Why and to what end believers are to receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Why and to what end believers are to receive
the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Evan. Because the more sinful you see yourself to be, the more you will see the need you have of Christ; and the more you see the need you have of Christ, the more you will prize him; and the more you prize Christ, the more you will desire him; and the more you desire Christ, the more fit and worthy you will be to receive the sacrament.
Therefore, when you are determined to receive the sacrament, take the opportunity to examine yourself as the apostle exhorts you, to behold the face of your soul in the mirror of the law, to lay your heart and life to that rule, as I directed you before. Then think with yourself and commune with your own heart, and speak like this in your heart: “Though I believe that all my sins are freely and fully pardoned and forgiven for Christ’s sake, so that I will never be condemned for them, yet I do not so fully and comfortably believe it as I should; rather, I sometimes question it. And besides, though my sins do not have dominion over me, yet I feel they are too prevalent in me, and I would gladly have more power and strength against them; I would gladly have my graces stronger and my corruptions weaker. Therefore, knowing that in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Christ seals to me the assurance of the pardon and forgiveness of all my sins; yes, and knowing that the death and bloodshed of Jesus Christ, which is represented there, has in it both a pardoning and purging virtue; yes, and knowing that the more fully I apprehend Christ by faith, the more strength of grace, and power against corruptions, I will feel — I will therefore go to partake of that ordinance, in the hope that I will meet with Jesus Christ there, and apprehend him more fully by faith, and so obtain both more assurances of the pardon of my sins, and more power and strength against them;” May the Lord grant you this for Christ’s sake.
And thus having also shown you the reason why I would have you more especially take notice of your sins before you come to receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, 1 will now take my leave of you, for my other affairs call me away.
Neo. Well, sir, I acknowledge that you have taken great pains both with my neighbour and me this day, for which I give you many thanks. And yet I must entreat you to do me the like courtesy which you promised my neighbour Nomologista — and that is, at your leisure, to write me out a copy of the discussion we have had this day.
Evan. Well, neighbour Neophytus, I shall think about it, and it may be that I will accomplish your desire. And so the God of peace be with you.
Neo. The Lord be with you, sir.