Practical truths tending to promote the power of godliness

2. It is necessary that comers unto the Lords Table, should have the grace of Knowledge. They must in some measure know and understand all the great saving Truths of the Gospel, the belief whereof is necessary in order to the obtaining eternal life. There is a knowledge which is only a common grace of the holy Spirit. They that know that there is a God, and that Christ is the Son of God, and that he must be submitted unto as Lord and Saviour, have experienced a common work of Gods Spirit enlightening of them. No man can say that Jesus is the ⟨p. 136⟩Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor 12. 3. This knowledge is indeed necessary, in order to a worthy partaking at the Lords Table, but it is not sufficient. There is moreover, a saving knowledge which is a special grace of the holy Spirit, peculiar to the Elect of God, h. e. when a man knoweth the truths of the Gospel, so as to feel the transforming sanctifying power of them in his own Soul, Joh. 17. 3. This we fitly call the grace of knowledge; and the Scripture calls i• Grace, 2 Pet. 3. 18. gr•w in Grace. And when doth a Christian do so? truly, when he grow• (as in the next words the Apostle addeth) in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There is then the grace of sanctified knowledge. And that is requisite, in order to a profitable partaking at the Lords Table. If a man hath not knowledge to discern the Lords body, he will eat and drink damnation to himself, 2 Cor. 11.29. He must be able to put a difference between Sacramental Bread, and common Bread; and must be instructed in the nature and end of such an Institution. Also, he must know and be sensible of this, that in partaking of the Lords Table, men have to do with a Christ, that was dead and crucified for the sins of his people, and must have his heart affected accordingly. This is implied in discerning the Lords body. Except a man is able to discern Christ in the Sacraments, not only Doctrinally, but Spiritually, he ⟨p. 137⟩