A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 237 (Question 96 cont.)
SERMON CCXXXVII.
WE have conſidered of the ſpecial Nature of this Sacrament, in which an account hath been taken of the matter or parts of it, in which we have detected ſundry groſs Errors in our Adverſaries: but there are ſome other things obſervable, contained in the Deſcription, which we may a little take into conſideration.
AND here obſerve,
1. WE are told who they are that do partake in the true & ſaving Benefit of this Sacrament, viz. The worthy Receivers. Who theſe are, will come under a more diſtinct Conſideration at the next Queſtion, when we inquire what is requiſite to render them ſo. Here only we are given to underſtand, that all are not ſuch, otherwiſe ſuch a note of diſtinction had been ſuperfluous. Only we are here to obſerve, that it is not a worthineſs of Merit that is here conſidered, for ſo none can deſerve this Privilege; but it is given freely to every one that partakes in it. And if we …arry from this Ordinance, till we can pretend to ſuch a worthineſs, we ſhall never come there. It is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace, and is to Seal up to us the Grace of that Covenant; which utterly cu…s off all perſonal merit of our own.
WE are here to obſerve, if we would not be miſtaken, that the Apoſtle when he ſpeaks, (1 Cor. 11.26.) of receiving unworthi…y, is not inquiring who have an external …ight, and ought to be admitted to the Lord's Table, to partake of the Sacramental Elements; but to diſcover who they are that partake in the Sacrament it ſelf; which is a vaſtly different thing. We muſt remember, that in a Sacrament, there are two parts, viz. the Sign and the thing ſignified; and he doth not really partake in the Sacrament, who doth not participate in them both: for the very form of the Sacrament, conſiſts in the Union there is between theſe two; ſo that where this Union is wanting, it is not a Sacrament to ſuch. Altho', becauſe we cannot judge Mens Hearts immediately, we charitably acknowledge them to partake who do receive the Elements, that are ſet apart for this uſe. They therefore who r…ceive Chriſt together with theſe, who diſcern him repreſented under them, and do receive them under that Conſideration, are ſaid to be worthy or mee…, becauſe according to the tenor of the Goſpel, they are qualified to receive the promiſed Bleſſing with them. Though therefore ſuch as keep the Doors of God's Houſe, cannot know certainly who they are, and are often miſtaken in their charitable perſwaſions; yet it is certain, that it is an important duty on every one that approacheth to this Ordinance to take heed that he be in this regard worthy, elſe it will not be beneficial to him for the end to which it is appointed, but procure him God's diſpleaſure. But theſe things will come under a more particular Conſideration in the next.
2. WE have the things which theſe worthy Receivers are made to partake of in this Ordinance, viz. the Body and Blood of Chriſt, with all his Benefits. Under theſe words is contained both the Perſon of Chriſt, and all the Good that is laid up in him for his Redeemed. Under the Body and Blood of Chriſt is comprehended whole Chriſt; and it hath a peculiar reference to his Mediatorial Sufferings, which he ſuffered in his Humane Nature, to make Satisfaction to offended Juſtice; which is therefore nextly exhibited under the rep…eſen…ation of his Body and Blood. But his whole Perſon is to be …ad …gard to, and the L…ve herein manife…ed, was the L…ve of the Son of God, and the Vertue wherely the Atonement was made valuable, was from its being the Body and Blood of God. How theſe are received, w…ll c…me …der a… after conſideration; but it is the … a Chriſt who gave himſelf for us, who now g…ves himſelf … us. And here let it be obſerved, that we do acknowledge, that it is the real Body & Blood of Chriſt which, although …ot all we receive the blements, yet all worthy receivers do partake i…, tho' our Adverſaries do accuſe us for denying it. And that we do not … …rſelves by denying theſe to be … … preſent in or with the …, but that his Glorified … in He…e…, will appear under the next H…d. And that in this receiving his Body and Blood, we do alſo partake in all his … is truly …e…e a…e…ted, and fully evident from the …. It is certain that C…ri…t and his Benefits go together inſeparably: as we cannot receive his Benefits except we receive his Perſon, … if we do entertain his Perſon, according to the …e…our of the New Covenant, we are therewithal entituled to all theſe Benefits. Hence that Rom. 8.32 H… that … not his … but delivered him up for us all, how ſha… … with him alſo freely giv… … all things? We are there …re …ld, what it is that … makes him to be to all ſuch, 1 Cor. 1.…0. But … him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus who …f God is made unto us wiſdom, and righteouſneſs, and ſanctification, and redemption. What theſe Benefits are, we have formerly taken the account, and they were all purchaſed by Chriſt for thoſe whom his Father had given him; and are all of them Sealed up to every worthy receiver, and confirmed to him, and he is made to participate of the Conſ…lation of them. Not that every one who is admitted to ſit down at this Table, is owner of this Priviledge, for there are ſome that Eat & Drink J…gment to themſelves, but thoſe that are worthy, ſhall not fall of it. It is therefore a matter of greateſt concern, that we rightly underſtand the way in which this is obtained.
Hence,
3. We are told after what manner theſe muſt participate, that ſo they may enjoy that happy Priviledge. And this is expreſt both Negatively and Affirmatively
1. NEGATIVELY; It is not after a Corporal and Carnal manner: And this rightly underſtood, will out off all the groſs Opinions of our Adverſaries, who like the C…pernaites, interpret all theſe Spiritual Expreſſions of Chriſt, Joh. 6. according to the reſentments of the Fleſh. We are here to obſerve, that the Sacrament, being an Ordinance appointed for our Spiritual Nutriment, this is repreſented to us by the Ceremonies of Eating and Drinking the external Elements; for except we thus receive our Bodily Food, let it be never ſo rich, and ſuitable for us, it cannot anſwer the end of it to us, or do us any real good. Now that which theſe Sacramental Actions ſignify, is that though Chriſt is in himſelf the Life, and indeed the only repaſt of our Souls, yet be cannot profit us unleſs we do that which anſwers this Sign, i. e. apply him to ourſelves in like manner as we do our Meat and Drink. But the great diſpute is, after what manner this is to be done▪ and our Adverſa…ies, will needs have it after a C…poral and Carnal manner, which is the thing note de…ed; and this is the ground on which they do ſo hotly plead for the real pre…ce, which though in a ſound ſenſe we d…y o…, but in their ſenſe we cannot admit; … they tell us, that we muſt with our Bodily Organs, receive the ſame Body and Blood of Chriſt, and it muſt be incorporated with us; from whence they plead the neceſſity of Tranſubſtantiation or Conſubſtantiation, becauſe they ſuppoſe that otherwiſe this cannot be, and if the former were true, there would be a ſtrong plea for the latter, but it is altogether vain: and it is ſo far from being eſſential to the Sacrament, that it altogether ſubverts the very Nature of it. Chriſt himſelf therefore makes that remark, Joh. 6.63. The fleſh profiteth nothing. For though he is not there ſpeaking of this Sacrament, which was not then Inſtituted, yet he ſpeaks Tropically of the way in which his Fleſh and Blood becomes real Nouriſhment to our Souls. Beſides, this abſurd … …at, hath introduced the monſtrous Doctrine of Ubiquity which is inconſiſtent with a Created Body, and all the Rules by which we are to judge of the Nature of it: yet it makes neceſſary multiplication of Bodies, ſuppoſing that the whole Body of Chriſt is fed upon at every Adminiſtration, which may be no leſs than a thouſand times at the ſame time in the Chriſtian World; and which adds to the Bruitiſhneſs of it, it makes Chriſt to be Bodily Crucified every time this Ordinance is diſpenſed, whereas we are told, Heb. 10.14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified.
2. AFFIRMATIVELY, But by Faith. There muſt be actual participation in the Body and Blood of Chriſt, i. e. in the Vertue and Efficacy of that one Sacrifice which he offered up to appeaſe God to us, and purchaſe Eternal Life for us: and this muſt be together with our Bodily partaking in the outward Elements, which are offered to our ſenſes, for this is the proper Union of the parts of the Sacrament: but becauſe one is given to be a Sign of the other, there muſt needs be a difference between the Sign and the thing ſignified. As therefore the Bread and Wine do ſignify the Body and Blood of Chriſt, ſo the Sacramental Actions of Eating and Drinking muſt ſignify ſome other thing that is ſhadowed or repreſented by them; and that muſt be ſomething, by which we do as truly derive this Vertue from him, as we do from our Food by Eating ſ Drinking of it▪ and this we are told is done by the lively exerciſing of our Faith upon Chriſt. This is the great and only Inſtrument by which, we derive all from Chriſt; this is the Hand that receives him; this is the Mouth that feeds upon him; this is the Stomach that digeſts him. Now Faith may be conſidered, either as it is a Grace of the Spirit, and therein it agrees with all the other Graces mentioned in the Word of God; or as it is an Instrument made uſe of by us, to apprehend Chriſt and his Be…efits, in which it is peculiarly diſtinguiſhed from all other Graces in the Man; in that this alone, is the Medi… through which it is laid up in Chriſt for us, derives to us, and becomes efficacious for the ends of it. And this will appear i… we conſider,
1. THAT all the diſtinguiſhing Benefits that are provided for God's …led, are laid up in Chriſt. He is the great Store-houſe of all the…e, Col. 2.3. and they were therefore ſtored in him, that they might be communicated by him, to all thoſe for whom they were deſig…ed: and the reaſon is, not only becauſe he was the purchaſer of them, but alſo becauſe he was delegated by his Father, to be the diſpenſer of them, as he was the Conſtituted Mediator. And as he was the high Prieſt of our Redemption, to reconcile God to us, ſo he was the Prophet and King, to reconcile us to God, and give us a title to his whole purchaſe. And hence he had the Office of a Mediator, becauſe he ſtands between both, 1 Tim 2.5.
2. THAT theſe may actually enjoy theſe Benefits, there muſt be an application of them made to the Subjects. It is true, in the Covenant of Suretiſhip, all theſe have a right to them in him, for therein God the Father made a firm Promiſe of them for all ſuch in whoſe behalf he became a Surety. But for all that they abide under the Curſe, and can make no challenge of theſe, becauſe there is a New Covenant opened to them, in which there is a way diſcovered by which alone they are to be brought under the Promiſe. And this is that which is done in the Work of Application, which belongs to his Spirit to make. And before this Application was made, Paul tells them what they were, Eph. 2.3. And were by Nature the children of wrath, even as others,
3. THERE are the Means appointed, in and with which this application is to be made. This application is made firſtly in the Work of Converſion or Effectual Calling, in order to which they have the Goſpel afforded to them, in which God treats with Sinners: And God uſeth the ſame mediate courſe in the carrying on of this Work in Men. Hence Believers have that direction, 1 Pet. 2.2. As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. And for this reaſon the Children of God are required to attend upon theſe means, in order to their ſpiritual profit, after they have been united to Chriſt in Converſion. Now this Sacrament is one of thoſe Media Inſtituted for this end; for that reaſon it is called our Communion with Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1….16. Not that the Elements themſelves are ſo, but that they are the Sanctified M…d… of this Communion.
4. THAT as in the Covenant, there are the offers of theſe made by God to us, ſo he requires of us, that we receive them according to the terms made in the Offer. Though it is be alone that can make us. …ing yet … V…lu… tary Agents, and thereupon he ſets them before us, u…geth them upon us, & uſeth potent Arguments in ple…ding with us to accept of them: and here…y he intimates to us, that we cannot apprehend the good of them, but by our acceptance, and …ree compliance with the offers, and that not only in Converſion, but alſo in our Progreſſive Sanctification. And our non-acceptance will certainly put an Obſtruction in the way. And this is the reaſon why we ſometimes profit not by the Ordinances, but they leave us in ſome regard worſe than they find us. Now there are the terms on which this offer is made, and unto which the Premiſe is reſtrained, which is therefore our Duty to comp…r… withal, if we would not … of the Benefit. For God applies himſelf to us in his own way; and where he intends the Bleſſing, he will work us to ſuch a Compliance.
5. THAT according to this Convenant, Faith is the appointed Medium of our receiving Chriſt and his Benefits. This therefore is given as the reaſon why the Word did not profit them, in Heb. 4.2. And indeed there is nothing elſe that can be ſuitable to the deſign of the New-Covenant; which is to exalt the Glory of the Grace of God, in all the ſaving good that is done for the Children of Men. It is by Faith that God opens the Hearts of his People to entertain Chriſt into them, whereas Unbelief will ſhut the Heart againſt him, and keep him out: It is by Faith that the Believer ſucks and draws out the Vertue from him, by which he derives all that ſupply from him, which he ſtands in …eed of: It is Faith that receives the Promiſe, & enables him to place an entire reliance upon him, which ſatisfies his longing Soul. And all that the Soul wants is in Chriſt, and therefore he hath nothing to do but …rch it from him: the wh…le Vertue muſt come from him, and we have nothing to do here but to conſent to the Offers of Grace, and open our Hearts to it, and place our reliance on him for it.
4. WE have the Efficacy of this Ordinance upon thoſe who do worthily receive it, viz. it becomes ſervicable to their Spiritual Nouriſhment, and growth in Grace.
HERE Obſerve,
(1.) THAT the whole deſign of this Ordinance, and its Operation is Spiritual. And this ſtands in oppoſition to that which is Corporal and Carnal; and gives us to underſtand, that if the end and uſe be Spiritual, the reception of it muſt be ſo too: and though it is true, that there is a Corporeal part in the Sacrament, for the Elements are ſuch, and the Body and Senſes are to be uſed in our receiving and partaking of the Sign, yet this is not the end of it, but only a Medium to obtaining of the end by a right improvement of it, which is all Spiritual. And though we a…e to con…ider, the natural Vertue of theſe Elements, to ſupply the bodily wants, and ſupport our natural Lives, yet we are not to …r…y there, but to apply … to our Souls …, in viewing and …e…ting ourſelves with the …u…tableneſs and ſufficiency of Chriſt, more fully to anſwer all our Spiritual wants. And tho' in the conſideration of this Ordinance as a Seal of the New Covenant, we are to act our Faith on the whole Promiſe of that Covenant, of which, 1 Tim. 4.8. Ye…, as a Sign, repreſenti…g Chriſt to us as the Bread of Life and the Fountain of Living Waters, the whole Analogy cometh under a Spiritual conſideration: Hence the Apoſtle calls Chriſt the Spiritual Meat and Drink, 1 Cor. 10.3, 4. And this farther confirms the neceſſity of receiving it by Faith, for that only hath a… Eye to diſcern Spiritual things.
(2.) THE ſubject of app…ation for which it is to be uſed is Grace. Now though Grace hath a diverſe Interpretation to the put upon it, in the uſage of the Scriptures, yet in the ſenſe of our Catechiſm, it is in this place to be underſtood of the New Principle of Sanctification, which is planted in the Soul, by the Spirit of God in Regeneration. And it ſuppoſeth that this New-Principle is already wrought in the Man; for it is an Ordinance of Communion with Chriſt, and ſo it ſuppoſeth our Union with him, without which we cannot have Communion with him. And every Grace of the Spirit is concerned in this, all of them being to be ſupplied from him, on whom our Spiritual Life entirely depends. And Faith itſelf is not here exempted, in that it alſo is a Grace, equally dependent with all the other; and if our Faith do not fail, it muſt be by influences from Chriſt, who alone can preſerve it, and help our Unbelief.
(3.) THE Efficacy of this Ordinance with reſpect to our Grace, is to nouriſh it, and give it growth. There are two things which the Graces of God's Children in this Life do ſtand in need of, viz. Preſervation in Life & Vigour, and En…reaſe. Grace is a Creature, and therefore depe…dent, and without ſupply for the Preſervation of it, would Languiſh Decay and Dy: And for this it depends on Chriſt, who is its Life. And as well may the Body Live without Food, as Grace without Influence from him. Grace alſo is little at firſt, and therefore is compared to an Infant, which though entire in parts, is yet imperfect as to degrees; but it is appointed to grow to the Stature of a Perfect Man in Chriſt, for both which it is under the care of Chriſt, who hath ſecured them to every Believer in the Promiſe of the New Covenant, Jo…. 14.19. Pſal. 92.13. Now, it is the Duty of the Children of God, to endeavour after theſe. Hence that Precept, 2 Pet. 3.18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt: to him be glory both now and for ever. Amen And for this there are the means appointed in the uſe whereof he is to wait upon Chriſt for the Bleſſing, among which this of the Sacrament is one, which is by deriving of Vertue from Chriſt for the nouriſhment & e…creaſe of Grace in him.
BUT i… … here …e enquired. How doth the right participation in this Ordinance, help to nouriſh and encreaſe Grace in a Believer? And here we may conſider theſe things;
1. THAT Chriſt is the great Object …ffered to us in th…s Ordinance to Live upon. He is the thing ſig…ified, and we are called to look thro', the S…g…s to him; and no farther to apply ourſelves to them, than as that may be made ſerviceable to lead us to him. And as by the S…g…s we are entertained with ſuch things as are appointed and adapted for our Bodily Livelihood, ſo the end of that is to tell us, that our Life is laid up in Chriſt, and that we muſt continually derive it from him: and no farther than we make this Application, do we receive them Sacramentally: And this is one reaſon why he calls them his Body and his Blood, becauſe they are purpoſely to repreſent them to us.
2. IN this Ordinance we have an affecting diſcovery of the bitterneſs of Sin, for the m…rtifying of it in us. The mortification of ſin, is very ſerviceable for the preſervation and encreaſe of Grace: theſe are two contrary Principles in the Believer, as the o…e grows weaker, the other grows ſtronger. So much of the activity and prevalency of ſin as there is in us, ſo much is our Grace endangered, & ſo weak it muſt needs be. Hence mortification of ſin, is reckoned to be one part of Sanctification, and a Duty enjoyned on all the People of God: and the root of this mortification is, a cordial hatred of it, ariſing from the apprehenſion of the evil and bitterneſs of it, of which there is a moſt lively repreſentation in this Sacrament. Herein we ſee what indignation God hath at ſin, in that he ſpared not his own Son, when under the imputation of it; and how terrible a thing it is, in the Sufferings that our Lord underwent to expiate the Guilt of it. So that Chriſt's Croſs will help us to crucify our ſin.
3. HERE is Chriſt ſet forth in his fulneſs of ſufficiency, for our Faith to rely upon for the ſupply of our Graces. The Elements here choſen to repreſent him, are the things that are moſt neceſſary and uſeful for the Bodily Life, both for its ſupport and comfort: And they are Signs to certify us, that he is a fountain of Grace, and that he is a fountain opened, and we are invited to come to it, and may by faith plentifully fetch in ſupplies for our Souls, for the ſtrengthning of a… our Graces: and what can be more encouraging than to ſee that there is a full treaſury of all that which we can ſtand in need of; and that it is in this F…st of fat things ſet before us: and we have Chriſt himſelf ſa…ing to us, Cant. 5.1. I am come into my garden, my ſiſter, my ſpouſe; I have gathered my myr…h with my ſpi…e, I have eaten my bony-comb with my …ony, I have dr…nk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
4. HERE we have an open view of his incomparable L…ve to us, to engage us in holineſs. The Love of God to Sinners, is a proper Obligation to bind us to Love and Serve him; and we are aſſured, that this is the Teaching of the Grace of God, Ti…. 2.11, 1…. And where can we have a better proſpect of this Love of Chriſt, than in this Ordinance? Surely his free and voluntary Offering himſelf to revenging Juſt…ce, to bear our Iniqui…ies, and ſuffer our Pu…ſhment, was unparralel'd kindneſs; there is Emphaſ…s in that, Iſa. 53.5, 6 But he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities; the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his str…pes we are healed. All we like ſheep have gone aſtray: we have turned every one to his own …o…y, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. And this is ſet out at this Ordinance in lively Colours, Gal. 3.1. Before whoſe eyes Jeſus Chriſt hath been evidently ſet forth, cruci…ied among …?
5. THIS Ordinance is a Seal of the New Covenant, and ſo it ſerves to ſtrengthen our Faith, and rehance on him, for all the Grace that we need. That it is ſuch a Seal we before obſerved, and the things which it Seals up to us are the Promiſes of the Covenant; and one thing is, that he will give us Grace, and more Grace; and by Faith we are ſo to receive it, for our eſtabliſhment in the confidence of this: and in this confidence we may come for, and receive from him, all the good that we need: when we lock upon it as a Seal, it will ſtrengthen our Faith and Hope, whereby ou… Grace muſt needs grow ſtronger and ſtronger.
USE. THIS may then ſerve to reprove the Neglect of this Ordinance, which too generally Me… are guilty of: and out of doubt, the conſideration of the nature, end, and uſe of it, will carry abundant conviction of this ſin and folly: And let it awaken all from this Negligence, who deſire to enjoy abundant Communion with Chriſt in this Life.