To assist in the discharge of this duty we shall shew,
III. The subjects which we should then more espe- cially inquire into — We should examine ourselves respecting,
1. Our knowledge of the ordinance —
[To come without a proper discernment is dangerous ^ We should inquire what we know of the nature and ends of the ordinance. On a distinct view of these our profiting much depends.]
2. The state of our souls before God —
[At the Lord's table we receive " the children's bread." We should inquire therefore whether we be God's children ?]
3. The immediate frame of our souls —
[We ought to have all our graces in lively exercise^.]
Application —
[Begin this necessary work without delay Yet set
not about it in a legal manner or for self-righteous ends : do not trust in your preparation, or expect acceptance on account of it ; but look to Christ as the only ground of your hope towards God : neither stay away from the table because you have not spent so much time in preparation as you could wish. Whether you have used more or less diligence you must go as the publican s. Be assured however that your profiting will for the most part be proportioned to your preparation.]
« ver. 27. f Cant. iv. 16. s Luke xviii. 13.
1 Cor. xii. 3. / give you to understand, that no man
can say, that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
WE trust that amongst us there are none so hostile to the name of Christ, as to " call Jesus accursed ;" and therefore we omit from our text that part which is inapplicable to the age in which we live. There were among the Jews many, who, whilst they rejected Christ as an impostor, pretended to be inspired by the Holy Ghost, and, either through magic or satanic