2. We are to judge our selves about our present fitness, and capacity for the Lords Supper: Not only whether grace be in us for the main, but whether it be actuated, and preparing the soul, that it is like a room ready swept & dressed to receive Christ: Every godly man is not in an immediate fitness to receive ⟨p. 133⟩the Lords Supper. Some of these Corinthians were truly godly, as was proved, yet they became guilty of unworthy receiving, by their actual indisposition. The instrument may want tuning for present melody; the k•y may be rusty; the heart may be so dull, unbelieving, carnal, and unsavoury, that there is not a present temper of heart to close with those Ordinances as he ought to do. If thy heart be a Fountain, but sealed up; if a Box of ointment, but not opened; there is a gulf between Sacramental benefits and thy heart. If you ask, ⟨p. 134⟩what doth actual fitness consist in: I answer it is in the actual exercise of those graces, the principles whereof are in thy soul: It is like the wind breathing upon the flowers of a garden, which make them send forth a sweet smell; its like a tool whetted, like a Spring running, like a fire kindled, many times thou hast wood laid together, the principles of grace within thee, but there is not fire that doth kindle it; the graces to be actually put forth, are a renewed sorrow and tender meltings of thy heart for thy former impieties; serious meditation about ⟨p. 135⟩Christ his Person, his Offices, his unspeakable love in dying for thee, not to give over thinking about this, till thou find it prove like coals of fire in thy bosom; Heavenly mindedness likewise lifteth up thy heart, and makes thee suitable to heavenly gifts; spiritual hungrings and longings of soul after the benefits received, holy joy and gladness of heart, with great thankfulness unto God: Oh when a soul is dressed in all these ornaments, the Lilies of the field, nor Solomon in all his glory, is not like it: As therefore the master invited his guests, ⟨p. 136⟩saying, Come for all things are ready, is it likewise true of thee concerning thy fitness, I come Lord, for all is ready, my soul is put in order, the heart is furnished to receive Christ. And if the godly soul say, oh this is that which troubleth me; I am so disordered, my heart is untuned, this disquiets me, that distracts me, my heart is in an uproar, no fitness is there to entertain Christ.
2. We are to judge our selves about our present fitness, and capacity for the Lords Supper: Not only whether grace be in us for the main, but whether it be actuated, and preparing the soul, that it is like a room ready swept & drest to receive Christ: Every godly man is not in an immediate fitness to receive ⟨p. 133⟩the Lords Supper. Some of these Corinthians were truly godly, as was proved, yet they became guilty of unworthy receiving, by their actual indisposition. The instrument may want tuning for present melody; the k•y may be rusty; the heart may be so dul, unbelieving, c•rnal, and unsavoury, that there is not a present temper of heart to close with those Ordinances as he ought to do. If thy heart be a Fountain, but sealed up; if a Box of oyntment, but not opened; there is a gulf be•w•en Sacramental benefits and thy heart. If you ask, ⟨p. 134⟩what doth actual fitness consist in: I answer it is in the actual exercise of those graces, the principles whereof are in thy soul: It is like the wind breathing upon the flowers of a garden, which make them send forth a sweet smell; its like a tool whetted, like a Spring running, like a fire kindled, many times thou hast wood laid together, the principles of grace within thee, but there is not fire that doth kindle it; the graces to be actually put forth, are a renewed sorrow and tender meltings of thy heart for thy former impieties; serious meditation about ⟨p. 135⟩Christ his Person, his Offices, his unspeakable love in dying for thee, not to give over thinking about this, till thou finde it prove like coals of fire in thy bosom; Heavenly mindedness likewise lifteth up thy heart, and makes thee suitable to heavenly gifts; spiritual hungrings and longings of soul after the benefits received, holy joy and gladness of heart, with great thankfulness unto God: Oh when a soul is dressed in all these ornaments, the Lillies of the field, nor Solomon in all his glory, is not like it: As therefore the master invited his guests, ⟨p. 136⟩saying, Come for all things are ready, is it likewise true of thee concerning thy fitness, I come Lord, for all is ready, my soul is put in order, the heart is furnished to receive Christ. And if the godly soul say, oh this is that which troubleth me; I am so disordered, my heart is untuned, this disquiets me, that distracts me, my heart is in an uproar, no fitness is there to entertain Christ.
