RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT. 335
none felt the severity of ecclesiastical discipline but conscientious ministers, those that stood in the gap to keep out the drivelling swine and hogs that would have come in there where the hedge was broken down ; when every surly drunkard could crow over his pastor, and even dare him to turn him off from the communion ; nay, when entangling articles did make it alike punishable to turn off, or admit common scandalous sinners to these holy mysteries, what think you, was there not a great deal of profaueness then, and many unworthy receivers ? Oh, then, consider it, and labour to remember this sin in your huinilia- tiou, for fear lest the land mourn for it, because it was so general. Oh, think upon it, what it is to be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, and to crucify Christ Jesus so often as it hath been done in our assemblies. And would to God that you and I could so think upon it as seriously to be affected with it, and to bless God for the hopes we have that the ordinances shall be more duly administered, and that we would join in effectual prayers to God to bless the designs afoot to that purpose ; for, indeed, as the apostle speaketh, 1 Cor. xvi. 9, ' A great and effectual door is opened, but there are many adversaries.' But I come to another use. .
2. Is it so, that when much care is taken, yet many are unworthy, &c. It serveth, then, for a double exhortation, both to pastor and people. (1.) To us of the ministry ; (2.) To you.
[1.] To us, that we should use all diligent care and circumspection to prevent this unworthiness. Then give me leave to speak a little to myself and my brethren. You see the people are unworthy and un- sanctified, do what we can, though there be never so much care and pains taken. It therefore lieth upon us to double our dihgence, that though we may fail of our expectations, yet to discharge our duties in striving to fit you for this great mystery. Were I speaking to a con- gregation where this part of the exhortation would be seasonable, I should strive to press upon myself and others a twofold duty. (1.) To instruct the people in the nature of the ordinances ; (2.) To admonish them of the danger of this their unprepared coming. But in this place let it be enough to name these things.
[2.] Here is an exhortation, too, for the people — to stir them up every one to look unto himself whether he be not one of the number. A gracious heart is apt to suspect itself ; and when it heareth such a doctrine as this is, that when the greatest care is had there are many that are unworthy, it beginneth to think that itself is principally spoken to. You know when Christ had foretold his passion, and said to his disciples that one of them should betray him, it is said in Mat. xxvi. 22, that ' they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one to say unto him, Lord, is it 1?' Why, unworthy receiving is a sin of the same nature. The apostle saith, 1 Cor. xi. 27, ' Whosoever receiveth unworthily is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.' Therefore, when I say that when most care is had some come unworthily, many- poor trembling souls are ready to groan out such a question, ' Lord, is it I ? ' and to fear that it is them indeed ; w-hereas, those that are truly guilty will come in last and for fashion's sake, like Judas there ; for it is said, ver. 25, ' Then Judas, which betrayed him, said, Master, is it I ? ' When all had done, then cometh he. Guilt is most backward to put
336 A PREPARATIVE SERMON FOR
the question ; and indeed it is a sio;n we are nnwortliy when we do not know ourselves to be so. If we are sensible that we are unfit, and desire to be cleansed, that is the ready way to make us worthy. Ay ! but you will say, who is worthy for these things ?
I answer briefly — A man is worthy two manner of ways —
(1.) Dignitate ceqicalitcUis, by an exact worthiness — as the labourer is worthy of his hire. And thus we are not worthy to approach into Ood's presence, or to meet him in this holy ordinance of his. In this sense humble Jacob acknowlecl<^eth, C4en. xxxii. 10, ' I am not worthy ■of the least of all thy mercies.' And John Baptist, Mat. iii. 11, saitli he was not worthy to bear Christ's shoes after him. And thus none is worthy to feed upon liis Saviour. And, indeed, when we compare the high privileges that we enjoy by being admitted partakers with our unworthiness this way, it cannot but ravish the soul with thoughts of God's infinite love and the riches of his goodness. But —
(2.) There is dignitas convenientice, which consists, though not in a perfect and exact proportion, yet in some fitness and meetness unto that which is required. Thus, in scripture, are we commanded 'to walk worthy of the Lord,' worthy of our profession, worthy of the gos;f)el ; that is, suitable to all these. And thus must we come worthily ; that is, so fitted and prepared as may bear some resemblance and agreement to the solemnity of the work that we go about. And in this sense, this worthiness foUoweth that worthiness which is called by divines dignitas dignatioiiis — a worth of acceptance, or a desiring of God to take our actions in good part for Christ's sake, and to pardon the many failings that accompany them.