XVI. EAT WORTHILY.

SAUL, being in full pursuit of the flying Philistines, made a law that no Israelite should eat until evening. [1 Sam. xiv. 24.] But it was the judgment of Jonathan, that the army, if permitted to eat, had done greater execution on their enemies. For time so lost was gained, being laid out in the necessary refection of their bodies.

Yea, mark the issue of their long fasting. The people at night, coming with ravenous appetites, did eat the flesh with the blood, to the provoking of God’s anger. [Ibid. ver. 32.]

Many English people, having conquered some fleshly lusts which fight against their souls, were still chasing them, in hope finally to subdue them. Was it a pious or a politic design to forbid such the receiving of the sacrament, their spiritual food?

I will not positively conclude that such, if suffered to strengthen themselves with that heavenly repast, had thereby been enabled more effectually to cut down their corruptions. Only two things I will desire.

First, that such Jonathans who, by breaking this custom, have found benefit to themselves, may not be condemned by others. Secondly, I shall pray that two hungry years make not the third a glutton. That communicants, two twelvemonths together forbidden the Lord’s Supper, come not (when admitted thereunto) with better stomach than heart, more greediness than preparation.