(2.) The words of St. Paul do not apply to _young and inexperienced believers_. There is sometimes a tendency in devoted persons to discourage beginners, and hold them back from the communion until they reach a certain point in spiritual attainment; until, for example, they are able to recognise a full and experimental knowledge of the great principles of the Gospel. So young Christians of a tender spirit are often ready to fall in with such advice; and because they know they would come, to a certain extent, ignorantly, they fear they might therefore come unworthily to the sacrament. What, then, is the most scriptural course for such persons to pursue? Our Lord’s command says plainly, “Come;” and we must not allow his supreme authority to be checked or impeded by any artificial standard of our own creation. Especially in this instance, when we have his example to illustrate his command. For consider those to whom he himself administered the first communion. There was not in the whole company one advanced believer. Peter was then so ignorant of the Gospel, that he had just dissuaded him from the cross, and so weak a follower, that that same night he denied him thrice. Thomas knew so little, that he could not believe the resurrection, even when he saw his risen Lord; and the other apostles were still so far from what they afterwards became, that, without one single exception, they all forsook him and fled. Do not these facts prove clearly that he did not intend his sacrament for advanced believers _only_? and that none must check the first yearnings after better things? It is milk for babes as well as strong meat for those who are of full age; and by deterring beginners, we may rob them of the portion which God has provided for their growth in grace. If we do not perceive a full knowledge of the Gospel, let us at least rejoice in the desire to do the Saviour’s will; and let us never forget that the desired knowledge is more likely to be gained in obedience than neglect. And if there be any poor and uninstructed person, who is no scholar, and has little knowledge even of the things of God, who has still the desire to act as Christ appointed, let not such an one be for a moment discouraged by his ignorance; the feast is for him; the invitation to him; and the welcome sure when he kneels as a guest at the Father’s table.