A Practical Catechism, Text
Some briefe *Or, A Practicall Catechiſm.Catecheticall Directions by way of queſtion and anſwer, the better to prepare my ſelfe, and others, for ſweet Communion with Ieſus Chriſt, in that ſacred Ordinance of his own Supper; begun at Newport, revived at Luton, but perfected at Queen Hithe in London,
By S. A.
The Text laid as the foundation of this Exerciſe, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24. &c. 29.The ſum of theſe directions, ſhewing 1. The Author. 2. The nature. 3. the ends and 4. the requiſites of this Ordinance.
Queſt. WHo is the Author of this Sacrament of the Lords Supper?
Anſw. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe, 1 Cor. 11.23. Mat. 26.26, 27. [and therefore it is called the Lords Supper, becauſe he is the Author, and Inſtitutor of it. 1 Cor. 11.20.]
Queſt. What gather you from hence?
Anſw. Theſe five things:
1. That we muſt prize and eſteem it highly, as the precious Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10.16. & cap. 11.27.
2. We muſt not ſlight, but come to it, and partake of it with faith, fear and reverence, as of his Ordinance; as Iſa. 55.1, 2, 3. Mat. 22.4, 5. &c.
3. We muſt go to him, and wait upon him, by faithfull and fervent prayer, for his ſpeciall preſence with, and bleſſing on us in this his own Ordinance, Joh. 14.13, 14. Mat. 18.19, 20.
4. We muſt make it our ſpeciall care, and labour, As the life and ſoul of this Ordinance.to enjoy him, and cloſe in ſweet Soul-communion with him, in this Ordinance Cantic. 1.2. Joh. 6.27.
5. And laſtly, That thoſe who are ſlighters and deſpiſers of it, are ſlighters and deſpiſers of Chriſt himſelf, whoſe Ordinance it is, and therefore they muſt look to anſwer for it. Mat. 22.4, 5. 1 Theſ. 4.8. 1 Cor. 11.27.
Queſt. What is the nature of the Lords ſupper?
Anſw. It is the ſecond Sacrament of the New Teſtament, or the Sacrament of our growth and continuation in Jeſus Chriſt, and his Church, *As Baptiſm is the firſt Sacrament, or the Sacrament of our initiation, or entrance into Ieſus Chriſt and his Churchwherein by the due and worthy receiving of Bread and Wine, according to Chriſts inſtitution, is ſignified and ſealed unto us, our true receiving of the body and blood of Jeſus Chriſt, with all his †Conceive it in a ſpirituall ſenſe. Compare Joh. 6.51, 52, 53, & 63. verſes.precious merits and excellencies, to the nouriſhing up of our ſouls unto everlaſting life. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25, 26. Joh. 6.27.52.53. &c.
Queſt. Why, or for what ends muſt we partake of this Ordinance?
Anſw. For theſe three ends. 1. To teſtifie our obedience unto Jeſus Chriſt. Math. 26.26, 27.
2. To perpetuate the memoriall of his death for us, and infinite love therein unto us. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25, 26. Joh. 15.13.
3. To ſeal up our intimate Union, and Communion with him by faith, and with the Saints by love. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. & 12, 13.
Queſt. What are the requiſites, or things required of all ſuch as deſire to be worthy and welcome partakers of this Sacrament?
Anſw. Theſe three viz.
1. Due preparation before they come.
2. A right diſpoſition or behaviour of themſelves when they come.
3. An anſwerable, carefull, Chriſtian carriage when they are gone.
Queſt. Why muſt they prepare themſelves before they come?
Anſw. For theſe four reaſons.
1 Becauſe God requires it in all his ſervices, (as 1 Sam. 7.3.16.5. Ecleſ. 5.1. Amos 4.12.) ſo eſpecially in this, 2 Chron. 35.6. 1 Cor 5.7, 8. & 11.28.
2. The Saints practiſed it both in the Old and New Teſtament. 2 Chron. 30.15, 16, 17, 19. Ezra 6.20, 21, 22. John 11.55. 1 Cor. 5.7, 8.
3. Mercy and pardon belongs only to ſuch as prepare themſelves for it. 2 Chron. 30.18.
4. The miſerable inconveniences of comming to it without preparation, which are theſe three, viz.
1. 'Tis a horrible ſin; no leſs then guilt of the body and blood of leſus Chriſt. 1 Cor. 11.27.
2. 'Tis a filthy ſhame; as to come with old naſty cloaths to a Kings ſable. 2 Chron. 30.3.15. Mat 22.11, 12.
3. 'Tis a moſt fearfull danger; as to come to eat, and drink damnation to themſelves. 1 Cor 11.29.
Queſt. But wherein does this due preparation of our ſelves before we come, conſiſt?
Anſw. In theſe two things.
1. In ſelf-examination before we come. 1 Cor. 11.28.
2. In putting on our wedding garment. Mat. 22.11, 12. Rev. 19.7.
Queſt. What is required of us, in this ſelf-examination?
Anſw. Theſe two things. Firſt, We muſt ſet ſome time and pains apart about it. Secondly, Conſider the things we muſt examine our ſelves of before we come.
Queſt. Why muſt we ſet ſome time and pains apart about it?
Anſw. For theſe four reaſons.
1. Becauſe every duty requires time and pains, [Ecleſ. 3.1.9, 10. Jer. 48.10.] ſo this eſpecially. Pſal. 4.4. Sam. 3.40. 1 Cor 11.28. and 31. verſes.
2. We cannot finde out our ſins, to be humbled for them, nor our graces, to rejoyce in them, or rather in God for them, without time and pains. 2 Cor. 13.5. Gal. 6.4. 1 Cor. 1.30, 31. &c.
3. We cannot bring our hearts to cloſe with God in this, or any other holy duty, unleſs we beſtow ſome time and pains about it. Pſal. 208.1, 2. 2 Pet. 1.5 and 10. verſes. with Mark. 1.35.38.
4. This will abundantly requite all our coſt. 2 Pet. 1.5.10, 11.
Queſt. What are the things, we muſt examine our ſelves of?
Anſw. Theſe two, viz. 1. What need we have of this Sacrament. 2. Whether we be the perſons invited to it.
Queſt. Why muſt we examine our ſelves of theſe?
Anſw. For theſe two reaſons.
1. Becauſe unleſs we finde and feel our need of this Sacrament, we will never care for it, or deſire it as we ought. Mat. 9.12.
2. Although we do finde and feel our need of it, yet if we are not the parties invited to it, we can hope for no benefit by it; as a feaſt does no good to thoſe who are not called to partake of it. Mat. 22.11, 12, 13.
Queſt. How may we finde, and feel our need of this Sacrament?
Anſw. By ſerious looking on our own ſpirituall vileneſs, ſinfulneſs, and emptyneſs of grace in our ſelves by nature, and then on the fulneſs of grace that is in Chriſt, as preſented to us in this Sacrament. As for inſtance: 1. Although we finde our ſelves dull, yea dead (ſpiritually) in our ſelves by nature, 2 Cor. 3.5. Eph. 2.1. &c. 4, 5. verſes. Yet Chriſt is here preſented as a fountain of life, to quicken us, Epheſ. 2.1. &c. John 4.10, 14. Rev. 21.6. Secondly, Though we be dark and ignorant in our ſelves; yet Chriſt is our wiſdome to enlighten us, 1. Cor. 1.30. Thirdly, Though we are guilty, and lyable to condemnation of our ſelves: yet Chriſt is our righteouſneſs, to cover and juſtifie us. 1 Cor. 1.30. Phil. 3.7, 8, 9. Fourhtly, Though we are polluted in our ſelves, yet Chriſt is our ſanctification, that fountain of David opened, to cleanſe and purifie us, Zeach. 13.1. Fifthly, VVe are ſoul-ſick in our ſelves, yet Chriſt is here our Phyſitian to heal us, Mat. 9.12. Sixthly, Our graces viz. faith, hope, patience, humility, love to God and his people, &c. Are exceeding dull & weak in our ſelves, yet Chriſt is here our bread of life, to quicken, & ſtrengthen them in us, Joh. 6.35. Seaventhly, and laſtly, Our corruptions, temptations and ſoulenemies are very ſtrong, [ſee Rom 7.23. Eph. 6.12. Luke 11.21. 1 Pet. 2.11.] But we may here ſee what great need we have of the vertue and power of Ieſus Chriſt, in this Sacrament, to ſubdue and conquer them. 2 Cor. 12.9. Rom. 8.37. &c. Phil. 4.13.
Queſt. But how ſhall we know whether we be the perſons invited to this Sacrament?
Anſw. VVe may know it by theſe three things.
1. If we be ſuch as hunger and thirſt after Chriſt Jeſus, and his pretious merits, and righteouſneſs in this Sacrament, out of true ſenſe and feeling of our own ſin and miſery, as, Iſa. 55.1, 2, 3.
2. If we be the children of God, this bread is provided for the children, and not for dogs. Mat 15.26. with 7. cap. ver. 6.
3. If we be the Servants of God; he hath furniſhed his table only for his own ſervants, not for ruffians, loyterers, or ſuch as are ſtrangers to him. Luke. 12.36, 37. with cap. 22. the verſes, 26, 29, 30.
Queſt. How ſhall we know whether we are ſuch as do truly hunger & thirſt after Chriſt Jeſus and his pretious righteouſneſs in this Sacrament?
Anſw. VVe may know by this, if we have the true marks and ſymptomes of ſpirituall hunger and thirſt anſwerable to thoſe in nature.
Queſt. Which are they?
Anſw. Theſe ſix eſpecially, viz.
1. A true ſence and feeling of the great want of meat and drink, Pro. 27.7. So here we muſt finde and feel our exceeding want of Ieſus Chriſt, if we hunger, & thirſt for him. Mat. 5 6. with John 7.37. &c.
2. Pain and torment for this want, till it be ſupplyed, as Judges 15.18, 19. So here till the ſoul enjoys Chriſt, Pſa. 42.1. Cant. 3.1, 2.
3. An earneſt deſire, and going out of the ſoul after meat, and drink; ſo here after Ieſus Chriſt. Pſal. 42.1.63.1. &c.
4. A diligent uſe of means, to obtaine theſe; as our poor people when they have no food at home, go abroad to the market, and to their neighbours for ſupply. Gen. 42 2. So here, when we finde the want of Chriſt at home, we muſt ſeek abroad for him, come to his houſe, Word, Miniſters, Ordinances, &c. as Cant. 1.8.3.1, 2. &c. Joh. 5.39. We muſt go many miles for him, if need be, as thoſe, Joh. 6.24. Mat 2.1, 2. &c.
5. Willingneſs to be at any coſt or charge, to obtain theſe, as Jacob and the Aegyptians. Gen. 42.2.43.11. and 47.13.19, 20. as Job. 2.4. So we muſt be willing to part with any thing, not only our ſins and luſts, our pleaſures and profits &c. But with our deareſt lives (if need require) and count all as loſs and dung, that we may win Chriſt. Mat. 13.44.46. Phil. 3.7, 8. as Acts 21.13. Rev. 12.11.
6. Readineſs, and reſolution to break through any dangers, and difficulties to obtain meat and drink, as thoſe lepers, 2 Kings 7.4. And as in the Proverb, hunger will break through ſtone walls. So thoſe who are ſpiritually hungry and thirſty after Ieſus Chriſt, will break through any dangers and difficulties; reproaches, diſgraces, perſecutions both of tongue and hand, through bad report, as well as good; will do or ſuffer any thing to win Chriſt. Heb. 11.25, 26, 36, 37. &c. 2 Cor. 6.4, 5. & 8. verſes. with Acts. 21.13. Rev. 12.11. as before. If we be thus ſpiritually hungry and thirſty after Chriſt in ſome ſincere meaſure, we are the gueſts invited, but not otherwiſe.
Queſt. How ſhall we know that we are the children of God?
Anſw. VVe may know by this if we have the diſpoſitions and affections of children. viz. theſe four.
1. Children partake of the nature and image of their Parents. as, Gen. 5.3. So if we be Gods children, we muſt partake of the divine nature and image of God; be holy as he is holy, mercifull, heavenly, as our heavenly father is mercifull, &c. 2 Pet. 1.4. and 1 Pet. 1.15. Joh. 3.3, 5. Mat. 5.44, 45. &c. 48. Luke 6.36. [compare Epheſ. 5.32. Col. 3.10.12. &c.
2. Children have a deare love unto, and longing deſire after the preſence of their Parents. So we after God, to enjoy him in grace and glory. Pſal. 42.1, 2. &c.
3. Children (ſuch as are good) are afraid to offend their Parents, carefull to pleaſe them. So we muſt be afraid to offend our heavenly father, &c. as Mar. 1.6.
4. Children go to their Parents, to ſupply their wants, caſt all their care upon them, to feed and cloath them, &c. So we on God. Mat. 6.25, 26. &c. 31, 32. Mat. 6.25, 26. &c. 31, 32. If we have thoſe diſpoſitions and affections of Gods children in us, this bread of the Lord is provided for us; but not elſe: If we be not born of God partakers of the divine nature, are not holy, heavenly, mercifull, &c. But prophane, earthly, cruell, &c. we are not the perſons here invited.
Queſt. How ſhall we know whether we be the ſervants of God?
Anſw. The Apoſtle reſolves us, Rom. 6.16. His ſervants we are, to whom we obey. If we do the works of God, and obey him, we are his ſervants: but if we do the works of ſin and Satan, and obey them, we are their ſervants, not Gods.
Queſt. Which are the works of God?
Anſw. Thoſe duties which God himſelfe commands, to be performed in his own way and manner. Deut. 12.32. Mat. 28.20. 1 Chron. 15.13.
Queſt. What are thoſe duties?
Anſw. They are of two ſorts. Firſt, Of Piety towards God, as in the firſt table of the Law. Mat. 22.37, 38. Secondly, of charity towards our neighbour, as in the ſecond table. Mat. 22.39.
Queſt. Which are the ſpeciall duties of Piety which we owe to God?
Anſw. They are many, according to the ſeverall Commandements in the firſt Table, as theſe eſpecially.
1. To know him as our God, to believe, or reſt on him in all our ſtraights; to hope in him, to fear him, to love him with all our hearts, &c. To make choyce of him, and him only, as our God; to be zealous for him, his truth, cauſe, glory, &c. As in the firſt Commandement. Exod. 20.3. 2 Chron. 28.9. Joh. 17.3. Pſal. 9.10. Jer. 17.7. Pſal. 31.19, 23. Deut. 10.20. Pſal. 119.139.
2. To worſhip him not by images, or any imaginary way of man, but purely, ſpiritually, ſincerely, faithfully, reverently, &c. as he requires, without prophaneſs, ignorance, or ſuperſtition, on the one ſide; or formality, and hypocriſie, on the other; as in the ſecond Commandement. Exod 20.4, 5. Joh. 4.22, 23, 24. Acts 17.22, 23. Iſa. 29.13.
3. To honour him in his name, titles, attributes, his word, worſhip, works, &c. and that in our hearts, words, and converſations, as in the third Commandement. Deut. 28.58.
4. To ſanctifie his Sabbath, by conſecrating it, as holy and honourable to the Lord, ſetting apart the Lords day, to the Lords Service; ſcil. to duties of 1 praiſe, 2 prayer, 3 reading and hearing of the VVord, 4 Catechizing, 5 meditation, 6 godly conference, 7 examination and repetition of what we hear to apply the ſame to our practiſe and edification: alſo to duties of * mercy, and neceſſity as there is occaſion; as to viſit and adminiſter to the ſick, to comfort the ſad, inſtruct the ignorant, warne the unruly, to convince and bring home poor ſeduced and ſinfull ſouls to the ways of truth and holineſs, reconcile differences, &c. To provide neceſſarie food, raiment, quench a dangerous fire, lift up the Oxe fallen in the ditch, preſerve the creature which would elſe be ſpilt, &c. as in the fourth Commandement. Compare Iſa. 58.13. Rev. 1.10. 1 Pſal. 92. the whole Pſalm, entituled a Pſalm for the Sabbath day. 2 See Iſa. 55.6, 7. Mark 1.35. &c. 38, 39. 3 Luke 4.14, 15. and 15.21. 4 16, 17. &c. Act. 13. Deut. 6.6, 7. Gal. 6.6. 5 Pſal. 1.2. Luke 2.19. 6 Luke 24.17. &c. 25. &c. 32. with Act. 13.43. 7 Act. 17.11, 12. Joh. 13.17. * For duties of mercy and neceſſity, ſee theſe Scriptures, Mat. 12.1. &c. 7.10, 11, 12. Ibid. Mat. 25.35. &c. with 1 Theſ. 5.14, 15. Gal. 6.1. &c. Jam. 5.19, 20. Rom. 12.18. 1 Cor. 1.10. &c. 6.1. &c. Mat. 12.1. &c., with Luke 6.1. &c. 10.
Queſt. Which are thoſe duties of charity, we owe to our neighbours, as in the ſecond Table?
Anſw. They are theſe two in brief.
1. VVe muſt love them as our ſelves, *Mat. 22.39.not only in their ſouls, as our own ſouls. Luke 22.32. Phil. 2.4.20. &c. But in their honours, as if our own, in every relation; whether our Parents naturall, politick, or ſpiritual, &c. whether as ſuperiours, equalls, or inferiours, as in the fifth Commandement. Exod. 20.12.
2. In their lives, by ſeeking the preſervation and comfort of them, and that in our thoughts, words, and deeds, as of our own, as in the ſixth Commandement. Exod. 20.13.
So 3. In their chaſtities.
4. Their eſtates.
5. Their credits, and good names, in the ſame manner, as of our own, i. e. as we ought to love our own. As in the ſeventh, eighth, ninth Commandements. Exod. 20.14, 15, 16.
6. And laſtly, We muſt conſcientiouſly reſiſt every covetous thought or deſire, *Jam. 1.14.ariſing in us, or caſt into our ſouls by Satan, *Luke, 22.3, 4.after any thing that is our neighbours, whether his houſe, wife, &c. and be ſweetly ſatisfied with that portion, and condition, which is, or ſhall be allotted to us by the Lord. As in the tenth, & laſt Commandement. Exod. 20.17. Rom. 7.7. Compare the examples of David, Paul, &c. Pſal. 16.5, 6. Phil. 4.11, 12. Theſe, and the like, are the works of God.
Queſt. Which are the works of ſin, and of the Devill?
Anſw. Every breach of the Law of God, or whatſoever is contrary to theſe former duties. 1 Joh. 3.4, 8. as,
1. All ignorance of God, unbelief, want of hope in God, fear of him, or love to him; all hatred or contempt of him; neglect of zeal for him, his cauſe, truth, &c. The not making choice of him as our God, the loving our pleaſures, profits, or any thing more then him, &c. 2 Tim. 3.4. Jam. 4.4. againſt the firſt Commandement.
2. All worſhiping of God by Images, or any imaginary way of man, without warrant of the word of God. Deut. 12. Ma. 32.15.9. As al prophanes, ignorance, ſuperſtition, irreverence, infidelity, formality, or hypocriſie in his worſhip, *Iſa. 29.13. Iohn 4.23, 24.or the wilfull contempt and neglect of it, againſt the ſecond Commandement.
3. All abuſive curſing, ſwearing, irreverent uſe of Gods name, his titles, attributes, word, worſhip, works or ſervants, either in thought, word, or deed, againſt the third Commandement. Deut. 28.58.
4. All prophanation of the Lords day, by vain ſports, worldly imployments, &c. giving way to our own thoughts, words or works on that day, not making it our delight to conſecrate it as holy, and honorable to the Lord, as is required. Iſa. 58.13. Or by neglect of the duties of this day before mentioned, whether of Piety towards God, or of charity and mercy towards our ſelves or others, in publike, private, or ſecret, againſt the fourth Commandement.
5. All hatred or injurious dealing towards our neighbour, his ſoul, body, honour, or relations (as before) his life, chaſtity, goods or good name. Lev. 19.17, 18. All neglect of that affection, and duty of love which we owe unto him, his ſoul, body, honour, &c. With all covetous deſires of any thing that belongs unto him, againſt the ſecond Table of the Law. Mat. 22.39. To all which we may add that large *This catalogue of ſcandalous ſins, may be of good uſe to ſhew who are to be debarred from this Sacrament.Catalogue of ſcan. dalous ſins, mentioned, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. with Eph. 5.3, 4, 5. Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. & 2 Tim. 3.2, 3, 4, 5. &c. All which are properly called the fruits of the fleſh, and the works of the Devill. Gal. 5.19. &c. John. 8.41.44. By theſe we may try our ſelves if we do the Lords works, and that in the Lords manner, as before we are the ſervants of the Lord, and the gueſts invited to this table: but if we do the Devils works, we are the Devils ſervants, and not the Lords. Joh. 8.41.44. Rom. 6.16. And we may partake of the table of Deuils, but cannot partake of the Lords table. 1 Cor. 10.21. Chriſt will have no Communion with us. 2 Cor. 6.14. [So much of the firſt branch of preparation before we come; which is ſelf-examination.]
Queſt. What is the ſecond thing required in preparation before we come?
Anſw. It is the putting on our Wedding garment. Rev. 19.7. Mat. 22.12.
Queſt. What is this Wedding garment?
Anſw. It is nothing elſe but Chriſt Jeſus, and his righteouſneſs, with thoſe Sacramentall graces, wherewith he uſually adorns all ſuch as he admits into inward ſweet Communion with himſelf. Ro. 1….12.14. Phil. 3.8, 9. Rev. 19.7, 8.
Q. Which are thoſe Sacramental graces?
Anſw. Theſe 6. eſpecially. 1. Saving knowledge of God, and of Chriſt Jeſus. Joh. 17.3. 1 Cor. 10.15, 16. with cap. 11.29.
2. True repentance of our former ſins. Exod 12.8. 1 Cor. 11.31. 2 Cor. 7.9, 10.
3. New obedience for time to come. 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. 2 Cor. 5.17.
4. A lively faith in Gods mercies through Chriſt. Joh. 6.35. & 7.37.38.
5. A thanful remembrance of his death. Pſal. 116.12, 13. 1 Cor. 11.26.
6. Charity to all men, but eſpecially to the houſhold of faith. Mat. 5.44, 45. Rom. 12.18. 1 Theſ. 4.12. Eph. 4.32. Joh. 15.12. Gal. 6.10.
There are many other graces that ſerve to make up this wedding garment, viz. Humility, Holyneſs, Heavenly-mindedneſs, &c. 1 Pet. 5.5. Pſalm. 45.13, 14. Col. 3.1. &c. But they do all attend on theſe, as the Virgins on the Kings daughter. Pſal. 45.13, 14.
Queſt. But may none come to this Sacrament without theſe ſix speciall Graces?
Anſw. No, unleſs they will come to eat and drink damnation to themſelves, as before, 1 Cor. 11.29.
Queſt. How is this cleared?
Anſw. In theſe ſix particulars:
1. Without ſaving knowledge they cannot diſcerne the Lords body, viz. Either the neceſſity, or excellencie of it in this Sacrament; and therefore if they come, they muſt needs come to condemnation, as before, 1 Cor. 11.29, 34.
2. Without repentance, their beſt ſacrifices are an abomination to the Lord, Pro. 15.8. Iſa. 1.12, 13. &c. 16.
3. Without new obedience there is no Communion with Chriſt, in this or any Ordinance. 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. 2 Cor. 5.17. & 6.14, 15.
4. Without faith there is no poſſibility of pleaſing God in this or any ſervice. Hebr. 11.6. Epheſ. 1.6. 1 Pet. 2.5.
5. The nature of this Ordinance requires thankfulneſs, and therefore it is commonly called, the Euchariſt, [i. e. a ſacrifice of thankſgiving. Mat. 26.27. 1 Cor. 11.24.] Becauſe it was begun and ended of Chriſt with thankſgiving, and cannot be rightly uſed without it. Mat. 26.26, 30.
6. There can be no Communion with Chriſt, or with one another in this Sacrament, without love and charity. 1 Cor. 12.13.13.1, 2, 3. & 16.14. You ſee here the neceſſity of thoſe ſacramentall graces.
Qu. Pray ſhew me alſo the nature of thoſe graces as they lie in order. What is that ſaving knowledge which is here required?
Anſw. It is that grace of God in us, whereby we do in ſome meaſure know and apprehend GOD the Father (the only true GOD) to be our God and our Father, & Jeſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent to be our Saviour. Joh. 17.3.20.17. Phil. 3.8, 9. It is that whereby we know and finde our ſelves ſinfull, vile, and loſt in our ſelves; but found and ſaved in and by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in whom is all fulneſs of grace and ſalvation for us. Luke 19.10. Phil. 3.7, 8, 9. Joh. 1.16. Acts 4.10 12.
Queſt. What is the ſecond Sacramental grace, viz. True repentance?
Anſw. It is not a meer lip-profeſſion of repentance, as the world takes it; as to cry God mercy after an oath, and to ſwear again; to cry alas, and ſay we are ſorry for our ſins, and it may be ſhed tears over them, and yet go on ſtill in the willing allowance and Commiſſion of them, as thoſe in Iſa. 1.12, 13. &c. 58.3. &c. with Jer. 3.4, 5. & 7.9, 10.
Queſt. What is it then?
Anſw. It is that grace of God, whereby we have a true ſight and feeling of our ſins not in generall only, but in particular, [as 1 Sam. 12.19. Neh. 1.6, 7. Rom. 7.7. &c.] joyned with an hearty confeſſion of them unto God, ſerious contrition, and ſorrow for them, a ſincere loathing, and an utter leaving and forſaking of them. Pſ. 32.5.51, 4. Ezek. 7.16. Zech. 12.10. 2 Cor. 7.10. Ezek. 36.31. Prov. 28.13. Hoſ. 14.8. this is that true repentance here required.
Queſt. What is new obedience?
Anſw. It is that grace of God whereby we reſolve with purpoſe of heart to ſet upon all thoſe duties which God requires. [Whether of Piety, or charity, in ſecret, private, or publike] Acts 11.23. with Joſh. 24.15. It is to do, yea to delight to do what ever God will have us do, and to ſhun what ever God will have us ſhun. Act. 9.6. Pſal. 40.7, 8. & 119.101. 1 Pet. 3.10. In a word it is to become a new creature. 2 Cor. 5.17.
Queſt. What is that lively faith, which is the fourth Sacramental grace?
Anſw. It is that ſpeciall grace of God given to his elect, whereby they go out of themſelves, as being vile and loſt ſinners in themſelves, and reſt wholly and only upon Jeſus Chriſt and Gods free mercy in him for their ſalvation. Acts 16.30, 31. Epheſ. 2.8. Tit. 1.1, 2.
Queſt. But every drunkard and ſwearer, &c. will ſay they have faith; and hope to be ſaved by Chriſt as well as the beſt, what would you ſay to ſuch? for all have not faith. 2 Theſ. 2.2.
Anſw. I would ſay as the Apoſtle James does Jam 2.14, 17, 18. What doth it profit my brethren, though a man ſay he hath faith, and have not works, can faith ſave him? &c. again, faith if it hath not works is dead being alone, &c.
Queſt. But how may we know whether our faith be true, yea or not?
Anſw. We may know it by two things.
1. By the nature. and:
2. By the effects, or operations of it.
Queſt. How may we know it by the nature of it?
Anſw. Thus: It will empty us and carry us out of our ſelves, and our own loſt eſtates, to reſt and quiet our ſouls, wholly & only in, and upon Ieſus Chriſt for our ſalvation, as Acts 16.30, 31. 1 Cor. 1.30. So to reſt on him for temporals as well as ſpirituals. Pſal. 23.1.
Queſt. What are the effects or operatis ons of it?
Anſw. Theſe three.
1. It is a living, not a dead faith. Heb. 2.4. Gal. 2.20. [The ſoul that hath it, muſt live by it ſpiritually, i.e. by drawing ſpirituall life and influence from Chriſt, and not ſweare by it, as too many do.]
2. It is a working (or loving) not an idle faith; it works by love to God, his people, Word, and Ordinances. Gal. 5.6. Jam. 2.18. with Pſal. 119.97. &c. It is like Dorcas, full of good works, Acts 9.
3. It is a purifying and holy, not a filthy and unholy faith. Act. 15.9. 1 Joh. 3.3. 2 Cor. 7.1. &c. 'tis holy in it ſelf, and makes thoſe pure and holy that partake of it, Jude 20. Like a good houſewife that makes all clean where ſhe comes; ſo faith. Ibid. Acts 15.9.
By theſe we know our faith to be the true faith of Gods elect; but if theſe be wanting, it is an illuſion of Satan, meer preſumption, not faith.
Queſt. What is that thankfulneſs which is here required?
Anſw. it is not a meer lip-devotion, but a pious and hearty acknowledgment of the great love of Jeſus Chriſt in dying for us, with anſwerable deſires and reſolutions (by Gods grace) to do and ſuffer any thing for Jeſus Chriſt, who hath done and ſuffered ſo much for us: as, Pſal. 103.1, 2, 3. & 116.13. Rev. 1.5. & 12.11. Acts 5.41. & 21.13.
Queſt. What is the laſt piece of this wedding-garment, viz. Charity which is here required to be put on by us, over and above all the reſt, as being the bond of perfection? Col. 3.14.
Anſw. It is that gracious affection of ſoul, where we muſt have a true, tender, and compaſſionate love to all, viz to wicked men, and enemies, as well as others, I mean unto their ſouls, not ſins; as Mat. 5.44.45. But eſpecially to the houſhold of faith, the Communion and fellowſhip of the Saints, Gal. 6.10. Epheſ. 4.32. Joh. 15.12. 1 Joh. 5.1. &c. Where there is moſt of God, there muſt be moſt of our love, & deareſt affection. Pſal. 16.3. Phil. 1.1. & 4.1. 1 Joh. 5.1.
So we that have one and the ſame God and father, the ſame Chriſt, ſpirit, baptiſme, table, faith, hope heaven, &c. ſhould have the ſame moſt intimate love, and dear affection in Chriſt Ieſus to one another, deſiring and ſeeking the good and Salvation of each other as our own. Epheſ. 4.3, 4, 5, 6. Phil. 2.1, 2, 4. 1 Theſ. 2.7, 8. Theſe are the ſacramentall graces or wedding garment to be put on, by way of preparation before we come.
Queſt. What is the ſecond thing required of thoſe that would be worthy and welcome partakers of this Ordinance?
Anſw. A right diſpoſition and behaviour of themſelves when they come.
Queſt. How is this proved?
Anſw. This is required in all our approaches unto God, ſo here eſpecially; See Pſal. 2.11, 12. & 95.1, 2, 3, 6. Eccleſ. 5.1, 2. Mal. 1.11. As if we were invited to ſome great mans table, we would behave our ſelves ſeemly, and ſutably to ſo great a preſence: ſo we being invited to the table of the great King of Heaven and earth. Mat. 22.2, 11.
Queſt. Wherein does this right diſpoſition or behaviour of our ſelves, conſiſt?
Anſw. In theſe 6. particulars. viz.
1. In demeaning our ſelves humbly, without high-conceitedneſs. Mic. 6.8. Rom. 7.24. 1 Tim. 1.15.
2. Reverently, without rudeneſs, Eccleſ. 5.1. Mal. 1.11, 12, 14.
3. Intenſively, without diſtractedneſs, wholly minding the buſineſs which we came about, ſcil. to feed (in our ſelves) upon Ieſus Chriſt. Joh. 6.27.
4. Sincerely, and heartily without feignedneſs. Pro. 23.26. Iſa. 29.13. Rom. 10.9, 10.
5. Divinely, and ſpiritually, without earthlineſs, Exod. 12.24, 27. 1 Cor. 11.25, 26.
6. With renovation of our Covenant, both of Faith, and obedience towards God, and love unto the Saints without back-ſlidingneſs, Cant. 2.16. & 6.3. with Exod. 24.3, 7, 8. 1 Cor. 6.15. 1 Theſ. 3.12. & 4.9, 10.
Qu. Pray open & explain the meaning of theſe 6 particulars a little more fully, for the further benefit of your ſelves and others. Firſt, How muſt we demean our ſelves humbly without high conceitedneſs, when we approach unto God in this Ordinance?
Anſw. We may conceive it thus, viz. By lying low in our own eyes, and in the eyes of God, in true ſenſe and feeling acknowledgment of our own ſinfulneſs, vileneſs, and unworthineſs, of the leaſt mercy in our ſelves, (having ſo often ſlighted, and abuſed mercy) and worthineſs of the greateſt ſhame and miſery; and therefore we look upon it as a moſt high mercy of our God unto us, that we who are ſuch vile, unworthy wretches, ſhould be admitted to gather up the crumbs under his table: as in the confeſſions of Jacob, David, Daniel, Paul, and that pretious Canaanitiſh woman. Gen. 32.10. 1 Chron. 17.16. &c. Dan. 9.7, 8. Eph. 3.8. Mat. 15.27.
Queſt. How may we demean our ſelves reverently without rudeneſs?
Anſw. By ſetting our ſelves as in the preſence of the great King of heaven and earth; before whom the very Angels hide their faces, and the Elders caſt down their Crowns to give him glory, Iſa. 6.1, 2. &c. Rev. 4.10, 11.
Queſt. How intenſively, without diſtractedneſs?
Anſw. By applying our ſelves wholly to the buſineſs which we go about; which is not to feed our bodies, but our ſouls, and that with the body and blood, the pretious merits and excellencies of Ieſus Chriſt, *As a man invited to a feaſt, comes not to gaze, but to eat. So we to feed upon Ieſus Chriſt.that meat which endures to everlaſting life. Joh. 6.27. It is to ſuck life and ſalvation from his bleeding wounds. Iſa. 53.5, 6. Gal. 2.20. To get a rich ſupply of all grace, as faith, hope, patience, humility, holineſs, heavenly-mindedneſs, ſincere love to God, his word, people, Ordinances, &c. from his fulneſs. Joh. 1.16. & 7.37, 38. &c. To gain ſtrength againſt every baſe luſt, wandering deſire, and againſt all our pride, envy, malice, worldlineſs, &c. and gracious abilities to all holy duties. Compare 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9. with Phil. 4.13.
Queſt. How ſincerely and heartily, without feignedneſs?
Anſw. This is done by performing every duty with our hearts; we muſt pray, hear, confeſs, and bewaile our ſins with the heart; beleeve and cloſe with Chriſt in the heart. Pro. 23.26. Iſa. 29.13. Joel 2.12, 13. Rom. 10.9. Acts 8.37. &c. not to ſay we repent, and bewaile our ſins, and yet were never ſorry for them, or ſenſible of them, or did ever reſolve to leave them: ſo to ſay we believe in Ieſus Chriſt, and yet our hearts are far from him, we were never taken off from our ſins, or from the creature, or carryed out of our ſelves to reſt on him. This is to take the name of the Lord our God in vain, *Againſt the third Commandement. Exod. 20.7to ſin againſt him with aggravation: we had need to take heed of ſinning there where we come to confeſs: bewaile and ask pardon for our ſin †See Iſa. 1.13, 14. &c.Jer. 3.4, 5. & cap. 7.8, 9, 10.
Queſt. How divinely and ſpiritually, without earthlineſs?
Anſw. By rayſing our hearts to high and holy meditations in the outward Sacramental ſignes & actions of this Ordinance, and thereby feeding and ſolacing our ſouls with the inward grace of Chriſt herein preſented to us. Exod. 12.24. &c. 27. 1 Cor. 11.25, 26. As for example, 1. When we ſee the Miniſter in the name of Chriſt ſetting apart the bread and wine; then Meditate on Gods gracious act, of ſetting apart his Son Ieſus Chriſt, for the work of our Redemption. Joh. 3.16.
2. When he bleſſeth the bread, then let us lift up our ſouls to bleſs God for Ieſus Chriſt. Luke 1, 68. &c. Eph. 1.3. &c.
3. When we ſee the bread broken, and the wine poured out in this Ordinance, then think with our ſelves, even thus was the bleſſed Body of Ieſus Chriſt broken and crucified for us, and his pretious bloud poured out for us, viz. For me and thee in particular. Iſa. 53.5, 6. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. Gal. 2.20. Rev. 1.5. &c.
4. VVhen the Miniſter gives unto us the Bread and VVine, then think, thus does God freely offer and give unto us Jeſus Chriſt. Iſa. 9.6. Joh. 3.16.
5. VVhen we receive the Bread and VVine by the hand of the body; then ſtretch we out our ſpeciall faith, which is as the hand of the ſoul, to receive and apply Ieſus Chriſt with all his pretious Merits and Excellencies to our everlaſting good. Joh. 1.12.
6. VVhen we feed upon the Bread and VVine by the mouth and ſtomake of our bodies, then let us ſweetly feed by faith upon Jeſus Chriſt to the refreſhing and nouriſhing of our ſouls to everlaſting life. See Joh. 6.51.53.54. &c. We muſt take heed of ſitting idly, or in a brown ſtudy, as our poor ignorant people uſe to do; but let our hearts be wholly taken up with ſweet meditations of Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified, and of Gods free and infinite love to us in him, as preſented to us in this Ordinance. 1 Cor. 2.2. Gal. 3.1. As John was raviſhed in the ſpirit on the Lords day. Rev. 1.10. ſo we ſhould be raviſhed in the ſpirit at the Lords ſupper.
Queſt. How muſt this be done with renovation of our covenant of faith, and obedience towards God, and of love unto the Saints, without back-ſlidingneſs?
Anſw. 1. We muſt renew our faith as the Spouſe in the Canticles, by cloſing more intimately with Chriſt then ever; ſaying, I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine. Cantic. 2.16. & 6.3.
2. Our obedience to God, as Iſrael in Moſes and Joſhuahs time. Exod. 24.3. &c. 7, 8. verſes, with John 24.16, 17, 18. as we take the Lord to be our God; ſo we muſt ingage our ſelves (by grace aſſiſting us) to be his people. And that we will never ſwear, lie, ſteal, cozen, be drunk, prophane his Sabbaths, ſlight and deſpiſe his Ordinances, or break Covenant with him as we have done, either by wilfull commiſſion of any ſin, or neglect and omiſſion of any duty: and therefore this is called a Sacrament, or Military Oath, whereby, as ſouldiers of old, did ingage themſelves to be true to their Captain, as well as he to them: So we, in this Ordinance, do ſolemnly ingage our ſelves to be true and faithfull to Jeſus Chriſt, as well as he to us.
3. Our love unto the Saints, as David, Paul, and the Saints did to each other of old, Pſal. 16.3. 2 Cor. 7.1, 3. Phil. 4.1. 1 Theſ. 3.12. & 4.9, 10. Epheſ. 1.15. So we muſt now reſolve (by the grace of Chriſt) that there ſhall be more true love, and mutuall dear affections between us that are members of the ſame body, united by the ſame Spirit, partakers of the ſame Table, profeſſors of the ſame faith and hope, and to be heirs of the ſame Kingdom, then ever there hath been. Epheſ. 4.3, 4, 5. &c. and that we will not admit of any more unchriſtian bitterneſs, wrath, anger, clamour, or evill ſpeaking, or any malice, heart-burnings, or unbrotherly jealouſies againſt one another, or ſtrifes and contentions with each other as heretofore: *Gen. 13.8.Eph. 4.31, 32. And therefore this is fitly called the Sacrament of our Communion with Chriſt by faith, and in him with each other by the bonds of Love. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. & cap. 12.12, 13.
Queſt. What is the third and laſt thing required of thoſe, that would be worthy and welcome partakers of this Ordinance?
Anſw. A carefull Chriſtian carriage when they are gone, ſuch as may in ſome meaſure anſwer their ſweet Communion with Ieſus Chriſt. Col. 2.6, 7. As ye have therefore received Chriſt Ieſus the Lord, ſo walk ye in him, &c.
Queſt. How muſt this be done?
Anſw. Theſe 4. wayes. 1. Thankfully, without forgetfulneſs. Pſ. 103.1, 2, 3. & 116.12, 13.
2. Worthily, without baſeneſs. Col. 1.10.
3. Thrivingly, without fruitleſneſs. 1 Theſ. 4.1. 2 Pet. 3.18.
4. Hungringly, without fulſomneſs. Mat. 5.6.
Queſt. Pray explain theſe 4. particulars a little more fully, for the better knowledge and practiſe of them. 1. How may we carry our ſelves thankfully, without forgetfulnes, when we are gone from this Ordinance?
Anſw. By ſtirring up our ſouls & all that is within us to bleſs the Lord exceedingly, who hath vouchſafed to invite, & admit us freely to his own table, & to feed, and feaſt us with the pretious merits and excellencies of Ieſus Chriſt. And although we deſerve not the leaſt crumb of mercy: nay, deſerve nothing but hell & miſery in our ſelves, and to have Communion with Devils, & damned ſpirits to all eternity; yet that he ſhould pleaſe to take us into bleſſed & intimate Communion with himſelf. Oh! what ſhould we render to the Lord for this? We can never be ſufficiently thankfull to him for ſo great a mercy. Pſ. 116.12.13. Epheſ. 1.3. &c.
Queſt. How Worthily without Baſeneſs?
Anſw. By behaving our ſelves ſuteably to ſo high a priviledge. Col. 1.10. As a man who is admitted to feaſt at a great mans table, will not away with baſe inferiour company, and courſe or naſty dyet. So we being admitted into high Communion with Ieſus Chriſt, and to feaſt upon his pretious excellencies, ſhould loath our former vain, & baſe companionſhips with drunkards, ſwearers, &c. & to feed upon the filth of our own luſts, pride, malice, &c. 1 Cor. 6.15. 2 Cor. 6.14, 15.
Queſt. How thrivingly, without fruitleſneſs?
Anſw. By getting ſtrength and growth in every grace, as in faith, hope, repentance, humility, holineſs, heavenlymindedneſs, love, patience, &c. and more power againſt our ſpirituall enemies, as ſin, Satan, &c. 1 Theſ. 4.1. 2 Pet. 3.18. Eph. 6.10. &c. 1 Pet. 5.8, 9. &c. As a man that hath been at a feaſt, becoms more ſtrong … for his work; ſo we in the wor… of Ieſus Chriſt.
Queſt. How hungeringly, without fulſomneſs?
Anſw. By earneſt deſires and reſolution to come again as God ſhall give us opportunity, 1 Cor. 11.26. As a travellour that hath a great journey to go, baits often. So we having a great journey, to go from earth to heaven, to the heavenly Canaan, the new Jeruſalem, we muſt feed upon Chriſt often in this Sacrament, till we grow up in him who is our head, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt. Eph. 4.13, 15. And ſo at length obtain the end of our hopes, the everlaſting ſalvation of our ſouls. 1 Pet. 1.9. Gloria ſola Deo.
FINIS.
End of the text · Samuel Austin, A Practical Catechism (1647)