A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry

by Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly

2. It is a sign not only of Gods Fatherly, but revengeful displeasure, a brand of reprobation, and the high-way to damnation.

3. It renders a man utterly uncapable (as such) of the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ; for Christ ordained the Sacrament for his friends, not for his enemies; to increase, not beget grace; for those that are visible Saints, not for those that are visibly wicked.

4. It brings Personall, Congregationall, and Nationall Judgments, Luk. 13.5. Isa. 5.

5. It makes a Christians condition at the day of Judgment more intolerable, then the condition of Sodom and Gomorrah. It makes the Gospel it self to be the chiefest inditement against him; and the hottest place in Hell to be his portion for ever, and ever.

Oh that the Lord would give hearts to these men to meditate on these things! and to repent of all their swearing, cursing, lying, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, Sabbath-breaking, and such like abominations! And let them not be offended with us, (as most of them are) for not admitting them to the Sacrament; but rather offended with their sins, that make them uncapable, as such, of the Sacrament. Let not them cry out against us, but against themselves; and study to be revenged, not of their Ministers and Elders, but of their sins, and themselves. The Lord knows, that it is meer love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and tender pity and compassion to their and our own souls, that forceth us to deny them this Ordinance; lest we should be instrumental to their eating and drinking their own damnation, and accessary to their unworthy receiving, and to the prophanation of the Sacrament; Let not our pity, love, and care to them, breed hatred against us, in them. And why should they desire to partake in these holy mysteries, whose hearts and lives are so full of unholinesse? why should they that want spirituall life, desire to eat of spirituall food? What should men spiritually dead, do at a spiritual feast? why should they desire to eat that bread, which will certainly, as long as they continue in this condition, be the bread of death, not of life; and to drink that cup, which will certainly be a cup, not of salvation, but of damnation! Let our counsel be acceptable to you; First wash you, make ye clean, put away the evill of your doings from before Gods eyes, cease to do evill, learn to do well; and then come and see whether we will not receive you heartily and joyfully to the Sacrament. First wash your hands in innocency, and then you will be fit to compasse the Lords Altar. First get spirituall life, and then come and eat spirituall food. First get to be a friend and Disciple of Christ; and then not only We, but Christ himself, will bid you welcome, and make you partakers of all the benefits and comforts of the blessed Sacrament.

The third and last sort, are such as come to our Congregation, and live (for ought we know) unblameably; and yet refuse to joyn with Us in the Sacrament upon this account, because they will not come to be examined by the Minister and Elders. This (as we find by woful experience) is the great mountain that lyeth in the way, and hindereth the free passage of the Presbyterial-Government; and therefore we have taken some pains in our Vindication for the removing of it; we have shewed,

1. That the Ruling-Elder (which is the Officer so much opposed) hath a Divine Warrant.

2. It is the Will of Jesus Christ, that they that come to the Sacrament, should first submit themselves to Examination; and not only so, but to Examination by Minister and Elders.

3. What this Examination is, which is required, and how often it is required.

4. The reason why ancient men and women, that have formerly under the Prelatical Government been admitted to the Sacrament, are required to submit unto Examination, before they can be again admitted; It remains, That we give Answers to the Objections that are brought against this way of Examination; but before we do this, we will first offer certain Reasons and Motives (besides those already named) to perswade every one of our respective Congregations, as well old, as young, rich as poor, freely and cheerfully to submit unto it.