A companion to the altar, or, An help to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper by discourses and meditations upon the whole communion office to which is added an essay upon the offices of baptism and confirmation / by Tho. Comber ...

§. 2. The first Exhortation.

Dearly beloved, for as much as all men are Con∣ceived and born in Sin, &c.] There is a mutual Cove∣nant in this Sacrament between God and Man, but there is so vast a disproportion between the parties, and so great a condescension on the part of the Almighty (who designs only our advantage in it, and is moved purely by his own free grace to agree to it) That it be∣comes us to begin this Office with Prayer; and that we may pray with Understanding, this Exhortation is pre∣mised, wherein we are taught, 1. The Reasons why we must pray for this Infant. 2. What it is which we must ask in its behalf. 1. The Reasons are introduced with a Courteous salutation directed not only to the Sureties, but to the whole Congregation who are stiled Dearly Beloved, because they are all Christians, and invi∣ted to join because they were once in the same condition 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

which Nature cannot give, even that this Child may be washed in Soul with the Spirit, as well as with Water on the Flesh, and not only be listed in the Register of vi∣sible Christians but have its name written in Heaven; Nature hath polluted, but it cannot cleanse, the Parents have transmitted Sin, but cannot remove it; the Mini∣ster can provide Water, and perform the external Rite, but it is above humane power, or the possibilities of Nature, to make these things effectual to the Childs E∣ternal Salvation; wherefore we have the more reason to cry most passionately to him that only can effect all this.