rine or wicked life. For these causes, therefore, or
for some one of them, they are to be kept back from the sacrament of the
Lord's supper (a lawful judicial trial going before) according to the
interdiction of Christ, forbidding that that which is holy be given to
dogs, or pearls be cast before swine, Matt. vii. 6; and this censure of
suspension is to continue till the offenders bring forth fruits worthy of
repentance.

14. For the asserting and defending of this suspension there is no small
accession of strength from the nature of the sacrament itself, and the
institution and end thereof. The word of God indeed is to be preached, as
well to the ungodly and impenitent, that they may be converted, as to the
godly and repenting that they may be confirmed; but the sacrament of the
Lord's supper is by God instituted, not for beginning the work of grace,
but for nourishing and increasing grace, and therefore no one is to be
admitted to the Lord's supper who by his life testifieth that he is
impenitent, and not as yet converted.

15. Indeed, if the Lord had instituted this sacrament, that not only it
should nourish and cherish faith, and seal the promises of the gospel, but
also should begin the work of grace in sinners, and give regeneration
itself as the instrumental cause thereof, verily even the most wicked,
most unclean, and most unworthy, were to be admitted: but the reformed
churches do otherwise judge of the nature of this sacrament, which shall
be abundantly manifest by the gleaning of these following testimonies.

16. The _Scottish Confession_, art. 23. "But we confess that the Lord's
supper belongs only to those of the household of faith who can try and
examine themselves, as well in faith as in the duties of faith towards
their neighbours. Whoso abideth without faith, and in variance with their
brethren, do at that holy table eat and drink unworthily. Hence it is that
the pastors in our church do enter on a public and particular examination,
both of the knowledge, conversation and life, of those who are to be
admitted to the Lord's table." The _Belgic Confession_, art. 35:--"We
believe also and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ hath ordained the holy
sacrament of his supper, that in it he may nourish and uphold them whom he
hath already regenerated."

17. The _Saxon Confession_, art. 15:--"The Lord willeth that every receiver
be particularly confirmed by this testimony, so that he may be certified
that the b