Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 97
Of the Duties of Communicants.
Quest. 97. WHat is required to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lords Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lords Body, of their Faith to feed upon him, of their Repentance, Love and new Obedience, lest coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.
Q. 1. What are the Duties of worthy receivers?
A. There are three sorts of Duties incumbent on them, some antecedent to it, some concomitants of it, and some subsequent to it
Q. 2. What are the antecedent Duties to it?
A. They are two, (1.) Examination of their Graces. (2.) Preparation of their Souls. Examination of their Graces. 1 Cor. 11.28, 29. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body. And preparation of their Souls, 1 Cor. 5.8. 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.
Q. 3. What's the first Grace to be tryed?
A. Our saving knowledge of God in Christ, without which we cannot discern the Lords Body, 1 Cor. 11.29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body.
Q. 4. What are we to enquire of touching our knowledge of God in Christ?
A. We are to examine whether it be competent for quantity, and savingly operative and influential on the Heart and Life for quality, Hos. 4.6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, &c. 1 Cor. 13.1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.
Q. 5. When is knowledge competent and influential?
A. When we truly understand by the teachings of the Father, the sin and misery of the Fall, the nature and necessity of Christ, and under these convictions come to him in the way of Faith, Iohn 6.45. —Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. And subject our selves to him in sincere obedience, Matth. 11.28, 29. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Q. 6. What are we to examine our selves about besides knowledge?
A. We are obliged to examine our selves about our Faith, whether we have it in any saving degree, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your selves, &c. For without Faith we cannot please God, Heb. 11.6. But without faith it is impossible to please God, &c. Nor enjoy Spiritual Communion with Christ, Eph. 3.17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love.
Q. 7. What other Grace must be examined and sought for?
A. We must examine our Love to Christ and all that are his, because no gifts signifie any thing without Love, 1 Cor. 13.2. And though I have the gift of prophesie, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have no charity, I am nothing.
Q. 8. What else must worthy receivers examine themselves about?
A. The sincerity of their hearts evidenced by their Obedience, without which they cannot worthily approach the Table, 1 Cor. 5.8. 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.
Q. 9. But if upon examination we are in doubts about our Faith and Sincerity, must we forbear?
A. If our doubts arise from the weakness, and not the total want of Grace, such doubts should not hinder us, Rom. 14.1. Him that is weak in the faith receive you, &c.
Q. 10. What is the danger of coming to the Lords Table without these Graces?
A. The danger is exceeding great to Soul and Body. (1.) To the Soul, 1 Cor. 11.29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, &c. And to the Body, 1 Cor. 11.30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Q. 11. What are the Duties of worthy receivers at the Lords Table.
A. Their Duties at the Table are to discern Christ by the eye of Faith, under those signs of his Body and Blood, 1 Cor. 11.29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body. On the discovery of him to mourn bitterly for sin, Zech. 12.10. —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 first-born. And to excite all their Graces into vigorous acts for the applying Christ to themselves, Cant. 4.16. Awake, O north wind, and come thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out, &c.
Q. 12. What is the Duty of worthy receivers after the Sacrament?
A. Their Duty is heartily to bless God for Christ, and the benefits of his Blood, Matth. 26.30. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. To double their care and watchfulness against sin, Ephes. 4.30. And grieve not the holy spirit, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption. And to grow more fruitful in all spiritual obedience, Col. 1.10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Q. 13. What is the first Inference from hence?
A. That the abuse and profanation of this Ordinance, either by coming to it for carnal ends, or being forced upon it by fear of sufferings, or approaching to it without due qualifications, is a dreadful sin, which God will terribly avenge, Matth. 22.11, 12, 13. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man, which had not on a wedding garment. And he saith unto him, friend, how camest thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment? and he was speechless. Then said the king unto the servants, bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Q. 14. What's the second Inference from it?
A. That great and manifold are the blessings and advantages, which Christians duly prepared may reap by this Ordinance.