The Christian Mans Calling, Treatise · Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII. How a Chriſtian may exerciſe himſelf to Godlineſs in receiving the Lords Supper; and 1. Of the Nature of that Ordinance, and preparation for it.
VVHen God had cauſed his everlaſting Decree to fall in labour, and had delivered it by giving the world a being; and upon infinite conſultation had formed Man to be his Vice-Roy over all the works of his hands, he embarqued him (with all abilities needful for ſuch a voyage) in the bottom of the Covenant of Works. Adam ſet forth fully furniſhed with skill, and richly fraught with all the Fortunes, Hopes and Happineſs of Mankinde, but he had ſcarce lanched out of ſight, before Satan, who knew very well the worth of the prize (envying man the Haven of bliſs to which he was ſailing, and envying God (who was the owner) the honor of ſuch of a venture) raiſed a ſtorm, whereby the Veſſel, through the unfaithfulneſs of Adam the Pilot, ran upon a Rock, and miſcarried. O what a joyful ſpectacle was that to Satan! What a doleful ſight to Adam! to behold himſelf and all his poſterity, ſinking into the boundleſs, bottomleſs Ocean of deſtruction and miſery, through his falſeneſs and treachery: When lo, on a ſudden the Glorious God, out of the ſuperabundant riches of his mercy (reſolving that the Devil ſhould never rob him of the honor of that manifold Wiſdom, unſearchable Goodneſs, and Almighty Power which had been manifeſted in the work of Creation) did provide and caſt out the Covenant of Grace, a plank ſufficient for his poor ſhipwrackt Creature, to ſwim ſafe to ſhore on.
As all the Rivers meet in the Sea, and all the lines in the Centre; ſo do all the comforts of Mankind meet in this Covenant. The whole Scripture is ſincere milk, but this Covenant is the Cream of it: All our mercies are contained in it, all our hopes are ſuſtained by it, and our Heaven is at laſt attained through it.
The bleſſed God doth not onelyonly enter into a Covenant of mercy, but out of compaſſion to our infirmities, hath been pleaſed to confirm it by his hand and ſeal: By his hand, in his word; by his ſeals, by the privy-ſeal of his Spirit, and by the broad-ſeals of the Sacraments, that by theſe immutable things, in which it is impoſſible for God to lye, we might have ſtrong conſolation, who have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope ſet before us, Heb. 6.18.
The Lords Supper is a ſign and ſeal of the Righteouſneſs of Faith, or the Covenant of Grace, Rom. 4.11.
When the bleſſed Saviour was taking a doleful farwel of an ungrateful world, as a lively reſemblance of his ſufferings for his, and as an undeniable evidence of his love to his, he inſtituted this Supper: 1. As a lively reſemblance of his paſſion for his people. A crucified Chriſt is the ſum of the Law, and the ſubſtance of the Goſpel; the knowledge of him is no leſs worth then Eternal life. Now as he was crucified by the Jews and Souldiers actually, and by unbelieving Gentiles who live amongſt us interpretatively; ſo he is crucified in the Goſpel declaratively, and in the Sacrament repreſentatively. This Cup, ſaith Chriſt, is the new Teſtament in my blood, 1 Corinth. 11.25. The Old Teſtament was ſprinkled with the blood of Beaſts, but the New Teſtament with the blood of Chriſt, Hebr. 9.15, 19. This precious blood, which was the coſtly price of mans Redemption, which is the onelyonly path to Eternal Salvation; which was promiſed to Adam, believed by the Patriarchs, ſhadowed in the Sacrifices, foretold by the Prophets, and witneſſed in the Scriptures, is drunk, received, ſignified and ſealed in the Supper.
Chriſt inſtituted this ordinance alſo to be a ſtanding evidence of his affection to his. The ſame night that he was betrayed he took bread. The deareſt Jeſus, kept his beſt wine till the laſt. He knew his Diſciples would be full of ſorrow for his departure; he therefore provided his ſtrongeſt cordial againſt their ſaddeſt fainting fits. After the Paſſover he took bread and inſtituted the Sacrament. After Supper then comes the Banquet, the Sweet-meats. At the Lords Table Chriſt kiſſeth his Spouſe with the ſweeteſt kiſſes of his lips, and raviſheth her heart with his warmeſt love. In other Ordinances he Wooeth her; in this he Marrieth her. In other Ordinances ſhe hath from him the ſalutes of a loving friend; but in this the embraces of an Huſband; Other duties are pleaſant and wholſom food, but this is the coſtly delightful feaſt. In this Chriſt bringeth his beloved into his Banqueting houſe, (a ſtore-houſe of all ſweet delights, of variety of delicacies) and his Banner over her is love, Cant. 2.4.
A certain man made a great Supper, Luk. 14.16. I may truely ſay ſo of the Sacrament. This is a great Supper, in regard of its Author: The great God is Maſter of the feaſt. He gave his own Son for the life of the World. 2. In regard of the matter of it, which is the fleſh of Jeſus Chriſt; Men ſet bread and wine on the Table; but Chriſt ſetteth his own body and blood there. In this ordinance we eat not onelyonly (Panem Domini, ſed panem Dominum) The bread of the Lord, but the bread which is the Lord. The gods (ſay they) are come down in the likeneſs of man; behold here God the Son cometh down in the likeneſs of bread and wine; he himſelf is eat and drunk by faith. Is not this a rare banquet? 3. In regard of the great price of it. Banquets are coſtly; but O what did this feaſt coſt? Beaſts are ſlain before they can be food for our bodies; but, Lo, here the Lord of life was put to death, that he might be food for our ſtarving ſouls. Cleopatra diſſolved a pearl worth 50000. l. in Vinegar, and drunk it up at a draught; but as coſtly as her liquor was, it was much worſe then puddle water, in compariſon of the precious blood of Chriſt, which the beleiver drinketh at this great Supper. 4. In regard of its great effects; It ſealeth pardon, peace, and ſalvation, to the Saint; it conveyeth the Image and love of God, nay God himſelf into the ſoul; Through the golden pipe of this Ordinance, is conveyed the golden Oyl of divine influence. There is Manna indeed in this pot. Well may it be called a great Supper. The Elements are of ſmall value, but the Sacrament is of infinite worth. A conveyance of land fairly written in Parchment with wax faſtened to it, is of little price, but when it is ſigned, ſealed, and delivered to the uſe of a perſon, it may be worth much, it may convey thouſands: A little bread and a ſpoonful or two of wine, are in themſelves of very ſmall value; but when received according to Chriſts inſtitution, and accompanied with his benediction, they will be of unſpeakable value, they will convey thouſands and millions to the beleiver.
The Lords Supper is indeed like an Elixar, which is ſmall in quantity, but great in value, and efficacy, having in it the ſpirits and ſubſtance of many excellent things; In prayer all the graces are exerciſed, and ſo alſo at the Supper; but not onelyonly all the graces, but moſt of the other Ordinances of God are invited to this feaſt. The Word, Prayer, Singing, do all meet at the Table, and contribute their help, to carry the Chriſtian up to Heaven. I premiſe theſe things Reader, purpoſely to make thee more wary. The corrupting of the beſt, is worſt of all. Poiſon in Wine is much worſe then in Water; Kings expect that their Children ſhould be reſpected, though their officers be refuſed. Surely ſaith God, They will reverence my Son, Mat. 21.37. The very work about which he comes, will make him welcome. Though they refuſe my Servants, yet they will reverence my Son. The Caſuiſts, ſay Sacramentum & articulus mortis aequiparantur; A man muſt be looked upon at the Sacramental board as if he were on a bying bed; Friend, thou ſhouldſt be as ſerious when thou art going to the Lords Supper, as if thou wert going into the other World.
He that cometh careleſly, gets nothing from Chriſt; It is one thing to take the Supper of the Lord, and another thing to taſte the Supper of the Lord. Not one of them which were bidden, ſhall taſte of my Supper, Luk. 14.24. Many croud near a Kings perſon, on ſome days, when he ſheweth himſelf in publique, who never injoy his gracious preſence. Hundreds receive the Elements, but few receive the Sacrament.
If a Beaſt did but touch the Mount (when God ſolemnly appeared on it) it was to dye: What then will become of thee, if thou ſhouldſt touch the Table of the Lord with a brutiſh heart? If any did eat of the Paſſoever in his uncleanneſs, he was to be cut off from Iſrael, Exod. 12. which ſome interpret of a violent death by the hand of the Magiſtrate; Others, of a cutting off from the priviledges of Gods people on earth, and their poſſeſſion in Heaven: Surely it is as dangerous to eat the Supper in thy pollution, as the Paſſoever.
It is evil to dally with the Jealous God in any duty; but worſt of all in this, where the great affection of the Father in giving his Son, and the grievous Paſſions of Chriſt (to ſatisfie Gods juſtice for ſin) the moſt ſerious things which mans heart can conceive, are repreſented. Melancthon telleth a ſtory of a Tragedy which was acted of the death of Chriſt (but it proved a Tragedy indeed at laſt; for) he that acted Chriſts part on the Croſs, being wounded to death (by one that ſhould have thruſt his ſword through a bladder of blood) fell down, and with his fall killed one acting a womans part, and lamenting under the Croſs: His brother who was firſt ſlain, ſlew the murtherer, for which himſelf was hanged by order of Juſtice. Cyprian ſpeaketh of an ancient woman, who had denied the Faith, and yet ventured to this Heavenly Feaſt; but it proved her bane; for as ſoon as ſhe had received the Elements, ſhe fell down dead. O 'tis ſad jeſting with the Sufferings and Ordinances of Chriſt! Friend, let others wo be thy warning: Take example by others, leſt God make thee an example to others.
I ſhall lay down two motives to quicken thee to a ſerious preparation for this Ordinance:
1. Conſider Chriſts diligent inſpection: The Lord Jeſus will take ſpecial notice what reſpect thou haſt for his Body and Blood: And when the King came in to ſee his gueſts, he ſaw there a man which had not on a Wedding-garment, Mat. 22.11, 12, 13. Jeſus Chriſt obſerveth all his wedding gueſts, whether they come with the Wedding-garment or no. Though there was but one, yet he could not lie hid, and eſcape in the crowd; the King quickly ſpied him.
The King of Saints taketh exact notice, in what manner thou comeſt to his Supper; whether thou examineſt thy Regeneration, and proveſt thy ſelf to be one of the family, before thou offereſt to eat of their food; whether thou carrieſt the Gold of thy Graces to the Touchſtone of the Scripture, and trieſt their truth, before thou tendereſt them to him for currant coyn. He obſerveth with what ſenſe of thy miſery thou runneſt for refuge to the ſpring of mercy: He knoweth whether when thou art going to this Heavenly Feaſt, thou haſt the mouth of Faith; with what reſolution againſt ſin for time to come, thou goeſt for pardon of ſins paſt: He ſeeth whether thou goeſt to this Goſpel-Ordinance, in a Goſpel-order; if not, both thy preparation for the Sacrament, and thy carriage at it, and after it, are eye-ſervices to Jeſus Chriſt: How holy therefore ſhould thou be in them? Wouldſt thou trample upon the picture of thy dear Friend, or of thy lawful Soveraign, before their faces? Wilt thou tread under foot the infinitely precious blood of the Son of God, as if it were the blood of a Malefactor, or of a Dog, and that while he himſelf ſtandeth by, and looketh on? Canſt thou (Friend) finde in thine heart to offer ſuch an abominable affront to thy beſt Friend, and that before his face? Truly, if thou art not faithful in thy preparation for it, thou doſt all this. Think with thy ſelf, I am now to ſit down at the Table of the Lord, amongſt his own children: I know beforehand that the King will come in to ſee his Gueſts; even that King who is too juſt to be bribed, too great to be ſlighted, too wiſe to be deceived, and too good to be forfeited. O, my ſoul! what ſolemn proviſion wilt thou make for ſo ſacred a preſence? If in any time of thy life thou wouldſt be extraordinarily ſerious, this is the ſeaſon. O let thy preparation be ſuch for this glorious Supper, that the Maſter of the Feaſt may ſee that thou art tender of his honor, watchful of his eye, and fearful of his anger.
2. Conſider the dreadful condition of thoſe that receive the Lords Supper unworthily: Their ſin, They are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord; Their ſuffering, They eat and drink their own damnation; 1 Cor. 11.27, 29.
1. Their ſin: They are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord: The unworthy receiver is a Chriſt murtherer. He that tears the Letters, or defaceth the Picture, or clippeth the coyn of a Prince, offereth the indignity to his perſon. The Romans when they would diſhonor a perſon, would disfigure the ſtatue which was erected to his praiſe. The ſame wickedneſs of heart which carrieth a man out to prophane the Sacrament, would carry him out to kill the Saviour.
When one ſhoots at another to ſlay him, though he miſs, he is a murderer; the error of the hand doth not wipe out the malice of the heart. Joſephs Brethren were guilty concerning their Brother, though they did not lay violent hands upon him, Gen. 42.21. When Julian ſhot darts up to Heaven, his cruelty and rage were as bad, as if he had hit Chriſts body. Beſides, men may be guilty of murther, by approving it after it is committed, Mat. 23.35. What doth the unworthy receiver leſs then juſtifie Judas and the Jews in all their treacherous and barbarous carriage towards Jeſus Chriſt!
Conſider therefore what thou doſt, when thou goeſt unpreparedly to the Lords Table; Thou art guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Simple murther is a crying ſin: The voyce of thy Brothers blood cryeth to me from the earth, Gen. 4.10. It is one of thoſe ſins which will give God no reſt, till he take vengeance on the actor and author of it, and is therefore called a crying ſin. The light of Nature taught the Barbarians, that Vengeance would not ſuffer a murtherer to live, Acts 28.4. The Scripture acquainteth us, that no ſatisfaction ſhall be taken for the life of a murtherer; for blood defileth the land, Numb. 35.31, 36. But the murther of a Superior is a far greater ſin. Cicero telleth us, He that killeth his Father, committeth many ſins in one; he killeth him that begot him, and brought him up; he ſinneth againſt many obligations. To kill a King is High-Treaſon: Who can ſtretch his hand againſt the Lords Anointed, and be guiltleſs? 1 Sam. 26.9. But what is it to murther the Son of God? no tongue can tell, no pen can write the horrid, hainous nature of Chriſt-murther. He is thy everlaſting Father. It made a dumb childe ſpeak to ſee another ſtabbing his Father; and wilt thou imbrue thine own hands in thy Fathers blood? Jeſus Chriſt is thy King, and wilt thou ſtretch forth thy hands againſt thy Head, thy Soveraign? Had Zimri peace, who ſlew his Maſter? Nay, Jeſus Chriſt is thy Redeemer; and wilt thou put him to death, who is the Author of thy life? He gave thee thy being; and wouldſt thou deprive him of his being? He is the onelyonly Phyſician that can cure thee; and wilt thou kill him? Once more, Jeſus Chriſt is God, and wilt thou lift up thy hand (I would ſay a thought) againſt the bleſſed God? God deſerveth infinitely more love then thou canſt poſſibly give; and ſhall thine heart be ſo full of hatred, as to let fly againſt the God of Heaven? Oh! ſay with David, (when Abiſhai perſwaded him to ſlay Saul) The Lord forbid that I ſhould ſtretch forth my hand againſt the Lords anointed. When Satan, or thy own heart, would perſwade thee to be ſlight in the examination of thy ſelf, and formal in thy humiliation for ſin, that thou mighteſt be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, let Conſcience cry out, God forbid that I ſhould ſtretch out my hand againſt Jeſus Chriſt, the Lords Anointed; And truly Friend, if after ſuch warning as God gives thee in this head, thou ſhouldſt dare to receive unworthily, thou wouldſt finde it hereafter to thine unſpeakable hurt: As Reuben told his Brethren, when they were in diſtreſs, Spake I not unto you, ſaying, Do not ſin againſt the child; and ye would not hear? therefore behold his blood is required, Gen. 42.22. So, if thou now dareſt to approach the Lords Table, in thy ſinful unregenerate eſtate, in thy filth and pollution, when thou comeſt to lie under ſome ſmart rod, or on thy dying bed, or at leaſt in the other World, Conſcience will fly in the face, Did I not ſpeak unto thee, ſaying, Do not ſin againſt the holy Childe Jeſus, and thou wouldſt not hear? therefore behold his blood is required at thy hands! O Friend, Friend, what wilt thou do in ſuch an hour! If on him who ſlew Cain, vengeance ſhould be taken ſevenfold; what vengeance ſhall be taken on him who ſlayeth Jeſus Chriſt? How dreadful will thy perdition be, if the onelyonly Saviour be thine Accuſer, and that blood which alone can procure thy pardon, ſhall cry for thine eternal puniſhment!
O think of it ſeriouſly, Haſt thou never had hard thoughts of the Jews for their cruelty to the Son of God? and wilt thou do worſe thy ſelf! The Jews crucified him but once, but thou by continuing an unworthy receiver, crucifieſt him often: The Jews did it ignorantly; Had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. but thou knoweſt him to be the Son of God, the Saviour of the World: They crucified him in his eſtate of Humiliation, but thou in his eſtate of Exaltation: They had not not thee for a Warning, when they put him to death; but thou haſt them for a Warning to thee: They crucified him when he was to riſe again the third day; but thou ſo crucifieſt him, that he might never riſe more, were it in thy power. O take heed what thou doſt, and be not worſe then a Jew.
Thy ſuffering: He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himſelf, 1 Cor. 11.29. Some I know are offended at the tranſlation of the Greek Word foreign, Damnation; but I ſee little reaſon for it; for Damnation is the end of every ſin, though it be not the end of every ſinner. Paul ſpeaketh of Believers indeed; but as it may be truly ſaid of one that drinketh poyſon, Such a man drunk his bane, though by the help of a Phyſician ſuch an Antidote may be given as may prevent the Patients death; ſo it may be truly ſpoken of a Believer who receiveth unworthily, He eateth and drinketh his own damnation; though, through the Grace and Help of Jeſus Chriſt (no thank to himſelf) he is recovered out of that ſin, and ſaved. Beza, and the Geneva Tranſlation take it in this ſenſe. So the word is taken, John 3.17, 18. Rom. 3.8. and in ſeveral other places.
Now what an argument is here, to diſſwade thee from going raſhly or unpreparedly to the Table of the Lord. That which is a worthy receivers meat, will be thy poiſon; the ſame red Sea of Chriſts blood, which is ſalvation to others (they paſs ſafely through it into the land of promiſe) will be damnation to thee. King John, Speed.as our Engliſh Croniclers write, Sim…ſ Ecckſ. Hist.was poiſoned by a cup of Wine. The Emperour Henry the ſeventh was poiſoned by the bread in the Sacrament, through the treachery and treaſon of a Monk. The Iſraelites did all eat the ſame ſpiritual meat, and did all drink the ſame ſpiritual drink, but with many of them God was not well pleaſed, for they were overthrown in the Wilderneſs, 1 Cor. 10.3, 4.5. Thoſe that eat and drink in Chriſts preſence, were puniſhed with everlaſting perdition, Mat. 7.23. And do not pleaſe thy ſelf becauſe thou feeleſt no ſuch poiſonous operation at preſent in unworthy receiving, that therefore thou needſt not fear it. They that eat Italian Figs, carry their death about them, though they fall not down dead ſuddenly.
Therefore Reader, take ſome time and pains to commune with thy own heart, before thou goeſt to the Sacrament. Charge it upon its allegiance to God, to hear thee patiently, and to carry it ſelf ſutably. If I receive this Supper with an holy preparation, it will be a ſeal of, and an help to my eternal ſalvation; it will be an earneſt of matchleſs love, and an entrance into an endleſs happy life; but if I eat and drink unworthily there is death in the pot death in the cup; I eat and drink my own damation. O how doleful is that one word Damnation! What a dreadful ſound doth it make in mine ears! What fearful ſighs doth it cauſe in my ſoul! Damnation is no trifling buſineſs. God threateneth it in earneſt. The damned feel it in earneſt, and ſhall I jeſt with it? Surely I were better eat the bread of affliction, and drink the water of adverſity, then eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily. Canſt thou be ſo bloody as to ſtab thy ſelf, and thy Redeemer to the heart with one blow! O my ſoul, beſtir thy ſelf, awake out of ſleep, and do not dally about the concernments of eternal life and death, let thy care and conſcience be ſuch; in fitting thy ſelf for this ſacred Ordinance, that thy Saviour may ſee, thou haſt an high reſpect for his precious blood, and a tender regard to thine own everlaſting good.
For thy help about this Ordinance, I ſhall ſpeak,
1. To thy duty before the Sacrament.
2. To thy duty at the Sacrament.
3. To thy duty after the Sacrament.
Firſt, To thy duty before the Sacrament; and herein my counſel is, that thou wouldſt prepare thy ſelf ſolemnly for this Ordinance. The Jews had their preparation for their Paſſover, John 19.24. It was the preparation of the Paſſover. Nay, they took their Lamb the tenth day of the monethmonth, and did not kill it till the fourteenth, Exod. 12.3. (and as ſome of their Writers obſerve, they tied it all the while to their bed poſts) that in the interim they might prepare themſelves for it. Our Lord Jeſus when he was to eat the Paſſoever, and inſtitute the Supper, would have ſo much as the houſe in which he would do it, prepared beforehand, Mark 14.15. The ancient Fathers, and primitive Chriſtians, uſed to ſit up whole nights at prayer, before the Lords Supper, which they called their Vigiliae.
Reader, thy care muſt be to trim thy lamp, and make ſure of oyl in the veſſel now thou art going to meet the Bridegrom. Samuel ſpake to the inhabitants of Bethlehem, Sanctifie your ſelves, and come to the Sacrifice: ſo ſay I to thee, Sanctifie thy ſoul, and then come to the Sacrament, 1 Sam. 16.9. Joſeph prepared himſelf, by ſhaving himſelf, and changing his raiment, before he went unto Pharaoh; And wilt not thou prepare thy ſelf, by putting thy ſoul into the holieſt poſture thou canſt, when thou art to go in unto the King of Heaven and Earth? He that would make a good meal, even when he is to feaſt at anothers coſt, muſt prepare his ſtomack beforehand by moderate faſting, or exerciſe. God expecteth that the hands be pure, but eſpecially that the heart be prepared: The good Lord (ſaith Hezekiah) pardon every one that prepareth his heart, though it be not cleanſed according to the purification of the Sanctuary. 2 Chro. 30.18, 19. the King ſpeaketh of thoſe who came to the Paſſover with ſome ceremonial pollution, yet had moral purity; and his words are to this purpoſe, Lord, though ſeveral of my people have failed, in regard of external purification; let it pleaſe thee to pardon them, if they have minded internal preparation. Friend, there is no hope of remiſſion, without this heart-preparation: The Devil himſelf would not come into an houſe, till it was ready ſwept and garniſhed, Mat. 12. And doſt thou think that Jeſus Chriſt will come into thy heart, while it lieth naſtily and ſluttiſhly, before the filth of ſin be ſwept out, and it be garniſhed with the Graces of his Spirit. Surely that room had need be richly hung, with the embroidery of the Spirit, in which the glorious and bleſſed Potentate will ſup and lodge. Where thy expectation is great from a perſon, there thy preparation muſt be great for him. Doſt thou not look like Herod, to ſee ſome miracle done by Jeſus, ſome extraordinary thing for thy ſoul? Therefore I ſay to thee, as Joſhua ſpake to the Iſraelites, Sanctifie your ſelves, for to morrow the Lord will do wonders amongſt you, Joſh. 3.5. O ſanctifie thy ſelf, and to morrow (on the Sacrament-day) the Lord will do wonders for thee; he will feaſt thee at his own Table; he will feed thee with his own fleſh; he will give thee that love, which is better then wine; he will embrace thee in his arms, and kiſs thee with the kiſſes of his mouth; he will delight thine eyes with the ſight of his beautiful Perſon; raviſh thine ears, with the ſound of his precious promiſes; and rejoyce thine heart, with the aſſurance of his gracious pardon. O do but ſanctifie thy ſelf, and to morrow the Lord will do wonders for thee: This preparation conſiſteth in a ſerious examination of thy ſelf, and a ſincere humiliation for thy ſins.
Thy ſerious examination of thy ſelf, muſt be, Firſt, Of the Good in thee. Secondly, Of the Evil done by thee.
Let a man examine himſelf, and ſo (and no otherwiſe) let him eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, 1 Cor. 11.28. Examine himſelf, foreign: Some take it to be a Metaphor of a Goldſmith, as he trieth Gold in the fire whether it be pure or no; ſo thy duty is to try thy graces, by the fire of the Word, whether they be true or not: So the word is uſed, 1 Pet. 1.7. Others take it as an alluſion to Miniſters who are tried whether they are fit for their office or no, 1 Tim. 3.10. ſo thou oughteſt to try thy ſelf, whether thou art fit for this Ordinance or no. This examination muſt be;
Firſt, Of the Good in thee, Thy duty is to examine thy ſelf in general, concerning thy Regeneration, or ſpiritual life. The Sacrament is childrens bread, and it muſt not be given to dogs: Dogs muſt be without doors, not within, ſnatching the Meat from the Table; Men muſt prove their right to the Purchaſe, before they take Poſſeſſion? He muſt have an intereſt in the Covenant of grace, who will finger the ſeal of the Covenant; It is high Treaſon to annex the Kings broad Seal to forged Writings.
Thy Navel is like a round Goblet which wanteth not liquor, thy belly is like an heap of Wheat, ſet about with Lillies, Cant 7.2. The words are Chriſts praiſe of his ſpouſe, for her fruitfulneſs in bringing Children forth, and her faith fulneſs in bringing them up. By the Navel Expoſitors agree that Baptiſm is underſtood, by which (as children by the Navel) the members of the Church are nouriſhed, even then when they are ſo feeble that they cannot feed themſelves, but their whole ſuſtenance is conveyed to them by others. By the belly is meant the Lords Supper; Now obſerve the proviſion, how the Table is furniſhed, and the perſons which are to ſit at it. For the proviſion; Thy belly is like an heap of Wheat. Ainſworth on the words obſerveth, that in thoſe times, they brought their Corn in and ſtackt it up in heaps, ſo that as the belly diſtributeth to every part of the body its proportion of nouriſhment, and as an heap of Wheat ſatisfieth the hunger of, and affordeth ſtrength to a whole Family, ſo doth the Church by this Sacrament beſtow on all her children, (through Chriſt) that food which is needful for health and ſtrength. The perſons which are to eat of this Wheat, ſet about with lillies; They muſt be Saints and are compared to Lilies. Firſt, For their innocency, they are Lilly-white. Secondly, for their glory and Nobility. Mat. 6.29. Pliny telleth us that Lilies are next to the Roſe for Nobility; Plin. l. 22. c. 5.Chriſt is the Roſe of Sharon, the plant of moſt renown, but his Church is next to him. Thirdly, for the ſavour, Cant. 4.12. The graces of beleivers are like ſweet perfumes, and ſented as far as Heaven. The Lords Supper is a Sacrament not of Regeneration, but of ſuſtentation; When the Prodigal came to himſelf, then the fatted Calf was killed for him, Luk. 15. Men muſt have natural life, before they can eat natural meat, and men muſt have ſpiritual life, before they can eat ſpiritual meat. It was an ancient abuſe of the Sacrament, caſt out by the Carthaginian Council, to give it to dead men. The invitation is not to Enemies but friends, Eat O friends, drink abundantly O beloved, Cant. 5.1. The waters of life is onelyonly for the thirſty, and the bread of life onelyonly for the hungry; the Shew-bread under the Law was to be eaten onelyonly by the Prieſts, Lev. 24.9. ſo the bread of the Sacrament is to be eaten onelyonly by ſuch as are ſpiritual Prieſts unto God, as Saints are, Rev. 1.5.
Reader, examine thy ſelf therefore whether thou art born again or no. Look into the Word of God, and compare thy ſelf with the Characters which are there given of new born Creatures. They are ſometimes deſcribed by their hearts. God is good to Iſrael, to ſuch as are of a clean heart. Pſa. 73.1. Their hearts are clean, not with a legal cleanneſs, which denyeth the being of ſin in them; In that ſenſe none can ſay I have made my heart clean (this ſpotleſs robe is reſerved for the Saints wearing in the other World) but with an Evangelical cleanneſs, which denyeth the dominion of ſin over them (this cleanly garment is the Saints ordinary attire in this world.) We call River-water clean water, though there be ſome kind of illneſs and impurity in it, becauſe it will not (like pond water) mingle with it, and ſuffer the filth to reſt there, but worketh it out, and ſeadeth it forth in its ſcum and froth. Now how is it with thee Friend? Doth ſin reſt quietly in thee? or is it reſiſted by thee? Doſt thou love ſin or loath ſin? Doſt thou count it thy pleaſure or thy poiſon? When the body is dead, Vermine crawl in it without oppoſition. When the ſoul is dead, luſts abound in it and reign without any conſiderable diſturbance. An unclean heart is quickly overcome by ſin. As when a Chimny is foul, it is apt to be fired by every ſpark that flieth up, whereas when it is clean, though many flye up it remaineth ſafe; ſo when the heart is unclean, Satan can no ſooner throw in his fiery Darts, but preſently it is in a flame; whereas a clean heart is like wet tinder not ſo ſoon burning when he ſtrikes fire. Godly men as they have clean hearts, ſo they have clean hands, Job 17.9. The hand is the inſtrument of action; by clean hands, the Spirit of God meaneth clean and holy actings.
Saints are deſcribed by their lives. They walk after the Spirit. They order their converſations aright. Per brachium fit judicium de corde, was Galens rule. Phyſitians feel the pulſe of the Arme, that they may know the ſtate of the vitals; Now how beats the pulſe of thy converſation? according to that, judge of the ſoundneſs or ſickneſs of thy conſtitution. Doſt thou walk in reference to thy ſelf ſoberly, in reference to others righteouſly, in reference to God religiouſly? Rom. 8.1, 5. Tit. 2.12.
Thy duty is to examine thy ſelf in particular alſo of thoſe graces, which are ſpecially requiſite in a Communicant. Of thy knowledge to diſcern the Lords body. There is a competency of knowledge needful if thou wouldſt receive acceptably. Doſt thou know the threefold eſtate of man? His Innocency, Apoſtacy, and Recovery. What a pure piece he was, how holy when he came out of Gods hands! what a miſerable polluted creature he hath made himſelf by diſobeying God, and harkning to the Tempter! what a glorious remedy God hath provided to reſtore man to his primitive purity! Doſt thou know God as he diſcovereth himſelf in his works, but eſpecially as he is repreſented in the Glaſs of his word? Doſt thou know Jeſus Chriſt, his two Natures, his three Offices, how he executeth them, both in his eſtate of humiliation, and exaltation? Doſt thou know the nature and end of the Lords Supper?
An ignorant perſon can no more diſcern Chriſts body, then a perſon ſtark blind can diſcern the bread. God hath expreſly forbidden lame and blind Sacrifices, Mal. 1.8. The Hypocrits Sacrifice is Lame, for he halteth in Gods Way. The ignorant perſons Sacrifice is blind, for he can give no account of his own work. When the Leproſie was in the head, the Prieſt was to pronounce the party utterly unclean, exclude him the Camp, Lev. 13.44. Do not ſay, though thou art ignorant, yet thy heart is good, when God himſelf ſaith; Without knowledge the mind is not good: Fiſh ſtink firſt in the head, and then the whole body putrifieth.
Examine thy Faith. This grace is thy ſpiritual taſte, without which thou canſt reliſh nothing on the Table. This is the Bucket, and if it be wanting I may ſay to thee as the Woman to Chriſt, The Well is deep, and thou haſt nothing to draw with. This is the hand to receive Chriſt, Joh. 1.12. This is as the Armes whereby we imbrace Chriſt. They embraced the promiſes by faith, Heb. 11.13. As loving friends that have been a great while aſunder, when they meet together, hug and embrace each other in their Arms; ſo the Chriſtian who longeth to ſee Jeſus Chriſt in the promiſes, when at a Sacrament he meeteth him, huggeth and embraceth him in the Arms of faith.
Examine not ſo much the ſtrength as the truth of thy faith. The wings of a Dove may help her to mount up towards Heaven, as well as the wings of an Eagle. Try whether thy faith be unfeigned, 1 Tim. 1.5. What price doſt thou ſet upon Chriſt? To them that beleive, Chriſt is precious, 1 Pet. 2.7. An unbeleiver (like the Indians) ſeeth no worth in this golden Mine, but preferreth a peice of Glaſs, or a few painted Beads, mean, earthly things before it; but a beleiver (like the Spaniard) knoweth the value of it, and will venture through all ſtormes and tempeſts that he may enjoy it. Doſt thou priſe the precepts of Chriſt, the promiſes of Chriſt, the people of Chriſt, the perſon of Chriſt (is that altogether lovely in thine eyes) and the paſſion of Chriſt? Is thy greateſt glory in Chriſts ſhameful Croſs? Doſt thou eſteem it above the higheſt Emperours moſt glorious Crown? One of Englands Kings, beſtowed as much on a Crucifix, as the revenues of his Crown were worth in a Year. God forbid (ſaith Paul) that I ſhould glory ſave in the Croſs of Chriſt, Gal. 6.14.
Doth thy faith purifie thine heart? Having their hearts purified by faith, Acts 15.9. The hand of faith which openeth the Door to let Chriſt into the heart, ſweepeth the heart clean. Faith looks to be like Chriſt in glory and faith; labours to reſemble Chriſt in grace. An unbeleiver (like a ſluttiſh Woman) though he keep the room of his life a little clean, which others daily obſerve, yet he cares not how dirtily thoſe rooms of his inward man lye, which are out of their fight; unbeleiving and defiled are joyned together, Tit. 1.15.
Examine thy love, The primitive Chriſtians kiſſed each other at the Supper, which they called Oſculum pacis, A kiſs of peace. They had their feaſts of charity, Jude v. 12. The bread which we eat, is it not the Communion of the body of Chriſt? As the bread is made of many grains, and the cup of wine of many grapes united; ſo is the body of Chriſt of many members, united under one head. Eating together was ever a ſign of love and friendſhip. Joſeph hereby ſhewed his love to his brethren. The Sons of Brutus, Plutarch. in vita Publico.and the Vitellii when they conſpired with Tarquins Ambaſſadours, againſt the Conſul, drank the blood of a man together, to confirm their amity. Even Beaſts have been brought to agree, by feeding at the ſame Rack.
Now Reader what love-fire haſt thou for this lovefeaſt?
Doſt thou love the brethren as brethren, becauſe they are related to God, and becauſe they have the Image of God? Or doſt thou love them onelyonly for the natural qualities in them, and their courteſie to thee? this fire I muſt tell thee is Kitchin fire, which muſt be fed with ſuch courſe fuel; the former onelyonly is the fire which is taken from Gods Altar? Doſt thou love Chriſt in a Cottage as well as in a Court? Doſt thou love a poor as well as a rich Chriſtian? Doſt thou love grace in rags, as much as grace in robes? Is it their honour or their holineſs which thou doſt admire?
As thy duty is to examine thy ſelf concerning thy graces, ſo alſo concerning thy corruptions. Before a Sacrament there ſhould be a through ſearch for all thy ſins. The Jews before their paſſover ſearched all over their houſes for leaven, nay they ſearched every corner and Mouſe-hole with a wax Candle (as ſome write.) There is a threefold leaven; Firſt, a leaven of Hypocriſie, Beware of the leaven of the Phariſes, which is Hypocriſie, Luk. 12.1. Secondly, a leaven of Hereſie, a little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump, Gal. 5.9. Thirdly, a leaven of Enormity or ſcandal, purge out the old leaven, 1 Cor. 5.7. Thy care muſt be to make a diligent enquiry for all this leaven. The iniquities of wicked men will find them out, but good men will finde out their iniquities. I know mine iniquites, ſaith David, Pſa. 51. When evil humours lie hid in the body, they hinder the ſtrength it might get by food. When ſins lye undiſcovered in the ſoul, they will hinder its digeſting ſpiritual meat and drink.
At a Seſſions there are ſome indictments read, and (it may be) ſome execution done; but at an Aſſize there are many Malefactours arraigned, and many executed, the Goal is then cleared of thoſe vermine; A Chriſtian ſhould keep a petty Seſſions in his heart every day, do what he can for the conviction and condemnation of his ſins; but before a Sacrament, he muſt keep an Aſſize, there muſt be a general Goal delivery; all his ſins muſt be ſought after, indicted and executed; the room of his heart muſt be cleared of thoſe vipers. Particularly examine thy ſelf of thy ſins ſince the laſt Sacrament; how forgetful thou haſt been of the Oath of the Lord, which thou diſt then enter into; be not ſlight or formal in ſearching after thy ſins, like ſome officers, that willingly over-look the Theeves they ſearch for; but be as diligent to find them out, as thou wouldſt be to find out the Murderers of thy father or beſt friend.
But be ſure thou compare thy heart and life with the Law of God. O how many ſpots will that glaſs diſcover. When the woman hath ſwept her houſe and gathered the duſt up altogether, ſhe thinks there is none left, but when the Sun doth but ſhine in through ſome broken Pane of Glaſs, ſhe ſeeth the whole Houſe ſwarm with innumerable Motes of duſt, floating too and fro in the Air. The light of Gods law will make innumerable ſins viſible to thee, which without it will lie hid.
2. There is requiſite as a ſerious examination of thy ſelf, ſo alſo ſincere humiliation for thy ſins. The cleanly Dame is careful always to keep her Peuter and Braſs clean, but againſt a good time, ſhe is very curious to have her Veſſels not onelyonly clean but bright, and for this end ſhe will not onelyonly waſh them but take much pains in ſcouring them; Chriſtian, Now is the good time before which thou ſhouldſt ſcour the veſſel of thy heart, that no dirt (if poſſible) may ſtick to it. This true humiliation conſiſteth partly in mourning for ſin, partly in turning from ſin.
1. In mourning for ſin. The Phariſees would not eat their common bread with unwaſhed hands, leaſt they ſhould tranſgreſs the traditions of their Elders. Friend, if thou ſhouldſt eat this ſacred bread with an unwaſhed heart, thou wilt horribly tranſgreſs the Commandment of thy God. The Jews did eat the Paſſover with bitter hearbs, and truely we Gentiles muſt eat a broken body with broken bones. The more bitter ſin is to thee before, the more ſweet thy Saviour will be to thee at the Sacrament; Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted, Mat. 5.3. A wet ſeed time will bring a Sunſhiny and plentiful Harveſt. One of the Fathers obſerveth that David the greateſt mourner in Iſrael, was the ſweeteſt ſinger in Iſrael. Beanes thrive beſt if ſteept in water before they be ſown, and truely ſo will thy ſoul if ſteept in godly ſorrow before thou goeſt to the Sacrament. Give ſtrong drink to him that is ready to periſh, and wine to theſe that are of heavy hearts. Prov. 31.6. When thy heart is heavy under the ſenſe of thine unholineſs, and thou art ready to periſh under the weight of thy wickedneſs, then Jeſus Chriſt will give thee that wine, that blood which will refreſh and make thine heart glad.
Thoſe Trees ſhoot higheſt in Summer, that ſhoot loweſt into the earth in Winter; No Chriſtian uſually riſeth ſo high in conſolation, as he that is caſt down loweſt in Evangelical humiliation. There are two in the New Teſtament famous for their contrition, and they are famous for Gods reſpect and affection to them. Mary was a great mourner, We ſeldom have a view of her in Scripture without dew on her face, and tears in her eyes, Luk. 7.38, 39. Luk. 23.27, 28. Joh. 19.25. and 20.11, 15. But ſhe had the ſpecial honour and favour of ſeeing the beſt ſight which ever mortal eyes beheld before all others; even the bleſſed Redeemer in the firſt ſtep of his exaltation. Now when Jeſus was riſen early the firſt day of the week, he appeared firſt to Mary Magdalen out of whom he had caſt ſeven Devils, Mark 16.9. Mary had ſinned greatly, and ſorrowed greatly, and was upon it greatly reſpected by God. Peter wept bitterly; A look from love broke his heart in peices; but Chriſt took ſpecial care to bind up this broken heart, to pour Oyl into his wounded conſcience, and therefore when a meſſenger is diſpatched from Heaven to acquaint the World with the joyful news of the Saviours reſurrection, no name is particularly mentioned in his commiſſion but Peters. God gives him an expreſs command, that whoſoever ſhould remain ignorant of thoſe happy tidings, he ſhould be ſure that Peter have notice of it. Go your way (ſaith the Angel) Tell his Diſciples and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee, there ye ſhall ſee him. When a King hath ſome extra-ordinary good news, and ſendeth a Courtier to acquaint his intimate friends with it, but chargeth him, Tell them all of it, but be ſure ſuch an Earl have notice of it; whoever you forget, remember him; All will conclude this is the favourite; Peter thought that becauſe he had forſworn Chriſt, therefore Chriſt might juſtly forget him; but Chriſt took ſuch care that if but one in the World beſides thoſe two Women at the Sepulchre, had notice of his Reſurrection, penitent Peter ſhould be the man. O the Rhetorique, the power of an unfeigned tear! Repentance hath more prevalency with the bleſſed God, then all the robes, riches, crowns and Diadems of the greateſt Potentates in the World.
O Reader, if thou would have heavenly muſick at the feaſt, mind this holy mourning; when Joſephs brethren were ſenſible of their ſin in ſelling him, then and not till then he made them a feaſt. Jeſus Chriſt made the beſt wine that ever was, of water. The Bee (Naturaliſts tell us) gather the beſt hony of the bittereſt hearb; God hath ſolid joy for the broken bones, the contrite ſpirit; caſt up the accounts betwixt God and thy ſoul, ſee how infinitely thou art indebted to his Majeſty, Abhor thy ſelf, with Job, Bemoan thy ſelf, with Ephraim, and judge thy ſelf (as Paul enjoyneth his Corinthians, in relation to this ordinance) as ever thou wouldſt have God at the Sacrament to ſeal thee a general acquittance.
Sacrament-days are ſealing days; God doth then ſeal his love and ſtamp his Image more fairly on the ſoul; now if thy heart be melted into godly ſorrow, and made thereby like ſoft wax, thou wilt be fit for this ſeal and ſtamp. The Hart in graſing kills and eates a Serpent whith ſo inflames her, that ſhe can have no reſt till ſhe drink of the water brooks. Repentance will make thee feel the ſcorching nature of that Serpent, ſin, and thereby long for and reliſh the water of life.
2. There muſt be a turning from ſin. Thou canſt never communicate with true comfort, if thou doſt not communicate with a clear conſcience. Purch. Pilgrim. vol. 2. p. 1477.The Mahumetans before they enter into their Temples, waſh their feet, and when they are entring in put off their Shoos. As thy duty is to waſh thy ſoul in godly ſorrow, ſo alſo to put off thy ſinful affections, before thou entreſt into Gods houſe to partake of this Ordinance. If God takes it ill when men take his Name into their mouthes, who hate to be reformed, how ill will he take it, if ſuch take the body and blood of his Son into their mouthes! Chriſts body was not to ſee corruption, neither will it mingle with corruption. He lay in a new womb, in a new tomb, and he will lye in a new heart. When ſin is caſt out, then Jeſus Chriſt will enter into thy ſoul. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. But mark how they muſt prepare themſelves, who would approach the Lord, Cleanſe your hearts ye ſinners, and purifie your hands ye double minded. Ja. 4.8, 9.
The Jews before the Paſſover cleanſed all their Veſſels, which they feared might have Leaven ſticking to them, burnt all the Leaven they could find, and curſed all in their houſes whether found or not found; as their Antiquaries informe us. Truely when thou goeſt to the Supper, it concerneth thee to cleanſe thy ſoul of the leaven of ſin; by an high indignation at it, and hearty reſolution againſt it. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump; for Chriſt our Paſſover is ſacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feaſt not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedneſs, but with the unleavened bread of ſincerity and truth, 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. Reader, It would be a trampling under foot the blood of Chriſt, and counting it as an unholy thing, if thou ſhouldſt go to the Table of the Lord with love to any luſt; For the Lords ſake, and for thy ſouls ſake, take heed of padling in the blood of Chriſt as if it were Kennel water. Alaſs, thou doſt little leſs if thou partakeſt of the Sacrament without anger and indignation againſt every ſin. True repentance implyeth an averſion from ſin. If they ſhall humble themſelves, and turn from their evil ways, 2 Chron. 7.14. The burnt Child will dread the fire. The man that hath ſmarted for ſurety-ſhip, will by no means be perſwaded to come again into bonds; Urge him to it never ſo much, he will tell you he hath paid dear for it, and therefore you muſt excuſe him; he is reſolved, nay hath vowed againſt it, and though he be never ſo much intreated, is ſtill inexorable. The Chriſtian who hath truely repented, is ſo ſenſible of the weight of ſin and wrath of God, that he is reſolved never more to meddle with thoſe burning coals; Alas they are too heavy for him: David that had repented of his ſin, would not drink of that water which had but been the occaſion of hazarding mens lives, though before he could drink the blood of Ʋriah. Penitent Peter though before he was ſo full of ſelf confidence, that he preferred himſelf before the other Apoſtles; Though all deny thee, yet will not I; yet afterwards, though occaſion were offered him of commending himſelf, forbears it; Peter, loveſt thou me more then theſe? Lord thou knoweſt I love thee. He ſaith, not more then theſe. O Reader, It was Eſaus expreſſion, The days of mourning for my father are coming, and then I will ſlay my brother Jacob; ſo ſay thou, The days of mourning for the death of my dear Saviour, and everlaſting father are come, and now I will ſlay my moſt beloved luſts; now will I be revenged of them for their endeavour to rob me of my ſpiritual birthright, to wrong me of my eternal bleſſing.
This repentance exerciſed before the Sacrament, would prepare thy ſtomach for the Feaſt, it would cleanſe it, and cauſe it to ſavour the dainties there; It would make the hungry, and hunger is the beſt ſauce. Artaxerxes flying for his life, fed on barly bread, and a few dryed figs, and ſaid, It was the beſt meal that ever he made.
When thou haſt thus prepared thy ſtomach for this heavenly Banquet, take heed of relying upon thy pains, and preparation, either for a right performance of the duty, or for thine acceptance in the Ordinance. Many a poor creature I am perſwaded goeth with much humiliation for ſin, and cometh away without any conſolation, becauſe they made a Saviour of their ſorrow. Praiſe thy Phyſition, if he have made the ſenſible of thy ſickneſs, but do not provoke him by making thy pain to be the plaiſter for thy cure. Alas, thy preparation it ſelf needeth much pardon; if God ſhould deal ſtrictly with thee, thy prayers would be found dung, thy ſighs unſavory breath, thy very tears puddle water. Reflect on them thy ſelf, and compare them with the Law of God, and thou wilt find cauſe to pray over thy prayers, to weep over thy tears, to be aſhamed of thy ſhame, and to abhor thy ſelf for thy ſelf abhorrency.
Do not think with thy ſelf, I have examined my heart faithfully, and find that I do not come ſhort of the grace of God; I have acknowledged mine iniquities, and been ſorrowful for my ſins, and therefore I cannot miſcarry at this Sacrament. Such a truſting of thy ſelf, would be a tempting of thy Saviour, and would certainly hinder the ſucceſs of the Sacrament: It would be to thee, as the cutting off Sampſons locks was to him: Judg 16.20.He thought to have gone forth as at other times, and ſhake himſelf: And he wiſt not that the Lord was departed from him. Thou mayeſt think after ſuch ſelf-confidence, to go to the Lords Supper as at other times; but alas, what wilt thou do? for the Lord will depart from thee; and then what ſport will Satan and ſin, thoſe uncircumciſed ones make with thee?
Reader, let me perſwade thee when thou haſt been diligent in the trial of thy ſpiritual eſtate, and haſt with many tears bewailed the pollution of thy nature, and tranſgreſſions of thy life, to caſt thy ſelf wholly upon Jeſus Chriſt for aſſiſtance in the duty. As Jehoſaphat when he had 50000. men ready Armed for the battel, cryed out, O Lord our God, we have no might againſt this great company, 2 Chron. 20.6neither know we what to do, but our eyes are unto thee. So after thou haſt made the greateſt preparation poſſible, as beleiving the weight and worth of the ſupper, the purity and Majeſty of the Maſter of the Feaſt, do thou look up to Chriſt and ſay, Lord, I have no ability, no might for this great ſupper, for a right performance of this great ordinance, neither know I what to do but my eys are unto thee. When Aſa had an Army of two hundredand fourſcore thouſand men of valour to fight with the Ethiophians, he prayeth and truſteth to God, as if he had not one man. Lord, it is nothing for thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power. Help us O Lord God, for we reſt on thee, 2 Chron. 8, 1.and in thy name we go againſt this great multitude. So do thou ſay, Lord, I have no power for this holy Supper; help me O Lord my God, for I reſt on thee, and in thy name I go to this great and weighty Ordinance. Truely couldſt thou after all the proviſion thou haſt made, diſclaim it wholly in regard of dependance, and caſt thy ſelf on Chriſt for aſſiſtance, I durſt be the Prophet to foretel a good day. The gaudy flower which ſtandeth upon its own ſtalk, doth quickly wither, when the plain Ivy that depends upon the houſe and leans on it, is freſh and green all the year; He that truſteth to his own legs in this duty, is as ſure to fall as if he were down already; the weak child walketh ſafeſt that all the way holdeth by, and hangeth upon its parent.
If thou wert now going to receive, be adviſed to write after Davids Copy. He looked up to God, both for aſſiſtance and acceptance; I will go in the ſtrength of the Lord, I will make mention of thy righteouſneſs, yea of thine onelyonly, Pſa. 71.16. Let thy practice be ſutable to his, when thou goeſt out of thy houſe; And let thy prayer be the ſame with the Spouſes when thou art entring into Gods houſe; O then look up to heaven and cry mightily, Awake thou Northwind, and come O South, blow upon my Garden, that the Spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his Garden, and eat his pleaſant fruits, Cant. 4. ult.