A Short and Easie Catechism, Wherein the More Difficult Terms in the Assemblie's Shorter Catechism are Opened and Explained/Chapter 6
Some Directions anent the Lord's
SUPPER.
Q.1.WHat is the Nature and End of this Ordinance?
Ans. By the outward Signs of Bread and Wine, we are brought to the Remembrance of Christ's broken Body, and his Blood shed for our Sins; or as Bread nourisheth, and Wine Refresheth our Bodies; so our Spiritual feeding on a slain Redeemer, Revives and restores our Souls.
Q. 2. Who may be admitted to this Supper-Ordinance?
A. All these who having competent Knowledge, and are not scandalous in their Lives, and adhering to their Baptismal Covenant, Profess their desire of Communion with Christ, and to increase Holiness unto Eternal Life, may be admitted unto this Holy Supper.
Q. 3. But may not Ministers admit some, who ought not to admit themselves?
A. False and Rotten Hearted Hypocrites ought not to come, nor these who are Leavened with Malice, or have any Lust Reigning in their Heart; And Generally all such as have not been at some pains to prepare their Heart for the Lord, in this Ordinance, ought not to Partake of it.
Q. 4. How oft must we Partake of this Sacrament?
A. Very frequently, Because, we have frequent need of Spiritual Food, & if we often Feed our Bodies on our daily Bread, how much more should we often Feed our Souls on Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life?.
And that you may manage thy Work aright, Take care to follow these few Directions.
I. Before the Sacrament.
I.SEe that you set apart some time, or times, before hand, retire your selves from all worldly business, taking your Bible alongst with you, and some Godly Books treating of ye Sacrament & Christ's sufferings; And when thus alone, be as serious as you can; These Hours wch you spend in Communing wt the Lord, & your own Heart, will upon Reflection, be found the most sweet & sappie times of all your life.
2. After you have Prayed, enter upon your Solemn Work of Self-examination; State your selves as in the Presence of God, and make an impartial Soul-search, wt respect to your Spiritual Estate, your Sins, your Graces, and your Habitual disposition, and Course of Life.
As to your Souls Estate, see what Scripture evidence you can produce for your Conversion; And here you would neither be too easily satisfied, nor make your self uneasie by hearkning to unreasonable scruples.
As to your Sins, Consider what are the Iniquities that prevail most against you in Prosperity, and that stare you most in the Face in Adversity, and be as particular as possible: And give not over till your Heart be Wounded, Humbled and Melted down before the LORD.
As to your Graces, See if your Knowledge (tho' weak) be Experimental and Practical; if your Repentance make you Grieve for, and turn from all known Sin; If your Faith and Hope be of a purifying Nature; If your Love to God and your Neighbour make you Active in Well-doing; And if your Obedience be Universal, Uniform, and Consequently Sincere.
And Lastly, as your Habitual Disposition of Mind, and Tenor of Life, see if there be any Sin which you do not endeavour to Mortifie, or any Commandment that you do not study to keep; and yet withall, flying to Jesus Christ for Righteousness and Strength.
3. Upon the back of this Self-examination, and Confession of your sins unto the Lord, solemnly Renew your Covenant with him, before he give you his Seal; and tell the Lord; that you are so far from rueing the Bargain, yt you could find in your Heart to choose him for your Portion, a thousand times: Own it, yt he is your Beloved, and ye are his; Express your intire Confidence and Satisfaction in him as your Lord; and by a new Vow, sweetly bind and oblige your self to a more exact and punctual obedience for the time to come.
4. I beseech you to remember yt you must keep a strict guard over your selves: For Satan will bring Temptations & Diversions in your way to indispose you for the Sacrament: But let your Interveening Hours be spent in Holy Meditations, Pious, and Edifying Discourses, and performing such Duties, with a Just Temperament of Wisdom & Devotion, as may best promote and maintain your Spiritual Frame.
II. When set down at the
LORD's Table.
i.BE Reverent without slavish fear: Let your Posture & Gesture of Body be grave; be filled with awfull apprehensions of God: Think much upon your own Vileness and Unworthiness, and in stead of Judging your Fellow-communicants, wonder much that the like of you should be there. Yet be not disordered with Confusion of mind, seek for a composed and fixed temper, entertain sweet Thoughts of the Love of God, and your Saviour: And be as distinct as possible by manner of your Participation.
2. Looking upon the Elements of Bread and Wine, stir up the traces of the Spirit in your Souls: Discern Christ in and by the Elements, with a kindly spiritual affection: Meditate on your Sins, and God's deserved Wrath; on the love of your Redeemer, and the Propitiation he hath made by his Blood. Wrestle against Unbelief, and let your hearts firmly rest on Christ: Look upon him whom you have pierced and Mourn. Let your Love awake towards him and your desires follow hard after him. Rejoice in our Beloved, and in the Hope of Everlasting Communion with him in Heaven.
3. If you have prepared any of the Promises of the Gospel, which you considered to be most agreeable to your Spiritual Condition; Or any Petitions which you would gladly have Answered for your self, your Relations, or the Church of God, Revolve them now in your Minds, Exercise your Faith upon them, and present them to Him at the Banquet of Wine.
4. It may very much assist you likewise, in your worthy and suitable communicating, if you repeat in your Minds the Words of the Institution, wt a believing Application to your selves. This is my Body. Oh! ye Body of my Lord, Broken for you,] even for poor wretched me. Do this in remembrance of me.] Oh Lord! I do now affectionately Remember thy Incarnation, thy Passion, thy Redemption of Sinners; And yt thou remembred me amongst many others: And the following Words of Institution in like manner, viz. This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood, &c.
III. After your Communicating.
I. You must not forget to examine your self, how Matters have gone wt you: If your Frame hath been bad, and you have not meet wt God, Confess and beg Pardon for your sins; and by after pains & diligence, labour to make up your loss. But if you find that your Heart hath been enlarged, be thankfull for that favour; And study to entertain the sweet relish of what you have gotten upon your Spirit.
2. The great Work incumbent upon you, is, to Mortifie Sin, and make progress in Holiness; the joy of the Lord being your Strength. Be carefull to keep your Covenant, and to perform your Vows. Seek after sensible comfort in God, and yet live by Faith, when you want it. Be Humble, and yet not sinfully dejected; Be Cheerfull, without Carnal Levitie; Be Spiritual and Heavenly in your Conversation, and yet not Sloathfull in your Lawfull Calling; Beware of giving Offence to any. Be not Turbulent, Factious, or Busie-bodies; But be Peaceable, Quiet and Loving to all Men; Conquering the Reproaches of the World by unaffected Piety, ill Nature by good Offices, and Injuries by your readiness to forgive; So that you may Adorn the Doctrine of GOD your Saviour, by Living Soberly, Righteously, and Godly in this present World, Titus 2. 12.
FINIS.