A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

4th Objection. But I am not prepared worthily to receive, and therefore I dare not come to this Table, least I eat and drink damnation to my self.

Answer, Whose fault is that? what hast thou been doing all thy life? if thou hast not been working out thy salvation with fear and trembling, thou hast done nothing. Repentance hath been preached, why hath not thy heart been broken? Christ hath been offered, why hast thou not received him by faith? This Supper hath been explained, why hast thou not understood it? if thou hadst but repented of thy sins, and believed in the Lord Jesus, and understood the meaning of this Supper, thou hadst been prepared for a worthy receiving of it: but if it be not thus with thee it is thy own fault, get thee therefore into thy closet, humble thy self mightily before the Lord for this long abuse of the means of grace; and pray him to give thee that repentance, faith and knowledge that may make thee worthy: and be assured that God is merciful,¹ and giveth liberally to those that ask, and upbraideth no man: ask and you shall have, seek and you shall find. But if you will not be at this pains, thy unworthiness is voluntary, and thy complaint of unfitness is mere hypocrisy: and then remember the many woes denounced against Hypocrites.

Answer, Whose fault is that? what hast thou been doing all thy life? if thou hast not been working out thy salvation with fear and trembling, thou hast done nothing. Repentance hath been preached, why hath not thy heart been broken? Christ hath been offered, why hast thou not received him by faith? This Supper hath been explained, why hast thou not understood it? if thou hadst but repented of thy sins, and believed in the Lord Jesus, and understood the meaning of this Supper, thou hadst been prepared for a worthy receiving of it: but if it be not thus with thee it is thy own fault, get thee therefore into thy closet, humble thy self mightily before the Lord for this long abuse of the means of grace; and pray him to give thee that repentance, faith and knowledg that may make thee worthy: and be assured that God is merciful,