Gospel-Worship

Now it may be, this at first seems strange to many; yet certainly observe this; do but keep to the institution in the Sacrament, though you may think it a more mean way, yet you will find a greater beauty in this Ordinance, then ever you found in all your lives; for the more we keep to Christs institution and mingle nothing of our own, the more glory, and beauty, and excellency doth appear in the Ordinances of Jesus Christ; but when any man shall mix any of his own inventions, though he may do it to a good end, and think to add to and put a greater lustre upon the Sacrament: the truth is, that which he thinks to be a greater lustre, reverence, or honour put upon it, it doth rather take off the lustre and glory of the Sacrament; then are the institutions of Christ glorious when there is no mixture among them; thus we should sanctify the name of God, in receiving this holy Sacrament; you have had divers things propounded to you whereby you may come to know and easily to see that there hath been a great deal of ⟨p. 267⟩dishonour done to this Sacrament, and the beauty and glory of it hath been darkened, and the sweet that the Saints might otherwise have received in plucking hath been exceedingly hindered. There is but one thing more that I shall propound to you, and that is the several meditations that we should meditate on in receiving of the Sacrament; the most concerning meditations are suggested in the holy Communion that are in any thing whatsoever, more concerning, more efficacious, more various meditations we have suggested here then in any thing, and it is a great sign that men and women, do not discern the Lords body if so be their meditations be barren at that time. I will therefore suggest some nine or ten meditations that that Ordinance of God may hold out very plainly, and familiarly to every Communicant, for the busying of their thoughts all the time that action is a doing.

Now it may be, this at first seems strange to many; yet certainly observe this; doe but keepe to the institution in the Sacrament, though you may thinke it a more mean way, yet you will find a greater beauty in this Ordinance, then ever you found in all your lives; for the more wee keep to Christs institution and mingle nothing of our owne, the more glory, and beauty, and excellency doth appeare in the Ordinances of Iesus Christ; but when any man shall mix any of his owne inventions, though he may do it to a good end, and think to adde to and put a greater lustre upon the Sacrament: the truth is, that which he thinks to be a greater lustre, reverence, or honour put upon it, it doth rather take off the lustre and glory of the Sacrament; then are the institutions of Christ glorious when there is no mixture among them; thus wee should sanctifie the name of God, in receiving this holy Sacrament; you have had divers things propounded to you whereby you may come to know and easily to see that there hath been a great deale of