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THE LORD’S SUPPER

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THE LORD’S SUPPER

7 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

(continued from last issue)

2. To consider the other objection which our friend makes to his waiting upon Christ in this ordinance, viz., a fear lest he should eat and drink damnation to himself. This objection seems to lie in your mind, my dear Christian friend, thus — “If I should eat and drink unworthily, I shall eat and drink damnation to myself; and I am not sure that this will not be the case; therefore, shall I attend, when the consequences may be so awful? Oh, that word damnation, it strikes me with a peculiar terror!” — Thus the greatest stress appears to be laid upon this alarming word. If then I can set this circumstance in such a light, as to remove these distressing fears, I hope the case will be in some measure resolved. That this may be done, I would consider what that unworthy eating and drinking is, which is brought in as the cause of this damnation, and then, the damnation itself.

First, let us inquire what it is to eat and drink unworthily. He that does so, attends upon this ordinance in a manner, and with ends and views different from those for which it was appointed. This was the case with the Corinthians, I Cor. 11:18-22. They had not the glory of Christ in view, when they met together to administer this ordinance. They fell into contentions and confusions, so that there could not be that harmony which was necessary to be found in a church sitting down together at the Lord’s table. They came not to view the body and blood of Christ, or to remember His matchless love, but to satisfy their craving appetites, and refresh animal nature; and they were disorderly, that some even ate and drank to excess, whilst others had not enough to satisfy their hunger. Thus we see what it is to eat and drink unworthily, viz. when we attend in an irreverent, disorderly, and carnal manner, and for ends different from those for which the ordinance was appointed by our Lord; when we prostitute it to some earthly purposes, and have no regard to the frame of soul in which we attend, or to the great ends to be answered by it.

Secondly, let us now consider what this damnation is. And, 1. Taking the word in the most awful sense, as signifying eternal condemnation, it should not deter us from waiting upon Christ in this ordinance. In this case it does not signify that there is no forgiveness after an unworthy receiving. Many have sat down at the table of the Lord, who were enemies to Him, and yet have afterwards been the triumph of sovereign grace. Thus, ye timorous souls, who are so often distressed with a view of this awful word, and entertain from hence such solemn thoughts of this ordinance, see here is nothing to affright you from this, any more than from any other sacred institution. You may as well not read, hear, or pray; because, if these are not the means of your salvation, the consequence will be your damnation. Doubtless, all the ordinances the impenitent sinner has attended upon, will appear against him, and increase his misery in the infernal regions. But this should not drive us from the house of God, but fill us with a serious concern that our waiting upon God may be effectual to bring our souls to Jesus Christ. But,

2. The word damnation is to be taken in a softer sense. As, (1). It signifies temporal judgments or afflictions, Luke 23:40 and 24:20, I Peter 4:17. Thus the apostle explains it, when he adds in the next verse, For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. As if he had said, as you come to the table of the Lord in so disorderly a manner, and have perverted the end and design of this ordinance; so God has manifested His displeasure by laying His hand upon you, insomuch that many of you are in an unhealthy, feeble, and sickly condition, and many have been removed out of time into eternity. Thus this word damnation carries nothing frightful in it.

(2). It signifies here such afflictions as are a means of our spiritual good. Thus says the Apostle, verse 32. But, when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world.—That is, when we are thus under outward afflictions, we are mercifully chastened and gently corrected of God, that we may not continue prostituting His sacred ordinances to the vilest purposes, and so be condemned with the world; but that we may be convinced, humbled, and reclaimed. Thus these considerations take every frightful idea from the mind, viewing this formidable word, and consequently tend to remove those distresses and discouragements occasioned by it.

Some perhaps may say: This is encouraging indeed! You say, a person’s unworthy receiving does not expose him to eternal damnation, but only brings upon him a few temporal afflictions, which are in reality blessings; so that by this you give encouragement to persons to come and trifle with this sacred ordinance. — God forbid, that I should have such a view as this! This, I am certain, is far from being the conclusion a real Christian will draw from what has been said. To do evil, that good may come, is not the character of a true follower of Jesus. Because God gently chastises and corrects our negligence and slothfulness, and makes these corrections a means of our spiritual good, shall we therefore rush boldly upon this ordinance? No. What has been said only tends to remove the distressing fears of the Christian about the word damnation, and to encourage him to come to the table of his Lord; and does not promote a carelessness of spirit, nor will have this influence upon a mind under the power of gospel truths.

Come then, ye fearful souls, who start at the mention of this ordinance. Do you not love Jesus? Have you not made choice of Him as your Savior? Would you not love Him more, and be brought into greater conformity to Him? You are the very persons Christ invites. Would you prostitute this ordinance to any vile earthly purpose? Would you eat and drink in a disorderly and indecent manner? No. You would come to remember the love of a dying Redeemer, and to view all that is here exhibited. You would come to be quickened, to behold, a suffering Savior, to admire the riches of distinguishing grace, in the sacrifice of the Son of God; but you are afraid you are unworthy, unfit persons to make such an approach to God, and be indulged with such a privilege. If it be thus with you, do not be discouraged. Venture near your Redeemer. Come humbly to view your expiring Lord, and to plead and rest upon His atoning sacrifice; and you will be far from eating and drinking damnation to yourselves. If you were to come for some selfish ends, as the way to worldly advancements or profit, and to pay no regard to the body and blood of a Savior, you might have reason to conclude you were unworthy receivers. But, if you have a humble sense of your sinfulness; if you desire to come, looking to Jesus, that you may be strengthened, sanctified, and quickened; you need not be afraid, but come with liberty and cheerfulness. He that has invited you, will make you welcome, and carry on His work in you by all the ordinances He has appointed.

Messrs. Pike and Hayward.

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THE LORD’S SUPPER

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