THE EATING AND THE DRINKING, INDEED, DO NOT PRODUCE SUCH GREAT EFFECTS. For bread and wine have no power in themselves to bestow spiritual blessings. BUT THE WORDS WHICH STAND HERE, "GIVEN AND SHED FOR YOU, FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS." It is the Word of God which gives the sacrament its power. [John 6:63] For Christ has commanded us to use the bread and wine in this way, and has connected the promise of forgiveness with their use. Without the Word, there would be nothing but bread and wine. But Christ fulfils the promise which He has bound up with the BODILY EATING AND DRINKING, and gives us, with the bread and the wine, His body and blood which were given and shed for us for the remission of sins. AND HE WHO BELIEVES THESE WORDS HAS THAT WHICH THEY DECLARE, [Matt. 8:13] NAMELY, THE REMISSION OF SINS. Forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are offered to all who partake of this sacrament, but they are accepted and possessed only by those who believe. The impenitent and unbelieving, if they come to the Lord's Table, receive the body and blood of Christ also, but they receive it to their condemnation, because they do not receive it with a penitent and believing heart. [I Cor 11:29+] * * * * * IV. _Who is it that receives this sacrament worthily?_ Fasting and bodily preparation are, indeed, a good external discipline; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who believes these words: "given and shed for you, for the remission of sins." But he who does not believe these words or who doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words "for you" require truly believing hearts. HOW THE LORD'S SUPPER IS TO BE RECEIVED. Those who come to the Lord's Table must prepare themselves to come _worthily_, if they would receive the benefits offered in this sacrament. [I Cor. 11:28+, II Cor. 13:5] FASTING AND BODILY PREPARATION ARE INDEED A GOOD EXTERNAL DISCIPLINE. Fasting before the Lord's Supper is not required. It may be practiced by those who desire to do so, if they do it in order to fit themselves for a more earnest participation in the Holy Supper, and not with the idea that fasting constitutes a merit, The true preparation for the Lord's Supper is not bodily, but spiritual. [Joel 2:13+] HE IS TRULY WORTHY AND WELL-PREPARED, WHO BELIEVES THESE WORDS, "GIVEN, AND FOR YOU, FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS." We are to come worthily, not in the sense of deserving, but of earnestly _desiring_ the benefits offered in the sacrament. We come worthily when we come with penitent and believing heart, [Ps. 51:17+, Matt. 11:28+] lamenting our sins, longing for forgiveness and for strength to do better, and believing the words spoken to us, "given and shed for _thee_ for the remission of sins."