Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B

The first extreme is caused by profaneness and negligence, or by gross ignorance of the nature of the Sacramental work. ⟨p. 15⟩The latter extreme is frequently caused as followeth; 1. By setting this Sacrament at a greater distance from other parts of God's worship, than there is cause: So that the excess of Reverence doth overwhelm the minds of some with terrors. 2. By studying more the terrible words of eating and drinking damnation to themselves, if they do it unworthily, than all the expressions of Love and Mercy, which that Blessed Feast is furnished with. So that when the views of infinite Love should ravish them, they are studying wrath and vengeance to terrify them, as if they came to Moses, and not to Christ. 3. By not understanding what maketh a Receiver worthy or unworthy, but taking their unwilling infirmities for condemning unworthiness. 4. By receiving it so seldom, as to make it strange to them, and increase their fear, whereas, if it were administered every Lords day, as it was in the Primitive Churches, it would better acquaint them with it, and cure that fear that cometh from strangeness. 5. By imagining, that none that want assurance of their own sincerity, can receive in Faith. 6. By contracting an ill ⟨p. 16⟩habit of mistaken Religiousness, placing it all in poring on themselves, and mourning for their corruptions, and not in studying the Love of God in Christ, and living in the daily praises of his Name, and joyful thanksgiving for his exceeding Mercies. 7. And if besides all these the Body contract a weak or timorous melancholy distemper, it will leave the mind capable of almost nothing, but fear and trouble, even in the sweetest works. From many such causes it cometh to pass, that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is become more terrible, and uncomfortable to abundance of such distempered Christians, than any other Ordinance of God; & that which should most comfort them doth trouble them most.

The first extream is caused by prophanness and negligence, or by gross ignorance of the nature of the Sacramental work. ⟨p. 15⟩The latter extream is frequently caused as followeth; 1. By setting this Sacrament at a greater distance from other parts of God's worship, than there is cause: So that the excess of Reverence doth overwhelm the minds of some with terrors. 2. By studying more the terrible words of eating and drinking damnation to themselves, if they do it unworthily, than all the expressions of Love and Mercy, which that Blessed Feast is furnished with. So that when the viewes of infinite Love should ravish them, they are studying wrath and vengeance to terrifie them, as if they came to Moses, and not to Christ. 3. By not understanding what maketh a Receiver worthy or unworthy, but taking their unwilling infirmities for condemning unworthiness. 4. By receiving it so seldom, as to make it strange to them, and increase their fear, whereas, if it were administred every Lords day, as it was in the Primitve Churches, it would better acquaint them with it, and cure that fear that cometh from strangeness. 5. By imagining, that none that want assurance of their own sincerity, can receive in Faith. 6. By contracting an ill