The Holy Eucharist, Title page – To the reader
THE HOLY Eucharist: OR, THE MYSTERY OF THE LORDS SUPPER. Briefly Explained. By THOMAS WATSON, Minister of the Gospel.
The second Impression newly Enlarged.
Dedit nobis Christus carnem suam in cibum, sanguinem in potum, animam in pretium aquam lateris in lavacrum. Bernard.
1 Cor. 10. 21. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's-Table, and the Table of Devils.
LONDON, Printed by A. Maxwel, for Thomas Parkhurst, at the Golden Bible, on London-Bridge, next the Gate.
To the Honourable, Vertuous, and my ever Honoured Friend, Mrs. DOROTHY WOLSTENHOLM.
Madam,
BEsides the Cognizance I have had of you, when it was my happiness to live among some of your Noble Relations, your friendly deportment, and the favourable Aspect which you have been pleased to cast upon me, hath very much rendred me your Debtor. And I knew not what other way to express my self grateful, than by presenting yo… with some of that Treasure, which, through the help of the Spirit, I have digged out of the Sacred Mines of Scripture. The Tractate which I here dedicate to you, is small, but the Subject treated on, is of eminent and singular worth. Pearls may lie in a little room; and a soveraign Electuary may be given upon a Knive's point. The Supper of the Lord is a matter of weighty importance, as having in it the very pith and quintessence of the Gospel. Madam, Admire distinguishing Grace, which hath made you Noble, not only in blood, but in spiritual Endowments*Nobilitas cujusque rei est, sibi secundum …sse.: How deeply are you obliged to God, who hath given you an insight into the Mystery of Life, which will abide with you, when the Flower of Beauty shall fade, and the Feathers of Honour must lie in the dust. Madam, let Jesus Christ be ever in your thoughts, you are never out of his. Let that dear Saviour lie as a bundle of Myrrh between your Breasts; *Cant. 1. 13.delight much in the Galleries where the King of Glory is held. *Cant. 7. 5.Let those hours be counted golden, when you are at Free grace's Table, and Christ sups with you, and you with him. I have no more at present to add, only desire your Candid Interpretation, & kind reception of these few impolished lines: So entreating the Lord to enrich you with all spiritual and eternal Blessings, I take leave, and rest,
Madam, Yours to serve you, Thomas Watson.
TO THE Reader.
Christian Reader,
VVHEN I Contemplate the Holiness and Solemnity of the blessed Sacrament, I cannot but have some awe upon my Spirit, and think my self bound to hold this Mystery in the highest Veneration. The Elements of Bread and Wine are in themselves common, but under these Symbolical Representations, lie hid Divine Excellencies. Behold here the best of dainties*Dapes sa'iares: Hor., God is in this Cheer. Here is the Apple of the Tree of Life: Here is The House of Wine*foreign Cant. 3. 4., where the Banner of Free grace is gloriously displayed. In the Sacrament we see Christ broken before us, and his broken body is the only comfort for a broken Heart. While we sit at this Tab… Christ's precious Spikenard of merit and grace, sends forth its smell. The Sacrament is both an healing, and a sealing Ordinance. Here our Saviour leads his people up the Mount of Transfiguration, & gives them a Glimpse of Paradise. How welcome, should this Jubilee of the Soul be? wherein Christ appears in the oriency of his beauty, and draws the golden … of his love to the center of a Believer's Heart. Oh what Flames of Devotion should burn in our Breasts! How agil and nimble should we be! mounting up as on Wings of Cherubims, when we are to meet the Prince of Glory, who brings the Olive-branch of Peace in his mouth, and whose kisses leave a print of Heaven upon the Soul. The scope of this ensuing Discourse, is to raise an high value and appretiation of the Sacrament, to Excite Holy Ardours of Soul in such as intend to partake of it. Think not, That it is enough to be outwardly devout at Gods Table, drawing near to him with the lip, when the Heart is far from him *Isa. 28. 13.. What is this but with Ephraim to compass God, with Lyes*Hoss 11. 12.? They who put off God with bare shews, he will put them off with bare signs. They who give God only the skin of Duty, shall carry away only the shell of Comfort. Spirituality is the life of Worship *foreign. Chrysost.: If we come to the Sacrament in due order* , we shall see him whom our souls love*1 Chron. 15 13.. The Lord will give us a fore-crop here, and reserve the after-crop of Glory for the Kingdom of. Heaven. That this may be effected, shall be the earnest prayer of him, who is
Yours in the Work of the Gospel. Thomas Watson.