A26886:433
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending them against several sorts of opponents, especially against the second assault of that pious, reverend and dear brother Mr. Thomas Blake / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The tenth Argument was from the express danger of unworthy receiving,1 1 Cor. 11.17. The sum of the answer is, That [This Argument would take off every Ordinance from the honour of Conversion.] Repl. But I conceive that the strength of the Argument (or that which ought to be its strength) is wholly overlooked; which is not from the Necessity of a Preparation in general, but of a special Preparation, or Worthiness, which is not so pre-requisite to the fruitful use of converting Ordinances. There is a saying by the superfluity of naughtiness, malice, &c. requisite, before a man can in reason expect that the Word should convert him: and yet it may convert thousands that are not so far prepared, by doing that and the rest. But the Worthiness of a Partaker of the Lords Supper must be more than this. For 1. That which the Church is Judge of, must be that the Receiver be a Church-member, professing true Faith, and not contradicting that Profession by a scandalous life. 2. Himself is required to examine himself for more, that is, whether he be sincerely what he Professeth, and Christ be in him (or else he is a Reprobate, and not to take the children's bread,) 2 Cor. 13.5. and also that he have a Particular Preparation, according to the nature of the Ordinance. Its expressly Necessary, 1. That he discern the Lords Body. 2. That he do this in remembrance of Christs death, and with a hope of his coming: and 3. For communion with Christ, and his Church, and to be partakers of the one bread: 4. And with a Heart to take Christ and Eat; that is, to feed on him by Faith, when he takes the bread. But all this cannot be done by the unregenerate; nor is this prerequisite before a man come to the Word, that it may convert him That Preparation which is pre-requisite in a meet receiver of the Lords Supper, it was not instituted to effect (unless as it may do it when God sees good, in an unworthy or prohibited use:) But true Faith and Repentance are Preparations pre-requisite: Ergo &c.
The tenth Argument was from the expresse danger of unworthy receiving,1 1 Cor. 11.17