrections from ſin: and David was conſtrained to pray, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and therefore none of Gods Saints in this life muſt think to be free from aſſaults of ſpiritual Enemies, and winowings leſſe or more.
Queſt. 3. What more is to be conſidered?
Anſ. Thirdly, to ſatisfie further, let her conſider ſhe is yet a member of the Church Militant,Gen. 3.1, &c. Eph. 6.10, &c. and muſt expect as a Souldier of Chriſt, many skirmiſhes before ſhe paſſeth the wilderneſſe of this world, to the Canaan of Heaven; temptation is one ſign of the life of grace, which the Devil cannot abide in any ſoul, therefore ſeeks by temptations to deſtroy it, and the Saints which enjoy it, as he ſought to deſtroy Chriſt.
Mat. 4.3, &c.Fourthly, You know Satan tempted the Son of God to grievous ſins, to Idolatry; to diſtruſt of Gods Providence, to doubt whether he were the Son of God or not, (as your friend doth whether ſhe be Gods childe) yea, to pride, to vainglory, nay, which is more, to lay violent hands upon himſelf, and deſtroy his own life, by caſting himſelf down headlong from a Pinacle of the Temple, and when the Devil left him it was but for a ſeaſon.Luke 4.13. And if Chriſt was tempted ſhe muſt not deſpair in temptation, becauſe ſhe is tempted, but reſiſt Satan by the word as Chriſt did,1 Pet. 5.8, 9. Rom. 8.35, &c. and ſo in time ſhe ſhall be more then a conquerour through Chriſt that hath loved her.
Queſt. 4. But what if my friend fear ſhe ſhall one day fall by the hand of Satan, as David once feared he ſhould fall by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam. 27.1?
Anſ. Fifthly, In time of temptation, put her in minde that God hath the Devil in chains, and can bridle him as he doth the roaring waves of the Sea at his pleaſure, Iob 38.8. And if at any time ſhe be ready to ſink by the waves of temptation, as Peter in the waves of the Sea, then let her pray to Chriſt for ſtrength, to imitate Peter, to call out to Chriſt for his right hand of power to preſerve her ſoul, as Peter was ſaved, and he is ready, and will be ready, according to his promiſe, to ſave her from drowning, according to that gracious promiſe made to his Church when thou art in the water, I will be with thee, it ſhall not drown thee, Iſa. 43.2. (as he ſaved Peter, Mat. 14.30, 31.) ſo will he ſave his ſervants that put their truſt in him, Pſal. 18.27. & 34.6.
Queſt. 5. You have given a good direction how to ſeek to Chriſt in times of temptations: But what ſhall ſhe do in her doubtings, concerning her Election, that ſhe may be ſure that ſhe is one of Gods Elect and choſen ones, and hath life of grace in her ſoul, as called of God in Chriſt to glory?
Anſ. I anſwer, as ſhe that would finde the Sea muſt take the River by the hand and follow that, ſo ſhe that would finde out Election, muſt get the golden chain of Predeſtination, and lay hold on thoſe links firſt which are neareſt unto her, ſhe muſt by the power and direction of Chriſt in his Word, and by his Spirit, firſt finde our the effects and fruits of Election, before ſhe can finde Election it ſelf: firſt finde out the conſequents of Election, before ſhe can finde out the antecedents, and know Gods Free-love the cauſe of all.
As the Sun riſing is known by the light approaching, the fire by the heat, and the tree by the fruits; ſo Election that prime grace, by the effects or ſubſequent graces that follow, the Apoſtle holds this forth, Rom. 8.29, 30. whom God did foreknow with the knowledge of approbation, them he did Predeſtinate, whom he did Predeſtinate, them he calleth, whom he calleth, them he juſtifieth, whom he juſtifieth, them he glorifieth. Now begin at Calling, the firſt link we can take hold on, and if ſhe be inabled by the power Chriſt, to ſee her effectual calling from darkneſſe to light, and from the power of Satan unto Chriſt,Phil. 3.6, &c. Acts 26.18, 19. and from ſin and her ſelf-righteouſneſſe, unto his perfect righteouſneſſe and merits, which was the end why the Lord ſent Paul to Preach the Goſpel. Then ſhe may be aſſured of her Election: And therefore let her examine her calling,Iohn 1.10, &c.
1. Whether the Lord hath drawn her ſoul into Chriſt, to receive Chriſt as her Eternal High-Prieſt, Prophet and King a before.
2.Cant. 3.1, 2, 3. Hoſ. 2.12, 20. Whether he hath affected her heart with a longing deſire to be married to Chriſt, to have union and communion with Chriſt as her Lord and Saviour, and to love Chriſt with her ſoul.
3.Ezek. 36.3. Hoſ. 14.8. And whether he hath made her willing and deſirous to loath and diſlike ſin, and to forſake her natural and ſinful communion with ſin, the world, the fleſh and the Devil.
4. Whether ſhe be willing to take the Lord Chriſt for her Lord and Father,2 Cor. 6.17, 18. and Heavenly husband, and then no doubt ſhe is one of the Elect of God; the Lord is her Father, and ſhe is his daughter, who is the Lord Almighty.
Queſt. 6. But what if ſhe doubt ſtill?
Anſ. Give her this one rule, that ſhe ſeek with an impartial eye,
Firſt, as not to flatter her ſelf that ſhe hath grace when ſhe hath none. So,
2 Cor. 13.5. 1 Cor. 10.11, &c. 2 Tim. 1.12. & 4.7, 8.Secondly, on the other ſide, not to deny that grace, which the Lord of his Free-grace and love in Chriſt hath beſtowed upon her ſoul, as any meaſure or true knowledge of true faith, of true repentance, of true love, of true hunger after the Word, deſire of aſſurance of the like graces: Thus may ſhe in Gods due time, finde her ſelf a dear Elect daughter in Chriſt, and ſo in Chriſt an heir and fellow-heir of Eternall glory, and in the end aſſurance may come.
Queſt. 7. This may be a means by the power of Chriſt to ſtay her ſoul from despair in that temptation: But what do you ſay to her decay in grace? What light have you from Chriſt to reveal any comfort to her ſoul in this reſpect?
Anſ. I ſay the Apoſtle gives a caveat to his Chriſtian Theſſalonians, 1 Theſ. 5.19.to take heed of quenching the ſpirit; and yet no doubt they had the ſpirit of grace in them, but they muſt be careful not to quench the ſpirit; Gods dear children may be in danger to quench the ſpirit for a time, and may loſe the acts and vigor of grace for a time, as Peter did when he denied Chriſt, Mat. 26. (though not finally and totally) therefore if your friend finde ſome decay of grace in her ſoul, or want of holineſſe, ſhe ought not to conclude preſently ſhe is none of Gods childe, or exclude the favour of God in Chriſt from her. For,
Firſt, as there is no wheat but there is ſome chaff groweth with it; ſo the beſt of Gods children have ſome imperfections, Phil. 3.12, 13.
Secondly, In this life we are not like the Sun, perfect in brightneſſe and light, but like the Moon, receiving our light of grace from Chriſt, as the Moon doth her light from the Sun, and like the Moon,1 Iohn 1.8. we are ſubject to have ſome changes, ſome decreaſe as well as increaſe, ſome ſpots of darkneſſe in the center of our hearts. And,
Thirdly, take this for a certain rule, as ſight and ſenſe of weakneſſe of body is a ſign of bodily life (for a dead man feels nothing) ſo a ſight and ſenſe of ſpiritual weakneſſe,Rom. 14.15, &c. is an evident argument of ſpiritual life of grace in her ſoul, as it was in bleſſed Paul.
Eph. 2.1. 1 Tim. 5.9. Rev. 3.2, 3. Iſa. 40.30, 31.Fourthly, A dead man cannot ſee nor feel his own weakneſſe at all; a dead man complains not of ſickneſſe, and therefore your friend ought not to deſpair becauſe of ſight and ſence of failings, which is an evidence of the life of grace, but wait on Chriſt for more light and life, till the ſoul recover ſtrength, and what is ready to dye be quickned, and ſhe finde peace in the end.
Queſt. 8. But I have heard my friend complain, that ſometimes ſhe neither feels any ſignes of life of grace; nor doth ſhe feel any want of life of grace, ſhe is dead …nd ſenſleſſe, no hunger after the Word or Sacraments, or Prayer, or to meet Chriſt in any good duty, ſhe is ſometimes ſo far from reſting in a duty, or ſetting it up in ſtead of Chriſt, that ſhe is careleſſe of any duty at all, as if all were in vain, as to her, her faith is dead, and without life, her ſoul and life is dead in reſpect of grace, or any ſenſe of want of grace in her ſoul, like thoſe Iſaiah 64.6, 7. no ſtirring of life in her: And what comfort can be given to one in ſuch a condition?
Anſ. Your friend hath no cauſe to deſpair, but to live by faith. For,
Firſt, did ſhe ever finde or feel any ſignes or ſenſe of life of grace in her ſoul, any ſight and ſenſe of her ſin and miſery by natural corruption? any ſweetneſſe or delight in meeting Chriſt in the Word, or Sacraments, or Prayer? any combating or ſtirring in her ſoul between the fleſh and the ſpirit? Then, although now ſhe be as dead to all theſe, let her know that the ſtate of the childe of God in this life, and the life of grace, may be ſometimes,
1. Like a childe in the Mothers Simile. 1 womb, alive, though not felt to ſtir, or to have any motions of life at all.
2. Or like a man in a trance, wherein Simile. 2 his own ſenſe, (being as it were without ſence or underſtanding) yea, and in the judgement of others, may ſeem to be dead, and yet after revive and come to himſelf again▪ and ſo may a dear childe of God in reſpect of the life of grace.
Aſſuredly David, after his fall, until Example. 1 Nathan came to him, he had little ſenſe of life of grace, little remorſe for his ſin, eſpecially while after his ſin of Adultery with Bathſheba, he went on to plot and procure the making of Ʋriah drunk, and after to take away his life, ſo addes ſin to ſin.
Exam∣ple 2 The like may be ſaid of Peter, between his firſt and third time of denying Chriſt, until the Cock did crow, and Chriſt caſt a look of mercy,2 Sam. 11, 12, c. Mat. 26.69, 75. Pſal. 51.1, &c. and pity, and love upon his poor ſoul, then indeed he went out and wept bitterly; as David repented and bewayled his folly and ſinful fall in the end, and prayed earneſtly to the Lord, to reſtore unto him the joy of his ſalvation, and to ſtabliſh him with his free ſpirit.
Queſt. 9. What other around of comfort?
Anſ. Let her conſider, that Gods childe doth not ſin as the wicked do, with full heart, conſent and freedom (becauſe his ſeed of grace remaineth in him) 1 Iohn 3.8, 9. but like a, man in a crowd or throng, ſometimes carried forwards, and ſometimes backward:
1. Carried forwards in grace willingly, the will regenerate and ſanctified, ſtriving together with one conſent, with the grace given, and good motions of Gods ſpirit aſſiſting as in Chriſt Ieſus to preſſe on to perfection. And,
2. Sometimes carried backward by corruptions, and the violence of Satans temptations, as it were againſt our will,Simile. to an ebbing in grace, as in the Tide the water runneth back, as the Moon decreaſing,Rom. 7.23, &c. as Peter ſinking in the water of preſumption, ſenſleſneſſe, or deſpair, as Paul deſpairing.
Queſt. 10. What is the third comfort?
Anſ. Thirdly, that though the faith of Gods childe be aſleep for a time, like Chriſt in the ſhip, and the life of grace be covered as fire in the Embers, not to be ſeen, though like a tree in winter, the faithful ſoul ſeem dead or (as a ſick man) doth loſe his taſte of ſoul-refreſhing-meat for a time, or a childe of God like the Moon be Ecclipſed, and all darkneſſe who can ſee no light, ready to complain with the Pſalmiſt,Iſa. 50. lo Rom. 70.22, 13. Mat. 8.24. Pſal. 77.7, 8, 9. Is his mercy clean gone for ever, and will he be no more entreated? hath God forgotten to be gracious, and hath he ſhut up his loving kindneſſe in displeaſure. Yet when Chriſt is pleaſed to caſt a good look of grace upon their ſouls, then life, grace, and ſenſe of ſin, and ſorrow for unthankfulneſſe, and for loſſe of firſt love, will return, as ni Peter noted before, and as Chriſt looks for, Rev. 2.4, 5.
Queſt. 11. What is a fourth conſolation?
Anſ. That when the Lord Chriſt is pleaſed to draw near with his bright beams of light and love,Mal. 4.2. then the ſoul will be enlightned, and be enlivened with longings after Chriſt, and a re-union with him in love, and renewed acquaintance as in times paſt.
Queſt. 12. What is a fifth conſolation for ſuch a poor Saint?
Anſ. That when the ſpring time of grace returns, and ſhowers of Divine love, and dews of ſpiritual refreſhments from Chriſt fall upon the ſoul, then will childe, and declare he hath loved her freely, that he will be as the dew to his daughter,Hoſ. 14.4, &c. Iſa. 61.3. and that ſhe ſhall grow in grace as the Lilly, and the root of grace ſhall be faſtned as the Trees of Lebanon, and their beauty ſhall be as the Olive tree, and ſhe ſhall bring forth fruits as a tree of righteouſneſſe that the Lord hath planted, that God may be glorified. Yea, ſhe ſhall greatly rejoyce in the Lord, and be joyful in her God; ſhe ſhall finde that he hath clothed her with the garments of ſalvation, and covers her with the robes of his righteouſneſſe,Iſa. 61.10 Pſal. 45.13, 14. as a Bridegroom decketh himſelf with his Ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth her ſelf with her Jewels.
Queſt. 13. Theſe are comfortable and good encouragements, if it pleaſe the Lord by the power of his ſpirit to apply and give ſtrength to apply them to her ſoul: But what if ſtill ſhe finde her faith weak, and her holineſſe ſo feeble that ſhe yet is doubtful and fearful to meet Chriſt in his Ordinances, or to come at the invitation to feaſt with him at his Table?
Anſ. Let her know that its not her act of believing, or ſtrength of holineſſe, doth juſtifie before God, or maketh her acceptable in his ſight; but it is the object of her faith, Chriſt Jeſus and his righteouſneſſe and merits, for which God is well-pleaſed with her, Mat. 17.5.
As it is not the hand that receiveth the Plaiſter, and apply eth it to the ſore;Simile. but the Plaiſter it ſelf, and the vertue of that, with Gods bleſſing, that healeth the wound.
So though faith be an inſtrument or hand to receive Chriſt, and ſo an inſtrumental cauſe of Juſtification; yet it is Chriſt and his merits and righteouſneſſe that is the meritorious cauſe, and that which giveth true and full peace to the ſoul.
And this reſt on Chriſt will prove a glorious reſt in the end, Iſa. 11.10.
And therefore if your friend do but ſee the day light or renewing and requickning grace begin to dawn in the ſoul, if but a wiſhing for the day (as Pauls company in that long and ſad night on the Sea of danger, Acts 27.29.) let her wait on Chriſt in his Ordinances, and take her to the ſure word of Gods gracious promiſes, until the day light of grace dawn, and the day ſtar of joy appear in her heart, 2 Pet. 1.19.
If ſhe finde any hunger, though but a weak ſtomack, like a man or woman new recovered, or recovering from ſome long and tedious ſickneſſe; yet let her weak ſoul, almoſt fainting for lack of Chriſt, as ſorrowful for her former failings, yet hungring after Chriſt, and rejoycing at Chriſts invitation, draw near to Chriſts Ordinances, the Word Preached, and Sacraments adminiſtred, waiting to ſee the face of her beloved the Lord Ieſus Chriſt,Cant. 5.8 that ſhe may tell him ſhe is ſick of love, and be revived with the light of his countenaunce, that ſhe may ſit down under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit may be ſweet to her taſte.
Concluſ. And thus I have endeavored to ſatisfie your doubts to heal and help a tender conſcience, or comfort a drooping ſoul in time of a ſpiritual deſertion, that ſuch a ſoul may not Excommunicate her ſelf from Chriſts Ordinance, but rather come and finde ſoul-refreſhings of unutterable value,2 Tim. 1.1.2. 1 Pet. 1.8 and believing on Chriſt, and truſting Chriſt with her ſoul, ſhe may rejoyce with joy unſpeakable and full of glory.
Queſt. 14. I will propound but one doubt more: What ſhall a poor ſoul do, if in uſe of all theſe helps for comfort, he or ſhe ſtill walk in darkneſſe, and can ſee no light of comfort or peace to their ſouls? What light from Chriſt to ſuch a poor diſconſo-ſpirit late?
Anſ. Although the childe of God walk in darkneſſe,Iſa. 50.10 Hab. 2.3, 4. Heb. 10.35, 36. Iſa. 40.29, &c. and can ſee no light of comfort, no light of ſenſe of the favour of God in the ſoul, yet the poor weak ſoul muſt not deſpair, but labour by the power of Chriſt to live by faith, and dependent upon God in Chriſt, until the Lord Chriſt Ieſus that Sun of righteouſneſſe ariſe with healing in his wings,Gal. 2.20. Mal. 5.4. 1 Pet. 1.9 and peace and joy be communicated through believing unto the ſoul to life and ſalvation the end of faith.
Queſt. 15. But how or by what means may a poor weak ſoul gain ſtrength from Chriſt, to live this life of faith when it walketh in darkneſſe? Is there any light from Chriſt for this?
Anſ. By waiting upon Chriſt in the means of faith, and endeavouring by ſtrength from Chriſt to make uſe of thoſe helps and furtherances which are held forth in Scripture,Phil. 4.13. 2 Cor. 5.7. to ſtregthen the foul, and enable it to live this life of faith, when evident ſight and ſenſe is abſent.
Qued. 16. What are theſe helps?
Anſ. There are divers, but you may obſerve theſe that follow:
Firſt, to conſider the nature of this life of faith:
Firſt, as a life of excellency, by which the creature is enabled to glorifie the Creator, as Abraham being ſtrong in faith gave glory to God.Rom. 4.20.
Secondly, as a life of ſuavity, delightful and pleaſant,Mat. 6.25, &c, to live by dependence upon God in Chriſt,1 Pet. 5.7. Gal. 2.20. in the uſe of the means, without carking care for this life, or diſmal deſpair for the life to come.
Thirdly, as a life of certainly,2 Tim. 2.19. 2 Cor. 1.10. Rom. 4.21 1 Theſ. 5.23, 2 as depending, not upon our own changeable ſtrength, but upon the foundations of the ſure decree, promiſes, power, faithfulneſſe, and Oath of an unchangeable God.
Fourthly, as a life of neceſſity,2 Chron. 20.12. Gen. 42.2, 3, 4. Col. 3.3, 4. 2 Cor. 3.4, 5. Gal. 9.5. 2 Tim 2.7, 8. a poor ſoul not having life or power of life in and of it ſelf, and therefore muſt needs go out of it ſelf by faith, to ſerch life and ſtrength from God in Chriſt, and ſo of neceſſity muſt live the life of faith, both for grace and glory, and aſſurace of both.
Queſt. 17. What other helps are there?
Anſ. Obſerve ſecondly, thy preſent condition, eſtate, danger or temptation, whereby thou art troubled for the Church of God in general, and for thy ſelf,2 Pet 1.12. or any other in particular, for the want of aſſurance of Iuſtification or Sanctification, or for want of particular graces, or ſtrength, and growth of grace, of knowledge, of faith or repentance, of confidence on God in time of proſperity, and not on uncertain riches, or friends, or husband, wife, children, parents, or any creature-comfort whatſoever, or for want or loſſe of any of theſe, or of their help and comfort in time of adverſity, or for want of aſſurance of glory.
Queſt. 18. What is a third help?
Iſa. 43.2, 3, 4. Heb. 13.5.Anſ. Thirdly, ſearch the Scriptures, and look out ſome promiſe, general or particular, for comfort of thy ſoul, to depend upon God, even as a ground of thy confidence, to live by faith, and that God will not fail thee.
Queſt. 19. What is a fourth help?
Anſ. To wait on Chriſt in the uſe of all good means,2 Pet. 1.19. and ſo live by faith, taking heed to the ſure word of promiſe, until the day dawn, and the day ſtar Chriſt ariſe in thy ſoul. And thus the life of faith upholds a poor ſoul in greateſt doubts and fears whatſoever.
Queſt. 20. Now let me ask you one Queſtion before I conclude this part of Catechiſm: What is a ſixth immediate preparatory grace, or gracious act of the ſoul, to be enlivened, or acted and exerciſed immediatly before you draw near to the Lords Table?
Anſ. To attend the invitation of Chriſt by his Miniſters, and to draw near, and come to the Lords Table, as with all humility and reverence ſo as becomes my preſence at ſo great an Ordinance, to meet my Lord and Saviour, ſo with joyful confidence, holy hunger and faith, yea, with ſpiritual cars and eyes, and mouth of faith, to hear, and ſee, and receive, and feed on Chriſt in my ſoul, as well as with ears, and eyes, and hands, and mouth of body:
1. To hear and ſee the Bread and Wine bleſſed, conſecrated and ſet apart to this holy Sacramental uſe, Matthew 26.26, 27.
2. To ſee the Bread broken, and the Wine powred out.
3. To hear the Sacramental welcom, Take ye, and eat ye, and Take ye, and drink ye, Mat. 26.27.
4. And all this with a thankful remembrance of Chriſts death and paſſion, who loved me, and gave himſelf for me, Luke 22.19. 1 Corinthians 11.24, 25. Gal. 2.20.
Concluſ. Thus, Sir, I have made my profeſſion of what I have learned, concerning a right preparative, the wedding garment to meet Chriſt at the Lords Table, that I may walk more comfortably with Chriſt all the dayes of my life.
Queſt. 20. But do you think it is neceſſary that every one be thus prepared with Knowledge, Faith, Repentance and Love, and the habits of graces, ſo examined, enlivened and quickned, before he or ſhe come to the Lords Table? What light hath Chriſt left for reſolution of this doubt?
Anſ. It is certain, a competent meaſure of true knowledge, true faith, true repentance, and true love, is of neceſſity required; and howſoever it may be the good Lord God may be gracious to any of his children whoſe hearts are up right towards God, and who have life of grace in them, and hunger after Chriſt, though he or ſhe be not ſo fully prepared, according to the preparation of the Sanctuary, as 2 Chron. 30.18, 19, 20. yet aſſuredly that ſoul that cometh leſſe prepared, and the life of grace, and living graces leſſe enlivened in the ſoul, doth ordinarily receive leſſe comfort at the Lords Table, when as that ſoul that is more carful to wait upon Chriſt in all good wayes and means of preparation, not reſting upon performances, or preparation, but with a ſelf-denying and humble heart and ſoul of faith, waiting on Gods goodneſſe in Chriſt, and Chriſts righteouſneſſe and merits, may with a much more glorious aſſurance of comfort, hear that gracious voyce of Chriſt ſpeaking to his or her ſoul, as to his welbeloved Spouſe in the Canticles, I am come into my Garden, my Siſter, my Spouſe, I have gathered my mirrhe, with my ſpice, I have eaten my hoay-comb, with my hony, I have drunk my wine, with my milk; eat O friend, drink ye abundantly, O Beloved; not drink abundantly of the outward Bread or Wine, but feed on Chriſt by faith abundantly for thy ſpiritual refreſhing to the eternal joy and rejoycing of thy ſoul, yea, a joy unſpeakable and full of glory, as Cant. 5.1. 1 Pet. 1.8.