CERTAIN RULES, To be observed In the Administration of the Lords Supper, Offered To the Private Consideration of those that intent to partake of that Sacrament to their comfort.  
1. IT is not lawful for us in God's worship to do what we think good in our own eyes, but what he doth appoint.  
2. For if we know not what he doth appoint, we cannot worship him in Faith.  
3. If we worship him not in Faith, we can not please him.  
4. And if we please him not, we can not expect his blessing upon our performance.  
5. Therefore to be sure of a blessing in his worship, we must come to him in Faith, worshipping him in Spirit and Truth: and to come thus to him, we must needs know and observe what he hath appointed to be done in his worship.  
6. Now to know and observe this in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, we must consider Christ's Practice in the Institution thereof, so fare as it is imitable: and his intention in commanding us to imitate him therein.  
7. The necessity of considering Christ's Practice and intention in this matter, doth arise from the Apostles commandment, who doth heerin very distinctly refer us unto Christ himself, for a warrant of that which is to be done; Saying, that in this matter, he delivered that which he received of the Lord. 1 Cor. 11.23. and that we ought to follow him so fare as he is a follower of the Lord. Ibid. v. 1.  
8. Therefore we are bound to look unto Christ first then to the Apostle, because finally our Faith must rest only in him; for we are sure that in following him and fulfilling his intention we do nothing amiss.  
9 Christ's Practice then in the institution of his Supper to be imitated was this:  
I. First he took bread, and by giving special thanks over it, he separated it from the common to a Holy use: Then he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and commanded them to ear thereof.  
II. Secondly, he took the Cup which in like manner by a special blessing, he separated from the common to a Holy use, and then gave it to his disciples commanding them all to drink of it.  
III. This bread and Cup the Lord did distribute being at Table with his disciples, and speaking with them of his death and of the fruits thereof. Math. 26.20, 26. Mark. 14.18, 22.10. Next to Christ's Practice the Apostolical Practice is considerable, which in the Primitive Church did imitate the Lord heerin: namely that all the members of the Church were together at the Lords table, where they did eat of the bread & drink of the Cup (both being blessed) as they used to do at their meals, with a table gesture. 1 Cor. 11.33. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17, 21. 1 Cor. 11.20, 21, 22.  
11. Christ's intention in this institution of his Supper, doth appear clearly by his words, and some of his Actions, to have been this.  
I. Firsh that he did purpose to give unto his disciples a seal of his covenant, and a representation of his death, and of the benefits thereof exhibited in the new covenant to the worthy receiver. This is evident by the words of consecration which he useth in delivering the elements; which words are a promise of the virtue of his body & blood exhibited unto his disciples.  
II. Secondly, that he would have his disciples to imitate in after times his practice in this his last Supper for a memorial of him till his coming again: This is clear by the express words of the commandment: Do this in Remembrance of me, Luk 22.19. & by the Apostles explication thereof, 1 Cor. 11.25, 26.  
III. Thirdly, that he would have them by this his Supper not only to be mindful of his death till his coming, but also of his coming itself, and therein of their Happy estate with him in his Father's Kingdom and at his table in heaven; which appeareth by the words of promise, which the Evangelists relate Christ annexed to the consecration of the Cup; namely that he would not drink of the fruit of the vine from that time forward; until that day when he should drink it new with them in his Father's Kingdom, Matth. 26.29. Mark. 14.25. So then he did make that Cup and bread wherein his body and blood was offered unto them here on earth, a pledge of the food of glory which they were to receive in heaven at the feast of the Lamb's wedding.  
IU. Fourthly and lastly, it seemeth also that Christ's intention at this his last Supper was, to let his Disciples know and to give them an Assurance of the Esteem which he had the of them; namely that he counted them no more servants, but his friends and familiars; joh. 15.15, and to express this fully and clearly to them, he doth not only set them with himself at table; but he riseth from table, and girdeth himself to serve his loving guests at his table, Joh. 13.4. till 17. Whereby he not only doth teach them an example of humility one to another, but moreover through them he maketh good to all his Faithful servants that promise which shall be fulfilled in his Kingdom, as he expresseth it in Luke 12.37. Blessed are the servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching (and consequently faithful to him in their charges) verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. This than Christ having done at his last Supper to his Disciples; and promised to do to all that should be watchful, may be conceived to have been some part of his intention in the sealing of his covenant to all believers. See also for this Luke 22.27.  
12. From all which this Conclusion as a General Rule is to be gathered, namely:  
That that Manner of Administration of the Lords Supper is most warrantable which cometh nearest unto this Practice of Christ: which doth express and represent most effectually this his whole intention; & which is fittest to accomplish most fully his commandment of celebrating the Memorial of his death till his coming again; and of the benefits & blessedness which the Faithful reap both by the one and the other.  
And that on the other side that manner which is furthest off from Christ's practice, which doth least represent and express his intention, and which is least fit to accomplish his commandment of celebrating the Memorial of his death, till his coming again; is least warrantable, and ought not to be practised when it can be omitted, without the scandal of a rent in the Churches.  
Now it is evident that a table gesture cometh nenerest unto Christ's Practice, and doth express best his whole intention, and is fittest to fulfil his commandment, and that on the other side, that gesture which is furthest from a table gesture is least fitted for all these.  
Therefore it followeth that a table gesture is most warrantable, and that which is furthest from a table gesture, is least warrantable to be used in the Administration of the LORDS Supper.