But a want of reverence prevails among the generality of mankind Even real Christians manifest it sometimes, and that too even in the most sacred ordinances St. Paul, reproving the Corinthians for their conduct at the Lord's supper, lays down an universal rule for communicants-" Let a man," &c. I. The duty of self-examination in general- We cannot ascertain the state of our souls without it [It is evident that the generality of men deceive themselves We also are liable to the same deception through pride and self-love Nor can we form a right conclusion without a strict investigation-] A mistake respecting our state would be fatal [There is no repentance in the grave As we die, so shall we continue for ever-] The benefits to be derived from it are exceeding great [If our state be found good, we shall rejoice in the testimony of a good conscience If it be bad, we shall be stirred up to flee from the wrath to come-] We should therefore live in the habitual practice of this duty"— But self-examination is more especially needful on certain occasions b 2 Cor. xiii. 5. a I Cor. xi. 20-22. c In the words δοκιμάζετε and ἀδόκιμοι, which latter is too harshly translated "reprobate," there seems an allusion to the trying of metals by a touchstone: the repetition also of the injunction, and the expostulation that follows it, are expressive of the apostle's earnestness, and consequently of the importance of the duty enjoined. d Ps. lxxvii. 5. II. The need of it before the Lord's supper in parti cular This is intimated in the text; "Let a man examine himself, and so let him come" And indeed there is peculiar reason for it at that time--- That ordinance is a season of remarkable solemnity [There we see Christ crucified, as it were, before our eyes There we contemplate the most stupendous mysteries— There we commemorate the greatest of all mercies— There we are admitted to most familiar fellowship with God— And does it become us to engage lightly in such an ordinance? It is a season that calls for the exercise of all our powers [The understanding should be occupied in devoutest meditations The affections should be engaged to the uttermost— And can we thus command our faculties without any preparation?-] The neglect of self-examination may rob us of all the benefit of the ordinance [Who can estimate the benefits we might receive if we came prepared?— But who has not often communicated in vain?— And has not our neglect been the true cause of this?-] We should therefore be peculiarly attentive to it at such a season To assist in the discharge of this duty we shall shew III. The subjects which we should then more especially enquire into We should examine ourselves respecting Our knowledge of the ordinance itself [To come without a proper discernment is dangerous— We should enquire what we know of the nature and ends of the ordinance On a distinct view of these our profiting much depends-] The state of our souls before God [At the Lord's table we receive "the children's bread" e Ver. 27. We should enquire therefore whether we be God's children? The immediate frame of our souls [We ought to have all our graces in lively exercise-] APPLICATION [Begin this necessary work without delay-—— Yet set not about it in a legal manner or for self-righteous ends Do not trust in your preparation, or expect acceptance on account of it But look to Christ as the only ground of your hope towards God Neither stay away from the table because you have not spent so much time in preparation as you could wish Whether you have used more or less diligence you must go as the publicans Be assured however that your profiting will for the most part be proportioned to your preparation-] f Cant. iv. 16. g Luke xviii. 13. LXXXVIII. ON EATING AND DRINKING OUR OWN DAMNATION. 1 Cor. xi. 27, 29. Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord..... For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. THE more excellent any thing is, the greater is the guilt contracted by the abuse of it A contempt of the law is not so bad as a contempt of the gospel An irreverent attendance on divine ordinances is exceedingly sinful— But to profane the Lord's supper is worse, inasmuch as that institution is more solemn and brings us nearer to God a Heb. x. 28, 29. Hence when St. Paul reproved the former, he spake mildly But when he reproved the latter, he spake with great severity I. What it is to eat the bread, and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily To understand this, we should enquire how the Corinthians behaved The abuses of which they were guilty are impracticable now Nevertheless we may imitate them in our spirit and temper Like them we shall eat and drink unworthily if we do it 1. Ignorantly [The Corinthians did not discriminate between the common and religious use of the consecrated elements Many at this time also partake without discerning the Lord's body They, not remembering his death, defeat the end for which the Sacrament was instituted-] 2. Irreverently [The customs of our country do not admit of our meeting in the tumultuous way that was practised at CorinthBut many are altogether as destitute of reverence and sacred awe A light, worldly, impenitent heart is unbecoming that solemnity Such a frame, if habitual, makes us partake unworthily-] 3. Uncharitably poore [The rich did not impart of their provisions to the We also may be equally destitute of Christian love- b 1 Cor. xiv. 33, 40. e Ver. 20—22. Their conduct seems at first sight to be absolutely inconsistent with a profession of Christianity. But, having been accustomed to such behaviour in their feasts during their Gentile state, they were as yet too much addicted to their former habits. d1 Cor. xi. 21. e 1 Cor. xi. 22. Matt. v. 23, 24: 4. Sensually [The Corinthians made it an occasion for intemperance and excess Though we cannot imitate them in this, we may be as carnal as they A want of spirituality and affiance in Christ makes our service carnal Nor can such a service be acceptable to Him who will be worshipped in spirit and in truth-] To attend at the Lord's table in such a manner is no slight or venial offence II. The consequence of so doing The consequences mentioned in the text respect 1. The guilt we contract [They were "guilty of the body and blood of our Lord" who crucified him, as are they also who apostatize from his truths They too are involved in the same guilt who partake unworthily of the Lord's supper They manifest a contempt of his sacrifice" What dreadful iniquity is this! How careful should we be to abstain from the commission of it!-] 2. The punishment we incur [The word "damnation" imports temporal judgment— Eternal damnation is by no means a necessary consequence of this sink Yet if it be unrepented of, no doubt this punishment will follow And we may expect some spiritual or temporal judgments for it here We should therefore examine ourselves well before we attend the table of the Lord'] ADDRESS 1. Those who urge this as an excuse for neglecting the Lord's supper [There are many who under this pretext cover their own unwillingness to yield themselves up to God But God will not admit their vain excuses 8 Heb. vi. 6. Heb. x. 29. i The apostle explains his meaning in the following verse; for, for this cause," &c. and he tells us that it was a chastisement in Alicted to keep them from eternal condemnation, ver. 32. k Matt. xii. 31. VOL. I. 1 Ver. 28. 3 T |