A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

The third sort of duties required in this Commandment, respect the administration of the Sacraments, which are only two, Baptism, and the Lords Supper. Unto both which it is generally required, that they be administered. First, by a lawful Minister and no other. Secondly, only to those which are in the Covenant, either the faithful or their seed. Thirdly, that they be administered according to Christs institution, without the mixture of humane inventions. More especially unto the receiving of the Lords Supper, there is required, that we receive it worthily, to which purpose, divers duties are required before, in, and after the Communion. Before, that we duly prepare our selves for this holy action, which consisteth, first, in an examination of our selves, how we are qualified with such saving graces as are necessary to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper, the which, are an hungering and thirsting after Christ and his benefits, as after that spiritual food, which alone is sufficient to nourish us to life everlasting. Secondly, knowledge of the main principles of Christian Religion, respecting either God or our selves, without which we cannot discern the Lords body, no more then a blind man can by his bodily sight discern the outward signs of bread and wine. Thirdly, faith in Jesus Christ, approved to be true and lively by the fruits of it, in the inward sanctification of our hearts, and in our outward works of piety, mercy, and righteousness. Fourthly, unfeigned repentance, consisting in an hearty sorrow for our sins past, springing out of faith, and the apprehension of the love of God towards us, and a settled purpose and resolution, not only to leave them for the time to come, but also to serve the Lord in the contrary duties of holiness, righteousness, and sobriety. Fourthly, love and charity towards our neighbours, approved by our willingness and readiness to give unto those that want, and to forgive those that offend. Secondly, after this examination there is required unfeigned humiliation in the sight and sense of our wants and weaknesses, especially in these saving graces before spoken of. Secondly, an hungering after the means whereby they may be supplied, especially the Sacrament which was purposely ordained to supply our wants, and strengthen our weakness in these graces.