The law unsealed

We come next to speak of the sins we are usually guilty of in reference to the Lords Supper, and they be of several sorts. 1. Some are Doctrinal when the Institution is corrupted, as in Popery: These we will not now meddle with. 2. Others are practical, and they are either in Ministers and Elders, who admit and deba•, or in such as are admitted or debarred.

And First, we are to consider, that men may sin against this Ordinance, by not Communicating. As 1. When they contemn and wilfully neglect it. 2. When they are not frequent in it, but carelessly slight it, when conveniently it may be had, 3. By not fore-seeing and ordering our Affairs, so as we may not be hindered, when an occasion of that Ordinance offereth it self near to us. 4. By incapacitating ⟨p. 63⟩our selves to be admitted through ignorance or scandal, and by negligence to remove these. 5. By fretting at our being debarred, or at these who has a hand in it. 6. Not repenting of the causes which procureth our being debarred. 7. Not seeking to be humbled under such a weighty censure, and to get the right use of it for the time to come. 8. Suspecting that it proceedeth from carnal ends. 9. Reporting amiss of those who do it. 10. Not praying for them that partake in this Ordinance, where-ever we hear of it in any place. 11. Looking rather to the unfitness of some that are admitted, and the neglect of duty in Office-bearers in debarring, then our own. 12. Not sympathizing with them, and yet on that ground absenting our selves, to wit, for the faults of others.

And First, we are to consider, that men may sin against this Ordinance, by not Communicating. As 1. When they contemn and wilfully neglect it. 2. When they are not frequent in it, but carelesly slight it, when conveniently it may be had, 3. By not fore-seeing and ordering our Affairs, so as we may not be hindred, when an occasion of that Ordinance offereth it self near to us. 4. By incapacitating ⟨p. 63⟩our selves to be admitted through ignorance or scandal, and by negligence to remove these. 5. By fretting at our being debarred, or at these who has a hand in it. 6. Not repenting of the causes which procureth our being debarred. 7. Not seeking to be humbled under such a weighty censure, and to get the right use of it for the time to come. 8. Suspecting that it proceedeth from carnal ends. 9. Reporting amiss of those who do it. 10. Not praying for them that partake in this Ordinance, where-ever we hear of it in any place. 11. Looking rather to the unfitness of some that are admitted, and the neglect of duty in Office-bearers in debarring, then our own. 12. Not sympathizing with them, and yet on that ground absenting our selves, to wit, for the faults of others.