Only let a man first examine himself, whether he understand the nature and design of this holy institution, and whether he really desire to be himself made conformable to the death of Christ: and so, nothing doubting, let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup, ver. 28.
Here then the direction first given by our Lord, is expresly repeated by the apostle.Let him eat; let him drink: (ἐσθιέτω· πινέτω· both in the imperative mood.) Words not implying a bare permission only, but a clear, explicit command; a command to all those who either already are filled with peace and joy in believing, or can truly say, “The remembrance of our sins is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable.”
12. And that this is also an ordinary stated means of receiving the grace of God, is evidentfrom those words of the apostle, which occur in the preceding chapter? The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion, or communication, of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Cor. x. 16.) Is not the eating of that bread, and the drinking of that cup the outward, visible means whereby God conveys into our souls all that spiritual grace, that righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, which were purchased by the body of Christ once broken, and the blood of Christ once shed for us? Let all, therefore who truly desire the grace of God, eat of that bread and drink of that cup.
IV. 1. But as plainly as God hath pointed out the way, wherein he will be inquired after, innumerable are the objections which men, wise in their own eyes, have from time to time raised against it. It may be needful to consider a few of these; not because they are of weight in themselves, but because they have so often been used, especially of late years, to turn the lame out of the way; yea, to trouble and subvert those who did run well, while Satan appeared as an angel of light.
The first and chief of these is, “You cannot use these means (as you call them) without trusting in them.” I pray, where is this written? I expect you should shew me plain scripture foryour assertion. Otherwise I dare not receive it: because I am not convinced, that you are wiser than God.
If it really had been as you assert, it is certain Christ must have known it. And if he had known it, he would surely have warned us, he would have revealed it long ago. Therefore because he has not, because there is no tittle of this in the whole revelation of Jesus Christ, I am as fully assured your assertion is false, as that this revelation is of God.
“However, leave them off for a short time, to see whether you trusted in them or no.” So I am to disobey God, in order to know, whether I trust in obeying him! And do you avow this advice? Do you deliberately teach, to do evil, that good may come? O tremble at the sentence of God against such teachers! Their damnation is just.
“Nay, if you are troubled, when you leave them off, it is plain, you trusted in them.” By no means. If I am troubled when I wilfully disobey God, it is plain his Spirit is still striving with me. But if I am not troubled at wilful sin, it is plain, I am given up to a reprobate mind.
But what do you mean by “Trusting in them?” Looking for the blessing of God therein? Believing, that if I wait in this way I shall attain, what otherwise I should not? So I do. And so I will, God being my helper, even to my life’s end. By the grace of God, I will thus trust inthem, till the day of my death; that is, I will believe, that whatever, God hath promised, he is faithful also to perform. And seeing he hath promised to bless me in this way, I trust it shall be according to his word.
2. It has been, secondly, objected, “This is seeking salvation by works.” Do you know the meaning of the expression you use? What is, “Seeking salvation by works?” In the writings of St. Paul, it means, either seeking to be saved, by observing the ritual works of the Mosaic law, or expecting salvation for the sake of our own works, by the merit of our own righteousness. But how is either of these implied, in my waiting in the way God has ordained; and expecting that he will meet me there, because he has promised so to do?