Tracts & Letters (Vol 2) - Calvin - VI - Chapter 7 (Short treatise on the supper of our Lord)

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 2) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here).  Read Chapter VII (Short treatise on the supper of our Lord).

My summary
This week we read a treatise by Calvin on the Lord's Supper. 

At the beginning Calvin gives us a nice summary himself:
'First, then, we will explain to what end and for what reason our Lord instituted this holy sacrament.

Secondly, What fruit and utility we receive from it, when it will likewise be shown how the body of Jesus Christ is
given to us.

Thirdly, What is the legitimate use of it.

Fourthly, We will detail the errors and superstitions with which it has been contaminated, when it will be shown how the servants of God ought to differ from the Papists.

Lastly, We will mention what has been the source of the discussion which has been so keenly carried on, even among those who have, in our time, brought back the light of the gospel, and employed themselves in rightly edifying the Church in sound doctrine.'

What grabbed me
Good advice about when we are fit to take communion: 'When we feel within ourselves a strong dislike and hatred of all sin, proceeding from the fear of God, and a desire to live well in order to please our Lord, we are fit to partake of the Supper, notwithstanding of the remains of infirmity which we carry in our flesh. Nay, if we were not weak, subject to distrust and an imperfect life, the sacrament would be of no use to us, and it would have been superfluous to institute it. Seeing, then, it is a remedy which God has given us to help our weakness, to strengthen our faith, increase our charity, and advance us in all holiness of life, the use becomes the more necessary the more we feel pressed by the disease ; so far ought that to be from making us abstain. For if we allege as an excuse for not coming to the Supper, that we are still weak in faith or integrity of life, it is as if a man were to excuse himself from taking medicine because he was sick. See then how the weakness of faith which we feel in our heart, and the imperfections which are in our life, should admonish us to come to the Supper, as a special remedy to correct them. Only let us not come devoid of faith and repentance. The former is hidden in the heart, and therefore conscience must be its witness before God. The latter is manifested by works, and must therefore be apparent in our life.'

Feeling weak and imperfect should encourage us to take part in the Lord's supper, not stay away from it.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter VIII (Mutual consent in regard to the sacraments).

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