Worthy Communicating, Introduction · Part 1 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III. A further Account of this Worthiness.
The Contents.
These recited Tempers are all necessary in the Person Communicating, but not all necessary to be expresly exercised in the Time of Communion. A Direction in which it may be fit to lay out our Devotion at that time. All these are provided for in the Churches Prayers, so that we may exercise them worthily if we go along devoutly at all the Parts of the Communion-Service.
IN the former Chapter I have reckon'd up those Tempers which render us Worthy Communicants, and fit us to be bidden Welcome at the Lords Supper whensoever he invites and calls us thither.
But of them I must observe, that altho' they are all necessary in the Person Communicating; yet are they not all of necessity to be particularly and expresly exercised in the Time of Communion.
They are all necessary, I say, in the Person Communicating, and he is not worthy to remember such a Lord and Saviour, to sign the New Covenant with Almighty God, and a League of Amity and Friendship with all the Christian World, who wants any of them. They are altogether due from us, as we have seen, and may in all reason be expected of us, as we stand in these Relations, and are admitted to these Employments: So that we act unworthily, and fail of our Duty, if our Souls are not endow'd with them, when we are in those Capacities, and about those Performances, which do so justly challenge and call for them.
But they are not all necessary to be particularly and expresly exercised in the Time of Communion. They will be all implied, 'tis true, and virtually contained in what is then done; but they are not all necessary to be particularly insisted on. And for this there is a very good Reason, because that Time doth not ordinarily allow sufficient Space for them. For most Communicants are not of such active Minds and quick Apprehensions, as that they can pursue so many Businesses, or work themselves up into an express Fervour of so many particular Tempers at one Exercise. And those that are, chuse rather often-times to fix upon some few, that so, having the more time to stay upon them, they may raise themselves up to greater Degrees, and act them over in much higher Measures. And because, where all cannot be exercised, it is of great use to know which are best and fittest to be singled out, I shall here set down which of all those Tempers I conceive it were most proper to stir up at that time, and vigorously to exert and heighten in our own Minds.
If any then, who come to the Holy Communion, find that they are either tired out with the length, or distracted by the variety of many Particulars, and that their Devotion in this Feast goes better on, and is more full and perfect when they restrain it to a few; I think they may do well to lay it out in these that follow.
In remembring our Saviour Christ, who, as then we are to believe, died for us, and purchased us the New Covenant by his Death, offering us the Pardon of our Sins upon Repent…nce, and his Grace and Spirit to help …ut our Endeavours, and Eternal Life upon our intire Obedience: in remembring him, I say, we may do well to shew,
1. A joyful and affectionate Thankfulness for this his unspeakable Love and Benefits, particularly for his Dying for us.
2. An intire Resignation of our selves, both Souls and Bodies, to his use, as they are his own Purchase▪ In which two consists the main Worthiness of this Part, they being the Things which are most becoming us in this Remembrance.
And in confirming the New Covenant with Almighty God, whereto we must believe we are then invited, we may act,
3. Repentance of all our Sins, particularly of all those which we find are most apt to win upon us; and make him Promises that in all the Instances of Duty, but in them especially, we will joyn our Endeavours to his Grace, and obey his Laws: and when we promise this, it must be with a sincere and faithful Heart, and with full Intentions of Performance, which are the great Duty incumbent on us in these Engagements.
And in confirming a League of Love and Friendship with all our Brethren, which we must think we are then called to likewise, we may exercise,
4. Charity towards all Persons, forgiving all that have any ways offended us, and laying aside all Envy, Strife, and malicious Thoughts, and resolving to shew Kindness both in Word and Deed to all about us, nay to all Men, as we have ability and opportunity, but the Poor especially, who ought not to be forgotten at such times; which is the Great Thing required of us, and becoming us in this part of the Service.
So that when we come to the Holy Communion, where we are called to remember Christ, particularly in his Death, to seal the New Covenant with God, and a League of Friendship with our Brethren; we may do well to express our selves joyfully and affectionately thankful for all his Kindness, especially that in Dying for us, and resign up our selves, both Souls and Bodies, to his Service, and repent of all our Sins, making him faithful and unfeigned Promises of amending all our Faults, particularly those wherein we are most liable to do amiss, and shew our selves in Peace and perfect Charity with all Persons. By these things we shall duly answer the Ends of this Feast, and in them lies the great Worthiness of our Carriage at it. And this our Church has sufficiently intimated to us in her Publick Catechism, when in return to that Question, What is required of them that come to the Lords Supper? It gives this Answer; To repent them truly of all their Sins, stedfastly purposing to lead a new Life; to have a lively Faith in Gods Mercy thro' Christ (which, as we have seen, is thorowly exercised from the beginning to the end of this Holy Sacrament) to have a thankful Remembrance of his Death, and be in Charity with all Men.
When we come therefore to the Holy Sacrament, whilst the Minister himself is Communicating, or whilst others are Receiving, we may lay out our selves on these things, and spend the time in the Exercise of these Duties, acting them in Devout Prayers and Holy Meditations in our own Hearts. Or if we are not able of our selves, but need the Help of others to suggest Thoughts, and to go along with us in this Service, let us joyn heartily in the Churches Prayers, which it has appointed for this purpose. For in them we have an Exercise of all these Virtues, and they have excellently provided for our Needs in this Case; so that we may duly express these Tempers, if we are careful to joyn fervently with the Minister in all the Parts of the Communion-Service. And because it may be of use to some to see how all these Duties are exercised in it, that so, being aware of it, they may particularly design them when they come to it; I will shew it of them all particularly.
1. It leads us on to an affectionate Thankfulness and joyful Praise, the first great Qualification, in a strain which truly to me is most transporting. For thus it helps us to give Thanks before Receiving. It is very meet, right, and our bounden Duty, that we should at all Times, and in all Places, give Thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God: Therefore with Angels, and Archangels, and all the Company of Heaven, we laud and magnifie thy Glorious Name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of thy Glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most High.
And thus again after it:
Glory be to God on High, and in Earth Peace, and Good Will towards Men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorifie thee, we give Thanks to thee for thy great Glory, O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord the onelyonly Begotten Son Jesu Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the Sins of the World, have Mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the Sins of the World, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the Sins of the World, receive our Prayers. Thou that sittest at the Right Hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art Holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the Glory of God the Father.
All which are words expressing joyful Praise and affectionate Thankfullness so meltingly, that better, I think, have not yet been thought of.
2. It leads us also to resign up our selves, both Souls and Bodies, to his Service, in the Prayer immediately after receiving in these words.
And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our Souls and Bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively Sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we who are partakers of this Holy Communion, may be fullfill'd with thy Grace and Heavenly Benediction.
3. It leads us in professing an humble and hearty Repentance of all our sins, and making God our Faithful Promises of new Obedience, in the invitation to Communicate, and the Confession of Sin before receiving in these words.
Ye that do truly and earnestly Repent you of your Sins, and intend to lead a new Life, following the Commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his Holy Ways; draw near with Faith, and take this Holy Sacrament to your Comfort, and make your humble Confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your Knees.
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by Thought, Word, and Deed, against thy Divine Majesty, &c. We do earnestly Repent, and are heartily sorry for these our mis-doings, &c.
And to prepare us for this profession of Repentance in this place of the Service, I think it very adviseable to take what time there is, whilst the Bread and Wine are in preparing before the beginning of the Office, to recollect our particular Sins which we are most liable to incur, and at every one of them to make God promises, and six Resolutions of amending them in our own minds; after which we may the better say in General we Repent of them, and will no more Commit them, and thereupon beg Pardon for them, and receive Absolution, as it is in this part of the Service.
4. And lastly, it leads us to act Peace and Charity to all men, when in the Exhortation before receiving, it tells us we must be in perfect Charity with all Men; and in the invitation, calls such as are in Love and Charity with all their Neighbours: at which words our hearts may strike in with it, and earnestly profess they at present are, and are fully resolv'd at all times after so to be.
Thus doth the Church it self in our Publick Service, go before us, and lead us on in these great Duties of joyful Praise and Thankfulness, of Resignation of our selves, of Repentance and Faithful purposes and promises of Obedience, and of Charity to all Persons, which are to render us welcome Guests, and worthy Communicants. Nay, it doth not only call us to, and bear us Company in these chief Duties, wherein above all consists a Receivers worthiness: but also in most others mentioned above, so that scarce any Duty is requir'd in us at this Feast, but, if our Hearts go along with it, it puts in act, and makes a place for it.
It exercises our humble sense of our own unworthiness in the Prayer before Consecration, in these words. We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own Righteousness, but in thy manifold and great Mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the Crumbs under thy Table. And so again in the Prayer after receiving in these. Though we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer up unto thee any Sacrifice; yet humbly we beseech thee accept this our bounden Duty and Service; not weighing our Merits, but pardoning our Offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
It exercises our hatred and abhorrence of our Sins, which caused Christs Sufferings, in the Confession of Repentance in these. The remembrance of our mis-doings is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable.
And it exercises our Love, and Reverence, and Honour to Christ, either in words that express it, or in things that imply it, being real proofs and effects of it, in every thing that is done through the whole Service.
If every Receiver therefore that has these Tempers, doth but go along heartily and affectionately with the Churches Prayers, and joyn with the Minister and the Congregation in the Communion Service; he acts them over as he ought, and doth Honour to his Saviour, and is a worthy Communicant. He shews all those qualifications which God has required, and receives as a worthy Guest, if he can do nothing more than go along, and strike in heartily at every part of the Publick Worship. Which I speak, not for the ease of those who, either by their own invention, or the help of Books, can set their own Minds on work, and employ their own Thoughts in meditating and acting over all these Tempers, whilst the Minister is distributing the Sacrament: I speak it not, I say, for the ease of these Persons, as if, beside what they do in the Churches Prayers, they should not moreover do what they can otherwise. But for the sake of others, who have not these abilities, that they may not be discouraged; and to let them know, that, if they are good men, and have these Tempers, there is exercise of them sufficient in the Publick Prayers, were there nothing else from the help of Books, or their own invention, to make them worthy Communicants.
And thus we see wherein lies the worthiness of receiving, and what Virtues are fit for him to exercise, who would be a welcome Guest at the Holy Communion. When he remembers the Death of Christ, and confirms the New Covenant with God, and a League of Love and Friendship with all the Christian World, by eating Bread, and drinking Wine according to Christs appointment; he must exercise himself in joyful Praise, and affectionate Thanks, and Resignation of his whole man, both Soul and Body, to Christs Service, and in Repentance of all his Sins, making God faithful Promises of New Obedience, and in Charity towards all Persons: all which he may express in joyning heartily with the Churches Prayers, besides what he doth, whilst the Bread and Wine are in preparing, or whilst others are Communicating, in his own Meditations. And if he believes these things, and is carryed on by such belief to these Performances; he is welcome to the Table of his Lord, and may justly esteem himself a worthy Partaker of this Blessed Sacrament.