A Certain man made a Luk. 6. &c. great Supper and bad many; And sent his Ser­vant at Supper time, to say to them that were [...]idden, Come, for all things are now rea­ [...]y. And they all with one consent began [...]O MAKE EXCƲSE: &c. [...]he design of this Parable is to repre­ [...]nt the manner of Gods dealing with [...]e people of the Jews, upon their re­ [...]cting the Faith of Christ and refu­sing [Page 4] to embrace the Gospel. The A­postles of Christ, who were the Servants of God, were sent and commanded, in the first place, to Preach the glad ti­dings of the Gospel to them; and to in­vite them to come, and partake of that Blessing and Happiness, which was offer­ed them by God, through Faith in, and Obedience unto, his Son Christ Jesus. But they, generally, having their hearts, wholly in a manner addicted to the Love of this World; had no inclina­tion to receive so pure and Spiritual an Institution; and did not only them­selves reject, but also persecuted others for embracing, the Christian Profession; despising and treading under foot the Son of God, and counting the Blood of the Cove­nant, wherewith they should have been Sanctified, an unholy thing; and even do­ing despight unto the Spirit of Grace, which would have wrought upon their hearts in order to their Conversion. As there­fore the Man in this Parable, who made the Supper, was offended with those who did not come when they were In­vited; and therefore wholly Excluded them from his Table; and sent his Ser­vant to call others in their room (as you may find it in the latter part of [Page 5] it:) So did Almighty God cast off the People of the Jews, upon their ob­stinate rejecting of Jesus Christ; gi­ving them up to be destroyed and scat­tered by the power of the Romans; And commanded the Apostles to go out into all parts of the World, to gather a Church, and a peculiar People, unto him from among the Gentiles. But my present aim in Reflecting upon this Parable, lies clear Another way; namely, to represent, and reprove, those Excuses and Pretences, which so many men do make, for their gross neglect of the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ notwithstanding that God, by the Mouth of his Ministers, does so frequently call, and earnestly invite them thereunto. And indeed this mat­ter is, in so lively a manner, represented in the whole design of it that I think it is scarce possible to draw a more ex­act Parallel.

For here, In the first place, we have Almighty God making a Supper for us; for the feeding and nourishing of our Souls, in Vertue and Piety, through the Passion, and Death, of our Saviour Christ Jesus, which he has appointed for ever to be commemorated by our [Page 6] Eating of this Bread and Drinking of this Cup, in Remembrance of him. To this Supper we are, not once only, but, often, bidden; by the frequent Ad­monitions and Exhortations of God's Mi­nisters addressed unto us, that we should come and be partakers of this Holy Communion: And as the Guests who were invited in this Parable had framed some weak, and impertinent excuses, for their not coming; One had bought a piece of Ground, another five Yoke of Oxen, and a third had Married a Wife; none of which things needed to have hinder­ed them from accepting of the good man's kindness. Just so we, when from Month to Month, and from Year to Year, we continually turn our backs upon God's Holy Table; have yet some sort of pretences wherewith we endeavour to satisfie our Consciences, and to excuse this gross and scandalous neglect of which we are Guilty.

That our Saviour Christ Jesus died for our Sins; that it is only for the sake of his Merits and Sufferings, that we can hope for Pardon and Eternal Life at the hand of God; That, before his Death, he left this command with all that should be called by his Name, that [Page 7] they should Eat of this Bread, and Drink of this Cup, in remembrance of him; where­by we are obliged to shew forth his Death untill his second coming: And lastly, that this ordinance is the Commu­nion of the Body and Blood of Christ; or, in other terms, the means whereby we do Communicate in the Benefits of that Sacrifice, which Christ offered, and in the merits of that Death and Passion, which he underwent in his Body, and by the sheding of his Blood for us; and, consequently, that the Receiving here­of, if duly performed, is not only our duty but also a great advantage and be­nefit unto us; All these things, I say, are so universally owned by all who profess Christianity, that I need not offer any thing for the proof of them, or any part of them. But then surely one would think that when men, who are thus perswaded, do so often, and for so long a time, absent themselves from this ordinance, there must be some insu­perable difficulties, and obstacles in their way, which it is beyond their strength or power to remove; or else that they would never, at the same time, both neg­lect their Duty, and forego their Inte­rest. And yet I doubt not but to make [Page 8] it appear, as plainly as any thing can be, that there is nothing which we can, at any time, pretend as a hinderance of our coming to the Holy Communion; but what either is really, or ought to be, no hinderance at all; or else is such as it is in our power, by that grace and assistance which God never denies to those who seek it, wholly to remove and put out of the way.

To come to the matter then, and that I may proceed in an orderly me­thod; I shall reduce all the impediments, which men do ever alledge for their not coming unto the holy Communion, to these Five heads: that is to say, either, First, that they are Sinners, and there­fore dare not come; or Secondly, that they are so continually engaged, and ta­ken up with Business, that they have not time to prepare themselves for it; or, Thirdly, that when they do endeavour to prepare themselves, they find they cannot do it as it ought to be done; or, Fourthly, that having formerly re­ceived the Communion, they find them­selves never the better for it, and there­fore think it to no purpose to come a­gain; or, Lastly, that they are not well satisfied with the manner of Celebra­ting, [Page 9] Administring, and Receiving this Ordinance in our Church, and there­fore cannot joyn with our Congregati­ons in it: Nor is there, I think, any thing that can be urged by way of Ex­cuse for not coming to the Holy Com­munion, but what I shall fairly examine, and I hope effectually confute, under some one or other of these Particu­lars.

1. Then, some Men may say, that they are great Sinners, and therefore, upon that account, dare not come to the Holy Communion, for fear least they should be unworthy Receivers, and so, in­stead of obtaining any Benefit thereby, should only Eat and Drink their own Damnation.

To this I answer, that if a Man lies under the guilt of any Sin, and does not repent of it, and Heartily resolve to forsake and amend it; it is indeed a Pre­sumption and a Sin for such a Person, whilest he continues in that state, to come to the Communion. But then I must tell him also, that not only his coming to the Holy Communion, but even his very Prayers are an Abomination to God Prov. 28. 9. For what is it else but a perfect Affront, and even a Mocking of [Page 10] the Divine Majesty, for a man to make a shew of Worship and Honour to him, whilest, at the same time, he goes on in willful disobedience to his known com­mands? Which I wish were well and seriously considered by those men, who make no scruple of addressing themselves to God in Prayer, whilest, by reason of their sins, of which they have not repen­ted, they dare not approach unto his Holy Table.

But whatever sins a Man has been Guilty of in times past, if he truly re­pents of them, and Heartily forsakes them for the time to come; God has, so often and so plainly, promised in this case to grant a full and free Pardon of them, that they cannot justly be pretend­ed as any obstacle, which should hinder us from approaching to him in any of his Ordinances.

Since then it is in the Power of every Man (at least of every one who by a long course of Wickedness has not pro­voked God wholly to withdraw his Grace from him) by that Grace and Assistance, which God continually offers unto us, to repent of his sins, and amend his Life: If such a Man looks upon his sins as a Bar between him and the Holy Com­munion; [Page 11] yet it is plainly such a Bar as is in his Power to remove, and there­fore can never justly be pleaded as an excuse in his behalf.

But some man perhaps may say, that tho' he should beg God's pardon for his sins past, and sincerely resolve to forsake them; yet he fears, that, being frail, he may some time or other be prevailed on, by his own weakness or the strength of a Temptation, to break those reso­lutions which he has made, and return again to his sins. And if this should ever be the case with him, he doubts whether God would ever again admit him to Pardon and Reconciliation. And therefore he thinks it safer to abstain from the Holy Communion, rather then to run the hazard of being for ever ex­cluded from the hopes of Heaven.

In answer to this I shall offer these three things.

First, Altho' a Man does plainly fore­see, that hereafter he shall be most like­ly sometimes to fall into some Sins of frail­ty and infirmity, (such as a hasty Word or a suddain and unadvised Action) yet this ought not to hinder him from com­ing to the Holy Communion: For as St. James tells us, that, In many things we [Page 12] offend all, Ja. 3. 2. So is there not any man upon the face of the Earth, who can be Absolutely sure that he shall alwaies here­after keep himself free from all manner of sin whatsoever. On the contrary as there is no man but what has his share, more or less, of human infirmities, so is it most reasonable to conclude, that, in the course of his Life, these will sometimes unavoidably surprise and be­tray him into some Sins. Against these our Infirmities therefore we must con­tinually strive: And we may reasonably hope, that, by God's grace, and our own diligent and careful Endeavours, we may every day more and more prevail against them: But if this were a good Reason for abstaining from the Holy Communi­on, because a Man cannot, at once, get a full and perfect Victory over them; I cannot see how, even the best of men, (who cannot pretend to absolute per­fection) could safely venture to par­take of it: And consequently, this would be the way wholly to lay aside, and abolish the very Ordinance it self.

Secondly, but as for willful and de­liberate Sins, or returning again unto an habitual course of wickedness; there is no man but, by the grace of God, and [Page 13] his own endeavours, may, if he pleases, for ever secure himself against it. For however God may think it fit, for our greater humility and a farther tryal of us, to leave us still exposed to some of the common infirmities of our Nature; yet, in respect of all habitual or deli­berate Sins, we may assure our selves that he is faithfull, and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to e­scape, that we may (if it be not our own fault) be able to bear it, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Nor will he fail to draw nigh unto us, whil'st we continue carefull to draw nigh unto him. Jam. 4. 8. Let us then but stedfastly resolve, that we will be hearty and industrious, in doing what lies in our own power; and we need not be discouraged by any such fears as these, as long as we are secure that God will never let us want his assistance.

But Thirdly, let us put the case as bad as may be; that, after a serious Re­pentance, and most stedfast Resolutions of Amendment, ratified and confirmed by the reception of the Holy Commu­nion; a Man should be so far prevailed upon by the temptations of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, as to return again to his former wickedness, in as high or a higher degree than before; Yet even [Page 14] in this case we cannot conclude that such a person is forever excluded by God from all possibility of pardon and recon­ciliation. There are indeed some passa­ges of Scripture, that do represent the condition of such an one, to be very dreadful and dangerous: As Heb. 6. 4, 5. 6. and Chap. 10. 26. 27. 2. Pet. 2. 20. 21. But if, on the other side, we consider how often, and how highly, the Mercy of God is set forth and magnified, even towards the greatest Sinners, upon their true Repentance, that he has no pleasure in the Death of the Wicked, but that the Wicked turn from his way and Live. Ezek. 33. 11. that he is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to Repentance. 2. Pet. 3. 9. that tho' our Sins be as Scarlet, or as Red as Crimson, yet God is most ready, upon our Repentance, to make them as white as Wooll or Snow. Isai. 1. 18. From these and many such passages of Scripture I think we may well gather, that if the most Profligate and Relapsed Sinner, does, even after a long time, come at last to such a sense of his own Condition as throughly to turn from the Wickedness that he hath committed, and to Live the re­mainder of his days in the practice of Virtue and good Works, doing that which is Lawful and right, and notwithstanding all [Page 15] his failures, yet at last continues and Perseveres therein, that even such a Person as this shall Save his Soul alive. Ezek. 18. 27. Altho', at the same time, it stands with a great deal of Reason, that the greater a Man's Sins have been, and the oftner he has relapsed into them, the deeper his Sorrow, and the more la­borious his Repentance must be, in or­der to obtain his Pardon. But since a possibility of Pardon there is, even in this case it self; we must not make the contrary fear a pretence for keeping our selves back from any of the Ordinances of God, and from a more immediate and intimate Communion with him.

And thus much for the first Impe­diment.

But Secondly some men pretend that they are so continually engaged, and ta­ken up with Business, that they have not time to Prepare themselves for the Holy Communion, and therefore do not come to it.

To such men as these I answer, that this Business, which they pretend, is ei­ther Lawful business or Unlawful: If it be Unlawful Business, and such as cannot be followed with a good Conscience, it must be renounced and wholly laid aside. And to plead this as a Reason for not [Page 16] coming to the Holy Communion, is al­together to aggravate, instead of excu­sing, our neglect. But if the business be it self Lawful, and followed in a Lawful way; if it neither contains, nor engages us in, any thing, which is dishonest, or any way contrary to the Law of God; such Business as this is so far from un­qualifying a Man, that really it rather renders him the more fit to Receive the Holy Communion. For as Idleness is it self a Sin, and the Mother, or at least the Nurse, of all manner of Wick­edness; so Honest and Lawful business is a Duty which every man is obliged to be diligent in; 1. Thess. 4. 11. Eph. 4. 28. And certainly the performance of a Man's duty will never render him the less Acceptable to God, or unfit to draw near unto him in this or any o­ther of his Ordinances.

But there is one particular sort of Bu­siness, in which some men think that whil'st they are engaged, they cannot be well prepared for the Holy Commu­nion; and that is a Law Suit. But to this the very same Answer must be given that is already returned to the pretence of Business in general. If a man en­gages in a Suit of Law, with a design to wrong, or defraud, another; If in the [Page 17] management of it he has recourse to any base and Wicked arts or contrivan­ces; If, not contented fairly to try the Merit of the cause, he strives, by all ways, to cast Personal Reflections upon his Adversary; or, in a word, if here­in he proceeds in such a way as is con­trary either to Justice or Charity; such a Law Suit as this, I confess, renders a man altogether unfit to approach unto God in any way whatsoever; not only whil'st he is engaged in it, but also un­til he has made Restitution, and Satisfa­ction, to the best of his Power, for all the Wrong which he has thereby done to his Neighbour. But then why will any Man who pretends to Christianity, engage in such a matter as this; which is contrary to common Honesty and a good Conscience? Or if Unadvisedly he has engaged himself, before he knew what he did; Why does he not with­draw, and forbear to Prosecute an un­just cause, or a just one in an unjust way? Why does he not make Satisfa­ction to his Neighbour, if he has done him any Wrong? And how can he think to plead that as an excuse for not com­ing to Gods Holy Table, which it is in his Power to lay aside and to Reme­dy whenever he pleases?

But on the other side, if he designs no more but Fairly to make use of the Law of the Land, and the Power of the Magistrate (who is ordained of God) either to Defend, or Recover, what in Conscience he is verily perswaded is his just and Lawful right; if in the man­nagement of his Business he proceeds Honestly, and without any Fraud or Jug­gle; And lastly if he bears no Malice, nor offers any way to vent his Spleen against the Person of his Adversary, but is always free and ready to do him any rea­sonable Office of Kindness or Friendship; In such a Law suit as this there is nothing which is contrary to the Duty of a Chri­stian, nor consequently any thing which needs be, in the least, a Hinderance to his coming to the Holy Communion.

But some perhaps will say that altho' there is nothing Sinful or Unlawful either in the Business they are about, or in their way of managing or follow­ing it; yet their time is so wholly ta­ken up thereby, that they have not lei­sure for the Performance of those so­lemn, and Particular Devotions, which are necessary in order to their due Pre­paration. Nay such may be the condi­tion of some, that they have not, it may be, so much as a place of retirement for [Page 19] their private Devotions (which may be the case of many Servants, and pri­vate Soldiers, and such like) and how can they prepare themselves as they ought, or how shall they venture to come if they are not so prepared.

To this I answer, that it is a mistake, which some well meaning Men have en­tertained, that they think they must not venture to Receive the Holy Com­munion except they say so many Prayers, and spend so many hours in Retirement and Meditation, for some days immediatly before the Celebration of it. Where a man indeed is at his own Command, and Master of his own time; he is much to be approved of and commended, if, upon such an Occasion as this, he spends more hours, than at other times, in pri­vate Prayer Reading and Meditation; that he may trim his Lamp before he goes to meet the Bridegroom; and cleanse and Adorn his Wedding garment, before he comes to the Marriage Feast. But where the Publick service of a Man's Country, or the Private necessities of himself or his Family, do engage him in so much Business as that he has not such leisure for Retirement; If in the mid'st of his Affairs, he ever takes care to have God in his thoughts, and often to lift [Page 20] up his Heart to him by private Ejacula­tions; and when he has neither Cham­ber nor Closet, Garden nor Field, to withdraw himself into, if he but seri­ously retires into his own thoughts (which a Man may do in any place; upon his Bed at midnight, and even in the midst of the greatest Croud in the day time) and there enquires into his Past Sins, and renews his Resolutions of Amendment; and if all this proceeds from an honest and well meaning Heart, truly and affectionately disposed, to the service of God, and the practice of Piety: no doubt but it shall be as well ac­cepted by God, as the more solemn De­votions of those, who have better op­portunity for such performances.

And thus much for the Second Im­pediment.

Thirdly, Some pretend that when they do endeavour to prepare themselves for the Holy Communion, they find they cannot do it as it ought to be done, and therefore they do not come: To the se­veral Scruples of which sort of Men I shall return brief and distinct An­swers.

Some then do apprehend, that they are not fit to come, because they are Igno­rant, and not well grounded and in­structed [Page 21] in the Principles of Religi­on.

To this I Answer, that, indeed, if a Man be Ignorant of those things which are ordinarily necessary to the Salvation of every Christian; it is, evidently not fit that he should come to the Holy Com­munion, until such time as he be better Instructed. But such Instruction as this is so easy to be had (at least amongst us) that it must be every Man's own fault if he wants it. For how easy is it for every Man, who either reads the Scripture, or hears it read and Expound­ed in our Congregations, sufficiently to learn all the great and necessary things of Christian Religion; As for Example, that God Created all things; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he came into the World and took our Nature upon him, to Suffer for our Redemption; that, after he had Suffered, he rose a­gain from the Dead, and Ascended into Heaven, where he remains for ever in the Glory and Majesty of God, making Eternal Intercession for us; and that he shall come again at the end of the World to Judge both the living and the dead; (who shall at that time be raised again) and to sentence every man either to Everlasting Happiness or Eternal Mise­ry: [Page 22] That every Christian is to be ad­mitted into the Church by Baptism; that it is his Duty to live Soberly, Righ­teously, and Godly, in this present World; and that it is by the assistance of the Holy Ghost, who is the giver of Spiri­tual life unto us, that we are alone ena­bled to perform these Duties. And Last­ly, that, in remembrance of the Death and Passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ, we are Commanded to Eat of that Bread, and Drink of that Cup, which he has ap­pointed; and which is the Communion of his Body and Blood, that is to say, the means whereby we do Communicate in the benefits of the Sacrifice which he offered, and in the merits of his Passion, which he underwent in his Body, and by the sheding of his Blood for our sakes, as I have already said. All this, I say, is so easy to be learnt and understood, that it is a great shame for any one who Lives in a Christian Country to be Igno­rant of any part of it. And he who is thus far Instructed in his Religion; and endeavours, according to his ability, to encrease his knowledge of Divine things; and hereunto adds the Honest and Sin­cere Practice of what he understands; needs never fear that God will reject him for want of more knowledge. For [Page 23] altho' we must, according to our Capa­city, add to our Vertue; Knowledge; yet it is not abundance of Knowledge, but much Honesty, Charity, and true Piety, that renders us acceptable and Pleasing to God, see 1. Cor. 1. 19. to the 7th verse of the 2 d. Chapter.

Again some do find their Faith to be weak and wavering; and perplexed with doubts, and Scruples, in matters of Reli­gion; and therefore are afraid to come.

To this I answer, that indeed the stron­ger and Firmer, a Mans Faith is, so much the better; and we ought to endeavour, as much as in us lies, that our Faith may ever be built upon sure and solid Principles, as well for our own comfort & satisfaction, as that we may be the better able, upon occasion, to give an Answer to every one who shall ask us a Reason of the hope that is in us 1. Pet. 3. 15. But when a Man has done what he can to strengthen and Confirm his Faith, if it still continues Infirm and weak; yet if he be Honest and Pious, in his Life and Practice; he is never the less acceptable to God for the weakness of his Faith. For strength of Faith is not a thing in our own Po­wer; and therefore not so much a Duty in us, as a Reward which God is pleased to bestow, in such a measure as he thinks [Page 24] fit, upon those who are sincere and di­ligent in his Service: And he that is weak in the Faith, may yet be a very good Christian, and fit to be Received into the Church of Christ; altho' he be not qualified for doubtful Disputations Ro. 14. 1. As long as a Tree continues to bring forth plenty of Fruit, we are sure it is alive, nor do we presently cut it down and cast it into the Fire, because it is not altogether so well fixed at the root, and therefore, it may be subject to be shaken by the violence of the Wind: And the weakest Faith, if it produces a­bundance of good Works, shall be ac­cepted by God; when the strongest Faith, if barren and unfruitful, shall be rejected and set at nought by him. See Jam. 2. 14. &c. Whenever therefore an honest and well disposed Man finds his Faith to be any way weak and wavering, let him take up the good Man's speech in the Gospel Lord I beleive help thou mine unbe­lief. Mar. 9. 24. And let him never fear but that God who is infinitely gracious and merciful will accept of him.

Some, again are afraid that they do not love God as well as they ought; and the reason of this fear is, because they do not find in themselves such warm and affecti­onate motions of their mind towards him, [Page 25] as they apprehend to be suitable to his in­finite excellency and goodness: And for this Reason they dare not venture to come.

To this I answer that, indeed, the more ardent and Affectionate our love to God is, so much the better is that, as well as our Faith, for being strong and unshaken. But as our Faith is to be judged of by its fruitfulness rather than its Firmness (as I have just now shewn) so the Holy Scripture teaches us That the Love of God consists altogether in Keeping his Commandments 1. Joh. 5. 3. Some people are Naturally of such a temper as more easily to be moved with a Passionate affecti­on towards those they Love then others are: And yet others, who do not find such warm Motions within themselves, may be as ready and willing as they, to do acts of Kindness where they profess a Friendship. Nor is the Love of the later sort ever the less to be Valued, because it appears to be Seated and fixed more in the Judgment and will, which are Subject to less altera­tion, than the Affections: As the true Love of a Wife to her Husband, is to be measured by her readiness to obey and please him in all things, much rather then by the fond­ness which she expresses to his Person. If therefore a Man finds himself stedfastly re­solved, [Page 26] with full purpose of Heart, to cleave unto God, and upon all Occasions to do what he Commands; ever preferring the pleasing of him before any, or all, the Ho­nours, Profits, or Pleasures, of this World; he may assure himself that he is a real and true Lover of God; nor need he absent himself from the Holy Communion, for want of that Ardency and Liveliness of affection to God, which the very best of Men perhaps do oftener wish for than enjoy, or find within themselves.

Others there are who Fear they are not in perfect Charity with all the World: They have sometimes had to do with Men of Base and Unjust dealings, who have broken their promises, and, it may be, their Oaths; and thereby betray'd them who have de­pended on them; or have otherwise been Guilty of wicked and unworthy Practices. And altho', in Obedience to God's com­mands, they would not do any thing by way of Revenge, even against these very Men; yet as often as they see them, or do but think of them, they find their very Blood to rise against them, and cannot possibly Suppress that Anger, and Indignation, which springs up in their Minds against such persons; and therefore they Fear that their Charity is Defective, and so dare not come to the Holy Communion.

To this I answer that our Charity to­wards Man, as well as our Love to God, is to be Measured by the purposes and Re­solutions of our will, and our Actions con­sequent thereto; and not by the suddain Motions of our Passions and Affections: Which in the Case above mentioned, may be scarcely so much in our Power, as wholly to be Conquered and stifled by us. But whatever Passionate resentments may force themselves into our minds, upon such oc­casions as these; if we do not suffer them to break out into Bitter and Reproachful expressions, or Malicious and Revengeful Actions: And if in Spite of our Anger we do firmly resolve, in Obedience to God's command, to return Good, and not Evil, for Evil: In a word if, as St. Paul directs us, when we are Angry, we take care and watch over our selves that we Sin not, Eph. 4. 26. (which is certainly in our Power through the Grace of God & our own Endeavours;) we need not fear that any such inward mo­tions of our Passions, as we cannot wholly suppress, but yet do not suffer to break out into any Sinful words or Actions; shall ever be imputed to us as a Breach of Charity.

Others again are afraid that they are not sorrowful enough for the Sins which they have Commited, because they do not find [Page 28] their Grief so quick and pungent as they think it ought to be; nor strong enough even so much as to bring a Tear from their Eyes; and therefore they dare not venture to come.

To this I answer that true it is, indeed, that we can never grieve too much for our Sins, whereby we have offended our good and gracious God: And if even Rivers of tears could run down our Eyes, on this occa­sion, they would all be but little enough. But yet, after all; our sorrow for sin, is not to be measured by the Passionateness of it, which is soon over; or the tears it pro­duces, which are as soon dried up; but is altogether to be estimated by the Amend­ment which it causes in our Lives. It is a never failing rule which St. Paul gives us to know Godly Sorrow by, which is, that it worketh Repentance, 1 Cor. 7. 10. If then a Man has so true and serious a sense of his Sins, as that it brings him to Repen­tance, that is to say, to a thorough and last­ing Reformation of his life; this Sorrow, tho' it never affects him in a Passionate way, or draws any Tears at all from his Eyes; yet is certainly true godly Sorrow, and such as shall be accepted by God; because it worketh Repentance, which is the only End for which godly Sorrow is either required or valued.

Others yet again there are who com­plain, that when they would set themselves to prepare for the Holy Communion, they in a little time grow so tired with the length of those Devotions which are there­unto required, that they are not able to accomplish what they propos'd. And when they would even force themselves to continue their Prayers and Meditations; they cannot, with all their care, keep their Minds fixed, and attentive, upon what they are about; but their thoughts, will una­voidably wander upon other things that are Idle and Impertinent. And this they apprehend to be the Sin of drawing near to God with their Mouths, and Honouring him with their Lips, when their Heart is far from him, Isai. 29. 13. And therefore They dare not come unto his Holy Table.

To this I answer, that whenever we ad­dress our selves unto God in Prayer, we ought certainly to use our utmost endea­vour so to fix and compose our Minds, as that our thoughts may not wander and go astray, if we can Possibly hinder them.

And he who pretends to Pray with his Lips, and does not withall strive that his Heart and mind may be Devoutly affe­cted, is undoubtedly Guilty of a great slight put upon the Majesty of God; & may justly be taxed with some part of that Sin which [Page 30] I but just now made Mention of. But when a Man has done the best he can to fix his thoughts, and to keep his mind from wan­dring in Prayer; If after all this, idle and Impertinent imaginations, do, against his will, croud themselves upon him; and like Flies, tho'continually beaten off, yet still Return again and molest him; In this case he may well Assure himself that God who is Gracious and Merciful, will never im­pute that to him as a Sin, which, with all his endeavours, he cannot help: But it shall only be Reckoned upon the score of his Infirmities, against which indeed he must ever strive; but it may be shall never be able wholly to Conquer them as long as he Lives.

But there is one piece of advice which I think very proper to offer unto those that are in these circumstances; which is, that they should comprise their private de­votions in as few words as conveniently they can; and then they will neither be so apt to be tired, nor their thoughts to wander therein, as when they are drawn out to a greater length. It is not much Speaking that makes our Prayers the more acceptable to God, or the sooner heard by him, Mat. 6. 7. And it is easy to compre­hend all, that is ordinarily necessary to be said in Prayer, in a few words. The Lord's Prayer is but short; and yet very full; [Page 31] and certainly a form most acceptable to God. The Publicans God be merciful to me a Sinner, Luk. 18. 13. was as well received, coming from a sincere and honest heart, as if he had made his confession in more words. And there is no manner of doubt but that short and devout Ejaculations, frequently offered up to God, by a truly pious Soul, shall effectually prevail at the throne of Grace, when they come from such a Person, as by Reason of his natural frailty and infirmity, is not so well able to make longer prayers.

Again some there are who are given to mirth and company keeping; and know not how well to become serious, and reser­ved enough, to be fit for the Holy Commu­nion, and therefore they do not come.

I answer, that a Chearful and Pleasant Disposition is so far from being unlawful, or any way displeasing to God; that, on the contrary, where it is rightly managed, and kept within due bounds, it is common­ly very serviceable to the promoting of peace and love in the world, which is one of the great ends of Christian Religion. Let then a man but take strict care, that his mirth be not sinful in it's self, nor instrumental to promote wickedness in the world: Let him not droll upon Religion and piety, nor make a mock at Sin: Let no jest that is bitter or sarcastical, or tends to [Page 32] the discredit or undervaluing of his Neigh­bour, or which is any way profane, filthy, or obscene, come forth of his Lips; nor let him shew any manner of delight or satisfaction when such things are vented by others: Let him abstain from all debauched Songs or Stories, which seem to be contrived on pur­pose to corrupt the World: And let him never promote, but alwaies, as much as he can, discountenance all manner of Rioting, Drunkness, Lewdness and Profaness: In a word, let him be sure that his mirth be­trays neither himself, nor others, to any thing which is contrary to piety, charity or Sobriety; And as long as he keeps himself within such bounds as these (which is plain­ly very possible to every Man who will heartily resolve it) he needs not fear that a chearful, and facetious behaviour, will render him ever the the worse a Christian, or the less fit to receive the Holy Com­munion.

And last of all (that I may conclude what I have to say under this Head) some there are who, having met with many crosses and afflictions in the World, have their minds so discomposed and their thoughts distracted with care, grief, or trouble, that they cannot settle their minds, as they think they ought, for the Holy Communion; and therefore they do not come to it.

To this I answer, that if any trouble or affliction provokes a Man to Impatience, and prevails so far as to make him murmur and repine against the providence of God; this, indeed, is a Sin, and must, and may, as all other Sins, be repented of, as I have already said under the first Head of this Discourse. But if there be no more in it then this, that the crosses and vexa­tions under which a Man lies, do so dis­compose his Mind, as that he can not keep his thoughts from wandering when he is at his Devotion; to this case I have but just now spoken, and need not repeat what I have said upon it.

And thus I have at last done with the Third impediment; upon which I have been forced the longer to dwell, because of the many scru­ples, and objections, which it affords.

I shall need to speak but a word or two, to the Fourth impediment, which some Men pretend; namely that, having formerly re­ceived the Holy Communion, they find them­selves never the better for it; and therefore think it to no purpose to come again.

To which I answer that if a Man reaps no Benefit by the reception of the Holy Communi­on, the fault is altogether his own; because either he does not duly prepare himself for it, or else does not receive it so often as he should. Some bodies are so distempered, and stomachs vitiated, that they turn the best Food into corrupt and evil Nourishment: And if a Man of the most healthy Constitution should [Page 34] eat but one Meal in a Week, it would never keep him in health and strength. But let the Stomach be cleansed, and the Body brought into good order; and then let the Man eat his constant and daily meals; and he shall find both his health and strength encrease upon him. And the Case is just the same with this Spiritual Food, which is exhibited to us in the Holy Sa­crament. Whil'st the Soul is polluted and di­stempered with Sins unrepented of, it will cer­tainly rather do us hurt than good to receive it: And when Men partake of it but once in a year or two, or, it may be, not so often; whatever strength or refreshment their Souls begin to find thereby, is lost and forgot before it comes again to be renewed by the same ordinance. But let a Man throughly cleanse and purge his Soul from Sin by a sincere repentance; and with an honest heart, and mind well prepared, let him come as often as he can to God's Holy Table; and by the frequent and constant use of this Holy Sacrament, he need not doubt but he shall find himself continually to grow more and more in Grace; becoming still better and better enabled to resist all temptations, and daily finding more and more quiet, and comfort, in his mind and conscience.

And thus much for the Fourth impediment.

I come now, in the Last place, of all to speak a word or two to those who are not well Sa­tisfied with the manner of celebrating the Holy Communion in our Church, and therefore will not join with our congregations in it.

Two things there are, which they chiefly ob­ject against us in this case: One that we make [Page 35] use of such Ceremonies as they cannot comply with; and in particular, that the holy Commu­nion is amongst us to be received in the posture of Kneeling: And the other is that we admini­ster it to a mixt congregation, without a strict enquiry into the qualifications of all those who are admitted to it.

To the first of these I answer that no man can say that either Kneeling at the Holy Communi­on, or any other of the Rites or Ceremonies which we use at the celebration of it, are Sinful or unlawful; because it does not appear that God has any where Forbid them. The utmost then that they can pretend, is only that they are improper, and inconvenient. Now, besides that others, who may be as good Judges, are of a different opinion; I would desire to know whe­ther such things as are not Sinful, but only im­proper and inconvenient, can be a sufficient warrant to any Man to seperate himself from the Communion of an Orthodox, Established Church? If not; then they have no just reason up­on this account to separate from us. But if they be, then I would farther demand, which is the greatest inconveniency, to kneel at the Commu­nion, or to make a Schism in the Church? And of the two inconveniences whether we ought not alwaies to make choice of the least?

To the other objection I answer, that where any Man openly appears to be wicked and scan­dalous in his Life and conversation; By the Di­scipline of our Church, we are required to ex­clude such a Person from the Holy Communion, untill he gives good evidence of his repentance and reformation. But where nothing outwardly [Page 36] appears against a Man, who lives in the profession of the true Religion; what have we to do to enquire into the secrets of his Heart, for which he is accountable only to God? And if our Saviour Christ did not exclude even Judas himself from the Holy Communion, because, at that time, he had done nothing openly; altho Christ well knew that he had made a private agreement with the cheif Priests to betray him; Why should we take upon us to be more strict in this matter? Or who has given us any Au­thority so to be?

And thus have I Examined, and I hope suffici­ently Answered, all the Pretences which Men do ordinarily make for neglecting the Holy Com­munion. I have but this one thing to add, and I have done; namely, that as it is a great Sin to receive the Holy Communion unworthi­ly, that is to say without true Repentance; so certainly is it no less a Sin, to slight and neglect that Ordinance, which Christ himself has expres­ly appointed and commanded, in remembrance of that Death and Passion which he under went for us. Let us therefore take the matter into our serious consideration; and whilest we are so very cautious to avoid the danger on the one hand; let us not be so foolish as to run our selves into as great a hazard on the other. For as he who presumed to come to the Nuptial Feast; without a Wedding Garment, was severely pu­nished for his Presumption, Matt. 22. 13. So they who neglected to come at all, and slighted the invitation which was given them, were ac­counted as unworthy Persons, and received their doom accordingly: v. 7. 8.