and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death. Q. 171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it? A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves' of their being in Christ", of their sins and wants"; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Ver. 27. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Ver. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Ver. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. k1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 171. 11 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. m 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves: know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? " 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out there-' fore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Compared with Exod. xii. 15. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread, even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses; for whoso ever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 01 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. P 1 Cor. xiii. 5. [See above in letter m.] Mat. xxvi. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 9 Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. 1 Cor. xi. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Ver. 17. For we, being many, are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that charity to all men', forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ", and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces *, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer 1. that one bread. Acts ii. 46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness' and singleness of heart, Ver. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. s1 Cor. v. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. xi. 18. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. Ver. 20. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. Mat. v. 23. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Ver. 24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. "Isa, lv. 1. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. John vii. 37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. w1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unlea Q. 172. May vened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Ver. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. X 1 Cor. xi. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in re membrance of me. Ver. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Ver. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Heb. x. 21. And having an high priest over the house of God, Ver. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Ver. 24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works. Psal. xxvi. 6. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord. 1 Cor. xi. 24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 2 2 Chron. xxx. 18. For à multiQ 3 tude Q. 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord's supper? A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord's supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God's account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be tude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written: but Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one Ver. 19. That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. Mat. xxvi. 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 172. Isa. I. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 1 John v. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Psal. lxxxviii. throughout. Psal. lxxvii. to Verse 12. Ver. 1. I cried unto God with my voice: even unto God with my voice, and he gave ear unto me. Ver. 2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. Ver. 3. I remembered God, and was trou bled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Ver. 4. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak, &c. Ver. 7. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Ver. 8. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Ver. 9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies ? Jonah ii. 4. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. Ver. 7. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. b Isa. liv. 7. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. Ver. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. Ver. 9. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. Ver. 10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kind. ness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath 'mercy on thee. Mat. v. 3. Blessed are be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity : in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Ver. 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Psal. xxxi. 22. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes; nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cried unto thee. Psal. lxxiii. 13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. Ver. 22. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Ver. 23. Nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand. Phil. iii. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Ver. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Psal. x. 17. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. * Psal. xlii. 1. As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Ver. 2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Ver. 5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Ver. 11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. d 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Psal. lxvi. 18. If I re-* gard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Ver. 19. But verily, God hath heard me: he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Ver. 20. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. e Isa. xl. 11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Ver. 29. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Ver. 31. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Mat. xi. 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat. xii. 20. A bruised reed shall Q 4 he he is to bewail his unbelief', and labour to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's supper, that he may be further strengthened". Q. 173. May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord's supper, be kept from it? A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord's supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in his church, until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation *. he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Mat. xxvi. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. f Mark ix. 24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 8 Acts ii. 37. Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts xvi. 30. And he brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? h Rom. iv. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 173. i 1 Cor. xi. 27. to the end. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of Q. 174. What the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Ver. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Ver. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. Ver. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. Ver. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged, &c. to the end of the Chapter. Compared with Mat. vii. 6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. And with 1 Cor. Chapter v. to the end. And with Jude, Ver. 23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garments spotted by the flesh. And with 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partakers of other men's sins : keep thyself pure. k 2 Cor. ii. 7. So that contrariwise, ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such an one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 174. Lev. |