I'm looking for input from PB folk on additional 'proofs' or direct or indirect allusions to Scripture or the Westminster Standards in the text below which comes from A Familiar Conference between a minister and a doubting Christian, concerning the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. It's sparse on any referencing. It is by Daniel Campbell. I've flagged some places but you may see others that I'm not. I've found 3 Scripture references in this first section to add without over reaching. I'm not posting it all at once but will do so in bits if this first posting garners any interest and useful feedback.
Part One.
Christian. Sir, If it may be no interruption to your studies, I would be glad to be resolved of several doubts that arise in my mind, about receiving the blessed sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Minister. I shall be very glad to contribute anything for removing those scruples which may disturb you upon that account.
Christian. Sir, I have heard many sermons and read several discourses, which do much urge and declare the necessity of communicating in this blessed ordinance, and yet I durst never presume to join therein.
Minister. Have you then hitherto lived in the neglect of this important duty? [possible reference for where is this implicitly or explicitly said to be a duty?]
Christian. To speak freely, Sir, I never yet did communicate therein all my life, because I have much questioned whether I were worthy to receive that blessed and holy seal, to the glory of God, and my own edification and comfort, since I truly never understood the institution, nature, administration, and ends of it, nor the qualifications of those who are to be partakers thereof, according to the appointment of Jesus Christ.
Minister. Well then, I hope if these things be plainly opened to you, it may much conduce to satisfy your scruples.
Christian. Sir, I shall receive your instructions with thankfulness, and, if my heart deceive me not, shall rejoice in the light and knowledge I may gain thereby.
Minister. Let us then first inquire into the qualifications of a sincere Christian in general, and secondly, of the qualifications of such Christians as are meet to partake of the Lord's Supper; for they are distinct, and sometimes separate.
Christian. I hope in doing this, you will much help me to judge of my present state and condition God-ward. And now, in the first place, pray inform me, how I may know if I am a sincere Christian.
Minister. All true believers, among other graces, have such a knowledge of God in Christ, as works by love,[1] and stirs up in them an earnest study of the will of God, and a sincere endeavor to live in the faith, knowledge and practice of it.
Christian. Sir, I cannot boast of knowledge, yet by the grace of God showed to me, those conceptions which I have of God in Christ, have, I hope, so far prevailed upon me, that to live in the knowledge, love, and enjoyment of him, and to have my all devoted to his will and praise, is all the heaven I desire in this world, a great part of that which I hope for in the world to come.
Minister. These are good signs of a real and renewed change in your soul, and so doubtless have wrought good dispositions in you, of which you have had evidence in your heart and have made it appear in your life and actions.
Christian. I would be loath to flatter myself, but yet I hope that I find some delight in the Word of God, both read and preached, and do seriously meditate thereon, that I may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.[2] And though I am sometimes tempted with vile vain thoughts, yet I endeavor to stifle them, and my heart rises against them. I thank God, I strive to resist the first motions to sin, and avoid all occasions of evil, and I am never more uneasy, than when I happen into the company of profane and ill people, having a hatred to lying, obscene and filthy discourses, swearing, cursing and all dishonorable reflections upon God and godliness. I make conscience of taking up a slander against my neighbor, and to be just, and to do good to all, according to my ability, and to walk in all the commandments of the Lord blameless.[3]
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[1] Galatians 5:6
[2] 2 Peter 3:18
[3] Luke 1:6
Part One.
Christian. Sir, If it may be no interruption to your studies, I would be glad to be resolved of several doubts that arise in my mind, about receiving the blessed sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Minister. I shall be very glad to contribute anything for removing those scruples which may disturb you upon that account.
Christian. Sir, I have heard many sermons and read several discourses, which do much urge and declare the necessity of communicating in this blessed ordinance, and yet I durst never presume to join therein.
Minister. Have you then hitherto lived in the neglect of this important duty? [possible reference for where is this implicitly or explicitly said to be a duty?]
Christian. To speak freely, Sir, I never yet did communicate therein all my life, because I have much questioned whether I were worthy to receive that blessed and holy seal, to the glory of God, and my own edification and comfort, since I truly never understood the institution, nature, administration, and ends of it, nor the qualifications of those who are to be partakers thereof, according to the appointment of Jesus Christ.
Minister. Well then, I hope if these things be plainly opened to you, it may much conduce to satisfy your scruples.
Christian. Sir, I shall receive your instructions with thankfulness, and, if my heart deceive me not, shall rejoice in the light and knowledge I may gain thereby.
Minister. Let us then first inquire into the qualifications of a sincere Christian in general, and secondly, of the qualifications of such Christians as are meet to partake of the Lord's Supper; for they are distinct, and sometimes separate.
Christian. I hope in doing this, you will much help me to judge of my present state and condition God-ward. And now, in the first place, pray inform me, how I may know if I am a sincere Christian.
Minister. All true believers, among other graces, have such a knowledge of God in Christ, as works by love,[1] and stirs up in them an earnest study of the will of God, and a sincere endeavor to live in the faith, knowledge and practice of it.
Christian. Sir, I cannot boast of knowledge, yet by the grace of God showed to me, those conceptions which I have of God in Christ, have, I hope, so far prevailed upon me, that to live in the knowledge, love, and enjoyment of him, and to have my all devoted to his will and praise, is all the heaven I desire in this world, a great part of that which I hope for in the world to come.
Minister. These are good signs of a real and renewed change in your soul, and so doubtless have wrought good dispositions in you, of which you have had evidence in your heart and have made it appear in your life and actions.
Christian. I would be loath to flatter myself, but yet I hope that I find some delight in the Word of God, both read and preached, and do seriously meditate thereon, that I may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.[2] And though I am sometimes tempted with vile vain thoughts, yet I endeavor to stifle them, and my heart rises against them. I thank God, I strive to resist the first motions to sin, and avoid all occasions of evil, and I am never more uneasy, than when I happen into the company of profane and ill people, having a hatred to lying, obscene and filthy discourses, swearing, cursing and all dishonorable reflections upon God and godliness. I make conscience of taking up a slander against my neighbor, and to be just, and to do good to all, according to my ability, and to walk in all the commandments of the Lord blameless.[3]
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[1] Galatians 5:6
[2] 2 Peter 3:18
[3] Luke 1:6
