ON THE PREPARATION REQUISITE BEFORE THE LORd's SUPPER.
1 Cor. xi. 28. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.
GOD is a holy and jealous God, and greatly to bo feared : in all our approaches to him we should be filled with awe ; but a want of reverence prevails among the generality of mankind ; even real Chris- tians manifest it sometimes, and that too even in the most sacred ordinances. St. Paul, reproving the Corinthians for their conduct at the Lord's supper % lays down an universal rule for communicants : '' Let a man," &c. L The duty of self-examination in general —
This is an important but much neglected duty : it is strongly recommended in the Scriptures —
[The Apostle expressly enjoins it to alP. This injunction is remarkably strong and energetic "= ]
There is great reason for it : we cannot ascertain the state of our souls without it —
a 1 Cor. xi. 20 — 22. *> 2 Cor. xiii. 5.
<= In the words doKifiai^ere and aSoKifioi, which latter is too harshly translated " reprobate," there seems an allusion to the trying of metals by a touchstone : the repetition also of the injunction, and the expos- tulation that follows it, are expressive of the Apostle's earnestness, and consequently of the importance of the duty enjoined.
[It is evident that the generality of men deceive them- selves. We also are liable to the same deception through pride and self-love ; nor can we form a right conclusion without a strict investigation.]
A mistake respecting our state would be fatal — [There is no repentance in the grave : as we die, so shall we continue for ever.]
The benefits to be derived from it are exceeding great —
[If our state be found good, we shall rejoice in the testi- mony of a good conscience : if it be bad, we shall be stirred up to flee from the wrath to come.]
We should therefore live in the habitual practice of this duty''. But self-examination is more especially needful on certain occasions —
II. The need of it before the Lord's supper in par- ticular—
This is intimated in the text ; " Let a man examine himself, and so let him come." And indeed there is peculiar reason for it at that time.
That ordinance is a season of remarkable so- lemnity—
[There we see Christ crucified, as it were, before our eyes : there we contemplate the most stupendous mysteries : there we commemorate the greatest of all mercies : there we are admitted to most familiar fellowship with God. And does it become us to engage lightly in such an ordinance ?]
It is a season that calls for the exercise of all our powers —
[The understanding should be occupied in devoutest medi- tations: the affections should be engaged to the uttermost. And can we thus command our faculties without any pre- paration ?]
The neglect of self-examination may rob us of all the benefit of the ordinance —
[Who can estimate the benefits we might receive if we came prepared ? But who has not often communicated in vain? And has not our neglect been the true cause of this ]
We should therefore be peculiarly attentive to it at such a season.
* Ps. Ixxvii. 5.