The crucified Jesus, or, A full account of the nature, end, design and benefits of the sacrament of the Lords Supper with necessary directions, prayers, praises and meditations to be used by persons who come to the Holy Communion / by Anthony Horneck ...

The Preceeding Considerations reduced to Practice.

I. THE manner of any Religious performance makes it either pleasing or displeasing to God: This turns the scales; and two acts of Piety which seem to be the same, many times are not, because the manner of the performance makes a vast difference in the value. The examples of the Publican and the Pharisee praying in the Temple, and Abel's and Cain's offering Sacrifices, are no∣torious instances of this truth. David pays his Vows, Psal. 66. 13. So doth the Harlot mention'd in Prov. 7. 14. The former is precious in the sight of God, the later odious; the reason is, the former proceeded from a sense of gra∣titude, and a relish of the Sweetness of God's Service; the other from a base design to compensate God for the sins the strange Woman lived and delighted in. It is so in eating the Lord's Supper, and as St. Paul saith of the Jews, They are not all Israel which are of Israel, neither be∣cause they are the Seed of Abraham are they all children, Rom. 9. 6, 7. so all that seem to eat of the Lord's Supper do

not therefore eat to the same purpose; some eat as Ene∣mies, others as Children; some as Strangers, others as Do∣mesticks; some as Slaves, others as Heirs of the Promise. Look to the manner of thy Eating, Christian. Eat like a person that is sensible he sits down at the Table of the greatest Prince, the Prince himself being present. Eat like a person sensible, that the King, in whose presence thou art, is thy best and greatest Friend: Eat like a per∣son sensible, that thou hast deserved to sup with Devils, to feed on Flames, and to drink the Dregs of the Cup of God's anger. Eat like a person sensible, that from the condition of a miserable Slave, thou art advanced to the Dignity of a Child and Son of God. Eat like a per∣son sensible, that no merit, no desert of thine, nothing but the incomprehensible Goodness of God, hath brought thee to this Honour and Prerogative, and it's impossible thou canst eat amiss; for this sense will oblige thee to eat with joy and trembling, which is the most proper Devotion for a Creature to express in the presence of his Creator.

II. Conversation is a great means to do things as we ought. He that converses with men of his own Trade, will learn how to manage it to his advantage. He that converses with great Persons, learns how to please them. He that converses with ingenious Workmen, learns to do things to his and other's satisfaction. The same Rule is to be observed in eating the Lord's Supper; and he can∣not but eat it to God's liking, and his own comfort, that before he eats converses with himself, and while he is eating, converses with God, and after he hath eaten, converses with the holy Angels.

1. Conversing with our selves before we eat, consists in asking our Hearts, What have I done? What sins are those, that I am apt to lodge in my Bosom? What evil desires am I ready to entertain? What disorders, what corruptions find countenance, or approbation in my Soul? Is it revenge? Is it rendring railing for railing? Is it frothy discourses? Is it

vain Romantick Imaginations? Is it weariness of God's Ser∣vice? Is it backwardness to Holy Duties? Is it unwillingness to to know the Will of God? Is it discontent in the condition I am in? Is it intemperance in Eating, and Drinking? Is it a desire of Vain-glory? Is it sudden Anger? Is it Impatience, or Worldly sorrow? Is it Grief and vexation, that I cannot have my Will in such outward things, as my Appetite de∣sires? Is it Lov•• and Affection to the Vanities of this World? What dangerous Guests are those? And shall I entertain them? What are these but Enemies to the Cross? And shall I make much of them? or let them go out and in without controul? Either these Corruptions must be gone, or my Saviour will not stay with me. Shall I with the Jews, refuse my great Redee∣mers company, and desire a Barabbas? I am now going to the Cross of Christ, and shall I approach with these Ensigns of Rebellion in my Soul? Will Christ vouchsafe a favourable Look to me, where he sees such Satyrs dance? I am going to Mount Calvary, and shall these menstruous rags be my Attend∣ance? No, no, I will not loose Heaven for this! I will set my Face against these Foes; I will let them see, that there is something dea∣rer to me, than their Presence, or Company, even he, who laid down his life for me. These Bryers and Thorns shall not stop my way. Away ye evil Spirits, you have haunted me long e∣nough; I'll be afraid of you no longer: I'll take courage, and fight against you; for God is on my side, Why should I fear in the day of Trouble?

2. Conversing with God, when we Eat, imports con∣templating, what God hath done for us in Christ Jesus; how God was in Christ reconciling the World to him∣self, not imputing their Trespasses unto them; for in this Contemplation the Soul addresses her self to God, O my God, what cost and charges hast thou been at, to redeem such a Wretch as I am! How hast thou bow'd the Heavens! Lord, thou didst make thy self a Curse for me, that I might be advanc'd to bliss! I see what a costly thing my Salvation is, since to purchase it, the Son of God did die! Yet how light do I make of Heaven! O God what moved thee to love me thus? And shall I think any thing to dear to part with for thy sake? In∣to

what Labyrinths do I run my self, while I am mine own Keeper▪ Thou hast paid dear for thy right to rule and govern me! and shall I after all, be loath to be govern'd by so Gra∣cious a Master? Here I make an offering of my Heart, if thou wilt but vouchsafe to accept of it; it is a Present unwor∣thy of thy Greatness and Majesty, yet thou art pleased to re∣quire no other sacrifice: Hence forward speak, Lord, and thy Servant will hear; and when the Characters of thy Mercy wear out, or decay in my unconstant Soul, Lord! write them there afresh; write them with the Blood of Christ, that they may be everlasting, and may be an Eternal fence to me against the suggestions and persuasions of thine Enemies.

3. Conversing with the Holy Angels, after we have eaten, requires imitation of them in their Praises and O∣bedience. Bless the Lord, ye his Angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearken to the voice of his word, saith the Psalmist, Psal. 103. 20. Praise and Obedience are inseparable Virtues, the one without the other makes dull Musick in the Ears of God. Let no Man think, that because Angels are invisible Spirits, and afar off, there is no conversing with them: He that doth their work, is their Companion, their Brother, and their Fa∣miliar; with such they love to be, such persons they love to visit, and he that doth so may be as confident, they are on his right hand, as if he saw them, for God hath said so, Psal. 34. 7. and therefore it must be true, whe∣ther our carnal eyes behold them or no. Praising, is not only to offer up a Psalm or Hymn, after we have eaten, but living in a sense of the love of God; and he that doth so, cannot but be obedient and faithful to him, that hath so signally manifested his mercy in his Misery.