Can doubters partake? Can sinners partake? Can children partake? How should the table be fenced? "Q. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s supper?
A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God’s account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labour to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord’s supper, that he may be further strengthened.
Psalm 10:17; Psalm 31:22; Psalm 42:1,2,5,11; Psalm 66:18-20; Psalm 73:13,22,23; Psalm 77:1-12; Psalm 88:1-18; Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 40:11,29,31; Isaiah 54:7-10; Jonah 2:4,7; Matthew 5:3,4; Matthew 11:28; Matthew 12:20; Matthew 26:28; Mark 9:24; Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30; Romans 4:11; 1 Corinthians 11:28; Philippians 3:8,9; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 5:13.
Q. May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s supper, be kept from it?
A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in his church, until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.
Matthew 7:6; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians 11:27-34; 2 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Timothy 5:22; Jude 23."