(3.) So, also, it applies to those what are _living in presumptuous sin_,—drunkards, fornicators, unclean persons, dishonest men in trade, and such like. By allowing themselves in such practices, they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. In coming to his table they profess that they know him, but in the allowance of their lust they by works deny him. In coming, therefore, to the Lord’s table, they do but dishonour his holy name; nor can we avoid the sad conclusion that they come there unworthily, and according to the language of the text, “are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” We dare not, therefore, advise such characters to become communicants, for they cannot do so without imminent peril to their soul. According to the language of our Church, “If any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his word, an adulterer, or be in malice, or envy, or in any other grievous crime, repent you of your sins, or else come not to that holy table.” But we must not here leave the case of those unhappy men. They cannot come worthily to the communion. For what, then, are they worthy? To pray? to die? to appear before the Lord at his coming? How will that angry temper, or that darling sin, appear before the heart-searching God of Glory? Will it be less deadly then than now? If it now excludes you from his communion, how will it then fare with you in his kingdom? If ye be now so in love with sin that ye cannot commemorate redemption, what interest do ye suppose ye have in Christ’s atonement? If ye know so little of the cross of Christ, what can ye expect in his coming kingdom? We do not say that none can be saved who do not attend the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper; but we do say, without the smallest hesitation, that none will be saved who are found so wedded to their sins that they cannot receive it worthily. But there are many tender consciences in the Church of Christ, and many hopeful persons who are apt to write hard things against themselves. Such persons will sometimes so deeply feel the solemnity of the warning, that they tremble at the thoughts of communion, and because they see in themselves great defects, are afraid lest possibly they should come unworthily to that sacred feast. Such a conscientious spirit must be respected greatly, and treated tenderly; it is much more hopeful than when persons regard the thing without a fear. It is, important, however, to avoid a mistaken dread, and great care is needful lest such characters should be debarred from that which is designed for their especial benefit. It may be well, therefore, to examine a few of those cases to which the words are sometimes applied in practice, though not in Scripture.