Meat for Men, Chapter 15 – Chapter 23
Chap. 15.
Of the Bread, and how it reſembleth Chriſts Body.
Queſtion. VVHy did the Lord appoint Bread, and Wine, rather then any other things?
A. For two cauſes; namely, their generalitie, and ſignificancie aboue other Creatures that are eaten and drunke.
Q. How appeares this generality?
A. Thus: of all Creatures that men Mat. 4. 4. Deutr. 8. 3.eate or drinke, theſe are moſt generally knowne, moſt vniuerſally vſed, and moſt eaſily come by.
Q But what is their ſignificancie?
A. This: that theſe two creatures do moſt plainely ſignifie, and moſt liuely reſemble the body and bloud of Chriſt, of 1. Cor. 10. 16 17.any Creatures in the world.
Q. How doth the Bread reſemble Chriſt his Body and ſufferings.
A. Moſt liuely: in many particulars: Ioh. 6. 41.and therefore hee is called the Bread that came downe from heauen.
Q Shew the firſt reſemblance?
A. Bread reliſheth all other meats, ſo Chriſt giues the true ſauour and reliſh 1. Cor. 1. 30to all other bleſſings.
Q Declare the ſecond?
A. No meate is wholeſome to the Body, without Bread: no more is any bleſſing to the Soule, without Chriſt.
Q. Adde the third?
A. Moſt meates hurt the Body eaten without Bread, and the more outward bleſſings without Chriſt, the more hurtfull to the Soule.
Q. What is the next reſemblance?
A. Bread and wine alone feeds the Body, Philip. 4, 11 12, 13.if one hauehave no other meate.
So Chriſt alone giues feeding and contentment to the Soule, if a man had nothing elſe.
Q. What proportion is there elſe betwixt Bread, and the holy Body of Chriſt?
A. This Bread ſtrengthens the heart, Pſal, 104. 15.other meates feeds other humours, but Bread is the ſtrength of Nature.
So other bleſſings ſerue for other vſes Pſal. Philip, 4, 13,but Chriſt is the ſtrength of the Soule.
Q. Goe forward is there any more?
A. Yes: Bread is meat for all men, ſeuerall Deut. 8. 3meates are for ſeuerall ſorts of men, but bread for all.
So, ſome bleſſings are for ſome, ſome 2. Tim, 2, 6, Ioh. 4, 15. 16 1. Ioh. 2, 2for others, but Chriſt for all: all that eate him hauehave equall title in him.
Q. Is there yet any other point of reſemblance?
A Yes: Bread feeds not till it hauehave paſt and endured the violence of all the Elements, and as it were dyed many deaths.
So Chriſt the Bread that came downe Ioh. 3. 14. 15 &c,from Heauen, is not a Sauior of our Soules till he hauehave ſuffered all kind of ſufferings.
Chap. 16.
Of Wine, and how it reſembleth the Bloud of Chriſt.
Queſtion. HOw doth the Wine reſemble the Bloud of Chriſt?
A. Firſt, in name and colour, being therfore called the bloud of the grape:
Q. And is not that all?
A. No, it is alſo like in nature and opperation, for firſt, Wine is not Wine till it be preſſed out of the grape
So Chriſts bloud is not effectuall, but Heb. 9, 12. 13, 14being preſſed out of his bleſſed body.
Q. Show the next reſemblance?
A. Wine is fit drinke for the ſorrowfull Prou. 31, 6,and heauie hearted man-
So Chriſts bloud is ſweeteſt to the ſorrowfull Pſal. 51, 17. Math. 9. 13Soule, and humbled heart.
Q. Is there any other reſemblance?
A. Yes. Wine cheriſheth the heart of Pſal, 104, 15man.
So the Spirituall Wine, the bloud of Chriſt comforts the diſtreſſed conſcience.
Q. It ſeemes then the people ought to hauehave Wine as well as the Bread?
A. Yea, rather they then the Clergie, Math. 9. 12.as weake ones hauehave more need of Wine then the ſtrong and healthfull.
Q. It ſeemes the people hauehave need of it, but by what right can they challenge it?
A. By a double right, 1. By the inſtitution Math 26. 26 27. 28. 1. Cor. 11. 25 and 28.of Chriſt, who ſo ordained it, 2. By the practiſe of the Primitiue Church, for 1000. yeeres after Chriſt.
Chap. 17.
Of the outward actions in the Lords Supper.
Queſtion. VVHat bee the outward actions to bee performed in the Lords Supper?
A. They be of two ſorts: ſome to be done by the Miniſter, ſome by the Receiuer.
Q. What is the Miniſter to doe?
A. Foure things.
1. To take Bread and Wine.Mat. 26. 26. &c.
2. To bleſſe them.
3. To breake the Bread, and poure out the Wine.1. Cor. 11. 26. &c.
4. To giuegive them to the Communicants, to eueryevery one ſeuerally.
Q. And what belongs to the Receiuer?
A. Two things.
1. To take them both.Mat. 26. 26. &c. 1. Cor. 11. 23 &c.
2. To eate and drinke them in remembrance of the breaking of Chriſts body, and ſhedding of his bloud.
Q. And is not the Miniſter to hold it vp, to be ſeene and worſhipped of the people.
A. No, Chriſt commanded no ſuch thing, but it came in together with Idolatry.
Q. But is not the people to worſhip it when it is conſecrated?
A. No, that were foule Idolatry to Deut. 2. 2worſhip Bread?
Q. But it is not Bread but God?
A. Nay, if it were God it might not bee eaten with the Mouth.
Q. But may not the people keepe part of it, and carrie it home?
A. No, it is impietie, and ſuperſtition: and Chriſt commanded no more, but to take and eate.
Chap. 18.
Of the inward actions in the Lords Supper.
Queſtion. VVHat be the ſpirituall and inward actions in the Sacrament?
A. Anſwerable to the outward: ſome belong to the Giuer, ſome to the Receiuer.
Q Who is the inuiſible Miniſter here?
A. God the Father, giuing Chriſt vntounto Rom. 8. 32.vsus.
Q. What are the actions he doth?
A. Foure: Anſwerable to the foure outward things done by the Miniſter.
1 He deſtinates Chriſt to be our Sauiour, repreſented by the Miniſters taking of bread and wine.
2 He ſanctifies Chriſts humanity, and Ioh. 3, 34furniſheth it with holineſſe: ſhadowed by the Miniſters bleſſing of the Eliments.
3 He giues his Sonne to dye, and to be Rom. 8, 32▪broken for vsus, liuely reſembled in breaking the Bread and pouring out the Wine.
4 He offers that crucified Sonne, to 1. Cor. 1. 30eueryevery beleeuing ſoule, as is moſt comfortably repreſented vntounto vsus in the Miniſters giuing of the broken bread to each Communicant.
Q. And what be the ſpirituall actions of the Receiuer?
A. Spiritually by Faith, and LoueLove, to Iohn, 9. 53, &c. to 56▪take and eate him, that is to make him our owne, as Bread is when a man hath eaten it, and receiues life and ſtrength by it.
Chap. 19.
What Preparation is requiſite in regard of God.
Queſtion. VVHo receiue benefit by this Sacrament?
A. The worthy Receiuer: Many receiue it, but none elſe receiue benefit by it.
Q. Who is the worthy Receiuer hereof?
A. He that beleeuing in Chriſt, doth rightly prepare himſelfe thereunto.
Q. What is requiſite to a right preparation?
A. Two ſorts of things:
1 Some betwixt God and our ſelues.
2 Some betwixt our neighbours and vsus.
Q. What is required in regard of God?
A. Seauen things:
1. A competent meaſure of knowledge 1, Chr. 28. 9of the principles of Religion.
2. A ſerious examination of our hearts 2. Cor. 13. 5 Gal. 6. 4.and liues, to know our corruptions and ſinnes.
3. True confeſſion of them all to God Pſalm, 51. 4. Iames 5. 16.and to man alſo where we find need.
4 A clenſing of our hearts by renewing Iam. 4▪ 8 Exod. 12. 8.of our repentance.
5 A trimming of our ſoules by holy reſolutions, Reuel. 21. 2. Ierem.and louelove of vertue.
6 A raiſing vp of our hearts to a meditation i. Sam. 12. 24of Gods mercies to vsus in Chriſt.
7 A reſolution to become new creatures, 2. Th. 5. 23.and to practiſe new obedience eueryevery day more and more.
Chap. 20.
What preperation is requiſite in regard of our Brethren.
Queſtion. VVHat preparation is fit in reſpect of our Neighbours?
A. To be in Chriſtian louelove and charitie Exod. 12. 8. Heb. 12. 14.with all men: and at peace alſo if it be poſſible.
Q. How can we louelove euill men?
A. We muſt louelove good men in God, Math. 5.and euill men for God: yea though they be our cruell enemies.
Q▪ What ſhall they doe that hauehave Law ſaite…?
A. Eyther preſently end them, or 1. Cor. 6.learne to goe to Law without breach of Charitie.
Q. How may one doe ſo?
A. Thus:
1 Neuer going to Law for ſmall things.Prou.
2 Making Law the laſt meanes of getting right.
3 To be euer ready to make a quiet end Pſal, 34. 14.to ſome loſſe.
Q. What if a man ſee he cannot goe to Law without breach of Charitie?
A. Till he can, hee muſt hauehave no Iohn, 6. 27,ſutes, nor rob God of his worſhip to enrich himſelfe.
Q. What muſt hee doe that is at variance with another?
A. Seeke to be reconciled.Mat. 5.
Q. What if the other will not bee reconciled?
A. Let him ſhew himſelfe ready for Gal. 6. 5.his part, and God will accept him: and leaue the other to God and the Church to deale withall.
Chap. 21.
Of the Circumſtanes of this Sacrament.
Queſtion. VVHether is it neceſſary to receiue faſting?
A. It is conuenient, not neceſſary.
Q. How appeares that?
A. Thus:
1 If one be not well, God ſaith hee will Math. 9. 3,hauehave mercy and not Sacrifice.
2 Becauſe meate defiles not a man.
3 In the primitiue Church they receiued at any time, day or night.
Q. Muſt we follow Chriſt in all things toucbing this Sacrament?
A. For matter of ſubſtance wee muſt, but for circumſtances not ſo.
Q. What bee the ſubſtantiall matters in this Sacrament?
A. Foure: 2. Perſons, and 2. things.
Q What be the Perſons?
A, A Miniſter qualified to giuegive it, and a worthy Receiuer to take it.
Q▪ What be the the things?
A. The Elements, and the actions to be done about thoſe Elements.
Theſe may not be altered.
Q. But why are wee not tyed alſo to follow Chriſt, in the circumſtances of time, place, geſture, number, ſexe, vnleauened Bread, &c.
A. Becauſe Chriſt was tyed to the Circumſtances of the Paſſe-ouer, ſo are not wee.
Q. Why was Chriſt bound to keepe the Paſſe ouer?
A. Becauſe hee was a Iew borne, and came to fulfill all righteouſneſſe.
Q. But the Paſſe-ouer was a Ceremonie?
A. True: but the Ceremonicall Law was in ſorce vntill Chriſt dyed.
Chap 22.
That kneeling is not onelyonly lawfull but conuement and commendable.
Queſtion. VVHo then is to appoint the Circumſtances for this Sacrament?
A. The Church hath power to doe it.
Q. How appeares?
A. Becauſe Shee is the Spouſe, and Math. 28. 20hath the Spirit and power of Chriſt.
Q What time hath the Church appointed as beſt?
A. The morning, becauſe we are then fitteſt for any great or good action.Pſal.
Q. And what place?
A. The publicke Congregation, except in caſe of neceſſitie.Pſal, 40
Q And what geſture is beſt and fitteſt?
A. The geſture of moſt Humilitie; namely, kneeling.
Q▪ Why is kneeling the beſt beſeeming geſture?
A Becauſe wee then ſhow the Lords 1. Cor. 11. 28death, who dyed by our meanes, and for our fault: therefore wee may not ſhow that death, but with all humility.
Q. But is it not Idolatry to kneele to the Bread?
A. We kneele to no Bread, but onelyonly Iames.to God, to whom alſo we then pray.
Q. But did not the Pope bring in kneeling, together with Tranſubſtantiation?
A. No, it was vſed by deuout and holy Chriſtians long before: as may appeare in the end of this Booke.
Q. But is it not a Feaſt, and therefore more fit to ſit then kneele?
A. Firſt, the Scripture calls it not a 1 Cor. 11. 28Feaſt, but a commemoration of the Lords death.
Secondly, if it bee a Feaſt, its like a Funerall feaſt where is cauſe of Sorrow as well as Ioy.
Thirdly, the concluſion certainly is a 1. Cor. 11. 28Feaſt, but not the breaking, giuing, and taking: That is a ſhowing of the Lords death, and therefore it is to be done kneeling: But that done, then it is a Communion and LoueLove-feaſt, and then wee may either ſit and ſing, or ſtand and praiſe 1 Cor. 10. 16GOD.
Q. But why ſhould wee alter the geſture that Christ vſed?
A. It is not certaine Chriſt gaue it them ſitting, the Text ſaith not ſo.
Againe, Saint Paul repeating all hee receiued 2 Cor. 11. 23of Chriſt, ſaith not a word of any geſture.
Third, If it were certain, yet the Church vponupon good cauſe might as well alter it, as the Bread, time, place &c.
Q. What is to bee thought of them that wilfully refuſe to kneele?
A. They are like rebellious, and proud children, that will take vponupon them to ouer-rule their Mother.
Q. May one alone Communicate?
A. No, there muſt bee a conuenient 1. Cor. 10. 16, 17.number, elſe it is no Communion.
Chap▪ 23.
What a Chriſtian ought to doe after he hath Receiued.
Queſtion. WHat is to bee done, when wee hauehave Receiued?
A. In the Church wee are to giuegive God Heb. 13. 15. 1. Cor. 16. Heb. 3. 16.thankes, with the Congregation, and to offer vp our Aimes for the poore.
Q Who are to giuegive almes when they receiue?
A. All that come to take part in Chriſt, Wiues, women, and ſeruants, are all to giuegive ſomething to Chriſts poore members, Gal. 3. 28.ſeeing hee giues himſelfe to all without difference.
Q. How and what is eueryevery one to giuegive?
A. According to the neceſſities of the 2. Cor. 8. 2. & 9. 7. 1. Cor. 16. 2.poore, and as God hath bleſſed thee that MonethMonth, or ſince thou didſt laſt receiue.
Q And what is to bee done at home?
A. Retire your ſelues in priuate, and meditate vponupon the infinite mercy of God, in giuing Chriſt to dye for our ſinnes, and Pſal. 44. Math. 6. 6. 1. Theſ. 4. 12to begge grace, that daily we may walke worthy of it.
Q▪ But as wee receiued together in the Church, it is not fit to goe together that day to drinke and make merry?
A. Thankfulneſſe is neceſſarie, and moderate mirth is lawfull, but as this is 1. Theſ. 5. 18 Philip. 3. Ioh. 6. 2.a Spirituall feaſt, ſo our joy that day is to bee Spirituall: There bee other dayes enough for the body.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Crashaw, Meat for Men (1629)