Practical Religion - Ryle - VII - Chapter 6

Required reading
Practical Religion by JC Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Conclude Chapter 6 (Going to the table).

My summary
The reading today is concerned with the Lord's Supper.  Ryle answers four questions.

Firstly, why was the Lord's Supper ordained?  It was ordained for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we thereby receive.  It was never ordained to be a sacrifice.

Secondly, who ought to go to the Table and be communicants? 'In a word, I find that a worthy communicant is one who possesses three simple marks and qualifications--repentance, faith, and love.'

Thirdly, what may communicants expect from the Lord's Supper?  Ryle outlines four beneficial effects on the soul:
(i) a humbling effect;
(ii) a cheering effect;
(iii) a sanctifying effect;
(iv) a restraining effect.

Finally, why do many so-called Christians never go to the Lord's Table?  Because:
(i) they are utterly careless and thoughtless about religion, and ignorant of very first principles of Christianity;
(ii) they know they are living in the habitual practice of some sin, or in the neglect of some Christian duty;
(iii) they fancy it will add to their responsibility;
(iv) they believe they are not yet worthy;
(v) they see others partaking who are not worthy, and not in a right state of mind.

What grabbed me
I particularly liked one of Ryle's paragraphs about the benefit of the Lord's Supper: 'The simplest statement of the benefit which a truehearted communicant may expect to receive from the Lord's Supper, is the strengthening and refreshing of our souls--clearer views of Christ and His atonement, clearer views of all the offices which Christ, fills as our Mediator and Advocate, clearer views of the complete redemption Christ has obtained for us by His substituted death on the cross, clearer views of our full and perfect acceptance in Christ before God, fresh reasons for deep repentance for sin, fresh reasons for lively faith--these are among the leading returns which a believer may confidently expect to get from his attendance at the Lord's Table. He that eats the bread and drinks the wine in a right spirit, will find himself drawn into closer communion with Christ, and will feel to know Him more, and understand Him better.'

It really is to our detriment to neglect the Lord's Supper.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 7 (Charity).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.