The Communicant's Companion (continued)
Unworthy receivers, that is, those who resolve to continue in sin, because grace has abounded, partake of the guilt of Christ's body and blood, and have communion with those that crucified him; for, as much as in them lies, they crucify him afresh. What they do, speaks such ill thoughts of Christ, that we may conclude, that if they had been at Jerusalem when he was put to death, they would have joined with those that cried, "Crucify him, crucify him."
But humble and penitent believers partake of the blessed fruits of Christ's death; "his body and blood" are their food, their medicine, their cordial, their life, their all. All the riches of the gospel are virtually in them.
1. Christ and all his benefits are here communicated to us; here is not only bread and wine set before us, to be looked at, but given to us to be eaten and drunk; not only Christ made known to us, that we may contemplate the mysteries of redemption, but Christ made over to us, that we may participate of the benefits of redemption. God, in this ordinance, not only assures us of the truth of the promise, but, according to our present case and capacity, conveys to us, by his Spirit, the good things promised. Receive
Christ Jesus the Lord, Christ and pardon, Christ and peace, Christ and grace, Christ and heaven; it is all your own, if you come up to the terms on which it is offered in the gospel.
Fountains of life are here broken up, wells of salvation are here opened, the stone rolled away from the well's mouth, and you are called upon to come and draw water with joy. The well is deep, but this ordinance is a bucket by which it is easy to draw: let us not forsake these living streams for stagnant water. These are wisdom's gates, where we are appointed to wait for wisdom's gifts; and we shall not wait in vain.