grief for Sin, with fome few purposes at present to amend hereafter; which they think to be fufficient, because, according to their Fancy, the work of the Priest fupplies and makes amends for the want of a true and Manly Repentance of the Heart. Now this is fo far from being a due Preparation for the Sacrament, that 'tis a Ridiculous and trifling Method, made up of lucrative Arts and abfurd Performances and ferveth to Corrupt and Debauch Christianity, and to encourage People in a Wicked and Irreligious course of Life; as any Man may difcern, that will but obferve, the Natural Confequences thereof.

1. THEREFORE for the Refolution of this point, and for the Satisfaction of Mens Confciences in this particular, we are first to Note, in the general, that Univerfal Sanctity and Purity of Mind is required of us, in order to a Profitable and Comfortable Communion. It was the Opinion even of a Pagan,that fuch as meddle with things Sacred, ought to be Chafte and Holy, not for a certain number of days only, but throughout their whole Life. And certainly a conftant course of Holinefs, is the best Prepa

Εγώ μου γὲ ἡγῆμας δεῖν

2

or es iega exor xỳ zesvíβων καὶ κανῶν ἁψόμινον, τακὸν ἡμερῶν ἀριθμὸν ἀγ νένων, ἀλλὰ τὸν βίον ὅλον τ exiva, &c. Demoth, Cont.

Timocrat.

parative for a due Celebration of this Mystery; because nothing can be pre fumed to be fo acceptable unto God, as a Life of Innocence. Yet if a Man hath lo his Innocence, either through the Practice of Habitual Sin, or through the Commi fion of fome Unlawful Acts; his Repen tance nevertheless is for Chrift's fake ac cepted of in lieu of it, if that Repentance be Hearty and Sincere.

NOW Repentance cannot be right, unless the Heart be entirely good, fo as to be out of Love with every thing that is bafe and inconfiftent with the Laws of Christ's Religion. And therefore a Communicant's mind and purpose must be refolutely fixt upon the Practice of Uni verfal Chriftian Piety. Though fome par ticular Virtues are here more especially to be Exercifed, because there are at this time particular Reafons, and Special Objects to Exercife his Faith, Charity, and the like; yet there ought to be an Habitual Prefence of other Virtues too; the frame and difpofition of our Spirits must be such, ás is Answerable to the whole Tenor of the Gofpel. Bonum ex integris, malum ex quolibet defectu: He cannot be faid to be an entire Good Man, nor a right Good Communicant, that has not an entire and Univerfal Love of Religion, in fuch a measure

measure, as by the Mercies of the New Covenant is now accepted of. Each Di vine Grace must contribute fomething to make up our Wedding Apparel; the co vering of Charity, the Ornaments of a meek and gentle Spirit, the clothing of Humility, the fackcloth of Repentance and felf-denyal, the long Robe of Patience and Conftancy, the New Apparel of Mercy and Forgiveness. In a word, we ought to be fo Perfect, as to be Sincere, and to be ready unto every good work, according to the best of our Knowledge, and to the uttermoft of our Power. All Affection and Love to Sin must be caft off; and Mens Hearts must be Devoted to the observation of all the Laws of our Redeemer, as his Spirit fhall enable us, by working in us, and with us, and by helping our Infirmities. He that is not thus difpofed, cannot Communicate Worthily, and fo as to obtain a Bleffing. And the Reason is clear, becaufe (as I have fhewed at large) this is a Covenant Feaft under the Gofpel, as the Pafchal Supper, and other Sacrifical Banquets were under the Law, By tafting of this Bread and Wine we enter into Solemn Engagements unto God, as the Jews did by Eating of the Lamb. As they did by that Holy Rite addict themfelves to the Worship of God, and engage their Obedience to him, conformable to

thofe

thofe Laws and Ordinances, which were Enacted then; even fo do we Chriftians Confecrate our felves by this Evangelical Solemnity to the Service of God, and vow Obedience to him, answerable to that way and platform, which he hath laid before us now. This is the meaning of this Mystery; and therefore 'tis called a Sacrament, because 'tis like the old Military Oath, binding all of us to be Faithful and True to the Captain of our Salvation. Now this is that which he hath commanded us by the Mouth of his Apoftle, that as he who hath called us is Holy, fo we also fhould be Holy in all manner of Converfation, 1 Pet. 1. 15. And this we undertake to do, when we Eat and Drink here before the Lord, if we rightly understand what we do. We ftipulate and vow to Obey the Will of God in all things; and promife Solemnly to deny all ungodliness and worldLy Lufts, and in exprefs terms do offer and prefent unto God our felves, our Souls and Bodies, to be a holy, reasonable, and lively Sacrifice unto him. Now unless we really intend what we do Profefs, and do ftedfastly purpose, and diligently endeavour to make all our Promifes good, what elfe can we be fuppofed to do, but to fet forth our own thameful Hypocrifie, instead of fhew ing forth the Lord's Death? Therefore, if

we

we intend to Receive this Sacrament with Profit, and to our Eternal Salvation, we muft refolve with our felves to be upright and fincere in Heart; to lay afide all filthi nefs of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the fear of God; to take to our felves the whole Armour of God, and to quit and behave our felves like Men. We must refolve to serve God all our days with Reverence and Fear, and to make him the Object of our Defires, and the Portion of our Souls; to be Holy in our Affections, to be Humble in Soul, to be Meek and Peaceable in Spirit, to be Sober and Temperate in our Delights; to be Contented in all Conditions, and to be Patient under I our Croffes, as the Prince of Peace was under his To be Thankful for our Afflictions, to be conftant and firm in our Tryals, and to be Charitable in all our Prayers, as he himself was, who Prayed unto his Father at the very last gafp, for the Forgiveness of his Enemies. Men must not be fo vain, as to imagine, that they are fufficiently Prepared, if they do but find within themselves fome prefent Raptures, and Liquorish apprehensions of the Love of God; if they can but breath out fome Groans, or diffolve themselves into a fhower of Water No; the right Preparation of the Heart confifteth in the . F

entire