May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s supper?
One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God’s account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labor to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord’s supper, that he may be further strengthened.
Proofs
- One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; (Isaiah 50:10; 1 John 5:13; Psalms 88; 77:1–4, 7–10; Jonah 2:4)
- and in God’s account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, (Isaiah 54:7–10; Matthew 5:3–4; Psalms 31:22; 73:13, 22–23)
- and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, (Philippians 3:8–9; Psalm 42:1–2, 5, 11)
- and to depart from iniquity: (2 Timothy 2:19; Isaiah 50:10; Psalm 66:18–20)
- in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) (Isaiah 40:11, 29, 31; Matthew 11:28; 12:20; 26:28)
- he is to bewail his unbelief, (Mark 9:24)
- and labor to have his doubts resolved; (Acts 2:37; 16:30)
- and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord’s supper, that he may be further strengthened. (Romans 4:11; 1 Corinthians 11:28)