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These words show how we should be prepared for a worthy receiving the blessed sacrament. Wherefore examine —

I. YOUR KNOWLEDGE (ver. 29). We are to know —

1. The Author: Christ, who was Author (ver. 23) —

(1)  Not as God;

(2)  Nor as man;

(3)  But as God-man, and Head of the Church.

2. The institution (vers. 23-25). Where observe —

(1)  What Christ did.

(2)  What He said.

3. The nature.

(1)  It is a sacrament,

(2)  Wherein, under the outward signs of bread and wine,

(3)  Christ is signified to us (ver. 30).

4. The end.

(1)  To remember Christ's death (vers. 24-26).

(2)  To represent it. "This is My body."

(3)  To offer it (Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1).

(4)  To convey it.

(5)  To seal it (Romans 4:1l).

5. The uses.

(1)  Examine whether ye know these things.

(2)  Endeavour to know them more and more (2 Peter 3:18).

(3)  Improve your knowledge to practice.

II. YOUR REPENTANCE.

1. Wherein doth repentance consist?

(1) In conviction of our sins (John 16:8, 9).

(a)  Of original sin (Psalm 55:5).

(b)  Actual (Psalm 51:3, 4).

(c)  Habitual (Romans 7:24).

(2) Contrition for them.

(a)  Because they transgress so righteous a law (1 John 3:4).

(b)  Displease so gracious a Father (Isaiah 6:5).

(c)  Defile so precious a soul (Titus 1:15; Isaiah 1:6).

(d)  Deprive us of so great happiness and blessing (Isaiah 59:2).

(e)  As makes us obnoxious to eternal miseries (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9).

(3) Conversion from them (Ezekiel 33:11).

(a)  Sincere (Joel 2:13).

(b)  Universal (Ezekiel 18:31).

(c)  Constant.

2. What necessity of repentance in the receiving of the sacrament?

(1)  No repentance, no faith (Mark 1:15).

(2)  Christ is there offered only to the penitent (Matthew 11:28).

(3)  By repentance our hearts are prepared to receive Him there offered.

3. Uses.

(1) Examine whether you have repented.

(a)  Are you sorry for your sins? (Psalm 38:18).

(b)  Are you out of love with them?

(c)  Are you resolved to forsake them? (Psalm 17:3; Psalm 39:1).

(2):Repent. Without repentance —

(a)  No pardon (Ezekiel 18:21, 22).

(b)  No peace (Isaiah 48:22).

(c)  No duty accepted (Proverbs 15:8).

(d)  You must perish (Luke 13:3).

III. YOUR FAITH.

1. By the grounds of it: the testimony of God.

2. By the effects of it, as —

(1)  Love to God.

(2)  Thankfulness for Christ.

(3)  Humility in ourselves.

(4)  Compassion for the poor.

(5)  Charity to all.

3. Reasons. Without faith we cannot —

(1)  Discern the Lord's body (ver. 29).

(2)  Receive anything.

(3)  Improve what we receive.

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

WEB: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.