A treatise concerning the Lords Supper

Fourthly, Seriously discourse with s•me (if you have opportunity) about such things as may conduce to raise your Affections, and quicken your Graces before you go

First, Strictly search thine own heart, 1 Cor. 11.28. But let a man examine himself, and ⟨p. 74⟩so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. The word signifieth a diligent and narrow search into the Nature & Properties of the thing that is the Object thereof, as a Goldsmith proves the goodness of his Mettle. Now, Christian Reader, for thine help therein, I would advise thee to put such Questions as these unto thy self, and after due deliberation with thy self, and prayer unto God, that he would discover the state of thy Soul unto thee, give in a true and serious Answer, as one that knows then must again be called to an Account, and be examined by God himself at the last Day.

Quest. 1. Have I a principle of spiritual life, or am I yet dead in Trespasses and Sins? O• my Soul! the work thou art intending at a Sacrament, it is lively work; and if thou art dead thou canst not do it: thou art to go feed upon the bread of life, and if thou art dead, thou canst not do it. Thou art to feast no• only with, but upon the Lord? But if thou art dead, thou canst not do it. I find it recorded in Numb. 19.10, 11. If any man was defiled by reason of a dead body, he was not to eat the Lords Passover till the second month. How much more unfit am I to eat the Lords Supper, if yet my heart be dead, not only dull, but dead; there is no converse between the living and the dead; dead men do not converse with living men; and a dead heart altogether void of spiritual life, cannot converse with a living God.