THE Great Feast OF THE Gospel-Passover OR The Commemoration of the Sufferings of Christ Celebrated in his last Supper Matth. 26. chap. V. 26. And as they were eating Jesus took Bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body V. 27. And he took the Cup and gave Thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it V. 28. For this is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of Sins Christ's Flesh and Blood they feed on who Believe And he to them Eternal Life doth give Christ dy'd to save from Death his Turtle Dove She offers up her self to him in Love John 6.40 54 63. Cant. 7.10 Rom. 12.1 A POEM Licensed and Entered according to Order LONDON Printed for the Author by James Astwood and Sold by Peter Parker at the Legg and Star and John Salusbury at the Rising Sun both in Cornhill John Lawrence at the Angel and John Harris at the Harrow both in the Poultrey 1694. The Introduction THe Supper of the Lord Commemorates The quintessence of all our Gospel Cates Christs Institution makes each element Transcendent excellencies represent In this great Mist'ry lively is held forth A blessing of inestimable worth The apple of the Tree of life is here For God himself is a Believers cheer The banner of free Grace is here display'd And glorious'ly into the heart convey'd To Faiths sharp-sighted eye Christ doth appear I' th' oriency of his beauty here And so his golden lines of Love imparts Vnto the centre of Believers bearts The Word doth Trumpet-like proclaim his grace This like a Glass doth represent his face The things we see far more impression leave Vpon our heart than those the ear receive A Solemn spectacle of Death invites That heart to mourn which an Oration sleights Even so Christs Death thus represented more Affects our Souls than preaching on 't before Thus Christ doth both the soul and senses feast Of every Self-examin'd longing guest Christ feasts his Saints with sacred wine and bread His body broken and his life-blood shed Christs broken body to a broken heart The onely healing med'cine doth impart Christs mourning is become our Song of mirth Which gives our dying hopes a Second birth Christ by his stripes our wounded Spirits heals And his free Grace with his own Signet Seals Thus Christ to strengthen our weak faith conjoyns His Sanctifying Word with sealing signs When we sit at his Table the sweet smell Of his rich Grace doth Spikenard far excell Here Christ transfigured before our eyes Gives us a glimpse o' th' heave'nly Paradise Now we should mount upon Seraphick wings To meet this Prince of glory King of Kings Whose mouth an olive-branch of Peace doth bring Whose kisses make the Soul with joy to sing Christ in those pleasant Galleries resides Wherein the sweet perfume of Grace abides Let 's on those golden hours high value set When we do at free Grace's Table eat For Christ himself is present as a Guest And is both the Feast-maker and the Feast Who put off God with empty shews alone He only will to them by Signs be known Who but to Him the skin of duty give The Shell of Comfort only shall receive But God his grace and glory will impart To those who serve him with a perfect heart THE GREAT FEAST OF THE Gospel-Passover OR The Commemoration of the Sufferings of Christ celebrated in his last Supper Mat. 26.26 27 28. ALL Gospel Institutions appertain Of Right to Christ who o're his Church doth reign It is a flower of his Crown and He On all Usurpers will avenged be Christ to the Deed of Grace subscribes his Name Appoints the Seal that ratifies the same Christ is the founder of this Ordinance Which doth its worth and lustre much advance The King of Kings this royal Banquet makes Whereof each Subject high and low partakes This Feast Christ after Supper celebrates Which shews it chiefly to the Soul relates 'T is not t' indulge the Senses but to feast The Graces that their strength might be increas'd Christ seeing fear and danger near at hand Now arms his Saints that they may these withstand This Antidote will soon expell their fear This Cordial will their Fainting Spirits cheer As Christ set Bread so God set Him appart For Mans Redemption to rejoyce his heart Christ separates and Sanctifies the bread So All should be that would therewith be fed He therefore chose this very Element ' Cause Bread * 1 Kings 7.48 Gen. 14.18 1 Kings 19.6 did formerly him represent Musick and Colours please the Eye and Ear But bread gives life 't is that the heart doth cheer As bread doth to the Soul subsistence give So he that eateth Christ by him shall live As bread new strength †1 Kings 19.8 transmits into the heart So Christ doth by this bread more Grace impart Christ both the Soul and Senses satisfies He 's bread to th' heart and beauty to the eyes This bread it will supply of strength extend 'Till we again the mount of God ascend Christ sanctifies the Elements so they His crucifixion to the life pourtray And thus the secret openly imparts How he conveys Himself into our hearts The Signs through his effectual blessing Seal Those priviledges which He doth reveal If He gave thanks who was to shed his blood Then how should we who drink it for our good This box of oyntment broke ill Scents consumes And fills both Heav'n and Earth with its perfumes Christ to his Church in truth might say I see A bloody Spouse * Exod. 4.25 thou hast been unto me Water on red-hot Iron pour'd makes fire Although the Iron suffers not expire Christs humane Nature suffering the divine Did then triumphantly in glory shine His birth is like unto the rising Sun His death is like him when his race is run When as the humane nature was to dye Then the Divine did Justice satisfie Christs Godhead Majesty and power gave Unto his sufferings so our Souls they save Christ is our Altar Priest and Sacrifice As man God-man †Mat. 23.19 and God Gods Lamb thus dyes Thus Christ our Passeover for us was slain At this great feast let pure affections raign Christs lingring shamefull cursed Death was Smart The arrow of Gods wrath did pierce his heart His pains were equal to the pains of Hell Which in this ‖ 1 Pet. 2.21 to 24. Tragedy are acted well Well might the lamp of Heav'n withdraw his light And mask it self with darkness black as night As blushing to behold the glorious Sun Of Righteousness this gloomy course to run Upon this King Eternal Life depends This Spring to drooping Souls refreshing lends This Death-bed Cordial fainting Spirits chears This Antidote expells all servile fears With Christ there were two pair of Thieves that dy'd For Sin and Satan too were crucifi'd Christ also took the Cup which shews
Name advance And which promotes our Everlasting good Beholds Christs Love come Streaming through his blood Who by the eye of Faith behold his Grace With glorified Eyes shall see his Face (e) Heb. 11.27 By eating Adam dy'd by It we live Feed on the Bread of God which Life doth give Here Christs Divine and Humane Nature are Both dished out here is delicious Fare From him all kind of Vertues freely flow To him for Grace and Peace and Comfort go The hand of Faith Christs Merit doth receive Which Justifies each Soul that doth believe This Ring retains the Stone that stancheth blood This vein draws juice from Christ our heav'nly food ‖ Eph. 3.19 2 Pet. 1.9 That Christ would feed and cloath her Faith desires This humble Grace but to this pitch aspires (b) 1 Pet. 1.9 False Faith will break though Gloriously it show By Persecutions hammer at a blow Like Jonahs gourd sprung up before the day By Persecutions blast Consumes away (c) Mark 4.3 c. False Faith is fancies fruit true Faith 's a flow'r Produced by the Spirits mighty Pow'r True Faith is an outlandish Plant from Heav'n Extracted bought with blood by Grace 't is giv'n Our heart-deep Groans and Pangs will make us mourn Before this sacred Infant can be born (d) Act. 2.37 The Hipocrite loves those that praise him much Not those who bring his Faith to Scripture-touch Good David Prayes that God himself would try His heart and reins this shews Integrity (e) Psal 26.2 An Hipocrite will sell his Faith for wealth For he hath none but what he got by Stealth A Saint will not his shield of Faith exchange For a Crown of Gold though some may think it strange An Hipocrite would Christ for Surety take Not of himself to Him surrender make True Faith's impartial Christ 't will wholly own Rely on hearken to serve him alone Christ saith I with my body thee endow The Soul saith I alone to thee will bow The Hipocrite is nothing else but Creed He no Commandement doth purely heed (a) Jer. 3.4 5. Can health consist with Vitals perished Or Faith be true while men in Sin are dead True Faith the mistery of Faith doth hold In a good Conscience this makes Christians bold (b) 1 Tim. 3.9 The Woman who toucht Christ by Faith she felt Such Virtue as her stony heart did melt (c) Mark 5.33 34. Although true Faith of Sin leave some remains Yet she of it a mighty Conquest gains The Fatling is the Hipocrites repast He in a Promise can no sweetness tast Yet is the Word when Faith doth set it home More rich than Wine more Sweet than (d) Psal 19.20 Cant. 1.2 th' Hony-comb Some thought their Faith a living Child i th' bed But looking found it a strange Infant dead Avoid Presumption Cherish faith tha't 's good Which doth concoct Christs precious flesh and blood The blood of Christ like Aqua vitae doth Its Vertue lose put in a dead-mans mouth Purge out th' old leaven Malice which will sowre The Ordinance and make it lose its Pow'r (a) 1 Cor. 5.7 Though bitter tears become a welcome Guest Let bitter Spirits keep from this Love-feast Christs blood between the Lord and us makes Peace And should make strife among the Saints to cease Should they who make the flesh of Christ their cheer With rage the flesh of one another tear Who comes with hatred to this Table He Will both a Murderer and Traytor be He like a Judas will his Lord betray And like to Cain will his own Brother slay (b) 1 Joh. 3.15 It thou to Poys'nous malice do'st enure Thy heart think not this Cordial should thee cure They know not God the Gospel or true Grace That by this Sin Religion do deface (c) 1 Joh. 4.19 Eph. 6.15 Jam. 3.17 Should Saints divide when devils do unite Could Love once cement us we storms should slight It great reproach upon the head doth cast When members one anothers honour blast The fire of rash Contention Lord remove And kindle in our hearts the fire of Love As every Creature so each Ordinance Pray'r Sanctifies and doth Gods Name advance Thus as the Elements convert to food Our Souls shall reap a Spiritual good For Heav'n the Dove of pray'r put on the wing And it the Olive branch of Peace will bring We should Gods presence and assistance crave That by this Ord'nance he may glory have That it may feast our Graces and to all Our flestly Lusts become a Funeral Pray it may be a Sign Seal Instrument To Teach Confirm and yield Soul-nourishment For these send pray'r as Harbinger before Both to bespeak and open us the door The Tree of blessing shook by Pray'r recruits The fainting Spirits with her Cordial fruits The Lord will not his Mercies cast away On those who seek them not nor for them pray With Sighs and groans let 's wrestle with the Lord The Lukewarm Suitor is by him abhorr'd (a) Gen. 32.24 Rom. 8.26 Jude 20. Speak in the Language which God understands Who in the Spirit prays his God commands (b) Eph. 6.18 Isa 45.11 Jam. 1.5 to 8. Prayer to walk in is a Golden path As a crutch to lean on it no Power hath In our best Garments God can holes espy Our Righteousness as filthy rags descry In preparation mercy hope to find Deny thy Self when thou do'st Justice mind (c) Luke 17.15 Isa 64.6 Our Services not purged by Christs blood Do carry Evil in them but no Good Use means in Christ your Confidence still place For your acceptance at the Throne of Grace Be like the Dove which us'd her wings to fly But on the Ark for Safety did rely Thus qualifi'd Gods Love shall us Surround We with his fullness shall be fill'd and Crown'd (a) Eph. 3.19 Come hungring thirsty Soul Christ calls on thee To Sup with him fear not his Grace is free †Rev. 3.20 Mark 2.4 5. Christ of our Sins and sickness felt the smart His precious Blood will cleanse thy leprous heart (b) 1 Tim. 1.15 Isa 53.4 Luk. 14.21 Lev. 14.7 Presumtuous Sin which doth Gods grace abuse Opens the mouth of Conscience to accuse And stops the Spirits mouth which should speak peace Yet to Sue out thy Pardon do not cease (c) 1 King 11.9 But on Christs blood thy Anchor-hold rely Which cleanseth Sin though of a Crimson dye Noah was drunk though Saved from the flood And David stain'd his Soul and Robe with blood That Fountain still is open to wash in Which cleansed them and it can cleanse thy Sin (d) Zach. 12.1 Peter denyes his Master others fled Christ of his Resurrection from the dead Sends them the joyful News and passeth by Their failings knowing their Infirmity (e) Math. 26.56 69 to 75. Of his Ascension also lets them know Uniting joys above with those below (f) Joh. 20.17 Mark 16.7 The
Christ so fix thy Self within my heart That we may never from each other part This Manna is both Meat and Medicine Its Nature and its Virtue are Divine Christ comes with Healing underneath his wings Sight to blind eyes Grace to hard hearts He brings The Saints shall feed with Infinite Delight On Christ for ever with pure Appitite Should this Soul-satisfying Manna cease In Heav'n there neither would be joy nor peace This Blessed Manna in a Golden shrine The Humane Nature fixt in the Divine And laid up in the Ark of Heav'n must be A Feast for Saints to all Eternitie Christs body on the Cross digg'd was the field Which did the Pearl of our Salvation yield His Blood 's a balsom and a Sweet perfume Which all our Sorrows will by joy consume Favour and Pardon both Christs blood obtains It rents the Vail of Sin Gods Love regains (a) Col. 1.21 1 John 2.2 This blood makes us to mount on Eagles wings A quickning Pow'r into the Soul it brings (b) John 6.54 Lev. 17.11 Isa 40.31 It s merit doth the wrath of God appease Its Vertue cleanse our hearts from Sins disease (c) Heb. 9.14 1 John 1.7 The Word 's a glass which doth our Spots display Christs blood a Fountain to wash them away (d) Zach. 13.1 This blood the foulest Spots will cleanse alone But 't will not wash with Composition Lots Incest Noahs Drunkenness will grow Though crimson Sins by this blood white as Snow Saints Merits Pray'rs of Angels will but smeer The smallest Spot they will not cleanse or clear Yet on this one black spot takes no effect But 't is to him who doth its use reject (a) Heb. 10.29 This blood will turn a stone into a Spring From Rocky hearts floods of Repentance bring The Jaylors heart like melting wax would take Any Impression God should please to make (b) Acts 16.30 When Sin and guilt do set the heart on flame This blood like Springs of water cools the same (c) Jam. 3.6 Isa 32.2 This Cordial at the hour of Death will bring Such comfort as will make the Soul to sing (d) Cant. 1.2 Through this red Sea of blood a gracious Man Enters into the Heav'nly Canaan (e) Heb. 10.9 The Gate of Heav'n which Sin did shut this key Doth openly again to us display The blood o' th' Cross Eternal Life distills This Tree's blest Fruit the Soul with comfort fills To know Christ crucifi'd Paul highly priz'd And so should we 't is bliss Epitomiz'd (f) 1 Cor. 2.2 The Crowns of Kings are Crosses tumbling down The Gross of Christ it is the only Crown Let 's meet the Lord with well-prepared hearts Who to our Souls such Heav'nly food imparts (g) 1 Sam. 7.3 Rom. 9.22 23. Christs blood th' Unworthy do not drink but spill To whom God will his cup of Fury fill (a) 1 Cor. 11.27 Jer. 25.15 The Word 's a Touchstone bring thy Heart to th' touch There take a proof try if thy heart be such (b) 1 Cor. 11.28 Reflexive acts are difficult yet we Must inward look our Spirits face to see If in the Cov'nant we no interest have 'T is heighth of Pride the Seal thereof to crave Would'st have sin mortifi'd thy wants supply'd Thy Graces strengthen'd let thy heart be try'd If thou without a wedding Garment come The Lord will try thee and give thee thy doom (c) Mat. 22.12 We are to deal with God who gave us breath In matters which concern both Life and Death Let Grace our hearts so ballast we may Sail Least Gods fierce storms of Fury make us fail (d) Mat. 22.12 That heart cannot be good that wants true light No more than can the eye that wants its sight (e) 1 Cor. 11.28 14.15 Rom. 12.1 2 3. Gods Frowns our Surfeit punish and excite Our Stomack to an Holy Appetite Let 's spread the Sails of our desires so will The gale of Heav'nly blessings soon them fill (f) Mat. 15.22 to 28. Luk. 18.38 39. 2 Sam. 23.15 What Royalty and what Magnificence Doth God in this great Feast to Saints dispence Here 's Heav'nly bread here 's juice of the true Vine These fill the Gracious Soul with joy Divine This Store-house of Coelestial blessings yields Life Peace Salvation Come let 's reap these Fields All Heav'ns sweet delicacies at this Feast Are served in t'accommodate each Guest (a) Isa 25.6 From Earth to Heav'n's a Journey of great length So we shall need a fresh supply of Strength By Sins wants foes we many dangers run Grace needs new Strength and Duties must be done Since by the way our Souls recruit will need On this Divine repast let 's freely feed (b) 1 Kings 13.7 Isa 40.31 Christ is a Fountain flowing to each Guest It is but crying and he gives the Breast Christ on the thirsty Soul his Blessings pours As freely as the Clouds distill in Showers (c) Rev. 22.17 Here is no fear of Surfeit by excess The strongest Appetite Christ most doth bless Christ saith Come Drink and undantly my Dove Be thou inebriated with my Love Heb. (d) Eph. 5.18 19 20. Acts 2.4.13 15. Heb. 13.15 Cant. 5.1 If People lose their Stomacks Christ will say Unto the Foe Come take the cloth away The Cup of blessing will Support the heart When Persecutions Cup doth make it Smart This did embolden Saints of Old to stand With Courage ' gainst the Persecuting band Let this Sauce sharpen our dull Appetite That we may feast our Souls with more Delight When Sin doth broach our hearts with brinish tears The Sweetness of Christs Love the more appears (e) Zach. 12.10 True Gold hath some allowance if too light So shall the Upright heart whose aim is right Who seeks both Sin and Satan to defeat And strives to make his Holiness compleat (a) 2 Chron. 30.19 Let strong endearments of Affection flow When Chirst his Love so freely doth bestow (b) Cant. 2.6 With empty hearts unto this Well now come And draw Salvation out which bliss doth Summ. Christ with the humble heart Delights to dwell And makes it with the fruits of Grace excell (c) Isa 57.15 Cant. 2.1 2 3. How can those Worms feed on this Heav'nly meat Who like the Serpent only dust do eat Unlikeness from Communion us debars What likeness is 'twixt clods of earth and Stars An earthly man the World his God doth make So vainly thinks another God to take I' th' Heav'nly Altitudes affection place And mount up on the soaring wing of Grace (d) 1 Cor. 10.16 Who Faithless to this Heav'nly Banquet come May well expect they shall go Fruitless home Against Faiths eagle-eye there is no Fence It pierceth into things Remote from Sense Of Heav'n it Self our Faith a prospect takes And the Invisible her Object makes She through the lattice of an Ordinance Sees how Christ doth his glorious
Crucifi'd By those who from his Precepts turn aside (e) Heb. 6.4 5 6. 2 Pet. 2.1 21 22. He that unworthily drinks of this Spring Upon himself doth swift damnation bring (f) 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. 11.27 to 30. O that the lustre of our Holiness Might in our lives convicting proof express That in this Ordinance which Christ ordains Confirming and transforming Pow'r remains Christs blood hath reconciled us to God He underfoot hath Sin and Satan trod What cordial Comfort for our Souls is here What need we now the proudest Foe to fear (a) Acts 20.28 Rom. 8.34 Gen. 3.15 If Satans pensil paint our Sins in grain Christs blood that Spunge will wipe them out again His blood the Debt-book crost the Law discharg'd All bonds are Cancell'd and our Souls enlarg'd This Sacrifice a full atonement makes (b) Heb. 9.10 c. 5.6 Whereof each Saint eternally partakes 'T is call'd the blood of the New Testament Which is a Will of an unknown extent The Saints may Pardon Grace and Glory claim Christ by his Death gave force unto the same The Will was Sealed when Christs blood was shed These Gifts are in the Scriptures registred (c) Heb. 9. ch Art thou not fill'd with Joy possest of Heav'n Yet by this Will it is confirm'd and giv'n The Deed is Seal'd th' Inheritance is sure Than let us Hardship cheerfully endure A dying Christ allays the pangs of death 'T is Conquered and beaten out of breath Christ by his death cut off the lock of Sin So his strength fails and he hath sleighted bin He brake this Lyons teeth pluckt out the Thorn Which often had the Conscience prickt and torn (d) Hosea 13.14 1 Cor. 15.54 to 57. Death is disarm'd then why should Christians fear For though it strikes it cannnot sting or tear Death's poyson Christ drew out so 't is become A friendly Beast to carry Christians home Faith Heav'n presents and Death possession takes Thus death a blessed Change for Christians makes Christs precious blood makes Deaths pale face appear Ruddy Complexion'd this our hearts should cheer But here 's a dark side of the Cloud to those Who dye in Sin and Gospel-grace oppose Christ is a Load-stone whose attractive Love Makes his Elect with fervor Heav'n-ward move But like a Mill-stone sinks down deep in Hell Those Reprobates who ' gainst his Laws rebell Who sleight Christs blood and count it but as dross Shall feel that wrath which Christ felt on the Cross Because they can't at once endure that woe It to Eternity they undergo (a) 2 Thess 1.9 Sinners will not believe till 't is too late The wretchedness of their Eternal state 'T is said the Mole is blind untill she dyes So Satan this Worlds God blinds Sinners eyes But dying Conscience sees a gloomy light So of Gods flaming Wrath they have a sight Which sight will but a dreadful Prologue be To an eternal horrrid Tragedie (b) 2 Cor. 4.4 FINIS On the Excellency and Vsefulness of Gospel Doctrine Both in Publick and Private THe Doctrine of free Grace and of its Seals By Faith apply'd our wounded Spirits heals It is our daily food and every Guest Upon the Sabbath on the same doth Feast This Manna is a delicate so rare We never shall desire to change our Fare When God doth not his Publick means afford He privately Supports us by his Word God doth the Poor maintain in health as well As those who in a Princes palace dwell A Child is nourisht and his strength increas'd With Milk conveyed by the Spoon or Breast John 5.39 6.63 17.17 1 Tim. 1.5 Heb. 6.1 2. 2 Tim. 3.15 16. Rom. 15.4 Rom. 1.16 17. Eccl. 12.9 to 14. Rom. 7.14 Isa 8.20 Psa 1.1 2. 19 7 8 9 10 119.1 to 12 97. Deut. 4.6 7 8. Gal. 2.20 1 Pet. 1.3 to 9. 2.1 1 to 11. Acts 20.6 7. Upon the Question Whether the Righteousness of Christ or our Faith justifies us WE oft unto the Servant that apply Which is the Master 's in Propriety God sent his Son the Spirit gave the Word (a) 1 Thes 1.5 2.4 to 13. 3.2 2 Thess 1.8 2.13 14 15. The Word brings Faith and Faith doth Works afford The Platform of Salvation thus display'd Each Stone must in his proper place be laid The Father chooses and the Son procures The Spirit sanctifies so Life assures The Causes and the Means are here conjoyn'd To each his proper Function is assign'd If Faith or Works Christs Justice should displace It would the Gospel Doctrine quite deface The Father Son and Spirit justifie The which the Word Faith good Works descry (b) Rom. 8.33 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 8.15 16. Hab 2.4 Gal. 2.16 to 21. Jam. 2.10 to 26. compared with 1 Thes 5.23 1 Cor. 1.30 2 Thess 2.13 Joh. 17.17 Acts 26.18 Heb. 11. ch 12.1 2. 1 Pet. 3. to 9. Even as the Root the Body and the Head Their precious Fruits abundantly do spread When sacred Truth the Heart by Faith receives Its testimony by good Works it gives How perfect are these sacred Symmetries How sweetly all together harmonize FINIS ERRATA Page 3. line 27. for King read Hinge Page 12. l. 15. for andundantly r. abundantly