Meditations on the Lords Supper, Pages 50-100

Meditations on the Lords Supper · Pages 50-100

p. 50And yet, tho this making and renewing Covenants by this Ord…nance be ſo uſeful, Chriſt hath not tied him…elf to Sacramental Seals, for that Faith that eats and drinks the Blood of Chriſt without a Sacrament doth ſave. And that Covenant (wh…ſ…ver believes in Chriſt ſhall be ſaved) paſſeth the ſ…als effectually to a believer, tho there were never an occaſion of ſeali…g i… ſ…cram…ntally. Crede & manducaſti, B…lieve, …nd tho… h…ſt eaten, ſaith A…ſtin. God needs no Seal to b…n… himſelf, but to ſecure and ſettle u….

Yet ſince we are graciouſly allowed the opportuni…y of contempla…ing a crucified Saviour here, theſe two th…gs, among many others, ought to be wonder'd at, viz the price and the purchaſe. And this adds to the wonder of beſtowing Heaven on us, that it comes as the reward of our ſervice tho purchaſed by Chriſt. All Heaven to them who had little or nothing on Earth; all Chriſts …lood for them who had nothing of his Spirit or Grace by Nature. O wonder, that a Heaven full of pleaſures ſhould be at laſt the portion of them who have had hearts full of ſin, and lives full of blemiſhes. If a poor Beggar came i…to the King's Treaſury, and ſaw all the bags of Gold and Silver, and one ſhould tell him, they are all laid up for you; what would the man think? p. 51It would ſtrike him with a ſtrange aſtoniſhment But wh…t are theſe to Bags that wax not old, and Treaſure in Heaven laid up for you, wher of, if we had once a believing ſight, would make u… for ever think leſs of earthly riches; nay, you would be ready to go home and throw your bags of Gold and Silver to the Moles, and to the Bats, and ſay get ye hence ye ſtumbling-blocks of mine iniquity. But again, wonder at ſuch a price paid for us ſo worthleſs; worth nothing, and yet coſt him ſo dear. Good Lord, what do we for him that laid out ſo much for us? If we have nothing, he needs nothing, yea, he requires nothing but to accept his bounty, and be raviſht with his love. Tho we be utterly unable to pay, being broken debtors, yet let us even be ready to praiſe, and be thankful debtors. For this very End is this Euchariſtical Feast inſtituted. At this Feſtival Commemoration let the Founder of the Feast be remembred with praiſe and honour. And here take we hold of the moſt ſolemn occaſion, for the moſt paſſionate and thankful remembrance of that love that gave us ſo great a gift as Christ, to do and ſuffer for us. And without this affectionate frame of heart, we now fruſtrate the very end of the Inſtitution.

16. Here have we the Beloved ſtanding and knocking and putting in for entrance at the door of our hearts, ſaying, open to me my ſiſter, my love, my dove, my undefiled p. 52one. Here is my divine laſting love that for all her ſinful ſloath and ſleepy temper ſhe was fallen into, yet he never chang…th her name, but courts her love with kindeſt compellations ſtill. But the motive he preſteth his acceptance by is melting and convincing above all, open to me, f…r my head is filled with dew and my locks with the drops of the night. He begs a place in our hearts by all inconveniences he ſuffered for us. O the dark and diſmal night of his undergoing the wrath of his holy Father when our iniquities were laid on him. Thus ſtands our Lord now knocking and begging our good will and likeing, our Love and fellowſhip, by all the wounds he received on the Croſs for us. Here are we called to behold, they pierced my hands and my feet and ſhall not this pierce our hardeſt hearts to ſee the anguiſh of his Soul? The rejected and ſlighted obteſtations of a crucified Jeſus will riſe up aginſt many in the day of their diſtreſs, that they were beſought to mortify their luſts and live to God, by every drop of Chriſts blood ſhed for them, but they would not hear.

That the requeſts of a ſuffering Saviour may have their due influence is this ordinance appointed, bringing all his pain, ſhame and ſorrow to our remembrance. We ſee he hath a good mind to be in our p. 53eye and thoughts. If you ſee a Criple lay out his ſores, they beg tho' be hold hi… peace. And if our ſuffering ſaviour this day be unlapping his w…d and laying his ſ…res open to view, ſhall not they beg more powerfully and prevaile? and remember all the wounds of our Lord, he had in the houſe of his friends.

Now the very great voice of all his wounds are.

1. Repent. Look on me whom you have pierced and mourn.

2: Believe when you ſee your ranſom and ſacrifice ſlain. If Juſtice ſay I have enough and am ſatisfied, why do not we think it enough, even apply it and reſt in it? Take peace and content, yea rejoyce in God thro' Jeſus Chriſt by whom you have now received the atonement.

3. The voice of Chriſts ſufferings is, my Son …dive me thy heart. If I have loved thee and waſhed thee in my blood, It's reaſon I have love again.

4. It ſays … bey and hearken to thy High pri…ſt. Hear him in all he hath to ſay, he hath de…ly bought your obedience and attention to all his motions and Inſtructions Prov. 8.31, …2. The force and ſtren…th of that t…erefore is never to be ſtudied and unde…ood enough. Get Chriſts Croſs to give your luſts a deadly p. 54wound, reſt not till you ſee him and feel th m thereby, diſabled and miled to his Croſs. As for your Darling the world in its profits, pleaſures and honour, hear Chriſt ſaying, It frowned on me, and will my ranſomed ſmile on it? It was deſpiſed and a little thing with me, who knew ſo well a better, and ſhall it be great with you? Remember that to take Chriſt in and put Chriſt on are the two great Calls of Heaven in the Goſpel. And ſince your ſuffering Redeemer i… taken into heaven (theſe gates of Glory flew wide open to him at his Aſcention) ſhall he be kept out of our hearts? Are they better than it? No, but there was he better known, and here his own received him not; for they knew him not: nay not only …eaven hath received him and therefore ſo ſhould our hearts, but there hath he entred for us, which alſo hath its own weight for his entring into our hearts here.

17. Here come we to get more grace and ſtrength to re…ſt the Devil, and ſtand again… his temptations. Now our encouragements to encounter this enemy of ours, that roaring Lyon. 1. He is ſpoiled by Jeſus …hriſt; Col 2.15. 2. More power is implo ed for Believers, than can be againſt them, 1. John 4.4. 2 Kings 6.16. 3. Victory o…er him is ſure and near to Believers, Rom. 16.20.

p. 55Qu. But ſince we muſt be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power o… his might, if we wou d overcome may we not queſtion with our Selves (…s once the …hiliſtines with Dalilah concerning Sampſon wherein lies the great ſtrenth of a Chriſtian? This caſe Satan ſtudies that he may know how to deal with us.

1. The great ſtrength of a Chriſtian lies in his Covenant Relation to God, and Union with Chriſt his head for tho weak in our ſelves, yet a ſtrong head have we in Heaven. The Church is a weak Woman, b…t hath a Redeemer mi…hty to plead her Cauſe. A Chriſtians ſtrength lies in his Confederated Friendſhip in Heaven; the improvement of this is the laying out of that ſtrength, Pſal. 44 4. Tho Jacob was deſ…itute for outward help yet was he well befriended in Heaven; and the bleſſed God whom he ſought did his buſineſs for him againſt his Brother.

2. In the gracious qualitie… brought into the Soul at C…nverſion▪ without which, in a natural unrenewed State, we are ſaid to be without ſtrength, Rom. 5.6. So that Grace is a new party, or Spiritual Power brought into the Soul for Chriſt, to oppoſe ſin and appear for God.

3. In Divine Aſſiſtances; for every Chriſtian is weak or ſtrong as …ſſiſted, as God p. 56girds or looſens us the girdle of his Loins; wherefore we had need to keep in good terms with Chriſt, that we fall not under his withdrawings of Gracious aids ſo needful, for our Spiritual Warfare.

4. In a careful retaining the impreſſions of O…dinances. O! pray that God …ould ſtamp theſe glorious apprehe…ſions of himſelf on your minds that you have ſometimes here) and may not t…e in other Images to bow down unto Let the impreſſion of theſe Ordinances of Word and Sacrament wear off, and you are weak as others. Peter had forgot Chriſt s work and ſo forgot himſelf (Luke 22.61 and his M ſter too. Had Evah's thoughts been intent on the word the Lord hath ſaid) and not diverted to ſenſual Motions, it had been ſufficient to put by all the paſſes Satan could make againſt her.

O Chriſtians! be firſt ſound that ye may be strong, Job. 17.9. The way of the Lord is ſtrength only to the upright: but the more a Hypocrite does in Reli…ion, he is inwardly the weaker. And for your encoura…ement, let never a found heart deſpair of higher meaſures than …ommon attainments …or your helps, viz. The love of Chriſt, and hope of Heaven, are greater than your hindrances can be.

18. We ſay times of Trouble and great p. 57Afflictions, are trying times, but I ſay Sacrament ſeaſons ought to be trying times with us. Now in the trying of the truth of Grace we muſt labour to find out the habitual temper and diſpoſition of hearts, by the quality of their Acts. 1. If they be free and chearful, not conſtrain'd, or ſuch as we had rather not do, if we could help it, Pſal. 119 108. 2. How frequent opportunity offering, Pſal. 55.17. 3. Thorough and ſerious, elſe they prove neither habit nor diſpoſition, Rom. 12.11. 4. We muſt try the Soul by the acts, which make after the end as deſire and love to God, Chriſt and Heaven, and this is more than to try our hearts by the Acts that make after the means only.

I know all gracious hearts would fain know their own ſincerity, 1 It is willing, if ſincere, to know all its ſin, Job 13.23. even the worſt of its own heart, to c…me to the light, that it may be made manifeſt to its ſelf, yea, had rather a l the World ſhould know it, than its rottenneſs ſhould be hid from it ſ…lf; it loves the moſt diſcovering Ordinances beſt; but a Hypocrite had rather have a rotten Heart, than be ſearched and repent. 2. It's willing to part with every ſin it knows of it ſelf; when one is more willing to part with a ſin, than to keep it, that puts the Soul out of p. 58danger by it. 3. And then the beſt way to know our ſincerity in this parting with ſin, is by ſerious indeavours in the uſe of all appointed means to oppoſe ſin, and carry on the ſpiritual Warfare againſt the Body of Death 4. And is obtaining ſome ſucceſs and Victory. The Spirit of God repeat, that prom…ſe to all the ſeven Churches of Aſia (to him that overcometh 0… …, vincenti, every ſincere Soul is in the way of overcoming, the honeſt uſe of means gives ſome check to th… prevailing of Iniquity; where no Conflicting with ſin, there can be no ſincerity, and every honeſt heart will be helped of God to ſome Victory; and what ever men make now of other Victories, this is that which you will have only cauſe of triumph in at the laſt; as Valentinian the Emperour ſaid on his Death-bed, That of all his Victories, one only comforted him, and that was his overcoming his own naughty heart.

And that we may finiſh this Tryal we are upon, in examining of our ſelves if we can find our ſins, and be humble… for them, and judg our ſelves with a righteous Judgment impartially and ſeverely, we may warrantably partake of the Body and Blood of Chri…t in the Sacrament, tho we cannot diſcover our Grace… as we would; For ſuch examination as iſſues in ſelf-judging, hath the promiſe of not being judged of the Lord for unworthy p. 59receiving, 1 Cor. 11.28 31. Now our ſins, which are the proper ca…ſe of Self judging, are the object of Self-examining, rather than our Graces.

19. Rom 8.3. God ſending his own Son in the likeneſs of ſinful Fleſh▪ Obſ. 1. God's ſending is a great Miſtery. It's the Grandure of Earthly Princes that their Subjects ſend to them; and a wonder if Rebels have acceſs, if they come in the humbleſt manner; but he ſends to us, and ſends for us that we may come an… be pardoned, come and be ſaved. 2. He ſends his Son, not an Angel, 1 John 4.9. 3. In the fleſh he ſen…s his Son, which is but groſs, in the ſtate of Beggar to bring in the Blind and the Lame, Heb. 2.16. 4. In likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, (as like a ſinner as might be, not to be a ſinner, that he might ſave us from our ſins) i e. with infirmities and neceſſities that attend ſinful man, that no eye could deſcern a difference, Iſa. 53 4. As the brazen Serpent was like a Serpent, but had not the Venom of a Serpent. This Incarnation of God is a Subject of the higheſt Admiration, and fountain of the ſweeteſt Conſolation that the World affords. O! the wonder of God's coming down to man to be handled, ſeen and taſted of us; a contract even for the wonder of Angels, as the welfare of Man. O wonder of wonders! that ever it ſhould be p. 60heard in Heaven or on Earth, (Let one of us become Man.) A Redeemer could never have ſuited our condition only in our Nature; as Man, he was too feeble to aſſure us, and as God only, too high to attract us; ſo that our Elect and Choſen one, hath a Nature for our Comfort, and a Nature for our Confidence. And now by Chriſt's Incarnation, a ne…rer approach is made unto us by the Divine Nature, than ever could have entred into the Heart of Man to conceive: Some ſay the Spiritual Glorified Body of Chriſt, is the Medium of the Beatificial Viſion to Saints and Angels above: That the God-head ſhines through it, in all its brightneſs, as the Sun ſhines through clear Chriſtal. And, laſtly, Wonder that two Natures, infinitely distant, ſhould be more intimately united than any thing in the World and yet without confuſion. The Fleſh of Chri t is the Vail Heb 10.20. alluding to the Temple, where the Vail hid the glory of the Sanct…m Sanctorum and gave entrance to it: So … we draw near by Chriſt's Incarnation, w…ich rebates the edge of the Divine Glory and Brightneſs, that Creatures may converſe without Terror. Who can behold God out of Chriſt? And what could we do with a Chriſt but in our Fleſh? How hopeful to …o…k to a Saviour in our Fleſh? This is the ſight this Ordinance p. 61gives us of Chriſt In our preparations we are chiefly to look to our Selves, to ſee whether we have a right to Chriſt, and be fit for him; but in this Action we are chiefly to look to Chriſt, and as a blind Man cannot look to t…e Sun, ſhine it never ſo brightly, ſo cannot we, without Faith, look to Chriſt. Run your Race with Patience, looking unto Jeſus, Heb. 12.1, 2. They who would run well, muſt keep their Eye to Chriſt; and indeed man… run n…t well, they look ſo little to him: Some look back to the World, they're left behind, with Lot's Wife; others too much to diſcouragements and difficulties, and too little to Chriſt and his Promiſes; and ſome look to ſin, and not to Chriſt. If the wounded Iſraelites had only lookt to their wounds, and not to the brazen Serpent, they had never been healed. But the Command of Chriſt is look unto me, and be ſaved. Queſt. What is the well-diſpoſed eye for looking unto Jeſus, or rather, Who gets the right look of Jeſus in ſuch an Ordinance as this? Anſ. 1. A diſcerning-look, 2 Cor. 3.18. many go forth to Ordinances that know not whom they go to ſee, Whom went ye forth for to ſee? Matt 11 7. few take up Chriſt in his Natures, Offices and Excellencies, a King, a Saviour, a Phyſitian, a Peace-maker, &c.

2. Seek a tender look of Chriſt, to look p. 62upon him whom you have pierced and mourn, Zach. 12.10. Song. 7.4 Seek a heart-melt…ng look of Christ, ſuch a one as he gave Peter, Luke 22.61.

3. A love look, Song. 4 9. Iſa. 17.7. Look upon him till you Love him

4. A transforming look 2 Cor. 3.18. look upon him till you be like him, in ſome meaſure here; and long for that perfectly aſſimilating look, 1 John 3.2.

5. A ſelf-denying and ſin-forſaking look of Chriſt, expreſſed by going forth and beholding him, Song 3.11.

6. A ſtedfaſt look. Get a believing look of Jeſus here, that will make you follow your look when you are gone, ſo as your bleſſed Jeſus may be more kept in your eye in all your work, in all your way even running your race with patience, looking unto Jeſus, as ever you would hold out unto the end, and not be wearied and faint in your mind.

20. Here come we to renew our Covenant, and remember Chriſts Merit, and God's Mercy.

Qu. What is the Covenant we come to renew?

Anſ. The ſame you entred into at Baptiſm; to take God to be your God; to ſubmit your ſelf to his Laws for your Rule of Life, and to his Righteouſneſs for your Salvation; that you will Love him and ſerve him, and having Sanctified and ſaved p. 63you from the dominion and damnation of ſin, you'll ſtill ſtrive againſt its remainders through his grace and ſtrength in the uſe of all appointed means.

Qu. How are Covenants to be renewed?

1. We muſt look what ſad breaches have been in this Covenant, ſince it was laſt renewed; how careleſs we have been of many duties; how unkind to Chriſt; with how little zeal for his Glory, and hatred of Sin hath he been ſerved?

2. When you have ſeen your Sore, repent and ſeek pardon, reſolve on new obedience; if you know of any ſin you purpoſe not to forſake, it's certain you come unworthily; and your ſin you can never forſake till God ſhew you cauſe to hate it; and then no man is willing to abide with what he hates.

3. It ought to humble us deeply, that no bounds (even moſt ſacred) can hold us, and that he is even mindful of his Covenants in giving out the mercies of it, and we ſo unmindful of performing the Duties of it.

4. We muſt make and renew Covenants in Judgment (Hoſ. 2.19.) with a right underſtanding of the Terms of the Covenant; even Chriſt and you becoming mutually one anothers in a Marriage Covenant, now no more your own, but his, as bought with a great price: Read (and understand) the Articles of the p. 64New Covenant frequently, for no wiſe man will Seal an Obligation he knows not the Conditions of.

5. It muſt be expreſly with reſolution to break with ſtrange Lovers, …oſh. …4.23. Cords of Vanity, and Bonds of Iniquity muſt be broken, and if reſolution be right, you'll inſtantly ſet about the Practice of what you intend, you will make haſte and not delay, Pſal. 119.16.

6. We muſt bind our ſelves in the higheſt manner to obedience, even under the Curſe threatned upon our breaking, as well as expecting the Promiſe, if we keep it, Neh▪ 10 29. There the Covenant was ſworn, and elſe where written and ſeal'd, ch. 9.38. See alſo Iſa. 44.5.

7. Renew your Covenant with earneſt deſires to God for Grace to keep it, with humble acknowledgment of our own inability for any part of it, knowing that the God we Covenant with muſt perform the Promiſe of Grace, before we can perform our promiſe of Service, Pſal. 113.32. Hoſ. 14.8. John 15.5.

And above all, depend on Chriſt the ſurety of the Covenant by Faith, and importunate Prayer▪ that be ſee all may be made good on both hands; that when he hath, by his good Spirit, helped thee to hearty endeavours and ſincere performances, thou mayſt ſee thy p. 65ſelf infinitely obliged to his grace and merit for covering the defects of thy beſt duties, and pardoning all ſhort-comings, Pſal. 119.122. Chriſt is the ſurety of the Covenant for paying our Debt, and undertaking our Duty.

Q. What are the benefits of renewing Covenants? We ought to have them now in our eye.

1. Heart-eſtabliſhment, and clea…ing to God, called the Bo…d of the Covenant. Our unſtable ſouls need engagements not to go back. We give up our heart to God intirely here, to perform duty, and avoid ſin and ſnares; and this, by God's bleſſing, becomes a means of fortifying and fixing the heart.

2. Renewing Covenants are of great uſe to recover us out of backſlidings, after which we are to put forth the ſame acts again in Covenant way by cloſing with Chriſt, which we acted and put forth at firſt converſion.

3. It's of great uſe to revive our declining delight in God. And certainly, if we make a covenant with all our heart as Aſa and Iſrael did, 2 Chr. 15.5. It's almoſt impoſſible not to rejoice in it, conſidering the great ends and purpoſes it's made for: and the Noble Perſon, Chriſt, that Plant of Renown we make it with; a Marriage covenant with the King's Son, a new Wedding-day, in bringing back the Soul from its ſinful wandrings unto its firſt Husband, with whom it's p. 66much better than with any elſewhere.

21. We come hither profeſſing our ſelves Chriſt's Diſciples, ſitting at his Table, as they did that night he was betrayed: whereby we ſay, we are his ſheep who hear his Voice, receive his Grace, and follow him; yea, that we are his Spiritual Houſe, to offer up ſpiritual Sacrifice acceptable to God through Jeſus Chriſt. But yet Grace received had need to be ſtrengthened and quickened, and therefore are we come. Had not Repentance and Humbling work need to be quickned and renewed by conſidering our ſins and miſeries? Faith, by Meditating on the Promiſes; Love, by the ſenſe of his mercies, even his tender-mercies in Christ, we come to taste of to day, and to pay the Tribute of Praiſe for beſtowing ſuch ſpecial favour upon us. O! let us magnify that Mercy, that hath Redeemed us at ſo dear a rate; that all his humblings were to raiſe thee to Honour; his Sufferings to keep thee from Periſhing.

All this tends to bring home our Hearts to him that hath bought them ſo dear Now Love hath no ſuch incentive in all the World, as the Croſs of Chriſt; it grows out of it; it lives in it, and we are Crucified by it to all other Lovers that would ſeduce us from the Loyalty we owe to our own Lord: Alas, what can theſe ſilly pretenders ſay? Were they Crucified for us? Hereby p. 67perceive we the Love of God (or elſe we are very Blind) for he hath writ his Love in capital letters on his croſs, laying down his Life for us when we were …nemies (ſeek the world over for ſuch Love, and it cannot be found.) Now the very Publicans love thoſe that love them, and will ye be worſe? And ſhall our love be ſo faint and lukewarm, when his is ſo flaming and paſſionate? Look up to him that can warm thy heart at his own Table with his ſacred Fire.

And now, when Love to your Lord begins to revive, think what Luſt you harboured laſt and this is the time to get above it, yea, to Kill and Crucify it, tho it hath been rampant and raging, hitherto deſpiſing all oppoſition; offer it now as a Sacrifice to him who was a burnt Offering for thee. Shall ever ſin, that ſlew the dear Husband, becomes the Wiſes Darling? If ever you think of dwelling with Chriſt, give it a Divorce, and that the rather, your Lord hath drawn the Bill with his own hand. (All ye that Love the Lord, hate evil) Love Christ and hate Sin are the two great leſſons this Ordinance teacheth. Love Chriſt that ſuffered for you, and here ſin that flew him. Now here he is who deſcended, the ſame alſo who aſended, follow him thither, but while here, look to the Grave where he lay, and then to the higher Houſe he was taken into above; p. 68and leave not off looking for him, till he come again.

22. Here are we come to our great Phyſitian of Souls. And among our many Diſeaſes we had need to ſeek cure of theſe two, viz. Chriſtians faint-heartedneſs in ſufferings, and dead-heartedneſs in Duties. Now a look of Chriſt would cure both. What is the reaſon Chriſtians faint under Sufferings, but becauſe they mind not their ſuffering Lord, who endured all ſo patiently overcame all ſo powerfully, and hath Sanctified all ſo comfortably to us? Conſider him leſt you grow weary and faint in your mind; that is the Remedy preſcribed; and ſo we are dead hearted and formal in Duties, becauſe we conſider not Chriſt that is to come with Salvation at the last. It's his first coming to ſuffer muſt ſweeten our Sufferings; and his laſt coming with Salvation that muſt quicken us to Duties; look more to the recompence of reward for ginding your Loins to the word of God, Iſa. 35.3, 4. And that you may meet with ſomething that may do you good amidſt the waverings of an unſetled mind, labour to fix ſomething on thy thoughts that may help to ſtay thy mind on God; ſuch a principle as this; men cannot make me miſerable, not the world make me happy; my true miſery is my ſin bound up, and a hard unbroken Heart for it. My happineſs p. 69is not my thriving in Health and Wealth but my intereſt in the Covenant, and partaking of the Divine Nature Let thy heart be breathing how happy ſhould I go home, if I might be but more Holy, and live more to the honour of my Lord, and be in ſome better condition for his, bleſſed Service! Hath not God ſaid, Behold, I will make a new thing on the Earth? How many ſuch new things hath he done on the earth, as to give us all new hearts and new thoughts of the things of God to Day? Our Lord is ſaving to ſinners, Mind your Souls, and make much of my Salvation: Your Souls are precious, and my Salvation is great; and if ever your Souls enjoy my Salvation hereafter, they muſt be ſet a longing after it now, Pſal. 119.81. Neglect it not for it coſt him dear; and if you miſs of it, it will coſt you dear; For how ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great Salvation?

23. There be three things that commend Chriſt moſt unto any viz. His perſonal excellencies, his uſefulneſs and his love. As for the laſt, love lies at the bottom of the whole work of our Redemption. The midſt thereof paved with love for the daughters of Jeruſalem. Song 3.10.

We have the Father loving his Son for laying down his life for us, Job. 10.17, and and ſhall not we love him for it? And as the Father loves the Son for this love to p. 70us, ſo he loveth us for loving his Son, John 16.27, the firſt pleads for our love to the Father in loving the Son for our ſake in the undertaking of our Redemption; the other pleads for our love to Chriſt, ſince our loving of the Son commends us to the Fathers love. O unheard of wonders of divine love? That as the Father loveth the Elect in Chriſt, and for Chriſt, ſo he ſhould ſeem to love him for our ſake being ſo forward in our cauſe to ſuffer for us and ſave us from our ſins. It's this love, that this ordinance brings to remembrance, you ſee it is a feaſt of love and love muſt keep the feaſt, or all is nothing… for the unparralleled pattern and ſpring of all love is here repreſented to the life; believe his love and let him have love again; you may well believe it, for he that loved us ſo as to lay down his life for us when enemies, how will he delight in us when waſhed in his blood, and renewed to his likeneſs? and if Chriſt have his due he will have love again: And if true love, it longs to ſee him, and can deny it ſelf to pleaſe him, it will deſire to know his will and delight to do it. We muſt prove our love as our Lord did his, John, 14.…1. A ſoul in love with Chriſt reckons him chiefly worthy of his love, endeavours the neareſt Union with him, and is ſtill going out after p. 71him. Hence ſpring Langour and melting to enjoy him and receive his impreſſions, reſignment of will to him and a concern for his intereſts.

Love the Lord all his Saints, for he keepeth their ſouls. Love him once, and all he ſaith and doth will be more acceptable to you; and all that you do in love will be pleaſing to him. Love him and you will be loath to offend him, …eſirous to pleaſe him and ſatisfied in his love. Love God and you are ſure of love again, Prov. 8.17. Now that you may love him, contemplate his goodneſs, and ſee him in the face of Chriſt, and behold his love in the deſign of our Redemption, in the perſon of our Redeemer, in the promiſes of grace and in all the benefits of R…demption. Yea if you would love him, look to the ſin he hath pardoned. Luk. 7.47, the ſpots he hath waſhed, the Covenant he hath made, the Adoption he hath beſtowed, the Hell he hath redeemed you from, the Heaven he hath appointed and prepared for you. And now get ſome further preparations for him and it too, by loving him better and loathing your ſelves more. We might all love God more, … we could love our ſelves leſs. Could holy Mr. Pradford ſit and weep at dinner till the …rs …ll on his trencher, becauſe he could love Chriſt no more and p. 72we ſit dry here at his own table with hearts void of Love to him?

24. Here have we our gracious Redeemer with died garments, glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatneſs of his ſtrength, ſtaining his raiment with the blood of his enemies and ours, trading the wine preſs of Gods wrath alone, mighty to ſave, ready to pardon. This ordinance of the ſupper …ives us the beſt occaſion of airing our ſelves in the ſweet and ſpacious field of our Lords ſufferings, And we cannot be good Chriſtians, if we do not hartily imbrace the opportunities the Goſpel gives us of calling his Croſs to remembrance. The bent of every believers mind ſtands this way, elſe how can we be ſaid to live by the faith of the ſon of God who gave himſelf for us? And if we be not led by a natural complacency to converſe with a crucified Saviour, how dwelleth the Love of God in us? Or how can we clear an intereſt in his Death for us? Hath he the heart of a Chriſtian that cares not to meditate on the death of Chriſt? Did the Apoſtle bear always about the dying of the Lord in his body and ſhould not we do the ſame in our hearts?

Now ſince our great buſineſs here is about Chriſt crucified let us enquire a little what doth the Lord require of us. The p. 73ſum of all is in three words. Behold me: Receive me and Walk in me. Firſt, obſerve how that great Goſpel-invitation of the Gentiles Iſa. 65.1, 15. is doubled. Behold me, Behold me. 1. To ſhew how ſerious a ſuiter Chriſt is for our ſouls, 2. to ſhew our natural averſneſs from looking unto Chriſt. 3. To ſhew how much of a Chriſtians work lies in looking unto Chriſt. 4. To take in and comprehend all kinds of people and ſorts of ſinners. 5. To hold out the delectably variety of ſweet Sights a ſoul may have of Chriſt in his Natures, Perſon, Offices, and Excel encies and Uſefulneſs. 6. To teach that tho' the firſt look of Chriſt ſhould not pleaſe, yet to look again and not to leave looking till we can find ſomething in Chriſt to a…lure us. Secondly Receive me, reſt in me and build upon me. Receive him that is come ſo far to you and ſuffered ſo much for you. When I was abundantly well with my Father always rejoycing before him, and was daily his delight, yet my delights were with the ſons of men. And down came I to be cloathed with your fleſh (a courſe garment for the Lord of Glory to go in) …at in your nature I might bear your curſe and dy the death you deſerved to dy, and to redeem you from that miſery you muſt have groaned under for ever. And ſhould ſuch p. 74a Comer not be welcome. Be ſummoning up all the powers of your ſouls to give him the haſtieſt Reception.

Laſtly, as you have received him ſo walk in him by a conſtant depending on him, drawing vertue from him and keeping Communion with him; yea farther we are to walk in Chriſt as we have received him i. e. with the ſame freſhneſs of affections, bent of will, ſatisfaction in him, and obſequiouſneſs to him, daily repeating that conſent and renewing that Covenant we made at firſt with him. Thus are we to behold him with an eye of faith, receive him with a hand of faith, and walk in him by a life of faith; and ſo ſhall we have the bleſſed end of our faith, the ſalvation of our ſouls.

25. The ſanctuary of the Lord may be profaned by us when we little think of it. The trueſt notion of profaneneſs is a contempt of ſacred things, Heb. 12.16. Now we ſhew our contempt of them, not only in keeping far from the things of Chriſt and ſalvation, but by ſetting about them with an ordinary and common frame, careleſs in preparing to meet our God in them, with a broken heart, becoming beſt an ordinance that ſh…ws forth a broken Chriſt for us.

p. 75In common providences we cannot know love or hatred by all that is before us. But here is ſomething before us whereby we may ſee Gods love to our ſouls and his hatred to our ſins. If we could by this Sight be ſtirred up to hate our vile luſts and love our dear Saviour more, then were we fit gueſts for the table of the Lord. Let us not look off this precious attonment here repreſented, till our hearts be turned againſt the ſins that put our Lord to all the pain and ſhame he ſuffered for them. Let never any of us love our ſelves till we can heartily loath our ſelves for ſin and then Chriſt will love us and delight in us. Next to our conſidering what ſights ſhall we have of Chriſt, our thoughts ſhould be taken up with what a ſight is he like to have of us. We come hither to ſee Chriſt. And be ſure the King comes in to ſee his gueſts, if there be ever a one that wants the wedding garment. The beſt ſight Chriſt could ſee of us here, were to ſee us, as once he ſaw Nathaniel ſitting under the fig-tree, an Iſraelite indeed in whom is no guile. Joh. 1.47.48. Or as once he ſaw Mary (and ſo taken with that ſight that he points her out for others to ſee. Luk. 7.44.) weeping for ſin and exceeding all the company in ſhewing love to Chriſt. As the people would not eat till Samuel the Prophet p. 76came to bleſs the ſacrifice unto them, 1 Samuel ….13. We can have no better proof of our High Prieſt's coming and bleſſing a Sacrament unto us, than to be found with Mary at Chriſt's Feet in Penitential Tears of Love towards our Pardoning Redeemer. But alas! how dead lye we by the Ark of the Lord as is ſaid of Ʋzzah, 2. Sam. 6.7. whom God ſtruck in his Anger with Death, for a wrong touch of the Ark at a Time? Here was God's ſeverity ſhewed on a Man who meant well, but gave the Ark a touch that he ſhould not: Now what wonder of God s Patience is it that ſome remarkable Judgments are not more frequently upon us for our untender touching of his moſt Holy things on Earth? How often take we, and touch we the Body of Chriſt with hard Hearts and unclean hands? O! let us lament over our inſenſible Souls, and ſay with David, till better prepared, How ſhall the Ark of the Lord come to me, 2 Sam. 6.9.

26. Luke 23.48. And all the people that came together to that ſight, ſmote their breaſts and returned. That ſight! that ſtrange ſight! that ſight of Chriſt on th… Croſs▪ Bleeding and Dying, ſuch another ſight was never ſeen in the World; Creatures Murdering their Creator; The Church of God, purchaſed with his own Blood▪ no wonder then all the people returned amazed. They ſmore their p. 77Breaſts, O! that it might break our hearts, for that is the heart-affecting ſight we come to ſee this day. O! the Heart-humbling ſight of Chriſts Sufferings; the Son of God ſuffering for the ſin of Man And as the Death of Chriſt is held out as the moſt wond rful Object; … that ſight!) ſo is it recommended to us as the moſt excellent Subject to be Diſcourſed of, not only as it was the great Subject of the great Apoſtles Preaching, 1 Cor. 2.2. but as it is the only Subject mentioned of Conference between Chriſt, Moſes and Elias, Luke 9.30, …1. A Subject moſt w…rthy of the moſt excellent perſons that can appear on Earth. And our Saviour recommends the ſayings of his Sufferings to a deeper impreſſion on their Hearts, than all the Miracles he wrought to their amazement who beheld them. Luke 9.43, 44. Now if Wiſdom hath furniſhed her Table with the repreſentation of ſo rare a thing, yea with the Bread of Life from Heaven, and the Cup of Salvation, even the Cup of the New Teſtament in Christ's Blood; let not ſo rich a repaſt be received as a common thing. Our bleſſed Lord comes not with an empty offer, but a full-hand and a free-heart to confer all his benefits and purchaſes; the diſpiſing of which by continued unbelief will be the worlds greateſt condemnation. It was charged on the Iſraelites as the great aggravation of p. 78their ſin, that they provoked God at the red ſea, even at the red ſea; the place where their miraculous ſalvation was wrought: But how will it aggravate our ſin to provoke God with a hard unprepared heart at the red Sea of his precious blood here repreſented, by which we are Redeemed. Let us never be friends with our own hearts, till we can love our Saviour bet er and hate our ſin more. If Namaan when cured of his Leproſy went away reſolved to ſerve no other God but the God of Iſrael; what ſhould we do whom Chriſt hath cured of many f…r more deſperate and dangerous diſeaſes? Labour to be that ground which drinketh in the rain which cometh upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for him that dreſſeth, and receiveth bleſſing from God. Heb. 6.7. Now what rain comparable to a ſhowre of Chriſts blood in a ſacrament? Where we either receive great bleſſing, or are brought nigh unto curſing.

27. The Perſians had a Feſtival day in the year they called Vitiorum interitum, whereon they ſlew all Serpents and Venemous Creatures: And ſuffered them to ſwarm till that day of year came about again. It's to be feared ſome do ſo at ſacrament times who by ſome Confeſſions and formal humblings think to clear old p. 79Scores and then go away and take on new ones; but if ſo ſuch may look the unclean ſpirit will return with 7 worſe and take a ſtronger Poſſeſſion than he had formerly. And ſinners muſt know their Confeſſions and humblings are hypocritical if one Luſt, or known ſin be left. As (1 Sam. 16 11.) Samuel ſaid to Jeſſe, are here all thy Children? So when we leave ſome ſins, Chriſt ſays are here all: Jeſſe anſwered, There was one more; ſays Samuel …ill that one come I will not ſit down. So ſays Chriſt as long as there is one be …ind I will not ſit down with thee, ſit where thou wilt. It's dangerous to boaſt with the moral young Man in the Goſpel, I have done this and tother thing, and yet one thing be lacking. To have our door lock t up ſtill, to keep Chriſt and ſalvation out, as a Covetous heart for the world, a ſenſual heart for the fleſh, a proud heart for the Devil will marr all, cannot be fit for heaven (if the door were open would not go in) where no fuell for ſuch a luſt. And therefore let us make a diligent ſearch and take great care ere you come to ranſack well all the corners of a deceitful heart, and truely repent of all ſin, viz. when our ſorrow ſprings from the root, and are affected with the ſeed of all ſin, even our corrupt nature and inclinations: and when we repent of all known ſin, on the common account p. 80of ſin. as contrary to Gods holy Law and Nature. And tho the heart be not always affected with a high degree of ſorrow intenſively, yet is Repentance true, if it be appretiative, accounting ſin the only thing to be ſorrowed for; and it we be diſpleaſed with our ſelves, that the heart is not anſwerable to our light and convictions, in the exerciſe of Repentance. And think not that all your ſorrow for ſin, without Faith in God through Chriſt, will ſuffice. The weeping eye muſt look upon Chriſt, whom thou haſt pierced with thy ſin. We muſt look for all good from him againſt whom we have ſinned, take up our reſt in him; and it's faith and hope in God muſt purify our heart for him, make our ſoul deſpiſe the world, deſire heaven, loath ſelf, love the Lord, and venture all on a word of promiſe, truſting God with all the moſt dangerous like events of providence, and conſequences of duty.

28 Two things had need be minded about this buſineſs, viz. to prepare diligently; Take pains with a dull heart, cleanſe a polluted ſoul compoſe a diſtracted mind. Conſider ſo great a preſence, and lift up thy heart for a bleſſing ere thou eat knowing that even the beſt partake unworthily if his Graces be not excited and exerciſed. But again, beware of reſting on preparations; for never more unfit than when proud of fitneſs, like poor children that grow proud of being p. 81a little finer than ordinary; but conſidering how far ſhort of what God requires and Chriſt deſerves, there is cauſe of humbling. Never are we more fit than when humbled under and aſhamed of unfitneſs. If aſhamed of our ſelves, we are moſt like to have a ſight of himſelf, Ezek. 43.11. And at our beſt there will ſtill be room left for Hezekiah's prayer, 2 Chron. 30.18▪19. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to ſeek God, the Lord God of his Fathers, tho he be not cleanſed according to the purification of the Sanctuary: But beware of abuſing God's Grace, in allowing or regarding in your heart any ſin you ſeek pardon or with your Lips. Seek to be ſanctified wholly, and get of God no leſs than his own allowance, of a new heart and a new ſpirit; for God will not put his new wine into your old bottles, nor his precious Liquors into unclean Veſſels, but his ſecret is with them that fear him, and he will ſhew them his covenant. Senſual hearts that ſavour nothing but of the world, cannot feed here on Chriſt, and eat of the hidden Manna. For the carnal mind can neither be ſubject to the Law of God, nor ſuit the Goſpel of Chriſt.

And here being high ſet, let us labour to be ſuch as may be well ſerved with the beſt. Now to perform high duties upon low motives, argues a heart full of fleſh. The Nobleſt Motives to Duties are to be found in God, eſpecially p. 82as revealed in Chriſt. And unto the ſervice of this exalted Lord ſhould we be engaging all that is within us; for he is worthy for whom we ſhould do it.

But if any be queſtioning if ſo great a Majeſty will give man a meeting: But will God in very deed dwell with men? Ye, he will Tabern…le it with man. And if any come hither ſenſible of ſin and with a broken heart for it, and well reſolved to break away from ſin, and all that may hinder this happy meeting, he will no… fail to meet yo…, yea, to dwell with you too, Iſa. 5….15.

Again, muſt you meet with him, and cannot be refuſed this Requeſt, whatever he ſay you nay in … I dare promiſe ſuch a ſoul a meeting this day, if with Jacob you cannot be contented to go without him.

And yet again, …ſt thou ſh…t thy Eyes on all preparations and performances, as Mediators in the meeting, and fixed them on Chriſt for merit and mercy, then will he come and commune over the mercy-ſeat and no where elſe.

If thou be'ſt ſo addicted to his fellowſhip as no Joy is to thoſe banquets Iſa. 64.5. And if ſtrong deſires from fervent love can be maintained there is a viſit a coming Hoſ. 6.3. Song. 2.5, 8.

29. The title of this Ordinance of the Lords laſt ſupper is the ſame with ſome p. 83Pſalms, To bring to remembrance. Chriſt is here to be remembred in his death at the beſt advantage for his love to ſinners; and where Faith is beſt accommodated with an object to feed upon, above what all the earth can afford it. Chriſt crucified is the great doctrine of the Goſpel, and the great ſight in this ordinance. Its a dying Chriſt we come here to remember; which hath ſomething in it beyond all his life in doctrine, miracles and obedience And this memorial is appointed to be kept up of him, till he come again; not that afterward he ſhall be more forgotten: but that there will then need no ſuch help to remember, when we ſhall be ever with the Lord and Immediately behold him. But till we come to ſee him as he is, we can have no better ſight of him than thro' the glaſs of this ordinance we have now at our eye. For here are we under the view of a pierced Lord Jeſus, to mourn and rejoyce, to believe and love; for no other ordinance can give ſo fair an oceaſion to exerciſe a Goſpel grace at once, as this does. For here have we matter of mourning in our eye for ſin that ſacrificed our high priest himſelf. And no ſmall matter of Joy in God through Jeſus Chriſt by whom we have received the attonement; and then let us look on our ſuffering Lord and believe in that ſacrifice offered for Grace and peace. And love him that p. 84hath loved you and waſhed you in his own blood, ſo the Capital Graces (in ſtead of the four Cardinal Ver…ues) may all here be moſt eminently imployed and exerted. And how can we partake but unworthily if we neglect the exerciſe of graces in and about the Action? And no Wonder then one guilt draw one another, viz. We exerciſe not Grace in the Action if we neglected to prepare for it before our coming hither. And let no Chriſtian think, that our examining for all will ſerve no at every approach be ſeeing how it is with faith in Chriſt, how lively ſtrong and well grown ſince laſt occaſion of looking on your Redeemer in this Ordinance.

30 This is the moſt ſolemn memorial of Chriſt crucified, that his Church on Earth is bleſſed with. Now it is appointed for remembring of Chriſt; implies, 1. That for all Chriſt hath done for us yet his people are apt to forget him …. That Chriſt is careful to help his people's weakneſs. 3. That there is that in Chriſt's death which is worthy of a perpetual remembrance. 4. It points out the eaſy …k… of Chriſt, and reaſonable ſervice of Chriſtianity, that for all his death and purchaſe he requires but a thankful remembrance of what he hath done for his Elect. 5. It ſpeaks the de…ire of Chriſt to be in his peoples thoughts, and ſhews how much his de i…hts are with the ſons of men ſtill 6. It ſhews forgetters of Chriſt can be none of his Diſciples: and that no frame can fit p. 85this ordinance without heart affecting thoughts of our bleſſed Redeemer. Think never ſo much of ſin and duties and of all other divine truths, if you think not much on your ſuffering Saviour you anſwer not the end of this ordinance. 7. That if you can by the help of this ordinance, keep up a due remembrance of Chriſt here, you ſhall not need to fear for getting of him hereafter where we ſhall for ever look this Lamb of God in the face.

Qu. What are we to remember of Christs death in this Ordinance.

Anſ. 1. The bitter Agonies and bloody Paſſions of his Death. How pained, pierced, buffeted reviled, tempted, betrayed, denied, deſerted by his own Deſciples, and which is more than all, bruiſed and forſaken of his Heavenly Father. And who can declare the ſufferings that he endur'… in his generation?

2. The unſpeakable patience with which he ſuffered all; when his Enemies, like Lions roaring upon him; he, as a Lamb opened not his Mouth When you are afflicted, remember your Lord, and learn Patience.

3 And how willingly and chearfully did he undergo all. It was written of him, I will delight …o do thy will, O God! and that in the work of our Redemption as a Sacrifice for us, as appears from Pſal. 40 6, 7, 8. with what wonderful deſire did our Bleſſed Lord run this race that was ſet before him! enduring the Croſs, and deſpiſing the ſhame, for the Joy p. 86that was ſet before him; and this Joy was to ſave us from Periſhing. O! that he ſhould more rejoice in our ſufferings, than we in his Salvation.

4. Remember theſe ſufferings were all expiatory for our Sin, otherwi…e all our remembrances would want Life For our tranſgreſſions was he wounded, and the chaſtiſement of our peace was laid on him.

5. Rem…mber who it was that ſuffered all this for us. Who, but the Lord of Glory deſcending from his Throne of Glory and debaſing himſelf to the meaneſt condition imaginable. O! ſee what a Throne he ſtepped from into the loweſt poſture of ſinful likeneſs, to become our ſurety, and make ſatisfaction to juſtice.

6. Remember the Love that lay at the bottom of all, for nothing but Divine Love and i…created Kindneſs could take us up, and waſh us in his preciou… Blood, when we lay polluted in our Blood and Go…e. Remember th… I … more than …e.

Q…. How ſh…l C…riſt's Death be remembr…d?

…ſ. 1. …nit ntly, with broken, b…eedin… Hearts for th ſins that P…er…d h….

2. Sinc…r…ly a… reall▪ n…t … …ward appearance …nl… by … at his Table. Many … to him …, that want true … him.

3. Affectionately and heartily, with bo…ls ſ…ring tow…ds your ſuff…ring Saviour, and glor…fied …terceſſ…r.

p. 874. Moſt joyfully glorying in nothing but in the Croſs of Christ, b… which we are reconciled to God and mortified to the world.

5. Moſt thankfully with a praiſeful …rame of heart, Pſ 72.15.

6. Maintain it with ſome conſtancy. Be remembrin… Chriſt not on…y till you come hither again, but until the Lord come again to fetch you to himſelf.

3… As the Lord will more liberally let out his Love in this Ordinance to the broken hearted believer, than in any other; ſo muſt the abuſer of it by a common carnal frame look for Chriſt's avenging himſelf more ſeverely for this abuſe than any other. F…r, ſaith Bernard, In hoc ſacro non ſolum aliqua gratia, ſed ille in quo omnis gratia. One of Gods greateſt grounds of Controverſy with his own, I am apt to think, is unworthy and unſuitable ſitting down with the Lord at this Table. The Papiſts have the Ordinance unſuitable to Inſtitution, and all, as we, have Communicants unſuitable to the Ordinance.

Wherefore, inſtead of coming hither to meet the Lord, it's to be feared the Lord ma… meet ſome with that …rtling queſtion, Friend▪ how cam…ſt thou in hither, not having the Wedding Garment? which may either ſtrike the ſinner with aſtoniſhing ſilence, or (if C…nſcience ſpeak its own language) put to this tr…mbling anſwer, H…w p. 88came I hither? Wretch that I am, I came ruſhing unduly upon ſo ſacred a ſervice, compaſſing thy Altar with unwaſhen hands, and an unbroken heart; I was bold to come without any ſelf-examination, humiliation, or pre-meditation of what is before me. I came hither with no more remorſe for ſin, nor ſerious thoughts of Chriſt than I uſe to have at a common Table. I came as careleſs and unconcerned about Chriſt, or my own heart, as if it had been the Table of an Idol, that could neither ſee nor underſtand. I came as I uſe to do about other buſineſs▪ with a worldly, carnal▪ covetous, proud and ſenſual heart. Then, bind him hand and foot, and throw him into utter darkneſs, will be his Doom, and all ſuch impudent bold comers, who diſcern not the Lord's body, and have no fitneſs for this ſpiritual Banquet. For the hipocrite; that looks no higher than to have a Name to live, hath the Serpents curſe, even in Sacraments and beſt duties, not Chriſt but duſt does he eat.

Little do many think what account they have to give of eating and drinking at the Table of the Lord. Under the Law, Exod 12.4. every man, according to his eating, was to make his account for the Lamb; ſo much more under the Goſpel, at Chriſt's holy Table, every ſoul ſhall account according to his eating, how, with what frame and fruit he did eat there? There is a greater reckoning on this ſcore than many dream of: It may p. 89be ſaid of many eaters here as of thoſe eaters in Gen. 41.21. when the Lean Kine had eaten up the Fat ones, it could not be known they had eaten them, being ſtill ſo ill-favoured as at the beginning. Alas! can it be ſeen a while hence by the moſt diſcerning eye, that we did eat this day with Christ?

32. Gen. 24 33. And there was meat ſet before Abraham's Servant; but he ſaid, I will not eat till I have told mine errand. So hath God ſet meat before you here, but I think you are all willing to forbear till I have ſpoken my word, as it is in the Hebrew there. And now all your eyes ſhould be upwards that the great Maſter of the Feaſt ſhould direct a right word unto you, even a word upon the Wheels. The word I have to ſpeak at preſent is that precious ſaying of our bleſſed Saviour concerning himſelf, Joh. 6.35. I am the bread of life. O to underſtand and believe this word! That the bread of God is he that cometh down from heaven, and gi…eth life unto the world, v. 33. Now the Manna Iſrael had, was a Type of our heavenly bread, which they gathered not when it firſt fell; and they wiſt not what it was, until Moſes told them, It was the bread of God given them from heaven; and then they gathered, …xod. 16.15, 17. So will no m… care to meddle with Chriſt till they knew him to be bread to their ſouls, given them from heaven for eternal Life. And every man gathered p. 90the Manna according to his eating, v. 18. nothing over or under. So indeed there is nothing here but for …our eating, all is loſt you feed not on, your time, your pains, this bread, this wine, the truths you hear, the things you ſee, the preparatians both you and we make, is all loſt, it there be no feeding on this bread of Life. The whole (Apparatus) Action is loſt, and all that belongs to it, which comes not up to feeding and refreſhing; viz. if Graces be not quickned, Corruptions weakned, hearts warmed, minds enlightned, wills renewed, life reformed, ſouls ſanctified, and ſin pardoned.

But while you hear of eating Chriſt's fleſh and drinking his blood, and making food of Chriſt in this Ordinance, we muſt abhor the groſs and literal underſtanding of this, with Capernaits of Old and Papiſts of late contrary to Chriſt's true meaning, and his own interpretation of believing in him, v 47 and my words are ſpirit, v. 63. So that all muſt be underſtood ſpiritually, and done in Faith.

Then there is a feeding here by faith on Christ▪ 1. when the ſoul finds reſt in him, as it could never do in ſelf, or any other, now being come to Chriſt finds rest in him, and ſees its ſaf…ty by building on the Rock. 2 when refreſhed with the lively hopes of the purchaſed p…ſeſſ…n: 3 when it receives ſpiritual ſtrength for ſervice, and his Love girds its loyns: 4 when his ſenſible preſence makes p. 91glad the ſoul: 5. when ſights of Chriſt mortifies the mind to the world; then feeds the Chriſtian by faith on Chriſt.

33. Chriſt ſaith to none, eat and drink and his heart is not with them. Nay this is the bread of him that hath an evil eye, we are forbid to eat of, Prov. 2.3.6, 7. …ut our liberal Lord ſaith, eat and drink abundantly▪ O Beloved. Song. 5.1.

Q. What is it to eat and drink abundantly in Gods houſe, or at Chriſts table? Anſ. Its the ſame with being filled with the ſpirit, Eph. 5.18. Q. What is it to be filled with the ſpirit.

Anſ. 1. To be eminent in Grace and ripe for Glory. To be under rich anointings of the ſpirit, above our fellows, abounding in the fruits of the ſpirit.

2. A ſowing to the ſpirit, full of ſpiritual projects and deſigns. Act 10.38. a forward activity and doing our outmoſt to advance the Kingdom of God among men.

3. To abound in ſpiritual thoughts, and be ſpiritually minded, Pſa. 139.17, 18. Magis Dei …neminiſſe debemus quam reſpirare. Omne tempus, quo de Deo non cogitasti cogita te perdi….

4. To be filled with ſpiritual deſires, ſtill breathing after heaven. Pſa. 101.2. Rev. 22.27.

5. To be filled with holy zeal and boldneſs for Chriſt and his cauſe.

6. To be well furniſhed with all ſpiritual p. 92abilities for the work and worſhip of God.

7. To be …illed with ſpiritual Conſolation Acts. 9.31. The Joy of the Lord to be our strength. Alas! with what ſtant meaſures take moſt of us up in Religion and the matters of God.

Qu. What are the marks of theſe fuller meaſures of eating and drinking abundantly with Chriſt, or being filled with the ſpirit?

Anſ. 1. A conſtant drawing, and ever bringing our empty buckets to his well to be filled. A Saint that cannot be contented to ſtand always at the bottom, but teaching forth to get up to the top of the hill, for a fuller view, and getting new diſcoveries of the holy land, bringing out of his treaſures things new and old.

2 When ſpiritual receivings have greatly quenched our thirſts after temporal things.

3. When we can rejoyce in our Lords work and find a delight in Gods ways.

4 The well is full when it runs over in praiſes to God for his communications, Eph. 5.18 19. And in commending Chriſt unto others, Song. 5.

Qu. What ſhall we do for fuller meaſures

Anſ. 1. Keep a good Stomack; fervent deſires and ſpiritual hungrings are the beſt preparations for plentiful partakings. Pſa. 81.11.

2. Beware of ſelf conceit and creature fulneſs that will hinder being filled with the p. 93ſpirit. God gives more grace to the humble. Jam. 4.6.

3. Be very thankful for meaſures received, Col. 2.7. We can never abound in Grace but by thanksgiving. Prize a little grace above all Gods gifts, and he will not fail to give you more.

4. Put in for larger meaſure, and let thy heart tell God that if he will but fill thee with grace and Godlineſs, you will be content with the leſs allowance in other things, Joh. 16.24. Song. 2.5.

5. Sue out thy fill out of the promiſes. Joel. 2.28. Zech. 9.12. Eph. 3.19, 20. And tell God that he put it out there, that it ſhould ly there, but in thy heart.

34. Qu. By what motives may Chriſtians be ſtirred up to eat and drink abundantly, and to richer participations of the ſpirit?

Anſ. 1. There is no other fill recommended to us but to be filled with the ſpirit, not with wine or any nature elſe. Other things are commended to us in a Moderation, to be uſed ſoberly and ſparingly.

2 Becauſe in theſe ſpiritual enjoyments there can be no exceſs, Surfeiting as in earthly things. Eph. 5.18. Other things may cloy you and you loath them as Ammon did Tamar and Solomon his Worldly Vanities But not ſo with Chriſt and Grace, rich receivings begets greater hungering after richer and full participations.

p. 943. It's ſet in oppoſition to ſinful ſenſuality It is not a light tincture but a double dy of Re…igion that will bring down ſome luſts and aſt out ſome Devils. What ſhou d be the reaſon that luſt ſt nds as a Marble pillar again … all our partaking of ordinances, but that we eat and drink, but not abandantly? Eph 5.18.

4. … beſt proportions a Chriſtian for his work. He had need feed and gird his loins w…ll …, that hath a great Journey to go. Much gr… will fit us for doing more ſervi…. Cor 15 10.

5. … becomes a Goſpel ſtate, for Chriſt I come that we might partake more abundantly than believers did under the law. Joh. 10.10.

6. Our emptyneſs reflects diſhonour on the Fathers fulneſs, as if there were not bread enough and to ſpare in his houſe. If the ſervants be ſeen poor and meanly appareled, they will hardly believe the Maſter to be rich and bountiful.

7. The more Grace, the more Glory; and they loſe m…re than the whole World, that loſe th… leaſt degree o… Glory.

8. Lar…e receivings would make o…r paſſage at laſt far more eaſy and comfortable, 2 Pet. 1.8 11. Acts 7.55. more of the Spirit would better aſſure us of our Heaven…y Intereſt, ſo as to have the witneſs in our ſelves. p. 95If we live poor, we cannot think to die rich.

9. The more of God in any Creature, he is the more delighted with it, Song 5.1.

10. It conforms us beſt unto our bleſſed Head, who received not the Spirit by meaſure, and all for filling us. If we draw not from his fulneſs, we make it void as much as we can.

11. We ſhould labour to drink as deep of Grace, and Chriſt's Cup as we have done of Sin, and the World's, Rom. 5.2.

12. It would be matter of Praiſe in the Churches of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.5. 2 Cor. 9.11.

35. If Satan ſhould accuſe any honeſt comers as once Joſeph accuſed his Brethren, You are Spies. It were a good Anſwer, what they made to him, Thy Servants are true men and for Good are we come. I this be our end, it's right in Chriſt's Eyes, that we come for good to our Souls.

Q. What Arguments may we uſe with Chriſt for his feeding and refreſhing us …e?

A. 1. Say to Chriſt, as the Aneel to the Prophet, The Journey is too great and therefore thou muſt have that thou mayeſt be refreſhed, 1 Kings 19.7. Thou canſt not go on thy way without it.

2. It's ſights of Chriſt here that will make Saints go on like Lions againſt ſin and Satan.

3. Hath he not paſt his promiſe for feeding his own, yea, to eat and be ſatisfied, Pſal. 22. 6. Pſal. 111.5. Prov. 10.3.

p. 964. Hath he not made them worſe than Infidels that feed not their own Family?

5. Did he feed the multitude, becauſe he had compaſſion on their Bodies and wi l he not have compaſſion on the Souls or his own?

6. Doth he feed young Ravens, and will he starve Believers?

7. Have we not his own invitation to the Feaſt, and will the Maſter of the Houſe make it a Faſt?

8. Shall we ear of the Tree of Life and hidden Manna in Heaven? Surely he n ver meant to ſtarve ſuch by the way, but allow t …m ſ…me cau…r: of the firſt ripe Grapes to refreſh them in the Wild…rneſs.

9 May we not plead with our loving Lord thus? Lord I hear thou keepeſt a good Houſe, having bread enough to ſpare; give me ſuch a Portion as may commend it unto me, and I will commend it to others.

10. We may ſay, How many haſt thou refreſhed of thy poor and needy? Haſt not thou ſaid, Whoſoever will let him come and Drink freely; upon thy call I come to drink of Wiſdom's ſpiced Wine; of this conſecrated Cup, that I may here and hereafter remember thy Love more than Wine.

11. I plead my own neceſſiti…s and wants, where ſhould the poor be filled, and the hungry feed but at the gates of the Rich and Full? If thou haſt not enough, ſend me away p. 97empty; but I make a Vertue of Neceſſity. I muſt live by my Food (as other Creatures do) and is not Chriſt the food of a hungry Soul?

12. I plead thy Glory for my feeding here, will this commend thy bounty and compaſſion to ſend away from thy Fulneſs, a ſtarving Beggar without ſupply?

Let us caſt an eye on that Miraculous Feaſt Chriſt made the Multitude, Luke 9.17. And they did eat and were all filled and the fragments gathered up far exceeded the poor proviſion it was made of. O! but it had Chriſt's bleſſing and that made much of a little. And when we are Chriſt's Gueſts, we ſhould not only eat, but look to be filled. And gather up the Fragments, incomes and expences of Divine Love and Favour.

Now that we may take this Feaſt up aright, it is not a Sacrifice, but a Sacrifical Feaſt, or Covenant Feaſt of Peace and Friendſhip; a Feaſt after a Sacrifice, and by our eating here, is declared our intereſt in that Sacrifice of Chriſt's Fleſh, offered to reconcile us to God, even as they under the Law did …t of the Sacrifice, and ſo partake of the Altar, to ſhew it was theirs that the Prieſt offered, as if they had been at the Altar with the Prieſt.

And further, this is a Feaſt of God's providing, as Abraham to Iſaac: God will provide p. 98himſelf a Lamb for a burnt Offering; and therefore was the Sacrifice accepted, becauſe it was of his providing, for known unto him alone it was, what would ſatisfy his own Juſtice And ſtr…ng… it was, that this Sacrificeing of his Son ſhould be a ſweet ſmelling Savour, a more wonderful word was never written, Eph. 5.2. How dear muſt our Salvation be unto God, that made the greateſt Sufferings of Christ ſo pleaſing to him, which other wiſe the Lord would have abhorred▪ Wherever the Sacrifice is ſaid to be a ſweet Savour, its …aid to be made with Fire, Num. 28. and 20 chapters, ſhewing that nothing but Chriſt s Sufferings can Satisfy for our ſin, For all the Sacrifices only ſignified Chriſt, but could not ſatisfy God

36. Our proper exerciſe here, conſiſts of Meditation, Petition and Reſolution.

For Meditation; the thoughts of the righteous are right; it's no ſmall part of our work to have right and proper thoughts at preſent. 1. Think how unworthy I am to appear here, and have place among them that ſtand by, tho I were not admitted to ſit down with my Lord himſelf. I, who to Natural Corruption, have added ſuch a heap of actual Tranſgreſſions; inward enmity, and outward contrariety to God: Ignorance, unbelief, apoſtaſy, deſpiſing of grace, and abuſing of patience, have ſo filled up my meaſure, and p. 99made ſo great a part of my wretched days and unworthy Life. 2. Think how worthy and honourable is Christ, to whoſe holy Table I preſume to approach. He who is the Fathers dorling and delight, the light of Heaven, and the great Bleſſing of all Nations; who hath obtained a name above every name, at whoſe name every knee muſt bow, and whom the Angels of Heaven all do Worſhip. He whoſe Table I am now ſitting at on Earth, ſits higheſt in Heaven, at this very moment. 3. Think again how good it is to ſit here with a ſound Heart, we cannot be better ſet on Earth: But if a Hypocrite; how ill I am ſet, having not on a Wedding Garment: I mock God, harden my own heart, heap up wrath, eat and drink damnation by Crucifying the Lord afreſh. 4. Think, what is my buſineſs here, but to meet the Lord Chri…t by his own appointment, that I may get more acquaintance, and grow more in Love with him, and to be more obliged to him, by a new ſight of my Redemption by him, and receiving ſome Spiritual gift. 5. Think what is proſered me here. His Love, his Grace, his Peace, his Pardon, his Covenant and Kingdom. 6 You have never a right thought here, if you think not of a bleeding Christ, a ſuffering and ſatisfying Redeemer, hanging on the Croſs, and all your ſins hanging on him. For what p. 100elſe could ever bring him there; having no ſin to ſuffer for of his own and all power to avoid ſuffering by any? And think again how he was dealt with on terms of Juſtice, that we might be dealt with on terms of Mercy. And …t which would have been in ſo many drops of an Eternal Hell to us, was made to meet on him in one great Sea, drinking up Dregs and all O! think, ranſomed, Saved Sinner, if Chriſt had not drunk thy Cup of Wrath to free thee; thou muſt had ſuch a Cup put to thy head as if brought to a great Sea fill'd with Gall and Wormwood, and Justice ſay to thee, Now ſinner, thou that likedſt ſo well the Cup of ſin, …o here is the Cup of wrath, drink and never leave Drinking while one drop is left Now ſee your obligation to Chriſt, and deſpiſe him if you can; And ſee how ſad it had been to be without him.