Page:Preparation sermon, before receiving the Holy sacrament.pdf/4

 ruined natural ſtate, or of his blood to cleanſe and heal his wounds, and his righteouſneſs to cover his nakedneſs. This ordinance is a contract betwixt God and ſinners: you can never go about it worthily, unleſes you understand the nature of the covenant and the terns of which you engage: you muſt know yourſelves to be poor and naked, ſick and wounded, under the curſe of the law, the corruption of ſin, and the pomer of Satan, and Chriſt's fitneſs and suitableneſs to recover and help you, otherways you cannot diſcern the Lord's body aright.

3. When a perſon reſts on the bare ordinance without looking to Chiſt in it, and on the naked ſigns and elements for pardon and juſification.

How many are there who thus content themſelves with Elijah's mantle, without aſking for the God of Elijah? They take the ſhell for the kernal, and the ſhaddow for the ſubstance. Many think, if they get their communion as they call it, tho' it be nothing but a bit of bread and a ſip of wine, they are well, they are out of all danger of hell and the devil; and thus they make it a mere charm.

4 When a perſon continues in habitual and frequent breaches of known commands, unrepented of; or in the omiſſion of known duties, ſuch as family worſhip or fecret prayer; for thoſe who forget Chriſt all the year long are not likely to remember him aright at a communion-table: or yet when one continues in the commiſſion of known ſins, such as drunkenneſs, ſwearing, uncleanneſs, covetouneſs, ſabbath breaking, &c. or lyes in any fecret ſin unrepented of, ſuch as revenge, or malice at his neighbour. The heart that is a habitation for any of theſe kind of devils, is not a fit temple to receive Chriſt. O ſinner, wouldſt thou invite Chriſt into that chamber where all his murderers are lodged? Not, certainly, unleſs thou hadſt a deſign to crucify him over again.