Epistle 11. cap. verse 23.24 as followeth For I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also haue delivered vnto you to vvitte that the Lord Iesus in the night that he was betrayed tooke bread And when he had given thankes hee brake it and said Take eate this is my body which is broken for you This doe yee in remembrance of mee After the same manner also he tooke the cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the new testament in my blood this doe as oft as yee drink it in remembrance of mee For as often as yee shall eate this bread and drinke this Cup yee shevve the Lords death till hee come VVherefore let a man therefore examine himselfe c. Note heere how St. Paule saith For I haue receaued of the Lord which I also haue delivered vnto you c. Wherby it appeareth that the forme of celebrating the Lordes Supper must be taken from the institution thereof whose partes are these 1. First on the behalfe of the Pastour to shewe forth the death of the Lord by preaching his word to sāctifie the bread wine the name of God being called on and his institution being explicated togither with praiers then to deliver the bread broken to be eaten the cup receaved to bee drunken with giving of thankes 2. Secōdly on the behalfe of the People to trie thēselvs that is to search our aswell their knowledge as faith repētance to shew forth the Lordes death that is with a true faith to yeeld their cōsent vnto Gods word institutiō at length to eate the bread receaved frō the hand of the Minister and to drinke the vvine vvith giving of thankes vnto the Lord. This was the Liturgie of St. Paule the Apostles which word the Papistes wrest mightely to bolster vp their Masse The first Institution by Christ himselfe fullie sett downe Math 26. cap 26. vers And as they did eate Iesus tooke the bread and when he had givē * thanks he brake it gaue it to the disciples said Take eat This is my body Also he tooke the Cup when he had * given thankes he gaue it them saying Drinke yee all of it For this is my bloud of the new Testament that is shedde for many for the remission of sinnes I say vnto you that I will not drinke from henceforth of this fruit of the Vine vntill that day when I shal drinke it new with you in my fathers kingdome And when they had songe a Psalme they wēt out into the moūt of Oliues c. * And when hee had given thankes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in steed wherof St. Mark. vseth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which a little after hee expoūdeth also by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gratias egi sset that is had given thanks according to St. Mathews wordes Therfore to blesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not heere taken for to consecrate with a magicall murmuring by vertue of wordes yet are the bread and wine chaunged though not in nature but in quality For they are made Symbols of the body bloud of Christ not by their owne nature nor yet by force of wordes but by the institution of Christ which ought to be rehearsed and opened that faith may haue what to embrace both in the word in the Elements Muscu Loc. com 397. Now when St. Austen saith Accedat verbum adelementum fiat sacramentum that is Let the word be added to the Element it shal be a Sacramēt Hee doth not vnderstand by it the word rehearsed over the Signes to be a certaine Consecration of the Elemēts as the Papists doe cogge with their five wordes of Cōsecration barely though raptissimè that is dromedarily as one may say or as t' is commonly said without any stoppe turch of breath pronoūced viz. Hoc est enim corpus meum that is For this is my body and yet I spare to tel how they foist in enim pretilie as it were at the bynne doore to make vp their quinarie number but Austen vnderstandeth therby the word of God who doth institute promise require faith answerable to his promise And so indeede this word when it commeth once vnto the Element it is forthwith of an Element become now a Sacrament The Institution likewise out of Saint Marke Mark 14 22. And as they did eate Iesus tooke the bread and vvhen hee had given thankes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he brake it gaue it to them and saide Take eate this is my bodie Also he tooke the Cuppe and when he had given thankes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he gaue it to them they all dranke of it And hee saide vnto them This is my bloud of the new Testament which is shed for many Verely I say vnto you I vvill drinke no more of the fruite of the Vine vntill that day that I drinke it new in the kingdome of God And vvhen they had sung a Psalme they went out to the mount of Oliues c. The Institution according to Saint Luke Luke 22. cap. 19. vers And hee tooke bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and gaue to them saying This is my bodie which is given for you doe this in remembrance of mee Likewise also after supper he tooke the cup saying This * Cup is the new Test in my bloud which is shed for you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * that is This cup 〈◊〉 the. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 new Testamēt in my bloud which is shed for you Where a double figure called metonymia is to bee observed For first the continent or the thing cōteining is put for the thing conteined therein As the Cup is put from the vvine Secondly the wine is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foedus that is the Covenant or Testament whereas it is but only a Symbole and token of the Covenant or of that thing rather namely the bloud of our Saviour by which the Testament is confirmed And albeit it is a marke signe or token yet is it true nothing vaine nor idle must be distinguished frō that very thing which is represented by it VVherefore by the Papistes leaue yea though they tugge and toile out their very harts about this point such speeches as these viz. when Circumcision is called the Covenant Gen 17.10 Acts. 7.8 when the Paschall Lambe is called the Passover that Baptisme is the Laver of regeneration that Baptisme doth save vs that sprinkeling of water is the sprinkeling of the blood of Christ Lastly that this Cup is the new Testamēt c. all these I say are metaphoricallie and figuratively to be vnderstood Now I pray what sense haue they that these wordes This is my body I leaue out enim for because both Mathew Marke and Luke doe leaue it out should not bee figuratiuely sacramentally spiritually vnderstood also But by this even the simplest may soone perceave how they doe nothing but dodge herein and most
in you He that eateth my flesh drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him And Corinth 10. chap. vers 16. The cup of blessing which wee blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ For we that are many are one bread and one bodie because we are all partakers of one bread So yee see heere that St. Paule saith that the bread which we breake is the Cōmuniō of the body of Christ which is it is the thing whereby we are receaved into Communion and fellowship with the body of Christ and doe growe togither into one with him Therfore al the Fathers iointly teach that the very true flesh of Christ not that which was feigned of the Heretiks to be invisible but that which is like to ours in all things except sinne is truelie eaten of vs in the Supper of the Lord is so eatē that we wholy grow into one whole Christ how great soeuer we bee being made flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone Eph. 5.30 See Zanchius in his treatesse of spiritual wedlocke Herevpon saith Zanchius Cyrill and other of the Fathers affirmed that Christ dwelleth corporally and naturally in vs. Which words saith he must bee vnderstoode not of the manner howe Christ dwelleth in vs as if he were in vs in any naturall and fleshly manner but they are to be vnderstood of the things whereto we are vnited For we are vnited to the true natural body of Christ and that by a true and reall vnion but yet if you respect the manner how this is wrought surely then it is accomplished and done by these two means namely by the spirit and by faith Now this is farre of I thinke from that carnall grosse and fleshlie manner which the Papists dreame of This Doctrin touching our incorporation into Christ by a spiritual māner all the Fathers taught Wherefore Augustin in his 50 tract vpō Iohn Let thē saith he meaning the Iewes heare lay hold of Christ who sitteth at the right hand of God the Father in heavē They answere whom shall I lay hould on him that is absent Howe shal I lifte vp my hand into heavē to lay hold on him sitting there lift vp thy * And in the Primitiue church they vsed to say these words vnto the people Sursum cor da in tokē that they were to pearce the very heavens with St. Steven Act. 7 56. by their faith and there behold Christ as he is man and not in the earth faith and thou hast laid hold on him Thy Fathers held him in the flesh doe thou holde him in thy heart because Christ beeing absent is yet nevertheles also present vnles he were present he could not be held of vs. Augustine sheweth at large that Christ is absent in the flesh but is present with vs in Maiestie Whence it is manifest that this Vnion is essentiall and reall if we respect the thinges that are vnited and the truth of the vnion but if we cōsider the manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is how it is made it is spirituall Q. VVhat is there no Coniunction thē where faith is not A. Noe doubtles but a Sacramentall Cōiunction onely which returneth into iudgmēt to him that doth receine it Q. If it bee so vvhy doth St. Paule affirme those to become guiltie of the bodie and blood of the Lord vvhich doe eate this bread and drinke the Cup vnworthelie 1. Corint 11.27 1. Corint 10.16.17 A. This may easily bee answered with the like because hee that beleeveth not the word of God but heareth it vnworthely is guiltie of the word of God For why whosoever beleeveth not shal bee condemned Looke Marke 16.16 Item Iohn 12. ca. vers 47.48 Q. Yea St. Austen hath the like kinde of speech As he which eateth saith he the bodie drinketh the blood of Christ vnvvorthely eateth and drinketh his owne dānation so he that receaveth Baptisme vnvvorthelie receaveth iudgment and not salvation A. Where this learned Father speaketh sacramentally attributing vnto the Signe the name of the thing it selfe Q. Howe are the wicked then guilty of the body bloud of Christ whenas they receave but the bare Elements or Signes alone A. Because the disgrace reproach which they doe to the sacred signes and symbols doth redound even against the thinges themselues signified thereby Q. Can you make this plaine and familiar by some instance or other A. Yes surely it may be gathered frō the experiēce of affaires in this life For whosoever doth spue vpon doth teare and trample vnder foote the Image or letters-Patents of an Emperour and mightie Prince is foorthwith adiudged guiltie of hie treason againe the ill entreaty or vsage of Embassadours doth returne and fall out vnto the contempt contumely of the king that sent thē But of how much sorer punishmēt suppose yee according to the Apostles wordes Heb. 10.29 shal he be worthy which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God and counteth the bloode of the Testament as an vnholy thinge wherewith he was sanctified doth despight the Spirit of Grace Looke besides 30.31 verses of the same chap. Item Heb. 6.6 Item 1. Cor. 11.7 where you shall finde the like phrases Notwithstanding it is but absurdlie gathered out of 1. Corint 11. chap. 27. vers that the vnbeleevers cannot therfore bee guiltie of the bodie and bloode of Christ because they doe not reallie eate Christ in the Sacrament as though they could no otherwise be guiltie of it and namely by their vnbeleife whenas yet St. Paule speaketh not there of vnbeleevers but even of the verie beleevers themselues vnreverētly handling this Sacrament Thirdly Q. VVhat is the Meditation of the Supper A. This is twofold consisting 1. In the Endes 2. In the Vse Q. VVhat are those speciall Endes A. They be fiue as 1. A remēbrāce of the Lords death 2. A Sacrament of our incorporatiō 3. A Sacrament of our spiritual repast and nourishment 4. A pledge of forgivenes of sinnes 5. A bond true knotte of loue Of these in order as they lie First The Supper of the Lord is memoria mortis that is a Sacramēt ordained for a remembrance of the body of Christ delivered vp to death for vs and of his blood shedde for many for the remissiō of sinnes St. Paule 1. Cor. 11. ca. 26 v. describeth this end most perspicuouslie For as often saith he as yee shall eate this bread and drinke this Cup yee shewe the Lords death till he come And Christ himselfe Luk. 22 cap. 19. vers Doe this saith he in remembrance of mee Iustine the Martyr Colloq cum Triphon Apolog. 2. saith that the Eucharisticall bread is committed to vs ad recordationem passionis Christi that is for a remēbrance of the passion of Christ Now marke heere how shamefully the Papistes are besides their beades in going
Spirit by whose gracious working being freede from these hellish downefals of sin wickednes of desperate sinnes of presumptuous sinnes of sinnes by omission of sinnes by commission of sins by ignorance of secrete sinnes of notorious and outragious crying sins briefly of sines against the first table and of sins against the second table we may the residue of our daies which are but few and evill be lifted vp to place our cogitations on heaven and heavenly things there to contemplate with the eye of a stedfast and liuelie faith Christ Iesus our alone and onely redeemer that through a true feeling and apprehension therof wee may with that blessed Martyr St. Steven pearce the heavens and behould our alone al-sufficient saving Mediatour standing at the right hand of God cladd with the garmēts of our slesh both preparing the way and making intercession for vs and that we likewise by vertue of our mystical incorporation and vnion with him receaving from his handes the garments of his righteousnes may be covered from the accusations terrours of our sinnes For who is it that shal stand vp lay anie thing vnto our charge It is God that iustifieth Or who is it that shal cōdemne It is Christ which is deade yea or rather which is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Wee then truelie resolved through a due cōsideration of these thinges doe beseech thee our most gracious loving Father to establish these thy blessings in vs to continue vs in the truth of thy holie Gospel that as wee are according to thy great mercie freely adopted and accepted for iust in thy sight by the only obedience and merits and ful satisfaction of Christ our Saviour so againe that we might striue through thine especial favour in our daylie conversation and in the midst of a crooked and stiffnecked generation to approue our selues out of the fruites of a lively faith to be sincere followers and embracers of thee To which purpose we begge of thee ô Father to sanctifie vs with thy Spirit that we loathing from the heart our inborne filthines and mortifying our members which are on earth fornication vncleanes inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousnes which is Idolatrie putting away evē al these things wrath anger maliciousnes cursed speaking filthy speaking out of our mouths and in a word putting of the olde man with his workes wee may thine onelie goodnes to vs-wardes effecting it bee prepared to receive the new by putting on as the Elect of God tender mercy kindenes humblenes of minde meekenes longsuffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another Finally wee stirred vp with a fellow feeling of others wants as members of one body with the residue of thy Saints in the Communion thereof doe humbly entreate thy diuine Maiestie to bee gracious and louing vnto thy Church which liueth here in continuall exile warfare vpon the earth protect it O Lord saflie vnder thy wings against the rage of Satan and the furies of blood-thirsty men particularly for these of England Scotlād Frāce Ireland in them as the Principal member therof for thine obedient seruant our dread Soveraigne Lord Iames by thy Grace King of the foresaid Realmes Dominions defender of the true ancient catholike and Apostolike faith and in all Causes over all Persons within these his Maiesties Kingdomes next and immediatly vnder thee Supreame head gouernour grant vnto him health and prosperitie all his daies crowne him so long as he liueth vpō this earth with cōtinuall victories over his enemies giue him the spirit of wisedome knowledge and iudgement that he may carefully vprightly go in and out before thy people enrich his Royal heart with thine heauenlie blessings namely true faith godly zeale loue and feare of thy holie name euen al the daies of his life after this life once expired crowne him in thine euerlasting Kingdome with blisse and triumphant glorie We pray thee eftwise for al the Nobility Gentry and comminalty of this Realme and more especially for the Lords of the Privie Councell that as they are high in Honor great Peares of this Land so they may be great Pillers also in the Church to exalt and advance thy name Blesse in like manner all the Cleargie and Ministerie of this Land by what names and titles soeuer they are called engraue in their breasts that Vrim and Thummim that is to say an inwarde burning zeale ioined with soundnes of doctrine and with vprightnes and integritie of life Extende thy mercifull care on all Vniversities and schooles the nurceries of good learning that they may according to thy good pleasure remaine euermore as habitations for the Prophets Prophets children so long as the Sun and Moone endureth Keepe O Lord direct in thy feare the Magistracie of this Land that they in their Places may discharge a good conscience in the Ministration of equitie iustice togither with the advancement of pietie and vertue Moreover wee doe pray thee for all those that suffer any Crosse or trouble either sicknesse of body or vexation of minde affliction persecution for thy names sake and the testimony of a good conscience that it may please thee to en arme them with patience cōstancie to perseuere vnto the end of al their trials knowing that patience bringeth forth experience experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed And more particularly we powre forth our hūble supplications and suites vnto thy Maiestie for al such as doe lie groueling and groaning vnder the burdē of their sins make thou their bed in the time of their sicknes by putting thy Spirit into their harts by comforting and relieuing thē with inward ioies that thereby their faith may be increased their hope confirmed their loue enflamed their patience perseuerance made known vnto men and Angels tried continued preserued that neither Leviathan that crooked wylie serpent withall his mischieuous assaults without neither the bruisedly afflicted conscience within neither the gaping gulfe of hel beneath neither the angrie threatning heauens for our sinnes aboue neither the allurements and earthly cogitations changes of this world on the one side neither the wicked Imps thereof on the other may strik a terror into our minds but that in the assurance of a good conscience we may being bold confident as a Lyon breake through them al and saie with the Prophet Dauid The Lord of Hostes is with vs the God of Iacob is our refuge And againe with St. Paule In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved vs. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Last of al we yeeld vnto thee good Lord most humble thanks for thy mercies showred forth yea powred downe vpon vs out of the riches of thy Grace that is for our Creation in time our Election before al time our Preseruatiō Vocation Iustification Sanctification and for the good hopes sake of our Glorification in the time to come as also we thank thee so long as we shal moue breath vpō the earth for our health our wealth our food our rayment our education our instruction our peace tranquillitie and for this so long and so large a time of repentaunce giuen vnto vs by the preaching of thy truth amōgst vs which vphold thou stil O Lord wee praie thee euen for thine owne glories sake and for the vnspeakeable consolations sake gathering in togither of thy Saintes That so in the end we maie al meete iointlie in the vnitie of one faith that in the meane time we may wait for the hastning consummation of the kingdome of Christ thy deare Son our Lord and Sauiour who testifieth these things and saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Iesus 1. Tim. 2. chap. 1.2 verses I exhort therfore that first of all supplications praiers intercessions and giving of thankes bee made for all men For Kings and all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all goodnesse and honestie A very short but sweete Dialogue betweene an ancient deepe learned Father and his Sister reasoning vpon the Case with in themselues O Sister saith hee no man is righteous euery man is guilty of wicked workes words and thoughts and what then shal we doe when wee shall come before God to bee iudged For if the righteousnesse of the righteous shal not be had in remembrance if the iust shall scarse be saued where shall the wicked and sinner appeare O brother she saith again this causeth me to wish with the Prophet that mine heade were a fountaine of teares that I might bewaile my sinfull life Indeede saith the other that is somewhat for one teare in this life is better then al the weeping and gnashing of teeth which shal be after this life For God is neere in this life that is he will be entreated to forgiue vs but then he wil be far of which is he wil not yeeld to anie petition As the last howre of thy life leaues thee so the first howre of iudgment shal finde thee For where the tree falleth there it lieth Eccl. 11. chap. 3. verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS