2 Though he be in Christ, yet he must examine §2himself, whether he be particularly prepared, quickened, and fitted; whether his ⟨p. 4⟩heart be put into such a trance of grace, or fashioned so as it ought to be, when he comes to the immediate performance of such a duty as that is. Now because I handle this point, but only for this particular occasion, I will not enter into such a manner of handling of it, as I was wont to do at other times, but only take up so much of it as may serve for the present occasion; Therefore because I say this to you: That except a man be in Christ, he ought not to take any privilege to himself: we will, First exhort every man to consider whether he be in Christ: for this is the present question which any mans heart would ask, when he hears this propounded; Why, if all the privileges be suspended upon my being in Christ, my main business is to examine whether I be in Christ or no. Now because a man may be in Christ and yet be suspended by some interveniall sin, by some indisposition of mind and heart, that may grow on him, from the actual enjoying of the present fruit and benefit of that privilege which belongs to him Therefore we will first give you rules to examine your selves whether you be in Christ or no. It is very useful to all that now are to receive, or at any other time; its useful you know too, not only upon such an occasion as this, but upon all occasions; and therefore a point, (though peculiarly belonging to this time being taken up for preparation for the Sacrament) which ⟨p. 5⟩we may the more boldly venture upon, and you ought to attend it more diligently. I will give you but these two main notes or rules by which you shall try it.
2 Though he be in Christ, yet he must examine §2himselfe, whether hee bee particularly prepared, quickned, and fitted; whether his ⟨p. 4⟩heart bee put into such a trance of grace, or fashioned so as it ought to bee, when hee comes to the immediate performance of such a duty as that is. Now because I handle this point, but onely for this particular occasion, I will not enter into such a manner of handling of it, as I was wont to doe at other times, but onely take up so much of it as may serve for the present occasion; Therefore because I say this to you: That except a man bee in Christ, hee ought not to take any priviledge to himselfe: wee will, First exhort every man to consider whether hee be in Christ: for this is the present question which any mans heart would aske, when hee heares this propounded; Why, if all the priviledges bee suspended upon my being in Christ, my maine businesse is to examine whether I be in Christ or no. Now because a man may bee in Christ and yet be suspended by some interveniall sinne, by some indisposition of minde and heart, that may grow on him, from the actuall injoying of the present fruit and benefit of that priviledge which belongs to him Therefore we will first give you rules to examine your selves whether you be in Christ or no. It is very usefull to all that now are to receive, or at any other time; its usefull you know too, not onely upon such an occasion as this, but upon all occasions; and therefore a point, (though peculiarly belonging to this time being taken up for preparation for the Sacrament) which ⟨p. 5⟩we may the more boldly venture upon, and you ought to attend it more diligently. I will give you but these two maine notes or rules by which you shall try it.
