Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

very difficult for us to trace the immediate connection between particular calamities and particular sins, it cannot affect nor nullify such a connection. In every judgment sin may easily be seen, and were we more attentive, we would discover particular provocations in particular judgments. These affect us more sensibly than spiritual judgments, and may become a means of leading us to conviction, and arousing us from a state of dangerous indifference.

IF sin, in general, or any particular sin, may be punished with temporal strokes, no reason can be assigned why this sin may not. God has many ways in his power, of inflicting temporal strokes, on our persons, on our relatives, on our substance. Some lingering corporeal disease was inflicted upon the Corinthians for their abuse of this holy ordinance. "For this

cause, many were weak, and sickly among them, and many slept." This disease, whatever it was, in some terminated in death. In this, God intended not their destruction, but their amendment. "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." ver. 32. But I now proceed to some inferences.

1. BELIEVERS may be unworthy communicants at the Lord's table. In respect to moral worth or merit no person can claim a title to this privilege: Besides, it is conferred solely in the way of free grace. In virtue of an interest in Jesus, all believers have a title to this, as well as every other gospel ordinance, as means appointed for promoting their salvation; and it is their duty to observe them in a suitable manner, for that end. Their title to this ordinance, and their worthiness to celebrate it, are very different things. Their right to it, as a means of salvation, is as inde

Among men, one is proper qualifications These qualifications In the parable

feasible as their interest in Christ, but their worthiness to celebrate it is precarious, and may be lost. The former lies in their union to Christ, the last in the frame and exercise of their souls. worthy of an office who possesses for discharging the duties of it. are certain endowments of the mind. of the marriage of the king's son, an emblem of the gospel, those guests who had been invited, and would not come, were declared to be unworthy. The reason assigned was, one preferred the labours of the field; another, the profits of commerce; and a third, conjugal enjoyments, to the profits and pleasures of the gospel. Such dispositions could not approve of, nor relish the gospel; they rather prompted these persons to reject it; they were therefore unworthy, that is, unfit to receive its privileges. "Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were bidden were not worthy." Mat. xxii. 8. That which renders believers worthy to eat the Lord's supper, is a lively, holy spiritual frame, faith, love, holy desires, sorrow for sin, humility. Gracious souls sometimes perplex themselves, on such occasions, about their interest in Christ, and pay less attention to their fitness for enjoying him. They apprehend that if this point were clear, their way would be plain, and the danger of unworthy communicating would be But although they were to be assured of an interest in Christ, by an audible voice from heaven, if they laboured under a dead, undiscerning, listless and carnal frame, they would still be unworthy. See then, ye disciples of Jesus, that the great object, to which all your attention ought to be turned, is not, whether you are interested in Jesus; but whether have you that love

over.

nance

to him, that faith in him, these ardent desires after him; and that hatred of sin, and low account of yourselves, which are suited to the nature and design of the ordiIf you have, then the evidence of your interest in him comes out of its own accord. If you want these, let it be your work to obtain them, for till these are obtained you can have no evidence. Be you assured, then, that if you possess these, you are warranted to partake of this ordinance, as they are the work of grace, given to prepare you for it. Let the spouse be your example, and you will have her success. She implored the Spirit to produce such a frame in her, and then intreated the company of her beloved, and obtained it. Compare Song iv. 16 and v. 1.

2. ALL just conceptions of Christ are from himself. This is equally true, whether these are speculative or spiritual. The natural sun is seen only by his own rays. So is the Sun of righteousness. The Scriptures are rays of divine light, discovering his whole character. They are his own word, delivered to the Church by his Spirit, and testifying of himself. "Search the' Scriptures they testify of me." Christ had never been known. men through the medium of it, what he is.

Without this word He shines forth upon and discovers to them

As doctrinal or speculative discoveries are given by the word, spiritual discoveries are given by his Spirit. He sends him to take the things that are his and shew them to his people. The Spirit gives no other discoveries of Christ to believers than what are given in the Scriptures; but he operates differently on the mind, giving it spiritual illumination, and working holy impressions by the discoveries he gives. You are not then to imagine, Christians, that you can take a just

and spiritual view of Jesus, at your pleasure. The work is his: and if he hide his face, who can behold him? When the disciples doubted whether it was Jesus who appeared to them, he gave them such a dis"Behold my covery as left no doubt remaining.

hand's and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see." When the other disciples told Thomas they had seen Jesus, he would not believe; but when Jesus met him he convinced him. "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side." The light was too strong to leave a doubt with the Apostle; he cried out "My Lord and my God." You will then be careful not to rest in the discoveries you get from the word, but seek the Spirit, whose work it is to open your eyes, to display the beauties of Jesus, and to impress your minds with love and esteem. Though these discoveries are delayed, and though they may not equal your wishes, guard against fretfulness, see that your desires are real, wait with patience, and persevere in the use of all means, and you shall succeed.

3. THIS subject shows the believer by what means he may repel and silence all the surmises and accusations of his enemies. Satan is the accuser of believers, accusing them before God day and night. Thus twice he accused Job to God, as a painted hypocrite. "Put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." He gave God the lie, as if he did not know Job's character. God can sustain no such charges against his people whom he has accepted in Christ. But Satan often accuses believers to their own consciences, to disquiet and embarrass them; and to deter them from the path of duty. He accuscs them as hypocrites, as grievous transgressors,

enemies to God, as having no interest in Jesus and as so vile, that, should they approach his table, they would be guilty of the highest presumption and wickedness, and so eat and drink damnation to themselves. The fulness of Christ, on whom the believer relies, furnishes a sufficient reply to such surmises and charges. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died." Rom. viii. 33, 34. Here the believer has a righteousness, the ground of his pardon and his interest in God. Here he has a fulness of all grace to complete his sanctification, and prepare him for heaven. You may meet such charges in your way to the holy table; but it will be paying too much respect to Satan to regard them. Your reply is "That Christ is all in all."

4. UNREGENERATE persons have nothing to do with the holy institution of the supper. It is not appointed for their conversion. The church has it not in her power to determine certainly who are believers, and who are not; she must, however, in the admission of proselytes, proceed on the footing of real saintship, as far as she is capable of obtaining evidence of it. This was evidently the practice of the primitive churches. That there were hypocrites, and mere moralists in these churches, is undeniable. Such were the foolish virgins, those who had a form of godliness, but denied its power, and such as had a name to live, but were dead. All these, however, assumed the profession, and claimed the character of real saints, and on that footing only were they sustained church members. Such as are denominated disciples are evidently the friends of Christ, his genuine children. "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." Where any are spoFf

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »