un. Communion. Observations. offended, eitlier by Will, But still take care, that Word, or Dced, there you so not with an evil Conscience, as Judas did; to bewail your own Sino with any bad Design of Mafulness, and to confess lice in your Heart ;--yourselves to Almighty while you live and resolve God, with full Purpose repented ot.-Or, 10 die in any known Sin of Amendment of Life. And if ye shall perceive Lastly, without fully pure your Offences to be posing, through the Grace Life bea such as are not only of God, to lead against God, but also coming a Christian. against your Neighbours, then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them, being ready to make Restitution and Satisfaction, according totheutterinost of your Powers, for all Injuries and Wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready to forgiveothers that have offended you, as you would have Forgiveness of your Offences at God's Hand; for otherwise theReceiving of the holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your Damna Obser. tion. Communion. Observations. tion. Therefore, if any Consider therefore, the of you be a Blasphemer great Hazard you run of go of God, an Hinderer or you live in any known Sin: ing to the Sacrament, while Slanderer of his Word, You will provoke God to an Adulterer, or be in leave you to yourself, and to Malice or Envy, ortinually seeking whom he that evil Spirit, who is conin any other grievous may be permitted to do. Crime : repent you of vour. your Sins, or else come not to that holy Table; lest after the taking of that holy Sacrament the Devil enter into you as he entered into Judas, and fill you full of all Iniquities, and bring yon toDestruction both of Body and Soul. Do not despise so kind an And because it is re- Offer as the Minister of God quisite, that no Man now makes you, if you have any Doubt upon your Spishould come to the holy rits, the Advantage being Communion but with a greater than you can at prefull Trust in God's Mer- sent imagine. cy, and with a quiet portunity of convincing you You will give him an OpConscience: therefore, of Sins, which, perhaps, you if there be any of you were not before aware of, who by this Means can- Judgment against you;,or and which may arise in not quiet his own Con- clearing up some Doubts, science herein, but re- which might proceed from quireth further Com- a disordered Mind or State fort or Counsel, let of Health, rather than from an evil Conscience. him) And Communion. Observations. liim come unto me, or And do not entertain a to some other discreet Thought so injurious to the and learned Minister of Saviour to the Pastors of his merciful Promise of your God's Word, and open Church, St. John xx. 23. or his Grief that, by the imagine, that the Absolution Ministry of God's holy given by his Minister, after Word, he may receive Motives and Manner of your the Benefit of Absolu- Repentance, according to the tion, together with Rules of the Gospel, do not ghostly Counsel and imagine, that this will be of no avail to the Health of Advice, to the quiet- your Soul, and to the Coming of his conscience, fort of your Mind. and avoiding of all Scruple and Doubtful ness. Communion. . Observations. Rubrick. Or, in Case he shall No Minister of God must sec the People negli- say, that he cannot get such a convenient Number as the gent to come to the ho- Rubrick requires to commuly Communion, instead nicate with him as often as he of the former, he shall himself is disposed, until he use this Exhortation : can truly say, that he has applied to his People more than once, in the Words of this Exhortation followin; And until he has begged of God to touch their Hearts Obser- F with Observation. with a Sense of their Duty and Danger, as he promises, and will not fail to do, cun. sidering bow very much depends upon su sacred and saving an Ordinance. Communion. Pious Reflections. DEARLY beloved When the tender Love of Brethren, on -I in God will not prevail with Christians to consider their tend, by God's Grace, Ways, they will learn from to celebrate the Lord's this Exhortation what they Supper; unto which, must expect from the dein God's Behalf, I bid spised Offers of Mercy. you all that are here present, and beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christ's Sake, that ye will not refuse to coine thereto, being so lov. ingly called and bidden by God himself. Ye know how grievous and Say therefore to yourself, unkind a Thing it is, Why am I so earnestly, so when a Man hath pre- Pastor, why is the Church, so lovingly invited? Why is my pared a rich Feast, much concerned for my godecked his Table with ing to the Lord's Supper :all Kind of Provision, Is it not because she knows, that there Jacketh able Way of serving God, of that this is the most acceptnothing securing · Communion. Pious Reflections. nothing but the Guests securing his Favour and my to sit down, and yet own Salvation ? Is it not because she would they who are called have me to look into the (without any Cause) State of my Soul, as I must most unthankfully re do before I go to this Sacrafuse to come. Which ment, that I may not live in the Way to Ruin, till I am of you in such a Case surpised by Death, and utwould not be moved ? (terly unprepared for the 'AcWho would not think count I inust give ? Shall my Saviour's and his a great Injury and Alinaster's Love and Care be Wrong done unto him? lost upon me - Is this the Wherefore, most dearly Way to shew my Tliankfulbeloved in Christ, take ness for the Mercies I hope for on Account of his Death? ye good heed, lest ye, Is He the better for my withdrawingyourselves Services ? Or do I not, infrom this holy Supper, when I obey his Commands, deed, serve myself most, provoke God's Indig, and accept of his Invitation? nation against you. It is an easy Matter for a Man to say, I will not They that be whole, indeed, communicate, because need not a Physician: but dare I am otherwise hindred I say this is my Case, when I with worldly Business. so sensibly feel the Corrup tion of my Nature, and how But such Excuses are much I stand in Need of not so easily accepted Helpi and allowed before Must I 'be invited, intreatGod. If any Man say, I Thanks for the greatest Bles ed, compelled, to give God am a grievous Sinner, sing he ever bestowed on and am therefore afraid Men - And to lay hold on to come, wherefore the only Means of making my Peace with biin? then do ye not repent Doth it repeut me, th it I and W29 |