The first section of the application of a sermon on Hebrews 11:28: “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them”. It comes, with editing, from By Faith, a volume of Manton’s sermons on Hebrews 11.
1. What We Are to Do Before We Come
Thomas Manton
We must first consider ourselves and reflect on our own state. Does my heart react towards God as He requires, knowing what His spiritual laws are and what temptations a Christian is subject to? Can I in the strength of God resolve to take the duties required in the covenant as my work, and the privileges offered in it as my happiness? And how does my heart agree or disagree with the nature of this institution: “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup” (1 Cor 11:28)?
The great thing that is required of me is to discern the Lord’s body, that I may come with that hope, joy, delight, reverence and all those affections that are necessary. But in vain do we discern the Lord’s body, unless we have all things that are necessary to participation in this body and are prepared to receive what God offers. What will it profit us to know that Christ has precious benefits to bestow, unless we have a right to them, or mean to take the way wherein we should receive them?
When we press people to examine themselves, they ask us what we must examine ourselves about? Why, examine whether you have received the covenant of God, whether you are in the faith: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Cor 13:5). It is our duty to have faith, and it is an advantage to know that we have it, so that we may celebrate the sacrament in a right manner and that nothing may hinder our feasting and holy rejoicing in God; for we must rejoice in God as those that have “received the atonement” (Rom 5:11), when we actually have an interest in that salvation Christ has purchased. Without faith we shall lack an eye; we cannot discern the Lord’s body or have a true sense of these spiritual mysteries. Without faith we shall lack a hand thankfully to take what God offers – even Christ and all His benefits. Without faith we shall lack a mouth to feed upon Christ, that we may suck and draw life and strength from Him. Without faith the whole duty will prove an empty ceremony, scarcely a reasonable service, much less spiritual nourishment to our souls.
See then that you believe, and that you know that you do believe. Without the first this ordinance will not profit your souls; and without the other you will lose much sweet communion with God. To know what Christ has done and suffered and merited is to know the ground of our rejoicing; but something is still missing to make it full peace and joy to us till we can in some measure see that faith has been wrought in us. Therefore do not blindly and without feeling rush upon such a duty. How can you, without great presumption, assume you have Christ crucified and all the benefits of His death?
Draw near, then Christians; do not stand aloof from Christ. We draw nigh with most rejoicing and thankfulness when “we draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:22) – “with a true heart”, that is, having a sincere purpose to perform the duties of the gospel; “in full assurance of faith”, absolutely depending on the promises of God and expecting the privileges of the gospel; “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water”. When you have applied the blood of sprinkling, you may confidently look up to God.
Objection. But you will say, Is the assurance of our sincerity, and of our interest in Christ always necessary; and will you persuade no one to come to the Lord’s table but those that are assured of their own sincerity? Then what shall poor souls do that are in a dark and doubtful state?
Answer. I am far from saying this. It is the thing, not the certainty of the thing, that is necessary. What is necessary is sincere saving faith, but it is not absolutely necessary that we should know it. I would have you come believing and to get it as clear as you can. Why should you doubt your own sincerity? Though it is comforting to know our sincerity, it is not absolutely necessary, for Christ will welcome a doubting believer. But He takes more pleasure in those who draw nigh in full assurance of their own interest in Christ. And He certainly expects it from us, because He has condescended to our infirmities and has added seals to the covenant for our greater confirmation, so that the heirs of promise might have “strong consolation” (Heb 6:18). We suffer when, by our laziness, we do not bring the doubts of our souls to a resolution. Therefore we should aim at assurance and not lose such a benefit through our negligence.
But it is not absolutely necessary; therefore, though we have our doubts, I would advise no doubting Christian wholly to abstain from God’s ordinance, which was appointed for a help to a weak faith, and a relief to them. Here is represented the blood of Christ shed for the remission of sins (Mt 26:28). Here we have a sign and seal of the righteousness of faith (Rom 4:11). Here God reaches out His hand to us from heaven, and in a special way applies His benefits to our souls. Here we have Christ offering Himself to us by name and stirring up our souls to lay hold of His benefits. You consent to the duties of the covenant, only you are afraid it is not deep and strong enough; but usually mists and clouds are dispersed in the sacrament. As Jesus was made known to His disciples in the breaking of bread (Lk 24:30,31); so all misunderstandings between God and His people are removed, and the evidence of our being in Christ is more clearly seen, which was before dark and doubtful. Therefore examine yourselves and come.