Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

Ans. None but gracious holy persons are meet for such an holy communion. Psal. 24. 3,4. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, and who shall stand in his holy place? […] that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lift up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Men must be holy in heart and life, or they are not fit to stand in the Lords Temple, and to partake of the holy things which are there to be enjoyed. Except men have experienced a work of Regeneration in their souls, they are not meet subjects of this ⟨p. 133⟩holy Ordinance. It is therefore mentioned as a great evil, and that which is against the express and solemn charge of the Lord: when unregenerate persons are entertained in the •ords sanctuary, to participate in those holy enjoyments, Ezek. 44.7.9. Ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, when ye offer my bread and the blood. No stranger uncircumcised in heart, shall enter into my sanctuary. They whose natures were never changed by converting grace are the uncircumcised in heart; and therefore if they eat of Holy bread, or drink of Holy blood, they profane it. Christ inviteth none to eat and drink at his table, but such as are his Friends, Cant. 5. 1. Eat O Friends, drink O Beloved. Now men and women whilst in a natural and unconverted estate, are not his Friends, but in a state of enmity against him. We read concerning the Prodigal, that he was made alive before he was brought to feed upon that which was prepared at his Fathers table, Luk 15. 24, 25. So should Christians have a principle of spiritual life in their souls be ore they come to the Lords Table. Men do not invite dead, but living persons to come and sup with them. And shall we think that the Lord Jesus will or can approve of dead Guests at his Supper? they ought to have Grace whereby they may be able to feed upon Christ in the Sacrament. If the question were, Whom ought the Church to admit unto such a privilege? ⟨p. 134⟩the Answer must be those that are visibly godly; and whom in charity we are bound to think, that they are able to discern the Lords body, and to red upon Christ for the nourishment of their Souls: men cannot see the hearts or make an infallible judgement who are fit for such Communion in the sight of God; and therefore must acts according to what is visible and apparent, proceeding by the Rules of Rational charity: