Motive 1.
The first Motive, is from the evident necessity of it, especially now, while we are reforming the promiscuous admission of all sorts of people to the Lords Table, formerly so scandalous.
And this appears; because,
1. Without this, how can ignorant persons (unfit to communicate) be detected? what other ordinary and regular course can be imagined, to discover who are insufficient in regard of their want of knowledge? And it is most certain, that there are many ignorant persons, old, as well as young, rich, as well as poor, in the most knowing Congregations; and many times, those whom we suppose to be very skilful in the word of Righteousnesse, upon Examination are found to be babes in knowledge.
2. Without this course, multitudes of ignorant persons, both old and young, will intrude themselves, who by reason of their ignorance, being not able to discern the Lords body, must needs eat and drink Judgment to themselves, and become guilty of the body and blood of Christ, 1 Cor. 11.27, 29.
3. Without this, how shall Ministers and Elders ever come truly to know the spiritual state of their Congregation, that they may watch over them in the Lord?
4. Unless every one of the Congregation give an account of their Faith to the Eldership, as well as any one, the people will be extreamly apt to object unto the Minister and Elders, partial-dealing in this particular, which is contrary to that heavy charge of the Apostle, [196]I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. And it will breed discontents and animosities in the people against the Eldership, and great divisions and dissentions among themselves.
5. This course should be submitted to by the most intelligent and knowing Christians in a Congregation, that by their good example, and professed subjection to the Government of Christ, those that have not so great a measure of knowledge, and so have more need to come, may more readily and effectually be perswaded to do the same.
6. Finally, how can the Ministers and Elders, intrusted by God with the Oversight of their flock, keep themselves pure from the sin of those Persons, who through ignorance cannot chuse but prophane the Lords Supper; unless by this means, they use their best endeavors to finde out where ignorance is, and to remove it: And it is their duty to keep themselves pure, and not to be partakers of other mens sins.
Motive 2.