HenryWSC 97

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 97

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Are the ignorant to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper? No: for they discern not the Lord’s body,
1 Cor. 11:29
. Are those to be admitted to it who are openly profane? No: for what concord hath Christ with Belial?
2 Cor. 6:15
. But must all visible adult believers be admitted to it? Yes: All the congregation of Israel shall keep the passover,
Ex. 12:47
.
Must those who come to the Lord’s Supper prepare for it? Yes: We must prepare our heart to seek God, the Lord God of our fathers,
2 Chron. 13:18
. Must we put away every sin? Yes: Purge out the old leaven,
1 Cor. 5:7
. And must we cleanse ourselves from all pollutions? Yes: I will wash my hands in innocency, so I will compass thine altar, O Lord,
Ps. 26:6
. Must we sequester ourselves from the world? Yes: Tarry ye here, while I go yonder and worship,
Gen. 22:5
. And must we apply ourselves seriously to this service? Yes: We must engage the heart to approach unto God,
Jer. 30:21
.
When we come to this ordinance must we examine ourselves? Yes: Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup,
1 Cor. 11:28
. Must we examine our spiritual state? Yes: Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith,
2 Cor. 13:5
. Must we examine our particular ways? Yes: Let us search and try our ways,
Lam. 3:40
. Must we renew our repentance for sin: Yes: for if we would judge ourselves, we shouldl not be judged,
1 Cor. 11:31
. And our faith in Christ crucified? Yes: Who loved me and gave himself for me,
Gal. 2:20
. Must we steadfastly purpose to lead a new life? Yes: I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments,
Ps. 119:106
. And must we be in charity with all men? Yes: First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift,
Matt. 5:24
. And must we stir up desires towards Christ? Yes: Let him that is athirst come,
Rev. 22:17
.
Must we receive this sacrament with great reverence? Yes: In thy fear will I worship towards thy holy temple,
Ps. 5:7
. And with fixedness of thought? Yes: Bind the sacrifice with cords unto the horns of the altar,
Ps. 118:27
. Must we receive it with godly sorrow for sin? Yes: they shall look on me whom they have pierced, and mourn,
Zech. 12:10
. And with holy joy in the Lord? Yes: they did eat their meat with gladness, praising God,
Acts 2:46–47
. Must we receive it with an affectionate remembrance of the love of Christ? Yes: We will remember thy love more than wine, Cant. 1:4. And with all earnest desire of mercy from God? Yes: I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord,
Ps. 116:13
.
Must those who have received this sacrament be very watchful against all sin? Yes: He will speak peace to his people, and to his saints, but let them not turn again to folly,
Ps. 85:8
. Must they abound in all duty? Yes: I will pay my vows unto the Lord,
Ps. 116:14
. And must they ever preserve a sense of their engagements? Yes: Thy vows are upon me, O God,
Ps. 56:12
.
Do those who wilfully resolve to continue in sin receive unworthily? Yes: For what hast thou to do to take my covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction,
Ps. 50:16–17
, And do those receive unworthily who have no regard to Christ in what they do? Yes: for they say the table of the Lord is contemptible,
Mal. 1:7
. Are they that do so guilty of a great sin? Yes: they are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord,
1 Cor. 11:27
. And are they in great danger? Yes: for they eat aud drink judgment to themselves,
1 Cor. 11:29
. But shall weak believers, who bewail their unworthiness, be encouraged? Yes: for he will not break the bruised reed,
Matt. 12:20
.
HenryWSC 97