The Badges of Christianity, Book 3 · Chapter 14
chap. 14. Of the third vse of the Lordes supper.
THe third vse of the Lordes supper is a spirituall communion aud growth with our aThe lordes supper is the band of charity.brethren, to bee one bodye with them, flowing from the communion which we hauehave with Christ. For as the vnion betweene brethren and sisters of the same bloode and of the same flesh, springeth from the neer coniunction they hauehave from father and mothers as from a fountaine: and as the vnity and concord among seruants of the same society, ariseth by meanes of the same maister: so the faithfull that hauehave communion with christ, hauehave likewise communion one with another. This Paul testifieth euidently, writing to the Corinthians, b1 Cor. x, 17We that are many are one breade and one body, because we all are partakers of one bread. This is to be vnderstood of that communion and fellowshippe which the members hauehave one with another, who receiue food and norishment from the same table, therby professing themselues to be of the selfe same family and houshold. Besides, by the vniting together of many graines is made one bread: of many clusters of Grapes one wine is pressed out: so, out of many members groweth vp one body of the church, which is the body of christ. This maketh much to the reconciling, renueing, and maintayning of friendship, that we are all partakers of one bread made of many cornes, and … of the same cup of wine made of many clusters, c1 cor. 12. 13as the Apostle setteth downe, 1. cor. 11. Wee are all made to drinke into one spirit. Wherfore we are not onelyonly to look to our vnion with christ, but also our ioyning our selues with them who are of the same misticall body, be they neuer so many that receiue with vsus this holy supper: in respect whereof, this sacrament hath bin called a communion.
Now, let vsus consider what vse may be made heereof to Vse. 1our selues. Is this one end of the institution of christs last supper, to lay before vsus our communion one with another? then, what gifts soeuer we hauehave receiued from christ, wee must imploy them to the benefit and good of others. If god hauehave giuen vsus knowledge, we must vse it io instruct the ignorant: if the gift of zeale, we must applie it to kindle and stir vp others to remember from whence they are fallen: if faith and sanctification, we must bestow them to the gaining and winning of others: if the outward thinges of this life, and this worlds good, we must communicate them to others, according … their want and out wealth, their pouerty and our plenty. The candle hath receiued light, not for it selfe, but for others. The trees bring forth fruite, the clouds drop downe raine, the fountaines send downe water, the Sun shiaeth, the earth flourisheth, the Bee gathereth, the beast laboureth, to profit others: And wherefore hauehave we all receiued moysture from the root, light from the sun, fruit from the tree, water from the fountain, euen life from Christ, but to impart it to others as freely as we receiued? This is taughtvs in many placs: c1 Pet. 4, 10 1 cor, 12, 7Let eueryevery man as he hath receiued the gift, minister the same one to another. And in another place, The manifestation of the spirit is giuen to euerie man to profit withal: god hath tempred the body together, least there should be anie diuision in the body, that the members might hauehave the same careone for another. So then, the gifts that we hauehave receiued of vnderstanding, wisedome, zeale, exhortation, reprehension, and whatsoeuer gifts externall, internall, or eternall: let vsus consider that we are stewards not maisters of them, and therefore must render and giuegive an account vntounto the author and giuer of them, when he shall say, d…. 16, 12GiueGive an account of thy stewardshippe, for thou mayest bee no longer Steward.
Againe is the Lordes supper the bond of charity? and vse. 2.doth it put vsus in mind of our communion with the saints & fellowship which one hath with another? then all such as receyue the same doctrine, imbrace the same religion, and … at the same table, eAug. tract. 26 in Iohan.must be vnited in Christian louelove, gentlenes, meeknes, and patience one towarde another, supporting one another, bearinge the burthan one of another, being alike affected and disposed, guided by one spirit, nourished by the milke of the same word, acknowledging one …, professising one faith liuing in one bodye, walking in one callinge, looking for one kingedome worshipping one Lorde, meeting at one Supper, and washed with one Babtisme for our' regeneration and sanctification, pEph. 4, 1 2, 3 Ruth, 1, 16, 17according to the saying of the Apostle, Eph 4. Walke worthy of the vocation whereunto ye are called, endeuouring to keeepe the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace, there is one body, and one spirit, euen as ye are called in one hope of your vocation, There is one Lord, one faith, one baptisme, one god, and father of all, which is a boue all, and through all, and in you all. And in the same gPhil. 2, 1. 2. 3epistle to the Philippians, If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of louelove, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any compassion and mercy: fulfill my ioy, that ye be like minded, hauing the same louelove, being of one accord and of one iudgement, that nothing be done through contention. And Luke, Act. 4. describing the hAct. 4, 32notes of the Church of Christ, saith, The whole multitude of them that beleeued were of one heart, and one soule, neither any of them said, that any thing of that which he possessed was his owne, but they had all things common. Let vsus acknowledge our selues to bee fellowes of one houshold, and members of one body: and euermore bring with vsus this fruite of louelove to the lords Supper, otherwise we shall neuer be the Lords ghuests. If bretheren that are the children of the same father, malice and maligne one another, will not the father be angry? And if one fellow-seruantes brought vp in one family, fall together by the eares, will not their maister be displeased and offended? Seeing then, God hath vouchsafed to call vsus his children, to admitte vsus into his house, to nourish vsus at his owne table, and to preserue and reserue vsus to his heaueuly kingdome: hee will take from vsus all these priuiledges and …: if wee be hatefull and hating one another, and deale with vsus, not as with his own children, but as with his vtter enemies. Thus much of the third and last end of the Lords Supper.