Choice Grounds and Principles of our Christian Religion, Treatise · Question 25
Quest. 25. What is to bee thought of such as presume to receiue the Sacrament, without thus remembring the Death and Passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, to glorifie and praise God, for the worke of Redemption by him?
Answ. The Apostle, 1. Cor. 11. calleth them vnworthy eaters, and drinkers of it, and saith, that they are guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord, that is, of reproching the very body and bloud of Christ, and euen of treading the same vnderunder their feet: And that they eate and drinke their owne damnation, because they discerne not the Lords body, 1. Cor. 11.27, 29.
EXPOSITION.
THere are both worthy, and vnworthy receiuers of the Lords Supper. Who they are that receiue it worthily, I hauehave shewed in the two and twentieth question.
Now, a first sort of vnworthy receiuers are such, as are vtterly destitute of faith, being meere Atheists, and godlesse persons, cōming to the Lords Table only for custome, and fashions sake, without either knowledge or regard of the matter in hand. Another sort are such, who although they hauehave some knowledge and Faith of Christ, so as they are perswaded of his Death and Redemption, yet are notwithstanding dissolute, and licencious, hauing no care or conscience of true repentance, nor of expressing the fruits of their knowledge and faith in their life and conuersation.
Reason Now the manner how the wicked and vngodly doe become guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord, may plainly be shewed by this similitude: Euen, as hee that reprochfully receiueth the Princes Seale, is guilty of the maiesty of the Prince, not which he receiueth, but which hee despiseth. And wee know, that it is a very hainous offence to despise the Princes Seale (although in substance it bee but printed Wax:) Euen so, he that eateth and drinketh the Bread and Wine at the Lords Table vnworthily (it being the Seale of Christs Passion) committeth on heinous offence, although in substance they be but earthly creatures. In the like sence doth the Apostle say, Heb. 6.Heb. 6.6. of wicked men that fall from Christian Religion, that they crucifie again to themselues the Sonne of God, and make a mocke of him. And Chapter 10.chap. 10.1…. that they tread vnderunder foot the Son of God, &c. Not that Christs person suffereth any such thing of them indeed, (for he is now impassible) but that their malice is as great, and their wickednesse as horrible an offence against Christ, as was the malice of the Iewes & Gentiles in crucifying him.
Now such as are vnworthy receiuers of the… Sacrament of Christs Supper, as by reason of their infideli…y and wicked liues, they thus become guilty of the body and bloud of Christ: so are they far from reaping any profit by the Sacrament, as that they grieuously prouoke the wrath of God: some to their temporall punishment in this life, and correction by sicknesse, weakenesse, and bodily death, as the Apostle there saith of the Corinthians. 1. Cor. 1….30.For this cause (saith he) many are sicke and weake among you, and many sleepe: and othersome to their euerlasting condemnation.
Vse. Let vsus take good heed then (as wee tender the glory of God, and our owne saluation,) that wee be not willingly in the number of vnworthy receiuers: assuring our selues, that if it bee a great offence to tread ye Princes Seale vnderunder foot, it is then a much more wicked abusing of Christ, to receiue the Sacrament of his body and bloud vnreuerently, and without faith in his redemption. And if hee that defileth the Princes Letters, shal not escape vnpunished, but is worthy to bee reputed, and handled as a Traitor; Much more grieuous punishment then shall hee worthily sustaine, as a most wicked Traitor against the Sonne of God, which defileth the holy Sacrament of his body and bloud, with an vnhallowed hand, and vnfaithfull heart. Let eueryevery man therefore in the feare of GOD, proue and examine himselfe, how hee stands affected in this behalfe; and feeling our faith weake; let vsus with the Apostles, Luke 17.Luke 17.5. pray vntounto the Lord to increase and strengthen the same, and that so effectually, in his righteousnesse, and Redemption, as that no temptations of the world, the flesh or the Diuell, may be able to disanull, and make it void, vntill we enioy the end therof, which is the saluation of our soules, as 1. Pet. 1.1. Pet. 1.9.