2. Consider thine own spiritual wants, and what need thou hast of this blessed Ordinance; and remember what the servant of Naaman said unto him, If the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith, Wash and be clean? So give Us leave to say to you, If Christ had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it, rather then be deprived of this Ordinance? how much rather when he saith to thee only, Come and give an account of thy Faith before the Eldership, and thou shalt be made partaker of this Heavenly banquet?
Object. 11.
But I have made a Vow, that I will never come before the Elders.
Answ.
This Vow is rash and sinful, a bond of iniquity; and therefore by keeping of it, you become guilty of a double sin: the Eldership is an Ordinance of Christ (as we have shewed) and therefore not to be vowed against.
Object. 12.
I am every way able to examine my self, and none knows what is in my heart; and therefore I will venture upon my own private examination.
Answ.
How is it, that thou art unwilling to venture thy estate, without first advising with a Lawyer: and wilt advise with Physitians about thy bodily health; but wilt venture thy soul at the Sacrament, upon thine own head, without taking the advice of Minister and Elders; Is thy soul less precious to thee, then thy body, or thy estate? Besides, if thou hast knowledg, why wilt thou not come to examination; if no knowledg, why wilt thou refuse the way & means to get knowledg? the truth is, the true ground why some men do oppose this way, is either,
1. Out of ignorance and pride, because they are impatient to have their ignorance discovered: