THE DOCTRINE OF THE LORDS SVPPER By way of Question and Answer Gathered out of 1. Corinth chap. 11. ver 23. to 33. By CHARLES RICHARDSON Preacher at S. Katharins neare the Tower of London LONDON Printed by Lionell Snowdon for W. Butlar and are to be sold at his shop in the Bulwarke neare the Tower of London 1616. ¶ To my Christian Auditours at S. Katharines neare the Tower increase of all sauing graces CHristian Auditours though among all the parts of Gods seruice which wee are bound to performe there are none more excellent nor more honourable then the worthy receiuing of his holy blessed Supper yet it is fearefull and lamentable to see how much it is generally abused and profaned in the world Some are ignorant and vnderstand nothing at all of the true vse of the Sacrament As our Sauiour Christ said to the woman of Samaria Iohn 4.22 Yee worship that which ye know not so it may be truely said to many at this day They receiue that which they know not They haue no iudgement to discerne the Lords body and therefore they rush vpon these holy Mysteries without any reuerence Others are notoriously wicked holding their sins in their right hand Ierem. 7.9 10 They will steale murther and commit adultery and sweare falsly c. As the Prophet saith yet thinke they may come and stand before God in his house Matth. 7.6 and though in the sight of God they be no better then filthy dogges and swine yet they will presume to sit as guests at his Table Others againe there are that haue both knowledge and grace in some measure and yet for want of due preparation come many times to the Lords Supper without that reuerence that is required For the reforming of all these abuses I haue in your hearing handled in many Sermons the Doctrine of this Sacrament as the Apostle hath set it downe And for the helpe of those that are ignorant I haue drawne the summe of all that was publikely taught into short Questions and Answers which here I commend vnto you as an vnfained testimony of my loue I confesse I owe much vnto you for the great kindenesse which I daily receiue at your hands For as you entertained me at my first comming with a generall consent 2 Cor. 8.3 so I beare you record that to your power yea and many of you beyond your power are willing to giue me better maintenance considering the pouerty of the place then many richer Parishes about the Citie doe affoord All that I can doe is to continue my paines among you as I haue begunne so long as it shall please God And I desire you all to labour together in prayer for me that I may with all faithfulnesse fulfill the Ministerie that I haue receiued of the Lord. Coloss 4.17 Thus hoping you will accept this small gift of mine with the same affection that I offer it I commend you all to the grace of God beseeching him to make your hearts stable and vnblameable in holinesse before God euen our Father at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all his Saints Yours in the Lord CHARLES RICHARDSON THE DOCTRINE OF THE LORDS SVPPER Question WHat doeth the Apostle set downe in this portion of Scripture A. Two things Qu. Which are they A. 1. The true institution of the Lords Supper to the 27. verse 2 The right vse thereof in the rest of the verses Q. What is to be obserued in the first part A. 1. A Preface 2. The Institution it selfe Que. What are the words of the Preface A. I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also haue deliuered vnto you Q. What doe you learne from hence A. 1. It teacheth Ministers that they must deliuer nothing to the people concerning the Doctrine of faith and manners but what they haue receiued and learned of the Lord. â—…s 17.11 â—ohn 4.1 2. It teacheth the people to receiue no doctrine but that which is agréeable to the Word Q How many things are to be considered in the Institution of the Lords Supper A. Foure things Q. Which are they A. 1. The Author of it 2. the time when it was ordayned 3. the patres 4 the end of it Q. Who was the Author of the Lords Supper A. The Lord Iesus Christ Q. What doth that teach vs A. 1. That none hath power to make Sacraments but Christ onely Psalme 5.7 and 26.6 Exodus 20.7 2. That wee must bring reuerence with vs when we come to receiue because it is not the ordinance of man but of God Q. At what time did Christ ordaine it A. In the same night that he was betrayed Q. What doth that teach vs Answ To make great account of the Lords Supper as being the last gift that Christ left to his Church Q. How many parts are there of the Lords Supper A. Two Q. Which are they A. The signes and the actions to be performed about the signes Q. What be the signes in the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine Q. What doth the Bread signifie A. The body of Christ Que. What resemblance is there betweene the Bread the Body of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 A. 1. Heb. 5.8 9 As bread is baked in the Ouen by the heate of the fire so the body of Christ being as it were baked in the fire of the Crosse is made the bread of life 2. Matth. 11.28 Ieremy 29.13 As bread is most easily gotten of all food so Christ is easily found of all that truely and seasonably sake him Q. Why did our Sauiour Christ make choice of bread rather then of flesh to signifie his body Psal 104 15 A. Because he did not so much respect the colour and outward forme as the strength of nourishing which is greater in bread then in flesh Q. What doth the Wine signifie 1 Cor. 10.16 A. The bloud of Christ Que. What resemblance is there betweene the wine and the bloud of Christ A. 1. As wine flowing from the grape is the swéetest of all licours so the bloud of Christ Iohn 6.55 who is the true Vine flowing from his side is the sweetest drinke of the soule 2. As wine doth cleare and refresh the heart of man Psal 104.55 so the bloud of Christ sprinkled vpon the heart doth comfort the soule of euery beléeuer Q. Why hath our Sauiour ordained both bread and wine to be signes in this Sacrament A. To teach vs that in him there is full and perfect nourishment and saluation for vs. Psal 130 7 Acts. 4.12 Q. What doth this admonish vs Matth. 5.6 A. That wee must bring to the Lords Table an earnest desire of Christ and his grace we must both hunger and thirst after him Q Is it not lawfull to administer the Lords Supper vnder one signe as the Papists doe A. No not without great iniury to Christ and his Church Que. What iniury is done to Christ thereby
A. There is a mangling of his ordinance Apoc. 22.18 19 Galat. 3.15 and a detracting from his last will and Testament both which are condemned Quest What iniury is done to the Church A. The conscience of the godly are depriued of that most swéete promise which Christ hath annexed to the Cup. Matth. 26.28 Q. What are the actions to be performed in the administration of these signs A. Some of them were performed by Christ and are now to be performed by the Minister and some by the Disciples to be done by the receiuers Q. What are the actions to be done by the Minister A. They are thrée Q. What is the first of them A. To take the bread and wine and to blesse the same Q. What meane you by that 1 Tim. 4.5 1 Sam. 9.13 A. By prayer to separate them that they may be sacramentall bread and wine Q. What doth this action signifie Iohn 10.36 and 6.27 A. That Christ Iesus was set apart by the Father to be the Redeemer of the Elect. Q. How was Christ set apart to this worke A. Thrée wayes Q. Which are they 1 Pet. 1.20 Galat. 4.4 Matt. 3.16 17 A. 1. In Gods eternall decree 2. In his incarnation 3. In his baptisme Q. What doth this action admonish vs Rom. 12.1 Pro. 23.26 Ans That wee must likewise set our selues apart to his seruice Qu. What is the second action to bee done by the Minister A. To breake the bread and to powre out the Wine Q. What doth this action signifie Esay 53.4 5 1 Pet. 2.24 Matt. 20.28 A. That Christ his body was broken with sorrow and his bloud shed vpon the Crosse for our sinnes Q. What doth it admonish vs A. 1. Zech. 12.10 2 Sam. 24.17 That our soules should bléede with remorce and sorrow for sinne 2. Galat. 2.20 That we must for euer loathe and detest our sinnes 3. Coloss 1.24 1 Thess 1.6 Matth. 20.22 That wee must be content to suffer any thing for Christ his sake Mat. 10.38 Que. What is the third action to bee done by the Minister A. To giue the bread and wine to euery particular receiuer Q. VVhat doth this action signifie Ans That God doth likewise giue Christ Iesus with all his merits to euerie true beleeuer Iohn 3.16 Q. VVhat doth it admonish vs A. 1. 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Pet. 1 17 18 19 That we must wholly giue our selues backe againe to Christ 2. That we must be willing for Christ his sake to giue somewhat to the reliefe of our poore brethren 1 Iohn 3.17 and 4 11 Q. What words did our Sauior Christ vse in administring these signes A. Words of promise concerning the Bread and the Cup. Q. VVhat are he words concerning the Bread A. This is my body which is broken for you Quest What is the meaning of these words Genesis 17 10 11 and 41.26 27 Exudus 1◠13 1 Cor. 10.4 A. This bread is a signe to represent and a seale to seale vnto you my body with the benefites of my passion suffered in the same Q. What may we learne from thence A. The great goodnesse of God to his Church that hath not only giuen vs his word and promises but for the better strengthning of our faith hath also giuen vs his Sacraments to seale the same vnto vs. Q. Is not the bread really turned into the body of Christ after these words be pronounced by the Priest A. No by no meanes Q. VVhy so A. 1. Because it ouerthroweth the nature of the Sacrament Q. How prooue you that A. Because in euery Sacrament there must be these two things the signe and the thing signified But if the bread cease to be bread and be turned into the body of Christ then the Sacrament hath lost his outward Signe Q. VVhy else A. Because it is plaine in the text that our Sauiour Christ tooke the bread and wine into his hand he brake the one and powred out the other and did himselfe eat and drinke the same Now none of all these can bee true of the reall body and bloud of Christ Q. VVhy else An. Because the Bread is called the Communion of the body of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 therefore it is not his body it selfe Q. VVhy else A. Because the Apostle calleth it bread still after the consecration to teach vs 1 Cor. 11.26 27 28 that the substance of bread remaineth Q. VVhy else A. Because diuerse absurdities would otherwise follow Q. VVhat are they A. 1. Matth. 28.6 Acts 1.9 11 and 3.21 That Christs body should be in many places at once which is contrary to the nature of a true body Q. VVhat else A. That Christ should haue two bodies one borne of the Virgine Mary and another made of the bread Q. VVhat else Ans That we should not in the Lords Supper receiue the body of Christ that was crucified for vs but an other body made by the Priest Que. But may not this be done by a miracle A. No. Q. VVhy so An. 1. Because Miracles are ceased neyther haue the Priests now anie promise thereof Exodus 4.3 4 Iohn 2.7 8 9 2 Because in euery Miracle there is a visible and sensible change But heere is no such thing we see and feele and taste bread still as we did before 3. Because Miracles though they be beyond and aboue nature yet they are not against nature to ouerthrow it as this doth in making the finite body of Christ to be in many places at once 4. Because a Miracle is an extraordinarie worke of God belonging to certaine times and persons But the Sacraments are for all times and for the whole church Q. But can not God by his omnipotencie doe this An. Wee are not in this case to respect what God can doe but what hee will doe now he hath not any where reuealed that he will doe this and therefore we are not to beléeue it Q. What are the words concerning the Cuppe A. This Cup is the new Testament in my bloud which is shed for you Matt. 26.28 Luke 22.20 and for many for the remission of sinnes Que. VVhat is the meaning of these words A. The Cup that is the wine in the Cup which I offer vnto you is a pledge and seale of my Testament to establish and confirme the same Q. VVhat is meant by the word Testament Answ Eyther a Couenant or a last Will. Q. How many kinds of Couenants is there Ans Two the couenant of Workes and the couenant of Grace Q. VVhat is the couenant of Works A. It is a compact of perfect obedience to the will of God Leuit. 18.5 vpon condition of eternall life if it be obeyed and of eternall death if it be not obeyed Q. Is any man able to keepe this couenant Rom. 3.23 Ans No for all haue sinned and are are depriued of the glory of God Q. VVhat is the couenant of grace
Ier. 31.31 32 33 A. It is a compact of mutuâ—ll reconciliation betwéene God and man in and through Christ Iesus Q. VVherein consisteth that Ieremy 31.34 A. 1. In a gracious promise of remission of sins and euerlasting life on Gods part Marke 1.15 2. In faith in Gods promises and repentance on mans part Qu. VVhat resemblance is betweene this Couenant and a last will or Testament A. 1. As he that maketh the Testament hath no benefite by it himselfe so Christ no benefite by this Couenant but all redoundeth to the Church Q. VVhat else Heb. 9.16 17. Ans 2. As a Testament is neuer of force till the Testator be dead so this couenant was made effectuall by the death of Christ Q. Why is it called a new Testament A. To distinguish it from the old Testament that was made with the Fathers before Christ Qu. Was not the couenant of Grace in the Lawe the same that is in the Gospel Ans Yes For substance and in respect of all the causes it was one and the same 1. Deut. 9.5 2 Tim. â— 9 The efficient cause of both is the méere mercy of God without any respect of workes 2. The matter of both is Christ Genesis 3.15 and 12.3 2 Cor. 5.19 Heb. 13.8 Apoc. 13 8 Heb. 11. tot Rom 4.23 24 Heb. 11.9 10 13 Gen. 47.9 Num 23 to Psal 116.15 without whom no man is receiued into Gods fauour 3. The formall cause of them both is faith 4. The end whereunto they bother cited men is eternall life Quest How then doe they differ one from another A. 1 The promises in the olde Testament were for the most part of temporall blessings but the promises in the new Testament are of spirituall 2. In the olde Testament there were many ceremonies and sacrifices burdensome and costly in the new Testament there are but a few they light and easie Matth. 11.13 Heb. 11.13 Iohn 1.29 Galat. 3.1 3. In the olde Testament all things were deliuered obscurely in Types and Figures but in the new Testament the mysterie of our saluation is plainely and openly reuealed Iohn 7.38 39 Acts 2.17 Ierem. 31.14 4. There is ordinarily a greater measure of the graces of Gods Spirite in the New Testament then there was in the Olde Deut. 32.8 9 Matth. 10.5 6 Marke 16.15 Acts 10.15 34 Rom. 3.29 Ephes 2.14 15 5. The New Testament is made knowne to more people then the old was For that was only knowne to the Iewes but this is published to all nations 6. In the old Testament Christ was onely promised 1 Pet. 1.20 2 Tim. 1.9 10 but in the new Testament he is exhibited Quest Why was it necessary that the bloud of our Sauiour Christ should bee shed Ans 1. Because it was figured in the olde Testament in the Paschall Lambe and in the Sacrifices Leuit. 17.11 Heb. 9.22 2. That hee might make his sacrifice perfect and sufficient Q. Why doth hee not say This is my body of the new Testament as well as This is my bloud c. Ans Because although the new Testament be established by the offering vp of whole Christ Iohn 19.34 yet his death was more manifest in the sheding of his bloud then in the sufferings of his flesh Q. VVhat commaundement did our Sauiour annex vnto these words A. Doe this in remembrance of me Qu. What remembrance of Christ is commanded heere Ans Not an historicall remembrance such as is in the Diuell nor a bare and idle remembrance as if it did not appertaine vnto vs but an effectuall remembrance whereby wee doe apprehend and apply Christ with all his benefites to our selues by faith and so call to minde his sacrifice as by it we may conceiue present comfort in our consciences and assured hope of euerlasting life Q. VVhat are the actions that were performed by the Disciples and must be performed by euery receiuer A. They are two Q. VVhat is the first A. To take the bread and wine at the hands of the Minister Q. VVhat doth this action signiffe A. That in like manner wee must receiue Christ Iesus into our hearts by a true and liuely land Iohn 1.12 and 6.35 Q. VVhat doth it admonish vs Psal 24.7 8 Ephe. â— 17 Apoc. 3. â—0 A. To prepare and cleanse our hearts for the recâ—â—uing of so honourable a guest Q VVhat is the second action An. To ease the bread and drinke the wine Q. VVhat doth this action signifie 1 Cor. 10.16 Ioh. 17.21 Ephe. 5.30 A. The vnion and communion which we haue with Christ Q. VVhat is this vnion Iohn 6.56 A. It is a consolating of our persons with the person of Christ Q. What a manner of vnion is it that we haue with Christ Ans Not corporall and bodily but spirituall and supernaturall yet reall and true Q. By what meanes is it wrought in respect of Christ Ephes 4.16 Ans By his Spirit whereby all the faithfull are knitte vnto Christ as the members of the body by ioynts sinewes are coupled to the head Quest By what meanes is it wrought in respect of vs Galat. 2.20 Ans By a particular application of Christ and his merits to our owne soules Q. What doth it admonish vs of A. Of that Christian concord and fellow his that ought to be among the members of Christ Rom. 12.5 and 15.5 6 1 Cor. 1.10 Acts 4.32 Esay 11.6 Q. VVhat arguments are there in the administration of the Lords Supper to perswade vs thereunto Ans 1. 1 Cor. 10.17 Because we all do eate of one Bread and all drinke of one Cup. 2. Because many graines of wheate doe make one loafe of bread and many grapes make one cup of wine Quest VVhat is the end of the Lords Supper A. To shew forth the death of Christ till he come Q. How must we shew forth the death of Christ Ans Two wayes in speach and in action Q. How in speach Ans By giuing thankes to God for the great benefite of our redemption Psalme 116.12 Luke 1.68 Q. How in action Ans 1. 2 Cor. 4.10 Galat. 6.14 By suffering crosses and afflictions for Christ his sake 2. Rom. 6.4 By feeling the power of Christs death in killing our corruptions and sinnes Quest Why doth the Apostle in the next place set downe the right vse of the Lords Supper Ans To teach vs that the ordinances of God must not bee separated from their holy vse Quest VVhat order doth the Apostle obserue in setting downe hereof An. First he sheweth the abuse of the Lords Supper and then the remedy of it Quest VVhat is the abuse of the Lords Supper Answer To eate and drinke vnworthily Q. Who doe eate and drinke vnworthily Ans Not onely such as are altogether vnworthy to come but euen they also who being worthy doe not come as they ought Quest Who are they that are altogether vnworthy Ans There are some
without the Church and some in the Church Quest Who are they that are without the Church Ans All Turkes Iews Pagans Exodus 12.48 and Infidels Quest VVho are they that are within the Church Ans 1. All that are grossely ignorant though they liue neuer so ciuilly 2. All grosse sinners Matth. 7.6 and 15.26 though they haue neuer so much knowledge 3. All hypocrites Quest Who are they that may be said to be worthy to come Ans All the faithfull Luke 22 30 who for the merites of Christ are counted worthy Que. How may these come vnworthily Ans When as not considering the excellencie of the Lords Supper nor seriously examining themselues eyther thorow ignorance or negligence they lie in some sinne without sufficient repentance Que. VVhat is the danger of vnworthy receiuers An. 1. They make themselues guilty of a grieuous sinne 2. They become liable to a fearefull iudgement Quest What is the sinne whereof they are guilty Ans They are guilty of the body and bloud of Christ Q. How so Ans Because the disgrace done to the signes of Christ his body and bloud redoundeth to himselfe Que. VVhat is the iudgement wherevnto they are lyable Ans They eate and drinke damnation to themselues Q. VVhat is meant by damnation Luke 23.40 1 Pet. 4.17 Ans Not the second death but temporall correction Quest How proue you that is taken so heere 1 Cor. 1.2 and 6.11 Rom. 8.1 Ans Because the Apostle threatneth it to the Corinthians who were iustified and sanctified and therefore not subiect to damnation Q. Why doth the Apostle say hee eateth and drinketh iudgement to himselfe A. To teach vs that the vnworthines of any man hurteth none but himselfe Qu. What reason giueth the Apostle of this Ans Because hee discerneth not the Lords body Qu. What is to discerne the Lords body Ans To distinguish these Elements being signes of Christs most precious body and bloud from all other things and to vse them with that reuerence and deuotition that is méete Quest Why is the body of Christ to be accounted of so precious and excellent Ans 1. Because of the exeltation of it being ready vnited to the Deity 2. Because of the merite of his sufferings in it whereby he hath procured for vs eternall life 3. Because of the efficacie thereof in mortifying of our corruptions Qu. Who are they that do not discerne the Lords body Ans 1. Ignorant Christians who put no difference betwéene the bread of the Sacrament and common bread but come to the Lords table as to an ordinary feast 2. They that haue knowledge of the Mysterie and yet doe not come with due consideration of the dignitie thereof Q. What remedy doth the Apostle prescribe for preuenting of this sinne and for auoyding of this iudgement Ans That euery man trie and examine himselfe Que. What doth that teach vs 2 Cor. 13.5 Ans That euery man must haue discretion to iudge of his owne estate or else he is not fit to come to the Lords Table Quest By what rule must we try our selues Ans By the rule of Gods Lawe examining our selues by euery commaundement thereof Psal 119.59 Quest VVhat must bee the matter of our triall Ans Whether wee bee fitte guests for Gods table or no. Quest How many things are required to make vs fitte Ans Fine things especially Que. VVhat is the first Ans Knowledge Quest VVhat knowledge is required in this case Ans A generall and a particular knowledge Que. What is the generall knowledge required Ans 1. The knowledge of God his nature persons attributes and works 2. The knowledge of our natural condition by originall sinne and the punishment thereof 3. The knowledge of the couenant of grace concerning our redemption in Christ Que. VVhat is the particular knowledge Answ The knowledge of the nature and vse of the Sacrament in the signes and actions to be performed about them Quest What is the second thing An. A true and sound faith Quest VVhat is faith A. A sure perswasion that all Christs merites are mine as if I had wrought them my selfe Quest Why is faith necessary Ans Because in the Sacrament we receiue so much as wee beleeue and no more Quest Doe all receiue grace presently in the Sacrament Ans No. Quest How then Ans 1. Such as haue strong faith indéede do at the instant receiue both grace and a sense of grace 2. A there receiue grace peraduenture but no sense and feeling of grace 3. Others receiue neither grace nor any sense of grace for the present Quest What is the reason that some receiue grace but no sense of it Ans The weakenesse of their faith being lke to a vessell with a narrow mouth that can receiue but a little water at oute Quest What is the reason that some receiue neither grace nor any sense of it Ans Because they come vnhumbled and vnprepared Qu. Whas it to be done in both these cases Luke 17.5 Marke 9.24 Ans Wee must earnestly pray for increase of faith Qu. What is the third thing Ans Repentance Q. Wherein consisteth that Matt. 26.75 Psal 119.106 Ans In an hearty sorrow for our sins past and a full puâ—pose to leade a godlie life for the time to come Q. What is the fourth thing Ans Loue and charitie towardes our brethren Q VVherein consisteth that Ans In a readines to satisfie for the iniuries which wee haue done to others Mat. 5.23.24 and to forgiue them that are done to our selues Qu. What is the fift and last thing An. A speciall sanctification Qu. What is that An. A renewing of our Faith and Repentance Genesis 35.6 1 Sam. 16.5 Iob 1.5 as we haue particularly renued our sinnes Qu In what manner must this duetie of Examination be performed An. 1. With diligence Lam. 3.40 Zeph. 2.1 2 Cor. 13.5 Heb 4.13 Psa 44.20 21 that we may throughly discerne of our estate 2. With singlenesse of heart because wee haue to deale with God that can not be deceiued 3. Speedily without delay 4. Constantly without giuing ouer till wee haue found that we seeke for 5. With earnest prayer to God for the direction and assistance of his Spirit Que. VVhy doth the Apostle commaund euerie man to examine himselfe euery man to examine himselfe 1 Cor. 2.11 An. 1. Because euery man knoweth himselfe best 2 Because a godly man will be most faithfull to himselfe Rom. 14.12 Galat. 6.5 3. Because euery man must chiefly giue account to God for himselfe and not for others further then he is charged with them by vertue of his calling Que. How doth the Apostle prooue that the vnworthy receuing of the Lords Supper causeth temporall iudgements Ans By the present experience which the Corinthians had in themselues Q. What was that Ans For this cause many are weake and sicke among you and many sléep that is are dead Que. What doe you generally