The law unsealed

And here, by the way, we beseech you take these few words of Exhortation. 1. Look on debarring of ignorant and scandalous persons from the Lords Table as Christs Ordinance. 2. Consider wherefore your selves are debarred, and as you may be assured it is from no particular prejudice or dis-respect, so ye would repent and be humbled for that which procureth it. 3. Be making up what is wanting for the time to come: your failing in any of these is a fault, and let none think themselves the less bound to the study of holiness, because they are kept from partaking of it: But the sin of some is; they shift it, because they will not stir themselves up to a suitable frame for it, and yet they are not suitably affected with the want of it.

Next, there are faults in them that are admitted to Communicate, and these both in Hypocrites and true Believers respectively; and that 1. Before. 2▪ In the time, and 3. After receiving the Lords Supper.

And first: Before receiving there are many failings: As 1. Ignorance of the end and nature of this Ordinance. 2. Not studying to know it: Nor 3▪ To have the heart rightly affected with it. 4. Not endeavouring to keep up a high esteem, and holy reverence of the wonderful Love of God in giving of his Son, and the Sons condescending Love in coming to dye for Sinners. 5. Not seeking to have the Covenant clearly closed with by Faith, before it be sealed by the Sacrament. 6. Not endeavouring to have all by-gone quarrels removed, and our Peace established. 7. Not searching our way, that we may be well acquainted with our condition, so as we may have the distinct knowledge of it, when we come. 8. Not carefully endeavouring a suitable frame of heart by Prayer, Meditation and Reading. 9. Not praying for a blessing, either for him that administereth, or for those who are to join with us, to prevent their sin. 10. Not minding their instruction who are under our charge. 11. Not presently renewing (if before closed with and consented to) our Covenant before our partaking. 12. Not sequestring our hearts from other things for that end. 13. Not fearing to miss the thing offered, and to contract guilt instead of getting any good, 14. Not searching after the sins of former Communions and other sins, and repenting of them. 15 What we aim at in these, not aiming at them in Christs strength. 16. Not aiming and endeavouring constantly to walk with God, and keep communion with him in all duties, that we may have the more access to communion with him in this Ordinance. 17. Not laying aside of rooted prejudices and secret malice. Nor 18. Admonishing such whom we know to lye under any offence of that kind, that they may repent and reform. 19. Unstayedness in our aiming at communion