The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business.: Wherein the nature and necessity of it is discovered. : As also the Christian directed how he may perform it in [brace] religious duties, natural actions, his particular vocation, his family directions, and his own recreations. / By George Swinnock ...

CHAP. XX. What a Christian ought to do after a Sacrament.

I Shall speak to thy duty after the Supper. * 1.1 Which consisteth mainly in these two things, Thankeful∣ness and Faithfulness.

1. Thankefulness. After such a Banquet as this is, thou mayst well give thanks. The Jews at their Passover, did sing the hundred and thirteenth Psalm with the five following Psalmes, which they cal∣led the Great Hallelujah. A Christian should in every thing and at all times give thanks; but at a Sacrament, the great Hallelujah must be sung; then God must have great thanks, then we must with our souls bless the Lord, and with all within us paise his holy name. O Reader, call upon thy self as Barak and Deborah did; Awake, awake, Debo∣rah; Awake, awake, Barak, utter a song and lead captivity captive thou son of Abinoam, Judg. 5. Awake my love, awake my joy, utter a song; a feast

is made for laughter, and wine rejoyceth the heart of man. Friend, is not this a rare feast? where is thy chearful face? Is not here good wine, a cup of Nectar indeed, the blood of the Son of God? what mirth, what musick hast thou to this Banquet of Wines? Antiently it was the beginning and ending of Letters, Gaudete in Domino, Rejoyce in the Lord. It will be an excellent conclusion of this Or∣dinance, to rejoyce in the Lord. O let thy soul mag∣nisie the Lord, and thy spirit rejoyce in God thy Sa∣viour, Luk. 1.46, 47.

The cup in the Sacrament is called the Eucharisti∣cal cup, or the cup of blessing; let it be so to thee. Let thy heart and mouth say, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who hath visited and redeemed his people, Luk. 2.

Canst thou think of that infinite love which God manifested to thy soul without Davids return, VVhat shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits! His heart was so set upon thy salvation, His Love was so great to thy soul, that he delighted in the very death of his Son, because it tended to thy good. It pleased the Lord to bruise him, Isa. 53.10. Valde delectatus est, Junius reads it, He was excee∣dingly delighted in it. Surely the mind of God was infinitely set upon the recovery of lost sinners, in that (whereas other Parents (whose love to their children in comparison of his to Christ, is but as a drop to the Ocean) follow their children to their graves with many tears, especially when they dye violent deaths) he delighted exceedingly in the barbarous death of his onely Son, in the bleeding

of the head, because it tended to the health and eternal welfare of the members: Friend, what manner of love hath the father loved thee with? He gave his own Son to be apprehended, that thou mightest escape; his own Son to be condem∣ned, that thou mightest be acquitted; his own Son to be whipped and wounded, that thou mightest be cured and healed; yea his own Son to dye a shameful, cursed death, that thou mightest live a glorious, blessed life for ever. Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will to men. Alass how unworthy art thou of this inestimable mercy. Thou art by nature a child of wrath as well as others, and hadst been now wallowing in sin with the worst in the World, if free grace had not renewed thee, nay thou hadst been roaring in Hell at this hour, if free grace had not repreived thee. Thy conscience will tell thee that thou dost not deserve the bread which springeth out of the earth, and yet thou are fed with the bread which came down from heaven; with Angels food. O infinite love! Mayst not thou well say with Mephi∣bosheth to David. VVhat is thy servant, that thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am? For all my fathers house were as dead men before my Lord, yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own Table; Lord, I was a lost, dead, dam∣ned sinner before thee, liable to the unquenchable fire, and yet thou hast been pleased to set me among them that eat at thine own Table, and feed on thine own Son. O what is thy servant that thou shouldst take such notice of such a dead dog as I am!

Look abroad in the World, and thou mayst see others refused, when thou art chosen; others past by, when thou art called; others polluted, when thou art sanctified; others put off with common gifts, when thou hast special grace; others fed with the scraps of ordinary bounty, when thou hast the finest of the floor, even the fruits of saving mercy. As Elkanah gave to Peninnah and to all her sons and Daughters portions, but to Hannah he gave a worthy portion, because he loved her; So God giveth others outward portions, some of the good things of this life; but to thee O Christian, he giveth a Benja∣mins mess, his image, his spirit, his son, himself, a worthy portion, a goodly heritage, because he lo∣veth thee.

Others have a little meat, and drink, and wages, but thou hast the inheritance. Others, like Jehosa∣phats younger Sons have some Cities, some small matters given them, but thou like the first born, hast the Kingdom, the Crown of glory; others feed on bare elements, thou hast the Sacrament; others stand without doors, and thou art admitted into the presence Chamber; others must fry eter∣nally in Hell flames, and thou must enjoy falness of joy for evermore. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that chose thee before the foundation of the World, for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that called thee by the word of his grace, for his mercy, &c. To him that gave his onely Son to dye for thy sins, for his mercy, &c. To him that entred into a Covenant of grace with thee, for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that

hath provided for thee an exceeding and eternal weight of glory; for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.

Remember the poor on that day; Gods bounty to thee in spirituals, may well provoke thy mercy to others in carnals. The Jews at their Passover released a Prisoner in remembrance of their delive∣rance from Egyptian bondage. Surely at the Lords Supper, when thy heart is warmed with Gods compassion to thee, thy hand should be enlarged in contribution to the poor, in remembrance of thy redemption out of slavery to sin and Satan. The Primitive Christians had their collections for the poor, and the Lords Supper, both on a day, On the first day of the week: Because the Saints like the wall being then heated by the Sun, should reflect that heat on the passengers, on others, Acts 20.7. 2 Cor. 16.1. Thy cup runneth over, O let others drink with thee; Thy Charity may make thy Coffer lighter, but it will make thy crown heavier. It was a notable expression of one, who having given much away, was like to want, and asked, what she would do? I repent not of my charity, for what I have lost in one World, I have gained in another.

2. Faithfulness. The Sacrament is a strong en∣gagement to sanctity; Sacramentum est juramentum. At the Lords Supper thou takest a new Oath of Allegiance to the King of Saints, whereby every wilful iniquity after it becomes perjury. * 1.2 The Greek word for an Oath, cometh from a word

signisieth an Hedge, to shew that an Oath should keep men in, and prevent their wandering out of the field of Gods word. It is the character of an Harlot, She forgetteth the Covenant of her God. Prov. 2.17. I know that the Devil will come to sit with thee after Supper. Flies love to settle on the sweetest perfumes. When Israel had drunk of the Rock which followed them (which Rock was Christ) then Amalek fought them. When Jesus Christ had received the Sacrament of Baptism, then the Devil pursued him with his fierce assaults. When thou hast been at the Table, expect the Temp∣ter. That subtle theif will hear of the new treasure of grace which is brought into thy house, thy heart, and will use all his pollicy and power to rob thee of it; thy care must be by stronger Bolts and Locks then ordinary, by greater diligence and watchfulness then before, to secure it.

Surely Reader, If thou didst but find the Savi∣our in the Sacrament, thou canst not but fear sin after the Sacrament. Thou hast seen what sin cost Christ; didst thou not at the Table see the Lord Jesus hanging on the Cross? Didst thou not thus bespeak thy soul? Look O my soul, who hangeth there! Alass, it is thy dearest Redeemer. See his bloody head, bloody hands, bloody back, belly, his body all over bloody, But O his bleeding soul! Dost thou not hear his lamentation. My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? What thinkest thou, is the cause of all this? Ah tis thy sins which is the source of all these sorrows. And canst thou joyn with them, or love those lusts that hate the Lord? Canst

thou wound him whom God hath wounded, and crucifie the Lord Jesus afresh. Hath not thy Saviour suffered enough already! O here is a Medicine instar omnium, instead of all, to kill those diseases of thy soul. It is said of the Souldiers of Pompey, that though he could not keep them in the Camp by any perswasi∣on, yet when Pompey threw himself upon the ground and told them, If ye will go, ye shall tram∣ple upon your General. Then saith Plutarch (in the life of Pompey) they were overcome. Truely if nothing will disswade thee from sin, yet this con∣sideration, that it is a trampling upon thy blessed Saviour, should prevail with thee. Though thou shouldst be marching never so furiously, yet (as Joabs Souldiers, when they saw the dead body of Amasa, stay'd their march and stood still) when thou seest the mangled, wounded, peirced, crucified body of thy Saviour, thou shouldst stop & proceed no further.

How many arguments mayst thou find in this ordi∣nance, to be close in thy obedience! The greatness of Christs love calleth for graciousness in thy life. The love of Christ constraineth, 2 Cor. 5.14. Other Motives may perswade, but this compelleth. If deliverance from the yoke of Pharoah were such a bond to obedience, what is deliverance from sin, & wrath, & hell? mayst not thou Reader, say with the Jews, After such a deli∣verance as this, should I again break thy Commande∣ments, woulst thou not be angry with me till thou hast consumed me? Ezr. 9.13. They that receive such cour∣tesies (if any men the World) sell their liberty, and ought to be Christs servants, 〈…〉〈…〉 Friend, hath God wiped off the old score? & wilt thou run again

in debt? did Christ speak peace to thee at the Table, and wilt thou turn again to folly? O Reader, when thou art tempted to sin, say with the Spouse, I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them? I have washed my soul, how shall I pollute it with sin? I have given my self wholly to God before Angels & men, and how can I do this great wickednes & sin against my God, against my Saviour, against my Covenant. There is a beast (some write) which if she be feeding, & doth but turn her head about, forgeteth what she was doing. O do not thou after thou hast fed on the bread of life for∣get what thou wast doing; but as at the Sacrament thou hast remembred Christs death, so do it after by dying to sin all the days of thy life. O do not use this ordinance, as Papists do the Popes Indulgences, to purchase a new licence to sin. Judas went from the Supper to betray his Master; Absolom as arrant a dis∣sembler as he was, pretended to hate such ingrati∣tude; Is this thy kindness to thy friend (saith he to Hu∣shai) why hast thou left him? when thou art by any fini∣ster carriage departing from Christ, give conscience leave to ask thee, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? Ah why dost thou leave him, & serve him thus? thy sins will be more sinful because God is more merciful to thee then to others; The children of Israel have (onely the Seventy read) done evil from their youth up, Jer. 32.30 As if there had been no sinners in the world but they; their priviledges being greater then others, their provocations were more grievous. The unkindness of a friend hath much of an enemy in it. David was not much troubled at Shimei's rayling, but Ab∣soloms rebellion pierced his very soul; My son that

came out of my bowels hath lifted up his hands against me. Wilt thou give thy Saviour cause to complain, He that did eat bread with me hath lift up his heels against me? Psal. 41.3. He that did eat at my table, nay eat of my flesh and drink of my blood, he hath lift up his heart, and his hand, and his heel against me? It was an aggravation of Sauls fall, he fell as though he had not been anointed, 2 Sam. 1. And it will be a sad aggravation of thy fall, if thou shouldst fin as if thou hadst not been at a Sacrament.

It is reported of an Elephant that being faln down, and by reason of the inflexibleness of his legs, unable to rise, a Forrester came by and help∣ed him up, with which kindness the Elephant was so taken that he followed the man up and down, did him much service, and never left him till his dying day. Reader, the moral is plain, thou wast faln, and never able to rise of thy self: The Lord Jesus Christ forsook his Father in Heaven and his Mother on Earth, suffered unconceivable sorrows to help thee up; what love shouldst thou have to him? what service shouldst thou do for him? Thou canst not do less, since he hath redeemed thee out of the hands of thine enemies, then serve him in holiness and righteousness all thy days. As the Hop in its growing follows the course of the Sun from East to West, and will rather break then do other∣wise; So shouldst thou in all thy actions follow the course of the Sun of Righteousness, and rather dye then deny him.

When Moses came from the Mount where he had been conversing with God, his face shined,

Exod. 34.30. When thou goest from the Table where thou hast had sweet communion with thy God, The face of thy conversation must shine so with holiness that others may take notice of it.

Its said of the High Priest and Elders that obser∣ving the language and carriage of Peter and John, They marvelled, and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus, Acts 4.13. So thy words should be so gracious, and thy works so exemplary after a Sacrament, that all those with whom thou hast to do, may marvel and take knowledge that thou hast b••en with Jesus; that at the Table thou didst sup with Christ, and Christ with thee.

I shall onely answer a doubt or two from a troubled Conscience; and conclude this Ordi∣nance.

Object. 1. But possbly thou wilt say (O penitent Soul!) I have been at the Sacrament and found little joy, what shall I do?

Answ. Though thou didst not finde any ravish∣ing comfort at the Table, yet it may be thou mightst receive more grace from Christ. When thou didst not spring upward in Joy, thou mightst root thy self more downward in Humility. Here is no loss; Hea∣ven is the proper place for comfort, Earth for Grace. I expect my reward in another World; if I can but do my work well here, I shall be satisfied. A se∣rious Christian may well be contented with solid peace without extasies. Therefore be not discou∣raged.

Object. 2. But I finde no peace, no calmness of spirit.

I fear my heart was so dead and dull, that I did neither act grace in the ordinance, nor receive grace through the ordinance, for I saw never a smile in Gods face all the while.

Answ. Didst thou not go in thine own strength? if so, no wonder that thou art disheartned. Jacob told his Wives, I perceive that your Fathers counte∣nance is not towards me as at other times; but what was the matter; This Jacob, say Labans sons, hath taken away all that was our Fathers, he hath got his riches. The glory of God (as I may say) is his Wealth, his Treasure, The riches of his glory, Rom. 9.23. Now if thou didst rob God of any part, of his treasure by thy self-confidence, it is no mar∣vil that thy fathers countenance was not so plea∣sant towards thee as at other times. In brief, I would wish thee to reflect both upon thy prepara∣tion for, and carriage at the Ordinance, and if thou findest thy self faulty, confess and bewail it; hereby thou mayst yet attain the efficacy of the Or∣dinance. When Physick is taken down, and doth not work, Physitians often give their Patients something to quicken it, and it proves exceeding instrumental for the diseased persons good; A sin∣cere lamentation of thy negligence before, or carelesness at the Table (supposing that thy heart be right with God) will much help forward the operation of the Sacrament. If thou findest that thou wast faithful in the discharge of thy duty, then by no means despond, but wait. Food doth not nourish as soon as it is taken into the body, there must be time allowed for concoction. The

strongest meats are longest in digesting, but they give the most and the best nourishment. Faith and Prayer will at last, like skilful Midwives, deliver the promises safely of those blessings which did stick for a time in the birth. It is good that thy soul should both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of God. There is light sown for thee, O thou child of light, who walkest in darkness, and be confident it will spring up.

A good Wish about the Lords Supper, wherein the sormer Heads are Epitomized.

THe Lords Supper being one of the greatest myste∣ries of the Christian Religion, * 1.3 a lively represen∣tation of my dearest Saviours bleeding passion, and blessed affection, and a real taste of that eternal Ban∣quet which I shall hereafter eat of in my Fathers house at his own Table, I wish in general that I may never distaste the person of my best friend by abusing his picture; that I may not go to the Lords Table as Swine to their trough, in my sin and pollution, but may re∣ceive those holy elements into a clean heart. * 1.4 O that my lamp might be flaming and my vessel filled with oyl, when ever I go to meet the Bridegroom! I wish in particular that my soul may be so throughly affect∣ed with Christs special presence at this sacred Ordi∣nance, that I may both prepare for it, and proceed at it with all possible seriousness and diligence. O let me never be so unworthy and impudent as to defile that holy Feast before the Authors face.

* 1.5 I wish that my heart may have an infinite respect

for the blood of my Saviour, the stream in which all my comforts both for this and a better World come swiming to me, which hath landed thousands safely at the Haven of eternal happiness, one drop of which I am sure is more worth then heaven and earth; that as all murder is abominable, being against the light of nature, so Christ-murder may be most of all abhorr'd by me, as being directly against the clearest light of Scripture, and the choicest love which ever was dis∣covered to the children of men. Good Lord, what∣ever I jest with, let me never sport or dally with the death of thy Son! Let me not give him cause to com∣plain of me (as once of Judas) he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, is the same that betrayeth me! Let me never buy a Sacrament (as the Jews the Potters field with the price of blood) Deliver me from blood-guiltiness O God, thou God of my Salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy loving kindness.

I wish that true self-love may be so prevalent with me, * 1.6 that since I beleive the prophanation of the most precious things will be most pernicious to my soul (as the whitest Ivory is turned by the fire into the deep∣est black, and the sweetest wine becometh the sharpest vinegar) I may tremble and fear before I receive, lest I should poison my self with that potion which is intended for my health, and cut the throat of my pre∣cious soul, with that Knife wherewith I may cut bread, feed on it, * 1.7 and live for ever.

I wish that I may prepare my heart to meet the God of Israel at this holy Ordinance; and to this end that I may be impartial in the search and examina∣tion

of my soul, whether I come short of the grace of God or no. * 1.8 Physitians judge sometimes of the in∣ward parts by the tongue. The Roman Emperor Tibe∣rius when one pretended to the Crown of a Kingdom, discovered him to be a counterfeit, by feeling his hands, and finding that they were not soft, as of a person tenderly bread, but hard as the hands of a Mechanicke. I desire that both by my tongue and hand, by my words and works, I may know the state and condition of my heart. In special, my prayer is, * 1.9 that I may never fail to try my faith which is to the soul, what the natural heat is to the body, by vertue of which the nutritive faculty turneth the food into nourishment, but may make sure of an interest in the Vine, before I drink of the fruit thereof.

I wish that before I go for a discharge, * 1.10 I may look into the book of my conscience, cast up my accounts, and consider how insinitely I am indebted to my God, that I may consider whence I am fallen, * 1.11 and Re∣pent, and like Tamar, though I am ravished and defiled by force, may yet rent my garments, my heart I mean with godly sorrow, and self-abhorrency. O that my soul might be so searched to the bottom, that none of my wounds may fester, * 1.12 but all may be discovered and cured. I pray that I may not dare to turn the Table of the Lord into the Table of Divels, by receiving the Sacrament in the love of any known sin, but may go to it with an hearty detestation of every false way, and an holy resolution against every known wickedness. * 1.13 I wish that after all my pains in preparing my self, I may look up to Christ alone for assistance, as knowing that I am not sufficient of

my self so much as to think any thing, but my sufficiency is of God; Blessed Saviour, be thou surety for thy Servant, and bound for my good behaviour at thy last and loving Supper.

I wish that when I come to the Table, * 1.14 I may like the beloved Disciple, behold the wounds of my Savi∣our, and see that water and blood which did flow out of his side, that as in the Gospel I read a narra∣tive, so in this ordinance I may have a prospective of his sufferings; how he emptied himself to fill me, and to raise my reputation with his Father, laid down his own; how he humbled himself, though he had the favour of a Son, to the form of a servant, and though he were the Lord of life, and glory to the most ignominious death, even the death of the Cross.

I wish that in his special passion I may ever take notice of his affection, * 1.15 and esteem the laying down his life, as the Hyperbole of his love, the highest note that love could possibly reach. Ah how neer did this High Priest carry my name to his heart, when he willingly vnderwent the rage of Hell, to purchase for me a passage to heaven. I will remember thy love more then Wine. * 1.16 I desire that when I see Christ crucified before mine eyes, in the breaking of the bread, and pouring out of the wine, I may not forget the cause, my corruptions, but may so think of them, and my Saviours kindness, in dying to make satisfaction for them, that as fire expelleth fire, so I may be enabled by the fire of love to expel and cast out the fire of lust.

I wish that however my body be attired, * 1.17 my soul may by faith put on the Lord Jesus Christ at this Hea∣venly

feast; that I may not onely look up to him (as the Criple to Peter and John) expecting an almes, but may receive him by beleiving, and so banquet on his blessed body, and bathe my soul in his precious blood; that my spirit may rejoyce in God my Saviour, whilst I am assured that though the pain were his, yet the profit is mine; though the wounds were his, yet the balm issuing thence is mine; though the thorns were his, yet the Crown is mine; and though the price were his, yet the purchase is mine. O let him be mine in in possession and claim, and then he will be mine in fruition and comfort; Lord I beleive, * 1.18 help mine unbeleif! I wish (since love is the greatest thing my Saviour can give me; for God is love, and the greatest thing which I can give my Saviour) that his love to me may be reflected back to him again, that my chiefest love may be as a fountain sealed up to all others, and broched only for him who is altogether lovely, that I may hate Father, Mother, Wife, Child, House and Land, out of love to him; that many waters of affliction may not quench this love, but rather like Snuffers make this lamp to burn the brighter. Beasts love them who feed them. Wicked men love their friends and benefactours; My very cloaths warming me, are warmed by me; again, and shall not I love him who hath loved me, and washed me in his own blood! O that I could groundedly cry out with Igna∣tius, My love was crucified; and meet this Lord of Heaven, as Elijah went up to Heaven in a Chariot of fire, in a flame of love; * 1.19 I desire that I may follow Christ at this Ordinance, as the Women did to his Cross, weeping, considering that my sins were the

cause of his bitter and bloody suffering; and O that as Saul eyed David, I might eye them all from that day forward, to slay and destroy them.

When my soul hath been thus feasted with Marrow and fatness, * 1.20 Lord let my mouth praise thee with joy∣ful lips. Ah what am I, and what is my Fathers house? that when others eat the bread of violence, and drink the wine of deceit, I should eat the flesh and drink the blood of thine own Son! What is man that thou art so mindful of him, and the Son of man that thou dost thus visit him? I wish that I may shew my thankefulness to my God and dearest Saviour, for these benefits (the worth of which men and Angels can never conceive) by the love of my heart, the praises of my lips, * 1.21 and the exemplariness of my life. At the Sacrament Christ gave his body and blood to me, and I gave my body and soul a living Sacri∣fice to him, and that before God, Angels, and Men; the Sacrament was Beersheba, the Well of an Oath. Shall I pollute that heart which was solemnly devoted to God, and prophane that Covenant which I have seriously contracted with the most High? Should I like Sampson, break those bands asunder and fetch that Sacrifice away from the Altar, which was tyed with such strong cords of Oaths and Covenants; must I not expect to bring the fire along with it! O let me never start aside from my vow like a deceitful bow. Lord I have sworn and will perform, that I will keep through thy strength thy righteous judgements. Lastly I desire that I may not onely differ from them who like the Habassiness, * 1.22 will not fpit on a Sacrament day, but will spue the next day; deny sin at present, but

afterwards Deifie it; that I may not onely be faithful to my Oath of Allegiance, but also fruitful in obedi∣ence; that as Elijah walked in the strength of one meal forty days, I may walk in the strength of that Banquet, serving my Saviour, and my Soul, all my days. In a word, I wish that I may ever after walk worthy of my birth, having Royal, Heavenly blood running in my veins; worthy of my breeding, being brought up in the nurture of the Lord, fed at his own Table with the bread of Heaven, cloathed with the Robes of his Sons Righteousness; and that my present deportment may be answerable to my future prefer∣ment: O that I might in all companies, conditions and seasons, walk worthy of him, who hath called me to his Kingdom and glory! Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Thirdly,
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Septuam, a Hedge.
• * 1.3

  The Intro∣duction.
• * 1.4

  Motives to preparation. Christs in∣spection.
• * 1.5

  The unwor∣thy persons dreadful condition guilty of Christs death
• * 1.6

  Of his own damnation.
• * 1.7

  Preparation, which con∣sisteth in Ex∣amination of the good in us.
• * 1.8

  Of the truth of grace.
• * 1.9

  Of Faith
• * 1.10

  Examinati∣on of the evil in us.
• * 1.11

  Humiliation
• * 1.12

  Reformation
• * 1.13

  Dependance on Christ.
• * 1.14

  At the Table Subjects to be conside∣red. Christs passi∣on.
• * 1.15

  Christs affec∣tion.
• * 1.16

  Our own corruptions.
• * 1.17

  Graces to be exercised. Faith
• * 1.18

  Love
• * 1.19

  Repentance
• * 1.20

  After the Sacrament. Thankfulness
• * 1.21

  Faithfulness
• * 1.22

  In Prester Iohns Coun∣try.