Three sermons vpon the sacrament of the Lords Supper. By the late faithfull and vvorthy minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majestie, master of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes Inne

I Iohn 5. 14.

And this is the assurance which wee have in him, that if we aske any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

THe scope of the holy Apo∣stle in this chapter, is to set forth some of those princi∣pall priviledges we have by Iesus Christ. One maine and principall (which is the greatest of all the rest) is that through him we have eternall life; And therefore (saith he) know this, that when you have the Sonne once, you have life: in the 12. ver. He that hath the Sonne hath life, and he that hath not the Sonne hath not life. Therefore (saith he) have I written this Epistle to you for this purpose, that you might consider well what gaine you have by Christ Iesus: These things have I written, (saith hee) in the verses before this that I have now read unto you, to you that beleeve in the Name of the Sonne of God, that you may know that you have eternall life. After this he names another great priviledge,

that wee have by Christ; mentioned in this verse, that I have now read unto you. This (saith he) is the assurance we have in him, that whatsoever wee aske according to his will, hee heareth us. This is the second great priviledge we have by Christ, we shall be heard in all our requests: it is no more but aske and have, put up what petition you will, if you be in Christ once, you have this assurance, that hee heareth you: but he delivers it with this condition, you must first be in him: We have this assurance in him (saith he) that if we aske any thing, according to his will, he heareth vs. So that you see, here are two plaine poynts lying evidently before us.

1 That except a man be in Christ,* 1.1 he must not, hee ought not to apply to himselfe any of these spirituall priviledges, that wee have by him: if we be in Christ, this and all other are ours; if you be in Christ (saith he) then you have this assurance, for wee have that assurance in him. The second point that the verse affords us, is,

2 That whosoever is in Christ,* 1.2 whatsoever he askes he shall have it. Now my full intenti∣on was, onely to have handled that which is mainely aimed at in the verse (for the other you see is but touched by the way) which is this great priviledge that belongs to all Christians, that whatsoever they aske in prayer according to the will of God, they shall bee heard in it:

But because I understand you had a Sacrament appointed for this day, I have altered a little that course; the hearing of that hath somewhat diverted mee, and caused mee at this time to pitch upon the other point which I named to you; That except a man be in Christ, be ought not to apply any priviledge to himselfe; if hee be, I say, all belongs to him.

When you come to receive the Sacrament, it is a very great priviledge to meddle with those holy mysteries, to have those simboles given to you of the love and favour of God in Christ; but yet you must remember this, that except you be in Christ, you have nothing to doe with him, and therefore it is a fitte and necessary point for this season. For when the Apostle would give directions to the Corinth. what they should doe, to prepare themselves to the Sa∣crament, that they may be worthy receivers; hee gives it in this short precept:a 1.3 Let every man (saith he) examine himselfe, and so let him eate this bread and drinke this cup. Now what is a man to examine himselfe of? Surely every one that comes to the Lords Table, is to examine himselfe concerning these two things.

1 Whether he bee in Christ, and so whether [ 1] he hath any right at all to come neere to him in that holy ordinance.

2 Though he be in Christ, yet he must exa∣mine [ 2] himselfe, whether hee bee particularly prepared, quickned, and fitted; whether his

heart bee put into such a trance of grace, or fashioned so as it ought to bee, when hee comes to the immediate performance of such a duty as that is. Now because I handle this point, but onely for this particular occasion, I will not en∣ter into such a manner of handling of it, as I was wont to doe at other times, but onely take up so much of it as may serve for the present oc∣casion; Therefore because I say this to you: That except a man bee in Christ, hee ought not to take any priviledge to himselfe: wee will, First exhort every man to consider whether hee be in Christ: for this is the present question which any mans heart would aske, when hee heares this propounded; Why, if all the privi∣ledges bee suspended upon my being in Christ, my maine businesse is to examine whether I be in Christ or no. Now because a man may bee in Christ and yet be suspended by some interveni∣all sinne, by some indisposition of minde and heart, that may grow on him, from the actuall injoying of the present fruit and benefit of that priviledge which belongs to him Therefore we will first give you rules to examine your selves whether you be in Christ or no. It is ve∣ry usefull to all that now are to receive, or at any other time; its usefull you know too, not onely upon such an occasion as this, but upon all occasions; and therefore a point, (though pe∣culiarly belonging to this time being taken up for preparation for the Sacrament) which

we may the more boldly venture upon, and you ought to attend it more diligently. I will give you but these two maine notes or rules by which you shall try it.

Whosoever is in Christ, there must passe a double act: one on our part, another on Christs part,b 1.4 My beloved is mine, and I am his; wee take Christ and Christ takes us; wheresoever you find these two acts, such a man is in Christ: There must be an act of our part, something the heart and mind of a man must doe to take Christ. Secondly the Lord sends and puts forth something of his, he doth put forth an act of the Holy Spirit, whereby he comprehends and takes us. Now if thou finde in thy selfe these two things; First, that thy heart hath exercised that act of taking the Lord Iesus; Secondly, that he hath sent forth a vertue and put forth an act of his to take and to comprehend thee; then cer∣tainely thou art in Christ; and if it be so, all the priviledges belong to thee; if not, thou hast no∣thing to doe with this holy Sacrament. Now for the cleare discerning of that act which is on our part, you must consider these things.

• 1 Whether you make Christ your chiefest Excellencie.
• 2 Whether you make him your chiefest Treasure.
• 3 Whether you make him you chiefest Ioy and Delight.
• 4 Whether hee bee your chiefest Refuge to

• whom your hearts retire on all occasions.
• [ 5] 5 Whether you set him up in your hearts for the chiefest Commander.

My Beloved, if you finde all this done by you, then out of doubt, Christ belongs to you; They are all severall, but they meet in one cen∣ter, and serve together to make up one rule of triall, to know whether you have tooke Christ to you or no; and I will handle them all distinct∣ly as I have named them to you.

[ 1] 1 Therefore consider whether Christ be thy chiefest Excellency; for it is naturall to every man to seeke some excellency or other. Indeed beasts, so they may have that which is necessa∣ry for the life and service of nature, it is enough for them; and it may be it is enough for all bru∣tish men, whose soules are buried in their bo∣dyes that are but sepulchers of men, in whom that spectacle of excellency which is rationall, belonging to a man, is quenched in sensuality. These men, it may be, seeke no excellency at all, but so they may live in pleasures, so they may have that which belongs to their bodies, and to this present life, it is enough for them. But a man who hath any thing of a man in him, as hee is a man, considered in these higher parts of his soule, his mind and his will; hee seekes another excellency sutable to these parts: hee serves a higher, a more spirituall immateriall substance, such as the soule is; and according as mens mindes are of divers fashions, so they are in a

way of seeking severall excellencies for them∣selves, yet according to their different ages. Children delight in childish things, and so doe men likewise, from whom this childishnesse is worne; yet according to their severall fashion and understanding, so they seeke a severall ex∣cellency. Some seeke learning, knowledge and excellency in their profession; this is the excel∣lency they would have▪ Some seeke great places of authority and command, and if they had their wish, that is, the excellency they would have; Some seeke the favour of the Prince: Some to have a great estate, that men may say, hee is worth so much, he hath such Lordships, such faire houses, & lands belonging to him; if he had the excellencie he desires, these he would have. Every man in his owne kinde, according as mens understandings are stronger or weaker; according to their different education, as it hath beene more noble, and ingenious; according to the severall companyes they keepe, where they finde such and such things magnified; according to the severall ages they live in; (As wee say something is in request is one age, in one com∣pany, something in another) I say according to these severall occasions, so every man seekes a severall excellency to himselfe. Now consi∣der what is the excellency thy heart desires, a∣bove all thing else, whether it bee Iesus Christ; to be in him; to excell in grace; to have a new draught of Gods Image in thy soule; or whether

some such thing as I have named: Consider what is the proper vertue thou wouldest have thy soule to excell in, for there are severall ver∣tues; every thing hath some vertue or other which is proper to it; as the vertue of a knife is to cut well; the vertue of a horse to goe well; the vertue of a souldier to fight well; and the vertue of a Christian to be a holy man; to bee holy, gracious, and unblameable in his conver∣sation. Now what is the proper excellency thy heart aymes at: what is that thou esteem∣est thy vertue, that if thou wert put to thy choyse that thou mightest have a wish granted thee, thou wouldest most desire? whether wouldest thou desire this; to excell in grace and holinesse, to have thy sinfull lusts mortifyed, to have thy heart put into a holy frame of grace? or whether, (if thou wouldest deale impartially with thy selfe) is it not some other excellency that thy heart runnes upon? that thy thoughts and affections are most set upon? Consider when thou lookest upon others, what seemes most gracious in thy sight, by what thou doest most value the excellency of another man; for it is likely thou so esteemest thy selfe also: Con∣sider therefore I say what thou measurest thy selfe and others by; A man that is in Christ, sets so much by himselfe, and by every man as he is in Gods booke: as you see, men are rated, and their wealth esteemed according as they are in the Kings bookes. See what thy heart saith to

this, whether thou settest so much by thy selfe and by every man else, as he is in Gods favour; as he hath the eminency of grace and holinesse above others; or whether it bee something else by which thou ratest thy selfe and others: Con∣sider what is that outward Badge, that Livery, that Cognizance thou desirest to weare, which thou wouldest boast of among men: you shall see it in Paul, (saith he) When I come amongst you, I doec 1.5 not regard the excellencie of naturall wisedome; I care not to come with that; The time was when I prized it, as you prize it now; but now (saith hee) it is another excellency which I seeke, which I desire to weare (as it were) When I come amongst you, to preach the Gospell, (saith hee) I care for nothing else, I care not to bee thought to know any else, than Christ crucifyed: Consider with thy selfe now what thou wouldst have most eminent in thee, in the eyes and eares of men, that which thou wouldest weare in the view of all the world; whether it be the Livery of Christ; to professe the feare of God, to excell in grace and holy∣nes, though the world disgrace, despise and hate thee for it; Is this that thy heart desires? If so, its a signe thou seekest Christ for thy excellen∣cy. Consider likewise what it is that thou esteemest thy chiefest wisedome; for it is the dis∣position of men before they bee in Christ, be∣fore they have experience of the wayes of God, before they be regenerate, when they look upon

those wayes in others, they reckon them folly, they ared 1.6 foolishnesse to every naturall man: but when they are once in Christ, then they are wis∣dome unto them, that is, they reckon him the wisest man that excels most in these foolish courses, as before they deemed them. It is the Lords expression, Deu. 4. 6.c 1.7 This shall bee your wisdome before all people, to keepe my Lawes and Commandements. Consider now what is that thou reckonest thy chiefest wisedome, before all people; whether that which before thou thinkedst folly and weaknesse, and hadd'st a dis∣position in thy heart to contemne and scorne? whether now settest thou it at a higher price, and dost in truth thinke it thy wisedome, and art willing that all the world should know that thou thinkest so? By this you shall finde whe∣ther you make Christ your excellency by consi∣dering whether your hearts goe this way or no, to seeke a vertue in the excellencies of Iesus Christ, and so shew them forth to others; by examining whether this be thy cheifest wish, that thou mayest bee a Christian; that thou mayest bee found in Christ; that thou mayest be able to say as Paul said,f 1.8 I reckon all other things as drosse, as base and vile things; onely to bee found in Christ, to be cloathed in his righteousnesse, to excell in the graces of his Spirit; this onely I prize as most excellent, and most worthy: And this is the first.

2 Secondly, consider what is thy chiefest

Treasure, for you seeg 1.9 Hee that had gotten the field, hee gave all that heehad for it, and went away rejoycing, for hee reckoned it his greatest trea∣sure, and worth all the rest. It is certaine, whosoever hath taken Christ, doth so esteeme of him, hee reckons him to bee his chiefe trea∣sure.

You will say, How shall I know it?* 1.10

Why, consider what men do with their trea∣sure,* 1.11 for it is certaine (as I said before, of excel∣lencie, so) every man hath some treasure or o∣ther; The poorest man that is, hath a treasure, something that hee esteemes of, which hee makes account of. I aske not what thou art pos∣sest of, but what thou most esteemest? for trea∣sures are as they are most esteemed of. As wee say of jewels, the worth of them is according to mens fancies, according as they are esteemed, so it is with every mans treasure; One makes this thing his treasure, another that. Now (I say) consider what thou makest thy treasure, and you shall know what your treasure is, by these markes.

1 A man layes up his treasure in the safest place. Then if Christ be thy treasure, thou wilt lay him up in the innermost parts of thy heart, he shall not dwell in thy tongue, he shall bee laid up in the closer of thy heart; hee shall not dwell in thy outward man, in thy understanding on∣ly, but hee shall bee laid up in thy inward part; (that is) he shall bee pitched upon the very bot∣tome

of thy heart, and there hee shall rest, there thou wilt entertaine him.

2 Againe, what a mans treasure is that hee keepes with his greatest care, with the greatest warinesse and solicitude. So wilt thou the Lord Iesus, when once thou layst him up in thy heart; thou wilt not be carefull for any thing, so much as to keepe him safe; that is, to keepe the assu∣rance of his favour safe, to keepe him neere thee, and thy selfe neere unto him; thy minde will be more carefull of this, more than of all things else: Thou wilt then take heede of all things that may cause a distance betweene thee and him; thou wilt then take heede of whatso∣ever may loose him, of whatsoever may make a separation betweene the Lord and thee; thou wilt be more carefull for this, than any man is to keepe his wealth, or to keepe whatsoever it is that he makes his Treasure.

3 Againe, whatsoever is thy treasure that thou wilt most esteeme, thou wilt set it at the highest rate above all things else. Before a man is in Christ there are many other things, which in truth, (howsoever hee pretend something else) hee prizeth at a higher rate than Christ; Worldly vanities before hee is in Christ, seeme great things to him; but when he is in him once, he lookes upon them with another eye. My be∣loved, you know there was a time whenh 1.12 God looked upon the creatures, and they were exceeding good, even all that are in the world; those things

that men magnifie so much, I say, there was a time when they were exceeding good: but sinne hath blowed upon them, it hath blasted the beauty and vigour of them, so that now when the Lord lookes upon them, this is the sentence that is pronounced of them, you know, in Eccl. 2. They are all vanity and vexation of spirit. Con∣sider if thou be able to looke on all these things (even the best things the world hath) as things being but meere vanity; things wherein the Lord sowed not mens happinesse, and therefore thou canst not thinke to reape it there. If you marke but the expression the wise man useth in 1. Eccles. saith he; All things under the Sun are but vanity: now there is a reason conteined in these words why they are but vanitie, for waters you know they ascend not higher than the foun∣taine, and they carry not any thing higher than their owne ascent; so all the creatures that bee in the world, they be but under the Sunne, there∣fore they cannot ascend to that happinesse which is above the Sunne, nor carry you to that condition which is above; for happinesse is a∣bove the Sunne, laid up in Heaven. Therefore saith he, all things under the Sunne if they bee considered to make a man happy, they are but vanity: Now consider whether thy judgement be so of them or no, whether it bee conforma∣ble to the holy Ghost, whether thou hast this conceit of all other things, but the quite contra∣ry conceit of Iesus Christ; whether thou canst

thinke of him, as of one that is most excellent and thy chiefest treasure, as one that is farre be∣yond all these, as one upon whom thy heart is pitched, as one in whom thy happinesse is con∣teined.

4 Againe, a mans treasure is that which he will bee at any cost to get, hee will bee at any paines to attaine it. It is that, on which his heart is bestowed, and his affections are occu∣pied about. Is it so with thee when thou com∣mest to Christ Iesus? art thou willing to bee at more cost and paines to get him, than any thing besides? Is thy heart and affections more be∣stowed upon him?i 1.13 For where a mans treasureis, there his heart is. I doe not aske whether thou bestowest more time upon the matters of grace, than the duties of thy calling; but, whether thou dost them with more intention, whether thou bestowest thy time and paynes upon them, as upon that which thou reckonest thy treasure, farre exceeding all other?

5 Fiftly, consider whether thou art willing to part with any thing rather than with Christ Iesus: for whatsoever is a mans treasure, you know a man will part with any thing rather than it. Is it so with thee? hadst thou rather part with any thing than with Christ? than to part with a good conscience; with the graces of the Spirit, or with any thing that tends to holinesse to build thee up further in the worke of Gods grace? I say, consider whether thy heart bee

willing to part with any thing rather than with Christ; for you shall find this, that Sathan and the world will cheapen Christ, and when they come to bidding, they will bid well. Consider whether thy heart can give a peremptory an∣swer to the world, and say thus; I will not sell Christ, I will not sell a good conscience for any thing; yea when Satan and the world bid high∣est, and tell thee as he did Christ,k 1.14 that hee will give thee all the riches, and all the glory in the world, if you will part with Christ; consider whe∣ther thy heart be ready to deny whatsoever hee offers to thee, (as he will bee sure to offer that which will be most sutable to thy disposition) whether thy heart hath taken this resolution to it selfe; Christ is my chiefest treasure, I will part with all therefore, I will part with liberty, with life, with goods, with credit, with plea∣sures, with profits, with whatsoever is neere and deare unto me, rather than I will part with the Lord Iesus. If this be thy hearts resoluti∣on and minde, then Christ is thy chiefe trea∣sure, that's the second thing.

3 Thirdly, consider what is thy cheife joy and delight, what is thy life; (I put them together, for that which is a mans chiefe joy indeed, is his life.) For wee know life is nothing else but that joy that the heart hath, whereby it is nou∣rished and fed as it were; for life is not to have body and soule joyned together, to bee a living man, in that sence we usually take life; for if that

were life, then those in hell should not bee said to dye the death, for you know in hell there is a conjunction of soule and body, and yet men are not said to live there; for it is death which is the punishment of sinne; and indeed you shall finde that there is something a mans heart cleaves un∣to, wherein hee rejoyceth, which is the same with his life. Therefore looke as the Soule enlivens the body, so the conjunction of the present things which he reckons his joy, that is, his life, enliven his soule, he cannot live without them. Now if Christ bee thy chiefe joy, thou wilt finde this, that thou canst not live without him, as men are wont to say of their delights; Such a man cannot live without such a thing; so it is true of every man that hath taken Christ, he is not able to live without him. This life is no life, and therefore if there be but a separation betweene thee and Christ, if a mans conscience bee as it were clouded for a time, hee findes no rest, hee doth as the Spouse in the Canticles;l 1.15 She seekes from one place to another, and gives her selfe no rest, till she finde him; and why? because it was he whom her soule loved. So you shall finde, Be∣loved, whatsoever it is that your soules love, whatsoever you make your chiefe joy, you will take no rest, but as farre as you love and enjoy it. Therefore for the finding of this, whether Christ be thy life and thy chiefe joy, consider what it is that thy thoughts feed upon; every wicked man, every man that is out of Christ,

there is something that his thoughts feed upon, some things there are in contemplation of which the soule so laceth it selfe; some pleasures that are past, present, or to come; the very thin∣king of these are the greatest ioy of his heart, he roules them under his tongue; even as a Ser∣vant that hath got some dainty bit out of his Ma∣sters presence, and eates it in a corner, so the soule of a man hath out of Christ some secret, some stolen, some unlawfull delights, that it feeds upon and delights in: Consider therefore well with thy selfe, what breakfast thy morning thoughs have (that I may so say) what breake∣fast they have every morning, what is that Pabu∣lum, that food of thy soule, wherewith thy thoughts and affections are nourished and re∣freshed from day to day; whether it be some carnall pleasure, some reflecting on thy state, up∣on thy wealth, upon thy friends, or whether it be on Christ. See (as David exercised it) whe∣ther be they thym 1.16 songs in the night time? All car∣nall men have something past whereby they comfort themselves, something present where∣by they cheare up their hearts, something to come, something in hope. So every man that is in Christ, hee hath the comforts of the spirit, the meditation of the priviledges that he hath in Christ, the hope of Gods favour; These are his appointed food, these are the things that his soule feedes on in secret; yea the very workes that he doth, that seemes to be the hardest part

of a Christians life, the very workes that hee doth in serving the Lord from day to day, even that is his meate and his drinke; that is, it is as sweet and acceptable to his soule, as meate and drinke is to the hunger and thirst of his body: Now consider with thy selfe whether it be so with thee; whether that which is thy continuall feast, without which thou canst not live, bee Christ; or the assurance thou hast, that he is thine and thou art his; whether it bee the priviledges thou hast in him; and the things that belong to the kingdome of God; See whether these be thy life, the things without which thou couldst not live; or whether it bee some thing else, some stollen delights, some unlawfull plea∣sures, some thing else that thy soule and affecti∣ons are set upon. This is the next thing by which thou maiest try thy selfe whether thou belong to Christ or no, to consider whether he bee thy chiefe joy, whether thy soule bee most filled and satisfyed with him. And this is the third thing.

4 The fourth is; to know whether he be thy chiefe Refuge; If thou bee one that hath tooke him and received him, I say, he is thy chiefe re∣fuge. For every man hath some refuge, some castle or other to which his soule retires in all difficult and doubtfull cases, by reason of that indigency; that insufficiency to which the nature of man is subject. There is something that hee must have to leane vnto, (marke it) for mankinde

is like that generation which the Wiseman speakes of: You know it is sayd of the Connyes,n 1.17 they are a generation not strong, and what then, and therefore they have their burrowes to hide themselves in. I say such is the generati∣on of mankinde, he is a weake creature, a gene∣ration not strong, therefore there is something that he must leane to, something out of him∣selfe, some sufficiencie besides himselfe, some strong hold, some refuge every man hath; I say every man hath some refuge or other, whither he thinkes his soule may goe, and there hee may have succour in cases daungerous and in trou∣bles. Now consider what is thy refuge, whi∣ther thy heart runnes in all such cases, to what wing, to what strong hold: In dangerous ca∣ses, you see every creature hath some refuge or other, The Child runnes to his Mother. The Chickens runne to the henne, The Fox to his earth, the Connyes to their burrowes; so every creature to their severall corners and recepta∣cles proper to them: I say so it is with every man, so hath every one of you to whom I speake, there is somewhat that is a secret refuge to which your hearts fly. Now consider whe∣ther that be Christ or somewhat else. A cove∣tous man (or rather a man of this word) he hath wealth for his strong hold, in which his heart comforts it selfe; well, saith he, what change of time soever come, yet I have an estate to hold me up; and when he is ill spoken of abroad, yet

hee applaudes himselfe with that hee hath at home; The Courtiers, they have the Princes fa∣vour, that is their refuge wherein they comfort themselues; Those that are given to Company they haue good fellowes, such as they, that are their companions, and so long as they speake well of them, they care not who speake ill of them; Some haue a refuge of this kind, some of another, every man hath his refuge. If you will looke into the Scriptures, you shall see Davids refuge, in any distresse, vpon any occasion; At o 1.18 Ziglag he comforteth himselfe in the Lord, his hart did fly to him, as the chickens fly to the henne, there he comforted himselfe, there he shrowded himselfe, there he encouraged himselfe in the Lord. When he fled from his sonne Absolon, was not the Lord his refuge? Yet (saith hee) Hee is my buckler and my strong hold, Psalm 3, which was made vpon that occasion. What was Iacobs re∣fuge when he fled from his brother Esau? Did not hee goe to the Lord, and seeke to him by Prayer?p 1.19 Lord thou hast said thou wilt doe me good, now I fly vnto thee, I beseech thee performe thy promise, thou art my refuge. Consider others now, what was their refuge: Iudas, when hee had betrayed his Maister Christ, and his conscience was vpon him for it, hee goes to the high priests and brings the silver to them, why, saith he, you set me a worke, you are the authors of it, and I hope to find some comfort from you; you see he found little comfort in his mind, yet that was his

refuge. The Kings of Israel and Iudah when they were distressed, they fled to Egypt and to Ashur, to this or that helpe, which (the Lord said) were broken reeds to them, but yet that was their re∣fuge: This is the manner of every man being out of Christ, of every unregenerate man, that is in his naturall estate, some refuge he hath; friends, or wealth, or credit, or the favour of the Prince, something or other it is: and if he bee destitute and have no refuge (as sometimes it so falls out) then his heart is shaken as the leaves of the for∣rest; Theirq 1.20 hearts were shaken even for feare of the king of Aram, as the leaves are shaken in the forrest; and why? because they knew not how to de∣fend themselves: they had no refuge to fly to: So you see it was with Belshazars heart; so Achi∣tophel, and so Saul, when he sees that he must dye the next day, and that there was no refuge for him: then I say their hearts sanke and dyed with∣in them: And now consider how it is with thee, what is the refuge to which thy heart flyeth, and which thy heart makes most account of, (for every man thinkes with himselfe, change of time may come, and what shall bee my comfort, what shall be my strong hold at that time.) Dost thou flye to Iesus Christ? is hee thy succour when thy heart is dejected at any time and faints with∣in thee? from which fountaine dost thou fetch thy comfort? Dost thou fly to Christ, to com∣fort thy selfe in him, when thou art in a doubt∣full case, that concernes thee as much as thy

life? whither dost thou goe for counsell and direction? is it to Christ, to beseech him to guide thee, and direct thee, when thou art pres∣sed hard? whither doth thy heart goe for suc∣cour and for helpe to keepe thy selfe safe? Is it to Christ, or to somewhat else? My beloved, I assure you this, that a carnall man that is not in Christ, in these times of distresse knowes not whither to goe, hee dares not goe to Christ, for he feares that it shall be asked him, vpon what acquaintance? for he hath been a stranger to the Lord, he was never acquainted with him: but a carnall man that is out of Christ, hee goes to his muses, he goes to his farmes, he goes to his bushes, as the hunted hare was wont to doe, to goe to the places that she used when she lived quiet, thither shee flyes when she knowes not how to escape: so in that fashion it is with men, looke what things they were wont, to which their hearts had recourse in time of prosperitie, and what their haunts haue beene; to those bu∣shes they fly: But alas! they are but bushes, such as will not defend them. But now the Christian on the other side, the muse, the farme as it were (it is but to expresse it to you) that his soule is acquainted with, the strong hold that hee was wont to fly vnto, upon every severall evill, upon every ordinary doubt, vpon every deiection, discouragement and fainting of heart; he was wont to fly to Christ, and there he was wont to find comfort, and thither hee goes in time of

greatest difficulty in the day of death, and there hee finds comfort. Consider if hee bee thy chiefe refuge, for if thy heart hath taken him as he is thy chiefe excellency, thy chiefe joy, thy chiefe treasure; so he will be thy chiefest refuge, yea when all things else are taken away, yet that cover remaines safe: suppose thou be in prison, suppose thy credit be taken away, (I meane) thy worldly credit, (for the other credit cannot be taken away from any man that hath Christ,) suppose thy life be taken away, suppose thou bee stript of all that thou hast; yet thou hast Christ for thy chiefe refuge, and thou thin∣kest so, and thy heart is satisfyed with it. As Paul saith, when hee was a prisoner, when he was naked, when he was destitute, when he was stript of all, yet (saith her 1.21 I know whom I haue trusted; As if he should say, yet I haue him safe, yet my cover is over my head, yet I am safe in my castle, I haue chosen him, I haue him in death, yea then Christ he is advantage, he is a cover, a castle, and a refuge.

5 Last of all: consider whom thou settest up for thy chiefest Commaunder, who it is to whom thou givest the chiefe command in thine heart. You will say how shall I know that? Why (my beloved) he whom a man feareth most,* 1.22 and lo∣veth most,* 1.23 that is, he whose friendship above all others he would least loose, and whose dislike and separation he doth most feare, certainly he will bee most obedient to him, he will be most

observant of him. Art thou so to Christ? take all the things in the world, if thou set vp him, as him whom thou most fearest and lovest, thou wilt most obey him: So againe, he whom thou thinkest can doe thee the greatest good, and the greatest hurt, him thou wilt most obey; if thou thinkest in good earnest that Christ is able to doe it, certainly then thou wilt most obey him. As for example, if thou looke to any man in the world, a man that is out of Christ, he thinkes that the favour or the wealth of the King, can doe him more good and more hurt, than the favour, or the losse of the favour of Christ; He thinkes that wealth, or credit, or something else, (many things there are that hee thinkes) can doe him more good and more hurt; there∣fore hee more respects their command, than the command of Christ; but a man that sets vp him for his chiefe Commander, hee regards no∣thing else when it comes to crosse it, when it comes to thwart any command of Christ, be∣cause hee saith thus to himselfe in his heart in secret: It is the Lord that can do the greatest good, and the greatest hurt, therefore I care for no more. So Naboth he cared not for Ahabs wrath. Sos 1.24 Mordecay cared not for Hamans dis∣pleasure: so did the Apostles, they cared not for the High Priests, nor what they could doe, Acts 4. So did the 3 children (as you call them) they t 1.25 cared not for the fiery furnace of Nabucadnezar, nor for all that hee was able to doe; and why?

because they thought that Christ, that God was able to doe them more hurt, and more good. Now take any Commander in the world, when you regard not the punishment, nor the reward that he is able to inflict or to give you, his au∣thority is gone; now when you set vp Christ, and thinke so of Christ, you are ready to obey him, & obey him rather than any other. There∣fore consider with thy selfe this, and consider seriously; aske thy heart the question, what is that thou settest vp to be thy chiefest Comman∣der? For there are three great Commanders in the world, that divide all mankinde betweene them almost. And that is wealth, and estate; worldly credit and honour, to liue in esteeme; pleasures, and delight; Now thinke with thy selfe when any of these three great Comman∣ders come with any command, contrary to that which Christ commands, thinke with thy selfe what thou wilt doe in such a case, what wast thou wont to doe, looke to past experi∣ence: looke backe to thy former wayes, see what thou wast wont to doe: thinke with thy selfe when such a Command comes, what thy heart reasons vpon; if concupiscence, if a strong lust, if a strong impetuous desire come, and bid thee to doe something, which is contrary to that which Christ would haue thee to do, what art thou ready to doe in such a case? If thy pro∣fit, the maintenance of thy estate, thy liberty, thy wealth, thy convenience in this world come

and command thee to doe one thing, and thy conscience (which is Christs vicegerent) come in his stead, and command thee another thing, what art thou ready to doe in that case? for when thy credit, thy honour, and reputation, thy vaine glory shall come and bid thee doe one thing, and Christ shall bid thee doe another, what is thy resolution, what art thou wont to doe? By this thou shalt know whether thou set∣test vp Christ, as the chiefe Commander in thy heart or no, whether thou givest him thy chiefe throne, whether thou exaltest him for God in thy heart; you know when you exalt him for God, every thing then yeelds, if in truth hee be set vp for God in thy heart: Therefore con∣sider what it is that thy heart sets highest, whe∣ther thou exaltest him most, whether (when any of these threatning, crying commands come) thou canst give them an absolute deayall, and say with thy selfe, I will not obey you; and if they threaten imprisonment, or disgrace, and losse of life, and if I doe not obey such a lust, I shall be wrung and pincht for it, I shall lose such delights: well, I am resolved to beare all this: on the other side, when they shall come with faire proffers, you shall haue this honour, and this advancement, and this convenience. If thy heart can say now, I will haue none of you, for I see it is a command contrary to his that is aboue, whom I haue set vp for my chiefe Commander, whom I resolue to obey whom I

take to be greater than all the friendship in the world, than all the profits, pleasures, and credits in the world; I say thus examine the selfe what thy heart is toward Christ, what it is to his command; and (let mee touch that by the way) thou must also shew thy obedience to Christ, in thy obedience to others; My beloved there are indifferent things, that are in themselves not of moment one way or other whether wee doe them or not do them, and though the omis∣sion of them in themselues be nothing, yet when it shall be of contempt and neglect of those that are set in superiour place over you, in such a case you ought not to doe it: this is a rule, and a true rule in divinity, that indifferent things may be omitted except in two cases, in case of scandall, and in case of neglect, and con∣tempt of authority: therefore when there is neglect, when men shew contempt, for that case it is to be done, though for the other it is not to be done. This I touch but by the way, that you may consider it in your particular occa∣sion.

Now my beloved, you see these five things, by which you may know if you have tooke Christ, or no: yee know when a man comes to examine himselfe whether he be a fit man, a man that hath any right to come to the Lords table, hee must consider whether hee bee in Christ, otherwise he hath nothing to doe either with this priviledge, or with any other. Now to bee

in Christ, there must (as I said) goe a double act, there must be one on thy owne side, there must be one act on thy part to take him; and there must be an act on his part, there goes out a strength and a vertue from him by which hee takes thee and comprehends thee: The time is past, and I cannot proced further, onely remem∣ber this that hath beene said to you, and exa∣mine your selves by it whether you be in the truth, whether you make Christ your chiefe Excellencie, your chiefe Treasure, your chiefe Ioy, your chiefe Refuge, your chiefe Commander; if thou finde that thou hast done this, if thou finde thy heart wrought to such an act as this, to take Christ in such a manner, then thou hast Christ, thou art in him, then thou hast a right in him, and maist come with comfort: but if thou have it not, then I must charge every one of you in the name of Christ Iesus (in whose authority we come) that you meddle not with such holy mysteries▪ My Beloued you know what I haue often told you, there is a necessity layd on men to come to the Sacrament: you know he that neglected thev 1.26 Passover was to be cut off from the people. It was a very great sinne: so it was to omit the Sacrament: you haue diverse Sacra∣ments every Tearme, and if your businesse hin∣der you from one, you may come to another; yea there is a necessity lyes vpon you to come, but yet we must giue you a double charge, one that you omit it not, and another that you come

not hither unlesse you be in Christ; what hast thou to doe that art a profane person, thou hast nothing to doe with Christ thou that art yet a stranger to him, that thou shouldest thrust in to the Lords table; thou ought'st not to doe it, if thou dost,x 1.27 thou eatest and drinkest thy owne dam∣nation, instead of thy salvation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doct. 1.
• * 1.2

  Doct. 2.
• a 1.3

  1 Cor. 11. 28.
• b 1.4

  Cant. 2. 16.
• c 1.5

  1 Cor. 2. 1. 2.
• d 1.6

  1 Cor. 2, 14.
• c 1.7

  Deut. 4, 6.
• f 1.8

  Phil. 3. 7. 8.
• g 1.9

  Math. 13. 44.
• * 1.10

  Quest.
• * 1.11

  Answer.
• h 1.12

  Gen. 1. 31.
• i 1.13

  Math. 6. 21.
• k 1.14

  Math. 4. 8. 9.
• l 1.15

  Cant. 5. 6.
• m 1.16

  Psal. 42. 8.
• n 1.17

  Prov. 30. 26.
• o 1.18

  1 Sam. 30. 6.
• p 1.19

  Gen. 32. 12.
• q 1.20

  Isaiah 7. 2.
• r 1.21

  2 Tim. 2. 12.
• * 1.22

  Quest.
• * 1.23

  Answ.
• s 1.24

  Hest. 3. 2.
• t 1.25

  Dan. 3. 16, 17, 18.
• v 1.26

  Levit. 23. 29.
• x 1.27

  1 Cor. 11. 29.