Gospel-Worship

Thirdly, there is nothing that strikes more upon a mans conscience; we find it by experience; even upon wicked mens consciences, and especially upon such as begin to be enlightened in the holiness of this Ordinance, God hath put much honour upon it; I confess some men may use it superstitiously though it be an Ordinance of Christ, yet God hath put a great deal of honour upon this Ordinance, that men that are very wicked otherwise, yet their Consciences tell them that when they come to this Ordinance then they must be good, then they must not sin, but have good thoughts, and good prayers at that time. And many times they dare not come, if their consciences tell them that they live in some sin. I knew one my self once that was to be executed, and he had never received this Ordinance in all his life, though about forty years of Age, And being ⟨p. 231⟩asked the reason why, he confessed he lived in some sin that he was loth to leave, and therefore would never come to that Ordinance all his life, though herein the Devil gulled and deceived him; but I mention it to show what a power there is in the consciences of men about this Ordinance; this ordinarily is one of the first things that strikes upon the souls of men, when they come to have their Consciences awakened, Oh how have I profaned the name of God in the Ordinance of the holy communion and have not sanctified his name in it.

Thirdly, there is nothing that strikes more upon a mans conscience; wee find it by experience; even upon wicked mens consciences, and especially upon such as begin to be enlightned in the holinesse of this Ordinance, God hath put much honour upon it; I confesse some men may use it superstitiously though it be an Ordinance of Christ, yet God hath put a great deale of honour upon this Ordinance, that men that are very wicked otherwise, yet their Consciences tell them that when they come to this Ordinance then they must be good, then they must not sinne, but have good thoughts, and good prayers at that time. And many times they dare not come, if their consciences tell them that they live in some sin. I knew one my selfe once that was to be executed, and he had never received this Ordinance in all his life, though about fourty yeares of Age, And being ⟨p. 231⟩askt the reason why, he confest he lived in some sin that hee was loth to leave, and therefore would never come to that Ordinance all his life, though herein the Devill gull'd and deceived him; but I mention it to shew what a power there is in the consciences of men about this Ordinance; this ordinarily is one of the first things that strikes upon the soules of men, when they come to have their Consciences awakened, Oh how have I prophaned the name of God in the Ordinance of the holy communion and have not sanctified his name in it.