A treatise concerning the Lords Supper

First, For want of this, many think they […] better, when indeed they be the worse. For want of strict and narrow Examination before the Sacrament, they think they have faith in Christ, love to God, and repentance for their sins; but what they had was but a Counterfeit of Faith and Love, and other Graces, as Hypocrites may have: So for want of reflection after the Sacrament, they might think they had some workings of Faith, and Love, and sorrow for Sin, and joy in God; and yet it was not so, but something like to these, as Hypocrites might sometimes have in their attendance upon God at his Table, and in hearing of the Word, and other Duties. Hypocrites might shed many tears at a Sacrament, and might have some flashes of Joy through a false apprehension that this Christ did dye for them, & hath applied his blood unto them, and that they are partakers of the benefits of his Death, as Grace, Pardon, Hopes of Heaven, &c. & yet shall be for ever damned for not having any of these in truth and in reality; and this mistake is very dangerous, and oftentimes pernicious: In as much as it doth strengthen the presumption of these mens hearts, when they do think their Faith is strengthened, and are more confirmed in their false hopes of Heaven and Eternal Life, and often go away rejoicing at the thoughts of their good Condition, and yet ⟨p. 133⟩might lye for ever roaring amongst the Damned, for their folly and mistake; and might bless God for that which they thought they received from him at the Sacrament, and yet might be for ever cast from God, because they had not that Grace which they thought they felt working in their hearts therein; therefore After-examination is necessary.

First, For want of this, many think they 〈…〉 better, when indeed they be the worse. For want of strict and narrow Examination before the Sacrament, they think they have faith in Christ, love to God, and repentance for their sins; but what they had was but a Counterfeit of Faith and Love, and other Graces, as Hypocrites may have: So for want of reflection after the Sacrament, they might think they had some workings of Faith, and Love, and sorrow for Sin, and joy in God; and yet it was not so, but something like to these, as Hypocrites might sometimes have in their attendance upon God at his Table, and in hearing of the Word, and other Duties. Hypocrites might shed many tears at a Sacrament, and might have some flashes of Joy through a false apprehension that this Christ did dye for them, & hath applied his blood unto them, and that they are partakers of the benefits of his Death, as Grace, Pardon, Hopes of Heaven, &c. & yet shall be for ever damned for not having any of these in truth and in reality; and this mistake is very dangerous, and oftentimes pernicious: In as much as it doth strengthen the presumption of these mens hearts, when they do think their Faith is strengthened, and are more confirmed in their false hopes of Heaven and Eternal Life, and often go away rejoycing at the thoughts of their good Condition, and yet