A Body of Practical Divinity

Mark XIV.22. Jesus took Bread, &c.

Mark XIV.22. Iesus took Bread, &c.

(7.) Self-examining is needful, in respect of the Danger in coming unworthily without Examination, 1 Cor. 11.27. He shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Par facit quasi Christum trucidaret. Grotius.—i. e. God reckons with him as with a Crucifier of the Lord Jesus. He doth not Drink Christ's Blood, but sheds it, and so brings that Curse upon him as the Jews, His Blood be upon us and our Children. The Virtue of Christ's Blood nothing more comfortable, the Guilt of it nothing more Formidable.

(7.) Self-examining is needful, in respect of the Danger in coming unworthily without Examination, 1 Cor. 11.27. He shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Par facit quasi Christum trucidaret. Grotius.—i. e. God reckons with him as with a Crucifyer of the Lord Iesus. He doth not Drink Christ's Blood, but sheds it, and so brings that Curse upon him as the Jews, His Blood be upon us and our Children. The Vertue of Christ's Blood nothing more comfortable, the Guilt of it nothing more Formidable.

4. We must examine our selves before the Sacrament, in respect of the Difficulty of Self-examining Work. Difficulty raiseth a Noble Spirit. Self-examining is difficult: (1.) Because it is an Inward Work, it lies most with the Heart. External Acts of Devotion are easy: To lift up the Eye, to bow the Knee, to read over a few Prayers, this is as easy as for the Papists to tell over a few Beads. But to examine a Man's self, to take the Heart as a Watch, all in pieces, to make a Scripture-Trial of our Fitness for the Lord's Supper, this is not easy. Reflexive Acts are hardest: The Eye cannot see its self but by a Glass. We must have the Glass of the Word and Conscience to see our own Hearts. 'Tis easy to spy the Faults of others, but it is hard to find out our own. (2.) Self-examination is difficult in regard of Self-Love. As Ignorance blinds, so Self-love flatters. What Solomon saith of Love,