Who should come to the Table of the Lord? This is the question which now occurs to us after our consideration of the nature and privileges of the Lord's Supper. The answer is to be found in the terms of the invitation first given by the Master of the feast, "Drink ye all of it."

"All" are invited to partake* who, feeling themselves to be the chief of sinners, acknowledge that their only hope is in the Body broken and the Blood outpoured of the one Sacrifice on Calvary, and who to Christ alone look for salvation. To them the Saviour calls, "Come, for all things are ready."

Come, if you would behold evidently set forth before you the preciousness of union with Christ, of taking part in His Body and Blood, of communion with His people, of future and perfected communion in glory. Come, if you would see the

*It is of course understood that communicants should be of an age to understand the nature of the ordinance.

greatness of your sin, and the still greater grace which can cover all your sin. Come, if you would know what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us in that He calls us sons of God; come, if you would find your hopes renewed, and love increased, and resolutions confirmed in the contemplation of the love of your dying Lord. "Blessed are

"Let him that is athirst come." they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." Such are the promises, and they are innumerable, which meet the penitent believer who, however timidly, draws near to the Lord's table.

But many, who fain would accept the invitation thus given to them, are afraid to do so. They read of the privileges of the better covenant, they feel their need of the blood of the covenant, they long to realize their share in its promises, but still draw back from the sign, and seal, and pledge of participation.

What are the excuses which they offer to account for this refusal? Let us proceed to consider them somewhat in order.

And firstly comes one sounding often somewhat plausibly on the ear of the person who offers it— "I am not worthy, and I am afraid to come unworthily." Take good care, ye who offer this plea for neglecting your Saviour's command, that "I care not about the matter" be not taking this dis

guise of humility. Too many who, feeling their lives and conduct to be inconsistent with the profession made at the Lord's Table, take no trouble to examine into their state before God, put away the conviction that unless some change come to them they cannot be saved, and refuse to see that he who is not fit to appear there is not fit to die, will go on from year to year satisfying themselves with this excuse, and even making themselves believe that there is something commendable in its being urged. To such let but one word be addressed. The Supper of the Lord is the showing forth of that Body and Blood of Christ by which alone cometh salvation. If you are content to refuse that great salvation, if you are content that in the day when the gates of heaven shall be thrown open to the redeemed, they shall be closed upon you, with the words “I never knew you" from Him who shutteth and no man openeth-if such be your deliberate determination, then you are consistent in neglecting the sign and sacrament of the means of redemption. You have counted the cost. You are willing to take for your portion the inheritance of punishment prepared for the Devil and his angels. The cross and passion which these symbols represent are nothing to you, and therefore you are not fit to draw nigh. The invitation is not for you. It is for those only who found all their hopes for eternity upon the Lord Jesus

Christ's death and resurrection, and who feed on His work as their sole good.

But this excuse is frequently put forward by lowly and anxious seekers after Christ, who fain would appropriate His atonement, but who are yet so deeply sensible of their sinfulness that they fear to offend Him by coming to His Table.

"I read," says such a person, "of the holiness of the resurrection-life, the life even here of those who, having died unto sin, now live unto righteousness. They are called the 'accepted in the Beloved;' they are called heirs of God and jointheirs with Christ. They are members of his Body. They are kings and priests to God. But I,-I am constantly sinning, constantly forsaking the Fountain of living waters for the broken cisterns which hold no water. My affections tend much to earth, little to heaven. My resolutions are broken. And though sometimes I do seek to pour out my complaint to Jesus, to touch, as it were, the hem of His garment, I discern not His voice saying, 'Thy faith hath made thee whole.' I long to believe; I long to be numbered among His people; but I fear being presumptuous. When I see others remain to kneel at His table, I would fain remain with them, for I have no hope but in Jesus,-but I am not fit; I am unworthy; and with sorrow of heart I turn away."

Such is continually the language of contrite and

sorrowing souls who plead their unworthiness as debarring them from the communion of the Lord's Supper. Thus would we answer your doubts, O weary and sin-tossed inquirers. You say that the condition and titles of those who have passed from death unto life are so highly exalted that you feel you have no right to claim them as yours; that you fear you have no part in Christ; that your heart is full of sin, and that you fear that you are shut out from the portion with His people. At the same time, you say that you long to be a partaker of Christ, that you have no hope in yourself, and feel that your salvation must come alone from Him.

Perhaps in words such as the following your thoughts find expression:-" That which I do I allow not: for what I would that do I not; but what I hate that do I." "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that I cannot do the things that I would." "The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would "Yes," you exclaim, "such is These are the words which pre

not, that do I." my condition. cisely express it.

And such being my state, dare I draw near to the Lord's Table?"

Yet it was St. Paul who thus wrote-not Saul, breathing out slaughters and threatenings, but Paul-who in the next chapter to that from which these words are taken, carries us up step by step