In the protract of this discourse I consider this duty more particularly, as it is a necessary preparative to the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, for this was the occasion of fastening upon this subject at first. My Method in handling of this Point, is for the most part, positive; waving controversies, even when the matter did seem to call for it. As pag. 126, 127. I affirm, That such who are spiritually dead, cannot put forth gracious actings at the Lords Supper, or spiritually eat and drink, so that they receive no heavenly nourishment thereby; not entering ⟨image 5⟩upon the Controversy, Whether the Lords Supper be a converting Ordinance, or not, being satisfied in this, That that Ordinance was not instituted, either for the exhibition, or obsignation of the first, and radical, or fundamental grace, but doth wholly presuppose it: Therefore I think Aquinas speaketh Orthodoxally in this, Comment. In cap. 11. ad Corinth. Epist. 1a Lecti 7a, who making this objection to himself, That Christ is received in this Sacrament, now he is a spiritual Physician, & that not the whole, but the sick need such an one: He answereth, That this Sacrament declareth ⟨image 5⟩nourishment, and therefore none do receive the benefit thereof, but such who live the life of grace, yet we must add that sinners, if humbled, and of broken hearts, ought to address themselves to that Ordinance for the sealing of the pardon of their sins, to obviate that error in Popery, which denieth remission of sins to be vouchsafed in the right use thereof. Again, pag. 128, 129. I declare That such who have competent knowledge, and are unblameable in their lives, are by Church-officers to be admitted to this Ordinance, though haply not internally sanctified. Neither ⟨image 6⟩is the Church-officer to attend to that, but the command and order of Christ, not launching into the Controversy of the extensiveness of the administration of Ordinances, or the qualifications of Church-members, acquiescing in that which Ames answereth to Bellarmine, Bellar. Enerv. tom. 3. cap. 1. de Sacram. qu 3. (who objected, That if Sacraments were the seals of grace, a Minister could not baptize any, unless he knew he were elected, lest he should apply the seal to a falsehood,) That Ministers are not to administer Sacraments according to their private knowledge ⟨image 6⟩or opinion, but according to the command of God.
In the protract of this discourse I consider this duty more particularly, as it is a necessary preparative to the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, for this was the occasion of fastning upon this subject at first. My Method in handling of this Point, is for the most part, positive; waving controversies, even when the matter did seem to call for it. As pag. 126, 127. I affirm, That such who are spiritually dead, cannot put forth gracious actings at the Lords Supper, or spiritually eat and drink, so that they receive no heavenly nourishment thereby; not entring ⟨image 5⟩upon the Controversie, Whether the Lords Supper be a converting Ordinance, or not, being satisfied in this, That that Ordinance was not instituted, either for the exhibition, or obsignation of the first, and radical, or fundamental grace, but doth wholly presuppose it: Therefore I think Aquinas speaketh Orthodoxally in this, Comment. In cap. 11. ad Corinth. Epist. 1a Lecti 7a, who making this objection to himself, That Christ is received in this Sacrament, now he is a spiritual Physitian, & that not the whole, but the sick need such an one: He answereth, That this Sacrament declareth ⟨image 5⟩nourishment, and therefore none do receive the benefit thereof, but such who live the life of grace, yet we must add that sinners, if humbled, and of broken hearts, ought to addresse themselves to that Ordinance for the sealing of the pardon of their sins, to obviate that error in Popery, which denieth remission of sins to be vouchsafed in the right use thereof. Again, pag. 128, 129. I declare That such who have competent knowledge, and are unblameable in their lives, are by Church-officers to be admitted to this Ordinance, though happly not internally sanctified. Neither ⟨image 6⟩is the Church-officer to attend to that, but the command and order of Christ, not launching into the Controversie of the extensivenesse of the administration of Ordinances, or the qualifications of Church-members, a•quiescing in that which Ames answereth to Bellarmine, Bellar. Enerv. tom. 3. cap. 1. de Sacram. qu 3. (who objected, That if Sacraments were the seals of grace, a Minister could not baptize any, unless he knew he were elected, lest he should apply the seal to a falshood,) That Ministers are not to administer Sacraments according to their private knowledge ⟨image 6⟩or opinion, but according to the command of God.
