Meditations on the Lords Supper, 100-end

Meditations on the Lords Supper · 100-end

p. 10037. As for Petition and Reſolution that belongs to this purpoſe in hand.

Q. What Petitions are here to be preferred?

A …. For much of Chriſts gracious and powerful preſence, a clear day without clouds; that he would not hide himſelf at ſuch a time and diſappoint the Expectation of the needy, but ſo countenance his ow… work, as we may com…d… unto others 2. For a heart humbling look of your dear dying Lord O how ſhould it humble us to ſee how my ſins humbled the Lord of glory! 3. Put p. 101in againſt prevailing Iniquities, and predominant Corruptions, that your jea ous Lord and Husband may give Idols a deadly blow at ſuch a time. 4. For the … …pirit of Jeſus to make Graces lively that … …pikn…rd may ſend ſorth the ſmell thereof, and the Spices ſlow out. 5. For growing in all grace▪ that Gods own work in the heart may be ſ…t forward by our waiting on Chriſt in his ſo precious appointment. 6. That he would ſuſpend quarrels, yea, …move the ground of all, by forgiving grace, and ſend away poor penitents comforted with a ſealed ſen…e of it in their own boſomes. 7. For further manifeſtations of God's Love, and clearer F…dences of an heavenly Interest. 8. For a more fruitful Life of Godlineſs, to the praiſe of the g…ory of his grace. 9 For Families and Relations, that it might pleaſe the Lord to bring ours h…me to Chriſt, make them his by grace, and build them up to glory. 10. For poor Zion, that he would pity her deſolations, heal her breaches plead her cauſe, pardon her ſins, help her to improve her mercies, and prepare her y…t for greater deliverances from Evil, when …er gr…cious God ſhall ſee good to grant them 11. That God would pity the …rk corners of the Ear… and open the Eyes of bold and blind ſinners among us.

Q. What he the Reſolutions this ſolemn occaſion ſhould pu… pon…

1 To love Chriſt …re … …tly. 2. To remember him more frequently▪ … we … to remember him here, th… we may forget him when p. 102gone. 3 To perform all duties more ſpiritually. 4. To watch our hearts more narrowly. 5. To walk more tenderly. 6. To follow him more ſully. 7. To renounce and deny ſelf more freely. 8 To truſt in Chriſt more intirely. 9. To take his part more boldly. 10. And to keep Covenants more faithfully.

38. Here have we the moſt amazing Inſtance of love that ever was given in the world; and when you have travell'd the Ʋniverſe over, to ſeek for Love, here lies the richeſt and rareſt manifeſtations of Love, that God gave his Son, and Chriſt gave himſelf: This is the heighth, depth, length and breadth of the love of God, that paſſeth knowledge. So great a ranſom, ſo rich a purchaſe; ſo great a one become ſo low to ſet thee on high, make himſelf ſo poor to enrich thee, empty himſelf to fill thee, and to do all this, yea, God to lay out his All on ſuch unworthy and undeſerving ones! others love for ſome worth, or good quality but God loved us when lying in our blood. Now what …an we do leſs for all this but make heart▪ returns of love again, Love being the very heart of the new creature? and he that hath moſt love hath moſt grace, and … the beſt Chriſtian. And to provoke your love to this Beloved, you may aſſure your ſelves, … he would never have died for you if he had not loved the meaneſt of you better than the higheſt Angel in p. 103Heaven can love him. And beſides, if you can but love him, his love will breed you more delight and hear… raviſhing pleaſure than all the love of creatu…es can. Read but that Song of Love between Chriſt and his Spouſe and ſee the unparallell'd delights of divine love between Chriſt and his Church.

Well, if you love him, keep his Commandments, be careful to pleaſe him, be tender of his honour, deny your ſelves for his ſake, account all loſs to win Chriſt, thirſting after his communion, longing to be perfectly free from ſin, that grieves his good Spirit, and keeping your ſelves in the love of God, looking, or the mercy of our Lord Jeſus Christ, unto eternal life. No ſuch motive to love God as ſtudying his love to us; and ſurely he muſt love us that ſent his Son from his boſom to fetch us thither.

But why ſhould a little love of creatures affect us ſo much, and the great … God affect us ſo little? A…. Meerly b…uſ. …e are …ore …eſh than ſpirit, and have al… … ſ…nſ… then faith. Weak faith makes … impreſſions of all spiritual things; … faith, and better rooting, would make …ions …a… more …y, Pet. 1.8. Now if we love Chriſt, we will prize the …aſt token of his …ve before all … can give us, …nd will thi… … ſight of him.

39. Its recorded of the Qu… of …beba, p. 104that when ſhe had ſeen the ſitting of Solomon's Servants, there was no more spirit in her, 1 King. 10. How much more may this ſight of our ſitting confound and amaze us? That Chriſts ſinful ſervants ſhould be ſet with himſelf at his Table, conſidering. 1. That he hath not a higher board on Earth than we ſit at now and the Lord himſelf ſpeak, of ſtting with us, Soag 1 12 Rev. 3.20 2 That tho it becometh …s to stand when the King ſitteth, yet this glorious King came not to be miniſtred unto, but to minister to us, to gird himſelf as a Servant, and maſh the feet of his poor diſciples. 3. Wonder that we who deſerved to lye in Hell ſhould ſit ſo high here 4. And the greateſt wonder of all is, that we ſhould be fed at the King's Table with his own fleſh (allude to Job 31.31.) Job 6. Shepherds uſe to eat the fleſh of their flocks, but here the good Shepherd gave his life for his ſheep, and feeds them with his fleſh and blood. And wonder alſo that we ſit at peace a midſt ſo many enemies that envies our feeding? but it's of the Lords great power …nd bounty both that he prepares us a Table in this Waldern…ſs, and fills our cup in the preſence of our enemies.

Now at this ſacred ſo …emnity is repreſented unto us the weightieſt things of our. Soul-concerns, viz. Our ſins and Chriſts ſufferings, we offending and he puniſhed for our offences, ſomething in his Sufferings anſwering to p. 105our ſin, we a life of ſinning, and he a life of ſuffering, we a load o… ſin and he of ſuffering; as our ſin was God's provocation, ſo is his ſuffering Gods ſatisfaction He was taken and we ſe… …ree, his death was our releaſe, Joſh. 20.6. there was no releaſe nor returning in ſafety for the Man-ſlayer till the death of the High-Prieſt. We have been light-hearted in ſuning but our Surcty groaning and heavy, even unto death for our ſin. We contracted the debt and he taid the ſcore ſor us.

Now charge your Souls with Love, Repentance, Faith and Obedience; with love to ſo friendly an …nde…taker, who valued nothing, whatever it coſt him, if he might but ranſom thy ſoul and ſet thee …ee… … p…nt… ance for thoſe bloody …s that ma… him ſweat and weep. Faith in that blood that made ſo perfect ſatisfaction, and is ſo …ull of Vertue to purge thy pe…ſſured and guilty ſoul: And Obedien…e, even a w…le Life of graceful Obedience to him that hath redeemed thy ſoul from H….

40 The upper end of this Holy Table of the Lord, is to get heareſſ… Chriſh, at the K…s own Elbow when he … t… …t his Table.

Q What ſha… we do to get this app… end?

A. 1 Love … an in…ing …hing. He that Loves moſt, gets …ſt Chriſt, John 14.23. And if we Love, God d…e…eth in us. It was the be oved Diſcipie that leaned on p. 106Christ's Boſom. 2. The farther we keep from ſin, the nearer we get to Chriſt. 3. Faith and Hope in their lively actings bring us near to God. It's ſaid, That by the better hope the Goſpel brings in, we draw near to God, Heb. 7.19 It hinders …r approaches much to keep off from Chriſt by eſtranging unbelief, and keeping the Affairs of our own Soul unſetled. 4 To have Zion much on our Hearts, might bring us nearer ſometimes, than all our own affairs can; even when Abraham became an Interceſſor for Sodom, he drew near; much more we for Zion. If the things before us here rightly underſtood, work not upon us, we may conclude nothing will, or ever can, that comes from Heaven. If God's good word, and Chriſt's Seals of Love, left with us, make not Hearts ſtir towards him, there is no hopes of Life in our caſe, tho one ſhould be ſent from the Dead to Preach and Adminiſter among us. To get the Heart above to God, by his Ordinances bleſſed of God, is to have part in the firſt reſurrection, that the ſecond Death may have no power over us. Look to it, that ye be none of them to whom Chriſt will ſay I never knew you, even when you have pleaded by your eating and drinking in his preſence. For many may never come to taſt of th… Supper of the Great King at laſt, for all their …ting here. And that you may not p. 107miſs of the bleſſed Entertainment of that Supper take heed that in Sealing Covenants here with the Lord you be truly devoted unto Chriſt; and ſee the danger (by Ananias and Saphira) of keeping ba…k any thing from God, that is ſo ſolemnly once made his; let heart and life be his and for him, ſince the Lord Jehovah makes himſelf yours, and all he is, for you. And after you have Covenanted to be his, let your great care be, to be meet for his Communion, and fruitful for his Service, even to abound in the work of the Lord. And let never your Heart grudg any pains in preparing to meet your God, ſince one lock of God's reconciled Face by Ch iſt Sacrificed for …s, will abundantly compence all the pains of your Preparation, and charge of Service, Lev. 9.4. where God's gracious appearing to his people is made their encouragement of coſtly ſervice.

41. Luke 22.20. This is the New-Teſtament in my Blood. The Old was the Blood of Beaſts; the New is the Blood of God, Acts 20.28. The Church of God purchated with his own Blood. Nothing without Blood can profit us in the New Covenant No remiſſion nor purging and waſhing without Blood; no converſe with God, nor acceſs to Heaven without it, Heb. 9.12.10.19. For Chriſt enters in by his own Blood, or he could make no entry for us. All p. 108is done by Blood, but no worſe Blood could ſerve than God's; which ſhews our loftneſs and his Love: We lay in our Blood and Filthineſs; Chriſt brings his t… waſh us (other Blood defiles, this makes white, Rev. 7.14.) O! Precious Blood, and rich love! it's ſtrange that this …eaſt of Fat things ſhould in ſome reſpect be a Banquet of Blood. We know that in the Treacherous and cruel Worlds Banquets and Feaſts of pretended Kindneſs have been finiſned with the Blood of the Gueſts themſelves: but no ſuch thing here; it's the Maſter of the Feaſt entertains the Gueſts with the purchaſe of his own Blood. Moſes's Wife ſaid to him in a pet, A Bloody Husband haſt thou been to me, becauſe of the Circumciſion; but a Bloody Wife hath the Church been to Chriſt, by …eaſon of ſin Redeeming us from it with his own Blood. Now that Advice, Acts 20.28. belongs to us, Take heed to the Church of God, purchaſed with his own Blood Now if the Miniſters, the Shepherds, a…e to take heed to the Flock, becauſe purchaſed with …hriſts Blood, then, 1. Let us take heed to our own Souls, for the ſame reaſon, becauſe they we…e ſo dear bought. I ne…lect them not, let them not live to ſin, be eſtranged from God, nor guilt lye upon them and drop into Hell at laſt. 2 Take heed unto the Souls of one another that were purchaſed p. 109with this precious Blood: Do nothing that may tempt them to ſin, and think light of Chriſt. 3. Take heed to this Ordinance, for the Blood of Chriſt is in it. 4. Take heed to Chriſt himſelf for the ſake of this Blood ſhed for your Sins, to purchaſe your Souls. Hear ye him that hath redeemed you, turn not away from following and hearing him, who, juſtly might have turned you into H…ll for your ſins, but hath bleſſed every one of you in turning you away from your Iniquities, and to take you away into Heaven. Now this great ſight of this precious Blood are we come hither to behold in the Glaſs of this ſolemn ordinance. Great Solemnities call for great Preparation and Obſervation, eſpecially what is repreſented, and for what end; come and behold the Works of the Lord, Pſal. 46.8. even the glorious work of your Redemption by the Death of Chriſt: A work greater than that of making the world, yea, the greateſt work that ever was done in the World; nay more, one great end of making this goodly Fabrick of Heaven and Earth, was that it might be a ſtage upon which that glorious work of our Redemption ſhould be Acted; a work wherein Mans happineſs lies, wherein Gods attributes are Glorified to the height; and for which, the Church Triumphant ſhall think Eternities leaſure p. 110little enough to ſing forth their Heavenly Hall …llujah's.

42. Many things commend this Ordinance of the Supper above all others.

1. It's ſetled in the Church for all Chriſtians to remember Chriſt unto the world's end, even till he come again while the Sun and Moon endure, will Chriſt have the kindeſt commemoration in this Ordinance. 2. It was that wherein Chriſt had his laſt Fellowſhip with his Church on Earth. Now we pleaſe our ſelves by calling to mind our laſt meetings with our dear deceaſed friends; their laſt words and actions have their ſpecial remarks moſt commonly. …et Chriſt's laſt entertainment have the beſt impreſſion. It was this ſhut up all his ſweet converſe with his own before his death. 3. Divine Wiſdom hach ſuited this Ordinance to our weakneſs and capacities, accommodating heavenly things to our outward and natural ſenſes; for as we hear of a Saviour in the Word, ſo here we ſee, taſte and handle him in the ſame meat. Mary was forbid to touch our Lord as not aſcended, but now this aſcended Lord allows us to touch, taſte and handle him in thoſe appointed figures of him. 4. It hath the greateſt fitneſs and advantage of awaking our affections, repreſenting his deareſt love in dying and redeeming us, in ſuffering and ſatisfying for us. There is nothing p. 111to be converſed with in the lower world that may compare with this, to ſtir up dead hearts to ſerve a living God. It's by beholding a bleeding dying Chriſt for us, that we become a ready, obedient and zealous people for him, Tit. 2.14. 5. Here have we the beſt occaſion for exerciſing every Grace, Love, Faith, Hope, Patience, Prayer, Praiſe, forgiving injuries and beſtowing kindneſſes. 6. Herein get we the beſt advantages againſt ſin, by ſeeing what ſin coſt Chriſt, and by ſealing moſt ſolemn Covenants against it. 7. This is all the Picture Chriſt hath left of himſelf; no Image or Crucifixes. 8. It offers Chriſt and conveys him with all his Treaſures moſt expreſly, Take eat, take drink. 9. There being ſo much of Chriſt in it, and nothing but Chriſt, ſhewing forth nothing but his Mercy and Grace, his Merit and Fulneſs, his Love and Pity, his Grace and Righteouſneſs. 10 It's a feaſting it with God at a heavenly Table on Earth, where he bids all his children welcome, and gives the beſt entertainment in the whole world, Rev. 3.20. Song 5.1.

43. Our great buſineſs here being to remember Chriſt, our ſuffering Saviour and Redeemer, Qu. What in particular are we called to remember at this Table of the Lord?

A. 1. That love that laid the firſt Foundation-ſtone of our Redemption by a dying Chriſt; p. 112and let us here praiſe the Lord from the Fountain of Iſrael, even for electing Love, chuſing us in Chriſt.

2. Let us remember how the heart of God was ſet on man's Redemption, who, like one that dearly loves the purchaſe, ſays, I'll rather give more than it's worth than go without it. God ſays, I'll give my All for the redemption of my Elect. Chriſt ſays, I'll give my beſt blood. Shall the Father and the Son be ſo zealous for my Redemption, and my Soul be ſo little affected with my own Salvation, and my Redeemer's Service?

3. Remember here the difficulty of man's Salvation, none but God could do it, Iſa 45.21. It's no eaſy matter to ſave a ſoul: If any other in Heaven or Earth could have done it as well as Chriſt, it's reaſonable to think that God would have ſpared his dear Son, but ſuch a High Prieſt became us, and beſt ſuited our circumſtances, as was ſeparated from the whole creation for divine qualities and perfections. I have found a ranſom, ſaid God. There was nothing could be thought on to any purpoſe, by Angels and Men for our relief: Only Divine Wiſdom contrived, Divine Love beſtowed, and Divine Power did effect and execute this whole work, and of all the People there was none with him.

4. Bear in mind how gloriouſly God's p. 113Grace is advanced by our Redemption, and what Honour and Glory redounds to the wiſe and gracious contriver of it; never ſuch a rent of praiſe was raiſed as this brings him in. This is that Glory of praiſe that is ſaid to be above the Heavens. The Glory of making and beautifying and enriching of Heaven and Earth, is nothing to this Glory that excelleth, of Saving Sinners by ſuch a Saviour.

5. Nor is there any thing more pleaſing to god in all the World, than a due Remembrance of the Death of Christ in this Ordinance; which may be gathered from his Diſpleaſure againſt a Church that did it, but unduly, 1 Cor. 11.

Now all Duty muſt take its riſe from this Principle and Motive of loving God for Chriſt, and acknowledgments of Divine Goodneſs in giving his Son O!, never think he hath dealth hardly with you in keeping or taking any thing from you, if he hath given you a part in Chriſt. And this is a point of ſuch Affinity with the Vitals of Chriſtianity, and of Graces thriving in the Church of God, that even here ſhould we deſire to dwell, viz. To learn and look on all things in Chriſt, Eph. 4.21. To be taught the truth as it is in Jeſus. There is nothing rightly taught or known, but as it is in Jeſus. 1. The Types and ſhadows p. 114of things to come, are all opened in Jeſus. 2. The Propheſies and Predictions are all accompliſhed in him How dark are many Prophetical paſſages of the Old Teſtament, till they face Chriſt? and then the Vail is taken away, as Calvin Expounds that of 2 Cor. 3.16. 3. We muſt ſee our ſin as he did bear it on the Croſs, as a moſt accurſed thing, that laid ſuch load on his bleſſed back. 4. And you muſt ſee your Soul in Jeſus, as he hath purchaſed it from Hell with his own Blood. O! then how precious is my Soul, that was ſo dearly ranſomed? 5. See your Selves in Jeſus, your new Covenant-ſtate in Chriſt. You never ſee your ſafety nor dignity till in him. 6. And all the great and precious promiſes of God to you muſt you ſee, yea and Amen in Chriſt, all made to Chriſt our Head firſt, and in Jeſus unto us. 7. And laſtly, You muſt ſee your good converſation in Chriſt, Pet. 3.1. A…l your perform…nces in the re…ce to him, and for him and by him, … to the Lord Chriſt, as grateful recor… to your Redeemer.

And Chriſtians ought to labour after this feeing all things in Jeſus Chriſt. For, 1. This is to ſee all thin…s in the tr…e light, whereb… much contu…on is cleared, and many ſhadows fly away. We are bid come to Christ, and he will …ive us light, Eph. 5.14. And in his Light, we ſhall ſee light. 2. The p. 115great Goſpel-Command and Invitation is, Behold me, behold me, Iſa. 65.1. 3. The Father is no further pleaſed than all i… ſeen and done in him. 4. This makes all ſweet and eaſy, when we ſee all his yoke we bear, and his work we do, and his purchaſe we ſhall poſſeſs, that is, one ſo tender of our concerns, as to pay our Debts, and undergo our Curſe.

And now ſhew your ſelves worthy partakers by reſolving on this, That you'll meddle with nothing in Religion, but in Chriſt, you'll walk in his Steps, you'll pray in his Name, you'll Suffer for his ſake. In a word, you'll to Chriſt's Croſs for all you want; you'll take Life from his Death; Hope from his Reſurrection; Pardon from his Merit, and expectation of all good from that Love that parted with Chriſt: And on theſe Terms, I am ſure Chriſt is well contented to give you a kind meeting at his Table, and to Seal his everlaſting Covenant with your immortal Souls.

44. Q Why are we generally ſo little affected with …e great concerns of God and our Souls, here repreſented?

A. I becauſe of Unbelief, which turneth all the precious concerns of Salvation to a romanti…k Story. The greateſt matters you can ſpeak of do no more affect than they are believed, Iſa. 53.1. 1 Pet. 2.7.

p. 1162. We want a lively ſenſe of our Natural Bondage. Sin and Miſery are not laid to Heart, and therefore what ſignifies Chriſt and his Sacrifice?

3. God Mammon blinds our Eyes and corrupts our Hearts. The cares, pleaſures and profits of this preſent world ſeduce many Souls from their Allegiance to Chriſt, and the care that is due to their Salvation. How are moſt deceived with the ſpecious appearances and painted Slavery of the world to make us happy enough without Chriſt? The covetous Phariſees mocked at Chriſt; and Farms and Buſineſs do ſtill excuſe worldings from a ſerious and hearty imbracing of Chriſt's glorious Offers.

Q. What ſhall we do that we may not betray Christ, and prove falſe to our Covenant and Profeſſion in times of Tryal?

A. 1. Leave not a root of bitterneſs behind, no beloved Luſt unmort fied: this was Judas his bane, the love of the world he kept up under a profeſſion; and this betrayed him into Satan's hand, and he ſtuck not to betray his bleſſed Maſter into his Enemies Hands. 2. Reſt not on doubtful Evidences of your Heavenly Intereſt, but get things better cleared between God and your Conſciences. It will be a dreadful ſnare to you, when ſufferings come to the loſs of Life and Eſtate, and not be ſure of p. 117Chriſt and Heaven. 3. Keep your ſelves in the Love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt unto eternal Life. Love, if alive, will be ſtrong at Death, all the floods of Affliction cannot drown it. 4. Keep up a cloſe Communion with God conſtantly in ſecret. If you ſlack in ſecret Prayer, and wear out of perſonal acquaintance with the Fountain, you will wither, and your ſtrength dry up like a Pot-ſheard, and your foot ſoon ſlide. 5. Let never a day go over your head without actual Faith on ſome promiſe, that this may keep you from fainting under diſcouragements, Pſ. 27.13. 6. The moſt refined formal lifeleſs Religion will not always ſecure you from being ſcandals on Earth, and being curſed wretches in Hell eternally.

45. That your minds may not be empty and wandring, doubtful what to fix upon, enquire,

Q. What doth this Ordinance call for.

A. 1. A Crucified Chriſt calls for Crucified ſins. 2. Be ſaying to thy ſelf, did this Blood ſatisfy God, and ſhall it not ſatisfy me? Why then, O my Soul! do'ſt not thou reſt more intirely in this ranſome, and poſſeſs more of that rich Legacy his word hath left us, and his Death hath purchaſed? My peace I leave you, my peace I give p. 118you, and in me ye ſhall have peace, and this man ſhall be the peace. 3. Think whoſe Body, and what a Body is here repreſented. The bleſſed Body of the Son of God that was our Sacrifice broken, bruiſed, and bleeding on the Croſs for us. That ſame body that his Father gave him who needed it not, but for us to receive our buffering in that Body that Devils envy to this day, even that the Human Nature ſhould be aſſumed into a perſonal Union with the Divine. An honour denied the Angels. That Body that hung on the Croſs, a ſpectacle to men and Angels for ſhame, pain and a curſe due to us. That ſame Body that was laid in the Grave, and raiſed up unto Glory God in our Nature, appearing in Heaven for us preparing a place for us, perfuming it with his Glorious Poſſeſſions and Preſence. 4. Think how due it is I ſhould remember him in my Life, who remembred me ſo kindly at his Death, eſpecially having made a Law for it in this Ordinance, and making the remembrance no more coſtly nor painful than you ſee it this day. He might have ſent us a Jeruſalem Jou…y to the holy Grave, and appointed ſome coſtly Offerings there▪ But let us bleſs our Merciful Lord and Law giver that hath ſpared us theſe expences and is content we ſhould remember him in this plain Goſpel Simplicity. p. 1195. Think you are now remembring your beſt and deareſt Friend in Heaven or Earth, who loves you be…, and hath done moſt for you. Wherefore with what affections ſhould he be remembred, and how precious ſhould every thou…h… of him be to your Souls? Song 1. 4 Pſal. 139.17. 6. Think how miſerable you had been to eternity if he had not remembred us in our low eſtate. And what you have deſerved that needed ſuch a ſurety and Sacrifice.

Q. How may we know, if our remembring of Christ in this Ordinance hath been good and right.

A. 1. If we have here a remembrance of the right ſtamp, we leave not off remembring of Chriſt when we are gone; but the life of a Chriſtian in hearing, reading, meditating and praying will be much more a remembring him in his ways than others attain to. 2. We will cauſe others remember Chriſt with us as we can Pſal. 45. ult. 3. It will leave a laſ…ing deſire of remembring him here again, Pſal. 42.2. 4. … right, its Virtue will run thro g…all our Di…ies and Actions till we come again; … th…ll find is more eaſy to perform every duty, and …bey every precept. As we ſind ſin that Dago… fall before this Ark of the Lord temptations reſiſted, and ſervices Spiritualized, we may j…g of this caſe. 5. A right remembrance of Chriſt will make a Sanctified p. 120Soul even forget the beſt and moſt needful things on Earth, to remember him now in Heaven. 6. It will humble thee for former forgetting of him, and ſtir up a holy hatred againſt vain thoughts that kept Chriſt out; a few moments of a Sanctified remembring thy ſweet Saviour here, will ſend thee away with a ſad Heart for thy forgeting of him days without number.

46. Q. What came we hither to learn at the Table of the Lord?

A. 1. Humility from a meek and lowly, humbled ſuffering Saviour, Phil. 2.57.2. Patience from this Lamb of God that opened not his Mouth. Learn here to poſſeſs your Souls in Patience, and ſuffer not every trifle to provoke you. 3. And here may we learn to Love where it ſhines out ſo gloriouſly. 4. Self-denial, and a publick Spirit, who not regarding his own eaſe and pleaſure, glorified his Father in Redeeming us. 5. See here your ſtrong rock, and learn to live by Faith. A ſight of a Crucified, Sanctified Saviour ſhould give us confidence, both in Duties and Dangers. In Duties this ſight ſhould lift you up above all your doings, when you ſee what your ſurety hath done and ſuffered for you. And in Dangers, your great help to believe he will not let your temporal evil ſink you, is his delivering your Souls from eternal Miſeries p. 121and Hell and the ſecond Death. 6. We can no where at a better advantage learn with them that are Redeemed from the Earth, the new Song of Promiſe, than here at ſuch a ſolemn ſight of our Suffering Redeemer.

But that we may learn our Leſſons the better, let us be conſidering where and with whom we are ſate. Solomon ſays, Prov. 23.1. When thou ſittest with a Ruler conſider what is before thee. It's a great Ruler we ſit with, and a great Feaſt ſer before us. Now let us conſider we ſit at the Table of the Lord and we eat the Supper of the Lord. If this be the Table of the Lord what wonderful condeſcention is this, that I who have ſate ſo long at the Table of Devils, by feeding my Luſts, and ſerving Satan, ſhould be advanced to feaſt it with the Lord of Glory. Even I who deſerved the loweſt place in Hell, ſhould here be ſate in the higheſt place on Earth. Let the thoughts of ſuch wonderful love lead you into his Banqueting-houſe, and ſuffer your Souls to be overcome with this Banner of his love, that unparallell'd love that loved you, and waſhed you in his own blood.

Again, conſider it is the Supper of the Lord he ſetteth us down unto. This is that we eat and drink, even our Lord's Laſt Supper on Earth. This was the parting-Cup, after which he was not to drink till he drunk it new in the Kingdom of God. For preciouſneſs; Cleopatra's p. 122Cup was nothing to this, tho filled with diſſolved Pearls. O the love that lay at the bottom to ſweeten this Cup to us, tho the bittereſt to him that ever was put to the head of any Mortal; and the more Gall and Wormwood to him, the more Love and Good Will to us for whom he drank it.

This Laſt Supper on Earth is a Emblem of an after-Supper in Heaven And truly, that large and long ſumptuous Supper of the Lamb's preparing above, may make a Saint ſit down ſatisfied with a ſhort Dinner on Earth. Let the Heirs of Glory never grumble at a diſh of green herbs, the pooreſt and meaneſt Morſel, wi…h a Cup of cold water, ſince the fineſt of the Wheat and Honey out of the Rock, are too low expreſſions of thy Heavenly Commons a coming.

And for what our bleſſed Lord allows you here, you have it with the heartieſt welcome. Chriſt ſayeth to none of you, Eat and drink, and his heart is not with you. That you are forbid to eat of, for it's the …e…d of him that hath an evil eye, Prov. 23.6, 7. But this you are commanded to eat; we offer it in his Name; take it in obedience and believe a bleſſing.

47. My ſighing come before my eating, ſays Job. So muſt ours do…w before we can comfortably eat and drink here; many a ſigh and groan the body of death will coſt p. 123us, many a ſad heart for ſin. Sigh, ſaith the Lord to the Prophet, to the breaking of thy Loins, 1. That thou ſhouldſt have been ſo unhappy as to have hand in cutting off the Meſſiah, and ſlaying this Lamb of God; that thy ſins nailed him to the Croſs and pierced his ſi…e, yea, his hands and his feet, wounding the Son of God even to death with thy ſins. 2. That his Love hath been neglected ſo long and ſo much, that the offers of his redeeming Grace hath met with ſo little hearty entertainment, that his ſufferings for our ſins have been ſo faintly reſented, that we have carried ſo ſtrangely to him that was ſo deeply concerned for us. 3. That he hath had ſo little honour by us for whom he hath made ſo rich a purchaſe; that we have laid out our ſelves ſo ſparingly for him that ſpared not to pour out his blood for us; yea, that we ſhould ever prove treacherous to him that was ſo true to our Intereſt. 4. That now we can love him no more when his Banner of Love is ſo fairly diſplaved over us in this Ordinance of his own Sup…er, this Feaſt of fat things. Oh that ſuch choice entertainment ſhould meet with ſo ſorry welcome, and ſuch dull affections. That our ordinary food ſhould more refreſh us than this heavenly Manna; That we can meet our ſuffering Lord with ſo little remorſe for ſin, and ſo little delight in his Love. But tho grief preceed, and go before, p. 124yet let Joy take its own place, and enter his Courts with praiſe. Let tranſports of heavenly joy fill our redeemed ſouls, that ever the glad tidings of the great ſalvation ſounded in our ears, that ever we heard of that great gift of God, Jeſus Chriſt, and that he hath been at any time recommended to our heart with power; that the holy Trinity hath ſo well contrived our Redemption, in that ancient Covenant wherein the Father gave his Elect to Chriſt to be redeemed, and the Son moſt readily undertook the Work, and went through all its ſteps with ſuch heroick and hearty reſolution and good acceptation. Rejoice, O righteous ones, that the Father laid help upon one ſo mighty, able to anſwer all his demands, and to pay our debts. Rejoice that Heaven ſent to the Earth by ſo ſure a hand, and hath made with us ſo ſure and well-ordered a Covenant in all things we can be concerned in for life and Godlineſs; that the Gates of Paradiſe (which our ſins ſhut are now ſo open unto us, that ſinners through their High Prieſt in Heaven have ſo free and bold acceſs to this exalted Throne of grace. but alas for our bruitiſh ſtupidity and unbelief! that have carnal minds much more taken with a vain World, and empty dying comforts, than with all the Treaſures of Grace, and Manſions of Glory.

p. 12548. This Feaſt of fat things here preſented, who can feed upon it? Do we know the entertainment of this Table? Here is repreſented the ſingular and wonderful love of a dying Saviour: The great Myſtery that Angels deſire to look into: The Lamb of God Sacrificed for ſinners. Can we behold it with dry eyes and dead hearts.

Qu. What impreſſions ſhould it make upon us and leaves us under

Anſ. 1. I'll never give ſin a good look again (thro the grace of God) that coſt my loving Lord Jeſus ſo dear. 2. I'll deſpiſe the love of creatures, never lay it in the ballance with Chriſts: Whether they ſmile or frown I'll be little affected. For her's a love puts all love down A love who can comprehend, in It's matchleſs adventures and tranſcendent exceedings? 3. My love ſhould be a conſtant, careful study of ſome anſwerable returns of love again. 4. I'll never like my ſelf again Farther than I may be ſerviceable and ſuitable to this loving Lord that bled for me.

My members ſhall all be ſervants of righteouſneſs unto Holineſs: my ſoul ſhall ever magnify the Lord my thoughts ſhall be captivated unto him. I ſhall know no Friends, nor Enemies but his. My prayers ſhall be to him. My Joy and my delight ſhall be in him. My faith ſhall firmly reſt in his righteouſneſs and ſatsfaction my patience ſhall be imployed p. 126to bear his Croſs; my heart ſhall ſtand ever open to his Calls. The zeal of his houſe ſhall eat me up. My life ſhall be a tranſcript of his Laws, and my death a deſired diſſolution to be with him. In a word the Covenant I now renew with him, at his own holy table, I am willing ſhould be laid againſt me for Conviction, Accuſation and humiliation in all my departings from him.

But knowing that without him I am nothing and can do nothing all my expectation is from him: and amidst my beſt purpoſes, ſenſible of my ſin and weakneſs, I do with holy David ſay, O Lord when wilt thou come unto me, that is, for my aſſiſtance and help to make good my promiſes to God? Pſa. 101.2. Let my ſongs of praiſe be all of him here until I come where I ſhall be able to tune them higher, than my ſinful imperfections will now permit.

49. Qu. Have I heavens permiſſion? Yea have I the Maſters Invitation to be here?

Anſ. Any that are weary of the worlds Vanity and laden with the ſenſe of ſin, looking out for Health and cure, and come for a Phyſitian ſenſible of ſoul diſeaſes and heart diſtempers, have Chriſts own Call to come. Mat. 11.28. 2. If thou durst not come for a World without his Invitation, and that the beſt encouragement of thy approach is his Calls of Grace, ſuch a ſinner may draw near. Mar. p. 12710.49. 3. Reconciled Friends are invited to come and eat. Song. 5.1. And we are Gods Friends no further than we keep his commandments. Job. 15.14. 4. What warm Invitation have you given Chriſt for coming and blowing on your garden to prepare all for himſelf, to make way for his inviting you? Compare Song. 4 Ult. with ch. 5.1. 5. Solemn humiliation and ſecret perſonal examination muſt go before our Lords allowance to eat and drink here 1. Cor. 11.

Do we come to imploy Chriſt in the exerciſe of his offices upon your ſouls, for grace and mercy to purge and pardon? come ye for favour and forgivneſs? Do you come for power and virtue to kill your luſts, and coole your affections to a vain world? to draw you that you may run after him? come you for the things of the Kingdom of God, for Righteouſneſs, peace and Joy, the choice entertainments of wiſdom's houſe? Do you com… with your Bills in your hand? Black Bills of your own indictment for the red lines of his Croſs to blot out? Bills of Grievances to be Redreſſed? Bills of Wants to be ſupplied, eſpecially Church-grievances and Soul Grievances; Satan making havock of the one without, and daily inroads upon the other by prevailing Temptations, that makes you groan for Heavens Care, and better keeping of you than your own.

p. 128Q. Faith being ſo neceſſary to right receiving, may they adventure to come, who doubt whether they have true Faith or no?

A. 1. Tho we have not ſuch a full perſwaſion as exempts us from all doub…g, yet if on a due examination …our See … our Hearts accuſe us not of …cri… … double dealing with God, … may … ture to come, yea, wh…n … found much droſ…, and can j…dg and …hor our ſelves for it in duſ… and aſ…es, and betake our ſelves humbly and ſincerely to the blood of Chriſt for Peace and Pardon, w… are allowed to com…. But if any come, … …hers may not take them for unbe…evers, and yet are unwi…i…; to believe indeed (and wholly give up themſelves to be ruled by Gods Laws, and ſaved by Chriſts righteouſneſs) had better forbear than mock God and drink Damnation to themſelves. Happy Soul, that can keep a …ingle eye on Chriſt in coming hither, to partake of his Gracious Spirit and Merit, himſelf, and all his bleſſed benefits; to get Grace and Strength to oppoſe ſin, and ſerve God better, and to walk more worthy of the Chriſtian Vocation; ſuch comers may come and have Chriſt's Welcome.

50. In Prov. 31.27. we read of eating the bread of Idleneſs. And as our painful Redeemer eat no ſuch bread when he was here travelling in the greatneſs of his ſtrength for us, ſo muſt we beware of turning this to eating of the Bread of Idleneſs, i. e. to be guilty of the want of a diligent and ſerious examination of heart and way, ere we come hither, and not walking worthy of the p. 129profeſſion and priviledg of our appearing here.

Q. What walk will beſt bec…me our being here.

A. 1. A walk of tenderneſs towards him, who was ſo tender of us as to ſay down his Life to ſave ours. It ill becomes us to yield to any thing diſhonourable to him, that hath eſpouſed our beſt int…reſts at ſo dear a rate.

2. A w…lk of Holy Communion and Heavenly Fellowſhip with him, that ſ…rs you down here with himſelf. That the reſult of Feaſting with Chriſt here may be a Life of Following hard af… …im; and going away and remembring hi… … Wi…

3. A Life and … of F…lneſs, …ounding in all the fruits of the Spirit, wh…re think we to be filled with the S…iri…, if not her…? It's … pity when we are gone that it ſhoul I not be ſeen …re we have been. It's ſaid of the lean King, that when they had …en up the ſ…t Kine, it could not be known that they had …at…n them, they …re ſtill …ill favoured, Gen. 41.21. I wiſh there were no ſuch eaters found among us … day. … we be Marri…d to Chriſt… It's meet we bring f…r…h Fruit unto God.

4. A Life of Faithfulneſ… in re…ing ſin. …o we ſit where we have ſeen our Lord …eding a freſh for our Sins, and ſhall we ever plead for ſin, or liſten to Satan any more? Have I ſeen the Lord w ſhing me in his own blood, and will I ever wallow again i… the mire? O! his never to be forgotten Agony; and his diſmal groans in the Garden! The V ne…ar and Gall my ſin put to! is Head on the Cro…! The B…ft…tings and Spittings my ſin laid on his ſ…r Face! The cruel Piercings of his bleſſed Sides, hi… Hands and his Feet for my ſins! Shall I …v…r refuſe reſ…ſting unto Blood ſtriving againſt Sin. Jerome tells of a Woman that re…ll…d all temptations with this, I am a Chriſtian, …, B…ptiſed, and ſhall … ſit at his Table, and lift up the heel againſt him. And now go away reſolving to …on… y…urſelves no more in the duſt of this dirty World, being …nce rolled in the precious Garments of yo…r …lder Brother.

51. Q. If thou wouldſt m…t with Chriſt, what is thy buſineſs with him?

A. I. I come to pay the …ebt of Thankfulneſs, and to Celebrate his praiſe in this way of his appointment for Chriſt's Unſpeakable love to my l…ſt Soul, the Ordinance p. 130being Euchariſtical. 2. As Joſeph's Brethren came to Egypt, ſo for Food am I come to eat and drink abundantly, Song. 3.1. 3. I am counſelled of Chriſt to come for all his rich Supplies, Rev. 2.18. And for theſe very ends an… come, for his tried Gold, his whire raiment, and his eye S…lve, that I may be rich with his Gr… ces, cloathed wi h his …igh…en…ſneſs, and enlightned by his Spirit to know the …hing… … given …e of God. 4. For what end com…s the C…ld to the Fathers Houſe, the …ngry to the Full, the …, the Bride to the Bridegroom, but to Marr… a… ma…e Merry? Why comes the Prodigal home, but to R…pent of his Folly, and to live with his Father in better Faſhion? And that thou mayſt leave th… …ling, and like better of thy Fathers Houſe take a promiſe for it, Jer. 3.19. Thou ſhalt call me my Father, and ſhall not turn away from m…, 5. Wherefore comes the Diſeaſ…d to the Phyſiti…n, but for health and …aſe? 6 And wherefore comes the oppreſſed Subject to the King, but for Relief againſt his Enemies? I come for help againſt a hard heart, I come for Power againſt a ſtrong Luſt, a mighty Goliah, that threatens the Life of my Soul. 7. I am weary and heavy laden with ſin, and therefore I come for reſt and Peace. My ſins are my greateſt Burden, my ignorance, ſloath …nd ſlowneſs, earthlyneſs and lukewarmneſs; the indwelling body of Death pains my Heart, and the guilt of Sin ſtings my Conſcience, and I come for purging and pacifying by Chriſt. 8. I come for mutual Communication of Love-tokens to give and take. I would have my Faith Confirmed, my Love more Fervent, my Heart more Enlarged, more weaned from Earth, and more ſet upon Heavenly Glory. I come to condole with Zion, and put in for Songs of Deliverance, and for reſtoring of a decayed work of God among us, that the right Arm of the Lord may put on ſtrength, and encounter his Enemies on their high places, that Chriſt may be great in theſe Nations, and the reproach of his People he may take away, and proſper his Goſpel in Conquering ſinners, and converting the Elect.

Q. In what Poſture or Condition muſt we come to Chriſt.

A. 1. In a praiſeful poſture muſt we come to meet our Redeemer. We begin the new Song here that will p. 131never be ended in Heaven. 2. As Subjects to pay our homage to our Prince, Pſal. 45.11. He is the Lord and Worſhip him. 3. As Servants to receive their Maſters Orders and Commands, Pſal. 123.2. Lord what wilt thou have me to do? 4. As Schollars to their Maſters to be taught. 5. As Children to their Father for a bleſſing. 6. As Beggars for an Alms, poor and needy, but think upon me 7. As Pa…ien…s to a Phyſitian for Health and Cure. Like a Mal… … …ath pleagu…y ſores needs a Phyſi…, a … as …ll as a Pardon.

52. If the queſt… … asked▪ what doeſt thou here? or how cameſt … hith…r? A. The Maſter calleth come. Q. But h…r kno… … …lleth thee? A. 1. I. have exa…ed … my ſelf, and … …re allowed to co… ▪ 2…ly … …eth his Call, ſaying, behold I come a…to thee. … in my Heart th…t I am the …erſon called … from the call, Whoſoever will, let him c…me and drink of the Water of Life freely. Firſt, A great latitude in … [ …ſoever] and why may not I be one among ſo ma…y … But 2ly, [whoſoever will] I find he hath made me one of his Willing ones; my Heart is here, and I never went to eat and drink for my outward man more willingly. 3dly. I am called to drink, and truly I find my Soul a thirſt, and wants its refreſhing …ere. 4thly. It's …ater of Life that is offered; and it's the ſame my Soul c…mes for, that I may have life, and have it more abundantly. And 5thly, I am called to take it freely, and ſo do I take it as the ſweeteſt gift of m… dear Redeemer, witho…t any plea of my own righteouſneſs. But yet, tho call'd, let thy ſoul ſay, He that calls, muſt carry me too, for no man can come, except the Father draw. O! be looking up for Divine drawing; for heart… will faint and draw back, if Christ draw not …ear. Our S…v…ur ſaid to Peter, come; but if he that called him had not bore him up, he had ſunk for all his call. Learn to look to Christ for all, without him we can do nothing. Law not the great ſtreſs on thy coming hither, but on Chriſt's coming to thee in the Ordinance; for it's our Lords own preſence, which is the maſter-wheel of all ſpiritual M…tions. I will come in, that made the Feaſt. Rev. 3.20. …eme…ber (John 11.28.) when Martha told her Siſter Mary f…retly (the Master is come) ſhe aroſe quickly p. 132and came unto him. All our inward motions to him, depend upon his coming firſt unto us; and therefore le… your heart be ſaying Come Lord Jeſus, come quickly, until the day break and the ſhadows flee away.

We read of a deferred Chriſtian after much ſad So…l exerciſe, crying out, he is come, he is come. Q. How may we know he is come? A. 1. How did Elizabeth know that Mary brought Chriſt in her Womb when ſhe came to ſee her? but by ſome inward unuſual em…ions; thy heart will not be without its own tranſporting extaſies of love and wonder, ſaving (with Eliz…th) Whence is it that the Lord of Glory ſhould come and … k on me; and will not fail to …ave i…ſuperable ties upon thy …art to entertain his fell …ſhip, and attend his ſervice.

53. Concerning the Jews hearing of John, our Saviour asked, What went you out for to ſee? and elſe where to enquiring Diſciples, come and ſee. You have been hearing, but now come and ſee. That will be the ſenſe in Heaven that will be moſt ſa…fied, when we ſhall ſee him as he is: There a Glorified Chriſt, and here a Cru…d one. Here you ma… ſ…e the true Iſ… laid on the bl…k, and the bloody knife at his throat. H…re is the Sca… over whoſe Hea… Iſ…ael confeſſed thei… …, …nt into th… Wil…neſs, carring our ſin in…o a l…n… of forgerfuln…ſs, …e you ſ…e the Church of God purchaſed which … own …. Here your ſacrifi…d … ſurety payi… your de…t … …ou muſt have been paying to all …nity, and … d…ne paying. Here is the moſt high Go… … to …ke our blows, our Heave… … of his H…our Healing by his Wounding. … the …nowle…g of ſin ſhining forth in God's Holineſs and h…r…d of …. For all the threatnings of the Law and … of th…m on others could never preach it fo…th …s exce…ing of them on Chriſt hath done. And here new you ſee the treaſure hid in the field. Let none … this … becauſe brought in earthen Veſſels. This offers injury to Divine Wiſdom and Goodn…s, who condeſcends to make ſuch familiar r…preſ…ra…ions of our Redemption, adapted to our infi…es here on earth, who cannot conceive heavenly things but in an earthl… manner, and the meaning is, that the excellency may be of God, and not of man. Learn, O Believer, p. 133to glory in nothing but in the Croſs of Christ, whatever elſe we glory in, will be our ſhame another day; and why ſhould we glory in any thing ſo much, as in that whereby God h…th his greateſt glory? John 13.31. God's Glory and our happineſs center in a Crucified Chriſt.

Q. What benefit have we by the Croſs of Chriſt?

A. 1. Without it we muſt …ave … all that he ſuffered for us. 2. …o mercy for u… bu… th… … Christ's merit, our ſurety was … of strict iuſtice, that we man… be … w…th on … of …. 3. Chriſt being …aſt i…o the F…ce of … W…th …ched the … …mas, th… type, being can in…o t…e raging Sea, … the ſtor…; he made his Soul an Offering for ſin. No ma… … me d… be, if Chriſt be the ſurety. The Ocean c… drown a M…un … …ole…ll; and yet preſ…e …ot to … …ecauſe of eith…r mercy or merit; who … th…ir cond…n…ion w…s or… …ed of o…. … …ot be … plain… ma…k of …pro…, ha… a…d ng t…e riches of Gods Grace and …, Jude 4.4. …e brings us b…k to G…d again. After we had b…eneſt out and put away, he hath brought us into favour …ith God again. As all we have from God ſtreams through his Flo…d, ſo all we give to God a…cends by v…r… of his M…r…. 5. I… crucifies the World to u, and la…s all it g…ory in th… …uſt. If I had not this to mor…ly my hear…, I had …en as …ond of earthly ſhadows as ever deceiv…d … was.

54. The command of God laid on us leaves us not at liberty wha… to do in this matter; for he hath ſaid, eat, and he hath ſaid, drink, yea d…ink … …tly, O beloved! What, the … of God. David …efuſed to drink the water that was purchaſed with the … of the lives of three … God hath made it our duty to drink the precious … f Chr…ſt as an …ſpeakable priveledg, and the moſt wond…rful expreſſion of Divine Love.

What ſhall we …ay to this gift of Christ? O wonder of wonders in be…owing of him on us!

1. Conſidering he h… …hing …tter, …ay, nothing near ſo good, his price is a…ove ru…es, and nothin… … be compared to him. 2. God … Man …, but here he gives God, even man… Creator to him. 3. When he gave Creatures into Adam's …nd at firſt, he gave them p. 134to a holy and righteous man▪ but Chriſt is given to depraved ſinful man. 4. To glorify God's grace yet more, he takes occaſion from ſo great an evil as ſin to manifeſt ſuch exceedings of Love. 5. And all this moving from himſelf and not another. 6. If Angels and Men ſhould buſy their thoughts to eternity, they could not imagin any thing greater, nor half ſo great as this love, that hath glory and Communion in a Heavenly Paradiſe with God himſelf for ſinners, and all by the Death and Sufferings of Chriſt his Fathers Darling. Hence ſee what a liar Satan was th…t inſinuated God to be an enemy to mans happineſs, as if he envied the good fruit forbidden; and yet hath the world ſeen how dear he was willing to recover man out of his loſt condition, even at the amazing expence of the bl…od of his beloved Son. O…he ſhooting the arrows of God into his Son, rather than into the R…bel, is the higheſt point his Compaſſion could mount to Could we but …nd you away with more hatred of …in and more love to your Saviour, the work were done, and the …nd of this Or… nance obtained: But behold another wonder ſt…rts …p when we ſpeak of Love. What wonder that God ſho…d highly and dearly court our Love? 1. Conſidering it's ſo imperfect, not as theſe burning Ser…phims, or perfected Saints above. 2. So polluted is our …ove, he might hav… diſdained and refu…e… to be imbraced, by ſuch a…ections as have defiled themſelves ſo much with … aſ… …dols and ſinful Vanities. 3. He comm…nd…th my love, …nd makes it my greateſt duty, and become …y gr…s;t ſin when God is …light…. …. He ſo Am…b…, … we ſo Ugly. …. That he ſhould be the firſt …d moſt …ſi ſuiter for it.

55. Q. Who have a right t… this … …ce?

A. 1. Holy things are …dogs and …wi…e that …llo… in the mi…e of ſin an… lu…. 2. …o… … …ching …d ſ…-j…dging ſinn …s, I Cor. 11.28.31. 3. No… … …e… ry … lad… ſ…ers that are … to p…rt …ith their …. 4. N…ne but they who are willing to …ke Ch… y…k… on their neck, and ſ…n…rely coverant and reſign th…mſelves to Chriſt for a leader …nd commander. 5. Name but they who deſire Chriſt and Salvation above all the World: that can ſell all to purchaſe the …l of Price. Having cleared your right, conſider your work and buſineſs when about it, viz. Remembring of p. 135Chriſt in his death and ſufferings. It's very instructive therein to compare the memorial of our High Prieſt for us, Exod. 28. with our Memorial of him here in this Ordinance. Go to particulars thus: v. 9. The Names of Iſrael were to be engraven, and have a deep impreſſion with Chriſt; and that on ſtones, to m…ke it more legible, and leſs ſubjest to obliterating. And all for a Memorial, v. 12. And every one with his Name. v. 21. That there may be no ſuſpicion of his forgetting any one of his poor Children. And all their Names muſt he bear on his he…rt, that it m…y not be a faint and formal remembrance. But whe… ſhall this memorial of Iſrael be? but when the High Prieſt goes in before the Lord; then ſhall they be on …is h…art, at his moſt ſolemn appearing at the right hand of Majeſty on high. Laſtly, to conſumate and perform our bleſſedneſs in this Metrorial, it's a perpetual memorial, continually, even to make interceſſion for ever, v. 3. No length of time nor emergent of Providence can poſſibly wear out, or …ut off this happy memorial of us by Chriſt. Now but think what anſwerable returns you are to make in a hum…ble, …earty and conſtant r…mem…r…nce of him, who r…m…mbred us in our low …ſ…e here and leaves not off remembring us in his ex…lted … …bove. This memorial, is a memorial of love. Joh. 3.35. The F…r …h the Son, and hath given all thin…s in… his hand. Now …y your Love by this what can y…u intruſt him with … Th…r… i… great truſt in Love, if it be true. Can you … …ll thi… in…o his h…s. 1. The F…ther that … …im beſt, i…ed him moſt; and they t…t know … will word …ſt, P…l, 9.10. 2. The F…th…r truſ… … …ith … the Souls of his Elect, and durſt not … with one? 3. He … tr… to his tr…ſt; …, Joh. 17.4. which makes our … of …. 4. Never any Soul in…ruſ…d … …o …i… hands, … …de a…d acc…t th…f, … to the end, 2 Ti… 1.12. 5. …v… a ſoul did well at l… …ut …hat …as intrulled into his …ands, John 3.13. 6. …vi…g tru…ted …im …ith your Souls, can…ot you truſt him w…t… …dies a… ſ…ſ…on? Now let a S…ng of Praiſe … …lude this ſacred …, a… our bl…ſſ…d S…iour went before us with his Di… in …ing a … …he conclu…ion of the S…. … 30. …r up … …lves to it with Deb…ra…h, …dg. 5.12. ſaying, awake, awake, O p. 136my Soul, and all within me awake, awake, to utter a Song to the Saviour of ſinners.

56. Let no Chriſtian think that Converſion and a new ſtate in Chriſt is enough for your …eing here; or that one examination may ſerve for all. Indeed many come ſhort of this, but as often as you eat, the duty of examining muſt be repeated, …s the word enjoyns, Let …t man examin h… ſelf, and …o let him eat; ſo th…t eating at an… …m… without it bee …es our ſin and …ranſgreſſeth th…s Scripture Canon. Beſides, a veſſel of Honour, in reſp…ct of …, …r… and faſhion, may b… fit fo… u…e; …ut in r…g…rd …f …neſs contracted, may not be immediatly … for ſome …oole ſervice …ill a new ſc…uring. Q. But …y ſuch pre…a…ation and examination before Celebr…ti…n and Participa…ion? A. 1. The greatneſs of the So…ema… calls for …i…'s the Table of a great K. and the greateſt Feſtiv…l the G…p…l knows. Let none preſume to come to ſo holy a …able wit… their common habits. And therefore …h…t i… may be ſeen …hat we make ſ…me account of the Maſter of …he Fea…t, and of the food ſet before us, let us be c…reful to grace this Table with a w…dding-garment. 2. Without conſci…n…o… ▪ … p…ra…ion there is ſeldom l…fe in Cel…b…ati…n, … …ru…s in the Converſation after. 3. N…ne are called to … without this q…alification, 1 Cor. 11.28. an… if we come without Chriſt's Call, we may go without his bleſſing▪ ſo that much of the bene…it and comfort of Communica…ing may depend upon a due preparation for it, Job. 11.13, 14, 15. Ezra 6.21, 22. 4. The danger is g…a… to come unprepared, and ruſh rudely unto the Table of th… L…d, he receives unworthily, th… comm…s unp…eparedl… ▪ it will be a b…er bre…k-faſt to eat and d…ink our own damnation b… bei…g guilty of the B…d… and Blood of Chriſt, Matt. 22.12, 13. 5. The …d Jeſus hath a very jealous eye upon us at th…t action; a…d th…refore we had need k…p a ſtrict watch and j…l…us eye upon our ſelves; he comes down how to ſ…e h…w the Vine ſ…uri…heth, how the Spikenard ſ n …h forth i…s ſmell, and wh…ther there be any without his Wedding garment among us. He is come to ſee his Guests, and if there be but one in his rags, he finds him out, and judgeth him for coming unworthily. 6 None can be ſo fit to help others in preparing work, as they who are ſanctified and prepared themſelves firſt. Sanctify your ſelves, and prepare your brethren, p. 137go together in Joſ…ah's Paſſo…er, 2 Chro. 35. 6. And the Lamb for the Paſſover w… … be taken out of the Flock three d…ys before it was …o be ſacrificed, that ſo the People …ght …e …eparing themſelves in that ti…e, Ex. 12.3.6.

57. Q. … muſt we ex…mine our ſelves in for a right receiving of the Lord's Sufer. …. 1. We …uſt …ndue our kno…l…dg of Spiritual things; …m…ly, in diſcerning the Lord… …, i.e. the worth and pr…ciouſ… of that Sacrifice, … over and lapped up …n the El…ments of Bread and Wi…e. And our kn…wled… in … p…in…n u… be tried 1. Wh… it be appropria…ng▪ i e. …king …n i…tereſt in the things k…wn, …b. 15 27. 2. If …retiatin… … well as approving▪ Rom. ….18. 3. If p…ct…cal, … order to and pe…fected by practice▪ Pſ. 119.34. 2. … …xamine our ſ…ns, wh…ch is the principal point of our …x…mination in th…s buſineſs, 1 Cor. 11.2…. co…p. with 31. where we are bid to judg our ſelves f…r our ſ…ns. Eſp…cially find out what be y…ur predominat… ſins, and whe…er you be freed from ſ…ns d…inion. 3. We muſt exa…ine our ſpiritual ſtate, whither w… b… in Chr…ſt; f…r o…ly in him is God w…ll pleaſed with us. 1. All in Chriſt through illumina…ing gr…ce h…ve got a f…ght of ſins l…athſon…neſs and d…nger. 2 To p… C…ſt …ove …ll the worlds droſs, Phil. 3.8. … Th… …ve h… …irit to …ll in them▪ 4. They …. 5. … from Chr…ſt; their li…e is …d …i… hi…, and t…ir … depend on his appe…g, …. 3.3. 4. We muſt …e our Graces, 1. If they b… true, and …o… count… Co…; for this Feaſt …uſt not … …it… the … of Hypocriſ…e, but with the unleavened bre… of …nceri…y a…d trut…. 2. Whether Gr…ce …e ſtrong, and God's work and V…ne-yard in a flouriſ…ing and …riving con…i…ion…. 5. We muſt examine our du…i…s and p…for…es as …o their …onſtancy, Fervency, Communion. 6. And our Converſation, how regul…r uniform and h…v…nly.

Q. What Di…i…n… may be given f…r pr…m ting this great work …f ſelf-examination? …. 1. …et not the ſearch be ſlight and ſup…rfici…, … d…li…ent, … and ac…urat; as we ſe…rch for E… … l…t u… ſ…r…h for Sin with ſuch a c…r…ſ…l diſ…itio…. …. 64.…. as the righteous Judg will ſearch Jeru…a…em with Cand…es, ſo let us, Zeph. 1.12. And as David did, Pſ. 57.6. 2. Take you he…rt in one hand, p. 138and your Bible in the other, making God's Word the Teſt by which all is tried: judg, reject or approve, as the Word does. 3. Be not ſoon ſatisfied in the ſearch; and give not over for what you find at firſt; for the heart is a great deep, but turn in again and ſee yet greater abominations than theſe, Ezek. 8. 4. Call in help from Heaven for ſo great and difficult a work, Pf. 139.23. He reſts not on the ſingle teſtimony of his own Conſcience, in v. 22. without God's help he ſeeks not in this matter. 5. Inure thy ſelf to a greater frequency of the work; cuſtome would make it more eaſy, and bring us to better skill about it

Be very thankful for any diſcoveries God graciouſly makes to you in time, of your ſelves. For what if God had hid our own hearts from us u…t…l he had revealed us to all the world. In 1 Cor. 1 … 25. we have the Convert falling down and worſhipping God out of thankfulneſs, that the Secrets of his heart were made manifeſt. Self-ſearching might prevent dreadful diſcoveries which God is put to make of us by falling into ſome ſoul and ſcandalous ſins, becauſe we were backward to know our ſelves better in the uſe of Gods appointed means, 2 Chr. 32.31.

7. Let Memory be active in the ſearch, and be calling to mind old reckonings.

8. Let examination be in order to execution; Reſt n…t in the diſcovery, but let ſeeking to find out Grace and Corruption, be in order to the cheriſhing the one and deſtroying of the other. If we examine, let us alſo judge, paſs ſentence and execute upon the hidden up Idols of a baſe heart. The Voice ſaid to Peter, Ariſe, kill and eat. Truly we muſt not eat here, unleſs we ariſe from our humblings and ſearchings, and kill Luſts and not ſp…re.

Q. But upon examination, how may we be helped to make a right Judgment of our ſelves?

Anſ. 1. Conſult ſeriouſly with Conſcience, and let it have liberty to ſpeak its own Language; for what m…n knows the things of a man, ſ…ve the ſpirit of a man which is in him? 1 Cor. 2.11. 2. Obſerve well what Verdi…t the Word gives of thy condition, …nd diſcov…ry it m…kes in its moſt powerful outgoings, and moſt ſpiritual diſpenſings; and let that be well remembred, and made much uſe of under, after darkneſs, deſertions and Temptations. We muſt not look that the beams of Divine p. 139Light will always with the ſame luſtre and brightneſs ſhine. 3. Try not thy ſelf ſo much by ſome extraordinary motions and good mood after, or at a powerful Ordinance, as by the more constant bent of the heart, and continued courſe of life. 4. Try thy ſelf more by Cloſet-communion than by publick duties; for what one is in ſecret that he is indeed. 5. Take the help of faithful Miniſters and judicious Chriſtians about thy condition, when it's too hard for thy ſelf. 6. Lean much upon, and leave more than many do to the diſcovering Spirit of Jeſus in the uſe of all means, whoſe properly it is to make known the hidden things of God, and of our hearts too.

58. If there be any Soul ſeeking Chriſt in this and other of his own Ordinances, and yet meets not with (but complains with the Spouſe of ſeeking) her Beleued, but found him not, Song 3. let ſuch know there be more profeſſors in a worſe than better condition. For 1. She was ſenſible of Chriſts abſence, and knew her own condition, not as they Jer. 2.6.8. 2. She complain'd of it as her preſent miſery, that ſhe went without enjoyment. 3. Under this deſertion Love and Deſire were active. 4. She called not her Intereſt into queſtion; …o… he is her beloved ſtill. 5. She ſeeks Still, and cannot be are quiet till ſhe find her Beloved, and ſuch a ſeeker cannot be long a finding.

Now the marks of a found Beloved in ſuch an Ordinance, are clear in the Churches Practice and Carriage, 1. A care to keep him, v. 4. I would … let him go; and that he may abide, ſhe ſhews her publick Spirit in bringing him to her mothers ho…, and ſtraitly charges, that to provocation may be given him tolegene, v. 5. That if he depart it may be an act o… meer Soveraignty. Now nothing will more readily fur up Chriſt to be gone than unruly paſſions, ſo contrary to a meck Lord Jeſus, Iſa. 42.2. Unmortified affections, and unwa…ed hearts, when the ſoul grows ſecure and careleſs of ſuch a Gueſt. 2. A fear to loſe Chriſt accompanies the enjoyment of him, v. 8.

And if you find your beloved here▪ go away with a holy fear in your hearts, left you ſhould not render again according to the benefit beſtowed upon you. Let not that Name be written on the ſand, that hath wrote yours on his heart. They may go away with much joy in their hearts this day that have made a good and ſure bargain with Chriſt p. 140for their Souls. B…t you m…y eat of this ſ…iritual meat, an… drink of this ſpiritual drink▪ as t…e Iſraelit…s did of the Rock that followed them, which was Chri…t, and yet God may not be pleaſed with you, 1 Cor. 10.4, 5. eſpecially if after this eating and drinking …here be …ound with us a careleſs heart, a carnal mind, and … fruitleſs l…fe. And whoever be the poor m… of whom C…ri… hath …u…. … this poor man will I look; Now if …ou ha… … this kind and gra… lo…k, go home an … rejoice, …nd r… in his love; but …et re…o…c… with trembling when you conſider …our ſin a…d hath that may provoke him to be gone; and … you are moſt fr…id even of ſinful ſelf an… a de… …rt, truſt in him at all times, look unto him, an… … fea… ▪ Pſ. 56.3 What time I am afraid I will … in t…e…. What Sweet Experiences do many tre… … …n… …e…ch from Gods ſpeaking at a Serm…n, an… … S… …? Bu… let us by all m…, beware of goi… … of ſprinkling at a Sacrament, without i…s …ing … on … Co… ſciences, leſt it lead back to …, and b…ing us to the King of Ter…rs▪ An… i… … Ki…, ſittin… with thee at his [a… …th mad… G… li…ly, …o …oy co…fort, ſay of Grace… …ity …s the … ſaid … …nathan, He ſhall not die▪ for he hath wr…ught with G…d th… day, 1 Sam. 14.45.

5…. 2 Sam 9.3. D…vid enquires if there be any yet of the houſe of Saul, that he m… …h… him the kindneſs of God, i.e. by an Hebraiſm, great kindneſs, or free kindneſs, as God ſhews to us who little de…rv… it, … Saul deſerved little kindne…s at the hands of David. Bu… however, by our ſitting and feasting here, we have had the kindneſs of the Lord ſhewed unto us, that ha…h provided ſo comfortable a repaſt for poor Pilgrim… …n our Wilderneſs-condition. It's a Feaſt of Love and Kindneſ… to us, and he may reaſonably expect Love again. Love will but pleaſe him and eaſe us. For as Faith makes all things poſſible, ſol… makes all eaſy, 1 Joh. 5.3. Now Love hath its own pecul…ar out-goings for God, ſaying, What ſhall I do for him that hath …one … much for me? And love will readily anſwer its own queſtion, 1. I will do more for him than others, he having done more for me than for many. 2. I will do more for him than for all my deareſt friends, and neareſt Relations. O that it were ſo in very deed with us all. 3. I will do nothing p. 141againſt him to the beſt of my knowledge, whatever it coſt me. 4. I will (nay I can) do nothing without him. 5. I will do all for him and eye his glory. And when by his help I have done what I can, it deſerves not to be named the ſame day with his doings for me, and is infinitely ſhort of what he deſerves, and I owe, and therefore I ſee I muſt die in his debt, but will be ſtill doing as I can, and mend what hath been amiſs, by learning to love more, and then I cannot but do better; for love is the fulfilling of the whole Law. And Love's inquiries will be, 1. Whither is he gone that I may ſeek him? 2: How ſhall I ſeek him that I may find him? O that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his Seat, Job 23.3. 3. And when I have him how ſhall I keep him? 4, And what ſhall I do to pleaſe him? 5. And that which puts Love moſt to it, is, how ſhall I ſufficiently praiſe him, Pſ. 106.2. And now let love lean on Chriſts boſom at this Supper, and think the Maſter ſaying to thee as Ahaſuerus to Eſiher at his Feaſt, What is thy ſ…it, and what wouldſt thou have done? What H…man to hang? what luſt to ſubdue? what grace to be ſtrengthned? But moſt may ſay of ſuch things as David of Saul's Armor, I have not been accuſtomed to them.

60. Pſ. 4.4. Commune with your own heart. Heart-communing being ſo neceſſary an exerciſe for Chriſtians at all times, and ſo ſuitable to this Ordinance, that requires the indiſpenſable duty of ſelf-examination to fit us for it.

Q. What ſhould we chiefly commune about-with our own heart? 1. About ſin and a ſinful corrupt ſtate, that ſhews it ſelf in an ungodly life. about ſecret ſins, pred…minant ſins, what powerful ſway they bear in the ſoul, or what repentings are kindled within you, what relentings or renewings, and how preferable Grace is to Nature, Luk. 15.17. and how much better God would be to you than all your. Idols and ſinful or worldly pleaſures, Hoſ. 2.7. Commune with your heart about unruly paſſions, Soul-diſtractions and confuſions, diſorderly unmortified affections. 2. About temptations, what reſ ſt…e you are helped to make, what victory is obtain'd, how you ſtrive againſt ſin, and proſper in the ſpiritual warfare. 3. What welcome you have yet given Chriſt it his moſt gracious offers, what cloſure with Chriſt as Lord and Saviour, Pſ. 16.2. and how the heart ſtands affected to him, or ſtands off p. 142from …m, as not well contented with him; whether thy … hath open'd to him, making a free and full ſurrender …o the Lord of Glory, whoſe right it is to rule; and if thou haſt yet granted the great requeſt of God, My Son, give me thy heart, Jer. 3.22. 4. Be communing with thy heart about its bearing up in Gods ſervice, and what part it acts in religious duties, for fear it ſhould draw back unto perdition: & be often looking up for further renewings and freſh aſſiſtances, to continue believing to the ſaving of the Soul. 5. And about the returns that are made, or ſhould be made for remarkable mercies, 2 Chr. 22.25. 6. Ask thy heart, what preparations are yet made for Death and Judgment by mortifying the mind, and clearing Evidences, an unmortified mind and an un…etled conſcience, being the chief things that makes us ſo unwilling to die, be thinking with thy ſelf often about finiſhing thy work, and what is y…t to be done, if thou beeſt not undone for ever. Ask thy eart, what deep ſenſe thou haſt of another world, and what careful preparations there be to g…t thither. This work of heart-communing Chriſtians find hard, partly becauſe ſo little inured to it, partly becauſe it's ſo ſpiritual and we ſo carnal, and be…uſe of the ſli…pery inconſtant temper of our Spirits; for what Son of f…llen Adam ever ſerved God one half hour without diſtraction? But let its neceſſity and profit ſtir us up to attend it more; for how can we know our hearts without communing with them? and ſelf-ignorance becomes the cauſe of moſt ſins, and ſelf-acquaintance is made a great part of the wiſdom of the juſt, Prov. 14.8. and ſpiritual profiting is ſaid to come by this, 1 Tim. 4.15. and where it thrives, no doubt becomes more pleaſant than was thought of, being one of the Galleries where the King is held, Song 7.5. And how ſtrange a thing that men commune ſo little with their own hearts, being ſo near to our ſelves, and having ſo many opportunities for it, that we ſhould be ſo much without, and ſo little within, when our great buſineſs lies with our own hearts?

FINIS.

End of the text · Francis Crow, Meditations on the Lords Supper (1693)