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CHA P. I.

Of the Neceffity of Receiving the Holy Sacrament.

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HOUGH Notions are for the most part more Difficult,and of far lefs Concernment for men to Understand, than their Duty; yet fuch is the general Curiosity of People, that they are more intent upon Speculations, than upon Practice, and study more to be Mafters of an Opinion, than to inform and keep a good Conscience.

HOWEVER, in regard that Knowledge is the Principle of Action, and Men are fo governed by their Perfwafions, that their Practice is ever fuitable to their Sentiments, the moft natural way of prevailing upon them to comply with their Duty, is to inftruct their Understandings in the first place, and to furnish them with fuch Notions as may have a due influence upon them, and do naturally tend to prompt

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prompt them on to that business which lyeth before them.

THIS is the Reason, that when I entred upon the Subject of the Holy Sacrament, I thought it advisable for me to Divide my Meditations; fo that I might first difpatch the Notional part, which is of the greatest Difficulty; and then proceed to the Practical, which is of the greatest Use.

PURSUANT to this Defign, I have formerly discoursed at large of the Nature, of the Ends,of the Dignity, and Ufefulness of this weighty Ordinance; which things if Men would but seriously confider and carry in their Thoughts, they could not easily neglect a matter of fuch importance, without offering violence to their Judgments, and acting against their own Reafon.

BUT there is a great deal of matter yet behind, which immediately and directly ferveth to engage all of us to discharge our Duty in this particular, and alfo to govern us in the discharging of it. And the first thing that offers it felf to our Confideration, is touching that Neceffity which lyeth upon us, to eat of this Bread, and to drink of this Cup.

NOW in order to our better proceeding upon this Subject, we must note, that there is a Twofold Neceffity which relateth to

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the matter in hand. 1. First, Some things are Abfolutely and Indifpenfably Neceffary, because they are the fixt and immovable Conditions of the New Covenant,without the performance whereof, Salvation cannot be expected by us. So, to Believe in Chrift, to Mortifie our Lufts, to have a Sanctified Spirit, to be Humble, Charitable, and the like; these things are Abfolutely Neceffary; for without Faith, and Repentance, and entire Holiness of heart, none of us can fee the Lord. 2. Secondly, Some things are Neceffary Refpectively and upon Suppofition; that is, fuppofing that there is fome Command for them, though they be not necessary in their own Nature, but are required chiefly to try and Exercise Mens Obedience: Or suppofing that they are appointed as certain and effectual Means, in order to fome great and Neceffary End; and as Inftruments to bring us thofe Mercies, which our Souls ftand in need of. Now, wheri we say, 'tis Neceffary to receive the Sa craments of Christs Body and Blood; the meaning is not, that it is abfolutely, fimply, indifpenfably, and univerfally ne ceflary, fo that no Man can poffibly be faved without it. For no Rites whatfoever are to be accounted of equal moment with fubftantial Morality;

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