The Sum of Christian Religion 2, Part 2 · Subpart 37 · Section 2
2 What are the ends of the Lords ſupper.
THE ends, for which the Lords ſupper was inſtituted, are, 1. That it might bee a c…nfirmation of our faith, that is, a moſt certaine teſtification of our communion and vnion with chriſt; becauſe Chriſt teſtifieth vntounto vsus by theſe ſigns, that hee doth as verily feede vsus with his bodie and bloud vntounto euerlaſting life, … wee receiue, at the hand of the miniſter, theſe the Lords ſignes. And this teſtification is directed to euerie one who receiueth the ſignes with a true faith: and furder alſo wee ſo receiue the ſignes at the miniſters hand, as that rather the Lord himſelfe giueth them vsus by his m niſters. Wherefore chriſt is ſaide to hauehave baptiſed moe diſciples, than Iohn, when yet hee did it by his Apoſtles, and other diſciples. 2. That it might bee a publique diſtinction, or marke, diſcerning the church from all other nations and ſecte…. For the Lord inſtituted and appointed his ſupper for his diſciples, and not for others. 3. That it might be our teſtification to chriſt and the whole church: Which is a publique confeſſion of our faith, and a ſolemne binding of our ſelues to thankefulnes and the celebration of this benefite. Both which are prooued by theſe wordes of chriſt: Doe this in remembrance of me. This remembrance is taken firſt, for faith in the heart; then for thankeſgiuing and our publique confeſſion. 4. That it might be a bond of the churches aſſemblies and meetings: becauſe the Supper was inſtituted that it ſhould be done and celebrated in a congregation, and that either great or ſmall. Therefore the Supper (as was ſaid before) is called a*Synaxis. conuent: and Chriſt expreſly commaundeth, Drinke yee all of this. Likewiſe Paul, When yee come together to eate, ſtaie one for another. 5. That it might bee a bond of mutual louelove and dilection: becauſe the Supper teſtifieth, that all are made the members of chriſt vnderunder one heade: as alſo Paul ſaith: For we that are manie are one bread and one bodie, becauſe we are all partakers of one bread.
The Lordes ſupper may not bee celebrated by one alone.Of this which hath beene ſpoken, wee gather that the Lordes Supper ought not to bee celebrated by one onelyonly. 1. Becauſe it is a communion, and the ſigne of our communion. 2. Becauſe it is a thankeſgiuing, and all ought to giuegive thankes vntounto God, and by conſequent, hee that thinketh himſelfe vnworthy to communicate with others in the Lordes Supper, doth withall confeſſe himſelfe not to bee fitte to giuegive thankes vntounto God. 3. Becauſe chriſt together with his benefits, is not proper to anie, but common to all. 4. Chriſt called all his houſholde vntounto it, euen Iudas himſelfe. 5 That ſome abſtaine from comming to the ſupper, it commeth of a certaine euil and corrupt motion, becauſe they thinke them ſelues not woorthie inough to approche vntounto this table. All are worthy who beleeue themſelues to bee deliuered by Chriſt from eternall damnation, and deſire to profite and goe forward in godlineſſe. In ſumme; if the Supper bee receiued by one onelyonly, th t is done againſt the vſe, appellation, inſtitution, and nature of the ſacrament.
Obiection. Chriſt, in the word of the Inſtitution of his ſupper, putteth as the principal end of his ſupper, his remembrance: therefore the confirmation of faith muſt not be made the principal end of his ſupper. Aunſwere. The reaſon foloweth not, to the denial of a part, by putting the whole. For the remembrance of Chriſt is the whole, wherein is compriſed both our confeſſion, and our ſolemne bond to thankefulneſſe, and alſo the confirmation of our faith. Wherefore rather by inuerting the reaſon I thus inferre and conclude: becauſe the remembrance is the ſupper, therefore it is the confirmation of our faith: and becauſe alſo Chriſt propoſeth vntounto vsus that ceremonie or rite, which muſt bee vntounto vsus a remembrance of him, he doth verily propoſe alſo a confirmation of our faith which is nothing elſe, but a remembraunce of Chriſt, and his benefites. Obiection. The holie ghoſt confirmeth our faith. Therefore the ſupper doth not. Aunſwere. The reaſon foloweth not, to the remouing of an inſtrumental cauſe by the putting of a principal cauſe.