VeR. 28.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 483
AppUcatio7i. The use is to instruct us what to do in and about the eupper of the Lord —
1. What to do before we come.
2. What to do in the supper of our Lord.
3. What to do after the supper. First, What to do before the supper.
1. Before we come to remember Christ, we must first consider our- selves, and reflect upon our own state. Have I such a constitution of heart towards God as he requires, knowing what his spiritual laws are, and what temptations are incident to a christian ? Can I in the strength of God resolve to take the duties required in the covenant as my work, and the privileges offered in it as my happiness ? and how doth my heart agree or disagree with the nature of this institution ?
1 Cor. xi. 28, ' Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.' The great thing that is required of me is discerning the Lord's body, that I may come with that hope, joy, deliglit, reverence, and all those affections that are necessary. But in vain do we discern the Lord's body, unless we have all things that are necessary to the participation of this body, and are pre- pared to receive what God off'ers. What will it profit us to know that Christ hath precious benefits to bestow, unless we have a right to them, or mean to take the way wherein we should re- ceive them ? When we press people to examine, they ask us what we must examine ourselves about? Why, examine whether you have received the covenant of God, whether you are in the faith :
2 Cor. xiii. 5, ' Examine yourselves, whether je be in the faith.' It concerns us to have faith, and it is an advantage to know that we have it, that we may celebrate the sacrament in a right manner, and may have no prejudice to hinder our feasting and holy rejoicing in God ; for we must rejoice in God, ' as those that have received the atonement,' when we are actually interested in that salvation Christ hath purchased for us, Eom. v. 11. Without faith we shall want an eye, we cannot discern the Lords body, nor have a true sense and use of these spiritual mysteries ; and without faith we shall want a hand thankfully to take what God offers, even Christ and all his benefits ; and without faith we shall want a mouth to feed upon Christ, that we may suck and draw life and strength from him. "\Vithout faith the whole duty will prove an empty ceremony, scarce a reasonable service, much less spiritual nourishment to our souls. Oh, then, see that you believe, and that you know that you do believe ; without the one this ordinance will be a nullity as to any profit to your souls ; and without the other you will lose much of your sweet converse with God. To know what Christ hath done, and suff"ered, and merited, is to know the ground of our rejoicing ; but there is still something wanting to make it full peace and joy to us, till we can in some measure see fiiith wrought in us, and so see our right in him. Therefore do not stupidly and in a blindfold manner rush upon such a duty. How can you, then, with- out great presumption and usurpation, apply and take home unto your- selves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death ? Draw near then, christians ; stand not aloof from Christ. Then do we draw nigh with most rejoicing and thankfulness, when we ' draw nigh with a true
484 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. LXII.
neart, and full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water,' Heb. x. 22 ; ' with a true heart,' unfeignedly purposing to perform the duties of the gospel ; ' in full assurance of faith,' that is, absolutely depending upon, the promises of God, and expecting the privileges of the gospel ; ' having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water ; ' when you have applied the blood of sprink- ling, you may confidently look up to God.
Ohj. But you will say. Is the assurance of our sincerity, and of our interest in Christ always necessary ; and will you persuade none to come to the Lord's table but those that are assured of their own sincerity ? then what shall poor souls do that are in a dark and doubt- ful estate ?
Ans. I am far from saying this. It is the thing, and not the certainty of the thing, that is necessary ; that which is necessary is sincere and saving faith, but it is not absolutely necessary that we should know it. I would have you come believing, and as much as you can, get it clear; why should it be a doubt with you concerning your own sincerity? Though it be comfortable to know our sincerity, yet it is not absolutely necessary, for Christ may welcome a doubting believer, but he takes more pleasure in those that draw nigh in the full assurance of their own interest. And certainly he expects it at our hands, because he hath condescended to our infirmities, and hath added seals to the covenant for our greater confirmation, and that the heirs of promise might have 'strong consolation,' Heb. vi. 18. We suffer for want of bringing the traverses and doubts of our souls to a certain issue by our laziness. Therefore we should aim at assurance, and not lose such a benefit through our negligence and want of looking after it ; but it is not absolutely necessary ; and therefore though we have our doubts, I would advise none wholly to abstain from God's ordinance, which was appointed for a help to a weak faith, and a relief to doubting christians. Here there is represented the blood of Christ shed for the remission of sins, Mat. xxvi. 28. Here we have a sign and seal of the righteousness of faith, Kom. iv. 11. Here God reacheth out his hand to us from heaven, and doth singularly apply his benefits to our souls : here we have Christ offering liimself to us by name, and exciting our souls to lay hold of his benefits. You consent to the duties of the covenant, only you are afraid it is not deep and strong enough ; but usually mists and clouds are dispersed in the sacrament. Look, as Jesus was known to his disciples in the breaking of bread, Luke xxiv. 30, 31 ; so all jealousies and misunderstandings between God and his people are removed, and our being in Christ is more evidenced, which was before dark, doubtful, and litigious. Therefore examine yourselves and come.