Works (Vol 4) - Sibbes - IV - The right receiving

Required reading
The Works Volume 4 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'The right receiving'.

My summary
This week we read a sermon on the Lord's supper taken from 1 Corinthians 11.

Firstly Sibbes encourages us to receive the Lord's Supper often and therefore examine ourselves often.

Then Sibbes discusses what the Lord's supper signifies.  It is a:
(i) sign, and thus gives understanding;
(ii) seal, and thus strengthens.

And then Sibbes teaches us what points wherein a man must examine himself before the Lord's table.  You must examine whether you:
(i) discern the necessity of this new life;
(ii) rely upon Christ;
(iii) set yourself about getting Christ;
(iv) set forward without delay and go to the throne of grace;
(v) have a setting of the heart upon the promises of God;
(vi) have the grace of sanctification.

What grabbed me
I liked the exhortation not to delay in going to Christ: 'Examine then thyself whether, thy hungering after righteousness worketh this effect, that without all delay thou wilt come after Christ Jesus thy refuge and defence. It is not sufficient for thee to say, I know that without Christ I shall die ; I will do it to-morrow, when I have done other things, I will purchase his favour. Well ; boast not of to-morrow ; examine thyself whether thy hunger after righteousness be so great, that it will not suffer thee to rest or sleep till thou hast his favour. He that cometh thus affected, and that will make no delay, but be an earnest suitor unto God for his Son, that he may have Christ though the request be great, the necessity yet is such a matter that we forget all good manners, and so presently do well...'

Have you fled to Christ today?  Or are you waiting till tomorrow?

Next week's reading
Read Sermon 1 of 'Judgement's reason'.

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