Ends aforesaid (their Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification) and to signifie and solemnize the Renewal of their Covenant with him, and their holy Communion with him, and with one ano∣ther.]
It being the renewing of a mutual Covenant that is here solem∣nized, as wee commemorate Christs Sacrifice, and receive him and his saving benefits, so wee offer and deliver to him our selves, as his redeemed, sanctified people, to bee a living Acceptable Sacri∣fice, thankfully and obediently to live unto his Praise.
Before the receiving of this holy Sacrament, wee must examine our selves, and come preparedly: In the receiving of it, wee must exercise holy affections suited to the work; And after the receiving of it, wee must by consideration of it, indeavour to revive the same Affections, and perform our Covenant there renewed.
The holy Qualifications to bee before Provided, and in Receiving exercised, and after Receiving, are these. 1. A true beleef of the Articles of the Christian Faith, concerning the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the Person, Offices, Works, and Sufferings, and Bene∣fits of Christ. 2. The sense of our sinful and undone condition, as in our selves, and of our need of Christ: so as humbly to loath our selves for our transgressions: with the sense of our present weaknes∣ses to bee strengthened, and sins to bee forgiven. 3. A true desire after Christ for pardon, and spiritual Nourishment and Salvation. 4. A thankful sense of the Wonderful Love of God, declared in our Redemption, and in the present offers of Christ, and Life. 5. The exercise of holy love and joy in the sense of this unspeakable Love, (if these two bee not felt before wee come, yet in, and after the Sa∣crament) we must strive to exercise them. 6. A love to one another and forgiving wrongs to one another, with a desire after the Communion of Saints. 7. The giving up our selves in Covenant to God, with resolution of renewed Obedience. 8. A patient hope for the com∣ing of Christ himself, and of the Everlasting Kingdome where wee shall bee perfectly united in him, and glorified with him.
Those onely are to bee invited to the Lords Table, and to come, that truly repent and beleeve, and unfeignedly consent to the terms of the Covenant (though all are not to bee invited thus to be∣leeve and repent, and so to come) But those are to be admitted, by the Pastors, if they come, who, having the use of reason to under∣stand what they do, and examine themselves, have made a Personal Profession of Faith, Repentance and Obedience; and are Members