were a charm, that would save men whether they will or no; or had been instituted to encourage them in wickedness all their lives, upon an assurance that it will carry them to heaven when they die; or lastly, as if the virtues and benefits of it could belong to such persons who know not when, in what manner, or for what end it was instituted, and who are so far from being prepared for it, that they know not what preparations are necessary; which is usually the case of those, who never desire it till they find the approach of death. For what preparation can men be supposed to make, who begin not to think of it till they are seized with the pains, infirmities, or the agonies of a dying bed? With so short warning, and under such weakness of body, and confusion (if not distraction) of mind, how should men immediately receive instruction concerning the highest and most solemn ordinance of the gospel, or in any measure recollect and confess before God, the sins of a whole life together? At their death, and ofttimes in their old age, they want to be taught the things which Christians are bound to learn betimes in their youth.

When they are going out of the world, they only begin to desire and think of that bread from heaven, which God designed for their spiritual nourishment in their passage through it. By the very means which he appointed for a daily restraint from sinning, they hope at once to wash away the whole guilt of going on securely in a long life of sin; and in the same day or hour that they are first taught what the Sacrament is, and what is necessary to prepare them for the worthy receiving of it; the preparation itself is at once to be begun, carried on, and finished.

It is natural for men in the time of their extremity, to desire whatever they think may possibly do them good. But none who understand the nature of this Holy Ordinance, can suppose that persons in such circumstances, do really receive the benefits of it on a dying bed, or that it is by any means proper to administer it to them, and by that to encourage others in a neglect of the blessed Sacrament all the while they are in health, by the hopes of obtaining a general pardon upon such easy terms when they come to die. For whatever such

persons may think, who have neglected the care of their souls till it is too late, and who being alarmed by the approach of death, are willing to make the best of the short space that remains; the hope and comfort they then raise to themselves from receiving the holy sacrament before they die, is not to be relied on. And it is fit, that they who are yet in their youth, or at least in their health, should be warned betimes not to rely upon it; but instead of flattering themselves with such uncertain hopes, they are to be warned to enter immediately upon the only sure way, which is also a plain and clear way; namely, to instruct themselves in the true nature and design of this Holy Institution, and then going through the preparations requisite to make them worthy partakers,' according to the degrees of leisure which their circumstances will allow, to be frequently at the Lord's Table in the time of their health; that when they come to die, they may understand the state of their souls, and have hearts accustomed to the thoughts of heaven and heavenly things, and be habitually fitted and pre

pared to receive these holy mysteries, as the pledges of God's final pardon, and a most comfortable support under the agonies of a dying bed.

SECTION I.

Of the Particular Preparations for the due receiving of the Holy Sacrament. We have seen in the first part, that one general preparation, which is absolutely necessary to make us worthy partakers of the Lord's Table is a sincere intention to forsake sin, and serve God ; or, as the Apostle speaks, 1 Cor. v. 8. the eating this Christian passover in sincerity and truth.

Particular

of the heart

But besides this, as oft as any preparation Christian designs to receive the requisite. Holy Sacrament, it is convenient that he fit himself (in such measure as his condition in the world will allow) by a more particular preparation. For this being the highest and most solemn institution of the Christian religion, and being also a work of a holy and heavenly nature, the heart, (which alone can perform it) must be withdrawn from the thoughts and business of the world, and put into a holy and heavenly frame, suitable to the business it is to be employed about. This is a reverence due to all the