Presvyteros diplēs timēs axios, or, The true dignity of St. Paul's elder exemplified in the life of ... Mr. Owen Stockton ... with a collection of his observations, experiences and evidences recorded by his own hand : to which is added his funeral sermon / by John Fairfax ...

Sept. 24. I enjoyed the opportunity of the Lords Supper, I found God gracious to me in preparation: In the morning when I awaked, God brought to my remembrance, Jer. 2. 32. Can a maid forget her Ornaments, or a Bride her attire? I considered I was to meet and Sup with my Bridegroom the Lord Jesus, and then considered what Ornaments and attire would best please him, that I might put them on, and these were presented to my thoughts, some as I lay in bed, and some afterwards, as lovely and desirable in the sight of Christ which I determined to put on 1st, A meek

and quiet Spirit, 1 Pet. 3. 4. 2ly, Faith, Cant. 4. 9. Thou hash ravished my heart my Sister, my spouse, with one of thine Eyes Faith hath the office of an Eye in the Soul Joh. 6. 40. Every one that seeth and believeth Looking unto Jesus, Heb 12. 2. 3ly Love, Cant. 4. 10. How fair is thy Love, my Sister, &c. 4ly Humility, Math. 11. 29. Learn of me for I am lowly in heart. 5ly, Self∣denial and forsaking of every thing, that cometh in Competition with Christ. Ps. 45 10, 11. Hearken O Daughter, and consider—forget thine own people, and thy Fathers House; So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty. 6ly, An obediential frame of heart, Math. 10. 20, 21. All these have I observed from my youth: Jesus beholding him Loved him. 7ly, An heart resolved to hold and main∣tain frequent converse and communion with him. Cant. 2. 14▪ Let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice, for sweet is thy voice, and thy Countenance is Comely. 8ly, Up∣rightness, Prov. 11. 20. 9ly, An holy fear of God and hope in his mercy. Ps. 147. 11. 10ly, fruitfulness. Cant. 4. 16—5. 1.

But though God graciously assisted me in preparation, yet in the time of receiving, my heart was flat and dead. As soon as the Sacra∣ment was ended, I retired to my Chamber to to pray, and as I was praying, that Scripture was brought to my remembrance, Rom. 3. 3,

4. shall their unbelief make the Faith of God of none effect? God forbid. I argued thence that the sins of my holy▪things, my deadness and want of holy and due affections, in time of re∣ceiving should not make void what God had promised, in and by this ordinance, but that the Cup was to me the Communion of the blood of Christ, and the New Testament in his blood; and the Bred the Communion of the body of Christ▪ This did strengthen my faith, to depend upon God for the benefits signified, and sealed by that Ordinance, not∣withstanding the indisposition of my heart in the time of receiving▪