Communion.

2 offended, either by Will, Word, or Deed, there to bewail your own Sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full Purpose of Amendment of Life.

Observations.

But still take care, that

you go not with an evil Conscience, as Judas did; with any bad Design of Malice in your Heart;~-or while you live and resolve to die in any known Sin un

repented of. Or,

And if ye shall perceive Lastly, without fully pur your Offences to be posing, through the Grace such as are not only of God, to lead a Life be against God, but also coming a Christian.

against your Neigh

bours, then ye shall re-
concile yourselves unto
them, being ready to
make Restitution and
Satisfaction, according
to the uttermost of your.
Powers, for all Injuries
and Wrongs done by
you to any other; and
being likewise ready to
forgive others that have
offended you, as you
would have Forgive-
ness of your Offences
at God's Hand; for
otherwise the Receiving
of the holy Communion
doth nothing else but
increase your Damna-

tion.

Obser

Communion.

Observations.

Consider therefore, the

great Hazard you run of going to the Sacrament, while you live in any known Sin: You will provoke God to leave you to yourself, and to that evil Spirit, who is continually seeking whom he may be permitted to de

tion. Therefore, if any
of you be a Blasphemer
of God, an Hinderer or
Slanderer of his Word,
an Adulterer, or be in
Malice or Envy, or
in any other grievous
Crime repent you of your.
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 to Destruction both
of Body and Soul.

Do not despise so kind an And because it is re- Offer as the Minister of God now makes you, if you have quisite, that no Man 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. You will give him an Opcy, and with a quiet portunity of convincing you Conscience: therefore, of Sins, which, perhaps, you if there be any of 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

you

him

an evil Conscience.

And

Communion.

Observations.

him come unto me, or And do not entertain a to some other discreet Thought so injurious to the merciful Promise of your and learned Minister of Saviour to the Pastors of his 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 he hath inquired into the 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 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.

no avail to the Health of

Observation.

with a Sense of their Duty and Danger, as he promises, and will not fail to do, con• sidering how very much depends upon so sacred and saving an Ordinance.

Communion.

Pious Reflections.

DEARLY beloved When the tender Love of Brethren, on-in-Christians to consider their God will not prevail with 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 come thereto, being so lovingly 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, decked his Table with all Kind of Provision, so that there lacketh

nothing

much concerned for my going to the Lord's Supper?Is it not because she knows, that this is the most acceptable Way of serving God, of

securing

Communion.

Pious Reflections.

nothing but the Guests securing his Favour and my to sit down, and yet own Salvation?

Which

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. ment, that I not live in may 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 must give? Shall my Saviour's and his a great great Injury and Minister's Love and Care be Wrong done unto him? lost upon me?-Is this the Wherefore, most dearly Way to shew my Thankfulbeloved in Christ, take for on Account of his Death? ness for the Mercies I hope ye good heed, lest ye,-Is He the better for my withdrawing yourselves Services? Or do I not, infrom this holy Supper, provoke God's Indig 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 Corruption of my Nature, and how But such Excuses are much I stand in Need of not so easily accepted Help? and

allowed before

God. If any Man say, I am a grievous Sinner, and am therefore afraid

deed, serve myself most, when I obey his Commands, and accept of his Invitation?

Must I be invited, intreat

ed, compelled, to give God

Thanks for the greatest Blessing he ever bestowed on Men?-And to lay hold on come, wherefore the only Means of making my Peace with him? then do ye not repent Doth it repeut me, that I

to

and