The Lord's Supper
Thirdly, all who desire an increase of the grace of God are to wait for it in partaking of the Lord's Supper. For this also is a direction he himself has given.
The same night in which he was betrayed, he took bread, and broke it, and said, Take, eat. This is my body, that is, the sacred sign of my body. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new testament, or covenant, in my blood, the sacred sign of that covenant. Do this in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you show forth the Lord's death till he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23.
You openly exhibit the same, by these visible signs, before God, and angels, and men. You manifest your solemn remembrance of his death, until he comes in the clouds of heaven.
Only let a man first examine himself, whether he understands the nature and design of this holy institution, and whether he really desires to be himself made conformable to the death of Christ. And so, nothing doubting, let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28.
Here, then, the direction first given by our Lord is expressly repeated by the apostle. Let him eat. Let him drink. Both are in the imperative mood. These words do not imply a bare permission only, but a clear, explicit command. It is a command to all those who either already are filled with peace and joy in believing, or can truly say, The remembrance of our sins is grievous to us, the burden of them is intolerable.
1771 text
11. Thirdly, All who desire an increase of the grace of God, are to wait for it in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. For this also is a direction himself hath given. The same night in which he was betrayed, he took bread, and brake it, and said, take, eat: this is my body, (that is, the sacred sign of my body) this do in remembrance of me. Likewise, he took the cup, saying, this cup is the new testament, or covenant, in my blood, (the sacred sign of that covenant,) this do ye――in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the Lord’s death till he come, 1 Cor. xi. 23, &c. Ye openly exhibit the same, by these visible signs, before God, and angels, and men. Ye manifest your solemn remembrance of his death, till he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
Only let a man first examine himself, whether he understand the nature and design of this holy institution, and whether he really desire to be himself made conformable to the death of Christ: and so, nothing doubting, let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup, ver. 28.
Here then the direction first given by our Lord, is expresly repeated by the apostle. Let him eat; let him drink: (ἐσθιέτω· πινέτω· both in the imperative mood.) Words not implying a bare permission only, but a clear, explicit command; a command to all those who either already are filled with peace and joy in believing, or can truly say, “The remembrance of our sins is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable.”
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 16 in the 1771 Works. Malachi 3:7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.