THE DOCTRINE Of the SACRAMENT, With the right use thereof Catichistically handled by way of Question and Answer. By Mr. CHARLES CHANCY sometimes Minister of Ware. ANCHORA SPEI printer's device of George Miller LONDON, Printed by G. M. for Thomas Vnderhill at the sign of the Bible in Wood-street, 1642. THE DOCTRINE Of the SACRAMENT. Q. WHat is it to receive? A. It is to lay hold on Christ by faith. Q How do we receive by faith in the Sacrament? A. As it is the nature of faith to apply and rest upon other Promises in the justification of a sinner, a Gal. 3.22. Heb. 11.13. so to receive by faith in the Sacrament, is in the act of receiving to apply and rely upon the Promises that concern each Sacrament, Q. What are the Promises that concern the Sacrament of Baptism? A. He that believes and is baptised shall be saved, a Mar. 16.16. as many as are baptised into Christ, do put on Christ, b Gal. 3.27. and the very word of institution, when we are baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, c Mat. 28.19. include a Promise, that all the Persons in the God head do enter into covenant with us to wash away our sins. Q. What are the Promises that concern the Sacrament of the Lords Supper? A. They are plainly laid down in the words of institution, this is my body which is broken for you, a 1 Cor. 11.24 this is my blood of the new Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins b Mat. 26.28. Luk. 22.20. , Q. What is the meaning of that promise, this is my body which is broken for you? A. It is as much as if Christ should say in particular to every faithful receiver, as surely as I deliver and give this bread unto thee, so I bestow this my crucified body, with all the merits of my death upon thee. Q. What is the meaning of the other promise this cup is the new Testament? etc. A. It is as much as if Christ had said in particular to every believing receiver, as surely as I deliver this cup unto thee, so I do make good and assure the whole covenant of grace unto thee and seal the free pardon of thy sins unto thee by my precious blood. Q. When are we to apply these promises to ourselves? A. Especially in the very act and time of receiving, we are to apply these promises by faith, and so we are to draw comfort from them afterwards. Q. What is meant by the word Baptism? A. It signifies dipping or washing in water, and is applied to signify that dipping or washing which is used in the first Sacrament of the new Testament. Q. What is the benefit of the Sacrament of Baptism? A. The benefit of the Sacrament of Baptism is the sealing to the true believer, and the assuring to him all the benefits of Christ that concern his regeneration or new-birth, as in particular, the putting on of Christ a Gal. 3.26. , the washing of his soul from sins b Ephes. 5.26. , the pardon of his sins c Lu. 3.3. Act 22, 16. , fellowship with Christ in his death d Rom. 6.3, 4. , eternal life and salvation e 1 Pet. 3.21. . Q. What doth the Sacrament of Baptism bind the party baptised unto? A. It binds him by a solemn oath or vow when he cometh to years of discretion, to enter into a sure covenant with Almighty God, and to perform the condition of the covenant of grace a Gen. 17 7, 9 , which is faith b Act 8.36, 37, 38. Act. 2.38 ; as also to repent him unfeignedly of all his sins c Mat. 3.5. , to walk in newness of life d Rom. 6.4. , to walk in love and unity with his brothers e 1 Cor. 12 1 Cor. 1.13. , to give up himself to labour for saving knowledge and a good conscience f 1 Pet. 3.21. , and to live altogether for the obedience, worship and service of the holy and undivided Trinity g Mat. 28.19, 20. . Q. What are the duties required to the right receiving of the Sacrament of Baptism? A. Some are required of the Parents, others of the infant baptised when he comes to years, others of the Congregation present at this Sacrament. Q. What are the duties required of the Parents of the party baptised? A. They are to humble themselves for the corruption they have conveyed to the infant, a Job 14.4. and seek for the pardon of it, they must call to remembrance God's gracious and free covenant b Act. 2.37, 38, 39 Gen. 17 7, ●. , and so get assurance that they themselves are within this covenant, they must press it by hearty and fervent prayer c 1 Sam. 1.27. and renew their covenant with God in behalf of themselves and their children, and to offer themselves and their children unto God to be his obedient servants and children all their days d 1 Sam. 1.28. . Q. What are the duties required of the Infant baptised when he comes to years? A. As he is to know that the virtue of baptism is not bounded only to the time of receiving this Sacrament, because it is a seal of the righteousness of faith a Ro. 4.11. , and of God's covenant which is everlasting b jer. 32.40. , so he is still to make use of his Baptism, both as a bond to bind him to perform all the former duties, and as a sure ground to apply all the former benefits of the pardoning and washing away of his sins, and to comfort himself that the Lord will be his God in the worst times c Gen. 17.7. , and all sufficient for him d Gen. 17.1. , in providing all necessaries for his body and soul, and deliver him from all dangers, and certainly save his soul e 1 Pet. 3.20, 21. , and raise up his body to eternal life at the last day f Col. 2.12. , Q. What duties are required of the assembly at this Sacrament? A. They are to abide till the Sacrament of Baptism, and all other public duties be ended a Ezek. 46.10. , to join in prayer and thanksgiving to God for it b Act. 22.16. , to remember their own covenant with God and their former breaches of it with unfeigned sorrow and resolution to keep it afterwards. Q. What are the duties required for the right receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper? A. They are of 3 sorts, some concern our preparation to that Sacrament, some that holy disposition that is required in the time of receiving, and others our holy carriage afterwards. Q What are the duties required for our due preparation to this Sacrament? A. They are especially two, a 1 Cor. 11.28. thorough examination of ourselves, and a right behaviour afterwards. Q. Wherein consists the thorough examination of ourselves before receiving? A. We must try ourselves concerning those several graces that are required to the right receiving of the Supper of the Lord, whither they are truly wrought in us or not, which are sound knowledge a 1 Cor. 11.29. , saving faith b Rom. 4.11. Mark. 16.16. , true repentance for all our sins c 1 Cor. 11.31. , unfeigned obedience d Pro. 9.5, 6. , entire love to God and man e Mat. 5 25. 1 Cor. 12.13. , earnest hunger and thirst after Christ f joh. 7.37 Lu. 22.15. , and lastly the sincerity and uprightness of our hearts g 2 Chr. 30.18, 19 . Q. How may we know that our knowledge is sound and sufficient to receive? A. By the measure and properties of it. Q. What is the measure of sound knowledge required? A. A Christian must know all the principles of the doctrine of Christ, which are chief these a Heb. 6.1. , he must understand the 10. commandments with the spiritual meaning thereof, to work repentance from dead works, and he must be able to conceive the true meaning of all the Articles of our Christian faith, together with the nature, use and end of each Sacrament. Q. What are the marks or properties by which our knowledge may be tried? A. Sound knowledge makes a Christian humble a 1 Cor. 3.18. Pro. 26.16. , and ready to render a reason of the hope that is in him with all meekness b 1 Pet. 3.15. , and willing to receive every truth revealed out of the word of God c 1 Tim. 6.5. , and carefully to put in practice whatsoever he knoweth already d 1 john 2.3, 4, 5. , and painfully to increase the knowledge already attained e Prov. 2.3, 4, 5. Hos. 6.3. . Q. What are the marks the Scripture gives of saving faith? A. Saving faith in the least degree is ever wrought and preserved in the heart by the word of God preached a Rom 10.14. , whereby we are weary and heavy laden with sins, b Mat. 11.28. , and utterly rid of all confidence in our own righteousness c Rom. 10.3, 4. , and restless in desiring after Christ till we find comfort in the promises of the pardon of our sins d Mat. 6.5. , withal it mak●s us to look at sin as the greatest evil, and the grace of Christ as the greatest good in the world e Heb. 11.24.— 28. , it purifieth and cleanseth the heart f Act. 15.9. , will, thoughts and affections from all love and allowance of sin, and so works inward sanctification g Act. 26.18. , it wrestles against temptations of unbelief h Mar. 9.24. Lu. 22.31, 32. , and works by love of God and our brothers i Gal. 5.6. . Q. What are the marks and trials of true repentance? A. True repentance may be known by our willingness and gladness to have any sin discovered a Psa. 141.5. , and hearty love of those that discover and reproove it b 2 Sam. 12.13. , an inward godly sorrow for all known sins, as they are a breach of God's commandments and are displeasing unto God c 2 Cor. 7.10. , a forsaking of all known sins d Ezek. 18.5, 6. etc. Psa. 119.3. , out of a perfect hatred of them, & care to avoid all the occasions of them e 2 Cor. 7.11. , & an universal turning to God f Deut. 30.10. , and constant cleaving to him in all his revealed will, and the practice of all known duties of obedience. Q. What are the trials of unfeigned obedience? A. Unfeigned obedience may be known thus, that it is grounded only on the word of God a Eph. 2.10. , and not on the traditions and inventions of men b Mar. 7.6, 7. , that it hath respect to all God's commandments without partiality or exception c Ps. 119.6. , that it aims always at a right end, the praise and glory of God d Phil. 1.11. , and not at any private advantage, that it is always accompanied with zeal e Gal. 4.18. , humility f Mich. 6.8. , and constancy g Ps. 106.3. Q. How may we know whether our love to God and man be entire? A. We may be sure that our love to God is entire if that no commandment of God be grievous unto us a 1 John 5.3. , if it weanes our hearts from the love of the world b 1 John. 2.15. 1 John 4.20, 21.1 john 5.1. 1 John 4.12. , and if it make us love the children of God. Q. What are the marks of entire love to God's children? A, Entire love to God's children makes us love godly men for godliness sake a 2 John 1.2. , that is, it will make us love all the Saints b Ephes. 1.15. , whether rich or poor, strangers or kindred, and that constantly c Pro. 17.17. , and communicates itself in doing good to their souls and bodies d 1 Joh. 3.17, 18. . Q. How may we know entire love to our Neighbour? A. Entire love to our neighbour will make us willing to forgive wrongs a Col 3.13. , and to seek peace, b Rom. 12.18. and to make satisfaction if we have wronged them c Rom. 13.10. , it will cause us to love their souls, and not suffer sin to lie upon them, d Lovit. 19.17. it will make us to overcome evil with good, e Rom. 12.17, 20, 21. by heaping offices of love upon them. Q. What are the trials of our earnest hunger and thirst after Christ? A. True hunger and thirst after Christ will make us seek him with our whole heart in the diligent and constant use of all the means, a Prov. 13.4. so that nothing else will satisfy us without Christ, b Ps. 73.25. it longs after Christ for himself, so as to part with any thing for him, c Mat. 13.44. and to be content to have him upon the hardest conditions, d Phil. 1.21. Phil. 3.8. it is ready to entertain with great thankfulness, whatsoever mea●es or messenger shall bring him home unto the soul, e Rom. 10.15. it seeks after him for holiness f Isa. 51.1. , as well as for happiness. Q. What are the trials of the sincerity and uprightness of our hearts? A Sincerity and uprightness of heart shows itself in the reformation of our delightful and bosom corruptions a Psalm 18.23. , and careful endeavour to find them out, and gladness when they are discovered b Psal. 119.59. Psalm 141.5. , by the denial of ourselves in parting with any outward comfort, to keep a good conscience c job 27.2. Heb. 11.24, 27. , by making conscience of the fruitful performance of holy duties d Rom. 12.11. , especially in secret e Mat. 6.6. , and l●stly an earnest desire and endeavour of growth unto perfection f Phil. 3.12.— 14. . Q. What duties are required of a Christian after examination that he may finish his preparation to the Sacrament? A. If he shall find any of these graces to be wanting in him he is bound for the present to abstain from the Sacrament a Ex. Chapter 12.48. Numbers 9 from the 6. to the 12. , if he doubt whither they be wrought in him or not, he is likewise to absent himself b Romans 14.23. , unless his conscience by some means may be resolved and settled, that he hath them; if he shall find them wrought in him, though in much weakness, he is to repair to this Sacrament for further strength c 2 Chro. 30.18, 19 , yet with practice of other duties still required to preparation, Q. What are the duties required of a weak Christian after examination? A. He is carefully with bitterness of spirit to remember the manifold rebeilions of his unregenerate estate a Psalm 25.7. 1 Timothy 1.13. , the wants and weaknesses of his present estate b Romans 7. The whole Chapter. , that so he may stir up earnest desires and thirst after Christ in the Sacrament, and he is to renew his faith in Christ c Hebr. 11.28. , and his repentance for all known sins, especially committed since his former receiving, and his love to God and man, and he is to renew his resolutions and purposes of better obedience to God for the time to come d Isa. 1.16, 17, 18. . Q. How is a Christian to renew his faith in Christ? A. He must labour to sue out a new pardon of his sins a 2 Chro. 30.6. , especially that most trouble the peace of his conscience, and press the promises that concern the Sacrament b 1 Cor. 11.24. , and the death of Christ c 1 john 1.7. , by Prayer and Meditation strive against carnal reason d john 6.38. , the greatest enemy of Faith, bewail his unbelief e Mar. 9.24. , ponder and weigh well the nature of the Sacrament, that it is God's oath to secure his promises unto us f Heb. 6.16, 17. , and a pledge and seal of the righteousness of faith g Rom. 4.11. , and consider Gods Commandments to receive and enjoy the merits of Christ's death offered to us in this Sacrament h 1 Cor. 11.24. . Q. How is a Christian to renew his d●sires after Christ in the Sacrament? A. He that would renew his desires, or hunger and thirst after Christ must acquaint himself thoroughly with his own wants and emptiness a Prov. 27.7. , and take heed of a presumptuous imagination of more grace than he hath attained unto b Revel. 3.16, 17. , he must have a thorough view of the wonderful excellency and fullness that is in Christ c john 4.10. Col. 1.19. , and the promises, d 2 Pet. 1.4. , and the worth of God's favour and loving kindness that is better than life itself e Psal. 63.3. , and his own utter insufficiency to bring his heart to any true hunger and thirst after these things f Phil. 2.13. . Q. How is a true Christian to renew his repentance? A. He must examine himself strictly concerning particular sins, especially most lately committed a 1 Cor. 11.31. , & by the serious consideration of them, & the circumstances of them, to renew a more bitter sorrow for them b Lam. 3.40. , he must renew his free particular and humble confession of them c 1 Sam. 7.6. , with hearty prayer for the pardon of them d Ps. 51.1, 2. , and strength against them e 2 Cor. 12.8. , make restitution and satisfaction in case that he hath wronged any one to the utmost of his power f Luke 19.8. . Q. How is a Christian to renew his resolution of better obedience? A. He is with humble acknowledgement of his own weakness a Ps. 119.106. , to resolve without further delay, b Ps. 119.60 to walk in new obedience (God assisting him with his grace) and to this end he is earnestly to crave strength from God that he would enable him thereunto c Ps. 119.117. . Q. How is a Christian to renew his charity before receiving? A. He is out of due consideration and sense of God's love to him in Christ, to get his heart inflamed with love to God a 2 Cor. 5.14. , and man b 1 John 4.11. , to forgive injuries freely, if any man hath wronged him c Ephes. 4.23. , and to seek reconciliation with others, if he hath given them any occasion of offence d Mat. 5.24, 25. Rom. 12.8. . Thus fare of the duties before receiving. Q What are the duties required of a Christian in time of receiving? A. First, every one is to give diligent attention to that which is publicly done not only when he himself is to receive, but during the whole action a 1 Corin. 14.16. , to behold and look upon both the elements themselves b Exodus 24.8. , and all the Sacramental actions in the administration of this Sacrament d 1 Corinth. 14.40. , he must use such reverend behaviour and gestures as may be free from superstition, yet fit to stir up and express inward faith and thankfulness e Heb. 13.16. , and as he hath received such inward pledges from God of his love, so he is, according to his power in testimony of his thankfulness to offer the Sacrifice of alms cheerfully for the relief of the poor members of Christ, c 1 Corinthians 11.10. Q. What should be the meditation and disposition of our hearts in the time of receiving? A. When you see the bread and wine consecrated and set apart for this holy use, than we must call to mind and consider the eternal love of God the Father in sanctifying and setting apart his son Jesus Christ in his secret counsel, to be the Redeemer and surety of his people a john 10.36. , and the tender mercy of Christ in undertaking this hard service for us b Hebr. 7.26. Hebr. 10.9. , when we see the bread broken, and the wine poured out, we are to mourn over him whom we have pierced by our sins c Zach. 12.12. , and remember the infinite justice and wrath of God against sin that could never be satisfied but by this means d Romans 3.25. , when we see the bread and wine delivered unto us by the Minister, we are to meditate upon the gift and application of Christ crucified to our own souls in particular, and to every believing receiver e Gallat. 2.20. , when we take the bread and wine at the Minister's hand, we are to stir up our souls by Faith to lay hold upon, and to apply to ourselves all the merits of Christ's death f 1 Cor. 11.24. , and so joyfully to feed thereupon, that we may feel our souls satisfied thereby g Mat. 11.26. , and strengthened against all temptations h joh. 6.35. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. , when we behold the rest of the Congregation communicating with us, we are to stir up our hearts to loving and kind affections towards them and all the people of God. Q What is that holy carriage that is required after receiving the Sacrament? A. After the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, a Christian must try himself whither ●ee hath been made to drink into one spirit with Christ and his members or not a 1 Corinth. 12.13. , and what growth he hath gotten by the Sacrament in assurance of God's favour, in strength against corruptions, in power to walk with God in, obedience unto him, and in all other graces of the Spirit, and fruits of Christ's death, and if he cannot find these fruits in himself, he must humble himself for his own sins and failings as the cause thereof b 1 Corin. 11.31. , and though he finds not that comfort and benefit, yet if he be truly humbled for the want of it, he may be comforted in this as a fruit of a worthy receiving c 2 Chron. 30.18, 19, ; if he shall find upon examination the former benefits truly wrought in his heart, he is to give God the glory, and to desire the continuance and increase of the same grace with all holy endeavours to that end d 1 Chron. 29.13, 14,— 18. , and as he hath received Jesus Christ, so he is to walk in him e Col. 2.6, 7. , and to keep the covenant that he hath made with the Lord at the Sacrament, and to increase in love and fellowship with God's children f 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. , and out of the sense of the comfort and benefit of this Sacrament to resort the oftener, and with more earnest desire unto it g 2 Chron. 30.21, 23. . Q What are the notes whereby we may discern the Regenerate from the Reprobate? A. There are these three notes: First if the child of God be enticed and drawn away from God, he grieveth for it and giveth not ready consent unto the temptation. 2. If through frailty he be over-carried to give consent, yet it is not full content, but doth it against his will and purpose, for his purpose is not to sin. 3. If he put his lusts in execution, he lieth not in them, he will not walk after them, but recovereth himself, because ●ee is incorporated into Christ, he hath the root of grace which shall not utterly die in him, the seed abideth in him which at last shall sprout up to Repentance and amendment of life, Gallatians 3. v. 10. As many as are under the works of the Law are under the curse: Therefore we hence conclude contrary to the Doctrine of our Adversaries, that if all men be condemned by the Law, then is no man able to keep and perform the duties of the Law which it requireth. Divers Marks and notes of an Hypocrite, which we may observe out of the first book of Samuel, and the 15. Chap. FIrst, He is very forward in boasting of his obedience, and to have a very high esteem of himself by reason thereof, though it be nothing so; as we may see in the 13. verse, saith Saul there to Samuel, after he was come from the slaughter of the Amalekites, the very first word he utters to him, I have performed the commandment of the Lord, though it was nothing so, as Samuel shows there unto him; for saith he to him, What then meaneth this bleating of Sheep and this lowing of Oxen in my Ears: For God's commandment to him was, to slay all, man and woman, young and old, infant and suckling, Ox and Sheep, Camel and Ass, but these he had saved alive. Secondly, He makes Religion a cloak for to cover and hid his sin, or at least to lessen it when it is discovered; So Saul here when Samuel had begun to tell him of his sin, why? as if he should say you have no cause to blame us for this, for the people took of the best of the Sheep and the Oxen to Sacrifice unto the Lord thy God, etc. Thirdly, He is obstinate and obdurate in his sin, and will not endure to be convinced of it though it be never so plain, and so we see here that when Samuel had shown Saul his sin in saving the Sheep and Oxen alive, the which God had commanded him for to destroy▪ yet for all that he justifies himself and saith I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way the Lord sent me. Fourthly, The Hypocrite when he is told of his sin he will extenuate and lessen it, and shift it off upon others; so Saul here, vers. 21. The people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been destroyed, to Sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in G●lgall, as if he should have said, thou hast no reason to lay all the fault upon me, it was the people that saved these alive. Fifthly, Hypocrites when they are convinced of their sins, and they humble themselves for them, and do confess and acknowledge them, it is of constraint, not because they are grieved for that they have offended God thereby, but because they see some evil or judgement is like to befall them for the same, as in the 23. and 24 verses, Saul would never be brought to say, I have sinned, till such time as Samuel told him what would come of it, saying, Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, therefore he hath rejected thee from being King, than he saith, I have sinned, for I have transgressed the Commandment of the Lord and thy words, all the time before nothing could be gotten from him, but this, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, etc. Sixthly and lastly, Hypocrites when they see that their sin and hypocrisy is discov●red, they do not so much desire to get into God's favour, and to make their peace with God, as to keep it from the eyes of the world, that it may not turn to be a reproach and a scandal upon them, but that still the world may think well of them and may have them in high account, and this was that, which as may appear in the 30. verse, did most trouble Saul. For Saul he had made a fair show and had professed a great deal of love and obedience to God, but now he was caught tardy, and his hypocrisy discovered, fearing this should turn to his shame in regard of his former great profession, after a sleight confession that he makes of his sin in general, saying, I have sinned, saith he, honour me yet now I pray thee before the Elders of my people and before Israel, whereby it appears that this was the chief and main thing that he stood upon, his credit and reputation in the world. FINIS.