There are five passages in the Bible distinctly referring to the Lord’s Supper, as an appointed institution in the Church, namely, Matt. xxvi. 26–29; Mark xiv. 22–25; Luke xxii. 13–20; 1 Cor. x. 16–21; and xi. 18–34. {4} As the last of these is much the fullest, it may be well to adopt it as the basis of our enquiry; and we shall be able to learn from it the authority and nature of the Lord’s Supper, the danger of coming unworthily, and the character of those who do so. I. The AUTHORITY. It is not a scheme of man’s contrivance, or the result of merely human wisdom, but was ordained by our blessed Lord himself, and enjoined on his people by his twice repeated words. The first occasion was on the night before his crucifixion, when he was eating the Paschal Supper with his disciples. He then gave them bread and wine, and said, “This do in remembrance of me.” Here, therefore, is his own plain command—and one command from him is enough for the Christian. But He did not leave the subject there; for after his ascension to the right hand of God, he was still mindful of his sacrament, and repeated his command by express revelation to St. Paul. He had already spoken plainly, so that none could mistake him; and three evangelists had left his words in writing, so that none could doubt as to his language: but yet, as if to prevent the possibility either of forgetfulness or mistake, when he called a new servant to his apostleship, he made to him a second revelation of his will; for on turning to verse 23, we find that St. Paul did not receive the doctrine of the sacrament from those who were apostles before him, but from the Lord Jesus Christ himself. “_I received of the Lord_ that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me.” Now, to those who are anxious to know how they ought to act, these twice repeated words of Jesus surely give a simple answer. Some persons think it safer to abstain and wait; but is it not the safest thing simply to obey the commands of Jesus? To follow your own judgment, and to give way to doubts and fears, can never be so safe as to throw yourself like a little child at the feet of your Saviour, and there say, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.” You wish to be Christ’s disciple, so begin at once to do what Christ commands. II. The NATURE. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is,