The Doctrine of the Sacrament, Title page
THE DOCTRINE Of the SACRAMENT, With the right uſe therof Catichiſtically handled by way of Queſtion and Anſwer.
By Mr. CHARLES CHANCY ſometimes Miniſter of Ware.
ANCHORA SPEI
LONDON, Printed by G. M. for Thomas Ʋnderhill at the ſigne of the Bible in Wood-ſtreet, 1642.
THE DOCTRINE Of the SACRAMENT.
Q. WHat is it to receive?
A. It is to lay hold on Chriſt by faith.
Q How doe we receive by faith in the Sacrament?
A. As it is the nature of faith to apply and reſt upon other Promiſes in the juſtification of a ſinner, aGal. 3.22. Heb. 11.13.ſo to receive by faith in the Sacrament, is in the act of receiving to apply and rely upon the Promiſes that concern each Sacrament,
Q. What are the Promiſes that concerne the Sacrament of Baptiſme?
A. He that believes and is baptized ſhall be ſaved, aMar. 16.16.as many as are baptized into Chriſt, doe put on Chriſt, bGal. 3.27.and the very word of inſtitution, when we are baptized in the name of the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghoſt, cMat. 28.19.include a Promiſe, that all the Perſons in the God head doe enter into covenant with us to waſh away our ſins.
Q. What are the Promiſes that concerne the Sacrament of the Lords Supper?
A. They are plainly laid downe in the words of inſtitution, this is my body which is broken for you, a1 Cor. 11.24this is my bloud of the new Teſtament, which is ſhed for you and for many for the remiſſion of ſins bMat. 26.28. Luk. 22.20.,
Q. What is the meaning of that promiſe, this is my body which is broken for you?
A. It is as much as if Chriſt ſhould ſay in particular to every faithfull receiver, as ſurely as I deliver and give this bread unto thee, ſo I beſtow this my crucified body, with all the merits of my death upon thee.
Q. What is the meaning of the other promiſe this cup is the new Teſtament? &c.
A. It is as much as if Chriſt had ſaid in particular to every believing receiver, as ſurely as I deliver this cup unto thee, ſo I doe make good and aſſure the whole covenant of grace unto thee and ſeal the free pardon of thy ſins unto thee by my precious bloud.
Q. When are we to apply theſe promiſes to our ſelves?
A. Eſpecially in the very act and time of receiving, we are to apply theſe promiſes by faith, and ſo wee are to draw comfort from them afterwards.
Q. What is meant by the word Baptiſme?
A. It ſignifies dipping or waſhing in water, and is applied to ſignifie that dipping or waſhing which is uſed in the firſt Sacrament of the new Teſtament.
Q. What is the benefit of the Sacrament of Baptiſme?
A. The benefit of the Sacrament of Baptiſme is the ſealing to the true beleever, and the aſſuring to him all the benefits of Chriſt that concerne his regeneration or new-birth, as in particular, the putting on of Chriſt aGal. 3.26., the waſhing of his ſoule from ſins bEpheſ. 5.26., the pardon of his ſins cLu. 3.3. Act 22, 16., fellowſhip with Chriſt in his death dRom. 6.3, 4., eternall life and ſalvation e1 Pet. 3.21..
Q. What doth the Sacrament of Baptiſme binde the party baptized unto?
A. It binds him by a ſolemne oath or vow when he commeth to yeares of diſcretion, to enter into a ſure covenant with Almighty God, and to perform the condition of the covenant of grace aGen. 17 7, 9., which is faith bAct 8.36, 37, 38. Act. 2.38; as alſo to repent him unfainedly of all his ſins cMat. 3.5., to walke in newneſſe of life dRom. 6.4., to walk in love and unity with his bretheren e1 Cor. 12 1 Cor. 1.13., to give up himſelfe to labour for ſaving knowledge and a good conſcience f1 Pet. 3.21., and to live altogether for the obedience, worſhip and ſervice of the holy and undivided Trinity gMat. 28.19, 20..
Q. What are the duties required to the right receiving of the Sacrament of Baptiſme?
A. Some are required of the Parents, others of the infant baptized when hee comes to yeares, others of the Congregation preſent at this Sacrament.
Q. What are the duties required of the Parents of the party baptized?
A. They are to humble themſelves for the corruption they have conveyed to the infant, aJob 14.4.and ſeek for the pardon of it, they muſt call to remembrance Gods gracious and free covenant bAct. 2.37, 38, 39. Gen. 17 7, …., and ſo get aſſurance that they themſelves are within this covenant, they muſt preſſe it by hearty and fervent prayer c1 Sam. 1.27.and renew their covenant with God in behalfe of themſelves and their children, and to offer themſelves and their children unto God to be his obedient ſervants and children all their dayes d1 Sam. 1.28..
Q. What are the duties required of the Infant baptized when he comes to yeares?
A. As he is to know that the vertue of baptiſme is not bounded only to the time of receiving this Sacrament, becauſe it is a ſeale of the righteouſneſſe of faith aRo. 4.11., and of Gods covenant which is everlaſting bIer. 32.40., ſo he is ſtill to make uſe of his Baptiſme, both as a bond to binde him to performe all the former duties, and as a ſure ground to apply all the former benefits of the pardoning and waſhing away of his ſins, and to comfort himſelf that the Lord will be his God in the worſt times cGen. 17.7., and all ſufficient for him dGen. 17.1., in providing all neceſſaries for his body and ſoule, and deliver him from all dangers, and certainly ſave his ſoule e1 Pet. 3.20, 21., and raiſe up his body to eternall life at the laſt day fCol. 2.12.,
Q. What duties are required of the aſſembly at this Sacrament?
A. They are to abide till the Sacrament of Baptiſme, and all other publike duties be ended aEzek. 46.10., to joyn in prayer and thankſgiving to God for it bAct. 22.16., to remember their owne covenant with God and their former breaches of it with unfained ſorrow and reſolution to keep it afterwards.
Q. What are the duties required for the right receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper?
A. They are of 3 ſorts, ſome concerne our preparation to that Sacrament, ſome that holy diſpoſition that is required in the time of receiving, and others our holy carriage afterwards.
Q What are the duties required for our due preparation to this Sacrament?
A. They are eſpecially two, a1 Cor. 11.28.thorow examination of our ſelves, and a right behaviour afterwards.
Q. Wherein conſiſts the thorow examination of our ſelves before receiving?
A. We muſt try our ſelves concerning thoſe ſeverall graces that are required to the right receiving of the Supper of the Lord, whither they are truely wrought in us or not, which are ſound knowledge a1 Cor. 11.29., ſaving faith bRom. 4.11. Mark. 16.16., true repentance for all our ſins c1 Cor. 11.31., unfained obedience dPro. 9.5, 6., entire love to God and man eMat. 5 25. 1 Cor. 12.13., earneſt hunger and thirſt after Chriſt fIoh. 7.37 Lu. 22.15., and laſtly the ſincerity and uprightneſſe of our hearts g2 Chr. 30.18, 19..
Q. How may we know that our knowledge is ſound and ſufficient to receive?
A. By the meaſure and properties of it.
Q. What is the meaſure of ſound knowledge required?
A. A Chriſtian muſt know all the principles of the doctrine of Chriſt, which are chiefly theſe aHeb. 6.1., he muſt underſtand the 10. commandements with the ſpirituall meaning therof, to work repentance from dead works, and he muſt be able to conceive the true meaning of all the Articles of our Chriſtian faith, together with the nature, uſe and end of each Sacrament.
Q. What are the marks or properties by which our knowledge may be tryed?
A. Sound knowledge makes a Chriſtian humble a1 Cor. 3.18. Pro. 26.16., and ready to render a reaſon of the hope that is in him with all meekneſſe b1 Pet. 3.15., and willing to receive every truth revealed out of the word of God c1 Tim. 6.5., and carefully to put in practice whatſoever hee knoweth already d1 Iohn 2.3, 4, 5., and painfully to increaſe the knowledge already attained eProv. 2.3, 4, 5. Hoſ. 6.3..
Q. What are the marks the Scripture gives of ſaving faith?
A. Saving faith in the leaſt degree is ever wrought and preſerved in the heart by the word of God preached aRom 10.14., whereby wee are weary and heavy laden with ſins, bMat. 11.28., and utterly rid of all confidence in our owne righteouſneſſe cRom. 10.3, 4., and reſtleſſe in deſiring after Chriſt till we finde comfort in the promiſes of the pardon of our ſins dMat. 6.5., withall it mak…s us to looke at ſin as the greateſt evill, and the grace of Chriſt as the greateſt good in the world eHeb. 11.24.—28., it purifieth and cleanſeth the heart fAct. 15.9., will, thoughts and affections from all love and allowance of ſin, and ſo works inward ſanctification gAct. 26.18., it wraſtles againſt temptations of unbeliefe hMar. 9.24. Lu. 22.31, 32., and works by love of God and our bretheren iGal. 5.6..
Q. What are the marks and tryals of true repentance?
A. True repentance may be knowne by our willingneſſe and gladneſſe to have any ſin diſcovered aPſa. 141.5., and hearty love of thoſe that diſcover and reproove it b2 Sam. 12.13., an inward godly ſorrow for all knowne ſins, as they are a breach of Gods comma…dements and are diſpleaſing unto God c2 Cor. 7.10., a forſaking of all known ſins dEzek. 18.5, 6. &c. Pſa. 119.3., out of a perfect hatred of them, & care to avoid all the occaſions of them e2 Cor. 7.11., & an univerſall turning to God fDeut. 30.10., and conſtant cleaving to him in all his revealed will, and the practice of all knowne duties of obedience.
Q. What are the tryals of unfained obedience?
A. Vnfained obedience may be known thus, that it is grounded only on the word of God aEph. 2.10., and not on the traditions and inventions of men bMar. 7.6, 7., that it hath reſpect to all Gods commandements without partiality or exception cPſ. 119.6., that it aimes alwaies at a right end, the praiſe and glory of God dPhil. 1.11., and not at any private advantage, that it is alwaies accompanied with zeale eGal. 4.18., humility fMich. 6.8., and conſtancygPſ. 106.3.
Q. How may we know whether our love to God and man be intire?
A. We may be ſure that our love to God is intire if that no commandement of God be grievous unto us a1 John 5.3., if it weanes our hearts from the love of the world b1 John. 2.15. 1 John 4.20, 21.1 Iohn 5.1. 1 John 4.12., and if it make us love the children of God.
Q. What are the markes of entire love to Gods children?
A, Entire love to Gods children makes us love godly men for godlineſſe ſake a2 John 1.2., that is, it will make us love all the Saints bEpheſ. 1.15., whether rich or poor, ſtrangers or kindred, and that conſtantly cPro. 17.17., and communicates it ſelfe in doing good to their ſoules and bodies d1 Joh. 3.17, 18..
Q. How may we know entire love to our Neighbour?
A. Entire love to our neighbour will make us willing to forgive wrongs aCol 3.13., and to ſeeke peace, bRom. 12.18.and to make ſatisfaction if wee have wronged them cRom. 13.10., it will cauſe us to love their ſoules, and not ſuffer ſin to lye upon them, dLovit. 19.17.it will make us to overcome evill with good, eRom. 12.17, 20, 21.by heaping offices of love upon them.
Q. What are the tryals of our earnest hunger and thirſt after Christ?
A. True hunger and thirſt after Chriſt will make us ſeeke him with our whole heart in the diligent and conſtant uſe of all the meanes, aProv. 13.4.ſo that nothing elſe will ſatisfie us without Chriſt, bPſ. 73.25.it longs after Chriſt for himſelfe, ſo as to part with any thing for him, cMat. 13.44.and to be content to have him upon the hardeſt conditions, dPhil. 1.21. Phil. 3.8.it is ready to entertain with great thankfulneſſe, whatſoever mea…es or meſſenger ſhall bring him home unto the ſoule, eRom. 10.15.it ſeeks after him for holineſſe fIſa. 51.1., as well as for happineſſe.
Q. What are the tryals of the ſincerity and uprightneſſe of our hearts?
A Sincerity and uprightneſſe of heart ſhewes it ſelfe in the reformation of our delightfull and boſome corruptions aPſalme 18.23., and carefull endeavour to finde them out, and gladneſſe when they are diſcovered bPſal. 119.59. Pſalm 141.5., by the denyall of our ſelves in parting with any outward comfort, to keepe a good conſcience cIob 27.2. Heb. 11.24, 27., by making conſcience of the fruitfull performance of holy duties dRom. 12.11., eſpecially in ſecret eMat. 6.6., and l…ſtly an earneſt deſire and indeavour of growth unto perfection fPhil. 3.12.—14..
Q. What duties are required of a Chriſtian after examination that he may finiſh his preparation to the Sacrament?
A. If hee ſhall finde any of theſe graces to be wanting in him hee is bound for the preſent to abſtaine from the Sacrament aEx. Chapter 12.48. Numbers 9. from the 6. to the 12., if he doubt whither they be wrought in him or not, hee is likewiſe to abſent himſelfe bRomans 14.23., unleſſe his conſcience by ſome meanes may bee reſolved and ſetled, that hee hath them; if hee ſhall finde them wrought in him, though in much weakeneſſe, hee is to repaire to this Sacrament for further ſtrength c2 Chro. 30.18, 19., yet with practiſe of other duties ſtill required to preparation,
Q. What are the duties required of a weake Chriſtian after examination?
A. Hee is carefully with bitterneſſe of ſpirit to remember the manifold rebeilions of his unregene…ate eſtate aPſalme 25.7. 1 Timothy 1.13., the wants and weakeneſſes of his preſent eſtate bRomans 7. The whole Chapter., that ſo hee may ſtirre up earneſt deſires and thirſt after Chriſt in the Sacrament, and hee is to renew his faith in Chriſt cHebr. 11.28., and his repentance for all knowne ſinnes, eſpecially committed ſince his former receiving, and his love to God and man, and he is to renew his reſolutions and purpoſes of better obedience to God for the time to come dIſa. 1.16, 17, 18..
Q. How is a Chriſtian to renew his faith in Chriſt?
A. Hee muſt labour to ſue out a new pardon of his ſinnes a2 Chro. 30.6., eſpecially that moſt trouble the peace of his conſcience, and preſſe the promiſes that concerne the Sacrament b1 Cor. 11.24., and the death of Chriſt c1 Iohn 1.7., by Prayer and Meditation ſtrive againſt carnall reaſon dIohn 6.38., the grea…eſt enemy of Faith, bewayle his unbeleefe eMar. 9.24., ponder and weigh well the nature of the Sacrament, that it is Gods oath to ſecure his promiſes unto us fHeb. 6.16, 17., and a pledge and ſeal of the righteouſnes of faith gRom. 4.11., and conſider Gods Commandements to receive and injoy the merits of Chriſts death offered to us in this Sacrament h1 Cor. 11.24..
Q. How is a Chriſtian to renew his d…ſires after Christ in the Sacrament?
A. Hee that would renew his deſires, or hunger and thirſt after Chriſt muſt acquaint himſelfe thoroughly with his owne wants and emptineſſe aProv. 27.7., and take heed of a preſumptuous imagination of more grace then hee hath attained unto bRevel. 3.16, 17., he muſt have a thorow view of the wonderfull excellency and fullneſſe that is in Chriſt cIohn 4.10. Col. 1.19., and the promiſes, d2 Pet. 1.4., and the worth of Gods favour and loving kindneſſe that is better then life it ſelfe ePſal. 63.3., and his owne utter inſufficiency to bring his heart to any true hunger and thirſt after theſe things fPhil. 2.13..
Q. How is a true Chriſtian to renew his repentance?
A. He muſt examine himſelfe ſtrictly concerning particular ſins, eſpecially moſt lately committed a1 Cor. 11.31., & by the ſerious conſideration of them, & the circumſtances of them, to renew a more bitter ſorrow for them bLam. 3.40., he muſt renew his free particular and humble confeſſion of them c1 Sam. 7.6., with hearty prayer for the pardon of them dPſ. 51.1, 2., and ſtrength againſt them e2 Cor. 12.8., make reſtitution and ſatisfaction in caſe that hee hath wronged any one to the utmoſt of his power fLuke 19.8..
Q. How is a Chriſtian to renew his reſolution of better obedience?
A. He is with humble acknowledgement of his owne weakeneſſe aPſ. 119.106., to reſolve without further delay, bPſ. 119.60to walke in new obedience (God aſſiſting him with his grace) and to this end hee is earneſtly to crave ſtrength from God that hee would inable him therunto cPſ. 119.117..
Q. How is a Chriſtian to renew his charity before receiving?
A. He is out of due conſideration and ſence of Gods love to him in Chriſt, to get his heart inflamed with love to God a2 Cor. 5.14., and man b1 John 4.11., to forgive injuries freely, if any man hath wronged him cEpheſ. 4.23., and to ſeeke reconciliation with others, if he hath given them any occaſion of offence dMat. 5.24, 25. Rom. 12.8..
Thus farre of the duties before receiving.
Q What are the duties required of a Chriſtian in time of receiving?
A. Firſt, every one is to give diligent attention to that which is publikely done not onelyonly when he himſelfe is to receive, but during the whole action a1 Corin. 14.16., to behold and looke upon both the elements themſelves bExodus 24.8., and all the Sacramentall actions in the adminiſtration of this Sacrament d1 Corinth. 14.40., he muſt uſe ſuch reverent behaviour and geſtures as may be free from ſuperſtition, yet fit to ſtirre up and expreſſe inward faith and thankfulneſſe eHeb. 13.16., and as he hath received ſuch inward pledges from God of his love, ſo hee is, according to his power in teſtimony of his thankfulneſſe to offer the Sacrifice of almes cheerfully for the releefe of the poore members of Chriſt,
c1 Corinthians 11.10.Q. What ſhould be the meditation and diſpoſition of our hearts in the time of receiving?
A. When you ſee the bread and wine conſecrated and ſet apart for this holy uſe, then wee muſt call to minde and conſider the eternall love of God the Father in ſanctifying and ſetting apart his ſonne Jeſus Chriſt in his ſecret counſell, to bee the Redeemer and ſurety of his people aIohn 10.36., and the tender mercy of Chriſt in undertaking this hard ſervice for us bHebr. 7.26. Hebr. 10.9., when wee ſee the bread broken, and the wine powred out, wee are to mourne over him whom wee have pierced by our ſinnes cZach. 12.12., and remember the infinite juſtice and wrath of God againſt ſinne that could never be ſatisfied but by this meanes dRomans 3.25., when wee ſee the bread and wine delivered unto us by the Miniſter, wee are to meditate upon the gift and application of Chriſt crucified to our owne ſoules in particular, and to every beleeving receiver eGallat. 2.20., when wee take the bread and wine at the Miniſters hand, wee are to ſtirre up our ſoules by Faith to lay hold upon, and to apply to our ſelves all the merits of Chriſts death f1 Cor. 11.24., and ſo joyfully to feed thereupon, that wee may feele our ſoules ſatisfied thereby gMat. 11.26., and ſtrengthened againſt all temptations hIoh. 6.35. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17., when wee behold the reſt of the Congregation communicating with us, wee are to ſtirre up our hearts to loving and kinde affections towards them and all the people of God.
Q What is that holy carriage that is required after receiving the Sacrament?
A. After the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, a Chriſtian muſt try himſelfe whither …ee hath beene made to drinke into one ſpirit with Chriſt and his members or not a1 Corinth. 12.13., and what growth hee hath gotten by the Sacrament in aſſurance of Gods favour, in ſtrength againſt corruptions, in power to walke with God in, obedience unto him, and in all other graces of the Spirit, and fruits of Chriſts death, and if hee cannot finde theſe fruites in himſelfe, hee muſt humble himſelfe for his owne ſinnes and failings as the cauſe thereof b1 Corin. 11.31., and though hee findes not that comfort and benefit, yet if hee be truely humbled for the want of it, hee may be comforted in this as a fruit of a worthy receiving c2 Chron. 30.18, 19,; if hee ſhall finde upon examination the former benefits truely wrought in his heart, hee is to give God the glory, and to deſire the continuance and increaſe of the ſame grace with all holy indeavours to that end d1 Chron. 29.13, 14,—18., and as hee hath received Jeſus Chriſt, ſo hee is to walke in him eCol. 2.6, 7., and to keepe the covenant that hee hath made with the Lord at the Sacrament, and to increaſe in love and fellowſhip with Gods children f1 Cor. 10.16, 17., and out of the ſence of the comfort and benefit of this Sacrament to reſort the oftner, and with more earneſt deſire unto it g2 Chron. 30.21, 23..
Q What are the notes whereby we may diſcerne the Regenerate from the Reprobate?
A. There are theſe three notes: Firſt if the childe of God be inticed and drawne away from God, hee grieveth for it and giveth not ready conſent unto the temptation.
2. If through frailty hee be over-carried to give conſent, yet it is not full content, but doth it againſt his will and purpoſe, for his purpoſe is not to ſin.
3. If he put his luſts in execution, hee lyeth not in them, hee will not walke after them, but recovereth himſelfe, becauſe …ee is incorporated into Chriſt, hee hath the roote of grace which ſhall not utterly dye in him, the ſeede abideth in him which at laſt ſhall ſprout up to Repentance and amendment of life, Gallatians 3. v. 10. As many as are under the workes of the Law are under the curſe: Therfore we hence conclude contrary to the Doctrine of our Adverſaries, that if all men be condemned by the Law, then is no man able to keep and performe the duties of the Law which it requireth.