strengtheneth and nourisheth the body more then any other foode c. For these and such like reasons it may appeare that bread was chosen of our Sauiour Christ to represent his body From thence then let vs obserue that seeing our Sauiour tooke bread and appointed it an Element in this Sacrament That Christ Iesus is the true bread of life Doctr. 1. which came downe from Heauen whereon our soules are to feede vnto eternall life For by bread here is signifyed Christ whereon wee are to feed our soules by faith as wee feede our bodies with our dayly bread for the preseruation of our naturall life For this cause our Sauiour teacheth his Disciples plainely that Moses had giuen their fathers Bread from Heauen meaning Ioh. 6.31.33 c. that heauenly Manna whereof they fedde in the Wildernesse Exod. 16.15 but now they haue the bread of God which is Christ that came downe from Heauen Ioh. 6.48.51 to giue life vnto the World to put al out of doubt I am saith Christ the bread of life he that commeth vnto mee shall not hunger he that beleeueth in me shall not thirst Reas 1 1. Christ is our bread and the foode of our liues first in regard of his manhood whole Christ the manhood subsisting in the person of the Sonne and it hath the vertue to feede and nourish vs in that it is vnited to the person of the Deitie Christ is not a bodily foode or a corporall bread but altogether a spirituall and heauenly foode to be receiued after a spirituall manner not by the hand and stomack of our bodies but by the hand and stomacke of our soules that is a true and liuely faith Reas 2 2. Christ is called our foode because without him wee are starke dead in sinnes and lest wee should continue in that death hee came downe from Heauen to giue life vnto vs. Therefore saith the Apostle As in Adam wee were all dead 1. Cor. 15.22 so now in Christ wee are all made aliue Vse Vse Here wee may see the wonderfull loue of our Sauiour Christ towards vs in that hee was content of his owne accord to come from heauen to vnloose the bands of death and to quicken vs and giue vs life Yea not onely so but to feede and nourish vs dayly with his ownebody The Pellican when any of her young ones are hurt of a Serpent rather then they should die shee will pierce her brest and giue them sucke and nourish them So Christ Iesus rather then wee should perish so tenderly hee loues vs was content to lay downe his life for vs that so we might feede vpon his body and bloud to eternall life Oh therefore let all of vs highly account of this loue of Christ embrace it and be thankfull for it otherwise our case is miserable we are but dead persons and haue no spirituall life in vs nay wee should vtterly sterue and pine away without it The second element is Wine which Christ tooke into his hands as may bee gathered out of these words He tooke the Cup wherein the wine was for no man will dare to say that the cuppe was empty seeing our Sauiour Christ saith Mar. 26.29 Luk 22.18 I Will not drinke of the fruite of the Vine any more till the Kingdome of God shall come Wine then was the second element Cyprian lib. 2. Epistola 3. contrary to the Aquarij who supposed water to be in the cuppe contrary to the Lactei that vsed Milke in stead of Wine Idem de consecrat distinct 2. Can. Alexander the first caused this mingling of water with wine the Papists that mingle water with Wine and that so absolutely and necessarily that they condemne those who do not receiue it after the same manner but herein they ouerthrow themselues First because they goe against the example of Christ Secondly because they ouerthrow the example by denying the vse of pure Wine More might bee alledged to confute their practises but others haue well dealt therein our purpose is to handle those things that be positiuely layd downe Wine this second Element signifieth the blood of Christ Metonymice and offereth it to the eye of Faith This also we vnderstand to bee the Cup figuratiuely applied and giuen to Christs Disciples for their refreshing c. For as wine is to the body so the blood of Christ is a refreshing to the soule And whereas Christ tooke and gaue not onely the bread but also the wine we learne That Christ is a full Redeemer Doct. His blood doth purge vs from all iniquity 1. Ioh. 1.7 This is the confession of the foure beasts and foure twenty Elders who fall downe before the Lambe Reu. 5.8.9 Thou hast redeemed vs to God by thy blood out of euery Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation And so he is an al-sufficient ransome for vs 1. Tim. 2.6 of greater power to deliuer vs from sinne then Adam was to bring vs into sinne Take notice of the slauery bondage wherein wee were holden as captiues and the fulnesse of our redemption by Christ will plainely appeare First Col. 1.13 generally wee were in bondage to the whole power of darkenesse in such a manner that all our spirituall enemies had command ouer vs. Secondly more particularly we were in bondage first to sin for so saith the Apostle Rom. 6. â—6 His seruants we are to whom we obey whether it be of sinne c. Againe I am carnall Rom. 7.14 sold vnder sinne And S. Peter telleth vs of some that Promise others liberty and are themselues seruants of corruption For saith he of whomsoeuer a man is ouercome 2 Pet. 2.19 euen vnto the same he is in bondage 2 Wee were in bondage to the whole law which exacted at our hands perfect obedience but Christ saith the Apostle came to redeem them that were vnder the law Gal. 4.5 3 We were slaues to eternal death as God testified to Adam In that day that thou shalt eate therof Gen. 2.17 thou shalt dye the death And S. Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 3.14 We know that we are translated from death c. 4 Wee were in bondage vnder Satan so long as we were the children of disobedience Ephe. 2.2 he wroght in vs 2. Tim. 2.25 Wee were in his snare and taken at his will 5 We were slaues to hell and condemnation beeing by nature the children of wrath Ephe. 2.3 There was neuer any slauery or bondage like this The bondage of the Israelites vnder Pharaoh Exo. 1.11.14 Of the seuenty Kings vnder Adoni-bezeck Iudg. 1.7 Of Sampson vnder the Philistines Iudge 16.21 bound with fetters and made to grinde like a horse Of Zedekiah vnder the King of Babell who put out his eyes bound him with chatnes carried him to Babell Ier. 52.11 and put him in prison till the day of his death and
elements ought both of them to be administred page 113. Doct. 14. God gaue his Sonne to be a Mediator and a Redeemer for man being in extreâ—â—e misery pa. 117. Doct. 15. It is the duty of all Christians to pray to God for a blessing on the Sacrament or any other Creature that they receiue pag. 127. Doct. 16. Thanksgiuing is a seruice that Christians owe vnto God for his benefits page 136. Doct. 17. Christ tooke not only our nature vpon him but he also suffered for vs. page 149. Doct. 18. Christs suffering was a free-will offering page 163. Doct. 19. It is left no indifferent thing to come vnto this holy Table page 170. Doct. 20. A Minister must not admit al alike to the Lords Supper p. 178. Doct. 21. If a man haue true faith then as certainely as he receiueth the outward elements into his hands and after into his stomach he receiueth Christ and all benefits with him at the hand of God page 187. Doct. 22. Euery faithfull receiuer is made a partaker of a blessed vnion with Christ page 193. Doct. 23. In receiuing the bread we receiue not Christs body but a signe of his body page 202. Doct. 24. None but the elect haue benefit by Christs death page 236. Doct. 25. Those things that Christ commanded are carefully to bee performed page 254. Doct. 26. The Institution of the Lords Supper is imitatory page 268. Doct. 27. We are very inclinable to forgetfulnes page 280. Doct. 28. The Ministers calling is no idle calling page â—92 Doct. 29. The Sacrament confirmethour faith page 298. Doct. 30. We vnder the new Testament haue greater meanes of knowledge and obedience then the faithfull had in the time of the old Testament page 310. Doct. 31. The mysteries of the body and blood of Christ must be ioyned together and are commanded both to be receiued of euery communicant pa. 317. Doct. 32. The Supper of the Lord ought to be celebrated and eaten often many times page 323. Doct. 33. It is a speciall thing required at our hands in eating of the Lords Supper to shew forth Christs death and passion page 327. Doct. 34. At the last day Christ his second comming shall be from heauen page 336. Doct. 35. Christ when comes wil visibly shew himselfe in his manhood page 346. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper 1. Cor. 11. verse 23.24.25.26 c. 23. For I haue receiued of the Lord that which also I deliuered vnto you that the Lord Iesus the same night in which hee was betraied tooke bread 24. And when hee had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my body which is broken for you this doe in remembrance of me 25. After the same manner also he tooke the cup when hee had supped saying This cup is the New Testament in my blood This doe as oft as yee drinke it in remembrance of me c. THe Apostle in the former part of this Chapter hauing laid downe certaine rules concerning comelinesse and holy decency touching the behauiour of men and women especially in publicke places of Gods seruice and worship as that the man should be vncouered but the woman on the contrary in a Christian comelinesie should be couered c. He beginneth in the second part of the Chapter verse 17. to entreate of the Lords Supper vnto the end of the Chapter And in the first place from verse 17. to this my prese 〈◊〉 text hee reprehendeth the Corinthians for that they had â—busâ—â—h this holy Institution partly through Schisme and diuision verse 18.19 partly through neglect of loue one would not stay for another and partly through gluttony and drunkennesse Now in the second place for reforming these abusâ—â— the blessed Apostle drawes the Corinthians to a consideration of the holy Institution iâ— selfe which is set downe from the 23. verse to the 27. verse Wherein consider these 3. things 1 A preface before the words of Institution verse 23. 2 The Institution it selfe verse 24.25 3 The end and vse of the Institution verse 26. Touching the Preface it is set downe in the former part of the 23. verse in these words That which I haue receiued of the Lord I deliuered vnto you In which words S. Paule iustifieth his administration of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and sheweth how he came to be a dispenser of such a great matter as the Lords Supper is Not by any voluntary motion in himselfe nor by any want of maintenance vrging him thereunto neither was ambition ease or honour his prouocation to this duty but it was a businesse and charge committed to him of trust from the Lord for the nature of the word Receiued in this place sheweth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hee was so farre from vndertaking this office of his owne will that it was rather forced vpon him and giuen him in charge This Preface is a forcible reason to conuince the Corinthians of their diuision amongst themselues and their small regard of the Lords Supper albeit they perswaded themseluies that the Apostle did deliuer his owne and not the will of the Lord Iesus which made them so carelesse of this holy Institution yet here he tells them that hespake no otherwise and deliuered no other matter then that he had from the Lord Iesus as if he might say It may bee that the Sacrament is contemned of you because you thinke that it is my owne inuention yet know you that whatsoeuer hath beene deliueted therein by me was not of me but of the Lord Iesus I spake what was put into my mouth by his Spirit and deliuered the same which hee formerly instituted This is the meaning and sense of this Preface and from thence wee may gather these obseruations First in that the Apostle Paul labours to reforme the disorders of the Corinthians by telling them that the Message hee deliuered to them was from the Lord Iesus we learne this point That if there bee any thing amisse in the Church Doctr. 1. or in the course of our liues recourse for there dresse there of must be had vnto the Word of God Here we see the Apostle being about to reforme an abuse touching the Lords Supper amongst the Corinthians hee bringeth them to Gods word telleth them that hee hath receiued another kinde of celebrating this holy Communion and Supper of the Lord out of the Word That which I haue receiued of the Lord c. according to which hee would haue them to conforme themselues and no more prophanely as they had done abuse this so holy an ordinance and Institution of the Lord Iesus The same Apostle being about to confute the error of those that denied the Resurrection he bringeth Gods Word for his warrant and tells them that their opinion is false for otherwise hee had receiued of the Lord out of his Word 1 Cor. 15.3 Esay 53.5.6 and taught them how that Christ died for our sinnes was buried c. and rose
as good so this is as good that vnder these signes you receiue the vertue of Christs body blood by faith as if you did eat his body and drinke his blood indeed Ob. 3. But Christs calling is making Ob. 3. hee called bread his body therefore it is his body Sol. God called the Lamb the Passeouer Sol. is it therefore made the Passeouer or a signe of the passouer He called Circumcision the couenant was it therfore made the couenant or but a sign of the couenant So Christ called himselfe a Vine not that hee made himself a Vine but to signifie vnto vs that as the branches are in the Vine so the faithfull are in him here he calleth bread his body not that it was vpō the word spoken made his body but because it is the Sacrament signe figure of his body Ob. 4. Then it seemeth that there is nothing in the Sacrament but bread and wine Ob. 4. Sol. Not so Sol. In the Sacrament there is more thē the bare Elements Christ saith his body is there Paule saith that it is the communion of the body and blood of Christ therefore this bread goeth beyond common bread for it doth not only nourish the body as it did before but also it bringeth a bread with it which nourisheth the soule not so as the nature of this bread is changed that remaines but the vse of this bread is changed Ob. 5. But Christ is omnipotent and Almighty Ob. 5. hee can turne bread and wine into his body and blood and therefore he doth Sol. 1. It is an olde rule that from can to will there neuer followeth any good argument Sol. 2. God is not called Almighty A posse ad velle non sequitur argumentum because hee can doe all things but because hee is able to doe whatsoeuer his good pleasure is to doe There are certaine things which God cannnot do as for example God cannot deny himselfe he cannot lye hee cannot saue the reprobate and condemne the Elect Whatsoeuer is contrary to his Word that cannot God doe But for Christs body to be really in the Sacrament is contrary to Gods Word therefore God cannot doe that Ob. Ob. 6. 6. But Christ saith himselfe Behold Mat. 28.20 I am with you vnto the end of the world Sol. Sol. It is true Christ is with all his Elect vnto the end of the world spiritually but not corporally he is present among his Elect by his Spirit and grace but not with his naturall body Wheresoeuer two or three are gathered together in my name saith Christ there am I in the middest of them This promise of Christ and such like promises are to be vnderstood not of the corporall presence of Christ here in earth but of his spirituall presence by grace Let the Papists obiect for their transubstantiation what they will yet the truth is this the substance of the bread still remaines in the Sacrament it is not turned into the body of Christ And therefore let vs ground our selues in this That as Christ dwelleth in vs so he is present in the Sacrament and must be eaten of vs Christ dwelleth in vs spiritually by faith Eph. 3.17 therfore hee is spiritually present in the Sacrament and must bee eaten by faith Thus much of Christs promise in these words This is my body Which is broken for you Here is set downe and expressed the benefit and fruit of Christs promise the faithfull Disciples and in them all the Elect are made partakers of the benefit of his death and passion for hee gaue himselfe for their redemption hee had nothing else to giue he might haue said with Peter Gold and siluer haue I none Act. 3.6 neither by any other meanes could he saue his people and therefore He laid down his life for his sheep Ioh. 10.15 he suffered that they might be saued he was accused as guilty that they might bee innocent and hee dyed that they might liue Learne That None but the Elect haue benefit by Christs death and passion Doct. he hath put out the hādwriting of ordinances which was against them hee hath fastned it to the crosse hee hath closed vp the streigth and narrow inclosure of circumcision and broken downe the partition wall for their entrāce into his fathers house the priuiledges benefits of Christs death doe onely belong to the faithfull Heb. 9.12 By his blood he entred in once into the holy place obtained eternal redemption for vs that is for the faithfull and none other As Zachary saw in the heauenly vision two Oliue trees dropping oyle through the pipes into the bolles of the golden Candlesticke Zach. 4.2.3 So Christ this Oliue tree doth not conuey his graces to any by the vertue of his death which is as the pipe but to those that belong to the golden candlesticke of his Church Christ is only the Sauiour of his body Eph. 5.23 Reas 1 1 It was not Gods purpose that Christ should dye for all men for if he had how comes it to passe that some are damned already and others that haue no faith shall be damned hereafter either Gods purpose to saue thē is frustrate or else God cannot doe it and so something should resist the power of God which is blasphemy to thinke Secondly if God had such a purpose to saue all men and then after seeing the incredulity of man shold change his minde then the execution of Gods will should depend vpon the vncertainty and instability of the euent which doth derogate much frō the al-sufficiency of God and therefore we say that Christ suffered for none but such as haue their garments dipped in the blood of the Lambe Reas 2 2 Christ died for none but those for whom he prayed and they were none but the faithful Ioh. 17.9 as for the world he neuer prayed for it Yea further for whom Christ giueth himselfe to those hee giueth his Spirit to abide with them and to seale vp their saluation to their owne soules for the Spirit letteth them know the things that are giuen them of God But the world cannot receiue him for the world seeth him not nor knoweth him Ioh. 14.16.17 and much lesse can it receiue him Reas 3 3 For whom Christ gaue himselfe to them hee alwayes tendered his loue but hee euer shewed his loue abundantly to the faithfull He loued his Church saith the Apostle and therefore he gaue himselfe for it Eph. 5.25 And againe He loued vs and gaue himselfe for vs. Reu. 1.5 Now what is meant here by Vs all man-kinde or any of the wicked Nothing lesse but by it wee vnderstand Gods deare children and Saints Such as are washed from their sins Ver. 6. and are made Kings and Priests vnto God 4 If Christs death had beene effectuall for all men then it had beene impossible for any man yea the reprobates Cain Iudas and
seruice of himselfe Helps and meanes of obedience And that we may walke in the way of obedience let vs vse these helpes 1 Make conscience of the least duty as knowing that omission of duties shall receiue sentence against them Mat. 25.42 as well as commission of euill 2 Looke what thou art called vnto and in thy calling what is most needfull and that doe wisely preferring the generall calling before the speciall and heauenly things before earthly Mat. 6.33 3 Keepe thy selfe in readinesse to euery good work knowing that thou hast alwaies one iron in the fire a soule to saue an Election to make sute 2. Pet. 1.10 which requireth all diligence 4 Suffer thy selfe to be guided by the rule and square of Gods Word it is a Lanterne a light to guide thee and the word of grace that will teach thee to deny all vngodlinesse and worldly lusts Tit. 2.11.12 and to liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world 5 Hee that would doe all that God commands must not only take occasions offered but euen seeke them and watch thē as beeing glad to obtaine them 6 Let not the Lord finde a time wherein hee may say to thee as hee did once to some standing in the streets Why stand you here gazing all day but say to thy soule as Dauid did to his Sonne Salomon Vp and be doing There is no time wherein God and thy neighbour and thy selfe the Church or Cōmonwealth or thy family or the Saints abroad broad call not for some duty from thee Oh lay vp these rules and they will be excellent helps to set thee forward in the way of obedience Notes of obedience Quest But how may I know that I am obedient vnto Gods Commandements Quest Sol. 1. Sol. God loues truth in the inward parts and refuseth all that obedience which followes not sanctification of the spirit Examine now thy inward parts and see whether there bee such a change in thee as thou canst ioin the subiection of thy soule with the obedience of thy body 2 Examine thy selfe whether the loue of God constraines thee or the prouocations of men compells thee to obedience a free horse needs not the wand nor one willing to obey needes no coactions nor faire encreatings 3 Examine thy manner of obedience whether it be a cheerful and a willing obedience that repineth not as giuing God too much that deuiseth no excuses as Saul when he did but halfe the Commandement 1. Sam. 15. that seeketh no delayes I made haste Psal 119. delayed not to keepe thy righteous iudgements 4 Doest thou make conscience of the least Commandement as well as the greatest and of all the Commandements as well as one obeying the Commandement of faith in the Gospell as well as the Commandement of the actuall and morall law obeying the Commandement as well of doing good as of abstaining from euill And lastly doth thy obedience hold out and neuer shrink away then surely thy obedience is sound and thou art a true and faithful Disciple doing whatsoeuer thy Lord and master hath commanded Ioh. 15. Thus much in generall of this Commandement of Christ in these words This doe c. That which Christ in particular commanded was the celebration of this Supper This do as you haue seene mee doing before you Celebrate this my Supper according to my institution Obserue Doct. the celebration of this Sacrament is imitatorie the Minister and receiuer haue nothing therein difficult or miraculous for then Christ would not haue imposed it vppon them for imitation workes of wonder are impossible to simple men they must bee left vnto diuine powers That which our Sauiour commanded heere is such a thing as both may and ought to be done Hee did not bid his Disciples turne the bread into his body or the wine into his blood that is a matter that went beyond their skill and had beene a strange miracle indeed but as hee tooke the bread and wine gaue thankes for them brake the bread and powred the wine distributed them amongst his Disciples and commanded that they should eate and drink of them so would he haue both Minister and people to doe in imitation of him This may serue to reproue the Papists Vse that add so many gawds to this Sacrament which Christ neuer instituted that Lay people cannot see Christ through them This institution left to our imitation is made an oblation and a sacrifice by them Christ said Doe this but not offer this for hee offered not his body nor his blood at this Supper yet they make this Sacrament an Offering an Expiatory Propitiatory and a satisfactory Sacrifice for the sinnes both of the quicke and dead which doth much weaken the vertue of Christs death and crosse the word of Gods Spirit teaching vs by his Apostle that with one offering Christ hath consecrated for euer them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 so as this Sacrament cannot be a Sacrifice The offering of his body was but once made to take away the sinnes of many Ver. 10. Heb. 9.28 neither did Christ leaue it to vs that wee should vnderstand it as a Sacrifice knowing that then wee could neuer imitate him Besides they make the Sacrament a veile to hide Christ by their trashy additions Christ said Doe this that is eate drinke c. But they goe further they must put on their masking apparell Albes girdles copes tunicles deacon subdeacon they must haue their ceremonies as censers balles candles candlesticks paxes pixes corporasses corporasse clothes superaltaries Altars Altar cloathes chalices cruets napkins they must vse strange gestures turnings returnings gaspings gapings kneelings crowchings crossings knocking 's winckings starings kissings lickings noddings nosings washings weepings with confessions prostrations commemorations consecrations coniurations pausations and a thousand other abominations All which are strange things and nothing concerne vs in the celebration of Christs Supper 2 Here also may be reprooued all too curious Ministers that runne more vpon circumstance then substance putting as much vertue in the outward robes and vestiments as in the matter of this Sacrament But Christ bids vs not put on this apparell or that piece of linnen all that he gaue in charge was they should administer this Supper as he did to his Disciples 3 Here may bee reprooued many receiuers who make many a quaere at the behauiour of the Minister not regarding the efficacy of this Supper to bee of God Ob. Some say Ob. how may I communicate with a wicked Minister or with what comfort Sol. The wickednesse of the Minister may somewhat lessen the comfort Sol. but neither diminish the perfection of the Sacrament it selfe nor hinder the efficacy thereof to vs seeing the efficacy depends onely on the promise of God and the faith of the receiuer Ob. But how can he be a means of conueying grace to me Ob. that is a gracelesse man Sol. Grace is compared
Can. comperimus autem quod quidam sumptâ c Anno 494. Pope Gelasius ordained that all Christians spiritual and temporall should receiue the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in both kindes and hee that would not should abstaine from both Pope Iulius the first Ibid. Cum omne c. Anno. 338. commanded that the people should receiue both the bread and the wine one seuerall from another Pope Eugenius the fourth allowed of Christs institution when the Councell holden at Basile concluded that according to Christs institution the people shold receiue the Sacrament in both kinds Anno 1430. 7 Lastly they speake much for charity but yet there is none to be found in their Sacrament For what charity is there where one drinkes vp all alone If their Sacrament were a Sacrament of charity and loue then the members of Christ might not only eate thereof but also drinke The Cup of blessing which we blesse 1. Cor. 10 16. is it not a communion of the blood of Christ and againe Do we not all partake the same bread But the Masse-monger he eates and drinkes vp all by himselfe contrary to Christs commandement and the order of charity so as he makes the Lords Supper a Sacrament of hatred and dissention rather then of loue and vnity Verse 26. For as often as yee eate this bread and drinke this cup yee do shew the Lords death till he come The Apostle hauing set downe the institution of this Sacrament now proceedeth to the end and vse of it and teacheth vs how wee may remember the death of Christ how the vertue thereof may bee sealed and stamped in our consciences For as often c. That is whensoeuer you are partakers of the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ and necessary it is that we should often communicate You shew forth the Lords death or you shal shew forth the Lords death The word vsed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth to declare or set forth And according to the sense of the Ancient Hebrewes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deu. 20.3 it signifieth to praise or giue thankes or to make profession It is much at one with that which was spoken before Do this in remembrance of me till he come till the day of Iudgement when Christ will perfonally appeare at that time wee shall neede no shewes nor simbolls of him for then hee will shew himselfe from heauen bodily that all men may behold him visibly but till that time come this Sacrament is a shew of his death and a remembrance of his person So often as yee eate From this word Often here vsed of the Apostle we learne this Doctrine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That This holy Communion of the Lords Supper Doct. ought at sundry and diuers times to be celebrated and administred of the Pastor and receiued of the people This the Apostle giueth vs to vnderstand in that he saith So often as ye eate taking it for granted that it is not sufficient for vs to eate once or twice by the yeare at this blessed Table and of this holy Supper but we must eate thereof often as time and occasion may coÌ„ueniently serue Hence wee see in the Olde Testament though the people of God were but once circuÌ„cised yet often and sundry times they receiued the Passeouer and eate the Paschall Lambe So though we be but once baptized yet we are to be made frequent partakers of the Lords table For a man is borne but once Reason but hee encreaseth still till he come to a perfect growth euen so a Christian is but once borne of water and the Spirit and so by baptisme is receiued into Gods Church but being in the Church hee daily encreaseth or ought to encrease till he becom a perfect man in Christ and therefore answerably this Sacrament of the Lords Supper must often be receiued beeing a signe a speciall meanes and help of our growing forward in Christ Omnibus diebus dominicis comunicandâ—â— suadeo Aug. My counsell is saith one that euery Lords day this blessed Sacrament bee receiued Vse Here two sorts of people may greatly bee reproued Vse First all such whether they bee teachers or people that content themselues with receiuing this holy Sacrament but once a yeare they thinke it sufficient and therefore they will trouble themselues no more with it this plainely sheweth their superstitious madnesse in their choyce of one day in the yeare viz. Easter day and no other for the receiuing of this Sacrament and it bewrayeth their little care of the remembrance of Christ of his death sufferings and shedding of his blood for remission of sinnes 2 All such may be reproued that when occasion is offered yet for negligence slothfulnesse ignorance malice hatred or for clearing themselues of hypocricy as some say c. will not receiue they will absent themselues on purpose neuer considering this duty of often receiuing which was coÌ„manded by Christ binds the conscience It may bee that thou art not prepared that thou liest in sinne without repentance that thou hast hatred enuy and malice boyling in thy heart against thy neighbour In this taking thou art not to lye still but to vse double diligence in preparing thy selfe in repenting of thy sinnes in seeking reconciliation with thy brethren otherwise thou doest depriue thy selfe of that singular fruite and great good which may bee reaped from the receiuing of this Sacrament This point hath beene handle before and by Gods assistance shall bee more largely spoken of in our treatise touching the duties of Communicants Yee shew the Lords death This is a special end of this Sacrament and teacheth vs that wee ought often to remember Christ Doct. and to shew forth his death this is a speciall thing which God requireth at our hands and for this end and purpose he hath enioyned vs this Sacrament And Christ also willeth vs in the eating of this sacramentall bread and drinking this sacramentall cup to remember him for in so doing wee shall shew forth his death till he come Christs death is shewed forth either in word or in life 1 In word First by praysing and magnifying God for his mercies in Christ especially for our Redemption wee are made a chosen generation a royall Priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people 1. Pet. 2 9. that wee might set forth the vertues of him that hath called vs out of darkenesse into his marueilous light therefore Blessed be the Lord God of Israel Luk. 1.68.69 because he hath visited and redeemed vs and raised vp the horne of Saluation vnto vs in the house of his seruant Dauid yea blessed be the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ Eph. 1.3 who hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things 2 By making a confession and profession of Christ his death before our enemies Bee you ready alwayes to giue an answer to euery man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you 1. Pet. 3.15 Phil. 2.11 Thus Peter made a bold profession of the death of Christ before the men of Iudaea Act. 2.14 3.10.18 4.8.9.10 c. 5.29 30. 10.34 35. c. all that dwelt at Ierusale before Cornelius his whole houshold So did Paule and all other the Apostles beeing not ashamed of his death whereby they and all the faithfull finde life 2 In life 1. By suffering crosses and afflictions for Christs sake We must looke to Iesus the Author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 who for our sakes endured the Crosse and despised shame c. The seruant must not looke to bee aboue his Master Christ hath chalked the way and wee must walk after him through afflictions and troubles through sorrowes and crosses 2. Cor. 4.8.9.10 Paul tels vs that he did beare about in his body the dying of the Lord Iesus but how In this that he was troubled on euery side perplexed distressed persecuted cast down c. Vnto vs therefore it is giuen not onely to beleeue in Christ Phil. 1.30 but to suffer for his sakes Let vs take vp our Crosse and follow him knowing that afflictions and sufferings are the markes of the Lord Iesus in our body and that hee will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we are able 2 By a daily sorrowing and bleeding in our hearts shall Christ suffer for our sinnes and shall not wee whose sinnes they are be moued and affected The bleeding of our hearts with sorrow and the dropping downe of teares from our eyes may put vs in mind of his precious blood that dropped distilled downe from his sides The hardest Adamant that cannot be bruised with an hammer yet if it be steeped in the warme blood of a Goate it may be broken And surely the blood of Christ will supple and soften our hearts that we may lament and be sorry for him Zach. 12.10 as one that is sorry for his first borne The more wee mourne and weepe for our sinnes the more wee are put in mind of the sorrow and anguish Christ felt bleeding in his heart at his death when he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 3 By dying vnto sinne Christ his death must bee like vnto the graue The graue consumes the body so the death of Christ must consumethe body of sinne This dying vnto sinne is called a crucifying of the old Man with all his workes Rom. 6.6 an vtter abandoning of sinne a selling of all that we possesse Mat. 13.14 a destroying of the body of sinne a mortifying of the deeds of the flesh Rom. 8.13 c. They that are Christs will shew forth his death by crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof Gal. 5.24 and in that Christ died vnto sinne once it may teach vs Rom. 6.10.11 euen vs that are redeemed by his blood to make this account reckoning with our selues to dye vnto sin euery day and to deny al manner of world lusts neuer walking after the flesh Tit. 2.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8.4.9 though wee walke in the flesh The vse of this point is seeing God requireth at our hands the remembrance of Christ Vse and not onely so but that wee should shew forth his death Let vs then in the fear of God be carefull of this duty and shew forth his death till he come by magnifying his Name by making profession of the faith before the world by enduring troubles afflictions by inward sorrowing and weeping for our transgressions which were the sharp nails that entred into his precious body and by a daily dying vnto sinne But alas for the most part we forget Christ we neuer thinke on him wee seldome or neuer glorifie his holy Name as appeareth by our generall carelesnesse in all holy duties by our small account of Christs Passion by our ordinary cursing and swearing wee seldome or neuer make profession of the sauing faith vnlesse it bee cursorily or negligently for feare wee should bee disgraced in the world with the vpbraiding name of Puritans and nice Protestants or for feare of the losse of great mens fauour we neuer suffer for Christs sake but rather like Demas flie the troubles that are to come or if wee suffer it is as a malefactor 1. Pet. 4.15 or as a thiefe or an euill doer or as a busie-body in other mens matters Or for tumults in the Church by schisme and heresie or because we shame to be coūted Apostates and reuolters or because we desire to be honored as Martyrs We neuer mourne or take on for our sinnes but we remaine impenitent and lye in the hardnesse of our hearts neither doe we labour to kill sinne but it reignes in our mortall bodies which is the sword to kill Christ and as the poyson of a dragon in the mouth of Christ Thus wee put farre from vs the death of Christ Oh therefore if wee will looke to haue any part in Christ let vs not thus remaine in blindnesse and stubbornenesse let vs not thus blot Christ out of the booke of our memories but let vs so carry our selues that in euery thing wee take in hand we may remember him and shew forth his death Till he come There is a twofold comming of Christ one of bafenesse and humility which is his first comming and past already another of glory and power which is the second comming that we daily expect and of that doth our Apostle heere speake Till he come that is vntill Christs second comming to Iudgement From hence learne That At the last day Christ will come from heauen Doct. and visibly appeare in his manhood For the first Christ will come from heauen this is plaine in sundry places of Gods word Phil. 3.20 Our conuersation is in heauen frō whence we looke for the Sauiour Mat. 24.30 The Son of man shall come in the clouds of heauen Act. 1.11 This Iesus which is taken vp from you into heauen shall so come as ye haue seene him goe into heauen And againe 1. Thes 4.16 The Lord shall descend from heauen This needs no furt her proofe It is a thing that we all beleeue and confesse that Christ beeing ascended into heauen and sitting at the right hand of God will come againe from heauen in his appointed time This may reproue many sectaries Vse and Atheisticall mockers of Christs second comming First the Carpocratians the Caians Porphyrie and other Sadducean heretiques that deny the Resurrection and the day of Iudgement when Christ should come they take away the cause and the end of his comming so by consequence they deny his second appearance Secondly the Iewes who fasten both their eyes so stedfastly vpon his first comming the basenesse and humility thereof that they haue no leisure to thinke of his second glorious appearance they