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cern the Lord's body (n), and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings (0), and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces (p); in judging themselves (q), and sorrowing for sin (r); in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ (s), feeding on him by faith (t), receiving of his fulness (v), trusting in his merits (w), rejoicing in his love (x), giving thanks for his grace (y); in renewing of their

took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, behold, the blood of the covenant which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words. Compared with Mat. 26. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

(n) 1 Cor. 11. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

(o) Luke 22. 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

(p) 1 Cor. 10. 3. 14. And did ail eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ). But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

(9) 1 Cor. 11. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

(r) Zech. 12. 10. And I will Pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jeru

salem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

(s) Rev. 22. 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come : and whatsoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

(t) John 6. 35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

(v) John 1. 16. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

(w) Phil. 3. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

(x) Psal. 63. 4, 5. Thus will I bless thee, while I live: I will lift up mine hands in thy name: My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise thee with joy. ful lips.

(y) Psal. 22. 26. The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for

ever,

covenant with God (z), and love to all the saints (a). Q. 175. What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord's supper

A. The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord's supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success (b); if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it (c), beg the continuance of it (d), watch against relapses (e), fulfil their vows (f), and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that or

(z) Jer. 50. 5. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. Psalms 50. 5. Gather my saints together unto me: those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

(a) Acts 2. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in pray

ers.

:

(b) Psal. 28. 7. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise him. Psal. 85. 8. will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 1 Cor. 11. 17. Now in this that I declare unto you, I praise you not, that you come together, not for the better, but for the worse. v. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. v. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

(c) Acts 2. 42-47. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.

(d) Psal. 36. 10. O continue thy loving kindness unto them that know thee; and thy righte ousness to the upright in heart. Cant. 3. 4. It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. 1 Chron. 29. 18. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.

(e) 1 Cor. 10. 3-12. And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink; (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ.) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.

(f) Psal. 50. 14. Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most High.

dinance (g): but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament (h); in both which if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time (i): but, if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled (k), and to attend upon it afterward with more care and diligence (1).

Q. 176. Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper agree

?

A. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper agree, in that the author of both is God (m); the spi

(g) 1 Cor. 11. 25, 26. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Acts 2. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. v. 46. And, they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

(h) Cant. 5. 1. I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice, I have eaten my honey-comb with my honey, have drunk my wine with my 'milk: eat, O friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved.

(i) Psal. 123. 1, 2. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Psal. 42. 5. Why art thou cast

down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

(k) 2 Chron. 30. 18, 19. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover, otherwise than it was written: but Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one, That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed accor ding to the purification of the sanctuary.

(2 Cor. 7. 11. For behold, this self-same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! in all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

(m) Mat. 28. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the

ritual part of both is Christ and his benefits (n), both are seals of the same covenant (o), are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other (p), and to be continued in the church of Christ until his second coming (q).

Q. 177. Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper differ?

A. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper differ, in that baptism is to be administered but once, with water, to be a sign and seal, of our regeneration and ingrafting into Christ (r), and that even to in

same night in which he was oetrayed took bread.

(n) Rom. 6. 3, 4. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 1 Cor. 10. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

(o) Rom. 4. 11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Compared with Col. 2. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Mat. 26. 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: v. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

(p) John 1. 33. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. Mat. 28. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Heb. 5. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

(9) Mat. 28. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, bapti zing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; verse 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(r) Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall

fants (s); whereas the Lord's supper is to be administered often, in the elements of bread and wine, to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul (t), and to confirm our continuance and growth in him (v), and that only to such as are of years and ability to examine themselves (w).

Q. 178. What is prayer ?

A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God (x), in the name of Christ (y), by the help of his Spirit (z); with confession of our sins (a), and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies (b).

baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Tit. 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Gal. 3. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.

(s) Gen. 17. 7. And I will cstablish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 1 Cor. 7. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

(t) 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24. For I have received of the Lord, that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

(v) 1 Cor. 10. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of

the body of Christ?

(w) 1 Cor. 11. 28, 29. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

(x) Psal. 62. 8. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

(y) John 16. 23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

(z) Rom. 8. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can.

not be uttered.

(a) Psal. 32. 5. I acknowledg ed my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

(b) Phil. 4. 6. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

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