Meditations on the holy sacrament of the Lords last Supper Written many years sinceMeditations on the holy sacrament of the Lords last Supper Written many yeares since

But here a man may object that it is harder for one to discern that he doth live in Christ then that he believes in him, and therefore this can be no good mean by which we may find out the truth of our Faith. To this we answer, that life must be discerned by those tokens which are inseparable from it, and they are first a desire of nourishment, without which it cannot continue, for nature hath imprinted in all things a love of its own being, and preservation, and by consequence a prosecution of all such means as may preserve, and a removal of all such as may endanger or oppress it. Secondly, a conversion of nourishment into the nature of the body. Thirdly, augmentation, & growth till we come unto that Stature which our life requires. Fourthly, participation of influences from the vital parts, the Head, the Heart, and others, with conformity unto the principal mover amongst them, for a dead part is ever withered, immovable, and disobedient to the other faculties, Fifthly, a sympathy, and communion in pains, or delights with the fellow members. Lastly, a free use ⟨p. 228⟩of our senses▪ and other faculties, by all which we may infallibly conclude that a creature liveth.

But here a man may object that it is harder for one to discerne that hee doth live in Christ then that he beleeves in him, and therefore this can be noe good meane by which we may finde out the truth of our Faith. To this wee answer, that life must be discerned by those tokens which are inseperable from it, and they are first a desire of nourishment, without which it cannot continue, for nature hath imprinted in all things a love of its owne being, and preservation, and by consequence a prosecution of all such meanes as may preserve, and a removeall of all such as may endanger or oppresse it. Secondly, a conversion of nourishment into the nature of the body. Thirdly, augmentation, & growth till we come unto that Stature which our life requires. Fourthly, participation of influences from the vitall parts, the Head, the Heart, and others, with conformity unto the principall mover amongst them, for a dead part is ever withered, immoveable, and disobedient to the other faculties, Fiftly, a sympathy, and communion in paines, or delights with the fellow members. Lastly, a free use ⟨p. 228⟩of our senses▪ and other faculties, by all which we may infallibly conclude that a creature liveth.