A Gospel Church, Chapter 12

A Gospel Church · Chapter 12

p. 305CHAP. XII.

Of the Lords Supper, wherein ſeveral queſtions are anſwered concerning the nature, uſe, and end of it, and the neceſſary qualifications and preparations of all worthy Receivers of it; with ſeveral other things relating to the Lords Supper.

I Shall now give you a brief account of the Lords Supper, commonly called the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, by Learned Men; but I ſhall call it as the Goſpel doth, the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11.20. and breaking of Bread Luk. 24.35. Acts 2 42. Acts 20.7. This holy and ſpiritual Ordinance, this great Seal of the Covenant, the Lord Jeſus hath appoi ted for, and given to his Goſpel Churches for their ſouls profit, and the manifeſtation of the glory of his Love and Grace to them.

Queſt. What is the Lords Supper?

Anſw. … is a Heavenly Feaſt, or a ſpiritual Goſpel Ordinance, inſtituted and appointed by Jeſus p. 306Chriſt for, and given to his inchurched Saints, to be to them a conſtant Memorial, Sign, and Seal of his death and ſufferings for them. (1.) It is a Feaſt, yea, it is a Feaſt of fat things, Iſa. 25.6. and a Heavenly Banquet, Cant. 2.4. It is the Spiritual Wedding-Supper, made & appointed by Jeſus Chriſt for his Spouſes; where he comes, furniſhes the Table, ſits down and eats with them; invites them to ſit down with him, and bids them welcome; bids them eat and drink abundantly, Rev. 3.20. Cant. 5.1. (2) It is a Spiritual Goſpel-Ordinance, not a Civil, or a Carnal and Legal Ordinance ſuch as were ordained for the Jewiſh Church of old; but it is a Spiritual Goſpel-Ordinance, for, and reſpecting ſpiritual things. (3.) The Inſtitutor of it, and that is Jeſus Chriſt, him to whom the Father had committed all power. and Authority, and into whoſe hand he had given all things, Joh. 3.35. Matth 11.27. Matth. 28.18. I ſay, it is an Ordinance inſtituted by Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, Matth. 26.26, 27. 1 Cor. 11.23. For I received of the Lord that, which alſo I delivered unto you; that the Lord Jeſus, the ſame Night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and ſaid, Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you; this do ye in remembrance of me. And mark it, it is an inſtituted and a poſitive Ordinance and duty, not a natural or moral one. It is not founded on, or put in, and among the moral precepts, or natural Laws of God; but it is meerly an Inſtitution of Chriſt, appointed for, and given to his inchurched members, and none elſe. And therefore, it is not an Ordinance for, and the uſe of p. 307it, a duty incumbent on Unbelievers, and perſons dead in ſins, while they remain in that condition; but 'tis only appointed and intended for Believers in their orderly walkings with God. All men, as they are reaſonable Creatures, are bound to pray to God, and to hear his Word preached, becauſe they are (though not meerly and only ſo) Ordinances and duties of moral worſhip, and not meerly of divine Inſtitution, as Baptiſm and the Lords Supper are; but all men are not ſo bound to participate of the Lords Supper and water Baptiſm. (4.) It is ſaid, that this Ordinance is appointed for, and given to inchurched Saints, that is, that perſons in Chriſt, may, and they only can partake of it in the way and order of the Goſpel. For although their relation to Chriſt, and intereſt in the Covenant of Grace, gives them a fundamental right unto it, yet it is their orderly walking together in Church-fellowſhip under the diſcipline of Chriſt, the care, inſpection, and government of his Church-Miniſters, that gives them an immediate and orderly right unto it. For we never read of any of the Apoſtles, or other Miniſters in their days, that did, or were allowed to receive it, but ſuch as were inchurched. That it was by the Apoſtles direction adminiſtred and received in the Churches we often find, but never that it was ſo elſe-where, or by Believers out of a Church-ſtate, Acts 2.42. ult. Acts 20.6, 7. 1 Cor. 11.23, 24. compared with 1 Cor. 1, 2. And Paul tell, the Church at Corinth, That the Cup of Bleſſing, which we bleſs, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Chriſt? the Bread, that we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of p. 308Chriſt? For we being many are one Bread and one Body; for we are all partakers of that one Bread, 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. (5.) The Matter of this Ordinance is Bread and Wine, Luk. 22.19. Matth. 26.26. 1 Cor. 11.23.24. Mark. 14.25. Matth. 26.29. It is true that it is but carnal matter, and that which is common food among men; but it is more than Bread and Wine by Chriſt's Authority and Appointment, when they are ſet apart by the word of Prayer, and by Faith dedicated and ſanctified to this uſe and ſervice, in the name, and by the Authority of Jeſus Chriſt.

Queſt. Why is this Ordinance called the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 10.20?

Anſ. 1. It is called a Supper, becauſe it was inſtituted and celebrated at, or about Suppertime. The Lord Jeſus choſe that time rather than another, as of his Soveraign Authority, will and pleaſure, who may make, appoint, and change times and ſeaſons as he will; ſo likewiſe with reſpect to the Paſchal Lamb, or the Paſsover, and the time of the Iſraelites eating thereof, which was done in the Night, Exod. 12.8. and alſo that he might aboliſh and put an end to that Ordinance at that time of its obſervation, by ſetting this up in the place and room thereof.

2. It is called the Lords Supper, 1. Becauſe he did perſonally and immediately inſtitute it, adminiſter and eat it himſelf, Matth. 26.26.27.29. (2.) Becauſe it is appointed and ordained by him, to be a conſtant memorial & pledge of his Death and Sufferings, Luk. 22.20. But more of this anon. (3.) Becauſe it is to be received and celebrated in his Name, and to his Glory, 1 Cor. 11.2…. We read of ſeveral things p. 309called by his Name; as his Day, or the Chriſtian Sabbath, Rev. 1.10. The Laws and Commands of Chriſt are ſo called, Joh. 15.10. So likewiſe we read of the Table and Cup of the Lord, 1 Cor. 10.21. So are the Churches and the Teachers of them called by his Name for the reaſons before mentioned.

Queſt. What is the nature, uſe, and end of the Lords Supper, or wherefore is it inſtituted and given to inchurched Saints, as it appears it is?

Anſ. I ſhall anſwer this queſtion in many particulars, only in the general I may ſay, that it is inſtituted, ordained, and given to the Churches for Chriſts glory and their ſpiritual profit.

1. But more particularly: 1. To be to them a conſtant ſign and memorial of Chriſts Death and Sufferings for them. We are exceeding prone and very apt to forget the Love of Chriſt, and what he hath done and ſuffered for us, which ſhould be matter of ſhame and ſorrow to us. But the Lord Jeſus in his great love and care to, and of his Churches, hath provided proper Remedies for theſe Maladies, and hath appointed his Goſpel, and the Preaching thereof, and alſo Baptiſm and the Supper, to keep alive in their minds and hearts his Death and Sufferings, and to be continual ſigns, tokens, and memorials of them unto their Souls, Rom. 4.11. Luk. 22.19. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25, 26. And as God told Noah, Gen. 9.11.—17. This is the Token of the Covenant which I have made between me and you. I do ſet my Bow in the Cloud, and it ſhall be for a Token of the Covenant. So ſays Jeſus Chriſt, I have entered into Covenant with God in your behalf, and in your names, to dye and ſuffer the ſhameful p. 310Death of the Croſs for you, to redeem you from all Iniquity, Tit. 2.14. to waſh and cleanſe you from the guilt and filth of ſin, to reconcile you unto God, and make you acceptable to him, Eph. 5.25, 26. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19. Eph. 1. This I have done for you; I took your ſins and guilt, your death and puniſhment on my ſelf, by aſſuming your Nature, and ſubſtituting my ſelf in your ſtead; and I have paid your Debts, made you Righteouſneſs, 2 Cor. 5. ult. & have brought you nigh to God by the Sacrifice of my Life: And you may not forget it, but have it ſtill in your eyes and hearts. Behold, I have given you this ſign, token, and memorial thereof. Here you ſhall ſee by Faith your great high Prieſt ſacrificing and offering up himſelf, to attone divine Juſtice, to appeaſe the wrath of God; and here you may ſee how I was handled by God and Men for you. Here you may ſee how I was Tortured, Reproached, Buffetted, Scourged, Crowned with Thorns, Spit upon, Hanged, Nailed and Crucified. Here you may ſee by Faith, my Blood guſhing out, my Groans, Sighs, and Tears, my Agonies and bloody Sweats, and my ſoul made an Offering for your Sins. Here you may ſee what a horrible and an exceeding great evil, Sin is; how infinitely God hates it: And here you may ſee my Travels and Torments, my Griefs & unexpreſſible Sorrows for you. I Dyed that you might Live: I was made a Curſe, that you might be for ever bleſſed; and I was put to Shame, that you might be honoured. I was made a Man of Sorrows, that you might rejoyce; and I was puniſhed that you might be releaſed. I was debaſed p. 311that you might be exalted; and I was ſcourged that you might be crowned. I was condemned that you might be juſtified; and I was ſlain that you might be ſaved. In this Ordinance you may ſee a Righteous Man dying, and yet under more guilt and puniſhment than ever man was; & here you may ſee a holy man dying as a great, yea, the greateſt of Sinners. Here you may, as in a glaſs, behold one put to the worſt of Deaths for Sin, and yet never ſinned; and here you may ſee the Lord of Glory murdered by the hands of wicked men. In this Ordinance you may ſee by Faith, as in a glaſs, amazing and aſtoniſhing wonders; the offended Perſon the Sufferer, and the Offender ſet free. The Innocent Surety taken and caſt into Priſon, and the Necent releaſed and ſet at liberty. In a word, here you may ſee the Priſon doers ſ…t open for Priſoners to come forth freely, Iſa. 61.1, 2. and here you may ſee all Debts diſcharged. Here you may ſee Divine Juſtice ſatisfied, and God reconciled, Iſa. 53. And here you may ſee ſins pardoned, and the Book croſſed: Here you may ſee the fountain of eternal Love opened to Sinners, and God well pleaſed; and here you may hear God ſaying, Deliver them, for I have found a Ranſom. Here you may ſee Truth and Mercy, Juſtice and free Grace meet in that one Glorious Mediatour; and here you may ſee God and Men in perfect peace and friendſhip. Here you may ſee the everlaſting Love of God ſtreaming forth to you, and here you may ſee the Grace of Chriſt flowing out to you. Here you have a Token, Sign, and Memorial of it before your eyes, that you may look on theſe p. 312things with great delight, with joy and rejoycing, and with admiration and thankſgiving. Here you will read heart-raviſhing matters, and here you may ſee adorable objects. This Ordinance ſets forth the Love of God, the Miſery of Man, the Grace of Chriſt, and a Crucified Jeſus to the life. In it you may be even ſwallowed and loſt, for it holds out to you heights, depths, breadths and lengths of infinite, free, and adorable Love and Grace.

2. The Lords Supper is a ſeal and pledge to inchurched Believers alſo. It is not appointed for, and given to them, to be a ſign, token, and memorial of God's Love, and of the Grace and Death of Chriſt only; but to be a ſeal and pledge to them too. So the Apoſtle Paul tells us, that the Ordinance of Circumciſion was a Seal of the Righteouſneſs of Faith, that is of Chriſt, the great object of Faith, Rom. 4.11. Circumciſion and the Paſſoever were the Iſralites Seals; and Baptiſme and the Lords Supper are the believing Gentiles Seals. Seals are appointed and made uſe of among men to ratifie and confirm their Contracts, Covenants and Promiſes to men, whereby they are made firm and irreverſible. Now the great God, in alluſion to the practiſes of men, is pleaſed in his abundant Grace and Mercy, not only to covenant and promiſe his greateſt mercies to men, but for their ſatisfaction and encouragement, to ſeal them, and thereby to ratifie and confirm them. He need not to have done ſo upon his own account, but he doth it only for our ſakes. Now I judge the Lords Supper Seals thus. (1.) Firſt to the truth and reality of the Covenant, p. 313and to the Blood of it, namely, Chriſt's, which is called the Blood of the everlaſting Covenant, Heb. 13.20. and (2.) To the Faith and Conſciences of particular Saints. That is, it ſeals to them their right unto, and intereſt in the Covenant of Grace, the Blood of Chriſt, and to all the benefits of his mediation and mercies of the Covenant. But the firſt thing or matter it ſeals to, is the truth and reality of the Covenant on God's part, if I may ſo expreſs it. It pleaſed God to determinate and chuſe to ſave men by Covenant, or in a Covenant-way. And this good pleaſure of his took place in the boſom of his eternal Counſels before all time; which Covenant of Grace was made with Jeſus Chriſt in Eternity, Tit. 1.2. 2 Tim. 1.9. Prov. 8. Eph. 1.4. but was made manifeſt in time unto men, 2 Tim. 1.10. To them he gave Copies and Tranſcripts of it; at firſt to Adam in Paradiſe, Gen. 3.17. and afterwards to Noah, Abraham, and others, until the promiſed Seed came, when the whole of it was opened and unfolded. In this Covenant God promiſed to give his Son Jeſus Chriſt to and for men, Iſa. 42.1.6. to make his Soul an offering for ſin, that he ſhould ſee his Seed, and of the travail of his Soul, and that the pleaſure of the Lord ſhould proſper in his hand, Iſa. 53.10, 11. And the Lord Jeſus he engaged to come and fulfil all the will of his Father for them that were given to him. For ſo David and Paul bring him in ſpeaking of himſelf in Pſal. 40.6.7, 8. Heb. 10.6, 7, 8, 9. In Burnt-offerings and Sacrifices for ſin thou hadſt no pleaſure; then ſaid I, Lo, I come to do thy Will, O God; and a Body haſt thou prepared me, &c. p. 314David ſpake of him as to come, but Paul as already come, and all in purſuance of the old Contract and Agreement in Heaven; but I cannot inlarge on this. But I ſay that Chriſt came, and did the Will of his Father by virtue of the eternal Covenant between the Father and Him, as I could ſhew at large, had I room and time to do it. Hence he tells us by Solomon, in Prov. 8. that his delights were with the Sons of men from the beginning: That he came down from Heaven to do the Will of him that ſent him: Joh. 6.38. That he kept his Fathers Commandments: Joh. 15.10. That He finiſhed the work the Father gave him to do, Joh. 17.4. And appeals to his Father in the caſe, yea, to his Righteouſneſs, and demands of him his promiſed Reward, Joh. 17.4, 5, 24. God the Father promiſes to be well pleaſed with him and his Offerings, and in him with thoſe he mediated for: That they ſhould be pardoned, healed, juſtified, waſhed and ſanctified; and that they ſhould be accepted: Eph. 1.6. That if Chriſt would be made ſin for them, they ſhould be made Righteouſneſs of God in him, 2 Cor. 5. ult. Now that God and the Mediatour have ſo Covenanted, promiſed, and engaged for, and in the behalf of Believers; that Chriſt came and finiſhed all the work that the Father gave him to do; that Chriſt hath obeyed and ſuffered, the Father ſatisfied and well pleaſed; and that Peace, Friendſhip, and Reconciliation for men is obtained; and that God is faithful, who hath promiſed; Heb. 10.23. and that he will not fail to perform the Truth to Jacob, and Mercy to Abraham, Micah 7. ult, is continued and ratified unto Believers, in and p. 315by the Lord's Supper. For there is held forth a clear proof and confirmation of it. This is my body that is broken, and my blood that is ſhed or given, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25. Theſe are the firſt objects and matters our faith eyes and fixes on in the Lord's Supper; and theſe are the firſt things that it ſeals unto … us, namely, that God hath covenanted and promiſed theſe mercies upon Chriſt's dying; that Chriſt hath dyed, done the Fathers whole will, and finiſhed his work; and that God the Father hath accepted his Mediation in our behalf, juſtified his Son Jeſus, and is well-pleaſed with him, and with us in him; that God is faithful who hath promiſed, and that he is able, and will perform his promiſes, made to Chriſt for, and given down to us. On theſe things our faith muſt fix; and then this Ordinance of the Supper will confirm them us.

2. As the Lord's Supper ſeals, or ratifies and confirms to our faith the truth, and reality of the Covenant and promiſes, the death of Chriſt, the faithfulneſs of God, and his being ſatisfied and well pleaſed with Chriſt's mediation for us, and that he will perform his Covenant and Promiſes unto the Heirs of promiſe: ſo it ſeals, ratifies and confirms Believers intereſt and propriety in them. It ratifies and confirms to their own Conſciences, that they are intereſted in Chriſt: that they are Chriſts, and Chriſt is theirs: that they are regenerated and redeemed: that their ſins are pardoned, and their perſons accepted in the Beloved, Eph. 1.6, 7. This Ordinance ſeals to them the fruits of Chriſt's death, and to the truth, ſincerity and peculiarity p. 316of his grace in them: that they are united to him, and that he is their head, and they are his Members. That he loves them, and they love him, with ſpecial and peculiar love. This Ordinance ſeals to them their Adoption, and their right unto the eternal Inheritance: and it aſſures them (as a means of Chriſt's appointing for that end) that God is their Father, and they are his Children: that Chriſt is their Husband, and they are his Spouſes; and that they ſhall live and reign with him in glory.

But yet know, that though there be a kind of a natural aptneſs in this holy Ordinance, thus to seal the love of God to you, as it is Chriſts Ordinance, and inſtituted by him for this end: yet it cannot, doth not do it of, or by its ſelf, or its own power; but it ſeals as an Ordinance in the hand of the ſpirit, or as a fit medium and means, whereby and wherewith the holy ſpirit ſeals the Souls of Believers. It is the proper work of the holy Ghoſt to ſeal, ratifie and confirm his own work in Believers hearts, Eph. 1.13. Eph. 4.30. And this great work he doth, eſpecially, in and by the Lord's Supper on the hearts of good men. For as the matters he ſeals to, are his own works in their hearts; ſo he onelyonly can confirm them to their Faith and Conſciences. The love of God is ſaid to be ſhed abroad into our hearts by him, Rom. 5.5. and to this he ſets his ſeal, and gives in his Teſtimony, Rom. 8.16. namely, that he hath ſhed abroad the love of God in our hearts: that God loves us, & we love him with ſpecial love; and that he hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead, p. 3171 Pet. 1.2. He firſt writes his Lawes, and creates his grace in our hearts, puts the Lord Jeſus into the poſſeſſion of them, forms ſaith, Repentance and all other graces of Chriſt in them; and then he ſeals, ratifies and confirms all to us, Cant. 8.6, 2. Cor. 1.22. Job. 33.16. So that now we know, that we are paſſed from death to life, Joh. 3.14. and are ſure that we are of God; that the Lord Jeſus is ours, and we are his, Cant. 2.16. And can ſay with Thomas, my Lord and my God; and with David, I am thine; and with Paul and others; if our earthly houſe be diſſolved, we have a building of God, an houſe not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens, 2 Cor. 5.1. Thus you ſee how this Ordinance ſeals up the love of God, and the work of his grace in our Souls: And therefore, when ever you receive it, be ſure to look for, and expect it; and make uſe of it for, though not only for this end and purpoſe: And in order thereunto, be careful and diligent, in preparing and fitting your ſelves for the reception of this ſeal on your hearts; and then you need not doubt of your obtainment of it.

3. This Ordinance is inſtituted and given to inchurched Saints, to bring the Lord Jeſus and them together, into the neareſt, cleareſt, and cloſeſt fellowſhip and communion, that can be in this lower ſtate. The Lord Jeſus and they do greatly love one another, and delight in communion with each other, Cant. 4. ult. Cant. 5.1. Believers in their holy, obediential and orderly walking are Chriſts dearly beloved Spouſes, and he is their dearly beloved Husband, Cant. 2.16. Jer. 12.7. They do greatly love, and rejoyce in one anothers company and Society▪ their ſpeeches p. 318are pleaſant, and their countenances ſweet and lovely to each other, Zeph. 3.17. Cant. 1.4. Cant. 2.7, 10, 13. Cant. 2.14. There is a holy fondneſs, and a heart-raviſhing friendlineſs between Chriſt and his Beloved: they lye deep in each others hearts and are ſo knit to one another in warm affections, as that they cannot patiently bear each others abſence Hence we find the Lord Jeſus and his people inviting one another, and importunately ſolliciting each other to come to them: yea, and proffering themſelves, and (as it were) inviting or preſſing themſelves upon, or into one anothers company, Cant. 2.…0, 13, 14, 7. Cant. 4.8. ult. Cant. 5.1. Cant. 6. ult. Cant. 7.11, 12. Rev. 3.20. Joh. 14.21, 23.

Therefore hath glorious Jeſus inſtituted Churches, and gathered up his people into ſpiritual houſholds; formed them into holy Societies, and made them his walled Gardens. Therefore hath he brought them into a holy Band, knit them together into bodies, and given to them this Feaſt of fat things, this Pledge and Token of his diſtinguiſhing love, and this holy ſign and ſeal; that he may invite and bring them together, to take, and eat; and that himſelf may come and be with them there. He is the matter, and the great maſter of the Feaſt, and he is the King that comes in, to ſee his Gueſts, and that bids them be merry, yea, and to eat and drink abundantly, (with an) O Beloved! Cant. 5.1. In the laſt verſe of the 4th chapter, the Church importunatly invites and ſollicites the Lord Jeſus to come into his Garden, and eat his pleaſant fruits; namely, when they were congregated p. 319together, and waiting on and for him. The Lord Jeſus comes, and tells them ſo, Chap. 5.1. I am come into my Garden my Siſter, my Spouſe, I have gathered my myrrh with my Spice: then he chears them up, and bids them welcome, be merry, and eat and drink, not ſparingly, but freely and abundantly, O Beloved. His holy Temples, and this heavenly Feaſt, are appointed and ordained for his Reception and Entertainments with his Beloved, Rev. 2.1. 2 Cor. 6.16. There are the… moſt joyful meetings; and there do they hold and enjoy the moſt comfortable and heart-ſatisfying communion together, as holy hearts can and do often experience. For this end hath he inſtituted, and for this end ſhould all Church-members receive this Ordinance.

4. As it is appointed for Communion between Chriſt and his inchurched-members, ſo likewiſe for their Communion among themſelves, 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. Good men have heart-dividing, and love-ſeparating luſts, ſelf-Intereſts, world and Devil: and therefore they need all proper means to unite and knit their hearts together in Brotherly Love & Communion, Col. 2.2. The Lord Jeſus hath commanded, and ſtrictly charged his people to love one another, as he hath loved them, Joh. 13.34. Joh. 15.12, 15. and that they love one another with pure hearts fervently, 1 Pet. 1.22. That they walk in love, and endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of peace, Eph. 4.1, 2, 3. Eph. 5.1, 2. Now in order to the obtainment of it, and that Believers may be encouraged to mind and do his will herein, the Lord Jeſus hath by his own p. 320Laws and Authority formed them up into holy Temples, and united them into ſpiritual Societies, and given them occaſion and opportunity to meet together and feaſt themſelves at his Table, at his coſt and charges; and that as Gueſts of his own bidding. There they may often meet, ſit down and feed together of his dainties. There they ſee and taſte, feel and ſmell, and there they may ſpeak of, & hear him, and of his grace and love. There they may ſee, that they are all bought with the ſame price and redeemed with the ſame blood. There they may ſee, that they are members together of the ſame head and body; that they are all Plants of his planting; Trees of his watering; Subjects of the ſame Grace and Spirit, and the ſame objects of his care and protection.

There they may ſee, that they are all bone of his bones, and fleſh of his fleſh; and that he hath fellowſhip and communion with them all: That they are heirs together of the grace of life, 1 Pet. 3.7. and that they are all entitled to an eternal inheritance. There they may ſee, that they are all partakers of the ſame life, and that the Lord Jeſus hath made the ſame proviſions for the everlaſting happineſs of all their Souls. There they may ſee, that they have the ſame faith and hope, and that the covenant and promiſes belong to them all: That there is a mutual Intereſt amongſt them, and that they are concerned in, and with each other: That they are engaged in one common cauſe with Chriſt, and that they are not their own, but one anothers.

p. 321All which things and conſiderations, are of great uſe towards the knitting and endearing of their hearts one to another in ſpiritual love, holy peace, and Brotherly affection. For by their ſitting down altogether as one body, at one Table of the Lord: eating and drinking the ſame Bread and Wine, and by faith, the ſame body and blood of the Lord: by beholding and believing their mutual intereſt in Chriſt, and in all the benefits of his death; and that they are all alike invited to the feaſt, and all alike welcomb'd and entertained by their Lord and King: they are much induced thereby to love one another: to ſeek, deſire and rejoyce in the good of each other, and to walk together as Heirs of the Kingdom of Glory; keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And likewiſe, in joyning hearts and hands together, as one body, in celebrating the worſhip, and in magnifying the name and glory of Chriſt.

5. An other great uſe and end of this Ordinance, is, to knit and endear the heart to Chriſt himſelf. And it is a powerful means to effect it. He is a moſt full and glorious Object of Love; a moſt lovely Object indeed. He is the faireſt of Ten thouſands, and altogether lovely, or altogether loves, Cant. 5.10. ult. He hath all glorious excellencies in him, and is the perfection of beauty, Pſal. 50.2. All ye glories of the Heavens and the Earth, of Angels and men, are but dark ſhadows unto this Son of Righteouſneſs. The Lord Jeſus is moſt lovely, glorious and beautiful, in his love and grace to us, in his obedience and death for us, and in all his Laws and Promiſes to us. But eſpecially, his Perſon is moſt p. 322beautiful, glorious and lovely, Pſal. 45. 1 Cor. 2.8. his moſt tranſcendant and glorious excellencies, will be the eternal wonderment of Saints and Angels, and they ſhall be for ever employed in adoring and praiſing him. He is an Object too high for us (now) to reach, and a Sun too bright and glorious for our dim eyes to behold, only ſome Raies and Beams of his Glory, he cauſes to ſhine on us, and enables us to take them in, in ſome degree, Pſal. 63.1, 2. But of all means, the Lord's Supper is the moſt full and proper for the opening and repreſenting unto us, unto our faith, the beauty, glory and lovelineſs of Chriſt, in his love and grace: in his death and ſufferings.

There we may read wonderful Stories, and ſee glorious Myſteries indeed. There we may read and ſee his love and grace to us, ſtreaming forth by his heart blood, and there we may ſee the greatneſs, freeneſs, profitableneſs, purity, ſweetneſs, and the tranſcendant excellency of his love and lovelineſs. There we may ſee the eternal Fountain of love, and the inexhauſtible-Treaſures of his heart, of his grace and kindneſs opened and running down to us; and there we may ſee a bottomleſs Sea of mercies and affections diſcovered. There we may read Chriſt loving us, and giving himſelf for us, unto an accurſed death, Gal. 2.20. Gal. 3.13. And Oh! my Brethren, what an attracting, Soul drawing, heart-knitting object of love, is the Lord Jeſus repreſented to be to us, in that Ordinance? It is a Glaſs that repreſents and ſhews us nothing elſe, but love and Chriſts lovelineſs. It is an Ordinance that Preaches and Seals love to Believers; p. 323and thereby provokes, enflames and drawes out their love to him. Love will be drawn and not driven; and what drawes it into warm and ſtrong Acts, but lovely perſons, things and actions? love and lovely objects irritates, and drawes forth love to them: and the more lovely, beautiful and glorious they are, the more forceably and powerfuly they draw; as experiences ſhews, and we all know.

But then are ſuch objects and things, moſt attractive and powerful, when they are our own, or when we know that we have a right unto, and an intereſt in them. Now in the Lord's Supper, you have theſe glorious objects and things handed out to you, and ſealed to you in particular. Take, cat, this is my body that was broken, and this is my blood that was ſhed for you, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25. It ſpeaks to ſound-hearted Believers thus. Here is your glorious Head and King; your Redeemer and Saviour. Here is the body that was broken, and the blood that was ſhed for you. Here is your Covenant, and here are your promiſes ſealed, ratified and confirmed, and here is free, eternal and diſtinguiſhing love and grace, ſhewed and given to you. Oh! how ſtrongly muſt this draw their love, and how powerfully, muſt this enflame their affections to Jeſus Chriſt? For this end it is appointed, and this it doth in meaſure effect in holy hearts.

6. It is inſtituted and appointed, to ſtrengthen and nouriſh inchurched Believers, and to make them fat and flouriſhing in the houſe of God, Pſal. 92.13, 14. Pſal. 132.13, 14, 15. Pſal. 84.4, 7.

p. 324Believers have many grace-weakning, and heart-waſting-luſts, Snares and Temptations; and therefore they have need of ſuch ſtrengthning, heart-chearing, and grace-nouriſhing means; that they languiſh not, but thrive and proſper, in the inner man. I have ſpoken ſomewhat of this before; when I ſhewed you the priviledges of the Churches, and the end for which all Believers ſhould walk in Church fellowſhip: and therefore ſhall not inſiſt on it here. Only let me add, that you may find in this Ordinance, both Food and Phyſick. Here is (as in the hand of an Ordinance) food for your Souls, and nouriſhment for your Graces; and here is Phyſick for them alſo. Here is the bread of Life, and here is the water and wine of Life to; feed and comfort you, to fatten and nouriſh you, to build you up and eſtabliſh you; and to make you ſtrong men in Chriſt: to encourage and help you, and to make you fruitful in every good work, Joh. 6. Col. 1.10. And here is not only food, but Heavenly and ſpiritual Phyſick too. Here you may have Purging and cleanſing-Phyſick, and here you may have comforting and refreſhing Phyſick alſo. And you do, and ſtill you will need both. You need Luſts-purging, and Heart-purifying Phyſick: and behold here it is for you. Chriſt gave himſelf, and ſhed his blood, that it might purge, cleanſe and heal us, and that it might in, and by his own means, be conveyed to us; I mean the vertue and efficacy of it, for that end, Eph. 5.25, 26, 27. Tit. 2.14. 1 Joh. 1.7, 9. Now in this Ordinance, the purging, cleanſing, and heart-purifying virtue of this blood is handed out, and conveyed to the p. 325Faith of Believers, & which the Spirit in Chriſt's behalf applys, and which we for our ſelves are to apply alſo. The Spirit doth it powerfully and efficaſiouſly, and we by Faith are to do it dutifully, and ſo it obtains its Ends on us: And as it is purging, cleanſing, and heart-purifying Phyſick to our Souls, ſo it is Cordial Phyſick alſo, to refreſh and comfort, to revive and chear our drooping, ſad, and diſconſolate Souls. Of this Blood, and for this End, we may drink freely and conſtantly! Here we may have our fill, and drink abundantly, according to our needs. Here you may Augment your Light, Faith, Peace, Hope, Joy, Courage, Zeal, Meekneſs, Love, and Patience; and here you may obtain a meaſure of all ſpiritual good. Here you may enrich your Souls with Chriſt, Grace, Aſſurance, Experiences and Conſolations; and here you may obtain the deſtruction of your Luſts. Here you will have the Spirit to feed you with the Bread of Life, and here you may grow like a Cedar in Lebanon, Pſal. 92.12, 13. Therefore make uſe of this Ordinance for this bleſſed End alſo.

7. It is appointed to ſhew and repreſent unto us the evil of ſin alſo. The great God repreſents ſin to us in many glaſſes, and ſhews it in and by ſeveral means. He aſſures us that it is the Evil of Evils, the Plague of Plagues, and that it is the root and fountain, the ſink and ſum of all Miſchiefs; that it is unexpreſſibly and tranſcendantly evil, Rom. 7.13. That it is the object of his loathing, abhorrence and hatred, as being that which hath turned glorious Angels into hateful Devils, and thrown them out of p. 326Heaven into Hell; as that which hath defaced and marr'd his Image in men, and made them Enemies unto, and Rebels againſt God. This he declares to us in, and by his Word, his Law and Goſpel; as alſo by the Judgments he executeth in the Earth on Sinners; yea, the whole Creation here below do loudly proclaim it. But the cleareſt glaſs wherein God opens and manifeſts the odiouſneſs, and exceeding ſinfulneſs of ſin, is Chriſt's Death and Sufferings, which the Lords Supper plainly declares unto us, and where we may ſee it diſplayed in all its moſt hateful and abominable colours. Here you may by Faith, ſee the exceeding great Evil of it, and be provoked and ſtirred up to Hate, and abhor it, to eſchew and avoyd it. For by beholding the Curſe and Wrath of God, poured out on the Soul and Body of his dear Son, Gal. 3.13. and by ſeeing him Reproached, Buffetted, Contemned, Deſpiſed, Crucified, Hanged, Nailed to the Croſs, Cruelly handled, Tortured, Tormented, Pierced, Murdered, and above all, the weight of divine Vengance preſſing his precious Soul, and wringing out Bloody Sweats, and he pouring out his Soul to Death, and all for, and under the weight of our Sins and Guilt. Surely the ſight of this, by Faith, will greatly raiſe our hatred of all ſin, and diſſwade us from it.

8. It is appointed and given to encreaſe and ſtrengthen our Goſpel-Repentance too. Here we may look on Him, whom we by ſin have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterneſs of Soul, Zach. 12.10. for here is the Blood of the Scape Goat, that is able to break the moſt ſtony hearts in p. 327the world. And we ſtand in daily need of it, for we are in danger every day of being hardened through the deceitfulneſs of ſin, and the world, Heb. 3.13. But the Lord's Supper preſents to us a heart-melting Object, yea, many ſuch Objects. There we may ſee heart-melting Love, and there we may behold heart-breaking Grace. There we may perceive the Lamb of God making Attonement for our ſins; and there we may underſtand that the Lord of Glory hath taken off from us our Sins, Guilt, and Puniſhment. There we may diſcern him ſtanding in our ſtead, and between the living God and us Condemned dead men, with the Cenſor of the Sanctuary full of his precious Blood, making ſatisfaction for us to divine Juſtice. There we may know (in meaſure) how dearly He loved us, and how dear we have coſt. There we may ſee our ſins Pardoned, perſons Accepted, God Reconciled and Well-pleaſed; & there we may hear him ſaying, Deliver them out of Priſon, for I have found and accepted a Ranſom. Surely, there is not a more powerful means in the World to produce and provoke to Repentance; yea, pure Goſpel-Repentance in Believers, than the Lord's Supper is. For here are preſented to us all the greateſt and ſtrongeſt Goſpel-motives to unfained, Spiritual and Goſpel-Repentance, to melt & ſoften the heart. It is Love & Grace, the hopes of Pardon and Acceptance, and of being ſanctified and ſaved, that provokes and produces Repentance unto Life, not Fear and Dread of Divine Wrath and Vengeance: Not the bare ſight and Conviction of Sin, and the Apprehenſion of future puniſhment; no, but 'tis p. 328the ſenſe or hope (at leaſt) of our perſons being loved and accepted into favour with God, and of our being acquitted and juſtified through the blood of the Covenant that doth it.

9. To ſtir us up to Admire, Adore, and Praiſe the great and free Love and Grace of God, and Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. They do in and by this Ordinance, ſet off and commend their free, eternal, and diſtinguiſhing Love and Grace unto Believers; and thereby give them occaſion of Praiſing, Admiring, and Adoring it. Theſe are ſome of God's Holy and Gracious Ends in appointing this Ordinance for, and giving it unto them; and theſe, and what-ever other uſes and ends there are of it, ſhould be diligently ſought out and underſtood by all Believers. And being ſound out, they ſhould be carefully, diligently, and faithfully aimed at and purſued by them.

Well then, do you joyn Iſſues with God, aim at, and carry on the holy Ends of Jeſus Chriſt in this Goſpel Ordinance; and by your ſo doing, you will pleaſe and honour him, and greatly profit your own Souls.

Queſt. What are the neceſſary qualifications and preparations of all worthy Receivers of the Lords Supper; or what is required of, and ought to be found in them?

Anſ. There qualifications and preparations are two-fold. 1. A State qualification or worthineſs. 2. A habitual and practical, or actual fitneſs.

1. A State-worthineſs or qualification, which in brief is this, or conſiſts of theſe two things. p. 3291. Regeneration. 2. Ʋnion with Chriſt by Faith. (1.) Regeneration, or a New Creature, 2 Cor. 5.17. This is abſolutely neceſſary as to Salvation, Joh. 3.3, 5. ſo to fit and qualifie men to, and for every good work. Without Regeneration, or being Born again, we cannot Believe, Repent, or Obey the Goſpel in a right and acceptable manner. Without this change of Nature, we cannot love God, nor fear God; we cannot know him rightly, nor worſhip him Spiritually, Joh. 4.23, 24. Phil. 3.3. for we cannot Worſhip him with Reverence and Godly fear, until we are partakers of the Divine Nature, and of his ſpecial Grace to do it withal, 2 Pet. 1.4. Heb. 12 28. In our Unregenerate States, we are blind and dark, Eph. 5.8. Dead in ſins, Eph. 2.1.5. Enemies to God, and Strangers to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 5.10. Eph. 2.12. We are Carnal and Vain, Hard-hearted and Impenitent Sinners, and are ſhut up in Unbelief: Yea, we are Haters of God, and the power of Godlineſs, and exceſſive Lovers of Sin and the World, and altogether voyd of the Love of God, and of real love and pitty to our own Souls. Now then, it is abſolutely neceſſary that we be Regenerated and Created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good Works, Eph. 2.10. for till then we are utterly uncapable of doing them according to the Will of God. How then can we receive and partake of the Lords Supper worthily, until we are Regenerated and made New Creatures? How can we diſcern the Lords Body, 1 Cor. 11.29. and how can we underſtand the myſtery, and take in the profit of Chriſt, his Death to our Souls, until we are p. 330taught of God? How can we receive it in Faith, and in Obedience to his Will, until the Grace of Faith be formed in our hearts, and until our hearts are bowed and melted by Grace into the Holy Will of God? How can we Worſhip God, and Celebrate this Ordinance with lively hearts, whilſt we are dead in ſins? And how can we apply the Seal to that Grace which we have not? Therefore I ſay it is abſolutely neceſſary that all that receive this holy Seal, be Regenerated and made New Creatures. For how can that Ordinance feed and nouriſh that which is not in Being, namely, the New Creature?

2. They muſt be Ʋnited to Jeſus Chriſt by Faith alſo. They muſt be in him, and have relation to him, as living Members to their Head, 2 Cor. 5.17. Col. 2.6. Chriſt muſt be theirs, and they muſt be his by Faith, or they cannot claim him as theirs, nor receive any benefit by his Death; for elſe, how can they joyn with Chriſt in his ſaying, Take eat, this is my Body which is broken for you, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24. But I muſt haſten.

2. They muſt have an habitual worthineſs or meetneſs for the right Receiving, and due Celebration of this Ordinance likewiſe: I mean a holy and ſpiritual, ready and accurate frame and diſpoſition of heart to, & for it; they muſt have their Sight, Faith, and Love ready in act and exerciſe, or they are not, cannot be meet partakers of the Lord's Table. It is not only neceſſary that they be in a State of Juſtification and Regeneration, but they muſt be alſo in, or qualified with a habitual frame, poſture, and diſpoſition p. 331of heart, to receive and celebrate it to the Glory of Chriſt, and profit of their own Souls, Tit. 3.1. Their Hearts and Graces muſt be ready fixed and tuned for the work, that they be not to ſeek of them, or at a loſs concerning them, when they ſhould honour Chriſt with, and get the Seal of the Spirit to them, Pſal. 57.7. Pſal. 108.1. Pſal. 112.7. This habitual meetneſs or worthineſs, qualification, or preparation, (call it which you will) is a matter of great weight and moment, eſpecially in this matter, and therefore you muſt labour all you can to obtain it.

2. There is a practical and actual meetneſs and preparedneſs for the worthy and acceptable receiving of the Lords Supper alſo. That is, there is ſomething (more than ordinary) to be done by them in order to their worthy participating of it. This practical preparation I ſhall briefly preſent to you in ſome particulars.

1. You muſt examine your ſelves, 1 Cor. 11.28. But let a man examine himſelf, and ſo let him eat of the Bread, and drink of the Cup. And here 1. You muſt examine your States, and try if you be in the Faith or no: If you are indeed, (at leaſt in a well grounded hope and perſwaſion in a juſtified and regenerate ſtate and condition, 2 Cor. 13.5. 2 Pet. 1.10. and to know whether the Lord Jeſus and his ſpecial Grace be formed in your hearts, Gal. 4.19. This muſt be effectually done by you, or you may be undone, For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh his own Damnation, 1 Cor. 11.29. And if you ſhould eat and drink this holy Supper, in an unregenerate and unjuſtified ſtate; be you ſure, that you will eat and drink damnation p. 332to your ſelves; for the Lord hath ſpoken it. This is not a matter to be dallied with.

2. Examine your ſelves, if you allow not of ſome ſin, and if there be not one luſt, carnal-ſelf, or ſome one or more Idols indulged, and connived in at, and by you. For ſhould you careleſly overlook this matter, and ſit down at the Kings Table with any of them in you, and wink at it: be you aſſured, that the Lord Jeſus will not accept and bleſs you: viſit you and ſmile on your Souls; but he will loath your offering, and hide his face from your Souls. Therefore ſearch and ſee what you can find of any of them in your hearts or hands; within or without you. For your great Lord ſearches and tryes you, Rev. 2.23. Make an impartial, and diligent enquiry into this matter, and that with all poſſible integrity of heart, that God may ſee, that you are willing to know the worſt of your ſelves. And do as David and others have done, in this weighty matter, Pſal. 77.6. make diligent ſearch, and entreat the Lord to help you, Pſal. 139. ult. Ask your ſelves, and try to purpoſe; do I not wink at and practically allow of Anger, Paſſion, Wrath; yea, of Haſtineſs, Raſhneſs, Peeviſhneſs and Frowardneſs? Do not I wink at my Pride, worldly-mindedneſs, vanity of mind, and frothy diſcourſes? Do not I hearken to Tatlers, and take up Reproaches againſt the Righteous, and do not I Reproach them alſo, by telling to others what I hear? Do not I worſhip God carnally, and in a formal and Hypocritical manner; and do not I live in the careleſs neglect of many Religious and Relative duties; day after day? Am not I a Peacebreaker p. 333among my Relations and others, by a peeviſh and quarrelſome Spirit, inſtead of a Peace-maker? Am I not guilty of very much luke-warmneſs and indifferency of ſpirit in all Duties, as alſo of much idleneſs and miſpending of pretious time? Do I not live as a ſtranger to God, and his holy will; and in an unacquaintedneſs with my ſelf; and do not I ſlight my Goſpel-mercies, and undervalue the good things that God gives me? Do I not leave my eternal concerns in doubt and at a great uncertainty, and live year after year in the dark, about my ſpiritual ſtate? although I have ſufficient means to enable me to make a right judgment of them; and am enjoyned ſo to do, 2 Pet. 1.10. 2 Cor. 13.5.

3. Examine your ſelves, and try if you do act and move in duties by the Spirit of God; with, and from Divine and Goſpel principles? Doth the life of Chriſt animate and quicken you, the love of Chriſt conſtrain and draw you; the light of Chriſt lead and conduct you; and the faith of Chriſt ſtrengthen and encourage your hearts in them? Do you act and worſhip God with your own Spirit, or the holy Spirit of God? And do you worſhip him with ſpecial light, love, faith, and ſincerity, or with common? For it is poſſible you may be miſtaken, and take the one for the other. So likewiſe you ſhould examine your Aims and Ends; what you Intend and Deſign in receiving of the Lords Supper? And you muſt alſo enquire what Earnings and Improvements you make of it, and what your Spiritual profit is? what you meet withall in it, and what good you receive from it?

p. 3342. Whatever Evil you find in your Hearts or Hands; you muſt throw out, and Repent of it. You muſt not think it enough, and that your Work is done, when you have found out the Plagues of your own Hearts, 1 Kings 8.38. But you muſt endeavour the ſpeedy removal of them, and thorowly amend your Wayes, Jer. 7.3, 5. You muſt confeſs them to God unfeignedly, humble your ſelves; and Repent in Duſt and Aſhes, Job. 42.6. 2 Chro. 7.14. yea, you muſt alſo Hate and Abhor them, forſake and Mortifie them; and reſolve to have no more to do with them.

3 You muſt alſo prepare your ſelves, by emptying the Heart of Carnal-ſelf, and the World: for elſe theſe things will greatly Obſtruct your Holy and Profitable receiving of this Ordinance. The more the Heart is emptied, the more it will Hunger and Thirſt after it, and the good and profit of it: the ſtronger your Deſires will be after Chriſt, and the benefits of his Death, the clearer you will ſee them, and the Sweeter they will be unto your Taſte. The emptier you are of theſe Heart ſuffocating Evils, the more Deſirable, Beautiful, Acceptable and Pleaſant they will be unto your Souls; and the greater and more apparant, will your Earnings and Advantages be to your Souls. As you will abundantly Experience, if you make proof of it.

4. Prepare for the Worthy and Profitable receiving of this Holy and Soul enriching Ordinance; by poſſeſſing your Hearts with the Excellency and Goodneſs, the Priviledge and Profit of it. Get as clear Apprehenſions and Conceptions p. 335as you can, of the Perſon, the Love, Grace and Benefits, it holds forth unto you, and who it is you go to meet withall there. For the clearer your ſight is of theſe things, and the more the Heart is poſſeſſed and affected with them, the more they will ſtir up and provoke your Faith, enflame your Love, and draw your Hearts to them. The clearer they lye in your Heads, (your Minds) and the warmer they lye on your Hearts, the more Influential and forceable they will be on all your Affections and Graces, to quicken, raiſe and draw them forth into act and Exerciſe.

5. Prepare, by getting a due ſight and ſenſe of your own Wants and Weakneſs: your own perſonal Vileneſs and Ʋnworthineſs, and of your own Sins and Iniquities. That the due ſight and ſenſe of theſe Evils, may make you Vile in your own Eyes, debaſe and humble your Hearts. That you may be truly Baſe and Vile in your own Eyes, and draw nigh to him with a Holy fear and Trembling, Eſa. 66.2. Pſal. 2.11. That you may go to him, and make uſe of this Ordinance, for the ſupply of your Wants, and ſtrengthening your Weakneſſes, and that you may be ſenſible of the worth and neceſſity of Chriſt's Death for you.

6. Get high and great Expectations, raiſed in your Hearts, of ſeeing, enjoying and receiving a meaſure of all the fulneſs of Chriſt, and his benefits, or the fruits of his Death. The Lord Jeſus will be moſt free and open handed there, to all worthy Receivers: and therefore, you muſt not go to it, and him, with dejected, fearful and low Spirits and Hopes. But you muſt p. 336go to them with high and great Hopes and Expectations, of finding him and receiving high and great things from him. Be ſure, that he would have you do ſo, that it is your Duty, and that you ſhall find him a liberal and noble Benefactor to you. Yea, that he will far exceed your higheſt regular Expectations from him, in his Princely favours, and glorious diſtributions to your Souls.