Of the duties of communicants,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. the table,and at the same time was dead, and in the disciples mouths and stomachs in the first sacrament; and that in all after-sacraments it is wholly in heaven, and wholly in as many thousand places in the world, as there are sacraments administered.
Q. 10. What doth the breaking of this bread, and pouring outofwinein the sacrament, signify ?
A. It signifies the violent painful death, and bitter suffer. ings of Christ for us ; 1 Cor xi. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread,and drink this cup, yedo shew the Lord's death till he come.
Q. II. What doth the givingandtaking of the sacramental bread and wine signify ?
A. These actions signify God'sexhibiting, and the believers applying of Christ, and all his benefits,to their souls.
Q.12 . Who are fit subjects to receive the Lord's supper ?
A. None that are grossly ignorant, scandalous, or unbeliev. ers in their natural state, for such cannot examine themselves, as the word requires ; 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
But do eat and drink judgment to themselves ; Cor, xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Q. 13. Are morally honest and sober persons qualified for this sacrament ?
A.No ; civility and morality do not qualify persons, they arenotthewedding-garment ; but regeneratinggrace and faith doth, in the smallest measure ; Matth. xxii. 12. And he faith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment ? &c. 1 Cor.x. 16, 17. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ ? For we being many, are one bread, and onebody; for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Of the Duties ofCommunicants.
W Quest. 97.
Hat is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord'sfupper ?
A. It is required of them that wouldworthily partake of the Lord'sfupper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge todifcern the Lord'sbody; of their faith tofeedupon him; of their repentance, love, and new obedience; left coming unworthily, they at and drink judgment to themselves,
( An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
Q. r. What are the duties of worthy receivers ?
A. There are three forts of duties incumbent on them ; someantecedent to it, someconcomitant of it, and some subsequent to it.
Q. 2. What are the antecedent duties to it ?
A. They are two : (1.) Examination of their graces. (2.) Preparation of their souls.
Examination of their graces ; 1Cor. xi. 28, 29. But let am an examine himself, and so let himeatofthatbread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth anddrinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. And preparation of their souls ; 1 Cor. v. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Q. 3. What is the first grace to be tried ?
A. Our saving knowledge of God in Christ, without which wecannotdifcern the Lord's body ; 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinkethdamnation to himself, notdifcerningthe Lord's body.
Q. 4. What are we to enquire of, touching our knowledge of God in Christ ?
A. We are toexaminewhether it be competent for quantity, and savingly operative and influential on the heart and life, for quality ; Hofea iv. 6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, &c. 1 Cor. xiii. 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity ; I am become as a founding brass, or tinkling cymbal.
Q. 5. When is knowledge competent, and influential ?
A. When we truly understand,by the teachings of the Father, the fin and misery of the fall, the nature and necessity of Christ,and,under these convictions,come to him in the way of faith ; John vi. 45.--Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. And subject ourselves to him in sincere obedience ; Matth. xi. 28,
29. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your souls .
Q. 6. What are we to examine ourselves about,besides knowledge?
A. We are obliged to examine ourselves about our faith, whether we have it in any saving degree ; 2 Cor. xiii . 5 .
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith : Prove your-
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. selves, &c. For without faith we cannot please God ; Heb. xi . 6. But without faith it is impossible to please God, &c.
Nor enjoy spiritual communion with Christ ; Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, &c.
Q. 7. What other grace must be examined, and fought for ?
A. We must examine our love to Christ, and all that are his; because no gifts signify any thing without love; 1Cor. xiii. 2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge ; and though I have all faith, fo that I could remove mountains, and have no charity, I am nothing.
Q. 8. What else must worthy receivers examine themselves about?
A. The sincerity of their hearts, evidenced by their obedience; without which, they cannotworthily approach the table ;
1 Cor. v. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Q9. But if, upon examination, we are in doubts about our faith and sincerity, must we forbear ?
A. I four doubts arise from the weakness, and not the total wantofgrace, such doubts should not hinder us ; Rom. xiv. 1 .
Him that is weak in the faith, receive you, &c.
Q. 10. What is the danger of coming to the Lord's table withoutthesegraces ?
A. The danger is exceeding great both to foul and body.
(1.) To the soul; 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinkethunworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, &c.
And to the body ; 1 Cor. xi 30. For this cause many are weak and fickly among you, and many sleep.
Q. 11. What are the duties of worthy receivers at the Lord's table? ble A. Their duties at the table are, to discern Christ by the eyeoffaith ; under those signs of his body and blood ; 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth anddrinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. On the discovery of him, to mourn bitterly for fin ;
Zech. xii. 10.---And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.
And to excite all their graces into vigorous acts, for the applying Christ to themselves; Cant. iv. 16. Awake, O north-wind, and come, thou south, blow