A Light from Christ Leading Unto Christ, Classis 28
The twenty eighth Claſsis or company of Queſtions.
1 Queſtion.
VVHat is the fifth Sacramental action or obj…ct of your ſences corporal or ſpiritual? Or upon which your ſences or acts of life in your ſoul and body are to be exerciſed when you are at this holy Sacrament?
Anſ. Sacramental commemoration of the death and paſſſion of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt,Luk. 22.19, 20. 1 Cor. 11.23, &c. and of his Inſtitucion of this bleſſed Sacrament the ſame night in wh…ch he was betrayed, his paſſion, crucifying and death, ſo lively ſet before my eyes in the celebration of this Sacrament, and by Chriſts command to be commemorated and remembred, as it is ſhewed forth until he come.
Queſt. 2. What are you to do in this act of commemoration?
Anſ. To exerciſe thoſe three acts before ſpecified;
1. Diligently to obſerve how this Sacrament doth remember me of that ſacrifice of the death of Chriſt, of his ineſtimable love in dying for me, and of the moſt glorious benefits that I am made partaker of in a right meeting of Chriſt at the Lords Table.
Quest. 3. What is the ſecond?1 Ioan 4.
Divine meditation, I ought by the power of Chriſts ſpirit,19. Ioh. 17.20, 21. to think of this memorial of Chriſts Death, Paſſion and Reſurrection, and benefits, till I be ſo affected with it, as to rejoyce with it, and never to forget this love of Chriſt, but to be delighted with his love, as to love Chriſt again until I come to glory with Chriſt.
Queſt. 4. What is the third?
Anſ. By the power of the ſpirit of Chriſt, and by faith to apply the memorial of this action and paſſion of Chriſt unto my ſoul, that it may be engraven upon my heart, to be recorded and ſet before my eyes for ever, that evening and morning and mid-day I may remember what Chriſt hath done for my ſoul, and Chriſts love may for ever be in my heart, and I may ſay as the Apoſtle, Gal. 2.20. Chriſt loved me and gave himſelf for me.
Q…eſt. 5. What is a ſixth Sacramental action, object or act on Chriſts part, or on yours, which is the object of your ſenſes corporal or spiritual, or in which theſe ſenſes, operations or actions of the ſoul and body are to be exerciſed in this holy Ordinance of Chriſt?
Anſ. Chriſts congratulation or Sacramental welcom he gives to his faithful prepared gueſts, Take, eat, Take drink, yea, all of this, and thus bidding them welcom:
1. As in the Inſtitution of Chriſt is evidently ſet forth unto us, Mat. 26.26, 27, 28. Luke 22.19, 20.
2. As Chriſt invited his Spouſe, his Church and children, Canticles 5.1. Eat friends, and drink abundantly, O beloved, that is, eat abundantly, not of the outward bread, and drink abundantly, not of the outward Wine, but eat ſpiritually of the body of Chriſt by faith, and the merits of Chriſt crucified for me, and drink abundantly of the vertue of Chriſts blood which was ſhed for me: For Chriſts fleſh is meat indeed, and Chriſts blood is drink indeed:Ioh. 6.51, &c. If I thus eat of Chriſts fleſh, and drink of Chriſts blood, I ſhall live for ever.
Queſt. 6. What is to be acted by you? And how are your corporal and ſpiritual ſences to be exerciſed in this congratulation or heavenly welcom which Chriſt gives your ſoul at this Table?
Anſ. Firſt, a diligent obſervation of this welcom when I hear it with the ears of my body, from the voyce of Chriſts Miniſter ſpeaking comfortably & cheerfully to me from Chriſt, as to a prepared, believing, penitent, humble, hungry communicant, Take and eat, Take and drink, in the Name of Chriſt bidding me welcom to Chriſts Table, as Mat. 26. Luke 22.
Queſt. 7. What is a ſecond thing to be acted?
Anſw. A Divine meditation, as if by the ears of my ſoul I did at the ſame time hear the voyce of Chriſt, as once he ſpake to his Diſciples at his laſt Supper; ſo now ſpeaking to my ſoul from heaven, and bidding me welcom, Eat my friend, and drink my beloved, I have loved thee, I have given my ſelf for thee, I have given thee my body crucified, my bloodſhed for thee, and for many for remiſſion of ſins, feaſt and refreſh thy ſoul with abundance of aſſurance of my love to thee at my Table; O poor believing, hungry, and humble ſoul, thou art welcom here, in and amongſt my congregation of Saints at my Table of grace, and thou ſhalt one day be welcom, and eat and drink heavenly and gloriouſly with me at my Table of glory in the Kingdom of heaven for ever, Matthew 22. Luke 22.19.
Queſt. 8. What is the third?
Ioh. 4.14, 15. & 6.33, &c.Anſw. A ſweet and ſhort ejaculation or ejaculatory and darting prayer, to this or this like in effect: Even ſo Lord Ieſus I bleſſe thy name for this ſweet aſſurance of being welcom to thy Table, ſtrengthen my faith, enliven mine eyes, and hand, and mouth of faith, that I may ſee and diſcern thy body and thy blood, I may ſo receive and feed on thy body and blood, that I may finde and feel, and enjoy ſuch an everlaſting vertue, and ſap and juyce of life from thee my Saviour, which may enliven and ſtrengthen thy life of grace in me here in this life, to life everlaſting in the world to come.
Queſt. 9. What it the ſeventh Sacramental act or object held forth as from Chriſt by his Miniſters, on which your corporal and ſpiritual ſences, acts and operations of ſoul and body are to be exerciſed by the power of Chriſt?
Anſ. Sacramental Foederation, or Covenant-promiſes held forth by Chriſt to his Diſciples the night before his Paſſion,1 Cor. 11.23, &c. when he did Inſtitute this Sacrament, and held forth now to my ſoul in this Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
Queſt. 10. Wherein doth this Sacramental Foederation or Covenant conſiſt?
Anſ. In thoſe promiſing words of Chriſt to his Diſciples, the ſame night he was betrayed:
Firſt, when he took bread and brake it, and ſaid, This is my Body which is given for you, as is recorded Luke 22.22. or, which is broken for you, as bleſſed Paul expreſſed, 1 Cor. 11.24. that is, this Bread which I thus take in my hand and give to you, is my Sacramental body, by which another thing is meant: for this Bread thus broken and given, ſignifieth, and ſealeth, and communicateth to you, and aſſureth you of this my natural body, which is now with you, which you now ſee with your bodily eyes, as well as you do this Bread which I break and give unto you, Matthew 26.26, 27.
Queſt. 11. Wherein further doth this promiſe appear?
Anſ. And ſecondly, in that it is as much as if the Lord had ſaid further, as verily as I do now give you this Bread broken as my Sacramental Body; ſo verily I do now promiſe to give you this my natural body to be crucified and broken with torments for you, and for many, and this my promiſe and Covenant I do ſeal to you, in giving you this Sacramental body of mine, this Bread ſo bleſſed and broken; yea, behold the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the Table; this night will Judas betray me with a kiſſe; and the ſervants of the High-Prieſt ſhall take me, and ſhall lead me to be accuſed, and condemned, and crucified, not for any ſins of my own, but for your ſins,Ioh. 10.15. I ſay; and not for yours only, but for all my ſheep, for whom I do willingly lay down my life; and do by this Sacramental Covenant and Promiſes, engage my ſelf to lay down my life for yours and their ſalvation; and I do appoint this Sacrament, that you may never forget my love, thus witneſſed by my death, and thus held forth and ſealed to you. And this is my promiſe which you ſhall ſee performed after few dayes, read Matthew 26, and 27, Chapters, and Luke 22, and 23, Chapters, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24.
Queſt. 12. But doth not the words of Chriſt in bleſſing and giving of the Wine hold forth the ſame Sacramental promiſe?
Anſ. Yes verily, for at the ſame time he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave to them, ſaying, Drink ye all of this; and then he giveth them the ſame promiſes, as a reaſon why they ſhould drink of that cup; for ſaith he, This is my blood of the New Teſtament, which is ſealed for you and for many for remiſſion of ſins, as Mat. 26.27, 21. and in Luke 22.22. compared may appear; this is my blood of the New Teſtament, or, of the New Covenant, the Covenant of Grace to your ſouls, not that the Bread broken is my natural body which ſhall be crucified for you, or that the Wine in the cup which I now give unto you, is my natural blood which ſhall be ſhed for you; But theſe are my Sacramental body & blood; ſignifying and ſealing this promiſe; for as verily as I do now give you this cup, this Wine to drink, which I call my blood of the New Covenant, becauſe it is a ſeal and pledge, and earneſt of my blood, which I do now this night promiſe ſhall be ſhed for you within few dayes; and as ſure as I now give you my Diſciples this Wine to drink; ſo verily do I now give you my blood to be ſhed for you,Mat. 26.27, 28. and for many for remiſſion of ſins; and this my promiſe ſhall be ſpeedily verified and fulfilled. For that (as if Chriſt had ſaid) this night, when as anon we ſhall go out to the Mount of Olives, according to our truſt.
1. Some of you ſhall ſee that my Agony and bitter Paſſion will begin,Ioh. 1.19. when in ſenſe of the heavy burden of ſins which the Lord my Father hath laid upon me, and which as a Lamb of God I take away even the ſins of the world, and which I have moſt willingly undertaken to bear for you and for all my people whom I will ſave from all their ſins, Mat. 1.21. the burden of which are ſo great, that I ſhall deſire, if it were my Fathers will this cup of wrath, ſo bitter, might paſſe from me.
2. You ſhall ſee my Agony will be ſo vehement and grievous, that I ſhall ſweat even great drops of blood.
3. And you ſhall ſee it more, when being crowned with thorns, and crucified with Nails in my hands and feet, and my ſide pierced with a ſpear, my blood, my hearts blood ſhall flow in abundance for your ſakes.
This I promiſe,Iſa. 53. Mat. 26.27. Luk. 22.23. Mat. 1.21. 1 Cor. 11.24, &c. and this you ſhall ſee performed, even with your own eyes, and that within three dayes; this I conceive humbly to hold forth plainly the Sacramental promiſes of Chriſt in this Sacrament, as by comparing the Prophets and Evangeliſts, and the Apoſtle Paul, you may finde evident.
Queſt. 13. This indeed may hold forth that promiſe that Chriſt made at his laſt Supper, and the inſtitution of this Sacrament before his Paſſion, and which he did promiſe and fulfil when he died for us: But how can the ſame words be a Sacramental pnomiſe to you who deſire to come to the Lords Table?
Anſ. Yea verily, the ſame promiſe of Chriſt continueth in force, in reſpect of the vertue, truth, power, and efficacy of it to my believing ſoul, and to all Believers to the end of the world.
Queſt. 14. How can this appear, and upon what grounds?
Heb. 13.8.Anſ. Firſt, Chriſt Jeſus is the ſame yeſterday for the benefit of his Church, yeſterday, and to day,1 Cor. 10.2, 3. and for ever. And as the Patriarks before Chriſt did all eat of the ſame ſpiritual meat & drink the ſame ſpiritual drink, and drunk of the ſpiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Chriſt, believing the promiſes they fed on Chriſt the Meſſiah then to come by vertue of the promiſe.
Secondly, As the Apoſtles in the firſt Inſtitution and participation of the Sacrament did by faith feed on Chriſts body,1 Cor. 12.24, &c. which was then promiſed to be given to be crucified for them, and drink of his blood which was then promiſed to be ſhed for them, and of which they were aſſured by that word of Chriſts promiſe; even ſo likewiſe I now being a believing, humbled, hungry ſoul, do now by vertue of the ſame promiſe of Chriſt, who hath performed and ſealed, now in the Sacrament, what he promiſed, Receive aſſurance that Chriſt hath given his body to be crucified, and given his blood to be ſhed for my ſins.
And thirdly, by the ſame Sacramental promiſe I am now aſſured that I ſhall receive all the vertue, merits and efficacy of the body and blood of Chriſt, neceſſary for aſſurance of my Juſtification, ſanctification and ſalvation, as aſſuredly as if I had been preſent when Chriſt ſpake thoſe words, or made that promiſe to his Diſciples; or that I did now hear the bodily voyce of Chriſt now ſpeaking unto me from heaven by the ear of my body, as he ſpeaks to the ear of my body by his Miniſter, and now ſpeaks to the ears of my believing ſoul by the voyce of his ſpirit, perſwading and enabling me to believe the truth of theſe Sacramental promiſes.
Fourthly, Therefore I conclude, that I may eat and drink at this Table to my joy and comfort; Now I may be aſſured that Chriſt gave his body to be crucified, and his blood to be ſhed for my ſins, or that he loved me and gave himſelf for me.
Queſt. 15. What now is to be acted by you when you hear and ſee the Sacramental promiſes held forth unto you?
Anſ. I may follow the former Directory in a threefold reſpect.
1. Diligent obſervation of the promiſory words, This is my body given for you, broken for you, This is my blood ſhed for you, and for many for remiſſion of ſins, Take and eat, Take and drink.
2. A divine meditation of this promiſe, the ſame or like effect as before is declared in the Paraphraſe of it, in anſwer of the former Queſtion.
3. A ſweet and rejoycing Application by faith of this promiſe to my own ſoul,Mark 14.22, 23. for my comfortable emboldning and encouragement, to take and eat, take and drink, and feed on Chriſt to my ſouls cheriſhing comfort, and the refreſhing of life of grace in my heart.
Queſt. 16. What is the eighth Sacramental action, object, or ſubject in this Ordinance of Chriſt, in and about which your ſenſes, acts or actions, corporal or spiritual, may be exerciſed when you are at the Lords Table?
Anſ. Sacramental participation,
1. In taking and eating of that Bread the Sacramental body of Chriſt, and taking and drinking that Wine the Sacramental blood of Chriſt with the hand and mouth of the body, Matthew 26.26, 27.
2. In taking and feeding on Chriſts body crucified,1 Cor. 10.16. and taking and drinking of Chriſts blood ſhed for me, and of the vertue, power and merits of Chriſt, and all the benefits of Chriſts Paſſion, Death and Reſurrection, not corporally or carnally, with hand or mouth of my body, but ſpiritually, by a true and lively feeling, apprehending and applying faith, which is the hand and mouth of my ſoul, to ſtrengthen and nouriſh my ſoul and body, my life of grace in me to life Eternal.
Queſt. 17. What may be done for better quickning your ſoul in this participation of Chriſt, and this bleſſed feaſt at Chriſts Table?
Anſ. 1. I may and ought to obſerve diligently this rich feaſt upon which I feed,Iſa. 25.6. as a feaſt of fat things which the Lord promiſed his people a feaſt of fat things, full of marrow, a feaſt of wines on the lees well refined.
Yea, not onelyonly Bread and Wine for my body, but Chriſt himſelf and all his rich benefits to feed my ſoul,Iohn 6.27, &c. to ſtrengthen my life of faith, by the living vertue of Chriſt ingrace, till I get poſſeſſion of glory.
Queſt. 18. What is the ſecond?
Anſ. A divine meditation of Chriſt as of the Tree of Life in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God,Gen 2.9 & 3.22. Re. 22.2. & 22.17. Ioh. 4.14. Phil. 4.11, &c. of which whoſoever eateth, ſhall live for ever (as a Tree of Life) yea, a Tree of life which beareth twelve manner of fruits, and yield fruit every monethmonth, and oftner if I meet Chriſt oftner in his Ordinances; yea, living fruit which hath a living vertue to revive and quicken a dying fainting ſoul, to ſtrengthen a weak and almoſt decaying grace, as of Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, Love, Joy, Peace, contentment in my heart, yea, the very leaves of this Tree Chriſt, are good to heal all diſeaſes and infirmities in a ſoul, every taſte of Chriſt in this feaſt is reſtaurative, filling my dead heart with cheerful and ſoul-rejoycing ſpirits of life, vital ſpirits indeed, as from Chriſt himſelf, that everliving fountain of water of life, ſpringing up in me to life eternal, ſo that I may and can do all things, and glorifie God with ſweet contentment, and rejoycing delight in every condition, through Chriſt that ſtrengthneth me.
Queſt. 19. What is the thing, in exerciſe whereof your ſoul may be more fully revived and ſtrengthned in the participation of Chriſt at the Lords Table?
Anſ. 3. A lively faithful application,Pſa. 27.8 Cant. 5.1 Pſal. 19.10. Iohn 6.57, 58. in feeding by faith upon Chriſt, and the aſſurance of Chriſts love unto me, a ſweet ſpiritual eccho anſwering of Chriſts welcom, as if thou ſhouldſt ſay, Lord thou bidſt me eat, and drink, and welcom, yea, eat thy fleſh, and drink thy blood, in and by believing that thou gaveſt thy body to be crucified, and thy blood to be ſhed for my ſins: Now by faith I do eat, by faith I do drink, I do feed on thee, I do rejoyce in thee, I finde ſweetneſs in thee above all the ſweetneſs in the world, ſweeter then the hony and the hony-comb; ſtill feed thou my ſoul, and ſhew me thy gracious and thy glorious refreſhings more and more, until I come to feaſt with thee in glory.
Queſt. 20. What is the ninth Sacramental object, act, action, fruit or benefit in this feaſt of the Lord, in and about which you ſhould exerciſe your ſenſes, acts and operations of body or ſoul, in or at this bleſſed Sacrament?
Anſ. That Sacramental union or communion with Chriſt and the Saints of God, fellow-members of Chriſt, and thoſe moſt refreſhings from Chriſt in the enjoyment of Chriſt and his ſpiritual and moſt joyful preſence to my ſoul, held forth in theſe Sacramental promiſes which Chriſt the God-man hath ſpoken in his holineſſe, and which makes my ſoul rejoyce within me, and having the preſent poſſeſſion of Chriſt, in feeding on Chriſt ſpiritually, eating his fleſh, and drinking his blood, and ſo having an admirable union & communion with Chriſts, Iohn 6.56. Pſal. 16.12.in enjoyment of all his benefits; Chriſt now dwelling in me, and I in him, as one day I ſhall in his preſence have fulneſſe of joy, and pleaſures for ever more.
Queſt. 21. What may you now do by vertue of Chriſt? Or What acts of your ſoul may you exerciſe? Or in what may you wait on Chriſt for your greater profit and comfort in this moſt gracious union and communion with Chriſt and the Saints, Rom. 8.17.the heirs and fellow-heirs with you and with Chriſt of Eternal glory?
Anſ. I may follow the former direction, and wait on Chriſt,
Firſt, in obſervation of this union and communion that is between Chriſt and my ſoul in this Sacrament, as in part is ſet forth before this Catechiſm, and ſo obſerve and conſider what an union there is between the ouward ſigns of Bread and Wine, and the inward thing ſignified and ſealed, the body and blood of Chriſt, namely, a mutual union and relation, and this according to the nature of the ſigns and the thing ſignified, is ſpiritual and inviſible; now it cannot be ſeen with bodily eyes, and ſo there is a ſpiritual and ſecret union, and yet a ſpeedy preſent union; and as there is a ſecret ſpiritual union and relation between the bread and wine, and the body and blood of Chriſt, repreſented to my ſoul to the eye of faith in me, and conveyed to the hand and mouth of faith in me: So there is a ſpiritual and ſpeedy preſent union between the body and the blood of Chriſt, and my believing ſoul, and a ſpeedy and preſent communion and union of vertue and ſpiritual refreſhment unto my ſoul, partaking by faith of this refreſhing; for as the word is no ſooner ſpoken, and is united to the outward ear, but the thing ſignified thereby is preſent, and united to the underſtanding and ear of my minde; ſo it is here, and ſo I do obſerve a divine and ſpiritual union and communion betwixt Chriſt and my ſoul,Mat. 28.20. Rev. 2.1.17. for my more full refreſhing at this ſweet ſpiritual and reviving banquet, hidden Manna of grace in this holy Ordinance.
Queſt. 22. What is a ſecond act or operation of your ſoul, to be exerciſed for your more full comfort in this ſweet and ſpiritual union and communion with Chriſt at the Lords Supper?
Anſ. Divine meditation, when I think and ſeriouſly ruminate and meditate again and again; How I do exerciſe two kinde of eyes, and two kinde of hands, and two kinde of mouthes in this Sacrament, and how and in what manner Chriſt is preſent, as with the ſigns by relation and repreſentation, ſo with me by preſent enjoyment; how as ſoon as by the eye of my body I behold the conſecrated Elements of bread and wine, and theſe are preſent to the eye of my body, ſo ſpeedily do I ſee the body of Chriſt crucified, and the blood of Chriſt ſhed for my ſins with the eyes of faith, and they are preſent to the eyes of my ſoul, and ſo I have a union and communion with them immediatly.
Secondly,1 Cor. 10.16. ſo ſpeedily as I do with the hands of my body take the bread and the wine prepared, and preſented upon the Table for me to take, but preſently with faith the hand of my ſoul, I do apprehend and take the body and blood of Chriſt preſented to be taken and received ſpiritually and by faith at the Lords Table.
Thirdly, I may meditate, That ſo ſpeedily as with the mouth of my body I do eat and feed on the bread,1 Kin. 19.7, 8. Pſal. 63.1, &c. and drink the wine in the Sacrament, at the ſame inſtant, with the mouth of faith, or my believing ſoul, I do feed on Chriſts body and blood, and the vertue and merits of Chriſt are preſent with me, and I have a ſweet communion with them, and in theſe or like meditations my ſoul is fatted with heavenly Manna, as with marrow and fatneſſe, nouriſhing me in the wilderneſſe of this world to the Canaan of heaven.
Queſt. 23. What is the third principal thing to be exerciſed concerning this union and communion with Chriſt, and his ſoul-reviving comforts and benefits in this Sacrament? Wherein hath light of Chriſt appeared unto you for duty in this?
Iohn 6.56. Gal. 2.20.Anſ. Spiritual and faithful application of Chriſt and his benefits to my ſoul, that now as verily as the bread and wine which I have eaten and drunken in this feaſt are mine, and the vertue of them is united to me, and I to it; ſo verily the body and blood of Chriſt is mine, and the vertue and benefits of Chriſts body and blood is become mine, and I am united to Chriſt, and Chriſt to me, to my joy everlaſting, ſo that I may ſay with confidence and rejoycing, Chriſt loved me and gave himſelf for me.
Queſt. 24. What is the tenth principal Sacramental act or action which is or may be the object of your corporal or ſpiritual ſenſes or operations of ſoul or hody in the right obſervation, meditation and application of which, you may wait on Chriſt the Lord, Prince, with more full rejoycing in or after your meeting of Chriſt at the Table of the Lord?
Anſ. Sacramental obſignation or ſealing in communication of this ſpiritual union and communion with Chriſt, and enjoyment of Chriſt, and all the benefits of his Death, Paſſion, Reſurrection, Aſcention and Interceſſion, yea, of his Prieſtly, Prophetical, and Kingly Office, and of the aſſurance of all theſe benefits of Election, Redemption, Vocation, Juſtification, Sanctification, Freedom from the condemning and commanding power of ſin from Death and Hell, with all graces needful in this life and immortal glory, when this Mortal life is ended; all which are ſealed and grounds of aſſurance, of all communicated to Saints in this ſeal and Sacrament of the Covenant of grace the Lords Supper, as Rom. 4.1.
Queſt. 25. In what acts or operations of your ſoul may you wait on Chriſt for improvement of this Sacramental obſignation and ſealing of this union and communion with Chriſt, and the Saints of God, and the aſſurance of all graces and benefits of Chriſt to his Church and children in this holy Ordinance?
Anſ. In thoſe three before mentioned:
Firſt, In a ſerious conſideration of this ſealing by the word of promiſe, and work of Chriſts ſpirit and Sacrament, or this ſeal of confirmation of my faith, and of all Gods promiſes of this ſealing Ordinance, the Sacrament of this body and blood of Chriſt, and of Chriſts Death, held forth unto me in the Lords Supper, that as verily as I do partake of the outward Elements of bread and wine; ſo verily the Lord Chriſt hath and doth communicate unto me the vertue and merits of his body and blood, and all the benefits he hath procured to and for the benefits of his Church and children, and for my ſoul in particular,Gal. 2.20. for I know he loved me and give himſelf for me, as he did for bleſſed Paul.
Qu…ſt. 26. What is a ſecond operation or act of the ſoul, enlightned and ſanctified by the ſpirit of Chriſt, in and by which you may wait on Chriſt for improvement of this obſignation, or ſealing of the Covenant of Grace, and all thoſe fruits and benefits Chriſt doth aſſure his Church and his Children in his Sacrament?
Anſ. Divine meditation, by the help and power of Chriſts ſpirit, to think, meditate and ruminate, or as it were chew the cud again and again in meditation of this great and ineſtimable love of God in Chriſt, and moſt free love of Chriſt to my ſoul, God the Father not onelyonly loving me to give Chriſt his Son for me, and the Lord Chriſt ſo loving me, as to give himſelf for me, and to give the Goſpel of grace to manifeſt this his invaluable love, but alſo to give the Sacraments, and this Sacrament of the Lords Supper in particular, to ſeal this wonderful ſurpaſſing love of God in Chriſt to my ſoul, manifeſted in his death and paſſion for me, and God the holy Ghoſt to witneſſe this to me; and in this meditation to be perſwaded and aſſured by the ſtrength of Chriſts ſpirit, that I have a moſt ſure right title and intereſt to Chriſt, to his Death, Paſſion, Reſurrection and Aſcention, and Interceſſion, and to all the fruits and benefits of all theſe to my ſoul, and that all theſe are moſt ſurely and firmly ſealed and confirmed to me in this Sacrament, to the glorious ſtrengthning of my faith, and rejoycing of my ſoul in Chriſt Ieſus, having loved me and given himſelf for me, Gal. 2.20.
Queſt. 27. What is the third act orr operation of the ſoul, in which by the power of Chriſts ſpirit, you may improve this Sacramental obſignation to your ſelf, to your joy and comfort?
Anſ. A ſpiritual and faithful application,
Firſt, of this bleſſed Sacrament, as appointed and inſtituted by Chriſt as a ſeal to confirm my faith, and an application of Chriſt and his glorious benefits ſealed and aſſured to my ſoul, and ſealed to all Saints who have a holy union and communion with me in this Sacrament, and a communion in and with Chriſt, held forth and communicated in this Ordinance.
Reaſon.For the bread broken is the communion of the body of Chriſt, and the cup which is bleſſed is the communion of the blood of Chriſt,1 Cor. 10.16, 17. and we that are many are one bread and one body, for we are all partaker of that one bread, and ſo I have both union and communion with Chriſt, and with the Saints, both ſealed to me in this Sacrament.
Simile.For as a Princes Broad or commonſeal annexed to an Evidence, confirmeth or ſealeth up to the party to whom the Deed or Evidence is made; the truth of all thoſe Promiſes and Covenants which are contained in that Deed, or Evidence, or Letters, or Patents: So this Sacrament of the body and blood of Chriſt, being as it were great Broad Seal of the Prince of Heaven and Earth Chriſt Ieſus, it ſealeth to my ſoul all the promiſes and covenants in that great Charter the Covenant of Grace, for my confirmation and eſtabliſhment in Chriſt, and Chriſts righteouſneſſe received by faith.
As circumciſion of old,Simile. and Baptiſm in the time ſince Chriſts Aſcention, ſeals my entrance into Chriſt, and clothing upon with Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe, and ingrafting into Chriſt for nouriſhing vertue to life eternal. So that I may ſtill conclude with the Apoſtle, certainly Chriſt loved me, and gave himſelf for me, Romans 4.11. Iſaiah 61.10. Galathians 3.27. 1 Peter. 1.4, 5. Galathians 2.20.