CONTENTS. 1. We call it the Sacrament; that is, a sign and an oath. Page 1. It is a commemorating Ordinance, in remembrance of the person of Christ, as an absent friend, and of the death of Christ, as an ancient favour. Hereby we pre- serve the memory of it in the church, and revive the re- membrance of it in our hearts. 2. It is a Confessing Or- dinance; we profess our value and esteem for Christ crucified and our dependence upon, and confidence in Christ crucified. 3. It is a Communicating Ordinance; Christ and all his benefits are here communicated to us, and are here to be received by us. 4. It is a Covenanting Ordi- nance; it is the New Testament, and the new covenant, CHAPTER III. AN INVITATION TO THIS ORDINANCE, All things are ready, (opened in many particulars) therefore come. 1. Those that are unmeet for this ordinance, must qualify themselves and come; a serious address to such in three things. 2. Those that are in some measure meet for it, must enter themselves. Young people reasoned with in four questions; those who are cold and indifferent, put upon considering two things; those that are timorous counselled and encouraged in two things. 3. Those that have given up themselves to God in this ordinance must be constant; this largely urged. HELPS FOR Page 61 CHAPTER IV. SELF-EXAMINATION BEFORE WE COME TO 83 THIS ORDINANCE, What it is to examine ourselves, illustrated in six similitudes, particularly six questions to be put to ourselves. 1. What am I? Four inquiries by which to find out what our spiritual state is; two directions what to do thereupon. 2. What have I done? Twelve questions to be put to ourselves, to bring to remembrance, and directions thereupon. 3. What am I doing? In two things. 4. What ground do I get? Four questions by which to try our growth in grace. 5. What do I want? What grace? What comfort? 6. What shall I resolve to do? In two things. CHAPTER V. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RENEWING OUR COVENANTS WITH GOD I. In what method we must renew our covenant with God. 1. We must repent of our sins, by which we have rendered ourselves unworthy to be taken into covenant. Three things to be lamented. 2. We must renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh; opened in three things. 3. We must receive Christ as offered to us, consenting to his grace, and to his government. 4. We must resign, and give up ourselves to God in Christ; devote ourselves 104 to his praise, and submit ourselves to his power in three things. 5. We must resolve to abide in it; opened in two things. 6. We must rely on the righteousness and strength of Christ herein; opened in two things. II. After what manner we must renew our covenant; intelligently, considerately, humbly, cheerfully, and in sincerity. CHAPTER VI. HELPS FOR MEDITATION AND PRAYER IN OUR PREPA- I. Of meditation, opened in general. It is thought engaged, and thought inflamed, particularly meditate, 1. On the sinfulness and misery of man's fallen state. 2. The glory of God's attributes in man's redemption. 3. The person of the Redeemer and his undertakings. 4. His sufferings. 5. His present glories. 6. The riches of the new covenant. 7. The communion of saints, and the happiness of heaven. All these enlarged upon. II. Of prayer; why we must pray before the sacrament, and what we must pray for; four things to be prayed for. CHAPTER VII. DIRECTIONS IN WHAT FRAME OF SPIRIT WE SHOULD Page 122 COME TO AND ATTEND UPON THIS ORDINANCE, . . . . 140 5, 1. With a fixedness of thought. 2. With an easiness and calmness of affection. 3. With a holy awe and reverence of the Divine Majesty. 4. With a holy jealousy over ourselves, and a humble sense of our own unworthiness, suspecting ourselves, and abasing ourselves. With a gracious confidence as children to a father. 6. With earnest desires towards God. 7. With raised expectations. 8. With rejoicing and thanksgiving; two things matter of joy. 9. In charity with all men, and a sincere affection to all good Christians, bearing ill-will to none, and good-will to all. 3* CHAPTER VIII. SOME ACCOUNTS OF THE AFFECTING SIGHTS THAT ARE I. In general, come and see the Lamb that had been SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PRECIOUS BENEFITS WHICH ARE 1. The pardon and forgivenass of our sins; a renewed CHAPTER X. HELPS FOR EXCITING PIOUS AND DEVOUT AFFECTIONS 1. Here we must be sorry for sin; three things here to Page 156 172 191 CHAPTER XI. DIRECTIONS CONCERNING THE SOLEMN VOWS WE ARE Four reasons why, at the Lord's Supper, we must make Vows. 1. We must by solemn vows bind ourselves up from all sin; largely opened in five things. 2. We must bind ourselves up to all duty. To the duties of religion in general; opened in four things. To some duties of religion especially; opened in four things. Duties which we have most neglected, which we have experienced most benefit by, which we have most opportunity for; and the duties of our respective callings and relations. Page 209 CHAPTER XII. DIRECTIONS CONCERNING THE FRAME OF OUR SPIRIT 1. We must come from this ordinance admiring the condescension of the divine grace to us; considering our meanness by nature, and our vileness by sin. 2. Lamenting our manifold defects, either trembling, or at least blushing. 3. Rejoicing in Christ, and the great love wherewith he hath loved us; expressing itself in praises to God, and encouragements to ourselves. 4. Much quickening to every good work. 5. With a watchful fear of Satan's wiles, and a firm resolution to stand our ground against them. Let us therefore fear and therefore fix. 6. Praying that God will fulfil his promises to us, and enable us to fulfil ours to him. 7. With a charitable disposition, to love our fellow-christians, to give to the poor, and forgive injuries. 8. Longing for heaven. Our complaints and our comforts should make us long for heaven. CHAPTER XIII. AN EXHORTATION TO ORDER THE CONVERSATION ARIGHT 1. In general we must live so as to adorn our profession. 2. To fulfil our engagements. 3. To make grateful 224 245 |