The Communicants Guide, Part 2
THE Communicants Guide, Directing The younger ſort, which have never yet received, and the elder and ignorant ſort, which have hitherunto received unworthily, how they may Receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper worthily, and to their Soules comfort.
Queſtion. WHat muſt he doe, that would Receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper worthily, and to his Soules comfort?
A. He muſt doe that, which is required of a worthy Receiver, before he commeth to receive; whileſt hee is Receiving; and after he hath Received.
Q. What is required of a worthy Receiver before he commeth to receive?2 Chron. 30. 18. 19.
A. There is required a ſerious, and ſolemne preparation of himſelfe.
Q. Wherein doth that ſerious, and ſolemne 2 Sam. 16. 5 Pſal. 26. 6 2 Chro. 35 6.preparation of a Mans ſelfe conſist?
A. It conſiſteth in two things. Firſt, in a ſolemne ſequeſtring and ſetting apart of ſome convenient time, wherein hee may, betwixt God and his own Soule meditate on that which hee is about to doe: and ſecondly in doing that which may prepare him for it.
Q. What time is fitteſt to be ſet apart for this buſineſſe?
A. The whole time from the warning given of a Communion to the very time Exod. 12. 3. & 6.of receiving it, ſhould take up ſome of our thoughts touching the ſame: but eſpecially Joh. 19. 14 & 31.we ſhould ſpend ſome part of the day immediately foregoing it in that buſineſſe: by retiring our ſelves from other Zech. 12. 12 Mat. 6. 6 Ge. 24. 63 1 Cor. 7. 5 Gen. 22. 4 & 5. Nehe 6. 3 & 4.company into ſome private place (if it may be) to performe the ſame; and by withdrawing our minds for that time from all other buſineſſes.
Q. What are the duties which in this time thus ſet apart, a mam is to perform, that he may be rightly prepared?
A. They are two. The firſt is examination; 1. Cor. 11. 28 1 Tim. 4. 5and the ſecond is Prayer.
Q. Concerning what muſt a man examine himſelfe?
A. He muſt examine himſelfe, whether he have in him thoſe things which ought to be in a worthy Receiver.
Q. What are thoſe things?
A. They are eſpecially five. Firſt, knowledge; Secondly Faith, Thirdly Repentance; Fourthly Charity, and Laſtly, an hungring and thirſting deſire after Chriſt, and the benefits of his death, and paſſion.
Q. What knowledge ought there to be in a worthy Receiver?
A. There ought to be in him (beſides a competent knowledge of the grounds, Heb. 8. 10, 11. Heb. 5. 12.and principles of the Chriſtian Religion in generall) a more particular knowledge, both of himſelfe, who is to receive, and 1 Cor. 13. 5of the true nature, and uſe of the Sacrament, which he is to receive.1 Cor. 11. 29
Q. What muſt hee know concerning himſelfe, who is to receive?
A. He muſt know, how miſerable he is by nature; and how much more miſerable Pſal. 51▪ 5 Rom. 5 12 Eph 2, 3. Rom 6. 23 Gal. 3. 10.he hath made himſelf by his actuall tranſgreſſions.
Q. What muſt hee know concerning the true nature, and uſe of the Sacrament which he is to receive?
A. Hee muſt know, firſt who ordained it; Secondly, for what ends it was ordained, and thirdly, what are the parts whereof it conſiſteth.
Q. Who ordained this Sacrament?
A. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and that in Mit. 26. 26 27, 28. 1 Cor. 11. 23 1 Cor. 11. 20the Night when hee was betrayed, and therefore it is called the Lords Supper.
Q. For what ends was it ordained?
A. It was ordained, firſt to keepe in 1 Cor. 11. 24 26. John 6 54, 56 & 57. 1 Cor. 1…. 24, 26 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17. 1 Cor, 12, 13.us a thankfull remembrance of the Death, and Paſſion of our Bleſſed Lord, and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. Secondly to aſſure us of our particular part, and intereſt in the benefits thereof; and Thirdly, to be a Bond, and Pledge, both of our Union with Chriſt, and of our Communion one with another.
Q. What are the parts, whereof this Sacrament conſiſteth?
A. They are three. Firſt, the outward Signes ſignifying. Secondly, the Divine Word ſanctifying, and thirdly, the inward, and ſpirituall graces ſignified.
Q. What are the outward ſignes ſignifying?
A. Bread, and Wine, with the ſeverall actions pertaining to them, as Breaking, Mar. 26. 26 27. 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24, 25.Giving, Taking, Eating, and Drinking.
Q. What is the Divine Word Sanctifying?
A. The Word of Chriſts Inſtitution, Mat. 26. 26 27. 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. 1 Cor. 10. 16. Heb. 5. 4. Mat. 26. 26 27. Mark. 14. 22, 23, 24. Luk. 22. 19 20. John 6. 54pronounced with Prayers, and Bleſſings, by a lawfull Miniſt…r.
Q. What are the inward, and spirituall graces ſignified?
A. The Body of Chriſt Crucified, and his bloud ſhed for the Remiſsion of ſins: exhibited by God to the faith of the worthy Receiver, which receives it, and feeds on it, for the nouriſhing of his ſoule unto life everlaſting.
Q. And thus farre touching the knowledge which is required in the worthy Receiver; tell me now next what faith is required in him?
A. There is required, not onelyonly a bare Eſay 53. 6. 8. 10. Mat. 26. 28 Jam. 2. 19knowledge, and perſwaſion, that the body of Chriſt was crucified, and his bloud ſhed for the Remiſsion of ſinnes (for even this the very Devills in Hell doe believe, and yet tremble) but a particular application of the ſame, and of all the benefits thereof, unto a mans owne Soule, Gal. 2. 20 1 Cor. 5. 7 Job 19. 25 Luke 1. 47 Joh. 20. 28whereby he believeth that Chriſts Body was Crucified, and his Bloud ſhed for the Remiſsion of his Sins in particular.
Q. And thus far alſo touching the faith, which is required in a worthy Receiver: tell me now next what Repentance is required in him?
A. There is required in him an hearty, 1 Cor. 7. 9, 10. Luke 15. 21 Pſal. 51. 3. 4 Zech. 12. 10 Hoſ. 14. 8 Eſai. 30. 22 Acts 26. 20 2 Cor. 5. 17and unfaigned ſorrow for all his Sins paſt: and a full purpOſe (with Gods Grace, and aſsiſtance) never to offend God by the like in the time to come, but to amend his life, and to become a new man.
Q. And thus farre alſo touching the Repentance, which is required in a worthy Receiver: tell mee now next what Charity is required in him?
A. There is required a care to be in 1 Cor. 11. 18 20. 1 Cor. 12 13 Eph. 4. 16 Mat. 5. 23, 24. 1 Cor. 5. 8 Coloſ. 3. 13 Eſai. 1. 11. & Luke 17. 4Love, and Charity with all men, ſtriving to be reconciled to thoſe whom hee hath injured, and wronged; and being ready from his heart to forgive thoſe, who have injured, and wronged him.
Q. And thus farre alſo touching the Charity which is required in a worthy Receiver: tell me now in the laſt place, what hungring, and thirſting deſire after Chriſt, and the benefits of his Death, and paſſion are required in a worthy Repentance?
A. There is required in him a ſenſe, and feeling of his want of Chriſt, and his righteouſneſſe, and of Gods Wrath due unto him for his ſins, which ſhewing him his woefull, and miſerable eſtate without Chriſt, may make him to hunger, and thirſt after him, and the benefits of his John 7. 37 Rev. 22, 17Death and Paſsion, (the only meanes of Luke 1. 53 Pſa. 63. 1. Pſal. 107. 9 Pſal. 42. 1. Rev. 21. 6 Eſay 55. 1 Eſay 4…. 1pacifying Gods wrath) as much, as an hunger-ſtarved man, and one that is ready to die for thirſt, doth after Meate, and drinke.
Q. And thus have you ſhewed me, what is the former of thoſe two things, which muſt be performed by a worthy Receiver, that would prepare himſelf aright before he commeth to receive, to wit, examination: tell me now which is the other of them.
A. It is prayer: wherein if after examination hee doth finde in himſelfe the former Pſal. 10. 17 1 Tim. 4. 5Graces in any meaſure, he is to bleſs God for it, and to pray for the continuance, Mark. 9. 24and increaſe of them; and if hee want them, or have them not in that meaſure, which God requireth in his Word, hee is to humble himſelfe before the Lord in true contrition, and hearty Pſal. 51. 17 Eſay 57. 15 Eſay 66. 2.ſorrow for his failings, confeſsing them unto him, and deſiring pardon of them all for Chriſts fake; and that his gracious Spirit may helpe his infirmities in thoſe Rom. 8. 16Graces hee hath, and may worke in him, thoſe which he wanteth, that ſo hee may come as a worthy Receiver to this holy Table of the Lord.
Q. But what if a Man be not thus prepared when hee commeth to receive, is there any great danger in it?
A. Yes, for firſt, he that is not thus prepared, ſtandeth guilty before God of the Body, and Blood of the Lord.1 Cor. 11. 27
Secondly, inſteed of Receiving that which might further his Salvation, hee ſhall Eate, and Drinke his own Damnation: 1 Cor. 11. 29And laſtly hee ſhall not onelyonly be 1 Cor. 11. 30. Exod. 5. 3 2 Chron. 30. 18. & 20damned hereafter, but ſhall be ſeverely puniſhed, alſo in this life, by ſickneſſe and weakneſſe, yea, and at the end of his life by ſome fearefull death.
Q. And thus have you ſhewed me what is required of a worthy Receiver before hee commeth to Receive: tell mee now in the next place, what is required of him whilſt he is Receiving?
A. There is required a reverent geſture Eſa▪ 45. 23 Pſal. 95. 6 Pſ. 103. 1. & 2. Luke 1. 46of Body; and a Religious diſpoſition of minde.
Q. What geſture of body is fitteſt in the time of Receiving?
A. There is no certaine geſture preſcribed in Gods Word to be uſed in the Receiving of the Lords Supper, and therefore that is fitteſt, which is moſt decent, and orderly, and moſt agreeing to the 1 Cor. 14. 40. Mat. 18, 17 1 Cor. 8. 12 13.Diſcipline of the Church under which we live: So that it be not contrary to piety, or charity, and if we be left to our owne choyce, then that geſture is to be judged 1 Cor: 10. 32. Pſal 95. 2, 3. Rev. 7. 11, 12. 1 Chron. 29 10, 11, 13.beſt, which may beſt ſet forth the greatneſſe of the Giver, the worth of the Gift, and the humility, and thankfullneſſe of the Receiver.
Q. What dispoſition of minde is required in a worthy Receiver, at the time of his Receiving?
A. There is required, firſt, that his mind Exod. 3. 5. Coloſ. 3. 2 Phil. 1. 27 Pſa. 104. 33 & 34. 1 Cor. 10. 31 Coloſ. 3. 17be taken off from all worldly, and ſinnefull thoughts; and ſecondly, that it be wholly taken up with heavenly Meditations, and hearty prayers, and thankſgivings unto God.
Q. Whereon ſhould a worthy Receiver specially meditate in the time of Receiving?
A. Hee ſhould eſpecially meditate on the Death, and Paſſion of Chriſt Jeſus his Saviour; of the benefits which accrue to him thereby; and of the duties, which hee oweth to God and man therefore.
Q. How may he come beſt to meditate on the death and paſſion of Christ?
A. By obſerving carefully what is done by the Miniſter, that doth adminiſter it; and himſelfe that doth receive it.
Q. What doth the Miniſter do?
A. He doth conſecrate, and ſet apart the Bread, and Wine, whereby of common and ordinary Bread and Wine, it is made the Sacrament of the Body, and Bloud of Chriſt. He doth alſo breake the Bread, and poure out the Wine; and having ſo done, doth deliver it to each of the Communicants.
Q. What is he to meditate on when hee ſeeth the Minister to conſecrate the Bread, and Wine by the Word of Chriſts Inſtitution, and Prayer, to be the Sacrament of the Bleſſed Body, and Bloud of Chriſt?
A. Hee is then to meditate, how that John 3. 16 1 John 4. 9 John 6. 27 Mat. 1. 21 1 Tim. 2. 5 Epheſ. 2. 14 Epheſ. 1. 6 Heb. 9. 15God the Father, out of his meere love to mankinde, did ſet apart, ſeale, and appoint his only begotten Son to be the all-ſufficient meanes, and onelyonly Mediatour to Redeeme us from ſinne, and to reconcile us to his grace, and to bring us to glory.
Q. What is he to meditate on, when hee ſeeth the Miniſter to breake the Bread, and to poure out the Wine?
A. Hee is then to meditate, that the Body of Chriſt was as truely crucified, Gal. 3. 1 Exod. 24. 8 John 1. 29 Eſay 53. 5and his bloud ſhed for the Remiſſion of his ſinnes, under the ſenſe of Gods wrath due unto them: as hee doth now ſee the Bread in the Sacrament to be broken, and the wine to be poured out by the Miniſter.
Q. Laſtly, what is he to meditate on, when the Miniſter commeth unto him, and delivereth him the Bread, and Wine, thus Conſecrated, broken and poured out?
A. He is then to meditate, that as the Miniſter doth now offer, and deliver into his hands the Bread, and Wine, and bids him, take it, eate it, and drinke it; So doth Chriſt himſelfe come unto him, and offer, and give unto his Faith, his very Body, and Bloud, with all the benefits of his Death, and Paſsion.
Q. And thus we ſee what the worthy Receiver muſt meditate on in the time of Receiving, upon his ſight of what the Miniſter doth: tell me now next what he muſt meditate on, upon the ſight, and ſenſe of what he himſelfe doth at that time?
A. When hee hath received the Bread and Wine at the Miniſters hand, and is Eating of the one, and Drinking of the other, he muſt then meditate and thinke with himſelfe thus: as I have now taken, and doe eate this bread, and drinke this Wine for the nouriſhment of my body, and life temporall; ſo I doe believe, that the Body, and Bloud of Jeſus Chriſt, being Rom. 3. 25apprehended of mee by the hand of Faith, and applied by Faith unto my Soule, ſhall nouriſh it up unto life everlaſting.
Q. And thus wee have ſeene, how the worthy Receiver is to meditate in the time of Receiving upon the Death, and Paſſion of Chriſt, and the benefits which accrue to him thereby. Tell me now next, what are the duties, which he is to perform to God, and man therefore?
A. To God hee is to lift up his heart Pſal. 116. 13, 14. Pſal. 63. 5 Mat. 26. 30 1 Cor. 10. 17 1 Cor. 12. 13. Pſal. 16. 2. & 3. Eph. 4. 3. 15. & 16. 2 Cor. 8, 9, &c. 2 Cor. 9. 7 Gal. 6. 10 1 Cor. 16. 2 Mat. 12. 7by way of thankſgiving for the great worke of our Redemption by the death of Chriſt: and unto man hee is to extend his love, by cleaving to his fellow-communicants in one Spirit, as unto members of the ſame body; and by ſhewing mercy to the poore members of Chriſts body in contributing to their neceſsities according to his ability.
Q. And thus we have alſo ſeene, what is to be done by the worthy Receiver at the time of Receiving. Tell me now in the laſt place, what is required of him after he hath Received?
A. There is required, Examination, and Reſolution.
Q. Wherein ſtands the Examination, which muſt be in a worthy Receiver after he hath Received?
A. It ſtands in this, to trie whether he hath gotten any good by the Sacrament, or not.
Q. What if he finde little, or no good by his Receiving?
A. He is then firſt to ſuſpect himſelfe, that ſome miſcarriage hath beene in him, either in his preparation to, or in his performance of the Duty; and having found out what was the fault in either, that hindred the efficacy of the Sacrament unto him, he muſt judge himſelfe, and be 1 Cor. 11. 31 Eze. 20 43ſeriouſly humbled for it. And ſecondly, hee muſt endeavour by after-paines in prayer, and humiliation to quicken, and awaken the efficacy of the Sacrament unto his Soule.
Q. But what if hee finde any good by his Receiving, what is he to do then?
A. He is firſt to bleſſe God with all Epheſ. 4. 3 &c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 1 Chron. 29. 18. 2 Chron. 30. 21, 22, 23. Luke 4. 1 1 Cor. 10. 4his heart therefore; and to acknowledge with all thankfullneſſe Gods gracious dealing with him therein; and ſecondly, he is to be carefull, and watchfull that hee keepe up and maintaine that holy, and gracious frame of heart in himſelfe, which he hath brought with him from the Sacrament.
Q. And thus have wee ſeene, wherein the examination of a worthy Receiver conſiſteth, after hee hath Received, Tell mee now wherein ſtandeth his Reſolution?
A. It ſtandeth in this, that he be carefull, Hoſ. 11. 12and doe reſolve to keepe touch with God, and to expreſſe the power, and efficacy of the Sacrament in making good, and keeping his Vowes, and Covenants, which hee made to, and with Pſa 116. 14. 18. Eccleſ. 5. 3. Pſal. 50. 16, 17. 23. Pro. 9. 5. 6 Coloſ. 1. 10 Pſ. 119. 106 Hoſ. 8. 13 1 Cor. 11. 30 Eſay 1. 11. 13 Gen. 4. 5 1 Cor. 11. 17 Joh. 13. 26, 27. Luk. 11. 24God, of new obedience, and amendment of life, when he came to receive.
Q. Is there any great danger, if we do neglect to do ſo?
A. Yes, for firſt without this care, and Chriſtian reſolution, wee ſhall incur Gods heavy diſpleaſure: Secondly we fruſtrate, and make voide, all that we have formerly done in, and at the Sacrament. And thirdly, we ſhall hereby bring our ſelves into a far worſe condition, than we were before we came to receive.
Q. How may we come then by power to do this?
A. By watching carefully over our wayes, and courſes; by examining them by Pſal. 39. 1 Job 31. 1 Eccleſ. 5. 1 Eſay 8. 20 Pſal. 119. 9 Gal. 6. 16. Pſal. 119. 5. 35. 88. 133the Rule, and Square of Gods Word; and by hearty prayer unto God for his Grace, to direct, and aſſiſt us in all our wayes.