Answer. For those who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ; and that their remaining infirmities are covered by his passion and death; and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves.
Exposition
There are three things to be explained in the exposition of this Question:
I. For whom has the Lord’s Supper been Instituted?
II. What do the wicked receive, if they come to this Supper?
III. What is the lawful use of the Supper?
I. Who Ought to Come to the Lord’s Supper?
The questions who ought to come, and who ought to be admitted to the Supper, are distinct and different. The former speaks of the duty of communicants; the latter of the duty of the church and ministers. The former is more restricted; the latter is broader, and more general: for, as touching the former, none but the godly ought to come to the Supper; whilst, as it respects the latter, not only the godly, but hypocrites also, who are not known to be such, are to be admitted by the church. Hence all that ought to come, ought also to be admitted; but not all who ought to be admitted, ought to come: but only those, 1. Who acknowledge their sins, and are truly sorrowful for them. 2. Who trust that their sins are forgiven them by and for the sake of Christ. 3. Who earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy: that is, those only ought to come to the Lord’s supper, and they alone are worthy guests of Christ, who live in true faith and repentance. It is in these things that a true examination, in order to a profitable approach to the holy Supper, consists. Paul speaks of this, when he says, “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (2 Cor. 11:28.) To examine one’s self is to see if we have faith and repentance, as it is said, “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, and whether Christ is in you.” But how shall a man know that he possesses these things? 1. By having confidence in God, and peace of conscience. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” “Hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given to us.” (Rom. 5:1, 5.) 2. From the effects of a true faith, or from the beginning of a true obedience, being both internal and external, and from a sincere desire and purpose to obey all the commandments of God. Those who have the consciousness that they possess these things; or, to express it in other words, those who have faith and repentance, not only in possibility, but actually, ought to come to, and partake of, the Lord’s supper. Infants are not capable of coming to the Lord’s supper, because they do not possess faith actually, but only potentially and by inclination. But here actual faith is required, which includes a certain knowledge of what God has revealed, and an assured confidence in Christ; it also requires the commencement of a new obedience, and purpose to live godly; and also an examination of ourselves, with a commemoration of the Lord’s death.
Hypocrites, and such as have no true faith and repentance, ought not to come to the Lord’s supper, 1. Because the sacraments were instituted merely for the faithful, and such as turn to God with sincere hearts, that they might seal unto them the promise of the gospel, and confirm their faith. The word is common both to the converted and the unconverted. It is preached to those who are converted that they may be confirmed thereby; and to the unconverted that they may be converted. The sacraments, however, belong to the faithful alone; and as to the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, Christ instituted it in the presence of his disciples alone, as he said, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you.” (Luke 22:15.) We, therefore, conclude from the nature and subject of sacraments as follows: What God has instituted for his household and children, that hypocrites and aliens from the church ought not to receive. 2. Paul forbids hypocrites and all wicked persons to come to the Lord’s table, in words which admit of no controversy, when he commands, “That every one examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.” (1 Cor. 11:28.) 3. Because, when hypocrites and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts come to the Lord’s table, they eat and drink judgment to themselves, and are guilty of the body and blood of Christ. “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Cor. 11:29.) 4. To these considerations we may yet add the general testimony of Scripture, which forbids unbelievers to come to the Lord’s supper, and condemns the use of the sacraments on the part of those who are unconverted. “Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother.” “He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man.” “If thou be a breaker of the law thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.” (Matt. 5:24. Is. 66:3. Rom. 2:25.)
Obj. But God commands all to observe the sacraments, and Christ says, “Take, drink ye all of this.” Therefore, the ungodly do not sin by coming to the Lord’s table. Ans. We reply to the antecedent that God does, indeed, command all to observe the sacraments; but then he requires that they be used lawfully, to do which there must be faith and repentance. God commands all to be baptized, and to observe the supper: but he also commands them to repent and believe. “Repent and be baptized.” “Let a man examine himself.” (Acts 2:38. 1 Cor. 11:28.)
Obj. 2. We are all unworthy. Therefore, none ought to come to the Lord’s table. Ans. We reply to the antecedent, that we are all unworthy by nature, and in ourselves; but we are made worthy by the grace of Christ, if we come with faith and a good conscience. Augustin says: “Come with boldness; it is bread and not poison.” No one ought, therefore, to absent himself because of his unworthiness, seeing that all who come with faith and penitence are counted worthy guests. “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trem bleth at my word.” (Is. 66:2.)
Obj. 3. Those who keep from profaning the supper act properly. Those now who stay away from the Lord’s table on account of being at enmity with some one, and for other sins, keep from profaning the supper. Therefore, their conduct is such as is right and proper. Ans. We reply to the major proposition by making a distinction: Those who keep from profaning the Lord’s table act properly, if they keep from it in such a way as they ought, viz: by repenting of those sins which render them unworthy; but they act unwisely and wickedly, who, when they absent themselves from the Lord’s table, continue in sin, hypocrisy, and a state of enmity with their neighbor, for they add sin to sin, and contempt to profanation. We must not do evil, that good may come.