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 that he refuſeth it for ſuch a reaſon,  under a pretence of modeſty does the moſt  thing in the world. This is juſt the caſe; and in this caſe there is but one thing reaſonable to be done, & that is, for a man to make capable of the benefit as ſoon as he can,  thankfully to accept of it: But to excuſe  from accepting of the benefit offered,  he is not worthy of it, nor fit for it. nor intends to be ſo, is as if a man ſhould deſire  be excuſed from being happy, becauſe he is  to play the fool and to be miſerable. whether our want of preparation be total, only to ſome degree, it is every way. If it be in the degree only, it ought not hinder us from receiving the Sacrament; If  total, it ought to put us immediatly upon  the impediment, by making ſuch  as is neceſſary to the due and worthy  of it. And this brings me to the

Fourth and laſt thing I propoſed, viz. What of our ſelves is neceſſary in order to  worthy receiving of this Sacrament. Which I you would give me occaſion to explain the  meaning in the laſt part of the Text, But  a man examine himſelf, and ſo let him eat of that  and drink of that cup. I think it very clear the occaſion & circumſtances of the Apoſtle's  concerning the Sacrament, that he does  intend the examination of our ſtate, whether  be Chriſtians or nor, and ſincerely reſolved to  ſo; and conſequently that he does not  ſpeak of our habitual preparation by the  of a good life. This he takes for granted, they were Chriſtians and reſolved to continue  perſevere in their Chriſtian profeſſion; But