Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
If you are very despondent and leaning towards melancholy, and you proceed to partake of the Lord’s Supper, see to it that you do not dwell on the disturbing and unsettling thoughts regarding your sins and failures. To you who are in a state of despondency, we say that we do not wish to apply this rule categorically, as if they who partake of the Lord’s Supper should refrain from reflecting upon their sins.
On the contrary! We believe that if someone comes to the Lord’s Table in a somewhat sluggish and dull heart to be broken so that the balm of grace may be all the more effective (Matt. 12:20). Nevertheless, concerning you who are of a melancholy and weak disposition, we believe that now, namely, the time of preparation for the Lord’s Supper, is not the time to prune and carve even more, but rather that you should solely pursue the healing and refreshing of your soul. ...
For more, see Guiljelmus Saldenus on spiritual melancholy and the Lord’s Supper.
On the contrary! We believe that if someone comes to the Lord’s Table in a somewhat sluggish and dull heart to be broken so that the balm of grace may be all the more effective (Matt. 12:20). Nevertheless, concerning you who are of a melancholy and weak disposition, we believe that now, namely, the time of preparation for the Lord’s Supper, is not the time to prune and carve even more, but rather that you should solely pursue the healing and refreshing of your soul. ...
For more, see Guiljelmus Saldenus on spiritual melancholy and the Lord’s Supper.
