while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death. (1)

Q. 171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?

A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper, are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves, (2) of their being in Christ, (3) of their sins and wants; (4) of the truth and measure of their knowledge, (5) faith, (6) repentance, (7)

came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

(1) I Cor. x. 16. (2) 1 Cor. xi. 28. and so let him eat of (3) 2 Cor. xiii. 5

See figure (2), page 341.

But let a man examine himself, that bread, and drink of that cup. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

(4) 1 Cor. v. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Compared with Ex. xii. 15.

(5) 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

(6) 2 Cor. xiii. 5. See figure (3), above. `

(7) Zech. xii. 10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son; and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his

love to God and the brethren, (1) charity to all men, (2) forgiving those that have done them wrong, (3) of their desires after Christ, (4) and of their new obedience; (5) and by renewing the exercise of these graces, (6) by serious meditation, (7) and fervent prayer. (8)

Q. 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord's supper?

first-born. 1 Cor. xi. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

(1) 1 Cor. x. 17. For we, being many, are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.

(2) 1 Cor. v. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. xi. 18, 20.

(3) Matt. v. 23, 24. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

(4) John vii. 37.-Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Luke i. 53. He hath filled the hungry with good things. Isa. lv. 1.

(5) 1 Cor. v. 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven-but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

(6) Heb. x. 21, 22, 24. And having an high-priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works. Ps. xxvi. 6.

(7) 1 Cor. xi. 24.-This do, in remembrance of me. (8) Matt. xxvi. 26.-Jesus took bread, and blessed it. 2 Chron. xxx. 18, 19.

A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord's supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; (1) and in God's account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, (2) and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, (3) and to depart from iniquity; (4) in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even

(1) Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. 1 John v. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

(2) Isa. liv. 7, 8, 10. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer.-For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Matt. v. 3, 4. Ps. xxxi. 22.

(3) Ps. xlii. 11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

(4) 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. Rom. vii. 24, 25. 0 wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

of weak and doubting Christians) (1) he is to bewail his unbelief, (2) and labour to have his doubts resolved; (3) and so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's supper, that he may be further strengthened. (4)

Q. 173. May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord's supper, be kept from it?

A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord's supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament by the power which Christ hath left in his church, (5) until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation. (6)

(1) Matt. xxvi. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. Matt. xi. 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Isa. xl. 11, 29, 31.

(2) Mark ix. 24.-And said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

(3) Acts xvi. 30.-And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts ix. 6.

(4) 1 Cor. xi. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Matt. xi. 28.

(5) 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation [judgment] to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1 Cor. v. 11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one, no, not to eat. Matt. vii. 6. Jude 23.

(6) Gal. vi. 1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the

Q. 174. What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper in the time of the administration of it?

A. It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper, that during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention, they wait upon God in that ordinance; (1) diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions; (2) heedfully discern the Lord's body, (3) and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, (4) and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; (5) in judging themselves (6) and sorrowing for sin; (7) spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

(1) Heb. xii. 28. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Lev. x. 3..

(2) Gal. iii. 1.—Before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you.

(3) 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

(4) Luke xxii. 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.

(5) Eph. iii. 17, 18, 19.-That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

(6) 1 Cor. xi. 31. For if we would judge ourselves we should not be judged.

(7) Zech. xii. 10. And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn.