eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself, not difcerning the Lord's Body And 2 Thef. iii. 6.

Q. Are Perfons who are only morally honest and fober, qualified to partake of this Sacrament?

A. No. As thefe Qualifications are not the Wedding Garment, therefore we conclude that none but thefe, who by Grace are regenerated, having Faith in Jefus Chrift, being justified by this Faith, having Peace with God, &c. though in the fmalleft Degree; and no others may in any wife prefume to come to the Lord's Table, as Matt. xxii. 12. Friend, how cameft thou in hither, not having on a Wedding Garment. Cor. x. 16. The Cup of Bleffing which we blefs, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Chrift? The Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Chrift?

I

Q. May they be received who maintain falfe Doctrine? A. No. Rom. xvi. 17. Now I befeech you, Brethren, mark them which caufe Divifions and Offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. And 2 Thef. iii. 14. And if any Man obey not our Word by this Epiftle, note that Man, and have no Communion with him, that he may be afhamed..

Q. Why must not fuch Perfons come to the Lord's Table?

A. By Reafon they would only prophane the Covenant of God; whereas they externally pretend or appear to be in Covenant with God, and at the fame Time obey the Will of the Devil, the World, and their own Heart's Lufts; and therefore the Signals of the Covenant of Grace belong not to them, Pf. 1. 16, 17. Unto the Wicked, God faith, what haji thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy Mouth, feeing thou hateft Instruction, and cafteft my Word behind thee. Wherefore Chrift faith, Matt. vii. 6. Give not that which is Hely unto the Dogs; neither caft your Pearl before Swine.

Q. What

Q. What other Reasons can you fhew?

A. The Wrath of God would thereby be drawn on the Church, I Cor. xi. 30. For this Caufe, many are fickly among you, and many fleep.

Q. What are the Ministers and Prefbyters of the Church to do in regard to fuch Perfons?

A. They are, obliged according to the Ordinances of Jefus Chrift and his Apoftles, to exclude all fuch, by Virtue of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, until they discover an Amendment of Life, Matt. xviii. 15, 16, 17.

The 83d Question of the HEIDELBERG

CATECHISM.

Q. WHAT are the Keys of the Kingdom of

Heaven?

"A. The preaching of the Gospel and the Chri"ftian Discipline, or Exclufion from the Commu"nion of the Church; by which two Things, the "Kingdom of Heaven is opened to Believers, and "fhut against all Unbelievers, Matt. xvi. 19. and "Matt. xviii. 15, 16, 17.

The 84th Question of the HEIDELBERG CATECHISM.

Q. How is the Kingdom of Heaven opened or fbut by the Minifters of the Gospel?

"A. In this Manner, when by the Command of "Chrift it is publickly declared to all and every one "of the Believers, that (as often as they embrace "the Promises in the Gofpel with a true Faith) their

Sins are truly forgiven them by God, through the "Merits of Chrift. But on the contrary is de"nounced against all Infidels and Hypocrites, that "the Wrath of God and eternal Damnation reft

-66

upon them as long as they continue in their

"Wickedness

"Wickedness; according to which Testimony of "the Gospel, God will judge them as well in this "Life as in the Life to come.

The 85th Question of the HEIDELBERG

CATECHISM.

Q. HOW is the Kingdom of Heaven fout or opened by Chriftian or Church Difcipline?

"A. When fome Perfons (under the Name of "Christians) teach a Doctrine or lead a Life which is "not agreeable to Chrift's Directions or Command "given; if, after they have been feveral Times ad"monished, in a charitable Manner by the Brethren, "but yet will continue in their wicked Course of "Life, they are cited (according to the Com

mand of Chrift) before the Church,or thofe appoint"ed for that Purpofe; and if they despise their Exhor"tations, they are by the fame Perfons to be forbidden -the Ufe of the Sacraments, whereby they are ex"cluded from the Communion of the Church, and "by God himself from the Kingdom of Chrift; and "if they promise and discover a serious Amendment, "they are t be received again as Members of Chrift "and his Church."

Q. How ought we to act with these Keys against a Brother who doth err or give Offence?

A. ft, It ought at all fuch Times to begin with meek and mild Admonition, becaufe the Declaration of the Fault, is the firft Means of Amendment, and genuine Caufe of Repentance. 2dly, In private Offences, private Admonition is to be used, as appears Matt. xviii. 1-5. for without Neceffity the Fault of a Brother is not rafhly to be made Publick, nor his Mind provoked, neither the Offence to be amplified. Q. If private Admonition be rejected, ought then the Matter to be directly brought to the Church?

A. No; for Chrift's fecond Degree of Correction is, to take one or two Witnefles, and to urge the Admonition

Admonition in their Prefence, Matt. xviii. 16. Becaufe by their Testimony, the Admonition is confirmed and made ftronger, either with the Brother to be converted, or the Church that is afterwards to correct; and by this Means, Charity is better continued, when we endeavour the Amendment of our Brother, with as little Infamy as poffibly may be.

Q. Is this admonishing of our Brother fufficient?

A. Yes, if he hear and amend; but if not, the Matter must be brought before the Church, or the Representatives thereof, (the Confiftorie) who have the Directions of publick Business committed to them. Q. If he behave himself ftubornly to the Church, ought he then prefently to be excommunicated?

A. In notorious Crimes publickly known the Apostle seems so to judge, I Cor. v. 2. But in other Sins we must proceed with much Patience to the laft Remedy; therefore a Sufpenfion from the Use of the Lord's Supper, is a Degree of Excommunication, and ought to go before, and to be continued for fome Time, although he may frequent the Church, hear the Gofpel, and be privately admonished, 2 Tim. iii. 15. Q. How long ought fuch a Perfon to be excluded?

A. Until he profefs a fincere Repentance of his Errors, and promise an Amendment of his Life, 2 Cor. ii. 6, 7. Sufficient to fuch a Man is this Punishment, which was inflicted of many; fo that contrarywife ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, left perhaps fuch a one fhould be fwallowed up with overmuch Sorrow. The THIRD PART.

Of Thankfullness.

The 86th Queflion of the HEIDELBERG CATECHISM.

Q. SINCE

INCE we are delivered from our Mifery by the Grace of God through Chrift, without any

Regard

Regard to our Merit, why are we then obliged to perform good Works?

"A. Because Jefus Chrift, after having redeemed "us by his Blood, and made us free, conforms us "alfo by his Spirit to his own Image, to the End "that we may render our Acknowledgment to God "for his Benefits, and praife him all our Life long; "and further, that every one of us may be affured "alfo of his Faith, by the Fruits that it produceth; ❝and lastly, that by our holy Conversation, we may "win others to Chrift."

Q. What is our Duty to God for our Redemption?

A. A true Thankfulness, Pf. cxvi. 12, 13, 14. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his Benefits toward me? I will take the Cup of Salvation, and call ироп the Name of the Lord: I will pay my Vows unto the Lord now, in the Prefence of all his People. And 1 Cor. vi. 20. Ye are bought with a Price; therefore glorify God in your Bodies, and in your Spirits, which are God's.

Q. Wherein doth our Thankfulness confift?

A. ft, In propagating the Praife of God. 2dly, In doing good Works; both proved by Scripture, Pf. 1. 23. Whosoever offereth Praife, glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his Converfation aright, will I fhew the Salvation of God. He that is truly thankful, will fay as David, What fhall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits? He will faithfully record his Mercies as David, Blefs the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his Benefits, Pf. ciii. 2. Forgotten Mercies bear no Fruit, and though it is impoffible diftinctly to recount all our Mercies, neverthelefs, it must be our pious Care and Endeavour to preferve and perpetuate his Mercies, by using all Helps to Memory we can. Farther, would we live as thankful Perfons at any Time, we must be suitably affected with the Mercies we receive; it is not a speculative, but an affectionate Remembrance that becomes us; then God has his

Glory