Page:Preparation sermon, before receiving the Holy sacrament.pdf/6

 7. It is to approach without that awful dread reverance of God which we ſhould have on  ſpirits. O careleſs ſinner, who can approach table as unconcernedly as if you were going to  down at a common feaſt tremble, for you will  and drink to unworthily. You muſt approach with reverence of the holineſs and juſtice of God,  hated ſin ſo much, so vehemently, that he  ſtand by while his dear ſon was ſuffering for it, yea, and ſtruggling in the cruel pangs of death among  hands of bloody murderers. and that without any relenting of heart What earthly father but  account the ſufferings of his ſon as the rending of his bowes? Yet it pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him and to put him to grief Isa 53. 10. This was a greater evidence of the inexorableneſs of his juſtice, than if he had forbid the whole world full of men and angels into hell Therefore, when we approach to eat and to drink at the table of the Lord, we ſhould be filled with a reverential adoration of the juſtice of God, and alſo of his purity, and of his all ſeeing and piercing eye that is beholding us at the time of communicating. If men had the recent impreſſions of this, would they eat and drink ſo unconcernedly and irreverently? They would touch this bread and this cup with the ſame awe and reverance that the woman with the bloody iſſue touched the hem of Chriſt's garment, and that was quaking and trembling, Mark 5. 33.

8 It is to ſit down with a cold heart, wanting love to Chriſt. O communicants, thus is a love-feaſt and it is with love you can entertain Chriſt. If you be an enemy to him you have nothing to do at his table; this is a feaſt for friends only, Cant. 5. 1. ''Eat. O friends; drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved''. Whatever be wanting, love muſt not be wanting; for love is the spring that moveth all the graces, faith, repentance, delighit, &c. An