A77988:508
Gospel-Worship
Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughs, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Cripple-gate, London.Gospel-worship: or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in generall. And particularly in these 3. great ordinances, [brace] viz. [brace] 1. Hearing the Word. 2. Receiving the Lords Supper 3. Prayer. By Jeremiah Burroughes, the Gospel-preacher to two of the greatest congregations in England, viz. Stepney and Criple-gate, London.
London: printed for Peter Cole and R.W., 1647
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, the act here required doth note that only those that are holy and godly can receive this Sacrament; we are required by the Apostle to examine our selves. To examine our selves of what? it must be of our godliness, examine what work of God hath been upon the soul, how God hath brought the soul to himself, and what Graces of the Spirit of God are ⟨p. 234⟩there, And how we have been brought into Covenant with God now if only those can receive worthily, and are to come that first examine themselves, then certainly such only as are godly are to come, for they only can perform those acts that are required.
Thirdly, the act here required doth note that only those that are holy and godly can receive this Sacrament; we are required by the Apostle to examine our selves. To examine our selves of what? it must be of our godlinesse, examine what worke of God hath been upon the soule, how God hath brought the soule to himselfe, and what Graces of the Spirit of God are ⟨p. 234⟩there, And how we have been brought into Covenant with God now if only those can receive worthily, and are to come that first examine themselves, then certainly such only as are godly are to come, for they only can performe those acts that are required.
Fourthly, Its a Sacrament of Communion with God, and Communion with the Saints; now what Communion hath Light and Darkness? or what fellowship hath Christ with Belial, If it be a Sacrament of Communion, of coming to the Table of God will God have his enemies to come to his Table? you will invite no enemies to your Tables, but your children and friends, so they must be the children of God and the friends of God, these that are reconciled to God in the blood of his Son, and those that are his children that must sit at his Table, therefore they must be holy. Now this may suffice for that first thing, that this is not an Ordinance for all sorts of people, but such as have submitted to the condition of the Covenant before. Such as have grace, and ability to examine themselves of their graces, and such as are children and reconciled to God, and so are fit to sit at the Table of God, and to enjoy Communion with him and with his Son, and with the Saints; for we are one body sacramentally when we come to this holy Ordinance; all others therefore certainly are to be kept from this Sacrament but such.